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Let’s ALL scream for ICE CREAM at the newly opened Salt & Straw in Disneyland Resort! Salt & Straw You’ll find Salt & Straw in the Downtown Disney District, just waiting to give you the scoop. Salt & Straw is a family-run company started in Portland, Oregon by cousins Kim and Tyler Malek. Kim Malek at Salt & Straw Opening And from the beginning, Salt & Straw has made a name for itself by offering unique flavors of handmade, small batch ice cream utilizing local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. Our Disneyland Correspondent, Heather Sievers (@diningindisney on Instagram), was on the scene for the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening today! Ribbon Cutting Ceremony And after a little celebration to say “Welcome,” it was time to check out Salt & Straw! Celebrating the Opening of Salt & Straw Atmosphere The scene is set with a cheerful exterior which simultaneously matches a modern look with a classic ice cream parlor vibe. Salt & Straw Salt & Straw Due to the popularity of Salt & Straw on the west coast, lines are anticipated! Opening Day Lines And the shop has taken care to be prepared. Guests receive information about the ice cream so they can read up on flavors (we’ll take a look at those shortly) to help make their choice and move the line along. Plus, samples are encouraged . Sample mention on menu Stepping inside, you’ll also see the menu high above the registers. Inside Salt & Straw Inside Salt & Straw Decorative elements include ice cream art hanging from the ceiling. Ice Cream Art And there’s even more ice cream at the ready in take-home pints. “Let’s Get Straight to the Pint” Take Home Flavors Take Home Pints There’s no shortage of sweet stuff anywhere you look! Jawbreakers Honey Straws Big Daddy Marshmallow Packs And if you’d like to remember your visit to Salt & Straw long after you’ve eaten your ice cream, there are ways to do that, too. Merchandise Salt & Straw merchandise How about some ice cream cone socks, for instance ? Ice Cream Cone Socks And, of course, new friends are waiting to scoop up your choice of flavors. Salt & Straw So, now the question is… which will you choose? Ice Cream! When you look at the menu at Salt & Straw, you’ll notice flavors far beyond your regular Rocky Road and Chocolate Chip. “Handmade, Deliciously Interesting Ice Cream” is what the location boasts, served in various sizes and with Extras. Salt & Straw Menu (click to enlarge) And the Disneyland location, in particular, is serving up its own unique menu. You see, Salt & Straw has several west coast locations including their home base in Portland, plus locations in Seattle as well as California shops in San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. (The Downtown Disney location is the first in Orange County.) And the neat thing is that flavors can vary depending on where you visit. The Disneyland menu features some favorite flavors from all the shops. The Orange County Register shared this quote from CEO Kim Malek: “We’ve pulled our top hits from all the cities and we’re putting them together.” Classic Flavors (click to enlarge) On the list here? Scoops such as Sightglass Coffee Cashew Praline, Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese. (Click the menu images to enlarge.) Classic Flavors (click to enlarge) Honey Lavender makes the list, as well as Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper (which the Food Network has deemed the second best ice cream in the country). And you’ll want to keep an eye out for seasonal options during your visit! Seasonal Sign For instance, they’ve “created three spooktacular flavors to thrill you” as Halloween approaches: The Great Candycopia, Mummy’s Pumpkin Spiced Potion, and Creepy Crawly Critters! The Spooktacular Series (click to enlarge) Did you check out the description for Creepy Crawly Critters? It includes “dark chocolate covered crickets and coconut toffee-brittle mealworms”! Heather passed on that option . So, what did she choose? Here’s her scoop of Roasted Strawberry Coconut. Roasted Strawberry Coconut The Oxnard strawberries are roasted in order to caramelize their sugars, then they are churned together with coconut cream. And, according to Heather, the result is delicious! Her friend chose the Chocolate Gooey Brownie, which features chewy chocolate brownies made with homemade marshmallow fluff to keep them soft even when inside the cold chocolate ice cream. Chocolate Gooey Brownie and Roasted Strawberry Coconut And, just a friendly reminder that samples are encouraged! Sampling the Roasted Strawberry Coconut In addition to the Roasted Strawberry Coconut, Heather also tried the seasonal Mummy’s Pumpkin Spiced Potion (made with autumn spices, dried pumpkin tea, and candied pumpkin bits) and the Freckled Mint TCHO-Colate Chip featuring TCHO ethical craft chocolate which sources beans from fairly paid growers. Each taste earned a big thumbs up! Salt & Straw Ice Cream Overall Salt & Straw is so much fun, and a great family-owned addition to the currently transforming Downtown Disney District. With an abundance of truly interesting flavors that you won’t find anywhere else, it will likely take more than one visit to Salt & Straw to try everything you’d like! But you’ve got to get there for the first time to start trying them all, so know that Salt & Straw is open daily at 10:00 AM through midnight. We’ll see you there! Salt & Straw is one of several new eateries at or coming to Disneyland Resort! Find out more on our DFB YouTube Video! Are you excited to visit Salt & Straw? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Salt & Straw Ice Cream Coming to Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District! Salt & Straw To Open October 12th in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District! PREVIEW! Disneyland Salt and Straw Ice Cream Location Opening SOON! View the full article

