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Happy weekend! We hope you’re enjoying a couple days of rest and relaxation! Now it’s time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Disney food news… . Cinnamon French Toast Bread Pudding at Sunshine Seasons The 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival with its Outdoor Kitchens is in full bloom through the end of May, and we have all the menus and food photos for you! Don’t forget, the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival starts in August this year! Whew!! And if you want even MORE food news, we also have news on the updated menus for the 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic! We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News We checked out grab-and-go menu at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen! DFB was YouTube’s ‘Creator on the Rise’ this week! 38 Special is confirmed for this year’s Eat to the Beat Concert Series! Several permits have been filed for Marketplace Booths at this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival! The World Showcase Wine Walk now features a refillable wine glass! Goofy’s Powdered Candy is back at Walt Disney World! We talked about possible dates and details for the 2017 Free Dining offer that should be coming soon! Check out the sneak peek of specialty drinks from Pandora – The World of Avatar. We reviewed the Cinnamon French Toast Bread Pudding at Sunshine Seasons. Check out this guest review of the San Angel Inn in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion. We review breakfast at Rancho del Zocala at Disneyland. New DFB YouTube video has all the details on How to Get Free Dining and Magic Kingdom table service restaurants you have to try! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including menu updates, restaurant closures, special events, and more! We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go. New DFB Video! Have you subscribed to the DFB YouTube Channel? We’ve got great content going up twice a week showcasing our adventures in Disney World and Disneyland! This week, we’re expecting the Free Dining Offer to come out, so we did a video all about the details! Check it out below — and subscribe here! Deal of the Week: Save on The 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book Second Edition! This week we launched the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2017 Second Edition! To celebrate this milestone — the first time we’ve shared a second edition — and to say thank you to all of our loyal DFB readers – you can order the Second Edition for 20% OFF your purchase with code SAVE2017! Why a Second Edition, You Ask? Because it’s crazy, but true — EVERYTHING continues to change so rapidly at Walt Disney World these days. So many new restaurants, kiosks, bars and lounges, menu items, and more have come online. We are constantly go go go just trying to cover it all for our Disney World food lovers out there! So we decided it was time to produce the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2017 Second Edition now. We update everything with every new edition, so you can be sure that you’ve got the most recent details about dining in Walt Disney World at your fingertips. You can order your copy today for 20% off the cover price – just use code SAVE2017! With a 100% money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose! DFB Reader Finds If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or around Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday! Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure is a fantastic spot for dinner, and my good friend Eric Chu recently dined there as part of the World of Color dining package. He declared the Braised Short Ribs as “bomb-diggity.” “Bomb-diggity” Braised Short Ribs Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside is one of those hidden gem locations at Disney World. And if you end up dining there you won’t be disappointed. DFB friend Amy Rhodes shared a few photos with us from her recent visit declaring the pork chops and okra “so good!” This all looks delicious! Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us! On to the Round-Up! Mickey Fix spotted this fun ‘Finding Nemo’-themed coffee mug. WDW for Grownups shared their Top 5 Snacks in Epcot’s World Showcase. Oh My Disney shared a cute quiz about Disney Parks food and what it reveals about your personality. Disney Family shared a recipe for a super cute Minnie Mouse Grilled Cheese. Have a great week! We’ll see you back here tomorrow with another great Disney food review! 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 Food Post Round-up: April 2, 2017 Disney Food Post Round-Up: April 9, 2017 Disney Food Post Round-Up: April 16, 2017 View the full article

