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Fantasy in the Sky - New Year's Eve 2016 at Magic Kingdom View the full article

With an amazing land set to debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2017, plus new a festival and multitude of dining locations, the year 2017 is shaping up to be truly exciting for our guests. If you’re considering planning a Disney vacation in 2017, be sure to check out our 17 reasons why the new year should be the year for your visit! “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – This “out of this world” fireworks spectacular just returned two weeks ago to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This amazing show uses the latest projection effects, lighting, lasers and pyrotechnics to light up the sky, Star Wars style. The nightly show puts guests in the middle of the action as they gaze upon Tatooine’s famous twin suns, fight through an army of Trade Federation battle droids, navigate a swirling asteroid field, rocket down the Death Star’s narrow trench and deliver a heroic final blow to Starkiller Base. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story– Inspired Additions to Star Wars Launch Bay – New items have recently been added to Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including a Shoretrooper Blaster, Director Krennic’s Imperial Shuttle, a Death Star model, a U-wing gunship and more. MagicBand 2 Rolls Out – MagicBand 2, the next iteration of bands that offer the same helpful functions as the original bands, have just made their way to select Disney Parks merchandise locations and the Shop Disney Parks app. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for future designs and updates. Exclusive New Star Wars Tour Starts January 2 – This seven-hour experience is led by a Star Wars “all-in-the-know” tour guide. Guests can experience Star Tours – the Adventures Continue; get an insider’s tour and meet characters at Star Wars Launch Bay; screen “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi” and enjoy Star Wars-themed menu items at Backlot Express. The tour wraps at the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party, which also includes reserved viewing for the show. Younglings ages 4-12 on the Guided Tour package can also train in the way of The Force in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. Find booking information here. Disney After Hours Events Return January-March – Disney After Hours event nights will return to Magic Kingdom Park on January 20 and 27; February 2, 9 and 16; and March 2 and 9, 2017. Experience an event that takes place three hours after the park closes and is only open to a limited number of guests (which means much shorter lines) at 25 attractions, character greetings and more. Find booking information here. More Yummy Eateries To Debut at Disney Springs – Literally dozens of shopping and dining locations made their debut at Disney Springs in 2016 – and even more are set to open in 2017! Be on the lookout for news and opening dates for Planet Hollywood Observatory, Paddlefish, The Polite Pig, The Edison and Wine Bar George in the new year. Milestone Races for runDisney – This year’s Walt Disney World Half Marathon will mark the 20th year for the race weekend’s 10K, and to celebrate, they’ve made Donald Duck their mascot. Also in anticipation for the release of “Beauty & The Beast” this spring, runDisney has themed this year’s Princess Half Marathon after the film. (Take a sneak peek at the medals here). First-Ever Epcot International Festival of the Arts Starts January 13 – Epcot will start off the year with a bang, offering a brand new art festival for guests to experience. This new offering will run weekends between January 13-February 20, and will showcase visual, culinary and performing arts. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Begins March 1 – This year’s spring festival will begin March 1 and run through May 29. Festival “firsts” this year will include brand-new topiaries of Belle and Figment, two new outdoor kitchens (bringing the total to 15) offering up tasty snacks, a “Cars” interactive play garden for kids in honor of the upcoming film June 2017 release of the Disney•Pixar sequel, “Cars 3.” New Garden Rocks Dining Packages Will Debut At Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – Dining packages will be available on select days at a number of Epcot restaurants, combining dinner and reserved seating for a performance. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more information. New Family Raft Ride at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – Guests at Typhoon Lagoon can enjoy a new family-style raft attraction this spring. Planned to be one of the longest Disney water park attractions (2 minutes), guests will be immersed in the story of Captain Mary Oceaneer. Legend holds that this treasure hunter roamed the seven seas in search of undersea artifacts, until she was marooned at Typhoon Lagoon. Guests will gently ascend in treasure rafts, only to plunge into a whitewater adventure where they just may encounter some of Mary’s legendary treasure. Boulder Ridge Cove, Geyser Point Bar & Grill Opening in Summer 2017 – Scheduled to open at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in summer 2017, Boulder Ridge Cove pool will feature an expanded sun deck and zero-depth-entry pool in what appears to have been an abandoned rock quarry. Geyser Point Bar & Grill, a new quick-service eatery, will be located in the heart of the feature pool area of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Pandora – The World of AVATAR Will Open in Summer 2017 – This new land will open its doors at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in summer 2017, and will include attractions AVATAR Flight of Passage and the Na’vi River Journey, the Satu’li Canteen restaurant, Pongu Pongu drink location and Windtraders merchandise shop. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for coverage of future milestones. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Returns for A Record 75 Days – This year’s festival will kick off on August 31 and run through November 13, for a record 75 days. Epcot’s 35th Anniversary – The second theme park to be built at the Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot, will mark its 35th anniversary on October 1, 1971. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for historical features, photos, merchandise and more. More Updates on Star Wars-Inspired Land – Disney’s Animal Kingdom isn’t the only theme park enjoying an expansion. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also adding a Star Wars-inspired land, which is currently under construction at the park. Measuring 14-acres, the new land will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life. Look for more updates on this expansion and its offerings later this year. Return of Holiday Favorites – Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog in 2017 for vacation planning information useful during the holidays, with updates on next year’s Candlelight Processional narrators, the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to Magic Kingdom Park and “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and more. View the full article

