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Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge opens this summer. But another new addition to the Resort, Geyser Point Bar & Grill, is already serving guests. This waterfront eatery has become a new favorite of mine, and it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a cold drink and delicious culinary items inspired by America’s Pacific Northwest. The restaurant serves up quick service entrees, as well as table service small plates and beverages, in a rustically elegant setting. Take a look at just some of the delicious eats available at Geyser Point Bar & Grill in this video! Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog in the weeks to come for more first looks into the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, which is scheduled to open July 17! View the full article

The weather has officially reached the 90-degree mark in Central Florida, and there’s nothing more enjoyable as a summertime dessert than sweet, cool Tres Leches Cake. This delicious recipe was developed by the culinary team at Epcot as part of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, and we’re sharing it just in time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5. TRES LECHES CAKE Makes 10-inch cake CAKE 1 1/2 cups pastry flour 2 tablespoons baking powder 8 large eggs, yolks and whites separated 1 cup sugar, divided 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar Whipped cream, toasted coconut, for topping SYRUP 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1 cup heavy cream 1 1/2 cups coconut milk or evaporated milk 1/4 cup white rum GUAVA SAUCE 8 ounces guava paste 1 cup warm water FOR CAKE: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 10-inch cake pan and set aside. 2. Sift together flour and baking powder in a small mixing bowl. 3. Place egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar in bowl of standing mixer with wire whisk. Whip on high speed to thick, light ribbon stage. 4. Remove from mixer, pour liquid into large mixing bowl and set aside. Clean bowl of standing mixer. 5. Place egg whites in bowl of standing mixer with wire whisk and beat until foamy. Add cream of tartar and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Whip on medium speed until whites are glossy and stiff, but not dry. 6. Remove bowl from mixer and fold one-third of egg whites into whipped egg yolks. Repeat until all egg whites are incorporated. 7. Sprinkle one-third of sifted flour over batter and fold in. Repeat until all flour is incorporated. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake until golden brown and spongy, about 30 minutes. 8. Remove cake from oven and place pan on wire rack. Soak with syrup while cake is warm, repeating until cake is thoroughly saturated. 9. Ice cooled cake with whipped cream. Sprinkle with coconut and drizzle guava paste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. FOR SYRUP: 1. Mix all ingredients in medium bowl. FOR GUAVA SAUCE: 1. Place guava paste in bowl of standing mixture fitted with paddle attachment. Beat on low speed to break down guava paste, increasing speed if necessary. Slowly add warm water until sauce is thin enough to drizzle. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. All recipes are the property of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., and may not be reproduced without express permission. ©Disney View the full article

Few parts of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation are more memorable than standing before Cinderella Castle to watch nighttime fireworks with your family or friends. Starting May 12, “Happily Ever After” will take its place in Disney Park history to become the third regular nighttime fireworks show to debut ever at Magic Kingdom Park. As we’ve shared over the past few months, this new spectacular will combine the latest in fireworks, pyrotechnics, lasers, hand-drawn animation, original music, a new theme song and much more. All of these elements will work together to tell a heart-tugging story about the importance of chasing your dreams, no matter what, and finding your happily ever after. Our cameras were on-hand this week as the team launched one of the first run-throughs of the show in preparation for the May 12 debut. Check out the video above for a sneak peek. For more on the music, animation and projections used in the show, check out our list of behind-the-scenes looks below. Singers Jordan Fisher & Angie Keilhauer Share Their ‘Dream’ Recording The ‘Happily Ever After’ Theme Song Inside the ‘Happily Ever After’ Score Recording Session ‘Happily Ever After’ To Feature The Most Advanced Projection Mapping Tech Yet Behind the Scenes: Animators Give a Sneak Peek at ‘Happily Ever After’ ‘Happily Ever After’ Nighttime Spectacular Will Debut at Magic Kingdom Park May 12 First Listen: Sneak a Peek at Our ‘Happily Ever After’ Theme Song Take A Behind-the-Scenes Look At The Making Of ‘Happily Ever After’ View the full article

Highlights from the First-Ever Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise View the full article

