Disney4me

If you like planning ahead, you’ll want to check out this brand-new Valentine’s collection that Disney has just dropped online! Valentine’s Day topiary From Loungefly backpacks to Minnie Ears, Disney has it all with this new Valentine’s collection. It’s going to feel like the collection has Cupid’s arrow, the way you’re going to instantly fall in love with it! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get this Valentine’s Day Loungefly Bag ©Disney Store Take a look at this adorable Mickey and Friends Valentine’s Day Loungefly Backpack! The bag features duos of Mickey and Minnie, Mickey and Pluto, and Daisy and Donald, all in different poses. It’s filled with Valentine’s colors and hearts, with Mickey and Minnie on the front pouch, peaking out of a love letter. This bag is just too cute! View price online There are also these Valentine’s Minnie Ears ©Disney Store We can see this Minnie Mouse Sequined Ear Headband being a popular wear in February! The headband has embroidered hearts and a metallic red bow. Whether you’re wearing the Minnie Ears on Valentine’s Day or any day of the year, they are sure to shine! View price online We love this Valentine’s Spirit Jersey ©Disney Store We know you love Mickey, so you should express it with this Mickey Mouse Valentine’s Day Spirit Jersey! The spirit jersey reads “I love Mickey” on the back, with Mickey’s face and hearts at the bottom. On the front of the spirit jersey, you’ll see Mickey’s hands in the shape of a heart. It’s all love with this one! View price online Or, you can grab this Winnie the Pooh Valentine’s Sweater ©Disney Store Just when we keep thinking the collection can’t get any more adorable, it gets more adorable. We’re seriously obsessed with this Winnie the Pooh and Pals Valentine’s Sweater! The sweater features Pooh Bear, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore, all exchanging Valentine’s gifts with each other. The back Pooh and Tigger on it as well. View price online Don’t forget about this Minnie Mouse Crossbody Bag ©Disney Store You’ll 100% want to add this Minnie Mouse Crossbody Bag accessory to your collection! The bag is Dooney and Bourke, and has the perfect mix of Disney style and elegance. The bag features Minnie Mouse on it, and comes in a gorgeous pink color. View price online And finally, there’s this Valentine’s Sweatshirt ©Disney Store Lastly, there’s this Disneyland Pullover Sweatshirt! This sporty pullover has a contrast collar and a 1/4 snap placket. Long raglan sleeves with contrast cuffs and vented hem, plus a puff ink Sleeping Beauty Castle icon on chest and ”The Happiest Place on Earth” text on back brings it all together! View price online We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

We’re closing the book on 2025 and getting ready for all kinds of Disney planning in 2026! D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event There’s A LOT happening at the Disney Parks worldwide in 2026! Theme park expansions, new restaurants, new and returning food and merch offerings, ride changes, etc. — there is so much going on when you take a peek at the calendar. However, we’re already looking ahead to the MOST IMPORTANT Disney event being held AWAY from the theme parks! D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is BACK in 2026, and we have an idea of when tickets will go on sale! ©D23 Held in Anaheim, California, at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center on August 14th, 15th, and 16th, 2026, this Disney expo features Disney executives, celebrities, and fans from around the globe joining together in the ultimate celebration of all things Disney. D23 Expo 2022 As of this writing, Disney has promised that tickets will go on sale in Spring 2026. Specific dates have yet to be announced, but Disney did state that “D23 Gold Members on Essential, Choice, and Complete plans will receive priority access to purchase tickets.” Purchasing details will likely be coming soon. D23 This fan experience is comprised of special events, exclusive merchandise, unique exhibits, and fascinating presentations and panels (including Disney theme park, vacationing, and entertainment news). Additionally, D23 Day at Angel Stadium will be held on August 12th, and D23 Day at the Disneyland Resort will be held on August 13th. D23 This event is THE Disney fan event of the year, where Disney reveals all kinds of movie news and updates, theme park expansion plans, and upcoming changes. This expo is where we’ve learned about things like new Avatar movies, lands like the new Monsters, Inc. Land, Piston Peak, Coco ride, Indiana Jones ride, and Avatar Land, and updates on the expanding Disney Cruise Line fleet. To say it’s a big deal is an understatement. Avatar land at Disneyland ©Disney If you hope to attend or just want to be in the know with all things Disney, stay tuned right here at the Disney Food Blog, as we’re keeping up with all the latest D23 and Disney updates! Click here for a guide to the 2026 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What are you hoping to learn about at the 2026 D23: Ultimate Disney Fan Event? Share your thoughts in the comments below! View the full article

Jurassic Park River Adventure, the big-splash dinosaur ride at Islands of Adventure theme park, is about to take an extended break. The last day for visitors to ride will be Jan. 4. Universal Orlando’s online list of temporary closures indicates the ride’s refurbishment will last through Nov. 19, meaning the soaker will be out of the lineup through the Spring Break and summer seasons. The schedule points to the ride’s return about a week before Thanksgiving 2026. No details about the downtime or refurbishment have been announced. Jurassic Park River Adventure opened with IOA in 1999. It includes a storyline of a “real” dino-themed attraction, where something, naturally, goes horribly wrong. Visitors float through scenes with animatronic and sometimes angry dinosaurs, including a menacing T. rex and a dramatic 85-foot drop that leads to a public splashdown and “Jurassic Park” soundtrack by composer John Williams. Universal also has posted a lengthy closure for Finnegan’s Bar & Grill at Universal Studios theme park. The restaurant’s downtime is listed as Jan. 12 through winter of 2026. In addition, Hogwarts Express, the train attraction that connects the Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas of IOA and the Studios, will be closed Feb. 9-23. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. View the full article

My favorite EPCOT festival is the Festival of the Arts, and I’m not afraid to say it! From artwork at every corner, some of the prettiest food of any festival, and Broadway performances, I really couldn’t ask for more. Despite not asking, Disney is giving us something else that I know is going to be POPULAR! EPCOT Festival of the Arts There are tons of artists who come and sell their Disney artwork during the festival, and some even sign them! Lucky for us, Disney added Tony Baxter as a featured artist. Tony Baxter is a Disney Legend and Imagineer and will be signing his piece “Steps of St. Paul’s,” which is inspired by his favorite Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins. He’ll also sign some select Disney Fine Art favorites. ©Disney He’ll be signing at the World Showcase Bridge Kiosk in EPCOT from January 22nd to 25th from 11 AM to 2 PM and 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Disney also said to “keep your eyes open in our booth…you may spot a little extra Disney art magic, we promise it’s real (and not just a ‘Figment’ of your imagination). Baxter is the one who came up with the name Figment, which was based on a Magnum, P.I. episode. ©Disney Even if you haven’t heard of Tony Baxter, you’ve definitely seen his work around Disney. He was a huge part of the design of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Journey Into Imagination with Figment. He designed Thunder Mesa, which is a larger part of Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, as well as other attractions for the area that weren’t built. Journey Into Imagination with Figment Typically, even if an artist isn’t signing their pieces, you can shop from a large collection of different prints by the artist, so I’m hoping there are more pieces to look at. I specifically love his concept art for different Disney attractions, which would be so cool to purchase! Thunder Mountain The EPCOT Festival of the Arts runs from January 16th to February 23rd, and we’ll be there on opening day to bring you ALL the details you need to know before you go yourself. We’ll be trying the food, checking out the souvenirs, seeing some performances, and more, all here at Disney Food Blog. SOMETHING NEW IS COMING TO THE 2026 EPCOT FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FESTIVAL DAYS DFB's guide to the Festival of the Arts details everything you need to know to maximize your time, budget, and stomach space! Know what's worth it and what to skip with our full-photo menus of each booth, complete with DFB's Best of the Fest. It includes all the must-have information for navigating this colorful festival at Disney World, including: Booth & food photos, maps, and crawls with DFB's exclusive recommendations! The COMPLETE schedule of events (so you don't have to go hunting for all the dates!) All the details on special events, artist meet-n-greets, festival-exclusive merchandise, and more! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Festival of the Arts INFO! See the FULL LIST of Food Booths, Menus, and Photos from the Festival of the Arts Read ALL of Our Food Booth Reviews for the Festival Learn More About the Disney on Broadway Concert Series and Dining Packages Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the Festival of the Arts! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Festival of the Arts news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you going to try to meet Tony Baxter? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

