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As many of you know, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts is back in 2018 to celebrate all things art – performing, visual and culinary. We’ve already shared some need-to-know information on the blog. Today, we’re doing some digging to find experiences that’ll put a smile on your face – and may just make you a more creative person. There are many seminars and workshops from top Disney, local and nationally-renowned artists but here are a few you don’t want to miss: Art of Topiaries – Our Disney horticulture team will be showing you how we create some of the amazing signature Walt Disney World topiaries you see here on the Disney Parks Blog. After this seminar, you’ll be inspired to create Disney sculptures at home to amaze your neighbors. Watermelon Carving – You need to see this to believe it. A watermelon will be artfully carved while you receive great tips and tricks to use at your next party. This seminar is hosted by the National Watermelon Promotion Board and will be something to talk about! Magic with Water – The same Disney Photo Imaging team you read about here on the Disney Parks Blog will discuss tips and tricks for taking great photos around water; including swimming pools, play fountains, waterfalls, and even in the rain. You’ll also learn about using camera settings, lenses, and locations to get the best results. Animated Flip Books – This session is animation 101 where you’ll have the opportunity to create your own animated Flip Book while going over the fundamental principles of animation with one of our Disney animators. Drop by this seminar and watch your drawings come to life! Food Styling 101 – If you love taking photos of amazing dishes, this is your experience. The session will look at the basics of what goes into making food photo- and video-ready. Lessons include going from ingredients to a beautiful hero shot, talking tricks and tools of the trade and sharing tips to make your own food photography shine. Inspiring Floral – Over the years, the Disney Parks Blog has covered some of the amazing work created by Disney Floral Designers. This workshop will share floral design principles along with Disney-inspired creations to help you bring the magic of Disney home at any time of the year. Handcrafted Calligraphy – It’ll be difficult not to have fun learning the basics of pointed pen calligraphy. This workshop will cover topics such as mastering faux calligraphy, how to hold your oblique pen, letter formation, common issues you may run into, and which paths you can take with your new skill. Phone Cam Photography – This photography session from Disney Photo Imaging is for everyone! You will learn how to maximize the capabilities of your phone’s camera to improve your photos. Lighting adjustment, color adjustment, taking High Dynamic Range photos, time lapse, and how to edit your photos are just a few of the topics on the agenda. Handwritten Typography – Nothing is more personal than typography created by hand and at this workshop, a Walt Disney World Resort creative service manager will teach you how to draw your own hand drawn typography to create personalized gifts and cards. Storytelling Drawings – A single drawing can tell a story – and this workshop will show you how to do it. A Disney animator will share the art of quick sketching from life. Gesture drawing of people covered in this session is a foundational practice for animators, storyboard artists, and directors. What sounds good to you? Let us know in the comments below. And to book these experiences, call 407-WDW-TOUR or 407-939-8687. View the full article

You may recall the debut of the 2016 Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghosts Tiki Mug at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, causing lines for daaaayz of guests hoping to grab the limited edition piece (and causing more of the same when it arrived at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto in Disney World shortly thereafter). Well, get ready to face those lines again, my friends… because the 1st Edition Holiday Elephant Tiki Mug will arrive at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar in Disneyland Hotel on November 30th! Holiday Elephant Tiki Mug ©Disney Here’s the scoop direct from the @DisneylandToday Twitter account… Screenshot @DisneylandToday Twitter Yep, guests can start lining up at 7:00 am on November 30th, noting a limit of 2 mugs per guest. It’s all, of course, with the caveat, “while supplies last.” No word yet on whether the Holiday Elephant Tiki Mug will be coming to Disney World as well, but we’ll let you know here when we find out! Are you planning to line up for the Holiday Elephant Tiki Mug? 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: Holiday Drinks at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar in Disneyland Hotel News! Tahitian Terrace Diamond Luau at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar in Disneyland News! Hitchhiking Ghosts Tiki Mug Has Arrived at Trader Sam’s in Disney World View the full article

#DisneyKids: Na'vi River Journey Captivates Kiddos | Disney's Animal Kingdom View the full article