Tonight’s “Disney Parks After Dark” image was snapped at Disneyland Paris. Here you see the park’s castle, the lovely Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, lit up at night. Now in the midst of the park’s 25th anniversary celebration, several new experiences have just debuted, including two new shows – Mickey Presents “Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris” and The Starlit Princess Waltz – plus Disney Stars on Parade, Disney Illuminations nighttime spectacular, and much more. For more details on the park’s milestone celebration, check out this previous blog post. View the full article

Disney World’s fancy desserts are impressive with their layered fruits and house-made gelato and gaufrettes for texture. Learn About: Sunshine Seasons Epcot Restaurants Disney World Restaurants And we love a creme brulee as much as the next guy with crisped, caramelized sugar on his upper lip. But, really, there is nothing like a good, soul-warming apple crisp. We recently fell in love with the apple crisp they’re serving up at The BOATHOUSE in Disney Springs. And this typically-seasonal dessert finds a home on table service menus and in quick service dessert cases alike. Today, we want to talk about the latter. And, not all that surprisingly, we found our most recent Warm Apple Crisp food hug at Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion at Epcot. Sunshine Seasons at The Land pavilion in Epcot Of course, we could have gone with an old favorite and ordered the Strawberry Shortcake (yum!) or a new favorite with the Mickey Oreo Cheesecake. But Warm Apple Crisp is the current seasonal dessert here, so we couldn’t pass it up. Warm Apple Crisp at Sunshine Seasons After all, it’ll be replaced with something new when… well, the seasons change! Now, I don’t know about you, but I typically associate Apple Crisp with all things fall and autumnal. But since that’s also the same timeframe as the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, I’m certainly glad to have the chance to partake of this option now in the spring, since there will be far more food than even the usual to enjoy once the Festival rolls around. But back to the Apple Crisp, which is presented in that ubiquitous-around-the-Parks black ramekin… which we have come to know is often deceptive in its size. It looks small — but a lot of really powerful treats come out of these babies. Warm Apple Crisp at Sunshine Seasons Inside, we found large slices of apple and lots of dried cranberries. The classic combo of sweet apple and tart cranberry boost this particular crisp with a fuller flavor experience. Sunshine Seasons Apple Crisp Atop the fruits — which make this a healthy choice, yes? — is a layer of strudel crisp consisting of sweet and toasty oats. The texture was firm, and similar to granola. Apple Crisp Oat Topping I personally prefer more of a gooey topping with butter softening the oats and mushing it together with the fruit, but there is something worth noting about the toppings here that makes up for this a bit. And that is this… the Apple Crisp is served warm and topped off with a scoop of vanilla bean cream. Vanilla Bean Cream on Apple Crisp It’s a terrific touch because, unlike ice cream, this didn’t melt like crazy, but still provided that creamy counterpart that should top off every crisp, IMHO. What else could we do but mixed it all up into one heart-warming pile? Apple Crisp Bite Nicely done, Sunshine Seasons. But how do you plan to top it when the next season comes around? We’ve got our eye on you, that’s for sure… 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 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’s your Sunshine Seasons snack plan of attack? 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: Review: Sunshine Seasons at Epcot’s The Land Pavilion Review: Croissant Berry Bread Pudding at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s Land Pavilion YOU MUST EAT THIS: Warm Peanut Butter Brownie at Epcot’s Sunshine Seasons View the full article

When the Disney Magic tours Europe this summer and next, Iceland is one of the amazing destinations we’re taking you to explore. With ruggedly beautiful terrain, iconic geothermal pools and an abundance of whales swimming just off the coast, it’s the perfect spot for adventure-seeking families. You’ll see just what I mean when you check out this video… Akureyri and Reykjavik are both ports of call on our 11-night Norwegian Fjords cruise this summer. An overnight call on Reykjavik gives you three back-to-back days in this incredible land of fire and ice. Then, we’re taking you to Iceland once again in 2018 with two days in Reykjavik on our 10-night Norwegian Fjords cruise. To see some of the beautiful sights of Norway, check out the video in my recent post. Next up, I’ll share with you some of the charming locales Disney cruisers will visit when the ship sails the Mediterranean. View the full article

