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2017 marks a very special year for the Disney Parks Moms Panel. We are very excited to introduce our 10th class of new panelists. This diverse group of twelve parents join the panel this year to help you plan the details of your Disney vacation with personalized answers to your planning questions. The 12 new panelists were selected from a record number applicants last fall, by sharing their extensive Disney Parks knowledge through storytelling, videos and interviews. Please welcome: Anabel, Beth, Donyell, Emille, Jan, Jennifer, Linda, Lindsey, Lindsey, Thiana, Todd, and Trish. Their many years of vacationing at Disney Parks, sailing the high seas with Disney Cruise Line or crossing the finish line of a runDisney race gives them the experiences necessary to answer your very detailed and personalized questions about planning a Disney vacation on the Disney Parks Moms Panel website. These park savvy parents can answer your questions in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. Over the past decade, more than 150 moms, dads, and grandparents have served on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. This year’s Panel promises to deliver an impressive roster of trusted Disney advisors from all walks of life and experiences. These new panelists, along with almost 2-dozen returning panelists for 2017, are eager to offer personalized recommendations, helpful tips, heartfelt advice and unique insights rooted in real experience from real Disney Guests, just like you. To meet the panelists or ask a question about planning your upcoming Disney vacation, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. View the full article

Get your ticket for a night out on the farm - with some of Disney’s top chefs. The 4th annual Field to Feast Dinner will be held from 5-8 p.m. on March 25 at Long & Scott Farms in Zellwood. It’s presented by Edible Orlando magazine with Walt Disney World Resort as a major sponsor. Locally sourced... View the full article

Handpicked Disney Specialists to Bring Personal Knowledge and Insights to the Ultimate Digital Trip Planning Resource LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2017) – Today, Disney Parks officially announced 12 new members to the 2017 Disney Parks Moms Panel. Selected from thousands of applicants, the 12 will join 19 returning panelists to be part of the tenth annual Panel of dedicated and diverse Disney-loving parents who help guests plan and get the most out of their next Disney vacation. Over the past decade, more than 150 moms, dads, and grandparents have served on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. This year’s Panel promises to deliver an impressive roster of trusted Disney advisors from all walks of life and experiences. With parents of twins and those with special needs children to single working moms, bilingual mavens and members of the LGBT community, the 2017 Panel is inclusive of every type of parent or guardian looking to plan a magical Disney getaway. Originating in 2008 as a simple question-and-answer forum with only 12 members focused on the Walt Disney World Resort, the Disney Parks Moms Panel has evolved into a global multilingual resource used by millions and backed by a passionate and varied group of frequent Disney travelers eager to share their expertise with likeminded families. Today, these everyday moms and dads possess exemplary knowledge of not only the Walt Disney World Resort, but also other memorable Disney vacation escapes and offerings, including the Disneyland Resort, Disney Vacation Club, Disney Cruise Line, runDisney, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. As a planning tool, the Disney Parks Moms Panel is available in four languages; English, Spanish, French and Portuguese; and compatible with laptop computers and handheld touch screen devices alike. The award-winning digital resource is teeming with information to satisfy any Disney trip-planning need, offering personalized answers to more than 300,000 guest questions over the years. Whether a family is looking to surprise their daughter with a one-of-a-kind birthday celebration, find the best restaurants to accommodate a peanut-allergy child, or learn how to make traveling with a preschooler hassle-free, a friendly and knowledgeable parent is there to offer sound, personalized recommendations rooted in real experience. “The success of the Disney Parks Moms Panel is wholly measured by the satisfaction of our guests and their families, which is what makes the annual selection process so important for us,” said Leanne O’Regan, Director of Content Relations for Disney Parks. “We are so grateful to the thousands of inspiring Disney advocates who apply each year, including our dynamic new group for 2017. With their continued support, we can deliver on our promise to help visitors around the world tailor unforgettable Disney vacations for years to come.” In September 2016, thousands of parents around the world vied for a spot on the Disney Parks Moms Panel and the chance to share their Disney travel experiences with others. Following the selection process, an impressive group of 12 dedicated and thoughtful moms and dads – composed of a litigation lawyer, high school English teacher, engineer, registered nurse, and more – were chosen to usher in the tenth year of the Disney Parks Moms Panel. The 2017 Disney Parks Moms Panelists joins 19 other Disney-savvy travelers ready to help families plan and create magical vacation memories. The new 2017 Disney Parks Moms Panel members are as follows: Trish A.; Halifax, N.S., Canada (Disney Vacation Club) Jennifer C.; Ottawa, Ont., Canada (Walt Disney World Resort; Fluent in French) Emille C.; Orlando, Fla. (Walt Disney World Resort; Fluent in Spanish) Todd D.; Pickering, Ont., Canada (Walt Disney World Resort) Jan K.; Maplewood, N.J. (Walt Disney World Resort) Anabel M.; North Hills, Calif. (Disneyland Resort; Fluent in Spanish) Linda M.; Denver, Colo. (Disneyland Resort) Lindsey M.; Houston, TX (runDisney) Lindsey P.; Kennesaw, Ga. (Walt Disney World Resort) Donyell L. R.; Wilmington, N.C. (Walt Disney World Resort) Thiana S.; Novo Hamburgo, Brazil (Walt Disney World Resort; Fluent in Portuguese) Beth S.; Vernon Hills, Ill. (Disney Cruise Line) To learn more about the Disney Parks Moms Panel and meet the panelists, please visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com. For those interested in applying for next year’s Panel, application details will be posted on the website in the fall of 2017. View the full article

