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It sure is Fall Festival season around Disney World (and probably where you are, too!). From the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival to the 2017 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic, enhanced fall food offerings are available around every turn — including at Port Orleans Resort — Riverside! Outside at Port Orleans Resort — Riverside The Fall Food Festival takes place at Riverside’s Lobby Courtyard Area from 5:00 – 8:00 PM on Sunday, October 29th and Monday, October 30th. DFB Reader Todd K. kindly sent us this pic of the menu! (Thanks, Todd!!) Fall Food Festival Menu Sign me up for the Smoked Brisket with Four Cheese Mac & Cheese, please! Or maybe that Grilled Andouille Crusted Corn the Cob. And I love the fact that there’s even a Kids’ Corner Menu, including Build Your Own Whoopie Pie! So, if you are staying at Port Orleans Resort — Riverside (or French Quarter), be sure to stop by the Lobby Courtyard for some Southern-inspired Festival foods! Sassagoula Riverboat And, remember, Port Orleans is just a boat ride down the Sassagoula River from Disney Springs if you want to take in the charms — and the eats — at this beautiful Resort. Will you be at Port Orleans Resort — Riverside to experience the Fall Food 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: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Closing for Refurbishment on July 11 Review: Cherry Cobbler at Port Orleans, Riverside Resort Review: Loaded Potato Puffs at The River Roost in Port Orleans Riverside Resort View the full article

The decade-long Pixarification of Disney California Adventure will continue in 2018 with the conversion of Paradise Pier into Pixar Pier and new attractions based on “The Incredibles,” “Inside Out” and even more “Toy Story.” The Pixar makeover of Paradise Pier will replace or rebrand a majority... View the full article

Proud Pet Parent Expands Disney Tails Collection at Disney Parks View the full article

Top 10 Things Guests Love About Epcot | Walt Disney World View the full article

The third recipe in our pumpkin series comes straight from The Land at Epcot. Sunshine Seasons currently offers this warm pumpkin soup, which can be served as the starter to your meal or as something to warm up with on a cool autumn day. This quick and easy recipe is sure to impress! Fun Fact: Did you know that you can sometimes find Mickey-shaped vegetables such as pumpkins, cucumbers and watermelons growing in Epcot’s greenhouses by taking a boat ride at Living with The Land? View the full article

This month, artist Ashley Taylor has had a blast showing off her “Disney Doodle” skills by imagining what some villainous Disney characters would do if they had the chance to visit Walt Disney World Resort. From Jack Skellington to the trio of Lock, Shock and Barrel, our character friends went wild exploring Disney Parks in our Disney Doodles series. Here’s a look at some of the “fun” they had this month. Be sure to check the Disney Parks Blog each Monday for a brand-new Disney Doodle. View the full article

This week, Disney Parks Blog readers were among the first to learn that we’re opening a Four Diamond hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The stunning 700-room hotel, which is set to open in 2021, will transform the west end of the Downtown Disney District and anchor a new gateway to the Disneyland Resort. The new hotel will feature extensive landscaping and water elements – showcasing nature on every level of the hotel. The hotel’s location embraces the iconic Disneyland Monorail with a dedicated platform inside for direct transport into Disneyland park. Check Erin’s original story for more details. We also continued our exclusive “All in the Details” series with a look at a new area planned for Toy Story Land – Woody’s Lunch Box. As you can see, Woody’s Lunch Box – like the rest of Toy Story Land – has been adorably strewn about with some of Andy’s favorite toys and items from his lunch. Visit Jennifer’s original story for more details. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Pixar Fest Brings Celebration of Friendship Throughout Disneyland Resort Beginning April 13, 2018 – As Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek announced at the D23 Expo in July, Disneyland Resort guests are invited to celebrate their favorite Disney·Pixar stories during Pixar Fest. Beginning April 13, 2018, this limited-time celebration of friendship and beyond will feature the debut of an all-new fireworks spectacular and the return of two favorite parades as well as even more beloved Pixar characters, new décor, atmosphere entertainment, themed food and beverage and new merchandise items. Galactic Goodies Galore at Star Wars: Galactic Nights – Calling all Star Wars fans – Star Wars: Galactic Nights returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Dec. 16 with out-of-this-world food and beverage offerings that are sure to leave you dreaming of a galaxy far, far away … Join the Fun at ‘Disney Junior Dance Party!’ at Disney California Adventure Park – Little ones at Disney California Adventure park have more reason than ever to get on their feet and start dancing! “Disney Junior Dance Party!,” presented by Pull-Ups®, is rocking Hollywood Land with high-energy songs, dazzling special effects, new friends and beloved characters including Mickey Mouse himself. Experience Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark All Day on October 31 at Disney California Adventure Park – Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! has transformed into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. The Guardians have successfully escaped The Collector’s Fortress, but they have accidentally left Groot behind! Rocket enlists you to distract the creatures that have been accidentally released inside The Collector’s Fortress so he can find and rescue his little buddy. Disney Parks Sweet Treats: October 2017 – If you’re looking for some of the best desserts around, look no further than Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort. This Louisiana-inspired restaurant recently received a Golden Foodie Award for 2017 Best Dessert Menu in Orange County! With selections ranging from classic Beignets to Double Chocolate Bread Pudding Soufflé, these gourmet desserts are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! Halloween DIY: Top Five Halloween Makeup Tips Inspired by Disney Parks Attractions – This weekend, many of you may be heading to a Halloween party, fall festival or other fun seasonal event – maybe even a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! View the full article

