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It was a HAPPY DAY when it was announced that the Disney California Food & Wine Festival would return to the Disneyland Resort for 2016 after a four year hiatus. Running on weekends throughout April 2016, it was a much-welcome celebration of food, wine, and the culinary scene in California. Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Well, what if I were to tell you that a new Festival is making its debut THIS YEAR… but this time, the HOLIDAY SEASON will be the focus? Because IT IS!!! Disney California Adventure is hosting the Festival of Holidays from November 10, 2016, through January 8, 2017! ©Disney No matter where you live or what you celebrate, the holidays go hand in hand with food for almost everyone. (That’s one of the reasons we love Holidays Around the World at Epcot, which offers special snacks among the holiday festivities in addition to the regular offerings around World Showcase — almost like its own mini-version of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.) So we are REALLY looking forward to experiencing the ways the Festival of Holidays is going to incorporate the tastes of the season at its 14 Festival Marketplaces! So basically it’ll be a holiday FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL!! Disney announced that the food and drinks at the Marketplaces will be “internationally inspired,” which will help it fit right in with the already beloved Disney ¡Viva Navidad! celebration — which includes El Día de los Reyes Magos in January — and live global music to accompany the event. (Oh, and Princess Elena of Avalor will make her Disneyland Resort debut during the Festival, too!) But that’s not the end of things for the Holiday Season at Disneyland! Staying in Disney California Adventure, World of Color — Season of Light will bring a merry twist to the nighttime spectacular. ©Disney And in Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, the Believe… in Holiday Magic fireworks show, and A Christmas Fantasy Parade will all make their returns, along with special holiday versions of the it’s a small world and Haunted Mansion attractions. ©Disney Busy though he may be, even Santa Claus can’t resist all of this fun! When he pays a visit to Disney California Adventure, he and his elves will be hitting the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. When he makes his stops in Disneyland, he will be found in Critter Country. ©Disney So, mark your calendars for November 10 – January 8, Disneylanders! Because The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is going to get even better… and better-tasting! Are you as excited as we are to hear about the Festival of Holidays? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Returns in April 2016 News: FULL Booth Menus Released for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival! Best of the Fest: What to Eat at the 2016 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival View the full article

Well, we just finished the 34th Night of Joy at Walt Disney World and this year’s event brought the best names in Contemporary Christian music to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the first time. The Complex (as we call it at Walt Disney World Resort) came alive with music and festivities for this year’s event – with Champion Stadium, the HP Fieldhouse, Jostens Center and The ESPN Grill filled to the brim with music, games, food and fun. Having our three venues within shouting distance of each other, guests could move between concerts with ease, which made the main Hub of the Complex a beehive of activity. Walt Disney Entertainment – including our own Mark Daniels from “Inside Disney Parks” – provided commentary from throughout the event. Giant TV screens broadcast concerts and event outtakes to guests taking advantage of the Complex food trucks and other dining options. And – if that weren’t enough – we even got to announce the dates for next year’s event – Sept. 8 and 9, 2017 – back again at The Complex. If you couldn’t make it this year, here’s a taste of what you missed and what you can catch next year – including a little “shout out” from Night of Joy All Stars MercyMe – who will be back again in 2017. This year’s concert ticket for Saturday included a day at one of our four theme parks; and our guests just loved to tell us what a great time they had enjoying the parks during the day and then the concerts at night. Touches of Disney magic were felt throughout the night with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald dressed in their finest sportswear greeting guests and taking photos. In addition to the great music, the event showcased the best The Complex has to offer including world class sporting fields, which were transformed into “Fields of Joy.” During the event, guests competed in soccer, baseball, football and other sports challenges. Before the concerts, guests enjoyed friendly competitions – including 4v4 soccer and field-goal kicking – with a leaderboard showcasing high scores for bragging rights. Jostens Center hosted our FanFest, which featured interactive games and sports along with concerts, including larger-than-life, interactive chess boards brought to the event by the enchanting new film from Disney, in association with ESPN Films, “Queen of Katwe.” Fans got to learn more about the film based on a remarkable true story while playing life-size chess. Guests can see the film in theaters starting September 23. Our Night of Joy Talent Spotlight also featured some of the finest local Christian music talent in the ESPN Grill. It truly was two very special nights. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for all the details on next year’s event. View the full article

