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Whenever it’s time to share exciting news about a new expansion project, I remember one of my favorite Walt Disney quotes. “We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Today, we are thrilled to share with you that changes are on the horizon at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort over the next two years and let me tell you, there is a lot to be excited about! The expansion at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will include a new 15-story tower that will add 500 rooms, featuring suites and concierge level services. The resort will also refurbish its current resort rooms and transform its landscape with floating gardens and an island oasis that connects the resort through a series of bridges. The new tower overlooking Lago Dorado, the resort’s centerpiece lake, will allow guests to experience something truly unique, rooftop dining with panoramic views of popular nighttime fireworks from nearby Disney theme parks. Also during this exciting time, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be reimagined with new additions to the resort’s current marketplace, Centertown, including new waterfront dining and retail shopping areas. This centralized location will offer the resort’s guests more convenient access to services, amenities and dining. At Walt Disney World Resort, many of our guest’s magical memories start at one of our 27-themed resorts each and every day, which is why we will always continue to “move forward” and “create new experiences” that are integral to the overall resort experience! We can’t wait to share more with you as these projects come to life! View the full article

This week, our “Disney Days of Past” series is back with a historic look back at an attraction you may remember if you visited Magic Kingdom Park in the 1970s or 1980s. In this photo we get a front-seat view from one of the Swan Boats that used to sail around the canals in the Magic Kingdom Park. The boats could carry up to 30 guests and toured the canals of Adventureland and around Cinderella Castle. The Swan Boats ran at the Magic Kingdom from 1973 – 1983. View the full article

We’ve got another Disney Doodle today featuring Disney couples at the Disneyland Resort. Artist Ashley Taylor imagines a romantic moment between Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park. “Sleeping Beauty Castle is so enchanting and beautiful at night,” said Ashley. “I could easily picture Phillip and Aurora sharing a nightly waltz in front of it!” View the full article

You can spot a Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk just about anywhere in Disney World these days… which is VERY good news for coffee and tea lovers! Joffrey’s Coffee in Disney World From Animal Kingdom’s Royal Anandapur Tea Company to spots at Epcot featuring Specialty Beverages for the park’s many and varying Festivals and beyond, it seems you’re never too far from a cup of Joffrey’s coffee, tea, or Seasonal Espresso Drink. In fact, just about the only place without a Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk is Magic Kingdom. Sure, you can find kiosks nearby at both the Ticket and Transportation Center and the Contemporary Resort, but not at Disney World’s original park. Joffrey’s kiosk at the TTC But that’s all about to change when Magic Kingdom gets its very own Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk in Tomorrowland! It will be especially fun to see how it will be themed to Tomorrowland’s retro-vision-of-the-future, knowing the propensity for Joffrey’s Kiosks to blend in perfectly with their surroundings. Here is an example of one of my favorites, found just outside the Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios. Tower of Terror Coffee Stand While the exact opening date has yet to be announced, we’ll be looking for it to open soon (most likely in early March). And even better? The new spot will even offer an espresso beverage that you won’t be able to find anywhere else: the More S’mores Latte, garnished with graham sprinkles and marshmallows. This news is especially welcome in light of the fact that we can all get into Magic Kingdom even earlier these days. Tomorrowland is open right after the new morning welcome show — “Let the Magic Begin” — officially kicks off the day, so the new Kiosk should be a perfect place for a pick-me-up after setting your alarm that much earlier! Are you looking forward to this new java spot in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland? Please let us know with a comment! source: Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co. Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Disney World Joffrey’s Kiosks Serving Coffee for a Dollar on September 29th for National Coffee Day News! Joffrey’s Coffee Named As Official Disney Coffee Provider DFB Tip: How to Score a Discount on Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea in Disney World View the full article