Are you searching for a magical way to celebrate the holiday season this year? How about exclusive access to some attractions, holiday experiences, a special dining opportunity, and more? Guests who purchase this package will enjoy a five-night stay at a select Disney Moderate, Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotel (checking in on Dec. 17 and checking out on Dec. 22, 2018), 4-day theme park tickets with Park Hopper® Option and some exclusive experiences here at the Walt Disney World Resort during their stay. Take a look at the yuletide offerings included in this festive package: • Exclusive Nighttime Access to Toy Story Land on Dec. 17 – Spend time at Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios enjoying Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania. The land will celebrate its’ first holiday season with special decor guests can’t miss. • Celebrate the Season at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on Dec. 18 – Ring in the holiday season with a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park. • Exclusive Nighttime Access to Select Disney’s Animal Kingdom Attractions on Dec. 19 – Enjoy exclusive nighttime access to Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, Expedition Everest and Dinosaur plus an exclusive showing of Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. • Exclusive Early Morning Access to shopping at World of Disney Store & Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail Experience on Dec. 20 – Shop at World of Disney at Disney Springs, and visit this year’s Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail, to enjoy hot chocolate and cotton candy. • Enjoy an Exclusive Holiday Themed Buffet Dinner Event at Epcot on Dec. 21 – Enjoy a holiday-themed buffet dinner event in World Showplace Events Pavillion. Because theme park admission is included in this package, guests will be able to truly enjoy the holidays at our theme parks, with all our other guests including “A Frozen Holiday Wish” at Magic Kingdom Park, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays at Epcot, Flurry of Fun festivities and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Diwali holiday additions to UP! A Great Bird Adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, and much more. Be sure to check out the Holiday Events & Celebrations site for full holiday vacation-planning details. This Walt Disney Travel Company package includes a 5-night stay at select Disney Moderate, Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels plus 4-day theme park tickets with Park Hopper® Option. This offer may be booked between October 22-December 2, for travel occurring December 17-22. For example, you can wrap up this package starting at $175 per person, per night, for a family of four in a garden view room at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. That’s a total package price of $3,500. Price based on 2 adults, 1 junior and 1 child. The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. The number of packages available for purchase is limited. Valid Theme Park admission is required to attend Theme Park events included in this package. Theme park tickets must be used within 14 days of first use. First use must be by December 31, 2019. Special event ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only valid on December 18, 2018. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Offer excludes 3-bedroom Villas, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Walt Disney Travel Company CST# 1022229-50 View the full article

