Disney4me

Roller coasters are all about opposites: High and low, fast and slow. Sharp lefts lead to sharp rights and dark becomes light and so forth. And many of these outdoor thrill rides are different experiences by day or by night. After-sunset conditions add mystery to the journey, and riders may see... View the full article

ABC’s Emmy Award-winning show “The Chew” is giving a lucky winner the chance to join them when it returns to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this fall. The Chew’s Magical Culinary Adventure Sweepstakes will send one winner and their three guests to to stay in the middle of the magic at Walt Disney World Resort between October 5-9, 2016, and experience the 21st annual appetizing event. The winner and their guests will get to attend a live taping of the ABC lifestyle show, sip and savor food and drink from more than 30 global marketplaces, including one inspired by the show: The Chew Collective in the Next Eats area of Future World. Interactive workshops give guests a chance to learn culinary tips from the pros. For the first time, the Festival is expanding experiences into the resorts. And seven new acts have joined the nightly Eat to the Beat concert series. (Blues Traveler and first-timers Plain White T’s will perform during the winner’s visit) You have until 11:59 p.m. on September 2 to enter. We look forward to seeing you during the most delicious time of year at Epcot! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes ends at 11:59 PM ET on 9/2/16. Open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 years of age or older. Winner must travel between October 5 – 9, 2016. Limit one (1) entry per person per day. See Official Rules for full details including entry requirements, eligibility restrictions, odds of winning, prize description and limitations. Void where prohibited. View the full article

In this week’s “Disney Doodle,” in which one of our artists imagines what a Disney character would do if he or she visited a Disney Park, artist Ashley Taylor takes a look at Cogsworth from “Beauty & The Beast.” In the film, the rule-abiding clock Cogsworth kept order (and time) in Beast’s castle. No doubt a must-see for him at Walt Disney World Resort would be the Volkskunst shop in the Germany Pavilion at Epcot, which features quite an impressive collection of cuckoo clocks. View the full article

A new pizza joint will be rolling out pies in Disney Springs on Aug. 5. Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza is in the Town Center neighborhood of the entertainment and dining complex. Diners can choose one of their signature combinations for their 11-inch pizza pie or create their own from more than 40 different... View the full article

Bailey and Destiny are officially making waves for sea turtle conservation as part of this year’s Tour de Turtles! In partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Team, researchers released the two loggerhead sea turtles from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort last Saturday. Named after characters from “Finding Dory,” Bailey and Destiny crawled to the ocean and swam away with satellite transmitters attached to their shells, which will help us track their whereabouts and learn more about turtle migration patterns. The Disney Conservation Fund is sponsoring Bailey, the loggerhead swimming to raise awareness of issues with plastic debris in the ocean. This debris includes fishing line and plastic bags, which can entangle turtles, impeding their movement and ability to eat. Sea turtles also often ingest pieces of plastic they mistake for food. Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort are sponsoring Destiny, who is swimming to bring attention to light pollution. Because sea turtle hatchlings rely on natural starlight to find their way to the ocean, many are steered off course by artificial light sources. Destiny will help raise awareness of the importance of turning off your lights on the beach at night during sea turtle season. Captain Ron, whose nose helps the team locate sea turtle eggs, also greeted guests. The 3-year-old pocket beagle is trained to sniff out sea turtle eggs buried on the beach, which helps our conservation team identify nests and protect them from foot traffic, construction activity and predators. In addition to wishing these beautiful turtles bon voyage, guests also participated in activities to learn more about sea turtle conservation. As part of Disney’s overall commitment to sea turtle conservation, a team monitors sea turtle nesting activity on several miles of beach near Disney’s Vero Beach Resort – one of the most active sea turtle nesting areas in Florida. The Disney Conservation Fund works to reverse the decline of at-risk wildlife worldwide, including sea turtles. The fund has directed more than $2.2 million to sea turtle conservation since 1995. Follow Bailey, Destiny and 12 other sponsored sea turtles on their ocean journeys at TourdeTurtles.org. Learn more about sea turtles and other animals at DisneyAnimals.com. View the full article

