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This Maple Pecan Bark would make a great gift for friends and neighbors - or a simple treat to have on hand for guests. You can find it at Epcot’s Holidays Around the World, or try making it yourself with the recipe below. Maple Pecan Bark Makes 24 Pieces 3/4 cup pecans 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 cup... View the full article

Are your halls decked? Are your presents wrapped? Are you bursting with anticipation as you’re getting ready to celebrate the HOLIDAYS?!? Cinderella Castle all lit up! Because it’s the Most Wonderful — and Delicious! — Time of the Year at Walt Disney World! And we’re taking a tour around the Parks, Disney Springs, and several Disney Resorts to find out What’s New for this most festive season! Resort Gingerbread Displays It’s GINGERBREAD TIME! A wonderful tradition across several Deluxe Disney World Resorts each year are over-the-top, larger-than-life Gingerbread Displays. Last month, we caught glimpses of the Grand Floridian and Contemporary Resort’s displays in progress, and since that time we’ve been back to see them up and running! Contemporary Gingerbread Display Of course, the Grand Floridian’s display is not only a gorgeous Gingerbread House… Grand Floridian Gingerbread Store … it’s also a fully functioning treat spot! Gingerbread Ornament Truffle Pops My personal favorite — the Gingerbread Carousel — is back at the Beach Club. Gingerbread Carousel at the Beach Club The horses on the Carousel are uniquely themed each year. Now, who does this year’s fleet remind you of ? Donald Duck Horse Mickey Mouse Horse The BoardWalk Inn is trying something new this year. Rather than one large Gingerbread Display (last year, it was Ginger’s Bread & Cookie Shoppe), the Resort’s Pastry Chefs have created individual Gingerbread Creations, reflecting a theme and inspiration of their choosing. Boardwalk Inn Display Individual Gingerbread House Individual Gingerbread House Individual Gingerbread House Individual Gingerbread Display Feeling inspired by the displays? Then you can attend a Bakery Activity — or the Gingerbread Academy — to try your own hand! Holiday Baking Activities at the BoardWalk Gingerbread Academy sign Be sure to check out our full photo tour and review on this year’s Gingerbread spots and snacks! Epcot Happy Holidays Around the World from Epcot! Holidays Around the World at Epcot This annual celebration of the season as it’s celebrated around the globe is back… only this time, it’s been enhanced with seven Marketplace Booths featuring regional and global cuisine. American Holiday Table Booth And, BOY, did they bring in some GOODIES! Cheese Fondue from Alpine Haus The event is still running through December 30th, so be sure to check out our very favorite items — like the Cheese Fondue at Alpine Haus, and the Slow-Roasted Turkey Dinner at American Holiday Table — before you go! You can also see pictures of EVERY SINGLE FOOD ITEM here! Slow-Roasted Turkey from American Holiday Table Duck Confit from Alpine Haus But maybe you’re not going to get the chance to attend this particularly festive festival. Well, don’t worry… because a brand new Festival will follow shortly after, when the Festival of the Arts makes its debut in January 2017! Epcot Festival Dates for 2017 It will be followed promptly by the Flower & Garden Festival (which will feature two new Outdoor Kitchens) in the Spring… but we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Because in the meantime, we’ve got bigger things to conquer. And I do mean BIG. Get a load of the new JUMBO Pretzel in the Germany Pavilion! Jumbo Pretzels in Germany This baby is GIGANTIC. It’s also 10 BUCKS. Seeing as it’s a “snack” that two can easily share, that brings things to $5 apiece… Germany Hovels Menu Stop by the Popcorn Cart in the Canada Pavilion for a Chilled Maple Cafe, which will hopefully remain around for the cooler weather that lingers beyond Holidays Around the World. Canada Popcorn Cart Menu It features Joffrey’s Le Cellier Blend Coffee with Brown Jug Maple Bourbon Cream Liqueur and topped with ExlPure MAPLE COTTON CANDY! And though these are not exclusive to Epcot, that’s where we first spotted the current Joffrey’s Seasonal Drinks: the Gingerbread Cookie Latte, the Wintery White