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Just keep swimming! In honor of “Finding Dory,” Disney Movie Rewards is giving away a 4-night Disney cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Disney Dream or Disney Wonder. Both of these ships have a whimsical water play area inspired by your favorite underwater Disney•Pixar friends from the film: Nemo’s Reef on the Disney Dream and Dory’s Reef on the Disney Wonder. Giant sea anemones, coral and seaweed create a cool ocean-floor atmosphere, while fountains, bubblers and character figures that move and spray water keep kids coming back again and again! This grand prize also includes Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure, where you can feed, touch and snorkel among real-live stingrays at our private island, Castaway Cay. During this incredible experience, a marine specialist will show you how to use a specially designed feeding tray so the stingray takes food right from the palm of your hand. Then, you can head out further in the lagoon to snorkel amongst more than 40 rays who call Castaway Cay home. For more information and the full official rules, click here. View the full article

On behalf of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Stella, a female elephant calf born recently and now exploring the savanna at Kilimanjaro Safaris. Stella’s mother is 28-year-old Donna, who gave birth to the park’s seventh elephant. Donna and her baby spent a short time backstage where Stella began nursing, bonding with mom and getting to know some of the other elephants in her family. This is the third calf for Donna, who has given birth to two other female calves, Nadirah in 2005, and Luna in 2010. Stella raises the number of elephants in the Disney’s Animal Kingdom herd to 10, including three males and six females. Donna became pregnant through natural breeding in January 2015 and received extensive pre-natal care throughout her pregnancy. In addition to regular ultrasounds, veterinarians, scientists and elephant managers monitored Donna’s hormone levels on a daily basis to help them determine when she would give birth. Our elephant program makes an important contribution to the worldwide conservation and understanding of these amazing creatures. In fact, our scientists study the behavior and vocalizations of our elephants, and have learned a lot about how they communicate with each other. We have used this knowledge to work with Save the Elephants on the Elephants and Bees project to fund the development and installation of beehive fences around farms in Kenya, which not only protect the farmers and their crops from elephants, but also help protect the elephants from the farmers. Elephants instinctively avoid African honey bees, keeping them safe from human conflict. Learn more about elephants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and what we’re doing to help Reverse the Decline of elephants in the wild. And remember to check the blog for updates on Donna and Stella. View the full article

It’s a New Year!!! Learn About: Casey’s Corner Magic Kingdom Disney World Restaurants And to ring it in, there are some NEW GOURMET HOT DOGS coming to one of our very favorite Counter Service spots… Casey’s Corner in the Magic Kingdom! Casey’s is, of course, THE quintessential place to enjoy a dog in Disney World. While you can always grab a standard hot dog to top at the condiment bar, Casey’s has also long been home to the classic Chili-Cheese Hot Dog and the less traditional Barbecue Slaw Dog (in addition to the fan favorite Corn Dog Nuggets). But you may notice something new on the menu during your next visit to Casey’s… and any subsequent visits after that. Because a new rotating specialty menu will feature new Hot Dogs every month. Casey’s Corner And they’re starting with a foot-long version of the Mac & Cheese and Bacon-topped Hot Dog! Macaroni and Cheese Hot Dog formerly served at Fairfax Fare For a time, it was not at all difficult to find Macaroni & Cheese Hot Dogs around Disney World. From spots like Fairfax Fare in Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom’s Restaurantosaurus, it was close to becoming a park staple for a time. But since it disappeared from those menus, it’s been harder and harder to find. And I, for one, am SO glad to see it back… even if it’s just for January! Mac and Cheese Hot Dog Now I know what you’re thinking (or at least I know what I’M thinking): “Hot Dogs AND Mac and Cheese? AND Bacon? How could it possibly get any better?!?” Well, here’s an option: Casey’s Corner has also added Croissant Donuts to the menu, too! Croissant Donut at Epcot’s Refreshment Port Disney was super late on the croissant doughnut trend, but the sweet snacks have been available since they appeared on the menu at Epcot’s Refreshment Port just over three years ago. Layers of the Croissant Donut So the classic Casey’s will be even more of a destination now that the menu is carrying goodies like Mac and Cheese Hot Dogs and Croissant Donuts… plus MORE Specialty Hot Dogs on the way. I’ll be curious to see how they follow up the Mac and Cheese Hot Dog in the coming months. In the meantime, we’ll be joining the big ol’ pretty-much-always-worth-waiting-in line at Casey’s Corner to start the year off right! What kind of Hot Dogs would you like to see on the new rotating menu at Casey’s Corner? 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: Specialty Hot Dogs at Casey’s Corner in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Guest Review: New Specialty Hot Dogs at Casey’s Corner News! Casey’s Corner in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Reopens with Updated Indoor Seating Area View the full article