As we get closer to the premiere of “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” aboard the Disney Wonder this November, excitement is growing to see how our A-list creative team will transform a film you love into a musical like none other. Having seen a sneak peek of the show in development, I can tell you this heart-felt adaptation blends the beloved story of “Frozen” with the magic of Disney in a brand-new way. The film’s Scandinavian influence is something our team is working hard to bring to life on stage in the Walt Disney Theatre. In the next video from our making-of series, you’ll hear ways they’re creatively weaving Nordic culture throughout “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” in aspects such as the costumes, script, set design and more… To learn more about the making of “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular,” check out our past posts: ‘Frozen, A Musical Spectacular’ Takes the Stage at Disney Cruise Line Adapting the Magic of ‘Frozen’ to the Stage Aboard the Disney Wonder View the full article

Planet Hollywood's location in Disney Springs is preparing to hire 500 full and part-time employees, following up on promises it made when it laid off almost that many in November. The positions are mostly lower-paying jobs, but it's a sign that a landmark at Disney Springs is preparing to reopen. ... View the full article

Planet Hollywood's location in Disney Springs is preparing to hire 500 full and part-time employees, following up on promises it made when it laid off almost that many in November. The positions are mostly lower-paying jobs, but it's a sign that a landmark at Disney Spring is preparing to reopen. ... View the full article

Traversing the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival really feels like a trip around the world if you’re trying to visit all 30 marketplaces geared to a country, region or theme. I’ve mapped out a few dining options that won’t take you quite “around the world” — but will fill some other needs,... View the full article

Theme Parks reporter Dewayne Bevil and I have taken our first tour around the world at the 2016 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. We tasted the dishes from about half of the booths and survived a hot Florida day. Check out the photo gallery above for a look at the food we tried! We’ll... View the full article

Theme parks reporter Dewayne Bevil and food reporter Lauren Delgado make their way around the world at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival - and take photos of food, of course. View the full article

Celebrating #DisneyGrandMoments | Walt Disney World View the full article

As I continue celebrating grandparents this week, here’s a look at some of the best attractions to create lasting memories with the little ones – and the big ones! Exploring the Walt Disney World Resort is a part of what makes a Disney vacation truly special for multigenerational families. The other part is experiencing some of the best attractions available across all four theme parks. In honor of the grandest week of the year, here’s a countdown of the top five recommended attractions that will provide thrills, unique moments and unforgettable adventures. Festival of the Lion King This Broadway-style show is truly a celebration of family, friendship and all things fun! Your entire family can sing along to the movies’ classic song while enjoying some of the best entertainment there is. I think it is a beautiful show! Don’t miss the chance to join in the party when it’s time to sing Hakuna Matata! Everyone can join for a chance to dance like a Tumble monkey. Frozen Ever After at Epcot’s Norway Pavilion Hoist the sails towards the magical kingdom of Arendelle aboard an ancient Norwegian vessel as you set out into the wintery world of Frozen! Children of all ages will enjoy letting it go with Queen Elsa as they sing along to the movie’s hit songs. Grandparents or parents, who may remember this ride as Maelstrom, will enjoy this reimagined attraction through the eyes of your children and grandchildren. Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Put your skills to the test on this 4D shooting game starring everyone’s favorite cowboy and space ranger. Toy Story Mania! invites you to play 5 unique, virtual carnival games in 3D alongside the loveable cast of characters from the Disney•Pixar Toy Story films. Points pile up when you hit your mark. As any good cowboy or cowgirl knows, harder-to-hit targets are worth more. After each game, your score is posted showing how well you did; after all games are played, your total score is tallied and displayed. So go ahead! It’s time for some good ol’ family competition. Who can get the higher score? Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Gather the entire family and prepare to visit the seven dwarfs in the diamond covered mine! This truly is an attraction that the smaller, and older, members of the family can enjoy together. Even waiting in line will be a blast! Grandchildren can share fun game with grandparents as they wash and sort newly discovered jewels before embarking on their exciting mine train adventure. Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom As you know, I love to walk around the park and try and name all the animals I see. So naturally, Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of my favorite rides. Specially at sunset, so nice! Put on your zebra Minnie ears and safari hats and get ready to drive through the African savanna on Kilimanjaro Safaris. The options to celebrate grandparents are endless! What attraction will your family ride first? View the full article

