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No one will ever underestimate King T’Challa of Wakanda again. “Black Panther,” proving its $200-million opening weekend was no fluke, eclipsed $108 million over the last three days, trailing only “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” as the largest second weekend of all time, according to data from measurement... View the full article

Dani Cook was excited to support her sister-in-law, who ran her first half marathon Sunday at Disney World. As for Cook, the former Indiana State runner is an experienced racer. She has had many firsts but never before had the only person who beat her been a man in a tutu. The 10th annual Disney... View the full article

Here’s all the Disney food news this week! Chili Queso Fries at Golden Oak Outpost The FULL MENUS for Epcot’s upcoming FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL are out! And we’ve got them here — plus a TON of photos of returning food items to the booths! Check them out and start your planning – the Festival starts Wednesday, February 28! 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 We reviewed Mickey Cake Pops – one of our favorite treats! We shared some details about possible dates for the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Disneyland is adding a Tropical Hideaway Restaurant in Adventureland! Reserved seating for Passholders at the Garden Rocks Concerts at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. We have more details on the Star Wars Hotel coming to Disney World. Check out the food booths at the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! Plus we have news on two more brand new booths! Lamplight Lounge is coming to Pixar Pier this summer! Alfresco Tasting Terrace at Disney California Adventure has an updated menu! Check out the dates and details for the 2018 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic. Changes are coming to Be Our Guest at the Magic Kingdom! We discussed if Tiffins is worth two table service credits. Check out the Disney Cupcake Challenge! Disneyland’s Harbour Galley has a new seasonal soup! Butterfly Beer is coming to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. We checked out some new eats at the Golden Oak Outpost in the Magic Kingdom. AJ was the guest on this week’s Main Street Magic podcast! New DFB YouTube videos: How to Survive Disney World Weather (and Hurricane Season), China Food Tour, and the DFB Cupcake Challenge. 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: How to Survive Disney World Weather (and Hurricane Season) 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 – How to Survive Disney World Weather (and Hurricane Season). Check it out — and don’t forget to subscribe here. Deal of the Week: 25% off the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2018 is here and we’re celebrating the grand launch 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 600 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. The Sunday Roast at Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room in Epcot’s UK Pavilion is a delicious traditional meal. DFB fan Elizabeth Rasmussen recently had a chance to enjoy it and says “it’s pretty good.” Looks delicious! We LOVE the Peanut Butter Sandwich from Disneyland! My buddy Eric Chu says he recently had his first Peanut Butter Sandwich in Disneyland and was in “peanut butter heaven!” We know the feeling! Best. Snack. Ever. Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us! On to the Round-Up! Mickey Fix shared this fun Darth Vader Pancake Maker! WDW for Grownups shared their tips for food photography at Disney World. Disney Parks Blog shared recipes for Hawaiian snack foods from Aulani. Disney Family shared a recipe for a Cheshire Cat Cake Roll! 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 Post Round-up: February 18, 2018 Disney Food News Round-up: February 11, 2018 Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 21, 2018 View the full article

“I’ve always had this voice,” Ava DuVernay said Friday night, comparing her deep, full-bodied voice to her mother’s “little Minnie Mouse voice.” DuVernay, the director of Walt Disney Pictures’ highly anticipated “A Wrinkle in Time,” which launches March 9, spoke about her mother and growing up... View the full article

In less than one week, we’ll be kicking off the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival in Disneyland Resort! And — with the addition of the two Festival Marketplaces we’re about to show you — all thirteen Food Booths coming to the Festival are confirmed! And check this out… they’re both NEW for 2018! You can look forward to the Cluck-A-Doodle-Moo Booth! Cluck-A-Doodle-Moo Booth AND the Eat Your Greens Booth! Eat Your Greens Booth Again, with these two booths, each of the thirteen Food Booths are accounted for, and you can see them all on our 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Menus page! Visit our 2018 Disney California Adventure Menus Page to find confirmed menu items with photos for the 2018 Food Booths! And find all the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival information you need — from Special Events to Seminars and Demonstrations and much more — right here! 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Index 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminar and Demonstrations 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Wine, Beer, and Spirits Education and Tasting Seminars 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Passholder Information Epcot Festival Fans Facebook Page 2017 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS Booking Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Events Booking is NOW OPEN for Low-Cost/Free Events, Seminars, and Demonstrations and Special Events. This year guests must register at this 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival page in order to book any reservations. Are you ready for the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival? 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! Four Food Booths Confirmed for the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival NEW Food Booths For the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! News: Booking Now Available for Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Events and Demos View the full article

