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Today we’re happy to share with you the first look inside AbracadaBar, a new cocktail lounge that will soon open for business at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. When it comes to describing this new location, “magic” is key. As the story goes, this little lounge was a former stomping ground for the famous magicians, boardwalk illusionists, and lovely magician’s assistants of the Golden Age. After a show, prestidigitators would gather to “conjure” up new cocktails, swap magic tips and tricks, and stay up all night attempting to “out-charm” each other with their extraordinary illusions. According to BoardWalk lore, it was on just such an evening that every single magician in the lounge vanished into thin air, and was never seen again … Now, after sitting vacant for nearly seventy years, the secret magician’s lounge is now back in the spotlight and making its world debut as “AbracadaBar.” Once inside, guests will get a special peek at the sophisticated social club of some of the most famous illusionists of the 20th century. While it’s rumored that the magicians who frequented the lounge vanished without a trace decades ago, their magic still remains strongly intact, and can be seen, heard, and savored in the bar’s signature cocktails. From its enchanted magic show posters and mystifying mirrors, to vintage props and tricks left behind years ago, AbracadaBar promises to be just as surprising and magical as its name suggests. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more details on this curious new location. View the full article

Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment (ASE) cast members take center stage with Walt Disney Imagineering in the new signature restaurant Tiffins, located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as they invite guests to join them in their travels around the world. Restaurant and lounge guests can get a peek at the travels and collaborations, including photos and field notes from our very own Disney/ASE conservationists. One of the conservationist featured is Joseph Soltis, PhD, Science Manager, for his work with Elephants and Bees. “I was very excited and proud to be up there with so many conservation champions that I admire,” Dr. Joseph said. “I think it was very cool to have ‘real’ pictures of our very own conservationists in action around the world.” Conservation Director Anne Savage, PhD, is also featured. “I have to say I was thrilled first of all to be asked by the Walt Disney Imagineering team to contribute … It’s so exciting to see the guests look at all the photos from our conservation programs in Africa and Asia and hear them make such positive comments about how Disney is making a difference in the world.” Animals and conservation also play a role in the restaurants décor. Look at the walls in the various galleries within Tiffins, and you may notice the 10 animals that we are working to save through The Disney Conservation Fund’s “Reverse the Decline, Increase the Time” initiative. One piece of art is inspired by Zoological Manager Chad Harmon, and his Horns and Heroes Project. The sculpture of a Sumatran rhino was carved in Bali, and then Portfolio Creative Executive Joe Rohde, collaborated with Dr. Anne to find the exact DNA of the Sumatran rhino to place behind the sculpture. The DNA slowly fades away as a symbol of the species fading into extinction. The Nomad Lounge helps further immerse guests into Disney’s conservation stories and allows them to join our cause in multiple ways. Guests can purchase hanging tags for $1 that they can personalize with their own stories of animals and travel. The tags are hung around the Nomad Lounge. Proceeds from drinks like Snow Leopard Salvation and Painted Wolf ‘The Den’ Pinotage also go toward the conservation of those species. Dr. Anne said, “Whether guests are seeing the photos from our various ASE conservation projects around the world or reading about some of our experiences in the field with wildlife as they look through the Nomad Lounge menu, it is thrilling to be able to share these stories with our guests. It is these types of experiences that can inspire our guests to join Disney in helping to protect wildlife.” Tiffins and Nomad Lounge open every day at 11:30 a.m. View the full article

Disneyland Resort guests might be chillin’ at the all-new “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” at Disney California Adventure park this summer, but it’s Southern California so there’s plenty of warm weather to go around for the remaining weeks of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. It’s also the perfect time of year to grab a hotel room and stretch out vacations by a few more days! For instance, guests can save up to 25 percent on premium rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel and save up to 10 percent at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, on select Sunday through Thursday nights between August 14 and September 29, 2016. Book through September 15, 2016.* By staying at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, you’ll have easy access to both Disneyland Resort theme parks, as well as Extra Magic Hour, an early morning admission option, on select mornings (separate theme park admission and valid hotel key card required).** Click here to book your vacation today! *Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at the same hotel. Travel must be completed by 9/30/16. Savings on premium rooms are available on Premium, Deluxe and Woods/Garden/Courtyard rooms; select Concierge rooms; and Paradise, Artisan and Regal suites. Not valid on previously booked rooms. Advance reservations required. Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Excludes applicable fees and taxes. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and five (5) people maximum per room. Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Separate Theme Park admission required to enjoy the Parks. **Disneyland Resort Hotel Guest Extra Magic Hour currently allows registered Disneyland Resort hotel guests admission into select attractions at Disneyland Park on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and Disney California Adventure Park on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday before the applicable park opens to the general public. Check disneyland.com for schedule of when each park offers Extra Magic Hour. Each registered hotel guest (ages 3 and older) must have a valid theme park ticket and active hotel room key card. To enhance the Extra Magic Hour experience, it is strongly recommended that guests arrive at least one hour and 15 minutes prior to regular park opening. Applicable theme park, days and times of operation and all other elements including, but not limited to, operation of attractions, entertainment, stores, restaurants and appearances of characters may vary and are subject to change without notice. Subject to capacity, cancellation and other restrictions. View the full article

