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UPDATED: Throwing a Disney Night paid off handsomely Monday for "Dancing With the Stars" nationally and locally. The ABC dance contest drew 12.5 million viewers, biggest audience of the night, according to Nielsen ratings released Tuesday afternoon. "Dancing" swept by "The Voice," which had 10.4... View the full article

Today we announced our itineraries for the summer of 2017, including first-time visits to new destinations in Alaska and Europe, in addition to a return to Norway, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Here are the details on new summer fun your family can expect when sailing with us next year. New Alaska Itinerary: Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier For the first time, we’ll take guests to Alaska’s Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier. These dramatic locations are part of a new nine-night itinerary on the Disney Wonder. Departing from Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 24, 2017, this itinerary also sails to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Tracy Arm Fjord. Icy Strait Point offers a variety of Alaska nature adventures, including a zip line attraction that is one of the longest and highest zip lines in the world. Nearby, Glacier Bay National Park is a spectacular highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another highlight of this cruise is seeing Hubbard Glacier, the largest and most active tidewater glacier in North America. Displaying extraordinary blue hues and immense beauty, this spectacular glacier is more than six miles wide where it meets the ocean. A new seven-night Alaska sailing from Vancouver, departing July 17, 2017, includes a call on Icy Strait Point, in addition to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. On Aug. 2, 2017, the Disney Wonder will sail its first five-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Tracy Arm and Ketchikan. New Europe Destinations: Amsterdam and Stonehenge Also for the first time, we’ll visit Amsterdam, Netherlands, known for its elaborate canal system, tulip fields, windmills and world-class museums housing works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. On May 13, 2017, the Disney Magic embarks on a 15-night transatlantic crossing from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Copenhagen, with a stop in Amsterdam along the way. This itinerary also includes a call on Portland, England – another first-time port for Disney Cruise Line. Portland is a short distance from Stonehenge, the prehistoric ring of standing stones monument that is one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World. A visit to Amsterdam also will be part of a 10-night northern Europe itinerary that departs June 18, 2017, from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Dover, England. Other ports on this sailing include Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Tallinn, Estonia. The grand tour of Europe continues throughout the summer with limited engagements in the Baltic, Norwegian fjords, Iceland, British Isles and the Mediterranean. New Disney Fantasy Itineraries: Southern Caribbean The Disney Fantasy will sail from Port Canaveral on longer itineraries for the first time – new 10- and 11-night cruises to the southern Caribbean. On June 17, 2017, a new 11-night itinerary will visit Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, St. Kitts, Tortola and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. On June 28, 2017, a new 10-night itinerary will call on Aruba, Curacao, St. Kitts, Tortola and Castaway Cay. More Castaway Cay As you probably know, Castaway Cay, our private island in the Bahamas, is consistently rated a top port-of-call by our guests. To give you more time at this island paradise, select Disney Dream sailings from Port Canaveral will include two stops at Castaway Cay. Special five-night sailings, departing June 2, 11, 16, 25, 30 and July 9, 2017, will call on Castaway Cay twice and include a stop in Nassau, Bahamas. Special four-night sailings, departing June 7, 21 and July 5, 2017, will visit Castaway Cay twice, also with a stop in Nassau. Bookings open to the public April 14, 2016. More details on the newly announced itineraries can be found on the Ports and Itineraries for 2017 page of disneycruise.com. View the full article

Duke Energy and Walt Disney World officials are announcing details of the Mickey-shaped solar farm near Epcot this morning. The five-megawatt solar farm is being called the Walt Disney World Solar Facility. It is visible from the air as a giant Mickey Mouse shape. It's just off the east shoulder... View the full article

Duke Energy and Walt Disney World officials announced details of the Mickey-shaped solar farm near Epcot this morning. The five-megawatt solar farm is being called the Walt Disney World Solar Facility. It is visible from the air as a giant Mickey Mouse shape. It's just off the east shoulder of... View the full article

