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In honor of awards season, which is in full swing in Hollywood, Disney Parks Moms Panel is handing out its own prestigious awards. We enlisted the help of over 130 of our alumni and current panelists to select their favorites in a variety of categories. The votes are in and over the next four weeks, we will reveal their picks for favorites at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line. Walt Disney World Resort offers something for everyone, and everyone has their favorite things to do taste and see while visiting. The moms, dads and grandparents of the Disney Parks Moms Panel share a few of their favorites in this week’s Disney Parks Moms Panel Awards. Category: Favorite Character Meet & Greet Location Epcot Character Spot rose to the top for favorite character meet & greet location. Guests can meet Mickey & friends, Baymax from Big Hero 6, and Joy & Sadness from Disney∙Pixar’s “Inside Out.” Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom Park, Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom Park and Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios were also amongst the top five favorites. Jen R. recommends using the My Disney Experience app to find the best place to meet your favorite Disney friends. Category: Favorite Snack And the favorite is … Dole Whips. It was a tight contest between Dole Whips and Mickey Premium Bars, but in the end the tropical flavors of the Dole Whip were the favorite of the Disney Parks Moms Panelists. The classic churro, cronuts at Epcot and the fresh fruit waffle sandwich at Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom Park were also among the panelists’ favorite treats. Category: Favorite Show With so many musical spectaculars to choose from, picking a favorite was tough, but Festival of the Lion King was chosen as the panel’s favorite show at Walt Disney World Resort. Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Finding Nemo – The Musical and Flights of Wonder also received honorable mentions. Disney’s Animal Kingdom now comes alive at night with Tree of Life Awakenings, Discovery Island Carnivale, and night time safaris, a favorite of Donyell R. and her family. More excitement is coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom with the opening of Pandora-The World of Avatar this summer. Category: Disney Springs Activity Hands down, shopping was the favorite thing to do at Disney Springs. Other favorite activities include dining at one of the many restaurants, catching a movie at AMC Theaters, bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, or experiencing La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil. The Disney Parks Moms Panelists recommend spending a day at Disney Springs while visiting Walt Disney World Resort to experience all this newly enhanced shopping, dining and entertainment district has to offer. The Disney Parks Moms Panel Awards continue next week with more Walt Disney World Resort favorites. In the meantime, let us know your favorites from this week’s categories in the comments below. You can also visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for more tips or to ask questions about planning your upcoming Disney Vacation. For more awards season excitement be sure to tune into The Oscars® Live Oscar Sunday, February 26 7e|4p on ABC. View the full article

Happy Monday! This week’s “Disney Doodle,” by artist Ashley Taylor imagines what the Blue Fairy from “Pinocchio” would do if she had the chance to visit a Walt Disney World Resort theme park. In the film, she rewards Jiminy Cricket with a gold badge for his help in guiding Pinocchio’s brave and selfless behavior. That moment in the film inspired today’s Doodle: “The Blue Fairy recognizes Jiminy as Pinocchio’s conscience by giving him a solid gold badge,” Ashley said. “So I can easily see her being the one to hand out celebration buttons to everyone entering the Magic Kingdom!” View the full article