It’s the much-anticipated opening of Flying Fish on Disney’s BoardWalk, with an all-new menu and expanded wine list – and a beautiful new interior and next-door cocktail lounge, AbracadaBAR. With hues that conjure up the deep blue sea and a clear-glass school of artful fish and bubbles suspended from the stretched-fabric ceiling, the new Flying Fish features a sophisticated interior that pays homage to the golden era of seaside boardwalk dining. White linens, wood, tiled walls and deep-blue carpet add a richness to the space that features an open kitchen and 191 seats, with an elegant private dining area room at the back of the restaurant. The popular “Chef’s Counter” is redesigned, now with seating for 12 at three separate tables directly in front of the open kitchen, where a six-course dinner with its own menu is offered, said Chef Tim Majoras. Majoras, who was has been on the Flying Fish team since 2011, is at the helm in the kitchen, where sustainable fish is the star of the new menu. Starters include Blue Crab Bisque with jumbo lump crab, melted leeks, aged sherry and tarragon crème fraîche; corn-crusted wild Gulf shrimp, and Tour of the Coast with local middleneck clams, rock shrimp, icy blue mussels and Florida coast grouper cheek. Along with sustainable fish, entrées include planch-seared Hokkaido scallops; Wagyu filet mignon; Maine lobster Nero Pasta with golden tomato sauce, young artichokes and micro-lemongrass; Wild Alaskan King salmon; bison striploin, and Wood-Fired Cobia and Carabinero Prawn with rosemary-laced arroz bomba, Peruvian sweet pepper and andouille. New high-tech wine technology allows more special wines by the ounce, according to Stig Jacobsen, general manager and sommelier at Flying Fish. The restaurant has more storage capacity, with nearly 300 labels, and almost 80 by the glass. And popular wine flights are back, as well as an all-new cocktail menu. For reservations, visit DisneyWorld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE. View the full article

Summer is here, and the temperatures are heating up in Southern California! Looking for ways to beat the heat while visiting the Disneyland Resort? We’ve got you covered! Get “Frozen” – Beat the heat with the icy cold tale of Anna and Elsa at “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,” now open at Disney California Adventure park. Step inside the newly refurbished Hyperion Theater and even enjoy a snack with the show! Cool off with a Cool Snack – Check out Rachel’s recent post for some cool eats at the Disneyland Resort. Check out the video above for more of our favorites! Go for an Undersea Adventure – Go below the surface of the big, blue world with Nemo and friends on Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in Disneyland park and then dive down to where “life is the bubbles” on The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure park. Soak Up the Fun – Splash Mountain or Grizzly River Run? Whichever is your favorite, both are great for cooling off on a warm day! What are your tips for staying cool on a warm day at the Disneyland Resort? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Weekends at Disney Springs Marketplace might be a little busier this month, as the shopping district celebrates art and artisans. Each weekend during the "Art in August" event, tents around the eastern end of Disney Springs will feature Disney artists showcasing and signing their work alongside... View the full article

Weekends at Disney Springs Marketplace might be a little busier this month, as the shopping district celebrates art and artisans. Each weekend during the "Art in August" event, tents around the eastern end of Disney Springs will feature Disney artists showcasing and signing their work alongside by... View the full article

