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It’s official! Today, during the Special Olympics Florida Summer Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, Special Olympics North America and Special Olympics Florida signed documents to bring the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games to Orlando, held June 5-10, 2022. Special Olympics serves as the world’s largest sports organization empowering people with intellectual disabilities, and the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics Florida, as well as mark the largest humanitarian event in Florida’s history. The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games will be comprised of 15 Olympic-style team and individual sports, as well as five potential demonstration sports, and is expected to bring together more than 4,000 elite athletes, 10,000 volunteers, 1,500 coaches and 75,000 fans from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosts several other Special Olympics Florida events, including the State Summer Games, the State Fall Classic and the State Golf Championships. More details on the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games will be released soon! For more information on upcoming events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, such as the Memorial Day Baseball Classic later this month and the upcoming Jr. NBA World Championship in August, please visit espnwwos.com. View the full article

UPDATE: The entry period for this event has closed. Please keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for future opportunities As regular readers know, we’re celebrating the Solo: A Star Wars Story movie at this year’s Star Wars: Galactic Nights event on May 27, 2018 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Today, the Disney Parks Blog team is offering you an opportunity to begin celebrating early during a special 6 p.m. opening night showing of the film at AMC Disney Springs 24 on May, 24, 2018. Our Solo: A Star Wars Story meet-up begins at 6 p.m. ET (doors open at 5 p.m.) at AMC Disney Springs 24 at Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday, May 24. During the event, you’ll see a special 6 p.m. showing of Solo: A Star Wars Story at the AMC Disney Springs 24. Solo: A Star Wars Story, is an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes. You can RSVP for the event right now by clicking here. Only one guest per confirmed registrant is permitted. A limited number of attendees may attend the meet-up, so be one of the first to sign up. First come, first served. Also, here are a few things you should know: All attendees who sign up for the meet-up must be 18 years or older, but guests do not need to be 18 or older. Please arrive early. Seating is first come first seated. No one will be admitted late. Solo: A Star Wars Story is rated PG-13. Limit one guest per registrant. We will send an email to individuals whose valid RSVPs are received by us before we reach the planned capacity to confirm their attendance for the meet-up. If confirmed, it will be necessary for the registrant and guest to check-in in advance of the movie time. The confirmation email will include those details. Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in. Meet-up confirmations are non-transferrable and have no cash value. Confirmation will be for the accepted registered person and guest. If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation, then your RSVP was not accepted. The meet-up is subject to change or cancellation without notice. This post will be updated after capacity has been reached. View the full article

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away when Solo: A Star Wars Story flies into U.S. theaters on May 25. Guests visiting Disney Parks will find a dynamic assortment of merchandise inspired by this all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. This film presented an opportunity for the merchandise team to develop a handful of products for Disney Parks. “Guests of all ages can celebrate beloved characters and new adventures from this highly-anticipated film with a fantastic cross-category assortment of products, several of which were created especially for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts,” explained Cody Hampton, Senior Merchandiser with Merchandise Strategy and New Park Experiences Development. A Droid Factory action figure set contains astromechs seen in the upcoming motion picture. This set complements the build-your-own-droid experiences currently offered in select Disney Parks’ locations, where guests can mix and match droid parts to create action figures from the 3.75-inch line. From playful graphic T-shirts to a baseball cap, adults and kids will find a galaxy of stylish apparel and accessories featuring characters and images from the film. Several products, such as the throwback track-style jackets, were designed for Star Wars-loving couples. They join a mix of other companion-themed merchandise such as hats and T-shirts found only at Disney Parks. Guests can make pin trading an adventure during a Disney vacation with new individual pins, pin sets and trading accessories. These must-have, character-inspired designs are easy to display on themed lanyards, hats or jackets. Rounding out the Disney Parks-specific collection are two new retail MagicBands to join the lineup of innovative wearables at Walt Disney World Resort. An open edition MagicBand features Han Solo and his mighty future copilot Chewbacca, while a limited release MagicBand includes notorious gambler Lando Calrissian. These items and more are found in select merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Guests may also find select products on ShopDisney.com and the Shop Disney Parks app. For Guests in Florida, a great way to celebrate a screening of the new film is by attending the Star Wars: Galactic Nights special event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios held exclusively on May 27th. Tickets are available now online, or by calling 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639) for details and reservations. View the full article

