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Daytona 500 Champion Austin Dillon Surprises a Young Fan at Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

No company on earth calls on its history quite like Disney, and nobody is more responsible for enabling us to do so than Disney Legend Dave Smith. As founder of the Walt Disney Archives, Dave was hired (and invited to write his own job description) by company co-founder Roy O. Disney just a few short years after Roy lost his brother Walt. In fact, inventorying and cataloguing the contents of Walt’s untouched offices was among Dave’s first assignments on the job. In the four decades that followed, Dave led a talented team of historians (including my dear friend Becky Cline, who became Director of the Walt Disney Archives when Dave retired in 2010) charged with preserving, documenting and sharing Disney history with everyone from cast members and employees to researchers and fans. My first meeting with Dave came during my junior year of high school, when a Disney-employed news-clipping service captured a story that profiled me in my small Southern Oregon town’s newspaper, focusing on my dreams of working for Disney. Dave contacted the newspaper’s editor, who put him touch with my parents so he could invite me to visit the Walt Disney Archives. I, of course, took him up on the offer, driving my parents’ car over spring break (I can’t believe they let me do that) down Interstate 5 from Rogue River, Oregon, to Burbank, California, for a meeting that would change my life. I left that visit with a renewed belief in my Disney dream, and with a new friendship that would grow for nearly 30 years. So while my heart was heavy when Dave passed away on February 15, it was also filled with gratitude. I deeply appreciate having had this enormously impactful man in my life, and I’m equally grateful to work for a company that – thanks to Dave – preserves and honors its history in such extraordinary fashion. While I enjoyed countless conversations with Dave through the years, only one was caught on camera, and I’d like to share it for the first time as we celebrate the life and legacy of this incredible man. Filmed at D23 Expo 2017, our brief visit touched on Dave’s experience interacting with his adoring fans, as well as the Walt Disney Archives’ restoration and reopening of Walt’s office suite – an undertaking made possible by the painstakingly detailed work Dave completed during those first days on the job. I hope you enjoy these moments with Dave as much as I did, and I leave you with an idea. For years, a variety of Disney platforms have allowed fans to deepen their knowledge of Disney history by asking Dave questions through a popular column simply titled “Ask Dave.” While we’ve sadly run out of time to “ask” anything more of Dave, we can always take time to thank him. So the next time you see and share an example of Disney calling upon its storied history – whether we’re celebrating 90 years of Mickey Mouse or producing a film like “Mary Poppins Returns” – consider adding a hashtag in tribute to the man whose legacy will continue to grow: #ThankDave. View the full article