They say as you get older time goes much faster. I agree with that statement. Not that I’ll admit to being “older,” let’s just say I’m “wiser” than last year. Our designer, Jeff Maurer, reached into the far corners of his imagination and, inspired by the holiday’s festivities, he designed unique firework art … out of the words “Happy New Year!” As you tip your hat at 2016 and turn to give 2017 a big welcome we hope you enjoy these typographic fireworks built just for you! Be sure to check out the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it. Want to check out other designs? Visit our complete gallery of wallpapers here. View the full article

We’re just a few hours away from ringing in the New Year. Celebrate with us by joining our live stream of “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks live from Magic Kingdom Park tonight at 11:45 p.m. EST. The live stream will begin promptly at 11:45 p.m. in the box above. Last year we had viewers tune in from around the world – tell us in the comments section, where are you watching from? View the full article

In the late 1930s, when few doors were open to the son of a poor Chinese immigrant, Tyrus Wong landed a job at Walt Disney’s studio as a lowly “in-betweener,” whose artwork filled the gaps between the animator’s key drawings. But he arrived at an opportune moment. Disney’s animators were struggling... View the full article

'Wishes for Wildlife' - Clean Air | Disney's Animals, Science & Environment View the full article

Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will kick off 2017 in a special way! Learn About: Artist Point Disney World Restaurants The table service restaurant will host a special Wine Dinner featuring wines from Oregon on Thursday, January 19, 2017. The multi-course meal will showcase the bounty of seasonal fare available during the winter months. Mary Joli from Willamette Valley Vineyards will be on hand to guide guests through wine pairings. Artist Point’s own Chef Michael Gonsalves will be joined by Executive Chef John Clark of Walt Disney World Catering and Chef Amanda Lauder of The Ganachery at Disney Springs as well. Here are all the important details: Where: Artist Point, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort When: January 19; Reception at 6:30PM, Dinner from 7:00 -9:00PM Price: $175.00 per person, including tax and gratuity Smoked Portobello Bisque at Artist Point For more information or to book this event, please contact one of the following: Gary Lee: Gary.P.Lee@disney.com (407) 538-7192 Waleska Perez-Rosado: Waleska.Perez.Rosado@disney.com (407) 353-3224 Viviana Altesor: Viviana.A.Altesor@disney.com (407) 701-3133 We’ve seen lots of special wine dinners from other table service locations at Walt Disney World — especially Flying Fish, Citricos, and Jiko. It will be wonderful to see what the chefs come up with to pair with the beautiful wines of the Willamette Valley. Now — I’d love to hear from all y’all! Will you be booking a table for the Artist Point Winter Wine Dinner? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts! 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! January Wine Dinner at BoardWalk Inn’s Flying Fish Cafe The Legend of Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Re-Review: Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort View the full article

Ladies and gentlemen boys and girls, if you’re looking for the best way to enjoy our spectacular pageant of nighttime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electrosynthomagnetic musical sounds, be sure to check out the Main Street Electrical Parade Dining Packages! Enjoy a 3-course meal at Blue Bayou Restaurant or opt for a convenient On-The-Go dining package at Aladdin’s Oasis. These packages include reserved viewing for the Main Street Electrical Parade as it continues its run at Disneyland Resort Jan. 20 through June 18, 2017. Reservations are available by visiting Disneyland.com/dining or by calling 714-781-DINE. Back by popular demand – a classic Disney Parks Snack has returned to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park! Churros are now available at Dino-Bite Snacks in DinoLand U.S.A., served with chocolate sauce for dipping. Additionally, three holiday cocktails will be available at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – an Irish Coffee, Amarula Coffee, and Schnappy Chocolate (Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps), available at Dino-Bite Snacks, Dino Diner and Trilo Bites. Also at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, Restarauntasorus will be serving breakfast through the New Year! Look for a selection of Kelloggs’ cereals, a fruit plate, yogurt parfait and of course, Mickey Waffles. Their famous toppings bar will feature tasty waffle toppings, including warm caramel, hot fudge, a Bananas Foster sauce, cherries, strawberries, whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate chips and more. Be sure to check out this offering before it goes extinct! It’s not too late to celebrate the holidays at Sunshine Seasons at Epcot! Look for a Santa Mickey cupcake (complete with chocolate-hazelnut mousse filling), a snowman cupcake, a snowflake tres leches-Raspberry cupcake, a melted snowman sugar cookie sandwich, a hot Cocoa cupcake with whipped cream-chocolate chip filling, a chocolate caramel apple and for New Year’s Eve, a decadant cherry, chocolate and caramel cupcake. YUM! Still looking for the perfect place to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Ring in the New Year with live music and Irish dancing at Raglan Road at Disney Springs! Raglan Road will also be offering two complimentary champagne toasts – one for the Irish New Year (at 7 p.m.) and one at midnight! A new hot dog is set to debut at Casey’s Corner at Magic Kingdom Park! Look for a new foot-long hotdog topped with creamy mac and cheese and bacon. It’s part of a new rotating specialty menu – with new hot dogs every month! If you’re looking for a sweet treat, croissant donuts have also been added to Casey’s lineup. Be sure to try these specialty items before they disappear! View the full article