Three new shirts from the YesterEars vintage collection will be offered on the Disney Parks online store in September. Last month, you may recall we introduced this new collection, which contains limited release apparel inspired by classic Walt Disney World Resort attractions and locations. Here are details about the three shirts you’ll find from September 15-22, 2016 at DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents. The first shirt was inspired by the Walt Disney World Village, which is known today as Disney Springs. Originally called Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, the area opened in March 1975 and was made up of buildings now found in Disney Springs Marketplace. The name was changed in 1977 to Walt Disney World Village. Disney Design Group artist Richard Terpstra created the artwork for this Hanes Nano-T. I recall spending family vacations shopping at places such as Pottery Chalet Gourmet Pantry or Toys Fantastique. Disney Design Group artist Cortney Williams created the second shirt inspired by a sign found outside of the former Neverland Club at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Today, this children’s activity center at the resort is called Lilo’s Playhouse. I asked Cortney why she chose to design this Hanes Nano-T. “My family stayed at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in 1984,” explained Cortney. “I begged my parents to take me to see [The Neverland Club] mostly because I wanted to go through the nursery window just like the Darling children did in Walt Disney’s ‘Peter Pan.’ I also remember seeing the location sign every time we passed by the resort while riding the Walt Disney World Monorail.” Cortney also designed the final shirt for this month’s YesterEars collection. Inspired by a trail sign, this Hanes Nano-T celebrates the former Camp Minnie-Mickey area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I found a few photos from my first visit to the location in March 1998. Stay tuned in October for additional items from the YesterEars Collection. I’d love to hear your memories in the comments below. View the full article

Fans eagerly anticipating the release of Disney’s “Moana” got a first look at the adventure driving the film, with a new trailer released Thursday morning. While previous trailers have made much of Moana being a regular girl (albeit with special ocean powers), the latest look at the film lays... View the full article

One of our favorite spots for lunch at Epcot is Nine Dragons Restaurant at the China Pavilion, with authentic Chinese dishes on the menu like the Shanghai xiaolongbao, steamed Shanghai-style pork soup dumplings – it’s the only place in Central Florida that we’ve found the authentic version. A little secret: you often can stop by without a reservation and get a window table overlooking World Showcase Promenade in the spacious dining room. Service is swift and pleasant, and the cool restaurant is a lovely respite from the Florida mid-day sun. We pair the crisp cucumber salad with the dumplings for a quick lunch, but you can relax and enjoy everything from steamed Chinese buns with braised pork belly to classics like honey-sesame chicken and lo mein. Add a cold Tsingtao beer or sip a cocktail such as the Shanghai Fusion (light rum, cherry brandy, plum wine, grapefruit and pineapple juices). Proprietor Stephen Fan is a native of Shanghai, thus those special dumplings. (Cast members who were on loan for the Shanghai Disneyland opening will especially appreciate the authentic menu.) View the full article

In today’s Disney Doodle, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Pinocchio and Geppetto would do first if they had the chance to visit a Disney Park. Ashley imagined the duo having a big family dinner – complete with pals Figaro and Cleo – at Via Napoli at Epcot. Ashley chose that location because according to her, Via Napoli has that “Old World Italian charm! I can easily picture Gepetto bringing his family there for a special night out!” View the full article

