Disney4me

Guess who made Un Visite Surprise (A Surprise Visit) to Disneyland Paris this past week? None other than Captain Jack Sparrow himself – Johnny Depp – to get a first look at the new Audio Animatronics figures being installed in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland Paris. Depp explored the new scenes and even struck a pose next to the pirate he knows so well, who is hiding in a barrel, still searching for new treasures. Captain Jack was added to the classic attraction at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort in 2006 and to Tokyo Disneyland in 2007. He also appears in the newest incarnation of the attraction – Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Sunken Treasure – thrilling audiences for almost a year at Shanghai Disneyland. He will now take his rightful place in the Disneyland Paris attraction this summer, when the re-imagined attraction re-opens to guests on July 24, 2017. For the Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary, the attraction is being overhauled and will be filled with new surprises. Captain Jack Sparrow will be joining the adventure — you’ll find him in two scenes in this unforgettable attraction in Adventureland. View the full article

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are suing over their property tax assessments from 2016, calling them “excessive.” Disney filed nearly a dozen lawsuits at the end of last month in Orange Circuit Court, arguing the assessments by Orange County Appraiser Rick Singh exceeded their properties’ fair market... View the full article

The Summer of Heroes at Disney California Adventure is ON!!! The celebration began on May 27th when the Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT attraction opened its doors — and its drops! — to guests for the very first time. And the party keeps going until September 10th. That means there’s plenty of time to try the specialty Summer of Heroes snacks and sips! Groot at Disney California Adventure Thank gooooodness Heather Sievers, our @DiningInDisney bestie, is on the scene to scope it all out for us (because there is a LOT to take in)! Can we get a Groot-hoo?! Oh, yes. You can see Groot in the flesh… err, in the bark! And if you follow our Instagram, you maaaay have noticed that we — along with everyone else! — are OBSESSED WITH Sourdough Groot Bread, and Groot Bread’s spicy sidekick: Jalapeño Cheese Groot Bread. So why don’t we just start there? Groot Jalapeno Cheese Bread Also known as I Am Bread, the Jalapeño Cheese version of Groot Bread, along with LOTS of other tasty Summer of Heroes items, can be found at Cosmic Canteen. Cosmic Canteen in Disney California Adventure But it’s really all about the Jalapeno-Cheese Groot Bread. (Just so you know, everything comes back to Groot Bread right now.) Adorable? YES. Jalapeno Groot Bread from Cosmic Canteen But he’s tasty, too (no matter how wrong it feels at first to disassemble him!). Groot’s base is sourdough bread, and his eyes are black olives. They’re just right… dark and mysterious, but somehow still sweet! Groot Bread Olive Eye Close-Up The jalapeno comes in on his… hair? Upper branches? Let’s go with hair. It’s combined with some bubbly brown cheese. Groot Bread Jalapenos and Cheese By the way, you’ll find the Sourdough only version of Groot Bread at Fairfax Market. If you perused the entire list of snack options available for the Summer of Heroes, you’ll know that there are a TON of beverages to choose from, in addition to food items. We’re bringing you our top picks, and Heather totally recommends the Watermelon Lemonade with Tajin at Cosmic Canteen. Watermelon Lemonade from Cosmic Canteen Tajin is a spice mixture of lime, sea salt, and mild Mexican chilies. (BTW, we LOVE it with Dole Whip!) The combination of sweet/sour lemonade and the mild spice of the rim were a huge hit for Heather, who calls this one a Must-Sip. (You can also opt for a boozy version!) But besides cute little bark-friend carbs and spicy watermelon drinks, what else can you find to nosh? So much. Hollywoodland is a universe of themed goodies! We’ve already shown you the huge, colorful doughnuts you can pick up over at Schmoozies. Gamma Sized Doughnut and Spider Bite But that’s not all! How about some Rocket Fuel and a Spiderman Macaron? Schmoozies Goodies Yeah, we thought you’d be into that. Rocket Fuel is a frozen chocolate espresso drink topped with lots of whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Rocket Fuel Description Yum! This is a terrific option for a start-of-the-day pick-me-up. Sweet, cold, slushy, and chock full of caffeine, it’s custom made for lovers of the coffee-and-chocolate combo. Rocket Fuel The Spiderman Macaron with Ice Cream — your Friendly Neighborhood Macaron – is totally ready for a Marvel superheroes celebration! It features Spidey’s classic red and blue color combo, plus a chocolate web to emphasize that web slinger life. Spiderman Macaron with Ice Cream As you can see, the filling is ice cream — which melted quickly. You pretty much have to eat this one ASAP. But melted ice cream is still ice cream, and its sweet creaminess goes great with the crispy-on-the outside, soft-on-the-inside macaron. Spiderman Macaron The colors are really spectacular on this one. (You can find these same colors on the east coast when L’Artisan des Glace serves a Red, White, and Blue Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich around Bastille Day.) Spiderman Macaron with Ice Cream We know some of you are food coloring-averse, but the density of color is Spidey-approved, as is that classic macaron crunch. Schmoozies is also home to the Guardians of the Galaxy Infinity-Ade, a lavender-flavored lemonade drink that comes with a glow cube (What, What!). Sabrina — @everythingdisney.55 and one of our new Disneyland buddies — says this one is delish! While Schmoozies is killin’ the snack game, Award Wieners is serving up some very exciting treats. We’re talking Funnel Cake Fries, y’all! Award Wieners Summer of Heroes Treats How cool is this? It’s totally Funnel Cake in grab-and-go style! The fries lack that lacy, swirly funnel cake form, but the flavor is spot-on: crispy, golden dough with a tiny hint of cinnamon. Award Wieners Goodies And yes, that is indeed a Groot Sipper you spy with your little eye, too. It’s $12.99 including a fountain beverage, and you can find the same one in Disney World. The Quiver of Funnel Cake Fries is a free-form, creamy cup of deliciousness. It features Raspberry-Mango Coulis and whipped cream. The coulis was a terrific balance of sweet and tart, plus it’s so pretty! We’re not sure there’s anything better to dip funnel cake fries into. Quiver of Funnel Cake Fries Unless you’d rather go for some chocolate pudding as in the Angry Little Pudding Cup. Layers of Chocolate Pudding, whipped cream, and chocolate cookie sandwiches (a/k/a Oreos…) are topped with just a few Funnel Cake Fries. Angry Little Pudding Cup Heather reports that both options were excellent (but we’re partial to the Quiver because #somanyfunnelcakefries). And now, we’re checking out some of the Summer of Heroes savory dining, which in the celebration’s earliest days was found at the Studio Catering Company Truck. This little truck is still serving up some Heroes-themed grub. Studio Catering Company Truck BUT! Knowhere Eats, located to the left of the Catering Truck, opened on June 6th, and it is the current home to some of the more substantial food offerings for the event. Our Instagram friend @midnight_dreary got a good look at Knowhere Eats, and kindly shared it with us! Knowhere Eats So just know that some of the menu items we’re sharing below have switched their location to Knowhere Eats, which fortunately is not far away at all. Studio Catering Co. Truck Menu Mexican food tops the menu, and our Disneyland superheroines did their thang and tried it all. Summer of Heroes Options The Most Dangerous Tacos in the Galaxy are assembled in Hulk-is-MAD green tortillas! The Most Dangerous Tacos in the Galaxy Inside the taco, diners find Barbacoa beef, green onion slaw, purple cabbage, pickled onions, and habanero salsa. The Most Dangerous Tacos in the Galaxy Heather reports that the beef was tender, and the tacos had tons of sweet, spicy, and savory flavor. Massive, Hulk-sized thumbs up for The Most Dangerous Tacos in the Galaxy! They are a colorful and delicious option (and were Heather’s favorite item from the Truck!). Next up? The Space Outpost Tacos: chicken street tacos with cilantro and onion. Space Outpost Tacos Heather was… not blown away. The Space Outpost Tacos are fine for those who enjoy a good, basic taco. Space Outpost Tacos But the flavors paled in comparison to the Most Dangerous Tacos in the Galaxy (which, I guess they should, because how dare they try to out-taco the Most Dangerous Taco?). The final contestant in the battle is Obviously Nachos (that’s the actual menu name :-D). And they proved a worthy combatant! Fried blue corn chips form the base for all kinds of tasty toppings. Obviously Nachos These nachos feature mojo-marinated chicken, chipotle crema, green onions, and a red pepper cheese sauce. That last little addition was a big hit with Heather. It’s like plastic cheese (!!!) with a kick! Obviously Nachos On the other hand, Heather was not a fan of the chipotle crema (as she’s not a chipotle fan), but she says these were so good that she’d get them again, only minus the crema per her preference. Heather also ordered one of the sweet options: the Multiverse Parfait. This pretty little dessert has layers of chocolate cake, white and dark chocolate mousses, and cherry jelly. It’s topped off with chocolate ganache. Multiverse Parfait Heather says it’s similar to the Darth by Chocolate that was part of the Galactic Grill dessert menu in that it’s must for chocolate lovers, but this one has a layer of cherry jam that improves the texture of the dish. It’s rich and tasty — plus it’s nice to look at! Also available is The Milano. This frozen drink is described as Fanta Orange Freeze with Blue Cream. And Heather says it’s a delicious 50/50 flavor bomb! The Milano Ditto for Sabrina who loved it, too! The Milano And before we leave Studio Catering Co., you must know: the Groot Sipper is also available here. Groot Sipper Sign Bifrosties is serving up shave ice, and Sabrina stopped by to pick up some Spinal Fluid. But of course . Spinal Fluid Okay, despite its somewhat cringe-worthy name, Spinal Fluid actually ridiculously yummy! It’s banana-mango shave ice with more of that Tajin (chili-lime-salt) on top. Sabrina opted to have her shave ice on top of a layer of vanilla ice cream. The refreshing shave ice is taken to the next level by the spice, and the ice cream serves to mellow out the bright flavor a bit. As far as we’re concerned, the Summer of Heroes can be the Everyseason of Heroes with treats like this. If you’re visiting Disneyland Resort between now and September 10th, you might seriously consider taking a day just to eat (which we always recommend anyway ;-D). Okay, fine, you can take a break to ride Mission: BREAKOUT. But then it’s right back to the Funnel Cake Fries for you, Super Hero! Which of these Summer of Heroes celebration foods would you most like to try? 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: GROOT BREAD at Disney California Adventure’s Summer of Heroes News: Guardians of the Galaxy Eats and More at Disney California Adventure News: Funky New Donuts in Disney California Adventure for Summer of Heroes View the full article