Marked by a diverse culture, time-worn buildings and historic maritime traditions, the Renaissance city of Livorno, Italy, is a favorite vacation destination with much to see and do for Disney cruisers. This Italian oasis is situated along Tuscany’s western coast, and it’s your gateway to Florence, Pisa and charming seaside villages when cruising the Mediterranean with us this summer. Florence and Pisa – Several of our Port Adventures take you to either Florence or Pisa to discover the history and grandeur of these Italian towns. This excursion let’s you experience both, with departure options for families of all ages or adults traveling without children. Your time in Florence includes a guided walking tour to see iconic spots, along with free time to explore the shopping area and have lunch on your own. In Pisa, you’ll visit Miracle Square to encounter a medieval cathedral with its famous tilting bell tower: the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Portofino and Santa Margherita – Discover the Italian Riviera as you travel by land and sea to the resort town of Santa Margherita and the picturesque fishing village of Portofino, a destination of the rich and famous known for its colorful houses and quaint harbor. The journey includes a short drive along the Via Aurelia, the ancient Roman “Golden Sun” road along the coast, plus a boat cruise complete with views of lush vegetation, little inlets and secluded beaches. You’ll enjoy free time in both seaside towns to dine, shop in exclusive boutiques and soak up the local culture. Cinque Terre Scenic Boat Tour – Another opportunity for fun under the Mediterranean sun, this cruise takes you along one of the world’s most scenic shorelines to explore the hillside towns of Vernazza and Monterosso. You’ll pass the “Cinque Terre,” named after five seaside villages perched on the same rocky cliffside and characterized by beautiful walking paths, churches, castles, breathtaking views, and first-class food and wine. In addition to guided walking tours, you’ll also have free time in Monterosso to sample local culinary specialties, take in the idyllic views from the beach or browse the local shops. Now that I’ve given you a look at what to do in our Italian ports, next up I’ll give you my suggestions for Port Adventures in France when we call on the stunning port of Villefranche. Remember, when the ship’s in port, venture ashore! View the full article

As we continue our look back at original Disneyland park attractions from 1955, we are taking a spin around the familiar track of Autopia. This classic has seen some changes through the years – and even spawned some spin-offs – but one thing remains the same … new generations continue to get behind the wheel for the first time at Autopia. Take a look back with us! What are your favorite memories from Autopia? Share them in the comments! View the full article

Practically overnight, Pokemon Go moved in and set up shop almost everywhere and anywhere, Walt Disney World included. While Disney clearly doesn't need much help in the entertainment department, there is something novel about hunting Pikachu, and his gang of virtual creatures, as they squat in... View the full article

Practically overnight, Pokemon Go moved in and set up shop almost everywhere and anywhere, Walt Disney World included. While Disney clearly doesn't need much help in the entertainment department, there is something novel about hunting Pikachu, and his gang of virtual creatures, as they squat in... View the full article

Practically overnight, Pokémon Go moved in and set up shop almost everywhere and anywhere, Walt Disney World included. While Disney clearly doesn't need much help in the entertainment department, there is something novel about hunting Pikachu, and his gang of virtual creatures, as they squat in... View the full article

I was unsure what to expect walking into UNIQLO, which opened a store last week at Disney Springs. A friend describes it as “Japanese H&M.” Sure enough, it’s a big, bright retailer with scads of merchandise stacked high. Here are notes I made during my first visit, during which I met up with Aldo... View the full article

It seems like just yesterday that Disneyland Resort was celebrating its Diamond Celebration. The Anaheim resort celebrated its 61-year anniversary this week. It was on a much, much smaller scale than the multi-month celebration a year ago, which saw the debut of the "Paint the Night" parade, "Disneyland... View the full article

The 45th Anniversary of Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort is only a few months away. You may recall seeing a preview of commemorative products in a recent Disney Parks Blog Unboxed video. Today, I have another look at specially designed merchandise celebrating this milestone anniversary. The Magic Kingdom 45th Anniversary assortment contains a variety of apparel items for adults including short and long-sleeved shirts. I particularly like the lounge pants covered with logos from attractions that have opened at Magic Kingdom Park since 1971. Guests will also find two Dooney & Bourke handbags that will each contain a 45th Anniversary leather hangtag. The pattern pairs Mickey Mouse with other attraction icons and characters such as Madame Leota from The Haunted Mansion, a bird from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, and Dumbo. There are several unique souvenirs for this celebration including a 1000-piece puzzle, a light-up ear hat ornament, an antenna topper, and a pennant with candy. The arts and collectibles team is releasing two limited edition coins – a 39mm commemorative copper coin that is presented in a custom acrylic display; and a silver plated coin in a box. Both coins will feature the Magic Kingdom 45th anniversary artwork. Speaking of things to collect, guests who enjoy trading pins will find a handful of new designs. There will be a mystery pin set containing eight different pins (each box contains two randomly selected pins). We will also release several open edition logo pins, a lanyard medal, and a commemorative pin for Passholders. Look for these items and more this fall in select merchandise locations at Walt Disney World Resort. Once released, you may find select items available via the Shop Disney Parks app. I’ll have one more article on the Disney Parks Blog in September about 45th Anniversary products. Which item is your favorite? View the full article

