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We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival is a must do at least once in your Disney life. The food is fine, the drinks are tasty, and the celebration is energetic. 2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Logo But we also understand that the Festival can be a little overwhelming. The crowds are the biggest deterrent to guests, and we’ve heard some horror stories about bad guest behavior. So here are some travel hacks from your pals at the DFB, designed to mitigate some of the challenges presented by the Festival and to maximize your good times! 1. Bring a tray. What, you don’t ordinarily pack a tray for your Disney Parks visits? But seriously, when you’re planning to eat (and drink) your way through the Festival, you’re going to need something sturdy to carry all of those flimsy cardboard dishes. Tray with DFB Bumper Sticker! ;) Trays of all kinds and sizes can be found online (Amazon is a solid go-to for purchasing one), so you can find one that you like (or buy the cheapest one and jazz it up!). You’ll thank us later when you don’t have to juggle three plates and two cups at every food booth! Oh, and if you want one of these fancy DFB Food and Wine Tray stickers — here you go!! 2. Buy Disney gift cards at Target with your 5% off Red Card. If you’re like us, you’re already at Target 23 times a week, so this hack shouldn’t be an inconvenience. Put that Target Red Card to good use, and pick up Disney gift cards at a 5% discount. This way, everything you eat and drink at the festival will essentially be 5% off! Makes that Mac and Cheese taste even better. Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Nueske’s® Pepper Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Peppers and Green Onions 3. Bring a refillable water bottle. If you’re going to be a Festival commando, you’ll want to stay hydrated. Bring a water bottle from home to refill throughout the day with free ice water (ask for a big cup!) at counter service locations. (Heck, get a glass of water at table service locales, too!) This way you can save your pennies for the specialty eats and drinks and not spend them on bottles of overpriced water! Avoid paying for overpriced water! 4. Buy the DFB Guide to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Seriously. The DFB Guide to Epcot International Food and Wine is a valuable purchase, providing you with all the information you need to plan your visit. From special events to culinary demonstrations, mixology seminars to World Showcase booth grazing, we’ve done it all — and we can help you sort it all out. DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Don’t miss any of the action! Pre-Order your copy NOW! 5. Make a plan of attack before you go. Wrap your head around this massive Festival before you leave home! Get familiar with the layout of the Festival before you arrive — and remember that the booths close to the front of the Park will be busiest first. Consider starting in the middle of the Showcase and working your way out. Check out the Food Booths toward the middle of the Showcase first. And if you want to avoid crazy lines (or any mayhem or foolishness from guests who’ve enjoyed the “Wine” part of the Festival a little too much)? Try visiting in the earlier hours of the day — even spanning your Festival visit over a couple of early afternoons rather than one full afternoon/evening if necessary. Wine Flight 6. Check the menus, and go in with a list. We update our DFB Epcot International Food and Wine pages as soon as information becomes available — and that includes the menus! Hack your visit to the Festival by limiting how much time you have to spend browsing (and fighting the crowds!), and instead make a beeline for the items you definitely want to try. Gotta have that Handwich? Make it happen! Zesty Cheeseburger and Cheddar Cheese Macaroni Handwich Of course, the biggest travel hack of all is to try and relax. This Festival has grown to enormous proportions (35 food booths in 2017!), and that’s part of the challenge and part of the fun. Try to focus on the fun — and the food! — and it’ll all be good! Happy eating, friends! What’s your favorite part of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival? What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered at the Festival? Tell us in the comments! 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: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tip: Make Your Own Custom DFB Food and Wine Fest Tray! What NOT to Do at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! New Video: Our Top Tips for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! View the full article