The 2017 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Classic is HERE… and so are we!! 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic The Classic is running October 27th and 28th, and, as always, features innovative dishes from renowned chefs, lots of terrific wine and beer offerings, and a variety of informative seminars. Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Ticket holders for the event are enjoying the activities on Friday, October 27, and/or Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 5:30PM to 9PM. As in the past, there are several ticket options, which you can find on the event website. The Causeway Ticket provides unlimited access to food and drinks along the Causeway between the two resorts. The Causeway Ticket and Beer Garden ticket allows access to the unlimited Causeway offerings as well as the Beer Garden. There are also a la carte tickets, tickets for seminars, and a Sunday Bubbles Brunch. 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic So, we thought we’d pop in TONIGHT to show you what’s going down on the Causeway for 2017, especially if you’re getting ready to go to the already sold out event on Saturday evening. Even though several dishes will change, you can still see some of what you’ll be enjoying just hours from now… or you can start considering this event for next year! But first, before you join us, don’t forget to pick up your Souvenir Wine Glass! Souvenir Wine Glasses And grab your Wine Yoke at the Wine Store ! Wine Store Wine Yoke Okay. Now we’re REALLY ready to check things out! We can’t show you everything (you can see the full menus here), but we’d love to share our thoughts — and some of the food — from our time on Friday night. Again, many items will vary from Friday to Saturday, but we’re starting our tour at two of the four themed areas — which include Carnival Corner, Chinatown, the Beer Garden, and the new Bubble Lounge — starting with… Carnival Corner We couldn’t pick just one bite at Carnival Corner! Carnival Corner Games at Carnival Corner The Funnel Cakes (with Nutella!!) are Carnival perfection. Simple and delicious. Funnel Cake Plus, the smaller portion size means that there were none of those gummy parts, you know? The white cheddar Carnival Mac & Cheese with roasted wild mushrooms was also very good, with nice consistency and good flavor. Mac & Cheese And what’s a Carnival without a Corn Dog? The batter on the Texas-style Corn Dogs was light and flavorful. Texas-Style Corn Dogs I’m still not 100% sure, though, what makes it “Texas-style”. In my mind, Texas-style involves Fritos and chili, but these Dogs were served plain with sauce on the side. The Chef shared with me, though, that it has something to do with the batter and type of corn they used. Now we’re off to… Chinatown We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Chinatown You CAN’T MISS the Crispy Duck on a Steamed Bun with Hoisin Sauce in Chinatown! Crispy Duck And the Shanghai Dumplings continue to gain accolades from Classic attendees. Shanghai Dumplings We’ll be back at the themed areas a bit later, but now we’re moving on to… Cabana Okay, this little piece of Double Fried Chicken from Cabana packs a TON of flavor! Double Fried Chicken The chicken is doused in crushed ranch-flavored Cheez-its (which should be the law), then double fried. It’s served with spicy chipotle sauce and honey. Double Fried Chicken The carrot “tartare” on top was a little weird, though. It didn’t add much and the cold, mushy texture made the chicken get colder faster. Still. Did I tell you it’s crusted with ranch Cheez-its?! Cib’s Smokehouse I’m all about the Hand-Crafted Pork Belly with Confit-Fennel, Compressed Green Apple, and Spicy Pear BBQ at Cib’s Smokehouse. Hand-Crafted Pork Belly ‘Cuz Pork Belly is ALWAYS GOOD. Todd English The Mesquite Rubbed Wagyu Short Ribs at the Todd English Food Station were super yummy. Mesquite Rubbed Wagyu Short Ribs In regards to the meat, that is. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Smoked Canellini Bean Puree, which was, indeed, really smoky and not to my liking. That said, my friend liked it more than I did, so it could be personal preference. Either way, the dish was worth stopping for. Picabu The Taqueria at Picabu featured Pork Carnitas with organic vegetables and pico de gallo. Picabu Taqueria Not only did the tacos have terrific pork flavor, but the serving size was good, too. Pork Carnitas Taco And you gotta love the assorted hot sauces to go along with ‘em! Assorted Hot Sauces Fountain The Kobe Beef Mini Burgers at the Fountain Food Station had a really good presentation, topped with truffle aioli, applewood smoked bacon, and Roma tomato chutney. Kobe Beef Mini Burger I did find the burger was slightly overdone, but otherwise, the dish was fine. Il Mulino Unfortunately, I think the Ricotta Gnocchi with wild mushrooms, baby spinach, and fennel sausage at Il Mulino could use some work. Food Stations at the Classic The texture of the sausage was quite crumbly, and the super crunchy texture of the gnocchi was a bit off, too. Finally, we’re heading back to the new themed area for 2017… Bubble Lounge Okay, so, it’s super cute in the new Bubble Lounge! Bubble Lounge Bubble Lounge Deviled Eggs Bubble Lounge Bubble Lounge A few things, though, might improve this space if it returns in 2018. Bubble Lounge Bubble Lounge It’s a good concept overall, but I think the whole lounge vibe could be improved with moodier lighting and also some seating, as the room got pretty crowded. Bubble Lounge But the themed areas are always a fun addition to the Classic, and it makes me wonder what they’ll come up with next year! Overall The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic does it again! I have really come to look forward to this event, now in its 8th year. The Causeway offers great food, terrific ticket options, and a fun, outdoor setting — especially at this time of year when quite often you can’t ask for better weather. Couple that with opportunities for foodies to attend educational seminars, and you’ve got yourself quite a weekend. The Food and Wine Classic is highly recommended. If you want to learn more about the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic, be sure to check out the links below! Click here for Full Causeway Menus Click here for Full Seminar Details And tell us… are you a fan of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic? 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: Preview: Must-Eats at the 2017 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic (Spoiler Alert — There’s Speculos Involved) News! Updated Menus Now Available for 2017 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic News! Dates and Details Announced for the 2017 WDW Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic View the full article