It’s heeeeere… the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival has officially begun!! And since the first day of the Festival is my favorite day of the year, I’m here, too, of course! The DFB Team has been hard at work tasting our way around every single Marketplace Booth to let you know the items you absolutely MUST EAT at the Festival this year! Be sure to click over to our Marketplace Booth Page to see pictures of every single dish at the Festival. Just click through the links for each booth to see pictures of all your favorite dishes, along with every single new one from this year! Then meet me right back here to check out our recommendations for the BEST of the FEST! Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Drizzle at Chew Collective Layers of thick peanut butter mousse and white chocolate mousse with some sugared peanuts on top make up this dessert at Chew Collective…and it’s my idea of perfection. Super rich and salty-sweet, you will not be disappointed. Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Drizzle It’s a small portion, but the sweetness will knock your socks off. Grilled Beef Skewer with Romaine, Apricots, and Feta Cheese at Chew Collective Plan on arriving hungry to Chew Collective — you’ll want to also get that peanut butter mousse we just talked about. Seriously crazy good. Cooked perfectly, the skewer showcased medium/medium rare beef. I found the marinated flavor to be spot on. To be fair, Chef Dee Foundoukis was working the booth so I’m sure she had something to do with the outstanding taste. ;-D Grilled Beef Skewer with Romaine, Apricots and Feta Cheese What’s not to love about meat on a stick?! Seared Scallop, Truffled Celery Root Purée, Brussels Sprouts, and Wild Mushrooms featuring Melissa’s Produce at Wine & Dine Studio Seared lightly, this lush scallop dish featured at Wine & Dine Studio was fresh, earthy, and savory. Seared Scallop with Truffled Celery Root Puree, brussels sprouts, and wild mushrooms Our favorite of the surrounding ingredients was that Truffled Celery Root Purée — creamy and delicious! Red Wine Chocolate Truffle at Chocolate Studio Looking for a decadent little treat? Stop by the Chocolate Studio! This truffle is for my wine and chocolate lovers. The mousse-like texture adds to the indulgence. Give it a try — it’s only a bit over $2. Red Wine Chocolate Truffle I noted a distinct wine flavor; if you don’t like red wine, this isn’t for you. Frozen Mojito at Islands of the Caribbean While this year’s returning mojito at Islands of the Caribbean is being served in a smaller glass, it’s still one of my standbys for cooling off during a hot festival day. Always good — it still has a super refreshing flavor. Frozen Mojito Tart with just a hint of muddled mint, it’s a festival classic! Sprecher Hard Orange Cream Soda Float at Desserts and Champagne If you recall, the selections at Desserts & Champagne Booth haven’t exactly wowed me at past festivals. That all changed with last year’s Orange Blossom Brewery Toasted Coconut Porter Float with Caramel Ice Cream. Now there’s a new float that has won me over — the Sprecher Hard Orange Cream Soda Float. Super fun, right? Hard Sprecher Orange Cream Soda Float Served in a unique glass, this orange cream float is super fun for for the grown-ups. But don’t worry, kiddos — there are non-alcoholic floats available here as well! Try the grape fanta version! Two Henrys Elderberry Hard Cider at Farm Fresh Now, we’re not recommending that you bypass the mac ‘n cheese at Farm Fresh this year. We just think you should wash it down with Elderberry Hard Cider. This beverage is not too sweet and very refreshing. Two Henrys Elderberry Hard Cider Don’t pass this one up; you can thank me later. Strawberry Plum Wine Cooler with Takara Plum Wine at China This one surprised me. A refreshing and fruity flavored cooler at China, we love the sweet-tart taste. Sooooo good! Muddled strawberries add to the decadence of this blend. (A tip from DFB: This one goes down super easy. ;D) Strawberry Plum Wine Cooler And it’s totally worth the wait in the super hot, no-shade-to-be-found line. Korean-style BBQ Beef with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi at South Korea Returning for the second year in a row to our Best of the Fest list, you’ll want to experience the deliciousness that is Korean-style BBQ Beef at the South Korea booth. While a little bit on the salty side, this rich (due to the fatty texture of the short ribs) dish has a delicious, spicy flavor. Korean-style BBQ Beef with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi DFB can recommend both the vegan and regular versions. Smoked Beef Brisket and Pimento Cheese Served on Griddled Garlic Toast at Hops & Barley OK, some barbecue can be pretty mediocre — especially at Disney, but Hops & Barley gets bragging rights for a perfect brisket. This stick-to-your-ribs grub is SO good! Super savory and perfect with the pimento cheese, you’ll love the great texture. Eat it as-is — make sure you get a bite of the buttery toast in the mix!! Smoked Beef Brisket and Pimento Cheese served on Griddled Garlic Toast But wait. There’s another comfort food that you shouldn’t miss at Hops & Barley. Read on… Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing at Hops & Barley Every carrot cake that I recommend must be finished with cream cheese icing. THIS super moist (so moist it’s almost a pudding) carrot cake has now become my favorite thing at the festival because, well, WARM cream cheese icing. And don’t forget to ask for extra icing like I did in the picture below! ;-D Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing Hops & Barley is the new Canada for me — not-to-be-missed! Spicy Hummus Fries with Cucumber, Tomato, Onions and Tzatziki Sauce at Morocco Morocco took our breath away with this one. We didn’t expect a healthy alternative to French fries to be a show-stopper. Yet, we couldn’t stop eating them! Unique and crispy, the Spicy Hummus Fries reminded us of falafel. Spicy Hummus Fries We don’t think the sauce was Tzatziki since it was red (but you Tzatziki gurus feel free to correct us in the comments!). While sweet and spicy, it had a creaminess to it. Frozen Daiquiri Ice Pop: Strawberry Puree with French Caribbean Rhum Clément at France Boozy popsicles are still popular at France. Made with real strawberries, this frozen blend of strawberry puree and rum is extremely refreshing. Adding some depth to this popsicle, the distinct alcohol flavor is definitely present. Nobody’s going to mistake this one for a kiddie treat. Frozen Daiquiri Ice Pop Super fun for selfies, this unique treat doubles as a cocktail. Win-win! Twinings Pumpkin Chai Tea and Caramel Shake at Ireland You can get this one with or without caramel vodka… can’t decide? Try both versions made with Pumpkin Chai Tea at Ireland. We know you’ll love the shake consistency that transforms this beverage into a decadent treat. Crushed vanilla wafers add to the fall-like fun. Twinings Pumpkin Chai Tea and Caramel Shake (non-alcoholic) This one was very creamy and thick with a prominent pumpkin flavor. Frozen Szarlotka Apple Pie featuring Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka at Poland Poland bills the Frozen Szarlotka Apple Pie as a beverage but we really think it’s more of a dessert. Either way, it’s fun and unique! Frozen Szarlotka (Apple Pie) Great on these super hot, early fall days. But We’re Not Finished Yet! If you’re thinking, “Wait… what about my favorite dish from last year? I love the Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese at Farm Fresh. Is it gone?!?” Fret not! Remember that this is just our Best of the Fest for 2016. We’ve got pictures and pricing for every single item at the Festival, just like we do every year. To see the full list — and pictures of EVERYTHING — be sure to click over to our Marketplace Booth page, where the provided links will take you to each booth’s individual page. That’s how you can see pictures of every single dish at this year’s Festival! Ready to Plan for Your Epcot Food and Wine Festival Trip? The DFB Guide to the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2016 edition today! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% off the cover price! Want Even MORE Great Info About the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Don’t worry… We’ll be back with MUCH more from the Festival in the coming weeks — from Seminars and Demonstrations to Special Events to Booth Reviews. In the meantime, you can check out all of the info below to prepare for YOUR visit to the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Index 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations 2016 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2016 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Food and Wine Festival 101 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free Items How to Book Epcot Food & Wine Festival Events To book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting July 21. Join the Disney Food Blog Newsletter to find out as soon as we do about details and booking dates! Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars and general admission for some special events may be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com as well as by phone. Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents will be eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. These members will be able to book seminars and demos July 19th at 9AM. (Note: According to an official Disney World Annual Passholder website and email, booking for low-cost demonstrations begins for Annual Passholders ONLY on July 18th. We can find no other confirmation of this date, but we wanted to be sure you were aware of all possibilities!) Discounts are by phone only at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details. Chase Disney Visa Cardholders can book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 19th as well. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. Call 407-939-1870 to book reservations with your Disney Visa Credit Card. Sooo… which item is on the top of YOUR list of Must-Eats at the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Greenhouse Guru Marketplace Booth to Debut…Maybe…at the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Best of the Fest: What to Eat at the 2016 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tip: Make Your Own Custom DFB Food and Wine Fest Tray! View the full article