It’s high temps and good times in Walt Disney World this summer season! We’re spotting plenty of frosty summer sips to help you beat the heat, along with all sorts of new restaurants to stop in and take an air-conditioned breather. And if we’re talking about new restaurants, there’s only one place to start this round of What’s New, and that’s… Disney Springs Latest Additions I know — it’s as though the openings are never-ending at Disney Springs! The Grand Opening Summer Celebration is ON for this dining, shopping, and entertainment district! Disney Springs Can you believe it? What once seemed like a never-ending transformation of what was once Downtown Disney to Disney Springs is now complete (though we still have a few more spots to welcome in the coming months!). The past few weeks have brought the arrival of not one, but TWO new restaurants headed by Celebrity Chefs to the Town Center! Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming welcomed all of us HOME when it opened its doors on July 12th. Homecoming Sign Take a peek at our First Look here! It happily included a visit from the Man of the Hour himself… Chef Art Smith! Chef Art Smith on Opening Day Oh, and a few bites to eat, too … Fried Chicken & Doughnuts Momma’s Mac and Cheese Shine Cake and Hummingbird Cake Remember, these opening weeks are for walk-up guests only, but soon guests will be able to make Advance Dining Reservations for the new restaurant for dates beginning August 15th. And in late June, Frontera Cocina by Rick Bayless brought authentic contemporary Mexican cuisine to the Town Center of Disney Springs. Frontera Cocina Check out our full review of Frontera Cocina here! People Watching Cocktail Queso Fundido Carnitas Fans of Coca-Cola can celebrate their love for this iconic beverage at the brand new World of Coca-Cola Store Orlando… complete with a Rooftop Beverage Bar! Coca-Cola Store Orlando Rooftop Bar Area Opening days featured the all-day menu, including International Soda Trays and Float Trays, allowing guests to sample several soda flavors and floats in one fell swoop. International Soda Tray World of Coca-cola Float Tray But an expanded menu featuring Adult Drinks has since been added, available for guests starting at 3:00 pm daily. World of Coca-Cola Adult Beverage Menu Join us as we try the Cherry Coke Ripper, Celery Yellow Cooler, and Long Island Cooler — and take in the views — with a review here soon! Adult beverages at World of Coca-Cola But there’s STILL more to come, believe it or not… Coming Soon Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza is set for a July 29th opening, bringing artisanal pizza “fired up” in 180 seconds to Town Center guests. Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza Concept Art posted in Disney Springs Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza Coming Soon And we were super pumped to get the word that The Polite Pig will join the Disney Springs dining scene in Spring of 2017! Signs for The Polite Pig in Disney Springs Find out why we’re so excited about it here! And enjoy this little Sneak Preview of the menu in the meantime… Preliminary Menu for The Polite Pig — Click to Enlarge Menu Updates Morimoto Asia is serving up their signature Pan-Asian cuisine to guests with a late night appetite with the all-new Late Night Menu at the Forbidden Lounge! Morimoto Asia at Night We have a full review of the menu from a special Sneak Peek event. Morimoto Late Night Menu Kurobuta Sausage Bao Portobello Mushroom Fries And an array of summer drinks are available no matter what time of day you visit, including Summer Watermelon Punch and Korean Ginger Heat. Summer Watermelon Punch Korean Ginger Heat Seasonal flavors are also featured at Sprinkles cupcake bakery! Check out the Summer Cherry Cupcake on your next stop. @sprinkles Twitter You can also now purchase Cupcake Mixes to bring a little taste of Sprinkles home with you. Sprinkles Cupcake Mix There are some fairly substantial changes to the eats at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, where Sallah’s Falafel, Temple Tenderloin, and Tanis Tuna Tacos have joined the lineup. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Sign Though the YeSake kiosk is still quite new, it’s already gone through its first menu makeover! YeSake Kiosk New Tortilla-wrapped options include Chicken Chimichurri, Chicken Teriyaki, and the Fiesta Beef Roll. YeSake Menu A Steam’d Chicken Bun also adds to the international flavors, while a Mango Colada joins the Sake Slushes, and new Sake Shaved Ice Mists can be found here as well! Planning to hit up the House of Blues for dinner and a show? In Blues We Trust! Then be on the lookout for these new items on the menu, like the Steamin’ Tot Mess (tater tots topped with carnitas!), Chicken Gumbo, Mediterranean Vegetable White Cheddar Dip, Margherita Flatbread, the Gard Dawg (think Chicago-style), and the Bluegrass Stack (a marinated eggplant sandwich). Disney Springs guests lost a Brunch option when Fulton’s Crab House closed to make way for Paddlefish. But Bongos Cuban Cafe has an option for those on the Brunch Lookout! Bongos Sign Cuban Style French Toast and Criollo Baked Eggs are available along with a selection of sandwiches. Bongos Brunch Menu Now, we don’t know if the #OrlandoStrong Donut is still available at Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, but we wanted to say “thanks” for the time it was offered. Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC sign Orlando Strong Donut And you can still keep an eye out for the summer Coconut Lime Cupcake! Coconut Lime Cupcake Vivoli Il Gelato celebrated its first anniversary last month! Vivoli il Gelato Stop by and celebrate by trying one of the latest offerings: a Nutella Brownie Sundae and Creamsicle Float (a double whammy made with vanilla gelato AND orange sorbet!). New items on the Menu at Vivoli il Gelato Haven’t had enough yet? Good… because we’ve still got all four Disney World parks to hit up! Magic Kingdom Have you heard the word??? Figaro Fries have returned to the Magic Kingdom!! Loaded Plaza Fries Well, except they’re now called Loaded Plaza Fries and they can be found at — where else? — The Plaza Restaurant! In fact, the menu has received several new additions like a Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, and Specialty Cakes for dessert (Yep, we ate ‘em ALL!). Take a look at the entire new lineup here! Fried Green Tomato Sandwich Signature Chocolate Cake It was the POP heard ‘round the World when it was revealed that Refillable Popcorn Buckets would be available through September 1st throughout the Disney World parks! Buy a Refillable Popcorn Bucket for $10.00, and have it refilled throughout the same day for $1.50 per refill. Refillable Popcorn Bucket Pricing Even though each park has its own themed Refillable Popcorn Bucket, like the one we purchased at Magic Kingdom… Magic Kingdom Popcorn Bucket … refills are available throughout the day no matter which park you hop to — here’s our Magic Kingdom Bucket, happily refilled at Hey Howdy Hey Takeaway in Hollywood Studios! Magic Kingdom Bucket Refilled at Hollywood Studios Cupcakes with Character (our name for them — it’s unofficial ) just keep popping up at Main Street Bakery with an additional set of Ears — this time in Pink with a vanilla cupcake base — placed beside the usual Chocolate Mickey. Minnie and Mickey Cupcakes (The Donald Duck Butt Cupcake, however, remains our favorite of these so far. We would love to see it come back!) Over in Tomorrowland, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is serving up S’mores for dessert. Cosmic Ray’s Sign Cosmic Ray’s Menu I wonder if they’re similar to the S’mores that used to be available at Herbie’s Drive-In (R.I.P.) in Disney’s Hollywood Studios? S’mores from Herbie’s Drive-In And remember when you’re planning to make your Advance Dining Reservations for your next vacation that Table Service has been extended at the Diamond Horseshoe through September 10th. The Diamond Horseshoe You can read a Guest Review of this limited time Table Service option here. Animal Kingdom JAMBO from Animal Kingdom!! Hello from Harambe Market! Okay, so do you remember WAAAAYYY back in January, when Disney gave us a sneak peek at the Lotus Popcorn Bucket that was on the way to Animal Kingdom? Lotus Blossom Popcorn Bucket Well, at long last, it has arrived!! Complete with a carrying strap, it glows to become a luminary much like the recently added Glowing Steins. In a unique twist, the Lotus is filled with Housemade Chips at Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks. Bucket and Steins at Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks And speaking of thirsty… Watermelon Lemonade has replaced the Tangerine Lemonade at Wanjohi Refreshment in Harambe Market. Wanjohi Refreshment Harambe Market Beverage Menu at Wanjohi Refreshment Not yet quenched? Try a Frozen Beverage at Anandapur Royal Tea Company, where Passion Fruit is the newest flavor. Anandapur Royal Tea Company Frozen Beverage Machines A Taste of Tiffins is a brand new lunch option at the still new Tiffins Signature Restaurant. Tiffins sign From 11:30 am – 3:30 pm daily, guests can pick two from the list of entrees for a set price of $28.00 — a great way to try the unique flavors of Tiffins at a lower price point than the full-sized entrees. Taste of Tiffins menu screenshot P.S. We highly recommend the Market Vegetable Curry! Hollywood Studios It’s all about summer sippin’ at the Studios! And we’re starting with a couple new adult beverages on tap at Fairfax Fare: Captain Morgan Fruit Punch Cocktail and Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka Lemonade. New Adult Drinks at Fairfax Fare Captain Morgan Fruit Punch Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka Lemonade Hollywood Scoops is the latest spot to hop on the Hard Root Beer Float train, a trend that shows no sign of slowing down. Hollywood Scoops Hard Root Beer Float sign This version features Coney Island Hard Root Beer. Hard Root Beer Float Anaheim Produce is serving up the tasty Schofferhoffer Grapefruit Hefeweizen, a favorite also featured in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion. Anaheim Produce Adult Drinks What’s a trip to Hollywood Studios without checking up on the current cupcake game? The Trolley Car Cafe is currently carrying a Vanilla Cupcake with Strawberry Frosting topped with a full strawberry and white chocolate Minnie Mouse bow. Vanilla Cupcake with Strawberry Frosting And the Olaf Cupcake has returned to ABC Commissary… but despite his similar (and oh-so-cute) appearance, he’s actually received a makeover. Updated Olaf Cupcake The current version is no longer Carrot Cake, but rather a a Chocolate Cupcake with Marshmallow Topping. Lunch guests at The Hollywood Brown Derby have a couple of additional choices available for the midday meal. The Hollywood Brown Derby The