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According to The Orange County Register, Disneyland has been revoking annual passes of passholders who buy park merchandise, then resell the items to individuals or online. Santa Alien Popcorn Buckets sell out quickly in Disneyland and Disney World The Orange County Register states that this news is “according to observers and people who say it happened to them.” The report continues that “observers say that Disney appears to have aggressively targeted these resellers, canceling their annual passes under a provision in the passholder contract that bans people from using their discounts and then reselling items they purchased inside the parks.” Holiday Mickey Light Up Straw Individual accounts, specifically those of guests who operated personal shopping businesses, can be read here. The article also discusses those referred to as flippers —“someone who buys items on spec and then resells on auction sites.” The Orange County Resister contacted Disney for comment and received the following response: “Park Rules and Annual Pass Terms and Conditions are in place to help protect the experience for all of our Guests.” Presumably, part of protecting the experience for all guests by such measures may keep incredibly sought after items from being purchased in large quantities for the sole purpose of reselling. Rose Gold Minnie Ears were incredibly popular — and sold out numerous times — in Disney World and Disneyland in 2017 and 2018. While purchase limits are often placed on items which Disney anticipates being exceptionally popular, often these limits are set per transaction (as opposed to per individual), and those with a goal of reselling may not be deterred by making multiple transactions. What do you think of this developing story? Let us know in the comments. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Source: The Orange County Register Related posts: Review: BBQ Crunch Dog and Fried Bananas at Award Wieners in Disney California Adventure Everything You Need to Know about Disneyland’s Pixar Fest! PLUS a Printable Pixar Fest Food Checklist! Sneak Pre-BOO! Halloween Time in Disneyland Begins September 7th! View the full article

Happy weekend! Here’s all the Disney food news this week! Loaded Mickey Waffles Disneyland’s Festival of Holidays started is ON, and we have ALL the menus! Start planning what you’re going to eat before you go! And check out our BEST of the Fest here! Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays is in full swing and we have all the menus! Check them out before you go! And, check out our Best of the Fest too! We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News Check out 2019 Disney Dining Plan restaurants. We shared the narrator change for the Candlelight Processional on December 24 and 25! We reviewed the Disney After Hours at the Animal Kingdom! Find out who is the new executive chef at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. We shared our 25 favorite Disney cupcakes for this year. Get the details on celebrating the Lunar New Year at Disneyland! Check out the dates for the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. We have details on the 2019 Garden Rocks Concert Series at the Flower and Garden Festival. We reviewed the 12 Beers of Christmas at Morimoto Asia. We shared details on an exclusive shopping event for Annual Passholders. Check out the new Tasting Sampler coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We spotted new Starbucks tumblers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Check out the menu changes and new items at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’! Napolini has reopened in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District. Chinese Chili Popcorn is now available at Tokyo Disney! Check out the construction pins guests are getting at Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach Resort! We shared details on the Incredible New Year’s Eve party at PCH Grill. Check out the new seasonal cupcake at Epcot’s Sunshine Seasons. The Millennium Falcon has landed at Disneyland. Loaded Mickey Waffles have returned to Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge! You can design your own bake box at Sprinkles right now. And check out the seasonal cupcake flavors! Wine Bar George celebrated National Cookie Day with a special cookie. We reviewed new menu items and cocktails at Raglan Road in Disney Springs! Satu’li Canteen changes its menu – where’d the Cheeseburger Pods go? Two new seasonal treats are on the menu at Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs. We shared the best treats to eat at Flurry of Fun in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Check out our review of the Holiday Cheesesteak Dog in Disneyland. New DFB YouTube videos: The Worst Disney Advice You’ll Get, Six Things That Are Way Better in Disneyland than Disney World, and Our Favorite and Least Favorite Fast Food Spots in Epcot. New DFB Video — The Worst Disney Advice You’ll Get Have you subscribed to the DFB YouTube Channel? We’ve got FOUR brand new videos EVERY WEEK showcasing our adventures in Disney World and Disneyland! This week, we’re sharing our latest video — check it out — The Worst Disney Advice You’ll Get — and don’t forget to subscribe here.  Deal of the Week: Pre-Order the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining It’s time to pre-order the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2019 e-book! Pre-Order with code WDW2019 TODAY to get: 1. 25% OFF your pre-order purchase with code WDW2019! And… 2. The fully updated 2018 Edition of the Guide immediately for FREE. Just use code WDW2019 at checkout! (We’ll send the 2019 Edition directly to your inbox as soon as it’s published after the New Year.) Just like all DFB pre-order deals — when you pre-order your DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book, 2019 Edition today for 25% off the cover price (with code WDW2019…did we mention that?), you’ll also get our 2018 Edition immediately for FREE, so you can start planning TODAY! With over 700 pages of full-color photos, tips on the best restaurants, an ENTIRE chapter on snacks — including the best snack credit values throughout the parks and resorts — and a full break-down of whether the Disney Dining Plan is worth it for your family, now’s the time to get started! What’s in the DFB Guide? The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of ALL the information you need to plan the BEST Disney World vacation. We keep ALL of our DFB Guides fully updated — which means the 2018 edition is up-to-date RIGHT NOW and the 2019 Edition will have even MORE new changes when it’s published after the New Year! This means when you pre-order the 2019 edition today you’re getting TWO fully-updated DFB Guides for the PRICE OF ONE! We want your vacation to be stress-free! The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full to overflowing with tools and features to make your trip go smoothly, including: A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks. A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge, including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience. Four free, downloadable worksheets for planning your trip. These worksheets are designed to help you execute all the steps of planning the perfect Disney dining experience. And they’re reusable for all of your future trips! Seven sample one-day dining itineraries for a head-start on planning. A comprehensive index of bars and lounges WITH reviews. An often under-appreciated option for both dining and entertainment, the e-Book devotes a whole index to the topic. The ability to be read on your mobile device or computer! It’s fully portable right in your pocket! Here’s Just Some Of What We’ll Have Updated In Our 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book: Fully updated menus, prices, and restaurant info for 2019 visitors Updated details about available discounts and deals at Disney World restaurants DFB’s own 2019 recommendations for everything from table service to counter service to snacks and more Over 700 pages of updated Disney Dining advice, details, and information Disney Dining Plan Analysis — Is it right for your family? Can you really save money? NEW Disney food and restaurant photos Updated reviews of all Disney World restaurants, kiosks, bars, and lounges including all new eateries An updated chapter focused on one of the most popular Disney dining topics: Snacks in the theme parks and resorts A comprehensive section of What’s NEW in Disney Food, including new restaurants, new menus, restaurant closures, and more You can pre-order your copy today for 25% off the cover price and get the 2018 Edition immediately for FREE!! Just use code WDW2019! The 2019 Edition will be emailed to you as soon as it’s published in early 2019. DFB Reader Finds If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or around Disney, share a photo with us on instagram, facebook, or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday. We LOVE the Gideon’s Bakehouse Cookies at The Polite Pig in Disney Springs, and DFB fan Randi Tollner shared this one with us. (OK, she just shared the picture .. but it’s the thought that counts!) The BEST cookie in Disney World! Territory Lounge in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a great spot to grab a drink, relax, and escape for a bit. And it’s also home to the incredible Oregon Chardonnay Fondue! DFB reader Lisa Gilmore says “Struck gold again thanks to thanks to Disney Food Blog recommendation of the Oregon Chardonnay Fondue Territory Lounge!” Worth a trip to Wilderness Lodge! Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share a photo with us on instagram, facebook, or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds On to the Round-Up! Mickey Fix shared this classic Mickey Waffle Maker! WDW for Grownups took a look at all the gingerbread displays at Disney World. Tasty shared a recipe for Gingerbread Wookie Cookies. Disney Parks Blog shared a recipe from the Feast of the Three Kings booth at the Epcot Festival of the Holidays. Don’t Miss ANY Disney Food News! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Related posts: What’s New Around Walt Disney World: October 20, 2016 What’s New Around Walt Disney World: December 20, 2016 Disney Food News This Week: Cauldrons, Kringla, Christmas, and MORE! September 2, 2018 View the full article