We are headed into The Land Pavilion in Walt Disney World’s Epcot today for one of our favorite character meals at Garden Grill Restaurant! Learn About: Garden Grill Restaurant Epcot Restaurants Disney World Restaurants This spot may feel a little dated in a way…but we prefer to think of it as retro. Disney’s (Orlando’s!!) only rotating restaurant is still tops for the coolness factor of the, you know, rotation. I can remember going to this restaurant when I was a little kid — it was fancy-pants back then (with sculpted Mickey butter!), but the nostalgia factor is high here for Epcot babies. Add in some pretty delicious food, and you’re doing even better. AND then — characters! Even Mickey! So it’s probably sort of easy to see why we like it. Recently, our Dining in Disneyland expert and friend of DFB Heather Sievers travelled to Walt Disney World for a visit. Among their many culinary adventures, her family opted to visit Garden Grill Restaurant for breakfast one morning. Let’s tag along and see how it went! Atmosphere Garden Grill Restaurant is located within The Land Pavilion in Epcot’s Future World West. The Land Pavilion This building is a serious multitasker. You’ll find three different attractions housed here: Soarin, Living with the Land, and The Circle of Life. All have different entrances, which are accessible as you travel down ramps circling either side of the round building’s perimeter. The Land Ceiling and Its Pretty Balloons In addition to the attractions, there are also two restaurants. While Sunshine Seasons occupies the ground floor (and offers up some of our favorite Disney World counter service eats), Garden Grill is located on the pavilion’s second floor. Garden Grill Sign Step back a bit and watch closely, and you can see the restaurant slowly rotating as diners enjoy their meals while interacting with characters. Garden Grill Wide View You can get a feel for what the restaurant offers just by glancing at the sign. Chip ‘N Dale’s Harvest Feast is an all you care to enjoy meal that you can book for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Entrance with Menu and Information We’ll take a closer look at the menu in a minute. In the meantime, let’s have a look around. Tables are arranged in stadium seating on two rows around the restaurant, and one is slightly higher than the other. Tables on the top tier are your garden variety rectangular tables, like this one. Table and Seating Lower tables are actually curved booths with a front row seat to the passing landscape. Booth Seating Facing The Land Attraction You may also notice a familiar “face” when you are seated! Ah, those clever Cast Members. Always makin’ the magic. Plate and Bowl Mickey! So — back to that whole rotating thing. What exactly are guests looking at as they dine? An ever changing landscape, thanks to the Living with the Land attraction below. Garden Grill Mural As you rotate — a journey that takes about an hour — you’ll see a Farmhouse Scene as well as Desert and Rainforest habitats. Farmhouse Scene in Living with the Land Rainforest Living with the Land as seen from Garden Grill Transition from Rainforest to Desert And that takes us to Garden Grill’s second claim to fame — Characters! The feast is hosted by mischevious (and completely adorable) chipmunks, Chip ‘n Dale. Chip Dale But they’ve also brought a few other friends to the party! Guests can also catch a photo with Pluto. Pluto And Mickey is on board as well! How much do we LOVE his farmer togs?!? Mickey Mouse And that brings me to the third reason you go to Garden Grill: the Food. Let’s have a look. Eats Character Meal experiences vary at Walt Disney World. Some restaurants offer buffets, while others are plated, or all-you-care-to-enjoy meals. Garden Grill offers the latter. While this was a breakfast visit, you can also see an in-depth look at dinner (which is so SO good) in our review here. (Note that they’ve switched out the fish for sausage these days.) Menu and Information — Up Close Here’s a closer look at the offerings. It’s also interesting to note that, while non-alcoholic beverages are included with your meal, you can also add a Mimosa or Bloody Mary. And did you notice the menu note that Disney now offers cage-free eggs? Menu — Click to Enlarge To punctuate that “Down on the Farm” feelin’, beverages come in Mason Jars. Beverages — Water and Juice, Served in Jars And yay! POG Juice! This favorite drink — a combo of Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava — goes by many names around Disney. So if you enjoy Jungle Juice at Animal Kingdom or Lilikoi Juice at the Polynesian, then get this. It’s the same thing. POG Juice and Menu Details Soon after the drinks arrived, the food started rolling in. Keep in mind the group was four strong, so that helps you to see what portions sizes looked like for a party of this size. But also remember that you can always get more of anything you’d like. Fresh Fruit with Sticky Bun Bake They started with a beautiful and healthy Fruit Salad, full of Melon, Grapes, and Berries. Fresh Fruit — Up Close Yay for healthy! Because then, you get to dig into THIS. Check out the glorious Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake. Yes. I said “Sticky Bun Bake.” Who doesn’t want to eat that? Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake The gooey pull-apart treat arrives warm to your table, and provides plenty of sweet carbs to fuel you for a full day of Disney fun. And if you can’t wait to have your own, then check out our Sticky Bun Bake Recipe and make it at home! Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake — Up Close But stand by, because more food is coming! In fact, get ready for the main event: the Breakfast Family Skillet! Family Skillet This iron skillet contains all of the ingredients to make for a GREAT breakfast. Top of the list: Mickey Waffles! In this shot, you can also see hearty helpings of Bacon and Scrambled Eggs. And oh, hey, that little ramekin? Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce. Now, that’s supposed to be for your waffles. But you’re gonna see in a minute that there are LOTS of uses for it. You’re gonna need more of that stuff. I promise. Mickey Waffles, Bacon, and Scrambled Eggs — Up Close To the right, you’ll see Tater Tots (!!!!!!!) and Link Sausage. Tater Tots and Sausage — Up Close And here’s a look at Heather’s plate — complete with a side of requested-and-granted Salsa! My Plate So, back to the Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce. Heather managed to leave it in the center of the skillet — you’re welcome, Heather’s family — but it came in handy for all kinds of dippin’ needs. Time to get our Sweet Salty craving out of the way. Tater Tots + Nutella. Who knew?? (Can we just call it Nutella for a while, please?) That sounds awesome!! Dipping My Tater Tots in Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce But then — BACON + Nutella. YESSSSS. Dipping My Bacon in the Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce They had their fill, and then some. And then they were off to enjoy a great day in Epcot. Overall Garden Grill remains a universal DFB Favorite. It’s such a great sum of its total parts. I mean, you have a Rotating Restaurant (big coolness points), EPCOT Center-level nostalgia, plus Characters, PLUS tasty food! I mean, they had us at the POG Juice and Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake. But that skillet tooo? Yes, please. And actually, the price is decent. You know, we’re big believers in making breakfast your main meal to save time and money. And when you can do that, plus interact with characters, you’re crossing several things off your Disney bucket list at once. If you haven’t before, go ahead and take a chance on Garden Grill Restaurant. I think you’ll enjoy it. Now, we’d love to hear from you! Is Garden Grill Restaurant one of your favorite stops in Walt Disney World? Leave a comment and let us know! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: Chip N’ Dale’s NEW Harvest Feast Breakfast at Epcot’s Garden Grill Disney Recipe: Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake from Epcot’s Garden Grill Review: Dinner at Garden Grill Restaurant in Disney World’s Epcot View the full article