Tuna Poke With Avocado Mousse at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa View the full article

Disney’s Citricos at the Grand Floridian has received a few tweaks on its Mediterranean-American since the arrival of a new chef. Chef Dominique Filoni joined the restaurant about a year ago, and has been adding his own flair to the menu. Filoni, a native of Saint-Tropez with Italian heritage,... View the full article

Disney’s Citricos has received a few tweaks on its Mediterranean-American since the arrival of a new chef. Chef Dominique Filoni joined the restaurant about a year ago, and has been adding his own flair to the menu. Filoni, a native of Saint-Tropez with Italian heritage, describes his approach... View the full article

So, we’re pretty much running around like crazy people with all of the killer snacks and souvenir stuff coming out of Disney World and Disneyland lately. There were near riots over the Beauty and the Beast Rose Tumbler a few months back. And we’re loving the Pirates Skull Mug — with Dole Whip of course. Dole Whip Floats + Skulls. YAAAAAASSSSS. But that’s not all. There are also some outrageously fantastic themed foods, like doughnuts that give you super powers in Disneyland. (That’s right, right? Like I didn’t miss something there, I’m pretty sure.) Trust me. You don’t wanna miss this stuff. And that, my friend, is why you need the DFB Newsletter in your life! Summer brings out the creativity in the Disney culinary team, and we’ll share all of the fantastic finds FIRST. And if you don’t want to miss a single special snack, drink, or souvenir, then subscribe to the DFB Newsletter. Not only do our newsletter subscribers enjoy the latest Disney news (things like Free Dining Offers!) directly to their inboxes. But we also email you directly when we find super cool, out of the ordinary stuff, or when we break big news. And with the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival kicking off very soon, it’s an especially important time to be in the know. Plus, we do exclusive newsletter-subscriber-only giveaways and discounts, too! And that’s definitely worth being in the mix. Join today for FREE and you’ll receive an email from me welcoming you onboard. Then stay tuned for more DFB goodies! Happy Summer from YOUR DFB Team! 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: Summer is HERE — Join the DFB Newsletter to Stay Up to Date on Disney Food News for Your Trip! Last Day! Enter to Win A Ceramic Dole Whip from the Disney Food Blog Newsletter Know Before You Go! Sign Up for the Disney Food Blog Newsletter! View the full article

