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Remember the Peter Pan Float that came flying into Storybook Treats in Magic Kingdom this summer? Well, looks like Peter has started a trend, because even more snacks based on beloved characters are coming to Magic Kingdom soon! Storybook Treats will soon be home to a Tinkerbell treat! Tink’s Pixie-Dusted Cone ©Disney Starting November 1st, Tink’s Pixie-Dusted Cone will feature the same key lime soft serve as in the Peter Pan Float. It will be topped with white chocolate wings, and garnished with green cotton candy… oh, and Pixie Dust, too, of course! Then, on November 7th, The Lunching Pad will serve up a new Space Ranger Slush! This Buzz-worthy slush will be layered with purple grape and green apple slush, complete with a green rock candy straw. Space Ranger Slush ©Disney Also on November 7th, the Wonderland Slush will be found at Cheshire Cafe. Purple grape and pink raspberry lemonade slush will be layered and finished with a pink rock candy straw. Wonderland Slush ©Disney Another snacking tribute to the Cheshire Cat will be the Cheshire Cat Cupcake! Find it throughout November as the Cupcake of the Month in Intermission Food Court at All Star Music Resort. Cheshire Cat Cupcake ©Disney A vanilla cupcake will be filled with pink and purple crispy pearls (!), and topped with strawberry buttercream, chocolate ears, and a chocolate signature grin. Which Disney character would you love to see represented with a snack ? Want to stay informed of ALL the Disney News?? Sign Up for the Disney Food Blog Newsletter and don’t miss a thing! Click HERE to subscribe! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Details! The 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available! With more than 650 pages, the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2018 to save 25% today! Use code WDW2018 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which character snack would you most like to try in November? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Every. Single. Rose Gold Snack. in Disney World What’s New Around Disney World: August 12, 2014 2019 Disney Dining Plans AND Disney World Vacation Packages Announced View the full article

Our Disney Parks Moms Panelists and Disney Vacation Club Members, Tania and Jerry, are back to talk about the amazing Membership benefit: Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic. This exclusive, after-hours event is for Disney Vacation Club Members and special guests. Tania and Jerry recently attended Moonlight Magic at Magic Kingdom Park with each of their families and are here to tell us all about this exciting event! 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

A familiar face was spotted at Disneyland Paris! Actress Salma Hayek stopped by the park recently to enjoy the seasonal festivities and celebrate 90 years of magic with Mickey. In Frontierland, both Mickey and Minnie struck a pose for her in their colorful Mexican costumes and performed a few dance steps together, followed by an encounter with Miguel, the star of the Disney Pixar film “Coco,” at Fuente del Oro Restaurante near Big Thunder Mountain. And of course, what’s a visit to Disneyland Paris without a parade? Salma had the chance to see the brand-new float designed especially to celebrate Mickey’s birthday during the Halloween Cavalcade along the streets of Disneyland Park. There’s so much to do and see at Disneyland Paris during Disney’s Halloween Festival: A Spooky Mouse Skelebration, now until November 4! For more details, check out our blog post on all things Halloween at international Disney Parks. View the full article

October is the perfect month to talk about sweets – with Halloween candy and pumpkin snacks galore, there’s plenty of sugar to go around! But outside of the fall offerings around Walt Disney World Resort, our chefs are always hard at work creating more yummy treats for you. So what’s in store this month? First up is this ADORABLE cone treat at Magic Kingdom Park. Starting on Nov. 1, fly on over to Storybook Treats to take a bite out of Tink’s Pixie-Dusted Cone! All it takes is faith, trust, and a sweet tooth to enjoy this tasty treat made with lime soft-serve and topped with white chocolate “wings,” cotton candy, and just a little bit of Pixie Dust. Speaking of cotton candy, did you know that there’s now PURPLE WALL COTTON CANDY? That’s right! Served at a cart near the purple wall in Tomorrowland, this mixed berry-flavored cotton candy is tasty AND it’ll be the perfect edible accessory for all of your cute pics! Starting November 7, we’ve got a couple new tasty slushes coming to Magic Kingdom Park as well. The first will be blasting off to infinity and beyond at The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland! The Space Ranger Slush has layers of purple grape and green apple slush and comes with a green rock candy straw. The Wonderland Slush will also be available starting November 7 at Cheshire Café. This one comes with layers of purple grape and pink raspberry lemonade slush and a pink rock candy straw. Can’t get enough of the Cheshire Cat? Well I have good news! The Cupcake of the Month at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort is a Cheshire Cat Cupcake! This fun vanilla cupcake is filled with pink and purple crispy pearls and topped with strawberry buttercream, chocolate ears, and a chocolate smile. It will appear at Intermission Food Court during the month of November. Craving caramel apple? Try out the Caramel Apple Cupcake at Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park! It’s a vanilla cupcake with apple pie filling topped with caramel buttercream, a salted caramel drizzle, streusel crumbs, and a house-made apple chip. Finally, at Disney Springs I’ve got the perfect refreshing treat for a hot Florida day: these Buzz Pop Cocktails available at Paddlefish! Guests 21 and over can try one of the many fruity flavors such as Caribbean Breeze Sorbet, Lemon Drop Martini Sorbet, Blueberry Mania Sorbet, and more. Are you as excited for these sweet treat as I am? Come on out and taste them for yourselves! For more info and full menus for the locations listed above, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website. View the full article