This holiday season, guests of Epcot will get a taste of the magic and music of Disney•Pixar’s blockbuster film “Coco,” which is now playing in theaters. From now until January 6, 2018, El Mariachi Coco de Santa Cecilia, a new musical group inspired by the film, will entertain guests at the Mexico Pavilion. Named for the town of Santa Cecilia seen in the film, El Mariachi Coco de Santa Cecilia perform songs from the movie including the beautiful “Remember Me” and the heartwarming “The World Es Mi Familia.” The film “Coco” revolves around Miguel, who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician – despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events during the celebration of the Dia de Muertos. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Later this season, Mexico Folk Art Gallery, which currently houses a spectacular collection of “Dia De Muertos” artwork, also will feature an interactive exhibit and festive dioramas showcasing scenes from the film. In addition to this new musical experience, guests visiting the Mexico pavilion during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays can also enjoy “Las Posadas,” featuring colorful dancers and performers from Mariachi Cobre celebrating the holiday customs of Mexico. For more information on Epcot holidays, check out disneyworld.com/holidays. Check back at the Disney Parks Blog for updates throughout the season. View the full article

Help make this holiday season merry and bright for those less fortunate during the Downtown Disney District Toys for Tots drive, Dec. 2 and 3 at the Disneyland Resort! Join in the spirit by donating a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Downtown Disney District Main Stage. Disney VoluntEARS, personnel from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and Anaheim Fire and Rescue will be on hand to help collect your donations. In addition, Downtown Disney District stores will host a “pop-up shop” to provide a seamless, hassle-free way to donate purchases. You also may donate at collection bins located in all three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Keep an ear out for more ways to share the joy when you arrive at Downtown Disney District! View the full article

Before Disney's animated blockbuster "Aladdin" had its premiere in Japan, directors Ron Clements and John Musker were told not to worry if the audience didn't laugh. And it wasn't because the Japanese performer who dubbed Robin Williams' shape-shifting Genie didn't capture the actor's brilliant... View the full article

Traveling with little ones can sometimes be a challenge, but staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel can make it a little easier. When your little ones are up early, there is early access to select parks with Extra Magic Hours or complimentary Pack ‘n Play to help everyone sleep easier. Disney Parks Moms Panelist, Lindsey P., shares a few more tips of her tips on staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel with little ones: For more tips on planning a magical vacation with your preschooler, or to ask questions about planning your next Disney vacation, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. View the full article

Disney-Lucasfilm's "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" and Disney-Pixar's "The Incredibles 2" dominated social media again last week, according to media-measurement firm comScore and its PreAct service. The ninth "Star Wars" movie generated 121,000 new conversations last week after airing a TV spot on Nov.... View the full article

At the ceremony to break ground last year on a new Toy Story Land in Shanghai, Walt Disney's Bob Iger was beaming. To his right, and dressed similarly in a black sweater, was the man who could very well take his place as chief executive officer: Bob Chapek. Shanghai Disneyland went on to exceed... View the full article

Over the holiday weekend, audiences in the rest of North America flocked to what Mexican moviegoers had affirmed more than a month ago: Disney/Pixar's "Coco" is an authentically appealing winner. The animated smash soared to a $71.2 million domestic debut to win the five-day holiday frame, topping... View the full article

Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort is the perfect destination to enjoy the holidays with friends, as well as for shop for everyone on your list. This season, Downtown Disney District has “decked its halls” for an over-the-top holiday experience. Planters are bursting with oversized ornaments and bright holiday lighting, and a Christmas tree sparkles in the center of the promenade. In addition, nightly entertainment throughout the holiday season includes a new caroling act, Holiday Harmony. While their sweaters may be ugly, their voices certainly are not! Here are a few things to check out during the holidays at Downtown Disney District: Festive Dining Breakfast with Santa: At Catal Restaurant, join Santa Claus and his elves for a family-style breakfast, carolers and more! All kids will receive a Build-A-Bear Workshop teddy bear from Santa himself! (Dec. 16; Dec. 21-22) Sundae Treats: Enjoy a special Haagen-Dazs holiday treat! Scoops of peppermint bark ice cream are layered with hot fudge and Oreos, and topped with whipped cream and candy piece. Also available as a milkshake! Holiday Shopping PANDORA Jewelry: If you pick up a Mickey & Minnie “Love Icons” charm at PANDORA Jewelry, you’ll enjoy a free Disney clutch with purchase while supplies last. Enjoy a gift for yourself! Build-A-Bear Workshop: All of Santa’s prancing reindeer are at Build-A-Bear Workshop! Make your own reindeer stuffed animal and choose the outfit of your choice. Other great retail spots include the newly redesigned Sephora, as well as Curl Surf and Sanuk. Disney fans will love the 40,000 square-foot World of Disney and recently opened Dream Boutique. Happy Holidays! View the full article