You might not expect these places to have lines at Disney World…but they will! Monorail During the busiest week of the year, it’s not just attractions that rack up long waits, it’s everyday things you usually breeze right past without a second thought. From transportation to snacks to spots you’d never think twice about on a normal park day, these hidden lines can quietly eat up your time if you’re not prepared. If you’re visiting Walt Disney World between Christmas and New Year’s, you should already know to expect long waits for rides. What often catches folks off guard, though, are the lines you don’t see coming — the ones that sneak up on you and quietly eat away at your park day. Christmas Eve crowds During the busiest week of the year, nearly everything can turn into a wait. Here are some of the most surprising places lines pop up this week, plus we’re giving you the BEST tips on how to plan around them so you don’t lose valuable vacation time. Quick-Service Restaurants Holiday week turns Disney World hotels into destinations all on their own! Value and Moderate resort food courts regularly experience increased wait times for breakfast and dinner, even with the use of our secret weapon, Mobile Order. Return windows for picking up your food can jump far out, making a “quick bite” anything but quick. Pizzafari lunch crowd Here’s the best tip we can offer when wait times increase: order meals earlier than usual, or place Mobile Orders well in advance of your preferred mealtime when possible. Transportation The line might not be for an attraction…it’s for the bus (or monorail, or boat, or skyliner!) After nighttime fireworks, Disney hotel transportation queues can stretch far beyond the usual boundaries, especially at Magic Kingdom and for value resorts. The Monorail at EPCOT Disney’s Skyliner is usually a smooth ride with smooth sailing in the queue line — but not this week. Midday and park-closing lines can stretch far back, especially at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios (and that’s not counting the folks traveling back and forth between the area hotels, too). Skyliner Here are the best tips we can offer when waits seem endless: stick around after fireworks for shopping or dessert, or wait 30–45 minutes before heading out. Additionally, make plans to ride early in the day or later at night when crowds thin for your best chance at the lowest wait times. Merchandise Checkout Lines World of Disney, Emporium, Creations Shop, and holiday-themed stores can have checkout lines snaking through the shop. And while you might think options like mobile checkout can help, you’re still in the store waiting for the Cast Member to verify your checkout. Holiday merch Here’s the best tip we can offer when lines stretch further than you can see — shop during parades or fireworks, or first thing in the morning, for your best chance at getting in and out. Character Meet & Greets Characters in holiday outfits are hugely popular, and even “normally easy” meets can jump to 45+ minute waits solely from the influx of crowds. Daisy! Here’s our tip for when you’re ready to snap your character photos — check character wait times early and prioritize the ones you truly care about. Security Checkpoints Late morning and early afternoon security lines can back up fast. And most of this will be backup from people who have very little experience successfully traversing a trip through Disney World security in one fell swoop without being scooped aside for additional screening. Security Line! Here’s our best tip for getting to the park entrance quicker — arrive earlier than you think you need to and pack light. Additionally, if you have a high concentration of metal in one place of your bag, umbrella, or even eyeglass cases, hold those out in your hands and away from your body before you approach the checkpoint. Transportation Between Parks Park hopping sounds easy, but buses, boats, and Skyliner routes can all develop long queues during peak hours. Then there’s the additional anxiety-inducing worry that you might get to the park after they’ve reached capacity for the day — especially for our Annual Passholder Disney friends! Bus transportation at Disney World Here’s our best tips to park hop as smoothly as possible — avoid hopping between the early afternoon when crowd flow is heaviest, and if you’re worried about your chosen park reaching capacity, plan to be there well in advance and be ready to stay put through the evening. BAODINI Travel Essentials Mini Umbrella Between Christmas and New Year’s, everything becomes a line — not just rides. Planning for these hidden waits can save you hours over the course of your trip and make even the busiest week of the year feel manageable. A little awareness goes a long way, and during the holidays, it can be the difference between frustration and magic. We’re always sharing our best secrets and tips to help you WIN your next Disney World vacation before it even starts. Be sure you’re following along with us right here at DFB! REVIEW: I’m 95% Sure You’ve Never Eaten at Disney World Restaurant, But That Needs to Change ASAP Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Does the idea of visiting Disney World during the holidays sound like your ideal time to visit or do you avoid it at all costs? Tell us your vacation strategy in the comments below! View the full article

Winter can feel long. It can feel gray. And sometimes it just needs a little extra magic to make it more bearable. That is where Disney LEGO sets come in. ©Amazon Building something cozy, nostalgic, and Disney-themed is honestly one of the best ways to spend a cold afternoon when you are staying in, sipping something warm, and pretending spring is not that far away. We rounded up a few Disney LEGO sets that are basically guaranteed to make winter at least 100 percent happier. Whether you want a detailed build for quiet nights or something fun to tackle with the kids, these are the sets we keep coming back to. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. LEGO Disney Beauty and The Beast Castle ©Amazon If winter had a LEGO build, this would be it. The Beauty and the Beast Castle is the kind of project you settle into over a few evenings, and that’s part of the appeal. With nearly 3,000 pieces, this is a serious build that lets you fully disappear into Belle’s world. The spinning ballroom floor, the cozy library tower, and the enchanted rose chamber are all here, and yes, they are just as magical as you want them to be. This set comes with 10 beloved characters, including Belle, Beast, Gaston, Mrs. Potts, Chip, and Lumière. Once it’s finished, it looks stunning on display, which makes it perfect winter decor that feels romantic and nostalgic instead of holiday-specific. View on Amazon LEGO Disney Cruella De Vil’s Car ©Amazon Cruella’s iconic car from 101 Dalmatians is stylish, dramatic, and honestly kind of fabulous. The build includes opening doors, a removable roof, and steering controlled by the spare wheel in the back, which is such a fun detail. Kids will love racing Cruella around the house, but it also works as a display piece if you are raising a future Disney villain fan. It’s a great mid-size build that feels playful without being overwhelming. View on Amazon LEGO Disney Angel Lilo & Stitch ©Amazon Angel is adorable, and this set proves it. This build gives you a fully posable version of Stitch’s pink counterpart. It is colorful, fun, and just plain cheerful, which is exactly what winter needs. Once finished, Angel works perfectly as room decor. She is one of those builds that instantly makes a space feel brighter, even when it is dark outside at 5 PM. View on Amazon LEGO Disney Lilo and Stitch Beach House ©Amazon If you are craving summer vibes while it’s freezing outside, this is the set to grab. The Lilo and Stitch Beach House is packed with Easter eggs from the movie, like Scrump, surfboards, a record player, and even a pickle jar. With five minifigures included, this set is great for storytelling and imaginative play, but adults will also have a blast exploring all the details. It feels like a mini vacation in LEGO form, which is honestly priceless in winter. View on Amazon Lego Disney Mini Castle ©Amazon This miniature Cinderella Castle is small but mighty. Originally created to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, it is elegant, detailed, and perfect for display. The pearlized gold towers and blue rooftops make it feel extra special. It doesn’t take up much space, which makes it ideal for desks, shelves, or mantels. If you want a little bit of Disney Parks magic in your home without committing to a massive build, this one hits the sweet spot. View on Amazon LEGO Disney Mini The Haunted Mansion ©LEGO The Mini Haunted Mansion is packed with attraction references, including the hitchhiking ghosts, Madame Leota, and the iconic dining room scene. You can even see parts of the interior from the back, which makes it feel extra detailed. It also includes an exclusive butler minifigure, which is such a fun finishing touch. This is a great winter build if you love Disney Parks and want something that feels a little different from the usual castles and characters. View on Amazon LEGO Disney Moana’s Adventure Canoe ©Amazon Moana’s Adventure Canoe is all about storytelling. The double-hulled canoe, printed sail, and hidden living space make this build feel dynamic and interactive. It also comes with Moana, Loto, Moni, and Pua, which means there are plenty of ways to play. This set is great for younger builders, but adults will still appreciate the thoughtful details. Plus, anything that reminds us of ocean breezes and island vibes feels extra welcome during winter. View on Amazon LEGO Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ House ©Amazon Ka-chow. Lightning McQueen fans are going to love this one. This Speed Champions set celebrates the 20th anniversary of Cars and includes all the classic details, like the number 95, Rust-Eze logo, and signature lightning bolt. It’s a quick build compared to some of the others on this list, which makes it perfect for a low-commitment winter afternoon. It also looks great displayed with other LEGO cars or Disney collectibles. View on Amazon LEGO Disney The Magical Madrigal House ©Amazon Casita might be one of the most joyful LEGO builds out there. The Magical Madrigal House is bright, colorful, and packed with interactive features like moving shingles, swinging beds, and secret drawers. With multiple family members included, this set is ideal for building together. It’s lively, playful, and full of heart, which makes it a perfect pick when winter starts to feel a little too quiet. View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

