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Whether in Florida or California, the Disney Conservation Fund is helping reverse the decline of butterflies through two unique programs. The first is a grant program, thanks to the Connect to Protect initiative, that has allowed guests visiting Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to participate in a mobile game and unlock a $100,000 contribution to help restore the coastal grassland habitat of the critically endangered Mission blue butterfly around the San Francisco Bay area. The second has Disney supporting the University of Florida’s McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity to breed the rare and beautiful Atala butterflies and reintroduce them to their native habitat along the east coast of Florida. Once thought to be extinct, Atala butterflies lay their eggs on only one native plant – the Coontie plant, which has been over-harvested for food and ornamental purposes. In an effort to help bring the butterflies back from the brink, Disney’s Conservation Team has developed a simple system to help raise these rare native insects. Cast members, with the help of the Animal Husbandry team, use climate-controlled butterfly terrariums made completely of recycled, reused or repurposed materials to care for the animals as they undergo metamorphosis. The terrariums are kept on the cast members’ desks at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where they can be tended to continually. “It always brightened my day to come in to the office and experience this unique connection to nature right on my desk,” said Liz Clark, general manager of Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “It was even better knowing that those butterflies then helped pollinate flowers on the coast and contributed to a larger butterfly population.” When the butterflies emerge, they are taken to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, where resort guests enjoy the magical experience of releasing the adult butterflies. So far, guests have released more than 650 butterflies at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, and hundreds more are planned to be released. The conservation team has worked closely with Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and other communities in the area to be sure there are plenty of nectar plants for the butterflies to eat and pesticide-free Coontie plants for them to lay their eggs on. We are delighted by the success of this effort in growing the Atala population along the east coast. To learn more about how you can help protect butterflies in your area, visit DisneyAnimals.com. View the full article

Coming up with new and original costume ideas for Halloween each year is very tricky! But since I have always been a fan of the Three Caballeros and also love Halloween, why not combine the two? So here are three ideas for the Three Caballeros – Panchito, Jose and Donald, with items that you can find at several stores in Disney Springs: You can dress up like the famous duck with this white button up shirt from ZARA and pair it with these cool navy blue pants from UNIQLO. Add even more color with a blue hat (Lacoste) and a splash of yellow with Lacoste shoes! You can find Panchito’s classic hat at Chapel Hats (and many, many other cool hat options). Add a red shirt from ZARA, burgundy pants from UNIQLO and red shoes from Sperry and you’re good to go! Jose’s classic style is super easy to recreate! A white button up shirt and light brown pants (ZARA) and classic brown shoes (Sperry). Don’t forget to add the classic vest (which you can find at UNIQLO). Lastly, visit Chapel Hats to find his iconic straw hat! Y listo! The Three Caballeros are ready to go to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and have wickedly fun time! View the full article

This week, Adventures by Disney welcomes guests aboard their first-ever food and wine themed river cruise sailing along Europe’s Rhine River. Throughout this journey guests ages 18+ are joined by culinary experts and a sommelier as they sip and sample their way through four countries – Switzerland, Germany, France and The Netherlands. This unique epicurean adventure is just the latest in a series of “firsts” for Adventures by Disney as it celebrates the first year of sailing along the Rhine. Check out a recap of an unforgettable year of family Rhine River sailings in this video! In 2018, Adventures by Disney has increased the number of family summer sailings along the Rhine River, offering eight departures June through August. Guests can also enjoy two Fall departures of the adult-exclusive food and wine themed sailings next year (sign me up)! Which trip excites you most? View the full article

Disney Parks How-To Make a Bento Box Magical: Chef Figment View the full article

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Meet-Up | Walt Disney World View the full article

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Must-Try Food & Drink View the full article