Disney-Pixar’s “Cars 3” cruises into theaters in 3D on June 16. I’m looking forward to seeing this film which stars longtime favorite Lightning McQueen alongside new characters Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm. To celebrate the upcoming release, I recently made a pit stop to speak with Summer Bloomfield, Franchise and Brand Manager with Global Merchandise Product Development. She gave me the inside scoop about the exclusive products guests will find at Disney Parks. “Guests who love ‘Cars’ will discover some fun and colorful new products,” explained Summer. “In my role, I’m responsible for ‘driving’ [laughs] the overall strategy for film product assortments found in select shops. This assortment has a wonderful mix of long-time favorite and new characters from the film. I love the bright colors as they make the entire assortment pop. Some items such as a Lightning McQueen graphic t-shirt, two open edition pins, and a retail MagicBand were created especially for Disney Parks.” The limited edition retail MagicBand will be released on June 16, and will have an edition size of 2,000. Presented in a specially designed box, this Lightning McQueen-inspired design contains the innovation of MagicBand 2. Guests can use it to unlock the magic of a Disney vacation – from effortless theme-park entry, FastPass+ redemption and Disney PhotoPass association, to skipping the front desk and going directly to your resort room. The open edition pins include next generation racer Jackson Storm, and Lightning McQueen with the eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez. Additional products include a Doc Hudson “Motor Oil” mug, a colorful backpack, and a hardcover book with 12 racing stories about favorite Disney-Pixar “Cars” characters. Guests will also find plenty of die cast cars, playsets, and other “Cars”-themed toys. Summer said many of the items will complement other new “Cars” products recently introduced at places like Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park. Look for these items and more in select merchandise locations throughout Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Select products may also be found on DisneyStore.com or the Shop Disney Parks app. View the full article

Summer may have just begun, but here at Walt Disney World Resort, we’re already preparing for my favorite season – autumn! Reservations open today for table-service dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant, Cinderella’s Royal Table and The Crystal Palace for times during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which takes place select nights beginning August 25 through November 1. Reservations for the frightfully fun HalloWishes Dessert Party are also now available. This ticketed event includes creepy confections and spooky sweets, non-alcoholic beverages, and reserved viewing for Happy HalloWishes Fireworks from Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant. The cost is $79 per person. Dining reservations can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dining or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. To make dining or dessert party reservations that take place during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you must have a valid event ticket for that night. View the full article

Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 14 is Flag Day, and in honor of this patriotic holiday, we’re taking a look at The American Adventure attraction at Epcot. The attraction, which is located in the World Showcase section of the park, has celebrated moments in American history since the park’s opening day on Oct. 1, 1982. How well do you know the stories and characters featured in it? Test your knowledge below. .quiz-container#wp-quiz-188663{ background-color:#f0f8fb; color:#565656; border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-188663 .quiz-section h1{ color:#8bb428; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-188663 .quiz-title{ color:#10628b; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-188663 .quiz-header-image{ text-align:right; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-188663 .quiz-section{ border-color:#ffffff; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-188663 .quiz-details, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-188663 .quiz-results, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-188663 .quiz-embed{ border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-188663 .quiz-result{ background-color:#dce4e7; } The American Adventure at Epcot Who are your guides through The American Adventure journey? Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain George Washington and Abraham Lincoln Alexander Graham Bell and Walt Disney How many Audio-Animatronics figures bring The American Adventure story to life? 20 35 50 How many guests can The American Adventure theater hold? 827 Guests 998 Guests 1,024 Guests How many bricks make the façade of the American Adventure Pavilion? 110,000 Bricks 160,000 Bricks 185,000 Bricks Embed Quiz on Your Website Embed Code <div class="wp-quiz" data-quiz-id="188663" 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

“Cars 3,” a reasonably diverting account of middle-aged pity, humiliation and suffering as experienced by Rust-eze-sponsored race car Lightning McQueen, is not the weakest of the Disney/Pixar sequels (I’d vote “Cars 2” or “Monsters University,” those sour, desperate things). But it’s by far the... View the full article

