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It’s the holiday season! Do you have sports fans on your holiday shopping list this year? Or better yet, someone who has competed at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex who would love merchandise as a way to remember his or her time here! There’s no better place to shop than the ESPN Clubhouse Shop at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for a variety of sports gear. Not at Walt Disney World Resort? Select items may be found using the free Shop Disney Parks mobile app. To download, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Shop. Some of these items and more are available at DisneyStore.com! From working out, attending a sporting event or just a casual outfit – this ESPN Wide World of Sports tank with the hot pink accent is the perfect choice for any sports fan. Stay warm at those chilly evening games with this cozy sweatshirt. You can even accessorize your gift with this ESPN Wide World of Sports cap and water bottle! In addition to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex branded merchandise, the ESPN Clubhouse Shop also carries ESPN branded gear as well as a selection of team memorabilia. Here are just a few of the great options available: The ESPN Clubhouse Shop is only open during event days, so be sure to check our calendar before heading over. Which item is your favorite? Share with us using the hashtag #ESPNatDisney. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports and on Facebook. View the full article

It’s time for a very MERRY CHRISTMAS with Mickey at his own Very Merry Christmas Party!! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Guide He’s throwing this festive bash on select nights at through December 22nd, and it’s one of my absolute favorite Magic Kingdom events EVER. I get excited just driving in and seeing the inflatable snow Mickey and Minnie over the park’s entrance gate and getting my Party wristband! Magic Kingdom Entrance Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party wristband Mickey knows that part of being a great host — which he totally is! — is having plenty of festive eats for his many guests. Decor at the Party After all, you need some treats to keep your energy up when there’s so much to do, like watching Elsa light up Cinderella Castle in A Frozen Holiday Wish (which YOU can watch, too, on our DFB Facebook page). Cinderella Castle all lit up! And, of course, there are some majorly merry fireworks with Holiday Wishes (you can watch those on our Facebook page, too!) Holiday Wishes Holiday Wishes Holiday Wishes I never miss the Toy Soldiers marching in the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade! Toy Soldiers During the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Plus the party offers great chances to mingle with some Disney characters you may not regularly see. Jack Skellington Sandy Claws character meet Okay, Donald isn’t super hard to find… but Scrooge McDuck (he’s on the right) sure is! Donald and Scrooge McDuck And I totally dig the new show, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, with some old pals like the Three Caballeros and Clarabelle Cow. Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Not a must-see, exactly, but still very cute. Oh… and don’t forget that there’s SHOPPING to do!! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party shirts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party shirt design Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Limited Release Party Pins Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Passholder Pin Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Passholder Pin Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Pin Eats Yep. All this… AND food! As always, there are plenty of extra snacks available for purchase — and we’ll be checking those out, too — but something unique to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are the Holiday Treats Cookie and Drink stations offering complimentary snacks included with your party admission. Complimentary Treat Locations on Guide Just keep an eye out for the light-up peppermint sticks to find the cookie locations as listed on the Party Guide. Peppermint Stick leading to Treats at Pete’s Complimentary Cookies and Beverages New this year, though, are different varieties of cookies and drinks at each treat stop. SO fun! Cookie and Beverage #1: If you’ve attended the party previously, then you’re likely familiar with the Snickerdoodle Cookies and Hot Cocoa that can be found at Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland and Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Tomorrowland. Hot Cocoa and Snickerdoodles at Auntie Gravity’s These are probably the best snickerdoodles I’ve ever had (super soft!), and the hot cocoa was kept at a not-too-hot temperature at most stops. Hot Cocoa and Snickerdoodles Cookie and Beverage #2: My favorite stop was Heritage House in Liberty Square, which had Ginger Molasses Cookies and Eggnog (non-spiked, but still delicious ) on hand! I’m not even an eggnog fan and I was super impressed! And the ginger molasses cookies were amazing!! Here’s a TIP: Heritage House is a great stop to grab cookies before you watch the Christmas parade from Liberty Square! Eggnog and Ginger Molasses Cookies Cookie and Beverage #3: My other top spot was The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland for the Peppermint Bark Cookies and hot cocoa. These are brand new to the party this year, and were basically chocolate chip cookies using peppermint bark instead of chocolate chips. Fun idea, and super delicious. Cookie and Beverage Station at The Lunching Pad Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Bark Cookies Cookie and Beverage #4: The Snowman Sugar Cookie is served with Spiced Apple Cider at Pete’s Silly Sideshow in New Fantasyland’s Storybook Circus. The apple cider was one of my favorite beverages this year! Apple Cider, Snowman Sugar Cookie, and Enjoy Life Cookies And, as always, gluten-free and allergy-friendly Enjoy Life Chocolate Chip Cookies are available throughout the party as well. Enjoy Life Cookie Package Cookie and Beverage #5: The Snowman sugar cookie also pops up at Friar’s Nook in Fantasyland, where he’s paired with blue raspberry Snow Cones! Snow Cone and Sugar Cookies sign Snowman Sugar Cookies and Snow Cone And while they’re unique, the blue raspberry snow cones aren’t the best — they’re made of that super “grainy” ice, as opposed to a finer shaved ice. Still, it’s a fun idea, the kiddos will love ‘em, and hey… they’re free with admission, so you may as well grab one ! Snow Cones Eats for Purchase I am all for this new variety of free cookie goodness at the Party! But I also checked out the additional treats available for purchase, starting with an old favorite: the Pumpkin Spice Waffle Sundae at Sleepy Hollow. Pumpkin Spice Waffle Sundae sign This one used to be an offering at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, but — much to my chagrin — it didn’t return to that event this year. So I was SUPER pumped to find out it was making a return at the Christmas Party. Pumpkin Spice Waffle Sundae And guess what? It’s even BETTER. This fragrant, warm, autumn-spiced waffle is now topped with hard-scooped vanilla ice cream (and sprinkled with cinnamon!), instead of the quick-melting soft serve of yore. The Holiday Tree Cupcake has returned to Gaston’s Tavern. Holiday Tree Cupcake This cupcake isn’t huge, and the bright green color of the buttercream frosting — though in keeping with the tree theme — can be a little off-putting. Holiday Tree Cupcake But the base of this cake tastes great, and even unique due to the use of color to spice it up. (In the past we were told they used clove and star anise along with cinnamon to flavor the cake, but it honestly just tasted like vanilla to me this year. There was a slight peppermint flavor from the candy cane sprinkles on top.) Overall, this was SUPER not worth the $5 pricetag. Holiday Tree Cupcake Of course, more cupcakes are available at Main Street Bakery: the Chocolate Peppermint Cupcake and the Holiday Wish Cupcake. Holiday Cupcake Sign Peppermint and Holiday Wish Cupcakes And you can always stop by Plaza Ice Cream Parlor for a Holiday Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich or Peppermint Hot Fudge Sundae! Plaza Ice Cream Parlor Holiday sugar cookie for ice cream sandwiches Peppermint Sundae at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor Secret Cookie! And speaking of cookies… there is also a “Secret” Cookie up for grabs this year! It’s a super-big, wrapped version of the Snowman Sugar Cookie. Snowman Sugar Cookie You can find these on the trail to the right of Le Chapeau — they open it up to party-goers only in order to improve traffic flow before the party begins. Now, I can’t guarantee that this will be part of your Party experience , but on the night of my visit a few of the Cast Members handing them out looked suspiciously like… Cast Members … SANTA CLAUS!! Coincidence?!? Santa Claus in the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade I think not :)! After all, just leave it to Mickey to think through every last detail for his Merriest Party of the Year! Are you attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year? 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: New! Exclusive Treats and Complimentary Eats At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Sneak Peek: Festive Treats at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Review: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Treats View the full article