There’s no need to be too sad that the 2018 Epcot Festival of the Arts just ended on Monday. Because we already have another Festival to look forward to starting NEXT WEEK when the 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival kicks off on Wednesday, February 28th! The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival The topiaries! The Special Events! THE FOOD! We can’t wait to welcome Spring with it all! Beauty and the Beast Topiary Click here to see ALL the menus for the 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! Another fun offering at the Festival is the Garden Rocks Concert Series, where popular bands from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s take the stage at the American Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion to share some of their greatest hits with the crowds. American Gardens Theatre These take place three times per evening (5:30pm, 6:45pm, 8:00pm), on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays throughout the Festival. There are a few ways to get a seat. You could always wait in line, as these concerts are free with your Epcot admission. Or you could book a Garden Rocks Concert Dining Package (find the full list of participating restaurants with pricing here). Monorail over Floral Display And finally, if you’re a Disney World Annual Passholder, you can enjoy a reserved viewing area, simply by picking up a wristband! The distribution location has yet to be announced (for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series during the Festival of the Arts, the location was inside the American Adventure Pavilion). But we do have the scoop on the most important thing: timing! Wristbands will be distributed Friday through Monday nights throughout the Festival. Distribution will continue while supplies last for the following showtimes: - Until 4:30 PM for 5:30 PM shows - Until 5:45 PM for 6:45 PM shows - Until 7:00 PM for 8:00 PM shows As a reminder, here’s the full line-up for this year’s Garden Rocks Concert Series. 2018 Garden Rocks Concert Line Up! March 2-5 – Night Ranger – “Sister Christian” March 9-12 – STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas – “We Built This City” March 16-19 – Simple Plan – “Welcome to My Life” March 23-26 – Little River Band – “Reminiscing” March 30-April 2 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO – “Evil Woman“ April 6-7 – Foghat – “Slow Ride” – NEW! April 8-9 – Survivor – “Eye of the Tiger” – NEW to Garden Rocks! April 13-14 – Smash Mouth – “All Star” – NEW to Garden Rocks! April 15-16 – Rick Springfield – “Jessie’s Girl” – NEW to Garden Rocks! April 20-21 – Jo Dee Messina – “Stand Beside Me” – NEW to Garden Rocks! April 22-23 – Lonestar – “Amazed” – NEW! April 27-30 – Blood, Sweat and Tears featuring Bo Bice – “Spinning Wheel” May 4-7 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone – “I’m Henry VIII, I Am” May 11-12 – Village People – ““Y.M.C.A.”” May 13-14 – Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles – “Hotel California” – – NEW! May 18-21 – The Guess Who – “American Woman” May 25-28 – The Spinners – “Working My Way Back to You” Oh, and Passholders will also be able to pick up Mickey and Minnie Mouse Spring-themed Magnets while supplies last throughout the Festival! Pick up a Mickey Magnet from February 28th through April 8th, and a Minnie Magnet from April 9th through the Festival’s end on May 28th! Like the wristbands, the distribution area is To Be Announced. Fresh Epcot The 2018 Flower and Garden Festival is almost here, and we can’t wait to share it all with you starting February 28th! Find out all the details for the 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival here! 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. Are you excited for the 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival? 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: Garden Rocks Concerts Announced for 2018 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival News: Disney World Annual Passholders Get Reserved Seating at Eat to the Beat Concerts News: Full Restaurant List with Prices for 2018 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Concert Dining Packages View the full article

Happy Saturday! We’re back with another DFB Video this weekend, and we’re taking you on a Food Tour of Epcot’s China Pavilion! Epcot’s China You may already be familiar with the China Pavilion’s Table Service Restaurant, Nine Dragons, or grabbed a bite at the Lotus Blossom Cafe quick service location (and if not, we’ll share more about those with you today). But you may not know about some hidden gems in this beautiful Pavilion, such as the Joy of Tea kiosk or a unique, tasty beverage by the name of Tipsy Ducks in Love unique to the China Pavilion. So take a tour with us around Epcot’s China to discover what you might like to try there on your next visit! 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 thing to eat in the China Pavilion? 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 Epcot’s Morocco DFB Video: Food Tour of Epcot’s United Kingdom DFB Video: Food Tour of Epcot’s Japan Pavilion View the full article