In celebration of the Day of the Dead, we caught up with Master Candy Maker Rob Mc Hargue to make some adorable Halloween-themed rice crispy treats! Rob has been a candy maker at Disneyland Resort for more than 43 years and calls the Candy Palace on Main Street, U.S.A., his home. Today, using colored sugar, icing and a little bit of Disney Magic, he shows us how to design and create these fun Mickey-shaped treats! You can find these special rice crispy treats and many other sweet creations at any candy location throughout Disneyland Resort. View the full article

On Tuesday, scores of Disney fans will celebrate Halloween with a ride through the Haunted Mansion at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim. Carlsbad resident Roland “Rolly” Crump, 87, won’t be among those rolling through the spooky attraction in pitch-black “doom buggies,” but he will be there... View the full article

Are you as excited as I am that Halloween is just a few more days away? There are so many ways to have spooky fun at Walt Disney World Resort this time of the year – visiting the Haunted Mansion or The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, getting a picture with a Disney Villain or attending a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Over the years, our team of Disney artists have come up with 17 spooky Disney Parks Blog wallpapers that we’re happy to share again with you today – including a new design inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” To download the image you like best, simply click on the image above. You’ll be taken to a page that lets you choose the appropriate size for your desktop or mobile device. Be sure to check out the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it. Want to check out other designs? Visit our complete gallery of wallpapers. View the full article

We’ve checked out the new Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios Starbucks “You Are Here” Mugs and Mickey Tumblers at Creature Comforts, Main Street Bakery, and The Trolley Car Cafe, respectively. Today, our stop is Epcot’s Fountain View, where the Mickey Tumbler similarly features beloved park icons — from yesterday and today! — in honor of Epcot’s 35th Anniversary. Epcot Mickey Tumbler I LOVE the nod to the Universe of Energy dinosaurs on Mickey’s foot! And there’s Figment! Horizons made it!! And Kitchen Kabaret get some love, which does my heart good. Spaceship Earth makes up Mickeys cute face… it goes on and on. And, just like the other in-parks Starbucks locations, there is also a new “You Are Here” Mug. New Epcot “You Are Here” Mug The new Epcot mug features World Showcase, including the IllumiNations torch and fireworks, Friendship Boats, and, of course, the country Pavilions. New Epcot “You Are Here” Mug Oh, and those Epcot 35 Mugs are still up for grabs, too. Epcot 35 Anniversary Starbucks Mug For now, anyway! Limit 5 per Guest So, which one — or ones — will you be picking up? Do you collect the Disney Parks Starbucks mugs? 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: Spotted: New Animal Kingdom Starbucks Mickey Tumbler and “You Are Here” Mug at Creature Comforts Spotted: Disney Parks Exclusive Starbucks Mug and Cup Ornaments News! Starbucks “You Are Here” Mugs For Sale Again in Epcot View the full article

It’s time again to see what’s happening around the Disney Twitter-sphere! Let’s kick things off with this adorable rendition of “Zootopia” from @Disney as told by emoji! View the full article

Inside Look at BaseLine Tap House at Disney's Hollywood Studios View the full article

It’s day two of our pumpkin recipe series, and today we have a special breakfast recipe to share! Featured on the breakfast menu at Kona Café in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort through Oct. 31, these pumpkin pancakes make for a sweet and delicious morning meal. Just add maple syrup, pumpkin cream cheese, and some bacon or sausage to complete this fall-inspired dish! View the full article

In our Disney Doodles blog series, our Disney artists imagine what a character would do or see first if they had the chance to visit Walt Disney World Resort. In today’s Doodle, artist Ashley Taylor envisions what Scar from Disney’s “The Lion King” would do if he visited a Disney resort. “Scar and his henchmen are always plotting their next takeover,” she said. “I’d imagine them hiding out and having fun in the Elephant Graveyard play area at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.” View the full article

Today at Comic Con in London, Vice President Franchise Creative and Marketing for Marvel Studios, Dave Bushore and Creative Director of Disneyland Paris, Mark Huffman announced that the Marvel Super Heroes are coming to Disneyland Paris in the summer 2018 from June 10 to September 30. Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, Star-Lord and Black Widow will appear for the first time exclusively at Disneyland Paris in summer 2018 in a special Marvel Summer of Super Heroes season. Your favorite heroes will be featured in the Walt Disney Studios Park for exciting meet & greets and breathtaking, epic shows. But that’s not all for Marvel fans at Disneyland Paris. Disneyland Paris is also re-imagining from October 2018 one of its Resort Hotels into a universe that would make Tony Stark proud. Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel will transport guests to the action-packed, inspiring world of Super Heroes including Iron Man, The Avengers, and Spider Man among others, and will open within 2020. Don’t miss Marvel Summer of Super Heroes and join some of your favorite characters at Walt Disney Studios Park. It will be THE big event of 2018 and will close out what has already been an unbelievable celebration of Disneyland Paris’ 25th Anniversary. Stay tuned for more updates on Marvel Summer of Super Heroes. View the full article

Trick-or-treat doorbells barely will have stopped ringing when the jingle bells start up at Central Florida’s theme parks. The holiday push for end-of-year attendance and seasonal entertainment begins in early November. This year, attractions have a mix of new offerings and enhanced experiences... View the full article