Pixar Fest is coming to the Disneyland Resort, April 13 through September 3, and in addition to the dazzling new “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” and the return of “Paint the Night” parade and Pixar Play Parade, this celebration of friendship and beyond will bring limited-time foods, beverages and merchandise throughout the Disneyland Resort. And today, we’ve got a sneak peek! See how some of your favorite Pixar pals and stories are inspiring delicious treats in unexpected – not to mention photogenic – ways: “Up” Fried-ricksen Bologna Sandwich – Carnation Café, Disneyland park Fredrickson TV Diner – Carnation Café, Disneyland park “Up” Merit Badge Éclair – Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Disneyland park “Up”-Tart – Nutella Pop Tart Chocolate Fredrickson House & Balloons – Capuccino Cart, Disneyland park “Toy Story” Boot Beer Root Beer Float served in a Souvenir Woody’s Boot – Golden Horseshoe, Disneyland park Jessie’s Berry Jubilee Funnel Cake (House-made funnel cake topped with blueberries, strawberries, chocolate cookie crumbles, crème anglaise, white chocolate, and gold-dusted whipped cream) – Golden Horseshoe, Disneyland park Lots-o’-Straw-“Bear”-y Funnel Cake (Strawberry-cherry topping, strawberry butter and streusel, with spiced syrup drizzle) – Hungry Bear Restaurant, Disneyland park Lots-o’-Straw-“Bear”-y Churro – Tomorrowland, Disneyland park “Coco” Coco Churro (Chocolate and vanilla bean dust and salted cinnamon sugar served with a spiced Mexican chocolate dipping sauce) – Frontierland, Disneyland park “Monsters, Inc.” Mike Wazowski Bread – Pacific Wharf Café, Disney California Adventure park Sulley Premium Popcorn Bucket – All Disneyland Resort popcorn carts Mike Wazowski Sipper – Disney California Adventure park quick-service restaurants You can take this first-ever celebration of friendship home with you – or share it with a friend – with new, limited-time merchandise. Apparel includes Pixar Fest logo tees for adults and kids as well featuring some of your favorite Pixar pals Woody, Buzz, Mike and Sulley – to name just a few. Loungefly is creating a special Pixar Fest leather tote, and a limited release pin will feature the event logo. Be sure to choose this adorable tumbler featuring an illuminated claw reaching down toward an excited alien from “Toy Story.” We’ll have more details to share on special Pixar Fest food and merchandise as we get closer to the April 13 launch, so stay tuned! View the full article

We have incredible news to share that will take kids to infinity and beyond! Starting April 13, 2018, Disney’s Contemporary Resort will introduce a brand-new, playful and immersive Pixar character experience as part of a pilot program. Each night, kids, ages 4-12, will be transported to a world full of excitement and adventure with their favorite characters from Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story” and “The Incredibles”! It all kicks off with Space Ranger Training where kids will learn how to identify and battle enemies of the Star Command. Then, Woody and Jessie will show them the ropes of the Wild West during Woody’s Roundup. During the Piston Cup Challenge, youngsters will be able to build a race car, then race it on the Radiator Springs Racetrack. And finally, kids will learn some sweet dance moves during the Incredible Dance Party with Mr. Incredible and Mrs. Incredible. What else is on the menu? Games, dinner and dessert, of course! The nightly getaway for kids, ages 4-12, will open doors for registration at 5 p.m. and programming will run from 6-10:30 p.m. for a fee of $65 per child (plus tax). Children must be fully toilet-trained. While the kids play, parents can enjoy their own getaway throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details and reservation information in the coming days! View the full article

This Sunday we’ll be celebrating Daylight Savings and Springing Forward – and that means one less hour of sleep! That’s the bad news. But we also have some good news for you – we’ve decided to make your weekend a little better and offer some GREAT savings at DFBStore.com in honor of Daylight Savings time! To celebrate Daylight Savings and Springing Forward ALL DFB Bundles are 40% off at the DFB Store with code DAYLIGHT! Maybe you’re planning a Spring Break trip, your summer vacation, or a trip for the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. No matter what your plans we have a DFB Guide Bundle for you! And with a 180 day dining booking window and 60 day FastPass+ booking window, it’s NEVER too early to start planning! From our DFB Guide + Snacks Bundle to our Food and Wine Bundle, — these books are MUST reads for anyone heading to the Disney parks this year! BUNDLES Mean BIG Savings! Our Bundles are always a great deal but today they’re an even better deal — you get a collection of some of our best DFB Guides that are already discounted, AND you get an additional 40% off with promo code DAYLIGHT! Looking for the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining but want to read about every single snack in the parks, too? Then check our our DFB Guide + Snacks Bundle! Food and Wine Festival fans will love the Food & Wine Bundle that includes the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining and the pre-order for the 2018 Food & Wine Guide (plus the 2017 edition FREE)! And if you want ALL of it — we have you covered there, too! Check out our DFB Everything Bundle! Wanna know more before you commit? See what other readers just like you are saying about our collection of DFB Guide Books at the DFB Store Testimonials Page! Remember, with a 100% money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose! Visit the DFB Store today and use promo code DAYLIGHT to get 40% off any DFB Bundle! 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: Celebrate Daylight Savings This Weekend With…MORE SAVINGS! Celebrate Daylight Savings with…MORE Savings! Flash Sale! Save 35% off ALL Bundles at the DFB Store! View the full article

