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Luxury of Time by Diamonds International, an upscale watch and jewelry boutique at Disney Springs Town Center, will host a special event for Disney Vacation Club Members on Aug. 30. From 6-8 p.m. on that date, members and special guests will enjoy complimentary champagne and appetizers while browsing, and they’ll receive a $100 gift certificate valid toward the purchase of jewelry in the store. (Some restrictions apply. See store for details.) This special event is just the latest member offering from Luxury of Time, where members who present their valid Membership Card and photo ID when trying on any watch in the store receive a complimentary watch while supplies last. The shop also offers members a 10 percent discount off regularly priced watches and a 20 percent discount off regularly priced jewelry. For the latest details about these and other offers presented this year as part of Membership Magic Ever After, visit the Member Benefits & More section of disneyvacationclub.com (part of the site’s My DVC Membership tab). You should not purchase a real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club Resort in reliance upon the continued availability of Membership Extras. These are incidental benefits, which are subject to change or termination without notice, may require payment of a separate fee, and cannot be combined with other offers. New Members after April 4, 2016 who do not purchase their ownership interest directly from Disney will not have access to Membership Extras. View the full article

As we mark the 75th anniversary of the film “Bambi,” we take its message of conservation to heart. We strive to connect our guests to the magic of nature so they will have a greater appreciation of our planet and hopefully help protect it. Walt Disney’s passion for nature and animals was inspiring, and we are honored to continue to deliver on his commitment. “Bambi” touched the hearts of many viewers, in part because of how the story highlights the struggles of beloved native animals such as deer, owls, opossums, skunks and butterflies. If you’re planning a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this weekend, you can take advantage of some of the special “Bambi”-themed photo opportunities at Rafiki’s Planet Watch while also meeting and learning more about some of the species featured in the film. Here are just a few of the animals you may come across during your visit. Kelly, a Virginia opossum: North America’s only marsupial, these animals have 50 teeth, the largest number for any land mammal. When born, they are about the size of a honeybee, but grow to weigh up to 12 pounds. Barker, a striped skunk: The odor from a skunk’s spray can be detected up to 1.5 miles downwind. Striped skunks are beneficial because they eat a large number of insects and rodents, keeping pests away from gardens and farms. Barnaby, a lionhead rabbit: These animals get their name from the “wool mane” that surrounds their face. Domesticated rabbits are herbivores and eat soft stems, grasses, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Speck, an Eastern screech owl: When resting, these owls may close only one eye at a time so they can keep an eye out for predators. Screech owls possess earlike tufts that can be raised or lowered to express their mood. If you meet these animals during your visit, share it with us on social media with #DisneyAnimals. For additional animal information, visit DisneyAnimals.com to learn more about other amazing species and how you can help them in the wild. View the full article

We’re celebrating the hero of our Splash Mountain attraction – Br’er Rabbit – with a special Disney-inspired bento box work of art. Today, Disney Parks Blog reader and fan Mike Kravanis is in Magic Kingdom Park to show you how to create our first Br’er Rabbit bento box with a Splash Mountain background. To create Br’er Rabbit, begin by soaking rice in tea and mixing in powdered black sesame seeds to add spots to his fur. Then, turkey lunch meat is used create Br’er Rabbit’s eyes with black olives for the pupils. After the details of his face are completed, just fill the bento box with “blue” cauliflower (cooked in butterfly pea flower tea) to make the “splash” in Splash Mountain and you’re set. Check out our video for step-by-step instructions. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more Disney-inspired bento box tutorials in upcoming weeks. View the full article

If it can work for Pokémon, then why not for the world of Obi-Wan? An augmented-reality experience as real-world physical hunt is being rolled out next month by another global entertainment franchise, with the next "Star Wars" film, "The Last Jedi," on the near horizon. Last summer, as the AR scavenger... View the full article

Tempt your tastebuds and peek at a few of the new dishes and drinks at this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. 2017 marks the 22nd year of the festival — and the 35th anniversary of the theme park. Enjoy the festival from Aug. 31 to Nov. 13. Regular theme park admission is needed. ... View the full article

It’s hard to break out of your neighborhood to experience new areas of Central Florida. Believe me, my recent move to Orlando’s Mills 50 District has proved this to me. Magical Dining Month is a delicious excuse to explore new restaurants and locales. From Aug. 25 through Oct. 1, the foodie smorgasbord... View the full article

