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They say it’s the most wonderful time of the year and we certainly agree here at Disney Cruise Line. During this season of giving, Disney Cruise Line crew members brought holiday cheer and Disney magic to more than 2,000 children throughout the port communities we visit. Captain Mickey and his pals joined Disney VoluntEARS visiting children at local schools, hospitals and children’s homes in many of our ports of call. There were nine visits total with stops in destinations such as Galveston, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Nassau. “For children recovering from burn injuries and their families, the journey can be long and difficult,” said Katherine Jeschke, Donor Development Officer for Galveston’s Shriners Hospital. “Captain Mickey and First Mate Minnie’s visit to our hospital offered our children and families the chance to play and interact with two of their favorite characters. Having this chance to play encouraged children to get out of bed and walk, cope with their treatment and have a special moment during their recovery. It was truly a joy to see the kids smile and light up during this visit.” It’s a holiday tradition for crew members and cast from all across the Walt Disney Company to come together and give back to those around us. The Disney VoluntEARS program is based on a legacy of giving dating back to the 1930s when Walt Disney, accompanied by the studio animators, took his beloved characters on community outreach visits! From all of us at Disney Cruise Line, we wish your family a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. View the full article

There are people who collect Disney memorabilia, and those who collect Starbucks mugs. But there's one memorable spot where those two collector fandoms meet. Starbucks sells souvenir You Are Here mugs for many cities and countries, and now the colorful mugs for Disney theme parks are for sale online. ... View the full article

According to Magic Kingdom Cast Members, Aunt Polly’s on Tom Sawyer Island in Magic Kingdom will be reopening to serve food once again for a limited time to Magic Kingdom guests! Rivers of America and Aunt Polly’s Our sources say that the beloved spot will be open daily from December 22nd through January 5th. Tom Sawyer Island will be receiving guests (coming by raft, of course) from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM most days (with the exception of December 22nd, when it may not open until 11:00 AM). However, please note that Aunt Polly’s will have different operating hours, which we are waiting to confirm at this time. We also look forward to confirming menu information for you tomorrow! For those unfamiliar with Aunt Polly’s, this counter service location is beloved by many who made memories (and consumed some famous fried chicken) when it was open on a regular basis back in the day. Now, however, it really can’t even be considered an official seasonal location for high crowd seasons (like Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant and Tortuga Tavern), as there is never a guarantee that it will even be open during seasons like Spring Break or the busiest days of the holidays. So when it IS open… well, it’s a very big deal to those who want to relive fond memories and even make some new ones with those who have never had the chance to visit. And to all who get to go over the next couple of weeks, we hope you enjoy! 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 Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available for Pre-Order! With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to pre-order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! But there’s MORE! Just like all DFB pre-order deals — when you pre-order your DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2019 Edition today for 25% off the cover price, you’ll also get our fully updated 2018 Edition for FREE immediately, so you can start planning TODAY! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price, AND get the 2018 edition for free! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Would you love to pop over to Aunt Polly’s? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Review: Sausage and Cheddar-Stuffed Pretzel at Magic Kingdom’s Sleepy Hollow Refreshments News: Rotating Specialty Hot Dogs and MORE on Updated Casey’s Corner Menu News: One-Day Disney Dining Plan to Begin Testing in the Magic Kingdom View the full article

Remember this summer when we broke the news about these enormous milkshake-y beauties from Walt Disney World’s Beaches & Cream? New Beaches and Cream Shakes Well hold onto your jingle bells and your Santa hat because a Beaches & Cream milkshake has gone full-on Christmas! Christmas Cookie Sandwich Milkshake Oooohhh, yeah! Merry Holidays to us! This Santa-worthy shake is Cookies-and-Cream Ice Cream, a Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich filled with FROSTING, crushed Candy Cane around the rim, and a Chocolate Mickey Santa Hat piece on top. Christmas Cookie Sandwich Milkshake This is some seriously tasty holiday cheer — in milkshake form! The chocolate chip cookie is simple, but filling it with frosting? These are some cookie sandwiches after my own heart! Christmas Cookie Sandwich Milkshake The flavor combination is great. Chocolate and peppermint are natural partners this time of the year. But if you want to try this treat and you’re peppermint-averse, you can potentially eat around it or request the milkshake without. (Maybe they’ll sub in some chocolate chips or something equally sweet instead?) Christmas Cookie Sandwich Milkshake At any rate, if you’re in the vicinity of Beaches and Cream and just need a delicious holiday treat, order this deliciousness! (And ask for some napkins. This is serious business!) Huge thanks to my sweet friend, Amber J, for sending these pics and her review along! Worried you’ll miss another awesome Disney Parks treat? Worry no more! Sign up for Disney Food Blog’s Newsletter TODAY! Would you dig into this over-the-top milkshake? Let us know what you think in the comments below! Related posts: Is Disney World’s Beaches and Cream Still Worth The Reservation? What’s New at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Coronado Springs Resort: May 26, 2018 Disney World’s Poutine Obsession: 15 Ways To Get Your French Fry Fix View the full article