What do you need after taking a speedy spin on everyone’s favorite design-your-own-vehicle attraction, Test Track? A snack, y’all! (FYI: Most questions can be answered with “a snack.”) And we’re thrilled to tell you that the Test Track-adjacent Taste Track beverage and snack kiosk is open — again — for business! Taste Track Kiosk This seasonal kiosk (read: open during high-crowd seasons like holidays and summer) used to offer up some cool Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, but now it’s jumping on the “over-the-top ice cream treat” bandwagon (see some of these over at Planet Hollywood Observatory in Disney Springs and also at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium in Universal) with some brand new sundaes. Taste Track Menu You’re reading that correctly: pound cake, churros, and miniature apple pies in three over-the-top Specialty Treats! And we tried ‘em all! (Now, if you’ve read my previous “OOOOH, CRAZY MILKSHAKE WITH A CUPCAKE ON TOP” reviews, you know that I’m not really wowed by these new offerings around the parks. But these actually weren’t bad — and the decent price was helpful.) Specialty Sundaes at Taste Track First, you’ll need to know that the kiosk opens at 12:30PM, so unfortunately you won’t be digging into these for breakfast (unlike that Donut Sundae at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in Magic Kingdom, which you can nosh during the Welcome Show!). But by the time you’ve rope dropped Soarin’, floated through Living with the Land, and completed your 65MPH spin on Test Track, you can step right up and get your sundae on. All three options start with soft-serve ice cream. Then, they get the royal treatment: sauces, pearls, and unique add-ins. And these sundaes are crafted in tall, 12-ounce cups, so there’s a ton of ice cream in there! Taste Track Sundae Creation We started our sundae excavation with perhaps the most ordinary of the three options, the Berry Explosion — but it’s got a unique twist: Pound Cake! Ooh, second twist: Cotton Candy! Berry Explosion Sundae See? Nothing ordinary about this tower of fruity ice creamy-ness. It starts with the Pound Cake, which is pressed into the bottom of the cup. There’s not a ton of it, but by the time you get to it, it’s soaked through with sweet and tart berry sauce. Pound Cake Ice cream is swirled atop the pound cake and up past the rim of the cup. And there are real berries in there! Blueberries and strawberries top the pound cake. Berries, and Cake, and Ice Cream! Oh, my! Plus there’s a whole strawberry on top! Strawberry Topper But the toppers continue with little Strawberry Pearls and a dollop of Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream. (You can find this tasty whipped cream cropping up in several places, including on the Apple Crisp at Sunshine Seasons! It’s pretty yum.) Berry Explosion Sundae Toppings To be honest, we didn’t really understand the point of the Blue Cotton Candy. It’s definitely fun, and it adds some straight-up sugar to the areas it melts into. But is it berry-flavored? Is it supposed to sweeten up the already sweet sundae? We’re not sure. And it kinda detracts from the otherwise classy and fresh sundae. So, FYI. Cotton Candy The Berry Explosion sundae is perrrrrrf for summer, friends. We loved that it was loaded with berries, so there were pops of fresh berry juice throughout. Yum. But if you’re more of a hot fudge kinda ice cream lover, there’s a hit for you, too. The Chocolaty Churro Sundae offers a super popular dessert combo: chocolate and churro. And when we say churro, we means churrrrrro. Full-sized, cinnamon-sugar-coated churros. Chocolaty Churro Sundae It starts with Hot Fudge, which is actually used to coat the cup itself before the ice cream is swirled in. So you’re getting chocolate in every bite with this one. Hot Fudge for Days The sundae is topped with Chocolate Shavings and a dollop of the Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream. Chocolaty Churro Sundae The ice cream is mountainous! But a little tip: since it’s soft-serve, it does melt pretty quickly. Our looks a bit like an ice cream pool which is, of course, pretty much one of my favorite kinds of pools. Toppings The piece de resistance is the Churro. It’s actually one of the massively long churros cut in half and pushed into the sundae cup. If you’ve ever had the Churros with Chocolate Sauce, you know what we’re talking about. (And is it just us, or do the churro sticks poking up into the air kinda remind you of Oswald with his big, tall ears? No? Hm.) Churro! The Chocolaty Churro Sundae might be the simplest out of the three specialty options at Taste Track, but that combo of churro and chocolate is pretty much all you need. The last of the new specialty options is the Apple Pie Sundae. And we know what you’re thinking: it’s just some hum-drum mediocre apple pie filling dumped onto a cup of ice cream. But you’re wrong (and you’re happy about it). Because there are Apple Pie Pockets on the sundae. Apple Pie Sundae Yes, like, for real! In fact, there are three warm apple pie pockets pressed into the sundae. And if you’re like us, you know that the best part of apple pie is when ice cream melts on top of it. Voila! This sundae is for you! Apple Pie Pockets The pockets themselves have a nice layer of buttery crust, some warm apple pie filling, and a tiny amount of salt on top. And they’re delicious little bites that maintain some of their crispness despite the pool of ice cream in which they swim! Apple Pie Pocket Cross Section Of course, there are other toppings. The sauce on the Apple Pie Sundae is caramel, which is a natural partner to the apple pie. Toppings You’ll also find Caramel Popcorn. It provides a great texture when eaten with the soft vanilla ice cream and the Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream. Caramel Popcorn We also loved the Salted Caramel Pearls, which legit added some saltiness to the sundae. (Pearls like this are usually kind of worthless, but here — they do add some flavor.) Salted Caramel Pearls This one is clearly our favorite of the bunch. It’s comforting and special, offering us the quintessential apple pie flavors in a new and fun presentation — with a ton of ice cream. And folks, at $6.50 each, these are actually moderately priced for Disney. (Think about the fact that you pay $5.50 for a churro and chocolate alone, and you’ll see what we mean!) But sadly there’s no snack credit option on these. We’re hoping that changes, and until it does, they’re not a no-brainer. But if you’re in Epcot’s Future World with a hankering for a sundae, this is a decent choice. Are you an ice cream fiend in the Disney Parks? Tell us about your favorite frozen treat 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: Gourmet Grilled Cheese at Epcot’s Taste Track Epcot’s L’Artisan des Glaces Celebrates its Second Anniversary with New Flavors and Sundaes! Review: Lemon Berry Mousse Cake at Epcot’s Sunshine Seasons View the full article