Grilled Wagyu Beef Burger is on the list, and an Andouille-crusted Chicken Breast Sandwich is a new lunch option, too. Hollywood Brown Derby Lunch Menu A new snack stand can now be found just past Toy Story Midway Mania. In its opening days, it served primarily Churros. New Studios Snack Stand But the menu has already expanded to include the Ham and Cheese-stuffed Pretzel (previously found only at Magic Kingdom) and Cotton Candy. Snack Stand Menu It has also added an item that could previously be found at Herbie’s Drive-In before it closed to make way for construction of Toy Story and Star Wars Lands: that theme park staple, the Corn Dog. And for anyone who is as curious about the fate of Writer’s Stop as we are… per our most recent conversation with a Cast Member, it will likely remain open until September. Writer’s Stop But — as always — stay tuned… the Writer’s Stop has escaped the fate of closure before, and it may yet again! We hope so, anyway . Epcot LOTS of changes have come to Epcot over the past few weeks! Of course, those changes primarily involve the debut of Frozen Ever After and the Royal Sommerhus (the Anna and Elsa Meet-and-Greet location)… Frozen Ever After Entrance … and, of course, the return of Soarin’ in its new form: Soarin’ Around the World! Soarin’ Around the World These attractions have had a ripple effect in some of the food options around Epcot. For instance, Sunshine Seasons is welcoming back Soarin’ with a Soarin’ Panna Cotta (it joined the Soarin’ Orange Cupcake in the ol’ bakery case). Soarin’ Panna Cotta And in Norway, the menu at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe has been boosted with several new items to meet the demands of many more guests visiting the Norway Pavilion to enjoy the new Frozen attractions. Kringla Bakeri og Kafe Our favorites among the recent additions are the Cinnamon Loaf and the Snow Globe. Cinnamon Loaf Snow Globe But extra cute points go to the Quartet of Mini Frozen Cupcakes! Mini Frozen Cupcakes Oh, and if you’re wondering if the wait times for Frozen Ever After have gone down from the original 300+ minutes… Recent Wait Time for Frozen Ever After … the answer is, “Nope, not by much.” In the United Kingdom, the Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room is the latest World Showcase stop to change from offering separate Lunch and Dinner menus to one all-day menu. Rose & Crown Rose & Crown Menu Taste Track has been the home to some fabulous Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches since it opened last spring. In the beginning of July, though, the offerings changed entirely to Ice Cream Sundaes and Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches as well as (can you guess?) Hard Floats and Sodas for adults. Taste Track Personally, I find the change to be something of a summer bummer, because those Grilled Cheese Sandwiches were so unique to the location. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this is just a change for the warmer weather, and perhaps the sandwiches will return along with the cooler temps later this year. Time will tell… Resorts Polynesian Village Resort A few menu updates at Captain Cook’s include the addition of a Seared Chicken Breast, Curried Seafood Stew, and Pork Fried Rice. Captain Cook’s sign Captain Cook’s Menu And be on the lookout for Shave Ice at the Pineapple Lanai! Pineapple Lanai sign They were testing it for just two days earlier this month, with hopes that it would be returning longer-term. Shave Ice If you find it there on your next visit to the Polynesian, please let us know… and save some for me ! Art of Animation Resort Landscape of Flavors is reminding guests that “sharing is caring” with the new Chili Cheese Fries for Two! Landscape of Flavors Menu And the Pizza Station now has Pamesan Garlic Knots to nosh with your pizza. Contemporary Resort As always, there are some fun cupcake finds at Contempo Cafe! Look for the Cherry Cupcake — topped with pistachio buttercream and filled with cherry — through July 30th. Cherry Cupcake The Banana Flip Cupcake — a vanilla cupcake with banana cream filling and banana buttercream frosting — should be available through August 27th. Banana Flip Cupcake We’ll have a review for you here soon! Disney’s Boardwalk Our final stop is Disney’s BoardWalk where signs have magically appeared for the upcoming AbracadaBar! AbracadaBar Coming to Disney World’s Boardwalk The backstory for this soon-to-be-bar is quite simply one of the coolest we’ve heard in a long time, and makes us SO excited for its arrival! AbracadaBar sign And when, exactly, is that? Well, AbracadaBar will likely open in conjunction with the re-opening of its next door neighbor, Flying Fish, which is currently undergoing a lengthy refurbishment. Rumor has it that August 14th may be the big day (and operating hours for that date are currently showing on the Disney World website, though Advance Dining Reservations are not yet available). Now watch as we disappear! But not without a “So long” from our girl, Minnie, of course! Goodbye from Minnie! As always, thanks for joining us! And until next time, Eat and Be Happy! Have you spotted anything new during a recent trip around the World? We’d love to hear about it in 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: What’s New Around Walt Disney World — June 14, 2016 What’s New Around Walt Disney World: May 13, 2016 What’s New Around Walt Disney World: March 15, 2016 View the full article