Well over a year ago, Sunshine Seasons in Walt Disney World’s Epcot introduced the Flower Pot Cupcake, a peanut butter and jelly cupcake cupcake that was a great balance of style and substance. It was a guest favorite for sure! Flower Pot Cupcake in Epcot And now, the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake has been updated for the winter season (and lost its flower pot moniker). There are no real, edible flowers here, but it’s okay because SNOWMAN! Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake Check out the frosting grass and festive sprinkles, too. The cupcake itself is jumbo — definitely enough to share if you want. But we don’t think you’ll want to share because it’s also delicious! Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake The cake here is really light and soft, and the frosting is very subtly peanut butter. Everything you loved about the PB and J flower pot cupcake is still here! Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake And how cute is this snowman?! It’s actually a rice krispy treat underneath all that fondant! And of course, there are pretzel stick arms. Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake Inside, though, there are even more surprises. It’s all creamy peanut butter and fruity jelly. The same as the previous PB and J cupcake, and just as delicious. Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake Sunshine Seasons has another cupcake hit on its hands, y’all! We hope the Flower Pot returns in the spring, but until then, this snowman version is terrific! A definite must get — particularly if you love peanut butter treats! Want to see our 25 FAVORITE cupcakes of 2018? Click here for the delicious list! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What’s your favorite cupcake flavor combo? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: UPDATES to Epcot Eats! Even More Poutine and an Changed-Up Stowaway Mary at Refreshment Port! What You Need to Know BEFORE You Book Your Epcot Food and Wine Festival Events! Black Velvet Cupcake at Sprinkles in Disney Parks Through October 31! View the full article

This week, we hosted a first-ever #DisneyParksLIVE stream of “Candlelight Processional” at Epcot with host Neil Patrick Harris. Disney Parks Blog readers from all over the world joined us for the special live stream – but if you missed it, you can still watch the replay this weekend. Guests visiting Epcot can enjoy “Candlelight Processional” in person at Epcot at 5, 6:45 & 8:15 p.m. ET, daily through December 30, 2018. Visit Jenn’s original “Candlelight Processional” story for the list of upcoming celebrity narrators. Make the most of your Epcot holiday visit by booking a “Candlelight Processional” Dining Package now. We also launched a brand-new series on the Disney Parks Blog – Holiday 360. Each Friday, you can visit the blog – or the Disney Parks Blog Facebook page – to take in the view of a different holiday offering at theme parks at Walt Disney World or the Disneyland Resort. We kicked off the series with a peek inside Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party here at Magic Kingdom Park. Keep checking on Fridays this month for more Holiday 360 magic. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. 30,000 Gifts Brighten the Holiday Season for Central Florida Children – This holiday season will shine a little brighter for children in Central Florida, thanks to the efforts of Walt Disney World Resort cast members, who collected nearly 30,000 toys for this year’s U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive. 2019 Garden Rocks Concert Series Expands to Seven Days a Week; Reservations for Dining Packages Open Dec. 13 – We recently shared that the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will return to Walt Disney World Resort March 6-June 3, 2019 with a wide selection of delectable bites at outdoor kitchens and dozens of Disney-themed topiaries blooming around the park. Disneyland Resort Launches 2019 with the Return of Lunar New Year and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival – Two exciting events are returning to the Disneyland Resort in early 2019 — Lunar New Year and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival! Here’s what you need to know to start planning your visit: A Walk in the Park: Walking in Walt’s Footsteps at Disneyland Park – In commemoration of Walt Disney’s birthday, this week’s Walk in the Park visits some of the spots Walt loved at Disneyland park. #ShareYourEars Photos Help Make Wishes Come True: Disney Donates US $3 Million to Make-A-Wish – To the hundreds of thousands of Disney fans who took part in this year’s #ShareYourEars campaign celebrating 90 years of Mickey, thank you! Disney is donating US $3 million to Make-A-Wish® to help grant even more wishes! We’ve had so much fun looking at all of the amazing “ear photos” you’ve shared! Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ Film Memorabilia Gallery Now Open at Disneyland Park – We are so excited to share that The Art of Mary Poppins Returns exhibit is now open at Disneyland park. The limited-time gallery features original art, costumes, props and video clips from the most anticipated film this holiday season: Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” coming to theaters December 19. Disney Parks Digital Wallpapers To Brighten Up Your Holiday Season – The Walt Disney World Resort is buzzing with holiday sights, sounds and fun. No matter what the season holds for you – Christmas events, Hanukkah gatherings, New Year’s Eve parties, or even a tongue-in-cheek celebration of National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day – we have a Disney Parks Blog digital wallpaper that’s perfect for you. View the full article