Heather and Clark Ensminger breathed sighs of relief when their Los Angeles-bound plane took off from Florida on time: Their biggest hurdle was now eliminated for achieving their goal of visiting six Disney parks on two coasts in one day. They succeeded Wednesday, visiting four Disney parks in... View the full article

Our Disneyland correspondent, Heather, found the cutest new snack-themed pouches in Downtown Disney in Disneyland! Dole Whip Pouch Of course, everyone’s favorite classic Disney snacks are part of the collection. Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar Pouch You’ll find Dole Whip Floats, Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bars, and Churros! (Yep those are churros. Not baguettes.) Churro Pouch Churro Pouch And last but not least, possibly the most important: Snack Money Pouch A pouch to hold your snack money. Snack Money Pouches These adorable snack-themed pouches retail for $19.99 each and can be found on both coasts! Which one is your favorite!? Check out our Disneyland Food Reviews Here!! Heather Sievers is DisneyFoodBlog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist! Check out more of her adventures at @DininginDisney on Instagram! Related posts: Review: The Brand New Disneyland Splitsville Luxury Lanes! Taste of Downtown Disney Returning to Disneyland Resort in September! Earl of Sandwich Re-Opens in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney For a Limited Time View the full article

“Here comes Sandy Claws…” Tonight’s Disney Parks After Dark photography takes us to Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park. Not only does 2018 mark the 25th anniversary of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” but also the 18th time that Jack Skellington has visited the 999 Happy Haunts who dwell in the Haunted Mansion, transforming this attraction into Haunted Mansion Holiday. Each year, Jack dresses up as “Sandy Claws” as he and his ghost dog Zero bring ghoulish delights from Halloween Town to visit Disneyland Park. One of Jack’s favorite holiday traditions is leaving a special treat for the ghosts who dance around the Haunted Mansion’s Grand Hall. The annual centerpiece for this “waltz of the weird” is always a huge, creepy gingerbread creation. Jack delivers new and thrilling surprises every year. Check out the behind-the-scenes look at this year’s gingerbread house here. Experience Haunted Mansion Holiday now through January 6, 2019. View the full article

Walt Disney Co. will preserve much of the management team at the Fox film studio as the Burbank entertainment company prepares to absorb 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets into its business. Disney on Thursday said it would keep multiple top Fox film executives, including longtime production... View the full article

We occasionally hear chatter from readers who think Walt Disney World kicks off the Halloween season too early. After all, the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party was on August 17 — 2.5 months before the actual holiday and, really, still in the throes of a sweltering summer in central Florida (not unlike today). But one thing you’ve gotta give the Disney Parks props for is providing plenty of seasonal snacks to keep us interested. Enter this Halloween Cupcake, spotted all over Animal Kingdom! Halloween Cupcake Ghost Mickey? Check. Pumpkin with requisite bright green vines? Check. Fall spices? Giant check! This cute addition to the seasonal snack list is comprised of a yellow cake, pumpkin mousse filling, cinnamon buttercream, a white chocolate edible image, and a fondant pumpkin. Halloween Cupcake The Halloween Cupcake is available in multiple locations in Animal Kingdom, including Creature Comforts, the park’s Starbucks location. And it’s really a cupcake well-suited to accompany a cup of coffee. Halloween Cupcake You can ask for one from the cast members there, or grab one in this handy to-go container, find yourself a seat outside, and enjoy fall! Halloween Cupcake Grab and Go from Creature Comforts! The cake base is simple and, we think, a little smaller than the average Disney World cupcake (and we, like, really know our WDW cupcakes!). But the cinnamon buttercream is wonderful! It’s distinctively flavorful without overdoing it. And the warmth of the spice balances well with the sweetness of the frosting. Halloween Cupcake We also love the festive decorations on top. The fondant pumpkin is vibrant orange, with a little green stem for good measure. Fondant decorations don’t knock our socks off for flavor or texture, but this is well-done and cheerful. Halloween Cupcake The edible ghost is on a sliver of white chocolate, which is just straight sweet. So maybe break off a piece of that to share (but keep the cupcake for yourself!). The green grass frosting is always a fun addition. Halloween Cupcake Inside the Halloween Cupcake is pumpkin mousse. The filling is small, so it imparts only a small (but pleasant) pumpkin flavor. If you prefer to be hit over the head with pumpkin, this won’t be enough for you. But if you’re looking to simply supplement your cupcakes with a bit of pumpkin, this will do it. Us? We like the pumpkin. So we would have preferred a larger cake base with more filling on this one. Pumpkin Mousse Halloween, we love you — in real life and in our Disney life. This Halloween Cupcake is a great addition — subtle in the right ways and as playful as we want to be this time of year. If you’re exploring Animal Kingdom, this is a fun way to fuel your adventures! Check out our fun at the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party of the season in this DFB Guide video! Does this cupcake sound like a trick or a treat? Let us know what you think in the comments below! Related posts: 25 Can’t-Miss Experiences to Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World This Year! Disney World Mac and Cheese Gallery What’s New at Animal Kingdom and the All-Star Resorts: November 27, 2017 View the full article

