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Thousands of #WomenBehindtheMagic are using their diverse skillsets to bring magic to Disney fans and guests each and every day – whether they’re crafting award-winning fine dining experiences or bringing fan-favorite characters to life. For Kelly White, Senior Director, Parks Experiences, Emerging Tech & Innovation, at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, making magic means creating digital products for guests that enhance their Disney experience, from planning with the My Disney Experience or Disneyland mobile apps to having even more fun in the parks with the Play Disney Parks app, but also creating magical opportunities for Disney employees through the groundbreaking CODE:Rosie program. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in business, marketing and journalism, Kelly began her Disney career in mobile gaming as a project manager. Now, as a 13-year veteran in the technology field, she has seen the evolution of mobile gaming over the past decade, and has established a successful career for herself in the technology field. “I had an affinity for tech, even though I never studied it,” she said, noting that her early days at Disney benefited from her personal enjoyment of gaming and finding new challenges. Now, Kelly gets to put those passions to work creating digital experiences and tools for Disney guests. Fast forward to 2016, when Kelly seized the opportunity to help launch the CODE:Rosie program at Disney. For Kelly, pursuing a career in a historically male-dominated field like technology or engineering is an opportunity to challenge the stereotypes and help reduce gender gap – something that CODE:Rosie also aims to do. “It was a top priority for us at the beginning to think about not only how do we create a community that creates a connection and networking for women that are in these fields, or want to be in technology, but what can we do to take it further,” she recalls of how CODE:Rosie got started and a mission to increase diversity in tech. “I remember thinking, ‘what can we do to make progress immeditely?’ And that’s what CODE:Rosie did.” The CODE:Rosie program at Disney offers women in non-technical roles an opportunity to learn technology and coding skills, with an ultimate goal of finding a place in a new career path in technology at the company. While enrolled in the program, women – dubbed “Rosies” – are able to learn from others in their cohort as well as mentors and advisors, with the extra comfort of being able to return to their original role if they decide that tech isn’t the right fit for them. And the best part is, any eligible woman at Disney can apply for the program! “Sometimes life just gets in the way,” Kelly says, sharing how inspiring it is to see women work through and complete the program. “Programs like CODE:Rosie are great reminders – even for myself – that we all have a responsibility and an opportunity to challenge ourselves.” Kelly proudly shares that since the program’s beginning, all Rosies have been placed in technical fields throughout Disney, whether that means a role at Walt Disney Imagineering, Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios or somewhere else. Now looking to the future, she’s thinking of how to expand the program to offer even more opportunities for women! “I think what’s most inspiring is these women taking the risk,” she says about the highlights of her work. “For these women, they stepped out of a job and chose a new career path, and this program created that pathway for them.” We know that the Rosies’ futures are bright, and we’re thrilled to share how women at Disney are taking advantage of resources and programs to help them in their personal and professional goals! We’re so proud of Kelly for her exceptional work in closing the gender gap in technology, and we can’t wait to see where the next phase of CODE:Rosie takes us. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more inspiring stories of our #WomenBehindtheMagic! View the full article

Hi there, I’m so excited to be able to announce that the 2020 version of Walt Disney World for Military Families has been released. I have to wait each year for the new Disney Armed Forces Salute information to come out in order to be able to finish it up. Walt Disney World for Military […] The post The 2020 Edition of Walt Disney World for Military Families is Available! appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

October is TOMORROW, which means spooky season is officially here! Starbucks Specialty Drinks To help you feel the fall vibes, Starbucks at Disney Springs has come up with some fun Halloween-themed drinks. Proceed with caution as these Halloween drinks may give you the heebie-jeebies! They’re currently serving a Frankenfrap, Wolfen Frappuccino, Floating Berry Refresher, Green GhostTea, and Mummy Frappuccino. Starbucks Halloween Specials And as we have been mentioning throughout the day, Disney Springs has officially hit 1 million followers on Instagram! To celebrate, select locations throughout Disney Springs are offering fun themed treats like Dole Whip Nachos and free gifts like PopSockets. Starbucks is also celebrating Disney Springs’ 1 million follower mark with a drink, the #thanksamillion Frappuccino. This drink sounds pretty sweet, don’t ya think? Starbucks #thanksamillion But remember it can only be purchased as a venti. So, we hope you’re thirsty!! We always love seeing the fun drinks that Starbucks comes up with, much like the Maleficient and Elixir drinks we had at Starbucks in Disneyland. You can check those out here! What do you think of these fun-themed drinks? Chat with us about them in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs — New Churro Carts, Phone Cases, and Menu Changes!! You NEED to See This Crazy Sundae at Disney Springs! FIRST LOOK! Disney’s World’s NEW NBA Experience View the full article