New cupcake alert!!! Over at All Star Music Resort there’s a Unicorn Cupcake (I know, I know, been there, done that) — but with a TWIST! Disney’s newest unicorn cupcake is a little bit better than the rest… This one starts out similar to the rest. Vanilla cake topped with vanilla buttercream swirled with a fruity rainbow buttercream. There’s glitter everywhere (natch) along with chocolate disc ears and an ice cream cone horn. All Star Music’s new Unicorn Cupcake But break that bad boy open and you’ve got something pretty special. Instead of more flavored icing or some sort of fruity jelly, you’ve got Real. Live. Sprinkles. inside…. SPRINKLES IN THE CUPCAKE! Our taste-tester said “I found it super exciting and I’m a grown woman, so kids who like princesses might lose their minds.” The cake itself is very moist and dense — almost like pound cake. And the sprinkles are just plain fun, right? You can grab this one at All Star Music Resort in Disney World for $5.99 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit. Each one is different, just like REAL unicorns, so choose your favorite. Unicorn Cupcakes at All Star Music Resort This is definitely a destination cupcake if you have a glitter-fan in your life :-). Don’t forget to check out a few other unicorn cupcakes in our 25 Favorite Disney Cupcakes of 2018, here! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available for Pre-Order! 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 pre-order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! But there’s MORE! Just like all DFB pre-order deals — when you pre-order your DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2019 Edition today for 25% off the cover price, you’ll also get our fully updated 2018 Edition for FREE immediately, so you can start planning TODAY! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price, AND get the 2018 edition for free! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Related posts: Every. Single. Rose Gold Snack. in Disney World 2019 Disney Dining Plans AND Disney World Vacation Packages Announced What’s New at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom and Resorts! June 21, 2018 View the full article

Here at the DFB, we’re all about taking advantage of money-saving opportunities whenever possible, but we also love snacks, soooo… We’ve combined these two loves into one super tip that’s straight from the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! That’s right: Snacks that are filling enough to be meals — which means saving some money or Disney Dining Plan credits! A Walt Disney World vacation budget often revolves around food: How much do we want to spend on meals each day? What’s the most we want to spend on snacks? Are we going to buy souvenir goodies to bring home? Chocolate Dipped Krispie Treats make a fun souvenir! If you’re on the DDP, you still have planning to do and questions to ask: If we want to try a Signature meal, how do we conserve entitlements to be sure we can cover it? If we’re on a Quick Service DDP, how can we stretch those credits to cover more meals? Snacks that are satisfying enough to replace full-size meals are one way to address some of the food budget requirements your vacation will have. Here we share three of our favorite ways to maximize our food dollars — and get some yummy eats in the process! Pulled Pork Fries — Flame Tree Barbecue, Animal Kingdom You’ve heard us mention Flame Tree Barbecue‘s Pulled Pork Fries many times. That’s because they’re awesome. But when we’re talking about selecting snacks that fill you up and provide a ton of fuel for your fun, these are a terrific option! Pulled Pork Fries are pretty much what you think they are: a bed of French fries under a pile of smoky pulled pork. But then Flame Tree goes one giant step further by drowning the whole thing in plastic cheese (and a drizzle of barbecue sauce and some finely chopped peppers). Pulled Pork Fries with Cheese at Flame Tree Barbecue We’re not claiming these are, you know, healthy. But for a filling snack that can replace a meal, these are a home run. Ham and Cheese Croissant — Les Halles Boulangerie, Epcot’s World Showcase There are lots of options for snacks that equate to meals in Epcot’s World Showcase, and one of our favorites is at France’s Les Halles Boulangerie. Order the Ham and Cheese Croissant — then thank us later by grabbing a Napoleon for us. This toasty sandwich is on Les Halles’ flaky, buttery croissant, and the ham and cheese offer lots of protein to keep you feeling full longer. With this, you’re getting quantity and quality — plus you’re exactly where you want to be if you need a sweet treat to go along with your savory one! Stop by France’s bakery for a filling snack! Grab the Ham and Cheese Croissant for breakfast or for lunch — it’s terrific any time. Don’t forget to ask the cast member to warm it up for you! And check out our photo tour from the reopening of Les Halles a few years ago! Tomato Soup — Pinocchio Village Haus, Magic Kingdom If you’re trying to eat a little lighter but still want to grab a filling snack, look no further than Pinocchio Village Haus in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. The Tomato Basil Soup here is delicious, warm, and satisfying. If you really want to bulk this up even further (or if you’re looking for something to share), get an order of breadsticks to go along with it. Dunk, munch, repeat! Tomato Basil Soup at Pinocchio Village Haus You know this one is a winner because it’s been a DFB favorite since the old days! Snacking at Walt Disney World is practically an art, and finding snacks that can replace meals (or help you stretch a little further between them) is a great way to save a little moolah and enjoy more of the good eats the World has to offer. Find more great snacks that can be made into meals — and all of our Disney Dining tips! — in the DFB Guide below! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun — And Find All Our Disney Dining Tips HERE! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available for Pre-Order! 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 pre-order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! But there’s MORE! Just like all DFB pre-order deals — when you pre-order your DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2019 Edition today for 25% off the cover price, you’ll also get our fully updated 2018 Edition for FREE immediately, so you can start planning TODAY! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price, AND get the 2018 edition for free! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite snack-that’s-a-meal tip? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: 25 Can’t-Miss Experiences to Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World This Year! Tips from the DFB Guide: Did You Know About This Disney World Restaurant Money Saving Tip?! Disney Food Challenge: The Disney World French Fry Crawl! View the full article

Happy Saturday! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re letting you in on ten breakfast options in Disney World for those days when you don’t have time for breakfast! School Bread in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion After all, they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But it’s so tempting to start your day in a Disney World park by hopping on your top choice attraction that you may not have much time to grab your breakfast first. Fortunately, there are lots of yummy, quick options around Disney World that will have you back to those rides in a jiffy which also happen to be fun and memorable vacation eats. And we’re sharing them 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: What’s your favorite quick breakfast option in Disney World? Related posts: DFB Video: Things Most People Don’t Know About Walt Disney World DFB Video: 11 Things Disney World Pros Do, And You Should, Too DFB Video: Disney World Bathrooms! (Volume I) View the full article