Exciting summer season includes new itineraries in Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean and new ports of call CELEBRATION, Fla. (April 12, 2016) – In 2017, Disney Cruise Line will sail on new itineraries and to new ports, including first-time visits to new destinations in Alaska and Europe. That summer, Disney Cruise Line also returns to Norway, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Bookings open to the public April 14, 2016. More details on the newly announced itineraries can be found on the Ports and Itineraries for 2017 page of disneycruise.com. New Alaska itinerary: Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will take guests to Alaska’s Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier. These dramatic locations are part of a new nine-night itinerary on the Disney Wonder. Departing from Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 24, 2017, this itinerary also sails to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Tracy Arm Fjord. Icy Strait Point offers a variety of Alaska nature adventures, including a zip line attraction that is one of the longest and highest zip lines in the world. Nearby, Glacier Bay National Park is a spectacular highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another highlight of this cruise is seeing Hubbard Glacier, the largest and most active tidewater glacier in North America. Displaying extraordinary blue hues and immense beauty, this spectacular glacier is more than six miles wide where it meets the ocean. A new seven-night Alaska sailing from Vancouver, departing July 17, 2017, includes a call on Icy Strait Point, in addition to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. On Aug. 2, 2017, the Disney Wonder will sail its first five-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Tracy Arm and Ketchikan. New Europe destinations: Amsterdam and Stonehenge For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will visit Amsterdam, Netherlands, known for its elaborate canal system, tulip fields, windmills and world-class museums housing works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. On May 13, 2017, the Disney Magic embarks on a 15-night transatlantic crossing from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Copenhagen, with a stop in Amsterdam along the way. This itinerary also includes a call on Portland, England – another first-time port for Disney Cruise Line. Portland is a short distance from Stonehenge, the prehistoric ring of standing stones monument that is one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World. A visit to Amsterdam also will be part of a 10-night northern Europe itinerary that departs June 18, 2017, from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Dover, England. Other ports on this sailing include Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Tallinn, Estonia. The grand tour of Europe continues throughout the summer with limited engagements in the Baltic, Norwegian fjords, Iceland, British Isles and the Mediterranean. New Disney Fantasy itineraries: Southern Caribbean For the first time, the Disney Fantasy will sail from Port Canaveral on longer itineraries – new 10- and 11-night cruises to the southern Caribbean. On June 17, 2017, a new 11-night itinerary will visit Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, St. Kitts, Tortola and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. On June 28, 2017, a new 10-night itinerary will call on Aruba, Curacao, St. Kitts, Tortola and Castaway Cay. More Castaway Cay Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, is consistently rated a top port-of-call by Disney Cruise Line guests. To give guests more time at this island paradise, select Disney Dream sailings from Port Canaveral will include two stops at Castaway Cay. Special five-night sailings, departing June 2, 11, 16, 25, 30 and July 9, 2017, will call on Castaway Cay twice and include a stop in Nassau, Bahamas. Special four-night sailings, departing June 7, 21 and July 5, 2017, will visit Castaway Cay twice, also with a stop in Nassau. 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

This week our “All in the Details” series, which looks at how even the smallest touch can add authenticity to a location’s storyline, focuses on the Ice Works Steam Engine you can spot at Disney Springs when Town Center opens this summer. Get ready for some backstory … As we’ve previously shared, the theming of Disney Springs was inspired by Florida’s turn-of-the-century waterfront towns and natural beauty, and a lot of the town’s original structures still remain, such as the water tower that now serves as the Disney Springs marquee. One remnant of this town from long ago is a steam engine that once provided power to pumps and delivered spring water to the facility. It still sits on the bank of the Spring (across from Raglan Road, near what is now Sprinkles cupcakes). The 1800s engine is not in use anymore, but was left in place revealing the rich history of the first settlers that arrived at Disney Springs more than 150 years ago. Also note the aged Sunshine State Ice Works “ghost graphics” that can be seen on the wall behind the engine, claiming Disney Springs to have “The best ice in all of Florida!’ Be sure to check out the list below for the latest in Food & Beverage and Merchandise updates. All in the Details: Disney Springs Water Tower Raised All in the Details: Learn The Story Behind The Disney Springs Water Tower All in the Details: Putting the ‘Springs’ Into Disney Springs New Acts Bring Fresh Energy To La Nouba By Cirque Du Soleil The Ganachery Chocolate Shop Now Open at Disney Springs Rick Bayless to Open Frontera Fresco Restaurant at Disney Springs New Restaurant For Celebrity Art Smith Coming to Disney Springs in Summer 2016 Take a Look at These Chocolates From New Ganachery at Disney Springs The ‘Disney and Vans’ Collection is Available at Curl by Sammy Duvall at Disney Springs World of Disney Expands in Disney Springs Marketplace at Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