One of the many vacation highlights at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, is spending time at the award-winning Laniwai Spa and its outdoor hydrotherapy garden, Kula Wai. With a host of rejuvenating services available—from massage therapies to herbal body remedies—the spa is the perfect place to unwind and relax. In this episode of “Meet Aulani’s ‘Ohana,” you’ll meet Wesley, a massage therapist at Laniwai Spa. With more than 150 treatments available to choose from, our spa experience is designed to replenish the mind, body and spirit with positive energy. Meet Wesley in the video below. Laniwai Spa’s signature treatment, known as the lomilomi, is a traditional Hawaiian massage that has been passed down from generation to generation by healing kupuna (elders). Soothing lomilomi sticks and warm river stones are incorporated to release tension and help you achieve ultimate relaxation. Check out the full list of therapies available at Laniwai Spa. What treatment will you indulge in on your next visit to Aulani Resort? View the full article

Disney Vacation Club members are among the select groups of football fans who will enjoy special offers and access when the NFL Pro Bowl returns to Orlando on January 28, 2018. Members may now purchase tickets to the 2018 NFL Pro Bowl at a discount (5-10 dollar savings depending on ticket location) by visiting nfl.com/probowlonsale and using the promo code: DISVACAY. Beyond game day at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, Pro Bowl Week, a free fan festival at ESPN Wide World of Sports, will be open to the public from Wednesday, January 24 through Saturday, January 27. Pro Bowl Week aims to once again unite and inspire the entire football community, from players and coaches to families and fans. Planned events at the Pro Bowl Week range from exclusive viewings of AFC and NFC practices, NFL FLAG championship games and USA Football National Conference games and an interactive football zone, Pro Bowl Experience, with activities for the whole family. Reserved access to player practices is an exclusive offer for Disney Vacation Club members (be sure to show your valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card and photo ID to gain access). Learn more about the event online at nfl.com/probowl. You should not purchase a real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club Resort in reliance upon the continued availability of Membership Extras. These are incidental benefits, which are subject to change or termination without notice, may require payment of a separate fee, and cannot be combined with other offers. New Members after April 4, 2016 who do not purchase their ownership interest directly from Disney will not have access to Membership Extras. View the full article

With so many retailers (there are over 100!) at Disney Springs, I was pretty certain that we had all the major shopping categories covered. Turns out we were missing honey, hammocks and hand-made candles. No more! Three of the most recent additions to property are now open for business, just in time for the holiday shopping season, with another on the horizon. If you’re like me, any excuse to enjoy a sweet treat or a relaxing indulgence is a good one, so below are the newest offerings that will let you treat yourself or someone you love to something special: Bowes Signature Soy Candles: Located inside Marketplace Co-Op, this brand specializes in candles with cotton, eco-friendly wicks and 100% natural soy wax. Each one is highly-scented, hand-poured and labeled locally here in Orlando. My friend Heather, who is candle-obsessed, couldn’t pass up the Pumpkin scent. With over 100 varieties offered throughout the year, I have no idea how she picked a favorite. If you can’t decide, you can customize a candle by creating your own scent – smells like a winner, if you ask me. Swings N’ Things: Offering the world’s finest hammocks and porch swings, this small-but-mighty kiosk located near Cookes of Dublin is making a big impression on Disney Springs guests. I stopped by recently to check out their most popular model (pictured below) and wished I could take the afternoon off to sway the day away. Personally, I’d love one for my balcony, but I hear they also make great “homework nooks” – if that’s what it takes to get your kids to finish their nightly assignments, it might be worth checking out. Most items range from $40-$400 dollars, so there’s something to suit every budget. Savannah Bee: Now in a newly-expanded space near The Ganachery, Savannah Bee brings you the most rare, unique and delicious honeys alongside natural, hive-inspired health and beauty products. Last week, I got to sample a few of their most popular honeys and soon I’ll be returning to try out their Mead Tasting Bar with honey wines ranging from dry to sweet, still to sparking, and everything in between. If that’s not buzz-worthy, I don’t know what is. rinse bath & body co. (Opening Soon): The soon-to-open rinse bath & body co. kiosk, located near Paddlefish, will showcase natural products handmade in Monroe, GA (just a few towns over from where I grew up) including natural deodorant – the owner swears that it really works! –, essential oil roll-ons, shower bombs, and their Peppofoot collection, perfect for tired toes. I’m excited to seek out unique stocking stuffers here as it’s only the second permanent retail location for the brand. Another thing I already love? Their packaging. According to the owner, “our packaging is cute enough that you would want to gift it to a friend but not so cute that you would be sad to open it.” Just my style, indeed! Which of these new product offerings will you shop first? Share in the comments below, I’d love to know! View the full article