Spring is upon us and that means the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is about to begin! Starting March 6, join us for fun, flowers, and most importantly, FOOD! This year’s festival features 17 Outdoor Kitchens and several other locations through the park that will be offering delectable festival bites and libations. Special dining packages are also available for the Garden Rocks Concert Series. This concert series runs for 90 nights and features over 270 performances by tons of popular artists. This dining package allows you to have either breakfast, lunch, or dinner at nearly any table-service restaurant in the park and grants you guaranteed seating at one of three concert performances that day. Be sure to reserve these early to savor every single minute! For more information and to make your reservations, visit the Garden Rocks Dining Packages web page. I have to say, this year’s menus are incredible and you won’t want to miss out on any of these delicious bites! In addition to the returning Outdoor Kitchens like The Honey Bee-stro, the festival has four new Outdoor Kitchens this year: Arbor, The Citrus Blossom, Trowel & Trellis, and Flavor Full Kitchen! Fried green tomatoes, tuna tataki, blood orange aqua fresca, and grilled street corn on the cob are just a few of the new mouthwatering items featured on the menus. Check out these and all of the offerings for the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival detailed below in my official Foodie Guide! The festival runs March 6–June 3, 2019. (GF) Gluten/Wheat Friendly Menu Selections (V) Vegetarian Menu Selections ARBOR (Located at The Gardeners Terrace in The Odyssey Center) Food: Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-Fennel Salad, Remoulade, and Smoked Paprika Oil Smoked Salmon Stack with Avocados, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Caviar, and Focaccia Crostino Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake with Apple Cider Sorbet (GF, V) Beverages: Original Sin Brewery Black Widow Hard Cider, New York, NY Florida Beer Company Caribé Strawberry Rose Hard Cider, Cape Canaveral, FL 3 Daughters Brewing Key Lime Apple Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL Karbach Brewing Lemon and Ginger Radler Houston, TX Seadog Brewing Company Sunfish Ale, Clearwater, FL Shipyard Brewing Company Grind the Rind Watermelon IPA, Portland, ME Cider Flight Beer Flight LA ISLA FRESCA (Located in Showcase Plaza East) Food: Jamaican-braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice and Micro Cilantro Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with Steamed Rice and Coconut-Lime Sauce Tropical Mousse Cake: Layers of Passion Fruit Cake, Coconut Mousse, and a Tropical Fruit Glaze with Fresh Pineapple Beverages: Tropical Freeze (non-alcoholic) Golden Road Brewing Tart Mango Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA Tropical Freeze with Mango Rum THE CITRUS BLOSSOM (Located near Refreshment Port) Food: Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon (GF) Tuna Tataki with Spicy Yuzu Glaze, Mango, Avocado, and Pappadam Crisp Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens (GF) Citrus Shortcake: Orange Chiffon Cake, Lemon Curd, Mandarins, Whipped Cream, and Citrus Crumble (V) Beverages: Orange Cream Slushy in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper (sipper only available while supplies last) (non-alcoholic) Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale, Fort Pierce, FL First Magnitude Brewing Lemon Hefeweizen, Gainesville, FL Heavy Seas Brewery TropiCannon Citrus IPA, Halethorpe, MD Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy Beer Flight PINEAPPLE PROMENADE (Located near Refreshment Port) Food: Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Plantain Chips Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream (V) Beverages: Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade (non-alcoholic) Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream with Fanta (non-alcoholic) Coastal Empire Beer Co. Coco Piña Gose, Savannah, GA Maui Brewing Co. Pineapple Mana Wheat, Kihei, HI SweetWater Brewing Company Goin’ Coastal IPA with Pineapple, Atlanta, GA Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale, Titusville, FL Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream with Coconut Rum Pineapple Beer Flight THE HONEY BEE-STRO Hosted by National Honey Board (Located near Refreshment Port) Food: Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Purée, Wild Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey-blistered Grapes, Sunflower Brittle, and Coriander Flowers (GF, V) Honey Tandoori Chicken Flatbread with White Cheddar Cheese, Charred Vegetables, Clover Honey Sour Cream, and Micro Citrus Greens Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with Orange Blossom Honey Ice Cream garnished with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses and Petite Lavender Shoots (V) Beverages: Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze (non-alcoholic) Goodwood Brewing Company Brandy Barrel Honey Ale, Louisville, KY Florida Orange Groves Winery Orange Blossom Honey Wine, St. Petersburg, FL Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze with Blueberry Vodka FLAVOR FULL KITCHEN Hosted by AdventHealth (Located near the Honey Bee-stro Garden) Food: Citrus-poached Salmon with Ancient Grain Salad, Roasted Vegetables, and Citrus Greens (GF) From the Garden: Roasted Beets, Cashew Cheese, and Micro Herbs with Lemon-Oil Dressing (GF, V) Mickey Tart Peanut Butter Mousse with Strawberry Jam and Boba Pearls (V) Beverages: Blood Orange Aqua Fresca (non-alcoholic) Cookie Butter Worms and Dirt (non-alcoholic) REFRESHMENT PORT (Located near the Canada Pavilion) Coffee-rubbed Pork Poutine with Barbecue Demi-Glace, Fire-roasted Corn Relish, and Cheese Curds Stow Away Mary: Classic Bloody Mary with Vodka garnished with Pimento-stuffed Olives, Cherry Tomato, Celery, Jumbo Shrimp, and Smokehouse Jerky NORTHERN BLOOM (Located in the Canada Pavilion) Food: Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette, and Apple-wood Smoked Bacon (GF) Beef Tenderloin Tips, Mushroom Bordelaise Sauce, and Whipped Potatoes with Garden Vegetables Griddled Maple Pound Cake with Warm Peach Compote and Sweet Corn Gelato featuring Burton’s Maple Syrup Beverages: Maple Popcorn Shake (non-alcoholic) Unibroue Éphémère Apple Wheat Ale, Chambly, Québec Unibroue Blanche de Chambly Belgian White Ale, Chambly, Québec Unibroue Lune de Miel Amber Ale, Chambly, Québec Maple Popcorn Shake with Crown Royal Maple Whisky Beer Flight FLEUR DE LYS (Located in the France Pavilion) Food: Vichyssoise aux Concombres: Chilled Cucumber Vichyssoise Soup (GF, V) Tarte au Chévre: Goat Cheese Tart with Caramelized Onions on a Flaky Pastry Crust (V) Canard Confit à la Provençal: Braised Duck Confit with Tomatoes and Olives on Polenta Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette: Large Chocolate Macaron Lollipop (GF) Beverages: La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush: Vodka, Orange Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, and White and Red Cranberry Juice Kir Framboise: Sparkling Wine and Monin Raspberry Syrup Cabernet Sauvignon, Maison de France Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 FLORIDA FRESH (Located between the France and Morocco Pavilions) Food: Carne Guisada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro-Lime Sour Cream Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Local Sweet Corn Relish Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue Beverages: Watermelon Cucumber Slushy (non-alcoholic) Tampa Bay Brewing Company Twisted Strawberry Fest Fruit Ale, Tampa, FL Big Top Brewing Company Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat, Sarasota, FL First Magnitude Brewing Monarch Milk Stout, Gainesville, FL Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Key Lime Wine, St Petersburg, FL Watermelon Cucumber Slushy with Gin Beer Flight TASTE OF MARRAKESH (Located in the Morocco Pavilion) Food: Harissa Chicken Kebab with Dried Fruit Couscous Salad Fried Cauliflower with Capers, Garlic Parsley, and Chili-Ranch Sauce Walnut Honey Baklava Beverages: Casa Beer Larroque Chardonnay, Meknes White Sangria Desert Rose: Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur HANAMI (Located in the Japan Pavilion) Food: Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry, and Melon rolled with Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut, Whipped Cream with Raspberry Sauce on the side (V) Chilled Soba Noodle Salad with Pan-seared Tuna and Wasabi Dressing Chicken Karaage with Nanban Sauce: Japanese-style Fried Chicken served on a bed of Shredded Cabbage and topped with a Soy and Vinegar-based Dressing Beverages: Kirin Draft Beer Sayuri “Little Lilly” Nigori Sake “Ichigo Sun” Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail with Sake, Strawberry Purée, and Lemonade FUNNEL CAKES (Located in The American Adventure) Key Lime Funnel Cake topped with Crumbled Graham Cracker and Whipped Cream Lexington Brewing Company Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, Lexington, KY Short’s Brewing Company Local’s Light Lager, Bellaire, MI Dogfish Head Brewery American Beauty Pale Ale, Milton, DE Brooklyn Brewery Defender IPA, Brooklyn, NY Golden Road Brewing Pineapple Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA 3 Daughters Brewing Hard Rosé Cider, St. Petersburg, FL Beer Flight THE SMOKEHOUSE: BARBECUE AND BREWS (Located in The American Adventure) Food: Pulled Pig Slider with Coleslaw Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue, and House-made Pickle Shredded Beef Brisket with Smoked Potato, Chorizo Fondue, and Green Tomato Relish Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans (V) Beverages: Frozen Simply Lemonade (non-alcoholic) Central 28 Brewing Company Sunshine Greetings Orange Hibiscus Wheat Ale, DeBary, FL 3 Daughters Brewing Phantasmas Spicy Double IPA, St. Petersburg, FL Shipyard Maple Bacon Stout, Clearwater, FL Boneshaker Zinfandel, Lodi, CA Frozen Simply Lemonade with Blackberry Moonshine Beer Flight FIFE & DRUM (Located in The American Adventure) Short’s Brewing Company Soft Parade Shandy, Bellaire, MI PRIMAVERA KITCHEN (Located in the Italy Pavilion) Food: Pizza Toscana: Rustic Italian Flatbread with Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onion, Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan Cheeses Pomodori Verdi e Mozzarella: Fried Green Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, and Balsamic Reduction Tri-colored Cheese Tortellini, Sage Butter, and Chicken Veloute Zeppole: Ricotta Cheese Fritters, Powdered Sugar, Raspberry Sauce, and Chocolate-Hazelnut Drizzle Beverages: Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner Placido Pinot Grigio Placido Chianti Villa Sandi Prosecco Montegrande Corbinello Fior d’Arancio Montegrande Moscato Bellini: Sparkling Wine and Peach Purée Frozen Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila BAUERNMARKT: FARMER’S MARKET (Located in the Germany Pavilion) Food: Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce (V) Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions, and Herb Sour Cream Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest Ham and Melted Gruyère Cheese Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries Beverages: Stiegl Brewery Radler Zitrone, Salzburg, Austria Paulaner Original Munich Lager, Munich, Germany Köstritzer Schwarzbier Black Lager, Bad Köstritz, Germany Hugo Cocktail with Sparkling Wine, Elderflower, and Mint Beer Flight LOTUS HOUSE (Located in the China Pavilion) Food: Szechuan Spicy Red-braised Beef Shank over Rice House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons Vegetable Spring Rolls (V) Beverages: “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Bobas (non-alcoholic) Jasmine Draft Beer Pirates of the China Sea: Dark Rum, Peach Syrup and Piña Colada Mix Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, Triple Sec, Mango Syrup, and Orange Juice Plum Wine Cooler JARDIN DE FIESTAS (Located in the Mexico Pavilion) Food: Tlacoyo: Blue Corn Masa topped with Black Bean Spread, Ground Chorizo, Queso Fresco, and Mexican Cream Beef Torta: Braised Beef served on a Crispy Sourdough Roll with Queso Oaxaca, Avocado, Pickled Onions, and Jalapeños in a Spicy Habanero Sauce Tres Leches: Milk-soaked Sponge Cake topped with Cajeta Whipped Cream and Almond Powder Beverages: Cerveza: Allende Golden Ale Craft Beer served with a Liqueur Floater Damiana Flower Margarita: Damiana Flower Liqueur, Blanco Tequila, Agave Nectar, and Citrus Juices served on the rocks with a Black Ant Salt Rim Oaxacan Gin & Tonic: Smokey Gin, Black Currant Liqueur, Vermouth, Lime Juice, and Tonic Water Rosé Sangria: Withers Rosé Wine, Tequila Blanco, Elderflower and Ginger Liqueur, Pineapple, Cactus Pear, and Ginger Juices TROWEL & TRELLIS Hosted by IMPOSSIBLE Foods (Located near the Mexico Pavilion) Food: Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with Savory Garlic Spread (GF, V) Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach, Marinated Vegetables, and Creamy Herb Dressing (V) Chocolate Pudding Terrarium with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumb, Pomegranate, and Baby Herbs (GF, V) Beverages: suja Organic Cold Pressed Juice: Noon Greens (non-alcoholic) suja Organic Cold Pressed Juice: Vibrant Probiotic (non-alcoholic) Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea featuring Twinings of London (non-alcoholic) Playalinda Brewing Company Tropical Wonderland Wheat Ale, Titusville, FL Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea featuring Twinings of London with Vodka served in a Mason Jar TASTE TRACK (Located in Future World East) Violet Blueberry Vanilla Croissant Doughnut Berry Tea Mint Julep (non-alcoholic) Berry Tea Mint Julep with Bourbon Sunshine Seasons (Located in The Land Pavilion) Earl Grey Tea Cake with Orange-Honey Filling topped with Honeybell Tangelo Buttercream, Honeycomb, and Bee Pollen JOFFREY’S COFFEE & TEA (Located throughout the park) Future World East – Pedal to the Meadow: Frozen Cappuccino topped with Vodka and Kahlúa Liqueur Near Canada – Cold Clover: Cold Brew Coffee with Irish Cream Syrup and topped with Irish Cream Liqueur Near Disney Traders – Goose on the Loose: Frozen Passion Fruit and Vodka topped with Iced Tea The American Adventure – Bee’s Buzz: Frozen Lemon and Coconut Syrup topped with Pineapple Rum For more information, check out the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival website. 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Your resort reservations are made. Flights are booked. Dining reservations and FastPass+ reservations were taken care of months ago. And now you are only left with perhaps the toughest item left on the checklist … preparing for your upcoming Disney vacation. What to pack, what to wear, what to bring and how to keep the kids from going crazy before the big day arrives. Relax, the Disney Parks Moms Panelists are here to help take away the stress in preparing for your upcoming Disney vacation. The countdown has begun and your kids have not stopped asking when the big day will arrive. With Eean’s countdown tool, ticking off the days is fun for all! “I found a Mickey Ears template on Pinterest that I printed out and placed in a 4” x 6” frame,” she explained. “When we get 100 days out, I use a dry erase marker on the glass of the frame to write the number of sleeps remaining until our next Walt Disney World trip. This originally was meant for my kids, but now that they are older, I’m the one that gets the most enjoyment seeing those days count down to the single digits!” Bedtime stories are part of Rayna’s countdown, and who doesn’t love a good Disney story? “We’re growing a crop of little readers, so starting a week before our trip, we pull out a favorite Disney bedtime story each night,” she said. “It’s a great way to get us all excited to greet our old friends!” Magical surprises are how Ashley P. prepares her kiddos for their departure date. “The closer we get to our Disney vacation, “Mickey Mouse” (shhh, don’t tell them it’s me) starts sending my kiddos little gifts to let them know he’s looking forward to seeing them soon. T-shirts, snacks and activities for the plane, and sunglasses are fun little surprises to wake up to and totally build excitement as we prepare for our trip!” And if your kids love the coin press machines, you do not want to miss this tip from Missy! “Every time you listen to or sing a Disney song, with great songs available through apple.co/DisneyParks* and the Play Disney Parks mobile app, add a penny to a jar. For every Disney movie you watch, add a quarter. When your vacation rolls around, your fun Disney experiences will have led to a nice collection of change to use in the pressed coin machines!” And lastly, so everyone has exactly what they might need in the parks, Jodie brings out “the bag!” “I always bring out a large Disney tote a few weeks prior to our vacation in order for everyone in the family to place their must-have items in the bag as they think of them. This helps to prevent disappointment upon arrival, and it includes everything from MagicBands, Minnie Mouse Ears, autograph books, Disney-themed attire and other park touring essentials are placed in this large Disney tote to ensure everyone has a magical trip!” The tips are endless, and if you are a Florida resident you want to make sure you take advantage of the Discover Disney Ticket offer. Florida Residents can now purchase a 3-Day Discover Disney Ticket for only $175 plus tax for a limited time ($59 per day plus tax), valid for admission to one theme park per day. Residents can also add a 4th day for just $20 more plus tax (4 days for $49 per day plus tax or $195 total plus tax). Disney World tickets can be purchased now through June 27, 2019, and Florida Residents can visit any day through June 30, 2019. For more great tips on planning your next Disney vacation, or for general planning questions, visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for an answer from one of our panelists. *Trial or subscription required Panelists receive compensation for their participation on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. View the full article