Cool weather conditions and continually dropping temperatures have prompted Central Florida water parks to close for a few days. Forecasts for overnight temps in the 30s pushed many attractions to adjust their schedules. Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon; Universal’s Volcano Bay; Aquatica Orlando, SeaWorld’s water park, and Discovery Cove, SeaWorld’s day resort, were all closed Tuesday. Disney has scheduled Typhoon Lagoon’s reopening for Jan. 1. Blizzard Beach, the attraction’s sister park, already was closed for winter maintenance ahead of its Feb. 15 reopening. (That’s also the date that Typhoon Lagoon is scheduled to shut down for regular maintenance.) Universal plans to reopen Volcano Bay on Jan. 1 as well. Aquatica and Discovery Cove are closed through Wednesday, and the company is assessing operations for Thursday, including for Illuminate, the water park’s new after-hours walk-through experience at Aquatica. High temperatures in the low 60s are forecast for Wednesday, then upper 60s for Thursday before returning to 70s territory this weekend. Island H2O Water Park, a Kissimmee attraction, had already moved into its seasonal shutdown operation. It is scheduled to open again March 6. Legoland Florida’s water park is also closed, and it is not scheduled to operate again until mid-February. dbevil@orlandosentinel.com View the full article

Six Flags Magic Mountain’s long reign as the Coaster Capital of the World will soon come to a shocking and swift end as the once proud and mighty Coaster King abdicates the throne to a relatively unknown European amusement park. Six Flags Magic Mountain will close two roller coasters in early January as work begins to transform Bugs Bunny World into Looney Tunes Land in celebration of the Valencia amusement park’s 55th anniversary. ALSO SEE: Six Flags Magic Mountain pushes back new coaster to 2027 The closure of the 2014 Speedy Gonzales Hot Rod Racers and 1947 Magic Flyer during the massive makeover of the kiddie land along with the permanent closure of the 1997 Superman: Escape from Krypton earlier in the year has opened the throne to a new Coaster King. Riders aboard the Superman: Escape from Krypton roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia in 2011. (Special to The Press-Enterprise) Poland’s Energylandia will soon unseat the world champ and take over the coveted title of Coaster Capital of the World with a total of 19 coasters — the most of any single amusement park in the world. ALSO SEE: Coaster war brewing between Six Flags Magic Mountain and relatively unknown European rival Magic Mountain set a world record in 2022 for the most roller coasters in a single theme park with the debut of Wonder Woman Flight of Courage — the park’s 20th coaster. Flight of Courage kept Magic Mountain just ahead of upstart Energylandia, which added two coasters in 2019 and two more in 2024. Magic Mountain moved into a tie with Energylandia in March with 19 coasters when Superman: Escape from Krypton permanently closed. ALSO SEE: Kelce brothers pitch an absolutely crazy roller coaster for Six Flags The closure of Speedy Gonzales Hot Rod Racers and Magic Flyer will bring Magic Mountain’s coaster count to 17 — dropping behind sister parks Cedar Point and Canada’s Wonderland that both have 18. Magic Mountain plans to open a new first-of-its-kind coaster in 2027 that will push the park into a three-way tie for second place with Cedar Point and Canada’s Wonderland. Support beams have begun arriving at a staging area for Magic Mountain’s 2027 coaster. The Zadra roller coaster at Energylandia in Poland. (Dreamstime/TNS) Energylandia has been vocal about coming after the Coaster Capital crown — and now has the title to itself. Energylandia has been on a building spree since opening about an hour outside Krakow with three coasters in 2014. The park added three coasters a year in 2015, 2017 and 2019 and two coasters a year in 2018, 2021 and 2024, according to Roller Coaster Database. ALSO SEE: Six Flags Magic Mountain teases 7 possible new attractions Magic Mountain has hung onto the coaster crown largely by adding without subtracting, retiring only the star-crossed Green Lantern: First Flight (2011-17) during the past decade. The coaster counts at Cedar Point and Canada’s Wonderland have largely remained static as the parks replaced old rides with new ones. Cedar Point closed Wicked Twister in 2021 and opened Siren’s Curse in 2025. Canada’s Wonderland closed Time Warp in 2024 and opened AlpenFury in 2025. ALSO SEE: Six Flags Magic Mountain’s new roller coaster begins arriving at the park Magic Mountain and Cedar Point have been engaged in a decades-long battle for coaster supremacy that has now come to an end. “Even though we’re bringing the coaster count down, we’re doing a lot at Magic Mountain to really make it a better experience,” Six Flags Director of Construction Dave Evans said. “It’s not going to be about the quantity of coasters. It’s going to be about the whole experience that we’re bringing into the park.” People ride the West Coast Racers dueling steel roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Thursday, Apr. 1, 2021. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG) Magic Mountain’s fall from the coaster throne follows the merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair in 2024 that brought Cedar Point and Canada’s Wonderland under the newly unified banner. “As one united company now, it’s not about the coaster number anymore,” Evans said during a phone interview. “We’re not as concerned about chasing that record anymore. We’d rather enhance the guest experience.” View the full article

We may be closing the books on 2025, but Disney still found time to cram in a few big announcements! Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster From Olaf robots to Disney Parks expansion updates, Disney has kept us on our toes the past several weeks. In fact, it’s been a major news year altogether — especially at Disney World. We’ve said hello to new offerings, goodbye to park staples, and a December announcement revealed that we’ll be saying BOTH hello AND goodbye to versions of a popular Disney World roller coaster! On December 12th, 2025, Disney World revealed the 2026 closing date for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The ride is set to receive a major retheme that will see it closed from March 2nd, 2026, into the summer of 2026 as it abandons its current Aerosmith theme in favor of a new Muppets setting! So if you want to get one last ride featuring music from the Boston-based band, you’ll need to do so on or before March 1st. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster area entrance on Sunset Boulevard This change to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is going to happen over the span of a few short months, which is why we’ve already seen some massive changes. In early December, the iconic Studio C pre-show was shut off and hidden — becoming just an area you walk through. The area now is unfortunately forgettable, but what’s even sadder is that this change happened without warning. It makes sense, since the project turnaround will need to be fast, but it’s still jarring. Hey, where did the recording studio go? Regardless, we’re still excited for the new Muppets theming! Disney shared that a first-of-its-kind Muppet audio-animatronic (of Scooter) will be part of the attraction! The pre-show narrative is that Scooter is Electric Mayhem’s band manager, and he and the penguin audio engineers are working hard to get the band to their concert on time. Guests will receive a VIP tour of G-Force Records, now — under new management by The Muppets — and may encounter even more Muppet audio-animatronics along the way! ©Disney We’re even getting a redesigned Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster guitar! The ride will also feature fan-favorites like Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo, and we’re hyped to learn more and more about the new storyline and theme as the project becomes closer to being realized! ©Disney While we’re sad to see Aerosmith go, it’s only right that The Muppets get their own attraction in Hollywood Studios after losing Muppets Courtyard as part of the new Monsters, Inc. Land expansion. ©Disney Make sure you plan ahead well in advance if you want to get one final ride in before the closure and retheme happen! In the meantime, we’ll be monitoring all the latest announcements, so keep it posted right here at the Disney Food Blog to stay in the know! 19 Critical Dates for Disney World Fans in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How are you feeling about this retheme? Share your thoughts in the comments below! View the full article

A 2026 Disney World vacation might be one of the BEST times to score some cheaper theme park tickets. Cheap Tickets?! How? We’re giving you ALL updates TODAY, here on DFB Guide! Check out our video below: Please Don’t Do This in Disney World Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more theme park news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this video? Tell us in the comments. View the full article

We spotted something NEW at Disney Springs — and it could be hinting that a big announcement might be coming soon! We have been keeping an eye on the storefront that used to house The Art of Shaving store in Disney Springs. The store permanently closed on January 2nd, 2024, and we have been keeping an eye out for a replacement. Gideon’s Bakehouse Well, something is finally happening!! The storefront just got some new art installed in the windows, and we are seeing some similarities in the new window art. You can find the storefront in the Landing, near STK, OluKai, and The Ganachery. We already had some hints about what might be coming to this space, but we think this is further confirmation. When we were walking by this week, look at what we spotted in the windows! At the beginning of December 2025, the parent company of Gideon’s Bakehouse filed a Notice of Commencement, which suggested that Gideon’s might be developing a second space at Disney Springs. The permit was filed for the former Art of Shaving Location by The First Raven LLC (led by Steve Lewis, the creator of Gideon’s Bakehouse). That gave us our first big hint about this space, and now the new window art is another hint. New window art! While there still wasn’t any official confirmation (like a sign or something that said “Gideon’s Bakehouse”), this art is very reminiscent of Gideon’s Bakehouse’s art and characters. Plus, the Art of Shaving location is just around the corner from the current Gideon’s Bakehouse storefront in Disney Springs. Now, we are becoming even more curious about what could be coming to this space. Is this a hint? Will it be another Gideon’s Bakehouse? Will it offer different products, or maybe serve as a location for mobile orders? Perhaps it will be a merchandise store? Could it be an entirely new concept from Steve Lewis? Or it could be something entirely different from what we are even thinking! Whatever it might be, we can’t wait to find out more about it. What will this space be? Gideon’s Bakehouse is a popular spot in Disney Springs! You can usually find a looonngg line waiting for the store’s gigantic cookies, decadent cake slices, or scrumptious cold brew. The Disney Springs location is Gideon’s Bakehouse’s second, its first being at East End Market in Orlando. Now it looks like a third location could be popping up, but only time will tell! Maple Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie We are always keeping an eye out for the latest Disney news! We want to make sure you have the most up-to-date information for your Disney World trip, so stay tuned to DFB for more. NEW Permit Hints at Potential Gideon’s Bakehouse Expansion Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think about a potential Gideon’s Bakehouse expansion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! View the full article