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" is still a few months away from hitting theaters, but BB-8-happy fans are about to get a glimpse at a new character as a part of a three-day marketing rollout of toys and products inspired by the film. The Walt Disney Co. said Thursday that the global event, dubbed Force... View the full article

Wonderland Cookie Dough Co. is almost ready to start scooping its safe-to-eat cookie dough into cups and cones for guests. The whimsical shop at 606 Market St. in Celebration does not have an official opening date yet — but keep an eye on its Facebook page or Instagram @wonderlandcookiedough for... View the full article

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" is still a few months away from hitting theaters, but BB-8-happy fans are about to get a glimpse at a new character as a part of a three-day marketing rollout of toys and products inspired by the film. The Walt Disney Company said Thursday that the global event, dubbed... View the full article

Actress Claire Danes, who gets a harrowing workout each season on Showtime’s “Homeland,” visited the Magic Kingdom Park in Lake Buena Vista on Wednesday. It looks as if the much-decorated actress enjoyed hanging out with Goofy during a break at Walt Disney World Resort. Danes has won two Emmys... View the full article

Now, it’s easier than ever to personalize your Walt Disney World Resort experience through the My Disney Experience app. My Disney Experience continues to add new features – including the new Mobile Order and Online Mobile Check-in at Disney Resort hotels – while still helping guests plan their vacation experience and make changes on the go through helpful tools like online ticket purchasing, FastPass+, Disney PhotoPass and more. With the great feedback we’re hearing from guests about how easy and convenient it is to use Mobile Order, we’re pleased to share that the Mobile Order service is now available at 15 locations throughout Walt Disney World theme parks and at Disney Springs. The new service saves you time when ordering meals at quick-service restaurants by allowing you to order on demand, pay in advance and skip the line, and not have mealtime interfere with time spent enjoying all of the other attractions and experiences throughout the resort. To use Mobile Order, sign in to the My Disney Experience app and tap the “Order Food” button, which lists restaurants that offer the service. Browse restaurant menus, select items, customize your order and prepay, all right through the app. Then, when you arrive at the restaurant, just tap “I’m Here, Prepare My Order” in the app, which notifies the kitchen to prepare your meal. When it’s ready, a notification will alert you to pick up your meal from the “Mobile Order Pick Up” area in the restaurant. Here are the 15 restaurants that currently offer Mobile Order: Magic Kingdom Park: Columbia Harbour House Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe Pinocchio Village Haus Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant* Epcot: Electric Umbrella Liberty Inn Disney’s Hollywood Studios: ABC Commissary Backlot Express PizzeRizzo Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Flame Tree Barbecue Pizzafari Restaurantosaurus Satu’li Canteen Disney Springs: D-Luxe Burger *Location operates seasonally. The only form of payment currently accepted through Mobile Order is credit card, but we’re working on adding more payment options soon. Anyone with special dietary restrictions, or those who want to use discounts or redeem dining plan entitlements must place their order with a cashier. What’s the best news? We plan to continue expanding the service to even more locations across Walt Disney World Resort throughout the year. View the full article

Behind the Scenes: Disney Photographers Capture the 2017 Solar Eclipse View the full article

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios now offers seasonal specialty milkshakes in addition to their already popular Oreo, chocolate, and vanilla shakes. Now through Oct.1, the Birthday Cake Shake is the star. The secret to this tasty shake is the addition of vanilla cake-flavored syrup used to make the shake, as well as rim the glass. Add whipped cream, sprinkles, and housemade cake crumbles and you truly have a birthday party in a glass! To make reservations to sip on your own Birthday Cake Shake at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, visit www.disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE. Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort is offering a decadent new dessert menu through September. The desserts have something for every sweet craving and are simply beautiful – all edible works of art. Warm Blueberry Turnover with Summer Corn Ice Cream and Blueberry Compote Caramel Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar with Peanut Crunch and Banana Cream Scharffen Berger Dark Chocolate Cheesecake with Candied Cashew Crust and Whipped Chocolate Ganache Warm Grilled White Nectarine with Galia Melon Sorbet and Roadside Coconut-Lemongrass Fudge Warm S’more Truffle Cake – Valhrona Chocolate Truffle Cake, Marshmallow Cream and Graham Cracker Tuile Dining reservations at Napa Rose can be made by visiting www.disneyland.com/dine or calling 714-781-DINE (3463). View the full article