5 Unique Disney Vacation Club Accommodation Options View the full article

Candlelight Processional is back on the nightly schedule at Epcot. Here are a handful of gifts you can bestow upon your fellow attendees, and they won’t cost you a cent – well, beyond the usual price of theme park admission. Candlelight is a long-standing Disney tradition, started by Walt Disney... View the full article

Happy Monday! We’re back this week with another DFB Video, and today we’re digging into one of my favorite dishes: Macaroni and Cheese! Mac and Cheese at The Boathouse Wait… did I say “one”? Scratch that. Because not only are we checking out several of our favorite versions of Disney Mac and Cheese… we’ll also tell you how you can get a list of EACH and EVERY Mac and Cheese in Disney World! Basically, if I see Mac and Cheese on any Disney World menu, I order it so I can let you know where you can find your ideal dish. Does Mac and Cheese topped with pulled pork, coleslaw, AND onion rings appeal to you? How about shrimp-topped mac and cheese? Or are you more of a purist? No matter what, you’re bound to find at least one version (and probably more) that you’ll need to try on your next Disney World trip! 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: Which version of Mac and Cheese would you most like to try in Disney World? 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: Five Must-Do Holiday Events in Walt Disney World New DFB Video: Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for First Timers DFB Video: EVEN MORE Disney Snacks! View the full article

You know we love to bring you the latest Disney World food news, and this week we are checking out What’s New at Animal Kingdom and the All-Star Resorts! Welcome! There is a TON of seasonal fun going on as we officially enter the Holiday Season, so get ready to join us and see it all! Animal Kingdom Animal Kingdom is all sorts of FESTIVE, as the beloved park Christmas Tree is up for the season! And it’s just as magnificent as ever, presiding over the entrance to the park. Christmas Tree You’ll want to see this one up close because the ornaments are super unique to Animal Kingdom. Up Close Be sure to check out the colorful decor at the base of the tree. Even Tigger is joining the fun! Tree Decor Once inside the park, Disney Pin collectors will want to find this new addition: a pin-trading trashcan. Yup, you read that right. Pin-trading trashcan! SO fun! Over at Creature Comforts, you’ll find lots of seasonal eats and drinks (look for these at the other in-park Starbucks locations, too). Creature Comforts Treats include Gingerbread Loaf and a specialty Candy Cane Whoopie Pie. One of each, s’il vous plait! Gingerbread Loaf Candy Cane Whoopie Pie The Cranberry Bliss Bar is a returning favorite. Cranberry Bliss Bar The seasonal drinks are on point with items like the Chestnut Praline Chai Tea Latte. Starbucks Seasonal Drinks In addition to snacks and drinks, guests can also snag the new design for the mini Animal Kingdom You Are Here mug ornament! You Are Here Ornament At Tamu Tamu Refreshments, guests can once again try African Coffee, which is spiked with Amarula Liqueur and topped with Whipped Cream. Yum! African Coffee Over at Tiffins, there’s a new Exploration Beer Flight. Tiffins New Exploration Beer Flight And at Nomad Lounge, the Small Plates Menu has been updated with the removal of the Snake River Farms Beef Posole. We’re just happy that the House-Smoked Kobe-Style Brisket Poutine made the cut! Nomad Lounge Small Plates Menu Close-up House-Smoked Kobe Style Brisket At locations around the park, the Pluto Christmas Popcorn Bucket is holding court as just about the most adorable popcorn bucket ever. We found this one at Mahindi Popcorn and Snack Stand. Pluto Christmas Popcorn Bucket In other cuteness news, you can find plenty of Chip and Dale ornaments at Animal Kingdom and other merchandise locations. Cuteness overload! And have you SEEN the Chip Nutcracker yet this year?! Chip Nutcracker And even more: Goofy and Pluto are donning their holiday finest for their Meet-and-Greet in Dinoland! Goofy and Pluto Meet As is Santa-Saurus! Yup, he’s back at Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures. Santa Saurus There have been some changes to the Restaurantosaurus menu, including the addition of the Bacon Cheeseburger Combo and a few new sides with Potato Soup (replacing the Clam Chowder), Chili and Guacamole. Restaurantosaurus Menu Restaurantosaurus Menu Yep, you pay for guac and chili now (they’re no longer included on the awesome Toppings Bar). Topping Bar Menu And in case you need a Krispy Treat during your Animal Kingdom day (or an edible souvenir), Minnie’s Sweets now has packaged treats in a variety of flavors such as Blueberry Lemon. Minnie Krispy Treats You’ll find them in merchandise and snack locations around the park. All-Star Resorts The trees are up in the shops at the All-Star Resorts, including this red confection at Sports. All-Star Sports Tree The Movies version is totally glam! All-Star Movies Tree And in case you’re looking to relax on your vacation (people do this in Disney World ?), All-Star Movies (like most of the Resorts recently) now offers Sunrise Yoga! Totally great. Movies Yoga! At All-Star Music’s Intermission Food Court, Specialty Coffees have replaced smoothies on the menus. Coffee drinks replace smoothies Yes, caffeine totally counts as “Magic” . Over at the End Zone Food Court at Sports, Bacon Macaroni & Cheese has made a comeback. End Zone Bacon Mac and Cheese And all of the All-Stars have seasonal desserts in their cases. This Maple Cherry Dome Cake looks like something you could find at Amorette’s Patisserie! Maple Cherry Mickey Dome Cake Other treats include Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pumpkin Cupcake, and a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake (which we’re hoping isn’t limited to the holiday season). Pumpkin Cheese Cake Pumpkin Chocolate Cupcake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake Packaged Cookies And we totally love these Molasses Cookie Trees! Cookie Tree At All-Star Music, Singing Spirits Pool Bar has a couple of new drinks: the Bourbon & Strawberry Sour and Blueberry Lemonade are super refreshing! Singing Spirits Pool Bar Menu Bourbon & Strawberry Sour Blueberry Lemonade And they’re serving up a tiny apps menu, too! It’s small — but it’s great to have poolside noms at a Value resort! (Plus, check out the Disney Dining Plan snack credit value of those Truffle Fries!) Apps! Every day is a new day at Walt Disney World — and, as always, they’ve got the eats, drinks, decor, and menu changes to prove it! What are you most excited to see at the World on your next visit? Tell us about it 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: News! Fun New Drinks and Shakes at Disney’s All Star Resorts What’s New This Week: Disney Springs (November 12-18, 2017) Halloween Treats at Disney’s Animal Kingdom View the full article

