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Mornings at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, are my favorite, especially because of the abundance of delicious breakfast options. Choose to indulge in a fantastic buffet at Makahiki, dine on classics and island specialities at ‘AMA‘AMA, or pick up light breakfast items at Ulu Cafe. If you prefer, you can also have breakfast delivered through room service! Our talented chefs created an island-inspired frittata with egg whites and vegetables, topped with a homemade macadamia nut pesto and cheese. Check out the cooking demo video and full recipe below. Enjoy! Egg White Vegetable Frittata with Macadamia Nut Pesto Serves 4 MACADAMIA NUT PESTO 1 cup tightly packed basil leaves 3 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese 1 tbsp. chopped macadamia nuts 2 cloves garlic 6 tbsp. olive oil Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste EGG WHITE FRITTATA 1 tbsp. butter 2 tbsp. olive oil 1/4 cup diced eggplant 1/4 cup diced onion 1/4 cup diced mushroom 1/4 cup diced zucchini 1/4 cup diced artichoke heart 1/4 cup diced tomato 16 egg whites 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup goat cheese 1/2 cup basil pesto FOR MACADAMIA NUT PESTO: Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. FOR EGG WHITE FRITTATA: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease four (8-ounce) individual casserole dishes with butter. Set aside. Heat olive oil in a medium sauté pan for 5 minutes, until hot. Sauté eggplant in the oil for 2 minutes. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes, until it begins to soften. Add mushrooms, zucchini, artichoke heart, and tomato and sauté for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Place 4 egg whites in each casserole dish. Add 1/4 of the vegetables to each dish. Bake for 20 minutes, until eggs are set. Top each frittata with 1/4 cup of mozzarella, 1 tablespoon of goat cheese, and 2 tablespoons of pesto. Bake for 3-5 minutes, until cheese begins to brown. View the full article

If you could stay at Walt Disney World Resort for an entire month, which resort hotel would you choose to stay at? Would you choose your personal favorite, mix it up among a few different resort properties – or better yet, try each and every one of them? The Gee family (aka “The Bucket List Family”) is about to do just that by embarking on a “30 Stays in 30 Days” challenge. Starting today, the Gees will stay at a different Walt Disney World resort hotel each night for the next 30 days. You can follow their adventures on the website www.disney30stays30days.com. Got suggestions for what the Gee family must do or see while they’re here? Leave your vacation tips in the comments section below. View the full article

Meet The Bucket List Family | 30 Stays in 30 Days | Walt Disney World View the full article