Buckle up Star Wars fans! In just a few minutes, we’ll present our next #DisneyParksLIVE stream right here on the Disney Parks Blog – a showing of “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks, live from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This spectacular is the next generation of Star Wars-themed fireworks shows for the park. “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular,” dazzles with new themed fireworks, lasers, special effects and video projections of iconic characters and scenes from the complete saga, all set to the unforgettable score of the film series. Our live stream of this new show will begin at 9:20 p.m. ET. Join us minutes before the fireworks start to learn more about how the show was designed from the show’s creators themselves. Tell us – where in the galaxy are you tuning in from? View the full article

Disney Parks Live Stream View the full article

Disneyland Resort guests will find a new location for their daily dose of refreshment beginning today with the opening of a second Starbucks in Downtown Disney District. The newest headquarters for handcrafted beverages and food items opened with a ribbon-cutting early this morning. It joins locations serving Starbucks creations in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, as well as the previously existing Starbucks in Downtown Disney District. Do you have a Starbucks favorite? Eat, sip and enjoy! View the full article

Are you ready? The countdown is on, and early booking will open for the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival in just a few hours! That means that you and (and several thousand other people) will be calling Disney, trying to get into the Low-Cost Events, Culinary Demos, Beverage Seminars, and Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Workshops of your choice! What else does that mean? Well, this is a great example of a Peak Booking Day for a Disney event. You may be wondering: What’s a peak booking day? It’s anytime that you can expect a high volume of guests calling at the same time to book events. This goes for early booking days for certain groups, regular booking days, days for booking where a new restaurant or experience is announced, and days that offers of Free Dining for the Disney Dining Plan are announced. And experience has taught us that all the things are probably not going to go smoothly. Free Dining Offer?!? Be Prepared for a Wait With that in mind — and the fact that forewarned is forearmed — we want to share with you just what you can expect when it comes to peak booking days with Walt Disney World as well as some suggestions that may just help you to be successful (and keep your blood pressure down). Peak Booking Days Equal Long Wait Times on the Phones. No. Seriously. Be prepared to wait for hours — like multiple — when you call. And then, once you get through, it’s very likely that you’ll be placed on hold again for several minutes. And then maybe your call will be dropped. No joke. “Thank you for calling…” This is the reality, and it’s always the case. Always. And that’s why we suggest that… Peak Booking Days Equal Blocking Off a Significant Chunk of Your Day. I would plan to schedule at least one to two hours to make reservations on a peak booking day. Easily. Because here’s the deal with that. If you’re wrong, and you happen to call the VERY first time that Disney has its collective act together, then you just got the happy surprise of extra time in your day! Booking for a Hot Restaurant Opening Can Feel Like It’s Taking Forever! But if you don’t build in that window and you are banking on hopping on and off the phone all short and sweet-like, you will either A) not get your reservation, because you have to run; or B) be late for whatever other important things are part of your schedule. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. Peak Booking Days Equal Cast Members Who Possibly Have NO Idea What You’re Talking About Disney Cast Members are truly some of the best and nicest humans walking the planet. But they don’t possess magic powers. (So sorry if that’s a disappointment to find out.) And they also can’t know what they haven’t been told. Don’t Be Shocked If Your Cast Member Doesn’t Know What You’re Talking About. It Happens. A Lot. Time after time, for peak event after peak event, the poor Cast Members aren’t given the information that they need to set them up for success. So please, know this up front. Special Events Can REALLY Throw Them Off. (Rest In Peace, Osborne Lights. Sniff.) And be prepared to cut them some slack. Also be prepared to talk to multiple Cast Members (as in, hang up and call back to get a new person) or request to speak to a more senior Cast Member or a supervisor. Also keep in mind that kindness is always, always the best route to take, period. (But especially if you’re trying to get something to go your way.) Peak Booking Days Equal the Online System Not Being Updated. We’ve seen it time and again: Disney announces that reservations are open for a special event or a new eatery…but they kinda sorta forget to update their online systems. We Have a Love Hate Relationship with Disney Online Systems There are times when reservations are only available via phone. Like, on purpose. For example, early booking for Epcot Food and Wine Festival Events is often only available by calling. But sometimes, online booking is supposed to be available, and isn’t. Be prepared on peak days to hop on the phone to take care of the business at hand, rather than booking via the website or the My Disney Experience App. Peak Booking Days Remind Us, Yep, Disney Kinda Stinks When It Comes to This Stuff. Look, we love Disney. Obvi. We’re such big fans, we photograph all of our food there and share with you guys! We Heart You SO Hard, Chef Mickey! Even If Your Peeps Can’t Get It Together. But let’s be honest. They have never gotten the hang of executing the launch of peak booking times. Not once. And we’re talking about stuff they KNOW, year after year, is coming. Why do I point this out? Well, again, if you know what to expect, it helps you to plan, and it might ease your frustration a little. Because personally, I find when I know it’s coming, it’s a little easier to cope with. So, that’s our primer for setting you straight on what booking anything at a peak time is like if you’re dealing with Disney. And now, I’d really love to hear from you! Share with us your experiences while attempting to secure a spot during a peak Disney booking day in comments 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: Disney Dining Tips: What to Expect on Peak Booking Days Reminder! Disney World Advanced Dining Reservations at 180 Days Starting Tuesday, 10/27 DFB Top Tips for Epcot Food and Wine Festival Event Booking View the full article

A Funko Pop! vinyl figure inspired by Indiana Jones is coming to select merchandise locations at Disney Parks on July 22. This Funko Pop! figure is part of a collection of figures created especially for Disney Theme Park Merchandise. Other figures in this collection include four Haunted Mansion-themed Funko Pop! released in November 2015. The packaging for this figure includes a nod to the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction in Adventureland at Disneyland park (don’t look into the eyes of Mara!). For this article, I visited the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to grab a few photos of Indiana Jones in action. This Indiana Jones figure is different than one being released at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2016. The Comic-Con figure (#199) was inspired by “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” whereas the Disney Parks figure (#200) was inspired by “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” The Disney Parks Exclusive figure will have a retail of $19.99, and it will be released at the following Disney Parks merchandise locations: Disneyland Resort Disneyland park – Adventureland Bazaar Downtown Disney District – D-Street Walt Disney World Resort Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost Disney Springs Marketplace – Disney’s Pin Traders Guests may also have this figure shipped directly to home using the Shop Disney Parks mobile app. To download the app, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Shop. View the full article

Yesterday, Disneyland Resort commemorated its 61st anniversary with festivities that began with the Disneyland Band leading the “Happiest March on Earth” down Main Street, U.S.A., followed by a cast of 61 Disney characters at the Main Street Train Station. Take a look back at the celebration! View the full article

#DisneyKids: Toy Story Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios | Walt Disney World View the full article

Look at this stuff. Isn't it neat? "The Little Mermaid" emojis are just the beginning for the new "Disney Emoji Blitz," a matching game for smartphones similar to Bejeweled and released last week by Disney Games. Here's the twist -- you can use the game to collect more than 400 Disney and Pixar... View the full article

On Friday, the Disneyland Resort announced exciting news for about 5,000 sixth-grade students in Anaheim, Calif., as part of our 61st anniversary. For the next 10 years, every sixth-grade student in Anaheim elementary schools will have the opportunity to receive a Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket after completing a project that enriches their school or community! The ticket donation program is called Happiest Class on Earth: Anaheim 6th Graders Making a Difference. Disney Ambassador Allie Kawamoto, along with Mickey Mouse, made the announcement to students at Horace Mann Elementary School in Anaheim, who burst with excitement. One student, Nathaniel, was recognized for the ways he volunteers, including at a senior living facility and hosting book sales and coin collections for community causes, to give his fellow students some inspiration. Each school also will be given a suggested list of actions that students can take individually or as a class. Schools are welcome to determine their own good works to address their needs, from organizing a school-wide playground cleanup to recycling on campus. Check out how some of the students reacted! View the full article