Whispering Canyon Cafe is a crazy, raucous restaurant full of fun and hijinks! And we love it for that! Learn About: Whispering Canyon Cafe Disney World Restaurants Whispering Canyon Cafe is located in the impressive Wilderness Lodge Resort, a resort that features soaring timbers and a stream in the lobby. Yup, that’s right. The Wilderness Lodge is a destination in and of itself, and Whispering Canyon Cafe has become a sort of homing beacon for those looking to have a unique and entertaining meal that also happens to be super delicious. We have enjoyed many meals here, ordering the All-You-Care-to-Enjoy skillets more than a time or two. And while we do love the food, which is consistently comforting and tasty, we also love the goofy energy of servers who deliver massive cups of soda and tables covered in ketchup bottles. It’s pretty unique. Whispering Canyon Sign Atmosphere The atmosphere of Whispering Canyon Cafe is perfectly suited to the lodge-like feel of the Wilderness Lodge Resort. The ceiling is a line-up of huge timbers, with wood beams spanning the space. Some light fixtures evoke the triangular shape of teepees. And the wooden chairs feature painted “cowboys and indians.” Dining Room There are little details — like this triangle — which is used to call you to your table. The Triangle! And you’ll get a little preview of the fun when you enter. “The goings-on can get a little loud”! Warning — Good Times Ahead — Click to Enlarge Oh, and if you request ketchup, beware you may get more than you bargained for! Someone Asked for Ketchup . . . Don’t worry if you prefer not to get involved in the organized chaos. You can always flip your card to let the staff know that you just want to eat and observe — not get pulled into the action. Flip Card — Red “Watch from the Fence!” Side And eat you will, whether you ride a wooden pony around the restaurant or not! Eats The menu at Whispering Canyon contains plenty of options for diners of all types, including the popular All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Skillets available at all meals and a la carte options. Yeehaw! That’s the menu cover! The menu also includes some pretty tasty drink options — like All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Shakes! Oh, yeah! Even at breakfast! (What? There’s milk in there, we’re pretty sure, so. Breakfast beverage.) All the breakfast eats! On this visit, we ordered a Breakfast Skillet, of course! The Skillet is comprised of Mini Mickey Waffles, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Western Home Fries, Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits, and Sausage Gravy. It’s… kind of a lot, right? But this is a delicious skillet of food and enough to probably hold you over till dinner. And remember that the skillet comes with enough food to feed everyone who ordered a skillet — so if you order it for one person, you’ll get less. This skillet was for two people. Breakfast Skillet The last time we tried the Skillet (back in 2015) the grub was mostly the same. The Western Home Fries might’ve had more peppers back then, but otherwise, it’s consistently awesome. All You Care to Enjoy Breakfast Skillet for One in 2015 Also on this visit we tried Chad’s Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Flapjacks for the first time. These fluffy pancakes are packed with chocolate chunks and come with a side of bacon or sausage. Another filling option — and a good one for a picky eater on whom the Skillet might be wasted. Chad’s Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Flapjacks In the past we also tremendously enjoyed the Banana Bread French Toast, and we’re so happy it’s still on the menu! House-Made Banana Bread French Toast Doc Willis’ White Omelette is also still on the menu and makes for a terrific, lighter option. Eating a Little Lighter? The Egg White Omelet is Loaded with Spinach The breakfast menu here is a laundry list of breakfast hits, with not one bad bite in the bunch! Note that Whispering Canyon serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lunch and dinner offer skillets as well as a la carte options, like breakfast. Nosh or Not? Raise your voice at Whispering Canyon Cafe if: You want to indulge in a big, filling breakfast before starting your Disney World day. You want to check out the Wilderness Lodge — and eat some good grub in the process. You seek out unique dining experiences that let diners be part of the fun! Whisper elsewhere if: You prefer to start your day with a lighter snack or something you can eat on-the-go. You don’t enjoy rowdy meals or diner participation. You don’t plan on spending time at the Wilderness Lodge and don’t want to go out of your way. Overall We love Whispering Canyon Cafe! The fact that it’s located in a stunning resort that’s just a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom is a fantastic bonus! And we always like an All-You-Care-To-Enjoy option for cost efficiency. If you love breakfast food and want to start your day with a bang — er, a clang (of the triangle!) — Whispering Canyon is a winner! Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, is now available! With more than 650 pages, the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2018 to save 25% today! Use code WDW2018 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite table service breakfast locale? Share with 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: Breakfast on the Range: Whispering Canyon Cafe Review: Breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Guest Review: Whispering Canyon Café Breakfast at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge View the full article