This week, we shared several updates from Disney Springs, including an opening date for the new Paddlefish restaurant, bar and special events venue. Paddlefish features a seafood-centric menu, featuring delectable Maine lobster, King and Snow crabs and a selection of fresh fish including sea bass, catfish and salmon. Check out Pam’s original story to learn more. Also, the Walt Disney World Resort hosted a special Pro Bowl parade at Magic Kingdom Park to kick off the weekend. The celebration included NFL athletes, Disney characters and several community groups, including kids and families from Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors! Darrell has more in his original story. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Disney Cruise Line Expands Marvel Day at Sea to Select Disney Magic Sailings from Miami in 2018 – In 2018, you can celebrate Marvel Day at Sea on the Disney Magic during eight special voyages from Miami departing January through April. The new Marvel Day at Sea voyages from Miami follow the premiere of the epic event on seven special sailings from New York City in the fall of 2017. Enjoy a Special Hotel Offer at the Disneyland Resort – Guests heading to the Disneyland Resort in the next few months will be delighted to welcome back the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland park for a limited time. For those wishing to stay in the middle of the magic, the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are not only convenient options, but they’re also treasured Disney experiences. Love Is in the Air with Valentine’s Day-Inspired Gifts from Disney Parks – With Valentine’s Day less than a month away, we’ve gathered several of our favorite products from Disney Parks for couples wanting to celebrate their love. Behind the Scenes of ‘Hurry Home – Lunar New Year Celebration’ at Disney California Adventure Park – Each night, as part of our expanded Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure park, you can enjoy a special show just before performances of “World of Color.” Entitled “Hurry Home,” this six-minute tale follows the journey of a Little Lantern returning home for the annual celebration of good luck and fortune. Paint With a Disney Artist, See New Broadway Stars: Week 3 of Epcot International Festival of the Arts – While we love sipping and tasting our way around World Showcase Promenade, there’s so much beyond the incredible culinary treats – every weekend, Fridays through Mondays through Feb. 20, new visual and performing artists keep us coming back. February 2017 Disneyland Resort Merchandise Events – Join us at Disneyland Resort for several merchandise special events taking place in February 2017. View the full article

