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We’ve got exciting news for anyone planning to visit Epcot during the Holiday Season this year! We’ve got information on more celebrity narrators for the Candlelight Processional, some scoop on new items coming to the Holiday Kitchens (aka Food Booths!), and more festive fun… and it’s all part of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays! Epcot Christmas Tree The event runs this year from November 18th – December 30th, with the Candlelight Processional kicking off on November 22nd — Thanksgiving Day! So, why don’t we start there? Candlelight Processional Narrators Dates have been filled in with more celebrity narrators for the nightly Candlelight Processional! The Candlelight Processional presents a retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator. The reading is accompanied by a robed choir and a full orchestra performing Christmas carols. Epcot’s Candlelight Processional Joining the Celebrity Narrator lineup this year are Helen Hunt, Alfonso Ribeiro, Bart Millard, and Auli’l Cravalho! Helen Hunt and Alfonso Ribeiro ©Disney Bart Millard and Auli’I Cravalho ©Disney Below are the dates — with just a few more narrators “To Be Determined” — at this time. • Chita Rivera, Nov. 22 – 23 • Helen Hunt, Nov. 24-25 – NEW • Alfonso Ribeiro, Nov. 26-27 – NEW • Neil Patrick Harris, Dec. 3 – 6 • Whoopi Goldberg, Dec. 7 – 9 • Bart Millard, Dec. 10-12 – NEW • Blair Underwood, Dec. 13 – 14 • Gary Sinise, Dec. 15 – 17 • Pat Sajak, Dec. 18 – 20 • Auli’I Cravalho, Dec. 21-23 – NEW • Edward James Olmos, Dec. 24 – 25 • Jodi Benson, Dec. 26 – 27 • Cal Ripken Jr., Dec. 28-30 Visit our Candlelight Processional Page for full information on the Candlelight Processional and Dining Packages with reserved seating! Holiday Kitchens and More Food Booth Fun Holiday Kitchens (also known as Food Booths) will once again bring enhanced food offerings around Epcot representing festive global cuisine. The returning Feast of the Three Kings marketplace will feature an all-new menu including sofrito-marinated beef with sweet plantains and olives, queso fresco-stuffed arepa topped with shrimp, crushed avocado aji and tomato sauce, as well as arepas topped with melted queso fresco. Feast of the Three Kings Booth Additional new items this year are to include a Black Forest Roulade with cherry whipped cream at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen in Germany and a Hand-carved Smoked Ham with green beans and sweet potato casserole at the American Holiday Table. Taste Track will also continue in its new role as a Marketplace in continuation from the currently running Epcot Food and Wine Festival with three variations of croissant doughnuts. Taste Track New this year, guests can track their purchases of five select holiday cookies in their Festival Passport by collecting a unique stamp for each cookie. After all the sweet stops are complete, there’s one more to make… head to Holiday Sweets and Treats for a complimentary “completer” cookie with milk! Disney has also confirmed that a brand new marketplace will be joining the scene this year. Visit our Festival of the Holidays Food Booths Page for more information on the Holiday Kitchens! Festival Merchandise and More Chip & Dale will be featured on some of the Festival of the Holidays merchandise this year, including shirts and a throw blanket. These will nicely complement your participation in the returning Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree Scavenger Hunt. Festival of the Holidays Merchandise And, of course, you can’t miss the day’s end showing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth with its holiday finale, which will run for its final holiday season before the evening spectacular ends in 2019. IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth Find out about all the Epcot Festival of the Holidays happenings HERE! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2018 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. 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! Are you visiting Epcot during the Holiday season this year? Please let us know with a comment below! Related posts: 2018 Epcot Festival of the Holidays and Candlelight Processional Dates Announced! Early Booking for Candlelight Processional Dining Packages Available for Disney World Annual Passholders News: Complete List of Narrators for the 2017 Epcot Candlelight Processional Announced View the full article

Walt Disney World has added to its list of narrators for the 2018 edition of Candlelight Processional, the popular holiday ceremony. Oscar winner Helen Hunt and former “Dancing With the Stars” champion (and host of ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos”) Alfonso Ribeiro will read the Christmas... View the full article

The walls around Magic Kingdom’s Club 33 location are entirely down, revealing in full the exclusive members-only lounge. Adventureland Club 33 It’s located in Adventureland to your right upon entry into the area. Adventureland pathway Though we received a pretty good glimpse of the space just a few weeks ago when much of the surrounding construction tarps were removed, even more has been revealed as of our latest visit to the Magic Kingdom… Adventureland Club 33 Adventureland Club 33 … and that includes the signature Club 33 doorbell! Adventureland Club 33 Adventureland Club 33 Doorbell The Magic Kingdom location is one of four Disney World Club 33 lounges, with one planned for Animal Kingdom and already in operation at Epcot and Hollywood Studios. 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! Find out about even more big changes coming to Disney World here on our DFB YouTube Video! What do you think of the presence of Club 33 lounges in Disney World? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Magic Kingdom Construction: Club 33 Location in Adventureland and More! What’s New at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom: March 8, 2018 NEW Eats, Drinks, Merch, Construction, and Ears at Magic Kingdom! View the full article

