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Traveling to Disney World soon and already thinking about what to pack? We totally get it! ©Disney Lucky for you, AND lucky for us, Disney has just released an entirely new travel collection online right now that a TON of people are going to love. We suggest grabbing them while you can, because we’ve got a feeling they’ll sell out fast. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. A Sling Bag is Always a Great Choice ©Disney Sling bags are VERY big right now, and we don’t see the trend going away any time soon, just because of how compact and stylish they are, but they’ve also got lots of space for everything you need. The Mickey Mouse Black & White Sling Bag is the newest one available, and we’re a BIG fan of the black and white design, and the fact that you can carry it via the shoulder strap or the top handle straps. Check it out right here! An Adorable New Toiletry Bag ©Disney We’re big fans of the new Mickey Mouse Black & White Toiletry Bag, not only, again, because of the pattern, but it’s got so much space for what you need! There are actually two pockets — a zippered main compartment and a zippered back compartment, as well as a mesh pocket and slip pockets inside. Check it out right here! The Perfect Bag For A Weekend Getaway ©Disney Need a larger bag for a longer trip? No worries, the Mickey Mouse Black & White Duffle Bag has your back! It’s the same pattern as the rest of the collection, but there are SO many pockets here to utilize. There’s a main compartment, a back compartment, a front zip pocket, two interior slip pockets in the main compartment, a slip pocket in the back compartment, and a velcro slip pocket at the back as well. Check it out right here! Nothing Beats a Classic Backpack ©Disney Sometimes, you just want something a little more casual, or something you’re more used to, and that’s the Mickey Mouse Black & White Backpack. You can carry it with the regular back straps, or use the top carrying straps, and it has a double zippered main compartment and back compartment, as well as a front pocket, tons of interior pockets, and even slip pockets on the side. We guarantee tons of people will ask you where you got it! Check it out right here! We All Need Packing Cubes! ©Disney We’re big fans of packing cubes, as they really do help us condense what we need to bring on our trip, but why not have them be Mickey themed with the new Mickey Mouse Black & White Packing Case Set? It comes with four packing cubes, one large, one medium, and two small. Perfect for any trip, even if you’re not heading to Disney! Check it out right here! We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney merchandise news, so stay tuned to DFB! View the full article

This is an exciting year to be a Disney movie fan. There are some pretty HUGE movie releases coming up in 2026. The Mandalorian and Grogu will land in theaters on May 22nd. Toy Story 5 is ready to charm us all over again on June 19th. The live-action Moana will arrive on July 10th. A new original movie, Hexed, is coming on November 25th. Marvel’s Avengers Doomsday will find its way to theaters on December 18th. ©Pixar However, before that, a brand new Pixar movie, Hoppers, is set to arrive in theaters on March 6th. If that wasn’t enough to get excited about, though, you could actually see the movie BEFORE that…and we’re going to tell you how. That’s right, you can attend an EARLY ACCESS screening of Hoppers at your local movie theater on February 28th, almost a whole week before everyone else will be seeing the movie. Tickets for the early access screenings are available right now on Fandango. Click the link below to see what theaters in your area are showing it early and to buy tickets. Buy Early Access Tickets Now! Hoppers tells the story of a girl named Mabel, who has discovered that scientists have found a way to “hop” their human minds into lifelike robotic bodies. Mabel is an animal lover who uses that technology to “become” a robotic beaver so she can prevent a construction company’s plans to destroy a local animal habitat. ©Disney The movie also features an all-star cast, including Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco, Meryl Streep (yes, THE Meryl Streep), Demetri Martin, Heidi Klum, and more. Sounds awesome, right? We’ll keep an eye out for more news about Disney movies, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Disney Has Teased 9 New Movies…Here’s What We Know Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think? Will you be seeing Hoppers early? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

2026 is shaping up to be a massive summer at the Walt Disney World Resort, and some GAME-CHANGING discounts are making it even easier to be there. TRON Lightcycle/Run From Piston Peak and Villains Land to the Monsters, Inc.-inspired Monstropolis and Tropical Americas, it’s a time of change at Walt Disney World. However, while those updates are years away, there’s a lot to experience at the resort right now, and some comparatively cheaper than usual ways to do it! Let’s begin with one of the biggest discounts available for this summer. You can get two free room nights and theme park days when you purchase a select 4-night, 4-day (or longer) Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package, allowing you to “savor every moment, take time to relax at your resort, and enjoy your favorite rides,” according to Disney. This offer is available for visits most nights from May 26th through September 15th, with a booking window of January 6th through February 15th. Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studios Disney is also offering a “Bounceback” offer for 2026 trips. If you plan on visiting Disney World in early 2026, you can save up to 35% on your next stay when you reserve within 7 days of your current check-out date. Savings include up to 35% off on rooms in select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villa hotels, up to 30% off on rooms in select Disney Moderate Resorts, and up to 25% off on rooms in select Disney Value Resorts. Pop Century Eligible 2026 travel dates currently include: January 12th, 2026, to January 15th, 2026 January 19th, 2026, to January 23rd, 2026 February 8th, 2026, to February 12th, 2026 February 15th, 2026, to February 19th, 2026 February 22nd, 2026, to February 25th, 2026 March 3rd, 2026, to May 21st, 2026 May 25th, 2026, to July 1st, 2026 July 6th, 2026, to September 2nd, 2026 September 7th, 2026, to September 29th, 2026 October 26th, 2026, to October 31st, 2026 In addition, guests booking a room at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel and dining plan for each guest ages 10 and up on their reservation can receive FREE dining plans for kids ages 3 to 9. This offer extends through 2026 bookings and is dependent on purchasing the vacation package (which includes a hotel stay and park tickets) as well as dining plans for every other guest. Disney Dining Plan symbols Anyone taking advantage of these deals will have access to a slew of new and returning offerings this summer, including: The return of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin from extensive refurbishments. The debut of the new Jessie’s Roundup at the Diamond Horseshoe in Frontierland. In celebration of America’s 250th birthday this coming July, EPCOT’s Soarin’ will receive an “all-new airborne adventure across the US, honoring the heart and spirit of the nation.” Disney even brought in “aviation” legend Patrick Warburton (IYKYK) to announce the overlay. GoofyCore is also returning to CommuniCore Hall this summer, as guests can “dance and play along with the Goof Troop, DJ Dance Pants, and Goofy himself during wacky activities at CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT. In conjunction with the release of the new Star Wars Mandalorian & Grogu feature film on May 22nd, Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run will see the addition of a new mission based on the titular character and his youngling Grogu (Baby Yoda, to those of you unfamiliar with the Galaxy Far, Far Away). Summer 2026 will also see the opening of the newly rethemed to the Muppets Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster — complete with a new Muppet preshow that seems to include at least one animatronic Muppet as per the concept art — after the original Aerosmith version closes permanently in March. Later in the summer, the reimagined Walt Disney Studios area will open in the former Animation Courtyard. The area will feature a new take on The Magic of Disney Animation, a Mary Blair-themed play area, and the new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show, which will feature “upbeat original songs, plenty of interactive fun for the little ones, and appearances by beloved Disney characters to sing and dance with.” The mega-popular Bluey franchise is coming to Animal Kingdom, in the form of Bluey and Bingo making an excursion to Conservation Station, where guests will be able to encounter animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia. New missions will be added to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu. Beyond the theme parks, guests will also be able to enjoy further summer perks thanks to staying at Walt Disney World hotels. The free water perk ticket will return, once again offering all members of a party a complimentary ticket to one of Walt Disney World’s water parks on their check-in day. In addition, characters will appear at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. Blizzard Beach There’s a lot happening at Disney World this Summer, and thanks to some massive discounts available right now, you can be there! Stay tuned to DFB for more on everything happening at the resort in 2026. 4 8:00 AM Habits Expert Disney Fans Practice Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Heading to Disney World this summer? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is about to look a lot different. It’s already changed quite a bit, thanks to the addition of Zootopia: Better Zoogether!. But DinoLand U.S.A. has been closing in phases while Disney works on a brand new land that will replace it, Pueblo Esperanza. Construction Walls featuring Artwork for Tropical Americas Well, Disney has been making big progress on the new land, which will feature two rides and a carousel, as well as new restaurants and stores. Now, we’ve got a new look at what construction progress looks like there. Although it was sad to say goodbye to DinoLand U.S.A., we’re excited about what’s to come, and these photos show us that Disney is making HUGE progress on the new land. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Disney World’s NEW Tropical Americas Restaurant Will Be One of Its BIGGEST Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of the new land so far? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

