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Get ready to celebrate the return of a Disney Parks icon! As we told you earlier this year, the Main Street Electrical Parade is coming back to the place it began – Disneyland park – for a limited time, beginning January 20. Whether you’re making new memories or reliving favorite moments, this is a homecoming celebration you’ll want to share with family and friends. This encore performance at Disneyland park will run nightly until June 18 – that’s 45 years after it first lit up Main Street, U.S.A., in 1972! During this limited-time celebration, guests will also enjoy special merchandise and food offerings inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade – we’ll have more to share on those very soon. Want to celebrate the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade in style? Join us on January 19 for a special, after-hours premiere event and be among the first to experience the return of this beloved parade. After the park closes, premiere event ticket holders will enjoy a night of exclusive access to most Disneyland park attractions and select restaurants, featuring a special performance of the Main Street Electrical Parade ahead of its official debut to the public. Tickets go on sale for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders tomorrow, Dec. 6, and to the general public on December 13. Information will be available on Disneyland.com beginning tomorrow. Join us in January as we welcome the Main Street Electrical Parade home to Disneyland park for a limited time! View the full article

Chefs Masaharu Morimoto and Art Smith teamed up for a progressive dinner through their two Disney Springs restaurants. View the full article

Clutching her red “Iron Chef” TV show apron, Peggy Eary from Winter Haven said she was going to frame the frock. Earlier Saturday night, Chef Masaharu Morimoto scrawled his signature on it during “Sake and Shine,” a progressive dinner that featured the Iron Chef as well as celebrity Chef Art Smith. ... View the full article

Five words I hate to hear at Epcot's Candlelight Processional: I like to sing along. Ugh. Over the weekend, I joined out-of-town friends visiting Walt Disney World , and they had purchased dinner packages for Candlelight. I went to the stand-by line and luckily got one of the last available seats. ... View the full article

A Disney Vacation Club Visit With the Voice of 'Moana' View the full article

When the Disney Magic sails out of New York City in the fall of 2017, we’ve assembled a special crew of legendary Super Heroes to bring you an epic day of fun on seven special Marvel Day at Sea sailings. To summon your inner Super Hero during this action-packed day, here are seven things you won’t want to miss… Exclusive character interactions: Some of the mightiest Marvel Super Heroes and the menacing foes who oppose them will be onboard for fun and photos. An extraordinary deck party: A brand-new celebration will fill the upper deck with music, dancing and games. A spectacular fireworks show: A stunning display of themed pyrotechnics will fill the night sky. Test of Marvel knowledge: Kids and families can enjoy friendly competition during trivia games covering courageous heroes and fun facts from the Marvel Universe. Marvel-themed youth activities: Young heroes-in-training can join games, activities and arts and crafts in the Marvel’s Avengers Academy in the Oceaneer Club. Treats of epic proportions: Unique food and beverage offerings and special merchandise are inspired by the Marvel Universe. Exclusive at-sea screenings: Watch fan-favorite films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the newest theatrical releases, as well as Disney XD shows: Marvel’s Avengers Assemble, Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel Day at Sea will boast the largest collection of Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains ever assembled on a cruise ship. Who’s ready to join forces with them? View the full article

‘Tis the season for delicious holiday treats from Disney Parks! A few weeks ago, my fellow author Rachel Bshero gave you a look at candy treats found at Disneyland Resort. The treats she shared were only a handful of items we offer during the holiday season. Here is a look at other festive confections created especially for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. This holiday season, we introduced several new treats including Gingerbread popcorn that has Gingerbread bites mixed in with the popcorn. We also released three small decorative gift bags that are filled with gummy candies. You may recall seeing similar gift bags during Halloween earlier this year. These last minute gift options fit nicely in a stocking. For cooler winter days, we have a new holiday mug that can be filled with flavored coffee or hot cocoa. The four-pack of flavored coffee includes a holiday blend along with gingerbread, pumpkin spice, and egg nog blends. The three-pack of hot cocoa contains flavored mixes such as chocolate s’mores, mint chocolate, and white chocolate (I’ll take them all please!). Other options include frosted pretzels, a decorative tin with peppermint bark, or a Mickey Mouse-shaped ornament that has chocolate candies. I particularly like the Gingerbread cookie mix that includes a Mickey Mouse cookie cutter. The candy apples Rachel previously shared can be found in locations with on-stage kitchens such as Main Street Confectionery on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park, or Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure park. The on-stage kitchen locations also carry a variety of freshly-made cookies, candies and more. If you aren’t headed to Disney Parks for the holidays, you can try making a snowman candy apple at home as seen in this “Holiday How To” video. Finally, I spotted something new this holiday season while visiting Goofy’s Candy Company in Disney Springs Marketplace. It was a chocolate-covered marshmallow surrounded by peppermint bits attached to the end of a candy cane. It seems like it would be the perfect addition to that mug of hot cocoa I am now craving. View the full article

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