Depending on where you live, kiddos may still have a few days off before returning to school – or possibly even a few snow days off of school this month! Disney artist Simone Miranda just shared this fun and crafty tutorial on how you can make your own Mickey Mouse-inspired mugs that could be the perfect activity for a winter’s day at home. Here’s what you’ll need: 1 ceramic/porcelain mug; oven; oil-based paint pens (fine or ultra fine); printed template (here); scissors; soft graphite pencil; and tape. Click here for templates and step-by-step instructions. View the full article

I have exciting news for guests who collect Disney pins. A new collection of Hidden Mickey pins will soon be available for trade from cast members at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. These pins will begin appearing on lanyards in early 2017. Here is a brief look at what you can expect to find when trading at Disney Parks in the New Year. Guests will find unique pins at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort. There is one collection – Smiling Disney Villains – that will be found in both California and Florida. For Disneyland Resort, look for pins inspired by classic Disney attraction icons, signs from Disneyland park, and characters from Walt Disney’s animated classic, “The Jungle Book.” There will also be a set of all silver-colored chaser pins which are rarer to find compared to their full color counterparts. At Walt Disney World Resort, guests will also find pins inspired by Disney attraction icons along with pins featuring Disney dogs, characters from Disney’s “The Lion King” and Mickey Mouse-inspired fruit. Hidden Mickey pins were first introduced in 2003 as fun pins to collect when trading with Disney cast members. Today, the pins typically measure approximately 1.25-inches and contain small Mickey Mouse icons in the artwork. The back stamps of these silver-colored pins contain the words “Hidden Mickey pin.” Which pins will you add to your collection? View the full article

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend starts tomorrow here at Walt Disney World Resort and we couldn’t be more excited to kick off this special weekend filled with amazing runs. Take our quiz to see how much you know about this fun event! .quiz-container#wp-quiz-182773{ background-color:#f0f8fb; color:#565656; border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-182773 .quiz-section h1{ color:#8bb428; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-182773 .quiz-title{ color:#10628b; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-182773 .quiz-header-image{ text-align:right; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-182773 .quiz-section{ border-color:#ffffff; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-182773 .quiz-details, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-182773 .quiz-results, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-182773 .quiz-embed{ border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-182773 .quiz-result{ background-color:#dce4e7; } QUIZ: Walt Disney World Marathon What anniversary of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon are we celebrating this year? 10th anniversary 20th anniversary 30th anniversary 40th anniversary Runner Fredison Costa has finished first place in how many Walt Disney World Marathons in a row? 1 2 3 4 The Walt Disney World Marathon runs through: Epcot Disney’s Animal Kingdom Disney’s Hollywood Studios Magic Kingdom Park All of the above The 2017 Walt Disney World 5K medal features which Disney Character? Mickey Mouse Minnie Mouse Pluto Goofy Embed Quiz on Your Website Embed Code <div class="wp-quiz" data-quiz-id="182773" data-site-url="https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-quizzes/js/embed.js"></script>Copy and paste above embed code where you would like the quiz to appear on your website. View the full article