In today’s Weekend Edition of Disney Doodles, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Scrooge and the other characters from the 1983 film, “Mickey’s A Christmas Carol,” would do if they could visit Magic Kingdom Park. According to Ashley, Scrooge’s ability to find the joy of Christmas would likely lead them all to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, where they could soak up the joy of the season together. “The characters of ‘Mickey’s A Christmas Carol’ learn the importance of Christmas in their film,” she said. “It’s easy to imagine them wanting to spend quality time with friends and family at the Magic Kingdom Park.” View the full article

There is something so beautiful and pure about lighting candles in commemoration. We join you in celebrating the joyous “Festival of Lights.” Wishing you “Hanukkah Sameach!” with this special wallpaper designed by Brittany Ungvarsky. To celebrate with us, download this wallpaper in either desktop or mobile version. Also, be sure to check out our terms of use before downloading. View the full article

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation in 2019 and will be using the Disney Dining Plan, you’re likely already thinking about where you’ll eat and how you’ll maximize those credits. Flame Tree Barbecue is still a great way to maximize a quick service credit! Lucky for you, we have tons of resources to help you with all of that! Whether you’re trying to make the most of quick service credits or trying to maximize your table service credits, there’s a DFB post for you. ‘Ohana Bread Pudding (and all the rest of the ‘Ohana eats!) for just one table service credit! If you’ve got Disney Dining Plan questions, we’ve got your answers here! Plus, we’ve got the 2019 Disney Dining Plan Restaurants collected for you in one place. Yup, we did the legwork to make sure you know where you can use your credits no matter where you go in the World. We’ll eat Homecomin’s Fried Chicken any day! Check out our restaurant list HERE to see where you can use your quick service and table service credits as well as signature dining experiences, character meals, and dinner shows! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available for Pre-Order! 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 pre-order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! But there’s MORE! Just like all DFB pre-order deals — when you pre-order your DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2019 Edition today for 25% off the cover price, you’ll also get our fully updated 2018 Edition for FREE immediately, so you can start planning TODAY! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price, AND get the 2018 edition for free! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite way to use the Disney Dining Plan? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: 2018 Disney Dining Plan Restaurants List 21 Myths About Walt Disney World Food DEBUNKED Tips From the DFB Guide: Do I Need Advance Dining Reservations During the Epcot Food and Wine Festival? View the full article

Save the date! Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings is returning to TV as part of Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas special. The new holiday special, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic, airs on Saturday, December 8 at 8pm/7c on Freeform. Stephen “tWitch” Boss, resident DJ for “The Ellen Show” and his wife Allison Holker, “Dancing With the Stars” pro, return to host the one-hour special which will showcase two magical weddings hosted at Walt Disney World. Courtney and Sam met on the Disney Cruise Line as teenagers, after several years of maintaining a long-distance relationship they are ready to say “I DO.” They have planned a fairy tale wedding inspired by the new live-action Disney film, Mary Poppins Returns! Everything from the cherry blossoms that line the aisle at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion to the kites hidden in the reception décor is a nod to the upcoming movie. And, of course, you can expect a little magic throughout their special evening too! During the holiday special, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons will be showcasing a brand new wedding venue, Oak Manor Lawn located at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. Christina and Daniel, police detectives who met on the job, are inspired by southern elegance and the outdoors, which makes this location a perfect backdrop for their Disney wedding ceremony. The best part? This venue will be available for future Disney couples! What would a holiday special be without Christmas music! Country superstar, Martina McBride, makes a surprise appearance to perform a song from her new holiday album during Christina and Daniel’s wedding reception in Epcot. You won’t want to miss it! Weddings and holiday inspiration, a perfect match! Tune-in to Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic on December 8th at 8pm/7c airing during Freeform’s 25 days of Christmas television special. Not sure what channel Freeform is for you? Find out here. 
 Missed the first TV special? Watch it here! Also available on Hulu and OnDemand. Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons is passionate about creating weddings and celebrations that honor and commemorate couple’s unique love stories and we are happy to help you create a truly memorable event that works within your budget. Let us make your fairy tale a reality! For more information about planning your Disney wedding, request our free wedding brochure or register for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings Showcase. View the full article

We have a change to report to the list of celebrity narrators for the Candlelight Processional at the 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. The Candlelight Processional is a popular event where the Christmas story is told by a celebrity narrator while a 50-piece orchestra and choir accompany the re-telling. Candlelight Processional Originally, Edward James Olmos was the scheduled celebrity narrator for the dates of December 24-25th. However, Joey Fatone will now be the celebrity narrator for December 24-25th. You can find the full list of celebrity narrators on our Candlelight Processional page. Neil Patrick Harris Narrating the Candlelight Processional Guests wishing to reserve guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional paired with breakfast, lunch, or dinner at a participating Epcot restaurant may find more information about Candlelight Processional Dining Packages here. Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2018 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2018 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What’s New!! chapter for the 2018 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World’s busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And of course we’ll tell you where to eat! ;-D Order your 2018 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don’t love it, you get your money back! Are you planning to attend the Candlelight Processional this year? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: List of Celebrity Narrators for Epcot’s Candlelight Processional Is Now Complete! 2018 Disney World Candlelight Processional Booking to Begin Soon — PLUS Narrators Announced! Early Booking for Candlelight Processional Dining Packages Available for Disney World Annual Passholders View the full article

Entertainer Joey Fatone has been added to the lineup of narrators for this year’s Candlelight Processional, the popular holiday presentation at Epcot, Disney announced Friday. Fatone will be on the stage with live orchestra and mass choir on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. Those slots were previously held... View the full article