In our Disney Doodle series, our team of Disney artists imagines what a Disney character would do or see first if they had the chance to visit a Disney theme park. In today’s Doodle, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what the Rescue Rangers – Chip, Dale, Monty, Gidget and Zipper – would love to do if they had the chance to visit Magic Kingdom Park. The gang delighted TV audiences from 1988-1990 in the “Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers” television show, solving crimes at Chip and Dale’s detective agency. According to Ashley, the team would surely look to put their sleuthing abilities to the test in tracking down Hidden Mickeys at the park. “The Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers are always solving crimes!” Ashley said. “I’d imagine they would have fun searching for Hidden Mickey’s all over the park!” View the full article

Aaaaand I’m back at Contempo Café! Learn About: Contempo Cafe Disney World Restaurants No surprise, really. After all, this Counter Service spot in Disney’s Contemporary Resort is easy enough for anyone to get to, regardless of whether or not you are staying at any of the Resorts on the Monorail Loop. Because I’m thinking it’s a pretty safe bet that your Disney World vacation plans include a trip to the Magic Kingdom. And the Contemporary boasts not only easy access via Monorail; it’s also the only Resort you can walk to directly from Magic Kingdom! Even more, though, I love to stop here due to Contempo Café’s history of serving better-than-you’d-expect counter service grub, from surprisingly memorable entrees to some seriously stellar desserts. So stroll or Monorail on in with me to check out what’s new (and which of my favorite entrees has remained, thankfully, nearly unchanged) at the Contempo Café! Atmosphere Contempo Cafe is located in the Grand Canyon Concourse adjacent to Chef Mickey’s. Basically, there’s no way you can go hungry in this zone! Contempo Cafe definitely has that we’re-trying-to-be-contemporary vibe that we know and love of the Resort, with lots of linear design and brushed nickel finishes. Contempo Cafe Entrance It’s bright, open and, well… pretty loud most of the time. Aside from the Monorail zooming through regularly (hooray!), you get chatter from both open-air restaurants and the general hullabaloo of a busy resort. I find it to be festive, but if you’re craving some quiet, this may not be your spot. Monorail! Still, you gotta check out the epic Mary Blair mosaics that surround the area. Don’t forget to find the five-legged goat — Mary Blair’s not to not everything being perfect. Mary Blair Mosaic They may just convince you to sit for a spell to take it all in. And, hey, if you’re here, anyway… Eats No point in keeping you in suspense regarding that favorite entree of mine. Contempo’s Beef Pot Roast has been one of my favorite counter service meals since I discovered it over four years ago. Rich Brown Gravy coats a substantial portion of Sunday-dinner-at-Grandma’s-good Pot Roast. Beef Pot Roast Plus I don’t hate a Green Bean — and these are good ones. (See how they’re still green because they haven’t been cooked until forever?) Now, Potato Wedges on the side are okay, but I would honestly trade them for the Mashed Potatoes that used to come with this meal. Definitely opt for those if you’ve got a choice! Flatbreads have been part of the scene here for some time, too, and the folks at Contempo Cafe rotate options fairly frequently. Of course, this girl from New York simply couldn’t resist trying the Buffalo Chicken Flatbread on my visit (be sure to check out the current specialty on your trip!). Buffalo Chicken Flatbread The base is a pleasantly crispy, golden crust. The pulled Buffalo Chicken offered that spicy kick that I always look for with buffalo chicken, plus there’s tons of melty Mozzarella Cheese. And here’s a closeup on that drizzle of killer Blue Cheese Fondue. Buffalo Chicken Flatbread But, where’s the celery? It’s in the hefty dashes of celery salt sprinkled all over the top! Disney World flatbreads can be found in several Resort (and a few Park) counter service locations, but this one seriously rises to the top, in my opinion. Pinocchio Village Haus (where flatbreads are among the main offerings) could learn a thing or two from Contempo, in this case. Now, for some more recent additions to the menu! I simply had to try the Braised Beef Grilled Cheese. Apologies in advance if this makes you as hungry as it makes me just to look at it. Braised Beef Grilled Cheese A substantial and perfectly toasted Brioche Bun is packed with Pot-Braised Shredded Beef, Cheddar Cheese, AND CHEESE SAUCE, plus some BBQ Sauce for good measure. Seriously. Braised Beef Grilled Cheese That cheese sauce I mentioned? Yep, that’s Plastic Cheese! Plastic Cheese Oh, my goodness me. If you find yourself missing the Pot Roast Mac and Cheese that is sadly no longer served at Friar’s Nook, why don’t you hop on the Monorail from Magic Kingdom and grab yourself this very worthy replacement? Well, since “MORE BEEF” appears to be today’s motto… The “Chicago Style” Italian Beef Sub is Shaved Italian Beef on a