We’re back today with another DFB YouTube Video! Today, we’re coming at you with Tips from the DFB Guide — Three Great Ways to Save on Food at Disney! Eat a Big Breakfast, Like a Pop! Waffle! We know that EATING on your Disney vacation is not only one of your biggest pleasures — it’s absolutely necessary. BUT it can also represent a huge part of your budget. With years and years of experience dining in Disney, our team has put together some great, tried and true tips for saving money on meals that don’t have to break the bank at Walt Disney World. The tips come courtesy of our 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World – available now! We hope you’re having just as much fun watching the new DFB YouTube Video Series as we are having putting them together! It’s a labor of love, as we head into the parks and resorts to show you all of the great Disney Food Finds! Subscribe to our DFB YouTube Channel today, and you’ll never miss any of the fun! Now, I really wanna hear from you! What are your top tips for saving money on Disney Dining? Leave a comment and let us know 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: Tip from the DFB Guide: Three Great Ways to Save on Food at Disney World New DFB Video: Budgeting Your Time for the Holidays at Walt Disney World SAVE 30% Off Everything in the DFB Store With Our Labor Day Sale! View the full article

Our Disneyland Resort cast members are as excited as our guests for the return of Main Street Electrical Parade to Disneyland park on January 20. We recently asked them to help us celebrate by submitting captions for the three parade photos below, which we used to create these fun memes. Which one do you like best? Leave your vote in the poll at the end of this post! Vote for Your Favorite Main Street Electrical Parade-Inspired Memes The cast member who submitted the winning meme will win two tickets to the Main Street Electrical Parade Premiere event on January 19! Want to celebrate with us at this special event? Click here for ticket information. And don’t miss the limited-time return of the Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland park, beginning January 20! View the full article

Oscar Martinez celebrated 60 years of service at Disneyland on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. The 81-year-old chef began his career at the California theme park on December 29, 1956. He started as a busboy at Fantasyland I and II. When Martinez started, Disneyland ha View the full article

Oscar Martinez will celebrate 60 years of service at Disneyland on Thursday. The 81-year-old chef began his career at the California theme park on December 29, 1956. He started as a busboy at Fantasyland I and II. When Martinez started, Disneyland ha View the full article

Disney Parks Blog Unboxed – New 2017 Merchandise View the full article

The 2017 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend returns to Florida from January 4-8. If you plan to cross the finish line in style, here is a first look at commemorative products created for the biggest runDisney event of the year. Guests attending the Marathon Weekend will find logo products for all races this year. For each race, we will have apparel for both women and men including short and long sleeved shirts, jackets and more. Guests participating in the Walt Disney World 5K and 10K races will find additional products this year such as shirts, hats, pins and car magnets. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. Look for apparel and other items featuring Donald Duck to celebrate this milestone anniversary. The popular “I Did It!” shirts complete with a course map on the back of each shirt will also be available. At the event, we are introducing a new runDisney apparel collection called “Running with Character.” These items are great to wear while preparing for your next runDisney marathon. Home décor items such as a wine glass, magnet, toothpick holder, and a TERVIS water bottle will round out the assortment. I’m particularly excited to see a new running shoe ornament created for this event. We offered this item as part of a pre-sale, and will have a select number of ornaments available at the event. Look for new shoe ornaments throughout the year for select runDisney events. Finally, guests will find the ever-popular Sweaty Bands, Bondi Bands, vehicle magnets, and Disney pins. This year, the limited edition medal replica pins will have miniature versions of neck lanyards from the actual medals. Guests attending the 2017 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will find these products and much more at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Expo will be open during the following times: Wednesday, January 4 – Noon – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 5 – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 6 – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, January 7 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. View the full article