Today, we’re celebrating the February 1940 grand premiere of the film “Pinocchio” by offering readers an opportunity to be one of 50 winners of the Disney Parks Blog “Pinocchio” Blu-Ray Combo Pack Sweepstakes. You can enter now for a chance to win a Blu-ray combo pack which includes a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD of the film. “Pinocchio” is considered by many to be one of the greatest animated films ever made, with two Academy Awards® for best original score and best original song “When You Wish Upon a Star.” The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes hours of classic bonus material and exclusive features, including a reinvented rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star” created and performed by music influencers from Disney’s Maker Studios; never-before-seen artwork from the film’s Pleasure Island sequence; archival recordings of Walt himself during “Pinocchio” production; and a recently restored and scored 1927 short featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. You can enter for a chance to win a Blu-ray combo pack by clicking here and following the entry instructions to complete an official entry form. Your entry must state your valid email address and full name. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes starts 2/16/17 at 1:00 p.m. ET and ends 2/16/17 at 3:01 p.m. ET. Open only to persons who, upon entering, are not deemed minors in their jurisdiction of primary residence and are legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 U.S. or D.C. Limit 1 entry per person/per email address. For complete details, including full eligibility requirements, odds of winning and limitations, see Official Rules. Void where prohibited by law. View the full article

Lately there has been no shortage of incredible food at Walt Disney World’s Epcot. But even with all the stellar food at the International Festival of the Arts, I still craved some of my old favorites from everyone’s go-to caramel spot: Karamel Küche. Learn About: Karamell-Küche Epcot Restaurants Disney World Restaurants Karamel Küche has become a perennial favorite since its debut in 2010. And why not? It’s a charming stop in World Showcase’s Germany pavilion, and it serves some of the most crave-able sweets in the World. We love the Caramel Corn (and we love watching it be made), but who can resist their unassuming-but-oh-so-amazing Caramel Apple Cookie? We can’t! And the Caramel Bacon Square is just crazy enough to work! Plus I can always rely on the Sea Salt Chocolate-Covered Caramel to satisfy my sweet/salty tooth (it’s been my on my must-eat list for, like, seven years, y’all!). Just about anything in their shiny glass display cases is delicious. (Well…maybe not the Caramel-Topped Chocolate Brownie. Too dry. Too boring. Too much else to capture my taste buds and attention.) The menu is pretty self-explanatory, and since the goodies are all on display, you can study your options before making a selection. Karamel Kuche Display And there are so, so many things from which to choose! You will have trouble making a decision, we promise. Karamel Kuche Stroopwafel On this visit, I wanted to try an old favorite and some new treats! Karamel Kuche Treats Let’s start with my old favorite: the Chewy Caramel Bar. This gooey goody has a been my pick for a few years, and it’s pretty easy to see why. From top to bottom, this one satisfies my sweet tooth. Karamel Kuche Chewy Caramel Bar The base is a soft shortbread, and that’s topped with a generous layer of caramel. For a little textural contrast, the talented chefs at Karamel Küche add walnuts and a touch of streusel to the top. This one is sort of sweet on sweet on sweet, and that’s why I love it so much! Karamel Kuche Chewy Caramel Bar BUT…I MIGHT have a new favorite here at the KK… . For those who crave a caramel bar but maybe want some balance to all the sweetness, this one could be right up your alley! Honestly, I chose the Pecan Caramel Bar because I had never tried it. I did not expect to like as much as I did! Karamel Kuche Pecan Carmel Bar So the best thing about this bar is balance of all that caramel-y sweetness with subtle bits of salt. I found this in the crust, which is a little more dense than the shortbread of the Chewy Caramel Bar. I suspect there are bits of the lightly salted pecans in the crust itself. It’s darker color might mean there’s a bit of brown sugar in there too, although it wasn’t overly sweet. (Maybe our talented chef readers can figure this one out?) Karamel Kuche Crust Comparison At any rate, whatever they do to that crust is pretty freaking awesome! Besides the subtle saltiness of the crust, the caramel was topped with a generous smattering of pecans. If you look really closely, you can see they are lightly salted — and that makes all the difference with this one! Karamel Kuche Pecan Bar Love, love, love! I was so surprised by this one, folks! It’s my new favorite Karamell-Küche treat! Now, I know I rave about Karamell-Küche — and with good reason! Almost everything is awesome. But I did find one unfortunate exception on this visit. The Stroopwafel was new to me, so I grabbed that to go along with my bars. Karamel Kuche Stroopwafel It looks great. Thin waffle cookies, strands of rich caramel over the top, a thick layer of caramel in between. I’ve had this type of treat elsewhere, and loved it. So I was super jazzed to try it here. How can this possibly go wrong? Um…shards of stale waffle and stick-to-your-teeth caramel, that’s how. It was not the pleasantly chewy treat I expected. Actually, it was more like a battle in my mouth, and that’s never a good thing. Karamel Kuche Stroopwafel Maybe I got a bad (old?) batch, but I wouldn’t recommend this one based on this experience. (We’ll try it again in a bit and let you know if it’s improved.) So not everything is epic at Karamel-Küche, but if you stick with our picks (and, honestly, just about everything is great as long as you avoid that dry brownie and the crazy-crunchy stroopwaffel), you’re good to go! And it’s still one of my highly recommended stops in Epcot. You NEED to go to here. Do you crave the “Caramel Kitchen” like we do? Confess in the comments! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: Caramel and Pecan Treats at Karamell-Küche in Epcot’s Germany Review: Chocolate Caramel Grapes at Karamell-Küche Review: Caramel Bacon Square and Caramel S’more at Epcot’s Karamell-Küche View the full article