We have something extra special for you today — a little peek into my Alaskan Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder! The Disney Wonder in Port at Skagway My family and I booked a multigenerational family trip to Alaska on the Disney Wonder last summer (one of my dad’s bucket list items). And I couldn’t resist the chance to share some of what I found. A Disney Cruise is an amazing experience. The service, ports, and accommodations are simply unparalleled IMO. PLUS — there’s a hefty dose of Disney magic, which always makes an adventure just a little brighter. If you haven’t had the chance to go, then I hope you do sometime soon! Find out more about them by ordering the free Disney Cruise Line video. I get one whenever they have them available. But there’s more to cruising than just bein’ on the boat. And when we were in port in Skagway, Alaska, I took a few hours to tour the tiny city in search of goodies! And I found PLENTY! Yummy treats in Skagway! I hope you’re hungry. If you’re not, you probably will be very soon! Atmosphere, Scenery — and Characters! To give you a little background, we sailed out of Vancouver, then visited Endicott Arm and stopped in port at Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. View of the Glacier from the Front of the Ship — Endicott Arm The views from the ship were truly amazing throughout the week. The white-capped mountains were all the more beautiful against the back drop of those blue skies. Scenery on the Cruise Of course, we weren’t the only ones clamoring to catch a glimpse of the natural wonders. Minnie and Mickey were on hand too, and sporting their truly adorable duds. Mickey and Minnie Donald was waddling around as well, lookin’ prepared in his Klondike-wear. Donald! From the ship, Skagway looked like a post card…and kind of reminded me of one of my favorite old-school TV shows — Northern Exposure. For those who don’t know, Skagway really became a thing when prospectors poured in to try their luck during the Klondike Gold Rush. Skagway as Seen from the Ship Thinking about a Disney Cruise? Click here to see more about the COMPLETELY FREE Disney Cruise Line Planning Video today! This is the perfect intro to cruising with Disney, and I highly recommend it. Sweets and Shops My self-guided sweets tour of Skagway was quite a success! Note that this is NOT a port adventure or anything like that. I was just wandering around Skagway with my camera. So you’re welcome to follow my footsteps and it won’t cost you a penny in terms of cruise fees. My first stop was Lemon Rose Bakery. Lemon Rose Bakery — Outside The cute little shop boasted some pretty heavenly-sounding options. Scones! Pie! Tarts! And alledgedly, even a chocolate chip cookie better than my momma makes. (Not hard. My mom doesn’t cook.) Lemon Rose Bakery But since I love me some lemon, and I was already in the mood for lemony goodness because of the shop’s name, I went for their signature Lemon Lavender Cookie. Lemon Lavender Cookies The soft cookie was covered with a generous layer of vanilla bean-flecked icing. COVERED. I was already feeling pretty good about this. Lemon Lavender Cookie — Up Close Inside, the cookie revealed a tender crumb, and I found a good balance of the tart, refreshing lemon and the floral, herbal notes of the lavender. Lemon Lavender Cookie — Inside Our next stop was Sugar Mamas. With its eye-catching pink and brown facade, we were curious to see what we’d find inside. Sugar Mamas Bakery Cupcakes! We found cupcakes inside. Score! But not just any cupcakes — these little gems featured a local Skagway ingredient — rhubarb. The crop grows abundantly in the town, and has a long, rich history there. Rhubarb is Kind of a Thing in Skagway So I was psyched to try a true taste of local flavor here in the form of the Rhubarb Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Rhubarb Cupcake with Cream Cheese Icing — Up Close While the moist cake featured a light flavor, the tart rhubarb (my Grandma used to grow it!) was a flavorful addition. And you know that I was totally in love with that amazing cream cheese frosting. This was pretty awesome. Rhubarb Cupcake — Inside Next, I headed over to the Alaskan Fudge Company. You’ll find these stores in pretty much all of the Alaska ports, but I still love that they make their fudge right on the premises. Alaskan Fudge Company A quick peek at the menu shows you all of your options. You can have boxes shipped home, too. Alaskan Fudge Co. Menu Want proof that your fudge is made right in the shop? Here you go — a look right into the fudge kitchen, with a giant log of fudge cooling on the marble slabbed table. Fudge Kitchen With options like Motherlode Maple and White Pass White Out, it wasn’t an easy decision… Fudge Varieties Oh, wait. YES IT WAS. You Guys. Inside Passage, with chocolate fudge and peanut butter oozing from the center, might as well have been called The AJ Special. Inside Passage Fudge (!!!) I mean, just LOOK AT IT. You just can’t argue with this setup. It’s fudgy perfection. Inside Passage Fudge — Up Close But, if you prefer, there are also other kinds of candies as well. Other Candy But we weren’t quite finished. I also decided that we needed a stop in Kone Kompany, the local ice cream shop, to see what was happening there. Kone Kompany — Outside Apparently, I was not alone in this brilliant idea. The small space was fairly crowded. Kone Kompany — Inside A look at the menu showed scoop and sundae options as well as a few interesting milkshakes. Kone Kompany Menu Most of the ice cream on offer was Dreyer’s, but there were also a few selections by Oregon’s family-owned Umpqua Dairy, including one of their most popular flavors, Moutain Blackberry Revel. Kone Kompany Flavors More Kone Kompany Flavors Ultimately, drinks won out here, and of course, I had to try the Peanut Butter Shake, with vanilla ice cream, creamy peanut butter, and chocolate sauce. Peanut Butter Shake But the sign for the Lemon Wedgie (I still laugh.) also intrigued me, so we had a go at one of those too. It was light and refreshing, with its blend of freshly squeezed lemonade and Cherry Sierra Mist. Lemon Wedgie After a bit of a stroll to work off a few of those treats, I headed back to the ship. It was almost time for Palo! ;-D Overall Skagway was my favorite of the ports that we visited because it’s the least commercialized and developed. Ketchikan and Juneau both have lots of chain souvenir shops, and it was much harder to find locally-owned spots. Skagway had that “Northern Exposure” feel to it, which really made the difference here. I felt like I was actually getting a little more of the genuine Alaska feel, instead of a show put on for tourists (although since Skagway’s primary trade is tourism, I totally know I was getting a show put on for tourists). I also really enjoyed chatting with the shop owners and bakers, who were friendly and eager to talk about their specialties. If you have the chance to do a Disney Cruise to Alaska, GO. And if you’re thinking about a Disney Cruise, don’t forget to click here to get the COMPLETELY FREE Disney Cruise Line Planning Video today. It’s really, really free. And it’s so much fun to watch. Plus there’s tons of info in there. So go. Book it. And if you can stop in Skagway, even better. Have you had the chance to visit Alaska on a Disney Cruise? Leave a comment and let us know what your favorite part of the adventure was! 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 Cruise Line: “Hidden Remy” Photo Tour and Food Review Top Ten Disney Cruise Line Dining Tips Remy: The Disney Cruise Line’s Most Exclusive Adults-Only Restaurant View the full article