This is for all of you DIY Disney Food Lovers out there! Recently, DFB team member, Tina, attended The Artistry of Amorette’s Patisserie workshop, part of the Epcot Festival of the Arts. Festival of the Arts The brand new festival is currently underway, and guests can enjoy immersion in the arts each Friday through Monday, now through February 20. (We’ll have a review of the event for you soon.) While Tina was there, she learned of a brand new opportunity for learning coming soon to Amorette’s — Cake Decorating Classes! Minnie Dome Cake from Amorette’s Patisserie Jade Bowser, the chef who conducted the workshop, said that guests will soon have the opportunity to attend classes to learn how to decorate the Patisseries’s signature dome cakes. Chef Jade Bowser, Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs Ornament Dome Cake You better believe that we signed up for more information — and we can’t wait to share it with you as soon as it becomes available! In the meantime, we can’t wait to hear from you — would you like to attend a class at Amorette’s to learn how to create their signature dome cakes? Leave a comment and let us know what you think! 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: Fall Petit Cake and Mickey Pumpkin Cake from Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs Review: NEW Mickey Mousse and Snowball Cake Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs News: New Family Cooking Classes Coming to Walt Disney World View the full article

This week, Magic Kingdom Park – and a bevy of football fans – celebrated the NFL players who are set to participate in tomorrow’s Pro Bowl. Denver Broncos receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier and Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker appeared in a special football-themed parade at the park on Friday, January 27. The players were joined by Mickey Mouse and his pals, NFL cheerleaders and other special guests for their ride down Main Street, U.S.A. View the full article

The atmosphere was electric at Magic Kingdom Park today as five NFL players made their way down Main Street, U.S.A. during a special Pro Bowl parade. Denver Broncos receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier and Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker joined Mickey Mouse, NFL cheerleaders and more. Confetti rained down on the players, cheering park guests lined the iconic street and red, white and blue balloons added a special welcome to these football heroes who are just days away from the 2017 Pro Bowl right here in Orlando! After the parade, Greg Olsen enjoyed some time in the parks with his family, creating even more memories that will last a lifetime. Today’s parade was just one of the many events happening throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Central Florida as part of the NFL Pro Bowl’s celebration of football at all levels. If you haven’t had a chance to get involved in the fun, there are still plenty of opportunities, including a 5K at Epcot, the Pro Bowl Experience and team practices at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the Pro Bowl Bash at Disney Springs. Visit espnwwos.com for more details, and to purchase tickets for the NFL Pro Bowl game on Sunday, visit www.nfl.com/probowl. View the full article