Star Wars Day at Sea 2018 | Disney Cruise Line View the full article

As we mark this Presidents’ Day, many of us are enjoying a wonderful perk — a day to sleep in and enjoy a little break. And that means one thing: it’s a GREAT time to plan your next Disney trip! Save 20% on the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book Second Edition Pre-Order with Promo Code GEORGE! Our fully guaranteed, comprehensive e-Book offers more than 600 full-color pages to help you plan your very best Disney World trip ever! Pre-Order your 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Second Edition today, and you’ll automatically receive the First Editions FREE as an immediate download! When we release the Second Edition (in early March), we’ll email it to you right away! But if you want even MORE savings, read on… Save 25% on the DFB Guide & Snacks Bundle with Promo Code ABE! This bundle is already super discounted, but this week you can an extra 25% off! Click here to see more information about everything included! And the best news — this offer includes a Pre-Order of the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Second Edition. That’s like getting an additional book ($18.95 value) for free! It’s your choice! Get the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Second Edition e-book with the code GEORGE, or the DFB Guide & Snacks Bundle with code ABE — both on sale for a limited time! Our convenient PDF format makes taking the our DFB Guides along a snap — download them instantly to as many electronic devices as you’d like, and go. With your satisfaction guaranteed (yep — love it, or you get your money back!) on all of our DFB Guides, you have nothing to lose! As always, we thank you for your support of the Disney Food Blog! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: DFB 12 Days of Christmas: Day 5 — Save 30% on Our Most Popular Disney Dining Guidebook Bundle Pre-Order the **2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Second Edition** e-Book and Save! DFB Cyber Week SALE: 50% Off the DFB Guide + Snacks Bundle! View the full article

