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Disney Parks Moms Panelists are full of great advice for planning your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Check out some of their favorite tips to make the most of your next visit: If you have a late night enjoying Extra Magic Hours, schedule a later breakfast the next day. Make your stroller distinct, it will make spotting it in stroller parking much easier. If you couldn’t get the dining reservation you were looking for, keep checking! Let someone else take the photos with Memory Maker. Plan a whole day to spend at Disney Springs. For more videos, quick tips or to ask questions about planning your upcoming Disney vacation, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. View the full article

Mickey Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Desserts | Walt Disney World View the full article

For the last several weeks, we’ve been sharing can’t-miss experiences at this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Today, we’re offering 100 winners of the Best of Epcot International Food & Wine Party Sweepstakes a special chance to join us in the park as we celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Epcot at our Disney Parks Blog party at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival on September 27, 2017. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. ET on September 27 and runs until 9 p.m. inside of Epcot. We are asking Winners of the Best of Epcot International Food & Wine Party Sweepstakes to begin arriving at 4:30 p.m. ET. Winners will receive admission to Epcot on September 27, 2017 and can enjoy a grand tasting event and learn more about some of the amazing dishes during a special Q&A session at World Showplace. You can enter for a chance to win by clicking here and following the entry instructions to complete an official entry form. Your entry must state your valid email address and full name. Also, here are a few things you should know: All entrants must be 18 years or older and legal residents of, and physically located within, the state of Florida. However, guests of the winners do not need to be 18 or older (as long as the guest is the child or ward of the winner). Limit one guest per winner. We will send a notice, via email to the winning entrants. It will be necessary for the winner and guest to check in at Epcot for access to the event. The notice will include those details. Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in. Prizes are not redeemable for cash and are not transferable. Hope to see you out there. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Starts 11:00 a.m. ET on 9/25/17, and ends 1:00 p.m. ET of same day. Open only to legal residents of Florida who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Limit 1 entry per person. For full details including eligibility requirements, odds of winning and prize limitations, see Official Rules. Prize does not include accommodations or transportation between winner’s home and the event taking place on September 27, 2017. Void where prohibited. View the full article

Who knows their way around a dessert better than Carlo’s Bakery head and celebrated pastry Chef Buddy Valastro? No one – that’s who! And lucky for us, Buddy returns to this year’s Epcot International Food and Wine Festival – with a sumptuous demo and discussion that is sure to be a taste- and crowd-pleaser. Anyone who knows – or knows of – Buddy knows that family plays an integral part in everything he does. Carlo’s is a legendary family business and, as seen in its TV show, shines the spotlight on the warmth, heart – and, of course, sometimes craziness – of three generations of family working together. We caught up with Chef Buddy at Carlo’s in Jersey City to get a sneak peek into his festival presentation and ask him about what he and his family love to do – and eat – while at Walt Disney World. Chef Buddy will be appearing at the Festival as part of the “What’s Cookin’ With” series of celebrity chef demos and discussions. He will be at Epcot Sunday, Nov. 12. To book a seat at Buddy’s appearance at the Festival or any of the other Special Dining Events, check out at EpcotFoodFestival.com, or call 407-939-3378. Here are the links to book online: Culinary Demonstrations at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Beverage Seminars at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Party for the Senses What’s Cookin’ With… at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Cheese Seminars at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Dining Package at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival And stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for updates and more! View the full article

Earlier this month, the Disney Parks Blog team kicked off the return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park by hosting a meet-up for 200 of our readers. This year, our team really wanted to up our costume game, so we enlisted the expertise of the team over at Special Events Costuming & Cosmetology. Just a few hours before our event was to start, a team of six cosmetologists transformed us into residents of the Haunted Mansion, with looks ranging from the mansion’s butler, maid, organist, groundskeeper and more. Take a behind-the-scenes look at our ghostly transformations in the video below. Want to create a Haunted Mansion-inspired look for your Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party visit? Check out the tutorials below for step-by-step instructions. Halloween How-To: Create A Haunted Mansion Butler Costume Halloween How-To: Haunted Mansion Makeup Tutorials View the full article