Giving the Mad Hatter some stiff competition, Chapel Hats offers Disneyland Resort guests a wide selection of fun and affordable high-fashion hats. At the newest addition to the shops of Downtown Disney District, you can browse and try on hats of all types. Here are some samples, along with the entertaining story of how Chapel Hats got its name. Drop in at Chapel Hats, and tell your friends. There’s no need to keep it under your hat. View the full article

Disney Cruise Line 2017 Itineraries View the full article

Follow along as Theme Park Ranger Dewayne Bevil, Central Florida Foodie Lauren Delgado and Tourism Community Manager Sandy Csizmar take a first look at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival's 21st year. For more, visit The Daily Disney's page with additional coverage of the 2016 Epcot International... View the full article

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival returns to Walt Disney World Resort from September 14 to November 14, 2016. I recently shared a preview of commemorative products created for this event in a Disney Parks Blog Unboxed video. Today, I have a look at the Festival Center in Future World which houses demonstrations, wine tastings, a merchandise shop and more. The Festival Center is open every day during the festival this year and can be found between Mission: SPACE and Universe of Energy. As in previous years, we have a themed merchandise shop set up inside the location. In the shop, guests will find a variety of the items I previously discussed in the Disney Parks Blog Unboxed video including apparel, home décor, headware, and more. You can also find a specially designed Disney Gift Card that’s a perfect companion for enjoying a day at the Festival. I love all of the Figment products this year including an apron, ornament, oven mitt, and t-shirts. There will also be a salt and pepper shaker trashcans that have both chef Figment and the event merchandise logo. New this year is a wine glass by TERVIS. We will also have stemmed and stemless wine glasses sold in two-packs. The Festival Center also has an extensive wine shop that also offers wines created for this annual event. Finally, guests can use Made with Magic items during the Eat to the Beat concert series this year. We have recently introduced a new Minnie Mouse-inspired headband to the Made with Magic collection. You may recall that we introduced Made with Magic last fall in World Showcase (see this video for details). Guests may find Festival merchandise at the Festival Center and in select merchandise locations throughout Epcot. The Chef Mickey charm by PANDORA Jewelry will only be found in Mouse Gear for about a week. Then it will be shared with additional locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Select items (excluding the Dooney & Bourke handbags created for this event) may be found on the Shop Disney Parks mobile app. I hope to see you at Epcot! View the full article

DIY Halloween Makeup: ‘Pirates of The Caribbean’-Inspired Glamorous Tutorial View the full article

To celebrate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), we reached out to our friends at the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot. They are organizing an event called las Fiestas Patrias, celebrating the independence of the country, taking place at the pavilion this Friday, September 16. At Plaza de los Amigos, guests and their familia will be able to join cast members for a Discovery Experience that will help them learn more about Mexico and the holiday via a divertido scavenger hunt. The answers to the questions for the hunt can be found throughout the pavilion. Upon completion, they will receive a small certificate. There will be a toss game for those that may be too young to participate in the experience. The pavilion will also be decorated for the special occasion. So if you are vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort, be sure to stop by the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot this Friday. This event starts at 10:30am and ends at 5pm, and is included with Epcot park admission. View the full article

Recently, Erin Glover shared some of the special ways you can celebrate the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror before it checks out of Disney California Adventure park on January 2, 2017. Today, I’m excited to share two new scarily delicious ways to celebrate the final check-out. The Tower Drop Dog at Award Wieners almost appears as if it had been struck by lightning. An all-beef frank dipped in red-pepper ketchup, topped with grilled onions, peppers and an onion crunch on a black noir potato bun – one bite will make you think you’ve just crossed over into … The Twilight Zone. At Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge, you’ll find a special martini – The Drop – which features Midori with Irish cream and grenadine “dropped” in. One look and you’ll agree, this creepy cocktail is not for the faint of heart. View the full article

The votes are in! We’re thrilled to share that Cruise Critic members have recognized Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, as the “Best Cruise Line Private Island” in its Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards. But that’s not all! Castaway Cay also came out on top as the most highly-ranked island by its members among all Caribbean categories – best Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean islands. Cruise Critic’s Cruise Choice Destination Awards is the first-ever destination focused awards based exclusively on member ratings submitted with reviews on the Cruise Critic website. For more information and a full list of Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards winners, be sure to check out CruiseCritic.com. So tell us, what do you think makes Disney Castaway Cay the best of the best in your book? View the full article

Join us Wednesday to follow Theme Park Ranger Dewayne Bevil, Central Florida Foodie Lauren Delgado and Tourism Community Manager Sandy Csizmar for a first look at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival's 21st year. For more, visit The Daily Disney's page with additional coverage of the 2016... View the full article

Join us Wednesday morning to follow Theme Park Ranger Dewayne Bevil, Central Florida Foodie Lauren Delgado and Tourism Community Manager Sandy Csizmar for a first look at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival's 21st year. For more, visit The Daily Disney's page with additional coverage of... View the full article