Last month I was fortunate enough to set sail on the first-ever Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise. Throughout our week onboard the brand-new AmaKristina ship we stopped in charming ports in four countries – Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands. While it’s hard to say which amazing destination was my favorite, I must admit that a whirlwind roller coaster-style ride through the Black Forest via toboggan was an action-packed highlight for me. You’ll see why when you check out this video, which showcases just a few of the “can’t miss” experiences on this magical adventure. Unbelievable sights, remarkable cultural experiences, exhilarating adventures and scrumptious food combined to make this Adventures by Disney trip one I’ll never forget. In future videos I’ll share what we saw, what we ate and what we did along the way. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for the full scoop! View the full article

James Gunn loves a good Hollywood story, so he weighs for a moment whether to embellish a bit of ol' entertainment lore. The urban legend has persisted for decades: Were Walt Disney's final words, whether written or spoken, actually "Kurt Russell"? Now that Russell himself has returned to Disney... View the full article

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! Are you planning to indulge in some serious queso-guac-margarita goodness today?! As for us, we know where we’re heading to celebrate: La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion! And you’re welcome to come along in our latest DFB Video: Cinco Margaritas to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! It’s Margarita Time! La Cava del Tequila, with its stellar selection of tequila and mezcal (and even sotol!), is one of the best places anywhere ever to go for margaritas, or even flights. We’ve enjoyed our fair share of their handcrafted drinks. Learn all about some of our favorites in our DFB Video celebrating our favorite La Cava del Tequila margaritas! By the way, have you subscribed? If not, now’s the time! Subscribe to the DFB YouTube Channel, and you’ll never miss all the fun, as we bring you an insider’s view of all of your favorite stops in and around the parks and resorts of Disney! But now, I really want to hear from you! Will you be visiting La Cava del Tequila this Cinco de Mayo to enjoy one of these cinco margs? Tell us about it 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: Get Your Cinco de Mayo on at Disney World and Disneyland! Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Disney World News! Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Special Menu Items View the full article

Disney is about to find out whether anybody really wants to walk through the science fiction fantasy world of “Avatar.” I was a bit mystified back in 2011 when plans were announced to build what would become known as Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Fla. Universal... View the full article

Jordan Fisher & Angie Keilhauer on Recording ‘Happily Ever After’ Theme Song View the full article

Like many others around the world, I’m a huge Star Wars fan. No joke, I’m actually wearing a Darth Vader-themed dress as I type this, listening to my favorite music from the saga while surrounded by Star Wars merchandise that engulfs my desk. Think I’m exaggerating? I find your lack of faith disturbing! If you understood that reference, great. If you didn’t, I promise I’m not actually as menacing as the Dark Lord of the Sith. Anyways, I’m lucky enough to be able to step into Star Wars whenever I like by living so close to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so I know that every day is a great day to blast off and explore a galaxy far, far away. But the Force is particularly strong today: May the 4th, proclaimed by many to be “Star Wars Day,” is here! Disney PhotoPass Service is excited to celebrate this fan-created holiday by sharing photos of some of your favorite characters – mine is Ahsoka Tano – from the greatest saga ever told. Enjoy, and May the 4th be with you, always. View the full article

Today we have a new Disney Doodle to share with you that guesses what the royal sisters, Anna and Elsa, would do if they had the chance to visit Walt Disney World Resort. According to the imagination of artist Ashley Taylor, the chocolate-loving duo may stop at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort to try out the shoppe’s most impressive treat – the Kitchen Sink. “Beaches and Cream is one of my favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World.” Ashley said. “Their Kitchen Sink is one of my favorite desserts to share with friends. I know Anna and Elsa would love the challenge of eating all of that chocolate!” View the full article