Happy December! We hope you’re having a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Now it’s time to grab a snack, sit back, and enjoy our Disney Food Post Round-Up! Sachertorte We recently had a chance to check out Epcot’s Holidays Around the World and we have all the booth menus and food pictures for you! Speaking of holiday food, Disneyland’s Festival of Holidays is in full swing, featuring 14 food booths with themed menus! Check out all the menus here!! We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News The 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival will feature two new Outdoor Kitchens! The new Highway in the Sky Dine Around progressive dinner started this week at Walt Disney World. Check out the Best of Epcot’s Holidays Around the World food booths! Dole Whip and Dole Whip Floats are now available at the Disneyland Hotel. We have a preview of the menu from Tiana’s Place on the Disney Wonder. Check out this musical Christmas Tree cookie tin! We have a sneak peek at some of the menu items coming to Paddlefish in Disney Springs. Check out our newest YouTube video: Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for First Timers! 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! We love the Butterfinger Cupcake from Starring Rolls at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and so does DFB fan DVCPippa who recently shared this pic with us with the caption “The one. The only.” Now we’re craving a cupcake. One of the best cupcakes you’ll ever have. Ever. Recently DFB fan Kaifers asked us where we would recommend breakfast at Disney California Adventure. We said Flo’s V-8 Cafe and recommended the Brioche French Toast. It really is amazing – like eating dessert for breakfast. Breakfast of champions! 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 Holidays 2016 with code CANDYCANE! We’re celebrating the grand launch of the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2106! We’ve been busy updating all the latest holiday tips and brand new info you NEED to know before you head to Walt Disney World for the holiday season, including NEW events and holiday happenings, over 380 pages, 350 full-color photos, and an informative FAQ section. Save 20% off the cover price! Just use code CANDYCANE at checkout! The guide includes: Detailed descriptions and photos of every holiday event and activity happening at the parks and resorts this year — including tips on how to make the best use of your time and money when visiting! A full chapter dedicated to all “New for 2016″ events, dining options, and activities, including what’s new at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, and Epcot’s Holidays Around the World. A fully comprehensive holiday dining section with listings of holiday snacks, treats, meals, and menu items offered this year — from popcorn kiosks all the way to Signature Restaurants. NEW! Holiday cooking tips and recipes straight from Walt Disney World chefs Updated chapter on where to dine with no advance dining reservations. Updated chapter on 10 must-eat snacks this holiday season. A clickable 3-Month Schedule of Holiday Events so you can see at-a-glance what looks interesting to you. Comprehensive listings — with color photos! — of Disney Resort holiday decor and gingerbread displays Our recommendations on ways to SAVE while you’re in Disney World this holiday season. Scavenger Hunts for every theme park Disney Cruise Line Chapter A Preview of the 2017 Holidays in Disney World Expanded Epcot Holidays Around the World section Expanded Disney Springs holiday offerings Expanded Disney’s Hollywood Studios holiday offerings New! Religious services chapter New! Hotel discounts chapter Expanded “tips” chapter Updated What’s New section Updated and Expanded Holiday Dining sections Updated holiday activities/events chapters New and updated crawls and touring strategies Updated Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party event and dining information And more! Both veterans and those new to the Walt Disney World holidays will appreciate knowing what they are getting before spending time and vacation dollars. Whether you want to sample treats, enjoy a show, savor a holiday meal, or find the best activity for your family, The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2016 will help you discover the right strategy for you. Don’t forget — for easy access in the parks, put the guide on your smartphone or iPad! Once again, celebrate the grand launch with us by getting 20% off the purchase price for the e-Book TODAY! 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 Darth Vader Pancake Maker. Take your breakfast to the Dark Side. Walt Disney World for Grownups shared some of the best holiday treats at Walt Disney World. Disney Family shared a recipe for a Moana-themed cupcake. Buzzfeed shared 17 Disneyland treats you can make at home. Disney Style found 15 Disney coffee mugs that make a statement! 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: November 6, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: November 20, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: November 13, 2016 View the full article