The tiki torches are lit and the food is ready. The Tropical Hideaway is now open at Disneyland park! This new marketplace is nestled between the Jungle Cruise and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and offers unique eats along the tropical shores of Adventureland. We met up with Michael Dobrzycki, an art director with Walt Disney Imagineering, who gave us an inside look at some of the details of the space and also introduced us to the one and only Rosita! The marketplace features an open-air dock where patrons can sit back and relax on the Jungle River waterfront while enjoying sweet and savory bites. As the sun goes down, flickering torch lights illuminate the area making for an enchanting nighttime setting. Rosita is also hanging out with the visitors, awaiting a Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. boat (which is running uncharacteristically late) to take her on a journey towards a solo career. She spends her time telling jokes and reminiscing about the hideaway from way back when. When you walk into The Tropical Hideaway, you’ll be greeted by local merchants peddling their goods. Over at the fruit whip counter, you’ll see a few new Dole Whip flavors, including orange and raspberry, as well as the classic pineapple flavor. These can be ordered in a cup or as a float. Swirl options are also available – pineapple and orange swirl or pineapple and raspberry swirl). An old boiler heats up warm hand-held food at the next booth over. Stop by this vendor and you can take a bit out of a delicious bao. The Spiced Vegetable Bao is filled with chickpeas and braised vegetables, while the Bulgogi Beef Bao is filled with sweet chilies and potatoes. And you definitely won’t want to miss the Sweet Lumpia or the Chilled Ramen Shaker with fresh vegetables, ramen noodles, togarashi cashews, and Asian vinaigrette dressing, YUM. Other grab and go options include baked potato chips, salt and vinegar potato chips, onion chips, organic chickpea puffs, and plantain chips. A variety of cold beverages will also be available with options including soft drinks, coconut water, tea, and even mango orange juice! The Tropical Hideaway is now open, so come on out and see it for yourself! To see more photos of this exciting new marketplace, check out our first look story from last week. For more information, as well as the full menu, visit the Disneyland Resort website. View the full article

YES! You read that title correctly… ArtistoCrepes in Disney Springs is serving up Edible Cookie Dough! Edible Cookie Dough ©Disney You can pick your choice of three flavors: Gingerbread Butterscotch, Chocolate Chip, or Brownie Batter… or you can try all three in an Edible Cookie Dough Flight! Each are complete with Mickey Ears in cookie form for dipping. Keep in mind that AristoCrepes typically opens later than most Disney Springs spots. AristoCrepes Kiosk For instance, today’s hours — like most weekdays — are listed on the Disney World website from 4:00 – 10:30 PM. However, on weekends you may find them open as early as 12:00 Noon (at least through these busy holiday season weekends). And — let’s be honest — EDIBLE COOKIE DOUGH may just be worth planning your visit to Disney Springs around, so be sure to check the hours on the Disney World website accordingly. You’ll find AristoCrepes in the Marketplace in Disney Springs. Take a complete Food Tour of the area in our DFB YouTube Video! Would you like to try an Edible Cookie Dough Flight? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: What’s New Around Walt Disney World — June 14, 2016 What’s New Around Walt Disney World: October 20, 2016 DFB’s Top 10 Disney Food News Stories of 2016 View the full article

Disney Parks Moms Panel | Tour the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort View the full article

Disney Parks Moms Panel | Disneyland Resort Digital Experiences Make Planning Easy View the full article

Are you planning to make a splash over the holidays at Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park? If so, you’ll want to know about a special offering just for adults available from December 26th – 31st. Typhoon Lagoon The Adult Cove will offer guests 18-and older food and beverage service at Hammerhead Fred’s Bar along with specialty drinks, live music, and a TV at the bar for game viewing. Hammerhead Fred’s So drop on in (no reservation needed) to the Adult Cove for some extra yuletide cheer from December 26th through 31st! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2018 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2018 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What’s New!! chapter for the 2018 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World’s busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And of course we’ll tell you where to eat! ;-D Order your 2018 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don’t love it, you get your money back! Will you be visiting Typhoon Lagoon over the holidays or in 2019? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Specialty Sips and Eats for H2O Glow Nights at Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park Typhoon Lagoon Splash-and-Dine Around! Grand Launch! DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks 2015 View the full article