It’s time for some post-Christmas savings! If you have some holiday money burning a hole in your pocket, we have the perfect solution for you. ©Disney Store Disney’s Twice Upon A Year Sale is happening right now! This is one of Disney’s biggest sales of the year, and you don’t want to miss a thing. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The best time to shop is when it’s all on sale! Sure, we just wrapped up Christmas, but it’s never too soon to start planning. Whether you’re looking for a birthday gift or even just something to treat yourself with, the Disney Store has got you covered. Shop the entire sale! ©Disney Store Over on the Disney Store, there are over 900 items on sale RIGHT NOW! From home goods, clothing, and accessories, almost anything you could want is on sale now. The sale includes items from brands like Disney, Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel, and even the Disney parks! Shop at the Disney Store Keep warm with Winnie the Pooh! ©Disney Store Sure, the holidays have wrapped up, but that doesn’t mean the cold weather is gone! This sweatshirt for adults features an embroidered Pooh Bear appliqué on top of a large “P” in the center. It also features “est. 1966” below, which is a reference to the year he made his movie debut in Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. Shop at the Disney Store Ears for Cinderella fans! ©Disney Store In case you missed it, Cinderella turned 75 in 2025! The iconic Disney princess has been going to the ball for well over half a century, so we had to celebrate with a new collection. These ears are inspired by her glass slipper with faceted, clear molded mouse ears with infused glitter to really shine. The center bow uses silver sequins and a shiny heart in the center, just like her shoes. It also has a Cinderella 75 logo plate on the side, so you never forget the occasion. Shop at the Disney Store Go bouncing with the perfect bag ©Disney Store If you’re a fan of Lug bags, this is the perfect deal for you! This Lugg crossbody bag is inspired by Tigger from Winnie the Pooh and friends. This front features an embroidered Tigger face with 3D ears. It also has a front zipper pocket with RFID protection and a clear view card slot. There is also a larger zipper pocket that fits the largest iPhone size, sunglasses, wallets, and other necessities. There’s an embroidered Tigger tail on the back of the bag and the straps are adjustable. Shop at the Disney Store Staying puffy and warm ©Disney Store Next, we have this adorable puffer vest! The grid design features small Mickey silhouettes throughout it. It’s a quilted satin vest with a silky, puffy interior for aesthetic and warmth. It also has two side pockets and a full zip. This is the perfect way to work Mickey into your daily wardrobe without it being over the top. Shop at the Disney Store Bring Pluto with you everywhere ©Disney Store Finally, we have one of the most viral bags of the year ON SALE! These Big Face Disney Totes were everywhere in the parks and online in 2025, and we think 2026 will be no different. This large tote features Pluto’s face screen printed on the front with large 3D ears and his tongue hanging out. On the back, you can see his classic signature for even more detail. This might be one of our favorites from the sale! Shop at the Disney Store These items are just the beginning of what you can find over on the Disney Store while the sale is happening, so don’t wait before they’re gone! Be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney sales online. View the full article

After thirty years rocking Hollywood Studios, the original Aerosmith version of the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is set to go on a permanent vacation in March of 2026. If you’re planning on catching one final encore performance from the “Bad Boys of Boston”, keep these things in mind. Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Originally opened in 1999, the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster became a favorite of even the most jaded thrill ride fans quickly and has remained such for nearly 30 years. However, in 2024, Disney announced that the ride would be rethemed to the Muppets, though it will retain the musical elements. Later in 2025, Disney announced that the original version of the coaster would be closing on March 2nd, 2026. Don’t Count on the Single Rider Line The Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster’s wait times are often some of the longest in the park, as it is, and things are sure to get even longer as guests show up to experience the ride one last time. Solo riders may think that they can use the single rider line to their advantage. However, the reality is that the coaster’s single rider line is often as long — and in rare times sometimes longer — than the standby line. If you’re looking for a quicker wait, a Lightning Lane might be your only option. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s line is mostly outdoors The Preshow is Gone A fan favorite, if somewhat controversial (IYKYK), element of the coaster since the beginning has been the preshow, which featured an “encounter” with Aerosmith themselves. However, if you wanted to see it one more time, we’ve got some bad news. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster In the fall of 2025, the preshow was removed to begin work on the upcoming Muppets version, which will feature Scooter as well as other characters, and won’t be returning before the ride closes. Hey, where did the recording studio go? If You Want a More Intense Ride… If you want to really experience every twist and thrill the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster has to offer, request a seat towards the back of the limo-shaped ride vehicle. On the other hand… Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster If You Want a Smoother Ride… If you’re on the other side of the spectrum, request a seat towards the front of the vehicle. ©AllEars.Net Store Your Belongings FIRST Wherever you sit in the ride vehicle, be sure to store any loose articles in the pouch in front of your seat BEFORE pulling down your shoulder restraint, as it can be hard to reach the pocket once you’re locked in. ©AllEars.Net Save the Corn Dogs for AFTER the Ride The corn dogs available at the KRNR The Rock Station “tricked out trailer” food stand near the ride are one of our favorite snacks at Hollywood studios. But, for your stomach’s own good, have them AFTER your ride. KRNR The Rock Station Have Advil on Standby To quote the late great Stan Lee, ‘Nuff Said. ©Amazon If you’re heading to Disney World for a final ride on the classic version of the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, there are some tips to definitely keep in mind! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World ride tips to make the most of your vacation. Inside Disney’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster: Everything You Don’t See When the Lights Are Out Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you going to miss the classic Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

You might be leaving your own chilly state to visit Florida this winter, and even though our cold is probably nowhere close to yours, it can still get pretty cold! We don’t have snow, but the water parks at Disney World can close due to the weather. Stitch at Typhoon Lagoon Beyond lightning storms and hurricanes, sometimes the weather is just too cold to have the water parks open. Only one of the two water parks at Disney World is open right now, but for the next two days, both parks will be closed. Typhoon Lagoon will be closed on December 30th and 31st due to cold weather. For all of 2025, guests staying at a Disney World hotel received free water park tickets on their check-in day, and while this perk is coming back for 2026, it will only be during the summer, so this is also the end of a popular hotel perk. Typhoon Lagoon On February 15th, 2026, Typhoon Lagoon will be closing for the season, with the last day to experience the park being on February 14th. Blizzard Beach, the second water park, will be opening on February 15th, so you won’t be without a water park! Typhoon Lagoon Since Typhoon Lagoon is closed for the rest of 2025, what should you do instead? Well, I’m bundled up in about 10 blankets and a cup of hot chocolate, but you can check out your hotel’s pools, some of which have slides and lazy rivers, or use the day to go to Disney Springs, Disney World’s shopping district. There are tons of stores and restaurants to stay nice and warm, and you can pick up items like warm cookies from Gideon’s Bakehouse or my personal favorite, which is Joffrey’s Coffee hot chocolate. Strawberry Delight Cookie It can also be a great day to check out all the fun things in your hotel, like the crafts, activities, movies, and more. The Christmas decorations are still up around the resort, so you can still snag those perfect family photos. Don’t forget to see the gingerbread house displays, too. While your own resort may have some, you can always go to another resort and see all the fun. Animal Kingdom Lodge In the meantime, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for all the up to date information you need for your upcoming Disney World vacation. DISNEY WORLD’S $89 SEASON PASS IS BACK, AND WE’VE GOT ALL THE DETAILS Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which water park is your favorite? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Each and every week, we scour Amazon for the best deals on hot Disney products. ©Amazon This week, we found 4 adorable matching ensembles that would be perfect for your next trip to Disney World… or your next afternoon at home daydreaming about your next trip to Disney World. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Princess Pullover Sweatsuit ©Amazon Let’s begin with the top, which features a purple ombre color scheme, a princess bow decoration, a rib knit crew neck collar, ribbed sleeve cuffs, and an elastic waistband for a better fit. ©Amazon The corresponding pants feature an embroidered appliqué patch, functional pockets, an elastic waist for comfortable stretch and a better fit, a paper bag waist for a stylish look, and an ombre design. SHOP HERE Disney Villains Tracksuit ©Amazon This deviously delightful track jacket features ribbed sleeve cuffs and waist, soft hand screen print design, functional pockets, cozy mock neck style, contrast side stripe with 3D satin ribbon bows, and front and back graphics with some of the company’s most iconic villains in silhouette. ©Amazon The corresponding pants feature the same color scheme and design elements, including the side stripe with 3D satin ribbon bows. SHOP HERE Stitch Terry Pullover Sweatsuit ©Amazon Similar to the Princess sweatsuit above, there’s this ombre Stitch version, which also features a rib knit crew neck collar, ribbed sleeve cuffs, and an elastic waistband for a better fit. ©Amazon Of course, there’s a corresponding pants set. SHOP HERE Mickey Mouse Tracksuit ©Amazon Of course, we couldn’t detail Disney sets without one dedicated to the “Big Cheese” himself. This black and white track set — partially Mickey’s color scheme, naturally– features a Mickey’s Sports Club logo on the back. ©Amazon There are corresponding pants, of course. SHOP HERE If your wardrobe is screaming for any of these tracksuits, get over to Amazon ASAP, and stay tuned to DFB each week! View the full article