Wine Bar George, a new venture by Master Sommelier George Miliotes, has a new opening date of early 2018 for the Disney Springs wine bar. The wine bar is hiring, with interviews starting in late fall. Visit https://winebargeorge.com/join-our-team/ to view available positions and submit an application. ... View the full article

One of our favorite times of the year has finally arrived … Disney Parks Moms Panel Search 2018 is here! It’s time to announce that Search will open at noon ET on September 6, 2017 and run through noon ET on September 13, 2017! If your friends and colleagues always seek you out for heartfelt advice on planning a Disney vacation, then we encourage you to apply! Maybe you have put together more amazing Disney vacations that you can count, and you’ve helped others do the same, then we want to hear from you! Applicants will be selected based on their personal experience with various Disney destinations, and their ability to communicate their Disney knowledge to prospective Guests in easy-to understand and friendly ways. Sound like you? If so, then set your reminder for September 6th! Heading into its 11th year, the Disney Parks Moms Panel is a trusted source offering tailored parent-to-parent vacation advice in a convenient question-and-answer format. Because the panel offers tips on four languages – English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese – we look forward to welcoming more bilingual panelists this year. To find out more, visit www.momspanelsearch.com. Spread the word and good luck! View the full article

Yes, it’s still only August but this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks off next week at the Magic Kingdom with the first party of the season on August 25. And today we have a preview of some of the commemorative merchandise that will be available at the party! Halloween at Disney! The Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus are returning to the party this year and you’ll find a slate of merchandise inspired by them, including tees, a snow globe, and a limited-edition MagicBand! ©Disney There’s also a party-themed MagicBand that is the first glow-in-the-dark MagicBand AND it comes in a commemorative box that smells like chocolate! ©Disney Disney pin collectors will find a collection of Disney Villain pins – some of which will be available as individual pins. There’s a box set of the Villain pins with an edition size of 1,000 and a framed set with an edition size of just 300. ©Disney Popular Disney characters including Stitch, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, and more are featured in another limited release mystery pin set. Each box in this collection features two randomly selected pins. ©Disney Other party-themed merchandise includes T-shirts for kids and adults, a light-up pumpkin ornament, and a logo pin! ©Disney Of course we’re also super excited to check out the party food this year including (we hope!) the Pumpkin Spice Cupcake at Gaston’s Tavern, specialty cupcakes at Main Street Bakery, Candy Corn Soft Serve at Big Top Treats, and more! Gaston’s Pumpkin Cupcake And to get you in the Halloween spirit, be sure to check out the Cute Food Art from our friend Donna Yan! She’s just released a new collection of Halloween-themed food art and we just love it! If you’re attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this fall you’ll find the Disney Parks merchandise at the Emporium on Main Street U.S.A., Big Top Souvenirs in the Storybook Circus area, and the pins will also be available at the Frontier Trading Post in Frontierland. You can find the Donna Yan Cute Food Art here! Are you making plans to attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this fall? 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: Sneak Peek: Special Treats Coming to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World New Treat Trails at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party News! Halloween Treats Return to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party View the full article