As 2016 comes to close, here’s a look back at a very busy year for the culinary teams at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort: The biggest news was the proliferation of new places to eat at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, from grab-and-go food trucks and kiosks to restaurants by award-winning chefs. Fast-casual spots included Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza and D-Luxe Burger. Three James Beard Foundation winners joined the line-up: Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming, Chef Rick Bayless at Frontera Cocina, and Masaharu Morimoto at Morimoto Asia (which opened in late 2015). Superstar steakhouse STK also opened an outpost at Disney Springs. And Amorette’s Patisserie added confections (and savories). Coming in 2017: Paddlefish, Wine Bar George, Planet Hollywood Observatory, the Polite Pig and more. January: Afternoon Tea debuted at Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Resort. This lovely oasis of elegance features white linens and historic black-and-white photos of Hollywood greats, making it a perfect spot for the rich tradition of afternoon tea. March: The Diamond Horseshoe at Magic Kingdom Park reopened with table service dining. Each all-you-care-to-enjoy saloon feast starts with a generous salad and cornbread, then features platters of pork, sausage, turkey and braised beef. March: Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival expanded its Outdoor Kitchens to 13, making food a bigger part of the annual festival. And each of the kiosks features an edible garden to showcase some of the foods being served. Look for new tastes at the 2017 festival from March 1-May 29. April: Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa took home the AAA Five Diamond award for the 16th consecutive year. It also was voted the No. 2 restaurant in the United States in TripAdvisor’s 2016 Travelers’ Choice awards. The restaurant wows guests every night of the year with three dining experiences: the dining room, the elegant Queen Victoria’s Room and the Chef’s Table in the Kitchen. April: Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returned, celebrating some of the best of delicious California cuisine. New Festival Marketplaces were added, along with culinary demonstrations, appearances by celebrity chefs and seminars. May: Ample Hills Creamery opened at Disney’s BoardWalk. In keeping with the timeless charm of the 1930’s Atlantic coastal atmosphere on the boardwalk, the ice cream shop features whimsical, turn-of-the-century décor and is located next to ESPN Club, overlooking Crescent Lake. May: Tiffins and Nomad Lounge opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This beautiful new restaurant and lounge are in the park’s Discovery Island area, with menus inspired by the world travels of the park’s creators (Tiffin is the Indian word for a lunchbox used by travelers and also the word for a mid-day meal). Walt Disney Imagineering describes the interior as “a gallery you can dine in with artwork that is a direct result of travels to Africa, Asia and South America.” The menu features global tastes and the beverage program focuses on sustainable, organic wines and bio-dynamic viticulture, as well as handcrafted cocktails and beers. August: The reimagined Flying Fish reopened at Disney’s BoardWalk with a sophisticated interior that still pays homage to the golden era of seaside boardwalks. The interior features an all-new kitchen and dining room (with expanded space for private dining events), sparkling architectural accents, like golden-winged room panels and an impressive chandelier that mimics a school of flying fish swimming overhead. The menu focuses on the freshest seafood. August: AbracadaBar, the “curious cocktail lounge” that combines the Golden Age of Magic with the magic of Disney storytelling opened next door to Flying Fish on Disney’s BoardWalk. According to the storytelling of Walt Disney Imagineering, the lounge was once a secret stomping ground for famous touring magicians, local boardwalk illusionists and the loveliest magician’s assistants of the day. September: Epcot International Food & Wine Festival expanded by almost two additional weeks – from 53 days to 62 – of deliciousness, foodie fun, culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, music concerts and more. For 2017, mark your calendar: August 31 through November 13 will be a record 75 days of global culinary creations, celebrity chefs, premium events, Eat to the Beat concerts, and more. November: Festival of Holidays debuted at Disney California Adventure park, bringing with it 14 themed festival marketplaces, serving dishes inspired by the five holidays celebrated during the Festival of Holidays: Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Navidad and Three Kings’ Day. November: PizzeRizzo opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Muppets Courtyard. Rizzo owns and operates the pizzeria, where guests can grab a pizza pie and a cold drink. Hints of the wisecracking Muppet Rizzo and his extended family and friends who have visited PizzeRizzo over the years are hidden throughout the two-story quick-service location. November: Highway in the Sky Dine-Around debuted at Walt Disney World Resort – a moveable feast on the monorail with stops for cocktails, appetizers, dinner and dessert on the along the way. The dine-around gives guests priority boarding on the monorail for an unparalleled dining journey around the circuit among Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. December: The new Epcot International Festival of the Arts is announced, a brand new event at Epcot. Dates are Jan. 13 – Feb. 20, and it’s a trifecta of global masterpieces that combines visual, culinary and performing arts for six colorful weekends. While the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival strives for seasonal flavors, and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is all about global cuisine, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts is all about works of art on a plate. At many of the Food Studios, guests will be able to watch the chefs plating and see the creative process as the dish comes to life. View the full article

With the New Year just around the corner, I visited California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort to get an early start on celebrating 2017. Before I could enjoy a delicious meal, I was surprised by the Disney Delivery Guy. He gave me several boxes filled with new products created by Disney Parks Merchandise. The products shown in the video will be released in select merchandise locations at Disney Parks during 2017. Look for stories next year on Disney Parks Blog with additional details about the items shown. As an extra bonus, here is a look at two products that caught my eye but did not make it into the video. The first is new artwork by Jerrod Maruyama celebrating the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade to Disneyland park. Look for the artwork to be released in early spring. I also love the gallery figurine featuring enchanted objects from Disney’s animated classic, “Beauty and The Beast.” I paired these items with the fabric used for a whimsical Orange Bird dress and an Epcot 35th Anniversary mug because both things make me happy! Which item is your favorite? Please share in the comments below. I hope you have a wonderful and magical New Year! View the full article