Disney World offers a wide variety of Tours for guests to explore the Resort in a unique way. But this brand new tour was one we simply couldn’t miss: the Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour! Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Food Tour Lanyard This tour allows guests to have unprecedented access to backstage kitchens and working areas in Magic Kingdom and hear stories and food history of the parks from Chefs and Cast Members behind the production. Tastings of beloved menu items is a unique feature of this tour, and guests are even invited to “taste the future” by sampling an in-development item. Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Food Tour While tour options are greatly varied by location and topic, one way we can categorize them is that some offer onstage access around general public areas (i.e. The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour), while many provide unique backstage access to rarely seen areas. Cast Members Only The Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour is one that offers backstage access. And a rule for backstage access is that photography is prohibited in backstage areas. However, Disney does allow and encourage photo-taking in general public areas, so we’re sharing everything we can today so you can know what this tour involves in case it’s of interest to you! We will also be sharing facts we learned along the way, just as a spoiler-alert heads up in case you’d rather save those for your own tour. Let the tour begin! Check-In The tour — which Disney hopes to keep around 30-35 guests at a time — begins with check-in at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant on Main Street, U.S.A. Tour begins at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant Before you go, it’s important to know that guests are required to wear close-toed shoes on this tour, as it involves going into kitchen areas. They’re pretty serious about this, so — no flip flops! Coffee and tea are available for guests during the waiting time (an early arrival of 15 minutes prior to tour start is recommended). Hot beverages And Mickey Cinnamon Rolls are available, too! As of press time, these treats are dressed up in Mardi Gras colored sprinkles. Mickey Cinnamon Rolls However, our Guide suggested not finishing the entire large roll because there is a lot more food on the way… Guests are also welcome to grab a bottle of water to carry along on the tour. Bottled Water The official welcoming begins with two Cast Member Tour Guides sharing some favorite Disney food memories, recognizing how food continues to become more and more of an important part of a Disney vacation. (As we say here at the DFB, “food IS a theme park,” after all!) Cast Member Tour Guides It is fitting to start the tour at Tony’s Town Square since it was also open on the first day of Magic Kingdom park as Town Square Café, sponsored by Oscar Meyer with a focus on Walt’s favorite hearty midwestern fare. Tony’s Town Square Restaurant After the welcome, it’s off too… Casey’s Corner Heading down Main Street, U.S.A., the tour moves to Casey’s Corner, with a look at the small kitchen (where no pictures were permitted). Casey’s Corner It only takes about 15 steps to cover the full kitchen ground, with typically 8 Cast Members working in that area. As it turns out, Disney was not anticipating the crowds that line up at Casey’s when the kitchen was designed, so much of the food is actually cooked in Tomorrowland Terrace. We also learned that the featured Hot Dog of the Month has been very popular with guests, so those will be continuing for the foreseeable future. Next, off to… Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen Time for a stop at the Jungle Skipper Canteen to start our time in Adventureland! Jungle Skipper Canteen entrance area A discussion of the Skipper Canteen naturally involves some discussion of the Jungle Cruise, including how Walt originally had hoped to feature live animals in the attraction. We also dove a bit into the backstory of the Canteen, which you can read about in our first review of the spot. Jungle Skipper Canteen entrance area This visit includes a stop in the kitchen as well, where we viewed the expo line and the screens that keep the operation going. Unlike Casey’s, the Canteen features a much larger kitchen, providing food for four other restaurants plus Adventureland food carts. You can also just spy a glimpse of the Liberty Tree Chandelier from the kitchen. Chef Alfredo, who has been with Disney for over 15 years, spoke while we enjoyed some Adventureland items: the Buffalo Chicken Spring Roll and the Schweitzer Falls Slush. Buffalo Chicken Spring Roll and Slushy Schweitzer Falls Slush He shared that his favorite entrée at the Canteen is the Char Siu Pork, and you can rarely beat a recommendation from the chef! Chef Alfredo He shared that creating Disney dishes is a very interactive process, working with several chefs across different levels for feedback and ideas. Also, Chefs move to different locations around Disney World to become acquainted with various cuisines. Chef Alfredo also answered guest questions. And, hey, the next time you’re in the Canteen, be sure to at least walk by this special booth in the S.E.A. Room. S.E.A. Room Here you’ll see some butterflies displayed from Lillian Disney’s collection! Butterflies (Just as a side note, this stop also includes the first restroom break on the tour, just over an hour in.) Aloha Isle It’s “Aloha” next to Aloha Isle, featuring a taste of the Magic Kingdom classic… Dole Whip … Dole Whip! You may recall when Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace had a location swap several years ago. Moving through Adventureland Our Guides discussed how it was a necessary move to better accommodate the crowds in the area. Tortuga Tavern A stop at Tortuga Tavern includes a taste — and also some information — about another cult classic snack: the Jumbo Turkey Leg! Tortuga Tavern Tour Setup Thankfully, water bottles are also presented with the salty Tom’s Turkey. Turkey and Water The way it’s prepared with a salt grind and hickory is what leads many guests to mistake the tasty turkey for ham. Turkey Fun fact: the Cast Members are not allowed to eat these onstage because there is not really a dignified way to do so! Stop at Tortuga Tavern A brief stroll through Frontierland leads to… Liberty Square Popcorn Cart The Liberty Square Popcorn Cart served up the iconic Disney Popcorn to tour guests. Liberty Square Popcorn Stop on the tour Of course, it’s not just tour guests being served. We learned that the amount of popcorn served in Disney World in a year could fill 1.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools or the entire Tower of Terror! Popcorn With this volume of just one food item, it’s of interest to learn that there are 15,000 Food and Beverage Cast Members to keep things moving! Gaston’s Tavern In Fantasyland, we were lead backstage to see the mouth of the Utilidors where Cast Members enter and food is delivered (just a reminder, this tour does not include access to the Utilidors). We ultimately arrived at the backstage door for Gaston’s Tavern and were served The Grey Stuff from Be Our Guest Restaurant! Serving The Grey Stuff The recipe for The Grey Stuff, by the way, is so secret that even the Cast Members don’t know it! The Grey Stuff There was also a discussion for how Disney addresses food waste, stating that cooking and frying oils are used for fueling busses, and a lot of unused food is donated to Second Harvest. Prince Eric’s Village Market A visit to Prince Eric’s Village Market served up the Mermaid Donut to all participants. (Did you know that the candy pieces topping this very sweet confection are hand-painted?) Mermaid Donut This particular treat led a to discussion of the importance of Instagram and making social media-friendly food. Speaking of social media… Purple Wall Photo Op A stop at the famous Purple Wall gave guests the opportunity to pose with food-themed and social media-themed props. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe There is a very brief stop outside of Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, where we were informed that it is one of the top three most efficient restaurants in the world. Outside of Cosmic Ray’s And there is one more final stop… Future of Flavors A Flavor Lab is located behind Port Orleans Resort where in-development items are tested. And an item from the Lab is brought to guests on the final stop on the tour! Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Food Tour Lanyard No pictures of the tasting of this in-development item were allowed at the tasting (which took place at Tomorrowland Terrace), nor are tour guests supposed to speak about it to protect the enjoyment of future guests. Tour participants are surveyed to share their thoughts on the item. Overall The new Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour features, as noted, backstage access, tastes of iconic food items in the park, talented and thoughtful Cast Member Tour Guides, interesting tidbits of info, and more. However, we can’t help but thinking, unfortunately, that this one falls a little flat. We would’ve appreciated more details than were presented, and portions of the tour seemed to lull a bit (for example, we sat at Tortuga Tavern a little longer than perhaps necessary). We noticed this a few times throughout the tour. Sitting Inside Tortuga Tavern It would also be nice to learn more about the actual processes in the kitchens. The focus was more on the expo line and kitchen screens, which we didn’t find as interesting as it would have been to learn more about what goes on behind-the-scenes. Some more potential improvements? Headsets (which are provided on several Disney World tours, but not this one) would be a nice touch. Since the tour requires a fair bit of walking from location to location, it would be cool to hear some more stories and insights along the way. Walking along the Tour route All of the ingredients — no pun intended — are here for a great Tour. With more details on the current ways of doing things plus more digging into the food history of the parks, in addition to our other suggestions, the Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour could live up to its full potential, and we hope it soon does! Booking Information The price for the Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour is $99 per guest, plus tax. Park admission is required, but not included. Currently, the tour is offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and interested guests may book online or by calling (407) WDW-DINE. Note that guests must be at least 12 years old to participate, and you can find more information on our Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour Page and the Disney World website. Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is now available! With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Would you like to take the Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: NEW Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour Now Open for Booking! Disney World Mac and Cheese Gallery 21 Myths About Walt Disney World Food DEBUNKED View the full article