SO excited about this perfect-for-winter recipe. This time of year, where I come from, Apple is the King of Winter Flavors! Warm Apple Butter Cake. ©Disney So I was super psyched to see this amazing recipe from Steakhouse 55. Warm Apple Butter Cakes Warm Apple Butter Cakes have it all — Caramelized Apples, moist Butter Cake, and a drizzle of Caramel Glaze spiked with Jack Daniels (!!) to top it all off. And what’s better? Since you make the cakes in individual portions, you don’t have to share. Sweet! The cake is available seasonally at Steakhouse 55. But if you, like me, don’t live near Disneyland, here’s a recipe so that you can whip up a batch at home. Warm Apple Butter Cakes Steakhouse 55 Makes 15 individual cakes Caramelized Apples: 2 whole Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon sugar Jack Daniels Caramel Glaze: 3/4 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1/2 tablespoon Jack Daniels bourbon 1 cup heavy cream Apple Butter Cake: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 3/4 cups sugar 8 eggs 2 egg yolks 1 cup butter, melted 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract 1 1/2 cups plus 1 teaspoon buttermilk Vanilla ice cream, for serving Dried apple slices, for garnish (optional) To Prepare Caramelized Apples: 1. Cut apples into thin slices. 2. Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat; add apples and sugar. 3. Cook apples until golden and softened. Set aside to cool. To Prepare Jack Daniels Caramel Glaze: 1. Combine brown sugar and butter in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir continuously until sugar dissolves. 2. Simmer over medium heat without stirring or touching pan, until mixture is thick and dark amber in color, about 10 minutes. 3. Remove pan from heat. Carefully whisk in bourbon and heavy cream. Mixture will bubble vigorously and release very hot steam. 4. Pour caramel into a bowl to cool; set aside. To Prepare the Cake: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 15 (3/4-cup-capacity) ramekins; set aside. 2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. 3. Whisk together sugar, eggs and egg yolks, and melted butter in a separate large bowl, until well combined. 4. Combine buttermilk and almond extract in a small bowl; set aside. 5. Fold a third of flour mixture into egg mixture. Stir in half of buttermilk mixture. Fold in another third of flour mixture, then add remaining buttermilk mixture. Fold in remaining flour mixture. 6. Ladle 1/2 cup cake batter into prepared ramekins. Bake 20 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of cakes comes out clean. To serve: 1. While cakes are warm, carefully remove from ramekins onto a serving plate. 2. Divide caramelized apples among tops of cakes. Spoon Jack Daniels Glaze over top of apples and cake. 3. Serve with vanilla ice cream and garnish with dried apple slices, if desired. Will you be making these Warm Apple Butter Cakes at home this Autumn? Leave a comment and tell us what you think! 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: Epcot Flower and Garden Recipe: Buttermilk Chocolate Cake with Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans Epcot Food and Wine Festival Recipe: Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Ganache from Ireland News: New Gourmet Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Apple Coming to Disneyland in January View the full article

‘Tis the season for fun and festive cocktails and some of our favorite cocktails come from Cocktails by Cody! We found this mixology master a few years ago and we instantly fell in LOVE with his fun Disney-themed cocktails inspired by Disney Princesses, Disney Villains, and more! Ohana Colada And now we have some exciting news to share – Cody has published his first recipe book – Fairy Tale Cocktails – so you can make all these amazing drinks at home! The book includes recipes for 45 themed drinks, complete with step-by-step instructions and photos so you can wow your holiday guests with some super cool Disney-themed cocktails! Fairy Tale Cocktails recipe book As a special treat, DFB readers can get 10% off the cover price of $18.99 when they use the code DISFOOD2016 at checkout! We can’t wait to make a few Disney-themed cocktails this holiday season! And be sure to check out Cody’s Facebook page for more info on all his mixology creations! Have you made any of Cody’s Disney-themed drinks before? Let us know 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: Even More Disney-Inspired Cocktails! Disney Themed Cocktails!! Why Didn’t I Know About This?!??! Guest Review: Disney Fairy Tale Wedding Reception Food and Wedding Cake View the full article

In October, we shared photos of new construction walls popping up just beside Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion. Construction Walls by the Mexico Pavilion And we were SUPER jazzed, because that meant we were finally able to speculate about a new outdoor bar to replace the stand that once provided tasty Margaritas to thirsty passersby on their way around World Showcase. Well, now we can all say… HOORAY!!! It’s TRUE! It has officially been confirmed that Choza Tequila will be opening in early 2017!! Yep, this is basically an outdoor version of Mexico’s beloved La Cava del Tequila located inside the Pavilion, and it will serve up more than just hand-crafted margaritas. Blood Orange Margarita from La Cava del Tequila Be on the lookout for tacos, empanadas, chips, and fresh guacamole on the menu as well. La Cava Trio Combo We don’t have an official opening date, yet, but we’ve heard the hope is that this will be open before February. I’d say this is a pretty good reason to say CHEERS to 2017!! How about you ? Are you excited to welcome Choza Tequila to Epcot this year? 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: Coming Soon?? Personalized Glasses at La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion New Margarita Kiosk/Bar Under Construction in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion? Review: Maelstrom and Tamarind Margaritas at La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion View the full article