TALLAHASSEE — Mickey Mouse is strolling along Main Street, Harry Potter is casting spells again and the reptiles at Gatorland are jumping for their supper. After pausing for Hurricane Irma’s impact and assessing the damage, Orlando’s attractions are ready for tourists around the globe to return,... View the full article

30 Stays in 30 Days Highlights – Part 6 | Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

Are you a Disney Pin Collector or Trader? Disney Pin Traders Personally speaking, I’m really not. But I’ve always had an appreciation for the teeny works of art. So every now and then I take a look to check them out, which is how I found myself in Disney’s Pin Traders in the Marketplace of Disney Springs (located directly across from Earl of Sandwich). Pin Trading Sign And it’s also how I happened upon the Piece of Walt Disney World History Toy Story Pizza Planet Pin! A Piece of Walt Disney World History Toy Story Pizza Planet Pin As the name implies, the Piece of History Pins give you a chance to OWN a piece of a retired Disney World attraction, parade, or — in this case — restaurant! Toy Story Pizza Planet closed down in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in January 2016. The spot was completely re-imagined into PizzeRizzo, leaving the Toy Story theme far behind (in favor of Muppets) as Disney makes way for an entire Toy Story Land slated to open in 2018. The former Pizza Planet As a special Commemorative Pin, the Toy Story Pizza Planet Pin is kept behind glass, so you have to ask a Cast Member for assistance. Commemorative Pin sign That’s how I got a closer look. A Piece of Walt Disney World History Toy Story Pizza Planet Pin The “piece” of Pizza Planet is tucked inside that teeny little globe on the bottom right of the pin. That bit of filament you see was once part of the yellow and red planet decorations that dotted the arcade. Utensil and Napkin Station at the former Pizza Planet Look, it’s no huge secret that Pizza Planet was not on the top of our Must Do Dining list. In fact, since your typical Disney Counter Service pizza isn’t good, Pizza Planet never made it to the list at all. It was more of a Must Skip, or — at best — a visit-only-once-IF-you’re-a-major-Toy-Story-fan. For that reason, I was completely surprised by a small rush of sentiment when I spotted this pin, and decided to share it with you all. Even though I don’t collect them myself, I still think these Piece of History pins are pretty darn cool. (I do own a Piece of History SpectroMagic Parade Pin. Anyone else miss it dearly?) The Piece of Walt Disney World History Toy Story Pizza Planet Pin was released on September 7, 2017, and is a Limited Edition run of 1,500. So, if you aren’t able to grab one in Disney World before they sell out, maybe one of our pals will be willing to trade with you! Pin Trading Mickey and Minnie Pin Trading Daisy and Donald Happy Collecting! Would you like to own a piece of Pizza Planet? 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: Rumor: Will Toy Story Pizza Planet Reopen as “Pizza Rizzo”? Rumor: Major Changes For Toy Story Pizza Planet in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2016 Review: Pizza Planet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios View the full article