The Grand Floridian Cafe in Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is known for its relatively understated decor (free of Disney characters and over-the-top styling) and its relaxing atmosphere. But there’s one thing here that’s not at all understated: the food! Grand Floridian Cafe sign at entrance Last fall, I shared the Lobster Thermidor and the Floridian Pancakes, both of which were fantastic, and just a couple of months ago we let you in on a little chicken-and-waffles hack. Well now I’m back with several brunch options that, shall we say, put the grand in Grand Floridian Cafe. Grand Floridian Cafe Brunch Menu There are tons of options on the brunch menu, which still features the Lobster Thermidor Burger I enjoyed in addition to other lunch-y options like Caesar Salad and Miso-Glazed Salmon. Breakfast items include traditional items like pancakes, eggs, and waffles. Grand Floridian Brunch Menu My table started with a fairly traditional breakfast: Steak and Eggs. There’s not much to say about the plating here; it’s boring and not cohesive. At all. But the Sirloin Steak, Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole, and Eggs were decent. The House-Made Steak Sauce was flavorful, but overall, this was pretty ho-hum. Steak and Eggs But that’s OK, because everything else happening this morning is FLAWLESS. The Benedict Flight, y’all!!!! This trio of Benedicts includes one each of the restaurant’s options: Traditional, Lobster, and Spicy Chorizo. These are served with a side of lightly dressed greens, which are light and helped balance out the rich and heavy Benedicts. Benedict Flight The Traditional Eggs Benedict features Canadian Bacon, a Poached Egg, and thick, rich Hollandaise Sauce. This hit all the marks for a traditional eggs Benedict, and I enjoyed the salty hit from the ham. Traditional Eggs Benedict Lobster Benedict features the same egg and Hollandaise but includes a pile of Lobster and a stick or two of Asparagus. This was excellent, though some may argue that the Hollandaise was too strong for the subtle flavor of the lobster. In general, though, it’s rich on rich on rich. Lobster Benedict The Spicy Chorizo Benedict was terrific — my favorite of the three. The flavorful Spicy Chorizo and the Bell Pepper Relish were great counterpoints to the Hollandaise and the oozy egg. Spicy Chorizo Benedict And that oozy egg was beautifully oozy, if you like that sort of thing (and I do!). Poached Egg But how about a Grand Floridian Cafe food hack? A reader shared this tip with us a few months ago, and I had to give it a go. Order up the Buttermilk Fried Chicken (which is breaded with Corn Flakes!), and ask for it to be served on waffle instead of with the sides of potatoes and kale. The chicken itself is insanely delicious. Super tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked. I’m a fried chicken snob, and this stuff is where it’s at. Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffles Yup, this is a huge, crunchy, awesome combination. The waffle (I went with Belgian, but you can get the Mickey Waffle instead!) was golden and toasty, while the fried chicken had loads of crunch. Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffles Add a drizzle of the Sriracha Honey syrup and you’ve basically got the best thing I ate all week at Disney World. I’m still dreaming about this. Chicken and Waffles can be disappointing — the chicken could be dry, the waffle could be tasteless…but HERE you have a slightly spicy, slightly sweet, completely delicious plate of Chicken and Waffles. Get it. Get it now. Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffles Whew. OK. I’ll give you a minute to recover from that because you’re going to need your full focus for what’s next! If you opt for a (Disney) traditional Mickey Waffle or Pancakes, you’ll be offered the choice of adding on some toppings and a specialty syrup for $3.50. And, well, you know me and toppings/sauces: GET ‘EM ALL. Sooooo I ordered all three of the topping options to go with my Mickey Waffle! (Remember, unless you’re crazy like me, you’ll probably only get one of these little trays and be a normal human being. But you CAN order all three if you’re my spirit animal.) Mickey Waffle with ALL the toppings! Topping combinations include Mandarin Oranges, Chantilly cream, craisins, and Citrus-Pecan Syrup (build your own Floridian Pancakes with these!!); Sugar Cookie Crumbles, Whipped Cream, Fresh Strawberries, and Strawberry Sauce; or Granola, Lemon Curd, Fresh Blueberries, and Blueberry Sauce. Mickey Waffle Toppings Honestly, we don’t know how anyone is supposed to choose. All of the toppings were tasty and combined well with their counterparts. But seriously? Sugar cookies on a waffle? Sounds like a lot (and it is), but when on vacation… Mickey Waffle Sauces I’m still full from all of this delicious brunchiness, but I’d go back to Grand Floridian Cafe in a heartbeat and do it all again. The quality of the food items here is top-notch, especially considering that this isn’t a particularly lauded member of the Disney World restaurant pantheon. And maybe that’s also part of the appeal. Grand Floridian Cafe is relatively peaceful and relaxing for a theme park-adjacent table service restaurant. Combine that with the great eats, and you’ve got a real perennial favorite on your hands. Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available for Pre-Order! With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to pre-order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! But there’s MORE! Just like all DFB pre-order deals — when you pre-order your DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2019 Edition today for 25% off the cover price, you’ll also get our fully updated 2018 Edition for FREE immediately, so you can start planning TODAY! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price, AND get the 2018 edition for free! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you dined in the Grand Floridian Cafe? Let us know what you thought in the comments below! Related posts: Disney World Food Hack: Chicken and Waffles at Grand Floridian Cafe! Recommended Disney World Dining Plan One Credit Restaurant Values 21 Myths About Walt Disney World Food DEBUNKED View the full article