You’ve probably seen the Elf on the Shelf during the holidays. He’s that rather mischievous plush elf that you, or your family and friends, have hidden around your house during December for your kiddos to find every morning. You know, the one that you think will be SO FUN for your kids but ends up being the bane of your existence throughout the month of December? Yeah, him. Well, Disney has come up with their own version of Elf on a Shelf (of course)…and we’ve got to say he is the perfect character to be a mischievous “elf”! Stitch Elf on the Shelf Yep, it’s Experiment 626, better know as Stitch! Ready moms and dads??? Ready???? You already know Stitch is quite the character, but with that wink you know he will be on the naughty list this year! Stitch Elf on the Shelf The backstory for this “elf” is this is his first winter on planet earth and he needs to learn your holiday traditions. You are encouraged to share your celebrations with him and make him a part of your family. As it says “…after all, the holidays are all about celebrating ‘ohana.” And of course you’re supposed to “hide and display him each day around your home.” Thanks, Disney. Stitch Elf on the Shelf Yes, he has a Nice, but also a Naughty side. He might be quietly reading the book that comes with him, or more likely ripping the pages out! Stitch Elf on the Shelf Stitch is poseable, so you’ll be able to have adventures around your house with him and your kiddos all December-long. Lucky, lucky you! Stitch Elf on the Shelf We spotted this in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’re likely to see him in more locations in the parks and resorts as Christmas gets closer and more merchandise is released. So, is Stitch coming home with you this holiday season?? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! 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. Pre-order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2018 and get the 2017 edition as a free, instant download! 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 Pre-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! Related posts: 25 Must-Do Disney World Holiday Events — and Eats! Disney World Mac and Cheese Gallery Disney FOOD CHALLENGE! Can You Eat All 19 Of Our Favorite Mickey-Shaped Foods?!? View the full article

Kristen Bell raised her concerns over the messages “Snow White” might be introducing to young girls, making her the second Disney actress this week to take issue with some of the media company’s older movies. The “Frozen” actress says she’s made it a point to discuss topics such as consent and... View the full article

It’s no secret that Disney Parks festivals are some of the best (and tastiest) around. At Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot celebrates cultures and cuisines from around the globe with four internationally-inspired festivals: the (currently running) International Food & Wine Festival, the International Festival of the Holidays, the International Festival of the Arts, and the International Flower & Garden Festival. And over a Disneyland Resort, you’ll find the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival as well as the Disney Festival of Holidays. Each of these events celebrates Disney storytelling through art, music, horticulture, and most importantly – FOOD! And now you can bring the flavors of all six festivals to your own kitchen with the new Disney Festivals Cookbook. Written by Disney Foodie Pam Brandon, this delicious cookbook features a collection of recipes from each Disney festival on both coasts. This cookbook is available NOW in select merchandise locations at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort and will be available on both coasts during each of the festivals. And on Friday, Oct. 26 from 3 to 4 p.m., you can come out to the Festival Center at Epcot for a book signing with Pam! To give you a sneak peek, here’s a recipe from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – the Beef and Mushroom Burger served with brie cheese fondue and truffle and blue cheese potato chips. And if you’re at Epcot for the festival, this yummy burger can be found at the Earth Eats Marketplace located in Future World. The Steakhouse Blended Burger with Brie Cheese Fondue and Truffle and Blue Cheese Potato Chips From the Earth Eats Marketplace at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Serves 6 INGREDIENTS Beef and Mushroom Burger • 2 teaspoons canola oil • 12 ounces button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced 1/4-inch thick • 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper • 2 1/4 pounds ground beef, 80/20 blend • Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper Brie Fondue • 4 ounces Brie cheese • 1 tablespoon butter • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour • 1 cup whole milk • Pinch coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper • 1/2 teaspoon truffle oil Truffle and Blue Cheese Potato Chips • 2 russet potatoes, peeled and sliced very thin with mandoline • 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying • 2 teaspoons truffle oil • 1 teaspoon blue cheese powder or blue cheese crumbles • 1/8 teaspoon popcorn salt For Serving • 6 brioche buns • 2 cups arugula INSTRUCTIONS For Beef and Mushroom Burger 1. Heat canola oil in sauté pan over medium heat until oil starts to shimmer. Add mushrooms, garlic, salt and pepper. 2. Cook mushrooms down until tender and liquid has evaporated, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. 3. Finely chop cooled mushrooms. Transfer to large bowl and add ground beef, mixing well. Form 6 patties and refrigerate until ready to cook. For Brie Fondue 1. Place Brie in freezer for about 20 minutes. 2. Melt butter in medium-size sauté pan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly until mixture is caramel colored. 3. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly to avoid clumps. 4. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cook until mixture starts to thicken. 5. Remove Brie from freezer. With sharp knife, remove rind from cheese and cut into small chunks. 6. Add cheese to milk mixture in batches, constantly whisking until all ingredients are melted and mixture thickens. 7. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. 8. Finish with truffle oil just before serving. Taste and add more truffle oil, to taste. For Truffle and Blue Cheese Potato Chips 1. Blanch potato slices in boiling water for about 2 minutes. Remove from water and dry on baking tray. 2. Add vegetable oil to deep stock pot and heat to 350°F. 3. Once oil is hot, add potatoes and fry chips until golden brown and crispy, frying in batches if necessary. 4. Remove chips from oil, drain on paper towels and place in mixing bowl. 5. Drizzle with truffle oil and gently toss; sprinkle with blue cheese powder or crumbles and salt. To Serve 1. Remove burgers from refrigerator and season with salt and pepper. 2. Grill to desired doneness. 3. Lightly grill buns on cut side. 4. Place handful of arugula on bottom of each bun, then top with burger. Ladle about 2 tablespoons of cheese fondue on top. 5. Add handful of truffle chips, then top with bun. 6. Serve immediately. Cook’s Note: You can always use blue cheese crumbles in this recipe, or find blue cheese powder at online gourmet specialty shops. It’s made by dehydrating blue cheese and it adds a rich, velvety texture and sharp, earthy flavor—try it on popcorn or add to salad dressings and dips. What to drink: Go red or white—a fruity red Chilean or New Zealand Pinot Noir, or a creamy, subtly oaked Chardonnay. View the full article