We’ve got a heavyweight matchup on our hands, folks! Which cruise ship will take the victory? ©Disney If you’re trying to decide between the Disney Destiny and Disney Treasure cruise ships, you’ve probably already realized that they’re actually built for very different kinds of Disney Cruise Line vacations. Each ship caters to different itineraries, and we’re laying out where each ship will take you and how long it will take you there, so you can make the best decision for you and your family! Let’s break down the basics. The Disney Treasure is aimed at guests who want longer, more traditional cruise itineraries with a wider variety of ports. This ship focuses on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. This ship focuses heavily on Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, along with select Southern Caribbean routes, which means you’re more likely to visit destinations like St. Thomas, Tortola, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and even ports such as Aruba or Curaçao on longer itineraries. Disney Treasure! These sailings typically include more sea days and fewer repeat ports, so if you’re a seasoned cruiser looking to explore destinations all over the Caribbean, this might be the best choice. ©Disney The Disney Destiny, on the other hand, is designed for convenience and shorter sailings. Offering 4 and 5-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean, its itineraries will take you to Nassau frequently, but its biggest draw is how often it sails to Disney’s private islands: Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. ©Disney For first-time Disney cruisers, families with younger kids, or anyone who wants a low-stress vacation that still has that Disney charm, these itineraries can be incredibly appealing. A beautiful ship that takes you to private island days with shorter travel times? Yeah, that’ll work for MANY sailors! Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point As you can see, there’s a stark difference in the cruise itinerary. The Disney Destiny offers consistency and ease, with reliable access to Disney’s private islands on a shorter voyage — making it easier to plan your life around. The Disney Treasure offers variety and adventure, with longer itineraries and ports that feel more like a classic cruise vacation. Disney Cruise Line If your dream cruise involves lounging on a private island but getting you home in time to miss a minimal amount of work or school, the Disney Destiny is likely the better fit. If you’re more excited about visiting multiple countries and seeing new ports you haven’t experienced before, the Disney Treasure is a great choice. So, which ship has better destinations? It depends on what “better” means to you. We love both for various reasons, and you really can’t go wrong with either…but if you still need help deciding, check out our links below and continue to follow us here at DFB for all the latest Disney Cruise Line tips, tricks, and updates! Setting Sail With Disney Cruise Line Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which Disney cruise ship is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

We have some exciting Disney World news – the Disney Skyliner is back open! The Skyliner was closed from January 25th to January 31st and reopened this morning. We’re so excited to ride again. The Skyliner are skyway gondolas that feature some of our favorite Disney characters. It connects two Disney World parks, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, with five resorts. Here are some of our favorite ways to get around using the Skyliner! The Skyliner is the easiest way to park hop from Hollywood Studios to EPCOT, or vice versa. You can hop on and glide in style around Walt Disney World Resort. We love catching aerial views of Spaceship Earth or Tower of Terror. Disney Skyliner The Skyliner also connects the parks with four resorts: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Disney’s Pop Century Resort Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Disney’s Riviera Resort If you’re staying at any of these resorts, you can easily hop on the Skyliner to get to a park. Disney Skyliner at Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts If you’re ever feeling a Disney day without a park ticket, we love parking at Hollywood Studios and taking the Skyliner to a resort. We love visiting the Rivera Resort for its dining options. The lobby coffee shop, Le Petit Cafe, serves delicious lattes with gorgeous pastries. We also love Topolino’s Terrace for their character breakfast! Disney’s Riveria Resort You can also take the Skyliner to the Art of Animation Resort to take pictures with some of your favorite characters from The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, or Cars! We love their quick-service restaurant, Landscape of Flavors, for their fun desserts like the Sketchbook Cupcake or Mermaid Tail Cupcake. Art of Animation Resort We’re so excited that the Disney Skyliner is back open. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more theme park updates. Happy traveling! This Is the Best EPCOT News I’ve Seen All Year Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Where will you be going on the Disney Skyliner? Comment below! View the full article

Today is DinoLand U.S.A.’s last day of operation, and while the feeling of nostalgia and slight sadness as everyone realizes this is the final time they’ll walk through the land. DINOSAUR While we’re seeing some really high wait times for the attraction itself, which was to be expected, what’s really been amazing is how incredible the costumes from guests have been. We love the creativity that Disney guests can bring to the parks to showcase the things that they love, and we’ve seen that A LOT today. What’s been really tricky about things today is how COLD it is! It was below freezing this morning, and the wind chill kept things even COLDER, so we were pleasantly surprised to see how many people were still able to get dressed up to celebrate the ride. Early on in the day, we spotted @itstoughtobeabailey (left) and @knife_chamber (right) in their incredible outfits! Fans are dressing up for the occasion! We didn’t think things could get any better, but then around 11 AM, we spotted a GIANT group of Dr. Seekers in front of the attraction. Yes, there were numerous Disney fans who all dressed up as the iconic character from the ride in honor of him, and to say goodbye to all the time-traveling they’ve experienced at his hands. We thought this was SO fun and so creative! Dr. Seekers everywhere! This just goes to show that if you’re a fan of pretty much anything in Disney World, you can find others who love it just as much as you, and we encourage you to find those friends and have tons of fun together! More Animal Kingdom News! You Won’t BELIEVE The Amazing Costumes We’ve Seen Today in Disney’s Animal KingdomLet’s Go Get That Dino! Celebrate the FINAL DAY of Disney’s DinoLand With Us!A Popular Disney World Restaurant Set to Permanently CLOSE TomorrowYou Won’t Believe the Crowds for the FINAL DAY of DinoLand U.S.A. In Disney World2 Disney World Icons Are Closing for Good This Week – And We’re Not Okay We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB! Starbucks Just Made a HUGE Change — Here’s What You Need to Know Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever dressed up in Disney World before? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

We’ve been on countless Disney World trips, and honestly, if we knew these Amazon items would made our hotel stay easier, we would’ve bought them a lot sooner! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort We should have bought them sooner, but we’re here to give you the list of items you need for your Disney World hotel stay, so you don’t have to run into that mistake! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get these Portable Hanging Travel Shelves Portable Shelves These Portable Hanging Shelves are perfect for any vacation, and 100% worht it for your Disney vacation. It’s easy to pack, and holds all of your Disney outfits once you unpack at the resort. It provides extra room for clothes for big parties. It also has spots for shoes at the bottom. You won’t regret this buy! View on Amazon This Portable Dreamegg is great! Dreamegg Portable Travel White Noise Machine Even if you’re staying in a nice Disney World resort, sleeping away from home can be tough. Maybe you aren’t able to fall asleep because it’s unfamiliar, or maybe you’re just too excited to see the Cinderella Castle the next morning. That’s why we love this Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine! The machine is egg-sized, weighing just 1.6 ounces, and fits easily into your pocket, carry-on, wallet, or briefcase. It offers 16 soothing nature sounds, including ocean waves, rain, birds, fan sounds, and white noise. You can get it for a nice 56% off! View on Amazon We love the 3-in-1 Charging Station Charging Station You need to take a look at this 3-in-1 Charging Station for Multiple Apple Devices! The charger is wireless for the devices and plugs into the wall. It’s perfect for travel as it takes up one outlet spot, while covering all the devices you need. It’s compatible with iPhone 17/16/15/14/13, Apple Watch, and AirPods. The charger is also foldable — making it even easier for travel than it already is. You can get the charger for 27% off! View on Amazon Or, you can grab the MagicBand+ Charger MultiCharger for MagicBand+ Trust us, this Kaizen Kreation MultiCharger for MagicBand+ has done us wonders! This is a must-have since the hotel rooms don’t have very many plugs, and you have to charge MagicBands now. This is great for big groups of family and friends who are travelling together. View on Amazon Don’t forget this Mesh Laundry Basket ©Amazon This Mesh Laundry Basket is a cheap and easy way to bring to any Disney World vacation! No more throwing dirty clothes on the floor, in the drawers, or back in your suitcase. This laundry basket keeps your room clean, keeps your clean clothes away from dirty clothes, and helps make things feel a little more organized. It’s currently 13% off! View on Amazon And finally, the Flat Plug Charger Flat Plug Power Strip This Flat Plug Power Strip is portable and effective, allowing you to charge multiple devices while not taking up too much space in your hotel room. It has three outlets and 4 USB ports (two USB-C), and is seriously one of the accessories to bring with you on vacation! We can charge our phone, laptop, and whatever else we brought — all while only taking up one outlet on the wall. We love the price you can get this at, and it’s 24% off right now! View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