It’s time to stop at Tony’s Town Square for lunch with a view! Learn About: Tony’s Town Square Magic Kingdom Disney World Restaurants This classic Disney restaurant, located on Main Street USA in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, is a favorite of Disney fans. While it may not be on the culinary cutting edge, there’s something truly magical about stepping into one of your favorite movie restaurants! It had been a while since I’d stopped into Tony’s. Frankly, the menu of classic Italian dishes doesn’t really ever change much. Still, we here at Disney Food Blog believe that we need to bring you the most up to date info on Disney eateries, so you can make those advance dining reservations with confidence. With that in mind, I decided it was time for another visit. Atmosphere With a name like Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, where would you expect it to be located? If you guessed Town Square, then you get a gold star. Yep — you’ll find Tony’s pretty much as soon as you walk into Magic Kingdom. Pass the Town Square Theater, where you can meet and greet with some of your favorite Disney characters, and you’ll see Tony’s on the right as you head toward Cinderella Castle. Tony’s Entrance Tony’s underwent a bit of a refresh a few years back. Don’t worry; they did nothing to the classic feel of the place. They just brightened up fabrics, paint, carpets, and such. Entrance and Check-in Podium And if you’re a fan of the film that inspired Tony’s — Disney’s Lady and the Tramp — then be sure to catch a few minutes of it playing while you wait! Tony’s Waiting Area Once you’re called to your table, you’ll be seated in one of three spots — the main dining room, the sunroom, or the patio. (Of course, you can make a request for any of the three.) And that means you’ll pass the centerpiece of the restaurant — this beautiful Lady and the Tramp water fountain! Lady and the Tramp Fountain The turn of the century (last century, that is) ambiance continues into the dining room. Glossy wood trim frames the ceiling and booths and pictures from the film adorn the walls. Is your favorite scene captured here? Seating in the Dining Room Here’s a wonderful detail that I learned thanks to one of my favorite Disney bloggers, SamLand’s Disney Adventures <– go read it for some great detail. See the picture of Lady and Tramp on the window? When you look at it from just the right angle, Lady appears to be in the Hatbox that serves as a sign for Le Chapeau across Main Street. Remember that Lady pops up from the hatbox in the film? And there’s a Walt and Lillian Disney tie-in here that’s just wonderful; but you have to read Sam’s blog to find out what it is! So cool, and the perfect reminder to keep your eyes open for details at Disney, because they’re everywhere. Nothing is left to chance. Lady in the Hatbox! But I mentioned there were a couple of other seating areas at Tony’s. And the sunroom is a great one. To begin, it’s simply gorgeous. The conservatory feel and glass ceiling remind me of Crystal Palace just up the street. Indoor Sunroom Looking to Outdoor Patio And look at these beautiful windows! It’s a pleasure to spend time looking at all of the craftsmanship that went into this corner of the park. Indoor Sunroom Seating This area appears to be a patio that was walled in, or maybe it was always a conservatory. Regardless, I love all of the light and the feeling of being inside and outside simultaneously. Seating in the Sunroom If you want real outdoor seating — you know, the kind without a/c — then request a table on the patio. While it can be warm here, shade and ceiling fans make it quite nice at certain times of the year. Tony’s Patio Seating Besides, what could be better people watching than the first moments of someone’s visit to Magic Kingdom? I especially love sitting here during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party when I can watch all of the kiddos come in so proud of their halloween costumes and excited for a fun night of ghoulies and ghosties! Patio Seating and View But even better: if you time your visit just right, you’ll have primo seating for a Magic Kingdom Parade! And here’s a TIP to accomplish that: When you’re planning your meal time, try to determine which direction the parade will be coming from so that you’re seated around 30 minutes to an hour before the parade passes by Tony’s. If the parade begins in Frontierland, you’ll have longer to wait than if the parade begins on Main Street. Just let them know at the podium when you check in that you’d like to be seated on the patio. And with a little luck, they’ll be able to make it happen! Eats As I mentioned, the menu doesn’t change much at Tony’s. But really, would you want it to? I mean, how could you possibly reconcile some new fangled culinary trend with the charm and Lady and Tramp sharing a plate of Spaghetti and Meatballs? Menu — Click to Enlarge They have freshened things up just a tiny bit, though. I enjoyed the complimentary Bread, which consists of Focaccia that comes with seasoned Olive Oil for dipping. (Note that I was dining alone on this visit, so the bread portion was very small.) Bread Service — Focaccia and Seasoned Olive Oil I decided to begin my meal with the Seasonal Soup. I had enjoyed Tony’s soup before, so I figured it was a safe bet. This time, they were serving Italian Wedding Soup. As you can see, it seemed to be prepared from scratch, with plenty of fresh veggies. I asked that they give me a serving that was heavy on the broth and light on the pasta, FYI. Italian Wedding Soup During one of my previous visits, I also got the Zucchini Fries, and I was more than a little surprised at how much I liked them! While it’s probably not the healthiest veggie choice you can make, I definitely recommend them as a delicious and slightly better-for-you option. Zucchini Fries Now, on to the main event! We always — and I mean, always — get Chicken Parmigiana when we visit Tony’s. It’s one of my husband’s favorite dishes, and he uses it as a benchmark for Italian restaurants. Well, this time, I decided to branch out a bit and skip it! But I did stick to another dish we’d had before — Joe’s Artisanal Pizza. I don’t really know why it’s called “Pizza” when clearly, it looks just like the “Flatbreads” that you can get all over Disney. Maybe they want to stick with the folky, casual Italian feel of the place. Still, with Italian Sausage, Pepperoni, Roasted Peppers, Caramelized Onions and Fresh Basil, it’s a solid choice…especially if you’re dining with a picky eater. Who doesn’t love pizza (or flatbread)? Right? Honestly, this one was truly delicious. The flavors were fantastic — nothing bland about this one. And I liked that there was plenty of cheese to go around. I’m a cheesy person, as you know! Joe’s Artisanal Pizza But here’s where I departed from previous choices a bit. I had never had the New York Strip Steak at Tony’s. At least I don’t remember every getting it. (I know! Can you believe it?) Well, based upon how much I adore the steak at another Disney Italian spot (Yep, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano), I decided to take a chance. Here, it’s topped with an Herb Butter, and it’s served with sides of Panzanella (Bread Salad) and Seasonal Vegetables. In my case, I enjoyed a healthy serving of Steamed Broccoli. This steak was very good. I’ve heard raves from others about it, and while I wouldn’t trade my Mama Melrose steak for it, I would highly recommend it — even over some of the other pasta dishes — as a top-notch choice. The meat was cooked to order just right, and the bread salad was a unique side dish that you won’t find…well…anywhere else at Disney as far as I know. New York Strip Steak Because that was a lot of food to enjoy (and I wanted a Dole Whip ) I skipped dessert. But if you find yourself with a Tony’s ADR and you’d like a recommendation, the Pistachio Crème Brûlée is a delicious classic. (Here’s a recipe to make it at home between visits.) Pistachio Crème Brûlée My favorite dessert here in recent years, though, has been the Tiramisu. And I don’t even like Tiramisu!!!!!! With layers of Espresso-Soaked Lady Fingers, Whipped Mascarpone, and Chocolate Shavings, this is a delicious version of a classic. It’s SO creamy, and you can really taste the flavors of high quality ingredients. You know that taste you get when you’re eating really REAL heavy cream? Yeah — that’s what’s happening here. Tiramisu With a filling meal out of the way, it was time to head out for more Magic Kingdom fun. Overall Our thinking still stands. Look, if you’re an Italian food aficionado, or you live near a wildly famous “Little Italy” part of the world, Tony’s will disappoint you. But here’s the thing: I don’t think this is supposed to be gourmet Italian food. I don’t think that’s what it was in the film, I don’t think it’s been that in its history, and I don’t see a time where that is going to change. But it’s still good food — about the same level of quality as a mid-priced chain restaurant — and the fact that the restaurant is steeped in history means it’s worth a visit. It’s a restaurant that takes us into a film and back to our childhood all at once. While I love the new additions to Magic Kingdom like Skipper Canteen and Be Our Guest Restaurant, the places that have been around forever are important, too. And the fact is, sometimes the history is part of the magic. Tony’s has its place. Do you love Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, or consider it just a so-so choice? Leave a comment and let me know below! 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: Tony’s Town Square at Magic Kingdom Guest Review: Tony’s Town Square Restaurant in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Disney Recipe: Pistachio Crème Brûlée from Tony’s Town Square in Magic Kingdom View the full article