If you’re looking for the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart, look no further than a romantic date at Disneyland Resort. If you ask me, no date is complete without food (though I may be biased). Luckily for you, I’ve got a list of Valentine’s Day sweets and eats sure to impress. Blue Bayou Restaurant, Disneyland park – Look for a special menu item featuring Lobster A L’Americaine, a celebration of luxurious seafood with a decadent lobster sauce, roasted lobster tail, snow crab, sautéed mahi and potatoes in a creamy lobster-cognac sauce with onions, celery and peas Carnation Café, Disneyland park – Surf & Turf featuring sirloin steak, shrimp skewer, mashed potatoes, sautéed broccoli, sun-dried tomato butter and herb beurre blanc sauce will be available only on Feb. 14 Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Disneyland park – Heart-shaped strawberry macaron Outdoor Vending Throughout the Parks – Cherry-vanilla cotton candy Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream, Disney California Adventure park – Valentine Sundae, featuring strawberry and vanilla Dreyer’s ice cream in a waffle bowl topped with strawberry sauce, graham cracker, pink whipped cream, Valentine’s Day sprinkles and chocolate-covered strawberries Paradise Pier Ice Cream Company, Disney California Adventure park – Chocolate-strawberry swirl soft-serve ice cream Schmoozies, Disney California Adventure park – Chocolate-strawberry smoothie with frozen fresh strawberries, strawberry juice, chocolate syrup, ice cream and milk blended with ice and topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup Steakhouse 55, Disneyland Hotel – Three-course meal with wine pairings, featuring chipotle-spiced Ahi tartare, bacon-wrapped filet of beef with Mascarpone whipped potatoes, vegetables and a cognac cream sauce and white chocolate crunch cake with dark chocolate ganache and raspberry ice cream Classic Afternoon Tea at Steakhouse 55, Disneyland Hotel – Feb. 3-5, 10-12 and Feb. 14, Classic Afternoon Tea will feature Shanghai Rose black tea, specialty tea sandwiches, a chocolate raspberry scone with vanilla glaze, chocolate cupcakes with ganache, pink velvet cupcakes with champagne mousse, a chocolate ganache cupcake, chocolate-dipped strawberries and a heart-shaped macaron Goofy’s Kitchen, Disneyland Hotel – Valentine’s Day-themed desserts will be available on the buffet Napa Rose, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – Chef Andrew Sutton’s Four-course Wine Country Valentine’s Day Favorites Storytellers Café, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – A prix-fixe, three-course meal will be available, featuring farmer’s market field greens, New York strip loin and lobster tail with sun-dried tomato risotto and asparagus, vanilla crème brûlée with berry compote For reservations, visit Disneyland.com/dining or call 714-781-DINE. View the full article

The oft-delayed and totally revamped Planet Hollywood Observatory opened at the Disney Springs dining and entertainment district Friday afternoon. Planet Hollywood, closed for nearly a year, is one of many spots at Disney Springs getting a revamp over the last few years. It also has a remodeled... View the full article

It’s official! The Planet Hollywood Observatory is now open in Disney Springs! @planethollywoodobservatory Facebook Stop by the West Side to see the space that was formerly Planet Hollywood in its transformed state as a “four-story stargazing observatory,” and taste the new creations on the menu, including the burger and sandwich menu created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri (or indulge in one of the Planet Hollywood classics that are still on the list). Planet Hollywood Observatory The spot is in operation for lunch and dinner daily, from 11:00 am – 12:00 am. However, the new Stargazers Lounge is yet to come — look for it to open soon. In these opening days, the location is taking walk-up guests, and Advance Dining Reservations are available to book for dates beginning February 1st via the Disney World website. We’re looking forward to checking it all out ourselves and sharing it with you here on the DFB soon! Will you be dining at the Planet Hollywood Observatory? 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: News: Advance Dining Reservations Now Available for Planet Hollywood Observatory in Disney Springs News: Chef Guy Fieri Teams Up With Disney World’s Planet Hollywood Observatory News! Planet Hollywood Will Be Re-imagined to Fit the Disney Springs Look View the full article

Planet Hollywood Observatory has opened its flagship location in the heart of Disney Springs, transforming its iconic globe into a four-story stargazing observatory with new spaces including an outdoor terrace, a new menu and an exciting new look and feel. Inside it’s an immersive theatrical dining experience, with each floor providing a different ambience, including the fabulous curated collection of film-making memorabilia and a 4,500-square-foot video wall the uses trompe l’oeil 3D technology – images with such realism that they appear to be in three dimensions. Classic Planet Hollywood dishes are on the new menu, as well as a selection of over-the-top burgers and sandwiches by celebrity Chef Guy Fieri. Desserts are a hallmark of the restaurant, like the hand-dipped milkshakes and generous sweets made for sharing. Beer, wine and cocktails offer a little something for every taste, and Stargazers Lounge has a beverage menu that focuses on Florida craft beers (with 20 on tap) and 10 signature cocktails. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. The new 5,000 square-foot Stargazers Lounge that will let guests relax under the stars will be opening soon. Check out this fun video when Chef Guy Fieri visited the restaurant just prior to opening: View the full article