There are many magical benefits to staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, but did you know some of these extras include early access to booking FastPass+ selections, Extra Magic Hours in the four theme parks and the opportunity to enjoy a Disney Dining Plan? Disney Parks Moms Panelist, Wes, shares a few of his favorite, but perhaps, lesser known tips. For more great tips and suggestions on planning your next Disney vacation, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. View the full article

Each week, our Disney Doodles series explores what a Disney character may do or see first if they had the chance to visit a Walt Disney World theme park. In today’s Doodle, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Alice from “Alice In Wonderland” would do first if she had the chance to spend some time at Epcot. According to Ashley, she’d likely explore the park’s festival this time of year. “Alice is always chatting with the flowers,” Ashley said. “So it’s easy to imagine her and Dinah wanting to spend time at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival!” View the full article

Our newest “Inside Disney Parks” show celebrates 20 years of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – and it’s an episode we think you’re going to enjoy. Joe Rohde, Portfolio Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering kicks off the show with his special “Top 5 Places” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom before we take you behind the scenes of the new UP! A Great Bird Adventure. And our “unboxing” segment is back with a first look at a new, limited release Banshee. For updates on future show releases, subscribe to our email newsletter. And be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below. Here are our quick notes on some of the topics covered during the show: “Top 5 Places” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Joe Rohde has some great stories and places to visit at the park, including a beautiful reflecting pond you may have missed. Behind the Scenes at UP! A Great Bird Adventure – See first hand how we create this 25-minute show that features Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his furry friend Dug, from the Disney•Pixar animated film “Up” as they discover bird species from around the world. Banshee Unboxing – Victoria Hamilton from our Disney Parks Merchandise team takes us inside Windtraders for a first look at a limited release Banshee created to celebrate Pandora – The World of Avatar. The Vault – We look back on 20 years at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with Joe. View the full article

The 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is still in full bloom through May 28, which means there is still time to enjoy all the food and drinks at the Festival’s Outdoor Kitchens! One of our DFB readers requested this recipe and we went to the source to get it for you! Check out this EXCLUSIVE DFB recipe! 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Jardin de Fiestas in Mexico made our Best of the Fest list this year, and this booth is also where you’ll find Tiger Lily Sangria, which has become a fan favorite! Tiger Lily Sangria It’s the perfect drink for a warm spring day and we’re sharing the DFB-exclusive recipe with you today! The ingredients for the Tiger Lily Sangria are quite simple. You should be able to find the Elderflower Liqueur at your local liquor store, and you can pick your favorite Chardonnay! Tiger Lily Sangria from Jardin de Fiestas Ingredients 2 ounces Chardonnay 1/2 ounce Elderflower Liqueur 1/2 ounce Orange Liqueur 1 1/2 ounces Guava Puree 1/2 ounce Mango Puree 1 ounce Water Instructions Mix everything together with 6 ounces of ice and serve. Cheers! Click here to see the menus AND photos of all the food from the 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! Will you be mixing up Tiger Lily Sangria soon? Let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: 2015 Epcot Flower and Garden Recipe: Piggylicious Cupcake from The Smokehouse Booth Best Drinks at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Disney Recipe: Warm Wild Berry Buckle from the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival View the full article