Looking for ways to keep your little one happy while you nosh around World Showcase during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? Well lucky for you Epcot is a kid-friendly theme park all year round – with even more to do during the festival. Besides all the preschool-friendly attractions, there’s Kidcot Fun Spots, Epcot Character Spots, storybook dining, splash pads, and so much more. Here’s what’s happening during the fest that’s just right for wee ones: Embrace their curiosity — Embark on a park-wide scavenger hunt around Epcot with Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak. Kids can get a map and search for Remy who’s hiding in all new places throughout the festival. Keep ‘em moving — Preschoolers love dance parties. The Disney du Jour Dance Party on Fridays and Saturdays nails it with a perfect balance of rotating Disney characters like Lilo and Stitch or Chip ‘n’ Dale, and a lively concert with Radio Disney talent. Play Time — Let your little ones burn off some raw energy while you wait for your FastPass time at the all-new Family Play Zone inspired by Disney “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” It’s in a great location close to Taste Track, so guests can grab a milkshake or treat while watching their kids run around. I have some exciting news to share with you today about the Family Play Zone. This area has been such a big hit with little ones, it’s going to be available for families to enjoy during the festival – and beyond! So if you are looking at something to do this fall with the whole family, check out the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival now through Nov. 12, 2018. View the full article

How-To Draw Sally From Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ View the full article

Ready to indulge in some spooky treats now that October is here? Well, Rosie’s All-American Cafe at Sunset Ranch Market has you covered with their new Happy Halloween desserts menu! Chocolate and Orange Cream Parfait and Peanut Butter and Chocolate Coffin Cake The Happy Halloween menu features the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Coffin Cake and the Chocolate and Orange Cream Parfait. We were feeling spooky, so we slithered over to give everything a try. The Peanut Butter and Chocolate Coffin Cake is made of layered peanut butter and chocolate cake, topped with a glossy chocolate ganache. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Coffin Cake The cake consistency was great and we could definitely taste the chocolate, but the peanut butter flavor was minimal. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Coffin Cake The Chocolate and Orange Cream Parfait consists of layers of chocolate cake and orange cream. It’s topped with gummy worms and popping pearls. Chocolate and Orange Cream Parfait This one is so cute and fun, and kids will probably really enjoy the bursting pearls and gummy worms! It’s the better value of the two Halloween desserts available at Sunset Ranch Market, too. The color was vibrant and festive, but we didn’t taste any actual orange flavor in the orange cream. Chocolate and Orange Cream Parfait You’ll find Sunset Ranch Market on Sunset Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Headed to Magic Kingdom this Halloween Season? Be sure to download our FREE DFB-exclusive Halloween Eats Guide! Will you be trying either of these spooky sweets from the Happy Halloween menu at Sunset Ranch Market? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Disney Food Post Round-Up: October 10, 2010 Corporals and Condiments at the Sunset Ranch Market What’s New Around Walt Disney World: October 20, 2016 View the full article

In celebration of the new global #DreamBigPrincess video series and International Day of the Girl, Disney Parks guests around the world yesterday dressed in outfits inspired by their favorite female Disney characters. Take a look at a few of our favorites! Disney’s “Dream Big, Princess” campaign uses the stories of fictional heroines like Moana and Tiana, and real-life role models to encourage kids around the globe to follow their dreams. The new video series puts the next generation of female storytellers behind the camera to tell the stories of 20 trailblazing women across industries, including Emily Blunt, Jennifer Lee, Kathleen Kennedy, Jo Malone CBE, Robin Roberts, Victoria Arlen and more. Until November 20, 2018, for each like or share of a public video or photo with #DreamBigPrincess on Facebook, Instagram or Instagram or Twitter, Disney Worldwide Services will donate US $1 to Girl Up, the United Nations Foundation’s program supporting girls’ leadership and empowerment (minimum donation: $500,000/maximum donation: $1 million). For more information about Girl Up, go to girlup.org. Thanks to everyone for showing your support on International Day of the Girl by participating in our global Disney bound! And check out the new video series at Disney.com/DreamBigPrincess to learn more about how together we can encourage kids around the globe to follow their dreams. View the full article