Our exclusive “All in the Details” series exploring Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom continued this week with a detailed look at the land’s interactive plants and the different animals throughout the land. Pandora – The World of Avatar will open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on May 27. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more details on this new world. We also shared a first look at The Collector’s Fortress at Disney California Adventure park. The building is home to the soon-to-be-unveiled Tivan Collection, where guests will view the rare items in Taneleer Tivan’s extensive holdings, including his newest acquisitions: the Guardians of the Galaxy. Check out Erin’s original story for more details and images. And you can explore The Collector’s Fortress yourself when Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! opens May 27 at Disney California Adventure park. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Frozen Summer Games Coming to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park Starting May 26 – We’re very excited to share that the “Frozen” Summer Games will be returning to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park starting May 26, with even more snowy, summery fun! New Star Tours Adventure Revealed at Star Wars Celebration – During Star Wars Celebration in Orlando last week, Star Wars fans got their first look at the teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Fans attending a special panel discussion entitled Star Wars and Disney Parks: A Galaxy in the Making also learned that a new destination will be coming to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios later this year featuring some of the iconic actions and locations showcased in the trailer! Classic Space Mountain Returns to Disneyland Park This Summer – Get ready to initiate power transfer in 3…2…1… when the classic Space Mountain returns to Disneyland park June 1! Tune in on May 7th for a Look at the Magic Behind Happily Ever After with the New Special – ‘Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings’ – You are cordially invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at how a dream wedding becomes a reality. Tune in on Sunday, May 7th at 8/7c on Freeform to see the premiere of the brand new television special – “Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings.” Super Heroes Arrive at Disney California Adventure Park During Summer of Heroes – It’s almost time to Hero Up! All-new epic adventures are headed to Disney California Adventure park when Summer of Heroes kicks off May 27, including the grand opening of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Inside the ‘Happily Ever After’ Score Recording Session – The new fireworks spectacular “Happily Ever After” is now less than a month away from debuting at Magic Kingdom Park and today we have a new behind-the-scenes look to share with you – a peek inside the recording session for the show’s score. View the full article

Sydney Devore of Lakeland and Samuel Souza Do Nascimento of Brazil triumphed in the second annual Star Wars Half Marathon -- The Dark Side at Disney World on Sunday, April 23, 2017. View the full article

In the time since Sydney Devore thought her running career was over, she taught English in South Korea, backpacked across southeast Asia and got engaged in Sweden. In the time since the Lakeland resident resumed running competitively, she set a personal best last month and shattered it Sunday morning... View the full article

Disney Parks Moms Panel Quick Tip | How to Spot Your Stroller View the full article

Disney Parks Moms Panel Quick Tip | Smart Scheduling View the full article

Disney Parks Moms Panel Quick Tip | Arrive Early View the full article

Hey, Everyone! It’s that time of year — time for Disney to announce their FREE Disney Dining Plan offers in the U.S.! So in today’s DFB YouTube Video, we’re sharing with you our Top Tips for How to Get the Disney Dining Plan for FREE! In this video, we tell you all about the Free Dining Offer, what NOT TO MISS in the small print, and exactly how to maximize your chances of getting the offer when you book. Find out all the details in our How to Get the Free Disney Dining Video. And while you’re at it — sign up for the Disney Food Blog Newsletter, because we’ll have the information first, and we’ll pass it along to you immediately! By the way, have you subscribed to the DFB YouTube Channel? Subscribe now and you’ll never miss our most important and timely tips, just when you need them! But now, I really want to hear from you! Are you trying to score the FREE Disney Dining Plan? 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: New DFB Video: Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for First Timers New DFB Video: Our Top 10 Disney Dining Tips! New DFB Video: The Disney World Mocktail Crawl! View the full article