The 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is in full bloom through May 28, 2018, and guests can enjoy the Disney-themed topiaries, gardens, specialty tours, and the Garden Rocks Concerts Series. And don’t forget about the 15 food booths that are serving up small plates and drinks with a focus on Spring flavors with fresh-from-the-garden ingredients! 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Click Here to visit our 2018 Flower and Garden Festival Menu Page to see the full booth menus and pics of ALL THE FOOD at the Festival! This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival and today we’re toasting those 25 years by checking out the Best Drinks at the 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! Pineapple Momo Sake Cocktail at Hanami We loved all the food at Hanami this year and this cocktails is the perfect drink to enjoy while noshing in Japan! Pineapple Momo Saki Cocktail The Pineapple Momo Sake Cocktail is is light, sweet-tart, and refreshing! La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy at Fleur de Lys Fleur de Lys in France is always a favorite food booth at the Flower and Garden Festival and this returning drink is a must-have! La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy The La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy is made with Grey Goose Orange, St. Germain Liqueur, White and Red Cranberry Juice and it’s ideal on a warm springtime day at Epcot! Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade at Pineapple Promenade This frozen drink at the Pineapple Promenade is one of two non-alcoholic drinks on our list – and we recently named it one of the Best Eats for Kids at the Festival this year! Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade This drink is not too sweet or too floral, and it’s been a DFB favorite for several years. And, it’s totally insta-worthy too! ;-D Cider Flight at Cider House If you’re not a beer drinker, but you’re still looking for a really good beverage flight, this hard cider flight at Cider House is for you! Cider Flight The flight includes McKenzie’s Black Cherry Hard Cider, the Florida Beer Company Caribé Pineapple Tropical Hard Cider, and the Ciderboys Grand Mimosa Apple Orange Hard Cider. And they’re all delicious! Rose Margarita at Jardin de Fiestas What’s a Flower and Garden Festival without a floral-inspired margarita? If you stop by Jardin de Fiestas in Mexico, be sure to order this Rose Margarita! It’s light and refreshing and it’s been a DFB favorite for a while! Pineapple Beer Flight at Pineapple Promenade This beer flight was a definite Festival standout for us this year! Pineapple Beer Flight The flight includes Coastal Empire Beer Co. Coco Piña Gose, Maui Brewing Co. Pineapple Mana Wheat, and SweetWater Brewing Company Goin’ Coastal IPA – and all have a light and refreshing taste! Twinings® Green Tea Berry Mint Julep, The Berry Basket This frozen Mint Julep from The Berry Basket is our other favorite non-alcoholic drink on the list today (you can get it with booze, but we prefer this one without)! Twinings® Green Tea Berry Mint Julep (Non-Alcoholic) This drink is incredibly refreshing, bursting with berry, and the tea and mint flavors also come through. After a warm springtime day with lots of walking, this is the perfect, light treat. You can see ALL THE DRINKS (and FOOD) by visiting our Flower and Garden Festival Menus page here! And check out ALL the details of the Festival below! 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Index 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Booth and Menu Index 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Special Events 2018 Garden Rocks Concert Schedule Epcot Festival Fans Facebook Page 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS How to Book Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Events Many Epcot Flower and Garden Events are free with your Epcot Admission and require no advance booking. For more details on available events that do require a fee and advance booking, please see our Special Events page. What have been your favorite drinks at this year’s Flower and Garden Festival? Let us know with a comment. Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Best of the Fest! What To Eat at the 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! Best Eats for Kids at the 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival News! New Booths and Eats at the 2016 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival View the full article