Things are starting to heat up here at Walt Disney World Resort and there’s no better way to kickstart your spring break than by paying a visit to Disney’s Water Parks. Whether you’re looking for thrills, relaxation, unique treats or even to learn a new skill, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon have got you covered. So while you prepare for your spring getaway to Walt Disney World Resort, consider these six reasons to add a day at the water parks to your vacation plans. Awesome Thrill Rides: Get your heart pumping at Blizzard Beach by starting your day taking the plunge down Summit Plummet. At 120 feet high, it’s one of the tallest free-fall water attractions in the world and, by reaching speeds up to 55 mph, it’s a thrilling, downhill rush. At Typhoon Lagoon, Crush ‘n’ Gusher takes riders on inflatable rafts through twists, turns, dips and dives. For more thrills, there’s the Toboggan Racers and Slush Gusher at Blizzard Beach, plus Miss Adventure Falls and Hummunga Kowabunga at Typhoon Lagoon. The Blizzard Beach Spring Challenge: With obstacle courses, water slide challenges and other interactive games, the Blizzard Beach Spring Challenge, March 10-11 and March 24-25, is the perfect activity for the entire family. And the winners get to take home sweet Blizzard Beach themed giveaways, too! Unique Lazy Rivers: Castaway Creek and Cross Country Creek are two super relaxing lazy rivers that the whole family can enjoy. Whether floating on inner tubes through ice caves at Blizzard Beach or meandering through a misty rainforest and hidden grotto at Typhoon Lagoon, each lazy river offers an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Private and Relaxing Cabanas: Disney Water Parks offer a private oasis where you can enjoy the water park in a unique way. The Beachcomber Shack Cabanas and Polar Patio Cabanas are premium spaces that provide shade, comfy seating, private lockers and more. While you relax in your Adirondack seats, a service attendant will look after all your food and beverage needs from an a la carte menu. It’s the perfect way for mom and dad to kick back while the kids enjoy the water parks. For reservations and pricing information, please call (407) 939-7529. Unique meals and snacks: There are a variety of unique treats that can be found at Disney Water Parks. You’ll find options such as the slow pulled pork on a burger (with grilled pineapple!), Korean beef or chicken rice bowl, crisp salads and seafood baskets. And dessert? You can’t go wrong with the sand pail sundae – chocolate and vanilla soft-serve ice cream, waffle cone pieces, Oreo cookie pieces, sprinkles, hot fudge, caramel sauce, whipped cream and a cherry on top – or the world-famous warm mini donuts! Learn to Surf at Typhoon Lagoon: Did you know you can book a surf lesson at Typhoon Lagoon? Guests can participate in Learn to Surf at Typhoon Lagoon before the water park opens and spend a couple of hours with professional instructors, trying to catch the perfect wave. Surf lessons come with a light breakfast as well as photography, so you can share your experience with all your friends back home. For more information about how to book surf lessons, call (407) 939-7529. See you at the water parks! View the full article