Happy first weekend of fall! We’re back with another edition of our Disney Food Round-up for you today. Confetti Cupcake HalloweenTime has begun in Disneyland, and we’ve got reviews of the adorably spooky eats! And the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is in full swing at Epcot! If you’re making plans to attend the Festival you should check out our Best of the Fest post and DFB Best of the Fest YouTube video! And don’t forget, the 2017 Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic is October 27 and 28! We have all the details for you! We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News We review new eats at Disney’s Art of Animation including Chili Fries for Two!! Breakfast has been discontinued at Pandora’s Satu’li Canteen in the Animal Kingdom. Check out our Do’s and Don’ts for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We enjoyed dinner at ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Dates have been announced for the 2018 Epcot Festival of the Arts! We’re talking about all the must-have Halloween food-themed merchandise! We reviewed the Pumpkin Spice Caramel Shake at Ghirardelli in Disney Springs. We spotted a $4,000 Haunted Mansion Chair! New DFB YouTube videos: Where to Find Late Night Eats in Disney World and the Best and Worst Magic Kingdom Restaurants. 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: The WORST Restaurants in Disney World 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 talking about Where to Find Late Night Eats at Disney World! Check it out below — and subscribe here. Deal of the Week: Save 20% off the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2017 The calendar might say “fall” but the holiday season is fast approaching and if you’re planning a visit to Disney World this year for the holidays, it’s time to check out the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2017 e-book! 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! What’s In The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holiday 2017 e-book? Holiday-themed crawls - We’ve mapped out four holiday Crawls that will take you around Walt Disney World to see the best of the holiday attractions and/or food. Customized Holiday touring strategies - Will you be visiting with extended family? Going to the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Want to see the holiday celebrations on a budget? We’ve developed customized touring strategies for these circumstances and more! A full chapter on where to dine without a reservation! In-depth look at Holiday snacks Disney Parks scavenger hunts And MORE! As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience, and easily installed on your mobile devices. It’s a PDF guide with ​380+ pages of detailed information about the Holidays at Disney World as well as hundreds of photographs and customized bonus items to help you get the best experience possible. ​​​​​​​ Enter discount code PreHoliday at checkout, and receive 20% off the list price of $14.95 and you’ll get both the 2016 Guide and the 2017 Guide for $11.95! Two for the price of one! Use code PreHoliday at checkout for a 20% discount. 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 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is in full swing and we had such a great time eating and sipping our way through World Showcase and Future World last month! Our friend Amy Rhodes is enjoying the Festival this weekend and shared some of her eats with us! Looks delicious! Looks like a good start! If you’re looking for a quick breakfast at the Disney Parks you can grab coffee and a doughnut at any of the Joffrey’s kiosks! You’ll often find yummy coffee drinks and the giant Donut King doughnuts are really good! DFB reader Courtney Lyons enjoyed a coffee and doughnut break recently – thanks for sharing! Yum! Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us! On to the Round-Up! Mickey Fix has a new How-To Guide for Throwing a Star Wars Party! WDW for Grownups shared a review of Frontera Cocina at Disney Springs. Disney Parks Blog shared a fun how-to for a Humphrey the Bear Bento Box. Disney Family shared a recipe for Mickey Pull-Apart Bread. 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: September 10, 2017 Disney Food News Round-Up: September 17, 2017 Disney Food Post Round-up: April 2, 2017 View the full article

This week, we shared an exciting update for Star Wars fans – Star Wars: Galactic Nights will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 16. As many of you know, this experience is held after park hours from 7 p.m.-midnight and is filled with out-of-this-world entertainment that celebrates the entire Star Wars saga. Among the many thrills at the event, you can expect to enjoy Star Wars entertainment, special photo opportunities, event-exclusive merchandise and food and beverage, character greetings, a look at the ongoing Star Wars expansion and much more. Check our original story for more experiences. Tickets are on sale this weekend at Disneyworld.com/GalacticNights or by calling 407-W-DISNEY (407 934-7639). And we’re just one week out from our celebration of Epcot’s 35th anniversary. This week was the perfect time to share a few highlights of what’s planned, including details on a special celebration at the park’s Fountain View stage. You can find more information in our original story. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Costume Guidelines for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – So … You’re going to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.The next question is … What to Wear?Are you going to be the super hero you were last year or are you going to mix it up this year and go for the full “princess” or “pirate” you’ve always wanted? Well, whatever you choose, we at the Disney Parks Blog want to help! Top Halloween Treats at Magic Kingdom Park – Our talented Magic Kingdom Park pastry chefs have created more than a dozen specialty desserts for the Halloween season – many are exclusive to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party with a select few offered all day. But all are guaranteed to be scary good! Your Quintessential List of Halloween Culinary Collectibles at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort – Mugs, popcorn buckets, bottle toppers, glow straws . . . take home some of the Disney fun with these collectible culinary novelties! Our novelty teams have been hard at work this year coming up with new offerings. Imagineers Explain How You Can Help #SaveGroot at Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark During Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort – Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark is now open, taking Disney California Adventure park guests on a whole new adventure during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. Halloween Time Surprises in Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort – Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort kicked off last week, and the spooky season also extends into the Downtown Disney District. Guests have been welcomed into Downtown Disney with festive Halloween décor, seasonal entertainment and for the first time, special fall-themed landscaping. 9 Must-Do’s For Fall Visits to Walt Disney World Resort – The Walt Disney World Resort is chock-full of fun to celebrate this season, with the return of annual festivals, events and more. Here are our suggestions for 9 must-do’s this fall at Walt Disney World Resort. View the full article