Chef Dom has been at the helm in the kitchen at Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for a little more than a year, joining the Disney culinary team after working in top-tier restaurants in the Northeastern United States. A native of Saint-Tropez, France, his cooking style was influenced by his grandmother, who cooked every day. “I remember helping my grandmother prepare legendary culinary feasts, foraging with my uncle for wild mushrooms and helping tend the family garden,” says Filoni. We met Chef Dom in the private Chef’s Domain at Cítricos for this Q&A: Tell us about this beautiful room we’re sitting in, the Chef’s Domain. The Chef Domain is one of our best-kept secrets – with a door right into the kitchen, we create personalized menus for up to 12 guests. It’s quiet, it’s private, and Stig Jacobsen, our sommelier and proprietor, can pair amazing wines with each course. And we can special order ingredients like duck or rabbit, for instance, for our guests in the Chef’s Domain. Describe your cooking style. French Mediterranean with freshest seasonal ingredients, cooked simply. I’m French with Corsican origins, and grew up on the French Riviera where cooking and eating was a family affair. Growing up with my grandma cooking all the time, when I see polenta, rabbit, beautiful tomatoes, fresh pasta – those food always bring me back to the moments in the kitchen with her. What brought you from the French Riviera to the United States? By age 14, I started formal culinary training in nearby Lycée Technique Hotelier de Hyères, graduating at 17. I worked in small resorts in the south of France, and in 1995 came to the U.S. with one of my co-workers who purchased and renovated a historic restaurant in Philadelphia. And you’ve received some very special accolades throughout your career. I was inducted into the Maitres Cuisiniers de France in 2003, the youngest French master chef in the U.S. I was named “Rising Star Chef Philadelphia” by StarChefs.com in 2004, and on Food & Wine magazine’s list of “Best New Chefs” in 2004. It’s been fun! What’s new on the menu at Cítricos? Rather than completely changing the menu, I tend to add seasonal touches to dishes. For instance, cauliflower soup is on the menu now, poured tableside with fresh Romanesco and cauliflower, topped with fresh Burgundy truffles and a drizzle of white truffle oil. I work with what’s fresh at the market, so you might see peas one day, asparagus the next. I love using Florida seafood, like the Key West shrimp with pasta, baby spinach, a spicy Puttanesca sauce and Parmesan. Any guest favorites? Our cheese board and charcuterie are wonderful with a craft cocktail. The beet salad that’s on the menu now, with fresh hearts of palm and goat cheese, is a winner. And the arancini [fried risotto balls] stay on the menu — our guests love them hot and crispy, served with a little mascarpone and a simple tomato sauce. While the oak-grilled beef filet is most requested, the pan-seared scallops and Kurobuta pork porterhouse are close seconds. Tell us about the beverage program at Cítricos. We specialize in French, Spanish and Italian wines, and sommelier Stig Jacobsen is always on the lookout for great new vintages to share with our guests. We also have the Napa Technology wine dispensing system that allows us to serve very special labels by the glass – California Grill is the only other restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort with the system. And we have a cordial cart in the dining room, a very special way to end a meal with a liqueur. Cítricos generally is only open for dinner, but tell us about Brunch With a Twist. We are having lots of fun with Brunch With a Twist – all of the Grand Floridian chefs collaborate on a menu – our next one is noon May 6. [For reservations, call 407-939-3463.] We do five courses, one for each chef: I’m joined by Executive Chef Scott Hunnel, Chef Noah Estabrook, Chef Nick Mussara, Chef Lawrence Searl and Executive Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek, representing Victoria & Albert’s, Cítricos, Narcoossee’s, Grand Floridian Cafe and the Grand Floridian Bakery. It’s a real wow. What’s next for Citricos? We’re working on lots of exciting changes, but nothing I can share right now. Check back with me in six months! Finally, tell us — what’s always in the fridge at home? Sriracha, vegetables, fresh herbs, hummus, salad and homemade truffle vinaigrette. Simple! View the full article

Earlier this week, we shared a look at the theming and details you don’t want to miss inside the Discovery River Amphitheater when “Rivers of Light” debuts this Friday, February 17. Today we’re back with an in-depth look at the four Animal Spirit Guides you’ll see in the show. Each Animal Spirit Guide represents a different element: An African Elephant and her calf embody Earth; a Turtle and her baby signify Water; a Great Horned Owl and her owlets symbolize the Sky; and an Asian Tiger represents Fire. Watch for them carefully as soon as you are seated inside the Discovery River Amphitheater, as the Animal Spirit Guides are introduced before the show even begins. You may hear them in the distance or spot their shadows moving across the tree canopy on the opposite riverbank. As the show begins, our mystical storytellers, Aseema and Aditya, set out on their vessels to bring the gift of light to the river. They tell their stories on their respective sails using intricate Balinese shadow puppets of each of the four creatures. The Animal Spirit Guides are then brought forth in the form of four, larger-than-life Asian-inspired lantern floats. As they make their way across Discovery River, each animal springs to life and travels across the river’s towering water curtains. The Animal Spirit Guides then lead us through a visual celebration of earthly and ethereal animal realms – Asian jungles, African savannahs, tropical oceans, North American mountains – ending in the amazing Aurora Borealis (known in some cultures as the sky’s “Rivers of Light”). Want to see “Rivers of Light” in person? The show is included in theme park admission. Check dates and times – or make FastPass+ reservations – on the My Disney Experience app; access the standby seating (open to any guest); or consider booking a dining package, which includes reserved seating. For more about “Rivers of Light” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, visit the stories below: All in the Details: Storytelling at Rivers of Light’s Discovery River Amphitheater Reservations Open Today for Rivers of Light Dining Package Debuting February 17 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ‘Rivers of Light’ Officially Opens February 17 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom All in the Details: Creating ‘Rivers of Light’ Costumes All in the Details: Creating ‘Rivers of Light’ Animal Spirit Guide Floats View the full article