The Walt Disney Company announced its participation in the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena with its “Disney Celebrates America” entry, designed as a patriotic tribute to the nation’s 250th anniversary. This vibrant entry celebrates the country’s semiquincentennial in uniquely Disney ways, leaning into the dreams, stories, and optimism that have touched the lives of people across the country and around the world for the past century. Leading the procession will be a Disneyland vehicle carrying Mickey Mouse and friends adorned with patriotic décor and red, white and blue flowers. They will be joined by more than 50 U.S. military veterans who now serve as Disney cast members and their families, symbolizing the company’s deep appreciation for those who have served our country and now help create magic for millions. The selection of the flowers on the vehicle holds special meaning for those who serve our country in uniform. Each of the vibrant flowers on the car hold significance for military veterans. They include the red poppies widely recognized as a symbol of remembrance for fallen military personnel dating back to World War I. Other flowers featured in Disney’s entry include rosemaries, blue irises, white lilies, chrysanthemums and red roses to express love, honor, and appreciation for veterans everywhere. This milestone is an opportunity to honor Walt Disney’s enduring love of country and our century-long support for those who serve — a legacy that began with Walt and Roy O. Disney’s contributions during the First World War and continues today. As part of this celebration, Disney is proud to highlight U.S. military veterans working across the company as well as our expanded support for military families — including a $2.5 million donation to Blue Star Families. “The Walt Disney Company is proud to participate in the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade as part of our ‘Disney Celebrates America’ initiative honoring our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “Both Disney and the Tournament of Roses Parade have long celebrated the spirit of America and the people who make it extraordinary — including our service members, veterans, and their families. By featuring our own veteran cast members, we’re excited to kick off the year at this iconic event and share the Disney magic that connects generations.” For more than a century, Disney’s storytelling has celebrated American ideals — honoring the nation’s past, present, and future. Disney invites families everywhere to commemorate America’s historic 250th anniversary through special events, new attractions like Soarin’ Across America, expanded support for military families and a multi-platform broadcast event on July 4. On 4th of July weekend, Disney parks in the United States will feature themed fireworks and events, and programming across ABC, National Geographic and ESPN will highlight American heroes, traditions and communities. ABC will broadcast live coverage of the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on January 1, beginning at 11 a.m. ET. The two-hour broadcast will be hosted by ESPN SportsCenter anchors Kevin Negandhi and Hannah Storm, both returning to the event, along with longtime reporter John Naber. Learn more about Disney’s extensive celebration of America’s 250th anniversary here. The post The Walt Disney Company to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade appeared first on Disney Experiences. View the full article

When it comes to dining at Disney World, you’ve got a TON of options. And it can feel a bit overwhelming trying to weigh all the options and decide where to eat with your family. We have good news, though. We are here to help! We have eaten everywhere in Disney World, and we aren’t stopping there. We constantly revisit restaurants and provide up-to-date reviews so you can make the best dining decisions while you are at Disney World. Plant-based Picadillo Bowl We recently stopped by Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to see what was cookin’, and now we’re bringing you our FULL review. Is it worth a stop on your next trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Find out here! Atmosphere You can find Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery just outside the entrance of Kilimanjaro Safaris. The window service restaurant is right across from the bathrooms. It is a bit hidden, but look for the register out front or the window on the side of the building. You can grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner here, but make sure you double-check the hours as it isn’t always open the entire time Animal Kingdom is open. Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery It is a humble restaurant with a limited menu, but you can find some great options here. Seating is a bit limited, as the restaurant has only a small seating area, but you can likely find some nearby or grab a bench to enjoy your food. Check over at Dawa Bar or head over to Tamu Tamu Refreshments for even more seating options! The one seating option is directly next to Kusafiri, but there are plenty of options nearby We always love checking out all the details in Animal Kingdom, and you can even spot some fun details on the wall by the pick-up window at Kusafiri. We love the details! Once you pick up your food, keep heading back to the booth to grab utensils, condiments, and napkins. Napkins, utensils, and condiments But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?! Menu Like we said before, Kusafiri has a pretty limited menu. During lunch and dinner, you can find a Chicken and Rice Bowl, a Harissa Chicken Wrap, and a Plant-Based Picadillo Bowl. There are also some pastries and snacks available, including a Chocolate Twist. ©Disney There are also a few drink options, including Coconut-flavored Iced Coffee available in alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. ©Disney You can also choose from other alcoholic beverages, such as Ngumu Jungle Juice, African Coffee, or Assorted Beer. ©Disney And now, onto the main event — the food! Drinks To drink, we picked up the Ngumu Jungle Juice for $17.50. It is made with SVEDKA Vodka, Bols Peach Schnapps Liqueur, and Tusker’s Famous Jungle Juice. If you are a POG juice fan (passion fruit, orange, and guava), then you are going to like this drink! It is fruity and sweet, and if you close your eyes, you might feel like you are sitting on a beach, lounging in the sun. Ngumu Jungle Juice You get a bbiitt of peach flavor from the Peach Schnapps, but the POG juice flavor is most prominent. You do feel a bit of a burn from the vodka, but it isn’t overwhelming. Sweet, fruity drink fans will love this option! Ngumu Jungle Juice Now it’s time for some food! Eats First up, we grabbed the Harissa Chicken Wrap for $10.99. It is made with chilled tandoori rotisserie chicken with harissa mayonnaise in a flour tortilla. It is served with seasoned house-made chips. This is an excellent option for a hot day as it is served chilled and isn’t super heavy. Harissa Chicken Wrap The chicken has a good amount of sauce, and we loved the crunch and freshness from the veggies inside the wrap. However, we felt like the sauce was pretty bland overall. We were expecting more harissa flavor. The wrap was soft, but not soggy. It was definitely made fairly recently when we purchased ours. Harissa Chicken Wrap The wrap is served with plain kettle chips — not the house-made, seasoned chips described. They were tasty enough, but we would have preferred seasoned chips! They taste just like the Cape Cod kettle chips. Harissa Chicken Wrap We also got the Plant-based Picadillo Bowl for $12.99. It is plant-based picadillo featuring Impossible® Beef on jollof rice with kuchumbari tomato salad and plant-based aïoli. On the other hand, while the Harissa Chicken Wrap was bland, we thought this bowl was full of spiced flavor. It wasn’t spicy, but there was a lot of rich tomato and cumin flavor. Plant-based Picadillo Bowl Honestly, the meat could have fooled us into thinking it was real. It had a great “meaty” flavor. The only giveaway that it wasn’t real was that it didn’t have as much chew as a real meat would. The bowl also featured rice with a great tomato, cumin, and onion flavor. The rice was a bit undercooked, but it was still tasty. Plant-based Picadillo Bowl There was also a salad consisting of cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions. It was fresh and tossed with a light vinegar dressing. On top of the bowl, there was a plant-based aïoli. It was super creamy with a bit of garlic kick to it! This was a delicious dish that we think even non-plant-based eaters would enjoy. Plant-based Picadillo Bowl For a treat, we got the Chocolate Twist for $6.49. This pastry was soft and tender, and we were impressed by the amount of chocolate flavor in each bite. Chocolate Twist The inside is also filled with a creamy custard that adds some vanilla notes. It was flaky and easy to bite through. This is definitely a sweet treat, but it isn’t as heavy as a cupcake or cake. Chocolate Twist That was a tasty meal! Let’s recap! Nosh or Not This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if… You are looking for an easy meal option. No reservations needed, and since it offers a smaller menu, the food comes out quickly. It is super easy to walk up, order, and then enjoy! You are looking for lighter meal options. We liked that Kusafiri offers lighter options. Both the wrap and the plant-based bowl tasted fresh and didn’t contain many fried ingredients. (The wrap was served with kettle chips, but the wrap itself wasn’t heavy) You don’t want to have to sift through an extensive menu. Sometimes having more options makes it more challenging. The menu is pretty limited here, so if you want to make fewer decisions, this could be a good option! You should skip this Disney World spot if… You want a restaurant with dedicated indoor seating. While you might be able to find a spot near Dawa Bar, this restaurant doesn’t have much dedicated indoor seating beyond the tower. Restaurants like Satu’li Canteen or Pizzafari might be better options. You want a menu with lots of options. Kusafiri only offers three options for entrees, so you won’t get a lot of variety here. You could check out places like Flame Tree Barbecue, Satu’li Canteen, or Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes for bigger menus. You want a sit-down restaurant experience. This is a grab-and-go option, so if you are looking for a sit-down meal, we suggest heading to Yak & Yeti Restaurant, Tusker House Restaurant, or Tiffins Restaurant. Overall Overall, we were big fans of the Plant-Based Picadillo Bowl and Chocolate Twist. We also enjoyed the Ngumu Jungle Juice, but we wouldn’t say it is the most unique cocktail we have had. The Harissa Chicken Wrap was tasty, as long as you weren’t expecting much harissa flavor. It definitely tastes great as a Chicken Wrap, though! We love how easy it is to grab a quick bite here, and it would be a great option if you are under time constraints. Our meal In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! Every Disney World Change I’m Not Prepared For in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