Latte, and the Peppermint Mocha Latte. Seasonal Espresso Drinks Look for them at any of the Joffrey’s Espresso and Pastry kiosks around Disney World, for at least the next few weeks! Magic Kingdom Everyone in Magic Kingdom is excited to celebrate the season! Main Street, U.S.A. Fire Chief, Mayor, and Suffragettes Magic Kingdom Decorations Just a few menu changes to let you know about here, but they are rather small in comparison to the BIG news that four more Magic Kingdom Table Service restaurants (in addition to Be Our Guest Restaurant) will begin serving wine and beer very soon. Liberty Tree Tavern These include Liberty Tree Tavern, Cinderella’s Royal Table, the Jungle Skipper Canteen, and Tony’s Town Square. Tony’s Town Square To learn more — including why this change is so surprising — click here. Now back to those menu changes we mentioned, starting with a new Pumpkin Cheesecake for dessert at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café Dessert Menu at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe If you are traveling to Magic Kingdom as the holiday traffic picks up, you’ll have more of a chance to find seasonal locations in operation like Tortuga Tavern and Golden Oak Outpost. Also included on that list is Tomorrowland Terrace. Entering Tomorrowland Terrace! Here, a Strawberry Shortcake has replaced the Coconut Tres Leches Cake for dessert. Sides, Dessert, and Kids’ Menu These aren’t the only menu updates at the Magic Kingdom. Jingle Cruise sign Jingle Cruise Boat Jingle Cruise decor It seems the Jungle Cruise Skippers have a special holiday menu to look forward to as the Jingle Cruise sails on throughout the rest of the season! Seasonal Crew Mess Menu Seems like a nice change of pace from the usual… Regular Crew Mess Menu But maybe that’s just me . Hollywood Studios Just a few weeks ago, we said “Welcome” to Rizzo the Rat and his new dining establishment, PizzeRizzo! Welcome to PizzeRizzo! The City’s Top Rated Pizza Read our first review from this new Counter Service eatery! Pepperoni Pizza from PizzeRizzo But while we say “Hello” to that new spot, we’re VERY happy to say “Welcome Back” to an old favorite… the Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel is back at Hollywood Studios at select Pretzel Carts! Pretzel Cart We’ve been hoping for this since this classic snack found its way back to Magic Kingdom a few months ago. You’ve still got a couple weeks left to catch the Jingle Bell Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular… Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Sign Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! … and all the festive food and drink at Sunshine Day Cafe to go along with it! Sunshine Day Cafe Menu Evergreen Spritz Stollen Bites They’ve also added German Pretzels to the seasonal offerings, and you can add a souvenir Christmas Light Glow Cube to any beverage for $3.50. German Pretzel and Glow Cube signs This year’s Chocolate and Candy Cane Holiday Cupcake can now be found at Counter Service spots all over the Studios, including The Trolley Car Café and Starring Rolls. Holiday Cupcakes Holiday Cupcake Anaheim Produce has brought back the Candy Cane Kah-lada for the season. Candy Cane Kah-lada at Anaheim Produce Candy Cane Kah-lada And the Winter Berry Margarita and Twinkling Twilight are available once again at the Pop-Up Bars around the park. Pop-Up Bar Menu Sweet Spells has added Pumpkin to its Whoopie Pie selections! Sweet Spells Pumpkin Whoopie Pie If you’re looking for more than snacks and drinks, though, you may want to try out the new “fast-casual” dinner at ABC Commissary. The ABC Commissary They’re switching it up from the typical Counter Service setup (which still exists for lunch) to a new system where you order and pay for your dinner at the counter, then go to a table and wait for it to be delivered right to you. Chimichurri Steak ©Disney Drinks are likewise refilled for you by a Cast Member. Read more about it here, and look for a review soon! Stop by Mama Melrose’s to try the new Wood-Grilled Chicken and Penne Pasta, or the Seasonally Inspired Chef’s Selection (which is currently Osso Buco). Mama Melrose’s Menu Animal Kingdom Jambo — and Season’s Greetings! — from Animal Kingdom! Animal Kingdom Christmas Tree Further construction at Flame Tree