Avatar Flight of Passage in the newly opened Pandora – The World of Avatar has been delighting guests with a new level of adventure since it opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in May. Have you had the chance to experience this attraction yet? Put your knowledge to the test in the quiz below. .quiz-container#wp-quiz-190925{ background-color:#f0f8fb; color:#565656; border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-190925 .quiz-section h1{ color:#8bb428; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-190925 .quiz-title{ color:#10628b; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-190925 .quiz-header-image{ text-align:right; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-190925 .quiz-section{ border-color:#ffffff; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-190925 .quiz-details, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-190925 .quiz-results, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-190925 .quiz-embed{ border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-190925 .quiz-result{ background-color:#dce4e7; } Avatar Flight of Passage at Pandora – The World of Avatar Where is Avatar Flight of Passage located? In the Valley of Mo’ara Deep Inside the Moon’s Rainforest Inside Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) Headquarters In the attraction’s queue, guests get a peek inside a high-tech research lab to view what? The ACE Hall of Fame Awards An Avatar in its Amnio Tank What creature do you ride atop in Avatar Flight of Passage? A Viperwolf A Mountain Banshee A Great Leonopteryx Before you can enjoy a thrilling flight on the back of a banshee, you must first connect to: An ACE Explorer Group An Avatar Dr. Jackie Ogden’s office What dangerous beast do guests encounter as they soar through the air? A Great Leonopteryx A Mountain Banshee A Viperwolf Embed Quiz on Your Website Embed Code <div class="wp-quiz" data-quiz-id="190925" 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

The first trailer for “The Florida Project” has been released, and Central Florida can get a look at the critically beloved movie that filmed near Walt Disney World. “The Florida Project” will be released Oct. 6. Brooklynn Prince of Winter Springs and Valeria Cotto of Davenport play impoverished... View the full article

The first trailer for “The Florida Project” has been released, and Central Florida can get a look at the critically beloved movie that filmed near Walt Disney World. “The Florida Project” will be released Oct. 6. Brooklynn Prince of Winter Springs and Valeria Cotto of Davenport play impoverished... View the full article

If you asked my tween daughter, she’d say there’s never a bad time to visit Walt Disney World Resort, but she especially looks forward to fall! Weekdays are spent back in school and, while she does love her school day, like most of us, she truly lives for the weekends. Bring on the fall fun at Walt Disney World Resort! This year, two of her favorite fall events are kicking off even earlier than in years past. First … Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party starts August 25. This separate-ticketed event is offered from 7 p.m. to midnight, after regular park hours, on select nights in August, September and October. After dark, the park is transformed with music, lighting effects and unique entertainment experiences that only happen during this special event. Also starting in August is the 22nd annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. It’s expanded in length and time, with six brand-new food kiosks coming to Future World, including the Light Lab that offers non-alcoholic, glow-in-the-dark beverages that taste like cotton candy! Cotton candy may just be my tween’s all-time favorite flavor! This is also the very first fall season for Pandora – The World of Avatar. It will be my tween’s first visit and she can’t wait to stroll through this breathtaking land. She’s also been saving her allowance money to adopt a pet banshee at Windtraders. It will be part of her Halloween costume this year! Needless to say, she wants to be a Na’vi and have her face painted blue at the Faces of Mo’ara kiosk. And while fall brings cooler weather for the rest of the country, at Walt Disney World the heat is still on! Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon beckon to my tween’s love for water slides, and she can’t wait to try out Typhoon Lagoon’s all new Miss Adventure Falls! Does your tween have a fall favorite at Disney, too? For more information on planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort with your tween, check out www.disneyworld.com/Tweens. View the full article