These are the droids you are looking for! If you are a Star Wars fan, a droid fan, or just a collector, we have some exciting news. Something new is coming to the Disney Store and the Disney Parks in just a few days! If you love droids, these are for you! Disney Store and Disney Parks just announced a new collection called Droid Factory Friday. This NEW collection officially launches on January 2nd, 2026. Droid Factory Friday is a monthly celebration in which Disney Store and Disney Parks introduce a brand-new Droid Factory figure on the first Friday of each month at 8 AM PT. Each droid will feature upgraded, intricate design elements that make the droids perfect for collectors and fans. A character trading card will also be included with each droid. The trading card will feature key details and artwork of the character. The droids are inspired by official Star Wars content, including the films, Disney+ originals, animation, gaming, and publishing. ©Disney Starting in January, bonus droid pieces will be included with each monthly release. If you collect all six initial releases, you will be able to assemble your own bonus droid in June. Here is a peek at the upcoming releases! January 2nd at 8 AM PT: R5-K6, inspired by Star Wars: A New Hope ©Disney February 6th at 8 AM PT: CW-24, inspired by The Mandalorian ©Disney March 6th at 8 AM PT: Q2-K2, inspired by The Clone Wars ©Disney If you collect all the exclusive droids from January through June (6 in total), you will receive all the bonus pieces you need to build a bonus droid. Here is a peek at the bonus droid: ©Disney As a reminder, you can grab these droids both online at the Disney Store or at Disney World or Disneyland. They drop the first Friday of each month at 8 AM PT, don’t miss out! We are always on the lookout for the latest Disney merchandise news, so stay tuned to DFB for more. 3 New Exclusive Perks Coming to Disney World in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be collecting these new droids? Let us know your thoughts about them in the comments! View the full article

When you hop on Amazon to find something, anything, you’re basically opening yourself up to being distracted by things that maaaaaybe you didn’t need (wait…is that just us?). ©Amazon While we’re looking for what we need, whether it’s for an upcoming trip, a gift for a friend or family member, or maybe just something to treat yourself, there’s always that little section that shows you things that you may be interested in otherwise. It’s because of THAT section that we’ve come across two different things that we consider to be gems — one because it’s actually helpful, and the other because it makes our souls happy. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The Perfect Tea, Coffee, or Beverage on The Go ©Amazon Ever been annoyed that you can’t have your perfect cup of tea in the parks, or perhaps ground coffee that’s already cold by the time you reach the parks? The struggle is over, because the London Sip Multi-Purpose Tea Infuser is currently on sale for just under $20! Despite the name, you can totally use this for more than just tea. You’ll find a two-piece strainer and basket, so you can infuse loose tea leaves or coffee grounds, or only use the strainer to filter fruit pieces. ©Amazon Not only that, but it’ll keep your drink hot for up to 12 hours, or cold for up to 32 hours, which is a BIG deal in the theme parks, or just anywhere that you’re on the go. No one wants a drink that cools off faster than it should, or gets to room temp and is then gross, so allow this to solve all your drink problems. Grab it right here! The Addition EVERYONE Needs For Their Laptop ©Amazon Need a good laugh during your workday, but don’t know where to get it from? Don’t worry, the geese inside the 4 PCS Resin Goose Figurine Computer Monitor Decor are here to help! Yes, they’re little geese in four different positions to make you laugh during the day, and we’re actually pretty obsessed. ©Amazon Just look how ADORABLE they are! We feel especially drawn to the one lying down, though it may encourage us to take naps when we shouldn’t. Even better is that if you work with other people, go in before everyone else and just randomly move them around the office, or maybe ask your partner to move them around on your desk to make your day a little more whimsical! Grab it right here! We’re always on the lookout for the best finds online to make your world better, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB! View the full article

Something exciting is coming BACK to Disney World! Afternoon Tea at Disney’s Grand Floridian The Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is currently under refurbishment, and it’s set to reopen after over five years of being closed. We can’t wait to visit again and enjoy a delicious spread for afternoon tea. But how much is it going to cost? Let’s do some math. What It Cost Before When the tea room was last open back in 2020, it certainly wasn’t the cheapest place to dine in Disney World. But part of dining there was enjoying the specialty experience! If you were visiting for Afternoon Tea, there were three different options: The Berkshire, The Cheshire, and The Bedfordshire. Garden View Lounge The Berkshire was the most expensive of the group, costing $150 per adult. It came with a medley of finger sandwiches, traditional scones with accompaniments, and a choice of dessert with locally sourced Mote Marine Siberian Sturgeon North American caviar and traditional accompaniments to share. You would get two pots of tea with this meal. Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea The Cheshire Tea was $50 per adult and had about the same menu, minus the caviar and its accompaniments, but with the addition of fruits and cheeses. The Bedfordshire Tea was $35 and had the sandwich-scone-dessert combo. Both of those cheaper options came with a selection of one kind of tea per person. You could also bring your kids along to get the Mrs. Potts’ Tea for $23.79 per person. It came with sandwiches, a jam tart, pastries, and their choice of beverage. Cup of Tea But the really wild offering they used to have at this restaurant was the My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party. For one adult and one child (ages 3-9) to attend, it cost $333.64. Additional guests ages 3-9 were $234.08, and additional guests 10 and over were $98.66. Garden View Tea Room The party included sing-alongs, storytelling, and a princess parade. Children were encouraged to dress as their favorite princess, and they would receive gifts as part of the experience — a special 18-inch doll dressed in her Princess Aurora costume, a Princess tiara, a silver princess bracelet and princess necklace, a fresh rose, a princess cinch bag, and a “Best Friend” certificate for the doll. A tea-inspired meal with a Princess cake for two was also served during the party. What Could It Cost When It Reopens? Our friends over at AllEars have compiled some data on price increases at Disney World in the last decade, comparing how much inflation there has been in the parks. When they looked at table service data, Cinderella’s Royal Table had a 53% price increase from 2014. Let’s apply those same numbers to the Garden View Tea Room prices from 2015. Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea Thanks to a review from 2015 that we had at the restaurant, we know that the Perfectly Princess Tea Party cost $275 in 2015. Back then, they didn’t have something similar to The Berkshire, but the offering most similar to The Cheshire Tea was $30 per adult, and the one most similar to The Bedfordshire was $25 per adult. The Mrs. Potts’ Tea was $13 per child. Strawberries and Creme What’s wild is that with the 53% increase, The Cheshire would cost $45.90 now. The Bedfordshire would ring in at $38.25 per person. So we’ve got one with 2020 prices that were MORE inflated than other restaurants and another with 2020 prices that were LESS inflated than other restaurants. Garden View Tea But the really big shocker here is the Perfectly Princess Party. That one would skyrocket to $420.75 with a 53% increase. Let’s hope it’s not that high when the restaurant reopens! That’s a very steep price for a dining experience. Scone Plate We’ll be on the lookout for more details about this dining experience as the construction continues. Hopefully, we’ll hear more in the coming months! Keep following DFB and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates about dining in Disney World. 4 Dining Plan Changes Coming to Disney World in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you schedule a visit to the Garden View Tea Room? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