Each April, we join together to celebrate this great planet and remind ourselves why it’s so important to take time to enjoy nature and do our part to protect it. As Earth Day approaches, we are excited to announce our 2016-2017 grants, helping us reach a milestone of more than $65 million in support to projects spanning 115 countries since the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) was established in 1995. Here are just a few highlights from our 2016-2017 grant recipients, who together received grants totaling more than $7 million to support their efforts to protect wildlife and provide experiences that will help inspire a lifelong love for nature in young people. As part of the Increase the Time initiative, Disney is helping empower young people to create community-based solutions to big challenges facing other people, animals and the environment in 12 countries through Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program; providing 16 communities with resources to improve local parks with National Recreation and Park Association’s Meet Me at the Park initiative; and encouraging kids and families to create backyard garden habitats for wildlife through the National Wildlife Federation’s Butterfly Heroes program. Additionally, as part of Disney’s Reverse the Decline efforts, we are contributing funding and expertise to protect 10 at-risk animals and providing more than 100 strategic conservation grants to support the worldwide protection of wildlife and ecosystems important to our company. This year, Disney’s support will help Panthera conduct outreach to monasteries and herders to empower local people to support the conservation of snow leopards in China, help San Diego Zoo Global protect vaquita porpoises – the most endangered marine mammal in the world – in Mexico and support the World Parrot Trust’s work to identify and protect critical habitat for Tasman parakeets in Australia. To learn more about our 2016-2017 DCF grant recipients, visit www.disney.com/conservation. With these grants, the DCF has now awarded more than $65 million to reverse the decline of wildlife and increase the time kids spend in nature. Since 1995, this support has: Helped to conserve more than 400 species around the world. Funded protection of 143,400 square miles of habitat – an area greater than 2,400 Walt Disney World Resorts. Helped provide tens of millions of kids with nature experiences. The majority of funding is provided by Disney and supplemented by guest contributions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, The Seas and The Land at Epcot, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club Resorts and select Walt Disney World resorts. View the full article

In honor of Earth Day, go Behind the Waves of Disney Cruise Line with Disney Channel star Jenna Ortega from the hit TV series “Stuck in the Middle.” In this final installment, Jenna discovers the many “bright” ideas Disney Cruise Line practices to conserve energy, from the design of our ships to the propulsion system that keeps the fleet on the move. At Disney Cruise Line, we’re dedicated to minimizing our impact on the environment year around and are always looking for innovative ways to increase fuel efficiency, reduce waste and promote conservation worldwide. You can learn more about Disney Cruise Line environmental efforts and check out the entire Behind the Waves video series starring Jenna Ortega here. View the full article

BB-8 Greets Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Walt Disney World View the full article