Barbecue has been completed, and the result is expanded seating in a lovely new dining gazebo along with a covered walkway. Flame Tree Barbecue Gazebo Flame Tree Barbecue Walkway Flame Tree Barbecue Gazebo Flame Tree Barbecue Gazebo The Halibut dish at Tiffins has been replaced by a Hoisin Glazed Grouper. Tiffins sign Tiffins Entrée Menu And the current coffee brew at the Anandapur Royal Tea Company is the Kenya Muranga Blend. Specialty Coffee Menu Kenya Muranga Disney Springs Marketplace Merry Christmas from the Christmas Tree Trail in Disney Springs! Christmas Tree Trail Fifteen trees themed to Disney characters and films can be found in the Marketplace. Here’s a quick glimpse at just a few… Jungle Book Tree Jungle Book Tree Cinderella Tree Cinderella Tree Alice in Wonderland Tree Alice in Wonderland Tree You know what else can now be found at the Marketplace? Dole Whip! Pineapple Dole Whip Soft-Serve Ice Cream Grab yours — under the name Pineapple Soft-Serve — at Marketplace Snacks. Marketplace Snacks at Disney Springs Dole Whip signs at Marketplace Snacks For other sweet treats, you’ll want to check out Goofy’s Candy Co. where some new additions to the seasonal standards include this adorable Mickey Holiday Sugar Cookie (with just a hint of almond flavor). Giant Mickey Christmas Sugar Cookie And a CARAMEL POP. Woo! Caramel Pops At B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co., the Bratwurst and Cheese Spatzle has replaced the Portuguese Sausage. B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. menu Remember the Holiday Turkey Poutine that showed up at The Daily Poutine (thick-cut fries all topped with turkey and Thanksgiving trimmings)? The Daily Poutine Well, we were pumped to learn it will remain around for the remainder of the holiday season! Special Menu — Holiday Turkey Poutine It’s GOOD, folks. Holiday Turkey Poutine So good, in fact, that it’s the one Thanksgiving guest you’ll be glad extended its stay . Hey-OH!! Town Center Winding into the Town Center, you’ll spot news signs at the future home of The Polite Pig, coming in Spring 2017! The Polite Pig sign The Polite Pig sign It will be just steps away from Amorette’s Patisserie where they are decking the halls with these beautiful Lemon Chiffon Ornament Dome Cakes and Red Velvet Snowballs. Read our review here! Ornament Dome Cake Snowball Snowball Description These are in addition to pieces like the mini Mickey Mousse Chocolate Chiffon Cakes, and the Goofy Dome Cake. Mickey Mousse Mickey Mousse Goofy Cake Mickey Peanut Butter Blondie Cookies are new in the Patisserie, joining the Savory and Sweet Crepes that hit the scene last month. Peanut Butter Blondie Cookies Crepes at Amorette’s Crepe Menu More seasonal sweet treats are available at Sprinkles, where they are serving up Gingerbread Cupcakes. @sprinkles Twitter And a Bacon and Bleu Burger is now on the menu at D-Luxe Burger. D-Luxe Burger sign D-Luxe Burger Menu The Landing Yes, Virginia, it DOES get cold in Florida… occasionally . And Joffrey’s Tea Trader’s Cafe is prepared with a seasonal selection of Winter Warmers. Joffrey’s Tea Traders Cafe Winter Warmers Raglan Road still has until Fall of 2017 to welcome its future next door neighbor, Wine Bar George, but groundbreaking has occurred and construction is underway! Wine Bar George Construction Wine Bar George Rendering Meanwhile, directly on Raglan Road’s other side at Cookes of Dublin, we were surprised to see that the menu has been rather significantly downsized. Cookes of Dublin Cookes of Dublin Menu I already miss you, Vintage Bacon and Cheese Dip! Maybe — if we’re all REALLY GOOD — Santa will see fit to bring you back one of these days… . (FYI — AJ stopped in and voiced a sincere complaint on this one.) A few Disney Princesses have received a place of honor on their very own Chocolate Bars at The Ganachery. Princess Chocolate Bars Princess Chocolate Bars sign These Chocolate and Nut Trees are just around for the season! @DisneySprings Twitter And seasonal selections of ganache include Apple Pear and Amaretto. @DisneySprings Twitter Stop by Morimoto Asia for a Winter Wonderland. Morimoto Asia It’s made with White Chocolate Godiva, Vodka, and Peppermint Schnapps. @MorimotoAsia Twitter Just across the way at Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming, Moonshine