Counter Service restaurants and snack carts and kiosks ALL OVER Disneyland Resort are serving up Pixar-themed snacks, sweets, and treats for Pixar Fest, running now through September 3rd. Pixar Fest ©Disney But Paradise Garden Grill in Disney California Adventure is serving up an entire menu inspired by a Pixar film… and that flick is Coco!! Click here to read all of our Pixar Fest reviews and print your own Pixar Fest Food Checklist! Paradise Garden Grill You can even wave hello to Miguel and Dante pictured on the corners of the menu featuring Mexican entrees, desserts, and beverages. Paradise Garden Grill Pixar Fest Menu Paradise Garden Grill Pixar Fest Menu Entrees include the Mole Verde con Pollo, which is herb-braised chicken served with golden rice, black beans, and corn tortillas. Mole Verde con Pollo If you love salsa verde, this one’s your jam. Mole Verde con Pollo The Tortitas de Pap con Queso are crispy potato cakes (YUM!!!) with Oaxaca cheese, ranchero salsa, more of that golden rice, and a pickled onion salad. Tortitas de Papa con Queso Tortitas de Papa con Queso If you’re curious about where that cheese is hiding… Tortitas de Papa con Queso … you find it all the moment you dig in! With the Tacos de Estilo Callejero you get three sirloin beef tacos topped with pickled veggies, and they’re also served with golden rice and black beans. Tacos de Estillo Callejero These street-style tacos are good, but my favorite of the entrees is still to come… Tacos de Estillo Callejero The Yucatan-inspired Vaporcitos present the chicken tamales in the banana leaves in which they’re steamed, and comes with ranchero salsa, golden rice, and black beans. Yucatan-inspired Vaporcitos Yucatan-inspired Vaporcitos You get tons of that delicious, rich corn dough surrounding the chicken! Yucatan-inspired Vaporcitos The other thing that tops my list is the Ensalada de Frutas. Ensalada de Frutas The huge slices of jicama, watermelon, cucumber, pineapple, and mango are super refreshing. But I love that bit of kick from the chile-lime salt and chamoy (a sauce that likewise carries some heat along with some sweet!), which is what tops the fruit. Ensalada de Frutas If you dig this combo, too, then you’ll totally want to check out our Tajin Dole Whip Hack! I also grabbed the Agua de Jamaica. This sweet hibiscus tea slush carries a slight floral flavor which gives this bright, vividly-hued drink a profile that leans towards a grownup palate. Agua de Jamaica Slush Speaking of grownup flavors… the Tres Leches Parfait is a vanilla cake layered with caramel cream and dark rum. Tres Leches Parfait And it’s topped with a cute chocolate Dante coin and crispy pearls, sprinkles, and a dab of cream to boot! Tres Leches Parfait The truth is, though, I’m not really into boozy dessert flavors and the taste of the rum was pretty strong. So, for me, I think it’s totally adorable, but I wouldn’t go back for it. Tres Leches Parfait But you dark rum fans, this one’s for you! Now, don’t forget… Paradise Garden Grill isn’t your only stop for Coco-inspired eats, and lots of them can be found in Disneyland. In fact, one of my very favorite items at Pixar Fest so far (and that’s saying something!) is the Cocoa Churro at the Churro Cart in Frontierland. And Rancho del Zocalo has specialty items themed to Coco, too. And to find the ALL the snacks featuring your favorite Pixar movie, check out the full list here! Click here to read all of our Pixar Fest reviews and print your own Pixar Fest Food Checklist! Which of the Coco-inspired items at Paradise Garden Grill tops your list? Please let us know with a comment! Heather Sievers is DisneyFoodBlog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist! Check out more of her adventures at @DininginDisney on Instagram! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: Plaza de la Familia at Paradise Garden Grill at Disney California Adventure Pixar Fest Eats: Adventure Tart Inspired by UP! at Jolly Holiday Bakery EVEN MORE FUN FOODS Coming to Pixar Fest in Disneyland Resort! View the full article