We are only a few days away from 2026 — and there are plenty of people heading to Disney World to celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Long Line It is one of the busiest times of the year at Disney World, and the wait times are proving that! We always warn about the higher crowds you will see around Christmas and the New Year, and it looks like there are plenty of guests at the parks right now. There are long wait times, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an enjoyable time. We are taking a look at the waits and sharing some of our tips to beat the crowds. At 11:45 AM on December 29th, 11 (!!) rides at Disney World have MORE than a 100-minute wait! Here is a look at the wait times: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run: 105 minutes Na’vi River Journey: 105 minutes Test Track: 110 minutes Expedition Everest: 115 minutes Kilimanjaro Safaris: 115 minutes Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: 115 minutes Slinky Dog Dash: 120 minutes TRON Lightcycle / Run: 130 minutes Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: 135 minutes Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: 145 minutes Avatar Flight of Passage: 160 minutes Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studios We know how overwhelming and daunting all those wait times can look, and if you are already in Disney World or headed there soon, you might feel worried about your trip. But as long as you go in with the right expectations, we think you will still have a magical trip! We do have a few tips to beat the crowds so you can feel like a Disney World expert. TRON Lightcycle/Run Take Advantage of the Morning and Evening We know, we know, getting up early on vacation can be a no-go for some families, but arriving at the park early and staying late can help you beat some of the crowds. If you can, plan to get to the park 45-60 minutes before it opens for the day (and take advantage of Early Entry if you are staying at a Disney World hotel). That will leave you time to get through security, get to the entrance, and either scan into the park or be ready to scan into the park. Plan to knock out some of your must-do, popular attractions first thing. Early Entry at EPCOT Crowds will increase as the day goes on, but as you get closer to park closing, the crowds will start to thin out a bit. The evenings are another great time to take advantage of lower wait times. When the parks are open for longer hours, we definitely recommend taking a break mid-day to relax for a bit. If you are staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa hotel, also make sure to take advantage of Extended Evening Hours. Also, make sure you do what is best for your family! Don’t go too overboard for the sake of getting on one more attraction. Remember, you are still on vacation after all! Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time Lines to get food can also get crazy during busy times, but we have a few tips! Planning your meals ahead of time can be a big time-saver: either making reservations at sit-down restaurants or placing your Mobile Order in the morning for lunch or dinner. If you don’t have a plan ahead of time, try heading to a snack stand or restaurant that DOESN’T offer Mobile Order. You might be able to get your food quicker! Mobile Order Also, try eating outside of the main dining times. Not only will lines to order be shorter, but it will also be easier to find a seat. The most popular times for lunch are usually between 11 AM until 1 PM, and the most popular dinner time is usually around 5 PM until 7 PM. No guarantees it won’t be crowded outside of those hours, but we have usually seen restaurants less busy. Use the My Disney Experience App The My Disney Experience app will be a massive time-saver while you are at Disney World! For starters, you can check the current wait times to plan your day best. No need to walk over to a ride to find out how long the wait is; you can just check the app! It will save you lots of time walking and waiting. The app will also be where you can place Mobile Orders. With Mobile Orders, you can choose a time in advance and skip the line to order. You will just push that you have arrived on the app, and you will be notified when your food is ready. Mobile Checkout at Creations Shop in EPCOT Also, at select stores, you can use merchandise checkout on your phone. Just scan the barcode for the items, pay, and then show the Cast Member the QR code as you exit. Super easy, and it saves a lot of time waiting in line to check out! Have a Plan We aren’t saying you need to plan your day out minute by minute, but we do recommend having a list of priorities. Which shows, rides, restaurants, etc. do you most want to do? Start with your must-dos, and anything you can accomplish beyond that is just icing on the cake! But knowing your goals will save time when deciding what’s next. Plus, it helps you set up expectations for the day. Everyone can add an item or two to the list, so everyone is getting to do what they want. Kilimanjaro Safaris Consider Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, or Lightning Lane Premier Pass While adding Lightning Lane might not be in every family’s budget, if you can afford it, these services can help you save time in line! There are three different options, each at a different price point. You can click on each service to learn more about it: Lightning Lane Multi Pass Hold up to three Lightning Lane reservations at once, most attractions included except for the most popular, must select a specific timeframe for each reservation Lightning Lane Single Pass Enter the Lightning Lane for one of the most popular attractions once, must select a specific timeframe Lightning Lane Premier Pass Ride each attraction included in the park once, ride whenever you want Na’vi River Journey Lightning Lane We are in the Disney parks every single day and have dealt with heavy crowds a lot. While it can sound overwhelming, as long as you go in with the right expectations, we promise you can still have a fantastic trip even during the busiest of times. Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World tips, tricks, and news! Everything That Happens When Disney World Parks Hit Capacity Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your favorite Disney World ride? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Calling all Muppet fans! The time is NOW to go shopping with that holiday money you have, because there are some new Loungefly bags online that are about to be SUPER tempting. ©Disney How do we know? Well, because we saw these new bags online and had members of our team who were adding them to their carts before they could think twice (oops). If you’re not prepared to spend money on them right away, we suggest throwing your card away from you right now so you’re not too tempted (but even with doing that…good luck). DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The Whole Gang in ONE Backpack! ©Amazon Can’t decide who your favorite Muppet is, so you want all of them on your new Loungefly bag? Then it’s time to look no further than The Muppets Group Loungefly Mini Backpack, because it features ELEVEN different characters! On the front, you’ll find Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy, Camilla, Beaker, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Animal, and Gonzo. Then, on one pocket, you’ll find Sweetums, and on the other, Statler and Waldorf. The best part is that the lights around the center of the backup light up! Check it out here! Crossbodies Are in Style! ©Amazon Looking for a different style? Then The Muppets Crossbody Bag is perfect for you, because you can either carry it by the handle, which is the Muppets logo, or you can throw it over your shoulder with the longer strap. Our favorite part, though, is the multiple different “stickers” that look like ones you’d gather from your travels. You’ve got Fozzy with his iconic “Wocka Wocka!” saying, Kermit with his guitar in front of a rainbow, Miss Piggy as the Statue of Liberty, the Swedish Chef as a Sweden sticker, and more. It’s cute as can be, especially if you travel a lot! Check it out here! We’ll continue to keep our eyes peeled for all the latest and greatest Disney merchandise, from The Muppets and beyond, so stay tuned to DFB! View the full article