Flights have been added to the drink options! Homecoming Sign Choose any three Moonshine flavors and receive a pickle juice chaser and candied pecans along with them. @DisneySprings Twitter Also, you can now find Braised Short Ribs served with sweet mashed potatoes and broccolini and a new Apple Pie a la Mode Cocktail on the menu. Braised Short Ribs @DisneySprings Twitter Apple Pie a la Mode Cocktail @DisneySprings Twitter Follow things up with… more cocktails at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Or perhaps you’d prefer a small bite to eat. The current seasonal food menu features a Matterhorn Rosti and Pork Belly Sliders. @DisneySprings Twitter And for dessert? Vivoli il Gelato Stop by Vivoli il Gelato for one of the seasonal flavor options. @DisneySprings Twitter Pumpkin Spice, Amaretto, and Maple Pecan make up the holiday offerings. Resorts Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory has reopened from its lengthy refurbishment to debut a new look. Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Mardi Gras Parade Props Near the Ceiling AND new food items! Cajun Grit Bowl with Shrimp House-made Cheese Coffee Cake Cajun King Burger House-made Pecan Praline Check it all out here! Wilderness Lodge Though Wilderness Lodge doesn’t feature a Gingerbread Display, that doesn’t mean that guests there will be missing out on some Seasonal Snacks! Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Holiday Treats at Wilderness Lodge Holiday Treats at Wilderness Lodge And Territory Lounge is currently serving coffee and pastries once again from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm daily. Territory Lounge Find out about the Wilderness Bark Latte — one of the featured beverages on the Specialty Menu — here. Territory Lounge Coffee Menu Roaring Fork has a cute Raspberry Seasonal Cupcake up for grabs. Raspberry Cupcake And outside at Trout Pass Bar, some festive holiday beverages made their debut. Trout Pass Pool Bar DFB Reader Chelsea B. kindly shared her photo of the Elf Elixir (Godiva White Chocolate and Peppermint Schnapps) with us. A Snowball Martini (Godiva White Chocolate and vanilla) and Smoky Mountain Cider (Cider with Apple Moonshine) are also available. Elf Elixir and Other Holiday Drinks at Trout Pass Pool Bar Read her review here! Contemporary Resort In addition to the Gingerbread Treats mentioned earlier, an Egg Nog Spiced Cupcake has found its way to Contempo Cafe for the season. Contempo Cafe Entrance Egg Nog Spiced Cupcake Look for a Gingerbread Santa Hat Cupcake from December 23rd through 25th, too! Animal Kingdom Lodge The fast, casual breakfast option at Sanaa in Animal Kingdom Lodge — the Sanaa Kuamsha Breakfast — has passed its trial run, and can now be considered a regular option for your breakfast choices! Sanaa It’s available daily from 7:00 – 10:00 am. Kuamsha Breakfast Menu Hot Station with Bobotie Banana Bread, One of the Breakfast Offerings Find out more about this new option here. Polynesian Village Resort Following in the footsteps of Grand Floridian’s Gasparilla Island Grill and the Contemporary’s Contempo Cafe, the procedure for receiving your food order at Captain Cook’s has changed. Captain Cook’s Ordering Area Place your order and then, when it’s ready, a Cast Member will deliver your food directly to your table. @danielstaten We’d like to thank our good friend Daniel (@danielstaten on Instagram) for the info… and the pic of the Seared Chicken Breast with pineapple sambal, red quinoa and edamame salad (His thoughts on the dish? “So good!”). Boardwalk Inn Before we wrap (a few more presents…), I’m guessing we could all use a little Yule Fuel right about now. Wanna know where you can get some? Big River Grille & Brewing Works At Big River Grille and Brewing Works! It’s their current seasonal brew. Yule Fuel Tap MANY THANKS to you for joining us on all of our trips Around the World in 2016! We hope you enjoyed them, and we can’t wait to take you along for more fun-filled food adventures in the year to come. Until then, we’d like to wish you a VERY Happy Holiday! 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: October 20, 2016 What’s New Around Walt Disney World: August 18, 2016 What’s New Around Walt Disney World: November 15, 2016 View the full article