This week, Disney Parks Blog readers were among the first to learn that Spaceship Earth at Epcot will be magically transforming into the Death Star as we celebrate the upcoming release of Rogue One – A Star Wars Story. We also shared how you can watch it LIVE – as it happens. We will be live streaming the after-hours event at Epcot right here on the Disney Parks Blog on Monday, December 5. The #DisneyParksLIVE stream will begin at 10:25 p.m. A fresh blog post will appear at the top of the blog for viewing on Monday night. We also shared a great behind the scenes look at how our Walt Disney Imagineers and Walt Disney World Creative Entertainment worked with Intel to create “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” at Disney Springs. Check out Victoria’s original story to learn the inspiration behind the new holiday experience at Disney Springs. You can see “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” daily at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. until Jan 8. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Celebrating the Twentieth Season of ‘it’s a small world’ Holiday at Disneyland Park – For many guests, “it’s a small world” Holiday is a must-do during Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. This year, we are celebrating the 20th season of this beloved seasonal attraction, which combines the classic “it’s a small world” with festive decorations, holiday-inspired costumes and a mix of favorite holiday songs. Follow #25DaysofDS for Gift-Giving Inspiration from @DisneySprings – With Thanksgiving behind us, there’s no denying it – it’s officially crunch time for holiday shopping! If you need a little inspiration, follow @DisneySprings on Twitter and keep an eye out for tweets tagged with #25DaysofDS – each day from Dec. 1 – Dec. 25, 2016, we’ll be sharing a new gift idea. New ‘Moana’ Experiences at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa – Disney’s newest heroine, Moana, has arrived at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Guests can experience the spirit of adventure and wonder of Hawai’i with fun-filled activities, enchanting storytelling, a special makeover, character greeting moments and more! December 2016 Disneyland Resort Merchandise Events – Celebrate the holidays at Disneyland Resort with several merchandise special events taking place in December 2016. A Magical First Holiday Season at Shanghai Disney Resort – We can’t believe it’s already time for Shanghai Disney Resort to celebrate its first holiday season! The festivities bring to life an authentically Disney holiday wonderland with unique flourishes guests can only find at our newest Disney resort. Countdown to Christmas with Unique Products and Special Deals from Disney Parks – The arrival of December means the Christmas holiday is only a few weeks away. This year, Steven Miller found several unique products from Disney Parks to help count the days until this festive holiday arrives. View the full article

This week some of the most compelling images we shared came from Victoria Lim’s behind-the-scenes post on “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration.” This stunning new show happens twice each night in the West Side of Disney Springs, with an aerial ballet taking place over Lake Buena Vista. The performance features 300 Intel Shooting Star show drones creating shapes inspired by the season to an orchestrated medley of holiday classics. To check out the full story behind this new offering, be sure to read Victoria’s original blog post here. View the full article