Positioned on the shores of Bay Lake at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Reunion Station is a relaxing retreat in which Disney Vacation Club Members can dine and unwind in this private, railroad-station inspired lounge for Members. We are so excited to share that this Member-exclusive lounge access, available as a paid add-on option, is now open for all eligible Disney Vacation Club Members to book and enjoy during their vacation at Walt Disney World Resort. We heard from many Members who were interested in this offering at this beautiful retreat that opened in April; however, they were not staying at the resort. Now, all eligible Members are able to reserve and enjoy the continental breakfast by morning and light bites and beverages by evening with family and friends, and possibly even take in a class or two! We know our Members enjoy experiencing all of the Disney Vacation Club Resorts across Walt Disney World Resort and have individualized vacation plans for their stay and we hope this update will allow for greater flexibility for our Members, while delivering on another wonderful opportunity to relax, refresh and connect. Members may now choose the party size and the number of days to purchase and enjoy this Member experience. Members who add this option (priced at $50 a day + tax for adults and $33 a day + tax for kids ages 3-9) to their vacation will enjoy pastries, fruits, cereals, juices and more from 7-10 a.m. daily, and wine, beer, cheeses, salads, soups, desserts, crudité and more from 4-6 p.m. Disney Vacation Club Members also have access to exciting workshops from Cake Decorating to Phone Photography to Animation 101 and more. The Cake Decorating workshop is priced at $65 per person, and all other workshop offerings are priced at $40 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity) and limits party sizes to a maximum of four people, including the Member. Participants younger than 18 must be accompanied by a paying, participating parent or guardian. Disney Vacation Club Members may call Member Services now for details on how to add Reunion Station food-and-beverage lounge access and workshops to their vacation plans. Reservations may be made 180 days in advance. As a part of Membership Extras, an incidental benefit, these Member benefits are subject to change, availability or termination and may require a fee. Membership Extras are available with eligible ownership interests. Visit http://disneyvacationclub.com/memextraspolicy for more information. View the full article

Dream Big, Princess Video With Leia Mi, Art Director at Shanghai Disney Resort View the full article

International Day of the Girl at Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

Disney’s live-action “Aladdin” won’t arrive until May 24, 2019, but a new trailer suggests the film’s epic sweep. The camera moves over the desert before shifting into a mammoth cave where Aladdin (Mena Massoud) reaches out for the lamp. And that’s all, folks. The trailer doesn’t show Genie (Will... View the full article

Disney’s live-action “Aladdin” won’t arrive until May 24, 2019, but a new trailer suggests the film’s epic sweep. The camera moves over the desert before shifting into a mammoth cave where Aladdin (Mena Massoud) reaches out for the lamp. And that’s all, folks. The trailer doesn’t show Genie (Will... View the full article

Jerry, one of our Disney Parks Moms Panelists, is back to share why he loves his Disney Vacation Club Membership Benefits, which he describes as “great savings, great spaces and places, and fun events,” exclusive for Disney Vacation Club Members and special guests! Jerry and his family love hanging out in the exclusive Member Lounges. At Epcot they love to get a snack, beverage and recharge, and in the evenings they love to head over to Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort to the Top of the World Lounge. This Member Lounge is one of Jerry’s favorite places to relax and unwind after a day in the parks. For more information about Disney Vacation Club or planning your next Disney vacation, visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized answer from one of our knowledgeable panelists. As a part of Membership Extras, an incidental benefit, these member benefits are subject to change, availability or termination and may require a fee. Membership Extras are available with eligible ownership interests. Visit http://disneyvacationclub.com/memextraspolicy for more information. View the full article