It’s festive in the tourist corridor hotels serving the attractions in Orlando. From Westgate lakefront resorts to the Rosen hotels and all through Disney, Universal and their partner hotels, tourists and local alike can experience a feast for the eyes this holiday season. New at Gaylord Palms... View the full article

'The Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Celebration' View the full article

With its gorgeous backdrop of iconic architecture from around the globe, Epcot’s World Showcase is perfect for outdoor events or a delightful stroll around the pretty lagoon. Sipping and tasting culinary delights along the way is one of the best parts of any festival, and the new Epcot International Festival of the Arts is taking food to new heights in “Food Studios” along the promenade. Running Fridays through Mondays from Jan. 13-Feb. 20, the festival will combine visual, culinary and performing arts, unveiling brand new art each week. While the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival strives for seasonal flavors, and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is all about global cuisine, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts is all about works of art on a plate (Instagram-worthy, for sure!). At many of the Food Studios, guests will be able to watch the chefs plating and see the creative process as the dish comes to life. Here’s a gallery of some of the artful dishes. View the full article

2016 has been a year of milestones for the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex! From unveiling plans for our new indoor sports venue to hosting The Invictus Games, this past year was full of magical moments. Check out some of our favorite moments from 2016 that made this past year so memorable: 1) 2016 Invictus Games – ESPN Wide World of Sports was host to Prince Harry’s international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel. The event was overflowing with emotion and truly once-in-a-lifetime moments. Check out the video below to see some highlights from this magical event: 2) New Indoor Sports Venue – Earlier this year, we announced that ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will build a new indoor multi-sport venue, adjacent to the Jostens Center and featuring a flexible design that can accommodate competition groups of varying sizes. 3) Pop Warner Celebrates 20 Years at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – Earlier this month, teams from across the country who battled in regional competitions played for national titles at Walt Disney World Resort for the 20th straight year. The week-long tournament featured 64 football teams and more than 400 cheerleading squads from around the nation who competed for the coveted national championships in various divisions. Select games and competitions were even broadcast on ESPNU! 4) Orlando City Soccer Club Players Take on Mickey Mouse – We were excited to welcome Brek Shea, Antonio Nocerino, Servando Carrasco and Tyler Turner from Orlando City Soccer Club to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for a little friendly competition with Mickey Mouse. It was an especially magical moment since the team had just played their last USL-Pro season at the ESPN Complex! Here’s a fun video from the match: 5) Atlanta Braves Annual Spring Training – We were excited to welcome the Atlanta Braves back to ESPN Wide World of Sports in 2016 for their annual Spring Training. To go along with the high quality baseball that comes with games, there were plenty of entertainment opportunities for everyone in the family while at the ballpark. Just last month, we announced the schedule for the Atlanta Braves’ 20th Annual Spring Training Season. Keep an eye on Disney Parks Blog for exciting details about Atlanta Braves Spring Training, coming soon! 6) ESPN Wide World of Sports Goes Global – Did you know the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is host to international sporting events? In total, more than 70 different countries have visited and competed at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. International competitions include baseball, soccer cheer and more! The Disney Cup International is a competitive soccer tournament that attracts teams from more than 20 countries. Best of all, these international events will return in 2017 for even more friendly competition! Learn more about all of our events at https://www.espnwwos.com/events. 7) NFL Pro Bowl Week Activities Coming to Walt Disney World Resort – Over the summer we announced that the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl will take place in Orlando, with select events and activities staged at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The practices as well as the NFL Flag football event and other youth football events will take place at our sports complex. Best of all, registration for this January event, including NFL Pro Bowl 5K Race at Epcot, are still available at ESPNWWOS.com/NFLProBowl, so you and your family can join in the fun! Those are just a few of the highlights from 2016! Thank you to everyone who participated in these memorable events and the countless others held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex! Will you be visiting us in 2017? Tell us which event you’ll be participating in or cheering on using the hashtag #ESPNWWOS. Follow ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Facebook and Twitter. View the full article

The holidays are a time for visiting with friends from both near and far – and in this case, really far. The little green aliens from “Toy Story” have popped into our Holiday Countdown to remind us that today, there are only 5 days left until Christmas Day. Click below to see previous “Countdown” posts. Holiday Countdown: Six Friends A Singing Holiday Countdown: Seven Dwarfs A Mining Holiday Countdown: Eight Fairies Flying Holiday Countdown: Nine Villains Plotting Holiday Countdown: Ten Disney Dogs-A-Barking Holiday Countdown: Eleven Epcot Countries Holiday Countdown: Twelve Monorail Trains View the full article

Late last week, 400 Disney Parks Blog readers gathered to be among the first to see the latest film in the Star Wars franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, at Disney Springs. Our readers not only raved about the new film, but also enjoyed special photo opps in the lobby with the 501st Legion and received Rogue One: A Star Wars Story T-shirts. A few of our readers also got to show off their own Star Wars-inspired outfits before the film started. For a full recap of the night’s festivities and to hear what our readers think of the film, check out the video above. View the full article

It’s hard to believe 2016 is already coming to a close. Have you made your New Year’s Eve plans yet? For those of you looking to welcome 2017 at Disney California Adventure park on December 31, we have quite a party planned for you. Here’s just a sampling of what’s in store: Hollywood Land – Join us in front of our brand-new stage at the end of Hollywood Blvd. all night long for tunes spun by world-famous DJ Roueche and special performances by Hollywood Records artist Olivia Holt. You don’t want to miss the countdown to midnight here, with rooftop fireworks and “Auld Lang Syne.” Paradise Bay – To mark the arrival of 2017, Disney California Adventure park is hosting the “Party of the Year!” At night, the waters of Paradise Bay become a sparkling winter fantasy with two scheduled performances of the all-new “World of Color – Season of Light” at 8:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Leading up to midnight, DJ Wendy keeps the energy building with an awesome dance party around the lagoon. Our New Year’s countdown culminates in a musical celebration punctuated by fountains, pyrotechnics, fireballs and lasers! Cars Land – Choose to welcome in the new year country style under the neon lights of Cars Land with appearances by the Kelly Rae Band and DJ Trevor. It all promises to add up to the biggest party of the year! View the full article