We’re headed BACK to Disney Springs! Learn About: The Ganachery Downtown Disney Disney World Restaurants In the past six months, Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) has gone from a spot that I didn’t visit very often to a place I prioritize on every Disney trip. There is so much to explore at the newly re-imagined shopping, dining, and entertainment district that I never feel like I never get to the end of it all! While I took in the seasonal flavors of spots like newbie Amorette’s Patisserie (see what we tried here) and classic Goofy’s Candy Company, I also stopped into The Ganachery. The Ganachery Storefront This teensy tiny shop, located in The Landing “neighborhood” of Disney Springs, has been open for a while now. Check out our first impressions of the shop in our initial tour and review. And I’m not kidding when I say that it’s tiny. Like, shoebox-like. If there’s a crowd, it can be hard to turn around. Show Kitchen Merchandise Area Still, it’s a warm inviting space, well themed and interesting to look at. Copper Pots In The Center of the Ceiling Besides — the star of the show here is Gourmet Chocolate. So. Really. Ya Gotta. So Much Chocolate Personally, I find all of the choices to be a little overwhelming, so I decided to take my time and study my options with this Flavor Reference Card. Not sure what makes up Gianduja, or what kind of Chocolate they’re pairing with your Mint? Here are all the answers! Menu — Click to Enlarge We had tried the various Ganache on previous occasions. So this time I went for something a little different — the Salted Caramel Pop. The Ganachery’s Salted Caramel Pop Out of the clear wrapper, you can better see the generous sprinkle of Fleur de Sel embedded in the coating of Milk Chocolate. The simple script of The Ganachery Logo dresses up the treat a bit. Salted Caramel Pop — Out of the Wrapper When I broke into the pop, I got a better idea of what was happening. The Chocolate Caramel inside was almost truffle-like in texture. And the flavors were rich and impressive. The salt might have been overwhelming for a newbie to the sweet-salty flavor combo, but I enjoyed it. There is quite a bit, so if you’d rather have just a hint of salt, brush some off before taking your first bite. Salted Caramel Pop — Inside Overall, the treat is pricey, but decadent and delicious. It’s clear that you are paying a premium for your treats at The Ganachery. But let’s face it: good chocolate doesn’t come cheap. And while I would probably classify this as a special treat, it’s one that I feel pretty good about splurging for. Occasionally, anyway. Now, I’d love to hear from you. Have you had a chance to check out The Ganachery? Leave a comment and tell us what your favorite flavors are here! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: Salted Oatmeal Cornflake Cookie, Brownie, and Cap’n Crunch Ice Cream Sandwich at Sprinkles in Disney Springs First Look AND Review: The Ganachery Chocolate Shoppe in Disney World’s Disney Springs News! The Ganachery — New Chocolate Shop Coming to Disney Springs View the full article

Here’s one of many reasons to look forward to the new year at Epcot. In early 2017, guests will be able to visit Choza Tequila, an authentic outdoor tequileria, just outside of the Mexico pavilion. Here, you’ll find refreshing hand-crafted margaritas and classic Mexican cuisine like tacos, empanadas, chips and fresh guacamole. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more details about Choza Tequila. Feliz Ano Nuevo! View the full article