Prince Harry, first lady Michelle Obama and other celebrities will help open the Invictus Games at Disney World on May 8, the Orlando Sentinel has learned. Plans for the opening ceremony of the games, an international sports competition for wounded military members, will be revealed Tuesday at... View the full article

A Disney Parks vacation is truly fantastic for all ages, from little ones up to adults and every age in between. At the Disney Parks Moms Panel, we receive many questions from parents of older kids and teens who are looking for itinerary ideas. Below are some of the top picks. Edward from NY is planning a sweet sixteen trip for his daughter and her friend, and needs ideas on how to make the vacation extra special. Susan has some great ideas on how to add even more magic with things like fireworks dessert cruise. Suzanne from PA wants plan a trip for her 15-year-old daughter, and Ritzy offered up tips for tours and events that are perfect for older kids, like surfing lessons at Typhoon Lagoon. Jacqueline from WA is traveling with three teenagers and wants to know what there is to do in the fall. Nancy fills her in on special events at the parks during this timeframe. Trina from OH wants to know the best attractions in each of the four parks for teenagers. Moms Panelist Jane recommends some fun thrill rides, and also provides a link to a website dedicated to planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation with older kids: Make sure you stop by the Disney Parks Moms Panel to see thousands of additional answers from the panel – or ask them your own question! View the full article