Our next artists in the #ArtfulEpcot series that explores more about the artistry behind the Epcot International Festival of the Arts have a knack for creating works of art that are not only fun to look at, but also taste delicious! Disney Pastry Chef Chocolatier Amanda Lauder, along with her team, handcraft divine chocolate creations daily at The Ganachery at Disney Springs. They custom-make ganache from scratch using a special recipe unique to Disney that includes dark chocolate and is flavored to perfection. Chef Assistant Chocolatiers Amy Holmes and Kathleen Dunn are bringing their chocolate expertise to Epcot International Festival of the Arts guests during an Art Workshop this week, showcasing how to make your own chocolate truffles. “It’s a great way to show guests how simple and fun it is to make ganache, and they will be able to hand-roll truffles and know learn how to make these at home just in time for Valentine’s Day,” Amy said. Chef Amanda also had a few tips for creating your own artful desserts. First, use foods that are in-season, (such as strawberries in-season now in Florida) and high-quality ingredients. Second, have fun! You can decorate with lots of sprinkles or pastel colored frosting for Spring. Click here or call 407-WDW-TOUR to book a spot in an Art Workshop during the festival and be sure to check out all of the decadent culinary works of art at Food Studios throughout World Showcase each weekend, now through February 20. View the full article

Join us at Disneyland Resort for several merchandise special events taking place in February 2017. Downtown Disney District February 3-4 – Nidhi Chanani returns to WonderGround Gallery as the February Artist in Residence. She will be meeting with guests from 5–9 p.m. Look for her on additional dates including February 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25. February 4-5 – Artisan Aggie Cheung will appear at WonderGround Gallery from 2–5 p.m. She will also return to the location on February 25-26. February 11 – WonderGround Gallery is pleased to welcome artists Ben Burch, Nidhi Chanani, and Fenway Fan for an Artist Showcase event. Guests can meet these artists from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Disneyland Park February 3-5 – Noah will be on hand for appearances and signings at Disneyana on Main Street, U.S.A. He will be releasing a new piece titled, “There’s A New Sheriff in Town!” Sizes, retails and formats will vary. On February 3, he will be at the location from 5–9 p.m., while on February 4-5 he will appear from 12– 4 p.m. February 10-12 – We are delighted to welcome the return on The Doll Maker, Linda Rick, with Precious Moments dolls to the China Closet on Main Street, U.S.A. Linda’s 2017 “Lovely” Collection, features favorite Disney characters adorned in lovely shades of pink. Linda will be meeting with guests from 12–10 p.m. each day. For additional details about select events at the Disneyland Resort, please visit DisneyParksMerchandise.com. View the full article

Walt Disney World visitors will be able to get a sneak peek at the upcoming remake of “Beauty and the Beast” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park beginning Feb. 10. The live-action film, starring Emma Stone, Dan Stevens, Josh Gad, Kevin Kline, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Ian... View the full article

Walt Disney World visitors will be able to get a sneak peek at the upcoming remake of “Beauty and the Beast” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park beginning Feb. 10. The live-action film, starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Josh Gad, Kevin Kline, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald,... View the full article

Actress Drew Barrymore has been the Disney before, but a recent visit to the Magic Kingdom was her first time with her children. The 41-year-old actress, who would fit right in up the road at Universal Studios’ E.T. ride, instead brought her two daughters to Walt Disney World. “I like coming to... View the full article

While we love sipping and tasting our way around World Showcase Promenade, there’s so much beyond the incredible culinary treats – every weekend, Fridays through Mondays through Feb. 20, new visual and performing artists keep us coming back. Here are our picks for this week at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts: Don’t just watch, participate! “Painting with a Disney Artist,” a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in a very special workshop in World Showcase, happens at 8 a.m. Friday. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush or happen to be a pro, a Disney artist will guide you to create your own masterpiece. The morning starts with a light Continental breakfast, and capacity is limited. $259 plus tax and Epcot admission; call 407-WDW-TOUR. Broadway fans, head to America Gardens Theatre to hear more Disney Theatrical stars this weekend. Kerry Butler (who played Belle in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway) and Kevin Massey (“Tarzan” on Broadway) light up the outdoor stage with songs from Disney’s “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Newsies” and “Tarzan.” They’ll be back next weekend too. The fun spills into Future World as well, and one of our favorites is the Live Performance Art on the Fountain Stage – where visiting artists create cool masterpieces within minutes, each one a show with an artful twist. There are fantastic gems all along the way, so keep your eyes open. One you might miss if you’re not looking for it: the portrait of “Mulan” created with fire by an artist named Mushi, near the Japan Pavilion. It’s just one of the little “aha” moments at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. View the full article