Debuting just in time for this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, the newest Epcot cookbook shares the best-of-the-best recipes, but also includes favorites from the 2016 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which started adding its Outdoor Kitchens in 2013, now an integral part of the spring fest. Sharing food and drink is such a communal experience, and the circle around World Showcase Lagoon is the perfect place. The cookbook lets you take the memories home and recreate favorites with family and friends. Here are two of our favorites, one from each festival. The kale salad is a simple meal in a bowl, and the warm quesitos are super-easy and melt-in-your-mouth delectable. The cookbook will be for sale at Mouse Gear, Gateway Gifts and other Epcot shops during and after the festival. And look for Epcot Culinary Director Gregg Hannon and author Pam Brandon at the Festival Center for a recipe demo and cookbook signing. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Florida Fresh Kale Salad with Dried Cherries, Almonds and Goat Cheese Serves 6-8 as side salad or 4 entrée salads Kale Salad 1/2 bunch kale leaves, tough stems removed, chopped (approximately 2 cups) 6 fresh Brussels sprouts, stems removed and sliced thin lengthwise 2 cups broccoli slaw mix 1/2 cup chopped radicchio leaves 1/2 cup fine shredded green cabbage 1 cup cooked red quinoa (approximately 1/3 cup uncooked, follow package directions) 1/2 cup dried cherries 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese, for garnish 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds, for garnish White Balsamic Vinaigrette ¼ cup minced shallots ½ cup white balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 1 ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper to taste For kale salad: Mix together all ingredients in large bowl. For white balsamic vinaigrette: Place shallots, vinegar and honey in blender or food processor. Blend on low and slowly add olive oil until blended. Season with salt and pepper. To serve: Toss salad with desired amount of white balsamic vinaigrette. Divide salad among plates and sprinkle with goat cheese and toasted almonds. Refrigerate any unused vinaigrette. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Islands of the Caribbean Marketplace Quesitos Makes 8 1 sheet (9-10 inch square) puff pastry, thawed 4 ounces softened cream cheese 8 teaspoons sugar, divided Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut puff pastry sheet into 4 squares. Cut each square in half diagonally to make 8 triangles. Place 1 tablespoon of cream cheese, rolled into a log shape, in center of each triangle. Top with 1 teaspoon sugar. Take the two corners of the longest side of the triangle and meet in the middle. Pinch to seal. Roll pastry towards top of triangle, gently squeezing the middle to spread out cream cheese. Seal seam with a little water. Repeat with remaining puff pastry. Bake 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and flip to allow caramelized sugar to drip. Serve warm. View the full article

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort returns September 9 through October 31, bringing with it 17 nights of Mickey’s Halloween Party. Today, I have a first look at some of the commemorative products being released this fall during this spook-tacular time of year. At Mickey’s Halloween Party in Disneyland park, guests can enjoy trick-or-treating, the exclusive “Halloween Screams” fireworks and more. This year, guests attending these ticketed events will find apparel for adults and kids. There is also a hooded fleece, and a shirt designed especially for Annual Passholders. A new collection of Disney pins will be released for Mickey’s Halloween Party this year. Look for a limited release logo pin with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse (it contains the same artwork found on the apparel). Other pins from this collection include two limited edition pins (edition size 4,000 each), and a limited edition four-pin set (edition size 1,000) with world famous Disney characters dressed in themed costumes. For Annual Passholders, we will release a limited edition pin featuring Lilo & Stitch searching for treats (edition size 5,000). Guests should also look for a decorative ornament shaped like a Mickey Mouse pumpkin that includes the event logo. Finally, guests can remember their Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort visit with a limited release pin featuring Chernabog from Walt Disney’s “Fantasia.” Look for these items and other Halloween-themed products in select merchandise locations at Disneyland Resort. For Mickey’s Halloween Party 2016 ticket details, pricing and party dates, please visit Disneyland.com. View the full article

Princess Elena of Avalor is ready to make her debut at Walt Disney World Resort, and we are very emocionados to announce that we will be there to live stream the first performance of the limited time show “The Royal Welcome of Princess Elena of Avalor.” On August 11th, Magic Kingdom Park will welcome Elena, crown princess of Avalor, in a special ceremony taking place on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage. Beginning August 12, the royal welcome for Elena of Avalor will be presented several times daily at the park. Cinderella and Prince Charming appear on the stage of the castle, dándole la bienvenida (giving a welcome) to everyone to this magical kingdom and introducing their special guest from Avalor. Princess Elena arrives accompanied by a troupe of regal banner carriers and musicians and when asked to share her historia, Elena picks up a guitarra and joins her musicians in a performance of the song “My Time,” recounting her magical adventures and triumphant return to Avalor. You can also see Princess Elena on the Disney Channel series “Elena of Avalor” every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Our #DisneyParksLive stream of this special show will begin at 10:45a.m. ET on August 11. We hope you can join us! Let us know what part of the world you will watch from! View the full article