We recently shared the first 20 of 100 ways you can #GetMoreHappy at the Disneyland Resort, and today, we’ve got 20 more! 21. Sing it if you know it! Join the swashbuckling-est crew you’ve ever met at Pirates of the Caribbean. 22. Hold on as you outrun the First Order on Crait at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. 23. Jump into your Monstropolis Taxi and take a drive through Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! (Oh, and don’t forget to file your paperwork.) 24. Gather the younglings and let them join the Force at Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. 25. Spend a musical moment with the Five & Dime at Disney California Adventure park. 26. Speaking of coinage, start your pressed-coin collection. 27. Get a miniature sneak peek at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Star Wars Launch Bay. 28. At Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream, enjoy an ice cream sundae that includes everything AND the kitchen sink. 29. Take your first steps into a larger world and create your own lightsaber at The Star Trader. 30. See what friends you can find inside the music box over in Fantasy Faire. 31. Go give Chewbacca a hug at Star Wars Launch Bay. 32. Satisfy your “Frozen” fix with “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” in Hollywood Land. 33. Find Rex at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. 34. Get your silhouette made at the Silhouette Studio on Main Street, U.S.A. (They always find your good side.) 35. Think you know which Disney character you’re most like? Think again. Discover who you’re most like in The Beast’s Library at the Disney Animation Building. 36. We all need a droid sidekick. Assemble your own at The Star Trader. 37. Learn to fly with Goofy at Goofy’s Sky School. (What could go wrong?) 38. Relive some of your favorite Star Wars moments at Star Wars: Path of the Jedi. 39. Find the candy corn, watermelon, animal crackers and more on Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train. 40. Cue the Imperial March and meet the Sith Lord himself, Darth Vader, at Star Wars Launch Bay. Check back soon for another 20 as we count the ways to #GetMoreHappy at the Disneyland Resort. View the full article

Shanghai Disney Resort is buzzing with exciting new experiences and seasonal offerings over the next few months! With so much going on, we put together a quick guide to make the most of your next visit. 1. Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land – The highly-anticipated Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land will open at Shanghai Disneyland on April 26 with three new attractions: Slinky Dog Spin, Rex’s Racer and Woody’s Round-Up. Guests can already visit the imaginatively themed Toy Box Café which opened last month. 2. Egg-Tastic Festivities – The resort’s popular egg scavenger hunt returns again this year with large sculpted eggs appearing in the Gardens of Imagination and Disneytown. In celebration of Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land, several new eggs will feature fan-favorite Toy Story characters. 3. Colorful Photo Ops – Warm weather brings with it blooming flowers, flowering trees, shrubs and perennials throughout Shanghai Disney Resort. To celebrate the colorful season, guests can snap a photo with Floral Minnie at the entrance to Shanghai Disneyland, created with thousands of beautiful flowers. Inside the park, guests can also find exotic tropical flowers in Treasure Cove and Adventure Isle, as well as quaint flower boxes in Fantasyland. 4. Everything StellaLou – This lovable lavender rabbit made her first appearance at Tokyo Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort last year, and now she’s danced her way to Shanghai. Guests can meet StellaLou alongside Duffy and his friends on Mickey Avenue, pick up exclusive new merchandise at Sweethearts Confectionary and try sweet new treats at Remy’s Patisserie and Il Paperino to celebrate her arrival. 5. New Performances – A new show will begin in front of the Whistle Stop Shop, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Duffy, ShellieMay, Gelatoni and StellaLou. Guests will be invited to join the show as StellaLou leads the crowd in a fun choreographed number. Gelatoni and StellaLou will also join the cast of the popular character gathering in Celebration Square every morning until June 1. 6. Seasonal Merchandise – For a limited time, guests at Shanghai Disney Resort will find dozens of specially designed merchandise featuring spring colors and designs, including a Judy Hopps egg-shaped plush cross-bag, seasonal costumes for Duffy and ShellieMay, and limited-release trading pins. 7. Celebrate Earth – New interactive nature-based activities will take place throughout the resort in April, including a “Celebrate Earth Spring Carnival” in Disneytown from April 13-22. Families and friends can join in a springtime lawn party on the weekends, and booths will pop up along the Lakeshore area with fun educational activites. Let us know in the comments below what you’re most excited to see and do during your next visit to Shanghai Disney Resort! View the full article