Brrr! Winter is here, and there’s plenty of Frozen fun to be had at both the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Luckily for us, that doesn’t mean very chilly, it means plenty of ways to ‘chill’ with your favorite Frozen friends like Olaf, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff. Take our quiz to see if you know all about Frozen at Disney Parks and tell us how you did in the comments! .quiz-container#wp-quiz-183040{ background-color:#f0f8fb; color:#565656; border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-183040 .quiz-section h1{ color:#8bb428; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-183040 .quiz-title{ color:#10628b; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-183040 .quiz-header-image{ text-align:right; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-183040 .quiz-section{ border-color:#ffffff; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-183040 .quiz-details, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-183040 .quiz-results, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-183040 .quiz-embed{ border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-183040 .quiz-result{ background-color:#dce4e7; } QUIZ: Frozen Fun at Disney Parks How many musical numbers are performed in the new “Frozen-Live at the Hyperion” stage show at Disney California Adventure park? 2 4 6 8 What is the shop called at Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney District filled with Frozen-themed goodies and Frozen-style makeovers for children? Trinkets from Arendelle Anna & Elsa’s Boutique Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post Snow Queen Souvenirs What song does Elsa sing during this scene in the Frozen Ever After attraction at Epcot? “For the First Time in Forever” “In Summer” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” “Let It Go” Which Walt Disney World Resort theme park can you meet Olaf in? Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney’s Animal Kingdom Epcot Magic Kingdom Park The design of Royal Sommerhus and the surrounding area at Epcot is modeled after a traditional cabin in which Norwegian city? Trondheim Oslo Alesund Bergen Embed Quiz on Your Website Embed Code <div class="wp-quiz" data-quiz-id="183040" 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

From the return of the classic World Famous Chicken Crunch to Guy Fieri’s take on a veggie burger, the new Planet Hollywood Observatory set to open in early 2017 at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort offers even more options for guests. Let’s start with indulgent, like the L.A. Lasagna, a fried take on the classic comfort food with Bolognese sauce, roasted garlic cream and tomato basil sauce. Or one of Fieri’s new Big Bite Burgers or Knuckle Sandwiches – the Bacon Mac-N-Cheese with his signature Donkey Sauce on a garlic-buttered brioche bun. You can have Lobster Feast Fra Diavolo with kicky spaghetti piled high in a whole lobster shell. A 10-ounce bone-in New York Strip Steak for two (add a whole steamed lobster if you please). And if you can’t decide, go for the High Roller Platter, a generous serving of guest favorites: Chicken Crunch, Texas Tostados, Buffalo Wings, Cheesy Spinach Dip and Peri-Peri Shrimp – perfect for the whole table to share. Healthful options include salads like Citrus Kale with julienned broccoli, slivered brussels sprouts and cabbage, feta, grapefruit, oranges, cranberries and sunflower seeds with citrus-agave dressing. The Spinach & Berries salad features candied walnuts, blue cheese crumbles and balsamic vinaigrette. The beverage menu focuses on Florida craft beers and hand-crafted cocktails made with fresh ingredients. And those souvenir serving glasses are back, including the Halley’s Comet cocktail served in a 45-ounce Planet-bowl. Oh, those delectable milkshakes return (try the new Chocolate Comet or Strawberry Borealis), and the dessert menu alone is worth the trip – you can do a blind tasting of 12 flavors of house-made ice creams and sorbets, or finish with the Planet Melt Down, a chocolate hardshell dome that’s melted tableside with hot chocolate sauce to reveal double chocolate fudge cake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. It’s out of this world. View the full article