Helloooooo from Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World! We’re paying a visit to a few Counter Service locations to check out some recent developments, starting with a couple of restaurants that call Sunset Boulevard home. New! Sunshine Day Cafe This includes the brand new Sunshine Day Cafe — the newest neighbor to spots like Rosie’s All-American Cafe, Catalina Eddie’s, and Hollywood Scoops in Sunset Ranch Market! Sunshine Day Cafe Sunshine Day Cafe has taken over the location that was previously known as Toluca Legs Turkey Co. And along with the new name comes a new menu… eventually, that is, as it hasn’t been posted yet. Sunshine Day Cafe Similar to Toluca Legs Turkey Co., Sunshine Day Cafe will be a seasonal location operating on peak crowd days for the park. (And that’s always the perk of visiting in peak season. More people equals MORE options for FOOD!) We can’t wait to see what Sunshine Day Cafe has to offer! Fairfax Fare We’re staying in Sunset Ranch Market to visit Fairfax Fare next, where a menu update has taken place. Fairfax Fare In addition to the regular Smoked Specialties and Fairfax Salad, two new Baked Potato options have been added to the list: the Loaded Fairfax Potato, and the Fairfax One Pound Baked Potato. Fairfax Fare Menu The Loaded Fairfax Potato is topped with shredded cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and sour cream — pretty much your standard loaded potato fixins’. Fairfax Loaded Potato It’s served with a small Southwest Salad made with iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, peppers, and corn. The dressing has a tangy, sweet taste reminiscent of a Catalina dressing. Southwest Salad Next up, though, is the Fairfax One Pound Baked Potato topped with Beef Tri-tip, brown gravy, and cheddar. It also comes with the same Southwest Salad. Fairfax One Pound Baked Potato Fairfax One Pound Baked Potato Now, we’re gonna place the Loaded Fairfax Baked Potato next to the Fairfax One Pound Baked Potato. So, how much bigger is the One Pound Baked Potato? One Pound Potato and Loaded Potato As you can see… while the One Pounder is indeed the larger potato, it’s not by all that much, really. Much of the weigh-in can be credited to the sheer amount of toppings. There is a LOT of beef on there, topped with — you guessed it — a LOT of gravy. Fairfax One Pound Baked Potato So there is some bang for the buck, and as far as flavor is concerned, it’s really yummy (the same can be said for its Loaded Fairfax counterpart). Even with all that gravy, the One Pound Potato itself isn’t soggy at all. Possibly the only thing I missed on both was some nice, coarse salt on the potato skins, which would’ve been a great touch. Fortunately, the nearby condiment stations have plenty of packets of table salt, if desired. Now, something you may have noticed missing on the menu is Jumbo Turkey Legs. Fairfax Fare served as the default location to find Turkey Legs on days when Toluca Legs Turkey Co. was closed. Jumbo Turkey Leg So, yes, it’s true: Jumbo Turkey Legs can no longer be found in Hollywood Studios. But remember when this iconic item was removed from Animal Kingdom earlier this year? Well, they made a recent return to THAT park via the Yak and Yeti Quality Beverages service window. So all hope is not lost for a return of Turkey Legs to the Studios sometime in the future… PizzeRizzo We’re stepping outside of Sunset Ranch Market to Muppets Courtyard for our final Counter Service stop at the future location for “The Famous Original PizzeRizzo” where concept art has been posted for this Muppets-themed pizzeria opening this fall! PizzeRizzo Coming Soon! It promises to offer “The City’s Top Rated Pizza” (made with none other than Heckler Tomato Paste, judging from the closeup on the artwork below). PizzeRizzo Concept Art Construction is coming along… Construction for PizzeRizzo … as the changes, obviously, continue on for this very much in-transition park. And we’ll be keeping an eye out for you for all the developments yet to come here at the DFB! Stay tuned!!!! Don’t Miss Out on the ALL the Best Snacks Walt Disney World Has to Offer! One of our most popular Bundles, the DFB Guide & Snacks Bundle will prepare you for anything and everything snack-related under the Disney Sun! This money-saving bundle includes all of the following: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2016 Edition The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks Offering this handy group of books as a bundle allows us to pass on deep savings to you. You can get the entire collection for only $39.95 — that’s almost 40% off the individual cover prices! With this Bundle of e-books you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips to plan the best Disney World vacation ever. And with our handy e-book format, you can download the Guides to all of your electronic devices and take them with you wherever you go! And with our 100% money-back guarantee, what do you have to lose? Just looking for all the Snacks in Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios? Then check out our DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks, newly updated for your 2016-17 trip! With comprehensive information and advice on well over 340 delicious snacks that you can enjoy at the Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios parks, you’ll always be in the know! And for a limited time only, we are offering the Guide for 20% off! To secure the discount, use code SNACKS16 at check-out. Which of the new additions to Hollywood Studios (already here or on the way) are you most excited about? 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: Review: Fairfax Salad at Fairfax Fare in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Menu Updates: Fairfax Fare Review: Fried Green Tomato Sandwich at Fairfax Fare in Disney’s Hollywood Studios View the full article