Disney Springs at Walt Disney World is a shopping and dining district with — believe it or not! — over 100 shops! And one of our favorite stops is the Marketplace Co-Op, which houses several shopping experiences and often serves as a petri dish for items that eventually make their way into the Parks. Marketplace Co-op in Disney Springs And three new shops have recently popped up — including Lovepop! Lovepop is billed as selling “a new kind of greeting card”, making it a one-of-a-kind spot to buy just the right card. Lovepop Display Lovepop cards are, indeed, more than a typical greeting card. In fact, they are hand-assembled works of art crafted with 3-D printed components designed on cutting-edge software. So while the front of the card might look like this: Darth Vader Card The inside might look like this: Darth Vader That’s some fabulous design, if you’re asking us! And Star Wars fans will want to know they can also get their pretty little lightsabers on the Millennium Falcon as well. Millennium Falcon There are loads of card designs to choose from, with the simple fronts always disguising something magical inside. Display at Lovepop Lovepop Display There are plenty of 3-D pop-ups on display, so you can admire these like the works of art they really are! Lovepop Display Lovepop Display Lovepop Display There’s a lot of technical lingo about how these cards are made, but when you look at one, what matters most is how absolutely stunning they are! Right now there are seasonal cards for Halloween. Pumpkins Boo! Skeleton Bear And there are plenty of pop culture classics, too — like this collection of Beatles cards! Beatles Box Set Abbey Road These cards are totally awesome, and they’re soooooo much more than a traditional greeting card! They’re display-worthy, and they truly pop with love. Want to stay on top of alllllll the latest Disney news? Sign up for our totally free DFB Newsletter and you’ll never miss a thing! What would you love to see in a Lovepop card? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Where To Find Pumpkin-Filled Churros in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs! The Best Cookie In Disney World. And You Don’t Even Have To Pay for a Park Ticket! 25 Can’t-Miss Experiences to Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World This Year! View the full article

Walt Disney World Resort is building a new hotel with more than 900 beds on Bay Lake where the former River Country water park was once located, the company said Thursday. The unnamed deluxe resort, set to open in 2022, will be in between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort... View the full article

World of Disney at Disney Springs, the world’s largest Disney store, has been undergoing a major refurbishment and reimagining for the last ten months. The Grand Reopening is on Saturday, October 27, but Disney Food Blog got a sneak peak today! Come along with us to see what’s new and what you can expect to see over the next few weeks. World of Disney World of Disney‘s new design offers a more modern look and a spacious, open floor plan. With 50,000 square feet of cuteness, you might just find a few things you can’t live without. Many NEW sections of the store are open to the public today. There’s a whole new Mickey Mouse Club collection, too (more on that soon!): Mickey Mouse Club Merch at World of Disney Pixar Merch at World of Disney Pixar Candy at World of Disney World of Disney World of Disney World of Disney World of Disney World of Disney And the rest of the store opens on Saturday, October 27. New Holiday Merchandise at World of Disney! Yep — there’s a LOT of new holiday merchandise dropping TODAY at World of Disney in Disney Springs! We’ll show you more in an upcoming post, but here are a few sneak peeks! These fuzzy ears are perfect for the season. New Holiday Ears at World of Disney And spirit jerseys in red and (plaid) black are perfect for your leggings-and-latte wardrobe! (“Leggings-and-Latte Wardrobe”? I should trademark that, right?!) Holiday Spirit Jerseys at World of Disney This new holiday shirt is basically tailor-made for yours truly. New Holiday T-Shirts at World of Disney New Holiday T-Shirts at World of Disney And LOOK AT THESE CUTIES!!!! Holiday Pluto, Goofy, Mickey, and Minnie at World of Disney So much holiday cheer for your kitchen as well. New Holiday Merchandise at World of Disney Here’s the new style for the gingerbread popcorn this year! Gingerbread Popcorn at World of Disney Fun New Tees Pop Up at World of Disney Super great new t-shirts have shown up at the new World of Disney! We’re loving the Insert Snacks Here design…though we’ve never really needed a map to figure that out. New T-Shirt Designs at World of Disney New T-Shirt Designs at World of Disney The castle blueprint is super fun. And do you know anyone who needs the “I tried to be happy, but I got bored.” shirt? ;-D New T-Shirt Designs at World of Disney New T-Shirt Designs at World of Disney New Alice in Wonderland Merchandise Line at World of Disney Alice and her companions have a whole new line for themselves as well! We LOVED it! Alice in Wonderland March at World of Disney Check out this cute “spin me” Teacup change purse! Teacup Purse at World of Disney Talking Doorknob Pouch at World of Disney NEW Mickey Mouse Club Merchandise Line You’ll also find some amazing Mickey Mouse Club merchandise dropping today at World of Disney. We’ll have a full tour of this for you later, but here’s a sneak peek! Mickey Mouse Club Collection Mickey Mouse Club Collection plush dolls Mickey Mouse Club Collection backpack Fun right? Stay tuned! Mickey and Minnie Ears and Hats at World of Disney in Disney Springs So this crazy cute, brand new ear headband is part of the new Mickey Mouse Club collection at World of Disney! But there are plenty of other ears where that came from… . Mickey Mouse Club Ear Headband at World of Disney See what I mean? Ears and Hats at World of Disney Ears and Hats at World of Disney Not an ear person? That’s alright — they’ve got you covered, too. Literally. WOD’s hat game is strong. Ears and Hats at World of Disney Ears at Hats at World of Disney And this new rainbow-y clutch just fit right in with the ears…so we had to show you! Ear Pouch at World of Disney SO Many Special Details… We always know that there’s more than meets the eye at any Disney location. Details at World of Disney After looking around a bit, we found these intricate etchings in the register cabinets of all places! You can find the hitchhiking ghosts… Beware of Hitchhiking Ghosts! …this hard-to-spot carving depicting Walt’s Silly Symphonies Flowers and Trees animation… Details at World of Disney …this awesome Ugly Duckling image… Details at World of Disney …and more!! We’ll be back later today with a TON of detailed info and photo tours of the new World of Disney, but in the meantime, let us know your thoughts below! What do you think of the new World of Disney? Let us know in the comments below! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available! With more than 650 pages, the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2018 to save 25% today! Use code WDW2018 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Related posts: News: Free Pastry with Purchase of a Caricature at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs! News and Review: Donut Nuggets at D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs! 36 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do at Walt Disney World! View the full article