The Epcot International Festival of the Arts event is a celebration of the arts for the whole family, happening each weekend now through February 20. And there’s something special just for little ones during the festival: a clever scavenger hunt hosted by the lovable dragon, Figment! Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt takes place around World Showcase, exposing kids to some of the world’s greatest masterpieces. To begin the hunt, you first need to purchase a World Showcase map and stickers from a retail location at Epcot ($6.99). As you journey around each World Showcase Pavilion, you search for artwork that has Figment in the picture. He’s curious about art, and as you will see, he jumps right in to take a super close look. Once you spot the purple pal, just add the corresponding Figment location sticker on the map to the right Pavilion. After you have hunted for all the hiding Figments, turn in the map to a cast member at a retail location for a special surprise! This kid-centric hunt is sure to ignite curiosity and appreciation for some of the most iconic works of art such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and Monet’s “Water Lilies.” Come check it out when the festival returns this weekend! View the full article

Beginning February 10, guests visiting Disney Parks will be able to preview a scene from Disney’s epic new live-action adaptation “Beauty and the Beast” in sneak peeks planned for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. At Disney California Adventure park, the preview of “Beauty and the Beast” will be presented in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land, while guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will get to see this advance look at a segment from the film as part of the One Man’s Dream attraction. Each sneak peek location will also include a display featuring a collection of props and costume pieces actually used in the film’s production. The story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic “Beauty and the Beast,” a stunning, cinematic event celebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s father; Josh Gad as LeFou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Audra McDonald as Madame de Garderobe, the wardrobe; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; Hattie Morahan as the enchantress; and Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; with Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts. Directed by Oscar® winner Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast” is produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the 1991 animated film, providing the score, which will include new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as several new songs written by Menken and three-time Oscar® winner Tim Rice. Here’s a look at the official trailer for “Beauty and the Beast,” which upon release last November broke records with 127.6 million views in its first 24 hours. Plan to catch our 8-minute sneak peek from the film at Disney Parks starting February 10, and you can experience the full glory of “Beauty and the Beast” when it’s released to U.S. theaters in 3D on March 17. View the full article

Disneyland Resort has recently introduced a new and exclusive fine dining experience, 21 Royal. If you thought dining at Club 33 was the pinnacle of fine dining at Disneyland, this new experience takes it to another level. The 21 Royal experience includes dinner for 12 guests inside 21 Royal Street, a space that was meant to be Walt and Lillian’s private apartment overlooking New Orleans Square in Disneyland Park. Inside 21 Royal at Disneyland ©CorderoStudios The evening begins at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, where valets will give you and your guests a VIP escort to 21 Royal Street. Diners will enjoy signature cocktails served by professional butlers in the salon, followed by a reception on the patio. Guests will also have a chance to explore the rooms in the apartment, in addition to learning the history of the space from guides including sommelier Matt Ellingson. Cocktails on the patio are part of the experience ©CorderoStudios Dinner is a seven-course meal prepared by executive chef Andrew Sutton and chef de cuisine Justin Monson. Sutton is the culinary director for Disneyland’s signature restaurants. The dinner is meant to reflect the type of dinner party Walt and Lillian might have hosted, and Ellingson and Sutton introduce each course and wine pairing with stories about the inspiration behind the dish. After dinner guests enjoy coffee and desserts in the dining room or on the private balcony. 21 Royal features a seven-course dinner ©CorderoStudios 21 Royal is available for a single party of 12 once per evening. The cost is $15,000 and includes tax, gratuity, valet, and park admission. Reservations can be made by calling the 21 Royal Concierge at (714) 300-7749. Are you adding dining at 21 Royal to your Disney dining bucket list? Let us know in the comments. Source: Disneyland and Robb Report 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: 21 Royal Street, a New Private Dining Spot, to Debut in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square Exclusive Dining Experiences at Disneyland’s 21 Royal Street Dining in Disneyland: Mother’s Day Royal Buffet Reservations Now Open View the full article