Guests visiting Pandora – The World of Avatar will fly on the back of a mountain banshee at one of its major attractions, Avatar Flight of Passage. Soaring on the back of one of these powerful winged creatures represents an important rite of passage for the Na’vi. Today, I’m thrilled to announce a new way for guests to connect with these animals at The Rookery inside Windtraders, the primary merchandise location on Pandora. Cody Hampton with Disney Parks Merchandise gave me a first look at these new interactive creatures, and explained how they continue the tradition of immersive storytelling found at Disney Parks. “We love bringing to life stories from our attractions through creative and innovative product designs,” explained Cody. “Banshees are an important animal on Pandora, both as an animal in the ecosystem and as a cultural symbol to the Na’vi. Disney’s Animal Kingdom will also will feature a Na’Vi River Journey ride, where guests get a chance to cruise through a Pandora jungle. They are also part of one of the signature attractions, so it felt natural to feature them as a must-have souvenir from a visit to Pandora. These banshees are fun, interactive, and continue the excitement guests will feel when experiencing [Avatar Flight of Passage].” At the Rookery, a Naturalist from Alpha Centauri Expeditions will assist a guest with identifying a favorite banshee from among 10 unique styles. Each interactive banshee includes three ranges of motion – mouth, head, and wings – that are controlled by hand. Guests will also hear them make authentic banshee sounds provided by Disney’s partners at Lightstorm Entertainment. “We worked closely with [Lightstorm Entertainment] when designing the banshees,” continued Cody. “Their colors were inspired by banshees seen in the ‘Avatar’ motion picture. Their sounds make them feel as though they flew directly into Windtraders from the attraction. Guests will determine each banshee’s personality through a combination of hand movements and sounds.” Guests can either display a banshee on their shoulder or cradle them in their arms. We will also offer a banshee perch that is sold separately. Cody shared one final Pandora detail that ties back to the core ideas of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “The mountain banshee has come to symbolize our continued commitment to the environment,” said Cody. “Before guests depart Windtraders, Naturalists will encourage them to make a pledge to respect and protect the natural world on Pandora and back home on Earth.” When you see other banshee keepers on Pandora, or back at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, please greet them with “Oel Ngati Kameie” (“I See You”), the traditional Na’vi phrase of greeting and respect. View the full article

May the 4th is HERE, so get ready to brush off your Star Wars togs, mugs, and other gear to celebrate the holiday the right way! Rebel Hangar atmosphere What’s that? You need more Star Wars stuff in your life? Meee tooooo! See? We totally get each other. That’s why I wanted to share some of my favorite Star Wars merch finds with you today. Maybe you’re gearing up to celebrate the release of The Last Jedi later this year. Or you might be looking for that perfect gift for Mom or Dad in time for Mother’s or Father’s Day. Or are you on the hunt for that perfect grad gift? Whatever you’re after, check out these fun finds! Darth Vader Father of the Year Apron “Luke. I am your father…and I also make a mean burger.” OK, so we’re paraphrasing. But I promise you that your dad will feel like a force to be reckoned with in this Darth Vader Father of the Year Apron. It’s perfect for adventures manning the pancake griddle on Saturday mornings or the barbecue grill on Sunday afternoons. Millennium Falcon Cufflinks The next time that special guy in your life is sporting his French cuffs, make sure he shows up in style with these Millennium Falcon Cufflinks! These are so incredibly cool. Check out the Rebellion detail on the fasteners! There are actually lots of Star Wars cufflinks to choose from. Check out all the fun options, which include Darth Vader, the Death Star, R2D2, Stormtroopers, and more! Best Dad in the Galaxy Mug Is your dad simply the best? Then make sure everyone in the break room knows it by giving him this Best Dad in the Galaxy Mug. Make it extra special by having it personalized! Star Wars Messenger Bag This Star Wars Messenger Bag is one sharp accessory. It looks totally grown up, right? But everyone in the board room will know that you’d rather be fighting galactic battles than working on PowerPoint presentations. I promise you — you won’t be alone. Rey’s Lightsaber Hey! Girls deserve their own lightsabers! So now you can fight like a girl — and win — with Rey’s Lightsaber. Go ahead, Kylo Ren. Make our day. Cantina Juice Shaker by Shag This is EVERYTHING. Whether you’re shaking up cocktails or a protein smoothie, you can do it in style with this Cantina Juice Shaker by Shag. Tatooine Sunrise, anyone? Darth Vader Lightsaber Lamp Bring your lighting to the Dark Side with the Darth Vader Lightsaber Lamp. We love everything about this one, from the lightsaber hilt to the Galactic Empire design that, ironically, lets light through! Death Star Teapot and Mug Pondering the destruction of entire planets doesn’t have to interfere with your afternoon cuppa. That’s why we think that the Death Star Teapot and Mug is a must have for any serious villian. Tea is just the thing to keep your dastardly deeds cool and civilized. And for even more Disney gifts, check out Mickey Fix’s fun gift guides for Top Star Wars T-Shirts as well as their Top 10 Star Wars Must Haves! So what do you think? Leave us a comment and tell us which items you’ll be adding to your collection! 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 Holiday Gift Guide: Star Wars Extravaganza! Star Wars Weekends: Darth Vader Popcorn Bucket News! Han Solo in Carbonite Popcorn Bucket Coming to Star Wars Weekends View the full article