Welcome to Disney’s Animal Kingdom… AFTER HOURS! Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life at night Disney After Hours is an extra ticket event offered currently at three Disney World Parks: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. For three hours after park close on select nights, Disney offers limited guest access to the park (meaning little-to-no-wait for popular attractions). The event’s cost also includes snacks like ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages to keep you fueled in the nighttime hours. After Hours at Animal Kingdom While Disney After Hours has been offered in Magic Kingdom for some time now, the event only recently expanded to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. So recently, in fact, that we were able to attend the very first Disney After Hours in Animal Kingdom! There’s LOTS to cover, so let’s waste not time! Entry Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom runs on offered nights from 8:30 – 11:30 PM. However, After Hours guests are allowed to enter the park as early as 7:00 PM. That’s why guests receive a plastic ticket upon check-in with their materials. After Hours materials This allows entry into the park starting at 7:00 PM even if you don’t have other admission to the park on that date. After Hours entry pass Guests also receive a paper guide listing attractions and entertainment running during the event hours (which we’ll show as we go) and a VERY IMPORTANT wristband. After Hours wristband Cast Members will ask to see wristbands before you attempt to ride any attractions or receive any of the included snack items throughout the night, so it’s best to strap this on your wrist immediately to avoid losing it! Speaking of attractions… Attractions Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom offers access to six attractions. After Hours Attractions The inclusions are Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey in Pandora — The World of AVATAR, Expedition Everest in Asia, DINOSAUR and TriceraTop Spin in Dinoland, U.S.A., and It’s Tough to be a Bug! on Discovery Island. Pandora at Night According to Disney’s After Hours Animal Kingdom page, guests will “Be among a limited number of Guests to enjoy a unique, 3-hour park experience—featuring popular attractions and experiences with little-to-no wait!” So… what does that mean? Well, honestly speaking, I’m fairly certain that the first event was not sold to capacity. But THIS is what it meant on the night we attended… Flight of Passage Wait Time at After Hours The sign you see above is the 5 minute wait time for Avatar Flight of Passage. You may know this already, but Flight of Passage is one of the two most in-demand rides in Disney World right now (with the other being Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studios). And the “5 minutes” posting you see, on the night we attended, was not a lucky moment. The wait time was at 5 minutes for pretty much the entire event. How do we know this? Well, while I was covering other aspects of the event in different areas of the park, I gave my companion an assignment: to go to Pandora with the specific purpose of observing wait times for Flight of Passage, since — let’s face it — that’s what everyone wants to know. 5 minutes for Flight of Passage… still 5 minutes. The whole time he was in the land… IF THAT. In fact, on his first ride, he was THE ONLY PERSON in his flight chamber. And here’s the picture proof. One Avatar Match for the one person in the chamber Empty pre-show room When I joined up with him later, there were so few people riding the attraction at some moments that we were given the choice of which flight level — 1, 2, or 3 (the top) — we wanted to ride on. And that same 5 minute sign was pretty much what you saw at all of the open attractions! Na’vi River Journey? Inside Na’vi River Journey 5 minutes. Na’vi River Journey Wait Time Expedition Everest? Expedition Everest (daytime shot) 5 minutes. Expedition Everest Wait Time at After Hours DINOSAUR? (It’s Fast! It’s a Blast! It’s in the PAST!) DINOSAUR 5 minutes. DINOSAUR Wait Time during After Hours At least, that’s the only time we saw posted throughout the evening for all included attractions. So, that’s how that went. And it was, in fact, PRETTY. SWEET. There wasn’t even a wait for the restrooms in Pandora. Tell me when you’ll ever see this again… Pandora restroom Okay, in all seriousness… noticeably missing from the attraction list is Kilimanjaro Safaris, which — when you consider the animal involvement and also the difficulty of seeing much on the Safari at night — makes sense. But, as one of the most popular attractions in the park, it’s good to know in advance. In fact, the entire Africa section and portions of Asia are also blocked off from After Hours guest access. Entertainment I have to admit… when we first learned about the Animal Kingdom After Hours event, my mind went immediately to the park’s attractions (specifically those in Pandora). But I had underestimated the entertainment offerings. Rivers of Light Tiger These include a showing of the Rivers of Light spectacular, performances by the Pandora Drummers — Swotu Wayä, the Dino-Riffic Dance Party with Chip ‘n Dale, and the ongoing Tree of Life Awakenings. There is one showing of Rivers of Light during After Hours, and on our evening it took place at 9:00 PM. Now, there are several options for seeing the Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular on regular park days. These include the usual means of the Standby Line or by reserving a Fastpass+, or add-on options such as the Rivers of Light Dining Package or Dessert Party. Rivers of Light But none of those, as far as I’m aware, offer you the same chance to view it like this: Rivers of Light After Hours My apologies for the blurry photo, but I think this shot gives you a pretty good idea of the crazy amount of room in the seating area! Rivers of Light After Hours For instance, I know the picture of my seating row below looks like nothing. But it is actually a picture of a very important something. Rivers of Light Bench It’s a photo of all the people NOT sitting right next to me during Rivers of Light! I have been fortunate to have seen Rivers of Light more than a few times now, but this experience had a very distinct, unique “VIP” feel to it. And speaking as a non-VIP, this was kind of cool. The Pandora Drummers — Swotu Wayä were scheduled for three performances during the event (at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30 PM). Pandora Drummers Theirs is a high-energy, fun performance, and if you are able to catch it during regular park hours, you should. But with the limited number of guests, practically everyone was able to join in the show by grabbing a drum or one of the extra instruments the drummers passed around at some point during the show. Over in Dinoland, the Dino-Riffic Dance Party goes on throughout the evening, and that’s where you’ll find Chip ’n Dale in their adorable Dinosaur costumes. Dino-riffic Dance Party with Chip ‘n Dale And because of the small amount of people, it was super easy to get your photos with them without waiting in a line. Dale The Tree of Life Awakenings also take place throughout the event. These beautiful projections are accompanied by music and typically, there is a small-to-large crowd on Discovery Island to catch the various stories. But After Hours? Tree of Life Awakenings viewing area Not so much. (I should note that the picture above was taken at the very end of the night, and that earlier in the evening there were more people around the Tree. But to say there was plenty of room would be a huge understatement.) Food Yes, FOOD!!!! Your admission to After Hours includes select — and unlimited — beverage, popcorn, and ice cream novelties at carts you’ll find operating in Discovery Island, Asia, and Dinoland. Offerings are pretty much the same at all the stops like those we found at Corn-Ivores, the popcorn cart in Dinoland. Corn-ivores Popcorn Cart The three ice cream novelties were standard at the carts we visited: Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars, the Mickey Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Sandwich, and the Edy’s Strawberry Fruit Bar (plus the No-Sugar-Added version of the Fruit Bar). Ice Cream Novelties And, hey, while we’re here… Mickey Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Sandwich Don’t mind if I do!! Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar Available drinks were bottled sodas (Sprite, Coke, and Diet Coke) and Dasani water. Bottled drinks And, of course, all the POPCORN you want was up for grabs! Feeding Ground Popcorn on Discovery Island I have to say, the first time I walked up to a cart and asked for a Mickey Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Sandwich, I felt kind of strange (and very spoiled) not paying anything afterward. I got over that pretty quick … as evidenced by the second Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich of the evening. Second Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich Select menu items were available for additional purchase at Pongu Pongu in Pandora and Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks in Asia, for instance. Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks It’s worth noting that both of these locations serve alcohol, which is good for of-age guests to know. Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks bar menu Though it wasn’t noted on the event handout, I did notice that Royal Anadapur Tea Company was open as well (at least it was as the Rivers of Light showtime approached — I’m not sure if it stayed open for the rest of the night). Royal Anandapur Tea Company Additionally, a couple of hot dog carts were serving a few items. Hot Dog Cart Menu We spotted them open just outside of Pandora and also in Dinoland. But be warned… Dale scoping out the food options Dale might be particularly interested in your hot dog if you grab one in Dinoland, so keep your eyes peeled for chipmunks in dinosaur costumes before you make your purchase! Dale at the Hot Dog Cart Honestly, with the unlimited snack offerings, satiating hunger with more offerings didn’t seem to be a huge need — at least I didn’t think so. But it was nice for adults to have the option to purchase a beer or cocktail if desired. Merchandise I didn’t see any event-specific After Hours merchandise. However, a few merchandise locations are open for attendees, including Serka Zong Bazaar in Asia and The Dino Institute Shop. But the open store where this provides the most potential benefit is Windtraders in Pandora. Make Your Own Avatar in Windtraders This event is the only time that I have been in Windtraders and have not seen a line of guests waiting to adopt a Banshee in the Rookery, and the guest I saw purchasing one had the experience primarily to herself. Banshees in Windtraders Banshee in Windtraders The Make Your Own Avatar experience was also available for guests. Make Your Own Avatar Make Your Own Avatar And these, in total, were the offerings that made up the first ever After Hours in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Disney does note on the materials that, as always, inclusions are subject to change. But that’s how things went for us on the first night! And with that, it was “Good Night” to a pretty much empty Animal Kingdom! On the way out from After Hours Overall We say it a lot when it comes to Disney World these days… “this one’s a splurge.” That’s because there is no shortage of ways to enhance your vacation at Disney World with add-on offerings like Extra Hours events, dining experiences with reserved seating for a specific show, and many more. And, at $125 per guest if purchased in advance and $129 day of (for any of the After Hours events)… well, “this one’s a splurge.” As always, there are factors each group must consider such as party size and tolerance for late nights while traveling to make sure its worthwhile. (Note that if you’re an Annual Passholder, you may be able to get a discount to $99.) But, overall, this was a splurge that did impress. The access to Avatar Flight of Passage, in particular, is practically worth its weight in gold, especially for guests on a shorter length of trip. But it wasn’t only that. Strolling into Rivers of Light for what felt like a private event is something I won’t forget. Neither is the intangible feeling of “having the park to ourselves.” And the sheer amount of what you’re able to do (and repeat, if you want) is substantial. Basically, there’s a good amount of bang for the buck. Plus, you’ll never hear us complain about All-You-Care-to-Eat Mickey Ice Cream Bars. There is a suggestion I would make. For the price point, it would be nice to have an official character meet and greet (specifically, Mickey and Minnie at Adventurer’s Outpost) as part of the event. That said, it was no problem at all filling the three hours with lots of fun. This event could really be worth your consideration if you’re limited on length of stay, celebrating an extra special event (a teen’s milestone birthday is something that came to mind, or perhaps an anniversary), or just looking for a pretty cool way to plus that vacation. And if you’re interested, you can find more details, including offered dates, on the Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom page on the Disney World wesbite. Do you have early birds or little ones in your party? Then you might want to see what an Early Morning Magic event is like in Disney World instead. Find out in our DFB YouTube Video!  Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. We were invited by Disney to experience the new After Hours event. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ and the DFB Team Related posts: News: Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour Coming to Animal Kingdom Rumor: Rivers of Light Dining Packages Possibly Coming to Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House New Merch, Menus, and More in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom View the full article