Happy weekend! Here’s all the Disney food news this week! The Big Board The 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is ON until May 28! We have FULL MENUS for the Epcot Flower and Garden FESTIVAL plus Photos of EVERY FOOD ITEM and most beverages! And, Pixar Fest is ON at Disneyland Resort! This fun festival runs through September 3! Click here to get a checklist for ALL the food at Pixar Fest and see our review! And it’s time to get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2018 e-book! Save 25% now with code wdw2018! We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News An after fireworks party is coming to the Magic Kingdom! Check out our sneak peek and review of Wine Bar George. The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks 2018-19 is here! We reviewed breakfast at the Ale & Compass Restaurant at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. There are new eats at the Golden Horseshoe and Stage Door Cafe in Disneyland. We checked out the new DisneyStyle Store in Disney Springs. Find out what’s in the new gourmet doughnut at the Disneyland Hotel. Check out the new menu at Flo’s V-8 Cafe at Disney California Adventure. There’s a new Pixar Fest Churro Challenge at Disneyland Resort. Check out the Infinity Gauntlet Sipper at Disneyland! Find out how to get FREE beer this summer in Orlando! Wine Bar George is opening this weekend at Disney Springs! Check out the Disney food trend we can’t escape. We have details on the Tropical Hideaway coming to Disneyland! We reviewed the new Solo: A Star Wars Story cupcake at Hollywood Studios! Check out where you can find the Purple Wall Slush at the Magic Kingdom. We have details on what’s new at Hollywood Studios, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. Check out the new menu at Scat Cat’s Club at Port Orleans French Quarter. We have our ultimate guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! A new food area has been added to the 2018 Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic! A new menu is coming to the Magic Kingdom’s Diamond Horseshoe. Changes have been announced at the Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. A new signature restaurant is coming to Epcot’s Japan Pavilion. There’s a new menu at the Rix Sports Bar & Grill at Coronado Springs. New DFB YouTube videos: Best Disney World Restaurants with a Fireworks View, Things I Wish I’d Known Before Visiting Castaway Cay, and Food Tour of Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland U.S.A. Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including menu updates, restaurant closures, special events, and more! We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go. New DFB Video: Things I Wish I’d Known Before Visiting Castaway Cay Have you subscribed to the DFB YouTube Channel? We’ve got great content going up twice a week showcasing our adventures in Disney World and Disneyland! This week, we’re sharing our latest video – Things I Wish I’d Known Before Visiting Castaway Cay! Check it out — and don’t forget to subscribe here. Deal of the Week: 25% off the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2018 The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2018 is here and we’re celebrating with 25% off the cover price with promo code WDW2018. What’s in the DFB Guide? The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2018 Edition is full of need-to-know details, tools, and features to make your trip go smoothly, including: A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks. An in-depth analysis of the Disney Dining Plan and whether it’s right for YOU. A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge, including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience. Four free, downloadable worksheets for planning your trip. These worksheets are designed to help you execute all the steps of planning the perfect Disney dining experience. And they’re reusable for all of your future trips! Seven sample one-day dining itineraries for a head-start on planning. A comprehensive index of bars and lounges WITH reviews. An often under-appreciated option for both dining and entertainment, the e-Book devotes a whole index to the topic. The ability to be read on your mobile device or computer! It’s fully portable right in your pocket! With over 650 pages of full-color photos, tips on the best restaurants, an ENTIRE chapter on snacks — including the best snack credit values throughout the parks and resorts — and a full break-down of whether the Disney Dining Plan is worth it for your family, now’s the time to get started planning your next Disney World vacation! 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Sample Pages Here’s Just Some Of What We’ve Updated In the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book: Fully updated prices and restaurant info for 2018 visitors Updated details about available discounts and deals at Disney World restaurants DFB’s own 2018 recommendations for everything from table service to counter service to snacks and more Over 600 pages of updated Disney Dining advice, details, and information Disney Dining Plan Analysis – Is it right for your family? Can you really save money? NEW Disney food and restaurant photos Updated reviews of all Disney World restaurants, kiosks, bars, and lounges including all new eateries An updated chapter focused on one of the most popular Disney dining topics: Snacks in the theme parks and resorts A comprehensive section of What’s NEW in Disney Food, including new restaurants, new menus, restaurant closures, and more Updated information about the My Magic+ Planning System that Disney rolled out in 2013, and how it may affect your 2018 Disney plans Changes coming to Disney World in 2018 and 2019! As you can see, this is a labor of love and we put a ton of time and effort (and research) into ensuring that we are sharing with you the most relevant, up to date Disney Food Information that’s available. We do this so that you can plan your own Disney visit with confidence, and have the trip of a lifetime, every time. And right now you can save 25% off the cover price with promo code WDW2018! DFB Reader Finds If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or around Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday. We recently told you about the big changes to the iconic Carrot Cake Cookie at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. DFB reader @sfullofsugar21 let us know she was trying the cookie out! We’d love to hear if you liked this new version! New Carrot Cake Cookie Rosie’s All-American Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a good, quick spot to stop for lunch or dinner. Our fan Joanna enjoyed the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich at Rosie’s and declared it was the “best veggie sandwich” she’s had at Disney! A nice lookin’ lunch from Rosie’s! Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us! On to the Round-Up! Mickey Fix shared this totally adorable Disney Eats Kitchen Collection! WDW for Grownups shared some Disney food news for this summer. Disney Parks Blog shared a recipe from Woody’s Lunch Box. Disney Family shared a recipe for Mickey Breakfast Sandwiches. Have a great week! We’ll see you back here tomorrow with another great Disney food review! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Disney Food News This Week: May 6, 2018 Disney Food News This Week: April 8, 2018 Disney Food News This Week – April 15, 2018 View the full article