There have been some changes in Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion as of late. Just recently, the Pavilion’s attraction, The American Adventure, debuted an updated film finale and anthem. America Pavilion in Epcot But there’s been a less noticeable change in the Pavilion, too — however small doesn’t mean insignificant. To the right facing the Pavilion’s theater entrance is a new addition. Door allowing access to stairwells for Upstairs Lounge Previous attendees of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival may recognize this door which opens to the staircase that bring guests to the upstairs lounge, as the space used to serve as the Chase Visa lounge for the Festival. However, it appears the spot may serve a different purpose soon, as it is rumored that the upstairs lounge is being transformed into the new Club 33 Lounge in Epcot. And this new doorbell and magic band reader is in place, just waiting to be put into use by future Club 33 Members. Doorbell next to door Club 33 is legendary for its original location in Disneyland. Accessible by members only, the space was originally designed by Walt Disney and used to entertain friends and VIPs. These days, access is gained via a hefty initial membership fee in addition to annual dues. It was confirmed last year that Club 33 locations would be coming to Walt Disney World for the first time, with one location coming to each park. The American Adventure upstairs location has long been rumored as the designated space for Epcot. And the arrival of this doorbell echoes the iconic doorbell in Disneyland. Though there is a difference: as you can see in the photo, a reader is located below the doorbell, presumably to utilize RFID technology for granting access. Wonder what it’s like to dine at Disneyland’s Club 33? Check out our #OnTheList Club 33 dining experience! We can’t wait to bring you more news on this developing story as the Club 33 locations in Walt Disney World get closer to opening! What are your thoughts on the Club 33 locations coming to Disney World? 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: Walt Disney World Club 33 Lounges May Be Opening Soon NEWS: Club 33 Sales Have Started for Walt Disney World Resort Club 33 Policy Changes…and Introducing Club 1901 View the full article

Disney’s Star Wars land doesn’t seem to be that far, far away anymore as new video shows construction progress on the massive expansion that is happening at both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The drone flyover footage is from Disneyland’s version, which will open ahead of the Walt... View the full article

Remember when former Idol winners Jordin Sparks, Kris Allen, and Ruben Studdard came to Disney Springs to kick off the start of open auditions for @AmericanIdol? It is a moment we won’t forget, and we have been anticipating the start of the show ever since. And now, the wait is over! The journey begins this Sunday, March 11th at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. American Idol judge Katy Perry visited Walt Disney World Resort in between her concerts during Witness: The Tour, and gave us a little preview on how amazing this season will be. Check out the video below: We are excited to see how some of our Disney Springs auditioners do with Katy and her fellow judges, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Follow American Idol’s Facebook and #AmericanIdol on Instagram and Twitter to be a part of the journey. View the full article

Welcome to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, where you can leave the world of today and visit the worlds of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy! And where there’s always something new to check out. That’s where we come in. Welcome to the Magic Kingdom! This week we told you about two new sundaes available at Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor: the Brownie Sundae and the Apple Blossom Sundae. Apple Blossom Sundae and Brownie Sundae The Apple Blossom Sundae is a huge scoop of ice cream on top of a warm apple pie — and it’s divine! But we don’t know when it’s going away, so scoot in and get it ASAP! Apple Blossom Sundae The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor also has a new featured ice cream flavor: Dulce de Leche! Dulce de Leche Ice Cream At the Plaza Restaurant, the featured All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Milkshake of the month is Coffee Mint. March Bottomless Milkshake of the Month: Coffee Mint! Casey’s Corner’s current featured hot dog is the Greek Hot Diggity Dog, which comes with Kalamata Olives, Banana Peppers, Red Onions, Feta Cheese, and a Tzatziki Sauce Drizzle. Casey’s Featured Hot Dog: Greek Hot Diggity Dog! Over at the Main Street Confectionery, guests can now procure St. Patrick’s Day sweets, like a holiday-ready candy apple and a lucky Krispie treat. St. Patrick’s Day Candy Apple at the Confectionery Four Leaf Clover Krispie Treat at Confectionery At Joffrey’s Revive in Tomorrowland, new seasonal drinks are Four Leaf Latte, White Coconut Latte, and Iced Guava Tea. Joffrey’s Seasonal Menu Meanwhile at the Main Street Bakery’s Starbucks, new iced tea varieties include Pineapple Black Tea, Strawberry Green Tea, and Peach Citrus Tea. Main Street Bakery Menu If you’re looking for a flatbread, you can pick up Pinocchio’s Village Haus’ featured flatbread: Buffalo Chicken. Featured Flatbread at Pinocchio’s Village Haus Gaston’s Tavern has added Mini Babybel Snack Cheese to its small-but-mighty menu. Gaston’s Tavern Menu with Babybel Cheese And Maple Popcorn is gone from the Frontierland Popcorn Cart. Previously it was a delicious option for refilling those popcorn buckets. Maple Popcorn is no more at the Frontierland Popcorn Cart Columbia Harbour House has dropped Cole Slaw as a side and added Corn on the Cob. Columbia Harbour House Menu Changes And at various locations around the park, guests can now pick up the new Chocolate Favorites item, which is a Milk Chocolate Mickey Squares Box. The box comes with nine squares of milk chocolate (and adorable wrappers, yes?). Chocolate Favorites Milk Chocolate Squares Nutritional Info In the realm of Magic Kingdom merchandise, guests can acquire this lovely Mary Poppins dress (and accompanying penguin purse!). Mary Poppins Dress! If Monsters are more your style, there’s now a spirit jersey for you: Monsters University. Monsters University Spirit Jersey! MU Spirit Jersey And for a purse to rival the adorable Thumper purse we showed you a few days ago in our What’s New at Animal Kingdom post: Dumbo purse at the Magic Kingdom! Cutest Dumbo Purse! Construction continues on the Adventureland Club 33 location. Adventurer’s Club 33 Construction Club 33 Construction That’s it, Disney fans! Stay tuned as we keep bringing you all that’s new at Walt Disney World! Check out our latest What’s New in Animal Kingdom Here! 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: The New Must-Get Sundae at the Magic Kingdom’s Ice Cream Parlor Might Not Be Around for Long! What’s NEW at Magic Kingdom: New Starbucks Mugs, Candy Corn Sundae, and MORE Magic Kingdom’s Plaza Ice Cream Parlor View the full article