Today, we remember those we lost in the Pulse tragedy. Along with our Orlando community, we are focused on inspiring continued hope and healing with every act of love and kindness shared with others. #OrlandoUnitedDay View the full article

Located within the Epcot Resort Area, the iconic Swan and Dolphin hotels are a comfortable walk from World Showcase in Epcot. The Swan and Dolphin Causeway During the Food and Wine Classic There are some hidden gem eats and drinks to be found in its restaurants and bars. And it’s also the setting for one of our favorite Disney fall events — the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic! (Read all about what you can expect at this year’s event here!) The Swan and Dolphin has been undergoing a major renovation recently. Rooms have been renovated, and the massive meeting space has been overhauled as well. The final move in the $140 million (!!!) project is a transformation of the Dolphin’s lobby space. Artist’s Rendering of New Walt Disney World Dolphin Lobby While the work will modernize and transform the (admittedly tired) lobby, with lots of new lighting and completely new decor, the lobby’s iconic dolphin fountain will remain. When the space reopens this fall, it will include two new food and beverage outlets. A new bar and lounge will offer a place for relaxing and meet ups, with seating for up to 150. The Dolphin will also be adding a new quick service stop. Artist’s Rendering of New Lobby Bar at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel The cafe and market will serve coffee in addition to snacks and sandwiches, geared toward the busy convention traveler or vacationing family anxious to hit the parks. And here’s a first look at the brand new, yet-to-be-named grab-and-go location! BRAND NEW Artist’s Rendering of the New Grab and Go Location at the Dolphin We can’t wait to see everything they have to offer. It’s important to note that the hotel’s lobby is still open to guests during the renovation, so no worries about navigating the hotel for that Shula’s advance dining reservation. In addition to the lobby bar and new quick service offering, the reno doubles the amount of seating in the lobby area, making it a great place to meet, cool off, hang out, or people watch. Will you be visiting the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in the near future? 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: Fourth of July News! Regional Craft Beers This Week at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel News! Mother’s Day Meals at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel News! Dates for the 2015 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Announced View the full article

Hey Guys! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re getting down to the serious business of Funnel Cakes! But not just any funnel cakes…we’re talking Disney Funnel Cakes!! I know, I know: funnel cakes are everywhere, and they’re pretty standard theme park fare. But as you probably expect, Disney’s funnel cakes in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland are in a class by themselves. Whether you’re talking about crazy funnel cakes LOADED with toppings at Oasis Canteen in WDW, the various funnel cake options at Hungry Bear Restaurant in Disneyland, and all the other incredible options in between, we’re sharing the ones that we think you should seek out and indulge in. And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel. 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: Are Disney Funnel Cakes on your list of must have snacks? Share your favorite with us in comments below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: New DFB Video: Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for First Timers DFB Video Review: Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom New DFB Video: The Disney Dole Whip! View the full article

Central Florida restaurants are making it easy to treat dad to a special meal or snack this Father’s Day (June 18). Here are a few specials: 4 Rivers Smokehouse: Look for some special sweets for dad until June 17 such as Jack Daniel’s Cake Balls ($1.99), double chocolate cake mixed with house frosting... View the full article