Disney released its latest trailer for this summer’s live-action version of “The Lion King” during the Oscars, and it shows scenes of one of the most iconic moments from the original 1994 version: the Circle of Life. The gathering of animals on the African plain as the sun rises shows off the digitally... View the full article

Hey, there! We’re back with another DFB Video today with a pretty fun topic: we’re sharing the 10 WEIRDEST Disney Backstories! Jungle Cruise No restaurant, attraction, or any other aspect of Disney parks and resorts comes without a backstory. In fact, it’s one of the things that sets Disney apart from other theme parks and destinations. Do you know about the Little Man in the Tree or the Haunted Mansion story that’s NOT like the others? We’ve got some wacky, funny, spooky, and downright weird Disney backstories to share with you today in our latest DFB YouTube Video! And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: Do you know any unique Disney World backstories? Related posts: DFB Video: Disney World Bathrooms! (Volume I) DFB Video: 12 Smartphone Apps You’ll Definitely Need in Walt Disney World DFB Video: New Disney Dishes That We LOVED (And One We REALLY Didn’t) View the full article

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy will open in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 31st! Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy And today Disney has shared a look at two new Cars-themed logos coming to the park soon in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Hollywood Studios as well as the opening of this new show! Lightning McQueen 30th Anniversary Logo ©Disney Tow Mater 30th Anniversary Logo ©Disney Check out this video featuring Larry the Cable Guy (voice of Mater in the Cars films) from Disney below for more Cars-themed fun!  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you excited to check out Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: More Details Revealed for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Sneak Peek: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary Logo Disney World NEWS! Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Coming to Hollywood Studios! View the full article

We recently met up with Larry the Cable Guy at Walt Disney World Resort to talk about everything “Cars,” especially the upcoming Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, a new show experience opening on March 31 as part of the overall transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Larry, who performs the voice of Mater in Disney•Pixar’s “Cars” films, has a special surprise for us all! Check him out in this video. Let’s “git-r-done” and prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the opening of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy! View the full article

How lovely is today’s Disney Doodle? In it, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Tarzan and Jane would do first if they could visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In the 1999 film “Tarzan,” Jane displays tremendous curiosity about the jungle and the animals that reside within it, so it’s only natural that this Disney couple would seek out a terrific place to see animals up close. “Experiencing Kilimanjaro Safaris at sunset is so romantic,” Ashley said. “It’s easy to imagine Tarzan wanting to take Jane on a romantic ride through Africa!” View the full article

The 2019 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival kicks off FRIDAY, March 1 and runs through April 23, and today we have more news about returning booths! Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Just a couple of days ago we shared news of NEW booths coming to this year’s Festival and then even more booths were spotted! And today, we can tell you the names and menus of four more booths that are returning to this year’s Festival! CLICK HERE to see the CONFIRMED Food Booths and Menus with Food Photos for the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! More Confirmed Marketplace Booths We are excited to see that Citrus Grove is returning to this year’s Festival! Citrus Grove is back for 2019! The menu for this year includes favorites from previous Festivals, including the Meyer Lemon Macaron with a new name – the Meyer Lemon Blue Diamond Almond Macaron. Citrus Grove menu for 2019 Nuts About Cheese is also returning this year with an all-new menu! Nuts About Cheese is back! This year’s menu includes a Festival favorite – White Cheddar Lager Soup served in a mini sourdough bowl! Additional items include a Ham and Vella Jack Cheese Pinwheel and Creamy Oikos Yogurt Cheesecake. Check out the new menu for 2019 LA Style returns to the Festival for 2019 with an all-new menu! LAstyle Booth for 2019 This year’s menu includes Asian-Style Beef Barbacoa Taco with Pickled Ginger, BLT Chicharron Duro with Ranch Crema, and a Tiki Cocktail. 2019 LA Style Menu And finally, Uncork California is also returning to the Festival this year. Raise a glass at Uncork California We are super excited to see a Mimosa Flight on the menu this year! Cheers to Uncork California Last year we enjoyed the Mimosa Flight at Nuts About Cheese, so they’re mixing up a bit this year! Mimosa Flight The menu for Uncork California also features one food item this year – a California cheese sampler – along with a White Wine Flight and a Red Wine Flight. We’re still waiting for a few more menus to be announced before the Festival starts on Friday! Stay tuned for even more food! CLICK HERE to see the CONFIRMED Food Booths and Menus with Food Photos for the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! We’ll be at the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival when it starts to share all the eats and sips with you! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you making plans to attend the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival? Let us know with a comment. Related posts: Disneyland Food Review: All the Cheese at Disney California Adventure’s Award Wieners For “Get Your Ears On!” Disneyland Food Review: Maple Bacon Churro in Disney California Adventure for Get Your Ears On! Rose Cake Pops Return to Disneyland for Valentine’s Day — with a Little Twist! View the full article