We are muy emocionados to share with you a new video series with Latina Magazine blogger Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz, who recently visited Walt Disney World Resort with her familia. Paula, who also writes for the blog Growing Up Bilingual with her husband Cesar, visited our four theme parks and created a video series to share her favorite things to do to have ‘endless magic’ with her children. In the first video, Paula and her familia visit Magic Kingdom Park, where they ride attractions like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland and meet Princess Elena at Princess Fairytale Hall. What are your favorite attractions and things to do at Magic Kingdom Park? Latina Magazine and Walt Disney World Resort are offering you the opportunity to have a magical vacation for a family of four! Enter here or more details! View the full article

When guests sail with us, we love that their experience doesn’t end when they step off the ship. They remember it for a lifetime and relive the magic by talking about it with family, friends — and everyone they meet! Because of those shared experiences, we’re excited to be honored with eight first-place awards, including the Best for Families, in the recently announced 2017 Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards based on thousands of reviews. Cruise Critic reviewers recognized the Disney Magic as the No. 1 cruise for families while also ranking the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder as top cruise ships in the Best for Families category. In the large-ship category, the Disney Dream took the No. 1 spots for Best Overall Ship, Best Cabins, Best Public Rooms, Best Service and Best Shore Excursions. This is the third consecutive year the Disney Dream has won Best Overall in the large-ship category. Also in the large-ship category, the Disney Fantasy was recognized as the Best for Fitness & Recreation. While the Disney Magic took top honors for Best Overall Ship in the mid-size ship category. The Cruisers’ Choice Awards are selected based on the thousands of reviews and ratings made by the Cruise Critic community last year. Cruise Critic is one of the largest online cruise communities with more than 150,000 cruise reviews. We can’t thank our guests enough for sharing their Disney cruise story and the many cast and crew members dedicated to making every vacation magical. What is the one thing about your Disney cruise that you talk about most with your family and friends? View the full article

Plans filed with the state have generated speculation that Walt Disney World is planning a cable car system on its property. Rumors have circulated about such a project for months. Reedy Creek Improvement District, the Disney-controlled government agency, submitted plans to the South Florida Water... View the full article

This past weekend, we had our very first chance to view the newest Disney nighttime spectacular — Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! And lemme tell ya — it’s spectacular, and it’s totally worth the wait! We loved it SO much that we just had to make it the subject of our latest DFB Video! Because we had the chance to see the show first hand, we want to share some images with you. But we also want to share how you can see the show yourself without standing in the anticipated long lines that are sure to greet its opening this weekend! Rivers of Light Has Finally Arrived at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! The new show was supposed to debut in 2016, but Disney pushed its launch back nearly a full year. That means that it will debut just months — really just weeks — before we see the opening of Pandora — The World of Avatar on May 27. Rivers of Light Performers Narrate the Story of Life Each aspect of the show is more enchanting than the last. The screened projections depicting animal spirits are incedible. Rivers of Light Animal Spirits Another cool part of the experience: so many of those exhibits at Tiffins finally make sense! (The lit up animals are gorgeous. Seriously. We need lamps like this, Disney. In time for the holiday season.) Rivers of Light Animals We predict that Rivers of Light is going to be a very popular attraction for Animal Kingdom. For starters, it’s gorgeous. But then, there’s also the novelty of being in the park after dark — something that was never really available to guests before. (Apparently, we couldn’t be in the park past the animals’ bedtimes. That has changed, it seems.) Rivers of Light Owls So how do you beat the lines? Check out our latest DFB Video for our best suggestions! (Here’s a hint: one of them totally involves food. Yay!) And did we mention all the super cute Rivers of Light Merch? You’ll remember the ROL Lotus Popcorn Bucket that debuted last year. Lotus Blossom Popcorn Bucket Now, with the debut of the show, we’re getting our hands on more cool stuff! This light-up wand interacts with the show — and with others around you! Rivers of Light Merch! But then, how can you go wrong with the souvenir that lights up and spins??? More Rivers of Light Merch To see more about the show that’s inpiring all of this hoopla, be sure to check out our video! Just click on the video above, and watch it right from the comfort of your DFB screen. By the way, have you subscribed to the DFB YouTube Page? Subscribe today, and you’ll never miss all the fun, as we bring you an insider’s view to all of the newest and latest happenings throughout the parks! Now, I’ve gotta here from you! Are you anxious to see Rivers of Light? Leave a comment and let us know when you plan to go! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Animal Kingdom Rivers of Light Dining Packages Now Available for Booking Rumor: Rivers of Light Dining Packages Possibly Coming to Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House News: Light-Up Lotus Popcorn Bucket Coming to Animal Kingdom and Updated Anniversary Buckets in Disneyland View the full article