Playtime just got a lot more fun for our furry friends at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando thanks to our Disney Vacation Club cast members! Over the holidays, a group of cast members came together for a Disney VoluntEARS event to hand make enrichment toys for the shelter’s animals. The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is a non-profit animal welfare agency that runs two pet adoption shelters and low-cost veterinary clinics. And for more than two decades, Walt Disney World Resort and its cast members have supported the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando through charitable cash giving and Disney VoluntEARS efforts. “With limited staff, we’re always grateful to receive a ready-to-go gift from volunteers,” said Diane Anderson, behavior and outreach manager for the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. “We could not remain open if it was not for our amazing community support.” For this special holiday project, Disney Vacation Club VoluntEARS carefully braided together strips of recycled t-shirts to form the perfect chew toy and then delivered more than 150 chew toys to the organization. Everyone’s favorite Disney dog, Pluto, helped deliver the toys and gave some extra TLC to some very lovable dogs – Star, Coco and Bella. Cheryl Nathan-Weiner, a Disney Vacation Club VoluntEAR who helped with the project, shared that her family rescued a golden retriever named Hannah — or as she explains it, Hannah rescued them. “I was so happy to make the dog toys,” Cheryl said. “It was my way of giving back all the love our girl gave to us over the years.” If you’re interested in creating a toy for your furry friends at home or a nearby animal shelter, just follow these three easy steps: Grab an old t-shirt and cut it into several strips. Take the strips and knot them together at one end. Braid the strips. Be sure to leave enough space from the end to tie a second knot. Then give it to your pet to enjoy! Learn more about adopting a pet at PetAllianceOrlando.org. View the full article

The Main Street Electrical Parade returns to the place it began for a limited engagement beginning Jan. 20, and you can be among the very first in decades to see this iconic parade light up Disneyland park during a special after-hours premiere event on Jan. 19! There are many reasons to attend this exciting event – and here just five of them! Exclusive access to Disneyland park – Tickets for this event are extremely limited, so you will be among an exclusive group of guests to enjoy most Disneyland park attractions and select restaurants. See the parade and then spend the rest of the night riding some of your favorites over and over! Take photos with the floats – Ever wished you could walk right up and take your photo next to one of the parade floats? At this premiere event, you can! Dance the night away – Party like it’s 1972 during a special 70s dance party at Tomorrowland Terrace! Complimentary parking – Premiere event ticket holders will enjoy complimentary parking at Mickey & Friends parking structure after 6 p.m. First! – Did I mention you will be among the first guests to see the Main Street Electrical Parade return home to Disneyland park? Well, you will. Tickets are on sale now, so get yours today! Click here for event information. View the full article