We are stopping into Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop today for our latest DFB Video! You’ll find two Disney locations for Ghirardelli — one in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs, and the other in Disneyland’s Disney California Adventure. While we love all of the Ice Cream, Cocoa, Coffee, and Chocolate Goodies you can get in both stores, today we’ll be focusing on the Disneyland location. Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop’s Earthquake Family Favorite Sundae If you love ice cream sundaes made with only the finest quality ingredients, then Ghirardelli is the place for you. If you’re dining with a crowd, there’s no way you can pass up the Earthquake Sundae. Seriously — you can’t go wrong with any of their amazing treats. So order whatever you want! We love bringing you along for the ride as we discover the best and most delicious treats and eats in all of the Disney Parks. If that sounds like a good time to you, please be sure to subscribe to our new DFB YouTube Channel! Now, I wanna hear from you. What’s your favorite treat at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop? Leave a comment and share your opinions with me! 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: Guest Review: Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop at Disney California Adventure Disney World Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop Review: The Earthquake Sundae and More at Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop View the full article

ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has long been a guest favorite to take a break and grab a bite to eat while enjoying ample indoor seating and props from their favorite ABC television shows. Guests can expect a more upscale dining experience for dinner—with elevated menu items and food brought to your table. New appetizers include jalapeño poppers and pita chips with hummus. Fast-casual entrees include a juicy Chimichurri Steak served with a fire-roasted corn medley, hearty Barbecued Chicken and Ribs with coleslaw, and a Southwest Burger piled high with Pepper Jack cheese, bacon, guacamole and jalapeño poppers, all three are served with thick-cut steak fries. Lighter options include a zesty Lemon Pepper Salmon, served with green beans and couscous and the Mediterranean Salad with tomatoes, onions, peppers, Kalamata olives and feta tossed in a Greek vinaigrette and topped with your choice of chicken or salmon. Kids will enjoy entrees like barbecued chicken, salmon or a burger. Guests will place their order at the register and receive a pager. Choose any open table in the dining room, sit back, relax and enjoy the ambiance. A cast member will deliver your food and drinks to the table. Need a drink refill? More ketchup? Just ask a nearby cast member and they will be happy to assist. View the full article

Wow!!! Guest author (and an awesome friend who always sends me the best photos of Disney food!) Lori Fries, takes us on a whirlwind, coast-to-coast tour of six parks in one day. Let’s see what food she sampled! If you are like me, you love BOTH Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. I achieved my top item on my bucket-list and went to all 6 parks — four in Disney World and two in Disneyland — on the same day! Six Parks, One Day Treats Picking one snack in each park brings with it a unique set of challenges. For the first time in modern memory, I didn’t want to go to a park and pick what I felt like eating at the time. Seasonal treats have always held a special place on my Must Do Disney Food List, but I wanted to go with iconic treats. There is an entirely different set of things I love to eat on both coasts. I could go to Epcot and fill my stomach around World Showcase. My trip was even during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival! That is a different challenge. Would I pick things only served on a stick to make an easy getaway to the next destination? Nope. That would rule out some classics like the Mickey pretzel. Here is what I did. My first stop was Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar To me, vanilla ice cream covered in chocolate in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s silhouette screams Disney snack at its finest. You can find them at ice cream carts and restaurants throughout the parks in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Not only can you get them from all the parks but all the resorts as well. I also knew that the carts are opened before the official park opening. I ate the ears and before I knew it birds were circling overhead, so I made my way to rope drop. Once I broke the chocolate shell, my Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar started melting. I was off and power walking. I had to get to Expedition Everest in a hurry to beat the line. First treat in Animal Kingdom Hollywood Studios Mickey Pretzel When I think of Hollywood Studios food, I think Writer’s Stop ( which is closed) for a carrot cake cookie, and The Hollywood Brown Derby for The original Brown Derby Cobb Salad and Grapefruit cake. But I was going for iconic in each park, not park exclusive. I chose the Mickey Pretzel without cheese as I knew that I wanted one along the way and this was a convenient location. Mickey Pretzel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios The pretzel was cold and expensive but still fun. Hurray for more food shaped like Mickey! I had a few bites and I was done. Epcot Popcorn and Beverly It was going to be a toss up… Norwegian School Bread at Kringla Bakeri og Cafe in the Norway Pavilion , and kakigōri, (Japanese shaved ice) at Kabuki Café have been my go to treats. School Bread For this #6Parks1Day challenge, I wanted to get a classic treat I could find in more than one location. I made a quick stop in Kringla Bakeri og Cafe but decided to stick to my plan. At this point I hadn’t really eaten much, and thought about getting something to take on the plane. But Magic Kingdom was going to be my time cruncher. I went in to Club Cool for a swig of Beverly as a nod to my son (and my West-Coast driver), Dennis. I decided Epcot was my popcorn park. I picked up a scoop of popcorn by Spaceship Earth on my way out of the park. Popcorn makes a great shareable snack, I left my souvenir popcorn bucket at home and that would have helped. It has a lid so popcorn wouldn’t have spilled all over the car. Sorry, Denise (my East-Coast driver). Popcorn in Epcot Magic Kingdom Funnel Cake and Dole Whip I knew I wanted to go to Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. The view of Cinderella Castle is my favorite. Fruit and Nutella waffle sandwiches seem like a meal to me, and to be honest, I am not a fan of Nutella. My choice in this park was a funnel cake. I added strawberry sauce so I could call it a healthy treat! Funnel Cake in Magic Kingdom I wanted to end my #6Parks1day challenge with a Disney Icon — Dole Whip. This is the treat I shared with each of my drivers. And my Walt Disney World driver had never had one! GASP! Dole Whip at the Magic Kingdom I headed to Adventureland while she was on her way. I had hoped to find my favorite egg roll cart opened but no such luck! (Once my friend joined me, the plan was an Egg Roll at Adventureland Snack Cart. At under $3, the egg rolls from Adventureland make a great, budget-friendly lunch and would have cut the overly sweet choice of the funnel cake.) We stopped at Aloha Isle and enjoyed the Dole Whip, then took in a few attractions before heading to the airport. On the flight to LAX, I had water and Gummy Snacks. They gave me 2 mini water bottles but I only had a few sips. I know I needed to hydrate and was already feeling rundown. I had a Disney Rice Krispie Treat with me but I decided to have some Disney gummy snacks while I watched The Disney Channel. Disney California Adventure Churro Another classic Disney snack, the World Famous Churro, was up first in California. I waited for this one! They are very different than their Florida counterpart. When you get them in Disneyland Resort, they are hot and fresh. These fried-dough pastry sticks are lightly dusted in cinnamon and sugar. They were perfect for eating on the way to my next attraction. Churros at Disney California Adventure Disneyland Park Dole Whip and Fried Chicken Dole Whip is the winner. Grabbing two spoons made it easy peasy to share a cup. They swirl it sky high and it’s sometimes hollow in the middle. In Disneyland Park they decorate it with a cherry and a festive umbrella! Watch me Whip! Dole Whip in Disneyland Before the park closed it was time for a Victory Dinner! Plaza Inn’s Fried Chicken is drool worthy. We shared, but I mostly ate potatoes and talked about my adventure. Fried Chicken dinner at The Plaza Inn, Disneyland What I Skipped There’s nothing like walking around holding a massive turkey leg. But I’m not a fan of this timeless Disney food. I have spent big dollars on caramel apples on each Disney trip. I LOVE them. They take an apple and drench them with goodness. They look adorable too. But no time and my snack list was full. Still smiling after six parks in one day! Disney Food Bucket List It was awesome going to “The Most Magical Place On Earth” and “The Happiest Place on Earth” getting classic Disney treats. Six Parks in One Day while sampling iconic treats! What is next up on my Disney Foodie Bucket-list? A snack or dessert at each resort in Walt Disney World in one day! Who’s with me? From Animal Kingdom Zebra Domes to Magic Bars at Wilderness Lodge, I’m making my list! Find Lori Fries over on Instagram at @BusyDisneyMom! 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 Merch: Iconic Disney Food T-Shirts Christmas Treats and Holiday Popcorn in Disney Parks and Resorts Favorite Ice Cold Snacks at Disney Parks View the full article