With the New Year comes resolutions for many of us. Some will decide to read more, while others will make the commitment to begin an exercise program. This exercise program might include running and even the decision to run in your first runDisney event! To help you get ready for your first runDisney race, we asked our new runDisney panelist, Lindsey M., for her best tips. We think you will find her suggestions helpful, and we wish you good luck with your resolutions for 2017! First, Lindsey M. recommends, “Get the right pair of shoes! Look for a local running store and have someone examine your stride and properly size your foot. A large percentage of running injuries come from people being in the wrong shoe, and it can make or break how you feel come race day. It’s worth the investment to insure you’ll be healthy and strong to run come race day. “ “For a new runDisney runner my first piece of advice would be to use a training program. A great one to use would be Jeff Galloway’s as he actually releases a training plan for each runDisney race. The plan is released in a calendar format with each date and the distance required for that day, so it takes all the guess work out of your training! These are great programs that take you week by week to make sure you are completely prepared come race day without pushing yourself too far.” Lindsey M. reminds new runners not to get overwhelmed by the distance of the race or those tough training days. “I know the first time I saw the training program my eyes immediately jumped to the days I would have to be running 10+ miles, but I promise your body will amaze you if you maintain your training. There will be days that you don’t feel like running or you get out the door and it’s just not a great run, but these are the days that make you stronger, both mentally and physically. Push through them and keep the castle in mind!” Next, it’s time to pick a race! There is a runDisney race for everyone from kids races to full marathons. You can even run on both coasts at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort or even at Disneyland Paris. Most importantly, Lindsey M. reminds new runners to enjoy yourself you are running at a Disney Park afterall! “runDisney was my first half marathon distance, and I’m so glad it was because it is such a supportive, non-competitive environment. You will make friends along the course and sometimes it’s a complete stranger that motivates you to keep pushing. You spend weeks leading up to your race training and there’s nothing quite like crossing your first runDisney finish line! Not only are you making yourself and your health a priority, but you get to reward yourself with a trip to the most magical place on earth. So take a moment and congratulate yourself on having the courage to start and since you’ll be at a Disney Park there is a little extra faith, trust and pixie dust that will help you cross that finish line.” For more runDisney 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

Our Disney Doodle art series answers the question: What would a Disney character do if her or she would be able to enjoy a Disney Park all on their own? The first Disney Doodle we have to share with you this year stars my favorite Disney princess, Rapunzel from the 2010 movie, “Tangled.” With Rapunzel’s artistic talents, it’s likely she’d head straight to one of the Kidcot stations at Epcot where she could draw and color. “The Kidcot station in the Germany Pavilion is so adorable!,” said artist Ashley Taylor. “If anyone is going to spend time coloring, it’s Rapunzel!” View the full article

Happy New Year from DFB! We hope you had a wonderful time ringing in the New Year (and saying good-bye to 2016)! We are so excited for all the exciting food news to come this year! Bee Haven Bay Fried Green Tomatoes — Up Close 2017 looks to be full of fun and good eats, including the culinary works of art coming to the first-ever Epcot International Festival of the Arts! And don’t forget, the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival starts in August this year! Here’s to a happy and food-filled New Year! We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News We looked back at the Top 10 Disney Food News Stories of 2016. Reservations are now booking for dining packages and workshops at the Epcot Festival of the Arts. Disney announced the 2017 Summer Quick Service Meal Offer! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is hosting a special wine dinner at Artist Point on January 19! We reviewed Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Florida Kitchen at Disney Springs. Check out our newest YouTube video: Where to find the best fried chicken at Disney! 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. 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! DFB reader @PaxRoHannah recently visited Hong Kong Disneyland and shared this photo of a sherbet Lotso and an ice cream Minnie Mouse! These sweet treats are adorable and look delicious! Cute ice cream treats! Now this is how to spend a snow day! DFB fan @HistoricDisney tells us that on a snowy weekend she recommends making copycat Matterhorn Macaroons from the recipe she found right here on the DFB! They look delicious! We’ll take a dozen! Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us! Deal of the Week: 20% Off the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2017 with code SAVE2017! Now is the perfect time to order the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! This valuable resource is fully updated for 2017 Disney vacations, and is now available for purchase and download to help you make the most of your dining plans while in Disney World. Just use code SAVE2017 at checkout! The 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is chock full of tons of great features to ensure you have your best Disney trip, every time. These include: A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks. A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge, including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience. Four free, downloadable worksheets for planning your trip. These worksheets are designed to help you execute all the steps of planning the perfect Disney dining experience. And they’re reusable for all of your future trips! Seven sample one-day dining itineraries for a head-start on planning. A comprehensive index of bars and lounges. An often under-appreciated option for both dining and entertainment, the e-Book devotes a whole index to the topic. The ability to be read on your mobile device or computer! It’s fully portable right in your pocket! We put tons of time, effort, and research into ensuring that we share with you the most relevant, up to date Disney Food Information that’s available. We do this so that you can plan your own Disney visit with confidence, and have the trip of a lifetime, every time. We’d love to share our best tips with you! And remember, because the guide is an e-Book, it’s super easy to download it to all of your mobile devices and take it right into the parks with you! Order the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2017 Edition, and receive 20% off with code SAVE2017. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get the latest version of our most popular Guide! And don’t forget to check out our Money-Saving Bundles — More Stuff for Less Dough! Remember, with a 100% money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose! On to the Round-Up! Mickey Fix found this really cool Star Wars Millennium Pizza tee. WDW for Grownups stopped by Chef Art Smith’s Shine Bar for a few cocktails! Disney Parks Blog shared how to make an Olaf-inspired candy apple. Dole shared its recipe for Dole Whip Cake. Celebrating Family shared a fun recipe for Star Wars Tie Fighter Cookies! 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: January 3, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 31, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 5, 2014 View the full article