Crusty Baguette with Mozzarella Cheese. Chicago Style Italian Beef Accompaniments include a small container of Relish and a dipping bowl of tasty Au Jus to jazz up the sub a bit. Au Jus It’s fine, but if you’re looking for the better beef experience in terms of flavor and tenderness, the Pot Roast or Braised Beef Grilled Cheese will still be your best bet. Of course, among the more unique offerings, I couldn’t resist that Counter Service classic: Chicken Breast Nuggets – a must no matter what. Crunchy, savory, filling… pretty close to perfection every time. Chicken Nuggets No matter what you choose for your main dish at Contempo, though, I highly suggest saving room for dessert. Now, Contempo Café is best known for its rotating selections of cupcakes. WAY back in the day, it made its mark with cupcakes like the Ducle de Leche. And I have to give credit to the more recent Churro Cupcake, which really was a winner during its limited run. But I gotta admit… with exception of the Churro Cupcake, the Contempo Cupcakes — dare I say it? — are lacking some of their original “wow” factor these days. Frankly, I feel like they’ve been eclipsed by some of the items in the dessert case, which still include — thankfully! — Peanut Butter Pie. Peanut Butter Pie A snappy Vanilla Tart Shell plays host to Vanilla Cream and a Chocolate Ganache Drizzle and some playful Chocolate Sprinkles. And it’s all topped with a massive scoop of fluffy-yet-rich-and-decadent Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Filling. It’s a MUST, and that’s all there is to it. I also grabbed the Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich, and this is a fun option, too. Closer to a Whoopie Pie, the filling is a Marshmallow Cream. And the Gold Sprinkles and Mickey Chocolate make it cute as well as tasty. Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich If you’re more in the mood for fruit but don’t want to forego chocolate, we couldn’t agree more. And thankfully there’s a Chocolate Strawberry Tart for that. Strawberry Tart The filling is a thick Vanilla Custard, with a thin layer of Chocolate Ganache, a quartet of Fresh Strawberries, and more Chocolate Sauce. Strawberry Tart This is a winner for the classic combo of strawberries and chocolate, plus the tasty addition of the tart shell. Now, because it IS Contempo Café after all, I did still pick up one of those rotating seasonal cupcakes: the Cherry Pie Cupcake on this visit. A swirl of fluffy Vanilla Bean Cream is coated with Graham Cracker Crumbs and topped with a Maraschino Cherry. Cherry Pie Cupcake While I feel the frosting on Contempo cupcakes is somewhat lackluster as of late, I was glad to see that inside the Vanilla Cake is a center of Cherry Pie Filling! Cherry Pie Cupcake Interior Tart, sweet, sticky, happy cherry pie filling! So, even if Contempo cupcakes overall ain’t what they used to be, I did still enjoy this one, since cherry pie filling (the canned variety, of course ), just so happens to be one of my very favorite things. All in all, not a bad end to another delicious experience at Contempo Café. Nosh or Not? Contempo Cafe might be for you if… You’re looking for a mid-day break away from the Magic Kingdom — but you don’t want to go too far! Checking out the monorail resorts (or the Contemporary specifically!) is on your Disney World bucket list! You think Peanut Butter Pie is worth the travel. (It is!) Contempo Cafe might not be your cup of tea if: You’re just not that into the Contemporary Resort. You want to stay within the gates of the Magic Kingdom, rather than venturing out for lunch. You prefer dining that’s a little more adventurous. Overall My verdict still stands: Contempo Cafe retains its coveted place on my list of best Resort Quick Service spots. So it’s a good thing it’s so easily accessible to non-Resort guests thanks to its close proximity to Magic Kingdom! It’s easiest to take the Monorail over from the park since it’s the very first stop; but I suggest the quick walk back to Magic Kingdom after your meal, since walking over to the park is JUST COOL (and you may have a Braised Beef Grilled Cheese to work off). If you don’t feel like tackling the lunch lines at Casey’s Corner or Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, consider Contempo for lunch or dinner as part of your mid-or-late-day rest and refuel routine. Just make it happen; it’s totally worth it. Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition, is now available! With more than 650 pages, the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to get your copy of the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition E-book — and use code SAVE2017 for a 20% discount for a limited time! Use code SAVE2017 at check-out for a 20% off the cover price! What’s your favorite off-the-beaten-trail quick service grub? 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: Review: Hot Chocolate Cupcake from the Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Review: New Bakery Items at Contemporary Resort’s Contempo Cafe (Did Somebody Say “Peanut Butter Pie”?) Review: Lunch at Contempo Cafe in Disney’s Contemporary Resort View the full article