Photographs are must-have souvenirs from any visit to Disney Parks. I love reminiscing by looking at wonderful family photos taken by Disney PhotoPass Service throughout Walt Disney World Resort at iconic locations such as the Tree of Life, Hollywood Tower Hotel, Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth. But did you know that Disney PhotoPass can also capture photos of you zooming through the galaxy, sailing through the Golden Age of Piracy, zipping through the Cretaceous Period, and dropping into the Twilight Zone? At participating attractions, Disney PhotoPass will help you remember your first (or fiftieth) time enjoying the incredible adventures, classic stories and thrills you experience onboard. The following Walt Disney World attractions offer photo capture: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin DINOSAUR Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain Frozen Ever After* Pirates of the Caribbean* Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Seven Dwarfs Mine Train* Slinky Dog Dash* Space Mountain Splash Mountain Test Track The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror The best way I’ve discovered to get unlimited, easy-to-share digital downloads of your Disney PhotoPass photos is by adding Memory Maker to your vacation. During your Memory Maker entitlement window, you can get digital downloads of all your attraction photos, plus all of your other Disney PhotoPass photos taken throughout Walt Disney World Resort.** Whether you prefer striking the perfect pose or can’t help but scream with delight, hang on tight and let Disney PhotoPass capture your memories! The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. and is used with permission pursuant to a license from CBS, Inc. *A MagicBand is required to collect attraction photos at Frozen Ever After, Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Slinky Dog Dash. **Disney PhotoPass Service and Memory Maker are subject to the applicable terms and policies. Includes photos taken during the applicable Memory Maker Window as defined in such terms (generally, photos taken (i) within one day for Memory Maker One Day or (ii) within 30 days from the date of first activation for standard Memory Maker). If Memory Maker is purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days of the date Memory Maker is purchased are not included and must be purchased separately. A MagicBand is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations. View the full article

You know what your Walt Disney World Resort holiday vacation needs, after you create magical memories in the four theme parks? A relaxing day spent basking in the sun at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. And from Dec. 26-31, you can take that relaxation to the next level by dropping in to the Adult Cove, a limited-time hideaway for guests 18 and older. Adult Cove will have everything you need to really unwind this holiday season: food and beverage service at Hammerhead Fred’s Bar, specialty drinks, live music and – this is the best part – there will be a TV at the bar, so you can catch the big game. Doesn’t that sound amazing? We think so! After hanging out in this adults-only getaway, get back to the thrills of Typhoon Lagoon by experiencing its signature attractions, such as Crush ‘n’ Gusher, Castaway Creek, Storm Slides and the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, which produces waves up to 6 ft. tall. Adult Cove is just here next week, so be sure to add a visit to Typhoon Lagoon to your theme park plans. It’ll be one of the best places at Walt Disney World Resort to kick back, relax, grab some yummy treats and raise a glass to the final days of 2018. View the full article

Today, December 21, is the first day of winter. To celebrate this lovely season, we’ve designed a brand-new Disney Parks Blog wallpaper for you, which feature two of our favorite friends from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction at Magic Kingdom Park – Pooh and Eeyore, who seem to be enjoying the winter weather. This new wallpaper is available in both mobile and desktop versions. Be sure to check out the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it. Want to check out other designs? Visit our complete gallery of wallpapers. View the full article

What helps the medicine go down? Why, it’s a SPOONFUL OF SUGAR! And that’s exactly what you’ll find topping the new Mary Poppins-inspired CUPCAKE in Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Bakery! ©Disney This new cupcake makes its debut today in honor of the new film. And we’re not sure how long it will be available, so if you see one, we suggest you grab it… “Spit spot!” See ALL the food stops on Main Street, U.S.A. in our DFB YouTube Video Food Tour!  Will you be picking up a Spoonful of Sugar Cupcake? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: What’s New Around Walt Disney World: May 13, 2016 What’s New Around Walt Disney World: October 20, 2016 What’s New at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom: March 8, 2018 View the full article