Last October, we introduced you to our 2017-2018 Ambassador team and highlighted the immersive training preparing them to represent Disney parks and resorts worldwide. Today, all that hard work has paid off and the team is celebrating their first day in the New Year! Congratulations to the team, pictured above with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, Bob Chapek. From left to right: Manako Tanaka, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Michael Giordano and Laura Janice Gedigk, Disneyland Paris Nozomi Fukumoto, Tokyo Disneyland Brandon Peters and Ken Facey, Walt Disney World Resort Alexa Garcia and Mikey Trujillo, Disneyland Resort Chloe Zhou and Natalie Yao, Shanghai Disney Resort Sammy Phu, Hong Kong Disneyland From the original Disneyland in California to our new Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney Ambassadors are part of a longstanding tradition started by Walt Disney himself. Starting today, the new team will act as spokespeople, help lead community outreach and volunteer efforts, and act as emissaries of goodwill, representing our more than 135,000 cast, crew and Imagineers who bring Disney Parks to life around the world. We’re excited to congratulate the team on their first official day on the job – and look forward to all of the exciting things ahead for Disney Parks in the New Year! View the full article

Fantasy in the Sky - New Year's Eve 2016 at Magic Kingdom View the full article

With an amazing land set to debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2017, plus new a festival and multitude of dining locations, the year 2017 is shaping up to be truly exciting for our guests. If you’re considering planning a Disney vacation in 2017, be sure to check out our 17 reasons why the new year should be the year for your visit! “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – This “out of this world” fireworks spectacular just returned two weeks ago to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This amazing show uses the latest projection effects, lighting, lasers and pyrotechnics to light up the sky, Star Wars style. The nightly show puts guests in the middle of the action as they gaze upon Tatooine’s famous twin suns, fight through an army of Trade Federation battle droids, navigate a swirling asteroid field, rocket down the Death Star’s narrow trench and deliver a heroic final blow to Starkiller Base. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story– Inspired Additions to Star Wars Launch Bay – New items have recently been added to Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including a Shoretrooper Blaster, Director Krennic’s Imperial Shuttle, a Death Star model, a U-wing gunship and more. MagicBand 2 Rolls Out – MagicBand 2, the next iteration of bands that offer the same helpful functions as the original bands, have just made their way to select Disney Parks merchandise locations and the Shop Disney Parks app. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for future designs and updates. Exclusive New Star Wars Tour Starts January 2 – This seven-hour experience is led by a Star Wars “all-in-the-know” tour guide. Guests can experience Star Tours – the Adventures Continue; get an insider’s tour and meet characters at Star Wars Launch Bay; screen “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi” and enjoy Star Wars-themed menu items at Backlot Express. The tour wraps at the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party, which also includes reserved viewing for the show. Younglings ages 4-12 on the Guided Tour package can also train in the way of The Force in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. Find booking information here. Disney After Hours Events Return January-March – Disney After Hours event nights will return to Magic Kingdom Park on January 20 and 27; February 2, 9 and 16; and March 2 and 9, 2017. Experience an event that takes place three hours after the park closes and is only open to a limited number of guests (which means much shorter lines) at 25 attractions, character greetings and more. Find booking information here. More Yummy Eateries To Debut at Disney Springs – Literally dozens of shopping and dining locations made their debut at Disney Springs in 2016 – and even more are set to open in 2017! Be on the lookout for news and opening dates for Planet Hollywood Observatory, Paddlefish, The Polite Pig, The Edison and Wine Bar George in the new year. Milestone Races for runDisney – This year’s Walt Disney World Half Marathon will mark the 20th year for the race weekend’s 10K, and to celebrate, they’ve made Donald Duck their mascot. Also in anticipation for the release of “Beauty & The Beast” this spring, runDisney has themed this year’s Princess Half Marathon after the film. (Take a sneak peek at the medals here). First-Ever Epcot International Festival of the Arts Starts January 13 – Epcot will start off the year with a bang, offering a brand new art festival for guests to experience. This new offering will run weekends between January 13-February 20, and will showcase visual, culinary and performing arts. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Begins March 1 – This year’s spring festival will begin March 1 and run through May 29. Festival “firsts” this year will include brand-new topiaries of Belle and Figment, two new outdoor kitchens (bringing the total to 15) offering up tasty snacks, a “Cars” interactive play garden for kids in honor of the upcoming film June 2017 release of the Disney•Pixar sequel, “Cars 3.” New Garden Rocks Dining Packages Will Debut At Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – Dining packages will be available on select days at a number of Epcot restaurants, combining dinner and reserved seating for a performance. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more information. New Family Raft Ride at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – Guests at Typhoon Lagoon can enjoy a new family-style raft attraction this spring. Planned to be one of the longest Disney water park attractions (2 minutes), guests will be immersed in the story of Captain Mary Oceaneer. Legend holds that this treasure hunter roamed the seven seas in search of undersea artifacts, until she was marooned at Typhoon Lagoon. Guests will gently ascend in treasure rafts, only to plunge into a whitewater adventure where they just may encounter some of Mary’s legendary treasure. Boulder Ridge Cove, Geyser Point Bar & Grill Opening in Summer 2017 – Scheduled to open at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in summer 2017, Boulder Ridge Cove pool will feature an expanded sun deck and zero-depth-entry pool in what appears to have been an abandoned rock quarry. Geyser Point Bar & Grill, a new quick-service eatery, will be located in the heart of the feature pool area of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Pandora – The World of AVATAR Will Open in Summer 2017 – This new land will open its doors at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in summer 2017, and will include attractions AVATAR Flight of Passage and the Na’vi River Journey, the Satu’li Canteen restaurant, Pongu Pongu drink location and Windtraders merchandise shop. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for coverage of future milestones. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Returns for A Record 75 Days – This year’s festival will kick off on August 31 and run through November 13, for a record 75 days. Epcot’s 35th Anniversary – The second theme park to be built at the Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot, will mark its 35th anniversary on October 1, 1971. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for historical features, photos, merchandise and more. More Updates on Star Wars-Inspired Land – Disney’s Animal Kingdom isn’t the only theme park enjoying an expansion. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also adding a Star Wars-inspired land, which is currently under construction at the park. Measuring 14-acres, the new land will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life. Look for more updates on this expansion and its offerings later this year. Return of Holiday Favorites – Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog in 2017 for vacation planning information useful during the holidays, with updates on next year’s Candlelight Processional narrators, the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to Magic Kingdom Park and “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and more. View the full article

They say as you get older time goes much faster. I agree with that statement. Not that I’ll admit to being “older,” let’s just say I’m “wiser” than last year. Our designer, Jeff Maurer, reached into the far corners of his imagination and, inspired by the holiday’s festivities, he designed unique firework art … out of the words “Happy New Year!” As you tip your hat at 2016 and turn to give 2017 a big welcome we hope you enjoy these typographic fireworks built just for you! 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 here. View the full article

We’re just a few hours away from ringing in the New Year. Celebrate with us by joining our live stream of “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks live from Magic Kingdom Park tonight at 11:45 p.m. EST. The live stream will begin promptly at 11:45 p.m. in the box above. Last year we had viewers tune in from around the world – tell us in the comments section, where are you watching from? View the full article