'Frozen, A Musical Spectacular' Takes the Stage | Disney Cruise Line View the full article

"Frozen" fever continues from the house that Walt built as Disney Cruise Line announced a new full-length stage show to debut on Disney Wonder this fall. The eight-song Broadway-style production will run nearly an hour and become the signature production of Disney's second-oldest cruise ship. "This... View the full article

Exciting news from the high seas today! For the “first time in forever,” the beloved animated hit “Frozen” is getting the Disney Cruise Line theatrical treatment as a new stage show exclusively aboard the Disney Wonder. “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” debuts, along with a wave of new enhancements to the ship, on cruises starting Nov. 10, 2016, from Galveston, Texas. The story of royal sisters Anna and Elsa will be presented like never before, with an innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology and classic Disney whimsy, completely unique to the Disney Wonder production. The show features dynamic costumes and sets, remarkable special effects, and spectacular production numbers that expand upon the most imaginative elements of the film. To adapt this blockbuster animated feature into a quintessential stage production, Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Executive Kevin Eld assembled a team of distinguished creative talent with Broadway credits and theatrical accolades. The production is led by Tony Award-nominated director Sheryl Kaller (“Next Fall,” “Mothers and Sons”). Joining the creative team are Tony Award-winning costume designer Paloma Young (“Peter and the Starcatcher”), choreographer Josh Prince (“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”), scenic designer Jason Sherwood (“Paint Your Wagon”), and writer Sara Wordsworth (“In Transit”). “Frozen, a Musical Spectacular” will feature music direction by Marco Paguia, projection design by Aaron Rhyne and lighting design by Rui Rita. Dynamic puppetry by Michael Curry, whose designs are featured in Disney’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “The Lion King,” will bring exciting physicality to characters like Sven and Olaf. Over the next few months, we’ll be giving you an inside look at the making of this production. To start, check out this video to hear more about what’s behind the curtain for Disney cruisers this fall… View the full article