As part of the one of the most-anticipated dining events in Central Florida, for the first time, select Walt Disney World restaurants are part of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month that kicks off August 25 and runs through October 1. Magical Dining Month celebrates Orlando’s amazing culinary scene and gives us a chance to showcase the talent of Disney chefs with special prix fixe dinners. Participating Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants include: Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Jiko—The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort The Wave . . . of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Magical Dining Month menus feature three courses for $35 per person, including appetizer, entrée and dessert and cannot be combined with other offers, packages or discounts. One dollar from each meal supports Freedom Ride and BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation. To view all participating restaurant’s menus, go to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month, select an area and restaurant, then click on the fork. To make a reservation for the Disney restaurants, visit www.disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. View the full article

The sun is out and summertime is keeps rolling along – it’s the perfect season for some cold treats and light-on-the tummy eats! Here are my top 10 favorites at Disneyland Resort. 10. Bifrosties – Behind Schmoozies at Disney California Adventure park, Bifrosties is serving up flavored shaved ice…but only during Summer of Heroes, which ends September 10. My favorite is Spider Venom (blue raspberry and cherry with condensed milk)! 9. Caprese on Focaccia Bread – Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, lettuce, citrus aioli, basil vinaigrette and balsamic glaze combine on delicious focaccia bread for a satisfying summer lunch at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe in Disneyland park. 8. Lobster Roll – If you haven’t yet found this gem at Harbour Galley in Critter Country, you are missing out! Chilled lobster salad is served on a toasted, buttered roll for a filling – but not too filling – meal. 7. Gourmet Cheese Plate and Cold Cut Plate – Enjoy these nibbles with a chilled glass of Chardonnay at Sonoma Terrace in Disney California Adventure park for a relaxing afternoon. 6. Flo’s Classic Chocolate Shake – I love a chocolate milkshake, especially when it’s topped with “Road Gravel.” And Flo’s V8 Cafe has one of my favorite outdoor dining locations in all of Disneyland Resort, where you can chill out in the shade with your shake and a spectacular view of the Cadillac Mountain Range. 5. Fanta Orange Float – Two Scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream plus Fanta Orange soda equals heaven in a cup. Creamy, refreshing and colorful, this drink always has other guests asking me, “What’s that?!” That’s when I point them in the direction of Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street, U.S.A. 4. Ahi Poke – You can find this traditional Hawaiian dish at a variety of locations throughout Disney California Adventure park, but I’m recommending Tangaroa Terrace at Disneyland Hotel as a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. Order up a serving and sit in the outside dining area, overlooking the retro-themed pools and waterslides. 3. World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae – At Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, I ask for mine with a scoop of Cookies ‘n Cream and a scoop of Cookie Dough ice cream. 2. Cobb Salad – Hands down, without question, the Cobb Salad at Plaza Inn on Main Street, U.S.A., is my favorite salad. Not just at the Disneyland Resort – anywhere. I don’t know if it’s some magic with the salad itself or the iconic location, but in my opinion, you can’t beat it. 1. Boysen Apple Freeze – Sharing the top spot with Red’s Apple Freeze (its cousin at Disney California Adventure park), Boysen Apple Freeze wins the top spot for me because it is refreshing and a bit lighter – made with frozen apple juice, a hint of wild berry and topped with passion fruit foam. What is your favorite cold treat for a hot day at the Disneyland Resort? Which of you will be the first to point out that I didn’t mention the Dole Whip? And you thought I forgot… View the full article