Happy New Year, DFB Friends! Let’s face it: 2016 handed us some real bummers. But there were some good things that happened, too. And that’s especially true where Disney Food is concerned. The Sun is Setting on 2016! Today as we gather our noisemakers, funny hats, and bubbly to ring in the New Year, let’s take a few minutes to review some of the biggest Disney Food News Stories of 2016. Are you with me? Let’s go! #10: Celebrity Chefs Take Disney Springs by Storm We knew Rick Bayless’s Frontera Cocina and Art Smith’s Homecoming Florida Kitchen were on their way to Disney Springs — joining the recently opened Morimoto Asia. But what we didn’t expect was a real physical presence from these guys. Chef Masaharu Morimoto Disney Springs has become a hotbed of celebrity chef activity in Orlando. Chef Masaharu Morimoto has been back in town several times during 2016, as has Chef Art Smith. Chef Art Smith The two even hosted a progressive dinner together. We’ve also spied Chef Rick Bayless a couple of times, and hope to see more of him. And Chef Kevin Dundon is a fairly regular fixture at Raglan Road as well. Chef Rick Bayless The presence of the chefs lends authenticity to the dining experience. Patrons know that the chefs have had a hand in the menu creation, and that if they’re lucky, they just might run into one of them during dinner service. Pretty cool stuff for food nerds. But it wasn’t all good news in 2016… #9: The Closings of Some Seriously Favorite Treat Spots We had to say goodbye to a few favorites. Some were expected, and some were surprises. None of them were easy. We first saw the writing on the wall for Writer’s Stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios a few years back. We loved this best kept secret, notable for its quiet atmosphere, good coffee, and amazing pastries — especially the Carrot Cake Cookie! Writer’s Stop (And no worries — the Carrot Cake Cookie is still available at Sweet Spells.) Carrot Cake Cookie But we figured that its days were probably numbered when Starbucks came to town. And with the announcement of the major re-imagining at DHS — bringing both Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land soon — the fate of the little coffee shop was sealed. It continued on for a little longer than anticipated, functioning as a bar for nearby Sci-Fi Dine-In, and then closed altogether in September. Current Menu Items at Writer’s Stop Less expected — and with way less notice — was the closure of the Margarita Stand in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion. While the drinks here were more 80s Chi-Chi’s than Mexican Fine Dining, they still had a place in our hearts and glasses. Who among us hasn’t indulged in a frozen margarita from the thatched stand on a Drinking Around the World trip? Former Mexico Margarita Stand All hope is not lost, however. You can still score frozen margaritas across the way at La Cantina de San Angel. Cheers from the Mexico Pavilion And of course, amazing hand crafted margaritas still reign supreme inside at La Cava del Tequila. But the BEST news — stay tuned. We’re pretty sure a new outside bar is coming, my friends. Finally, to make way for new culinary adventures at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, we said farewell to Seashore Sweets. Seashore Sweets Some Disney fans decried the loss of the sweet shop, mostly because of its ice cream offerings. We were OK with it — especially in light of what came in its place. Keep reading for that big story. Even so, as beloved places closed, there were things to look forward to, like… #8: More Information Teased About “Star Wars Land” Eateries While details are still very sketchy, 2016 brought confirmation of at least two restaurants we can expect when Star Wars Land opens in a galaxy very close by. (You know. This one.) New Star Wars Dinner Club We now know we can expect there to be a Table Service Restaurant as well as a Confirmed Dinner Club. What does that all mean? Stay tuned. We’ll bring you more details the nanosecond we have them! While we await more information on the space front, back here on earth, we had some exotic happenings of our own… #7: Dole Whips, Dole Whips Everywhere — Or At Least At More “Outside the Parks” Locations 2016 could be dubbed The Year of the Dole Whip. While we’ve grown accustomed to seeing it pop up on festival menus at Epcot, and it’s a regular mainstay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, that was about it for the Disney cult classic treat, outside of the normal places to get it. Until recently, that is. Dole Whip! Dole Whip has recently made appearances at two new spots — Disney Springs in Walt Disney World, and Disneyland Hotel at The Coffee House. Marketplace Snacks in Downtown Disney While you’ll find the treat styled by its non-branded “Pineapple Soft Serve” moniker at Disney Springs’ Marketplace Snacks, the bigger story is the Disneyland Dole Whip appearance. This marks the first time we remember seeing the treat outside of Disneyland Park. Aaaaaannnnddd — it’s not just Dole Whip. You can also indulge in Dole Whip Floats and Dole Whip WITH RUM. Yesssssssss. Dole Whip Float at The Coffee House But then, Disney decided to launch Handlegate 2016… #6: Disney Refillable Mug Handle Scandle You wouldn’t think that Disney Refillable Mugs could once more create controversy — but you’d be wrong. Earlier this year, we spied with our own eyes that suddenly, the mugs were being offered sans handles. Handle-free Refillable Resort Mug And wow — did you respond! Some readers were absolutely thrilled, saying that the streamlined design would make the cup fit easier in stroller and car cup holders and backpack pockets. Others indicated vast displeasure with the move. And then suddenly, handled mugs started reappearing. Refillable Mugs — WITH HANDLES — Are BACK! Did some crafty Cast Member find a giant box of the handled variety in a storeroom somewhere? Nah. Our sources tell us that guests will have the choice of mugs with or without handles — at least for the foreseeable future. So — did Disney listen, just maybe, and respond to public opinion? We’ll never know for sure. And what creates even more controversy than the Handle Scandle? How about… #5: More Alcohol in the Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom ended 2016 even less dry than it began. Skipper Canteen Will Offer Alcoholic Beverages Recently, Disney decided that four restaurants would benefit from the intro of adult beverages. As of right now, Liberty Tree Tavern, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Jungle Skipper Canteen, and Tony’s Town Square are all offering expanded beverage options — tailored to the theming of each restaurant. The four join Be Our Guest Restaurant, which has served Wine and Beer during dinner only since it opened in 2012. Chimay Blue at Be Our Guest Restaurant Tony’s Town Square will offer Italian wines and beers, while Liberty Tree Tavern will highlight American products like New England lagers, ciders, and domestically-produced wines. Skipper Canteen continues to celebrate its nomad ways with wines and beers from around the world, and Cinderella’s Royal Table will keep it classy with champagne and sparkling wines. The biggest takeaway? No beer stand on Main Street USA. And LeFou’s Brew? Still totally apple juice. LeFou’s Brew: Still Fake Beer. But did someone say “Deal” and “Disney” in the same sentence? Because… #4: Refillable Popcorn Program Comes to Walt Disney World Disney Popcorn has legions of fans who swear up and down that Disney Popcorn is WHERE IT’S AT. So news of the Refillable Popcorn Program at the Parks of Walt Disney World were met with serious happy dances. Magic Kingdom Bucket Refilled at Hollywood Studios Initially, however, two things dampened the enthusiasm: there was some confusion about just how the program would work; and we kept bumping up against dates that the program would end. However, readers — and our very own team — soon determined that refills seemed to be good for length of stay (not just the day of purchase), and could be refilled in any Park. And to further the good news, the program seems to be extended — for now. The last end date we saw was September 1, and the deal seems to be sticking around… There’s been no new end date announced as of press time. And speaking for things returning after a looooooong absence (we were, right?)