It’s been a while since we enjoyed a dinner in one of the many, many restaurants located around World Showcase. So today, we’re stopping in to Tokyo Dining! Learn About: Tokyo Dining Epcot Restaurants Disney World Restaurants Tokyo Dining is one of two table service restaurants that you’ll find in the beautiful Japan Pavilion, which happens to be a pretty great place to hang out. Mitsukoshi Department Store offers an endless of supply of intriguing merchandise, and the shop in the back is a wonderful spot to discover a new favorite snack. I don’t care if you can now score Pocky at Target — I still can’t resist grabbing some when I’m here! I could go on. The Sake Bars (yep, there are two…this one and this one), counter service at Katsura Grill and Kabuki Cafe, Kakigori…there is SO much good food here! But it’s been a while since we’ve taken in a meal at the table service spots. And while I love me some Teppan Edo (read our latest review here), things don’t change much at that Habachi Grill spot. So we decided to check back in with another favorite, Tokyo Dining. Let’s head in. Or rather, up. Atmosphere I say “up” because you’ll actually find both Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining on the second floor of Mitsukoshi Department Store. Whether you’re checking in for an advance dining reservation or you’re checking availability for walk up spots, start at this booth located just to the right of the steps leading up to the restaurants. Guest Check In for Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining Entrance — Up the Steps As I mentioned, Tokyo Dining and Teppan Edo are both located here. Teppan Edo occupies the back of the second floor, while Tokyo Dining is located to your right at the top of the stairs — in the front of the building. Outside Sign The second floor is also home to this wide outdoor walkway, which offers lovely views of World Showcase and the rest of the Japan Pavilion (and the IllumiNations fireworks at night!). View From Outside Second Story Once you step inside, you’ll find a comfortable waiting area that’s punctuated with sleek, minimalist lines. Shared Waiting Area Within Tokyo Dining, there are two main dining rooms. The first features an on-stage Sushi Bar, where you can watch chefs create edible masterpieces. Seating While watching “the show” is interesting, I far prefer the other dining room toward the front of the restaurant. This dining room features panoramic views of World Showcase and plenty of natural light during the day. Seating It’s also interesting to note that the chairs in this dining room are much more comfortable. In fact, the difference in chairs almost leads me to believe that this area was originally meant to be considered the restaurant, while the other area has more of a bar (albeit sushi bar) feel. Our Table Place Setting You’ll also find cool recessed lighting and interesting ceiling detail in this part of the restaurant. Ceiling Detail and Recessed Lighting We’ve enjoyed lots of different dishes here, ranging from Sushi to Steak. But what would it be today? Well, let’s start with a few cocktails while we take a look around the menu. Cocktails Don’t worry — we’ll tell you all about these in just a sec. Curious? Let’s check it out. Eats When we sat down, we were offered towlettes to wash our hands. I love this touch, and heaven knows, it comes in handy when you’ve just spent the day in an amusement park with a gajillion people. Moist Towels The first order of business was to choose a few drinks. Not an easy task with a Beverage Menu the size of a small phone book. (Okay. Only a teensy bit of an exaggeration.) Wait. Do y’all know what a phone book is these days? Am I showing my age? But seriously — there are some pretty interesting things here. I’ll totally be revisiting the Shochu Squeeze or Beer Shandy Squeeze when the weather warms back to Surface-of-the-Sun Hot in Orlando. By the way, if you aren’t familiar with Shochu — and I wasn’t — it’s a distilled beverage that’s typically less strong than distilled liquors, but stronger than wine. It usually clocks in between 25-35% alcohol. Drink Menu — Click to Enlarge Tokyo Dining is also a great place to explore different styles of Sake. Choose from Flights, individual Glasses, Bottles, or Carafes. Drink Menu — Click to Enlarge Drink Menu — Click to Enlarge There are also some truly fantastic sounding Cocktails as well. Drink Menu — Click to Enlarge Beer and other Spirits are available, with Kirin and Sapporo offerings on tap. Wine, including one Plum Wine option and a Japanese White Wine, are also on offer. Drink Menu — Click to Enlarge Drink Menu — Click to Enlarge Ultimately, we decided to go for cocktails. Our first choice was the Violet Silk Martini. Violet Silk Martini The drink is served straight up (natch), and is a mix of Vodka, Purple Pear Juice, and Lime Juice. I found the cocktail to be very smooth and easy to drink. It was a nice balance of flavors, and although it was fruit forward, it wasn’t cloying or overly sweet. Plus, it was suuuuuper pretty. Violet Silk Martini — Up Close Next, we decided to sample the Iced Blood Orange. Iced Blood Orange The mix of Gin, Blood Orange Extract, and Sparkling Water is super refreshing. I loved the bubbly finish. Owing to the gin, it’s not quite as smooth as the martini, but the flavors worked really well together. I really liked this one. Iced Blood Orange — Up Close Finally, we tried the Matcha Green Tea Frappe. Matcha Green Tea Frappe This creamy blend of Rum, Sake, Condensed Milk, and Green Tea Syrup tasted a little like a grown up milkshake. But make no mistake — there’s a little punch from the rum and sake. While I liked the flavors, the texture was a little strange to me, and it began to separate almost immediately. I personally think this one would serve better as a dessert, owing to the sweetness. It’s also pretty filling as well. Matcha Green Tea Frappe — Up Close While we enjoyed our cocktails, we continued to look over the extensive Menu. If you’re a first time visitor, take a little time with the menu, because there’s