Earlier this year, we announced several celebrity narrators for the highly anticipated Candlelight Processional during the 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, Nov. 22-Dec. 30. Now we are excited to share four more narrators who will delight guests this holiday season: Chita Rivera, Nov. 22 – 23 Helen Hunt, Nov. 24-25 – NEW Alfonso Ribeiro, Nov. 26-27 – NEW Neil Patrick Harris, Dec. 3 – 6 Whoopi Goldberg, Dec. 7 – 9 Bart Millard, Dec. 10-12 – NEW Blair Underwood, Dec. 13 – 14 Gary Sinise, Dec. 15 – 17 Pat Sajak, Dec. 18 – 20 Auli’I Cravalho, Dec. 21-23 – NEW Edward James Olmos, Dec. 24 – 25 Jodi Benson, Dec. 26 – 27 Cal Ripken Jr., Dec. 28-30 Held in the America Gardens Theatre, the Candlelight Processional is a beloved part of the Walt Disney World holiday season. Celebrity narrators read the biblical Christmas story backed by a 50-piece orchestra and massed choir. For the first time, performances of the Candlelight Processional begin on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22. The Candlelight Processional is just one of many ways to experience holiday magic at Epcot, including…food! The all-new menu at the Feast of the Three Kings marketplace features sofrito-marinated beef with sweet plantains and olives, queso fresco-stuffed arepa topped with shrimp, crushed avocado aji and tomato sauce, as well as arepas topped with melted queso fresco. Other new food items this year include: Black forest roulade with cherry whipped cream (Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, Germany) Hand-carved smoked ham with green beans and sweet potato casserole (American Holiday Table, The American Adventure) Three variations of croissant doughnuts at the Taste Track marketplace For even more new foodie fun, track your purchases of five select holiday cookies in your Festival Passport by collecting a unique stamp for each one. Then, stop by Holiday Sweets and Treats to receive a special complimentary “completer” cookie…and a glass of milk! There will also be a brand-new marketplace this year – keep checking back to Disney Parks Blog for information coming soon. If you’d like to take some holiday magic home with you, be on the lookout for a new Festival of the Holidays t-shirt and hoodie featuring those lovable rascals, Chip & Dale, in festive attire. Or while you watch those chestnuts roast, huddle down next to the fire under a new Festival of the Holidays throw. Merchandise will be available inside Mouse Gear and throughout World Showcase. Beyond the Candlelight Processional, several other favorites return for this year’s Festival of the Holidays. Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree Scavenger Hunt is fun for the whole family as you travel around World Showcase looking for the famous chipmunks with their ornaments. When you purchase a map and stickers for the hunt and find all the ornaments, return your completed map for a festive surprise courtesy of Chip & Dale. Then make your day of merrymaking complete with a viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. The nighttime spectacular takes place on World Showcase Lagoon and features a special holiday-themed finale that will paint the night sky with joy. This will be the final holiday season for IllumiNations, as it is currently scheduled to conclude at the end of summer 2019. Whether you’ll be seeing it for the first or 50th time, now, more than ever it’s time to give this classic show a fond farewell. For more information about Epcot International Festival of the Holidays or all of the other magic happening at Walt Disney World during this season, visit DisneyWorld.com/Holidays. View the full article

There’s no party like a Mouse Party, and nobody knows how to throw one like the “leader of the club that’s made for you and me!” Recently, Mickey Mouse arrived at the Shanghai Tourism Festival in style and on parade in a brand-new, festival-exclusive Shanghai Disney Resort float called “Mouse Party.” The new themed float marks the launch of World’s Biggest Mouse Party at the resort, celebrating 90 years of Mickey Mouse. The float features Mickey and his friends, including Pluto, Donald, Daisy, and Chip & Dale. “Mouse Party” will dance its way across the city of Shanghai, sharing Disney magic with local residents and tourists alike. Along the way, Mickey and the gang invite everyone to celebrate Shanghai Disney Resort’s fifth consecutive year participating in the Shanghai Tourism Festival. The resort was recognized as an “Excellent Organizer” at the festival last year and received the honor of “Best Performance” in 2016. The float’s final day of celebration on October 6th will mark the closing of the Shanghai Tourism Festival at Shanghai Disney Resort’s Disneytown – a first for the event and the resort. So come along, sing a song, and join the jamboree as “Mouse Party” goes the distance to bring magic and memories across Shanghai! View the full article