Earlier today, we told you that Disney Springs is celebrating 1 million followers on Instagram with free goodies at select locations, in addition to special treats at several restaurants as well. Marketplace Snacks We already gave you a sneak peek at the Dole Whip Nachos from Marketplace Snacks, but we couldn’t resist heading over and trying them for ourselves! Dole Whip Nachos The nachos themselves are (funfetti and traditional) waffle cone chips colored purple, green, and brown. The “nachos” are topped with a generous swirl of vanilla and pineapple Dole Whip, pineapple tidbits, mango Boba balls, whipped cream, strawberry drizzle, sprinkles, AND a white chocolate 1 million camera piece! Dole Whip Nachos We loved these unique nachos! Despite the massive amount of toppings, the waffle cone chips still had a lot of crunch and were delicious. The fruity flavors were delicious together, and we can never resist pineapple Dole Whip. If you enjoy pineapple desserts, this is the treat for you! Dole Whip Nachos According to a Cast Member at Marketplace Snacks, the Dole Whip Nachos — which we got for $8.99 — are only available today. BUT, she did say they may add them to the menu, so keep an eye out for them when you’re in Disney Springs! Are you game to try the Dole Whip Nachos? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: New! Back-to-School Specialty Drinks Arrive in Disney Springs! What’s New This Week: Disney Springs (November 12-18, 2017) What’s New in Disney World’s Disney Springs: December 4, 2017 View the full article

Just in time for Halloween, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes is debuting a boo-tiful new CrazyShake! Black Tap Craft Burger and Shakes This Downtown Disney eatery is known for its over-the-top milkshakes (like the S’mores CrazyShake), and this one looks so good — it’s scary!!! With its wicked mountain of vanilla ice cream, the shake features a chocolate spider-web cupcake and comes covered in a thick layer of whipped cream, The rim of the glass is frosted with vanilla icing and comes smothered in candy corn pieces. Orange rock candy, an orange and white twisty pop, and chocolate drizzle complete the treat. You’ll want to start gathering up all your best buds to hit this Disneyland Resort hotspot! Black Tap’s Halloween CrazyShake! ©BlackTap Black Tap’s Halloween Time CrazyShake will be exclusively available from October 30 – November 3. In the meantime, check out these other ghoulish Halloween Time eats at Disneyland this year! Check out more Disneyland Food Reviews Here!! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you crazy enough to try this Halloween CrazyShake? Let us know what you think in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at Disneyland — Magic Way’s Grand Opening, TWO New Menus, And Halloween AND Arendelle Aqua Treats! Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day With A FREE Cheeseburger in Disneyland! What’s New at Disneyland Resort — TWO New Menus, Delicious Funnel Cakes, and EVERYTHING Oogie Boogie! View the full article

Calling all Disney cruisers! Your ship has just come in! Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream Disney Cruise Line’s just released a brand new color trend, and you won’t find this collection anywhere in the parks! Introducing the new Nautical Navy collection! That’s right — this is Disney Cruise Line’s very own flash color trend! And we gotta tell ya, we are LOVING how this color looks! Just check out this Nautical Navy Spirit Jersey with its shimmering rose gold details… ©Disney And how beautifully it pairs with these new Nautical Navy Ears! The color appears similar to the Briar Rose Gold Ears, but get a load of that navy blue bow printed with little rose gold anchor designs! ©Disney If you’re diggin’ all these shiny details, check out the new Nautical Navy T-shirt with a graphic Mickey design embellished with navy blue sequins! ©Disney You’ll also wanna see the new Loungefly Nautical Navy Fanny Pack, Nautical Navy Wallet… ©Disney … Along with the Nautical Navy Lanyard and Nautical Navy Backpack! These pieces are perfect for going ashore and have cute little striped bows on their fronts — how seafarer-chic! ©Disney And we can’t wait to sip our morning coffee on our verandas with the new Nautical Navy Tumbler! ©Disney Did we just tempt you into booking your first Disney cruise? We might have just convinced ourselves to go book one! Are you excited about the new Nautical Navy merch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section! Related posts: BREAKING NEWS! Disney Cruise Line Announces Vacation Destinations for 2021! NEWS! Passport Now Required for This Popular Disney Cruise Line Destination! Disney Cruise Line Bookings for Summer 2020 Sailings OPEN SOON! View the full article

Over the weekend, we had the privilege of catching up with legendary supermodel, television host and entrepreneur Heidi Klum who made a special appearance at Disneyland Resort to celebrate the launch her very own design of Minnie Mouse ear headband – part of the Disney Parks Designer Collection! During her visit, Heidi was welcomed by global star and fashion icon Minnie Mouse – in a special sparkly dress – at Sleeping Beauty Castle before the two enjoyed an adorable moment in a teacup. Heidi Klum’s headband is a part of the Disney Parks Designer Collection – a collection of limited release Mickey ear hats and Minnie ear headbands designed by notable celebrities, designers and artists. Heidi Klum’s luxury ears feature over 150 Swarovski crystals and weigh ½ a pound. Aren’t they stunning? P.S., there are fewer than 500 Minnie Mouse ear headbands from this collection available while supplies last at the Disneyland Resort in California at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. “Bedazzling the most famous ears in the world is like a dream come true for me. I am still pinching myself, said Heidi Klum. “To all Mickey and Minnie fans–I hope you love wearing them as much as I do.” Disney parks around the world offer over 250 options of ear hat and ear headband designs for everyone – from fans to collectors – with prices ranging from $19.99 up to $600 for high-end designer ears. Check out this post for current and future celebrity artist collaboration. View the full article