lots to explore. Menu — Click to Enlarge You could truly make a meal of Appetizers, Soups, and Sushi. Menu — Click to Enlarge Of course, you’ll also find a variety of entrees, including Tempura selections. Menu — Click to Enlarge Rice and Noodle Dishes are also available. Menu — Click to Enlarge We really wanted to give you an idea of all of the offerings, so we chose something from nearly every section. We decided to start with the Spicy Tempura Calamari. Spicy Tempura Calamari The Calamari is actually served in a stick shape, rather than the rings that we’re used to. I haven’t actually ever tried it this way, and I thought it was amazing. The batter was nice and light and you could still really taste the squid, which was super fresh-tasting. Spicy Tempura Calamari — Up Close Spicy Tempura Calamari — Inside It’s served with a side of Spicy Miso Sauce. The creamy sauce had just the right amount of kick to it. Spicy Tempura Calamari — Sauce But no way were we skipping the Sushi! We decided to start with Fire Cracker Roll. The Tempura Shrimp Rolls were filled with Fried Shrimp, Avocado, and Lemon, and were topped off with Wakame Salad, Jalapeno Slices, and Eel Sauce. Firecracker Roll As you can guess from the name, this is one of the spicier sushi selections. The tempura shrimp rolls themselves weren’t spicy; the heat came from the toppings and sauces that finished the plate. Firecracker Roll — Up Close We shared the roll, but you can also enjoy it as an entree. It was delicious and fresh, and I loved the extra crunch from the tempura shrimp against the creaminess of the avocado. Firecracker Roll — Up Close Next, we tried the Fresh Sashimi Sampler. The platter includes large, fresh slices of Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail and Seabream. The plate also included decorative slices of Fruit and a piece of Wasabi. Fresh Sashimi Sampler Fresh Sashimi Sampler — Yellow Tail Fresh Sashimi Sampler — Salmon Fresh Sashimi Sampler — Tuna Fresh Sashimi Sampler — Seabream The Fish was absolutely delicious and each had its own distinctive flavor. Like the roll, the portion was generous enough to serve as an entree, but it’s also a great sharing option. We also tried a couple of the entrees. First up — the Filet Mignon. Filet Mignon The steak was topped with a sweet and fruity Plum Wine Reduction. The flavor combo of the reduction and steak was my favorite part of the dish. Filet Mignon — Up Close The large piece of grilled Beef Tenderloin was served with broiled, Cheese-topped Tomato and Onion. Both were delicious. Filet Mignon — Sides — Up Close While the steak was good, the beef was slightly overcooked for me. Actually, this is the second time that I’ve had my steak overcooked here, so be ready for that. (Odd, since right next door at Teppan Edo, the filet is one of my favorite steaks in Disney World!) Still, the meat was super tender with great flavor. Filet Mignon — Cross Section My friend decided to go with the Kurobuta Tomahawk Tonkatsu. Hubba hubba!! Kurobuta Tomahawk Tonkatsu The large piece of Berkshire Pork was lightly breaded with Panko Bread Crumbs. The plate also included Cherry Tomatoes, Shredded Lettuce and Carrots, Grilled Pineapple and a Tonkatsu Red Wine Reduction. Kurobuta Tomahawk Tonkatsu — Up Close So often, pork can be dry and overdone, but this was cooked perfectly, and the flavor of the meat came through, even with the crunchy breading. Kurobuta Tomahawk Tonkatsu — Inside The slices of Grilled Pineapple added some sweetness as well. Kurobuta Tomahawk Tonkatsu — Garnishes But the Tonkatsu Sauce! It was sweet and salty and complemented the meat perfectly. Tonkatsu Sauce You might think that’s all we enjoyed. But nope! I don’t know about you, but I love Udon, so we decided to try the Vegetable Nabeyaki Udon. It was served in a large black pot with Udon Noodles, large Tofu Pieces, and Vegetables, which included Mushrooms, Celery, Onions, and Arugula in a Bonto-Dashi Broth. Vegetable Naveyaki Udon This. This, my friends, was amazing, and my absolute favorite entree of the evening. I’m not a fan of tofu, but this had so much flavor and the bowl had so many ingredients that I couldn’t stop raving. So simple. But so good. Vegetable Naveyaki Udon — Up Close A sweet ending seemed appropriate, so we took a look at the Dessert Menu. FYI — you do NOT come here for dessert. If you’re a dessert fan, there are much better places to go. The sweets here are small and light in flavor. But, that said, we still checked it out… . Dessert Menu — Click to Enlarge The sweets had undergone a little update since our last visit, when I was pleasantly surprised by the Chocolate Ginger Cake. This go-round, it was the Ginger Mousse Cake for me. Slices of Vanilla Sponge Cake sandwich a Ginger Mousse center. Milk Chocolate Icing tops the whole thing. The cake is served with a rosette of Whipped Cream and a Strawberry. Ginger Mousse Cake The flavors were good, and it wasn’t too sweet. Overall, it was a decent finish to the meal. But, again. Don’t come here for dessert. ;-D Overall I still really enjoy Tokyo Dining. There’s just something fun about this restaurant. Like other dining spots in World Showcase, I always feel transported when I dine here. Flavors are exotic, and the menu isn’t quite like anything else you get in Walt Disney World. This is definitely one of my favorite spots for variety, but especially for Sushi and Udon. It’s also just a lovely spot, and a great place from which to view IllumiNations. Granted, your chances of having guests in front of you on the outside walkway are pretty high. Still, even with people, it’s a beautiful view. If you haven’t had the chance, I’d definitely suggest that you check out Tokyo Dining on your next trip Around the World. But now, let’s hear from you! Is Tokyo Dining a favorite Disney dining destination for you? 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: Tokyo Dining in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion Review: Tokyo Dining in Epcot’s Japan Review: Tokyo Sunset at Japan’s Outdoor Sake Bar in Epcot View the full article