Disney World is changing so much these days, we honestly wonder if some of it was a dream. Did we really ever have Muppets Courtyard? Did Triceratop Spin ever exist? We know it did, but those memories feel so far away now! Cinderella Castle There are so many changes these days that we do a weekly news round-up where we gather the biggest Disney news and updates, so you won’t miss a single thing! This week, there were closures, announcements, and more. Let’s dive in together! This week was a lot for Disney World. There was a winter storm across the country that made temperatures in the parks nose-dive, and Elsa decided to close up shop! We guess the cold does bother her anyway. Frozen Ever After is closed! Elsa couldn’t handle the cold, it seems. (We’re joking, by the way). This week, Frozen Ever After in EPCOT closed for a refurbishment. The very popular boat ride is getting some major upgrades during the closure. Once it reopens, those famous sisters will have a very new look! Frozen Ever After is closed The ride’s audio animatronics are being updated to remove the facial projection technology that debuted with the ride in 2016. The new audio animatronics will mirror those from Hong Kong Disneyland, which are more lifelike and went majorly viral when the ride opened in 2023. Hong Kong Disneyland Animatronics Luckily, this closure won’t last too long! Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven will be back when the ride reopens sometime in February. Everything We Know About The Frozen Ever After Closure Harambe Market is reopening with a new menu! Over in Animal Kingdom, a quick service is reopening soon! Harmabe Market has been closed since October 2025, but you won’t have to wait to dine in Africa for much longer. The quick service is reopening earlier than Disney previously shared on February 5th! Harambe Market! Originally, it wasn’t slated to reopen until March, so this was a pleasant surprise. The restaurant is reopening with a new menu that will fill the loss of Restaurantosaurus, which closes permanently on February 2nd, 2026. The new restaurant menu includes new items like Bacon Cheeseburgers… ©Disney … Chicken Strips… ©Disney …the Savanna Salad… ©Disney … and the Kubwa Cookie. ©Disney We can’t wait to chow down on this new menu as soon as it opens! See The FULL New Harambe Market Menu Here Cinderella Castle begins her makeover! Finally, Cinderella Castle is getting a makeover! The long-anticipated paint job has finally begun in Magic Kingdom. The castle, which is currently a pink and royal blue theme, is returning to its roots, and we couldn’t be happier! It’s happening! Disney previously announced that the castle would return to its grey and blue theme at Destination D23 in August 2025. Since then, we have been patiently waiting for the return of our beloved castle. After sitting on the edge of our seats for months, Disney finally began the pain job this week! The pink is disappearing A small section of the castle has taken on a new grey color, and the castle’s live entertainment shows have been altered for the ocassion. Some changes have been made to Magic Kingdom entertainment offerings like Let the Magic Begin and Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. ©Disney Disney has shared that the repainting of the castle will take place in the mornings, and the equipment will be down by noon each day, so you can still take those perfect castle photos. Currently, we don’t know when the castle’s paint job will be completed, but Disney has shared that it will be done in 2026. Read What Disney Fans Think About The Castle Makeover Here This week has tons of fun news for Walt Disney World, which we can really appreciate! Be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney news, updates, tips, and tricks from the people in the parks every day. 5 Rules Disney HAD TO CHANGE in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Tell us which changes you’re excited about in the comments! View the full article

ANAHEIM — “Josh, can I get a quick one?” It was the seventh time that Josh D’Amaro had been asked to pose for a photo as he wove his way through Disneyland. As in each previous instance — when the guy in a “Toy Story” shirt came running, when the teenagers near Sleeping Beauty Castle sandwiched him for a selfie — D’Amaro politely complied. “A fast one,” he said. “I’ve got to keep walking.” Just then, a woman wearing a fanny pack came to see what the commotion was about. “Oh, my God!” she shouted, as if she had just bumped into Walt Disney himself. “That’s the CEO.” Not quite. Bob Iger, 74, is still the boss at Disney. D’Amaro runs the theme parks. But the Disneyland onlooker could well have been onto something. Disney’s board is expected to choose Iger’s successor in the next week, according to two people with knowledge of the plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private process. Succession has been hanging over the company since 2022, when Iger — having botched the process in 2020 — returned to do the whole exhausting dance again. This time, there are two candidates: Dana Walden, 61, who reigns over Disney television (except ESPN) and has joint oversight of streaming, and D’Amaro, 54, who runs a division that includes theme parks, cruises and video games. The bake-off has been rigorous. Iger, for instance, has solicited feedback on Walden and D’Amaro from numerous executives who work directly under them, something he previously didn’t do. Outside the company, the Disney succession question has narrowed even more. “We view parks head Josh D’Amaro as the front-runner and investor favorite,” Steven Cahall, a Wells Fargo analyst, wrote in an recent report, saying out loud what other people on Wall Street have been whispering. D’Amaro declined to be interviewed, and Disney declined to comment. D’Amaro’s unit supplied roughly 60% of Disney’s profit last year. It accounts for 80% of what Disney is worth as a whole, according to MoffettNathanson, a research firm. D’Amaro oversees three of Disney’s four most important growth areas. (Cruises, games and parks. Streaming is the fourth.) To put it bluntly: As D’Amaro’s division goes, so goes the company. For someone who could be on the cusp of taking over the world’s largest entertainment conglomerate, D’Amaro has a strikingly low profile in Hollywood. Disney diehards know him — D’Amaro has 169,000 followers on Instagram — but his name barely registers in movie and television circles, where he is often dismissively referred to as “the theme park guy.” There is also a more delicate question: What are the chances that D’Amaro can pursue his own agenda in Disney’s top job without alienating the man who still looms over it? The last time Iger stepped back, he quickly soured on his successor, Bob Chapek. The epic power struggle that followed between Iger and Chapek destabilized the company and ended with Iger’s return to Disney. Could D’Amaro pull off that balancing act while also contending with colossal industry upheaval, from the collapse of traditional TV to the rise of generative artificial intelligence? ‘The Theme Park Guy’ Iger has grandly compared running Disney to the presidency. “There is no job that really trains you” to lead the country, he said at a conference in 2023. “In many respects, that’s true at Disney, too. It’s a large, very complex company that’s in the public eye all the time.” But D’Amaro’s background comes close. He has spent his career as an executive, but he started out as a creative. He told the story at an event in 2024: After growing up outside Boston, he decided to become a sculptor and enrolled in an art program at Skidmore College in New York. At the end of his sophomore year, however, D’Amaro found himself welding a 12-foot sculpture at 2 a.m. while fretting about how he would ever support a family as an artist. He finished the piece, an abstract human figure reaching toward the sky, and transferred to Georgetown University to study marketing. (Skidmore displayed it on campus for years.) After graduating, D’Amaro took a finance job at Gillette. But shaving products didn’t exactly light his fire. In 1998, he applied cold for a strategy job at Disney and got it. Before long, he was shepherding theme park marketing campaigns, moving to China to help revive a flailing Hong Kong Disneyland and, a few years later, working with James Cameron to add “Avatar”-themed rides to Walt Disney World in Florida. In 2020, he became Disney’s top theme park executive, taking over during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. With Minnie and Mickey, Walt Disney World president Josh D’Amaro waves to guests gathered on Main Street USA, in the Magic Kingdom in the final minutes before the park closed, Sunday night, March 15, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Walt Disney World announced that all their park will be closed for the rest of March as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Every second of every day, someone is being flung upside down on a Disney ride and carried across an ocean on a Disney cruise ship. D’Amaro’s portfolio includes 14 theme parks on three continents that attract an estimated 145 million visitors annually. He also oversees floating theme parks; Disney Cruise Line has eight ships in the water and five more on the way. Still, reducing him to “the theme park guy” understates his reach. He is a key hand in managing Disney’s complex relationship with China, where the company owns and operates two resorts with the government. D’Amaro is also on the front lines of Disney’s contentious expansion into the Middle East: The company’s first theme park in the region is under construction in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Disney has been criticized for going to a region where social and political norms clash with its stated values. Technology is another focus. D’Amaro has urged Disney ride developers to break ground in robotics, resulting in “Star Wars” droids that walk among crowds and use AI technology to emote, and a Spider-Man robot that can perform elaborate aerial tricks, just like a stunt person, 65 feet in the air. (The filmmaker Jon Favreau was so impressed with the droids that he cast them in his coming “Star Wars” movie.) ‘Hello! I’m Josh’ As chair of Disney Experiences, D’Amaro manages 185,000 employees. As Disney’s chief executive, he would initially need to manage one person above all others: Iger. In 2020, when Iger stepped down as CEO the first time, Chapek, his successor, took over “effective immediately.” Except that he didn’t, at least not really. Iger stayed on as creative director and executive chair for another two years. It quickly became clear that Iger and Chapek were opposites in both personality and approach. The dissimilarities contributed to a colossal falling-out. In 2022, with the company consumed by conflict, Disney’s board fired Chapek and rehired Iger. (His contract expires Dec. 31. Whether he will remain on Disney’s board after that is unclear.) By contrast, Iger and D’Amaro are eerily similar. After 19 years in total at Disney’s helm, Iger embodies the Disney brand — safe and wholesome, optimistic, “leading with empathy,” as Iger put it in his 2019 memoir. Over his 28 years at the company, D’Amaro has honed a similar persona. Turn on a TV in one of the 23,000 hotel rooms at Disney World and D’Amaro appears with a welcome video (“Hello! I’m Josh”) that manages to be folksy without tipping into corny. On Instagram, D’Amaro grins as Disney roboticists unveil a walking and talking Olaf, the summer-obsessed snowman from “Frozen.” Whether by emulation or coincidence, D’Amaro dresses like Iger (thin-knit sweaters over collared shirts), so much so that some people inside Disney roll their eyes behind his back. Iger and D’Amaro even share a birthday: Feb. 10. ‘It’s a Feeling’ D’Amaro likes to be liked, some people who have worked closely with him over the years have observed. It is said as a coded criticism: Running a company like Disney requires making hard calls that inevitably make people mad. Does he have the stomach? While running Disney’s theme parks, D’Amaro has rankled visitors by raising (and raising) ticket prices. Citing widespread misuse of a policy that allowed disabled people and their families to skip long lines, D’Amaro narrowed eligibility, resulting in protests and a class-action lawsuit. “I peeled a Josh D’Amaro fan club sticker off my laptop,” said Rebecca Davis, a Disney customer who has criticized the tightened system and pushed for changes. But D’Amaro has never had to deal with anger in the Hollywood community. When a major star is unhappy, the situation can quickly escalate. Just ask Chapek, who found himself publicly sparring with Scarlett Johansson over the superhero film “Black Widow.” D’Amaro’s lack of experience in movies is an obvious hole in his résumé. Disney’s holdings include Marvel, Pixar and 20th Century Studios. Can D’Amaro quickly make the right relationships in Hollywood’s creative community? Also, will he move? D’Amaro is little known in Hollywood, in part because he doesn’t live on the entertainment-heavy Westside of Los Angeles. He resides with his wife, Susan, who was his high school sweetheart, in Coto de Caza, two hours to the south. The answers are unknown. When asked why they wanted to work at Disney, executives at the company often reach for a cloying personal anecdote — they grew up watching “The Little Mermaid” and vowed to someday, somehow be part of that world or some such. D’Amaro, however, tends to speak about how Disney affects others. “Disney isn’t just a brand, it’s a feeling,” he said while standing near Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland’s 70th anniversary event. “It’s wonder and belonging and optimism. It’s memories that are handed down generation to generation.” He paused to pick up a piece of stray confetti before adding, “Maintaining that connection — deepening it, hopefully — is why I’m proud to do what I do.” This article originally appeared in The New York Times. View the full article