To help Hurricane Michael victims, Walt Disney Co. is giving $1 million, the company said. “The families and communities impacted by this devastating hurricane need our help as they begin to rebuild,” said Disney’s CEO Robert Iger. “We will stand with our Gulf Coast neighbors as they recover from... View the full article

There’s just ONE month left for you to enjoy the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! The Festival ends on November 12 – but there is still plenty of time to eat and sip your way through Epcot! Ireland Eats!! And we have the BEST tool for planning your 2018 Food and Wine Festival visit: the DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! And TODAY, the Guide is on sale for 40% off the cover price! Shop NOW! Get the DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival for 40% off the cover price with promo code 40SALE! What’s In the DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Full Daily Schedule of Events The Guide is full of insider tips and advice, a FULL daily schedule of events, FULL booth menus, PLUS all of the other essential information you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. See the full daily schedule of events! The 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival runs until November 12 this year – and every day (even the very LAST day!) has a full slate of Special Events, seminars, Eat to the Beat Concerts, and much more. The DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival gives you the full daily schedule of events right at your fingertips. This schedule is EXCLUSIVE to the DFB Guide — you won’t find it anywhere else, and it’s insanely useful. Marketplace Booth Menus, Recommendations, and Food Pictures The centerpiece of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is of course THE FOOD, and the DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival includes all the booth menus in addition to food photos from every single booth at the Festival! 2018 Ireland Booth Page Having all the booths menus and food photos on your smartphone or tablet while you’re at the Festival makes planning what to eat and drink SO EASY! Check out our Best of 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival HERE! All the Info You Need to Plan Your Visit! The DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival also includes information on the Low-Cost and Free Seminars and Demonstrations including the Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Hands-On Workshops, Back to Basics, and more. Get all the details for Low-cost Seminars at the Festival! You’ll also find detailed information on on EVERY Special Event including Party for the Senses, seminars, food and beverage pairings, and more! The Special Events, including Party for the Senses, continue on select dates through the end of the Festival. Other fun and useful sections in the Guide include a full list of performers for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, Booth Crawls — a fun way to experience the Food and Wine Festival booths, Celebrity Chef Spotlight where you can learn about many of the celebrity chefs coming to the festival, Frequently Asked Questions, how to avoid the crowds, and much more! Find a touring strategy that fits your needs! The DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is the BEST tool for planning your visit to the Festival no matter if you’re going for just one day or for a full week or longer! Use the Guide to plan what food to eat, what Special Events or low-cost seminars to experience, and so much more. Purchase the DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival now – and save 40% off the cover price when you use promo code 40SALE. As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience, and easily installed on your mobile devices. It’s a PDF guide with ​250+ pages of detailed information about the Festival as well as hundreds of photographs and customized bonus items to help you get the best experience possible. ​​​​​​​ This guide is guaranteed to help you better plan a rewarding Food & Wine Festival tour, or your money back! Whether this is your first festival or your 23rd, you’ll appreciate knowing what you are getting before spending time and vacation dollars. Ready to Plan for Your 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Trip? Order the DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book today, and start planning your visit! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2018 edition today! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code 40SALE at check-out for a 40% off the cover price! Do you have plans to attend the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Let us know with a comment. Related posts: Countdown to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! The BEST Way To Plan Your Epcot Food and Wine Festival Trip! Peek INSIDE… It’s HERE! The DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book FINAL EDITION! View the full article