A preview of the upcoming Kingdom Hearts III will be set up at Disney Springs this month ahead of the video game’s release next month. The pop-up experience will be in the entertainment complex’s Town Center near the entrance to the Lime Garage as of Dec. 14, according to the official Disney Parks... View the full article

A preview of the upcoming Kingdom Hearts III will be set up at Disney Springs later this month ahead of the video game’s release next month. The pop-up experience will be in the entertainment complex’s Town Center near the entrance to the Lime Garage as of Dec. 14, according to the official Disney... View the full article

Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort has announced a new executive chef to oversee the hotels’ seventeen dining establishments! Stay at the Swan and Dolphin this year! Chef Dan Herman will now lead a team of over 200 as he moves from Executive Sous Chef to Executive Chef! Executive Chef Dan Herman Chef Herman has been a fixture on the food scene at Swan and Dolphin for over twenty years, including work on the Food and Wine Classic that is held at the resort every October! Swan and Dolphin Resort General Manager Fred Sawyers cite the Chef’s “talent and experience” as Herman’s greatest attributes. Have you enjoyed a meal at the Swan and Dolphin Resort? Let us know what you thought! Related posts: Sneak PREVIEW! Must-Eats (And FRIED FUNFETTI OREOS!) at the 2018 Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Exclusive: First Look at Menus and Details from the Swan & Dolphin Food and Wine Classic What’s New at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Coronado Springs Resort: May 26, 2018 View the full article