A brand new VIP Tour just kicked off TODAY: the new Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour offers guests the chance to taste their way around Magic Kingdom while hearing stories of the food history of the parks from Disney Chefs and Cast Members as well as gaining access to backstage areas where guests have not previously entered! VIP Tour Guides We will have a full review of this new experience tomorrow. But TODAY, with many thanks to DFB’s Travel Agent partner, Small World Vacations’ Sue P., we have a FIRST LOOK at some of the sights — and tastes! — guests can look forward to! Mardi Gras Mickey Pastry As always, no photography is permitted backstage, which primarily involves visits to kitchens for various restaurants where guests learn about the process behind the dishes guests enjoy in the park. However, pictures are allowed in the general public areas. Some other logistics: Be sure to wear comfy shoes for this walking tour (no open toed footwear is allowed). Guests meet at Tony’s Town Square, where today they were greeted with Mickey Cinnamon Rolls (from Main Street Bakery) — currently dressed up for Mardi Gras! Mardi Gras Mickey Cinnamon Roll Now let’s take a few steps along the tour, and learn a few fun facts along the way! Main Street, U.S.A. Casey’s Corner was the first stop, which is fitting since it opened on day one of Magic Kingdom (though originally as the Coca Cola Refreshment Port). Casey’s Corner Tour guests took a walk through a very small 8-person kitchen. As it turns out, most food is actually prepared at Tomorrowland Terrace and then transported through Utilidors! Something interesting at Casey’s is that they still use paper orders unlike other locations which use computer screens for orders. Currently, the restaurant is preparing for the arrival of the next Featured Hot Dog of the Month for March, which will be Casey’s Corn Beef Hash Dog in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Adventureland Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen was the next stop, bringing guests to locations where only Jungle Cruise Skippers have been allowed previously! Skippers Only This is where Chef Alberto explained the menu and also shared some of the current dish ideas in progress for the Canteen. Chef Alberto During the time here, guests sampled the Buffalo Chicken Spring Roll (which has been an option at the Adventureland Spring Roll Cart,) washed down with a Schweitzer Falls Slushy (which is mango and green apple with Boba Balls). Buffalo Chicken Spring Roll Schweitzer Falls Slushy Did you know that the kitchen here provides food for Club 33, Liberty Tree Tavern, The Diamond Horseshoe, and other food carts in Adventureland? Staying in Adventureland, next was a stop at Tortuga Tavern! Tortuga Tavern The specialty of the house here, currently, is the Jumbo Turkey Leg, and guests got to enjoy a sample. Turkey Leg samples Each Turkey Leg weighs around 1.5 pounds! They are from Tom Turkeys (though guests often mistake the meat for ham). Also along the way was a stop at Aloha Isle for a tasting of everyone’s favorite: Dole Whip! Aloha Isle Liberty Square Strolling through Liberty Square, it’s time for that Disney World staple: Popcorn! Popcorn Cart And this is kind of amazing: in one year, Disney sells enough popcorn to fill the ENTIRE Tower of Terror! Fantasyland Heading into Fantasyland, it’s always exciting to enter Be Our Guest Restaurant. But it’s especially interesting to enter through the backstage area (near the bathrooms around Pinocchio Village Haus)! Entering Be Our Guest Restaurant Cast Members Only Here guests learned about how Disney continues to move forward in its efforts to be environmentally friendly and even reuses food waste as fuel for busses. Interesting views from this portion of the tour included the back of the it’s a small world and Haunted Mansion attractions, as well as an entrance to the Utilidors (this particular tour does not go into the Utilidors, nor does it enter the dining rooms of the Be Our Guest Restaurant). But what’s a visit to any part of Be Our Guest without tasting some of The Grey Stuff? The Grey Stuff! Remaining in Fantasyland, there was time to try the very sweet and delicious Mermaid Donut at Prince Eric’s Village Market. Mermaid Donut Tomorrowland Next, it’s off to Tomorrowland, stopping just outside of Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café to learn that, when it first opened, Cosmic Ray’s was the busiest fast food location in the world, and even now it remains within the Top Three. And the final stop was Tomorrowland Terrace. And there is something more that takes place here… but it’s a secret. What we can tell you is that guests are given a sample of an in-development food item! However, as part of keeping the surprise for future visitors to the park, tour participants aren’t allowed to take pictures of or talk about the item. From Casey’s Corner to Jungle Skipper Canteen to Be Our Guest Restaurant and more, the new Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour takes guests to locations around the park to experience the flavors of Magic Kingdom in a whole new way. We’ll look forward to bringing you our full review of this new experience tomorrow! Click here to find full information — from price to booking — on our Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour Page! Again, many thanks to Sue for sharing these pictures with us! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you — they’ve literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They’re DFB’s recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is now available! With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Stay tuned for more coverage on this new VIP Tour! And let us know if you like what you’ve seen so far with a comment! Related posts: NEW Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour Now Open for Booking! Review: Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Review: Galaxy Loaded Fries — a Secret Menu Item — at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe View the full article