If you have fond memories of strolling through your favorite Disney World Park as a youngster (or as a not-so-youngster!), clutching a plastic tube full of flavored sweet and/or sour sugar, you might be a Goofy’s Powdered Candy fan. Goofy’s Powdered Candy While powdered candy is by no means new to Disney World (we first chatted about this sugary indulgence years ago), the current incarnation of the treat is somewhat updated. You see, around a year ago, Goofy’s Powdered Candy suddenly vanished from merchandise spots where it had been a staple for ages: place like the Main Street Confectionery, Epcot’s Mouse Gear, and the like. And then — just as suddenly — it came back on the scene to several of its previous locations (though not all… yet). Goofy’s Powdered Candy even showed up in places it hadn’t been seen before, like Zuri’s Sweets Shop in Animal Kingdom. BOOM! Powder Candy Station in Zuri’s Sweets Shop The set-up is the same: round, free-standing dispenser. Tube options of various lengths on the bottom (more on those later). Flavored sugar options circling above. Only a few things have changed: there are some updated graphics to help note the flavors, AND there are even some new tastes to try. In fact, there are as many as fourteen flavors (and so many combinations thereof!), so you might need to make multiple stops! Or, for all you parents out there who aren’t quite as delighted by the news of the return of powder candy, here’s some advance notice that you might need to steer the eyes of your little one away from the colorful, glittery beacons of sugar ;). Let’s go down the list. First up, you’ll notice that Blue Bubblegum and Birthday Cake are both designated as two of the “Sweet” options. Goofy’s Powdered Candy Flavors The other flavor family is “Sour,” with options including Green Apple and Lemonade. Goofy’s Powdered Candy Flavors For those who want to stray slightly off the beaten path, there’s Sour Peach and Sweet Rootbeer. Goofy’s Powdered Candy Flavors Ideas for mixing and matching abound as you make your way around the stand; for instance, Sweet Strawberry and Sweet Tropical Fruit would likely taste great together. Goofy’s Powdered Candy Flavors Sour Watermelon is intriguing, and Sour Wild Cherry is likely to be popular. Goofy’s Powdered Candy Flavors Sour Blue Raspberry and Sweet Cotton Candy join the mix. Goofy’s Powdered Candy Flavors And jewel-like shades of Sour Fruit Punch and Sour Grape are as fun to look at as they might be to eat. Goofy’s Powdered Candy Flavors Goofy’s Powdered Candy is a self-serve situation, so you select a tube of your choice and fill it with whatever flavors suit your fancy. On this visit, we went with a 6″ tube and filled it with three flavors: Sour Fruit Punch (that’s the blue one), Sweet Birthday Cake, and Sweet Rootbeer. Goofy’s Powdered Candy The tubes are easy to fill once you’ve completed the far more difficult task of choosing your flavors. Goofy’s Powdered Candy 6″ Tube The powdered candy texture is just right (read: the granules are very fine for ease of dissolving, so bear in mind that it can get on every inch of your clothing if you aren’t careful!). Goofy’s Powdered Candy Just as you’d expect, the powders are sweet and sugary — or just sour enough to cause you to pucker, where noted in the flavor names! But we were stoked to find that they also carried their designated flavors pretty well! Essentially, it’s like one big ‘ol customizable Pixy Stick (or Pixy Stix, to be proper, if you’re pluralizing by filling a few tubes ). Goofy’s Powdered Candy The powders do become somewhat mixed together once it’s time to tip the tube. All this means is that you’ll want to select flavors that are friendly with each other and will mix together well. Goofy’s Powdered Candy Otherwise, just tip it back and wait for the sugar rush to take over! As far as pricing goes, there are four options, delineated by tube length. Goofy’s Powdered Candy Prices You’ll note that the first three tube length options are all Disney Dining Plan snack credit options, so the 18 inch tube will best maximize your snack credit value at three times the powder of the smallest size. Divvying up a big tube among the fam can make two (or three or four) snacks out of one credit. No matter the math, though, the return of Goofy’s Powdered Candy brought a smile to my face. How about you? 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? Did you love Goofy’s Powdered Candy back in the day? Let us know if you’re happy it’s back! 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: Cookies and Cream Cupcake at Candy Counters in Disney World and Disneyland What’s New Around Walt Disney World: December 20, 2016 Review: Christmas Treats at Goofy’s Candy Company in Disney Springs View the full article

In the last #DisneyKids post we shared some funny thoughts from kids after they viewed the Festival of the Lion King show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Today, we will take you to the Butterflies on the Go exhibit at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Watch these youngsters’ adorable reactions to the magnificent garden where more than a thousand butterflies, representing 10 species, flutter about. The exhibit is a captivating way to connect kids to nature as they explore the wondrous journey of the butterfly. The festival continues through May 29 with loads of fun for kids like the Music Garden Melodies Playground, whimsical gardens, a scavenger hunt and kid-friendly topiaries. Listen to what these kids had to say about the butterflies. Check out more videos in our #DisneyKids series: #DisneyKids: Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot #DisneyKids: Friendly Competition at Toy Story Mania! #DisneyKids: Frozen Ever After in the Epcot Pavilion at Walt Disney World Resort #DisneyKids: ‘Festival of The Lion King’ View the full article

Watch this amazing split-screen look at a day in Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland park, simultaneously! What does “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure park look like from 1,800 feet in the air? Find out in this video! The miniature garden railroad at the Germany Pavilion is always a must-see for me at Epcot. In this video, you can imagine riding those tiny rails yourself! View the full article

Sketches From The Park: Disney Artist Will Gay Paints Cinderella Castle View the full article