As we count down the days until 2026, we know lots of people are getting excited to celebrate the New Year at Disney World! We are currently in one of the busiest times of the year at Disney World, and each year around this time, mentions of park capacity often come up. Disney World parks can reach capacity, but what does that mean for you? It is important to note that it is rare for the Disney World parks to reach capacity, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Magic Kingdom The parks usually reach capacity only around holidays like Christmas or New Year’s Eve, or on the days immediately surrounding them. While the parks didn’t reach capacity on Christmas this year, there is a slight chance they could reach capacity on New Year’s Eve. However, we did want to note that last year, there were no phased closures due to capacity around Christmas or New Year. But we want to make sure you are prepared just in case. Here is what that means for your Disney World vacation! Theme Park Entry On any given day in a Disney World park, guests with valid admission can come and go from the park they have tickets for (or move around parks if they have park hopper tickets). In Magic Kingdom, but forgot your water bottle in the car? No worries, go grab it. Want to take a break from EPCOT and get a little mid-day snooze before heading back for fireworks? Take a nap and come back later for more! EPCOT Keep in mind that certain ticket types will still require a theme park reservation. If you have a date-based 1-day ticket or multi-day ticket, you do NOT need a theme park reservation. However, if you have other tickets such as Annual Passes, student group tickets, sports and convention tickets, or Disney Military Salute Tickets, you will need a reservation to enter. As long as you have a reservation (or a ticket that doesn’t require one), you can come and go as you please, as long as the park doesn’t reach capacity. Disney’s Animal Kingdom But what happens if a park reaches capacity? If a park approaches capacity, there will be a phased closure. First, the parking lots will be closed, and only guests arriving on Disney Transportation will be able to enter the park. If further capacity management is needed, only guests of Disney World hotels will be admitted into the park. After that, it is possible that admittance to the park will be restricted for all guests. However, full closures are pretty uncommon. Disney’s Hollywood Studios When we spoke with Cast Members, it seemed like they were not expecting phased closures to happen for New Year’s Eve, but there is always a slight chance they could happen. Magic Kingdom is usually the first park to reach capacity. If you absolutely want to be in a particular park and are particularly worried about a park closing due to capacity, your best bet is to show up early! Disney Park Pass Theme Park Reservation System for Walt Disney World Park Hopping If you are looking to hop to a different park, you’re not guaranteed entrance to a second park if it reaches capacity. Right now, you can park hop as early as you want and as many times as you want, but if parks start reaching capacity, you will be a bit more limited in your options. EPCOT Crowds If you are planning to hop to a different park, make sure you check whether the other park hasn’t reached capacity yet. The good news is that Disney has made it easy to check, so you won’t waste precious time moving between parks! Park Hopping at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks What You Can Do You don’t have to waste time or risk getting stranded at that second park. Disney is all about customer service, so if you’re getting ready to hop to another park and are worried it might be full, there’s a phone number you can call! Crowds at Magic Kingdom Just dial (407) 560-5000 to find out whether or not the parks are full before you leave your current park. This number has been used in the past to notify guests whether a park is open to additional guests. Plus, if you call this number, you can hop to a different park if your first choice is at capacity. Usually, Disney also sends a notification through the My Disney Experience app when a park is in a phased closure, so make sure you have it downloaded! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Of course, we will be here to keep you updated throughout the holiday season and beyond! We are in the parks every single day, and we are always on the lookout for the latest Disney news. Stay tuned to DFB for more! Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to a Disney World park when it was at capacity? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are right around the corner, and these are two of the BUSIEST days of the entire year in the Disney World parks. Magic Kingdom Crowds on New Year’s Day 2024 Not only does that mean you may be shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of people you don’t know (and will likely never see again), but it’s possible on BOTH of these days that the parks will reach capacity (especially Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios since they all have their own special New Year’s Eve shows, and some even have special snacks). Even if you have a ticket or park pass reservation, you may not be able to enter a park if it’s at capacity. You don’t need to wait to find out at the gate, though — there’s one number you can call to see if the parks are full BEFORE you arrive! If you’re concerned a park may be at capacity, before heading that way, you can call Disney at (407) 560-5000 to inquire about the status of park capacity. The best part? This isn’t only for the holidays — you can call anytime! Yes, this means you can also call on busy summer days, other holidays, during runDisney events, or any day that you’d like to make sure the parks aren’t at capacity. This is the number to call. EPCOT New Year’s Eve crowds (2024) It’s also important to note that even with a park pass or ticket for a Disney World park, if it does reach capacity, there’s a bit of a hierarchy for who will be let into the park as other people exit. For Annual Passholders, phased closures still will apply, so if you have a reservation and want to leave and then come back to the park later, the only way you’ll know what phase the park is in is if you visit Guest Relations and ask before park hopping. It won’t show anywhere online to track, so be where you intend to be early. For example, if you’re in EPCOT but want to hop to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can either call the number above or ask a Cast Member at Guest Relations what the capacity is for the other park. Then, when you want to hop back to EPCOT (where your original reservation is for), you’ll need to ask a Cast Member at Guest Relations or call the number above. New Year’s Eve crowds 2024 in EPCOT However, for Disney Resort guests and regular ticket holders, you should be accounted for in the original capacity and are okay to park hop. The exception here is if the park reaches completely full capacity and no one else is being let in, no ifs, ands, or buts. This can happen, so if you want to ensure you’re in a specific park for New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day and would be devastated if you can’t, we’d recommend avoiding park hopping. Skyliner crowds on New Year’s Eve When it comes to extremely crowded days in the parks, it’s important to remember to be patient and that everyone is in the same boat — everyone wants to have a magical day, and each and every one of you is dealing with the crowds around you! Expect long lines for rides, food, transportation, and everywhere in between. Mentally preparing ahead of time can help you feel more prepared when you see it happening in real time. If you need quiet places to reset, we recommend heading to one of our favorite spots listed below: The back of Storybook Circus in Magic Kingdom Relaxed attractions like Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, Enchanted Tiki Room, and Hall of Presidents in Magic Kingdom Liberty Square Ticket Office in Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Terrace in Magic Kingdom (prior to when they need to begin setting up for the fireworks party around 3 PM) Tomorrowland Terrace Project Tomorrow in EPCOT The back of the Canada Pavilion (near the waterfall) in EPCOT Morocco Pavilion in EPCOT Morocco Pavilion Inside the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT Inside the China Pavilion in EPCOT Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival in EPCOT Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival Exit of Vacation Fun in Hollywood Studios Back of Pixar Place in Hollywood Studios Walt Disney Presents in Hollywood Studios Walt Disney Presents Tree of Life pathways in Animal Kingdom Maharajah Jungle Trek in Animal Kingdom Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Animal Kingdom Rafiki’s Planet Watch Looking for more recent New Year’s Eve news? Check out our posts below! More Recent New Year's Eve News! Everything That Happens When Disney World Parks Hit CapacityThe ONE Phone Number You Need at Disney World on Crowded DaysThe STRANGE Way We Know Orlando is About to Get COLDDisney World Reveals 8 New Snacks (And One Special Meal!) for New Year’s Eve3 RARE Fireworks Shows Return To Disney World This Month We’ll be sure to keep you updated about all the latest news in Disney World happening around New Year’s, so stay tuned to DFB! Everything You Need to Know About New Year’s Eve in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you planning to be in Disney World for New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Santa Claus may have gone into hibernation this week, but holiday cheer extends through the end of the year and beyond at many theme parks and attractions. Here’s a last call holiday list with a few major 2026 end dates too. They are arranged chronologically for your clip-and-save convenience (Kids, ask your nana or maybe Mrs. Claus). • Candlelight Processional and the rest of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays concludes Dec. 30. The final celebrity narrator of the year is Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”), who appears Monday and Tuesday evenings. (Santa Goofy remains at Odyssey through Dec. 30, too). More info: disneyworld.com/candlelight. • Holidays at Legoland Florida end Dec. 31. Elements include a gigantic Lego Christmas tree, Lego Holiday minifigure crew and other entertainment. More info: legoland.com/florida. • Universal Orlando’s holiday celebration concludes Jan. 4. That includes the holiday parade in the streets of Universal Studios, Grinchmas activities at Islands of Adventure and the Hogwarts projection show in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. More info: universalorlando.com/holidays. • The Green & Red Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk also operates through Jan. 4. More info: universalorlando.com/citywalk. • Deck the Seas, holiday festivities at Sea Life Orlando Aquarium, runs through Jan. 4. More info: visitsealife.com. 'Clyde & Seamore's Countdown to Christmas' and other holiday fare remain at SeaWorld Orlando into 2026. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel) • The SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration goes on daily through Jan. 5. Activities include the return of “Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas,” “O Wondrous Night” stage show, “Winter Wonderland on Ice” skating spectacular, “Elmo’s Christmas Wish Show” and the Sesame Street Holiday Parade plus the Sea of Trees and “Holiday Reflections” fireworks. The park has Kwanzaa festivities through Jan. 1 and a Three Kings Celebration Jan. 3-6. More info: seaworldorlando.com. • “2theXtreme,” a hands-on math exhibit at Orlando Science Center, closes Jan. 5. And the museum’s Dino in Lights display ends as of Jan. 6. More info: osc.org. • Holiday-related experiences continue at Crayola Experience through Jan. 5. Think inside the box with a musical light show, animatronics talking about the North Pole, make a penguin friend with Model Magic and meeting crayon characters in seasonal garb at select times on Saturdays and Sundays. More info: crayolaexperience.com/orlando. Elves from Santa’s workshop appear in "Ice!" event at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) • Gaylord Palms’ icy salute to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” ends Jan. 7. The Kissimmee resort also features “Pomp, Snow and Cirque-umstance” show (through Jan. 4), plus ice tubing, a snowball build and blast, Elf Training Academy, a scavenger hunt and more. More info: christmasatgaylordpalms.com. • “Orlando Collected,” the exhibit that commemorates the city’s 150th birthday, closes at Orange County Regional History Center on Jan. 11. More info: thehistorycenter.org. • Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is held select nights through Jan. 18. More info: centralfloridazoo.org. Illuminate, the new after hours walk-through (and dry) event at Aquatica water park, runs on select nights through Jan. 30. More info: aquatica.com. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. View the full article