A soulful voice and impressive lyrics are hallmarks of Colton Dixon’s sound, a breath of fresh air that has been taking the Contemporary Christian music industry by storm for the last couple of years. Hits like “You Are” and “More of You” sound more like impassioned prayers than pop songs, but that hasn’t stopped even the mainstream music community – or fans – from taking notice. After being a finalist on a popular TV singing competition show where he became a household name, Colton gained awareness from lots of different points in the music industry. But he gravitated toward Christian music because of his strong faith and calling of ministering to people. Since then, his career has been on the fast track. Dixon’s 2013 debut, A Messenger, set the record for biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act, becoming the No. 1 selling album ever by a new Christian artist. And Dixon has already played live for more than 1 million fans and released two more award winning and top selling albums, including his current project, Identity, while garnering four No. 1 hits on radio. Mickey-Shaped Proposal While some Night of Joy artists only come to Walt Disney World when performing, not only is Colton familiar with the parks, he got engaged at the Magic Kingdom. We caught up with Colton at the KLOVE Music Fan Awards in Nashville recently where he shared some of his favorite attractions and how some of his fans react to seeing him in the park. On September 8 and 9, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort will host Disney Night of Joy, two glorious evenings filled with gospel, hip-hop, pop, rock, praise and adult contemporary music from the industry’s top artists. Attendees can kick back, relax and enjoy an unforgettable experience sure to make spirits soar! Tickets are now on sale for Disney Night of Joy 2017. Guest can check out nightofjoy.com or 407-W-DISNEY for tickets and information. Groups of 10 or more can click here or call 877-NITE-JOY to purchase group tickets and learn about group discounts and benefits. A little reminder about this year’s talent: (Entertainment subject to change.) Friday, Sept. 8 – MercyMe, TobyMac, Natalie Grant, Zach Williams, Danny Gokey, Matt Maher, Colton Dixon, Rend Collective Saturday, Sept. 9 – Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Kirk Franklin, Jordan Feliz, Crowder, Jeremy Camp, Tye Tribbett. For more information, stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for updates on entertainment and events. View the full article

Hey Guys! So often, we share tips and ideas in our DFB Videos. But today, we’re going to do something a little different, and tell you things not to do! Le Cellier Filet In our latest trip around Walt Disney World, we’re sharing the Five BIG Disney World Dining Mistakes That We Don’t Want You to Make. You know we’re going to talk about planning. You saw that one coming, right? But it’s true! Our first tip is do NOT wait until the last minute to book your advance dining reservations. To learn all of our tried and true tips for how to avoid Disney dining pitfalls, watch our latest DFB Video! And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: Have you successfully avoided making these Disney dining mistakes? Leave a comment and let us know! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: New DFB Video: Our Top 10 Disney Dining Tips! New DFB Video: Best Breakfasts in Walt Disney World New DFB Video: Most Popular Restaurants in Disney World — and Good Alternatives If They’re Full! View the full article

Full disclosure: I swore off Epcot’s Mission: Space ride years ago. It happened after a go-round that left me nauseated and praying for sweet relief. I wasn’t so much frightened as unhappy. Y’all can ride all you want. I’ll be right over there, holding the purses. But I summoned up the nerve to... View the full article

Joe’s Crab Shack has closed its restaurant near Disney World as its parent company shutters locations nationwide. Ignite Restaurant Group has closed Joe’s Crab Shack at 12167 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, an employee who answered the phone at the eatery said Monday. The southern Orange County location... View the full article