Planning for your upcoming Disney vacation? Researching and planning using DisneyParksMomsPanel.com just got easier! Now you can “save” your favorite questions and answers to reference whenever you need them. All you have to do is log in when you visit the Disney Parks Moms Panel Site and look for the star icon under each answer. Click the star to save your favorite answers to reference throughout your planning process or even while you are having fun on your Disney vacation. Do you have planning questions like “how long does it take to get from the Caribbean Beach Resort to the Magic Kingdom?” Or do you need to know, “is there anywhere to meet Stitch?” Ask away and, once they’ve been answered, you can save them to capture all the responses to your personalized questions. You can save questions you’ve asked as well as great answers to questions other Guests have asked the panelists. Save as many as you would like! Whether you are planning a Disney Cruise, a run-cation, or a trip to Disneyland Resort you can now save helpful answers, ask personalized questions, view planning videos and even get multiple opinions with “Moms Views” questions. To start saving great answers or ask questions about your upcoming Disney vacation, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. View the full article

Can you hear the Golden Rooster crowing? Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and Shanghai Disney Resort is already celebrating with guests around the world thanks to a bounty of limited-time entertainment, decorations, merchandise and festive menus to indulge in holiday favorites. Guests can venture past a gleaming Golden Rooster icon into the Gardens of Imagination for a drum ceremony and dragon dance, then take a stroll to admire the beautifully adorned Year of the Rooster mosaic at Garden of the Twelve Friends. All around the resort, specially designed photo locations provide the perfect opportunity for endless snapshots. The holiday spirit continues over an exquisite feast at Lumiere’s Kitchen, as well as a delectable variety of dining options across the resort. Those looking to buy gifts for loved ones will also find an abundance of unique merchandise, including coveted Lunar New Year Lucky Bags filled with goodies. Guests can end the night with a special New Year blessing projected onto Enchanted Storybook Castle, a truly magical way to cap off the wonderful holiday season. Best wishes to everyone in the New Year! View the full article

Attention Southern California residents! Get your New Year started with extra happiness at the Disneyland Resort with a special ticket offer! The Southern California Resident ticket offer* provides flexible options for three days of magic and adventure at special prices. For a limited time, guests may select from these purchase options: 3-day ticket with choice of one park per day for $149 – less than $50 per day 3-day Park Hopper ticket for $189 The Southern California Resident tickets include one Magic Morning** early entry to Disneyland park, which provides an extra hour of play on select days before the park opens to the general public. This amazing offer comes just in time to enjoy amazing experiences at the Disneyland Resort! At Disneyland park, we have the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade on January 20 as well as Star Wars Season of the Force in Tomorrowland. At Disney California Adventure park, guests can join the party with the Lunar New Year Celebration, Jan. 20 through Feb. 5, and the popular Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, March 10 through April 16. Experience all of these attractions and entertainment, along with other beloved experiences at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, with the 3-day Southern California Resident tickets, available for a limited time. Southern California residents must purchase tickets from Jan. 9 through May 22, 2017. Tickets expire after May 25, 2017, and blockout dates apply. Proof of residency is required for purchase and Theme Park admission. For restrictions, visit http://Disneyland.com/SoCal. Purchase your 3-day Southern California Resident tickets now at Disneyland.com/SoCal and print them at home! * 3-Day Promotional Ticket: Valid only for Southern California residents within ZIP codes 90000-93599 and Northern Baja California residents within ZIP codes 21000-22999; proof of residency is required for purchase and admission. 3-Day, 1-Park Per Day ticket is valid for admission to either Disneyland® or Disney California Adventure® park each day of validity, but not to both parks on the same day. 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® ticket is valid for admission three (3) days to both Disneyland® and Disney California Adventure® park on the same day. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use. Tickets expire May 25, 2017. Blockout days of 4/9/17-4/23/17 apply. May purchase up to 5 tickets per person per day with valid ID. Tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial use. Offer may not be combined with other ticket discounts or promotions. Tickets not valid before 1/9/17. Subject to capacity, restrictions and change without notice. **Magic Morning: Magic Morning admission allows admission to selected attractions at Disneyland® Park before the park opens to the general public on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. Each Guest must have valid, eligible theme park admission. To enhance the Magic Morning experiences, it is strongly recommended that Guests arrive at least one hour and 15 minutes prior to regular park opening. Magic Morning admission is based on availability and capacity. Applicable theme park, days and times of operation and all other elements including, but not limited to, operation of attractions, entertainment, stores and restaurants and appearances of characters may vary and are subject to change without notice. Subject to restrictions and cancellation. View the full article

We’re back today with another DFB YouTube Video! Today, we’re coming at you with a fun way to play with your food (er, drink) at Disney World — the DFB Guide Mocktail Crawl! We get it. Sometimes, you’re the designated driver. Or maybe you just want to have fun without imbibing. Well, we have terrific news! Disney has tons of great non-alcoholic drinks that are as tasty as they are festive. So you can indulge in something special even if you aren’t drinking! We love the idea of the hot mocktail trend so much, that we came up with a Mocktail Crawl for you to enjoy. You’ll find it, and many other fun crawls, in our 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World – available now! We are having just as much fun watching the new DFB YouTube Video Series as we are having putting them together! Subscribe to our DFB YouTube Channel today, and never miss a single DFB food and drink adventure! Now, I’d love to hear from all of our readers! What’s your favorite Disney mocktail? Leave a comment and share it with us! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: New DFB Video Review: Dawa Bar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom New DFB Video: Tips from the DFB Guide — Three Great Ways to Save on Food at Disney Tips from the DFB Guide: Indulge in a Walt Disney World Mocktail Crawl! View the full article