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! The Holidays are off to a great start! We are making our lists and I know you are, too! And I bet you’re wondering, “What should I get the Disney Food Lover on my list?” We have the perfect idea: our most popular DFB e-book the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining — deeply discounted for a VERY limited time! For a limited time only, save 50% off of the pre-order of the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Just use promo code DFB50 at DFBStore.com for incredible savings on our most popular DFB e-book. (And because, it’s a pre-order you’ll also get the 2017 edition FREE as an instant download!) The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining includes over 600 pages of our best tips, suggestions, reviews, and recommendations — and over 500 color photos! There’s something for everyone! Want to see sample pages and more information? Here you go! But that’s not all! You can also get this deal on the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Gift Certificate (or any of our other Gift Certificates)! And that means one thing — getting them what they’ll love the most has never been easier or more convenient. Remember – ALL of the DFB Guides and Gift Certificates are on sale today (it’s STILL our biggest sale of the year)! Just use promo code DFB50 to get 50% off all guides, bundles, and gift certificates. And then BAM! Your shopping is done! Don’t wait! Get your DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining for 50% off TODAY using code DFB50! As always, we thank you for all of your support of Disney Food Blog! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the entire DFB Team! 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: BIGGEST Sale of the Year: 50% off Everything at the DFB Store! DFB Cyber Week SALE: 50% Off the DFB Guide + Snacks Bundle! Our BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR on Disney Travel Guides! View the full article

We’re starting another week here on the Disney Parks Blog with a Disney Doodle that imagines what two characters from “The Emperor’s New Groove” would do if they had the chance to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios. According to artist Ashley Taylor, Kronk and Yzma would be drawn to one attraction in particular. “The Voyage of the Little Mermaid show is fun for all ages,” Ashley said. “Although I suspect Kronk and Yzma would be easily distracted by all of the bubbles in the theater.” View the full article