Just this weekend the @DisneySprings Instagram handle reached a major milestone—1 million followers! Whether you’ve been following us since the beginning or you’re a recent follower, we love hearing from you and watching you post your “Instagrammable” memories and moments with us. One of my favorite spots at Disney Springs to shoot photos is Amorette’s Patisserie (they never disappoint when it comes to gorgeous treats!) I asked the chef team to help me design a cake to celebrate this magical milestone and they knocked it out of the park. (Check it out here.) To celebrate with you today, we’re debuting a set of new Disney Springs themed wallpapers for your desktop or mobile device designed by Graphic Designer, Karen Hamana. Also, if you search “Disney Springs” on GIPHY you’ll spot some brand-new Disney Springs stickers perfect for all your future Instagram Stories. Thank you all for being such amazing fans of Disney Springs and I look forward to celebrating our next major milestone with you! View the full article

Halloween Time is in full swing in Disneyland Resort, and even Starbucks is in on the spooky fun! Halloween Time in Disneyland During our last visit to Downtown Disney, we couldn’t resist trying their pair of limited-time Halloween Time drinks — the Maleficent Frappuccino (which we told you about recently) and the Dr. Facilier Elixer. Halloween Time Starbucks Drinks We first tried the Maleficent Frappuccino — a blueberry and vanilla bean creme frappuccino blended with diced dragon fruit and topped with matcha tea whipped cream. Maleficent Frappuccino We thought the three flavors blended well and tasted very fruity. The diced dragon fruit was finely blended, and we didn’t get any sips with small chunks of the fruit. The drink had a pleasant aftertaste, as the taste would fade softly after each sip. It honestly tasted a bit like Smarties candy to us! We could easily taste the matcha tea from the whipped cream, but it wasn’t overbearing and nicely complemented the flavors of the frappuccino itself. Maleficent Frappuccino Overall, it’s a fun drink that will definitely draw some stares and looks from passersby! Prices vary depending on which size you order, ranging from $5.19 for a tall drink to $6.49 for a venti (before an Annual Passholder discount). Maleficent Frappuccino and Dr. Facilier Elixer We also tried the Dr. Facilier Elixer, which is a layered chai tea and lemonade iced beverage, topped with a splash of passion fruit tea. Dr. Facilier Elixer Before mixing it up, we could easily taste the bitterness of the tea, sour flavor from the lemonade, and sweetness from the passion fruit tea. Mixed together, these flavors were great! If you’re into Arnold Palmers, this drink will likely be a hit for you as long as you don’t mind a sweet, tropical twist to it. We love the color of the Dr. Facilier Elixer as well! Dr. Facilier Elixer Like the Maleficent Frappuccino, the price of this drink will vary as well, ranging from $4.79 for a tall to $5.79 for a venti. As far as we know, both of these drinks are only available until next week, so head on over to Starbucks in Downtown Disney to try one for yourself! Explore even more Halloween Time treats here! Check out more Disneyland Food Reviews Here!! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Related posts: What’s New at Disneyland — Magic Way’s Grand Opening, TWO New Menus, And Halloween AND Arendelle Aqua Treats! Design Your Own Bake Box at Sprinkles Cupcakes! Breakfast Cereal Cupcakes Return To Sprinkles TODAY! — See When You’ll Find Your Favorite! View the full article

Ahoy there, DFB mateys! Are you setting sail on the Disney Cruise Line anytime soon? Disney Wonder If so, there’s been an important update you’ll want to know about before you travel to this popular Carribean island! The Disney Cruise Line has just announced that passengers traveling to the island of Martinique are now required to bring their valid passports along for the ride. Disney Wonder Previously, cruise passengers had been allowed to go ashore without this form of documentation, but the French-governed island has just instated stricter rules. ©Disney Fantasy Since passports can take some time to acquire, we wanted to pass this info along to you swiftly! If you’re planning a 9-day trip aboard the Disney Fantasy or a 7-day voyage on the Disney Wonder to Martinique, you’ll want to make sure you have your passport on to so you can disembark! Have you ever taken a Disney cruise? Let us know about your experience in the comments section! Related posts: Disney Cruise Line Bookings for Summer 2020 Sailings OPEN SOON! BREAKING NEWS! Disney Cruise Line Announces Vacation Destinations for 2021! Review: Skagway Sweets Tour, Disney Cruise Line in Alaska View the full article