The new Disney Junior Dance Party! live show, which will feature music and characters from beloved Disney Junior TV shows, will soon hit the stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The party will be held multiple times each day starting Saturday, December 22, and will feature the star of the spooktacular hit Disney Junior television show, “Vampirina.” This TV series follows the Hauntley family, friendly vampires who recently relocated from Transylvania to Pennsylvania. Viewers delight in watching Vampirina (aka “Vee”) as she experiences being the new kid in town and attending a new school in the human world. Disney Junior Dance Party! will also be hosted by Finn Fiesta and DJ Deejay, who will encourage guests to sing and dance to their favorite Disney Junior songs. Disney Junior Dance Party! features music and characters from “Doc McStuffins,” “The Lion Guard,” “Mickey and the Roadster Racers,” and “Vampirina.” Interested in learning more about Vampirina at Disney Parks? Check out this previous blog post. View the full article

“Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language.” — Walt Disney I recently had the pleasure of joining Disney Vacation Club Members attending the Phone Photography Workshop at Reunion Station. This workshop is one of many Membership Magic experiences offered, available as a paid, add-on option, at this relaxing retreat nestled on the shores of Bay Lake at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. With the holidays in full swing, this seemed like the perfect time to brush up on my phone photography skills and share with you a few tips and tricks, so that you, too, can capture memorable moments with your phone while celebrating with your family and friends this holiday season — or on your next trip “home.” And also a great excuse to share images of some of the amazing holiday decorations throughout Disney Vacation Club Resorts at Walt Disney World this year! The workshop, led by Disney Fine Art Photography & Video photographer Kevin O’Connell, included “classroom” work, yummy Reunion Station appetizers and drinks and even a field trip. With a strong focus on the amazing pictures we all love to take while on a Disney vacation, Kevin covered everything from capturing the emotions of a visit with a Disney character to grabbing that iconic fireworks-over-the-castle shot — no matter how many times we’ve seen that amazing spectacular! Tips from Kevin included both the obvious and the fine art of photography. Tip number one — clean your lens. I had to laugh, and yet, how often do we actually do that? Such a great tip! Kevin shared several of these and then moved into the finer points, the true craft of photography, and with a Disney lens, if you will. As Kevin spoke of the craft of filling the frame or the importance of the point of view of the camera, he shared several examples of Disney character interactions. When it comes to characters, the ones where the frame was filled, meaning there was more of the subject filling the full screen than say the floor or ceiling, the emotions of the Guests shone through, which is what we want so that years from now we can relive that magical moment again and again. Another tip — turn your camera horizontal to fill that frame. For point of view, Kevin noted how, throughout the park, the Disney PhotoPass Cast Members are always inviting us to join and stand next to them. This is because they have the perfect vantage point with the characters, the perfect lighting set up or even the best possible shot with the castle positioned just right in the background. He also noted how helpful it is to get on the level of your subject, especially with children. The Disney characters often kneel down, so dropping to one knee will also give you a better chance of capturing the faces of the children versus the tops of their heads. Such truth! When creating that picture-perfect postcard image, there were so many fun tips and tricks! Kevin talked us through everything from how to pose properly to where to not cut off a joint (elbow, knee) of a family member in a picture, avoiding that phantom hand that no one can figure out to whom it belongs! But my favorite tip was the finer rule of thirds. Kevin warned it wasn’t a “do it every time rule,” and yet it can add depth and a beautiful, asymmetrical composition that draws the eyes into the image. We all have grids on our camera (if you haven’t yet, go into camera settings and check to show the grid lines). You can achieve this rule of thirds by using those grid lines, both horizontally and vertically, and placing the subject along one of those lines or “thirds.” The beauty of digital photography is you can try it out and see the difference in real time. I’ll leave you with one final tip: zoom with your feet. We’ve learned to pinch the frame with our fingers, zoom in and grab that shot, but then we get home and it is a bit grainy. Kevin says, when you can, zoom with your feet, meaning literally walk closer, and you’ll end up with a higher resolution image that will allow you to crop as desired later. When you’re ready to sign up, please call Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Reservations are required and space is limited. Hope all of your holiday pictures are filled with magic! 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 little over a year ago I set out to determine whether I could capture an entire performance of “Remember…Dreams Come True” fireworks spectacular at Disneyland park in a single exposure and it worked! I thought the final result was really interesting. With a proven photographic recipe in-hand, I recently set out to see if I could do the same thing with the “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular. Every joyful holiday burst and blast is represented here. How is this possible, you ask? I’ll explain. I mounted my camera to a tripod with a 24mm lens and slapped on a 9-stop neutral density (ND) filter. For the uninitiated, just think of an ND filter as a tinted window for your lens – it limits how much light can get to the image sensor (or film) over time, which allows you to expose longer without blowing-out bright details. I also pre-set the camera’s long exposure noise reduction feature to tone-down or eliminate “hot pixels.” Hot pixels are bright dots that appear on digital pictures as the result of the camera sensor overheating during long exposures. My settings were: ISO 100, f/22, and shutter was left in bulb mode (which means the shutter will remain open once triggered until I signal the termination manually with a cable-release). I left the white balance set to auto. I triggered the shutter with the cable release as soon as the street lamps went dim and, learning from my previous experience, waited about three minutes after the finale to terminate the exposure. Last time around, I had to use Photoshop to make a slight curves adjustment to the castle mid-tones or Sleeping Beauty Castle would have looked too dark. Letting the post-show castle expose for that extra three minutes eliminated the need for any Photoshop adjustments: what you see here is the photograph exactly as it came out of the camera. My background is in photojournalism, so getting pictures right, in-camera, and with minimal or no lab work is a deeply-ingrained value that continues to shape how I do my work for Disney. That challenge and commitment to photographic ethics makes the work more fun and, in my mind, maybe a little more special. Total exposure time: 00:12:42 NOTE: Using the camera’s long exposure noise reduction feature adds about 15-minutes to the image write time on an exposure this long. So, keep in mind,if you’re going to try something like this on your own: do not turn off your camera until the image writing process is complete or you’ll ruin the photograph. Holiday magic abounds in every corner of the Disneyland Resort through Jan. 6, making this a perfect time to drop in for a visit. Don’t forget to catch “Believe…in Holiday Magic” while you’re here – it’s incredible. View the full article