“Paint the Night” parade, part of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, has quickly become a fan favorite at Disneyland park. With its bright lights and catchy music, the parade is a dazzling end to a magical day at the park. And it’s got some pretty dazzling numbers, too! Let’s take a look. 1.5 million – Total sources of light in “Paint the Night” parade 850,000 – Points of light on the Tinker Bell float 500,000 – Pixels in the video screens on the “Beauty and the Beast” float 26,730 – Individual orbs in the 3D display on the Mack Truck float 200 – “Universes of control” needed to operate everything from the video presentations on the floats to the lights on individual costumes 72 – Individual “ice shards” making up the central chandelier on the “Frozen” float, each lit by its own LED 12 – Height in feet of Triton on “The Little Mermaid” float 10 – Spinning disks rotating at 120 RPM on the “Toy Story” float View the full article

Time to get serious about drinking more smoothies thanks to these delicious recipes! The Disney Dream is home to the new Senses Juice Bar and they’re serving up some yummy-sounding smoothies that may help you replenish, rejuvenate, and restore. Grab your blender! Feel restored with this strawberry smoothie ©Disney Strawberry “Restoration” Smoothie Disney Dream Senses Juice Bar Makes 1 smoothie Ingredients 6 Strawberries 1/2 Avocado 4 Mint leaves 6 Beet slices 1/2 Apple 4 Goji berries 4 oz. water Instructions 1. Blend with or without ice based on desired consistency We love strawberries and avocado so we can’t wait to make that smoothie! This next recipe is packed full of veggies including spinach, carrots, and avocado so you’ll definitely get your vegetables for the day. Replenish with this spinach-packed smoothie ©Disney Spinach “Replenishment” Smoothie Disney Dream Senses Juice Bar Makes 1 smoothie Ingredients 6 Spinach leaves 1/4 Carrot 1/2 Avocado 1/4 Fresh Ginger 6 Basil leaves 2 tbsp Manuka Honey 5 oz. water Instructions 1. Blend with or without ice based on desired consistency. This last smoothie is full of fruit including bananas, blueberries, and strawberries and is the perfect pick-me-up. A smoothie packed with fruit to start your day! ©Disney Banana-Blueberry “Rejuvenation” Smoothie Disney Dream, Senses Juice Bar Makes 1 smoothie Ingredients 1 Banana 10 Blueberries 8 Strawberries 3 oz Almond Milk 2 tbsp Sunflower Seeds Sprinkle of Turmeric Powder Instructions 1. Blend with or without ice based on desired consistency. Will you be whipping up any of these smoothies? Leave us a comment and let us know which one was your favorite. 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 Dream Recipe: Avocado-Citrus Salad Disney Dream Recipe: Enchanted Garden Strawberry Cheesecake Disney Dream Recipe: Chocolate Souffle View the full article

Tonight on “Dancing with the Stars,” the 10 remaining celebrities will transform into some of the most magical Disney characters as the show celebrates “Disney Night”! The Disney spirit will shine as the show opens with a spectacular number featuring the entire cast, along with special guests Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, as they dance to “Be Our Guest” from the Oscar®-nominated Disney animated film, “Beauty and the Beast.” Jodie Sweetin and partner Keo Motsepe recently visited the Disneyland Resort for some “Disney Night” inspiration! The couple will dance to Shakira’s song, “Try Everything” from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit film “Zootopia.” Each couple will perform to songs from Disney films, including “The Lion King,” “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid.” You can be part of the magic, too! For week four, viewers may cast their votes for their favorite couples via phone on Monday nights during and up to 60 minutes after the end of the “Dancing with the Stars” broadcast in each time zone. Online voting at www.ABC.com and on Facebook at https://apps.facebook.com/votedwts/ is open for 24 hours, beginning from the start of each episode on the East Coast at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT and closing at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT on Tuesday evenings. Don’t miss “Disney Night” tonight on “Dancing with the Stars” tonight at 8 p.m./ 7C on ABC. View the full article

It’s springtime, the time of year when most of us shake off our winter blues and venture out into the great outdoors to soak in some much-needed sun. Here in Florida, however, sunshine beckons all year round, and on the Adventures by Disney Walt Disney World Resort and Central Florida vacation you can really enjoy those warm days filled with outdoor adventures. On this trip you venture into “old Florida” and see natural wonders you might not even know existed. One of the most breathtaking experiences on this vacation includes kayaking along Shingle Creek. Here you’re surrounded by the serenity and beauty of a cypress swamp as you paddle past waterfowl, turtles and alligators. This is how you experience Central Florida with Adventures by Disney. Check it out! View the full article

#DisneyKids: Jedi Training - Trials of the Temple | Disney’s Hollywood Studios View the full article