We are delighted to announce Force Friday II is coming to Disney Parks! New Star Wars themed merchandise and more will land in our galaxy at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts on September 1, 2017 at 12:01 a.m. (Midnight).* The Force Friday II event is your opportunity to be among the first to purchase new Star Wars and Star Wars: The Last Jedi themed merchandise, including unique products found only at Disney Parks. Please see details below if you are planning to attend this free event in California or Florida. Disneyland Resort – World of Disney Store, Downtown Disney District
 Pre-registration for the Force Friday II event is required for guests attending the event in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort. Registration will be accepted only on DisneyParksMerchandise.com beginning August 24 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific) / 2:00 p.m. (Eastern). Once registered, guests will receive additional instructions via email. Doors open at 12:01 a.m. on September 1. Walt Disney World Resort – World of Disney, Disney Springs
 For guests attending the event at Disney Springs, registration for Force Friday II will take place outside the World of Disney store entrance across from Basin on August 31 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Guests will be given a numbered wristband on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once a wristband is received, guests are invited to return to World of Disney by 11:30 p.m. where they will be lined up in sequential order. Doors open at 12:01 a.m. on September 1. Please park in the Lime Parking Garage at Disney Springs for shopping convenience. Set your hyperspace coordinates for this merchandise event in preparation of the highly anticipated film release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on December 16. May the Force Be With You! *Event subject to change. View the full article

With Spaceship Earth as a photo backdrop, featured menu items photographed Tuesday, August 15, 2017, during an Orlando Sentinel exclusive sneak peek at dishes and beverages to be showcased in the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which runs Aug. 31 through Nov. 13. (Joe Burbank/Orlando... View the full article

With Spaceship Earth as a backdrop, featured menu items photographed Tuesday, August 15, 2017, during an Orlando Sentinel exclusive sneak peek at dishes and beverages to be showcased in the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which runs Aug. 31 through Nov. 13. (Joe Burbank/Orlando... View the full article

With Spaceship Earth as a backdrop, featured menu items photographed Tuesday, August 15, 2017, during an Orlando Sentinel exclusive sneak peek at dishes and beverages to be showcased in the 35th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which runs Aug. 31 through Nov. 13. (Joe Burbank/Orlando... View the full article

Seems like Michael Ray gets homesick pretty quick. The country singer and good ol’ Eustis boy was just in Central Florida back in March for the Runaway Country Music Festival, and now he’s on his way back to play House of Blues in Disney Springs. The singer behind “Real Men Love Jesus” and “Kiss... View the full article

Historic Solar Eclipse Wows Guests at Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park is full of fang-tastic entertainment. With Character Experiences, the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, trick-or-treating throughout the park, and numerous bewitching attractions open for your enjoyment, there are so many different ways to conjure up an enjoyable evening!* While you’re materializing around the park during the event, don’t forget to take advantage of wicked party-exclusive Magic Shots, Animated Magic Shots, and photo opportunities from Disney PhotoPass Service. Below you’ll find which enchanting photo ops will be available and information about where you can unearth them during the party. Entrance of Magic Kingdom Park Town Square Any PhotoPass photographer on Main Street, U.S.A. In front of the Haunted Mansion During parties, there are also a number of festive props you can use in your photos at various locations around the park, a spirited photo opportunity inspired by the 1929 Silly Symphony “The Skeleton Dance” near Ariel’s Grotto available after dark, and a lamp inspired by the Haunted Mansion cemetery watchman that you can include in your photos near the attraction entrance beginning around 8 p.m. If you want to summon all of your charming vacation photos from Disney PhotoPass Service, including your photos from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, consider purchasing Memory Maker! Memory Maker can be purchased before, during or after your visit to Walt Disney World Resort. Only materializing for the party? Memory Maker One Day is available to purchase for $59 in the My Disney Experience mobile app during or after your visit. Happy hauntings! *All entertainment is subject to change without notice. Memory Maker is subject to the Memory Maker Terms and Conditions. Memory Maker includes photos taken during the Memory Maker window. A MagicBand is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. If Memory Maker purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days from the date Memory Maker is purchased will not be included and must be purchased separately. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy at Walt Disney World. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations. View the full article

Even though we are still enjoying our – very hot – summer days, it is never too early to start planning your vacaciones familiares for this holiday season! At Walt Disney World Resort you can experience juntos the holiday magic that only Disney can provide with a great family room and ticket package offer. You and your family can enjoy a package that includes a 4-night stay in a standard room at a select Disney’s All-Star Resort and 4-day Magic Your Way base tickets for as low as $1,942. You can book this offer through October 7, 2017 for stays most Sunday through Thursday nights from October 9 through December 14, 2017. It’s a spirited time of year to explore all there is to see and do across all four theme parks, including our water parks! Click here for more details and to book today! *Sample package prices based on 2 adults, 1 junior (ages 10 to 17) and 1 child (ages 3 to 9). The number of packages allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets are valid for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. All Guests in the same room must be on the same package. View the full article