Whether it’s a delectable brunch or a sweet cupcake on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park, there are plenty of ways to say “I love you” to mom on her special day on May 14. Let’s start with brunch: Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. some favorites from the dinner menu are added to the buffet, and breakfast include one mimosa per adult. Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is offering a Mother’s Day character brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with a Bloody Mary bar and generous buffet. Next door at Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, the Mother’s day brunch is from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. with a holiday buffet. The Wave . . . Of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will host a buffet Mother’s Day brunch from 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Garden Grove Mother’s Day Character Brunch Buffet will be 7 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Walt Disney World Swan. Disney Vacation Club Members can book a Mother’s Day Brunch at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the Fantasia Ballroom. Inspired by the Disney animated film “Tarzan” (and the film’s song, “You’ll Be in My Heart”), the brunch is 11 a.m-1 p.m. and can be reserved by calling 800-800-9800. Includes special entertainment. Members can also visit www.dvcmembershipextras.com for more details. For something sweet, Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom Park is offering a Magic Kingdom Mother’s Day chocolate raspberry cupcake. And Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has a triple chocolate cupcake just for mom with an edible Mother’s Day plaque for decoration. Call 407-WDW-DINE to book Mother’s Day brunch, or book online at DisneyWorld.com/dining. View the full article

There’s a new way to take in the Tomorrowland skyline at Disneyland park, from a unique point of view! To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Space Mountain at Disneyland Resort, a new lounge experience will debut in Tomorrowland on May 26. The new Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge Experience features retro décor and desserts—both sweet and savory, as well as both hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages. The lounge area will be open to guests from 8-10 p.m. If a fireworks spectacular is scheduled, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse right from your seat. Your interstellar snack box will include: Mickey Cloud Cake: Cream-filled sponge cake Chocolate Eclipse: Cream-filled chocolate cake drenched in chocolate Coconut Comet: Coconut-strawberry iced sponge cake filled with cream Planetary Pie: Mini cherry-filled pie Moon Rocks: Boursin herbed cheese, cream cheese, shredded cheddar and jack cheese, parsley, pimentos, bacon Cost is $45 for ages 3 and older, tax included. Reservations are now open, and can be booked by visiting Disneyland.com/dining or by calling 714-781-DINE. View the full article

Disney Wonder Becomes First Passenger Vessel to Transit New Panama Canal Locks View the full article

We’re excited to share that our plans for a major expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland have officially been approved by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Starting next year through 2023, we’ll be adding world-class attractions, entertainment and themed areas to bring to life some of the very best characters and stories of the Disney brand. Included in our expansion plans are a “Frozen“-themed area transporting guests to the kingdom of Arendelle, a new Marvel-themed area with thrilling attractions and entertainment celebrating your favorite Super Heroes, and a new entertainment venue called Moana’s Village Festival with a lively stage show. On top of all that, we’ll be transforming Sleeping Beauty Castle to showcase new daytime and nighttime spectaculars and entertainment experiences. There’s so much to do and see, and we can’t wait to bring you along on this journey with us. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more expansion updates from Hong Kong Disneyland. View the full article