Actress Kaya Scodelario who played Carina Smyth in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” recently stopped by Disneyland Paris for a special holiday visit. During her trip, Kaya met Disney characters, attending shows, and enjoyed attractions like Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Fantasyland. Check out the video above as Kaya takes us around the theme park with her. View the full article

Happy Sunday and Happy Thanksgiving weekend! We hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday with family and friends! We have a lot of news to share this week and we also have details on the biggest sale of the year at the DFB Store! The 2017 Epcot Festival of the Holidays has started and we have all the booth menus and FOOD PICTURES for EVERY Booth! The Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure is happening too, and we have all the details, including all the booth menus and food photos! And, it’s time to pre-order the 2018 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News Eat THIS at the Epcot Festival of the Holidays! Check out the menus for the Holiday Kitchens at the Epcot Festival of the Holidays. Check out these Gingerbread Funnel Cake Fries at Disney California Advenutre! The Epcot Festival of the Arts menus are here! We have more photos of the food at Disneyland’s Festival of Holidays. The Ale & Compass Restaurant at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is open! The 2017 gingerbread display at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is up! Check out all this amazing Disney Stuff you really need! Check out the holiday eats at Disneyland Resort. The gingerbread house is up at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa. We have a first look at the Ale & Compass Lounge at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Check out the special menus for ¡Viva Navidad! at Disney California Adventure. Breakfast with Santa is coming to T-Rex Cafe in Disney Springs! New DFB YouTube videos: Everything You Must Know about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, How to Make Your Disney Trip Stress-Free, and a Food Tour at Epcot’s Japan Pavilion. 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: Food Tour at Epcot’s Japan Pavilion 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 Nosh or Not? Food Tour of Epcot’s Japan Pavilion! Check it out below — and subscribe here. Deal of the Week: Our Biggest Sale of the Year – 50% off Everything at the DFB Store We hope you’re enjoying the long holiday weekend with your family and friends! And we’ve got a little something to make it even sweeter. For a limited time only, you can save 50% on everything, including our popular Everything Bundle! Use promo code DFB50 at the DFB Store to get HUGE savings on this already-discounted bundle (or any other DFB Guide that you want)! The Everything Bundle includes SEVEN of our most popular DFB Guides — including the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, the Holiday Guide, and more — at 50% off an already discounted price! Want to see more? Check out the details here! But wait, there’s more! You can also scoop up these savings on all of our Gift Certificates including the Everything Bundle Gift Certificate! These make the perfect gift for the Disney fans in your life! And that means one thing — hall decking and stocking stuffing has never been easier or more convenient for the Disney Food Lovers on your list. Remember – EVERY DFB Guide and Gift Certificate is on sale this week. Just use promo code DFB50 to get 50% off! And don’t forget — the DFB Guide (and all of our products) are protected by a 100%, no questions asked, money back guarantee. Not happy with your purchase? Just email us at support@DFBGuide.com for a full refund! Don’t delay! These savings won’t last for long. Use code DFB50 at check out to save big on EVERY product at DFBStore.com today! 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 Cinnamon Roll at Gaton’s Tavern is #OnTheList and we always ask for extra icing! DFB reader Jane took our advice and says it was the “best tip ever!” Happy to help! ;-D Extra icing! Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us! On to the Round-Up! Mickey Fix shared tips on How to Throw a Disney Christmas Party! WDW for Grownups shared Top 10 Breakfasts Under $10. Disney Parks Blog shared how-to for making Mickey Snowflake Ornament Candy Apples. Disney Family shared a recipe for Elsa’s Hot Cocoa! 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: November 20, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: September 24, 2017 Disney Food Post Round-up: November 27, 2016 View the full article