DIY Holiday: How-To Make an Olaf-Inspired Candy Apple | Walt Disney World View the full article

We’re so excited to share with you a trip to Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom! It’s our next adventure that we’re bringing to you, via our new DFB YouTube Channel! Main Street Confectionery Main Street Confectionery is your one stop shopping spot for all things sweetly Disney when you’re in Walt Disney World! And with its location right on Main Street, it couldn’t be more convenient when the craving for a Caramel Apple or Cotton Candy Strikes! A day at Disney is the BEST! — and we love taking you along for the ride, thanks to our new DFB YouTube Channel! If seeing all of the yum treats, eats, and sweets up close sounds great to you, then be sure to subscribe to our channel. You’ll be alerted every time we post a new video. Now, I wanna hear from you. What do you think of Main Street Confectionery at Magic Kingdom? Leave a comment and let us know what you’re looking forward to trying! 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: DFB Video Review: Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Review: Strawberry Oat Bar at Main Street Confectionery Spotted: Candy Case in Main Street Confectionery Undergoing Refurbishment View the full article

The smell of pine trees, twinkling lights, horse-drawn sleigh rides and families gathered around the table for holidays…all of that sounds like a scene from a Christmas card, right? Well, there’s a place right here at Walt Disney World Resort where you can experience all of those things and more for the holidays: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground! The great outdoors make the perfect backdrop for holiday magic. Whether your family wants to go horseback riding together, or you enjoy decking out the RV with colorful holiday lights, or your family loves coming together for a hearty holiday meal at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, there is something for everyone. Take a look at this video to see all of ways you can make holiday traditions at Fort Wilderness! View the full article

The wildest renovation in the West is finally over! Just beyond The Lucky Nugget Saloon and across the Rivers of the Far West, guests in Frontierland can once more spot runaway mine trains careening around Big Thunder Mountain. This iconic attraction recently underwent an unprecedented renovation to bring exciting new features and explosive surprises which are sure to thrill guests of all ages! As Disneyland Paris gears up for its 25th anniversary celebration on April 12th, Imagineers and cast members across the resort worked together on this expansive project, examining every aspect of the experience and updating each part of the attraction. The new additions to this iconic ride are, of course, in keeping with the Gold Rush-era storytelling of Frontierland. Guests will find the cabin that belonged to the mine’s very last prospector decorated with everyday objects from the Gold Rush Era. Just like the 1,500 props scattered around the attraction and the waiting area, these authentic objects were found in real American ghost towns. Among the many improvements at Big Thunder Mountain, a new explosion sequence lies in wait for guests along the harrowing journey, thanks to an immersive combination of cutting-edge technology and sensory experiences. Other special effects include recently restored geysers along the lake shore, visible from the train. Original features such as the train tracks themselves were also refurbished. Thanks to the innovation, creativity and collaboration of everyone involved – from local suppliers, artisans and special effects experts to Park Operations cast who tested the experience countless times – guests can expect a truly exceptional new experience. We are delighted to welcome passengers aboard the wildest ride in the West once more, as we prepare to dazzle our guests for the 25th anniversary this April! View the full article

Today our countdown to Christmas continues with six classic Disney characters welcoming in the holiday season. You can currently catch the group sharing their holiday songs on stage at Magic Kingdom Park during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the new stage show “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.” The new show, which is getting rave reviews from party guests, was the inspiration for today’s graphic. View the full article