Last week, Erin showed you that BB-8 had discovered something new, and you all took guesses. Before we discover what BB-8 found, it looks like R2-D2 found something else interesting. What do you think he’s up to? Leave a comment below! View the full article

Too busy to pick up your runner's packet the day before Walt Disney World's new Star Wars villain-themed half-marathon this weekend? You can retrieve it the day of the race, for a price: $39. Want a shorter walk to the theme parks? If you're willing to pay an extra $15, you can get a better spot. ... View the full article

In this week’s Disney Doodle, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Peter Pan would do, should he have the chance to visit a Disney Park. No doubt he’d go looking for adventure. Forget Captain Hook – in this doodle, Pan investigates a whole new pack of pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean. View the full article

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — At Walt Disney World, you might find Darth Vader, Tinker Bell or a classic Disney princess running alongside half-marathon participants.These events are no ordinary races, and the trips that participants take are no ordinary Disney visits. Few care about race times,... View the full article

Fans of The Haunted Mansion attraction may want to make room for one more Disney Tsum Tsum starting April 15, 2016. That’s the day a new collection of stackable 3-inch plush inspired by the classic Disney attraction will be released at Disney Parks. I recently visited The Haunted Mansion attraction in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom Park to capture a few photos of these adorable new plush. Guests will find some familiar favorites including Madame Leota, the bride, and the Hitchhiking Ghosts. There is even a Tsum Tsum that resembles the hostesses who work at attraction. I’m also excited to give you a first look at three new Tsum Tsum coming to Disney Parks in summer 2016. These three plush were inspired by attractions and characters from Fantasyland. I invite you to follow @WDWToday on Twitter as they will be sharing images of two additional plush from this upcoming collection. Look for the Haunted Mansion-themed Tsum Tsum at the following merchandise locations starting April 15: Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai‘i – Kalepa’s Store. Disneyland Resort Downtown Disney District – World of Disney Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure Park – Tee, Hats & Tattoos Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland park – Gag Factory Walt Disney World Resort Disney Springs Marketplace – Once Upon a Toy Shops at Orlando International Airport Magic Kingdom Park – Curtain Call Collectibles Epcot – ImageWorks Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Beverly Sunset Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures Guests may also order select Tsum Tsum from the free Shop Disney Parks mobile app or via the Disney Parks online store. Happy Stacking! View the full article

What a beautiful way to start off a Monday. This lovely photo was snapped during sunrise at Cinderella Castle, the icon of Magic Kingdom Park. Which attraction would you head to first if you were visiting the park today? View the full article

It’s FUNNEL CAKE TIME!!! But this isn’t just any funnel cake… . Learn About: Funnel Cakes Epcot Restaurants Disney World Restaurants Now, as someone who loves a good funnel cake, I have to admit… Disneyland has cornered the market as far as Disney Funnel Cakes go. Stage Door Cafe offers consistently great toppings right down to the signature Whipped Cream Mickey. And the latest Churro Funnel Cake at Hungry Bear Restaurant really upped the ol’ ante. Disney World, on the other hand, doesn’t have quite the same Funnel Cake game. While you can always grab a Funnel Cake at spots like Sleepy Hollow Refreshments, Oasis Canteen, or the Funnel Cake Kiosk along Disney’s BoardWalk, toppings are typically pretty standard; usually ice cream or often strawberry along with the classic powdered sugar. The Funnel Cake stop that does change its options from time to time, though, is the Funnel Cake Stand in Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion. Double Chocolate Funnel Cakes and Pumpkin Spice have rotated over the past couple years as the seasonal options (and they used to offer a Strawberry a few years back), but even those haven’t seen any further variety for some time. Until now, that is… because a Cookies n’ Cream Funnel Cake has hit the scene at Epcot’s Funnel Cake Stand! Funnel Cakes sign The standbys remain, of course; you can still grab the standard funnel cake with sugar, or add that big ol’ slab of vanilla ice cream or chocolate sauce as additional toppings. But the new headliner is the Cookies n’ Cream. Funnel Cake Stand Menu The toppers here include each of the regular extras (rectangle slab of vanilla ice cream (why?!?) and chocolate sauce), with the addition of crushed cookies, and one full Oreo for the finishing touch. Cookies n’ Cream Funnel Cake Okay, first things first: obviously, points for presentation still go to Disneyland Funnel Cakes. I’d love to see this one with a more traditional soft serve swirl — or even hand scooped ice cream as opposed to the vanilla ice cream slab. Because while the toppings are fun, the appearance doesn’t hit the mark. But moving beyond that… As always, my funnel cake was made to order by the friendly cast members in the stand. Cast Member Preparing the Funnel Cake The result? A fresh, soft, nicely browned and hot funnel cake. Funnel Cake Closeup In spots, the thick layer of powdered sugar was almost equaled by the crushed chocolate cookie. Coookies n’ Cream Funnel Cake Toppings The giant slab of vanilla ice cream with even more chocolate drizzled on top lent the whole thing that fun hot-and-cold mixture, while the fried batter helped to cut the almost crazy amount of sweet stuff happening on the top. Vanilla Ice Cream Slab Oh, and if you have room… there’s still that final Oreo . Oreo Cookie On Top So was it good? Well, let’s just say that we eat a LOT of food here at DFB, and there’s no way we can finish everything. But this? This was finished — completely. With everything going on here, this is definitely an item that’s great to share (which is a good thing, because I’m thinking it’s also a little easier sharing that $11.50 price tag with a buddy or two; another feather in Disneyland’s cap where even the most extreme Funnel Cakes typically run around seven bucks). Cookies n’ Cream Funnel Cake Still, this is a fun treat, for sure, and it’s definitely encouraging to see them changing things up again at the Funnel Cakes Stand after a long while. Is a Funnel Cake part of your Disney vacation traditions? If so, I’d like to hear what you think about the latest addition! Will you stopping by the Funnel Cake Stand to try the new Cookies n’ Cream Funnel Cake? Let us know in the comments below! 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! Double Chocolate Funnel Cake at Epcot’s America Pavilion Things I Learned at the Funnel Cake Stand Snack Series: Seasonal Funnel Cake Flavors in Epcot View the full article