Yeah yeah yeah!!!! So jazzed that this is coming back, bigger and better! It was GREAT news for Disneylanders when the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival returned from a hiatus last Spring. Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival And it’s time to mark your calendars for March 10 – April 16, 2017. And this year’s Festival will be running DAILY! White Cheddar Ale and Bacon Soup Boudin Boule from 2016 By the Bay Booth California cuisine will be featured at the Festival Marketplaces (Disney promises that the booths will be expanded from last year’s eight), and certain restaurants will feature Festival-specific offerings. The Vineyard Booth 2016 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Once again, Culinary Seminars and Demonstrations will be part of the event, along with ticketed events including Premium Dining experiences and Demonstrations by Celebrity Chefs like Guy Fieri, Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine, Duff Goldman, Emily Ellyn, and Keegan Gerhard. These experiences will be available for booking beginning February 1st (more information and schedule still to come). Keegan Gerhard Are you happy to hear the news? I know I am! Sunny California, here I come! See you there ! Are you hoping to attend the 2017 DCA Food and Wine Festival? 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! Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Returns in April 2016 Review: Festival of Holidays Food Booths in Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort News: Festival of Holidays To Bring New Eats to Disney California Adventure View the full article

“The View” is coming to Central Florida. The ABC talk show will broadcast from Disney’s Animal Kingdom for five shows March 6-10. The hosts will visit all four Walt Disney World theme parks during the stay. Like Disney World, ABC is a property of the Walt Disney Co. “The View” airs at 11 a.m. weekdays... View the full article

“The View” is coming to Central Florida. The ABC talk show will broadcast from Disney’s Animal Kingdom for five shows March 6-10. The hosts will visit all four Walt Disney World theme parks during the stay. Like Disney World, ABC is a property of the Walt Disney Co. “The View” airs at 11 a.m. weekdays... View the full article

“The View” is coming to Central Florida. The ABC talk show will broadcast from Disney’s Animal Kingdom for five shows March 6-10. The hosts will visit all four Walt Disney World theme parks during the stay. Like Disney World, ABC is a property of the Walt Disney Co. “The View” airs at 11 a.m. weekdays... View the full article

The original version of this story by Steve Sansweet first appeared in Disney twenty-three magazine. For more stories about Disney Parks and Disney’s rich legacy, visit D23.com. There’s a lot to look forward to when it comes to Star Wars at Disney Parks, but today we’re looking back to the beginning of the partnership that has inspired thrilling adventures and awe-inspiring spectaculars around the world, and the one attraction that started it all – Star Tours, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary today. When Star Tours first opened at Disneyland park on January 9, 1987, the park stayed open for 60 hours so guests could board Starspeeders over and over for their trip to Endor … a destination they somehow never reached thanks to a nervous, first-time pilot named Rex. Three decades later, and now at three other Disney Resorts across the globe, Star Tours has stood the test of time by living up to the original plans of its savvy designers. Star Tours was always meant to be flexible and upgradeable, to tell different stories and to keep the fun and thrills fresh. What no one could have known 30 years ago was that first Lucasfilm and now Disney would keep Star Wars alive and innovative with new movies, television series, books and merchandise, all of which has turned the saga into a worldwide cultural touchstone. What the attraction eventually became had been on the Walt Disney Imagineering drawing board for more than six years. Company officials approached George Lucas, a longtime Disney fan, with an idea to use devices that trained jumbo-jet pilots. George was already familiar with the 13-ton aircraft simulators – large platforms that could rise and fall or dive and roll as much as 35 degrees to train pilots. Lucasfilm had previously explored some non-Star Tours simulator rides on its own, but the timing was now right for a collaboration, and the idea for Star Tours was born. Tom Fitzgerald, now a senior creative executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, was the attraction’s writer and producer and worked closely with George and people like Dennis Muren, an eight-time Academy Award winner at Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). “I remember a key review up at ILM with George Lucas, where (creative director) Tony Baxter and I traveled up to present the original storyline for Star Tours,” Tom recalls. It was there that George set up the idea of combining comedy adventure as well as the classic ‘something goes horribly wrong’ for the storyline. I still think of it as an incredible Master Class and one of the highlights of my career.” Now that the attraction is celebrating 30 years of galactic adventures (having undergone a major update in 2011 along with the addition of elements from Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015 and an exciting new mission based on elements from Star Wars Episode VIII currently in production), Tom was asked why he thought it still feels so fresh. “At Imagineering, the technology is always in service of the story,” he notes. “As a result, our focus is on the incredible storytelling of Star Tours — the characters, the adventures, the story, the music and effects. That’s what keeps people coming back again and again… to relive the moments they loved growing up watching those films, and to step into the story and experience it in an immersive way as only Disney Parks can deliver.” View the full article