They’ve got gluhwein and stolen aplenty; bratwurst and lebkuchen galore. You want nutcrackers? They’ve got way more than 20. What is this magical place I’m talking about? Traditional European Christmas Markets, or Christkindlmarkt as they’re generally called throughout Germany, Austria and beyond, are street markets that fill town squares in the weeks leading up to Christmas. And today I’m in Bavaria seeing them for myself on an Adventures by Disney Holiday Danube River Cruise! Visiting the Christmas Markets has been on my dream vacation list for as long as I can remember, and I can’t think of any better way to truly savor the holiday season. Soon I’ll be snacking on stolen (egg bread with candied fruit) and lebkuchen (gingerbread) and enjoying gluhwein (mulled wine) found not only at the markets I’ll be visiting, but also aboard the AmaViola, a river cruise ship built with families in mind. Think how great my holiday gifts will be this year as I pick up one-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments, books, toys, etc. And the holiday fun doesn’t stop there! Adventures by Disney offers a variety of other themed activities, including a special holiday party onboard the ship, gingerbread making, a strudel demonstration and so much more. I can’t wait to share my adventures with you here on the Disney Parks Blog in the weeks to come! More of a summertime vacationer? Now is your chance to save $500 per person (through Dec. 20) on select room categories (excluding suites and categories AA and AB) for all summer 2017 Danube river cruises (sailing dates include June 21 & 28; July 5, 12, 19 & 26; and Aug. 2, 2017). You’ll win ultimate “cool” status if you give the gift of an Adventures by Disney river cruise to your loved on this holiday season! $500 per person Discount taken from the non-discounted prevailing River Cruise Package price as quoted on AdventuresByDisney.com on date of booking (“Regular Rate”). Regular Rates vary by departure date. Offer not valid for Suites and Categories AA and AB. Lead Guest of the booking party must travel on the Package booked. Valid for new bookings only. Bookings must be made through Adventures by Disney Travel Services, Inc. Discount not applicable towards deposit. Packages subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Offer valid for U.S. Residents only. Subject to change without notice. See AdventuresbyDisney.com for additional Terms and Conditions. View the full article

This post is part of the DFB #OnTheList series, where we feature eats you’ve GOT to have while you’re at Disney! Let us know what’s on YOUR Disney Food Bucket List @DisneyFoodBlog #OnTheList! What’s Mickey-shaped, cinnamon-swirled, and #OnTheList? It’s the Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll at Animal Kingdom’s Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery and Creature Comforts! Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll Right off the bat, you may think the best thing about it is that it’s COLOSSAL, but even that takes second place to the fact that it’s MICKEY-SHAPED. But, hey… the whole “colossal” thing is a nice touch, too! Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll You’re looking at one large cinnamon roll (they use an ENTREE-SIZED plate for this guy) and two smaller rolls for the ears, making it an easy pull-apart for sharing. Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll Yep, you read that right… for possibly the first time ever, we’re actually recommending sharing a cinnamon roll. According to the menu it “serves two” at $8.99, but I’ve seen families of four happily sharing this thing. It’s BIG. Don’t be put off by the somewhat dark color of the pastry. Though at a glance it appears overly toasted (after all, as the name says, it IS served warm), that’s just color from ALL THE EXTRA CINNAMON used to flavor the super-soft and buttery roll. Inside the Colossal Cinnamon Roll My only wish? I’d love to have a little more of that buttercream icing drizzled all over the whole thing. Icing on Colossal Cinnamon Roll But you knew I was going to say that, didn’t you ? Plus, I can forgive just about anything that’s shaped like my very favorite mouse… Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll So bring a friend or family member (or two!) to help you cross the Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll off your Disney Food Bucket List! Is the Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll on your Disney Food Bucket List? Please let us know with a comment! What’s On YOUR Disney Food Bucket List? The Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll is featured on the DFB Disney Food Bucket List — #OnTheList! Check out the list for more must-eats, and tweet, instagram, and Facebook your Disney Food Bucket List items @DisneyFoodBlog with #OnTheList! 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: You Won’t Believe This Snack!: Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll at Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery in Disney’s Animal Kingdom New Video: Colossal Cinnamon Roll at Disney’s Animal Kingdom #OnTheList: Cinnamon Roll at Gaston’s Tavern in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom View the full article

I am highly impressed with all those carrying on the “Ugly Christmas Sweater” tradition. I must say that I’ve definitely seen some really creative and super ugly sweaters this season. One of our favorite designers, Brittney Ungvarsky, wanted to add a bit of mischievousness to this year’s wallpaper. Our pal Stitch was happy to help! Mele kalikimaka, Disney ohana! Be sure to check out the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it. Want to check out other designs? Visit our complete gallery of wallpapers here. View the full article

Last week the Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer & Dance Championships took over ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where thousands of young football players and cheerleaders competed for national championships. For 20 years, Walt Disney World Resort has been home to this premier youth football and cheer event. Teams from Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, and California won national titles across the various age divisions, but many other athletes in the 64-team bracket showed they have the moves! In case you missed it, here’s a collection of some of the week’s most exciting top plays and highlights. Who knows? You might see one of these kids on ESPN one day. View the full article