A few hours after the gates swing open at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, the cars are still pouring into the massive 10,241-space parking garage. They zoom into the six-story concrete structure, carloads of costumed kids, foreign tourists and graying baby boomers sporting Mickey Mouse... View the full article

A couple of changes have been made to the Culinary Demonstrations for the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We discovered one of them when the Demonstration information for this year’s Low-Cost Events, Seminars, and Demonstrations was released: the price had increased from $15 to $17. Chef Gale Gand Leads a Culinary Demonstration However, another change has come to light since the start of this year’s Festival: the Culinary Demonstrations no longer serve wine pairings with the dishes served, as in years past. Viognier from Cambria Winery — Wine Pairing at a Previous Culinary Demonstration Only pitchers of water are placed on the tables so guests have something to drink with the dishes. Have you booked a Culinary Demonstration for this year’s Food and Wine Festival? If so, what are your thoughts on the changes? Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available to order! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. We cover every single World Showcase Booth, and include full-color photos for most of the food items being offered at this year’s festival! Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% discount! Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST! Please let us know what you think of the changes to the Culinary Demonstrations with a comment below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demos, Beverage Seminar, and Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It Workshop FULL SCHEDULES and Details! News! Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2017 Dates!! News: Collectible Buttons for Disney World Passholders at 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival View the full article

Adventure Guides Make Sailing on Europe’s Rhine River Effortless and Unforgettable View the full article

Last night we had a blast on our latest #DisneyParksLIVE stream of “Mickey’s Boo-To-You” Parade. This ghostly procession, which is a highlight of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, celebrates the spirit of Halloween with characters in costumes, nods to The Haunted Mansion, a candy-filled finale and more! Click through the Instagram gallery above to see a ton of shots from the parade. (If you’re new to Instagram galleries, hover your mouse over the right side of the image and an arrow will appear that will help you click through). You can also watch a replay of the entire live stream above. View the full article

#DisneyParksLIVE: Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade | Walt Disney World View the full article

Last week, Karen McClintock gave you a first look at this year’s 17th annual Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house at Disneyland park. Now I’d like to show you how the creative teams at the Disneyland Resort Central Bakery came together with the talented techs in Entertainment Production to build the Oogie Boogie and bug-filled house. We installed two time-lapse cameras in the Grand Ballroom the Friday before it was finished and as you can see, it was a true team effort! View the full article

This year, Epcot will mark its 35th Anniversary on October 1, 2017. Since opening in 1982, the park has invited visitors to experience the excitement of the future and discover the heritage and traditions of cultures worldwide. For guests who will be celebrating at Epcot on October 1, we have created a special “I Was There” merchandise collection. I spoke with Cathy Dawson, merchandise product developer for events, about the commemorative items that include a beloved character from the park’s beginnings. “For this collection, we honored Epcot’s rich heritage by including Figment from the Journey Into Imagination attraction on all of the ‘I Was There’ items,” explained Cathy. “He’s been at the park since the early days of Epcot and has delighted many guests throughout the years. This retro-inspired collection complements the other 35th anniversary merchandise guests will find all year long.” Seven items will be released on October 1 including apparel for adults and kids, a hat, an ornament, and a limited release pin. Annual Passholders will find a t-shirt created just for them (please present a valid Annual Pass at time of purchase). These items will be released at a “pop-up” shop located just past the Art of Disney location in Future World. This will be the only place that will carry these items on October 1. The “I Was There” collection will not be available via Shop Disney Parks app or the online store. Guests looking for the previously discussed Epcot 35th Anniversary logo collection will find products in select Epcot merchandise locations, such as Mouse Gear, beginning in late September. Select items will also be carried online and via Shop Disney Parks app. View the full article