… #3: Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Returns One thing that definitely surprised us — after a long hiatus, Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival returned in 2016. And we were absolutely thrilled! Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival The smaller cousin to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival ran for four weeks — and on weekends only — during the Spring. While the announcement for the event made it seem like they were a bit rushed in throwing it together, we’re hopeful that the event will return. And it seems pretty certain, especially in light of… #2: Expanded Festivals on Both Coasts We’ve joked every year that we are one step closer to a year ’round Epcot Food Festival. Well, it’s kinda sorta happened. Epcot — and to a lesser extent, Disney California Adventure — have officially become Festival Central. It began last year with the re-introduction for the DCAFWF (see #3 above for all the deets on that one). And the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival turned in a record 62 days. Wine Country Blackberry Tart The trend continued through the holidays, as both DCA and Epcot turned in special food offerings. On the West Coast, the Festival of Holidays boasted 14 Marketplaces featuring holiday food from near and far (check out our full review of the event here). Mini Turkey Pot Pie with cranberry drizzle cross-section at Festival of Holidays On the East Coast, Epcot brought back the annual Holidays Around the World, which coincides with the Candlelight Processional. But they also upped their game, with five holiday themed booths. (You can see all the eats and drinks in our review here.) Cheese Fondue from Alpine Haus And that’s not all, because even MORE Festivals have been announced for 2017. In Epcot, the Festival of the Arts will run weekends from mid January through late February. Then, the 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival will begin a couple weeks later. Both include, of course, food booths! ©Disney In Disneyland, look for the annual Lunar New Year celebration to expand into the booth business as well, with three new booths featuring traditional foods celebrating the cultures of China, Korea, and Vietnam. So what could be even better than two parks with wall to wall Festivals?? How about… #1: Restaurant Openings Galore, with Disney Springs Leading the Pack Did someone say new openings?? Well. You know. There were a few. (More like a DOZEN.) Let’s talk about them in order, more or less. First up — Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the “will they?? won’t they??” trauma drama of the Rivers of Light debut. 2016 was supposed to be the year that AK transitioned from a daytime-only park to a full-day-into-night destination. To celebrate the metamorphosis, Rivers of Light, a new nighttime spectacular, was set to launch. Future Rivers of Light Seating. Some Day. But for whatever reason (we heard there were ducks and sunken barges involved), the show didn’t, well, show. Unfortunate, but other openings had to happen, regardless. And tops on that list were the openings of Tiffins Restaurant and Nomad Lounge. Tiffins represented a new direction for the Park, and perhaps a foretaste of things to come. The table service spot, offering more exotic cuisine, is the first signature dining restaurant in the Park, and we’ve enjoyed our first visits there. Whole Fried Sustainable Fish at Tiffins — Not Our Favorite, But People Love It! But Tiffins and Nomad Lounge are more than about just food. Both establishments serve as an homage to the building of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You’ll find beautiful exhibits throughout. Really — pencil in time to look around; you won’t be sorry. Mickey Minnie Campground Pillars and Wall Detail While Magic Kingdom and Epcot didn’t really see much in the way of openings, Disney’s Hollywood Studios joined Animal Kingdom in shaking things up a li’l bit. Toy Story Pizza Planet closed for renovation, and the next thing we knew, Muppets rumors were swirling. Sure enough, the spot reopened at PizzeRizzo, featuring — well, pretty much the same ho-hum pizza, but with a healthy dose of awesome theming. Given that we’re about to have a whole land devoted to Toy Story, we’re OK with it. Welcome to PizzeRizzo! Most of the opening action came courtesy of Disney Springs, however. Even though we’re still waiting on a few stragglers (ahem…Planet Hollywood Observatory and Paddlefish), 2016 saw the vast majority of the newly re-imagined Disney Springs opened and ready for the business. And that meant a TON of new eateries. Disney Springs Town Center We kept ourselves busy, running hither and yon, covering them all. And, you know what? It’s easier to just give you a list! So click on the name, and it will take you straight to our first review! Cupcake in Sprinkles Box from the Cupcake ATM Sprinkles D-Luxe Burger Amorette’s Patisserie AristoCrepes B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. YeSake Hand Rolls Frontera Cocina Homecoming Florida Kitchen Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza Morimoto Asia Street Food STK The Coca-Cola Store While a few spots haven’t wowed us, we’ve been back to favorites, like Sprinkles, Homecoming, and D-Luxe Burger, a few times already. El Diablo Burger The story of new spots goes beyond Disney Springs, however. Disney’s BoardWalk got its share of love in 2016 as well. Flying Fish Cafe closed for several months and reopened as Flying Fish, complete with a radically new interior as well as a new chef at the helm, boasting a new menu. While food reviews have been mixed, the space is gorgeous. We’re keeping a close eye on how the restaurant continues to evolve. Flying Fish Main Dining Room For years, guests have complained about the lack of lounges around the BoardWalk area; 2016 saw a remedy to that, as AbracadaBar opened with a whimsical and mysterious backstory. While the drinks here are fun, we’re still waiting to see if they expand the food menu a bit more. AbracadaBar Curious Cocktails Still, it’s worth a stop in for the ambiance alone if you haven’t checked it out yet. Finally, a rumor we told you about came to pass. With the closing of Seashore Sweets, guests thought they might not have a place to grab an ice cream cone anymore. And seriously — what’s an old fashioned boardwalk without an ice cream parlor?? Enter Ample Hills Creamery. Ample Hills Creamery sign As the story goes, the Brooklyn-based shop caught the eye of Disney CEO Bob Iger, yada yada yada…now there’s a shop in Disney World…and one coming to Disneyland we hear! Sally Sells Seashells in an M&M Cone And we love their super cute drawings and their delicious, whimsical flavors. And their Ice Cream Flights mean never having to choose just one scoop! And — that’s a wrap on 2016! Be sure to stay tuned for our Top 5 Things We Are Looking Forward to in 2017 — coming soon! Happy New Year from Disney Food Blog! We are so excited to wrap up another year (especially THIS year…blergh) of bringing you all of the Disney Food News as it happens all around the world! Planning Your Next Disney Trip In the New Year? TODAY — use promo code HAPPYNEWYEAR for 50% off our most popular Disney food guide, packed with hundreds of color photos and expert tips! This deal won’t last long — so get your 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining today, and make a resolution to start planning your next Disney trip right away! But now, I’d love to hear from YOU! What Disney Food News Story made the biggest impact on you in 2016? 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: The Year in Review: Top Disney Food News Stories of 2015! What’s New Around Walt Disney World: December 20, 2016 What’s New Around Walt Disney World — June 14, 2016 View the full article