Hey everybody! It’s time to dust off your Millennial Pink ears and spirit jerseys… Millennial Pink Minnie Ears …Because the classic Millennial Pink Shake is returning to Disney World! Keep reading to find out where! The Millennial Pink Shake is returning toVivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs! ©Vivoli il Gelato Millenial Pink Shake The shake, which came out last year during the Millennial Pink color trend, is a delicious mix of banana gelato and strawberry sorbetto! We love how it comes topped with pink sprinkles, strawberry crisp pearls, and a fresh strawberry! This is another way that Disney Springs is celebrating 1 million followers! Check out the links below to find out how else Disney is celebrating. Nacho Average Dole Whip! NEW Dole Whip Nachos Now in Disney Springs! TWO Free Goodies NOW Available in Disney Springs!! Would you like to see Millenial Pink make a comeback? Let us know in the comments section! Related posts: Review And Photos: You HAVE To See The August Special Brownie Waffle Sundae in Disney World! NEW! Cookie-Filled Sundae Arrives at Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs! NEW! You Need to See The August Specials at Vivoli il Gelato in Disney World! View the full article

If you look behind the scenes of Walt Disney World Resort, there are quite a few forces that help to bring our magic to life. In addition to our incredible cast, countless other forces help to create innovative and unforgettable experiences for our guests, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics—otherwise known as STEM. STEM plays a huge role in magic-making for us, which is why we are so excited to share that the next two local nonprofit organizations to be #GrantedByDisney with a total of $200,000 will use their 2019 Disney Grants to introduce and expand STEM-focused educational opportunities to local youth. The Orlando Science Center will put their $100,000 Disney Grant toward bringing their Head Start program, which introduces STEM concepts to preschool-aged learners, to the classrooms of more than 50 local educators. The outstanding people behind the program were recently celebrated as Grand Marshals before the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom Park, where we all shared in the power of magic—and STEM—together. And PACE Center for Girls, an organization dedicated to shaping the futures of young girls through education, counseling, training and advocacy, will use their $100,000 Disney Grant to bring a new, experiential learning program into their Orange and Polk County learning centers. To celebrate, the girls were treated to a unique learning opportunity led by passionate Disney leaders who visited their classrooms to talk about their own journeys into the STEM industry. And they even had a surprise visit from Doctor Minnie! Together with these amazing organizations, we will be able to continue igniting the imaginations of our local youth by introducing them to the power of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Stay tuned to see which organization will be #GrantedByDisney next. View the full article

It looks like we’ll have even more places to grab some delicious beignets from Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter VERY SOON. Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter In case you missed it, we recently chatted about Disney World’s plans to not only expand Scat Cat’s Club but also to introduce a new dining location in the New Orleans-themed resort, called Scat Cat’s Club — Café. And now, it looks like the new and expanded locations will each open tomorrow! According to the Facebook page for PortOrleans.org, the “new Beignet Cafe opens at 6:00 AM on October 1 in the space formerly known as Scat Cat’s.” Later in the day, the new Scat Cat’s Club “opens at 4:00 PM, [and] live entertainment begins at 7:00 PM.” We also received confirmation from Port Orleans Resort that a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 6:00 PM. Scat Cat’s Club According to Disney, Scat Cat’s Club “will expand to a larger space to serve up signature beverages and flavorful bar options offering a taste of the Big Easy.” Don’t worry, the lounge will still offer live jazz music five nights a week. Don’t forget that Scat Cat’s Club is the home of the boozy beignets! Baton Rouge Beignets with Kahlua Scat Cat’s Club — Café will be a new location in the lobby, and it will offer the popular (and delicious!) beignets throughout the day. As you may know, Port Orleans’ beignets are made in-house every day. We recently grabbed some pumpkin spice beignets for ourselves, and you can read our full review of them here! Pumpkin Spice Beignets If you’ll be anywhere near Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter tomorrow, be sure to head over to check out the expanded Scat Cat’s Club and new Café! Learn more about the changes to Scat Cat’s Club here! Have you tried the boozy beignets from Scat Cat’s Club? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS! Disney World’s Port Orleans Resort to Expand Scat Cat’s Club AND Introduce NEW Scat Cat’s Club – Café! Review and Photos: SECRET MENU CHOCOLATE Boozy Beignets at Disney World!! The NEW MENU Scat Cat’s Club at Port Orleans Resort Looks AWESOME! View the full article