Listen, if there’s one thing you absolutely need for a Disney World trip, it’s a good water bottle. Our signed water bottle! Between the Florida heat, the endless walking, and those crazy long wait times, staying hydrated isn’t just important. It’s essential. We’ve rounded up some seriously good options that all have 5-star ratings on Amazon, so you know they’re the real deal. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Corkcicle Disney Sport Canteen – Minnie Mouse Polka Dot ©Amazon How cute is this canteen? It’s giving major Disney vibes while keeping your drinks ice cold for up to 25 hours. The 16 oz size is perfect for tossing in your park bag without weighing you down. Thanks to its triple-insulated stainless steel construction, your water will stay refreshing all day long. It also keeps hot drinks warm for 12 hours if you’re more of a coffee person. This bottle is adorable and functional, which is exactly what we need for those long park days! View on Amazon Corkcicle Go Cup XL – Ariel ©Amazon If you need something with a bit more capacity, this 30 oz Ariel-themed tumbler is calling your name. It’s lightweight, leak-proof, and will keep your beverages cold for up to 12 hours. We’re obsessed with the flat sides that make it super easy to grip, plus there’s a carry handle for when you’re juggling snacks and souvenirs. The triple-insulated design means no condensation on the outside, and the non-slip silicone base keeps it stable. Oh, and it fits in most cupholders, which is clutch for those car rides to the parks! View on Amazon BrüMate Rise 25oz Water Bottle With 100% Leakproof Covered Silicone Straw ©Amazon This 25 oz bottle is a game-changer with its covered, soft silicone straw that makes drinking feel luxurious (even when you’re sweating in line for Mine Train). The best part? It’s completely leakproof, so you can throw it in your bag without worry. If you’re not feeling the straw, just remove the metal ColdKey straw, and you’ve got yourself a chug bottle. The swappable silicone sleeve protects against dents and dings, and your drinks will stay cold for over 24 hours. View on Amazon ThermoFlask Bottle with Spout Lid 2 pack ©Amazon You’re getting two 24 oz bottles for the price of one (talk about a deal). These are perfect if you’re traveling with family or just want a backup bottle. The spout lids make sipping easy and mess-free, and the double-wall insulation keeps drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12. They’re made from durable stainless steel and are even dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup after your trip so much easier. This set is a no-brainer if you want quality bottles without breaking the bank. View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

The constant changes, updates, and renovations at Disney World help make sure it stays exciting visit after visit — there is almost always something new to experience or discover! However, it can also be bittersweet when something we love closes for good, or when an update takes away something we have always loved. Magic Kingdom Disney World is undergoing many changes and expansions right now, including the construction of Piston Peak National Park, Pueblo Esperanza, the Monsters, Inc. land, and Villains Land. With all the changes happening, there are a few things that we will be doing for the last time in Disney World in 2026. Let’s take a look at the 6 things we have done or will be doing for the last time in Disney World in 2026! Seeing the Old Animatronics on Frozen Ever After Hopefully, this wasn’t on your Disney World bucket list, as Frozen Ever After in EPCOT has already temporarily closed for refurbishment, and the audio-animatronics of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff will be replaced with new technology. Frozen Ever After’s current animatronics! No more projected faces for these Frozen stars; instead, the animatronics will bring the new technology we have seen at Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Resort. When Frozen Ever After reopens in February 2026, we will no longer be able to see the old animatronics, so that is one thing we have already done for the last time in 2026. Exploring DinoLand U.S.A. This one is coming up soon, like tomorrow soon. DinoLand U.S.A. has been closing in sections since January 13th, 2025, when TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s all permanently closed. These were followed by the closures of The Boneyard, Trilo Bites, and Dino-Bite Snacks. As of February 2nd, 2026, DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus will also permanently close. Once those two locations close, DinoLand U.S.A. will be no more. We are already tearing up a bit thinking about it. We will miss this area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom! DinoLand, U.S.A. However, DinoLand U.S.A. is not closing for good for no reason. It will be getting replaced by Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-themed land featuring Encanto and Indiana Jones. While we are excited to explore a new land, we will mourn the loss of DinoLand U.S.A. for a while. Not Being Able to Experience Pueblo Esperanza (in theory) According to Disney, Pueblo Esperanza is anticipated to open in 2027. So, in theory, 2026 will also be the last year we won’t be able to experience this new Tropical Americas-themed land. While we will be experiencing DinoLand for the last time in 2026, it seems like it won’t be too long before we can experience its replacement. Pueblo Esperanza Model Pueblo Esperanza will feature two signature attractions: an Encanto ride featuring the Madrigal family and a new Indiana Jones adventure ride. Disney has announced that there will also be a carousel ride, and the new land will be home to one of the largest quick-service restaurants in Disney World. If Disney’s timeline remains accurate, 2026 will be the last year without this new land. Wishing You Could Have Afternoon Tea at Disney’s Grand Floridian If you ever visited Disney World prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have gotten the opportunity to enjoy some afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. However, this experience didn’t reopen after COVID, and we have been waiting YEARS for the afternoon tea to return to the Grand Floridian. Yes, we often walked through the lobby, hoping that the Garden View Lounge would return. Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea in 2019 Well, we have some great news! The Garden View Lounge is reopening, and with it, afternoon tea is returning to the Grand Floridian. We no longer have to wish, as it is about to become a reality. The Garden View Lounge officially reopens on March 19th, 2026, with reservations opening on February 19th. You already know we will be there when it reopens — we are counting down the days! Admiring Cinderella Castle With Its Pink Paint If you can’t get enough of the light pink color that is currently on Cinderella Castle, you’d better hurry to Magic Kingdom! The pink paint was put on the castle to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Disney World, and it has remained since. However, that is about to change! Cinderella Castle will get a new paint job that brings back the classic palette of grays, creams, and blues. Cinderella Castle won’t be pink for much longer! We have seen the process beginning, so soon we will no longer be able to admire Cinderella Castle with its current pink color scheme. Don’t worry, the castle will still be there in all its beauty, but over the next few months, it might be in different states of pink or gray. After that, we will still be able to admire it with its grays, creams, and blues! Riding Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith We will be riding Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith for the last time this year. However, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster isn’t closing for good; it will just be starring The Muppets instead of Aerosmith. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will be closing March 2nd, 2026, so get your last rides in soon! The Muppets will be taking over this popular attraction starting in summer 2026. Disney hasn’t announced an exact reopening date yet, though. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith While we will definitely miss some of these things — walking through the Grand Floridian without the option of afternoon tea is not one of them, though — we are also excited for what is coming. We are always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, and we are in the park every single day, so stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney news, tips, tricks, and reviews! Disney Is Opening 11 New Rides in 2026. Here’s the Full List Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Is there anything else you will be doing for the last time at Disney World in 2026? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Today may be the final day for DINOSAUR’s final day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but it also marks only ONE month left until another iconic ride closes in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith We know, it’s hard to believe, but it’s TRUE. In just one month, one of the most well-known and popular rides in the park will be no more. You’ve only got one more month to ride the current version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster! Back in early January, it was announced that the current version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith will be closing on March 2nd, 2026, meaning that March 1st will be the final day to ride, which is now (somehow) only ONE month away. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Now, remember, while the theming of Aerosmith is going away, the ride isn’t completely going away! Instead of Aerosmith, the new version of the ride will be themed to the Muppets — more specifically, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, along with some other Muppet friends like Kermit, Miss Piggy, Scooter, and more. ©Disney The new version of the coaster is expected to open in Summer 2026, which is a pretty quick turnaround time for any theme park, but especially Disney. However, Disney closed the existing pre-show of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster out of nowhere back on December 1st, likely to start working on it faster. Hey, where did the recording studio go? The story around the new version of the attraction is that the Electric Mayhem is headlining the biggest concert of their careers. Guests are given VIP passes that allow them inside the recording studio, where they discover the band in the middle of an epic jam session. You’ll see the penguins as the audio engineers, and Scooter is trying to keep things on schedule — part of that is needing your help to get the band to the venue on time. Disney hasn’t announced what the soundtrack of the new actual attraction will be, but we know it’ll be the Electric Mayhem bringing them to life. ©Disney Disney also confirmed that a first-of-its-kind Muppet animatronic will be part of the attraction, but we don’t know just yet who it could be! We’re very interested to find out, though, so while we’re going to miss the current version of the ride, there is a part of us that’s excited to see what the new version will be like. ©Disney Looking for more recent Hollywood Studios news? Check out our posts below! More Recent Hollywood Studios News! In Just ONE Month, This Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ride Changes FOREVER2 Disney World Icons Are Closing for Good This Week – And We’re Not OkayDisney’s Hollywood Studios NEW Land is One Step Closer to OpeningWe Spotted a Piece of Disney World HISTORY at Hollywood StudiosFULL LIST: Everything a Disney Dad Needs for a 2026 Trip to Disney World We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB! Everything We Know About The New Muppets Version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How do you feel about this new version of the ride coming soon? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Today is a sad day at Disney World. DinoLand U.S.A. is officially closing, and today marks the last day to experience the land. DINOSAUR It’s been slowly closing in phases, so we’ve already said goodbye to other experiences such as TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures (which I’m still not over), The Boneyard, Trilo-Bites, and Dino-Bite Snacks, but it doesn’t make it any less hard to officially say goodbye. Come with us for the final day of DinoLand in Animal Kingdom. First, we have to go over the sad details! All of DinoLand will be closed as of February 2nd, so we’re spending the day the best way we know how — by experiencing it all! When we got there, it looked like everyone else had the same idea. Rope drop crowds in Animal Kingdom were NO JOKE today. Yes, it’s freezing cold, but that hasn’t stopped anyone. Pretty big rope drop crowds! When we made our way towards DinoLand, there were a lot of people doing the same, so we’d say at least half of the rope drop crowds were making their way over to say goodbye to the land and ride Dinosaur one last time. The crowds heading towards DINOSAUR It’s the final day to experience Restaurantosaurus, which was a fan favorite restaurant. We always loved how easy it was to grab a table, since there was seating on both sides and an outdoor section, and it was our go-to spot for classic foods like burgers and chicken tenders. Restaurantosaurus Let’s all say goodbye to DINOSAUR together. This is the final ride in the land to close, and it will be transformed into an Indiana Jones attraction, similar to the one in Disneyland. We’re happy to report that it will be a different storyline than the one in Disneyland, so we’re excited to see the differences (and maybe a nod to DINOSAUR?). We hopped in what seemed to be a pretty intimidating line for the ride, but it’s moving along… The line outside The wait time was 65 minutes, which is pretty wild! This ride usually didn’t have waits above 20 minutes, but that’s not true for the final day. For what may be the first time ever, Dinosaur has a longer wait time than Flight of Passage in Pandora. ©Disney The Dino Institute gift shop next to the ride was also VERY busy as folks crowded in to buy up the last of the Dinosaur-related souvenirs. There was a pretty long line in the shop, too. Long line at the shop The overall vibe was nostalgic and a little sad, but it seems like everyone has come to peace with the fact that the ride is closing. We also spoke with Cast Members who are working on the ride. We were also told that the Wilderness Explorer station would be relocated to another location in the park. The Wilderness Explorer station will be relocated Some super DinoLand and Dinosaur fans showed up in costumes, which we ALWAYS love to see. A Dr. Seeker dress-up group is even meeting later in the park (we plan to be there to grab photos!). Check out Instagrammers @itstoughtobeabailey and @knife_chamber! Fans are dressing up for the occasion! Why is our beloved DinoLand closing? It’s being transformed into Pueblo Esperanza, the Tropical Americas-themed land. Beyond DINOSAUR turning into an Indiana Jones attraction, there will also be an Encanto ride where you can enter Casita, and a carousel with tons of different animals as the seats. I’m excited for the dining and shopping, too. @Disney Rest in peace, DinoLand. We will miss you dearly. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more of the best Disney news. We’re in the parks every day, sharing everything you need to know before your next trip. DISNEY IS OPENING 11 NEW RIDES IN 2026. HERE’S THE FULL LIST. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited for Pueblo Esperanza, or will you be missing DinoLand forever? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. View the full article