Okay, so here’s the thing about Bloody Marys: you either love ‘em, or you hate ‘em. No matter which camp you fall in, though, you still might want to take a gander at the incredible “Proud Marys” they are serving up for Sunday Brunch at Phins, the Dolphin Hotel’s brand new lobby bar because this stuff is surrious. Phins Proud Marys Available on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM as part of Phins Sunday Sips, these over-the-top cocktails — also called “Brunch in a Glass” for obvious reasons — are tributes to four of the Swan and Dolphin restaurants. Phins Proud Marys Menu We got to have a look while we were at the Preview for the 2017 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic, and checking them out in person gave us a much better idea than the menu pics above. The Hail Mary (Ha!), for starters, is inspired by Shula’s Steak House (get it?!?!), and comes garnished with Filet Mignon, a Lobster Claw, BBQ Shrimp, and steak sauce. Oh, and an entire celery stalk. Hail Mary This is NO JOKE, y’all. The Zoo Mary, in honor of Todd English’s bluezoo is enhanced with Old Bay, Crab Louie, Lobster Tail, and Cocktail Shrimp (the size of a baby’s arm, as the saying goes). Zoo Mary Zoo Mary Maria Italiana is the Il Mulino tribute, with Giardiniera, Italian seasoning, and huge Antipasti Skewers. Maria Italiana There are actually four in total; one is tucked behind the fourth skewer. You know your Bloody Mary is garnished RIGHT when you can’t even get it all into one photo! Finally, the Dragon Mary is inspired by Kimonos, and is made with Yuzu Juice and Sriracha Sauce and is garnished with a Dragon Roll Skewer. Dragon Mary Can you believe this thing?! Dragon Mary Phins isn’t messin’ around, people! So, if Bloody Marys are your thing, you may want to plan a splurge at the gorgeous Phins bar in the Dolphin Resort! Phins You can learn more about this new location by reading about our first visit here! Which Proud Mary would you like to try at Phins? 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: First Look and Review: Phins and Fuel in Disney World’s Dolphin Hotel News! Mother’s Day Meals at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel First Look: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic 2015 View the full article

Just in time for Halloween, one of the 999 happy haunts in the Haunted Mansion is materializing in our exclusive series of Disney-inspired bento box tutorials. Disney Parks Blog reader and fan Mike Kravanis shows us how to surprise friends and family with a special Hatbox Ghost bento box. To create a Hatbox Ghost bento box, Mike starts with rice cooked in butterfly pea flower tea before using roasted seaweed and yellow cheese for facial features. Eggplant is then used to build a hat and dyed radishes for hair and eyebrows. Check out the video for step-by-step instructions. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more Disney-inspired bento box tutorials in upcoming weeks. View the full article

How will you carve your pumpkin this year? Will it have a silly, spooky or even scary expression? This happy jack-o-lantern, one of dozens you’ll see at Magic Kingdom Park this time of year, proves that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party really is not-so-scary. What a happy Halloween Mickey! View the full article

The Disneyland Resort has shelved plans for a new transportation hub on the eastern edge of the Anaheim property and will build a 6,500-space parking structure near its shopping district. The new parking structure will be built on land used for a surface parking lot adjacent to the massive Mickey... View the full article

#DisneyKids: Disney Junior Live on Stage Gets Rave Reviews View the full article

Tween series 'Andi Mack' to feature Disney Channel's first story arc about a character coming out as gay View the full article

Every year, we share a pumpkin recipe or two during the month of October so that you can recreate the magic of Disney from the comfort of your own kitchen. Well this year, for National Pumpkin Day, we’re giving you six all-new recipes! For the next six days, we’ll be sharing a new pumpkin recipe every day as part of our Cooking Up the Magic series! Today, we have a delicious sweet treat to share with you. Offered through Nov. 25 at Narcoossee’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, these pumpkin profiteroles have a pumpkin cream puff filling and are topped off with cranberry-blueberry sauce. Bring these to a party for a fun pumpkin treat or cook up a batch for a small dessert to top off your meal! View the full article