Let’s be real: the temperatures in central Florida can be downright stultifying. But thankfully, Disney has provided many, many, many options for ice cold refreshment. And if you’re in the World Showcase at Epcot, tons of these awesome options are just a short walk away. One of our favorites is located in the Japan Pavilion. Die-hards know it well — it’s Kaki Gori, and it’s a winner! Kabuki Cafe itself is super cool, featuring architectural details in keeping with its pavilion. You’ll find clay tile shingles on the roof, and paper lanterns hanging from the eaves. Japan’s Kaki Gori Stand Kaki Gori is shaved ice drowning in sweet syrup, with the option to add creamy sweet milk on top. You’ll find flavors like strawberry, melon, cherry, and tangerine. Kaki Gori Menu The ice in the Kaki Gori used to be a little chunkier, and it used to be served in a shorter, wider bowl. That resulted in a lot of melty, drippy Kaki Gori running down forearms. The current serving situation is much more conducive to capturing the yummy melted juice. Plus…it’s HUGE!! Rainbow Kaki Gori I opted for the Rainbow flavor, which is a combination of all of the syrups. For a while, you might be able to get individual flavors on your spoon, but this pretty quickly evolves into a mixed fruit flavor. And that’s fine by me! Rainbow Kaki Gori And while you might think you spy some pale spots, rest assured there was plenty of syrup. As I dug around, I found that it had seeped into the core of the shaved ice. Kaki Gori is seriously so refreshing, cooling guests down from the inside out. And it’s worth its weight in gold on a hot Disney day! Wanna know all about snacks in the World? Consider this amaze offer! Don’t Miss Out on the ALL the Best Snacks Walt Disney World Has to Offer! Get four awesome e-Books bundled for 30% off the already discounted price! Limited time only… Our DFB Guide & Snacks Bundle offers: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2017 Second Edition, PLUS The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks, The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, The DFB Guide to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Snacks (INCLUDES PANDORA SNACKS!) All four are being sold together — for 30% off the already hugely discounted bundle price. Use code BUNDLE17 at check out to get the discount. Our Snack Guides vibrantly display and review hundreds of Disney World snacks (!!), including classic favorites and some of our favorite under-the-radar treats and eats in the parks. Get your DFB Guide & Snacks Bundle — including the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2017 Second Edition, the DFB Guide to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Snacks, the DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks, and the DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks — for 25% off here. Find out more about the DFB Guide & Snack Bundle here! And with our 100% money-back guarantee, what do you have to lose? Just looking for all the Snacks in Epcot? Then check out our DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks, newly updated for your 2017-18 trip! With over 400 Epcot snacks, and over 60 NEW snacks, you’ll always be in the know! And for a limited time only, we are offering the Guide for 25% off! To secure the discount, use code EPCOT17 at check-out. What is your favorite cool-down treat? 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: Disney Snack Series: Kaki-Gori Sno-Balls at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express (Disneyland’s Kaki-Gori!) Review: New Jumbo Pretzel in (where else?) Epcot’s Germany Pavilion View the full article

The dead are very much alive in Disney-Pixar's lighthearted new trailer for "Coco," the upcoming animated family film that follows aspiring musician Miguel into the otherworldly Land of the Dead. The trailer, which came online Wednesday, playfully references the Day of the Dead in its intro starting... View the full article

How to Make the Most of Your Time in European Ports on a Disney Cruise View the full article

It’s time for a fabulous Disney Food Hack! This one’s for all my fellow Ice Cream Sandwich lovers out there — but it’s nothing like the ones you can already snag around the World at spots like Sleepy Hollow and Hollywood Scoops. AAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!! Nor is it one of the Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches from L’Artisan des Glaces. OR a Gelato Sandwich from the Gelato Stand in Epcot’s Italy. OR the Double Chocolate ice cream sammie from Tamu Tamu in Animal Kingdom. It doesn’t even involve Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Sandwich (although it is so quintessentially Disney). BEST DISNEY FOOD HACK EVER! Nope; this is bigger, better, and the most glorious mess you’ve ever seen. (This is also a great one if you have a bunch of leftover Disney Dining Plan snack credits!) Now, don’t get me wrong. I love those, too. But a few weeks ago we got an awesome idea from our DFB Instagram Followers @OfftoNeiderland…and we devised this craziness based on their creation. The Mickey Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich With Peanut Butter Sauce is one of our favorite Disney food hacks ever! Finished Mickey Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich Be prepared: assembly requires a couple of stops along Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A… and probably a couple of empty stomachs. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s take it step by step. Step 1: Main Street Confectionery To make this Mickey marvel, your first stop is the Main Street Confectionery. Main Street Confectionery This is where you’ll pick up not one, but TWO Large Mickey Chocolate Chip Cookies. You know the type: chocolate-dipped ears with tons of chocolate chips dotting the slightly salty dough. These are $5.49 each ($10.29 for two, or two Disney Dining Plan snack credits). Chocolate Chip Mickey Cookies Don’t forget you can get these beauties in Sugar Cookie variety as well, if you prefer! (And in peanut butter cookie variety in Hollywood Studios if you’d like to recreate the hack there!) But note that those also come in a smaller, “regular” size, and you are definitely going to want opt for the LARGE. Step 2: Plaza Ice Cream Parlor Now that you’re all cookie’d up, your second stop is the Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, where you’ll order two scoops of ice cream in a bowl. Cookies and Cream from Plaza Ice Cream Parlor There are several flavors from which to choose, including Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Cookies and Cream (that’s what I got!), No-Sugar-Added Butter Pecan, Mint Chocolate Chip, No-Sugar-Added Raspberry, and Fat Free Chocolate/Vanilla Swirl. There are allergen-free options as well. This will run you $5.29 or one Disney Dining Plan snack credit. Optional step (although, is the pièce de résistance ever really “optional”?): Order a side of warm peanut butter, caramel, or chocolate sauce for $.69 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit. Peanut Butter Sauce from Plaza Ice Cream Parlor We went for peanut butter because warm peanut butter is the only thing better than regular peanut butter. Phew! You’ve gathered all of the components. But there’s no time to rest because you don’t want your ice cream to melt. Let’s GO! Food Hack Components Step 3: Assemble I’m sure you can see where we’re going with this. Slather that delicious ice cream onto one Mickey Cookie. Mickey Cookie Ice Cream Food Hack Construction Sandwich with the second Mickey Cookie. There’s your Mickey Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich! And it is ginormous when fully assembled. Mickey Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich If you’ve opted for some sauce, drizzle that liquid joy right on top. Mickey Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich with Peanut Butter Sauce And there you have it, friends! A delicious and seriously indulgent DFB Disney Food Hack! We acknowledge it’s a pretty substantial splurge once you add all of those components together. But if you’ve got a plethora of snack credits to burn or you just really, really love Mickey Cookies (like we do!)… well, this is one epic and shareable treat that you won’t soon forget. Do you have any Disney Food Hacks? If so, please tell us all about it below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: #OnTheList: Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich WITH PEANUT BUTTER (!!!) at Magic Kingdom’s Plaza Ice Cream Parlor Review: Salted Oatmeal Cornflake Cookie, Brownie, and Cap’n Crunch Ice Cream Sandwich at Sprinkles in Disney Springs Snack Series: Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Sandwich View the full article