Meet Aulani’s ‘Ohana: Cultural Greeter | Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa View the full article

I’m back from an amazing experience sailing on the first-ever Adventures by Disney Holiday Danube River Cruise (no, those aren’t tears in my eyes). All I can say is – wow! This was an ultimate travel fantasy fulfilled. While the entire trip was nothing short of perfect, there was one experience that (literally) shone the brightest: Sailing through Budapest, Hungary all lit up at night. Budapest has been on my “must visit” list for years, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a city that combines nature and art in a beautiful way, and to see it all aglow was truly breathtaking. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. Check out this short video to see what all the fuss is about! The nighttime illuminations cruise, while extra festive during the wintertime, actually takes place year round, meaning you can see it for yourself on any Adventures by Disney Danube River Cruise sailing. Put this one on your own “must see” list today! If you’re thinking, “But Amanda, you promised to share LOTS of details about sailing on the very first Adventures by Disney Holiday Danube River Cruise. Spill the beans already!” Never fear, I do have a more substantial recap coming soon to the Disney Parks Blog. Stay tuned! View the full article

We’re less than a week away from the 2017 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna! This year, we’re honoring the 20th Anniversary of the Half Marathon distance by creating these Disney style looks inspired by the celebratory host Donald Duck and his sophisticated girlfriend, Daisy! Runners participating in this race will receive a 20th Anniversary Half Marathon participant T-shirt and finisher medal to commemorate their accomplishment. Our Donald Duck look features some of his famous characteristics such as a handmade red bow tie and the classic blue, yellow and red ensemble. Stay warm before your race with this blue sweatshirt from Champion. Protect your eyes from the Florida sun with these stylish sunglasses from APEX. Our Daisy-inspired look wouldn’t be complete without some yellow tights and a pink bow! The New Balance pink shoes match her accessories perfectly. The MISFIT tracker is a great accent just like the classic bracelets she wears. Learn about how MISFIT can enhance your health on our runDisney blog! Will you be joining us for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend? Which events are you participating in? Share your Disney-inspired looks with us using the hashtag #WDWMarathon! Follow runDisney on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. View the full article

Pro Bowl Week is only about a month away from arriving at Walt Disney World Resort and now we know many of the NFL superstars who will be coming to Orlando for the big game. Among the Pro Bowl players recently announced are New England quarterback Tom Brady, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Dallas rookie sensations Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. They will be among the approximately 88 players who will comprise the AFC and NFC team rosters. Pro Bowl Week starts Wednesday Jan. 25 and the first stop for these marquee players will be ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney, which will host most of the Pro Bowl Week activities, including the team practices, youth football events, a Pro Bowl Skills Showdown and a dodgeball game pitting the AFC stars against the NFC’s best players. There are also activities planned for Disney Springs as well as Epcot, which will be the site of the Pro Bowl 5K run. Perhaps the most magical event will happen on Friday, Jan. 27 at Magic Kingdom Park where Pro Bowl players, NFL cheerleaders and various community groups will take part in a celebratory parade down Main Street, U.S.A. If you’re visiting Walt Disney World Resort January 25-28, Pro Bowl Week is an experience you will not want to miss! Tickets for the game are still available at www.nfl.com/probowl where you will also the star-studded rosters of the AFC and NFC teams. For more information on Pro Bowl Week, visit espnwwos.com. View the full article

More details are starting to emerge about the brand new Epcot International Festival of the Arts, a celebration of the Visual, Culinary, and Performing Arts kicking off on January 13, 2017! ©Disney The Festival will run on Fridays through Mondays through February 20th, and we’ve already taken a peek at some of the food and beverages coming to the Festival’s Food Studios. ©Disney Now we’re receiving information regarding additional experiences for the Festival. Interactive Workshops Interactive Workshops focusing on various aspects of the disciplines of art are now available for booking! ©Disney And, yes, that includes the Culinary Arts! Topics in the culinary realm include Truffle Making, Olive Oil 101, and The Artistry of Amorette’s Patisserie, among others. Visual art topics include Ink & Paint Animation, Intro to Modern Calligraphy, Floral Arranging, and Gesture Drawing, along with several more options. The full list of currently available topics, as well as dates, times, and more information can be found on our Festival of the Arts Page. The cost to attend an Interactive Workshops is $39 plus tax (Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members are eligible for a 15% discount), and booking is available for the currently listed experiences by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. Dining Packages for the Festival Concert Series A Concert Series featuring Broadway talent singing Disney classics will bring the Performing Arts to life at the America Gardens Theatre! Dates and Artists are as follows: Ashley Brown ©Disney Jan. 13-16 and 20-23: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland performing songs from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid Jan. 27-30 and Feb. 3-6: Kerry Butler and Kevin Massey performing songs from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Newsies and Aladdin Feb. 10-13 and 17-20: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White performing songs from Disney’s The Lion King, Aida, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid Performances will take place at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8:00 pm on Festival evenings. Dining Packages are available to pair breakfast, lunch or dinner at a participating Epcot restaurant with priority seating for the 8:00 pm show on the same date. Price range is $39-$69 plus tax for adults, and $23-$41 plus tax for children. To find out which restaurants are participating for your dates and meal times of interest, call 407-WDW-PLAY. It is anticipated that more information regarding Festival offerings will be available on January 6th, so stay tuned for more about the newest Festival to join the Epcot lineup! Are you excited about the Epcot’s newest upcoming 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: First Look: Food Photos From the Epcot International Festival of the Arts News: Epcot Festival of the Arts (with food, of course!) Coming in January and February 2017 News! 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Workshops Schedule Now Available! View the full article