In celebration of International Day of the Girl, the young women from the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up initiative who produced and directed Disney’s new #DreamBigPrincess global video series stopped by Walt Disney World Resort! The video series launched yesterday, sharing the stories of 20 trailblazing women across technology, entertainment, medicine, law, sports, arts, science, fashion and politics to show what’s possible if you dream big. Each video offers advice and inspiration on achieving success for the next generation of young leaders across the globe. During their visit, the aspiring filmmakers enjoyed fan-favorite attractions and entertainment around the resort while Disney bounding as their favorite female Disney characters. Take a look at some of their adventures in the parks! Disney’s “Dream Big, Princess” campaign uses the stories of fictional heroines like Moana and Tiana, and real-life role models to encourage kids around the globe to follow their dreams. Until November 20, 2018, for each like or share of a public video or photo with #DreamBigPrincess on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, Disney Worldwide Services will donate US $1 to Girl Up, the United Nations Foundation’s program supporting girls’ leadership and empowerment (minimum donation: $500,000/maximum donation: $1 million). For more information about Girl Up, go to girlup.org. Check out the new video series at Disney.com/DreamBigPrincess to learn more, and stay tuned for a roundup tomorrow of Disney Parks guests around the world in their Disney bound best! View the full article

What’s better than a home cooked holiday meal? A holiday meal at Walt Disney World! Nearly every restaurant in Disney World features a turkey-based or holiday meal on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. But Disney features special holiday meals at select restaurants throughout Walt Disney World on these holidays every year as well. Disney just announced this year’s list of participating restaurants, so let’s take a look! All You Care to Enjoy Skillet at Whispering Canyon Cafe Thanksgiving Day – November 22, 2018 Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Lunch and dinner Biergarten Restaurant – Lunch and dinner Coral Reef Restaurant – Lunch and dinner Le Cellier Steakhouse – Lunch and dinner Cape May Cafe – Dinner Whispering Canyon Cafe – Lunch and dinner California Grill – Dinner Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room – Lunch and dinner Sanaa – Lunch and dinner Trail’s End Restaurant – Brunch and Dinner Ale & Compass Restaurant – Brunch and dinner Christmas Day – December 25, 2018 Ale & Compass Restaurant – Brunch and dinner Biergarten Restaurant – Lunch and dinner Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room – Lunch and dinner Sanaa – Lunch and dinner Whispering Canyon Cafe – Lunch and dinner Who wouldn’t love having a magical holiday meal at Walt Disney World? Space is limited so be sure to book your reservation to claim your spot! Note: if a particular restaurant isn’t mentioned on the list above, that does not mean they won’t be open and serving on the holidays. It just means that Disney isn’t singling that restaurant out for a super special meal on those days. Don’t miss our 25 Must-Do Disney World Holiday Events blog post to help you plan the best activities for your holiday Disney trip! Also check out this video:  For even MORE holiday info, check out our Disney World Holiday Dining and Events page! Related posts: Moms Panel Magical Memories, or “Chicken Soup for the Disney Foodie Soul” 25 Can’t-Miss Experiences to Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World This Year! Dining in Disney World With Kids, Part 2: Suggestions from the WDW Moms Panel View the full article

Today The Walt Disney Company announced a $1 million contribution to aid in relief efforts across Florida’s Gulf Coast region and other areas impacted by Hurricane Michael. The donation will support disaster response and recovery efforts through the Florida Disaster Fund. “All of us here at Disney have the families and communities impacted by this powerful storm in our hearts,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “Florida has been our home for almost 50 years, and our contribution will support our neighbors as they rebuild their communities in the wake of this powerful storm.” In addition to Disney’s donation announced today, contributions from Disney employees to eligible relief and recovery organizations will be matched dollar for dollar by Disney Employee Matching Gifts: A Program of The Walt Disney Company Foundation. Disney works on an ongoing basis with numerous nonprofit organizations on emergency preparedness efforts, including sharing lifesaving information with families before and during emergencies, having supplies prepositioned and at-the-ready to respond to natural disasters, and providing resources to activate large-scale responses in the event of a disaster. View the full article

Tonight’s After Dark images were snapped at the Haunted Mansion here at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. The Haunted Mansion is my all-time favorite attraction. I love the spine-tingling chills and the “wall-to-wall running creeps,” so much so that it’s a must-do for my family each time we visit the park. Check out these gorgeous shots of the interior of the attraction above – or on our official Disney Parks Blog Instagram account. View the full article