We love us some cupcakes here at the Disney Food Blog (check out our Disney Cupcake Challenge!), and no year in review could possibly be complete without an ode to some of our favorites! So for your delicious viewing pleasure: DFB’s Favorite Cupcakes of 2018! Oh, yes. The year in cupcakes kicked off in high gear with the grandest cupcake of them all: the Rose Gold Cupcake! We found this beauty way back in January at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s Future World, and then rose gold treats suddenly began appearing everywhere! Rose Gold Ears Cupcake in Epcot We didn’t hate the rose gold trend. We were in for the ears, the spirit jerseys, and — especially — the cupcakes! This one from Main Street Bakery was a big hit due to all. that. frosting! Rose Gold Cupcake, Main Street Bakery Of course, the only thing better than one Disney food trend in a cupcake is TWO Disney food trends in a cupcake! Thanks to Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, we got to enjoy the Rose Gold Unicorn Cupcake! Rose Gold Unicorn, Gasparilla Island Grill The unicorn trend was a big hit on land and at sea, as we saw on the Disney Dream! Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats offered this ah-mazing Unicorn Cupcake with several different colored frostings, two types of sprinkles, and a beautiful golden horn! Unicorn Cupcake Disneyland got in on the Unicorn Cupcake action with this colorful offering at Jolly Holiday. Aside from the obviously cute unicorn design, this cupcake was a winner because of that enormous swirl of frosting! Unicorn Cupcake Spring came to Walt Disney World with a vengeance (and a cupcake!). The Flower Crown Cupcake we picked up at the Main Street Bakery was a beauty! We loved the rock candy-like ears and the raspberry buttercream filling — two awesome surprises! Plus those flowers. Sigh. Flower Crown Cupcake In 2018, Animal Kingdom celebrated 20 years (how is this possible?!) of bringing the natural world to the theme park masses with its Party for the Planet, and that equated to some terrific treats! The Tree of Life Cupcake did a great job of evoking the park icon, and it was classically flavored: vanilla cupcake with vanilla buttercream. 20th Anniversary Tree of Life Cupcake Remember when Millennial Pink was everywhere? For a while, you really couldn’t turn around at Walt Disney World without finding a Millennial Pink cupcake — and we loved this one from Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort! Millennial Pink Cupcake We also fell head-over-heels for the Monorail Cupcake at Contempo Cafe. Note that while most of the cupcakes at Contempo rotate in and out of the pastry case, we’re seeing this with more regularity! Monorail Cupcake The opening of Toy Story Land was one of the highlights of 2018! And naturally, Disney’s Hollywood Studios brought the playtime all the way into the treats! We loved this colorful Toy Story Land Cupcake (available in various locations in the park!) with its iconic colors and the Luxo Ball front and center! It was great, sugary fuel for all that Slinky Dog Dash-ing! Toy Story Land Cupcake And what’s a gathering of cupcakes from the year without a couple of mermaids? We spotted this gorgeous Mermaid Cupcake at Disney’s BoardWalk Bakery! The chocolate shells take it over-the-top! Mermaid Cupcake at BoardWalk Bakery Meanwhile at Main Street Bakery, we made this Mermaid Cupcake part of our world and loved its sugar cookie tail! And that seafoam frosting was so subtle and pretty! Mermaid Cupcake, Main Street Bakery You might’ve thought that a review of the year’s cupcakes might preclude mentions of Dole Whip — but you’d be mistaken. All-Star Music’s Intermission Food Court had a Dole Whip Cupcake — with a pipette of sweet pineapple sauce! Hello, you tropical beauty! Dole Whip Cupcake with Sauce in Pipette, All-Star Music Speaking of beauties, the Enchanted Rose Cupcake at Gaston’s Tavern in Magic Kingdom captured Belle perfectly — with bright yellow petals to mimic her iconic gown and a vibrant red rose. This is a cupcake for those who prefer the cake to the frosting, but if you’re a Beauty and the Beast fan, you gotta have this one either way! Enchanted Rose Cupcake, Gaston’s Tavern Halloween came early to Magic Kingdom, and we were at the very first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party of 2018 (in August!!) to bring you all the spooky eats. The Not-So-Poison Apple Cupcake was an all-day treat throughout the season, and this jumbo cupcake was so good it reigned atop our list of Halloween eats! The Not-So-Poison Apple Cupcake Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Berry Cupcake was another sweet Halloween find — this time at Contempo Cafe! We loved the raspberry filling inside the dyed vanilla cake, but the real star of this cupcake was all the detail on the witch’s hat! Minnie’s Not-so-Scary Berry Cupcake Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Resort also go into the Halloween spirit with this epic Poison Apple Cupcake! The apple-flavored cupcake was filled with caramel, so it evoked fall in its flavors and spookiness in its appearance! Poison Apple Cupcake at Roaring Fork Also in the fall we spotted the cutest cupcake ever: it’s Mike Wazowski with one I! This masterpiece was discovered in Sunshine Seasons, and it was honestly too cute to eat. The colors, the expression, the details: it was cupcake art at its finest! Mike Wozowski Cupcake This Cheshire Cat Cupcake from All-Star Music was yet another colorful character cupcake that we just couldn’t get enough of! That bright pink and purple frosting was strawberry buttercream, and the classic Cheshire Cat smile was a simple but effective decoration! Cheshire Cat Cupcake, All-Star Music In November, we celebrated Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday with all the birthday treats we could find! This classy cupcake from Gasparilla Grill at the Grand Floridian was beautiful in its design, from the bright blue birthday hat and tie to the distinctive ears and Mickey-fied wrapper. So much thought went into the styling — we just loved it. Mickey’s 90th Birthday Cupcake, Gasparilla Grill We found this fun Birthday Cake Cupcake at Contempo Cafe (yup — they slay the cupcake game there!). Check out those incredible Mickey balloon-like chocolate pieces! Plus, atop that mountain of cream cheese frosting was a fondant birthday cake! Cake on top of cake = our favorite. Mickey’s Birthday Cake Cupcake, Contempo Cafe Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort also celebrated Mickey with a cupcake on top of its Happy Birthday Cupcake! A tiny fondant cupcake was held by a fondant Mickey hand, and we loved it! Mickey’s Birthday Cupcake, Capt. Cooke’s The holiday season kicked off at Walt Disney World with tons of awesome seasonal eats, and Sunshine Seasons — once again! — brought its A-game! This seasonal Gift Cupcake is red velvet and coated in frosting, but it’s the four gifts on top (Twix bars covered in fondant!) that really take the cake! Seasonal Cupcake at Sunshine Seasons And how could we NOT mention this massive Wreck-It Ralph Sugar Rush pile-o-frosting that is the featured cupcake at Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom this holiday season! This one is a vanilla and red velvet cupcake with a very pepperminty frosting, so be prepared for some serious peppermint vibes here! The green hands are krispy treats :-D. Sugar Rush Jumbo Cupcake Finally, this Apple-Cinnamon Wreath Cupcake at the Grand Floridian is a sweet and classic way to say Happy Holidays! Plus it tastes great. Apple-Cinnamon Cupcake, Grand Floridian Yup, reliving the year in cupcakes is a delicious task, and we look forward to bringing you many, many more cupcakes in 2019!! Have you done our Disney Cupcake Challenge? Eat all 14 of our favorite Disney Cupcakes to win! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available for Pre-Order! 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 pre-order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! But there’s MORE! Just like all DFB pre-order deals — when you pre-order your DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2019 Edition today for 25% off the cover price, you’ll also get our fully updated 2018 Edition for FREE immediately, so you can start planning TODAY! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price, AND get the 2018 edition for free! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which of the twelve cupcakes of 2018 did you love the most? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Review: Lunch at Disney World’s Contempo Cafe in Contemporary Resort Disney Food Challenge: Can You Eat ALL 14 Of Disney’s BEST Cupcakes?! Review: “Millennial Pink” Cupcakes at Walt Disney World! View the full article