Last month, the circle of life got a big bigger at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with the welcome addition of a baby hippo – the first to be born at the park in 13 years! This week, the park surprised a group of lucky guests with a special “gender reveal” and name announcement moment for the baby calf – a male named Augustus! Weighing in now at 168 lbs., the male calf enjoys time in the hippo area of Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction, as well as special “mommy time” with his mother, Tuma. Check out the gallery below for a look at this bundle of joy. Gallery Introducing Augustus, a Male Baby Hippo, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom view all You may see Tuma and Augustus on Kilimanjaro Safaris and also during the Wild Africa Trek experience. To learn more about hippos, visit DisneyAnimals.com. View the full article

The stars of Disney’s upcoming film, “A Wrinkle in Time” – Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling and Storm Reid – made a surprise appearance yesterday at Disneyland Resort! First, they appeared on stage following an exclusive preview of the film at Sunset Showcase Theatre in Disney California Adventure park and later posed with fans in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park. Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” an epic adventure from visionary director Ava DuVernay based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic, takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and, ultimately, the triumph of love. Through one girl’s transformative journey led by three celestial guides, we discover that strength comes from embracing one’s individuality and that the best way to triumph over fear is to travel by one’s own light. Don’t miss Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” when it opens in theaters March 9! View the full article

The good times that began with green cinnamon rolls and the special Lucky Charms with all those green clovers were squelched with one text message. “Your friend, Amy, was hit by a car this morning while jogging.’’ It was last St. Patrick’s Day, and Cara Koprowski of Longwood was preparing breakfast... View the full article

As Kevin first told us last month, Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park is currently undergoing a refurbishment while the horse-drawn streetcar track is replaced in its entirety for the first time. This complete replacement has also incorporated new brickwork along the length of this iconic thoroughfare, and today we’ve got a first look at this gorgeous enhancements as the sections around Town Square and Central Plaza (also known as the Hub) have been revealed! The pieces of original track remaining prior to this refurbishment are being salvaged and preserved, and the previously updated pieces of track are being recycled. If you’re curious about what the Disneyland horses are up to while the operation of all Main Street, U.S.A. vehicles is temporarily paused, check out Donna’s story! View the full article

21 seasons of Major League Baseball action makes its way back to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the 2018 Atlanta Braves Spring Training. From matchups with the 2017 World Series Champions, Houston Astros, to other fan favorites such as the New York Yankees, this year’s schedule is packed with games you won’t want to miss! Make a game-winning combination with the exciting new food & beverage offerings coming to Champion Stadium. This season’s lineup includes delicious menu choices such as Mojo Pork Rice Bowl from the Third Base Patio Grill, Beef Brisket from the Barbecue Smokehouse and kid-favorite Chicken Nugget Basket from the Homeplate Grill. Don’t worry, we’ve also got the bases covered for beverage selections with offerings from four newer small-batch brewers, Terrapin Beer Co. (GA), Bell’s Brewery (MI), Left Coast Brewing (CA), and 3 Daughters Brewing (FL), along with longstanding labels such as Budweiser, Miller Lite, and Yeungling. Individual Spring Training game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (407) 939-GAME, visiting Ticketmaster.com or at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Box Office. For additional information on tickets for single games and season tickets, please visit here. Do you have plans to attend a game? Join the fun using the hashtag #BravesST on @ESPNWWOS Twitter and ESPN Wide World of Sports on Facebook! View the full article