Sous Chef Daniel Contreras is very proud of being able to add a bit of cultural flair to his dishes, especially the ones he has created for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Daniel, who was born at Neiva in Colombia, has been working at Walt Disney World Resort since 2006, and one of the things that he has been able to incorporate into the food that he prepares is his love for his culture. Another love of his is corn, a staple in Colombian cuisine as well as in many other Latin American countries. No wonder his dish, smoked ribs with corn and black bean salad from the Smokehouse Outdoor Kitchen, is one of his favorites! Learn more about Chef Daniel and his inspiration and passion for food in this video! View the full article

Purple martins are beautiful migratory birds that complete a 6,000-mile roundtrip each year between North America, where they breed, and the Brazilian Amazon, where they spend the fall. Each year, more and more of these birds stop at the Walt Disney World Resort to choose a mate and raise a family, and Disney’s Conservation Team is working to learn as much as they can about this native species. It may sound challenging to study a bird that weighs only 2 oz. and flies more than 6,000 miles a year, but because purple martins rely almost exclusively on housing humans install for them, we are learning a great deal by monitoring their nests and observing the birds’ behavior. In collaboration with York University and the University of Manitoba, each year, we give each adult and nestling bird a “magic band” so we can tell who comes back next year for another Disney adventure. We track our birds to the Brazilian Amazon and back to learn what type of habitats need to be conserved so our birds can continue making their incredible yearly migrations. In a recently published scientific-journal article, our Conservation Team contributed to a study about purple martin migration with Dr. Kevin Fraser. This study showed how we used new GPS technology to pinpoint the exact location of where the birds roost in Brazil. Interestingly, they do not spend as much time in Brazilian cities where they have been observed previously like most people expected, but rather on small islands in the Amazon River and its tributaries. This is critical information because only about 17 percent of the roosts identified were in protected areas. This helps conservationists continue to develop new strategies to protect purple martins. Disney is proud to support efforts to conserve habitats that purple martins rely upon during their migration through Central and South America. In 2012, Disney helped plant 3 million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees Campaign. The Disney Conservation Fund has provided more than $4 million in support of conservation efforts in Latin America. Be sure to say hi to our conservation specialists if you see them conducting a nest check! You might even get to see a baby purple martin! You can see our conservation team in action at purple martin nest checks every Tuesday and Thursday at Epcot (behind MouseGear) at 11 a.m. and at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (near Shutters) every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 a.m. through the end of June. View the full article

Hong Kong's Legislative Council has approved the government plans to co-finance the $1.4 billion expansion of the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park. The expansion plan was proposed in November last year, but came under increasing fire from lawmakers who challenged it in finance committee and other... View the full article