If you are among those who are SUPER EXCITED about the new Potion Purple Minnie Ears coming to Disney Parks, then you’ll be glad to know that they have already arrived in Disneyland! Potion Purple Minnie Ears! Many thanks to @weknowdisney on Instagram for this purple-y pic of the Potion Purple Ears outside of the World of Disney store in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District! The Ears are due to arrive bright and early on December 26th in Disney World’s World of Disney store. But, since they were also due to arrive on the 26th in Disneyland, perhaps it’s possible they’ll be spotted early in Disney World, too. (Fingers crossed!) These are in addition, by the way, to the Plumeria Minnie Ears that just hit the Disneyland scene yesterday. Plumeria Minnie Ears The only two Disney destinations where you can find them are at The Tropical Hideaway (newly opened in Adventureland) and Disney’s Aulani Resort. So, Disneylanders… which pair will you be picking up first ? Join us on Instagram for SO MUCH Disney food — and MORE! — fun! Are you hoping to snag a pair of Potion Purple Minnie Ears? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: “What’s This?!” Jack Skellington Pumpkin Cotton Candy in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney Holiday Eats and Sweets – and Starbucks! — in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District News: Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer Coming to Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District View the full article

A respected actor, director and producer, Blair Underwood brought a bit of Hollywood panache to Walt Disney World Holidays last week as one of the celebrity narrators participating in this year’s “Candlelight Processional,” part of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. A veteran of the event – and a fan favorite – Underwood has participated in the “Candlelight Processional” off and on throughout the last two decades. The Disney Parks Blog caught up with him during some down time before a performance where he shared thoughts on why he loves the event so much and how his family celebrates while they are at Walt Disney World Resort. Epcot International Festival of the Holidays Holiday traditions from around the world come to life at Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, featuring the new Holiday Cookie Stroll and new food and beverage at Holiday Kitchens. Through Dec. 30, Epcot brims with holiday magic, as guests will be able to sample international seasonal delicacies, delight in live entertainment, and enjoy festive decor. Guests discover a festival like no other, featuring the joyous holiday traditions of our 11 World Showcase nations. Epcot International Festival of the Holidays surrounds you in the wondrous sights, sounds and flavors of the season, as celebrated by cultures near and far. Guests also savor some of the most delectable holiday dishes from across the globe at 13 specialty kitchens set around World Showcase. New items this year include black forest roulade with cherry whipped cream at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen in the Germany Pavilion and sofrito-marinated beef with sweet plantains and olives at the Feast of the Three Kings Holiday Kitchen. At the “Candlelight Processional,” the story of Christmas is powerfully told by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a full choir and a 50-piece orchestra in a performance that inspires joy and holiday spirit. New narrators this year include the voice of Moana, Auli’i Cravalho and Joey Fatone. Returning favorites include Pat Sajak, Cal Ripken Jr. and voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson. Guests can add more magic to their holiday celebrations with a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner followed by reserved seating at a performance of the “Candlelight Processional.” Dining options include some of the tastiest restaurants in Epcot and the adjacent Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Limited dates for the Candlelight Dining Packages are still available; please visit www.Epcotholidays.com for more information or call (407) WDW-DINE. For more information about the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays or all holiday events at Walt Disney World Resort, check out http://www.disneyworld.com/holidays. View the full article