A new resort is coming to Disney World! This deluxe Resort will be “themed to complement its natural surroundings” on the shoreline of Bay Lake, tucked between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Nature-Inspired Resort Concept Art © Disney The Resort will house more than 900 hotel rooms as well as proposed Disney Vacation Club villas. George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort, shared: “Walt Disney World is in the midst of our most significant expansion in the last two decades and the combined 1,700 new hotel rooms and proposed Disney Vacation Club villas we are building at four different resorts will create thousands of new construction and permanent jobs and will drive economic opportunity and incremental revenue for Central Florida. We continue to add new attractions, new lands — and these beautiful accommodations will be right in the heart of all that magic.” The as-yet-unnamed Resort will be Disney’s 16th Disney Vacation Club property, and will welcome guests in 2022. The ongoing construction of Coronado Springs Resort will result in 545 additional guest rooms, while the previously announced Riviera Resort (opening in 2019) will house 300 units. Disney Riviera Resort Concept Art ©Disney And, of course, the Star Wars hotel will bring additional guests into its uniquely immersive experience. Star Wars-themed hotel artwork ©Disney Which one are you most excited about ? Want to stay informed of ALL the Disney News?? Sign Up for the Disney Food Blog Newsletter and don’t miss a thing! Click HERE to subscribe! Keep posted on all the BIG CHANGES coming to Walt Disney World in our DFB YouTube Video!  What do you think of the newly announced Resort? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: News: Geyser Point Bar & Grill Opening Summer 2017 at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge First Look and Review: Geyser Point Bar and Grill at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Review: The New Chuck Wagon Fresh Fixin’s Food Truck at Fort Wilderness Campground View the full article

Today is World Okapi Day, and I believe there’s no better way to celebrate this magnificent animal than announcing the birth of one more! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is celebrating the birth of a rare okapi, who was born on Oct. 1 to mom Zelda. Weighing in at 54 pounds, the calf was up and mobile within the first hour of his birth. He has been nursing and bonding with his mom. The pair will remain in a backstage habitat for the next few months before joining the animals on the savanna. The calf’s parents – mom Zelda and dad Mandazi – were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and ensures responsible breeding of threatened and endangered species. When I visited the okapi care team recently, keeper Kim Thomson expressed how excited she was to care for a new calf and how it changes the dynamics of her team’s routine. “We will spend a lot of time conducting observations on mom and calf making sure the calf is bonding well with mom, nursing well and basically hitting all of the milestones we would expect of a growing okapi,” Kim said. Okapis are an endangered species found in rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Known as the ghosts of the forest, okapis are shy, reclusive and rarely encountered in the wild. In fact, they weren’t even discovered until 1901. There are an estimated 20,000 okapi in the world, and their population continues to decline due to poaching and habitat loss from commercial logging and mining. Through the Disney Conservation Fund and our involvement in the AZA’s Species Survival Plan, I’m proud to say Disney has been at the forefront of okapi conservation for many years. We have a long-standing relationship with the Okapi Conservation Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In fact, the AZA recently recognized Disney’s Animal Kingdom for its contributions to the Okapi Conservation Project. To learn more about okapis and other animals you can visit at the Walt Disney World Resort, visit DisneyAnimals.com. View the full article

There’s a whole lot of Disney dancing and singing on the way from “Dancing With the Stars.” Both editions of the dance contest are staging Disney Night on Disney-owned ABC. The original series, at 8 p.m. Monday, will present Andrea Bocelli and son Matteo Bocelli performing “Fall on Me.” The song... View the full article