The World of Disney Food is BIG. Planning a Disney vacation is serious business, and a big part of that is where, when, and what you’re going to eat. And there are a few Disney dining mistakes you should take care to avoid. Homecomin’ Fried Chicken Making assumptions, or failing to properly plan for your meals and snacks when you visit Walt Disney World, can make for a less than magical experience. But there’s good news! We know a thing or two about dining in Disney and we are ready to share what NOT to do! Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Book If you only take one piece of advice from this list, make it this one. Do not wait until you get to Walt Disney World to plan your dining. In fact, make those advance dining reservations just as soon as you can — at the 180 day mark! This is especially true if you want to experience a super popular Disney restaurant, like dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant. Grilled Strip Steak at Be Our Guest By booking your restaurants ahead of time, you get to choose from the largest selection of options (the closer you get to your trip, the fewer restaurants will be available), but you’re not locked in. For most Disney World restaurants, you can always cancel reservations or re-arrange your dining up until the day before your ADR. Don’t Think You’re Too Old For a Character Meal What???? You aren’t booking a Character Meal because there are no kiddos in your group? I would super urge you to think again. Mickey Mouse! Character meals are some of the BEST deals around in Walt Disney World. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, CHARACTERS. If any part of your vacation involves meeting characters, I promise you, this is the best way to do it. Because. Donald. That means no waiting in a line, in the hot sun, and then getting to the front of the line and having the character handler say, “Nope, Donald’s gotta rest now, folks. He’ll be back in 20 minutes.” Because, see, Donald comes to YOU at the character meal. AND — there’s air conditioning involved. So pack away that sunscreen and that portable misty fan thingy. You won’t need them. Beside that, FOOOOD. Most of the time, character meals are either a buffet, or they’re all you care to enjoy family style. Family Breakfast Platter at ‘Ohana Either way, it gives you an opportunity to fill up on a really big meal for usually one table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan. (There are a few exceptions to the all you can eat set up, and Cinderella’s Royal Table is two table service credits. Be sure to review our Character Meal Page for the details.) Don’t Waste Disney Dining Plan Credits Believe it or not, we hear about this all the time. First timers, and even seasoned Disney veterans, fail to use all of their Disney Dining Plan meal and snack credits. How in the ‘World can this be? Truthfully, it often comes down to poor planning. And that’s why I refer you back to that top bullet point: make your plans ahead of time. Meatloaf Meal at The Plaza Restaurant It is completely possible to arrive in Walt Disney World for your vacation without advance dining reservations and find that the bulk of the table service restaurants are completely booked. And if you’ve paid for a standard Disney Dining Plan, that can mean leaving credits on the table. (Ha! See what we did there?) But it’s not just meals. Be mindful of your snack credits too. Peanut Butter Fudge And keep in mind that if you get to the end of your stay and have snack credits to burn, packaged candy and foods like Disney fudge travel well, and make swell souvenirs (or airplane snacks to keep that vacation going just a little longer). Don’t Assume It’s All Burgers, Fries, and Mickey Bars This is another biggie. If it’s been a while since you’ve visited Disney World, you may be extremely — and pleasantly — surprised at the sheer diversity of food offerings within the parks and resorts. Classic Poutine Sure, you can get all of those American classics and iconic treats here. But did you know that you can also get indulgent poutine at Disney Springs, incredible French pastries and bread in Epcot, and some serious sushi at — well — lots of places, and more? It’s a food lover’s paradise, regardless of your tastes and whims. Duo at Les Halles in Epcot’s France Beyond the international flair those eats represent (you could have authentic treats from more than ten different countries just from Epcot alone), Disney has some truly creative and top tier dining in their table service restaurants. Enjoy an incredible steak at Le Cellier or Yachtsman Steakhouse. Le Cellier Filet Explore the flavors of Africa at Jiko, Sanaa, or Boma. Or enjoy the pinnacle of fine dining at Victoria and Albert’s. The sky is the limit. Don’t Miss the Epcot Food and Wine Festival We’ve saved our best tip for last: Do NOT miss the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Epcot Food and Wine Festival The annual Festival, which celebrates its 22nd straight year in 2017, takes place from August 31 through November 13. That’s a record 75 days! The Epcot Food and Wine Festival offers something for everyone. International Food Marketplace Booths line the World Showcase Promenade, and even stretch into Future World. Frozen Daiquiri Ice Pop from France Booth Low Cost Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars offer guests the opportunity to try new things, while Special Events like Party for the Senses and special dining events throughout the Epcot Pavilions are indulgent and worth the splurge. The Parisian Breakfast And don’t forget the Eat to the Beat Concert Series! It’s a great way to cap off a wonderful day at the Festival. Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! The 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition, is now available! With more than 650 pages, the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With sample dining itineraries, plus our “Disney Dining at a Glance” section, featuring “Where Can I Find?” options, you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to get your copy of the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition E-book — and use code SAVE2017 for a 20% discount for a limited time! Use code SAVE2017 at check-out for a 20% off the cover price! Now, we wanna hear from YOU! What’s your best tip for avoiding Disney Dining Mistakes? Leave a comment and share with us 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: Tips from the DFB Guide: How to Avoid Crowds When Dining in Disney World How Using Your Disney Dining Plan at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Just Got Better 5 Best “One-Credit” Disney Dining Values View the full article

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