We’ve been really enjoying telling you folks back home about the NEW Disney Skyliner! Disney’s Skyliner And now we have a fun little surprise to report to you! Just wait until you see what was left for us at our Disney World Resort room last night! We returned to our Disney resort from the parks last night to find this magical gift waiting for us! Oh, Disney, you shouldn’t have! Oh, but you did and we’re soooo happy! Disney’s Skyliner Gift The special present included information on the Skyliner’s hours of operation AND an exclusive Skyliner pin for resort guests only! Skyliner Hours of Operation Line 1: Resort Skyliner Transportation will run from 5:45 AM – 11 PM (12 AM Tuesday). Line 2: Disney’s Hollywood Studios Skyliner Transportation will run from 5:45 AM – 11 PM (12 AM Tuesday). Line 3: Epcot Skyliner Transportation will operate from 8 AM – 11 PM (12 AM Tuesday). Wanna learn more about the Skyliner? We answer ALL your Disney Skyliner questions here! Disney’s Skyliner Resort-Guest Exclusive Pin The caption below the exclusive pin reads, “Welcome and thank you for being our Guest. Enjoy this special keepsake.” Don’t worry, Disney! We certainly will! It’s these little extra touches that make our time at the parks so unforgettable! What a special way to commemorate Disney Skyliner’s grand opening! Learn more about the Disney Skyliner by checking out the links below! There’s Magic in the Air Thanks to the NEW Disney Skyliner Merchandise in Disney World News! The Disney Skyliner is Officially OPEN! Disney World Skyliner PROS and CONS — What We Think After Our First Rides in the Sky! Here’s What Really SURPRISED Us About the Disney World Skyliner During Our FIRST Ride! Were you lucky enough to be staying at one of the Disney resorts last night that gave their guests these special pins? Let us know in the comments if you scored one! Related posts: Paging Mr. Tom Morrow: Your Disney World Trip Will Look VERY Different in 2021…! What’s New at Disney’s Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts: July 4th Fun, a Cuddly Cupcake, and Phone Flippers (?!) Surf’s Up with NEW Eats at the 2019 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic! View the full article

We chatted with y’all earlier about the fact that Disney Springs was celebrating 1 MILLION followers with free goodies at select locations. Fall into Magic at Disney Springs But, now it’s time to talk about the important stuff…the food. Marketplace Snacks is servin’ up Dole Whip Nachos! Be among the FIRST to try this NEW snack by showing a Cast Member that you’re following Disney Springs on Instagram. ©DisneySprings It looks as if these nachos are made with multicolored waffle cone chips, Dole Whip, rainbow sprinkles, pineapple, whipped cream, a berry drizzle, and more!! Amorette’s Patisserie is also serving a 1 million follower Mini Dome Cake! ©DisneySprings This cute treat is perfect to post on your own Insta-thread, don’t ya think? We’re digging the colors and the adorable multicolored sprinkled ears! What’s your favorite thing to do/eat at Disney Springs? Chat with us about it in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs — New Churro Carts, Phone Cases, and Menu Changes!! Review and Pics! NEW Arendelle Aqua Prosecco Drink Makes a Sparkly Entrance in Disney Springs NEWS!! All the Treats for WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs Announced View the full article

Have you been fantasizing about staying the night at Disney’s Riviera Resort when it opens in Disney World this winter? Disney’s Riviera Resort Well, Disney’s just announced a special offer for Disney Visa Cardmembers, and a stay at the new deluxe resort might now be more affordable than you thought! Disney is offering an up to 40% off room-only discount at Disney’s Riviera Resort from December 16th (which is the resort’s opening day!) until March 21, 2020! Deluxe Studio at Disney’s Riviera Resort Click here to see our First Look at Disney’s Riviera Resort’s rooms! There are a few catches, though — you only have from NOW until February 14, 2020 to book your room and you must be a Disney Visa Cardholder. Disney’s Riviera Resort Skyliner Station Valid Travel Dates Valid most nights December 16, 2019 through March 31, 2020. Disney’s Riviera Resort Construction Important Details The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Length of stay requirements may apply. Must mention this offer and use a valid Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card to pay the deposit. Disney® Visa® Cardmember must stay in room. Offer is nontransferable. Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room at Deluxe Resorts and Studios at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Advance reservations required. Riviera Resort Skyliner Station When it comes to booking your Walt Disney World vacation, we suggest booking through our pals at Small World Vacations! If you want to start planning your vacay with this FREE service — click here for more info! Will you be staying at Disney’s Riviera Resort when it opens? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Disney’s NEW Riviera Resort Did Somebody Say Hotel DISCOUNT?! We’re Looking at You, Disney World Annual Passholders! 4 BIG Disney World Transportation Transformations (And What They Mean For YOU)! View the full article