Fall is one of the most wonderful times of the year to visit Walt Disney World Resort. From the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, there is something for everyone. The Disney Parks Moms Panelists could not agree more that Fall has it all, and they are here to share some of their best reasons to visit during the Autumn season. If you are planning on attending the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, make sure you check out the entertainment lineup for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. You can enjoy some of your favorite musical groups daily from August 31 to November 13, 2017, at the World Showcase at Epcot America Gardens Theatre. Of course, there will be plenty of delectable food and refreshing beverages to try as you taste your way through an amazing culinary adventure. With over 30 individual marketplaces, you won’t leave hungry! Cooler temperatures are absolutely a perfect combination with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The young and the young at heart won’t want to miss Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade, which is led by none other than the Headless Horseman himself. The Disney characters love showing off their Halloween costumes and can’t wait to say Boo to you. For more tips or to ask questions about planning your fall Disney vacation be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. View the full article

Summertime is here and my vacation plans are locked in through Labor Day. This means it’s the perfect time to lock in a wintertime getaway! In terms of year-round vacation destinations that offer something for every member of the family, you can’t go wrong with a tropical Adventures by Disney Costa Rica vacation. From bathing in hot springs to zooming above the treetops on a zipline adventure and basking in volcano views, the Adventures by Disney Costa Rica vacation offers a wealth of unforgettable experiences. My favorite? A white water rafting trip complete with some epic wildlife sightings! See for yourself in this video. A wintertime vacation to Costa Rica is sure to combat those cold weather blues. Departures are available in December, February and March, making this the perfect gift to give this holiday season! View the full article

Explore the American Great Outdoors With Adventures by Disney View the full article

The Florida Resident Family Fun Pack has returned to Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba,” which plays its last performance Dec. 31 at Disney Springs. Through Dec. 16, Florida residents can purchase three tickets to the colorful, acrobatic show for $96.75, plus tax. A four-pack of tickets costs $129 plus... View the full article

The Florida Resident Family Fun Pack has returned to Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba,” which plays its last performance Dec. 31 at Disney Springs. Through Dec. 16, Florida residents can purchase three tickets to the colorful, acrobatic show for $96.75, plus tax. A four-pack of tickets costs $129 plus... View the full article

Models for the new lands being constructed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will soon be on display at the theme park. Visitors will be able to check out the plans for Toy Story Land, opening in 2018, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, set to debut in 2019. The displays will be installed by mid-September... View the full article

One of my job perks is getting to see Disneyland park before guests arrive. I take a morning stroll through the resort once a week, usually on Mondays, in an effort to keep the photographic archive current and quietly make art. It’s a privilege to watch sunrise at the Matterhorn. Ducklings waddle between waterways on thoroughfares normally bustling with tourists. Colorful flowers blossom in Mickey’s Toontown. Royal Street in New Orleans Square is often soaked from a night of steam cleaning and plant care. Leaves sway with the breeze at Tarzan’s Treehouse and create a quiet soundtrack. I can’t look at the iconic arches of Sleeping Beauty Castle from King Arthur Carrousel without seeing Walt Disney walking through them in my mind’s eye, inspecting his original Magic Kingdom on a morning not unlike this one, and feeling a very real connection. There’s peace and beauty at Disneyland park in the morning, whether the sky is gloomy or bright. Add the smell of eggs Benedict with breakfast potatoes and fresh, piping hot coffee from Carnation Café and … okay … enough writing … it’s breakfast time. View the full article

Being the celebrity chef on the opening weekend of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is quite the moment for Shaun O’Neale. And that’s saying something: O’Neale won the seventh season of Fox’s MasterChef cooking competition. The Tampa-raised chef and the theme park both turn 35 this... View the full article