View the full article

We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” today with a special edition of our ongoing tutorial art series. Disney artist Stephen Ketchum from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, who is a big fan of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” film, joins us to share easy step-by-step instructions for bringing Sally to life on paper. As you can see in our video, Stephen begins by lightly drawing an upside-down teardrop and horizontal guidelines to help with facial features to create a perfect Sally. Watch the video for complete instructions and then grab some paper and try it yourself! And if you like Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” as much as we do, the 25th Anniversary Blu-ray Combo Pack is now available at ShopDisney.com. Here are some of our other tutorials: Learn to Draw: Celebrate Spring With Daisy Duck Learn to Draw Aladdin’s Pal, Genie Learn to Draw Tinker Bell Learn to Draw Buzz Lightyear from ‘Toy Story’ Learn to Draw Special Edition: ‘Frozen’ Voice Actor Josh Gad Tests His Skills at Drawing Olaf Learn to Draw Hiro from ‘Big Hero 6′ Learn to Draw Mickey’s Pal Pluto Learn to Draw Baymax From ‘Big Hero 6’ Learn to Draw Rapunzel’s Buddy, Pascal Learn to Draw Stitch Learn to Draw Winnie the Pooh Learn to Draw Jack Skellington Learn to Draw Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Learn How to Draw ‘Frozen’s’ Anna Do You Want to Draw a Snowman? View the full article

So, if you’re thinking, “I sure could go for some potatoes…” well, then, Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom has a little something (or two!) for you! Loaded Mashed Potato Fries and Hot Dog The Featured Hot Diggity Dog of the Month for October is the Loaded Mashed Potato Hot Dog! And when we heard about it, we knew we had to try it. Loaded Mashed Potato Hot Diggity Dog sign As with all the other hot dogs at Casey’s, you can order it in regular size or in a Foot-Long, which is what you see here. Loaded Mashed Potato Hot Diggity Dog Topping the all-beef hot dog are garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, bacon, scallions and sour cream, and green onions. Loaded Mashed Potato Hot Diggity Dog First of all, they don’t skimp on the toppings on these over-the-top dogs, and this month’s Featured Dog is no exception. Loaded Mashed Potato Hot Diggity Dog But wait… there’s more. For a while now, Casey’s has also been serving Monthly Special Loaded Fries. That means you can get the toppings of the Featured Hot Dog on top of French Fries instead. You can purchase them on their own, or upgrade your Hot Dog meal with them for an additional $2.20. Casey’s Corner Menu So that means that this month, you’ve got yourself a heaping helping of Loaded Mashed Potato French Fries! Loaded Mashed Potato Fries Now, in both cases, the mashed potatoes themselves are quite tasty, with a really nice amount of garlic. And the flavors go well with the hot dog — it’s salty, for sure, but with just a hint of sweetness from the caramelized onions. I thought the texture would be super weird, and I also thought it looked off-putting at first. Loaded Mashed Potato Hot Diggity Dog But the mashed potatoes were so soft, it ended up working like a dip, of sorts. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it was pretty good! Unfortunately, though, the garlic still didn’t lend enough flavor variety to the French Fries, which ended up being a case of potato overload. (And I love potatoes.) Loaded Mashed Potato Fries We’ve seen everything from Cheetos-topped Dogs to Buffalo Chicken Dogs and more at Casey’s as of late. And it sure keeps us wondering, “What will Casey think of next month?” You’ll find Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom on Main Street, U.S.A. Take a Food Tour of all the food stops on Main Street in our DFB YouTube Video!  Will you be trying the Hot Diggity Dog of the Month? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Review! We Tried the “Cheetos” Hot Dog in Magic Kingdom! Review: ALL! THE! CHEESE! at Casey’s Corner in the Magic Kingdom What’s NEW at Magic Kingdom: New Starbucks Mugs, Candy Corn Sundae, and MORE View the full article