Tyler Trent, the Purdue University who inspired many this football season, took home the 2018 Disney Spirit Award on Thursday night during the College Football Awards on ESPN, a tribute to his courageous battle with bone cancer. Trent, the 20-year old native of Carmel, Indiana, was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2015, but he has refused to let the disease get the best of him. In 2017, Trent was determined to start classes at Purdue on time, and after enduring several surgeries, multiple procedures having his pelvis removed 11 days before the fall term, Trent did just that. And despite all the medical treatments, appointments and days when he’s not feeling great, Trent has become a fixture around the Purdue football program – a tribute to his unwavering dedication to his beloved Boilermakers, serving as the team’s honorary captain. Trent’s decision to live life on his own terms has also provided hope, encouragement and optimism to legions of fans of college football because of the courageous manner in which he has faced the disease — determined, unbowed and unafraid. Trent accepted the Disney Spirit Award by Purdue senior quarterback David Blough, thanked everyone present for the opportunity to share his amazing story. “This award is undeserved,” Trent said. “A year ago, I prayed that I would have an opportunity to share my story, and now it’s come true. At the end of the day, there is always a light at end of the tunnel. As long as you rely on your faith, things will work out.” To see the amazing moment when Trent accepted the 2018 Disney Spirit Award, check out this video. View the full article

Just this week, the Kingdom Hearts team announced a first-of-its-kind pop-up experience that will feature a playable demo of the upcoming release (KINGDOM HEARTS III), a special Keyblade exhibit, and artwork from the game. The best part? It will all be located at Disney Springs, in the heart of Town Center, available to guests from December 14, 2018 through January 31, 2019. Confession: I’ve never played Kingdom Hearts. If I was a gamer, I’m sure it would be at the top of this Disney lover’s “must-play” list, but I haven’t picked up a joystick since middle school so until recently, I knew very little about the action role-playing game that has millions of devoted fans. The Kingdom Hearts universe connects Disney characters, stories and worlds into one incredible, imaginative experience. In this third installment – set to release in stores on January 29, 2019 – characters from beloved films like Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story and Monsters, Inc., and Walt Disney Studios’ “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Big Hero 6,” “Tangled,” “Frozen” and more are brought together in a fantastic adventure that spans the magical worlds of Disney, Pixar and SQUARE ENIX. Here, you’re invited to relive nostalgia and go on new adventures with Sora—the unknowing heir to a spectacular power—and his friends as you battle together to fight off the Heartless invasion using Keyblade transformations, joint attacks with Disney and Pixar characters, Disney character summons, classic mini games, and more. I plan to be one of the first to test out the new game. With a premise that illustrates the power of friendship and the theme of light vs. darkness, it’s the perfect experience to enjoy with your own friends or family. (I’ll be bringing my video-game obsessed better half, though he doesn’t know it yet!) If you fall in love with Kingdom Hearts III, you’ll have the opportunity to pre-order ahead of its release. Check out the full details on the game, and to play a 15-minute preview before your friends, visit the interactive experience at Disney Springs, located next to the Lime Parking Garage in Town Center starting next Friday, December 14, 2018. It’s been over 12 years since Kingdom Hearts II debuted, so I have no doubt there are plenty of eager fans who are thrilled for the newest edition. If you’re one of them and you can’t wait for this special preview, check out the trailer, then let me know which aspects of the game you’re most excited about in the comments below! View the full article

Recently, we asked for your help in naming our newest Masai giraffe calf at Disney’s Animal Kingdom … and today, I’m thrilled to share she now has a name and just officially joined the herd. Please welcome Amira, which means “princess” in Swahili. We are delighted with her name and thank you sincerely for playing a role in this important moment in her life. Amira appears to be an adventurous young calf, and we’re excited to see her explore the savanna. Born on Oct. 1, Amira is already standing at more than five-feet tall. Since her birth, Amira has been bonding and nursing with mom Kenya in a backstage habitat. Amira’s parents, Kenya and George, were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and ensures responsible breeding of threatened and endangered species. Amira just officially took her first steps on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna and has been exploring and staying close to her mom. Amira is following in the hoofsteps of Aella, a five-month-old female giraffe calf who was also recently born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and made her debut on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna in late August. Found primarily in Kenya and Tanzania, Masai giraffe are currently listed as a “vulnerable” species but may soon be moved to endangered status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. There is grave concern for the future of these beautiful creatures in the wild as they face threats of poaching and habitat loss. It is estimated about 32,000 Masai giraffes are left in the wild, and their population continues to decline at alarming rates. Disney is actively involved in efforts to save Masai giraffes by lending our support to conservation efforts through the Disney Conservation Fund and sending our animal care team to lend their expertise in the field. Earlier this year, several Disney animal care experts went to Uganda to help relocate a herd of giraffes across the Nile River to establish a newer, safer habitat away from oil-drilling fields. Another team went to Kenya to support a giraffe and zebra population census. Visit DisneyAnimals.com to learn more about giraffes and other animals at the Walt Disney World Resort. View the full article

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Today we’re happy to unwrap a brand-new series for the Disney Parks Blog, Holiday 360. Each Friday, you can visit the blog – or the Disney Parks Blog Facebook page – to take in the view of a different holiday offering at theme parks at Walt Disney World or the Disneyland Resort. We’re kicking off the series with a peek inside Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party here at Magic Kingdom Park. The parties take place on select nights throughout the holiday season and the sights here can’t get merrier! Imagine Cinderella Castle wrapped in holiday lights. Main Street, U.S.A. lined with green wreaths and garland. Poinsettias brighten up the park. Take a look at our first 360 above. View the full article

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