It’s so hard to say goodbye — especially to once-reliable dining options at Disney World. Restaurantosaurus As Disney’s Animal Kingdom gets ready to permanently close DinoLand U.S.A. in favor of the new Pueblo Esperanza — a Tropical Americas-themed land — folks who once frequented Restaurantosaurus will soon have a T. rex-sized hole in their heart when the quick-service restaurant closes its doors TOMORROW. Here’s what you need to know… Restaurantosaurus was (we hate talking about it in the past tense) a longtime quick-service staple in DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom that served up American classics like burgers, chicken tenders, and hot dogs. A reliable last-minute dining option, this was a hotspot for families looking for practical eats and some air conditioning. Unfortunately, it’s closing permanently TOMORROW, February 2nd, 2026. Inside of Restaurantosaurus Themed after paleontology with a humorous twist, Restaurantosaurus was a reliable eatery that will definitely be missed. It is closing to make way for the new Tropical Americas area, which is already under construction. Pueblo Esperanza Construction Disney revealed that a good chunk of the menu, however, will shift over to Harambe Market near Kilimanjaro Safaris. While this location has been closed for several months, it is slated to reopen on March 1st, 2026. ©Disney Previously, Harambe Market focused more on rice bowls, pita wraps, salads, and creative desserts, but it appears as though more of Restaurantosaurus’ classic American offerings will be served here. We’re still waiting on a full look at the new menu. Meal from Harambe Market Unfortunately, Harambe Market DOESN’T offer the indoor seating and air conditioning we got used to at Restaurantosaurus, so you might need to be prepared to take your food and move elsewhere depending on seating availability and weather. Harambe Market With that said, Pueblo Esperanza will bring with it a new hacienda-style quick-service restaurant, along with new attractions themed after Encanto and Indiana Jones. The land is hoping to be completed sometime in 2027. ©Disney || Tropical Americas Land coming to Animal Kingdom We’ll continue to keep you posted on all the latest Animal Kingdom and Disney World updates, so check back here at DFB daily to stay in the know! This NEW Look at Disney’s ‘Encanto’ Ride Almost Makes Us Happy DinoLand is Closing (Almost!) Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What are your favorite Animal Kingdom restaurants? Where did Restaurantosaurus rank? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