CELEBRATION, Fla. (Aug. 3, 2016) – For the “first time in forever,” the beloved animated hit “Frozen” is getting the Disney Cruise Line theatrical treatment as a new stage show exclusively aboard the Disney Wonder. “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” debuts, along with a wave of new enhancements to the ship, on cruises starting Nov. 10, 2016, from Galveston, Texas. The story will be presented like never before, with an innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology and classic Disney whimsy, completely unique to the Disney Wonder production. “We’re so excited to bring ‘Frozen, A Musical Spectacular’ to the stage of the Walt Disney Theatre on the Disney Wonder. The production is going to delight each one of our guests because it’s a story for absolutely everyone in the family,” said Jim Urry, Vice President, Entertainment, Disney Cruise Line. “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” will follow the captivating adventure of royal sisters Anna and Elsa as they embark on a journey to discover the meaning of sisterhood, inner strength and true love. Fans of the film and newcomers alike will be enchanted by favorite characters brought to life onstage along with beautiful renditions of the movie’s iconic music. The show features dynamic costumes and sets, remarkable special effects, and spectacular production numbers that will delight Disney Cruise Line guests in new and surprising ways. The creative disciplines blend to create a seamless environment – blurring the lines between costume and scenic, set piece and video, puppet and puppeteer – and expand upon the most imaginative elements of the film. “The story of ‘Frozen’ is one of the most iconic animated movies ever, so this is a unique and special opportunity to retell the story onboard the Disney Wonder, transporting guests right into the world of Arendelle,” said Kevin Eld, Creative Portfolio Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. To adapt this blockbuster animated feature into a quintessential stage production, Eld assembled a team of distinguished creative talent with Broadway credits and theatrical accolades. The production is led by Tony Award-nominated director Sheryl Kaller (“Next Fall,” “Mothers and Sons”). Joining the creative team are Tony Award-winning costume designer Paloma Young (“Peter and the Starcatcher”), choreographer Josh Prince (“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”), scenic designer Jason Sherwood (“Paint Your Wagon”), and writer Sara Wordsworth (“In Transit”). “Frozen, a Musical Spectacular” will feature music direction by Marco Paguia, projection design by Aaron Rhyne and lighting design by Rui Rita. Dynamic puppetry by Michael Curry, whose designs are featured in Disney’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “The Lion King,” will bring exciting physicality to characters like Sven and Olaf. The production features the popular music and lyrics by the creators of the “Frozen” film score, Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“In Transit,” “Up Here”) and Robert Lopez (“Avenue Q,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Up Here”), and is adapted from the screenplay by four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (“Gotta Dance,” “Aladdin,” “The Wedding Singer,” “Elf”). The 977-seat Walt Disney Theatre provides the perfect setting to immerse audiences in the kingdom of Arendelle and showcase the renowned score. Songs like “For the First Time in Forever” and “Love is an Open Door” will be expanded into ensemble pieces, and the film’s wintry wizardry will be realized in lavish production numbers of “In Summer” and “Fixer Upper.” A stand-out moment, the emblematic ballad “Let it Go” will be transformed into a full-fledged stage spectacle. Complete with real-life magic – transformative scenery, snow flurries and state-of-the-art video technology – this show stopping number will bring Elsa’s enchanted icy blasts to reality like never before. “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” is based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios “Frozen,” which is the number one animated feature of all time. The acclaimed film earned two Academy Awards (2014) for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. An entirely separate two-act Broadway production of “Frozen” is currently being prepared by Disney Theatrical Productions and is slated to join Disney Theatrical’s New York productions of “Aladdin” and “The Lion King” for spring 2018 at a theater to be announced. It will have a pre-Broadway engagement starting in summer 2017 in Denver. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent. View the full article

If you ask me, exploring Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park is extra special after the sun goes down. And one of my favorite attractions, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, is a perfect place to experience the beautiful views of the out-of-this-world neon lights at night. The way Tomorrowland comes alive at night reminds me of a lesson learned from Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress: There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day. Check out our new summer gallery of nighttime photos taken at Tomorrowland, courtesy of our team at Disney PhotoPass. View the full article

Wednesday is National Watermelon Day, and while we love a juicy, icy-cold slice with a generous dash of crunchy salt, here’s a fancy version from Chef James O’Donnell at STK at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. Room temperature tomatoes and cold watermelon are a delicious contrast, with a sweet and slightly spicy dressing to marry the flavors. STK Tomato & Watermelon Salad Serves 4 4 heirloom tomatoes, cut into bite-size pieces Smoked Chile-Lime Dressing, to taste (recipe follows) Sea salt, to taste 1 cup watermelon (STK uses red and yellow), cut into bite-sized pieces 1 dozen heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilanto 1 cup watercress 1/4 cup thinly shaved red onion Shaved radishes, for garnish Shaved Dry Jack or cotija cheese, for garnish Pinch micro-cilantro, for garnish Arrange heirloom tomatoes on 4 serving plates; drizzle with dressing and season with salt. Gently toss watermelon, cherry tomatoes and cilantro with dressing, to taste; divide into 4 servings and place on top of tomatoes. Top each serving with equal amounts of with watercress and red onion. Garnish with radishes, cheese and micro-cilantro. Season with salt and serve immediately. Smoked Chile-Lime Dressing Makes 1 3/4 cups 1 canned chipotle chile plus 1/2 teaspoon adobo sauce from can 1/4 cup honey 1/2 cup fresh lime juice 1 cup extra virgin olive oil Zest of 1 lime Coarse salt, to taste Puree chile and adobo sauce, honey and lime juice in blender. With blender running on low, stream in oil. Stir in lime zest and salt. View the full article