We like to bring the magic of Disney home all year long, and when the Holidays roll around, the magic is multiplied! Luckily, our friends at Mickey Fix have got our backs with TONS of great ideas to enjoy Disney at home during this festive time. How to Throw a Disney Christmas Party So, you’re a Disney super-fan, and you want to share that love with all of your family and friends. We get you. It’s time to throw the best Disney Christmas party ever! First, you’ll need some Santa Mickey Lights. Can we just leave these up all year, please? And to go with those cute lights, the perfect Disney Christmas Plate. These you can certainly use all year long. Or at the very least, you can use them for Christmas in July! Happy party planning, Disney fans! How to Disney-Up Your Home for the Holidays Whether you’re throwing a Disney-inspired Christmas party or not, you’ll definitely want to decorate with some fun that’s full of character! This Retro Ceramic Tree is covered in characters, including Olaf, Thumper, and Sven. It’s giving us Grandma’s house vibes while still satisfying our need for all Disney all the time. This Cozy Throw features sweethearts Mickey and Minnie in their holiday best. It’s perfect for chilly winter nights! Mickey Fix also has a matching pillow! How to Make Mickey Waffles at Home You already know that our favorite Disney pastime is eating Disney food. But what’s a foodie to do when she runs out of souvenir cookies and packaged popcorn and chocolates? Mickey Fix has saved the day with info on how to make Mickey Waffles at home! They’ve got the exact mix used at the Disney Parks, plus several waffle iron options! This one makes mini Mickey waffles! I know what I’m eating on Christmas day for breakfast! (And lunch.) (Also probably dinner.) Festive Disney Christmas Villages We know lots of Christmas lovers have intricate and beautiful Christmas villages. How about adding a little Disney twist to yours? Mickey Fix has some great ideas! This Mickey Ski Chalet is everything. We love this so much. The colors are great — festive and bright. And nothing beats those Mickey Ears! So that’s it, friends. Several ways to bring Disney home for the holidays, even if there isn’t a box of Magic Bands under your tree. (Speaking of which, we’ve seen folks with so many Magic Bands that they’ve turned them into a garland. Oh, Christmas Tree!) Find more great Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here! How do you bring Disney Magic home for the holidays? 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: News: Festival of Holidays To Bring New Eats to Disney California Adventure Tips from the DFB Guide: Five Beloved Food Items You WON’T Find in Disney World (And Should Bring From Home) How to Make Mickey Waffles at Home! View the full article

This week – along with our Thanksgiving holiday blog coverage – we shared an exciting update on the kick off of the 2017 Candlelight Processional during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. As many of you know, the Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir. Gold- and silver-medal-winning gymnast Laurie Hernandez was the first of our list of celebrity narrators. Here is the complete list of narrators (everything subject to change, of course): Nov. 24- 26 – Laurie Hernandez – NEW! Nov. 27-28 – Matt Bomer – NEW! Nov. 29 – 30 – Ana Gasteyer Dec. 1-3 – Whoopi Goldberg Dec. 4-5 – Pat Sajak – NEW! Dec. 6-8 – Jodi Benson Dec. 9-11 – Kurt Russell – NEW! Dec. 12-14 – Warwick Davis – NEW! Dec. 15-17 – Trace Adkins Dec. 18-21 – Neil Patrick Harris Dec. 22-24 – CCH Pounder – NEW! Dec. 25-27 – Jaci Velasquez Dec. 28-30 – Chandra Wilson Visit our special page to join us this year at Epcot or to find out more information, call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463). *Narrators and entertainment are subject to change without notice. Epcot admission is required and not included in the dining package price. We also shared a new video showing how we transformed Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs for the holidays. It’s holiday magic – in just 90 seconds. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Celebrating Mickey Mouse’s Birthday at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts – This weekend marked the birthday of the one it all started with – Mickey Mouse! Fans turned out to join the #HappyBirthdayMickey fun with special celebrations at all of our Disney Parks around the world. Lunar New Year Festival Returns to Disney California Adventure Park, January 26 through February 18 – Kick off the Year of the Dog with the return of the popular Lunar New Year festival at Disney California Adventure park! From January 26 through February 18, this spectacular festival will feature live entertainment, delicious food and more. The Holidays Begin Here at the Disneyland Resort – Holidays at the Disneyland Resort are underway, making the Happiest Place on Earth the perfect place to kick off your own holiday season. Disney Parks After Dark: ‘Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – This week’s “After Dark” image was snapped at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where the nighttime projection show, “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” is already delighting park guests each night. Timelapse Video: Watch Walt Disney World Transform for the Holidays – Throughout the month of November, our Holiday Services team worked round the clock to transform all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, plus Disney Springs, into winter wonderlands full of holiday cheer. View the full article