In a few short weeks it will be time for the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna. For many it is an annual event, but for others this may be their first runDisney race weekend. To help you be better prepared, we have asked our Disney Parks Moms Panel runDisney specialist, Lori L., for some of her favorite race weekend tips. As the man in red says, as well as Lori L., make your list and check it twice! She encourages everyone to make sure they have their race confirmation, signed waiver, photo ID and travel confirmations, such as airline, hotel, etc…before they leave home. Of course, also make sure you have all the pieces of your running outfit, a phone charger, and yes even rain gear. Better safe than sorry! Once you have arrived, get prepared for race day. Lori recommends laying out your running outfit the night before, because its going to be an early morning. This includes socks, shoes, running belt, earphones and camera. A big reminder from Lori is to also pack bandages for any ouches along the course, as well as any medications needed. Lori advises giving your race day outfit a test run before you set out to conquer a marathon. There is nothing worse than running 26.2 miles in an itchy or ill-fitting costume. For cooler morning temperatures, Lori will often run with a sweatshirt which she discards along the course. “All clothing discarded during a race is donated to a charity by runDisney,” says Lori. One of the most important tips Lori has to offer is to read the Official Event Guide from runDisney. “It truly has just about everything you need to know!” Once you have completed your race and are proudly sporting your medal, make sure you have a plan and an exact meeting spot to reunite with friends and family as phones may die or service may be spotty. Who knew you could describe a 4:30 AM event as fun and festive! Well, Lori L. sure does as she shares even more great tips with first time runners. For more runDisney tips or to ask questions about planning your upcoming Disney vacation, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. View the full article

Like a doting grandmother trying to fatten up her family at a holiday meal, Central Florida's theme parks and attractions say, "Here, have some more." But instead of setting out extra plates, they pile on more events to handle year-end crowds and bolster the bottom line. "They have to build out... View the full article

Only the hardiest Central Floridians venture to theme parks at this time of the year. Although the attractions are decked out in holiday finery and bustle with yuletide festivities, it can get ugly as the world takes a holiday break here. If you go, expect jam-packed conditions. I have two standard... View the full article

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" soared to the top of the weekend box office as expected, scoring the second-best December opening ever with $155 million in estimated ticket sales. After the biggest Thursday night debut of the year, the intergalactic adventure blasted past industry expectations for... View the full article

'Wishes for Wildlife' - Marine Life | Disney's Animals, Science & Environment View the full article

Disney Springs is a perfect destination for your holiday shopping, including sweet treats that make perfect presents for everyone on your list. In Town Center at Amorette’s Patisserie, a beautiful dome cake would make a stunning centerpiece for your holiday table, or a thoughtful host/hostess gift. Or maybe pick up a box of macarons as a perfect stocking stuffer. There are even special offerings, just for the holidays: “Snowball,” a red velvet cake with cream cheese brûlée, a chocolate center and white chocolate Bouche de Noel, a dark chocolate mousse with a black forest cake featuring flourless chocolate cake, cherry mousse, and Chantilly Wintertime Petite Cake, with layers of holiday spice chiffon cake, marzipan, apricot pâté de fruit, amaretto mousse Ornament Dome Cake with layers of lemon chiffon cake, white chocolate mousse, matcha chiffon cake, raspberry pâté de fruit and lemon curd At The Ganachery, Milk Chocolate and Almond Holiday Trees and classic German Stollen bread enrobed in chocolate are delicious holiday treats. Hot cocoa spoons make great gifts for teachers, your postal worker or anyone else on your list; simply stir the rich ganache into 6 ounces of warm milk to create a creamy hot chocolate. Or put together a box of ganache squares tailored to your recipient—be sure to include the two new holiday flavors – Pear Ginger and Amoretto! If you can’t make it to Disney Springs, select items from The Ganachery are available on the Shop Disney Parks app, including assorted chocolates, crispy chocolate pearls and chocolate bars. While you’re at Disney Springs, be sure to treat yourself too! I love the seasonal Peppermint Milkshake at D-Luxe Burger. Over in the Marketplace, be sure to check out the Gingerbread Cheesecake Crêpe at AristoCrêpes and Pineapple Soft Serve, new to Marketplace Snacks. View the full article

This week’s Disney Doodle focuses on what Sven, the lovable reindeer from “Frozen” would do if he had a chance to visit Walt Disney World Resort. Loyal to Anna, Elsa and the rest of his “Frozen” friends, he’d no doubt pick something fun for them all to do together. “Who wouldn’t want to take a scenic carriage ride through Port Orleans with Sven leading the way?” said artist Ashley Taylor. “He’s such a fun character.” View the full article