The Polite Pig will bring a new twist on favorite local flavors to Disney Springs when it opens in spring 2017. A sister restaurant to The Ravenous Pig of Winter Park, FL, The Polite Pig will feature a variety of wood-fired smoked and grilled items as well as an innovative beverage program that serves all drinks on tap, including locally-brewed Cask & Larder beer, wine and cocktails. Owners and James Beard award nominees James and Julie Petrakis are partnering with James’ brother (who operates another popular Orlando-area eatery, Greens & Grille) to open the new restaurant, located in the Town Center neighborhood of Disney Springs. The 5,000-square-foot venue will be open daily for lunch and dinner, with seating for about 200 guests. “As a locally-based restaurant group, it’s great to bring our new concept to Disney Springs where we’ll have the opportunity to showcase genuine Florida cuisine for guests from around the world,” James Petrakis said. “With so many talented chefs opening new restaurants at Disney Springs, we’re really excited to be part of a group helping Central Florida distinguish itself as a world-class culinary destination.” Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog to learn more about The Polite Pig and other openings at Disney Springs. View the full article

You can’t help but love Clawhauser, the treat-loving cheetah and friendly face at the ZPD – that’s Zootopia Police Department. In this week’s Disney Doodle, artist Ashley Taylor imagined what Clawhauser would do first if he visited a Disney theme park. With his sweet tooth (for doughnuts in the film), he’d likely check out the selection of sweet treats you can find exclusively at Disney Parks, like Mickey Premium Bars and Mickey Mouse-inspired candy apples! View the full article

It’s shaping up to be a beautiful summer morning at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In this week’s “Good Morning” shot, photographer Courtney DiStasio caught the sun just as it was rising on the iconic Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Stretching 145 feet tall, the tree is “home” to 300 animal carvings – which now spring to life at night during the new “Nighttime Awakenings.” More on that offering here. View the full article