It’s pretty well established that Epcot is an exemplary place to get a meal. Learn About: Electric Umbrella Epcot Restaurants Disney World Restaurants Whether you’re queuing up at Sunshine Seasons for fresh and tasty quick service, making an ADR at Via Napoli, or using up some table service credits at Le Cellier, there are lots of quality eats to be found. But a poll of Epcot visitors would likely, pretty much never find a lot of love for the Electric Umbrella. This mainstay of Epcot has a decidedly retro vibe, with tons of neon and bright colors (which we think is awesome, but others…not so much). But while the hate for Electric Umbrella is there for some, I don’t really get it. It’s pretty good — and I’ve had awesome experiences here more than I haven’t in the past few years. But you DO need to know what to order… . The Electric Umbrella Atmosphere Electric Umbrella is centrally located in Future World in Innovations East. The best part about this location is its proximity to the Innovations Fountain, which puts on an epic water show intermittently. If you sit outside at Electric Umbrella, you’ll love the view. View of the Fountains Inside, you’ll find neon. Lots and lots of neon. It’s electric (boogie woogie woogie). So much neon You’ll also find several ordering lanes, which are crazy colorful. Menu boards are standard LED screens with large pictures of the menu items. Ordering Area There’s lots of seating at Electric Umbrella. Aside from the al fresco seating, you can choose to sit downstairs or up. The downstairs dining area has walls of windows letting in light and giving diners a view of people passing. (FYI: The carpet is so rad, right?! How can I, as an Epcot 80’s kid, not LOVE this place?) Dining Area The upstairs dining is usually pretty quiet (most guests don’t want to schlep their lunch up the staircase). The seating is the same, and it’s still pretty bright up there, owing to even more windows looking down on Future World. Upstairs Dining The Electric Umbrella bit comes in the lighting and the neon. Electric. Umbrellas. But let’s see about those eats, shall we? Eats The menu at Electric Umbrella has classic items like Chicken Nuggets and Burgers, but they’ve also added an Energy Salad with feta cheese and an interesting Veggie Naan-Wich (which is a surprisingly good option for vegetarians!). Our favorites here are the French Dip Burger and the Sausage and Pepper Hoagie. On this visit, I wanted to try both to see how they’re holding up. First up is the French Dip Burger, which remains one of the only quick service burgers in the World that isn’t a dried out hockey puck! French Dip Burger It’s topped with super flavorful Brisket and Crispy Onions and rests on a slice of Muenster Cheese. It doesn’t come with au jus, like most French Dips do, but the brisket is so juicy that I’m guessing they’ve layered in there. The flavors are so good here. It’s a really good quick service burger and I’d dare say one of my favorites. The best part? It’s held up for years. This one has been reviewed positively for a loooong time, so it’s a good bet on your next visit. French Dip Burger We have enjoyed the Sausage and Peppers Hoagie on past visits, and on this one, it was still a standout. There’s a lot of sausage in there, and the sausage has a nice bit of heat and flavor. The roll is a PERFECT sub roll — crusty-crunchy on the outside and super soft and fluffy (not stale at all!) on the inside. No joke, I nearly ate this whole thing. it was amazing! Sausage and Peppers Hoagie The peppers (and onions) are combined with marinara sauce, making this very meatball sub-like. It all works really well, and since it’s massive, it’s share-able (or a good choice for a big appetite!). Sausage and Peppers I was also happy to find the unicorn of Epcot at the moment: the 35th Anniversary Cupcake introduced to celebrate Epcot’s birthday on October 1! This is available at Fountainview Cafe for a limited time. Epcot 35th Anniversary Cupcake The vanilla cake is standard, but we love the Spaceship Earth-inspired dome! Under the dome? Is it a massive ball of buttercream? Please?! Sorry, no. It’s cake. The dome is more cake. Snore. The filling is Strawberry Cream and really good, but if you’re a frosting fan like me, this is a big skip. Still: points for style. Interior of Anniversary Cupcake Electric Umbrella also has one other thing going for it: Mobile Ordering. If you’re in the mood to avoid lines or need to grab lunch on the run, Mobile Ordering might be just what you need! Nosh or Not? Sail into the Electric Umbrella if: You have picky eaters in your party but still want something slightly less ordinary. You want a quick lunch without having to veer away from the center of Future World. You have a thing for retro Epcot and love the atmosphere here. Head elsewhere if: You want to try the many, many other options at Epcot. You prefer a nice table service meal. You like your eats a little more elegant and creative. Overall Electric Umbrella is a surprisingly solid option for food in a park with umpteen excellent options. So while I won’t be going back on every single visit, it’s nice to know that it’s there, serving up delicious and well-executed dishes. (OK, I might get that hoagie on every visit. Seriously, it’s killer.) Are you an Electric Umbrella fan? Tell us about your experiences 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: Review: Electric Umbrella at Epcot Review: New French Dip Burger at Epcot’s Electric Umbrella Review: Lunch at Electric Umbrella in Epcot’s Future World View the full article