We’re in high gear here, closely monitoring all the news so that we can bring you the latest, most up to date info about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! The festival will begin August 31 this year, and runs through November 13! That’s 75 days to eat, drink, and rock. Wait, what? Yep — Rock! Because the Eat to the Beat Concert Series keeps getting better and better! If you’re a newbie to the festival, we’ll bring you up to speed. Eat to the Beat features musical acts from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s each year, and concerts take place most evenings of the Festival — not just during the weekends. The concerts are performed three times per evening, so you have three opportunities every night to see your favorite acts — at 5:30PM, 6:45PM, and 8:00PM. We already told you about some of the bands that we expect to see playing in the America Gardens Theatre during this year’s series. And recently, we learned that fan favorite 38 Special will be returning in 2017 once again as well! The Southern rock band will perform September 28 and 29, so mark your calendars if they are one of your favorites. © 38 Special Be sure to check out our Eat to the Beat page for all of the acts you can expect to see during the 2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Series as well as the very latest information on Eat to the Beat Dining Packages. And to stay up to date on all of the latest 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival news, subscribe to the DFB Newsletter! Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% discount! Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST! Who are you looking forward to seeing during the Eat to the Beat Concert Series? Let us know in 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: News! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Preliminary Bands Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Series Announced! News! 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Preliminary Dates View the full article

Last night, guests at Walt Disney Grand Theatre were treated to a special charity performance of THE LION KING, the first-ever Mandarin production of the popular Broadway musical, kicking off our “Celebrate Earth” series at Shanghai Disney Resort. The star-studded event raised funds to support wildlife protection in China while honoring a beloved story about the circle of life. This marks the first Earth Month for our newest Disney resort after its opening, and we’ve teamed up with the China Wildlife Conservation Association and WildAid, an environmental non-profit, to bring you plenty of fun ways to celebrate and support this great big beautiful world of ours. Our new Join the Herd wildlife conservation campaign focuses on the protection of elephants and other endangered wild animals, and it all starts with a stunning photography exhibition at Walt Disney Grand Theatre. You can step into the natural habitat of animals that inspired THE LION KING’s lovable characters and even make an ivory free pledge on a special wall installed at the theatre. A “Celebrate Earth” fair will be set up at Disneytown and Shanghai Disneyland, including a host of environmentally-friendly themed games for kids. Everyone is invited to come out and learn how small changes make a big impact on the world around us. Don’t forget to take a stroll around Wishing Star Park during your visit and enjoy all the beauty nature has to offer. Shanghai Disney Resort continues our longstanding commitment to engage communities in the protection of wildlife and their habitats. Since 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has been working to protect wildlife, including efforts to reverse the decline of elephants, with more than $2.3 million in support to elephant projects in 25 countries across Asia and Africa. Take a look at our recent Wildlife Wednesday entry for more information on how our resorts around the world are championing Earth Month and how you can help. View the full article