Faith, trust and pixie dust! It’s time to reveal the runDisney Tinker Bell Half Marathon medal! Disney teamed up with PANDORA Jewelry, the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend presenting sponsor, to design this stunning half marathon medal for 2017. David Brotherton, Art Director at Disney Yellow Shoes, was the lead designer who collaborated with PANDORA Jewelry to create this beautiful medal. He’s been designing runDisney medals for the past six years, but this is one of his favorites! David and the designers at PANDORA collaborated through meetings to each design elements of the medal that stayed true to their respective brands. “It was important to keep the aesthetics of PANDORA, while also paying tribute to Tinker Bell,” explained Brotherton. Graphic artists Kim Schnell and Greta Roy from PANDORA agreed by saying, “Collaborating with Yellow Shoes was a wonderful experience. David’s expertise with medal design was immeasurable and sparked a truly creative partnership with PANDORA. Seeing our combined ideas converge and come to life was awe-inspiring and we can’t wait to do it again!” Participating in one of our other pixie-dusted races? We want to show you what you can anticipate to earn once your wings cross the finish line! Here is a collection of all the medals for the upcoming event: The runDisney Kids Races presented by GoGo squeeZ® Applesauce on the Go are sure to be an adventure, the medallion features Disney Captain Jake and the Never Land Pirates! Our Never Land 5K and Tinker Bell 10K medals feature some of our favorite characters from “Peter Pan.” Get ready to fly through our magical courses! Registration is still open to earn this amazing medal for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. Spots are also still available for the Pixie Dust Challenge that combines the 13.1-mile Tinker Bell Half Marathon PLUS the 6.2-mile Tinker Bell 10K. Will you join us for this year’s race? For updates, follow runDisney on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Share your excitement using the hashtag #TinkHalf. To learn more about runDisney events, please visit us here! View the full article

Disney California Adventure park will soon be the destination for adventure, intrigue and triumph as recruits from around the world – like you – join forces with legendary Super Heroes in an ever-expanding universe of stories that will grow even bigger over time. This summer, we are kicking off the action with the May 27 grand opening of the thrilling, rocking attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! This new adventure blasts you straight into the “Guardians of the Galaxy” story for the first time ever, alongside characters from the blockbuster films and comics. As you help Rocket bust his pals out of the Collector’s Fortress, you will experience randomized ride experiences complete with all-new visual and audio effects and music inspired by the popular film soundtracks. You never know which adventure you will get! There will be even more ways to step into Super Hero stories with Summer of Heroes, May 27 through September 10. Answer the call for this limited-time celebration as you join the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy for all-new epic experiences. Summer of Heroes will launch these new, year-round experiences: Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! – Don’t be surprised if you run into the Guardians of the Galaxy on their way to the Milano, with Star-Lord firing up his old-school boom box to get the party started. Gamora may prefer to stand back and observe, but everyone else is bound to get in the groove and show off their moves during this awesome rock ‘n’ roll bash! Super Hero Encounters – For the first time, citizens of Earth will come face-to-face with Groot, one of the Guardians of the Galaxy! You can also step up to meet the First Avenger, Captain America, along with everyone’s favorite web slinger, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. And for a limited time, step up to the challenge with new adventures during Summer of Heroes: Avengers Training Initiative – Black Widow and Hawkeye assemble young recruits for a series of tests to see if they have what it takes to join the ranks of the Avengers. Heroic Encounter: Black Widow – Black Widow will arrive on the scene several times throughout the day in an armored Avengers vehicle for her heroic encounter with park guests. Grab a Piece (or Bite) of the Action – All that heroism making you hungry? Want a token as proof of your adventures when you get home? Special themed merchandise and food will be available throughout Hollywood Land. The summer brings even more to get excited about over at Disneyland park as classic favorites return with the reopening of the Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America attractions, with the “Fantasmic!” nighttime spectacular returning later in the summer. We’ll have opening dates to share soon for these attractions. And don’t miss your chance to see the classic Main Street Electrical Parade during its limited-time run at Disneyland park through June 18. #HeroUp at Disney California Adventure park with Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! and Summer of Heroes, beginning May 27! Entertainment and attractions are subject to change and cancellation without notice. Please check the show guide for days and times. View the full article