Pumpkin patches, pumpkin spice and pumpkin everything nice! Autumn has arrived in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort and it’s more vibrant than ever. Strolling through the harvest of horticulture now on display, you’ll notice a bounty of brilliant yellow, red, orange and green taking on different heights, shapes and textures. There are more than 2,150 pumpkins, squash and giant gourds surrounded by marigolds, mums and ferns across 17 assortments. Of course, it’s not autumn without fall-flavored treats, too! Be sure to taste them all: Jamba Juice – Pumpkin Smash and Pumpkin Harvest Protein drinks Kayla’s Cake – Pumpkin Cheesecake Macaron with pumpkin cheesecake ganache Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen – Witch’s Brew cocktail with cinnamon, spice and everything nice! Sprinkles – Pumpkin cupcakes and limited time assortment “Boo Boxes” are available California Churro – Pumpkin Spice Churro Cotton Candy Creations – Jack-O-Lantern Cotton Candy and three seasonal flavors: caramel apple, candy corn and pumpkin spice Wetzel’s Pretzels – Cinnamon Bitz and Caramel Dip During Halloween Time at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, families of all ages can enjoy “spooktacular” decor, themed treats and frightfully fun attractions, now through October 31. In the gateway to both parks, Downtown Disney is a great stop for shopping, dining options and entertainment. Enjoy the SCAREolers, an a capella group crooning Halloween favorites, including “I Put a Spell on You” and “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” Join us as we welcome fall to the Downtown Disney District! View the full article

Halloween spirits have cast a spell on the #PlayDisneyParks app, giving it a frightfully fun look for the season along with some new treats and tunes! Special themed gameboards feature playful pumpkins and spooky surprises across Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort for guests to discover on the app, now through October 31. Look closely at the Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park maps and you just might spot Jack Skellington and Zero or Oogie Boogie! And these festive Play Disney Parks app gameboards are now available for download, allowing you to enjoy these ghoulish designs on your desktop and mobile device! Don’t miss a chance to collect all-new achievements on your next visit to Disney parks! Guests at the Disneyland Resort can earn new ride achievements at Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday for a limited time throughout the Halloween season. Visitors to Walt Disney World Resort can also find a special Halloween achievement at the Haunted Mansion! And what’s Halloween without some terror-iffic tunes? Guests have been enjoying special Apple Music®* playlists since Play Disney Parks’ official debut in June, and now our ghostly friends have curated brand new playlists to bring the Halloween festivities to life. Guests visiting Sandy Claws at Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park can access Apple Music® from within the app to listen to a devilishly delightful “Disney Villains” playlist, while visitors at the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom Park may find a “Halloween Trick or Treat Tunes” playlist featuring classic Halloween songs like “Grim Grinning Ghosts” and newer favorites like “Everybody Scream, Everybody Howl” from the hit Disney Junior series “Vampirina.” Apple Music® subscribers will be able to add these eerily exciting new playlists direct to their Apple Music® library. Many new users can sign up for a free three-month trial within the app and listen to the playlists in full! Be sure to read the terms of use before you download a wallpaper, and download the Play Disney Parks app from the App store or Google Play to check out these all-new Halloween experiences – before they vanish! Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Some features require separate theme park admission. *Some features require Apple Music subscription and are only available on iOS devices. Separate terms and conditions apply. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and Apple Music are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC. View the full article

It’s Halloween in the Disney Parks, and if you think Disney Springs was letting everyone else have all the fun, you’ve got another think comin’! Because right now at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, a trio of drinks come with Poison Apple Glow Cubes! Poison Apple Glow Cube You need this, so here’s the drill: The Forbidden Apple, the Autumn Smash, and the Non-Alcoholic Poison-less Apple each come with the green Poison Apple Glow Cube. (You might recognize it from Disneyland’s Halloween Time last year, and those lucky ducks on the west coast have three colors from which to choose this year!) Poison Apple Glow Cubes As you might imagine, we went with The Forbidden Apple and the Autumn Smash. Both are delicious — but we’re really in it for the glow cube, we won’t lie. Poison Apple Glow Cube Drinks The Poison Apple Glow Cube is perfectly as advertised: appley, poisony, glow cubey. And floating in The Forbidden Apple, it’s totally totally eerie! The Poison Apple itself is a sharp Fall drink. The strong sour apple and fireball come through, and are softened by the cranberry juice and grenadine. Poison Apple Glow Cube We wanted to check out this awesome glow cube in the daylight and in semi-darkness, so we could see all the details. That creepy face is surprisingly dimensional! Poison Apple Glow Cube Poison Apple Glow Cube But the cube really shines (no pun intended) when it’s dark enough to appreciate the glow! Poison Apple Glow Cube It’s the ultimate glow cube used not just because glow cubes are cool but because it actually enhances the design. Poison Apple Glow Cube Fantastic in the Autumn Smash, too! (And yup: that’s a full cinnamon stick in the drink!) This one is the sweeter, more milder of the two drinks, but still packs a punch with that unexpected smooth pear flavor. Poison Apple Glow Cube Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls: get yourselves to Jock Lindsey’s ASAP, and pick up your own Poison Apple Glow Cube! Want to stay in the know about all the Disney food news? Sign up for the DFB Newsletter, and never miss out! Which of these drinks would be your poison? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Labor Day News: Happy Hour All Day at STK Orlando in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs! New Cocktails at House of Blues in Disney Springs! 21 Myths About Walt Disney World Food DEBUNKED View the full article