This week, we shared a special #DisneyParksLIVE stream of “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” at Disneyland park during our first-ever Pixar Fest. If you missed it, we’re sharing the stream again in the replay below. This all-new nighttime spectacular takes guests on an emotional journey of friendship with their favorite Pixar pals. Dazzling pyrotechnics, immersive projections, colorful lasers and memorable music are part of the storytelling in this unique multimedia show. Visit our earlier “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” story for more information. Disney Parks Blog readers were also among the first to know that Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort is returning for even more days of wicked fun! Beginning September 7 through October 31, a spell will be cast at both Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park, transforming the Disneyland Resort into a frenzy of happy haunts. The seasonal celebration will include special attraction overlays, themed décor, seasonal treats and merchandise, plus spooky encounters with favorite characters. We have more details in our original Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort story. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Disney Parks Sweet Treats: May 2018 – Get your sweet tooth ready, because I’ve got some yummy new treats in store for you on this edition of Sweet Treats! Here’s all the latest info for all the new sweet treats at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Panel and Other Details Revealed for Galactic Nights on May 27 – We’re less than two weeks away from the return of the Star Wars: Galactic Nights event to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 27. Disney Cruise Line Debuts Diverse Lineup of Itineraries and Home Ports for Fall 2019 – This week, Disney Cruise Line announced an exciting lineup of vacations for fall 2019, including returns to captivating destinations like Bermuda, Bahamas, Baja, Canada and the Caribbean on a variety of itineraries from home ports in New York, California, Texas and Florida. New After Fireworks Dessert Party Coming to Magic Kingdom Park – Do you love fireworks? Do you love dessert? Are you a fan of MAGIC? Well then we have good news for you! Due to the popularity of the Fireworks Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom Park, there will now be an additional option – the After Fireworks Dessert Party starting on May 28. #DisneyKids: Creating Lasting Memories with Multi-Gen Travel to Walt Disney World Resort – Traveling to Disney with grandparents is always extra special. It’s a wonderful way to create lasting memories with those you love. And let’s face it, there is much to do throughout Walt Disney World Resort to keep everyone entertained from sunrise to sundown. View the full article