Tonight’s “Disney Parks After Dark” image was snapped just after sundown at the visually stunning Tokyo DisneySea in Japan. The impressive focal point is the park’s can’t-miss Mount Prometheus on Mysterious Island. The island offers two attractions: Journey to the Center of the Earth, where guests board vehicles designed by Captain Nemo himself for an adventure below ground. The second attraction is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, where guests join Captain Nemo’s crew to search for Atlantis. View the full article

Can “American Idol,” once television’s hottest show, make a comeback when it jumps to ABC this weekend? “Absolutely, especially with ABC and Disney behind it,” said Mackenzie Carey, 19, a country singer from Palm Bay who auditioned. Carey praised new judges Lionel Richie (“a legend”), Katy Perry... View the full article

In honor of National Women’s History Month, we continue our spotlight on Disney’s female Food & Beverage talent. This week we are showcasing four more women from Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Narrowing down which cast members to highlight in this series was extremely difficult as the depth of talent at every level is truly impressive. But when we determined our final list, I had each of them answer multiple questions about the journey that led them to their current role with Disney. One of the questions, “What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the food and beverage industry?” evoked thoughtful and honest answers that truly reflect their passion and commitment to their craft. I decided to include their answers in each of the profiles as their advice will resonate with everyone, regardless of gender. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy! Christine Weissman Hometown: Bielefeld, Germany Years in the Food & Beverage Industry: Over 40 years Year Started with Disney: 1997 Current Role: Executive Chef, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Walt Disney World Education/Accomplishments: Certified Master Chef Meister Pruefung I.H.K.; Certified Culinary Certificate—Ausbilder Eignungs Pruefung; Introductory Sommelier Diploma Level One; Disney Legacy Award Delicious Details: Family’s restaurant in Germany has been operating for over 150 years; has worked at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, and Disneyland Paris; favorite kitchen gadget is her spaetzle board; scuba diver; plays tennis; nutmeg is her favorite spice; known for her potato pancakes with homemade gravlax; described as energetic, goal-oriented, and a strong partner. What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the food and beverage industry? Be yourself, be determined, and open minded – own your personal career path. Seek out other leaders in the industry as mentors. Cindy Hoevenaars Hometown: Lakeland, Fla. Years in the Food & Beverage Industry: 30 years Year Started with Disney: 1991 Current Role: Proprietor, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World (leading a team of over 380 cast members) Education/Accomplishments: University of Phoenix – Business Management; Introductory Sommelier Diploma Level One Delicious Details: Florida native; passionate about Disney’s 4 Keys: Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency; her mother is her biggest inspiration and taught her that “average” is not good enough; favorite snack food is lime chips with salsa; avid scuba diver with over 400 ocean dives; described as professional, knowledgeable, and social. What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the food and beverage industry? It’s a selfless profession where you will see much success if you can show a passion for a high level of service while remembering that you are in service to your guests and cast members. Everything we do is to improve their experience and it’s not about you, personally. Have patience, show flexibility, and keep a positive attitude. Natalie Willingham Hometown: Grew up in the San Fernando Valley, Calif. but now calls Buena Park home. Years in the Food & Beverage Industry: 20 years Year Started with Disney: 2000 Current Role: Chef de Cuisine, Disneyland Park Education/Accomplishments: Western Culinary Institute of Portland, Ore. – Culinary Arts Delicious Details: Culinary style is a fusion of Creole, Cajun, and soul food with a healthier Californian twist; photographer; mom of three energetic boys; loves coffee (was a barista); coffee grinder is her favorite kitchen gadget; cinnamon and salt are her favorite spices; can’t resist shrimp fried rice; relaxes with yoga; described as hungry, honest, and loyal. What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the food and beverage industry? Push yourself and never allow the negativity of others to derail you from achieving your goals. There will be times when you fail but don’t fear failure, fear not trying. The only person that has the power to stop you is you. Be an example for others of what right looks like. Your words and actions bear your signature so live with integrity and be a positive example for others. Leann Stein Hometown: Plano, Texas Years in the Food & Beverage Industry: 40 years and going strong Year Started with Disney: 1998 Current Role: Catering Operations Manager, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Walt Disney World (220,000-spare foot convention center) Education/Accomplishments: Hamburger University (McDonald’s Enterprise); Walt Disney World Partners in Excellence Award; Disney Legacy Award Delicious Details: Family owned a BBQ restaurant in Texas; important that people around her feel appreciated and valued; dubbed the “Grill Master” by her family; loves desserts, chocolate, and donuts – do you see a pattern here? Her mom’s American goulash holds fond food memories; described as honest, firm but fair, and detailed as a leader and as a person. What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the food and beverage industry? Be open minded, patient, and learn every aspect of the business from the front of the house to the heart of the house. Learn from the experts and be resilient. Don’t worry if you have to start at the bottom as long as you have the top in your sights. View the full article