If you’ve ever boarded the Wildlife Express Train in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, then you’ve found yourself at its destination: Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Rafiki’s Planet Watch This area of the park, which includes Conservation Station, the Affection Section petting zoo, and the Habitat Habit! trail, will close to parks guests next month, according to the Orlando Sentinel. October 20th is to be the final day of operation. Rafiki’s Planet Watch also offers character meet and greets with Rafiki (among others) and provides a look at the animal-care team at work. The care team will continue to give care to the park’s animals. Timon and Rafiki And on January 18, 2019, the Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party will kick off to launch the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of The Lion King, where we know that Rafiki will join along with Timon as part of the fun. So guests can still look forward to saying “Jambo” to Rafiki in 2019. Source: Orlando Sentinel 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! This isn’t the only change in store around Disney World… find out about all the BIG CHANGES on the way in our DFB YouTube video right here!  What do you think of this change coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: What’s New Around Walt Disney World: October 20, 2016 News: Pandora — The World of AVATAR Opens May 27th in Disney’s Animal Kingdom FULL Review: The New Satu’li Canteen in Animal Kingdom’s Pandora — The World of AVATAR View the full article

Bacon hasn’t been solely for breakfast in a while — and now Vivoli Il Gelato in Disney Springs found a tasty way to have bacon as a snack or dessert! Vivoli il Gelato That’s right, Vivoli Il Gelato has introduced a Maple Bacon Milkshake! We had to check this out! Vivoli Il Gelato Maple Bacon Shake This limited-time shake starts with Maple Gelato that’s spun together with Milk and Bacon Bits. They then pour this yummy maple-ly bacon-y milkshake IN a White Chocolate Dipped Waffle Cone. And if that’s not enough, they top it all off with whipped cream, more bacon bits, caramel sauce, AND a whole slice of bacon. Vivoli Il Gelato Maple Bacon Shake The Maple Gelato has a strong, rich flavor that pairs well with the smoky Bacon, and is balanced out with the sweetness of the White Chocolate Dipped Cone. Vivoli Il Gelato Maple Bacon Shake If you’re looking for something other than pumpkin or pumpkin spice (we’ve all got to mix it up once in a while) as tastes of the fall season this maple shake is a tasty alternative. Vivoli Il Gelato Maple Bacon Shake At $12.25 this is definitely a pricey milkshake, but it is share-able. So, depending on your love of bacon and maple, and how many people you may (or may not) be sharing this with it could be money well spent on a sweet, smoky, fall dessert! Check out our Food Tour of Disney Springs’ The Landing (including Vivoli Il Gelato)! When you’re done – check out all of our Food Tours 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 Springs! August 10, 2018 The Year in Review: Top Disney Food News Stories of 2015! News: Vivoli il Gelato Debuts Tiramisu Gelato for a Limited Time View the full article

Once again this year, a Thanksgiving Feast will be served at Disneyland Hotel on Thursday, November 22, 2018! ©Disney Booking is now open for Thanksgiving Day for times from 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Disneyland Hotel’s Grand Ballroom will serve up an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet surrounded by autumn decor, and a few Disney pals will stop by for photo opportunities. Disneyland Hotel Ballroom The buffet will present tradition Thanksgiving favorites alongside specialty items. Starters and Salads will include artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, chilled poached jumbo shrimp and crab legs, smoked salmon, and plenty of greens. Carved-to-Order Meats will include Roast Turkey (of course!) and Prime Rib of Beef. Turkey Breast at the Feast Look for side dishes to include stuffing, sweet potato soufflé, cranberry-orange relish, and mashed potatoes with gravy. And the Children’s Buffet will also offer items such as chicken nuggets, pizza, mac and cheese, and corn. Desserts will feature a Make-Your-Own Ice Cream Sundae, chocolate mousse, cookies, and tarts. Classic Pumpkin Pie will also be among the offerings. Complimentary beverages will include lemonade, iced tea, milk, soft drinks, coffee and tea. And one specialty cocktail or non-alcoholic specialty drink will be provided as part of the buffet as well (while a full bar selection will be available for purchase, including wine by the bottle). Please note that all menu items are subject to change. The price for Disneyland Hotel Thanksgiving is $120 for adults and $35 for children ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity. Interested guests may book online or by calling (714) 781-DINE, with payment in full required at time of booking. Not going to be in Disneyland for Thanksgiving? Well, there is plenty of fall food fun to be enjoyed all around Disneyland Resort right now! Check out our DFB YouTube Video to see it all!  Will you be celebrating Thanksgiving in Disneyland? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: News: Afternoon Tea Packages Coming to Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel Guest Review: Breakfast at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel Dining in Disneyland: Afternoon Tea at Disneyland Hotel’s Steakhouse 55 View the full article