A group of CEO advisers that President-elect Donald Trump has established will include Bob Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Co. The President’s Strategic and Policy Forum was announced Friday. The group will meet with Trump “frequently” starting in February. The 16-member forum... View the full article

You may have seen Tom Smith’s announcement earlier today that Spaceship Earth at Epcot will be transformed to the Death Star in celebration for the upcoming release of Rogue One – A Star Wars Story. We’re happy to share that you will be able to watch this exclusive after-hours event right here on the Disney Parks Blog in our next #DisneyParksLIVE stream on Monday, December 5. The #DisneyParksLIVE stream will begin at 10:25 p.m. A fresh blog post will appear at the top of the blog at that time for viewing. To follow along on Twitter, use the hashtags #DisneyParksLIVE and #RogueOne. View the full article

Walt Disney World is turning Epcot's Spaceship Earth into the "Star Wars" Death Star for a special event on Monday, Dec. 5. Disney will use digital projections to transform the look of the theme park's iconic structure into one that resembles the Empire's famed spaceship. Disney says the event... View the full article

A brand-new Disney PhotoPass Studio just debuted in the Marketplace at Disney Springs, and is the perfect place to snap a family portrait. At the Studio, guests can choose from the original standard background or new virtual backgrounds that place you front and center at some of your favorite Disney scenes. A Disney PhotoPass Photographer will be onhand to find the perfect virtual background for your portrait. Along with additional portrait spaces, new view stations have been installed for you to easily preview, purchase and print all of your vacation memories linked to your Disney account with the assistance of a Disney PhotoPass Photographer*. Reservations are not needed to visit the Disney PhotoPass Studio, and photos taken at this location will be linked to your My Disney Experience account. Studio photos are also included as part of an active Memory Maker entitlement. *Online account registration required. Disney PhotoPass Service and Memory Maker are subject to the Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker terms and applicable policies available at https://mydisneyphotopass.disney.go.com/help-and-support/policies. Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. View the full article