Through the years on the Disney Parks Blog and Disneyland Resort in the Community Facebook page, we have been sharing the stories of our cast members and what it’s like working at the Disneyland Resort. Today, I’d like to introduce you to three more of our talented cast members who make Disney magic – Laura Bolton, Carly Caipo and Cory Johnson! “My husband Robert and I were high school sweethearts. He started here first and then he encouraged me to come. It’s wonderful. We carpool together. We work the same shifts, same days. Disney is really accommodating with that, it’s really nice … this is just a great place to work. I love making people happy. Seeing a smile on a child’s face is just irreplaceable.” – Laura Bolton, nurse, 15 years at the Disneyland Resort “I really love that I can come into work and it’s more than just a job. It’s a family. It’s a second home. I get to do what I love being out there on the parade route. I have worked at other theme parks, and it’s just not the same. It’s so magical here. It feels silly to say that, but it’s true.” – Carly Caipo, parade performer, 5 years at the Disneyland Resort “This is the best place to work. It’s recognized internationally, so anywhere you go, just saying the name Disney brings happiness to people. You make that energy; wherever you go, you always have it. It makes me feel like a part of something bigger than myself.” – Cory Johnson, resort enhancement, 10 months at the Disneyland Resort I look forward to introducing you to more our cast members soon! View the full article

While the highly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands won’t debut to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort guests until 2019, eager fans can take a voyage over the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge construction site – right now! At Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, guests will be transported to the planet of Batuu, a remote outpost on the galaxy’s edge that was once a busy crossroads along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes. Here, guests will find themselves in the middle of the action at two attractions that take detail and immersion to the next level: one that lets guests take the controls of Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance. As you can see in this video, which Bob Iger shared this morning during the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is shaping up to be one of the most detailed and immersive lands ever created in Disney Parks history. Take a look at the video above for construction flyover footage that shows the expansive scale of this thrilling addition. For more news on all-things Star Wars, visit our dedicated page here. View the full article

From April 13 through September 3, join the first-ever Pixar Fest here at the Disneyland Resort! This celebration of friendship and beyond will feature the debut of “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” fireworks, the return of “Paint the Night” and Pixar Play Parade as well as new décor, atmosphere entertainment, themed food and beverage and new merchandise items. All of these exciting new experiences come in addition to the many attractions and entertainment throughout the Disneyland Resort that include your favorite Pixar characters. Join the celebration when Pixar Fest begins April 13! View the full article