Here’s a notice for anyone attending the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival this weekend. There has been a change to the Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule on October 13th and 14th. Eat to the Beat Schedule 2018 Originally, Smash Mouth was the scheduled band for those evenings. However, Sister Hazel will now be performing on October 13th and 14th. Screenshot of remaining Eat to the Beat Schedule Eat to the Beat Concerts are free with Epcot admission, and take place three times per evening (5:30pm, 6:45pm, 8:00pm) throughout the duration of the Festival which is running through November 12, 2018. Ready to Plan for Your 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Trip? Order the DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book today! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2018 edition today! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% off the cover price! Related posts: News! 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Preliminary Bands BREAKING!!! 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival NEW Events, Eats, Booking Dates, and More! Eat to the Beat Concert Series Lineup Now Complete for 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival View the full article

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re going on a Disney World Resort Snack Scavenger Hunt! Peanut Butter Pie at the Contemporary Resort So many classic and iconic snacks can be found in the Disney World parks. But the Disney World resort hotels have some snack headliners (as well as some hidden gems) of their own! And lots of them are definitely worth going out of your way for, even if you aren’t staying at a particular Resort! So join us on a Disney World Resort Snack Scavenger Hunt! 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: Which Resort snack would you most like to try? Related posts: DFB Video: How to Master the Disney Dining Plan Disney World Refillable Mug Price Increase 2019 Disney Dining Plans AND Disney World Vacation Packages Announced View the full article

Would you rather … meet Mickey Mouse or get a Mickey ice cream bar on a hot summer day? Well, the stars of the newest Disney Channel series “Coop & Cami Ask the World,” including Ruby Rose Turner, recently visited Walt Disney World Resort and had a blast experiencing all four theme parks. In this new hilarious series, brother and sister, Cooper and Cami Wrather, co-host the online show “Would You Wrather?” in which they ask questions to their followers (called Wratherheads) to help them make small and big questions. We asked Ruby Rose Turner, who plays Cami, questions about her recent trip to Walt Disney World Resort to learn what it was like to visit for the first time. What was it like visiting Walt Disney World for the first time? “An absolute dream come true! Amazing!” What was your favorite Park? “My favorite park was Animal Kingdom – no wait Magic Kingdom – Animal Kingdom – Magic Kingdom – okay it’s a tie!” What was your favorite attraction? “Oh totally the Rock & Rollercoaster at Hollywood Studios!” Was there anything unexpected that happened while at Walt Disney World and if so what was it? “Can you believe the very first thing that happened was that I got to meet Mickey Mouse – unbelievable!” What advice would you give other first-timers? “Make sure to get the map, make a plan, and don’t miss anything! No matter what you do make sure you see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom – they are unforgettable!” Every day is an adventure for the Wrathers and you can experience your own adventure with a Walt Disney World Resort vacation! Catch the premiere of “Coop & Cami Ask the World” tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. on Disney Channel. The second episode will be available immediately following the series’ premiere at 9:00 p.m. in DisneyNOW and on Disney Channel YouTube. View the full article

Every year I’m so impressed by the elaborate costumes Disney fans wear to our Halloween celebrations. The best part about this holiday is that it brings out the fun in everyone. And on a Disney cruise, you know you’re never too old to dress up and join the party! If you’re looking for inspiration for your Halloween costume this year, then check out these photos of Disney cruisers celebrating Halloween on the High Seas. Events like Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party in the atrium, plus Halloween Isn’t Just for Kids in the adults-only nightclub, are some of the ways families and friends come together for some magical mischief and bewitching entertainment. Gallery Costume Inspiration From Halloween on the High Seas view all Want to celebrate Halloween on the High Seas with us next year? Check out these posts to learn more about our spooky bash at sea: Halloween on the High Seas Cruises Haunting Disney Ships this Fall Moms Panel Monday: Halloween on the High Seas Spooky Fun During Halloween on the High Seas Aboard Disney Cruise Line View the full article