Hello from Hollywood Studios where we are on the lookout for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge construction progress, Skyliner System gondola testing, new shakes, new eats, new merchandise, and Disney Snacks as artwork!! Hello from Hollywood Studios! We are so excited and anxious for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge this fall that no visit to Hollywood Studios is complete without a peek over the “Toy Story Land wall” to see if we can spot any progress! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Construction Progress Disney planted a bunch of trees along the construction wall in Toy Story Land recently that blocks some of the view, but not all of the view, into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Construction Progress Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Construction Progress Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in Disney World this fall, and in Disneyland this summer. Be sure to check out all of the details we know so far about Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge here. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Construction Progress Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Construction Progress Disney Skyliner System Testing Gondolas The Disney Skyliner System looks to be running and testing gondolas at full capacity and speed! Click here to watch our video of the Skyliner System gondolas being tested! Disney Skyliner System Testing at Hollywood Studios This photo shows how the doors will open and close! Disney Skyliner System Testing at Hollywood Studios What’s New in the ABC Commissary We stopped in the ABC Commissary to try some new-to-us dinner options — read the full review here — and also found some construction walls in the dining room area. ABC Commissary Construction Walls ABC Commissary Construction Walls These construction walls may be for adding soda machines, perhaps even Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, to the restaurant. However, we were not able to get a confirmation of what the walls were for from any of the cast members we asked. ABC Commissary Construction Walls ABC Commissary Construction Walls The construction walls didn’t dampen our appetite! Be sure to read our review of ABC Commissary’s dinner options here! Dinner at ABC Commissary What’s New at Dockside Diner Seasonal Shakes are back at Dockside Diner — and they are making quite a return! The Cookie Milkshake is made with actual chocolate chip cookie crumbles in a vanilla shake that’s topped with even more chocolate chip cookie crumbles! Read our review of Dockside Diner’s Cookie Milkshake here! Cookie Milkshake What’s New in Hollywood Studios’ Shops and Stores — New Merchandise! We have to start with our favorite piece of Disney artwork ever! Look at this — it’s Disneyland Snacks as art!! Disney Snacks ARE art! Mickey waffles, beignets, churros, Mickey ice cream bars, a Dole Whip float, and so many more! Plus, we can mail postcards declaring our love of Disney snacks to everyone we know. You’ll find this print and postcard up in the Stage 1 Shop in the Muppets area of the park. Disney Snacks ARE art! We found plenty of the Funko POP! Inside Out Rainbow Unicorn figurines in the park. Have you started your Inside Out Funko POP! collection yet? Funko POP! Rainbow Unicorn Funko POP! Rainbow Unicorn Here’s a cute new Mickey Mouse polka dotted headband made out of stretchy/performance fabric. This is perfect if you are running in any runDisney events. Mickey Headband Mickey Headband The Little Mermaid clothing collection is growing — we found this new hoodie along with the other Little Mermaid clothing we saw last week. Little Mermaid Hoodie We saw this “Where Dreams Come True” license plate frame for the first time in the parks on this visit. Walt Disney World Where Dreams Come True License Plate Frame Walt Disney World Where Dreams Come True License Plate Frame We 110% agree with this license plate frame — how about you? Walt Disney World Where Dreams Come True License Plate Frame Walt Disney World Where Dreams Come True License Plate Frame The Emperor’s New Groove fans and Disney trading pin collectors alert! There’s a new four-pin set of trading pins featuring Yzma, Kuzco, and quotes from the movie. The Emperor’s New Groove Pins Hollywood Studios always keeps us busy between the construction, menu changes, Skyliner System progress, and new merchandise! What’s your favorite part of visiting Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments below. See all of this week’s updates from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom as well! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Check out our video The Latest News From Disney Parks! When you’re done – check out all of our Videos on You Tube! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is now available! With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Related posts: What’s New in Hollywood Studios: Skyliner, Bus Station, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Construction plus New Merchandise! Hollywood Studios Construction Update: Skyliner, Bus Stations, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and MORE! What’s New in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios: 11-4-18 View the full article

Well, even if we can’t try Tiana’s Beignets in Magic Kingdom, we CAN try a new Princess and the Frog-themed treat: The Frog Prince Whoopie Pie! The Frog Prince Whoopie Pie You’ll find it at Liberty Square Market. The Frog Prince Whoopie Pie sign This limited time treat is available to bring the Mardi Gras vibe to Magic Kingdom in a snack! The Frog Prince Whoopie Pie What you’ll find is a cinnamon whoopie pie with graham cracker icing, Mardi Gras-colored sprinkles, and topped with a chocolate frog. The Frog Prince Whoopie Pie It’s adorable, but the flavors are also delicious. Though the cookies surrounding the filling are not quite as soft as other soft-cake whoopie pies you’ll find around Disney World, the filling is SUPER soft and fluffy. The Frog Prince Whoopie Pie If you’re hoping that a kiss will turn this frog into a Prince… well, that we can’t guarantee . But this is such a fun and memorable treat, and your little Princess may especially love it! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Would you like to try The Frog Prince Whoopie Pie? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Frog Prince Whoopie Pie Hops Into Liberty Square Market in Magic Kingdom! NEWS: Candied Bacon and Chicken Skewers Now Available at a NEW Spot in the Magic Kingdom Review! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Treats (with Haunted Mansion Portrait Desserts!) View the full article

The Lost Princess Cone can now be found at Storybook Treats in Magic Kingdom! Lost Princess Cone One of three new character and Disney film-inspired cones arriving in Magic Kingdom today, the Lost Princess Cone is inspired by the Lost Princess herself… none other than Rapunzel from Tangled. Storybook Treats Menu Rapunzel’s signature dress color, purple, is reflected in the color of the cone. It’s filled with lemon soft-serve (Dole Whip!) to mimic the piles and piles of Rapunzel’s blond hair. Lost Princess Cone But what makes this cone especially unique, visually, are the edible flowers which garnish the soft serve to mirror the flowers that decorate Rapunzel’s braided hair. Lost Princess Cone There is no denying that the Lost Princess Cone is a treat that is lovely to look at. But there is some good and bad news when it comes to this cone. Let’s start with the good news, which is that the Lemon Dole Whip (which joins our other new-to-Magic Kingdom Dole Whip flavors today) is AWESOME. Especially for my fellow sour fans out there! It’s bright and tart and tasty. But now, for the bad news…. we don’t know if this was just the case with our cone, but the purple sugar cone (with no additional flavor, only color) was simply not as sturdy and didn’t hold the treat as well as the blue cones that come with the new Hei Hei Cone and “Adventure Is Out There” Cone. Lost Princess Cone Be on the lookout for a quick melt at the bottom of your cone! Plus, the edible flowers, while very pretty, were not good at all. So just be sure to grab your pics of them before deciding whether you want to partake in that part. Lost Princess Cone Before you stop by Storybook Treats, note that the Lost Princess takes place of Tink’s Pixie-Dusted Cone (but Peter Pan fans can still grab the Peter Pan Float). But now Rapunzel fans can join in the fun at Storybook Treats, too! You’ll find Storybook Treats in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. Take a Food Tour of Fantasyland in our DFB YouTube Video! Would you like to try the Lost Princess Cone? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Cookie Sundae is BACK…but, Different…at Storybook Treats in Disney World Review! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Treats (with Haunted Mansion Portrait Desserts!) NEW Eats (PUB CHEESE TOTS!) at Friar’s Nook in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! View the full article

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE! And, as of today, Adventure is also at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland with the debut of the “Adventure Is Out There” Cone! “Adventure Is Out There!” Cone This new Up!-inspired cone joins the Hei Hei Cone and the Lost Princess Cone in the park as one of three new character and Disney film themed treats. It comes in at $5.29 (or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit) on Auntie’s Menu. Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies menu The bright blue sugar cone mimics the color of the sky (and, as is per usual with other colorful cones we’ve encountered, there is no added flavor to the cone itself — it’s your regular sugar cone). “Adventure Is Out There!” Cone It’s filled with mango soft-serve (which we confirmed is Mango Dole Whip!) garnished with the signature “balloons” from Up! “Adventure Is Out There!” Cone The mango is more of a yellow hue than the orange you might expect for the flavor, but it definitely carries that tropical, fruity mango flavor. In fact, we found it to be even MORE potent than the pineapple flavor of the pineapple Dole Whip, which packs a punch of its own! The balloon garnish is also an interesting piece. Balloon garnish What you’ll find is that lots of mini chocolate candy “balloons” are joined together by one large piece of white chocolate. Balloon garnish Balloon garnish So it’s really like getting two treats in one with this extra “candy bar” style piece that comes off of the cone quite easily as its own snack, in a sense. Dole Whip, fans… today is your day! Because there’s more to come soon… stay tuned! You’ll find Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland.Take a Food Tour of the Land in our DFB YouTube Video! Would you like to try the “Adventure Is Out There” Cone? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: News and Review: Pretzels at Magic Kingdom’s Lunching Pad — Our Favorites are BACK! Review! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Treats (with Haunted Mansion Portrait Desserts!) Incredible Tomorrowland Expo Snacks Debut for Incredible Summer in Magic Kingdom View the full article