There’s always been more than just coffee available at the Isle of Java in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but it’s rarely been home to a must-try snack… until now! Isle of Java If you stop by this coffee and snack spot located on Discovery Island, you’ll currently find Apple Cider Donut Holes for your autumn-snacking adventures, according to the official @wdwtoday Twitter account. @wdwtoday Twitter The apple cider component comes from the glaze drizzled over the fried donut holes with diced apple pieces rolled in cinnamon sugar. They are listed as $4.99 according to the Disney World online menu, and we hope to confirm Disney Dining Plan snack credit eligibility soon. Once again, Happy Fall, Y’all! Looking for more Fall Food Fun in Disney World? Then check out our DFB YouTube Video below! Will you be trying Apple Cider Donut Holes in Animal Kingdom? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Grand Launch! DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks 2015 The Return of the Jungle Juice Slush, New Breakfast Options, Boozy Shave Ice, and More at Disney’s Animal Kingdom 2019 Disney Dining Plans AND Disney World Vacation Packages Announced View the full article

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas – one of my all-time favorite films – will soon celebrate its milestone 25th anniversary with a spectacular concert event in Hollywood, and Disney Vacation Club Members may book an exclusive VIP package as part of Membership Magic. “The Nightmare Before Christmas In Concert Live to Film” event at Southern California’s famed Hollywood Bowl will take place on Oct. 26 and 27 at 8 p.m., pairing the film with a live musical score performed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. State-of-the-art projection mapping will transform the iconic façade of the Hollywood Bowl into an ever-evolving extension of the film and music. The immersive experience will feature live performances by stars from the film, including Catherine O’Hara as Sally, Ken Page as Oogie Boogie and Disney Legend Danny Elfman as Jack Skellington. Early-arrivers will find the legendary venue transformed into Halloween Town, with pre-show activities ranging from photo opportunities to trick-or-treating stations to a costume contest in which Tim Burton-inspired costumes are highly encouraged. The $1,200 (plus fees) Disney Vacation Club Member Package for four ($300 per person) includes premium box seating, four passes to an invitation-only after party hosted by the concert’s producer and four commemorative items signed by Danny Elfman. Click here to purchase this exclusive package, and get ready for a memorable night with the Pumpkin King! 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

More change is in the air at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Rafiki’s Planet Watch, including the Conservation Station, are closing to the public, Walt Disney World has confirmed. The final day for theme-park guests to visit the area will be Oct. 20, a Disney spokeswoman says. Disney has not... View the full article

More change is in the air at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Rafiki’s Planet Watch, including the Conservation Station, are closing, Walt Disney World has confirmed. The final day for theme-park guests to visit the area will be Oct. 20, a Disney spokeswoman says. Disney has not announced a... View the full article