The smell of fresh gingerbread continues to fill Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park, now that Halloween Time has given way to Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. In the video below, we take you back to September for a look behind the scenes as the team assembled the Sally-inspired gingerbread house centerpiece. View the full article

Disney Parks How-To Make a Bento Box Magical: Kakamora From Disney’s 'Moana' View the full article

Our next Disney Parks Blog meet-up may be the best of the year and you have an opportunity to join us for this special after-hours event at Epcot. On December 5, 2016, we are celebrating Star Wars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as the upcoming film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with an invite-only meet-up that’ll feature Spaceship Earth magically transforming into the Death Star. The Disney Parks Blog hosted meet-up, that will include local media, will be held after hours at Epcot in Florida on Monday, December 5, 2016. Specific timing and details will be shared via email to individuals whose valid RSVPs are received before we reach the planned capacity for the event. During our Star Wars celebration, Spaceship Earth will be transformed into the Death Star through digital projections. And before the Death Star appears, we will be sharing updates on current and upcoming Star Wars experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. RSVP for the meet-up NOW by clicking here. Only one guest is permitted per attendee. A limited number of attendees may attend the meet-up, so be one of the first to sign up. If you are not able to attend, you can watch it live right here on the Disney Parks Blog on Monday night. Also, here are a few things you should know: All attendees who sign up for the meet-up must be 18 years or older, but guests do not need to be 18 or older. Limit one guest per registrant. The experience is an invitation only event happening after Epcot park hours and does not include park admission. We will send an email to individuals whose valid RSVPs are received by us before we reach the planned capacity to confirm their attendance for the meet-up. If confirmed, it will be necessary for the registrant and guest to check in at the front of Epcot for access to the event. The confirmation will include those details. Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in. Meet-up confirmations are non-transferrable and have no cash value. Confirmation will be for the accepted registered person and guest. If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation, then your RSVP was not accepted. The meet-up is subject to change or cancellation without notice. This post will be updated after capacity has been reached. Looking forward to seeing you there. View the full article

Guests at Shanghai Disney Resort celebrated the 200th performance of THE LION KING Mandarin production this week with a full house at the lavish, 1,200-seat Walt Disney Grand Theatre. This visually captivating and uplifting musical based on the classic Disney film is one of the most popular and longest-running Broadway shows in China. The show’s cast commemorated the special occasion by snapping a selfie after curtain call with the entire audience and enjoying a splendid, handcrafted cake backstage from Chinese celebrity Jolin Cai and her award-winning creative team. And to celebrate the 200th performance, a digital billboard in Pudong will continue to glimmer into the night sharing the milestone with the people of Shanghai. The first Mandarin production of THE LION KING has been running exclusively at the Walt Disney Grand Theatre in Disneytown since its premiere on June 14, 2016. The musical showcases an outstanding cast with local talent as well as performers from all over the world, making this a distinctive and unique Broadway-caliber experience. Be sure to check out THE LION KING Mandarin production at Shanghai Disney Resort during your next visit, and keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more milestones from our newest Disney resort. View the full article

Each month this year, I’ve traveled around World Showcase at Epcot sharing looks at beautiful architecture and unique products found in each pavilion. This month, my unforgettable shopping adventure concludes with a visit to Mexico Pavilion. Within the majestic pyramid of the Mexico Pavilion, guests will find the Plaza de los Amigos located just past a gallery containing historic artifacts. The plaza is an “open air” marketplace with festive carts and shops such as La Tienda Encantada that carries accessories and fine jewelry, or La Princesa de Cristal that is home to crystal and glassware by Arribas Brothers. In the plaza, guests will also find the Gran Fiesta Tour attraction starring The Three Caballeros; the San Angel Inn Restaurante that is modeled after a 17th-century hacienda at the base of Mayan ruins; and La Cava del Tequila that has over 200 tequilas, top-shelf cocktails, Mexican beer and wine. I love how the inside of this pavilion feels like perpetual twilight. I enjoyed strolling throughout the plaza while looking at the colorful assortment of glassware, food items, leather goods, and decorative figurines. During my visit, I also found apparel and drinkware featuring Disney characters, and beautiful handcrafted Mexican jewelry and scarves. Finally, I was delighted to see products celebrating Día de los Muertos. Guests will find T-shirts created especially for World Showcase, jewelry, handbags, home goods and more. They also recently introduced gorgeous handmade dolls inspired by this annual celebration. Guests may find select items from this pavilion using the Shop Disney Parks mobile app. To download, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Shop. Here are some additional photographs of products that caught my eye in Mexico Pavilion: View the full article

First, it was my nieces. They can’t get enough of the “Frozen” story of two sisters – fun loving and strong-willed, who overcome challenges to find their courage and strength in the love for each other. They own the dresses, the tiaras, and of course, the DVD. And now, my toddler son is delighted by Olaf, and somehow already knows the words to the film’s most popular song, even though he’s never seen the movie. This story continues in the Epcot attraction “Frozen Ever After” at the Norway Pavilion, where you sail through the kingdom of Arendelle during a “Summer Snow Day.” We’ll let some of our young guests share their adventure with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and their friends as they make their way up the North Mountain to the Ice Palace. View the full article