It’s time for breakfast in Disneyland — Rancho del Zocalo style! This beautiful restaurant — and I mean seriously, it’s gorgeous — is situated in Frontierland, where all things rough and rowdy reign supreme. But step into this colorful corner, and you’re surrounded by cheerful warmth and bright colors. And let’s not forget the food! Rancho del Zocalo Rancho del Zocalo has taken on added significance though in the last year. The spot is now home to a significantly traditional breakfast favorite — the Mickey Pancake. This entree is the stuff of Disney cult legends, and there was a collective gasp when we found out it would be moving from its longtime home at River Belle Terrace to Rancho del Zocalo. After all, River Belle Terrace was one of my favorite places in the entire world to get breakfast — in no small part because it was something Walt Disney himself did as well. But change is the only thing you can count on in life (especially at Disney). So here we are, embracing the new. Care to join us? Atmosphere Little bit of trivia for you — want to know why this restaurant is named Rancho del Zocalo, which translates to “Ranch of the Square?” Archway Over Entrance The area in front of Frontierland was once named El Zocalo, or The Town Square. Therefore, the name of the restaurant pays homage to a little Disneyland history. Nice. Rancho del Zocalo painted mural And indeed, the whole space feels like you’re wandered into a charming and well-to-do hacienda. Walkway Leading into the Restaurant Fountains provide tranquil sounds of running water, and are just pretty. I especially love the iron scrollwork in the arch above this one as well as the pair of love birds playing in the water at the top. Rancho del Zocalo Fountain Most of the seating for the restaurant is outdoors, but don’t let that worry you. There’s plenty of shade for those sunny California days, and space heaters keep the patio warm when the mercury dips down. Outdoor Seating Area Bougainvillea grows in abundance all around the terrace. Really, it’s like some kind of wonderful oasis. Rancho del Zocalo Decor Other decorative touches on the patio include these gorgeous hanging lanterns, which are even prettier at night. Hanging Lanterns Now that we’ve looked around, let’s get to the main reason for visiting — breakfast. Eats Rancho del Zocalo began serving breakfast around a year ago, and it seems to have settled into the role nicely. Here, you’ll find a combo of the traditional breakfast options that you previously could enjoy at River Belle Terrace, and some Rancho specialties. Sadly, they still aren’t offering the Cinnamon Roll French Toast that I loved at RBT. But other favorites remain! We’ll look at a few in a moment. Breakfast Menu — Click to Enlarge We were also able to snag a shot of the Allergy Friendly Menu, which comes in handy if you’re trying to plan meals for someone with food sensitivities. Allergy Menu — Click to Enlarge Service here is cafeteria style. Start by picking up a tray and utensils, and then off you go to choose your breakfast items. Your Starting Point: Trays and Silverware Line at Rancho del Zocalo Pancakes proved to be a popular selection the day we visited. A Cast Member Makes Our Breakfast A Grab and Go area is stocked with bottled drinks, refillable souvenir mugs, and ready-to-eat items as well as the Rancho desserts. Grab and Go Drinks and Sides There are also self-serve fountain drinks if you prefer. Self-Serve Beverage Area We made our selections and headed out to the terrace to enjoy them. We decided to start with the traditional dishes that made the jump from Belle River Terrace. First up — the Mickey Pancake! This guy has been around for as long as anyone can remember, and I love that he stands defiantly against any attempt to “gourmet it up.” Ha! He’s so cute, even though he’s basic. A Classic Relocated — Mickey Pancake We also had to have some Biscuits and Gravy. The plate — a real plate, a hallmark of most Disneyland counter service dining — was completely filled up. Friends, this is a breakfast that will stick with you All. Day. Long. The eggs are…eggs. But the Biscuits and Gravy are something special! Thick, rich, and super flavorful. And the sausage is delicious and has plenty of flavor without being spicy. Biscuits and Gravy But in the interest of staying true to its Mexican themeing, Rancho del Zocalo also serves menu items inspired by cuisine that you’ll find south of the border. We decided to try all of these as well. Let’s start with the Chorizo and Egg Burrito, which was served with sides of Beans and Rice. Burrito The Burrito is stuffed full of Scrambled Eggs, Chorizo, Beans, and Salsa Verde. This was probably the favorite of the Mexican breakfast dishes! Burrito — Inside Traditional Tamales, also served with a side of Beans and Rice, proved to be tempting as well. Tamales Pretty authentic and delicious! Tamales — Inside The Chilaquiles was also a substantial serving of food. I love this dish, which reminds me of a yummy Mexican-themed casserole. In this version, Corn Tortillas are layered with Scrambled Eggs, Refried Beans, and Salsa Verde. The plate is garnished with Queso Fresco, Onions, Sour Cream, and Cilantro. Chilaquiles Finally, we had to try the Fajita Beef Breakfast Platter. It was a work of art, with neatly arranged rows of Scrambled Eggs, Grilled Veggies and Beef, Rice, Refried Beans, and a Flour Tortilla. This was pretty standard, but offers a good, hearty option. Fajitas Fully fueled for the day, it was time to head out for some fun, Disneyland-style. Overall Rancho del Zocalo had been a favorite of mine for a long time when it came to lunch and dinner. And now I’m very happy to add breakfast to the list as well. If good food and a lovely group of cast members weren’t enough to woo you through the wrought iron archway, consider how beautiful this place is on top of all that. Really, with filling, delicious dishes that live up to the themeing, plus everything else, I really must insist that you give Rancho del Zocalo a try if you haven’t already. So now, let me know what you think. Is Rancho del Zocalo one of your favorite stops in Disneyland? Leave a comment and let us know what your favorite meal here is! 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: Changes Coming to Disneyland’s River Belle Terrace and Rancho del Zocalo REVIEW: Rancho del Zocalo in Disneyland’s Frontierland Dining in Disneyland: Cinnamon Crisps from Rancho Del Zocalo View the full article

Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge View the full article

Once a month, Disney Parks Blog author Will Gay heads to a Disney Park to sketch from the field (or Plein Air as it’s called in the art world). He shares his amazing hand-drawn creations in our “Sketches From The Park” series on the first Friday of every month. Today we have a special edition to share with you. We recently headed out with Will as he took on one of his most daring artistic challenges yet: to create a watercolor painting of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park in less than 90 minutes! Check out the video below to see how the beauty of our parks inspires his fun, creative projects. To see more of Will’s creations for our “Sketches in the Park” series, check out the list of related posts below. Hotel Burudika & Mombasa Marketplace, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Stave Church, Norway Pavilion, Epcot World Showcase Lagoon Skyline, Epcot View the full article

I will be the first to admit, my European soccer I.Q. could use a little boost. But there may be some help for me yet. Today, we shared that Walt Disney World Resort is teaming with one of the biggest names in European soccer to launch a youth soccer training institute at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Institute FC presented by LaLiga and Walt Disney World Resort will provide a holistic approach to soccer with proven, year-round training, education and development for youth soccer athletes both on and off the field. It will also offer training for aspiring coaches and officials. Open enrollment begins June 1-4, and The Institute FC will begin training and development later that month – just as many kids are getting out of school for the summer. It’s a rare opportunity for aspiring youth soccer players to learn the Spanish style of soccer from world-class coaches, players and officials associated with LaLiga, the Spanish professional soccer league that’s one of the most popular in the world. In addition, The Institute FC will bring multiple events and exhibitions to the complex each year, including a tournament, on-site events with current and former LaLiga players, summer camps with current and former players and coaches, visits from LaLiga legends and ambassadors, and more events. For more information about The Institute FC, visit www.TheInstituteFC.com. View the full article

The new fireworks spectacular “Happily Ever After” is now less than a month away from debuting at Magic Kingdom Park and today we have a new behind-the-scenes look to share with you – a peek inside the recording session for the show’s score. “Music is truly at the heart of everything,” said Michael Jung, Executive Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering. “It’s the script, it’s the emotion, it’s the thing that guides us through the show.” In the case of “Happily Ever After,” the score will take guests on an emotional journey with beloved Disney characters as they chase their dreams. To help the audience feel the emotional journey of the story, specific pieces of the score were written to inspire feelings of excitement, adversity, friendship, triumph and much more. The show also features plenty of Disney music, which the team says was a fun challenge to take on, since tunes from the Disney music library are incredibly diverse, since they were created by different composers in various styles and genres. For a look inside the recording session, check out the video above. And for a sneak peek at the show’s theme song, be sure to check out this previous blog post. For more on “Happily Ever After,” visit the posts below: ‘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