Santa Claus and the Mrs. will once again be joining guests for breakfast at T-Rex Cafe this December! Learn About: T-Rex Cafe Downtown Disney Disney World Restaurants On select mornings throughout the month, you can let the Big Guy know what’s on your holiday wish list (and snap some photos with him and Mrs. Claus!) when you dine at T-Rex Cafe in Disney Springs at a special breakfast buffet known as Breakfast with Santa! Typically, T-Rex serves Lunch and Dinner, served a la carte. However, on December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17, 2017, a unique buffet will feature items like mini pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, omelets, waffles, Applewood smoked bacon, turkey sausages, biscuits with country gravy, fresh fruit with yogurt, assorted cereals, artisanal breads, Danish pastries, muffins and more. Breakfast with Santa @DisneySprings Twitter Account The price is $32 for adults, and $20.50 for children ages 3-9 (children under age 3 dine for free), excluding tax and gratuity. Seatings start at 8:00, 8:15, and 8:30 AM. Interested guests can make reservations through Disney by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Holiday Disney Trip Planning? Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2017 to Jump Start Your Fun! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2017 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. We’ll guide you through all the special events, activities, and dining so that you can get the biggest bang for your buck! Yep — Our Holiday Guide covers everything Disney holiday-related — not just the food! And if you pre-order the 2017 Guide now, we will send you an instant download of the 2016 Guide so that you can start your planning right away! Then, you will automatically receive the 2017 Guide as soon as it’s published the Fall! As a special thank you to our readers for pre-ordering the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2017, we are also offering a discount. Enter discount code PreHoliday at check out, and receive 20% off the list price of $14.95! That’s both the 2016 Guide and the 2017 Guide for $11.95! Two for the price of one! Would you like to dine among the dinos with Santa? 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: Breakfast with Santa at T-Rex Cafe in Disney Springs in December The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail Now Open for 2017 — Now With Food! (Sort of!) News: Christmas in July Treats at Disney Springs View the full article

While you’re checking out ALL THE FOOD around the Festive Foods Marketplace for Disneyland’s Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure, you might also want to be on the lookout for additional offerings around Paradise Pier! Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure In celebration of ¡Viva Navidad! throughout the Festival, look for outdoor vending stops offering items such as Elote (street-style corn with mayonnaise, parmesan cheese and tajin — AAAAH SO GOOOOD), Horchata (a sweet rice beverage with vanilla and cinnamon), Jamaica (traditional sweetened hibiscus tea), Chicharrón (a puffed wheat wagon wheel served with tapatio and lime wedges), and Strawberry Paleta. Additionally, Paradise Garden Grill is serving a special seasonal menu until the Festival ends on January 7, 2018. Selections include a Trio of Street Tacos with carnitas, carne asada, and chicken, House-made Pozole, a Torta al Pastor served on a soft telera roll, and beverages including Sangria. You can check out the full menu here on our Festival of Holidays Menu Page. Torta al Pastor ©Disney So, remember, when you’re in the area dancing along with The Three Caballeros and more Disney pals to live music for ¡Viva Navidad! in Paradise Garden, you can also enjoy EVEN MORE Festival Eats during the Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure! And don’t forget to check out EVERY SINGLE MENU and TONS OF FOOD PHOTOS from DCA’s Festival of Holidays Right HERE! Have you tried any of the seasonal bites at the Festival of Holidays? 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: Dining in Disneyland: NEW! Viva Navidad Snack Cart at Disney California Adventure News: Festival of Holidays Returns to Disney California Adventure on November 10 MORE Festival of Holidays FOOD PHOTOS From Disney California Adventure!! View the full article

Jude Law is in negotiations to play the male lead opposite Brie Larson in Marvel's "Captain Marvel," sources tell Variety. Ben Mendelsohn is on board to play the villain with "Half Nelson" helmers Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck directing. Kevin Feige is producing. Marvel had no comment. Geneva Robertson-Dworet... View the full article