We hate to say it, but the day has come. The asteroid is coming down on Dinoland U.S.A. after today. DINOSAUR Today is the last day that DinoLand U.S.A. is open before it permanently closes to make way for Tropical Americas: Pueblo Esperanza. It’s hard for all of us to see the restaurants and the beloved attraction, DINOSAUR, go away. We expected there were going to be lots of guests at Animal Kingdom to say goodbye to the land, but we weren’t prepared for crowds like this! Last year, Disney announced that DinoLand U.S.A. (or what’s left of it) would be permanently closing on February 2nd, 2026. This includes EVERYTHING that the land has to offer — DINOSAUR itself, its gift shop, Restaurantosaurus, the meet and greets remaining in the area, and everything in between. DINOSAUR When we stepped into Animal Kingdom for rope drop, crowds were pretty heavy, despite it being FREEZING cold (literally below freezing, we’re not being dramatic here!). The question remained, though — how many would be heading towards DinoLand, and who would be heading for other areas of the park? Pretty big rope drop crowds! Well, as we walked towards DinoLand, a LOT of people followed along with us, so it was safe to assume that probably around half of the crowd was on their way to the ride to experience their final time travel experience back to the Mesozoic era. The crowds headed towards DINOSAUR As we stepped up towards the ride, we saw the wait was already around 30 minutes, due to Early Entry crowds. The entire queue was being used, so we started winding our way through the line outside first, but continued moving pretty consistently to get inside. The line outside By the time we got out of our first ride, it was right around 9 AM, and the wait time was then sitting at the highest in the park, at 65 minutes. In previous days, we’ve seen this ride remain pretty high, even getting into 100+ waits, so we’re expecting to see the same today. ©Disney We also noticed that the gift shop at the end of the ride was VERY busy, with the most popular items being the remote control ride vehicles and the puppets. Overall, the tone around the area was nostalgic and a little sad, but mostly everyone seemed to accept the fact that it was the ride’s final day. The Cast Members we spoke to told us that it’ll be dependent on each individual Cast Member where they’ll be relocated during the rest of the construction. We also haven’t been told about any wristbands being given out to be on the final ride, but we’ll be sure to keep our eyes peeled. Only a few hours left! DINOSAUR will eventually become an Indiana Jones-themed attraction as part of the Tropical Americas transformation. Alongside it will be an Encanto-themed attraction. We are very excited for what’s to come, but it is hard to say goodbye to something that’s been around for so long! Pueblo Esperanza construction Once Dinoland is gone, we’re expecting to start getting more news on what’s going on with Animal Kingdom and the new experiences to come. Make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog so you don’t miss out on any of it! Why You Should Stay at a Disney World Deluxe Resort in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Did you visit DinoLand on its last day? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Planning a Disney World vacation without staying on property? You might want to rethink that strategy. Early Entry at EPCOT Booking a Disney resort hotel isn’t just about convenience (though that’s definitely a bonus). It’s about unlocking a whole roster of exclusive perks that can seriously upgrade your vacation experience. From getting into the parks before everyone else to scoring those impossible-to-get dining reservations, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Disney World hotel perks for 2026. Get Into the Parks Early Let’s talk about Early Entry, because this perk alone might convince you to stay on property. When you’re a Disney resort guest, you get to waltz into Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios a full 30 minutes before the general public. Yeah, you’ll need to drag yourself out of bed earlier than you might like, but trust us when we say it’s worth it. Early Entry at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Not every attraction runs during this window, but the ones that do? They’re usually the headliners everyone’s fighting to ride later in the day. Getting on these with minimal wait times is basically like finding a hidden Lightning Lane in your back pocket. Stay Late at Select Parks If you’re splurging on a Deluxe Resort or Deluxe Villa, you’ve got another ace up your sleeve with Extended Evening Hours. This perk lets you hang out in the parks after closing time, which means you can ride attractions when the crowds have thinned out considerably. Animal Kingdom During Extended Evening Hours It’s not available every single night at every park (Disney rotates which parks offer it throughout the week), so you’ll want to check the My Disney Experience app when you’re planning your park schedule. But seriously, experiencing the parks with way fewer people around? That’s the kind of magic money can buy. Transportation and Parking Won’t Cost You a Dime Here’s something that’ll make your wallet happy: Disney’s complimentary transportation system is available to everyone visiting the resort, but when you’re staying on property, you also get free parking. EPCOT parking lot We’re talking about free overnight parking at your hotel AND free parking when you drive to the theme parks. Just flash your hotel reservation to the parking attendant, and you’re golden. When you consider how much parking can add up over a multi-day trip, this perk saves you some serious cash. Book Your Dining and Lightning Lanes Before Everyone Else Okay, this is where staying at a Disney hotel becomes a total game-changer. Sure, everyone can make dining reservations 60 days in advance, but resort guests? You can book your entire trip (up to 10 days) once you hit that 60-day mark. Kilimanjaro Safaris Lightning Lane If you’ve ever tried to snag a table at Be Our Guest or Space 220, you know how crucial this advantage is. Plus, you’ll get early access to purchase and select Lightning Lanes seven days before your trip starts. That head start can make the difference between waiting in line for two hours or breezing past everyone else. Score Free Water Park Access (But Know the Dates) Here’s a perk that came back in 2025 and is sticking around for 2026: free water park tickets on your check-in day. Everyone listed on your hotel reservation gets complimentary access to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, which is clutch if you’re arriving early and don’t want to burn a full park ticket day. You can drop your bags at the hotel and head straight to the water park to kick off your vacation. Blizzard Beach But here’s the catch (because of course there’s a catch): this perk only applies if you check in between May 26th and September 8th, 2026. If you check in on May 25th, even though the perk starts the next day, you won’t get the tickets. Same deal at the end of the window. So if this benefit matters to you, you might want to adjust your travel dates accordingly. Meet Characters at Your Hotel This Summer Disney’s Cool Kids’ Summer event is back for 2026, running from May 26th through September 8th, and it’s bringing scheduled character visits to select hotels. If you’re staying at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, or Port Orleans – Riverside during this timeframe, you’ll have the chance to meet some beloved Disney characters right at your resort. Pop Century It’s an extra sprinkle of pixie dust that makes staying on property even more special, especially if you’ve got little ones who’d love a character encounter without the park crowds. The Bottom Line Look, we get it. Staying at a Disney resort can be pricier than booking a hotel down the street. But when you add up all these perks (early park access, extended evening hours, free parking, that crucial dining reservation advantage, and complimentary water park tickets), the value proposition starts to look pretty compelling. These benefits can genuinely transform your Disney vacation from good to incredible, giving you more time to actually enjoy the parks instead of standing in lines or stressing about logistics. The agents at Small World Vacations know how to save money on your Disney Vacation! When you book your trip with Small World Vacations, their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings. They also compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. We’re always keeping an eye out for the best Disney deals available. Make sure to follow us at the Disney Food Blog so you don’t miss out on anything that can make your Disney trip easier, cheaper, and more magical! This Is Your Sign To Book Your 2026 Disney World Vacation Now! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which Disney World hotel perk are you most excited to take advantage of on your next trip? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

The Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels are seven hotels located near the Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment area in the Walt Disney World Resort. These National Chain hotels celebrate America’s military with up to off 20% room rate discount at all member hotels. Both active and retired U.S. military personnel, including active and retired […] The post Disney World Disney Springs Hotels offer Military Discounts appeared first on Military Disney Tips. View the full article

If you have high standards when it comes to your Disney souvenirs, you’ve come to the right place! Touchland and Disney Special Edition Hand Sanitizer + Mist Case We’re always on the hunt for great souvenir deals and steals. Of course, we’re always checking out reviews before buying — especially on Amazon. If you’re like us and want something tried and tested before dropping your hard-earned dollars, we’ve got you covered. We’re sharing with you some of our favorite Disney souvenirs that you can get RIGHT NOW on Amazon! Each of these items has great reviews — including some that we personally own and love! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Grab this Disney Parks essential for 41% off Frogg Toggs Poncho When visiting the Disney Parks — especially in Florida — you can be drenched from sudden rainstorms or wild water rides. That’s why we recommend a Frogg Toggs Poncho! We are big fans of this poncho, and you can pick one up in adult and youth sizes in several different colors right now on Amazon for 41% off! These ponchos are waterproof, lightweight, comfy, reusable, and great for travel, as they come with a handy travel sack. This has over 11,ooo reviews and 4.5 stars, which is VERY impressive and we totally see why! BUY ON AMAZON Stay cool with this Disney-themed fan LACOVIA Cute Mouse Misting Mini Fan The LACOVIA Misting Mini Fan is another one of our Disney Park favs. This little fan is available on Amazon in green, red, pink, and white, and comes in a cute mouse design. The fan also features a powerful built-in rechargeable battery, a misting function, 3 adjustable speeds, and folding capabilities. This has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon after 200 reviews, and we agree! This is seriously cute and very useful as well! BUY ON AMAZON Pick up this popular blind box collectible ©Amazon The POP MART Mickey Family Figures Cute Together Keychain Series Blind Box contains a random Disney keychain figure (there are 8 different figures in total), and one of them might even be a secret edition figure! Each character is 5.51-5.91 inches in height — tiny, yet adorable. Another one with a 4.3 -star rating! We see why these babies are all over the parks right now! BUY ON AMAZON Check out one of our favorite water bottles! Rapunzel Owala You can find Disney-themed Owala Water Bottles online at Amazon! These bottles are available in different colors and sizes, and we love them for how durable, insulated, and spill-resistant they are during long park days. Also, this bottle has over 12 THOUSAND reviews and a 4.7-star rating! We have tested it for hours in the parks, and we promise, you will love this water bottle. It’s reliable, keeps your water cold, and is the perfect theme for the parks. Yes, please!! BUY ON AMAZON We’re obsessed with this Up souvenir ©Amazon If you’re searching for the most adorable souvenir, the Our Adventure Book from Pixar’s Up could be the gift for you! This book features plenty of homages to the film, serves as a scrapbook, photo album, guest book, or travel diary, and is available on Amazon in several different styles. This adventure book has over 2,000 reviews and a 4.7-star rating. It’s perfect to put all of your memories in after your Disney World trip! BUY ON AMAZON Prioritize cleanliness during your next Disney vacation with this souvenir Hand Sanitizer with Mickey ears? Yes please! The Touchland & Disney Special Edition Hand Sanitizer will help put your sanitation worries at ease and even comes with a mist case with Mickey ears! This kit includes Wild Watermelon hydrating hand sanitizer enriched with aloe vera and essential oils, and is the perfect size for travel. This sanitizer has a 4.9-star review with hundreds of ratings!! We love how the case is reusable, so you can use it again and again. And there’s just something so satisfying about the spray feature!! BUY ON AMAZON What are some of your favorite Disney souvenirs? Let us know and continue to follow us here at DFB for more great Disney finds! View the full article