We’re “paws”-ing from our regular coverage to show you some of the fun finds in the new Disney Tails store in the Marketplace Co-op in Disney Springs! Disney Tails Why? Well, because a lot of this is too cute not to share! Disney Tails Disney Tails And you just might find a little something for your own little Lady or Tramp (or Thomas O’Malley, even) in this spot filled with items for our furry friends! Disney Tails You gotta love this warm wrap for your pup… it’s an Ugly Christmas “Sweater” and Mickey Ears all in one! Christmas Dog Gear in Disney Tails There’s no shortage of pet wear on display. Comfort Harnesses And these include the adorable Haunted Mansion Cast Member costume comfort harnesses. Haunted Mansion merchandise in Disney Tails Other Haunted Mansion items include this Madame Leota squeeze toy! Madame Leota Squeeze Toy And your pet can have a bit of their own Disney Castle with cozy cushions and cubbies. Cubbie Cushions This is just a small glimpse of what’s in store… you can see even more Disney Tails merchandise — including the Star Wars line — here. But for now, we’re signing “arf” from the new Disney Tails in Disney Springs! Want to stay informed of ALL the Disney News?? Sign Up for the Disney Food Blog Newsletter and don’t miss a thing! Click HERE to subscribe! Will you be stopping by Disney Tails? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Spotted: More Fun Merchandise at Disney Springs Marketplace Co-op Dole Whip Dress Debuts in Disney Parks! Three New Retail Stops Coming to Disney Springs View the full article

In March, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger announced an innovative plan to dedicate more than $100 million in company resources, including cash, products and services, to reinvent the patient and family experience in children’s hospitals across the globe, as part of the Disney Team of Heroes initiative. Disney is already working with patient care experts to help create more personalized and comforting experiences for patients and families. The first hospital to work with Disney in this comprehensive new approach was Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. Last week, Disneyland Resort President Josh D’Amaro announced that CHOC Children’s in Orange County, California has been selected to participate in this program. “We are proud to provide our resources and creativity to CHOC Children’s to support the amazing work they do,” D’Amaro said. “We hope to deliver some joy to CHOC’s young patients by infusing their hospital stays with some Disney magic.” Disney will work with patient care experts at CHOC to create a combination of customized experiences with favorite Disney characters and legendary creativity. The atmosphere will help provide moments of joy and inspiration to young patients and their families, helping to ease the stress of a hospital stay. The patient and family experience will be brought to life in ways only Disney can do, using interactive technology, storytelling and fun. “We are thrilled to partner with Disney to leverage the power of imagination, creativity and make believe in creating memorable experiences for our patients. We believe nothing – especially illness or injury – should put childhood on pause,” says Kimberly Chavalas Cripe, president and CEO, CHOC Children’s. The program also will include customer-experience training for doctors, nurses and staff. The Disney Institute will create a customized program for healthcare professionals designed to enhance the patient and family experience. Disney has a rich history of providing comfort and inspiration to families with children facing serious illness dating back to Walt Disney, who was on the community committee that helped open CHOC. From Walt Disney’s early fundraising efforts for the hospital and the annual CHOC Walk in the Park to the $5 million gift from the Disneyland Resort toward the construction of CHOC’s newest tower, including the interactive “Turtle Talk” show in the lobby, this new initiative will expand on Disney’s legacy of providing moments of joy for CHOC patients. View the full article

Do you have Instagram Envy every time you see your friends brag about their day at Castaway Cay? Lucky for you, most of our cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean stop there, which means you, too, can flaunt your pics of our gorgeous private island. No filter required! Once you choose your tropical getaway to Castaway Cay, read up on these eight things to know before you visit … 1. The island is your own slice of Bahamian paradise. Castaway Cay is reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests, and only one ship docks there at a time. This means you get more of that powdery white sand to yourself as you enjoy the island’s lush landscape and turquoise waters. Plus, Bahamian shops and a post office add local flavor to your day in the Abacos. 2. All that you need for a fun beach day is included. Towels, beach chairs, umbrellas? We’ve got you covered. Lunch? A delicious all-you-care-to-eat buffet and soda fountains are steps away from the family beach. The only thing you need to bring is sunblock (though if you forget it, you can always purchase a bottle at one of the island’s shops). 3. It’s easy to get around. The dock at Castaway Cay means you’re one step closer to fun in the sun since you don’t need to take a tender boat from the ship. Then it’s just a short walk to the tram, which will take you to various points on the 1,000-acre island. Want a more adventurous way to explore? Rent a bicycle and stretch your sea legs! 4. The island is a haven for water sport enthusiasts. Take a banana boat thrill ride or cast off on a fishing tour. In addition to more than a dozen guided Port Adventures out on the water, paddleboats, water cycles, sea kayaks, sailboats, stand-up paddle boards and snorkel gear are all available to rent. 5. Your stateroom key card is gold. You’ll need it to get off and on the ship and make purchases on the island. Treat your family to frozen drinks at the Olaf-inspired Summertime Freeze or yourself to Bahamian specialty drinks at one of the bars. Then shop our collection of exclusive Castaway Cay merchandise at She Sells Sea Shells…and Everything Else! 6. There’s something for everyone. Just like on the ship, kids, tweens and teens have activities and spaces designed specifically for them. And while your little ones ages 3-12 are hanging out with the youth counselors at Scuttle’s Cove, you can get some “me time” at our pristine stretch of beach reserved for adults. 7. Castaway Cay has all the ingredients for fun and relaxation. Fly high above the island on a parasail adventure, snorkel in a 12-acre lagoon, or lounge in a hammock gazing at the crystal-clear waters. Start the day off right with yoga on the beach, or for the ultimate indulgence, schedule a massage in a private cabana at the adult-exclusive Serenity Bay. 8. Disney pals join the fun on the island, too. You won’t want to miss a warm hug from Olaf or a high-five from Goofy. Bring your camera for that perfect photo opp with Mickey and the gang wearing island attire in front of a picturesque backdrop—turquoise water, silky sand and swaying palm trees. Want a taste of the island life? Check out which of our cruises you can take to visit this one-of-a-kind destination! View the full article