This week, Disney Parks Blog readers were among the first to learn the official dates for this year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Blog author Charles Stovall shared that there will be 21 festive nights where guests can find one of our favorite events in Magic Kingdom Park. November – 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29 December – 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22 Tickets for both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will go on sale later this spring. Check our original story for more details. And we also shared an important update concerning nighttime experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. With the expansion of the park, we’re excited to give guests even more opportunities to celebrate the magic of animals and nature as day turns into night. And while we’d hoped to debut these offerings on April 22, unfortunately, they will not open as planned on that date as we give the team more time to bring these innovative experiences to life in a way we know will exceed our guests’ expectations. We’ll share more information about timing on the Disney Parks Blog by mid- to late May. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Tiffins Inventive Menu Stars Cuisine From Around the Globe, Wine List Focuses on ‘Environmentality’ – Tiffins, the newest restaurant in the Discovery Island area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, opens this summer, and the Disney chefs have been hard at work to create inventive dishes inspired by the world travels of the park’s creators. First Look at Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Merchandise – When my good friend and fellow Disney Parks Blog author Rachel Bshero shared the news about the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival taking place weekends in April, I couldn’t have been more excited! Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa Welcomes the Ko Olina Children’s Film & Music Festival – On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, will once again be the featured venue for the Ko Olina Children’s Film & Music Festival. Enjoy Breakfast, Fly With Peter Pan, Explore the Seven Dwarfs Mine and More During ‘Disney Early Morning Magic’ – Fantasyland looks even more magical in the golden light of morning, and now Disney Early Morning Magic presents a new option perfect for families who want to get an early start at Magic Kingdom Park. Sights and Sounds at Disney Parks: ‘Tangled: The Musical’ – The animated version of “Tangled” combines pure Disney fantasy with comedy, romance and excitement. To Disney music lovers, the movie is a marvelous musical composed by Oscar®-winning Disney Legend Alan Menken. Director Jon Favreau Surprises Disney Parks Blog Fans at Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book’ Special Advanced Screening at the Disneyland Resort – This weekend, 400 Disney Parks Blog readers enjoyed a special advanced screening of Disney’s “The Jungle Book” here at AMC Downtown Disney 12 at the Disneyland Resort. And before the film rolled, they were greeted by the film’s director, Jon Favreau, who made a surprise appearance at the screening! It’s Time To Pack for runDisney Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side – Are you ready to rule the galaxy at the inaugural runDisney Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side at Walt Disney World Resort? We’ve put together dark side-inspired looks to pack for the weekend and give you unlimited power. Disney Parks Fans Select March Magic 2016 Champion – Congratulations to the Hollywood Tower Hotel Bellhops from Walt Disney World Resort for being selected as the ultimate Disney attraction during the March Magic 2016 challenge. What is BB-8 Doing? – It looks like BB-8 has discovered something new. What do you think he is doing? Leave your guesses in the comments, and keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog to see a unique look at what BB-8 has found! I have a good feeling about this … View the full article