Halloween fun awaits when Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to Magic Kingdom Park for select nights from August 25 to November 1, 2017. Guests attending this after-hours event can collect frightfully delightful sweets – all while the park hosts eerie entertainment and Disney characters that go bump in the night. One way to commemorate a visit to the happiest haunting on Earth is with unique products created especially for this event. I caught up with the Disney Parks Merchandise team to discover what merchandise treats are in store for this year. “We have a ‘spelltacular’ assortment this year,” laughs Cathy Dawson, Merchandise Product Developer for special events. “We have expanded the number of items featuring the Sanderson Sisters to include a new light up ornament and a tote bag. My favorite item, however, is the glow-in-the-dark retail MagicBand featuring Mickey and friends. This is the first time we’ve offered a MagicBand with that feature so it’s a real treat!” This Halloween-inspired MagicBand (shown at top) will be presented in a decorative box that smells like chocolate, and will have a limited edition size of 4,000. We’re also excited to offer a separate limited release MagicBand featuring the Sanderson Sisters. Both contain the MagicBand 2 design that we rolled out earlier this year, which is even more versatile and customizable than the original. Guests can use these MagicBands to unlock the magic of a Disney vacation, from going directly to their resort room after their arrival to effortless theme-park entry, FastPass+ redemption, Disney PhotoPass association and more. Guests attending the event will also find apparel for adults and kids, a light-up pumpkin ornament, and a limited release logo pin. Annual Passholders should look for a logo T-shirt and a limited edition pin with Hades from Disney’s “Hercules.” “Disney Villains are a key part of the ‘Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular‘ stage show, so we thought they would make for great pins this year,” explained Erin Herbst, Merchandise Product Developer for Disney pins. “Each Villain is presented with a cauldron that opens to reveal key scenes and characters from animated features.” Select pins will be sold as individual limited edition pins, each with an edition size of 5,400. These pins will also be sold in a boxed set (1,000 edition size) and a framed set (300 edition size), each containing limited edition completer pins. Finally, guests will find a limited release mystery pin set with world famous Disney characters dressed in Halloween costumes. There are a total of 12 pins in this collection, which includes four limited edition chaser pins (1,000 edition size each). Each box contains two randomly selected pins. The best locations to find these items during the event is Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. and Big Top Souvenirs in the Storybook Circus area of New Fantasyland. Frontier Trading Post in Frontierland will also offer the event pins. View the full article

Nothing beats a fall visit to Walt Disney World Resort. In just a few weeks, the season will return early, giving guests more time than ever to experience favorite festivals, parties and more. Here’s what’s on tap this fall at Walt Disney World Resort. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties Begin Aug. 25 – This guest-favorite fall event will return to Magic Kingdom Park on select nights, beginning Aug. 25. This hard-ticket event features Halloween decor, special entertainment, Disney characters in costumes, trick-or-treating (for all ages!), Disney attractions, Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, and so much more. This year’s event dates are: Aug. 25 and 29; Sept. 1, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26 and 29; Oct.1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29 and 31; and Nov. 1, 2017. Guests are also welcome to dress up for the event (be sure to double-check the park’s costume guidelines before you go). Grab tickets here. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Returns Aug. 31 – This year’s festival will offer 75 days of culinary fun that will include: 35 global marketplaces (including five new ones!), a selection of 39 new marketplace dishes, 65 new cocktail selections, 225 Eat to the Beat concerts and much more. ABC’s “The Chew,” will also return to broadcast five episodes from the festival this year. For a full look at what to expect at this year’s festival, click here. The Great Irish Hooley Returns Sept. 1-4 – The 6th Great Irish Hooley music festival will return to Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Disney Springs in just a few weeks. Celebrating Irish song, dance, food and drink, the Great Irish Hooley kicks off performances beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, and continues each day and night through late Monday and into the wee hours. This year’s Hooley entertainment headliners include: Elevation, Lisa Canny Band, Gary O’Meara Band, The Raglan Roots Coalition, Jake Richardson, Over the Bar, Rollickin’ Rua and Aaron O’Sullivan. The Raglan Road Irish Dancers, as well as champion Irish dancer Ciaran Keating, will also share their talents on stage. Disney Night of Joy Returns Sept. 8-9 – The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will again host Disney Night of Joy, two evenings filled with joyous gospel, hip-hop, pop, rock, praise and adult contemporary music. This year’s lineup includes performances by artists like TobyMac, MercyMe, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman and many others. Browse the full lineup here and grab tickets now. Which fall offering are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments section below. View the full article