Okay, so YES, we are checking out something called the “Big Kahuna” at the Polynesian Village Resort. Learn About: Captain Cook’s Polynesian Resort Disney World Restaurants But — before we get your hopes up — we’re talking today about the Big Kahuna SANDWICH at Captain Cook’s. Sadly, the Big Kahuna Breakfast has not returned to the menu at Kona Cafe. Still, taken on its own, the Big Kahuna Sandwich deserves a look in its own right. I mean, anything called the Big Kahuna Sandwich should be able to measure up to its name, right? That’s what we’re here to find out! The Big Kahuna Sandwich consists of turkey, ham, salami, roast beef, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato with a red pepper spread, all tucked into focaccia bread. The $11.29 entree comes with a pile of French Fries. Big Kahuna Sandwich and Fries Looking at it from the top, it does indeed take up a lot of the box. (These takeaway styles have been in use for some time now at Captain Cook’s, replacing the standard Disney Parks plates for many dishes, and they are obviously terrific for transporting your meal.) Big Kahuna Sandwich with French Fries You can see the nice amount of herbs topping the very puffy focaccia bread. Big Kahuna Sandwich But it’s not until you lift the sandwich out of the box that you really get a feel for the size. True, much of the size is due to the thick focaccia, but there really is a LOT of meat packed in there, offering all the flavor variety of the four different cuts going along with the Swiss cheese. Big Kahuna Sandwich There is so much meat, in fact, that the red pepper spread gets a little lost, lending moisture to the sandwich more than additional flavor. What stands out more is the fresh quality of the sandwich, making the Big Kahuna a dish that offers indulgence with regards to size but without any grease at all. My top pick for lunch or dinner at Captain Cook’s remains the Thai Coconut Meatballs (formerly called Coconut Curry Meatballs). Thai Coconut Meatballs This is the current bowl presentation, which differs a bit from when we first reviewed this dish (the meal is the same, though). Thai Coconut Meatballs But the Big Kahuna Sandwich still gets a thumbs up for a great, tasty change of pace and its sheer ability to conquer a big appetite! What’s your top pick at Captain Cook’s? 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: Photo Tour and Food Review: Captain Cook’s Reopens at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Review: New Menu Items at Captain Cook’s in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort #OnTheList: Tonga Toast at Captain Cook’s in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort View the full article

For many years, Tony Mantuano thought of Italian cooking as grandma’s cooking. Now a James Beard Foundation award-winning chef, Mantuano has spent his life showcasing dishes from kitchens throughout Italy. Many of those are on the menu at his Spiaggia, the only four-star Italian restaurant in Chicago. ... View the full article

The "Star Wars" Han Solo spinoff had finally been titled: "Solo: A Star Wars Story." Director Ron Howard announced the news in a video on Twitter on Tuesday morning. Howard also revealed that they just wrapped production on the movie. Howard took over as director after the movie's original helmers,... View the full article

Disney Parks Moms Panel | Plaza de la Familia View the full article

Can you put a price on Christmas happiness at the theme parks? Disney can, and it’s packaged up as a hotel and park ticket deal called Ultimate Disney Christmas. The new deal is for stays at select Disney hotels from Dec. 21-26 that include four days of theme park tickets and access to special... View the full article