Hi from Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom, where we’re trying the NEW Hei Hei Cone! Aloha Isle Inspired, of course, by Hei Hei from Moana, this new tribute-in-a-treat gives a nod to the rooster through its colors and garnishes to create yet another Instagram-worthy snack with character! Hei Hei Cone! The Hei Hei Cone starts with a blue cone. Hei Hei Cone It’s filled with Dole Whip — the famous pineapple soft-serve, of course, and the specialty of Aloha Isle. BUT! It’s also filled with a new flavor of Dole Whip here at Aloha Isle: Raspberry! Hei Hei Cone It’s finished with sugar-piece “eyes” and a sour candy “comb.” Why, HELLO, Hei Hei! Hei Hei Cone The sour ribbon adds an extra bit of pucker to this already tart treat. There is no additional flavor, by the way, to the blue cone. It’s just your typical sugar cone. But that’s ok because there is so much fruity flavor packed within that cone that you’re not missing out on anything extra! The raspberry is a truly delicious flavor addition topping all that already-beloved pineapple Dole Whip. While we’re on that subject… you’ll notice on the menu that the Raspberry Dole Whip is NOT listed as a purchase on its own in a cup or float. You’ll only see it with the Hei Hei Cone. Aloha Isle Menu And, in fact, you won’t even see the raspberry Dole Whip machine, as it’s kept in the back. In speaking with a Cast Member (who had also inquired with her manager), the Raspberry Dole Whip is ONLY sold in the Hei Hei Cone… for now. We emphasize the “for now” because we got the impression that a change to this status might be on the way. (Though we want to emphasize “might,” as well ). Note that the Hei Hei Cone is noted as a “limited-time offering” (according to the Disney World online menu). So get to Aloha Isle as soon as you can to say “Aloha!” to this new treat, just in case! You’ll find Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland. Take a Food Tour of the whole land in our DFB YouTube Video! Would you like to try the Hei Hei Cone? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Sneak Peek at the NEW Character Cones — Hei Hei, The Lost Princess, and Up!-Inspired — Coming to Magic Kingdom! Review! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Treats (with Haunted Mansion Portrait Desserts!) DFB Video: Best to Worst — Magic Kingdom Restaurants RANKED! View the full article

Disneyland’s donut game is strong, and that little, unassuming donut cart near Sleeping Beauty Castle is where the magi happens! You’ll remember that amazing Cappuccino donut, and the fun Matterhorn Macaroon donut as well as the Avalanche Donut and…of course…the DOLE WHIP donut! Today we’ve got another crave-worthy option for you! This… is the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Donut. Chocolate and Peanut Butter Donut Believe it or not, this donut is nearly the entire length of a Disneyland entree plate. It’s made even more substantial by the huge chunks of Peanut Butter Cup and Butterfinger that are pressed into the top. Chocolate and Peanut Butter Donut Needless to say, this is definitely share-able. And just how one eats the donut with those big pieces of candy on top is a mystery. We think this is a disassemble-and-eat situation. Chocolate and Peanut Butter Donut Once you get through the candy, the donut itself is a standard yeasted donut with chocolate glaze. But with this party going on atop the donut, the simple base is key. Chocolate and Peanut Butter Donut It’s also simple on the inside, where there’s… no filling. We suppose a little pudding or mousse on the inside would’ve been too much sweet on sweet on sweet, right? But we’d still be into it. Chocolate and Peanut Butter Donut Did we mention there’s candy? Look at the size of these pieces! If we had to guess, we’d say there’s at least half a Butterfinger and at least one PB Cup on there. So a full candy bar and a chocolate glazed donut. Yup, we’ve got enough energy for the morning! Chocolate and Peanut Butter Donut The donut cart donuts don’t stick around for long — but they do sometimes make repeat visits. So always check on your way by! And if you spot a killer donut, tag us @DisneyFoodBlog! Want to stay on top of the Disney news like candy on a donut? Subscribe to the DFB Newsletter today! Would you attempt the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Donut? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below! Related posts: Review and Food Photos: Valentine’s Day Donuts at Disneyland! The Best Disney Donuts EVER. Halloween Time Eats: Sweet Potato Hand Pie at Jolly Holiday in Disneyland Resort! View the full article

When Jackie Pirtle-Hall started the Disney Princess Half Marathon on Sunday morning, the temperature in St. Charles, Missouri., hovered around freezing. Pirtle-Hall’s hometown was shivering, but she was a thousand miles away — basking in the warmth and humidity, as well as the satisfaction that... View the full article

When Jackie Pirtle-Hall started the Disney Princess Half Marathon on Sunday morning, the temperature in St. Charles, Mo., hovered around freezing. That’s Pirtle-Hall’s hometown. Running in the warmth and humidity of Central Florida was a new experience for the former University of Missouri runner,... View the full article

This week, we shared big plans on our multi-year transformation of Epcot, including plans for a play pavilion that’ll be unlike anything you’ve ever seen at the park. This new space will be devoted to playful fun and feature an innovative city that’ll come to life under the dome of the un-named pavilion previously known as Wonders of Life. The pavilion’s city will be bursting with interactive experiences, your favorite Disney characters, hands-on activities and engaging entertainment when it opens just in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort! There will also be exciting changes to the way you come and go at Epcot. Read that full story here. We also shared a look at the new 270-acre, 50-megawatt solar facility that’s officially online and providing renewable clean energy to the Walt Disney World Resort. Check out a video of the creation of this new facility above and check out our original post for all the details. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Disney Parks Appetizing Occasions: February 2019 – No Disney vacation would be complete without FOOD! In addition to new snacks and sweets throughout the parks, there are plenty of dining packages and events to take advantage of at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Commemorative Merchandise for 2019 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival – Commemorate the good times at this year’s festival with exclusive event merchandise. Satisfy Your Mid-Inning Cravings During the Final Atlanta Braves Spring Training Season! – Cure your mid-inning cravings this year with a line-up of all new specialty food & beverage perfect for a day at the ballpark! European-Inspired Amenities Coming for Disney’s Riviera Resort – As many of you are likely bundling up in coats, scarves and gloves, please pull up a cozy chair, some hot cocoa and let’s talk about sunshine and palm trees and the awesome pools and more coming to the proposed Disney’s Riviera Resort! Magic Kingdom Park Foodie Update: February 2019 – With Mickey and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration in full swing and Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day approaching, there’s a whole host of new eats and treats coming to Magic Kingdom Park. Comedy Legend Carol Burnett Visits Walt Disney World – Comedy legend Carol Burnett stopped by the Walt Disney World Resort over the weekend, where she took time to share a laugh with Goofy at Epcot. View the full article

Disney World’s newest transportation option, the Disney Skyliner System, has been testing gondolas on the lines over the past couple of weeks. Now, it looks like they are testing the system at full capacity and speed near the Hollywood Studios Skyliner Station. Disney Skyliner System Testing at Hollywood Studios Those are actual gondolas, not the test gondolas we first saw at the beginning of the month. We can even see some of the artwork on the gondolas through the tarps. Every time we see the gondolas running on the line we get more excited for the Skyliner System to open this fall! Disney Skyliner System Testing at Hollywood Studios Disney Skyliner System Testing at Hollywood Studios The new Skyliner System will connect Hollywood Studios and Epcot to the Pop Century Resort, Art of Animation Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, and brand new Riviera Resort (opening in December — learn more here). Disney Skyliner System Route Map Watch video of the New Disney Skyliner System Gondolas in Testing here! Disney Skyliner System Testing at Hollywood Studios Do you want to learn more about the Disney Skyliner System? We can help you! See the first test gondolas running on Disney Skyliner System See the Disney Skyliner System Gondola artwork See the progress on the Epcot Disney Skyliner System Station Watch this video from Disney with fun facts about the Disney Skyliner System Are you excited for this brand new transportation option in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Check out our video 12 Things Missing from Walt Disney World! When you’re done – check out all of our Videos on You Tube!  Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is now available! With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Related posts: NEWS: Real Skyliner Gondolas Being Tested Around Walt Disney World! Opening Season Announced for Disney Skyliner Gondola Transportation System for Walt Disney World! Hollywood Studios Construction Update: Skyliner, Bus Stations, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and MORE! View the full article