If you have been keeping up with the “Aloha All Day” series, you have learned the Hawaiian greetings to address the morning – “Aloha Kakahiaka,” midday – “Aloha Awakea,” and afternoon – “Aloha ‘Auinala.” While you’ve been enjoying all of the activities and experiences throughout the day at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, you may not have even noticed that the sun has set! “Aloha ahiahi” means good evening. The fun doesn’t have to end just because the sun has gone down. Fireside mo‘olelo, or storytelling, with Uncle is a perfect family activity for ke ahiahi, the evening. The darkness of the night is brightened by the fire pit flame and energized by Uncle’s telling of Hawaiian legends and stories. He’s a master storyteller after all! I highly recommend winding down and reminiscing on the day’s events with fresh air and live music at The ‘Olelo Room. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of Hawai‘i – maybe even learn a new Hawaiian word or two from the cast members at this lounge, who all are fluent in Hawaiian. Share with them the new greeting you have learned, “Aloha ahiahi!” My favorite way to enjoy an evening under the stars is during ‘Ohana Disney Movie Nights. Held on Aulani’s Halawai Lawn, ‘Ohana Disney Movie Night features a Disney film shown on the big screen under the starry night sky. ‘Ohana means family, and enjoying a Disney movie under the stars is a relaxing way to celebrate the day and unwind all together. I hope you have felt and experienced aloha all day! Take it from me – there is adventure and surprise from sunrise to sundown at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. View the full article

Early last month, we launched our Disney Springs Grand Opening Summer Celebration – an event that combines new venues, added entertainment and special retail promotions, all happening through Labor Day. Today, I’m excited to share that our Celebration continues with new amped-up offerings in August; the latest additions focus on art … and lots of it! “Art in August” kicks off this Thursday, August 4, 2016, at Disney Springs Marketplace. With tents set up throughout the promenade, guests can expect to find Disney artists like Don “Ducky” Williams, handmade treasures including jewelry from Jortra and stationary from Boiled Books, and unique keepsakes such as the latest Precious Moments Dolls from doll designer Linda Rick. Every weekend (Thursday through Sunday) in August, new artisans will be featured. Painters like Greg MCCullough, Darren Wilson, William Silvers, Joe Kaminski and Jasmine Becket-Griffith will sit alongside niche craftsman who sell items that include giftable plants (Petal Pushers), Handmade Soaps and Beauty Products (Rinse) and decorative house and garden flags (Swaying in the Breeze). Guests can expect to find jewelry made from recycled beads at Magic Ink and decorative Italian masks from Annalisa Masks. Pop Gallery, the eclectic art haven on the West Side, will have a booth featuring unique pieces, as will Name Works. And on select dates, these diverse artists will be joined by photographer Carlos Cuba, Precious Moments figurine sculptor Hiko Maeda, and game designer Quynh Kimball. Whether you prefer your art “fine” or simply “fun,” there’s something for everyone! Click here to see the full schedule of Art in August events. (Just between us, I wouldn’t be surprised if even more artists get added to the line-up in the coming weeks!) For the latest Disney Springs news and happenings, follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @DIsneySprings. Starting in August, keep an eye out for social content tagged with hashtag “#ArtInAugust” and through Labor Day, look for hashtag “#GoDisneySprings” to stay current on Grand Opening Celebration activities. View the full article