Disney’s “The Lion King” on Broadway has dazzled guests since it opened in 1997, and here at Walt Disney World Resort, it’s still having a magical impact on the lives on young performers. Just ask the Illusions Academy of Dance Performance Company from New Bedford, Mass., which recently had the opportunity to meet members of the touring cast of the show during a Disney Performing Arts trip. Nia Holloway, Gerald Ramsey and Ben Lipitz – who are currently performing the roles of Nala, Mufasa, and Pumbaa, respectively, in the national tour – took a break from rehearsals to visit with the dance students while they participated in a performing arts workshop at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. “The Lion King” cast spent time telling stories about their professional experiences in performing arts, and they even brought cool swag from the show for the students to take home! Adding to the excitement, Mickey Mouse also made a special appearance, much to the delight of both the students and the professional performers. The students experienced “Disney Broadway Magic,” a workshop that gives young performers the opportunity recreate a scene from a Disney Broadway musical and learn about the elements required to bring these productions together — including music, staging, costuming and props. The unforgettable experience for the Massachusetts students is just another example of the magical moments made possible through Disney Performing Arts, which offers workshops and performance opportunities at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. For more information about it, check out DisneyYouth.com. View the full article

Recently, a very special guest visited Walt Disney World Resort. Winter, a 14-year-old Make-A-Wish child, wished to return to Walt Disney World Resort to prepare a meal with Chef Jeff Moore, a sous chef at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, who had a remarkable impact on her. Winter and her family met Moore during a 2012 family vacation when he came by the family’s table to assist with her dietary restrictions, talking her through alternative meal options that fit her needs. To Chef Jeff, he was just doing his job. But to Winter, this was a life-changing experience. After that vacation, Winter became enamored with the culinary arts, and it was her wish to come back and cook with the very chef who inspired her during that vacation. So when Winter and her family visited Walt Disney World Resort just a few weeks ago, thanks to the some dedicated Cast Members, Chef Jeff was able make that wish come true. During her visit, Winter was able to reunite with her favorite chef, where together they made spring rolls with a peanut dipping sauce at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort; and we put together a special video to share their heartwarming story with you. Featured with the dish they created was a peanut sauce that can be found in many of the dishes at ‘Ohana. The sauce is commonly served with appetizers such as Pork Dumplings and Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings and is even drizzled on several of the restaurant’s signature skewers. For Winter’s dish, they paired the sauce with spring rolls. We wanted to share this recipe with you, so that you could enjoy it just like she did! View the full article

The “Star Wars”-themed hotel coming to Walt Disney World is getting a little clearer thanks to some new renderings. The hotel is promised to have seamless integration with the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019, although the opening date for the hotel... View the full article

Princess dresses are not the sole purview of little girls. At the first preview of Disney Theatrical’s new Broadway musical “Frozen” on Thursday night, the royal gowns were an equal-opportunity proposition for grown women, teenagers, toddlers and a marvelous little boy. At a quarter till 8, a giddy... View the full article

We love snacks. From Dole Whips to French Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese, we’ve eaten them all! Multiple times! Dole Whip at Aloha Isle One treat we can’t seem to resist any time we’re in the World is a good, (not so) old-fashioned Mickey Cake Pop. Mickey Cake Pop These adorable treats are a ton of tasty fun! Their outsides are a sleek combo of milk chocolate shell and white chocolate drizzle. The chocolate is present but not overpowering. And that shell is soft while still having a little snap. Mickey Cake Pop The inside is a moist and sweet cake. The texture here is definitely more crumbly truffle than slice of cake — same as a traditional cake pop. We always think that someone who likes their desserts a little underdone (think gooey cookies and brownies) will love a cake pop. The cake pops often come in a variety of flavors — vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet. And those ears are marshmallow!! Inside the Mickey Cake Pop Perhaps the best thing about the Mickey Cake Pop (aside from its deliciousness, convenience, and availability just about anywhere desserty grub can be found — like the Main Street Confectionery, Goofy’s Candy Company, the Boardwalk Merchandise Store, etc.) is that the Mickey Cake Pop is so. darn. photogenic. Mickey Cake Pop! Cake pops of all designs can be found everywhere in the World, and guests eat ‘em up because they’re a perfectly sized treat that satisfies the sweet tooth (and whatever the tooth is that means we get to eat anything we want when we’re on vacation). 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 with code BUNDLE17! 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, Second Edition The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks 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! Don’t forget to take 30% off the already discounted price with code BUNDLE17! And with our 100% money-back guarantee, what do you have to lose? What’s your favorite way to cake pop? Tell us in the comments below! 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: NEW! Mickey Birthday Cake Scone in Disney World Review: Disneyland 60th Anniversary Mickey Mouse Cake Pop News! Dole Whip-Topped Pineapple Upside Down Cake in Magic Kingdom! View the full article

Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has received two prestigious awards, according to the Disney Parks Blog. The fine dining restaurant has been given the AAA Five Diamond award for the 18th year in a row. For the first time, Victoria & Albert’s has also been given the... View the full article

It’s the million dollar question right now — What are the dates for the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? We’ve been getting A LOT of emails and messages lately asking us this question right now, and we KNOW you’re all eager to start planning your trips, booking your hotels, and looking for flights. We are, too! What are the dates for the 2018 Food and Wine Festival? The dates for this year’s festival have not yet been announced. But we can make some pretty good guesses based on previous years that will hopefully help you as you start to make your plans. Last year Epcot celebrated its 35th anniversary, and the Epcot Food and Wine Festival ran for a record 75 days — from August 31 (Thursday) until November 13 (Monday)! In 2016 the Festival ran from September 14 (Wednesday) through November 14 (Monday), and in 2015 the Festival didn’t start until September 25 (Friday) and ended November 16 (Monday). 2017 Coming Soon! sign Between 2015 and 2016, the festival extended 11 days, and between 2016 and 2017, the festival expanded two weeks. So we do expect another extension, but it’s not guaranteed. If an extension happens, it will most likely happen at the beginning of the festival. Disney likely won’t extend the festival past the closing date of November 12 since they’ll start running into holiday events and the Festival of the Holidays in Epcot. (But they’ve surprised us before!) Looking at those dates, it is very likely that the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival will start between the middle and end of August — likely August 14, 23, or 30, and will run through November 12, 2018. If you want to stay on top of the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival news and get the official dates as soon as they’re released by Disney, sign up for our newsletter! I hope this has helped a little bit! I know so many of us are eager to start making our plans for this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Disney Food Blog has been the authority on the Epcot Food and Wine Festival for nearly 10 years and can be trusted as your one-stop-shop for Epcot Food and Wine Festival details — we have our finger on the pulse of the festival year round, so you can be sure to get the information from us as soon as it’s available! Ready to Plan for Your 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Trip? Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book today, and get the 2017 edition free as an immediate download! Two guides for the price of one! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Pre-Order your 2018 edition today and get the 2017 edition for FREE! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% off the cover price! See our 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival page for the most up-to-date information on this year’s Festival! Let’s hear what you think! When do you think the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival will start? Let us know in 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! Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2017 Dates!! It’s a Super Bowl of Savings! Save 30% off the DFB Guide to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! News! 2018 Epcot Festival of the Arts Dates View the full article

Two prestigious awards have just been bestowed this month on Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. For the 18th consecutive year, the restaurant has received the AAA Five Diamond Award and, for the first time ever, the coveted 2018 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award. There are only 68 Five Diamond restaurants in North America, and only 64 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurants out of over 1,600 restaurants across the globe. Victoria & Albert’s now stands as the sole restaurant in the state of Florida to receive both the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star awards. AAA Diamond Ratings represent a combination of overall food, service, décor and ambiance. A Five Diamond restaurant provides leading-edge cuisine of the finest ingredients, uniquely prepared by an acclaimed chef, served by expert service staff led by a maître d’ in extraordinary surroundings. Forbes Travel Guide Star Ratings verify luxury and represent outstanding, iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities. Using the most exacting standards in the industry, this year’s list evaluates properties in over 160 destinations across 50 countries. Every night, Victoria & Albert’s brings guests the ultimate in fine dining with classic Victorian elegance, haute American cuisine and an atmosphere of refined opulence. The esteemed restaurant features three unique dining experiences: the main dining room with the choice of a 7-course menu or 10 course Chef’s Tasting Menu; the intimate Queen Victoria’s Room offers a 10-course Chef’s Tasting menu with tableside presentation and optional wine pairings; and the highly sought-after 8-seat Chef’s Table located in the restaurants kitchen, where guests can get an exclusive look at their dishes being crafted by the culinary team. Victoria & Albert’s also has an incredible wine cellar with over 700 wines from over 35 regions. Congratulations belong to Executive Chef Scott Hunnel, Chef de Cuisine Aimée Rivera, Master Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek, Maître d’Hôtel Israel Pérez and the entire Victoria & Albert’s team for earning these illustrious awards. “This has been a monumental year for the entire Victoria & Albert’s Team. They have developed a culture of success, which is over twenty years in the making. Every single member of the team is fully invested, combining the perfect formula of creativity, knowledge and passion for service. Our focus remains: Aim for perfection and settle for nothing less than excellence.” –Cosmo Kapoor, General Manager, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa For reservations, call 407-WDW-DVNA (407-939-3862) or go online to book the Dining Room or Queen Victoria’s Room up to 180 days in advance. For more information, visit www.victoria-alberts.com. View the full article