Adding to the spectacular dining lineup at Disney Springs, Paddlefish will open Feb. 4 following a multimillion-dollar transformation and a seafood-centric menu that includes a few guest favorites from the former Fulton’s Crab House. The iconic paddleboat at Disney Springs has been reimagined into a modern yacht experience by Levy Restaurants, with clean lines, crisp designs, refined woods and a sophisticated color pallet of blues and grays. As the name suggests, Paddlefish showcases a seafood-centric menu, featuring delectable Maine lobster, King and Snow crabs and a selection of fresh fish including sea bass, catfish and salmon. Branzino for two is carved tableside, and a new lobster guacamole is also mixed in the dining room. Fan favorites and classic dishes from Fulton’s Crab House remain, such as Lobster Corn Dogs and crab legs. Cocktails are inspired by classic turn-of-the-century American cocktails, and an expansive wine list includes both Old and New World wines. Paddlefish will be open daily for lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. View the full article

Tonight’s “After Dark” image was snapped in the new Town Center area of Disney Springs. In addition to offering an amazing shopping experience at retailers like Zara, Anthropologie, Under Armour Brand House, ALEX & ANI, and many others, Town Center really comes alive at night. It’s a great place to also grab dinner at Homecoming or Frontera Cocina, dessert or a late night snack at Sprinkles. Tell us, what’s your favorite part of this lovely new area? To read more about Disney Springs, visit the posts below: Jerry from Arribas Brothers Makes Magic All Year Long at Disney Springs Characters in Flight Flies High with New Design Visiting for Business? Check out the ‘Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Skip Disney Springs’ View the full article

You may have read the post by former Ambassador Janelle Sanqui announcing the new 2017-2018 Aulani Ambassador and today I’m pleased to officially welcome Manako Tanaka to his new role! If you’ve visited Aulani Resort, there’s a good chance you may have met Manako. He is a Front Office cast member and also serves as a Cultural Greeter, welcoming and engaging guests in the Maka‘ala Lobby. It’s hard to miss his lively personality and love for the Hawaiian culture! Meet Manako in the video below! Manako will be authoring a series on the Disney Parks Blog focused on one of his passions: the Hawaiian language. Stay tuned to learn more about him and the stories he has to share! View the full article

Walt Disney World Resort is staging a special Pro Bowl parade at Magic Kingdom Park on Friday, January 27, and I’m excited to share with you for the first time the names of the players who will take part in this magical moment. Tomorrow, Denver Broncos receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier and Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker will join Mickey Mouse and his pals, NFL cheerleaders and other special guests for a celebratory parade down Main Street, U.S.A. The parade starts around 2:30 p.m. EST and fans are welcome to attend (valid theme park admission required). So come on out and see these NFL athletes, Disney characters and several community groups, including kids and families from Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors! Which player are you looking forward to seeing the most? On Sunday night, be sure to catch these five NFL Pro Bowl players and their teammates during the Pro Bowl game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando when the NFC stars take on the AFC stars at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Tickets for the game are still available at www.nfl.com/probowl. View the full article

After weeks and weeks of training and practicing, Mickey and Goofy showed up Wednesday at the first NFL Pro Bowl practice at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. This was when they learned which of them was selected to be an honorary member of the 2017 teams that include the biggest stars of the NFL. Would it be Mickey or Goofy? Hopefully it would be the one you chose during the weeks of voting here on the Disney Parks Blog. Well, wait no longer, check out this video to see how it all unfolded. I don’t want to give it away, but let’s just say that in typical Disney fashion there was a classic storybook ending to it all. Don’t forget there’s still time to buy some of the few remaining tickets to the NFL Pro Bowl game (Sunday night at 8 p.m. at Camping World Stadium in Orlando) at www.NFL.com/probowlonsale. View the full article