We’re changing Taco Tuesday into Taco Thursday this week with a stop at the Springs’ Street Tacos Food Truck in Disney Springs! Springs’ Street Tacos While it’s pretty obvious what’s on the menu from the name Springs’ Street Tacos, there’s actually more to it. In fact, our visit this week was to check out the new Bowls on the menu which are in keeping with one of the latest food trends in Disney World. Springs’ Street Tacos Menu Your choice of bowls is between Steak, Fish, Chicken, and Vegetarian. Accompaniments vary slightly, as you see on the menu. For instance, the Fish Bowl is complete with a tropical fruit salsa and red cabbage among the ingredients, and the Vegetarian Bowl comes with black beans, roasted corn and peppers in the mix. It was a Steak Bowl for us which, like the Chicken Bowl, is served with yellow rice, avocado crème, pico de gallo, queso fresco, jalapeño, cilantro, radish and lime. Steak Bowl Steak Bowl What stands out at Springs’ Street Tacos — and this is typical from our visits to the Disney Food Trucks — is the super fresh quality of the ingredients, giving everything a nice, bright flavor and zip. The Steak Bowl is no exception. Steak Bowl And the meat was nice and tender, too. Steak Bowl Of course, we couldn’t leave Springs’ Street Tacos without a taco (or two), could we? Taco Combo For the Taco Combo, you get your choice of any two from the same options as the bowls: Steak, Fish, Chicken, and Vegetarian. We ordered up a steak taco and a fish taco. Fish Taco Steak Taco The funny thing is, the ingredients don’t really vary from the bowls to the taco (save for the soft tortilla shell, of course). But the ingredients just seem to come together better in the tacos. Plus, there’s the obvious bonus that you can try two of the four varieties, if you like. Springs’ Street Tacos You’ll typically find Fantasy Fare Food Truck and Springs’ Street Tacos in Exposition Park on the West Side of Disney Springs (though they can move around, of course). And, by the way, you can still see the beautiful artwork on the Springs’ Street Tacos Truck from when it operated as Namaste Cafe . Taco Combo and Truck Artwork No matter the truck, there are two pretty consistent things we’ve noticed with nearly every visit. One, there are hardly ever any long lines to speak of. Due to the lack of lines, we think, there’s no need to have dishes prepared in advance, so dishes are made to order which is one of the things (aside from the ingredients themselves) that lends to some really fresh-tasting food. Fresh ingredients Fresh ingredients The flip side of that brings us to our second point: we’ve also noticed a fairly long wait after placing our orders as well. Since the wait usually results in a tasty, fresh dish, we haven’t minded too much. But if you’re hoping to catch a movie at AMC at a certain time or just get back to shopping ASAP, you’ll want to know in advance. For now, we’re signing off from Springs’ Street Tacos! Happy Taco THURSDAY to you!! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available for Pre-Order! With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to pre-order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today! But there’s MORE! Just like all DFB pre-order deals — when you pre-order your DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2019 Edition today for 25% off the cover price, you’ll also get our fully updated 2018 Edition for FREE immediately, so you can start planning TODAY! Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price, AND get the 2018 edition for free! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you tried any of the Disney Food Trucks? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Disney Pixar’s ‘Coco’ Family Celebration Now At Disney Springs 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck Ribbon Cutting in Disney Springs New DFB Video: EAT THIS at Disney Springs Part 1 View the full article

The rainy, cool weather camped out in Florida prompted the closure of area water parks and some other attractions Thursday. Closed to visitors were Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay water park; Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando’s water park and Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World. (Disney’s Blizzard Beach... View the full article