Do you have what it takes to stop the Empire? Disney Floral & Gifts, in partnership with Lucasfilm, is happy to announce the launch of the new Star Wars Rebels Interactive Adventure. For those brave enough to answer the call for this mission, an adventure awaits. To help you get started, below are 4 mission details you’ll need to know to thwart the Empire! Top Secret Mission Detail #1: The Mission The Star Wars Rebels Interactive Adventure takes you from your resort room “barracks” on an interactive role-playing mission to the Star Tours Attraction. You’ll go “under cover” as an Imperial Security Officer, complete with rank bar, cap, satchel, and diversion tattoos. The Empire is always watching, so make sure they don’t identify you as the Rebel Spy! Top Secret Mission Detail #2: The Tech The adventure features unique technology exclusive to this experience. Through an augmented reality app on your smartphone, Ezra Bridger leads you on a mission to thwart the Empire. By scanning targets or “wayfinders” featured around your resort room and Star Tours, Ezra leads you to hidden information and gear needed to complete your mission. The rebel tech on your phone allows you to experience the adventure again and again, even after returning home from the Disney Parks! Top Secret Mission Detail #3: The Gear With equipment to help on your adventure, the mission includes a disguise and your data card to transmit information to the rebels at Star Tours. Other collectibles include a Jedi holocron, lightsaber, Rebel journal, 4 Empire recruitment posters, and an Empire door banner. Have multiple rebels in your party? You can add-on elements of this adventure for everyone to experience! Top Secret Mission Detail #4: The Reward Once you’ve completed your mission, you’ll be rewarded like any true hero with a Medal of Bravery. Presented in a rebel lock box wrapped with a Phoenix symbol, this medal can only be recovered upon completion of your mission. Like the one seen in the film Star Wars: A New Hope, the medal’s design features a lanyard, which can be personalized, to identify your victory. Are you brave enough to answer the call and thwart the Empire’s efforts? Then enlist today by visiting the Disney Floral and Gifts at Walt Disney World, (407-WDW-GIFT) or Disney Floral and Gifts at Disneyland (714-781-GIFT). Delivery to Disney resorts begins August 15th. View the full article

Disney’s taking its Disney Style brand global with a five-part YouTube video series launching today. It ups the ante for Disney Style, an editorial brand launched in 2013 as a blog and YouTube channel aimed at Millennials who are also fans of Disney when it comes to fashion and beauty. The Disney... View the full article

We’re coming to you today from Saratoga Springs Resort, where an updated version of the Refillable Resort Mugs has been spotted at The Artist’s Palette (the Counter Service restaurant for Saratoga Springs). The Artist’s Palette Sign Now, typically when we talk about updated Refillable Resort Mugs, we’re referring to new graphics on the mug. For instance, the most recent design change took place last October when the artwork on the mugs was updated to depict the Fab Five driving under the famous Walt Disney World entrance gate. This time, though, the change is not to the graphics, but to the structure of the mug itself… which might be referred to as a cup or tumbler at this point, since the new cups no longer have handles attached. Handle-free Refillable Resort Mug Again, we found this mug at Saratoga Springs; reports vary as to whether or not they’re available at other Resorts at this time. There is also a limited amount of mugs with handles left at The Artist’s Palette. However, according to a Cast Member we spoke with, all mugs will be strictly handle-free once those are sold out, and it’s anticipated that this will be a change across all Disney World Resorts. Many guests might enjoy the change, as the cups may now fit easier into things like cup holders in cars or on strollers. Others, though, prefer handles which offer a way to attach the cups to their bags with an added strap or carabiner, or for ease in carrying. Handle-free Refillable Resort Mug But we’re curious to know what YOU think. Though guests participating in the Disney Dining Plan automatically receive the Refillable Mugs as part of the plan, they also remain available for individual purchase for Resort guests not utilizing the Plan. Refillable Resort Mug Purchase Sign Would this change affect whether or not you would purchase the mug? What do you think of the handle-free Refillable Resort Mugs? 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! New Refillable Mugs Rolling Out Across Walt Disney World Resorts News! Redesigned Refillable Mugs at Disney World Resorts! News and Review!: Rapid Fill Refillable Mugs for Walt Disney World Resorts Now in Use View the full article

I have exciting news to share with you today. A brand new attraction called Miss Fortune Falls is coming to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in spring of 2017! Miss Fortune Falls will be a family-style raft attraction that takes guests on a splashing journey through the fabled Captain Mary Oceanear’s past. Legend has it that Captain Oceanear, a treasure-hunting heroine, travelled across the sea collecting unique artifacts before she became stranded at Typhoon Lagoon many years ago by a rogue storm. Onboard treasure rafts, guests will ascend to the top of the attraction before plunging into a white-water adventure where they will be able to spot some of the treasures Captain Oceanear gathered from around the world. With a ride time of two minutes, Miss Fortune Falls will be among the lengthiest attractions at both Disney Water Parks. I can’t wait to share more details about this new addition to Typhoon Lagoon as they emerge, so stay tuned! View the full article