In the pantheon of character meals at Walt Disney World, there’s only one where you can dine with big, fluffy friends straight out of the Hundred Acre Wood — and in a classic Magic Kingdom location: Crystal Palace! Learn About: Crystal Palace Magic Kingdom Disney World Restaurants Truth be told, we’ve had a bit of a roller coaster relationship with Crystal Palace over the years. Some visits have been good (like this lunch four years ago and like breakfast here back when you could get into the nearly-empty park!), and one was particularly awful (dinner at the end of the night = icky buffet remnants…I didn’t even do a post about it). But the opportunity to dine with Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger is pretty much a Disney World rite of passage and something that every Disney fan should do at least once. And dining in the Crystal Palace — a gorgeous building that’s been a mainstay since Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 — is a lovely experience. But what about the food — arguably the most important aspect of any restaurant? It’s standard, but acceptable on most visits, with breakfast having, perhaps, the most interesting options with Pooh’s Breakfast Lasagna and Puffed French Toast being crowd favorites. And so I returned recently, for lunch this time, to see how things are going. Welcome to Crystal Palace! Atmosphere Crystal Palace is unmistakable in the landscape of Magic Kingdom. This ornate building shouts Victorian Era, with multiple layers of design details. The iconic two-level dome is made of glass and lets in dramatic bright light on a sunny day and creates an open feeling in the dining room no matter the weather outside. Crystal Palace Exterior Inside, stained glass windows add pops of color to the mostly-white decor, and guests are always greeted by this banner welcoming them to the perpetual “Friendship Day Celebrashun”! It’s always Friendship Day at Crystal Palace! The characters here aren’t just the animated, fluffy kind. Guests are also treated to these character topiaries, which are cheerful and colorful (and seasonally dressed when applicable). Winnie The Pooh and Friends Greet You As You Enter Brass light fixtures and elaborate floral displays add tons of charm in the dining room, where large windows line the walls, letting in even more light. Dining Room Tables are set simply, with cloth napkins and silverware. Chairs emphasize the garden feel with wrought iron. Table Settings Oh, and if you’re wondering about the plastic straw situation here: they’ll provide them if you ask, or you can pack in your own (super cute pink!) reusable straws. Don’t forget your reusable straw… or just ask for a straw! Of course, the decor and atmosphere are only part of why guests come to Crystal Palace. Bring on the characters! Characters The characters at Crystal Palace are special friends — direct from the Hundred Acre Wood! Winnie the Pooh is here with his beautiful golden fur and his customary red shirt. Winnie the Pooh He’s true to every Pooh Bear stuffy you’ve ever seen, and aside from being able to move, you might think it’s just a big stuffed bear. Silly little bear! Okay, now, it’s not a Hundred Acre party unless Tigger the wonderful thing is there! And he is, indeed, a fun and energetic party animal! The wonderful thing about Tigger… He’s so fun that, in fact, it can be hard to catch him standing still! …is Tigger the wonderful thing! But he’s so much fun, you can’t help but smile. He’s a party animal! Piglet is here, being coy and sweet. He’s fabulous in several shades of pink. Piglet! So cute. And by the way, don’t be afraid to ask the characters to pose solo if you’re not into posing or if you’d like a picture for your album or autograph book! They’re happy to oblige! Piglet plays coy. Last up here is Eeyore, that somber little donkey. He (and all the characters) move through the dining room throughout the meal, and even lead special Friendship Day Celebrashun parades! So even if you’ve met them already, you’ll still get to see them meandering and join in the fun. Eeyore makes the rounds! Eeyore has a cute expression and plays his part well. Eeyore is as cheerful as Eeyore can be! Here he’s saying it’s all right — go get some lunch. Lovable guy! Eats Crystal Palace serves up a large buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And for those adults looking for a glass of something grown up to drink, Crystal Palace offers a small menu of beer, wine, cocktails, and cider. Alcoholic Drinks Menu The buffet is anchored by this large domed central station where diners find the carving station. The buffet extends to the left and right of center, with the same offerings on each side. The buffet awaits! The buffet includes loads of options in addition to the meats on the carving station, including salads galore, side dishes, and plenty of desserts. Buffet Buffet There’s even a section called Pooh’s Corner, which is the children’s buffet. Pooh’s Corner for Kids! Plates for the Children’s Buffet Included here are picky eater favorites like Mac and Cheese and Chicken Nuggets, along with Steamed Corn and Peas and Chicken Drums. Buffet basics! Mac and cheese, Nuggets, Corn, and Drumsticks! If you’re looking to carb-load, don’t miss the bread station with Kaiser, Spitzweck, Sesame, and Sunflower Rolls, Garlic Parker House Rolls, and Whipped Butter. Fresh-baked bread! Breads Salads include the basics — Caesar Salad and Crisp Mixed Greens with Dressing — and a slew of others. Salad options Salads Dressing Cold salads continue with Roasted Beet Salad, Mixed Fruit Salad, and Roasted Potato Salad. Also on this station are simple baby Carrots and Apple Slices and some Peel-n-Eat Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce. Salads Salads Other creative salad options include Edamame Salad, Mediterranean Pasta Salad, Moroccan Couscous Salad, Greek-style Tomato Salad, and Cucumber and Red Onion Salads. Salads Salads, Pasta, Couscous With so many fresh and creative salads, it’s actually pretty easy to eat healthfully at Crystal Palace, which is not to say you have to — just that you can. Diners can also have a bowl of soup. On my visit it was Tomato-Basil. At the soup station are condiments like Ketchup and BBQ Sauce. Tomato-Basil Soup Tomato-Basil Soup with Condiments The centerpiece of the restaurant is the domed carving station, and the day I visited, there were two meats on the buffet: Roasted Striploin of Beef and Roast Peach BBQ Glazed Pork. Carving Station Offerings Roasted Striploin of Beef Roast Peach BBQ Glazed Pork There’s also “Hunny” Soy Glazed Verlasso Salmon and Beer Battered Pollock for those who prefer to add some fish to their meal. “Hunny” Soy Glazed Verlasso Salmon “Hunny” Soy Glazed Verlasso Salmon Beer-Battered Pollock To accompany the meats and fish (or just because they’re tasty on their own!), there are several sides