We’re starting our day in Disney World’s Yacht Club at Ale & Compass Restaurant! Learn About: Ale & Compass Restaurant Disney World Restaurants Ale & Compass Restaurant opened just last November, replacing the long-standing Captain’s Grille as the casual Table Service location for the Yacht Club. (The other Table Service option here — Yachtsman Steakhouse — is a Signature restaurant.) We’ve already visited for lunch and dinner, but I was particularly curious about breakfast, since this meal in particular had — in my opinion — more to live up to. I (and many others) always thought Captain’s Grille was a hidden gem in regards to breakfast. It offered both a buffet option along with some unique (and even memorable) a la carte items such as Dark Chocolate Waffles and the Lobster Omelet. While many were ready for a change from Captain’s Grille lunch and dinner options, it left some rather big breakfast shoes to fill. Ale & Compass Restaurant sign by the entrance So, we’re here bright and early to how breakfast at Ale & Compass Restaurant fares. Atmosphere We took a full tour of Ale & Compass Restaurant not very long ago when it was newly open, and you can see it all here. Ale & Compass Restaurant Main Room But a quick look around shows the same simplistic decor with slate blues and grays providing much of the color palette. Ale & Compass Restaurant Main Room Seating The breakfast scene is much like lunch, of course, in that the light pouring in from the nearby windows surrounding the Yacht Club’s walkways plays up the minimalistic scene, with the perimeter tables offering a brighter atmosphere. Ale & Compass Restaurant Perimeter Area Seating Ale & Compass Restaurant Side Room (Lighting — both natural and artificial — is greatly reduced in the evenings, giving Ale & Compass more of an intimate vibe.) The still-new look is much in keeping with the more refined (and less whimsically themed) atmosphere of the Yacht Club overall, presumably to cater more towards the business guests that often stay at this Resort, which also functions as a Convention Center. Ale & Compass additional seating You’ll notice more subtle nods to the Convention guests, too, like the charging stations found below the booths. Charging Station spotted under booth Charging Station spotted under booth But let’s see what you might be eating for breakfast, no matter whether your visit is for business or pleasure. Eats Let’s get one thing out of the way: the beloved Captain’s Grille breakfast buffet is no longer. I know. Super sad, right? It was awesome — really delicious — and now it’s gone. I asked our server and she said I wasn’t the first to lament the loss of such a nicely presented buffet. But anyway, the Breakfast menu — like lunch and dinner — is supposed to reflect New England-inspired comfort food (granted, options for the chefs to express that are probably a bit more limited for the morning meal). As with breakfast anywhere at Disney World, you’ll always spot some staple variations of eggs and bacon (the American Breakfast), omelets, and the like. For several dishes here, though, sides are an extra charge instead of included with the entree. Breakfast Menu More unique to the Ale & Compass breakfast menu are items such as the Blueberry Bacon Pancakes, Eggs Benedict with smoked pork loin, and an Open-faced Skirt Steak Sandwich. And where Ale & Compass continues to do a god job is providing more thoughtful items for vegetarian and vegan guests, as with the Breakfast Protein Bowl with a Tofu option, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and vegan sausage, all served with a Chocolate-Avocado Toast. Morning Cocktails are offered along with Juice and Smoothies and warm beverages. Breakfast Menu Care for a spot of tea? Here’s a look at some of the Twinings selections. Twinings Tea Choices As with lunch and dinner, flatbreads (also called Hearth Oven Pies, since that’s where they’re fired up) play a part on the breakfast menu. The Breakfast Flatbread is topped with ham, house-made bacon, provolone cheese, arugula, and typically a sunny-side egg which I asked to be scrambled, as you see in the picture. (For some flatbread topped sunny-side, check out the Caramelized Leek and Chorizo Pie we tried for lunch.) Breakfast Flatbread This was DELICIOUS. The amount of meat (especially that house-made bacon) was substantial, and the flatbread itself was a nice golden-brown, just thick enough to withstand the hearty toppings. These savory flatbreads are certainly sizable (typically cut into about 9 mini-slices), so they’re an option for sharing if you’d also like to try one of the sweeter breakfast options. Among those is the Salted Caramel-Apple French Toast. This one does come with your choice of side: sausage, bacon, or fresh fruit. Salted Caramel Apple French Toast As the name implies, the french toast comes stuffed with lots of diced apple and drizzled with salted caramel. The bit of buttery crumble is a nice touch, too. The flavors here work really well together, but, as you can guess, it is SUPER sweet. So…yeah…totally dessert for breakfast on this one! Salted Caramel Apple French Toast Overall, it’s a fun and flavorful way to start the day (it would be especially festive in the fall), but be ready for the sugar crash! Finally, the Ham and Cheese Omelet (which you can choose to be made with just egg whites, if you prefer), is served with a small side of fresh fruit. Apparently there is arugula for dayzzz at Ale & Compass , because there’s plenty of that on the top, too. Ham and Cheese Omelet It’s hearty and flavorful, and I appreciated the plentiful amount of cheese (naturally!). But there isn’t anything memorable about it, and made me long for the seriously awesome Lobster Omelet from the Captain’s Grille days (which would have also been entirely in keeping with the whole “New England-inspired” idea for the new menu, but I digress). And that leads in nicely to my final thoughts… Nosh or Not? You’ll want to pay a visit to Ale & Compass for Breakfast if: You’d like a more peaceful start to your day as opposed to tackling the pre-park lines at the Resort’s Counter Service, The Market at Ale & Compass. You are a guest at the Yacht Club for a convention, and would like to plug in a bit while you eat to prep for the day. You’re in the market for vegan fare for breakfast. You might want to pass on Ale & Compass for Breakfast if: You prefer your vacation days to start with a memory-in-the-making in terms of cuisine or experience. You’re ready to high-tail it from Yacht Club in the morning to the nearest park — Epcot! — so you’d rather grab Quick Service in your Resort (or in Epcot itself — at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in the France Pavilion, perhaps? Yep — it’s open for breakfast!). Overall I don’t want to give the wrong impression that I think the Ale & Compass Restaurant was a bad move for the Yacht Club. I actually think quite the opposite when I consider lunch and dinner here. It’s only that in light of the breakfast that used to be served here when it was Captain’s Grille, the current options at Ale & Compass — for breakfast — are somewhat ho-hum. Maybe it’s not fair to compare, because breakfast here is fine and gets the job done. But it’s only that — just fine. It certainly serves the purpose for providing a sit down meal for guests and convention attendees at the Resort. But if you’re looking for a more “Disney Best Day Ever” memorable way to start your Disney day in terms of both atmosphere and menu, I’d recommend that you choose elsewhere. If you’d like to find out which Resorts rank among our favorites in regards to food, you can check out our DFB YouTube Video! What are your thoughts on breakfast at Ale & Compass Restaurant? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Disney World Yacht Club Resort Ale & Compass Restaurant and Ale & Compass Lounge Opening in October Ale & Compass Restaurant Review: Is it Worth A Visit to Disney World’s Yacht Club Resort? NEW!!! The New Ale & Compass Restaurant in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort View the full article