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival has been a huge hit with Disneyland Resort, so I’m excited to tell you that this popular culinary celebration is back daily March 10 through April 16! Each day, guests are invited to celebrate some of the best of delicious California cuisine throughout Disney California Adventure park. There will be even more Festival Marketplaces to enjoy this year, plus enhanced Festival-inspired menus at existing restaurants and eateries, where guests can sip and savor delicious flavors from across the Golden State. Guests will enjoy culinary experiences created for the whole family, including a variety of food, beverage and lifestyle seminars, demonstrations and presentations. The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will also feature ticketed events, such as culinary demonstrations, beer, wine and spirit seminars, premium dining events and demonstrations by celebrity chefs such as Guy Fieri, Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine, Duff Goldman, Emily Ellyn, Keegan Gerhard and more. Tickets for these experiences will be available beginning Feb. 1, so mark your calendars! We’ll have more information to share soon, including the full schedule of premium experiences taking place during the festival. Join us for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, daily March 10 through April 16 at Disney California Adventure park! View the full article

If you haven’t watched today’s episode of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning show “The View,” you are missing out on some exciting news! The View co-hosts (Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Jedediah Bila and Sunny Hostin) were joined by some very magical friends to announce they are going to Walt Disney World Resort in March to broadcast the show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The Tree of Life will be the magical setting for the show’s first time broadcasting from Walt Disney World. Keep watching The View and reading the Disney Parks Blog to get ticket information for these shows. The fun doesn’t end there! The hosts want YOU to come down and experience all the endless magic Walt Disney World Resort has to offer. The View’s Magic is Endless Sweepstakes presented by American Tourister is offering the chance for three lucky viewers to win grand-prize packages including a Walt Disney World vacation for themselves and up to three guests and attend the taping of “The View” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Winners will also receive a $500 Disney gift card. The entry period ends January 29 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The View’s Magic is Endless Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States & District of Columbia, 18 or older. No purchase necessary. Winners must travel between March 3-8, 2017. Viewers can learn more and enter for a chance to win at TheViewMagicIsEndlessSweepstakes.com or by visiting The View’s homepage at abc.com/theview, which contains full details and Official Rules. Want to see how this all went down in the studio? Check out the blog tomorrow afternoon to see an exclusive behind the scenes video with the co-hosts of The View! View the full article

Spring at Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

Being a fan of all things related to Epcot, I can’t wait to attend the Epcot International Festival of the Arts this month. This all-new event is a trifecta of global masterpieces: combining visual, culinary and performing arts for six colorful weekends from January 13 – February 20. Today, I have a first look at commemorative merchandise guests will find during this ultimate cultural celebration. Guests attending this year’s inaugural event will find a variety of shirts featuring one of my favorite characters, Figment from Epcot’s Journey Into Imagination attraction. We’ve also created a shirt for Annual Passholders that includes a small image of Figment on the left sleeve. This shirt will only be sold to Passholders who present a valid Annual Pass. Other items will include a large poster of Epcot concept artwork by Herb Ryman along with a tote bag, a coffee mug, and a TERVIS tumbler. Finally, I have a look at artwork from several artists who will be appearing throughout the festival including Jason Grandt, David Buckley, Jerrod Maruyama, Kristin Tercek, to name a few. The best place to find original artwork from these and other artists is the Festival Center located in the Odyssey building near the entrance to World Showcase. The Epcot International Festival of the Arts will run Fridays through Mondays. I hope to see you there! View the full article

This week’s Disney Doodle focuses on Fauna, one of the good fairies in “Sleeping Beauty.” In the film, the fairies Flora, Fauna and Merriweather, use their magic in only cases of emergencies – including birthday cake prep for Aurora (aka Sleeping Beauty). One of Fauna’s contributions is using her magic for cake baking, which inspired artist Ashley Taylor to envision her heading to Main Street Bakery if she had the chance to visit a Disney park. “My favorite part of this illustration is the iconic Sleeping Beauty cake! While Fauna might not be the best baker, her cakes are fun to look at!,” she said “I can see her creating something special for the Main Street Bakery’s window display!” View the full article

It’s here! Spring has arrived early at Walt Disney World Resort and today we’re saying goodbye to winter and sharing a special peek at a collection of experiences that’ll usher in the season like never before at our parks. In just a few days, (January 13) we’re debuting a brand new spring festival – the Epcot International Festival of the Arts – that combines visual, culinary and performing arts for six colorful weekends. New art will be unveiled each week and you’ll be able to feast on creations that look almost too good to eat. The festival will also feature different pairings of Broadway talent in concert, performing songs from some of Disney on Broadway’s award-winning shows, including ‪The Lion King‪, Newsies, Aladdin and others. More details. And this season, there are great ways to experience Disney after the sun sets. Nights are already coming alive at Magic Kingdom Park with our latest projection show, “Once Upon a Time.” In this show, Mrs. Potts from “Beauty and the Beast” shares bedtime stories with Chip, taking him (and all of us) on a magical trip through the most adventurous scenes from favorite Disney films like “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.” And Disney After Hours event nights are also returning to Magic Kingdom Park this spring to give you quick access to some of the park’s most popular attractions and character greetings. Disney After Hours is a hard-ticket event that allows you to maximize your time in the park with little to no wait at 25 attractions and experiences, like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Space Mountain and many more. Events begin January 20 and 27 and continue on February 2, 9 and 16, and March 2 and 9, 2017. More details. Our spring celebration at Walt Disney World Resort will include 90 days of bright blooms and whimsical creations at this season’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – running March 1- May 29. A new topiary garden inspired by a vintage Walt Disney short film will debut this year and operating hours of the Festival Center will be expanded during the festival’s opening week. Also this spring, Garden Rocks Dining Packages will be offered for the first time at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. They’ll be available on select days at Epcot restaurants, combining dinner and guaranteed seating for a performance. More details. And early spring at Walt Disney World Resort this year also means shedding your winter jackets and heading to the water parks and riding a brand new attraction at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon called Miss Adventure Falls. The new family-style raft attraction – set to open in March – will be one of the longest Disney water park experiences as it immerses you in the story of treasure-hunting heroine Captain Mary Oceaneer. During each white-water adventure, you’ll be able to spot some of the treasures Captain Oceaneer gathered from around the world. More details. You can learn more about all of our early Spring experiences by visiting WaltDisneyWorld.com/SpringEarly and by following our hashtag #DisneyEarlySpring on Twitter. Also, keep checking back as we share more updates here on the Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Disney World in Orlando is saluting the military with special ticket prices and room rates in 2017. The offers, for active and retired military personnel of all service branches, include admission for 5 days for $224 plus tax good Jan. 1 through April 8 and April 24 through Dece. 19. Or, buy... View the full article