available to round out the meal. There are also two other meat options. Steamed Rice with Vegetables and Herbs waits alongside Banger Sausage with Collard Greens, Oak-Grilled Rotisserie Chicken, and “Hunny”-Glazed Carrots. Steamed Rice, Banger Sausage with Collard Greens, Rotisserie Chicken, and “Hunny”-Glazed Carrots Steamed Rice and Banger Sausage with Collard Greens Oak-Grilled Rotisserie Chicken and “Hunny”-Glazed Carrots The variety of food on the buffet is super apparent at this station: Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage and Shrimp, Parmesan Pierogi, “Rabbit”touille, and Vegan Pesto Pasta. Talk about a world tour on a plate! And FYI – this was also my hands-down FAVORITE section — nearly everything here was delicious, especially the vegan pesto pasta! Yummmm. Jambalaya, Pierogi, and more! Jambalaya Parmesan Pierogis “Rabbit”touille and Vegan Pesto Pasta Finally, some classics are available, like Homestyle Mashed Potatoes, Cauliflower and Broccoli, and Green Beans with Onion. Fire-roasted Corn Spoon Bread is a fun addition, too! So many sides! Mashed Potatoes, Cauliflower and Broccoli, and Spoonbread A meal with this many possible components has to conclude with lots of sweet desserts — and Crystal Palace has plenty to offer! I loved that most of them were themed to the characters! Peaches n Cream Panna Cotta, S’mores Tarts, “Hunny” Mousse Tarts, Gloomy Blueberry Mousse Dome Cakes, Pink and Red Velvet Cupcakes, Rabbit’s Garden Chocolate Pudding, and Chocolate Chip Cookies offer something for just about everyone. Desserts galore! The Peaches n Cream Panna Cotta is sugar-free. Peaches and Cream Panna Cotta The S’mores Tart is toasty and full of chocolate with a graham cracker tart shell. S’mores Tart Rabbit’s Garden Chocolate Pudding is cleverly covered in crushed chocolate cookies to look like a plot of land. Rabbit’s Garden Chocolate Pudding The Pink and Red Velvet Cupcakes are a simple option maybe suitable for some picky eaters, and we love the Piglet-inspired colors! Pink and Red Velvet But honestly, the cuteness award goes to the “Hunny” Mousse Pots! “Hunny” Mousse Pot Chocolate tart shells are filled with a honey-flavored mousse. Some are even topped with a sugar honey bee, which just makes sweet, sweet sense. “Hunny” Mousse Pot The Gloomy Blueberry Mousse Dome Cake is a pretty ode to Eeyore and his ever-gloomy mood. Gloomy Blueberry Mousse Dome Cake Crystal Palace wins some points for these next dessert options, which are delicious. Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding and Fresh Baked Brownies packed with Caramel and Toffee Pieces! Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding and Fresh Baked Brownies Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding These brownies with caramel and toffee threw me for a loop. My first one was so delicious that I literally went and got three more to do a little photo shoot with. But those three weren’t nearly as delicious as the first. Just goes to show that it’s the luck of the draw at buffets like this, and even if your best friend Janet loved it…well, you might just be getting the second pan of brownies on your visit. Fresh Baked Brownies with Toffee and Caramel And if you’re in the mood for something chilly, you’ll find a soft serve ice cream machine with vanilla, chocolate, and twist. Soft-Serve Ice Cream Machine The dessert spread is irresistible, truly. Each of the individual desserts is small — maybe three or four bites if you’re careful — so trying a bunch is doable… unless you filled up at the buffet before. (On second thought, it might be worth it to start with dessert first. Just thinkin’ out loud!) So many desserts! And because that soft serve machine is self-serve, you can get a little creative. (Here’s that photo shoot I mentioned!) Brownie Sundae Even better? Do a little bread pudding and a little brownie with a lot of vanilla soft serve. (This was the first brownie and the super good one…why were they so different? Who can say.) Bread Pudding and Brownie with Soft Serve This buffet at Crystal Palace is really extensive, and because of that, this is a good spot to come with a group of diverse eaters. Those who want to spread their culinary wings can find a few interesting bites, and those who prefer the old standards can find those, too! And rest assured adults are free to eat from Pooh’s Corner if they prefer the simpler children’s fare. Nosh or Not? Head to the 100 Acre Wood if: You want to enjoy a character meal at the Magic Kingdom but Cinderella’s Royal Table isn’t your style (or price tag). Your crew has some picky and adventurous eaters — and you aim to please them all. Winnie the Pooh and his pals are your favorites! Head elsewhere if: A buffet is really too much food for your crew, and you prefer not to waste money or food. Table service isn’t your speed; you’re a quick service kind of guest. Winnie the Pooh and his pals are not must-meet characters (or you’ve got a little one who doesn’t do big masked characters). Overall Crystal Palace is good, I’ll just say it. As with most Disney buffets, the food isn’t world class, but it is decent. And with so many options, it’s a safe bet for your traveling group. Plus if you’re in the mood for a character meal with familiar figures from your childhood, these four might just fit the bill. Note that due to the size of this restaurant, seeing all four characters might take some time. I was there for about an hour and just barely saw all of them. So be prepared for a slow-moving meal from time to time if seeing all four characters is a must for you. Not sure if Crystal Palace is meant for you? Check out this DFB YouTube video where we compare and contrast Crystal Palace and nearby Chef Mickey’s! Have you tried Crystal Palace? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below! 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The most bewitching time of the year is here at the Disneyland Resort! Halloween Time is full of festive frights for the whole family to enjoy from now through Oct. 31. Now, shopDisney is giving you the opportunity to win a spook-tacular Disneyland Resort vacation for four, which includes three days/two nights at the Disneyland Resort, round trip coach airfare, hotel accommodations, Park Hopper tickets, a Disneyland VIP Tour Guide for one day, a Disney Gift Card and more. The contest runs through Oct. 9. You can enter and read the full rules here. Good luck! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter Sweepstakes between 9/11/18 at 12:00 PM PDT and 10/9/18 at 12:00 PM PDT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18+ at time of entry. Limit 1 entry per person per day. See Official Rules for full details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, odds of winning, prize descriptions and limitations. Void in Quebec and where prohibited. View the full article