Every week, we report the average Disney World wait times in every park so that you can be prepared for your next trip to Orlando! Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney World wait times have a reputation for being, well, unpredictable. Sure, we can look at past data to get an estimate of the crowd levels in Disney World, but you never know what may happen from year to year. So how did Disney’s wait times hold up as January marched on? Take a look at this week’s average wait times for proof! This is everything you need to know about the average wait times in Disney World over the past seven days. Most notably, the wait with one of the highest averages is likely not one you’re expecting — Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run! There are very few average waits over an hour, which is incredible. As January comes to an end, is this one of the best times to visit the parks? It just might be — but we’ll let you decide! Magic Kingdom Wait Times Seven Dwarfs Mine Train TRON Lightcycle / Run — 72 minutes Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — 50 minutes Peter Pan’s Flight — 42 minutes Space Mountain — 38 minutes Jungle Cruise — 38 minutes Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh — 35 minutes Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — 32 minutes Haunted Mansion — 30 minutes Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Pirates of the Caribbean — 20 minutes Enchanted Tales with Belle — 18 minutes Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini — 16 minutes Magic Carpets of Aladdin — 16 minutes Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid — 16 minutes Tomorrowland Speedway — 14 minutes Mickey’s PhilharMagic — 12 minutes Mad Tea Party — 10 minutes Mickey’s Philharmagic Country Bear Jamboree — 9 minutes Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover — 9 minutes Dumbo the Flying Elephant — 8 minutes “it’s a small world” — 7 minutes Carousel of Progress Prince Charming Regal Carrousel — 8 minutes Enchanted Tiki Room — 6 minutes Carousel of Progress — 4 minutes 3 Magic Kingdom Restaurants the Experts Refuse to Book EPCOT Wait Times EPCOT Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — 71 minutes Test Track — 64 minutes Frozen Ever After — 52 minutes Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — 45 minutes Soarin’ — 30 minutes Mission: SPACE — 15 minutes Turtle Talk with Crush — 15 minutes Living with the Land Living with the Land — 14 minutes The Seas with Nemo and Friends — 11 minutes Journey into Imagination — 8 minutes Gran Fiesta Tour — 8 minutes Awesome Planet, American Adventure, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. This Is One of the BEST Things To Do in EPCOT, and You Can’t Change My Mind Animal Kingdom Wait Times Giraffe during Kilimanjaro Safaris Avatar Flight of Passage — 59 minutes Na’vi River Journey — 41 minutes Dinosaur — 32 minutes Zootopia: Better Zoogether! Lightning Lane Kilimanjaro Safaris — 30 minutes Expedition Everest — 28 minutes Zootopia: Better Zoogether — 15 minutes These Disney Adult Animal Kingdom Hacks Are Getting Out of Control Hollywood Studios Wait Times Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studios Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — 66 minutes Slinky Dog Dash — 60 minutes Rise of the Resistance — 48 minutes Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster — 47 minutes Toy Story Mania — 45 minutes Tower of Terror Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway — 40 minutes Tower of Terror — 35 minutes Alien Swirling Saucers — 22 minutes Star Tours — 6 minutes Walt Disney Presents had no wait times this week. 5 Magic Kingdom Secrets Disney Doesn’t Want You to Know Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World! Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How long would you wait for your favorite ride? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

If you love Disney and you love a good deal, today is your lucky day. ©Amazon We were scrolling Amazon, doing our usual “just gonna look real quick” routine, when we spotted some Disney finds that are marked way down right now. And yeah, these are the kinds of deals that tend to disappear fast. Whether you’re planning a Disney trip, refreshing your collection, or just want a little extra magic at home, these are absolutely worth checking out before prices jump back up. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Crocs Women’s Disney Minnie Mouse & Daisy Cozzzy Sandals ©Amazon First up, we have to talk about these Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck Cozzzy sandals from Crocs. These aren’t your standard pool slides. They’ve got a soft, fuzzy interior that feels like you’re walking around in slippers, but they still have that classic Crocs durability. The design features Minnie and Daisy front and center, which makes them feel playful without being over the top. They’re easy to slip on, comfy enough to wear around the house, and honestly, pretty perfect for cooler park days or post-park recovery mode. The price on these right now is shockingly good for licensed Disney footwear, so this is one of those buy-now, think-later situations. View on Amazon — 60% Off Now The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook: From Delicious Dole Whip to Tasty Mickey Pretzels, 100 Magical Disney-Inspired Recipes ©Amazon If you’re constantly craving park snacks once you’re back home, this one’s for you. The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook is packed with recipes inspired by some of the most iconic treats from Disney parks. We’re talking about classic favorites like pineapple soft serve and Mickey-shaped pretzels, plus some newer fan favorites that Disney food people will instantly recognize. The recipes are approachable, which means you don’t need a professional kitchen or chef skills to pull them off. It’s a fun way to keep the Disney vibes going between trips, and it also makes a great gift. This book is currently discounted, and we don’t usually see it drop this low. View on Amazon — 59% Off Now Hallmark Disney Lilo & Stitch Christmas Ornaments ©Amazon This Hallmark ornament set featuring Lilo and Stitch is pure heart-eyes energy. You get two ornaments, one with Lilo in her hula outfit and one with Stitch rocking out on a guitar. They even come in a themed storage box, which makes packing them away after the holidays way easier. They’re festive without being overly holiday-specific, so they still feel special year after year. If you’re an ohana-first kind of person or you know someone who is, this deal is absolutely worth grabbing now. View on Amazon — 31% Off Now Funko Pop! Disney: Suite Life of Zack and Cody – Zack & Cody, 2-Pack ©Amazon Finally, this one hit us right in the nostalgia. The Zack and Cody Funko Pop two-pack brings the Tipton Hotel straight to your shelf. Both figures are included, and they’re perfectly sized for display with the rest of your Disney collection. If you grew up watching The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, this is such a fun throwback piece. Funko Disney sets don’t usually stay discounted for long, especially when they’re sold as a bundle, so this is another deal we wouldn’t wait on. View on Amazon — 23% Off Now We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