Hello from Animal Kingdom! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re taking you on a Food Tour of Dinoland, U.S.A.! Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama sign In the midst of the breathtaking greenery and beauty in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom park is an unexpected and whimsical roadside tourist trap by the name of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama, and it sets the tone and scene for Dinoland, U.S.A.! Though this area has a decidedly unique feel in comparison to the rest of the park, it does share something in common with every other land: there’s lots of tasty food to be found there! We’d love to share with you one of our favorite Counter Service spots in Disney World, a milkshake with bourbon and bacon (!!!), and much, much more from Dinoland, U.S.A. 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: Do you have a favorite dino-riffic treat in Dinoland? Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: DFB Video: Food Tour of Animal Kingdom’s Africa DFB Video: Food Tour of Epcot’s Morocco DFB Video: Magic Kingdom Main Street, U.S.A. Food Tour View the full article

Howdy, pardners! It’s time to join our intrepid Disneyland correspondent Heather (check her out @DiningInDisney!) and revisit a couple of our old haunts in Disneyland’s Frontierland: Golden Horseshoe and Stage Door Cafe! Stage Door Cafe sign These two rootin’, tootin’ quick service locations serve up stick-to-your-ribs grub, and they’ve both got a couple of new menu items perfect to fuel your group. First up: Stage Door Cafe, where cowpokes can rustle up a Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich! Stage Door Cafe Menu Admittedly the Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich isn’t much to look at: golden brown bun, crusted steak, and pile o’ fries. It’s kind of a lot of brown… Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich But the breading on the steak has good flavor (love the flecks of black pepper in the mix!), and it’s nice and crunchy. The sauce on the sandwich is a slightly spicy aioli and adds a dash of creaminess and contrast. It’s a nice combo. Chicken Fried Steak The steak is sizeable, completely filling the bun. So if you’re looking for a small meal, you might even consider sharing this one. Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich With a slice of fresh lettuce on there as well, Heather says this is a tasty sandwich and a fun addition to the menu at Stage Door Cafe! Chicken Fried Steak Cross Section Over at The Golden Horseshoe, it’s chili fest! (Nope, not a real fest — like Pixar Fest, which is in full swing — but let’s just say Golden Horseshoe has the hots for chili right now!) The first chili iteration is atop savory Loaded Potato Skins! Loaded Potato Skins These are a trio of potato skins topped with meat chili (we assume beef…), shredded cheese, sour cream drizzle, and bright green scallions. Heather says these are delicious! Loaded Potato Skins with Meat Chili For some added spice, try the new Pepper Jack Chili Mac — pepper jack-spiced macaroni and cheese topped with the meat chili. Pepper Jack Chili Mac There’s a ton of chili on there, as well as cilantro, scallions, and shredded cheese. This is a heavy dish, y’all. Meat Chili on Pepper Jack Mac And the mac in this mac and cheese is a little unique. They’re basically mac and cheese bites with an awesome texture and loads of flavor! Macaroni and Cheese The bites are nice and golden — and hold that heavy meat chili well! It’s a cool combination of chewy mac and cheese, savory chili, and fresh garnishes. Heather loved this! Golden brown Mac and Cheese Balls Of note is this, though: Loaded Potato Skins and Pepper Jack Chili Mac eaten at the same time might be a little too much chili, even for a couple of eager diners. So Heather recommends going for potato skins without chili — and leavin’ that mac as is! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Check out more Disneyland Food Reviews Here!! Which of these new items lights your campfire? Tell us in the comments below! Heather Sievers is DisneyFoodBlog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist! Check out more of her adventures at @DininginDisney on Instagram! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Dining in Disneyland: Secret Menu Mozzarella Sticks at Stage Door Cafe Review: Stage Door Cafe in Disneyland Dining in Disneyland: Holiday Funnel Cake at Disneyland’s Stage Door Cafe View the full article

Staying at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge means you’ll enjoy many of the comforts of home, including a full kitchen in the 1- and 2-bedroom Villas, the breathtaking Grand Villas, and the unique waterfront Cascade Cabins. Food blogger Melissa Bailey recently shared several of her family’s favorite comfort food dishes that are perfect for vacations at this magnificent resort. You can even have groceries delivered right to your Disney Vacation Club accommodations, making it even easier to enjoy a home-cooked meal while on vacation. Melissa provides some culinary inspiration in this video. Watch as she makes a fun, yet simple to prepare, chicken salad! Here’s the recipe, which you can recreate at home. Or, if you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member, this is the perfect dish to make part of your annual tradition while staying in your own Villa! Ingredients 2 cups cooked skinless chicken breast, shredded 1 cup cooked corn kernels
 1 cup tomatoes, seeded and small dice 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
 1 cup avocados, cubed
 Pinch salt and pepper
 Plantain chips (optional) Directions In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken, corn, tomatoes and yogurt until the chicken is well 
coated.
 Season with lime juice, salt and pepper and adjust to taste. Add avocado pieces and toss. Serve as a salad, sandwich or with chips. 
 View the full article

This week, some of the most eye-catching (and mouth-watering) images were shared by Disney Parks Blog author Alex Dunlap, who shared his monthly roundup of sweet treats with us. Check out his favorite choices in the Instagram Gallery above. What would you pick as your favorite? Millennial Pink Macarons, Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater Apples, Pineapple Whip Swirl Cupcake, Blackberry Lemon Cheesecake, Belle Cupcake, Birthday Cake Ice Cream, Banana Split Milkshake or Purple Wall Slush? Read Alex’s full post here. View the full article

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