New Year’s Eve is just a few more days away, which means fireworks spectaculars at Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Tonight’s “After Dark” image was snapped of one, the “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular,” which will light up the night at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for guests ringing in 2017. For a full listing of what’s on for New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World Resort, click here. View the full article

Recently, Burkely Duffield from Freeform’s all-new series Beyond and Katherine McNamara from Shadowhunters visited the Disneyland Resort! A little rain couldn’t dampen the fun they had around both parks! In the midst of the holiday season, the pair had so much fun at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks. Burkely and Kat found classic Mickey Mouse ears to wear around the park. Thrill seekers at heart, they visited Hyperspace Mountain in Tomorrowland. They even met and Mickey Mouse! After all this fun, it’s back to work on the set of their Freeform series. Shadowhunters returns on Monday, Jan. 2, at 8pm/7c followed by the 2-hour series premiere of Beyond at 9pm/8c! Then, binge the entire Beyond series on the Freeform app! View the full article

'Wishes for Wildlife' - Butterflies | Disney's Animals, Science & Environment View the full article

If you caught the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration” on ABC earlier this week, you may have seen this amazing sneak peek into one of Walt Disney World’s most exciting expansions: the construction of Pandora – The World of Avatar, which will open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this summer. As you can see, Pandora – The World of Avatar will transport guests to a visually stunning world complete with floating mountains and bioluminescent plants. Here, guests will be able to experience two expeditions that will truly push adventure to the next level. The family friendly Na’vi River Journey will send guests down a sacred river hidden within a bioluminescent rainforest. Their journey will end in an unforgettable encounter with a Na’vi shaman, a figure who has a deep connection to the life force of Pandora. And second, the Avatar Flight of Passage excursion will offer the jaw-dropping experience of riding on a Banshee over the world of Pandora. Check out the video above, in which the project team shares how this new land has already exceeded even their own imaginations. What do you think? Tell us in the comments section below! View the full article

I’ve spent many a New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World Resort, watching the calendar turn from one year to the next under the shadow of Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Chinese Theater and even at Disney Springs (back then being Downtown Disney)! Some of the best memories I have of New Year’s Eves past have been at Walt Disney World Resort. We at the Disney Parks Blog – along with some of our famous friends – wanted to take a quick second to give you the lowdown on what’s happening this Dec. 31. As you can see, we have a ton of special events, entertainment – and, of course, fireworks – planned for Saturday evening. And if you just can’t make it out to the parks, we invite you to join us online right here at the Blog for our Live Stream of the “Fantasy in The Sky” Fireworks from Magic Kingdom Park, starting at 11:45 p.m. EST on Dec. 31. Happy New Year! View the full article

It’s hard to believe 2016 is about to come to an end! It’s been a fantastic year for Disney Cruise Line, and there are so many fun moments to reflect back on. Here are just seven highlights from a year jam-packed with exciting announcements, stellar awards and brand-new experiences… 1. We unleashed the Force. For the first time in 2016, Disney cruisers were transported to a galaxy far, far away during Star Wars Day at Sea. On 15 special sailings aboard the Disney Fantasy, we combined the power of the Force, the magic of Disney and the excitement of cruising for an out-of-this-galaxy experience unlike any other. 2. We announced we are expecting. The Walt Disney Company unveiled plans to build two additional cruise ships, scheduled to be completed in 2021 and 2023. Each new ship will be approximately 135,000 gross tons, slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. 3. We visited the land of Merida. Our summer in Europe featured destinations in more than 15 European countries, including a 12-night cruise through the British Isles. This special voyage took Disney cruisers to brand-new ports of call in Scotland, England, Ireland and France. 4. We assembled The Avengers. In the fall of 2017, Disney Magic cruisers will celebrate the legendary Super Heroes and Super Villains from the Marvel Universe during a brand-new, day-long celebration – Marvel Day at Sea – on select cruises from New York City. 5. We added wonder-ful new experiences to the Disney Wonder. The ship was transformed from bow to stern, giving guests of all ages new ways to enjoy stories from across The Walt Disney Company with spaces like Tiana’s Place restaurant and Marvel Super Hero Academy. 6. We made it snow on a cruise ship. “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” debuted aboard the Disney Wonder, bringing the story of “Frozen” to life like never before. An innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology and classic Disney whimsy make this new stage show a completely unique production. 7. We sailed our way to the top once again. For the 4th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report awarded Disney Cruise Line the coveted Gold Badge in both the Best Cruise Line for Families and Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean categories. This honor joins the list of more than 250 distinguished awards given to us since first setting sail in 1998. Best wishes to you and your family as we close out 2016 and look forward to what’s in store for 2017! View the full article

The way the day begins at Magic Kingdom is about to change, Walt Disney World has announced. As of Jan. 9, a new stage show in the shadow of Cinderella Castle will launch the theme park day instead of the "Magic Kingdom Welcome Show" at the turnstiles, according to a post on the official Disney... View the full article