In celebration of National Coffee Day this past weekend, we asked members of the Disney Parks Moms Panel where they would recommend guests go to enjoy a great cup of java at the Walt Disney World Resort. The list was long and fueled with passionate answers, but here are a few of their top suggestions. For panelist Wyatt, his Disney vacation doesn’t even begin until he has one extremely special first cup of coffee! “We have a tradition of stopping by the Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort on our day of arrival,” he explained. “We take this time to go over our plans for our trip and enjoy a delicious press pot of Joffrey’s Hawaiian Kona Maragogype Coffee! The experience of enjoying a rich cup of freshly brewed coffee while watching the monorail zip by is something I look forward to each trip! If you are in a bit of a rush, you can also stop by the Kona Island next door and request your coffee to-go. This is an excellent tip for those looking for a quick pick-me-up before heading to the parks!” Several panelists recommend Contemporary Grounds. Here they serve up gourmet beverages on the ground floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. And did you know you can order coffee at this location with a Disney Character printed on the foam of your drink. According to Ashley, “that’s coffee with character!” Next up, coffee in the parks and Ashley and Robyn have some high-octane suggestions. “This mom of three runs on equal parts pixie-dust and caffeine, so I always stop at Starbucks to fuel my magical mornings at the Walt Disney World Resort,” Ashley states. “Each theme park has a Starbucks location just a short walk away from the entrance, making it super convenient to grab my Iced Caramel Macchiato. Did you know that nearly all beverages on the Starbucks menu qualify as a Snack entitlement on the Disney Dining Plan? I’ll take a Venti, please!” For coffee and tea, Robyn recommends the Royal Anandapur Tea Company at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “Located just around the corner from Kali River Rapids, this tea stand offers a great selection of loose teas, along with coffee drinks and the classic Joffrey’s giant donut. We never miss a chance to pick up a delicious cup of tea and sit in the shade of a bamboo grove and take in the quiet beauty of the Asia area.” Sue, an avid coffee drinker, has many phenomenal recommendations but one of her favorites is to grab a Joffrey’s coffee and sit anywhere within sight of Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Animal Kingdom Park, or along Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the shadow of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. And for those who can’t wait until they arrive at their first destination, Samantha says look no further than your own Disney Resort Hotel room. “When I’m on a Walt Disney World Resort vacation, I tend to not get as much sleep as I should. Who wants to sleep when there are so many fun things to do?” asks Samantha. “Many Walt Disney World Resort Hotels have coffee makers in the rooms. I like to make a cup of coffee while I’m getting ready in the morning. I put it in a to-go cup and drink it on my way to catch the bus or monorail. When I arrive at the theme park for rope drop, I’m fully caffeinated and ready to start my day!” For more great tips, or for general Disney vacation questions, visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for an answer from one of our panelists. Panelists receive compensation for their participation on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. View the full article

Ahoy! Calling all cruising fashionistas, we have a very exciting announcement for you – the launch of the new Nautical Navy Collection! Available exclusively on board Disney Cruise Line ships, the Nautical Navy Collection is the next generation of Walt Disney World’s Color Story Collection. The Nautical Navy Collection derives inspiration from centuries of seafaring tradition and the beautiful blue of the ocean, paying homage to the classic exterior design that distinguishes the Disney Cruise Line fleet. The sparkling navy, touches of rose gold and iconic cruise line symbols that weave their way through the collection add the perfect amount of magic to your Disney Cruise Line look! The collection includes four, exclusive Loungefly pieces – a backpack, belt bag, wallet and lanyard. Each one ties together perfectly with the stripped bow accent, completed with a rose gold anchor. Inside the pieces, the theming continues with a nautical pattern, complete with the iconic Disney Cruise Line logo. The style doesn’t stop there! Included in the collection is a brand new Nautical Navy spirit jersey. Accented with rose gold glitter, this spirit jersey is the perfect addition to your collection. Headed somewhere more tropical? The new Nautical Navy t-shirt featuring everyone’s favorite, Mickey Mouse is a great option. Finally, no Disney Cruise Line outfit would be complete without ears! These rose gold ears with the navy bow are exactly what you need to finish your look off! We can’t wait to see you all in your Nautical Navy looks! Share them using #DCLNauticalNavy and #DisneyCruiseLife! View the full article

Can you believe that tomorrow is already October 1st?! And you know what that means…new Sprinkles cupcakes are coming to Disney World and Disneyland! Sprinkles in Disney Springs While we saw the brief return of Sprinkles’ Black Velvet, Cuban Coffee, and Peanut Butter Chip Cupcakes last week, the new flavors they’ve just announced for next month have us drooling! October 1st is the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Sprinkles is celebrating with a Strawberry Champagne Cupcake! ©Sprinkles Strawberry Champagne Cupcake This cute little cupcake with a cause has a vanilla champagne cake and a buttercream frosting infused with strawberries that have been simmered in sparkling rosé! Find it at both Disney Springs and Downtown Disney locations from October 1st to 27th! ©Sprinkles Strawberry Champagne Cupcake Read more about last year’s Strawberry Champagne Cupcake here! Also returning for the month of October, Sprinkles is bringing back its Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cupcake! We love hearing the words Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cups and cupcake together in the same sentence, don’t you? ©Sprinkles Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cupcake The cupcake is inspired by one of our favorite candies and features a chocolate cake filled and topped with peanut butter frosting, chocolate ganache, and Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cups! You can grab this one from October 7th to 20th. Prepare to get gooped by Sprinkles’ newest cupcake — the Slime Cupcake! ©Sprinkles Slime Cupcake While the flavors for this mysterious cupcake are unknown at this time, the photo has us very intrigued! The Sprinkles Slime Cupcake will be available in stores from October 21st to 31st. And lastly, for an eerie orange and black Halloween treat, Sprinkles will feature this spookified version of their Double Stuffed Oreo Cupcake! ©Sprinkles Double Stuffed Oreo Cupcake It’s a chocolate cupcake filled and topped with vanilla buttercream frosting lined with an Oreo cookie crust, and an Oreo crumble rim! Sign us up! Grab you Double Stuffed Oreo Cupcake from October 29th to 31st. And from NOW until October 13th, your receipt will entitle you to a special BOGO offer! FREE CUPCAKES?! Yes, please! Are you excited to try the new October cupcakes at Sprinkles? Let us know in the comments section! Related posts: It’s Friday! Celebrate the Weekend with This Sweet Deal from Sprinkles! Celebrate the Weekend With a FREE Cupcake Deal at Sprinkles! Fall Is in Full Swing in Disney Parks, and Sprinkles Has FINALLY Released Its September Specials Menu! View the full article