Are you ready to dance with superheroes? If so, plan on a trip to Anaheim. Disney has set the opening date for the new “Guardians of the Galaxy”-inspired attraction and the company is going all out to commemorate the occasion, with new character interactions and even a dance party. Guardians... View the full article

The grass is cut, the infield at Champion Stadium is manicured, and the Atlanta Braves pitchers and catchers have arrived at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to begin spring training! This year, the season has an extra special flair, as we celebrate 20 years of Atlanta Braves Spring Training here at Disney. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more details on how we’re celebrating this milestone. Starting February 25, fans can take in the game-day action, when the Braves take on the Toronto Blue Jays in the first of their 18 home games. Other notable matchups include the Boston Red Sox (March 3), New York Yankees (March 9) and Mets (March 10, 25 and 29). No baseball game is complete without good eats, and this year, new treats such as Cuban sandwiches, paninis and freshly made nachos have been added to the menu at Champion Stadium. Fans can also look forward to the return of fan-favorites like The Barbecue Smokehouse, The Slider Station and for the thirsty, the popular beer wagons that feature regional craft beers from cities of many Braves’ opponents. For foodies and fans alike, Braves Spring Training is an experience you definitely want to be a part of! Pitchers and catchers reported yesterday, and fans are welcome to attend workouts (Adult admission is $18, while child admission is $13) at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which begin tomorrow. Be sure to bring a marker, as you could have the opportunity to get autographs from your favorite Braves players during practices! There are still tickets available to Braves Spring Training games, and fans can purchase those through Ticketmaster outlets and at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Box Office. For more information about the Braves schedule, tickets and more, visit www.espnwwos.com/braves. So grab your baseball hats and gloves and we’ll see you at the ballpark! View the full article

Today is National Hippo Day! Hippos are fascinating in their immense size and gracefulness under water. They can spend up to five minutes under water holding their breath. We recently added hippos, giraffe and okapi to the Disneyanimals.com website – a source for fun facts and information about Disney’s conservation efforts. You can get acquainted with these new species by testing your knowledge below. All the answers can be found on Disneyanimals.com. Let us know how well you did in the comments. .quiz-container#wp-quiz-184261{ background-color:#f0f8fb; color:#565656; border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-184261 .quiz-section h1{ color:#8bb428; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-184261 .quiz-title{ color:#10628b; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-184261 .quiz-header-image{ text-align:right; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-184261 .quiz-section{ border-color:#ffffff; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-184261 .quiz-details, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-184261 .quiz-results, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-184261 .quiz-embed{ border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-184261 .quiz-result{ background-color:#dce4e7; } Wildlife Wednesday: New animals added to Disneyanimals.com Adult hippopotamuses weigh between 2,500 and 5,000 pounds (1,134-2,268 kg). How much does the average newborn hippo weigh? 20-40 pounds (9-18 kg) 60-110 pounds (27-50 kg) 300-350 pounds (136 kg-159 kg) Hippos communicate using a wide variety of vocalizations. What is the name of the most common and distinctive hippo vocalization? Hippo hullabaloo Wheeze-honk Hippo chatter In order to protect their sensitive skin from sunburn, hippos release a thick liquid that acts as sunscreen. What color is this thick liquid? Black Green Red Giraffes have long necks that help them reach the leaves on tall trees. Even though giraffes have very long necks, they have the same number of vertebrae, or bones, in their necks as humans. How many vertebrae do both giraffes and humans have in their neck? 7 14 21 Giraffes have a tongue that is uniquely adapted to not get sunburned. What color is a giraffe’s tongue? A pinkish color Neon green A dark color that is black, deep purple or blue Newborn giraffes can stand and walk in their first hour of life. How tall is the average newborn giraffe? 2 feet (0.6 m) 4 feet (1.2 m) 6 feet (1.8 m) Where can you see okapis at Walt Disney World Resort? Kilimanjaro Safaris Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge All of the above Okapis have black and white stripes on their legs, but are not related to zebras. What animals are okapis related to? Giraffe Hippos Elephants Okapis, except for a mother with her calf, typically live alone but will communicate with other okapis. How do okapis communicate? With loud vocalizations By scent-marking their habitats Creating nests for other okapis One of the biggest threats facing giraffes, hippopotamuses and okapis is habitat loss. What can you and your family do to help these animals? Protect nature by supporting conservation organizations like the Disney Conservation Fund. Get outdoors and visit an accredited zoo near you to learn more about these animals. Reduce waste and recycle small electronics to reduce mining in African habitats. All of the above Embed Quiz on Your Website Embed Code <div class="wp-quiz" data-quiz-id="184261" data-site-url="https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-quizzes/js/embed.js"></script>Copy and paste above embed code where you would like the quiz to appear on your website. View the full article