Disney's 'Moana' Meet-Up | Walt Disney World View the full article

Follow the scent of gingerbread into the stately lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort, and there you’ll find the “Grand” Gingerbread House. Standing seven feet tall and 12 feet wide, this massive confection took a whopping 1,400 hours to bake and assemble. What does it take to make such a beautiful (and edible) display? 600 pounds gingerbread 600 pounds powdered sugar 12 gallons egg whites 3.5 gallons lemon juice 150 pounds fondant 1 pound glitter The gingerbread house is assembled using a little magic and a lot of skill by six craftsmen, two electricians and 16 bakers and pastry chefs. Can’t make it to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa to check it out yourself? Take a look at the all the festive details in these photos! View the full article

Snacking with a special diet or allergy can be tricky at Walt Disney World, but Disney has released something that might make life a little easier! Pure Growth Organic Snacks are, at a minimum, organic and all natural. While these grab-and-go snacks aren’t hearty meals, families can stash them in a backpack and eat on the go or in line. And, as a bonus, they come with Disney characters on the packaging to make them feel like a more magical snack! Pure Growth Organic breakfast bar packaging A few variations of the snacks are found in parks merchandise shops and in most resorts. Many of the snacks are Disney Dining Plan snack credit eligible, but some have multiple servings in the package and are not. Let’s have a look at each of the new snacks! Popcorn I know, I know, you might be wondering why we’re talking about popcorn when we rave about popcorn across the World. (Here’s a sampling of said popcorn — and popcorn from popcorn carts at Disney parks is vegan and gluten free.) But this popcorn is different… Pure Growth Organic sea salt popcorn Pure Growth Organic Snacks popcorn is pretty darn healthy as far as popped corn goes. It’s organic, kosher, gluten free, cholesterol free, and doesn’t contain MSGm trans fat, artificial colors or flavors. BAM!!! Pure Growth Organic popcorn pack For $9.99, you get six snack-size popcorn bags – three white cheddar flavored and three sea salt flavored. Pure Growth Organic white cheddar popcorn Both flavors are tasty, but the white cheddar is obviously the more flavorful option. The great thing about the white cheddar is how you get all the cheddar flavor but none of the sticky fingers that come with most flavored popcorns! Close-up of white cheddar popcorn Each bag is about .6 ounces, and as you can see above, it’s a nice, light snack. That can hold you over until lunch and/or keep a hangry tantrum at bay. Pure Growth Organic popcorn pack serving size I think this is a great snack option, especially for families looking for gluten-free options! Mickey Shaped Animal Crackers It’s not hard to find a cute animal cracker, but make it Mickey-shaped, and it’s even more cute! Pure Growth Organic animal crackers There are two flavors: original and chocolate. I only tried the chocolate flavor, which is surprisingly chocolate-y! Pure Growth Organic original flavor animal cracker packaging Mickey is on the packaging that contains 7 ounces of animal crackers (FYI — according to the Pure Growth Organic, a 7-ounce package contains about 70 individual crackers, which seems like a pretty filling snack to me)! Pure Growth Organic chocolate animal crackers For $7.49, I think this is a bag that would be good for snacking throughout the day — especially for little ones! Pure Growth Organic animal crackers nutrition Unlike the popcorn, the animal crackers are not gluten free, but they are organic, baked, free of MSG, artificial colors, flavors and trans fats. Cinnamon Brown Sugar Breakfast Bars One of my favorite ways to save time and money at Disney is by bringing breakfast items and eating them on the way to the parks, and the BB-8 packaging on these cinnamon brown sugar bars makes it even more appealing! Pure Growth Organic cinnamon brown sugar breakfast bars For $7.49, you get a box of five individually wrapped breakfast bars. Each bar is 150 calories, which isn’t very much, but it’s enough to hold you over until your next meal, or as a quick breakfast. The individual packaging on these makes it an easy snack to carry in the parks with a small bag, too! Pure Growth Organic breakfast bar unwrapped I was really pleased with how flavorful this was. You can definitely taste the cinnamon! The bar is super soft and chewy. Pure Growth Organic breakfast bar cross-section Sadly, these breakfast bars are not gluten free either. But they are organic, low fat, kosher, and baked. They do not contain any artificial color or flavors, MSG, preservatives or trans fats. Pure Growth Organic breakfast bar nutrition I think this is a convenient, tasty snack to pick up in the park — plus, BB-8 is just about the cutest robot ever, right? Overall I’m glad to see some options available in the parks for those with special diets and allergies. It’s refreshing to recognize all of the ingredients on the nutrition label. And it’s super convenient to be able to carry packaged snacks around instead of waiting in line at a restaurant — not to mention the money you will save and the tantrums you could prevent when “hanger” strikes! More detailed nutrition information can be found on the Pure Growth Organic website for each snack. According to the website, you can buy them at Amazon or Walmart, too, for a fraction of the price! Have you tried these snacks yet? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: “Snacks with Character” Allergy-Friendly Items Now Available in Disney Parks SNEAK PEEK: New Disney-Branded Allergy Friendly Snacks Guest Review: Allergy Friendly Dining at Walt Disney World View the full article