30 Stays in 30 Days Highlights – Part 5 | Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort kicked off last week, and the spooky season also extends into the Downtown Disney District. Guests have been welcomed into Downtown Disney with festive Halloween décor, seasonal entertainment and for the first time, special fall-themed landscaping. There are a few tricks (and plenty of treats) to discover! Harvest Horticulture: More than 1,600 real pumpkins are integrated into the area’s landscaping in unique ways—nestled into planters among flowers and raised high above in towers. You’ll spot a mix of tropical fall plants, such as canna lilies and copperleaves, as well as traditional plants, including mums and marigolds. Our horticulture team even worked with farmers to harvest special heirloom pumpkins and squash for the occasion! Halloween Sweets and Treats: For a limited time, pick up a Sprinkles Halloween BOO box loaded with Vanilla Milk Chocolate, Red Velvet, Black and White and Caramel Apple cupcakes. At Wetzel’s Pretzels, enjoy pumpkin spice bitz with pumpkin caramel dipping sauce! Thirsty? Order Halloween-inspired cocktails at UVA Bar and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen. For a healthier treat, Pumpkin-flavored smoothies, like the Pumpkin Smash, can be found at Jamba Juice. Spook-tacular Entertainment: SCAREolers will frequent Downtown Disney District and entertain guests with their ghoulish songs on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in October (and of course Halloween night). Listen up for favorites such as “Grim Grinning Ghosts” and “I Put A Spell On You.” Are you visiting during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort? View the full article

Fans of the Food Network’s Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian won’t want to miss his appearance at this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival “What’s Cookin’ With…” session on Oct. 8 in the Festival Center. Start your day with breakfast with Zakarian – he’ll be onstage creating fabulous shrimp and grits and offering tips, tricks and insights. Then you’ll have the opportunity to ask him question. We caught up with Zakarian at The Food Studio in New York City, where he shared his favorite things to do at Walt Disney World Resort. To book a seat at Chef Geoffrey’s appearance at the Festival or any of the other Special Dining Events, check out at EpcotFoodFestival.com, or call 407-939-3378. Here are the links to book online: Culinary Demonstrations at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Beverage Seminars at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Party for the Senses What’s Cookin’ With… at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Cheese Seminars at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Dining Package at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival And stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for updates and more! View the full article

It’s officially fall here at Walt Disney World Resort and the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is now well underway. While the festival is known for its delicious food and beverage offerings, many also take this opportunity to stop and smell the roses – literally – as the gardens of Epcot come to life with gorgeous colors and edible plants. For anyone who’s ever been captivated by the horticulture at Epcot this time of year, the Gardens of the World – Fall Edition tour is perfect for you! Offered on select days throughout the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, this 3-hour immersive tour explores the various gardens of World Showcase with a Walt Disney World Resort horticulture expert. You’ll examine a whole new side of Epcot on a journey around the world, delighting in indigenous and edible plants, and discussing ways you can adapt these plants’ growing techniques in your own home gardens. Like the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, the Gardens of the World – Fall Edition tour is only offered seasonally. You won’t want to miss out! Call 407-WDW-Tour for reservations. View the full article