For anyone who has played Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, the highlight is usually the par 3 No. 6 hole because of the one-of-a-kind Mickey-shaped sand bunker. Well, that iconic bunker was recently enhanced in an effort to preserve its unique shape for years to come. The team at Arnold Palmer Golf Management, which manages our four Walt Disney World Resort courses, used a special concrete mixture that will extend the lifespan of the bunker while also maintaining the sand for optimal play. But here’s the best part: That Mickey bunker soon won’t be the only one. I’m excited to reveal that more Mickey-shaped bunkers are in the works for our other three Walt Disney World Resort golf courses. We are planning to add them on hole No. 8 on the Disney’s Palm Golf Course, No. 12 on Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and No. 9 on Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course sometime next summer. In the meantime, check out the image below to see how the newly reimagined Mickey Mouse bunker at the Magnolia course was created! For more information on all of the golf experiences at Walt Disney World Resort, just swing by one of our pro shops or call 407-WDW-GOLF (939-4653). View the full article

Who was the most magical celebrity on Disney Night? The one who delivered the most unexpected performance Monday on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” “Malcolm in the Middle” star Frankie Muniz transformed himself into a menacing pirate for a showy Argentine tango with a “Pirates of the Caribbean”... View the full article

Who was the most magical on Disney Night? The unexpected performer Monday on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” “Malcolm in the Middle” star Frankie Muniz transformed into a menacing pirate for a showy Argentine tango with a “Pirates of the Caribbean” theme. He looked like a decadent rocker and brought... View the full article

The residents of Radiator Springs have transformed Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park into a Haul-O-Ween celebration! Each establishment is decorated for the season, including Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters as Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree as Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree. The “Cars” characters themselves have even dressed up in their own Haul-O-Ween car-stumes and delicious treats are found under every cone! Take a look: Don’t miss Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, now through October 31! View the full article

Remember the special Remy Magic Shot available at Epcot for the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival for Disney World guests utilizing the Disney PhotoPass Service? Well, Magic Shots are actually available at every park for PhotoPass users, and there is a shot currently available at Magic Kingdom that is near and dear to our hearts. You can have your picture “taken” with a GIANT DOLE WHIP! ©Disney So, how do you get a Magic Shot made? Well, for the Dole Whip pic, inform PhotoPass Photographers in Adventureland that you would like to pose with the Giant Dole Whip, where Aloha Isle is home to Dole Whip in Magic Kingdom. Certain Magic Shots are specific to certain parks, so be sure to check the official Disney PhotoPass Service Facebook Page or Twitter account to find out which Magic Shots might be available during your Disney vacation. Now, if only we could get a gigantic spoon to take on that Dole Whip, huh? Have you had any Magic Shots made during your Disney World vacation? 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! Dole Whip-Topped Pineapple Upside Down Cake in Magic Kingdom! News! Pre-Order Your DOLE WHIP at Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle with Mobile Order News: Vanilla Dole Whip Is BACK at Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle View the full article

Disney Parks Moms Panel | Mickey’s Halloween Party View the full article

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort has expanded this year to Disney California Adventure park! A howling good time is being had by all, and there really is something for everyone to enjoy, according to Disney Parks Moms Panelist Linda M. Check out some of her favorites: Also new this year, is Plaza de la Familia, A Celebration of “Coco” and the Everlasting Bonds of Family at Disney California Adventure park. Here families can discover the colorful world of the upcoming film “Coco” and the spirit of Dia de los Muertos. Don’t miss your chance to stop by, as this event closes Nov. 2. Here are just a few reasons why this festive celebration is a not-to-miss: Guests can experience Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort until Oct. 31. For more tips on planning your Halloween fun, or to ask questions about planning your next Disney Parks vacation, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. View the full article