Happy Sunday! We hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! Welcome to the 2016 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Grab a cup of coffee (or tea!) because it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on the latest Disney food news! We’re so excited that the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is in its second weekend! You can check out all the details for the Food & Wine Festival here! And we can’t wait until Ample Hills Creamery comes to Disney World’s Boardwalk!! AAAAAAH!!!!! We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News We have more details about the menus for Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We checked out the “new” Writer’s Stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! The Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is “officially official”….for now. Ample Hills Creamery is coming to Disney’s BoardWalk! We visited Katsura Grill in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion this week and it was delicious! A new ‘Sense of Africa’ tour is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and includes breakfast at Boma! Disney announced the new Disney Early Morning Magic event at the Magic Kingdom. 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 about Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday! We always enjoying stopping by Spice Road Table in Epcot for lunch or dinner. It’s a great spot to watch IllumiNations! Our friend Amy Rhodes recently enjoyed an “awesome” lunch there and shared this great photo with us. Looks delicious! We’re hungry just looking at these photos! Crockett’s Tavern is a fun spot to relax when you’re visiting Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground! DFB reader Jenn L shared this yummy looking drink with the caption “Horseback riding makes us thirsty! Enjoying a Smoky Mountain Apple at Crockett’s Tavern!” Bottoms up! Looks amazing! Cheers! Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us! DFB Readers #OnTheList Suggestions As part of our new #OnTheList series we’ll be sharing weekly some of our readers’ suggestions for what they would add to the Disney Food bucket list! Check out our #OnTheList page to see what’s on OUR Disney Food Bucket List! Deal of the Week: 20% Off ALL Purchases at DFBStore.com This Weekend! Use Code 20SALE at Check Out. The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 530 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subjects — food and dining in Walt Disney World. Order the 2016 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining today — or any of our other DFB Guide or money-saving Bundles — and use promo code 20SALE for 20% off! Our team of Walt Disney World food experts have put together the most comprehensive guide to Walt Disney World food and dining available. With more than 25 years of experience eating and drinking our way through the Parks and Resorts, we’ve learned a thing or two — and we love sharing our secrets with you! Order the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2016 e-Book today, and start planning your Disney dining adventures right now! Here are just a few of the things you’ll find in our DFB to Walt Disney World Dining: A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks. A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge, including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience. Four free, downloadable worksheets for planning your trip. These worksheets are designed to help you execute all the steps of planning the perfect Disney dining experience. And they’re reusable for all of your future trips! Seven sample one-day dining itineraries for a head-start on planning. A comprehensive index of bars and lounges. An often under-appreciated option for both dining and entertainment, the e-Book devotes a whole index to the topic. You asked for it, and we wrote it! The ability to be read on your mobile device or computer! It’s fully portable — always just a pocket away! and MORE! Order the 2016 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining today and use promo code 20SALE for 20% off! The DFB Everything Bundle But for those of you who want to be prepared for EVERYTHING at Disney World, we’re also offering our most popular Bundle, the DFB Everything Bundle, for a special savings as well! This bundle packs in all of our e-Books, including the Guide that started it all — the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2015 edition. And during this special sale, you can get 20% off the already low price when you enter code 20SALE. This is a crazy good price for this incredible bundle! This Bundle is priced at a huge discount already — over 40% off the guide prices – representing great savings. But with our extra 20% off, this is an amazing deal. Learn more about the DFB Everything Bundle here. The bundle includes the pre-order of the DFB Guide to the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival as well as the 2015 guide as an immediate download — FREE! 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 these adorable Mickey and Minnie Coffee Mugs! Perfect way to start the day. WDW For Grownups shared the Top 5 Foods on a Stick at Walt Disney World. Disney Family shared their recipe for adorable Winnie the Pooh Tsum Tsum Treats. One word: Twinkies! Oh My Disney showed us how to make Mickey Caramel Apples. Pop Sugar shared Disney Cupcakes for Adults and we want them all! 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: January 24, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 27, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 3, 2016 View the full article

After an improvised explosive device detonated in Afghanistan in 2005, Israel Del Toro's body was ravaged. Undaunted, Del Toro was determined to return to the military, and more than four years after he sustained burns over 80 percent of his body and was given a 15 percent chance of survival, he... View the full article

An advanced screening of a Disney film, or an unexpected visitor to that screening – which one is better? Some of you had a chance to experience both when director Jon Favreau stopped by the advanced screening of “The Jungle Book” at the AMC Downtown Disney 12 at the Disneyland Resort. We know you had fun, but This Week in Disney Parks Photos, here’s a few pictures we haven’t shown you yet: Jon Favreau also capturing some memories with you. See? You aren’t the only ones who enjoy Disney Parks Blog events! “The Jungle Book” is based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film. It features man-cub Mowgli, who was raised by a family of wolves. “The Jungle Book” opens in theaters on April 15. View the full article