Before you blast into the “Guardians of the Galaxy” story when Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! opens at Disney California Adventure park May 27, you can reunite with these unlikely heroes in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” in theaters May 5! To celebrate the new movie, Downtown Disney District will host an Awesome Mix Vol. 2 Soundtrack Release Party on April 27 at the event stage. From 6-10 p.m., guests can join live dueling DJs as they mix fan-favorite tracks from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films. There will be special appearances, trivia, games and giveaways. Fans can also learn and post their own video of the official #GrootDance. Come dressed in your favorite Super Hero costume or gear* and prepare to traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos with fellow fans! And today I’m excited to invite you, our Disney Parks Blog readers, to attend a special advanced screening of the film here at AMC Downtown Disney 12 at the Disneyland Resort on April 27 at 5 p.m. Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid. Can’t make it to the special advanced screening? Then be sure to catch “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” in theaters in 3D on May 5, 2017. Join us the evening of Thursday, April 27! Space for the advanced screening is limited and you must sign up here. Please remember the following: All participants who sign up for the event must be 18 years or older, but guests of the participants may be younger than 18. Limit one guest per registrant. Event confirmations are non-transferrable and have no cash value. Confirmation will be for the accepted registered person plus one guest. Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in. Space is limited to 200 registrants. Registrations will be accepted based on eligibility and capacity. Participants will be responsible for any parking fees. The movie is rated PG-13. Please arrive early. Seating is first come, first seated. No one will be admitted late. The screening may be overbooked and seating is not guaranteed. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (WDSMP), the Disneyland Resort, their affiliates and the theatre are not responsible for overbooking. We may refuse, revoke or limit admission in our sole discretion at any time. NO RECORDING. The screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to bring any video or audio recording devices (including, without limitation, cameras and phones) into the venue and you consent to a physical search of your belongings and person for recording devices. If you attempt to enter with a recording device, you will be denied admission. If you attempt to use a recording device during this screening, you consent to your immediate removal from the venue and forfeiture of your recording device and its contents. Any attempted unauthorized recording will be reported to law enforcement and may subject you to criminal and civil liability. We reserve the right to pursue any and all available remedies at law and in equity for any unauthorized recording and/or copyright infringement, including without limitation statutory damages of up to $150,000 per violation, and nothing contained in this notice shall be construed to limit our available remedies and/or legal recourse. You assume all risks of personal injury arising from or incidental to attending the screening, whether occurring prior to, during, or after the event. Further, by attending you grant permission to WDSMP, its licensees, licensors, affiliates and agents, to record and utilize your name, voice and likeness to publicize the screening and promote the movie. *Costume Guidelines While we encourage creativity, we also value safety and good judgment. Please take a moment to read over our latest rules and regulations: General All Guests may dress as their favorite character, but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other guests. Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent. Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon. Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another guest. Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening. Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (e.g. full-length princess dresses). For Guests Ages 13 and Under Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long as the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible. For Guests Ages 14 and Older Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist. Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts and hats are acceptable. Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face. Masks of any kind may not be worn. Costumes may not be worn if entering any Disneyland Resort Theme Park. Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from, the event, unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards. Please note: all rules and regulations are subject to change without notice. I will give an update at the top of this post when capacity has been reached. Please note the event is subject to restrictions, change and cancellation without notice. View the full article

Here is a bit of wine news for all you Vino fans out there… and you don’t have to wait until the Epcot Food and Wine Festival for it! Mmmm. Wine. We have a couple of updates to report regarding Epcot’s World Showcase Wine Walk. For those unfamiliar with this lesser-known Epcot experience, here is a brief rundown (read about the experience in full here). Interested guests can head to any one of three spots to start their Wine Walk: the Germany Pavilion’s Weinkeller, Italy’s La Bottega Italia, and France’s Aux Vins de France. Next, request a Wine Walk Passport. This entitles the participant to six pours of wine by stopping at all three locations offering two pours each. Though the program has been around for some time, the recent changes include… an increase in price (womp, womp). The price for the Wine Walk is now $30. On the bright side, though, the experience now includes an acrylic wine glass for use during the Walk, which is yours to keep as a souvenir. Acrylic Wine Glass Not participating in the Wine Walk? Well, you can still purchase the new acrylic glass for $5, then have it refilled with a selection of still wines at any of the listed locations. Acrylic Wine Glass Buuuuuut…. don’t get too excited. Unlike the Refillable Popcorn Buckets that have been taking Disney World by storm since last summer, using the Refillable Wine Glass does not entitle guests to a discount on refills. However, guests will have a handy World Showcase-emblazoned wine glass to keep (it’s dishwasher safe for home use), and it will help reduce plastic use inside Epcot. Acrylic Wine Glass Information And with that, we say, Saluti, Prost, and Santé to you! What do you think of the Refillable Wine Glasses? Please let us know with 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: Epcot’s World Showcase Wine Walk News! Refillable Souvenir Popcorn Bucket Now Available at Disney World News: Updates to Refillable Popcorn Bucket Program in Disney World View the full article

Disney Parks Moms Panel Quick Tip | Live in the Moment View the full article