From collecting Toys for Tots and decorating the homes of military families to throwing holiday parties for patients at CHOC Children’s and the elderly, Disneyland Resort is spreading the spirit of the season in the community. For the sixth year, the Disneyland Resort parade maintenance team brought holiday decorations to Camp Pendleton for Operation Sparkle. “We go down to the Marine base and help families in need of holiday cheer,” said Mike Montero, manager of Parade Maintenance at Disneyland Resort. “We decorate their homes and wrap Christmas presents and get their houses ready for the holidays.” Disney VoluntEARS also brightened the spirits of seniors at Walnut Manor Care Center in Anaheim by dropping off gifts to residents with Mickey Mouse. For the 18th consecutive year, patients and families at CHOC Children’s in Orange enjoyed a Disney-sponsored holiday party with Mickey Mouse and his friends, games, cookie decorating and one of Orange County’s longest yule logs! And more than 8,000 toys were collected at the Disneyland Resort for Toys for Tots. “Disneyland Resort cast members are focused on making the holiday season as bright as possible, for as many people as possible,” said Josh D’Amaro, president of Disneyland Resort. “Giving back to the community has always been part of our culture, and I am proud of our cast members and the impact they make throughout Anaheim and Orange County.” Watch our Disney VoluntEARS in action this holiday season! View the full article

Did you know you can bring the magic of a Disney Parks holiday vacation into your home this season, thanks to special Apple Music®* playlists? Seasonal offerings at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts have inspired new Apple Music® playlists that can help you create the perfect seasonal soundtrack for your holiday gathering, party, Christmas morning, holiday road trips and more. Here are some must-listens for any Disney Park fan: The Disney Holiday Hits playlist features seasonal tunes from both Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom Park. The “Festival of the Holidays” playlist, inspired by the Disney Festival of Holidays celebration at Disney California Adventure park. Epcot’s official “Candlelight Processional” album, featuring songs and narration from the show, can also be played. Apple Music® subscribers will be able to add these festive new playlists directly to their Apple Music® library and many new users can sign up for a free three-month trial** through the app and listen to the playlists in full. *Trial or Subscription Required **Plan automatically renews after trial View the full article

When you’re anticipating all of the fun you’ll have on your first Disney cruise, dinner may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But when you’re anticipating all of the fun you’ll have on your second Disney cruise, mealtime is likely top of mind. In true Disney fashion, dinner on a Disney cruise is an experience in itself, one the entire family will enjoy. Chances are, mealtime will be a favorite part of your Disney Cruise Line vacation. Here are five reasons why … 1. You dine in elaborately themed restaurants with a full course of fun. Watch your drawing come to life on the big screen or have a friendly conversation with Crush, the sea turtle from “Finding Nemo,” at Animator’s Palate. Step into an era of southern charm and street parties at Tiana’s Place on the Disney Wonder. Visit the kingdom of Corona for a festive celebration with live musical performances at Rapunzel’s Royal Table on the Disney Magic. Each ship offers a unique dining experience you won’t find anywhere else. 2. You are treated to a delicious three-course meal. Each restaurant serves a variety of world-class cuisine featuring market-fresh ingredients, and every meal includes a unique selection of hot and cold appetizers, delectable entrees and rich desserts. The best part? There’s never an up-charge for sumptuous menu items, like Wild Alaska Salmon, in the family dining rooms. 3. You’ll have a different experience each night. With our innovative rotational dining concept, you get to enjoy all three of our family dining rooms. On cruises longer than three nights, you can dine in some of the restaurants a second time but with a new menu. You can also opt to eat at one of our adult-exclusive fine dining restaurants or dine on your own schedule at our casual dining restaurant, Cabanas. 4. You can expect the same great service every night. Since your servers accompany you to the different family restaurants, you know you’ll have friendly, familiar and personalized service when you sit down for dinner. Not only will they know you by name, they’ll learn your dietary preferences, food allergies, likes and dislikes. Don’t be surprised if your beverage of choice is waiting for you when you arrive. 5. Your kids will love it, too. With kid-friendly menu items, servers who perform magic tricks and restaurants sprinkled with a dash of pixie dust, your little ones will feel in their element. And happy kids equal happy parents, am I right? The perfect equation to make memories that last for a lifetime. View the full article

Hi, there! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re sharing 37 Hidden Gems in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom! Banshees in Windtraders… and where else? Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a unique and beautiful park, and it’s got some great headliner attractions like Avatar Flight of Passage and Kilimanjaro Safaris which are both really well known. But I think you’ll be surprised at how many hidden gems this park has to offer — from interactive activities and animal encounters to some lesser known (but great) places to dine. And we’re sharing 37 of those gems with you today in our latest DFB YouTube Video! And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: What’s your favorite hidden gem in Animal Kingdom? Related posts: DFB Video: Food Tour of Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland, U.S.A. DFB Video: Food Tour of Animal Kingdom’s Asia DFB Video: How to Survive Disney World Weather (and Hurricane Season) View the full article