Puppeteer Art Vega has worked in the “Disney Junior — Live on Stage!” show at Disney California Adventure for 14 years, delighting children with performances featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. But his work is scheduled to end April 9, when Walt Disney Co. plans to close the current... View the full article

Puppeteer Art Vega has worked at the “Disney Junior — Live on Stage!” show at Disney California Adventure for 14 years, delighting children with performances featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. But his work is scheduled to end April 9, when the Walt Disney Co. plans to close the current... View the full article

Brands hire YouTube stars to do what TV commercials can’t — reach young people who prefer media that’s unpolished and relatable. That’s one reason Walt Disney Co.’s Maker Studios tapped PewDiePie, YouTube’s biggest personality, who has amassed tens of millions of subscribers with off-the-cuff... View the full article

Do you have March 17th circled in rose-red for the premiere of the live-action Beauty and the Beast film? Enchanted Rose If you’re among those eagerly awaiting the movie’s release (like us!), and you happen to have an upcoming trip to Disneyland planned, too, then you’ll definitely want to know about some limited-time eats and treats coming to Disneyland soon! Make your way over to Fantasyland, where in coming days you’ll find Village Haus Restaurant transformed (for a limited time) into the Red Rose Taverne! Village Haus Restaurant Look for the Village Haus to be changed into the Taverne with draped curtains and Beauty and the Beast-themed murals, all telling different chapters of Belle and Beast’s story in the rooms throughout the restaurant. This French taverne will serve an updated Quick Service menu featuring meals with a French twist — including THE GREY STUFF! — along with signature beverages to mark the occasion. And speaking of twists… the Twists at Maurice’s Treats will soon be enhanced with Dipping Sauces! Maurice’s Treats Marinara and strawberry will be available. And, YES, so will The Grey Stuff!! And you know what they say, it’s… pretty darn tasty . Try The Grey Stuff! Keep your eyes peeled, too, for special merchandise and some charmer by the name of Gaston said to be making plans to roam around Fantasyland soon, too. No dates have been revealed for these transformations and additions just yet. But we’ll be sharing all the BEAUTY-ful details with you the minute we find out! Would you like to visit the Red Rose Taverne, or try some Grey Stuff on the west coast? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: Beauty and the Beast Belle Cupcake in Disney Parks Disney’s Soda Fountain Review: The Beauty and The Beast Sundae New! The Grey Stuff Cupcake and Other Menu Updates at Disney World’s Be Our Guest Restaurant View the full article

A coalition of activist groups thinks Mickey Mouse and Donald Trump are not a magical combination – and they organized a rally Tuesday to say so. The groups including Organize Florida and the Council for Popular Democracy Action are calling for The Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger... View the full article

While “Rivers of Light” doesn’t officially debut until Friday, February 17, a few guests were able to attend “surprise & delight” performances of the show this past weekend. The show, which celebrates the majesty of nature and the connection between animals and humans, combines live performers, floating lanterns, fountains, special effects and animal imagery, giant water screens and more. Check out the video above to see what the first few spectators had to say about this new nighttime show. “Rivers of Light” is included in theme park admission at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Want to see if for yourself? Check dates, times or make FastPass+ reservations on the My Disney Experience app or consider booking a dining package, which includes reserved seating for the show now. For more about “Rivers of Light” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, visit the stories below: All in the Details: Storytelling at Rivers of Light’s Discovery River Amphitheater Reservations Open Today for Rivers of Light Dining Package Debuting February 17 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ‘Rivers of Light’ Officially Opens February 17 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom All in the Details: Creating ‘Rivers of Light’ Costumes All in the Details: Creating ‘Rivers of Light’ Animal Spirit Guide Floats View the full article