It’s been a busy week in Epcot! We found food updates, construction, completed refurbs, new rides and restaurants, plus more new merch! Join us at Epcot to see what we found! Welcome to Epcot But first, don’t forget…there’s less than a month left in the Food and Wine Festival — our very favorite thing in Epcot! Be sure to check this year’s festival out before it ends! Guardians of the Galaxy Construction The Universe of Energy is transforming before our eyes as it becomes the queue building for the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride! Check out all of the photos and the update from this week here. Universe of Energy/Guardians of the Galaxy Construction Ratatouille Ride and Skyliner Construction Progress Over in France and the International Gateway areas there’s a lot going on. They are adding the new Ratatouille ride behind the France Pavilion and building the new Skyliner Station for Epcot in the International Gateway area. Check out all of the photos and the update from this week. Ratatouille Ride Construction Epcot Construction Update We also collected updates on the progress of the new Signature Table-Service Restaurant in Japan, Puffin’s Roost in Norway, and Germany’s Bier cart refurbishment. Check out all of the photos and the updates from this week. Construction on New Restaurant in Japan Pavilion Food and Beverage Updates Around the World Showcase Hard seltzer is the new hard soda! In the American Adventure Pavilion, they have added White Claw Black Cherry Hard Seltzer to the Ice Cream and Beverage Cart in the pavilion. America Ice Cream and Drinks Cart America Ice Cream and Drinks Cart After the Tire Jack-o-Lantern Straw made it’s journey from DCA Cars Land to Animal Kingdom, then Hollywood Studios, it is now also available in Epcot in the America Pavilion! Pick this spooky straw up at Liberty Inn the next time you are there. Tire Jack-o-Lantern Straw Tire Jack-o-Lantern Straw Italy’s Pop-Up Wine Bar has returned! This first showed up last year but then disappeared. We’ll see if this time it stays longer! Italy Pop-Up Wine Bar Italy Pop-Up Wine Bar Currently, the specialty drink at the Pop-Up Wine Bar is a Bellini al Melograno. Bellini al Melograno at Italy Pop-Up Wine Bar Welcome Back Pumpkin Spice Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich! This is for all you Pumpkin Spice fans out there! Guess what’s back in Epcot’s France Pavilion? You guessed it: the Pumpkin Spice Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich at L’Artisan des Glaces!! L’Artisan des Glaces Pumpkin Spice Macaron Sandwich New Merchandise All Over the Park We spotted some new Princess merch in France featuring Belle, Cinderella, and Aurora. There’s shirts, mugs, and some home products in this line featuring a more mature look for princesses. Princess Home Items The Tea Caddy in the UK Pavilion is ready for winter nights with an assortment of Twinings Winter Blends teas. UK Tea Caddy Twinings Winter Blends We spotted this cute Orange Bird Shirt in Mouse Gear. Plus there’s a new Monsters University Mug, Spaceship Earth MagicBand, and some merch from the Animation Celebration. See it all here! Hello Sunshine! This was another jam-packed visit to Epcot! Keep up with all of our park updates by following DFB! And be sure to get to the Food and Wine Festival this year — it’s a can’t miss! Check out our 2018 Food and Wine Festival Best of the Fest! When you’re done – check out all of our Videos on You Tube!  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! 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 Chefs at check-out for a 20% off the cover price! Related posts: Princess, Monsters, Orange Bird and MORE Merch Spotted in Epcot This Week! Construction Updates: A New Restaurant and Refurbishment News from Epcot What’s New in Disney World’s Epcot! August 6, 2018 View the full article