Happy weekend and happy end of the first week of 2017! We hope your New Year is off to an amazing (and delicious) start! Firecracker Shrimp This year is going to be full of fun and good eats, including the culinary works of art coming to the first-ever Epcot International Festival of the Arts! We have the full menus for the Food Studios too! And don’t forget, the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival starts in August this year! We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News Dates have been announced for the 2017 Delicious Disney, A Chef Series One-day Disney Dining Plans to be tested at the Magic Kingdom! We enjoyed dinner at The BOATHOUSE recently – check out our review! Casey’s Corner at the Magic Kingdom has updated their menu with new specialty hot dogs! We shared the recipe for the Warm Apple Butter Cake from Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel. Choza Tequila Bar is coming to Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion! Cocktails by Cody has published a new book – Fairy Tale Cocktails! Check out our newest YouTube video: Three ways to save on food at Disney World! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including menu updates, restaurant closures, special events, and more! We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go. DFB Reader Finds If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or around Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday! DFB reader Chris Banaszek recently shared a photo of the Warm Cinnamon Bread Pudding and Dole Whip from Wind & Waves at Disney’s Vero Beach. Oh my goodness that looks amazing! We’re drooling over here. You know we love La Cava in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion. Well, DFB fan Teresa Kmetz took our advice and ordered the chips, queso, and guacamole on a recent visit. Teresa says she loved our tip to order the trio! Must. Have. Queso! Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us! Deal of the Week: 20% Off the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2017 with code SAVE2017! Now is the perfect time to order the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! This valuable resource is fully updated for 2017 Disney vacations, and is now available for purchase and download to help you make the most of your dining plans while in Disney World. Just use code SAVE2017 at checkout! The 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is chock full of tons of great features to ensure you have your best Disney trip, every time. These include: A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks. A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge, including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience. Four free, downloadable worksheets for planning your trip. These worksheets are designed to help you execute all the steps of planning the perfect Disney dining experience. And they’re reusable for all of your future trips! Seven sample one-day dining itineraries for a head-start on planning. A comprehensive index of bars and lounges. An often under-appreciated option for both dining and entertainment, the e-Book devotes a whole index to the topic. The ability to be read on your mobile device or computer! It’s fully portable right in your pocket! We put tons of time, effort, and research into ensuring that we share with you the most relevant, up to date Disney Food Information that’s available. We do this so that you can plan your own Disney visit with confidence, and have the trip of a lifetime, every time. We’d love to share our best tips with you! And remember, because the guide is an e-Book, it’s super easy to download it to all of your mobile devices and take it right into the parks with you! Order the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2017 Edition, and receive 20% off with code SAVE2017. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get the latest version of our most popular Guide! And don’t forget to check out our Money-Saving Bundles — More Stuff for Less Dough! Remember, with a 100% money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose! On to the Round-Up! Mickey Fix found this super cool Star Wars Lightsaber Immersion Blender. WDW for Grownups wrapped up last year with a list of the Top 5 Bars and Lounges. Disney Parks Blog shared how to make your own Disney-inspired coffee mugs! Babble shared a few Disney Princess-inspired recipes. Disney Family shared a perfect winter recipe for (pink) Minnie Mouse Hot Cocoa. Have a great week! We’ll see you back here tomorrow with another great Disney food review! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 1, 2017 Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 3, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 10, 2016 View the full article

The 24th annual Walt Disney World Marathon began and ended at Epcot on Sunday. Brazilian Fredison Costa won the men's division for the fourth consecutive year, and Brazilian Giovanna Martins prevailed on the women's side for the second time in three years. View the full article

Nearing the stretch run of the race that dominates his calendar, Fredison Costa was challenged. He could not shake Vanilson Neves. Costa's Brazilian countryman was threatening his quest for a fourth consecutive Walt Disney World Marathon title, his sixth in seven years. With abou 4 1/2 miles left... View the full article