Lots of changes have come to The Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom recently! Learn About: The Plaza Restaurant Magic Kingdom Disney World Restaurants This summer, The Plaza — which is a Table Service restaurant — became much more accessible to walk-up guests when it changed its Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) availability window to just 11:00 am – 12:00 noon daily, opening up the remainder of the day to play host to those without ADRs. Hot on the heels of that change, we noticed another… to the menu! The Entree and Dessert listings have been expanded with a few more options. But the new assortment of Appetizers has gained the most attention, since one of the three new selections bears a striking resemblance to a favorite retired Magic Kingdom snack from back in the day (we’ll be taking a look at that again here today!). Before we dive into the changes, though, it might be nice to know that some of the things about this beloved spot have remained — thankfully — very much the same… . Atmosphere As you turn the corner on Main Street, U.S.A. towards Tomorrowland, you’ll find The Plaza Restaurant tucked right next to its Quick Service counterpart, the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. The Plaza Restaurant sign Upon entering, you’ll notice that lots of windows allow for plenty of sunlight to flow in, and the smaller size of the restaurant is made to feel somewhat larger with the help of mirrors in the main dining room as well. Main Dining Area Table Seating The second solarium dining room also plays up its Main Street surroundings by relying on windows to provide much of the atmosphere. Second Dining Area The turn-of-the-century charm that Main Street is known for naturally extends to this location. Lighting Fixtures The Plaza decor The Plaza decor The Plaza decor And that’s especially true when one of the Main Street VIPs pays a visit! Main Street Suffragette The Main Street visitors — which, in some of our past visits, have also included The Mayor and the Main Street Fire Chief — are a special treat of dining at The Plaza, and we hope you encounter one of these fine folks on your Plaza visit! Eats The Plaza Restaurant menu still focuses on its staples: it remains a great place to grab a sandwich and some ice cream! And, of course, some good ol’ comfort food can still be found with items like the truly noteworthy Home-style Meatloaf. But it’s the new stuff we’re here to check out, and that includes all three Appetizers: Plaza Loaded Fries, the Wedge Salad, and Seasonal Soup (which were Tomato Bisque and Italian Wedding on our visit, FYI). The Plaza Menu The Fried Green Tomato Sandwich is a new Entree. And finally, Desserts — a MUST at The Plaza — now feature Signature Chocolate Cake, Caramel Apple Pie a la Mode, and a Seasonal Specialty Cake alongside the classic Hand-dipped Milk Shakes, Sundaes, and Original Banana Split. Let’s take a look at what we’re considering the new headliner at the Plaza (despite its Appetizer status)… Plaza Loaded Fries! A pile of French Fries is topped with melted (plastic!!) cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and ranch dressing. Plaza Loaded Fries Sounds pretty good on its own, right? And it IS! You just can’t argue with the ingredients… and the super duper amount of bacon pieces throughout the tasty fries sure didn’t hurt! Plaza Loaded Fries But the reason these are SUCH a big deal is because they are — in essence — FIGARO FRIES! (Read all about the return of this iconic snack here!) Oh, and also, because they are made with the aforementioned plastic cheese! Plaza Loaded Fries I requested this little serving on the side (all in the name of research of course ), and received a bit of info along with it. Plastic Cheese For those who have been following along in The Case of the Vanishing Plastic Cheese, here’s an update: The Plaza is currently the only Magic Kingdom restaurant serving plastic cheese (formerly available in spots like Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe and Casey’s Corner, among others) because they are able to control the temperature. BUT, the Cast Member I spoke with also mentioned that they are “working on ways” to get the plastic cheese back to the Quick Service spots with new containers that regulate the temperature. Fingers crossed, folks!! And now back to your regularly scheduled review... The Fried Green Tomato Sandwich is another new menu item. Like the other Entree sandwiches, it’s served with your choice of seasonal veggies, house-made chips or french fries. Fried Green Tomato Sandwich Side of French Fries Two deep-fried green tomatoes are paired with bacon, arugula, tomato, pepper jack cheese, and Alabama White Barbecue Sauce (a new taste for me!). And our vegetarian friends will see on the menu that this entree can be ordered without bacon for two bucks less. Fried Green Tomato Sandwich The Alabama White Barbecue Sauce was spread on the thick, toasted Kaiser roll. The sauce has a mayo-like consistency, but with an addition of horseradish giving the sandwich a really nice kick! And look at those tomatoes… I think you can even tell from the photo that, for being nicely fried, they weren’t at all greasy. Fried Green Tomato Sandwich Fried Green Tomato Sandwich Fans of the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich at Rosie’s All-American Cafe in Hollywood Studios will find this one to be similar, but kicked up a notch! Now, the Beef Brisket Burger is not one of the new menu items, but it did receive a slight tweak: it’s now a Honey Barbecue Beef Brisket Burger due to the addition of — can you ever guess? — a honey barbecue sauce on the brisket. Honey Barbecue Beef Brisket Burger But it’s still one seriously hefty sandwich! (In fact, with its similar setup to the French Dip Burger at Epcot’s Electric Umbrella, this one’s a decent candidate for sharing). The burger is topped with a generous amount of beef brisket, then further topped with provolone, bacon(!), and sautéed onions. The lettuce and tomato are placed on the side for serving… but really, where’s the room for it ? Honey Barbecue Beef Brisket Burger Even with all the savory accompaniments, I could still definitely detect the sweetness of the honey. Other than that, the burger was a bit well done for my liking (no surprise there), but still pretty darn delicious. Honey Barbecue Beef Brisket Burger Now, I mentioned earlier that dessert is a must-do at The Plaza. In the past, though, that’s had a lot to do with the fact that, as next door neighbor to the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, the setting just goes hand in hand with a good old-fashioned ice cream sundae or milkshake — complete with a cherry on top. Plaza Restaurant Milkshake The new additions to the dessert menu, however, have little to do with ice cream — with the exception of the Caramel Apple Pie al a Mode. Caramel Apple Pie a la Mode A small apple pie pocket is served warm with a bit of steusel on top, with one large scoop of vanilla ice cream, all surrounded by caramel sauce. I have to admit: I was a little concerned when I saw the pie, since it reminded me a lot of the Apple Blossoms that you’ll spot in various Quick Service locations — I guess I had it in my head that it might not be very fresh. Fortunately, my concern was unwarranted — the pie was incredibly fresh and filled with chopped apple, and the nice, thick crust was able to withstand the ice cream really well. A La Mode! Caramel Apple Pie a la Mode To give you an idea of how good it was, I noticed the table behind me tried one as well (you’re seated pretty close to your neighbors at The Plaza ). They ended up ordering a second because everyone at the table enjoyed it so much! The Signature Chocolate Cake just joined the list, too. This four-layered (massive!) cake has dark chocolate ganache mixed in, and also drizzled on top and around the plate. Signature Chocolate Cake Signature Chocolate Cake You can really taste the difference between the terrific touches of ganache and the cake, which resulted in a complex, enjoyable flavor for what might have otherwise been a ho-hum dish. Signature Chocolate Cake Our final new item is the Seasonal Specialty Cake. Unlike the Seasonal Soups, the Seasonal Cakes will likely only feature one flavor at a time. It was Carrot Cake on my visit (which is nothin’ but good news for me, as you may well know by now!). And, much like the Signature Chocolate, this is another HUGE four-layer slice. Seasonal Carrot Cake The cream cheese frosting in between the layers of carrot cake was rich and really flavorful. And check out the gorgeous pours of caramel over the whole thing! Seasonal Carrot Cake Seasonal Carrot Cake Here’s a glimpse at the very finely chopped walnuts on the outside of the cake. Seasonal Carrot Cake Now, at 9 bucks a pop, these are the priciest selections on the dessert menu aside from the Original Banana Split. But these are good, substantial dishes. We got some hints that the Seasonal Specialties in coming months may include Red Velvet and Black Forrest. And I will absolutely find some excuse to return when that happens. (Even if that excuse is just MORE Figaro — I’m mean, “Loaded Plaza” — Fries, please!) So yeah… dessert at The Plaza is still clearly a solid must-do. But you’ve got your work cut out for you when it comes to making a choice. The nice thing is, there doesn’t seem to be a bad one to make at this point. Overall Wow, what a great visit to The Plaza Restaurant! It just goes to show, even the ol’ standbys can come up with some surprises now and then. Then again, I’ve always enjoyed The Plaza throughout the years. Though it may lack the grand theming of, say, Be Our Guest Restaurant or the Jungle Cruise Skipper Canteen, it has long delivered good food at a decent value in a setting that’s special in its own way — right in the heart of things in the Magic Kingdom. One note before we go: something I noticed on this particular visit was that all of my food came out quickly; there was a significant amount of table turnaround during my time there. I’m thinking this is in response to the the new focus on walk-up friendliness for guests not wanting to take away too much from park time, but still looking for a sit-down experience. And if I’m correct on that, they’re meeting the goal. The Plaza is firing on all cylinders, my friends, so I’m happily recommending that you stop by and see if a table is available on your next Magic Kingdom visit! Is The Plaza Restaurant on your list of Magic Kingdom favorites? 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: Lunch at The Plaza Restaurant in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Review: Plaza Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Guest Review: The Plaza Restaurant in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom View the full article