If we aren’t eating in Epcot, it’s likely because we are shopping! We found some additional merchandise items in a new line that launched in the park earlier this summer. Princess Home Items We already spotted this line featuring Belle on shirts, bags and home items. And now Aurora and Cinderella have been added to the line. The line includes the pillow above as well as this serving tray and trinket/jewelry box. Princess Home Items Princess Home Items Each Princess also has some items just to herself . Cinderella Mug Cinderella Mug What do you think of these more mature renderings of the princesses? Let us know in the comments! Cinderella Shirt Cinderella Makeup Bag Aurora is also featured on some items by herself. Aurora Mug Aurora Shirt Meanwhile, over in the UK Pavilion, the Tea Caddy is getting ready for winter with Twinings Winter Blends on display! UK Tea Caddy Twinings Winter Blends UK Tea Caddy Twinings Winter Blends There’s all sorts of flavors from Berry to Peppermint to snuggle up with on cold winter nights. UK Tea Caddy Twinings Winter Blends UK Tea Caddy Twinings Winter Blends Which flavor will you be adding to your tea collection this winter? UK Tea Caddy Twinings Winter Blends We also found this cheerful Orange Bird Shirt in Mouse Gear! How cute is he wearing his Mickey Ears?! Hello Sunshine! If you need some inspiration with your coffee in the morning, try this Monsters University Mug. Monsters U Mug We spotted these Spaceship Earth MagicBands in Mouse Gear as well. Spaceship Earth MagicBand Spaceship Earth MagicBand Lastly, there is still some merch available in Mouse Gear from the Animation Celebration event held in August. Be sure to grab these while you can, as these will not be replaced. Animation Celebration Shirt Animation Celebration Shirt There’s also a bag and Tervis Tumbler available from the event. Animation Celebration Bag Animation Celebration Tervis Tumbler While in Mouse Gear we also spotted some updated packaging for the Goofy’s Candy Co. Bagged Candy. Sour Gummi Worms from Goofy’s Candy Company Where’s your favorite place to shop in Epcot? Let us know in the comments! Are you hungry after all that shopping? Check out our Disney World Resort Snack Scavenger Hunt! When you’re done – check out all of our Videos on You Tube!  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don’t Miss Out on the ALL the Best Snacks Walt Disney World Has to Offer! Get four awesome e-Books FULL of Disney park dining advice, bundled for 30% off the already discounted price! Yep, we’ve scoured the parks to find any and all snack choices — from the mundane to the spectacular — and we tell you all about them (with full-color pictures!) in our snack guides! These are updated every year, so you know your guide will be perfect for your upcoming trip, and they’re bundled with our DFB Guide to WDW Dining! This money-saving bundle includes all of the following: The 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks All four are being sold together — for 30% off the already hugely discounted bundle price. Use code BUNDLE18 at check out to get the discount. It’s a $63 value for under $30!! With this Bundle of e-books you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips to plan the best Disney World vacation ever. And with our handy e-book format, you can download the Guides to all of your electronic devices and take them with you wherever you go! And with our 100% money-back guarantee, what do you have to lose? Related posts: What’s New in Disney World’s Epcot! August 6, 2018 Disney Holiday Preview: Christmas Traditions and Delicious Finds in Epcot’s UK Pavilion DFB Video: Food Tour of Epcot’s United Kingdom View the full article

Hey, there! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re sharing 25 AMAZING Disney World dishes that you’ve never heard of, but we think you HAVE to try! Grapefruit Cake Martini Sure, you’ve heard of Dole Whip, Mickey Ice Cream Bars, and maybe even the Kitchen Sink. But how about the Grapefruit Cake Martini? Or Loaded Potato Puffs? We’ve got a HUGE list of twenty-five Disney World dishes that really should make your list of things you’ve just got to try the next time you’re in the parks or Resorts! And they’re all 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: Which of these dishes makes your Must-Try list? Related posts: DFB Video: How to Master the Disney Dining Plan DFB Video: Tips for Eating Gluten Free in Walt Disney World DFB Video: Must-Eat Disney World Snacks for CHEESE LOVERS! View the full article

On Wednesday, a couple from Tennessee embarked on the Disney adventure of a lifetime. Their mission: Visit every Disney theme park in the United States in less than 24 hours. Heather and Clark Ensminger arrived in Orlando Tuesday night and spent the evening at Disney Springs relaxing before their grand endeavor. Their carefully planned agenda included at least one attraction and a bite to eat at each park, so they started their magical day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as the sun rose over Toy Story Land. From there, they hopped to Epcot for a trip back through history on Spaceship Earth, then skipped over to Magic Kingdom Park to meet Mickey Mouse. Their visit to Walt Disney World Resort concluded with lunch and some fun at Disney’s Animal Kingdom before racing off to the airport. After a cross-country flight to Los Angeles, the Ensmingers slid into Disney California Adventure park before it closed to experience Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! They then jaunted across the Esplanade to conclude their own version of a Disney marathon at Disneyland park. The couple knew this day could bring some logistical challenges, but they went into it with a lot of experience. The parents of four children all under 10 are Disney park veterans; they made the 10-hour drive from eastern Tennessee to Walt Disney World six different times over a 12-month span from 2017-2018. “In that year, we calculated we spent over a month at Walt Disney World!” Clark said with a laugh. (The kids stayed home with family on this trip.) While stepping foot inside every Disney park on the continent was a joy unto itself, the Ensmingers said this trip meant a great deal to them in a very personal way. Heather’s father passed away unexpectedly last October, just days before the family was due to visit Walt Disney World together. “As the anniversary of his passing got a little closer, I was sort of having a hard time,” Heather said. “Unbeknownst to me, my husband started planning this special trip to surprise me.” The surprise was accidentally spoiled about a month ago by a random e-mail, but Heather said “it turned out OK” because she had fun helping make the final arrangements. So what is it about Disney parks that enticed this husband-and-wife duo to attempt a trip like this? “It’s the magic,” Heather said. “We’ve experienced tons of pixie dust over the years – the cast members always go out of their way to make things special.” And that was true yet again over the course of this 24-hour sprint, Clark added: “It’s just been a dream come true.” View the full article