In just a few weeks, the Disney Magic will return to New York City for a limited time, with special sailings to the Bahamas and Canada through November. These extraordinary cruises are jam-packed with magic and adventure, giving you so many opportunities for memorable family fun. Here are the top five reasons to join us on a cruise vacation from the Big Apple this fall … 1. Experience epic fun during Marvel Day at Sea. On seven special sailings from New York City, your family will be immersed in the Marvel Universe during Marvel Day at Sea. Occurring on one action-packed day at sea during your seven- or eight-night cruise, you’ll encounter favorite Marvel Super Heroes and Villains and enjoy an extraordinary deck show spectacular, Marvel-themed family and youth activities, special merchandise, unique food and beverage offerings, and much more. Marvel Day at Sea departs from the Big Apple on Oct. 6, 14, 21 and 28, as well as Nov. 4, 11 and 18. 2. Celebrate the season with Halloween on the High Seas. Get ready for spooktacular fun on Disney Magic cruises departing New York City from Sept. 27 to Oct. 28. On these special voyages, the ship transforms into a ghoulish wonderland for our Halloween on the High Seas celebration. From costume parties and eerie eats to ghostly movies, haunted stories and more, prepare for a wickedly good time! 3. Visit our private island and Walt Disney World on Bahamian sailings. On each Bahamian cruise from New York, you’ll visit our award-winning private island, Castaway Cay, for a full day of family fun in the sun. You’ll also have the chance to visit Walt Disney World when the ship docks at Port Canaveral, Florida. Tickets and round-trip transportation to the parks are included, making for a hassle-free day trip. Seven- and eight-night sailings to the Bahamas depart New York on Oct. 6, 14 and 28, as well as Nov. 4, 11 and 18. 4. Discover maritime charm during voyages to Canada and New England. Three special cruises to Canada from New York take you to seaside cities brimming with picturesque scenery and maritime charm. A seven-night sailing includes a first-ever call on Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in addition to two stops in Nova Scotia: Sydney and Halifax. Four- and five-night sailings visit Saint John, New Brunswick, with the five-night cruise also calling on the quaint New England town of Bar Harbor, Maine, another new port of call for Disney Cruise Line. Cruises to Canada depart Sept. 27, Oct. 2 and Oct. 21. 5. Enjoy fun-filled entertainment for the entire family. On all Disney Magic cruises, you’ll be treated to incredible entertainment like only Disney can do. The ship is home to imaginative spaces for kids like Marvel’s Avengers Academy, adult-exclusive areas, one-of-a-kind dining experiences, the thrilling AquaDunk slide and much more! Live entertainment, from Broadway-caliber stage spectaculars such as “Tangled: The Musical” to the swashbuckling Pirate Night deck party and Disney character interactions galore, every moment on the Disney Magic is sure to be unforgettable. An added bonus, four of these sailings from New York City include Marvel Day at Sea and Halloween on the High Seas. Experience both of these incredible celebrations on Bahamian cruises departing Oct. 6, Oct. 14 and 28, and the seven-night Canada cruise departing Oct. 21. Talk about the Disney cruise of a lifetime! View the full article