It’s time for a magic carpet ride at Disneyland, but it’s a ride of style and fashion in the form of Minnie Mouse ears! Princess Jasmine Ears have arrived! Jasmine Ears Okay, wow. The teal sequins… The bright blue center stone…The MAGIC CARPET BOW with tassels! Jasmine Ears We have a lot of feelings about these ears. And with the new live-action Aladdin coming to theaters this May, we’ve also got the perfect excuse to buy them, right? Jasmine Ears It’s time to get outside the palace walls and get your royal hands on these Jasmine Ears! You love Disney Parks news, so let DFB keep you up to date on ALL of it! Subscribe to the DFB Newsletter today! Are you swept over sideways and under by these ears? What character would you LOVE to see depicted in ear form? Leave us a comment to let us know! Related posts: CHECK THESE OUT! Brand NEW it’s a small world Ears Have Arrived! Halloween Time Review: Halloween Hot Dog at Disneyland’s Refreshment Corner! Halloween Time Eats: Orange Sugar Churro with Candy Corn Dip in Disneyland! View the full article

Classic Disney Parks snacks are showing up in lots of great merchandise these days, and now Disneyland has some fun, colorful foam magnets that feature some of our favorites! Dole Whip and Mickey Lollipop Magnets Naturally we’re starting with the ultimate frozen treat: a Dole Whip! Peep that Adventureland logo on the ‘cup’! Dole Whip Magnet And we love the swirls of the Mickey Lollipop Magnet! The color combination is fun here, too. Mickey Lollipop Magnet The Mickey Waffle is awesome — life-like and topped with a 3D square of melting butter. Mickey Waffle Magnet Mickey’s Chocolate-Glazed Donut is another fun find. It’s even got sprinkles! Mickey Donut Magnet The Mickey Cupcake Magnet has character with its Mickey-red wrapper and ‘chocolate’ ears. Mickey Cupcake Magnet And we end with the Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar — with a bite taken out of one delicious (when in non-magnet form!) ear! Mickey Bar Magnet There isn’t a fridge in the Disney fan universe that doesn’t need these! Whether you’re a Dole Whip fan, a Mickey Waffle aficionado, or a Disney Donut maven, there’s a snack magnet for you! OH, and while these were spotted in Disneyland, it’s just a matter of time before they’re found in Disney World…we’re pretty sure! Hungry for all the Disney Parks news? Sign up for the DFB Newsletter today! Which of these fun magnets would you put on your fridge? Share in the comments below! Related posts: The New Minnie Castle Ears Have Landed in Disneyland — And Will Make You Feel Like Royalty! Review: Holiday Treats and Cookie Shots at Disneyland’s Grand Californian Resort! CHECK THESE OUT! Brand NEW it’s a small world Ears Have Arrived! View the full article

If the name ABC Commissary conjures up memories of average meals scarfed down in a noisy dining room, we hear ya. But Disney’s Hollywood Studios is constantly revamping menus, so we stopped in to try a few new-to-us dinner options. And we gotta say: we were pretty surprised by what we found! ABC Commissary At present, ABC Commissary is offering slightly different menus for lunch and dinner. We grabbed shots of the lunch menu, too, so you can compare them. Only one of the dinner options we tried — the Barbecue Ribs Platter – is available at both meals, so keep that in mind when you’re decided when to eat here. So, here’s a look at Lunch: Lunch Menu Even the desserts vary from lunch to dinner! Lunch Menu Lunch Menu And now, for dinner! The dinner menu includes two burger options (one vegan), one salad, and a few more unique options. We wanted to dig into those to see if they’re worth making this quick service spot a more regular stop. Dinner Menu If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, note that you can opt for wine, beer, or the Happy Daze — a specialty cocktail. Non-alcoholic beverage options are a snooze here as far as DDP value, but they’ll wet your whistle. Dinner Menu ABC Commissary also has these handy menus that give you a more close-up view of the dinner options. This is helpful if the overhead screens are a little tough for you to read. Be sure to request a handheld menu if you need one! Dinner Menu We went all in for three entrees, a side, and one dessert — all unique to the dinner menu, except for the ribs! Dinner at ABC Commissary It’s important to note that the dinner options are kind of all-over-the-place as far as style of cuisine. And that’s actually a good thing because if you’re stopping in with your crew, there’s likely to be an option for everyone. Dinner at ABC Commissary We went with the Southwestern Steak Fries as a side… but we’re starting with them, because they’re delicious. We do love a thick-cut fry, and these are nicely dusted with chili-lime seasoning, too. Southwest Fries Click here to read our first review of the Southwestern Steak Fries! You can just about make out the chipotle aioli, of which we could’ve used a bunch more. It’s tasty and adds a lot to the dish when you get some in a bite. Southwest Fries Queso fresco completes the dish an adds some light creaminess. Southwest Fries Overall, these are an awesome side or make a great snack if you’re still eating your way around the park! Southwest Fries The first entree we tried this visit is the Braised Beef and Enchilada. This was a surprise hit! Braised Beef and Enchilada The enchilada is great — packed with corn and vegetables and topped with fire-roasted chipotle sauce and queso fresco. Braised Beef and Enchilada The vegetables include peppers (green and red) and onion. And while the enchilada isn’t spicy like we might prefer, it was really flavorful. Braised Beef and Enchilada The braised beef here is such a surprise: fork tender and really, really tasty. Braised Beef and Enchilada It goes well with the chipotle sauce, which adds even more moisture to the already-tender meat. Braised Beef and Enchilada Overall, the Braised Beef and Enchilada is a solid and satisfying counter service meal! Definitely impressed with this one! Braised Beef and Enchilada But that wasn’t the only surprise of the meal! The BBQ Ribs Platter is also terrific — and HUGE! BBQ Ribs Platter The ribs consist of three slabs — more than enough to share! They’re dry-rubbed and then slathered with a smoky, sweet sauce that has a bit of a kick! BBQ Ribs Slab The ribs are well-cooked, with lots of tasty, crispy bits along the edges. And they aren’t dried out, which is a concern when ordering quick service ribs. BBQ Ribs slabs A couple of dill pickle slices garnish the ribs and provide a nice contrast. We would’ve loved to have a few more! Pickles and ribs Seasoned steak fries come with the ribs, and they’re a tasty addition. Steak Fries A tiny tub of cole slaw finishes off the meal. The BBQ Ribs Platter is one of the best values on the Disney Dining Plan for quick service — and we have to admit we are so surprised by the quality of these! BBQ Ribs Slab Click here to see the Top 9 Quick Service Values for the 2019 Disney Dining Plan! The last entree we tried is a Teriyaki Shrimp Bowl. This is definitely a lighter and more creative option, but it was also easily our least favorite of the meal. Shrimp Teriyaki Bowl Overall, it lacked flavor, and the rice was still hard. After a couple of bites, we were turning back to the beef and ribs dishes. Hard pass on the Teriyaki Shrimp Bowl, unfortunately. Shrimp Teriyaki Bowl For dessert we tried the Chocolate Banana Crispy, which honestly might as well be called the Chocolate Crispy, because the “Banana” part was totally lost here. Chocolate Banana Crispy Chocolate comes in many forms in this dish: this light milk chocolate glaze and some chocolate sprinkles create a pretty exterior. Chocolate Banana Crispy And it’s certainly something to look at, with lots of visible layers. Chocolate Banana Crispy Inside is even more impressive, with the chocolate mousse, cake, and crispies giving loads of textural contrast. But despite its unique appearance, this just wasn’t very good. Chocolate Banana Crispy The second dinnertime dessert — the Apple Almond Tart — is the same one we recently tried at Trolley Car Cafe. Definitely go for this one instead! Click here to see what we’re talking about! Apple Almond Tart So color us surprised, because ABC Commissary has added two stellar dishes to its dinner menu! And we’re glad because Hollywood Studios hasn’t exactly been known for its high-quality counter service eats, with lots of guests considering their meals at this park to be a total throw-away. We hope that menus here keep undergoing changes that improve the quality and selections — and we’ll keep reviewing them so you’ll know just what you’re getting into! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is now available! With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which of these dinner items would have you queuing up at ABC Commissary? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: NEW: Kylo Ren and BB-9E Cupcakes at Backlot Express in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Review: Classic Napoleon at Trolley Car Café at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios! Review! NEW Apple Cobbler at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! View the full article