If you are looking for unique holiday gifts from Disney Parks, mark your calendars for these upcoming Disney merchandise events taking place in December 2016 at Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom Park December 5 – Uptown Jewelers on Main Street, U.S.A. will be hosting modern day calligrapher Singling Lee for a special one day promotion from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Guests who purchase a minimum of $125 in PANDORA Jewelry at the shop on December 5 will receive a personalized calligraphy on a commemorative item. Please note commemorative items are available while supplies last. Separate admission to Magic Kingdom Park is required. December 18-22 – Guests can meet artist Larry Dotson at the Main Street Cinema on Main Street, U.S.A. from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Epcot December 1-3 – Meet artist William Silvers from 3:00-9:00 p.m. at the Art of Disney shop in Future World. December 2-4 – Guests can meet Rachelle Eason from Boiled Books at the Port of Entry from park open to close. She will also appear at the location on December 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, and December 30 – January 1, 2017. December 2-4 – Guests can check out the latest Yardley fragrance and beauty products and meet representatives from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. each day at The Queen’s Table in United Kingdom pavilion. They will return to the location on December 16-18 and December 29 – January 1, 2017. We will be offering bottle painting and personalization on December 3-4, 17-18, and 29-30. December 5-11 – Artist Larry Dotson will appear at The Art of Disney in Future World from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day. He will return to The Puffin’s Roost in Norway pavilion on December 26-28 where he will meet with guests from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. December 8-9 – Guests can meet representatives from Kit Heath at The Queen’s Table in United Kingdom pavilion at World Showcase from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. each day. December 9-10 – Representatives from Dale of Norway will be at The Puffins Roost in Norway pavilion from park open to close each day. December 10 – Guests are invited to attend an Antica Murrina event in Il Bel Cristallo at the Italy pavilion from 12 Noon to 7:00 p.m. December 13-17 – Meet Geir Ness, creator of Laila Fragrances & Beauty Products, at The Puffins Roost in Norway pavilion from 12 Noon to 6:00 p.m. each day. December 14-18 – Marie Line Patry, National Director for Fragrances and Beauty at Guerlain, will be at La Signature in France pavilion from 12 Noon – 8:00 p.m. each day. She will share beauty advice and tips with guests during her appearances. December 15-19 – Artist David Doss returns to The Art of Disney shop in Future World. He will meet with guests from 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. each day. December 16-17 – Attend a Fontanini Nativity Set Signing with artist Emanuele Fontanini at Il Bel Cristallo in Italy pavilion. Emanuele will sign items from 12 Noon – 3:00 p.m., and from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. each day. December 16-17 – Santa’s Village outside The American Adventure will host artist Patsy Larson for a Ne’Qwa ornament signing event from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. each day. View the full article

Figment, a Walt Disney World fan favorite, will get the topiary treatment for the 2017 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. A 6-foot-tall version of the dragon, a longtime part of the theme park’s Imagination pavilion, will be perched atop a 5-foot-diameter ball fashioned from yellow Joseph’s... View the full article

The Making of Walt Disney World’s First Drones Show | Disney Springs View the full article

So, we showed you a little something special during our most recent tour around Disney World… Musical Tree Tin with Shortbread Rounds …and it’s taken the DFB team by storm!! Two of our team members have made it a priority to purchase this one! Our Disneyland Correspondent, Heather Sievers, spotted it…and totally bought it…in Disneyland, recently! I know it LOOKS like it’s a simple tree tin featuring pictures of the new Storybook Plush Character Ornaments that can be found at Disney merchandise spots at the moment. BUT! Shortbread Rounds Musical Tree Tin It’s also MUSICAL. AND it rotates! Better yet? It’s filled with thirteen individually wrapped Shortbread Cookie Rounds (those yummy Walker kind — each individual pack contains two cookies…so you get 26 cookies). Shortbread Rounds Shortbread Rounds The price is $35.99, and Heather (who has been enjoying hers immensely!) assures that it’s very well made, so she anticipates that the sturdy little tree will be part of her decorations LONG after the cookies are gone ;). Inside Musical Tree Tin with Shortbread Rounds If you’re interested in getting one for yourself or as a gift for a fellow Disney fan, keep an eye out at merchandise locations around Disney World AND Disneyland (your best bet might be the larger stores such as World of Disney on either coast or Epcot’s Mouse Gear and the like). Happy Shopping! What do you think of the Shortbread Tree Tin? 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: Spotted! Musical Tumbler in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Beer, Wine, and Cookies Christmas Tree Snack Series: Caramel Covered Shortbread in Epcot View the full article