Resort dining in Walt Disney World can be a massive amount of fun. Learn About: Landscape of Flavors Disney World Restaurants And while we all know there are great resort spots like ‘Ohana, California Grill, and Sanaa, we don’t often spend much time celebrating food courts, even though they are packed with options and can be pretty cool. But just over five years ago, a Resort food court came along that was kind of a game changer: the Art of Animation Resort’s Landscape of Flavors. It’s true: we give this place a lot of credit due to its more innovative dishes with some international flair. (Though I have to give a nod to some other Value Resort food courts for spicing things up recently with things like the All-Star Movies World Premiere Food Court Secret Menu!) So when I stepped into Landscape of Flavors during my recent Disney World trip to cover the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, I was — as I always am with this place — optimistic. Atmosphere Here’s the typical scene upon arrival at Art of Animation, preparing you to enter the extremely colorful Resort. Art of Animation Resort Landscape of Flavors is located in Animation Hall. Art Of Animation Entrance Art of Animation Resort Art of Animation Resort Since Art of Animation opened just over five years ago, Landscape of Flavors has been one of my favorite resort food courts. Landscape of Flavors Sign The vibe is fluid and colorful, with lots of careful lighting to accent the contours of the ceilings and dividers. Landscape of Flavors Seating areas are plentiful and pretty. Circular light fixtures anchor the spaces, and artwork on the walls represents the four movies brought to life at the resort, since each is likewise represented in the food court. Landscape of Flavors Lion King Dining Area Aside from being themed to The Lion King, Little Mermaid, Cars, and Finding Nemo, each of the seating areas have a kind of movement to them, owing to the curved partitions and interesting floor patterns. Landscape of Flavors seating Be sure to pick your favorite flick’s area when you grab a seat! Eats Like all resort food courts, menus at each station are brightly displayed on LED screens, with changing images and menu items. Take your time reviewing the options, since there are TONS and they just keep on rotating! Menu Screen We appreciate that even on the burger menu, you can still catch glimpses of desserts. Always plan ahead, I say! Menu Screen One of the hallmarks of Landscape of Flavors is the sheer variety. While you’ll find all the regular food court classics (Chicken Breast Nuggets, Burgers, and the like), there are more unique items than what you’ll tend to find in other Value Resort courts. Of particular note is the Naan Bread, which is still available here! I also love the Cheesy Pesto Bread (also still on the menu!!). Believe it or not, though, I actually went the more traditional route this time, with just some mild twists. Landscape of Flavors Grub First up, a “Steak” and Egg Burger. Now, I would probably ordinarily recommend avoiding food in quotation marks, but in this case, I’ll let it slide. It’s actually an Angus Beef Burger, which was still (to no one’s surprise) dry and overcooked, but a slight improvement over the typical patty in flavor. The burger is topped with a slice of Cheddar Cheese and some good Disney bacon. “Steak” and Egg Burger The play on “Steak” and Egg comes in the form of a Fried Egg that’s placed on top of all the other components. And I know what you’re thinking: “You didn’t mention any sauce, so obviously that’s a perfectly runny egg to add moisture to the burger!” Fried Egg Ehhhhhh, not so much. The egg is pretty much over-hard, so there’s no rush of egg yolk to make this thing interesting. Steak and Egg Burger Cross-Section But honestly, the Surf and Surf Burger is still going to be the main winner here. But there was a new menu item that I HAD to try: the Chili-Cheese Fries for Two for $8.99. The “for Two” comes from the menu, and I think that’s a safe plan (although if you wanna take a stab at it by yourself… well, join my club!). The serving comes on an entree-size plate, and it is massive. A huge pile of fries is covered in globs of gooey cheese. (It’s not rocket science, I know.) Cheese Fries The Chili is usually served on top, but I requested it on the side (you can see it in the group pic with the Burger). So, approach it from any angle: dump it, drizzle it, dip it. It’s up to you. I went for a spoon-it-out-all-over-that-luscious-pile-of-fries angle. It’s a ground beef chili with lots of rich tomato sauce, so the contrast with the creamy cheese and the salty fries is terrific. Cheese Fries with Chili! DFB TIP! Just as a note: I knew I was going to dive into the Chili-Cheese Fries, so I opted not to get the regular side items with the “Steak” and Egg Burger. Typically you can choose two sides with a burger or sandwich, but if you just want the sandwich, let the Cast Member know and they’ll deduct the cost of the sides from the price. Following all that savory stuff, it was clearly cupcake time. And thankfully, the dessert and bakery cases at Landscape of Flavors are fully loaded with options. Gelato is always a solid choice here, with lots of topping options, too. But on this visit, I couldn’t help but notice the Confetti Cupcake due to its somewhat unusual appearance. Confetti Cupcake Yeah, a bit of an odd look with that rounded scoop of vanilla buttercream on top, right? Though it does kind of look like a cute sundae with the chocolate drizzle and colorful sprinkles. I thought the buttercream was spot on — delicious. And the confetti cake itself was moist and flavorful. So this was a good choice! Nosh or Not? You’ll want to visit Landscape of Flavors if: You’re staying at Art of Animation or Pop Century Resort (it’s an easy walk from Pop) and want to embrace your Resort’s offerings. You’ve been meaning to check out Art of Animation (it’s super fun!) and have time to grab a meal or snack. An FYI for those using Disney bus transportation (until those gondolas arrive!!), the nearest park is Hollywood Studios. You like interesting quick service meal options and don’t mind going off the beaten path. You won’t want to visit Landscape of Flavors if: You aren’t staying at Art of Animation (or her sister resort, Pop Century), and you have no reason to go. You don’t care for food court dining (and, honestly, the longer than usual wait times that are often involved). You don’t have time in your touring strategy to leave a park for a meal. Overall True, I had mostly traditional tastes this time, but Landscape of Flavors really lives up to its name by inviting guests to jump in and try something new. And this food court continues to offer selections that we don’t see often in a theme park, to say nothing of a food court! I always enjoy a stop here. Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition, is now available! With more than 650 pages, the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to get your copy of the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition E-book — and use code SAVE2017 for a 20% discount for a limited time! Use code SAVE2017 at check-out for a 20% off the cover price! What’s your favorite resort food court? 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! 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