Join Disney Parks Moms Panelist, Tabitha, as she explores all there is to do for preschoolers and their families at Disney Water Parks. Let the splashing and giggling begin! Ketchakiddee Creek at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, allows preschoolers and little ones to feel like they are enjoying a big kid attraction. Complete with side-by-side mini slides, crawl chutes and animal shaped fountains, this imaginative play area promises hours of fun! But sorry big brother, this one is only for those under 4 feet tall! If your Water Park fun day takes you to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, make sure your little one is able to check out Tike’s Peak. This area is for those 48 inches and under and will have your kiddo enjoying fun in the sun with all types of aquatic adventures including, miniature snow-banked slides and a mini inner-tube ride. Looking for an attraction the entire family can enjoy? Look no further than Miss Adventure Falls at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, the longest ride in the history of Disney Water Parks. For more information on planning your next Disney vacation with preschoolers, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized answer from one of our knowledgeable panelists! View the full article

Celebrate Mickey With This Limited-Edition Blend From Joffrey’s! View the full article

To continue our celebration of the new Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we decided to “PLAY BIG” with an elaborate, one-of-a-kind maze of dominoes you must see to believe. The Toy Story Land-inspired structure of 32,000 dominoes features a series of complex chain-reaction tricks and stunning special effects with classic toys you’ll spot in our new immersive land! The intricate domino creation, which was built freehand inside the Arena at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, also includes beautiful Pixar character domino murals of Buzz Lightyear and Woody. Lead domino artist and popular YouTube star Lily Hevesh, who is also a huge fan of Disney Parks and Toy Story Land, started the chain reaction by rolling the iconic Pixar ball into the first of the dominoes. What took Lily and a team of four other expert domino builders nearly a week to set up at the Sports Complex, toppled in less than five minutes. Watch the mesmerizing video of 32,000 dominoes falling down: In the video, you’ll notice several complicated domino tricks paying tribute to the new immersive land at the Walt Disney World Resort, including the first trick of sending Alien Swirling Saucers toys into a string of dominoes. Other “wow” moments include a Slinky Dog toy propelling a ball through a Slinky toy as well as a domino fall activating a Buzz Lightyear Bubble Blower toy. And as a finale, a large domino wall falls to reveal signs from Toy Story Lands and Disney-Pixar experiences at Disney Parks around the world. Do you recognize any? During the six-day process of setting up 32,000 dominoes, the Disney Parks Blog team joined Lily and the domino builders to see how the magic happens. Check back soon for a special Disney Parks Blog behind-the-scenes look at this amazing Toy Story Land-inspired creation. View the full article

Calling all fans of Turner Classic Movies. The channel for vintage movies will marks its 25th anniversary by bringing back the TCM Classic Cruise. The event will unfold for five nights on the Disney Magic next year. TCM billed it as “the majestic Disney Magic.” The dates: Oct. 22-27, 2019. The... View the full article

Where is Disney Cruise Line sailing in 2020? Be among the first to find out! This Thursday, join our #DisneyParksLIVE stream at 11:00 a.m. EST—right here on the Disney Parks Blog—as we share the exciting news. Live from Walt Disney World Resort, host Mark Daniels will reveal where our ships are headed in early 2020, including first-ever cruises from the port of … (you’ll have to watch to find out!) Be sure to follow along on Twitter using the hashtags #DisneyParksLIVE and #DisneyCruise. View the full article

Lace up your sneakers and get ready for the most magical race weekend on Earth during the 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna! With a new friend joining, new “bling” and lots of exciting surprises and entertainment, now more than ever is the time to join us for our biggest race weekend of the season! We’re excited to give you a first look at this year’s finisher medals: New to this year, luck will be on your side for the Walt Disney World 5K as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit makes his race debut! Participants can look forward to picking up this finisher medal which prominently features the classic Disney character. More miles, more medals. Whether you’re feeling Goofy for 39.3 miles or Dopey for 48.6, runners taking on one of the weekend’s challenges will earn this extra “bling.” For some added magic, this year’s medal for Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge features our favorite Goof in “spinning” form! Celebrating its 5th anniversary, Disney Castaway Cay Challenge returns for runners who want to accomplish the ultimate running adventure when they set sail with Disney Cruise Line. Exciting news for the runDisney Kids Races: Beginning in 2019, participants in the runDisney Kids Dashes and One Mile Run will earn a unique medallion for each event! This year’s designs feature your pals Mickey and Pluto. Earning a medal for your 26.2 miles of hard work? Our Walt Disney World Marathon medal will also feature our host, Mickey Mouse, “spinning” in the middle. Want to join in this four park race celebration? Spaces remain in select race events so check out our website to see how you can earn this exciting “bling”! Let us know which race you’ll be participating in using the hashtag #WDWMarathon on our social channels! Follow runDisney on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Click here to learn more about other runDisney events! View the full article

Walt Disney World is changing its ticket structure by moving to date-based pricing that reflects the expected demand on specific days. It’s also introducing a new platform on which to make those purchases. The changes and additions, including the price to enter the parks, kick in Oct. 16. At that... View the full article

The backlash was swift and fierce toward the “Wreck-It Ralph 2” promo featuring Disney princesses at a sleep over, including a suddenly light-skin, type-3 curly hair version of Princess Tiana. And it was absolutely right. Disney agreed to redraw Princess Tiana’s facial features and darken her skin... View the full article