Although most Disney visitors go to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to see live animals in Disney World, you can also see live animals at EPCOT at The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion. The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion The Seas has one of the largest aquariums in the world, not to mention special spaces for rehabilitating sea creatures like manatees (some of our favorite Disney guests) before releasing the animals back out into the wild or sending them on their way elsewhere. Well, if you love the aquarium at The Seas as much as we do, you’ll need to visit soon, because the aquarium just got some new additions: seadragons. That’s right, some seadragons have moved into The Seas! If you do pop by to visit them, though, they are in the nursery, which is still mostly enclosed by curtains because the care team is getting them used to having a lot of people around staring at them. But they do already have their own little sign with some details about how they’re masters of disguise. Info. about sea dragons We also learned a lot about them while visiting The Seas. For example, seadragons don’t have a preference for dark or light environments. They just really like cold environments. That’s why their enclosures have coolers that keep the water around 70 degrees all year round for them. We love them This group of seadragons is currently seven months old, and the good news is that they’ll be here as a permanent part of the aquarium. Cast Members can’t yet determine which are males and females, though, because that’s hard to determine until they’re about one year old, when they reach full maturity. Seadragons are a little bigger than seahorses, by the way. Welcome to Disney World, seadragons! Anyway, these cute little sea creatures have been very popular since they arrived in EPCOT. Eventually, there will be fewer curtains until there won’t be a need for curtains at all, but it’s all about getting them used to all the sudden attention. We were also told that they were still working on the enclosure for them, too. But you can talk to a Cast Member nearby, who can tell you all kinds of details about them. Who says you can’t learn something on vacation, right? So if you’re visiting EPCOT, be sure to stop by and visit its cutest new citizens. We’ll also be keeping an eye out for more Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB for more. The ULTIMATE Guide to EPCOT Restaurants Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite part of The Seas? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Another part of Disney World will be closing for good this week. It has been more than a year since the first round of closures started at DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This week, we have to say a final goodbye to this land. We have so many amazing memories in this area, and we are going to miss it! We will miss you, Dinoland U.S.A.! While the closure will make way for something new at Disney World, it is still a sad time to lose something that has brought so much happiness over the years. We will miss you greatly, DinoLand U.S.A.! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Harambe Market — Disney’s Animal Kingdom Harambe Market, a quick-service dining location in Animal Kingdom, has temporarily closed as of October 20th, 2025. It will be closed for a few months, and it is currently expected to reopen in early 2026. Right now, hours are showing on the Disney World website starting February 5th (previously they started on March 1st), so it is likely to reopen then. Harambe Market You can stop by Flame Tree Barbecue or Satu’li Canteen for a tasty, quick-service meal. Disney has announced that Harambe Market will reopen with a new menu including cheeseburgers, chicken strips, a Savanna Salad, and the Harissa Chicken Wrap. Disney World Files New Permit Showing Layout of Pueblo Esperanza Expansion in Animal Kingdom Disney’s Hollywood Studios Animation Courtyard Animation Courtyard closed on September 25th, 2025, to make way for Walt Disney Studios. This new area is expected to open in summer 2026 and will be a special nod to the Walt Disney Studios lot. Star Wars Launch Bay will be turned into The Magic of Disney Animation. This attraction will have you interacting and exploring with this fun take on Disney Animation headquarters. Construction walls around Animation Courtyard This area will also feature a new Drawn to Wonderland indoor play area and the current Disney Jr. Play and Dance! show will be getting a makeover. During the transformation, you will still be able to visit “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and Walt Disney Presents. Muppets Courtyard, including Muppet*Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano Muppet*Vision 3D AND PizzeRizzo closed on June 8th, and Muppets Courtyard has been walled off so construction can begin on the new Monsters, Inc. land. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been closed since May 11th. Recently, the Muppet*Vision 3D sign was officially taken down! Farewell Muppet*Vision Sign Don’t worry, the Muppets won’t be missing from Disney’s Hollywood Studios forever. The Muppets will eventually be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in summer 2026. We Spotted a Piece of Disney World HISTORY at Hollywood Studios EPCOT Frozen Ever After Frozen Ever After is closed temporarily as of January 26th, 2026. The attraction will be closing for a refurbishment that includes updating the Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff audio-animatronic figures. Frozen Ever After is closed The new figures will draw inspiration from the advancements seen in the World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland. It is expected to reopen in February 2026, although Disney has not announced an exact date yet. But we will keep you updated as we learn more! Refreshment Port Refreshment Port located near the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase is temporarily closed for refurbishment as of January 12th. Not so great news if you were hoping to snag a specialty poutine during the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. The Refreshment Port is closed However, there will still be plenty of yummy snacks to grab! Disney hasn’t yet announced what will be done at Refreshment Port or when the stand will reopen. However, we will keep an eye and ear out for progress and keep you updated. EPCOT Is Celebrating Something MAJOR This Month Disney Springs Lime Garage The Lime Garage at Disney Springs is closed for refurbishment from January 12th through March 13th, 2026. There will be a small break in the project for President’s Day Weekend, with the garage reopening from February 11th through February 17th. However, after the busy holiday weekend, the garage will be closed again. Lime Garage is closed There are still plenty of options for parking at Disney Springs, but if you are headed there during a busy time, you might want to give yourself a bit of extra time to find parking. Guests will be able to park at Orange Garage, Grapefruit Garage, Strawberry Parking Lot, and Watermelon Parking Lot during the closure. A New Sweet and Savory Brunch Item Just Debuted At Our Favorite Disney Springs Restaurant! Disney World Skyliner Beginning January 25th, the Disney World Skyliner will be closing temporarily for refurbishment. It is expected to be closed through January 31st, 2026. During the closure, complimentary bus transportation will be provided to guests, so you will still be able to get wherever you are headed! Skyliner However, we recommend giving yourself a bit of extra time to navigate the bus system and reach your destination! We don’t want you to be late for a dining reservation or Lightning Lane window. The One Rule We Wish Disney World Transportation Would Finally Slash Blizzard Beach Blizzard Beach has been closed since September 8th, 2025! While it has been wonderful having BOTH Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon open at the same time this summer (which was the first time this has happened in YEARS), that has now come to an end. Blizzard Beach is now closed for refurbishment. Blizzard Beach Have no fear, though, if you are looking for somewhere to cool off and enjoy some fun in the water, Typhoon Lagoon will still be open! Keep an eye on the weather, as Typhoon Lagoon will close when temperatures drop. Beginning February 15th, 2026, Blizzard Beach will be reopening, and Typhoon Lagoon will close for refurbishment. REVIEWS: What to Eat (And What to AVOID) at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park Disney World Hotels Bay Cove Pool Area — Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort This week, the Bay Cove Pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will temporarily close for maintenance. From January 26th through early May 2026, the pool area will be unavailable. Bay Lake Tower During the closure, guests can still use the Bay Lake Pool, the feature pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Leisure Pools — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resort are currently undergoing visible exterior maintenance. The maintenance could affect views and may require alternate routes at times. In addition, two of the resort’s leisure pools will close for routine maintenance. At Disney’s Yacht Club, the Admiral leisure be will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. Admiral Pool At Disney’s Beach Club, the Tidal leisure pool will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. During the construction, guests may see or hear construction work, but it will only be done during the daytime hours. Turtle Pond Pool, Turtle Pond Pool Spa, BBQ Area, and Playground — Disney’s Old Key West Resort Starting early January through early February 2026, the Turtle Pond Pool, Turtle Pond Pool Spa, the BBQ area, and the playground at Disney’s Old Key West Resort will be closed for routine maintenance. Turtle Pond Pool at Old Key West During the closure, guests can head over to the Sandcastle Pool or one of the resort’s leisure pools. There are two different leisure pools available: the South Point Pool and Miller’s Road Pool. Surfboard Bay Pool and Kiddie Pool — Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort From January 2026 through April 2026, the Surfboard Bay Pool and Kiddie Pool at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will be closed for maintenance. Don’t worry, though, if you are in the swimming mood, you will still have plenty of options for pools. You may just need to travel a bit farther. All-Star Sports Pool At Disney’s All-Star Sports, the Grand Slam Leisure Pool will still be open. As well, you can also use any of the pools at the other All-Star Resorts. You can use the Calypso Pool and Piano Pool and kiddie pool at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort or the Fantasia Pool and Duck Pond Pool and kiddie pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. Promenade Fine Art Gallery — Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Resort The Promenade Fine Art Gallery will be closing its Disney’s BoardWalk location on October 20th, 2025. However, the Promenade Fine Art Gallery isn’t closing for good, and it will just be moving to a new location. Promenade Fine Art Gallery The gallery hasn’t announced yet where that new location will be, but we will keep you updated as we learn more! Jellyrolls — Disney’s BoardWalk Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk officially closed on April 19th, 2025. This entertainment venue has provided our team with countless memories, and we know many others are also sad to see it close. Jellyrolls had its final farewell performance on April 19th and closed its doors forever on Disney’s BoardWalk. Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk However, this isn’t the end for Jellyrolls, as the bar has said they are “making a move.” We don’t know many details about that move yet, but we will keep you updated. Take a Look INSIDE the NEW Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and determine which works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. They also share expert tips and first-hand advice about your magical vacation. Small World Vacations Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. I Gave in and Switched to Our Team’s Favorite Water Bottle in Disney World, and I’m Never Looking Back! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Comcast NBCUniversal, the parent company of Universal Destinations & Experiences, just revealed some great news. Universal’s newest park, Epic Universe, is now the most profitable theme park in Universal history. This fall had Epic Universe’s best earnings yet and surpassed 1 billion dollars in earnings, the highest of every Universal park across the world. Epic Universe! Universal theme parks brought in 23.5% more earnings from last October to December compared to the summer quarter. During the winter quarter, Universal Destinations & Experiences brought in record profits, largely due to their newest theme park, Epic Universe. Epic Universe isn’t even at full capacity, and it’s breaking records. It was the highest-attended theme park opening in the US in the past 20 years this spring. Epic is causing longer stays, higher per capita spending, and increased demand across Universal’s parks and hotels. Super Nintendo World Epic Universe Epic continues to drive higher per capita spending and attendance across the entirety of Universal Orlando Resort, and it already has plans to expand. In 2025, they added three new hotels – Stella Nova Resort, Terra Luna Resort, and the Helios Grand Hotel – which created two thousand new rooms. Their main goal for 2026 is to boost hotel attendance, which had an average daily rate up 20% and occupancy rates up 3%. Universal Helios Grand Hotel with views of Epic Universe 2025 was a record-breaking year for Epic Universe, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us this year. Follow Disney Food Blog for more Universal news! Closure Announced for Epic Universe Ride! Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of Epic Universe? Comment below! View the full article

If you have a spring break trip planned for Disney, we’ve got you covered. Our team is at the Disney parks seven days a week, testing out the best products to beat the heat and make your vacation easier. JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan These are our favorite park essentials that are perfect for spring break! Happy shopping! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan JISULIFE handheld fan The JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan keeps us cool from rope drop to fireworks. It also has a built-in flashlight and a power bank to charge your phone. It might be small, but this fan packs a punch even on the hottest Florida days. It barely takes up any space in your backpac,k but when you need it, you’ll be so glad you grabbed it. Get it below by February 1st for 15% off! View on Amazon This Frogg Toggs Poncho Frogg Toggs Poncho This Frogg Toggs Poncho is 100% waterproof, seam-taped, lightweight, and durable. It’s constructed with an outer layer that provides waterproof/breathable protection and an inner layer that remains soft next to skin. It comes in a handy waterproof sack for easy toting. Grab it from Amazon for 40% off at $12.99! View on Amazon We love the Disney Women’s Athletic Zip Up Track Jacket ©Amazon The Disney Women’s Athletic Zip Up Track Jacket is a warm and comfortable jacket with an easy to dress design. It has a soft hand screen print design with embroidery art on the front and back. If you always go for the most evil characters during meet and greets, this is going to be the perfect jacket for you. Maleficent would definitely approve. View on Amazon Or, you can grab Disney Women’s Athletic Track Pants ©Amazon These Disney Women’s Athletic Track Pants are made of a cool and comfy high-quality athletic performance material. It’s decorated with a soft hand screen print design and a contrast side stripe with 3D satin ribbon bows. You can have a whole matching set so you can show off to everyone that you were a Disney Villain fan before Villains Land is built in Magic Kingdom. View on Amazon Get the VentaPak Backpack Spacer VentaPak in Disney World The VentaPak Backpack Spacer helps us so much on hot park days. The backpack spacer helps take weight off your back and gives your back air to cool down. The breathable mesh design creates separation between your backpack and your back to ensure airflow, breathability, and reduced sweat. Get it below for 30% off! View on Amazon Don’t forget the Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator The Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator is a mess-free sunscreen applicator perfect for families. You can unscrew it to place your favorite sunscreen inside, screw it closed, and then you have a roll-on sunscreen. Get it from Amazon for 20% off! View on Amazon And finally, the Avia Women’s Runner Sneakers Avia Women’s Runners The Avia Women’s Runner Sneakers are an inexpensive Hoka dupe that we love for long park days. They have a lace-up style for easy adjustments and a secure fit. The sneakers are made with a breathable engineered mesh upper and a Memory Foam insole with an extra soft EVA midsole for added cushion in every step. Get them from Walmart for only $29! View on Walmart We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article