June 10 is National Iced Tea Day, and there are few things more enjoyable on a hot Florida day than a cold cup of freshly-brewed iced tea. As you may know from my previous stories about Afternoon Tea at Disneyland Hotel and Walt Disney World Resort, I love tea. If you’re like me, and looking for a place to celebrate National Iced Tea Day with a fabulous fresh-brewed cup of iced tea—try Tea Traders Café by Joffrey’s at Disney Springs! With five flavors, including Classic Unsweetened, Green Blackberry Jasmine, Tropical Mango, Luscious Peach and Red Raspberry, there’s a taste for every tea lover. Tea Traders Café by Joffrey’s is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. in The Landing at Disney Springs. View the full article

This week, some of the most fun images we shared on the Disney Parks Blog were of four-legged Disney fans, who volunteered to try out the latest Disney Tails items. Among the new items available at Disney Parks are leads, headbands, collars, comfort harnesses, and pet bowls, in styles inspired by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. For a full look at the new products and to learn where you can pick something up for your best friend, check out the original blog post here. View the full article

Top Experiences for Adults on a European Disney Cruise View the full article

Black Panther is unleashed in the first teaser trailer for the upcoming Marvel movie. The trailer for the film debuted during Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night, as the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers faced off for possibly the final time in the competition. The footage gives... View the full article

The internet is buzzing with a new rumor that a VERY significant change might be in the works for the 2018 Disney Dining Plan. Will alcoholic beverages be included with Dining Plan meal credits? White Wine According to the British Disney fan site, The Dibb, “Guests will now [Editor’s Note: as of January 1, 2018] be able to enjoy a choice of either one speciality non-alcoholic or alcoholic* (over 21s only) beverage to accompany each meal.” If this is correct, those who do not imbibe — due either to age or preference — would be eligible to receive a single serving specialty drink such as an Artisanal Milkshake, Fresh Smoothie, Premium Hot Chocolate, or Soda, Coffee, or Tea. (Presumably, sodas would still receive refills as always, though the post did not state that specifically.) S’mores Shake The single service alcoholic beverages may include drinks such as Beer or Hard Cider, Wine or Sangria, or Mixed Drinks such as a Specialty Cocktail. Also according to The Dibb, ordering specialty drinks would be an option, where applicable, at Quick Service locations as well as Table Service. However, it is not stated as to whether the specialty drinks would be part of the Quick Service Plan. According to Inquisitr.com (who also cite The Dibb as their primary source), “it is expected to be added to the Plus (Base) and Deluxe Disney Dining Plans.” Mo’ara High Country Ale at Satu’li Canteen It is important to note: the cited source starts its thread with the words, “Disney have announced today that the 2018 Dining Plans are being enhanced to include several more beverage options.” There is no official announcement at this time by Disney. What are your thoughts on this rumor? Please let us know with a comment below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: 2018 Disney World Free Dining Offer for United Kingdom Residents News: 2017 Disney Dining Plan Changes and Updates Disney Dining Plan FAQs: Kids and the Disney Dining Plan View the full article