Last week, I took you beyond the curtain to reveal how Disney Cruise Line Entertainment dreams up magical shows at sea. While these elaborate productions take place on the high seas, they are actually rehearsed at our rehearsal facility on land. The cast of “Beauty and the Beast” rehearsed there this summer, getting ready for the brand-new musical’s debut on the Disney Dream in November. The show expands upon the most imaginative elements of the live-action and classic films and brings the timeless fable to life like never before, featuring a style of theater that interlaces classic storytelling elements with cutting-edge technology. This full-scale production includes 11 musical numbers and 25 performers who have put in approximately 176 rehearsal hours. Our rehearsal space is an impressive, state-of-the-art facility. Spanning more than 20,000 square feet in size, it houses 11 studios and rehearsal rooms, two of which are comparable in size to the Walt Disney Theatre. These studios and rehearsal rooms are not only where the cast learn their blocking and perfect their vocals but also where they bond with one another, going from cast to family in a matter of months. During these few months, the cast learn each and every one of their roles in all of the stage productions and deck parties presented aboard the ship. Each cast ranges in size from 32 to 46 talented individuals, recruited from around the world. The performers are a multi-faceted group, mastering singing, dancing, puppetry, acrobatics and even aerial stunts flying high above the stage! What comes next? Stay tuned, as the cast pack their bags and set sail to rehearse on the high seas in preparation for premiering the show in the Walt Disney Theatre. View the full article

Oh. You thought we were done trying ALL the Pumpkin Spice around Disney World? Learn About: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Disney World Restaurants Nope, not yet! We’ve tracked down everything from Pumpkin Spice Shakes (made with ice cream or gelato) to the annual return of Pumpkin Fudge around the parks. But I may have found my very favorite Pumpkin Spice snack yet at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory in Port Orleans — French Quarter Resort, where they’re serving up PUMPKIN SPICE BEIGNETS. WOOT!!! Now, you won’t find Pumpkin Spice Beignets listed as an option on the menu alongside the regular French Quarter Beignets. French Quarter Beignets And the traditional (non-Spiced) Beignets are still available as well. Bakery Counter Menu Instead, there is a small sign posted atop the food court’s popular Bakery counter. It’s super easy to miss, which is why we had to let you know about it here! Halloween Specials sign Now, it’s all in the Pumpkin SPICE name with these. The beignets themselves are the regular variety — no pumpkin puree added to the dough or anything. Pumpkin Spice Beignets It’s basically just an additional dusting of the associated pumpkin spices on top of the standard powdered sugar. Simple enough, but the fragrance upon opening the warm box of beignets is heavenly. Pumpkin Spice Beignets Now, typically — to me, anyway — pumpkin spice is pumpkin spice: the usual blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove. But both my friend and I actually picked up on a LOT of clove, delivering its more pungent fragrance and flavor to the mix. Pumpkin Spice Beignets We didn’t want to let any of the delicious leftover pumpkin spice sugar go to waste once we’d polished off the Beignets, so what else was there to do but to sprinkle it on (what was left of) our other dessert to make… “Pumpkin Spice” King Cake Pumpkin Spice Mardi Gras King Cake! Spiced Sugar on King Cake It was that, or straight up eat the pumpkin spice sugar with a spoon… which we may or may not have done as well . So, get your Pumpkin Spice Beignets while the gettin’s good (through Halloween!). See you in the line! Would you like to try Pumpkin Spice on your Beignets? 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: Review: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans Resort, French Quarter Review: The NEW Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory at Port Orleans Resort, French Quarter News: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Closing for Refurbishment on July 11 View the full article

Marvel Entertainment released the first full-length movie trailer for the upcoming “Black Panther” that shows a lot more of fictional country Wakanda and some serious cat-on-cat violence. Chadwick Boseman reprises the role of Prince T’Challa that was introduced in “Captain America: Civil War” for... View the full article

Hey Guys! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and since Disney World is synonymous with SNACKING for us here at the DFB, we’ve got EVEN MORE Disney Snacks for you to check out to start your week off right! No Way Jose at Beaches and Cream Yes, we’ve covered Disney Snacks on our DFB YouTube Channel before. But there are SO MANY snacks to take in that we can’t possibly cover them all in just a video or two! So you should check out our newest installment and see if your favorite snack made our latest list! (And I’ll give you just one spoiler: the No Way Jose has landed on this one!) 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 snack on 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: New Video: 20 MORE Disney Snacks You Have to Try! DFB Video: 7 New Things You HAVE to Try in Disney World RIGHT NOW DFB Video: Where to Find Late Night Eats in Disney World View the full article