Disney Cruise Line has revealed what its three new ships will look like. The first rendering for the new ships expected in 2021, 2022 and 2023 look very similar to what’s currently at sea. The same black-white-and-red color scheme with golden flair is seen, and while it doesn’t look exactly like... View the full article

Disney Cruise Line has revealed what its three new ships will look like. The first rendering for the new ships expected in 2021, 2022 and 2023 look very similar to what’s currently at sea. The same black-white-and-red color scheme with golden flair is the same, and the popular AquaDuck water coaster... View the full article

A group of workers from the Disneyland Resort waved signs, chanted and demonstrated outside Walt Disney Co.’s shareholders meeting in Houston on Thursday, demanding the company provide a “living wage.” The demonstration was the latest effort by a coalition of unions at the Anaheim theme parks that... View the full article

Our fleet has the most beautiful ships at sea, and the three newest vessels setting sail in 2021, 2022 and 2023 will be no exception. This first, early rendering depicts the magnificent exterior of the next Disney ships, which will elevate family cruise vacations to a whole new level. The rendering was revealed today by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger at The Walt Disney Company’s annual shareholders meeting. In keeping with the distinct Disney Cruise Line style, the new ships will embody the elegance and romance of the golden age of ocean cruising with unique touches all their own. The three new vessels will offer more innovation, new technologies, spectacular entertainment and more Disney stories and characters than ever before. Ingenuity and innovation from stem to stern will amaze and delight Disney Cruise Line guests of all ages. On our new ships, we will bring Disney’s iconic stories and franchises to life in thrilling and surprising ways, building on the creativity we’ve introduced across our existing fleet. Just over the past several years we have added innovations such as Marvel and Star Wars themed spaces in our kids’ clubs…dazzling stage shows like “Beauty and the Beast” that are unrivaled in their originality and visual presentation…and an entirely new genre of dining experience combining live entertainment, storytelling and interactive moments at our Tiana’s Place and Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurants. Each new ship will be approximately 140,000 gross tons – slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy – and each is currently planned to include about 1,250 guest staterooms. While design plans, ship names and itineraries are still in development, we are already dreaming up exciting new ways to create the world’s most magical oceangoing adventures. These new vessels will be powered by one of the cleanest-burning fuels available, liquefied natural gas, or LNG. You might say Disney Cruise Line is on the threshold of reimagining the cruise industry once again, just like we did in 1998 with our very first ship. I couldn’t be more excited about the expansion of our fleet, and I know our guests will be, too. As we continue to unveil more details about our new ships, Disney Parks Blog readers can expect to be some of the first to know. Keep following along for more exciting updates! View the full article

Hello, there! We’re back with another DFB Video for your day, and we’re sharing some Walt Disney World trip hacks! Are you getting ready to goof around with this guy? When you’re traveling to Walt Disney World, there is a LOT to consider. Things that immediately spring to mind are reserving Advance Dining Reservations for your top restaurant picks and FastPasses for your must-ride attractions, and booking your preferred Resort. But today we’re taking on the full gamut from the earliest stages of trip planning, to packing, and to getting around once you and your family are in the parks at long last! (And, yes, we’ve got a few food hacks for you, too!) And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: What’s your favorite hack when it comes to Disney World trip planning? 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: How to Make Your Disney Trip Stress-Free DFB Video: Things Most People Don’t Know About Walt Disney World DFB Video: What I Wish I’d Known BEFORE I Went to Disney World View the full article

You’re on Walt Disney World’s ride Flight of Passage, and you start feeling queasy — that turkey leg you had for lunch is like a rock in your stomach. Sensing your distress, the flying banshee you’re on seems to become tamer. It levels off, slows down and flies much closer to the surface of Pandora. ... View the full article

You’re on Walt Disney World’s ride Flight of Passage, and you start feeling queasy — that turkey leg you had for lunch is like a rock in your stomach. Sensing your distress, the flying banshee you’re on seems to become tamer. It levels off, slows down and flies much closer to the surface of Pandora. ... View the full article

You’re on Disney World’s ride Flight of Passage, and you start feeling queasy – that turkey leg you had for lunch is like a rock in your stomach. Sensing your distress, the flying banshee you’re on seems to become tamer. It levels off, slows down and flies much closer to the surface of Pandora. ... View the full article