We’re less than two months away from Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th Anniversary “Happiest Celebration!” and today we have a delicious update just for you. Starting April 15, two new Chocolate Crunch-themed stores will open at Tokyo Disneyland’s World Bazaar: Pastry Palace and Ice Cream Cone! For those of you who don’t know, Chocolate Crunch has been a resort souvenir staple since its introduction back in 1986. And now, guests will have the opportunity to experience two all-new locations dedicated to the tasty treat. At Pastry Palace, guests can build their own Chocolate Crunch container filled with new flavors like Strawberry Shortcake and the previously discontinued Caramel flavor, which is only available until July 7. Exclusive souvenirs will also be on sale including a DIY Chocolate Crunch kit. Over at Ice Cream Cone, two new desserts with Chocolate Crunch will be on sale, inspired by Donald Duck and Daisy Duck. Donald’s will look as if he’s dived in head first to taste the vanilla ice cream, and Daisy’s will be soft service topped with her signature purple bow. Both have plenty of Chocolate Crunch surprises in store! Needless to say, Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th Anniversary celebration just got a whole lot sweeter. View the full article

Bookings for the Gardens of the World Tour – Spring Edition are now on sale! On this tour, offered on select days throughout the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, you can join Disney horticulture experts for an inside look at some of the most elaborate landscaping operations on Earth. During these fascinating journeys, Epcot becomes your “living classroom” as you witness firsthand how garden beds, shrubs, hedges and topiaries are meticulously cultivated at our seasonal festivals to evoke a sense of wonder. On this three-hour walking tour “around the world,” you’ll hear the behind-the-scenes tales about the award-winning topiaries and gardens that make the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival so special, examine the role of landscaping at Walt Disney World Resort, learn ways you can apply Disney landscaping techniques at home, and more. Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to explore—or even develop—a budding passion for gardening! Call 407-WDW-TOUR to book. View the full article

Disneyland is adding a new dining location in Adventureland, now being called The Tropical Hideaway, between The Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise. Disneyland Tropical Hideaway Dining Location The former Aladdin’s Oasis (and former former Tahitian Terrace) will be repurposed into “a popular rest stop for Adventureland locals and weary explorers alike,” says Disney. “Guests will be able to rub elbows with their favorite skippers in an exotic traders’ market, featuring all of the sights, sounds and flavors of the tropics.” Disney has been vague with details, but we do know that the spot will not be a table service location like skipper Canteen in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, nor will it serve alcohol (in keeping with Disneyland’s dry philosophy). We look forward to more details soon! Check out our Disneyland reviews 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: DFB Video: Food Tour of Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland News: Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar and Restaurant Now Open in Disney Springs First Look! Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar and Restaurant in Disney World View the full article

Tonight’s “After Dark” image was snapped at the Germany pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot. From a visual standpoint, it’s one of my favorite pavilions in the park and – to me – looks even lovelier at night. The German-influenced colorful designs, statues, bells and architecture seem to illuminate like a page from a fairytale storybook after the lights go down. What’s your favorite thing to do in the Germany pavilion? Shop? Dine? Check out the fare – and the amazing smell – of the made-on-site treats at the Karamell-Kuche shop? View the full article