Disney Springs has officially hit 1 million followers on Instagram! Fall into Magic at Disney Springs And to celebrate this hugeeee feat, Disney Springs is offering a few FREE goodies at select locations. BUT, you have to get them fast as the amount being given out is very limited. Earl of Sandwich is celebrating Disney Springs’ hefty amount of followers by giving away 100 free Brookies! All you have to do to snag this brownie cookie combo is to be one of the first 100 guests to show off the Brookie Earl of Sandwich Instagram post to the cashier upon checkout! Pretty simple, right? ©EarlofSandwich Another location offering a FREE goodie to the first 100 guests who show off an Instagram post is Chicken Guy! Here, guests can get their hands on a free Chicken Guy! pop socket! ©Chicken Guy! Looking to pick up more than a pop socket at Chicken Guy? Check out our full Chicken Guy! review here! Hurry and head over to Disney Springs because these FREE offerings won’t last for long! Will you be heading to Disney Springs to get your hands on these free items? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs — New Churro Carts, Phone Cases, and Menu Changes!! You NEED to See This Crazy Sundae at Disney Springs! FIRST LOOK! Disney’s World’s NEW NBA Experience View the full article

Hey, guys! We’re back with another DFB Video and today we’re chatting about the latest Disney news! Skyliner over Riviera Resort As many of you may know, there are a LOT of changes happening around the parks! So, we’ve got LOTS of Epcot Festival announcements, some controversial NEW additions to Disney World and some new snacks you’ve gotta see! Check out all this and MORE in our latest DFB Video!  And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: What changes are you excited about in Disney World? Related posts: DFB Video: Best and Worst Disney World All You Can Eat Meals DFB Video: Disney Dining Plan SECRETS You Need To Know Before You Go to Disney World! DFB Video: BEST OF THE FEST at Disney World’s Epcot Food & Wine Festival! View the full article

You’ve probably heard of Jermaine Bell, the generous 7-year-old who donated his savings – which he’d planned to spend during a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom – to those affected by Hurricane Dorian. Millions were moved by the story of this child’s generous spirit, and just a few days later, Mickey Mouse made a surprise appearance at Jermaine’s birthday party to personally invite him to visit Walt Disney World. Over the weekend, Walt Disney World Resort rolled out the red carpet for Jermaine and his family, as they visited all four Walt Disney World theme parks and even took in a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park. For Jermaine, a highlight of his trip was visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where he experienced Kilimanjaro Safaris, received a private tour lead by Disney Animal Programs, watched “Festival of the Lion King” (and was surprised with a private meet and greet with the cast after the show), and also attended “Rivers of Light.” According to Jermaine’s mother, Lauren Creech, her son’s generosity came as no surprise – but the reaction to it did. “In our family, we are givers and it just makes me overjoyed to see that at such an early age that he has grasped those values,” she said. A few park guests even recognized Jermaine during his visit, a fact that his mother said was a true highlight for her. “I think that’s the biggest thing,” Lauren said. “There’s no way we could’ve known that something as simple as him being generous would’ve blown up and affected so many people.” Take an inside look at Jermaine’s visit in the video above. View the full article

There are SO. MANY. HOTELS. in Disney World! Well over 20 that are owned and operated by Disney themselves, and several that are run by third parties; and there are even some swanky ones like the Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and the Waldorf Astoria! Disney’s Yacht Club Resort And while some of these resorts are selling out on the regular, there’s been one that’s been a little neglected — at least anecdotally — by guests for the past few years. But guess what! This “forgotten resort” just became one of the hottest places to stay on Disney property…and we’re going to tell you why! Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort was looking a little rough around the edges a couple of years ago. The rooms badly needed a refurbishment, and the food options were meh at best. And while they had a great main pool and some fun themed pirate rooms, it never seemed to be on most folks’ “favorite resort hotels” list for Disney World. Old Port Royale at Caribbean Beach Resort Then…Disney made it worse, in order to make it better. CBR entered into a multi-year refurbishment, which meant all of the dining options in the resort were shut down in order to create brand new spaces and places to eat. So guests were actually eating buffet food in a giant tent…and if they were in a hurry, they had to go to a rando hotel room to get grab-and-go items from a misplaced fridge. Not appealing at all. Seating in Temporary Food Area during the refurbishment…in a tent But when the resort emerged, it was truly lovely — shiny new lobby, brand new table-service dining, a plussed up pool bar, and a fancier (if not all that much better in the actual food department) food court. Banana Cabana Pool Bar And then it finally all made sense when THIS was announced… . Skyliner Gondola System Of course! Disney had to make Caribbean Beach Resort more appealing, because it was just about to become a super popular resort hotel… at least in theory! Disney’s newest mode of transportation — the Skyliner Gondola System — has just opened to the public…and Caribbean Beach Resort is its main HUB! Skyliner Gondolas The Skyliner gondola system connects Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to several Disney World resorts, including Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Learn all about the Disney Skyliner System here! Why Is This Such A Big Deal for Guests? Before this, bus travel was the only option available to get to theme parks for those staying at Caribbean Beach, and that meant waiting up to 20 minutes for a bus, and ten undertaking the potentially 20 minute drive to a theme park…on a crowded bus. But the skyliner means guests can get to and from Hollywood Studios and Epcot from Caribbean Beach Resort in mere minutes — much more quickly than they likely can on a bus. Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner System And while several of the buses have been getting a bit of an upgrade, the addition of the Skyliner allowing much faster access to two of Disney’s theme parks will likely make Caribbean Beach a more appealing place to stay for many Disney World guests. Check out our Skyliner pro tips here! Also, previously the only way to quickly get to a Disney World theme park without riding a bus was to stay at a much more expensive Deluxe Resort — they were the only resorts that had direct access to a theme park via boat, monorail, or walking, which are usually much faster ways to get to a park because they cover less ground than buses. Now guests staying at Caribbean Beach Resort can pay LESS for their hotel, but still get direct and fast access to two Disney World theme parks. The Skyliner sails over Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort New Joffrey’s Coffee Location The Skyliner Gondola System will bring more than just a new transportation option to Caribbean Beach Resort. There’s also a NEW Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea location at the resort’s Skyliner station! Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea at Caribbean Beach This new location servers coffees, pastries, and specialty items, including the Toffee Flight Latte, which blends sea salt, caramel, toffee, and dark chocolate. Toffee Flight Latte Read our Full Review of the Toffee Flight Latte HERE! So you can (hopefully) see why Caribbean Beach Resort is going to be much higher on the lists of best Disney Resorts now that the skyliner is here! But let’s not forget how much that original refurbishment upgraded the resort overall! Banana Cabana The Caribbean Beach renovation introduced us to brand new versions of Centertown Market, Sebastian’s Bistro (formerly Shutters), and the updated Banana Cabana. The Banana Cabana may just be a pool bar, but it’s honestly so much greater than typical Disney World pool bars. Banana Cabana We love the colorful and relaxed vibe of this hangout spot, and we enjoy the food and beverage offerings here as well. Jerk Chicken Sandwich The menu features Caribbean influences throughout, and during our visits, we’ve enjoyed Banana Cabana’s Jerk Chicken Sandwich and Loaded Sweet Potato Fries. The drinks are enjoyable as well, including the Kraken Punch, Pink Guava Colada, and Banana Cabana. Kraken Punch Read our full review of Banana Cabana here! Sebastian’s Bistro After Caribbean Beach Resort’s massive refurbishment, Sebastian’s Bistro opened and replaced Shutters. So far, we’ve enjoyed our experiences at Sebastian’s! Sebastian’s Bistro We love the Disney-fied Caribbean look of this restaurant, and it’s certainly a stark improvement from what was there before. And we love the fact that this gives Sebastian a little much-needed spotlight! Sebastian’s Bistro During our most recent visit, we were pretty impressed with the food. We’ve enjoyed menu items like the Taste of the Caribbean and the Grilled Rib-Eye. Taste of the Caribbean Read our full review of Sebastian’s Bistro here! Yep, Caribbean Beach Resort is really coming into its own! And we really do think that with the addition of the skyliner, better food options, and an overall refurb, this resort will become a hot spot in 2020! Stay tuned… . Do you have an upcoming stay at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Construction Update: August 2018 What to EAT at Port Orleans Resort French Quarter and Riverside in Disney World! Get a Bird’s Eye View from INSIDE a Disney World Skyliner Gondola! View the full article

In today’s Disney Doodle, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Peter Pan and Wendy from the 1953 film “Peter Pan” would do if they had the chance to visit the Walt Disney World Resort. According to Ashley, Peter, always curious and playful, would likely seek out the stylish new way to get a bird’s-eye view of the place aboard the Disney Skyliner Gondolas – no pixie dust needed. “The new Disney Skyliner Gondolas looks like a fun and efficient way to travel around Walt Disney World,” Ashley said. “It’s easy to imagine expert fliers like Peter Pan and Wendy wanting to test it out!” View the full article

Walt Disney World Cast a Sneak Peek of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway View the full article