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The water-park industry continued its North American expansion in 2015, with more than $500 million of new investment, according to a new report by consulting firm Hotel & Leisure Advisors. The hospitality consulting firm says that spending to develop water parks is expected to grow this year with... View the full article

In theme parks' early days, food was often an afterthought — served and consumed quickly, so visitors could get back to riding Space Mountain or watching the Shamu show. These days, visitors want more from their meals, and theme parks are offering them a smorgasbord of options. The breadth of menu... View the full article

Every day is Race Day in Radiator Springs. What better way to celebrate than with music and dancing? Even if you have two left feet, don’t worry – all you need are four tires! Twenty of Luigi’s cugini (cousins) have rolled into Disney California Adventure park to glide and spin to traditional dances of their hometown village of Carsoli, Italy. This Week in Disney Park Photos, here’s a gorgeous after dark view of Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters’ trackless “dance floor” captured by Paul Hiffmeyer. Cool fact: the late 1950s micro cars have real working parts – did you notice the working headlights? Erin Glover’s story has more details about the attraction. If you’ve had a chance to ride it, tell us about it! View the full article

There’s a lot to love about Epcot during just about every season. With the Epcot Food and Wine Festival in the Fall, and Holidays Around the World celebrating Winter holidays, this has truly become a festival Park! But Spring in the park is especially beautiful as the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival gets going. (I know. It doesn’t feel like Spring everywhere. But trust me. It does in Florida.) The Flower and Garden Festival, which runs through May 30, opened last week, and we were there for the very first day! After an afternoon of Eating and Drinking Around the World, we came away with pictures of all of the dishes — and more than a few new favorites! Today, we’d like to share with you our Best of the Fest — our top picks from the new dishes that you can enjoy when you visit this year’s Festival. Jerk-spice Grouper (or Chicken) from La Isla Fresca La Isla Fresca debuted at the 2016 Flower and Garden Festival, and it brings with it the fresh flavors of the Caribbean. Everything that we tasted here was a winner! La Isla Fresca Dishes But we especially liked the option to choose between Jerked Grouper or Chicken (although we went for both! :-D) But seriously — not everyone is a fish lover, and not all folks eat chicken. So having a dish where you can decide, but still enjoy the flavors, is a great idea! Jerk-spice Grouper with Mango Salsa, Chayote and Green Papaya Slaw with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette The other incredible standout was the Jamaican Braised Beef. Check out our pictures on the Flower and Garden Page. Don’t miss this saucy short rib on your visit to this Outdoor Kitchen. Tender and delicious! Tarte à l’Onion Alsacienne from Fleur de Lys We were excited to try an all-new lineup at the Fleur de Lys Outdoor Kitchen in the France Pavilion. And while we enjoyed all of the dishes and sips, one stood out as a new favorite. The Tarte à l’Onion Alsacienne features a creamy filling of Sautéed Onions, Fresh Thyme, and Rosemary built on a tender Puff Pastry Crust. Tarte à l’Onion Alsacienne: Alsatian Onion Tart with Sautéed Onions, Fresh Thyme and Rosemary on a Flaky Puff Pastry Crust This is a situation where the picture absolutely doesn’t do the dish justice. I couldn’t stop eating this one. Pair it with any of the drinks at Fleur de Lys. Kir Imperial and Alsatian Tart It was especially nice with the Kir Imperial! Snakebite from Cider House Both the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and the Flower and Garden Festival have become hotspots for another huge trend — Craft Beer. But at this year’s Springtime event, we’re also seeing another drink showcased: Craft Cider. So it was fun to try a classic British Pub Blend with a fun twist — a Snakebite! The Snakebite is featured at one of the Festival’s newest Outdoor Kitchens, Cider House. Enjoy this refreshing blend of Cigar City Tampa-style Lager and McKenzie’s Black Cherry Hard Cider. Snakebite from the Cider House If you aren’t a fan of cider, which can be sweet, you might enjoy how the crisp lager mellows the sweetness (which comes from fresh black cherry juice, by the way). The light beer cocktail is the perfect sip for the increasingly warmer days of the Florida Spring. Flan from Jardin de Fiestas We always look forward to a fun twist on traditional fare at the Jardin de Fiestas Outdoor Kitchen in the Mexico Pavilion. And the chefs in this corner of World Showcase didn’t disappoint! In 2016, you’ll find floral flavors up to bat. And one of our favorite sweet treats was the traditional Flan, served with a Hibiscus Reduction. Flan de Rosas The dessert was both beautiful and delicious! Gaoli Beef Bun from Lotus House While their Beijing Candied Strawberries have become a bit of a tradition at the Festival, I love that China decided to offer a new savory item. The Gaoli Beef Bun offered a nice contrast to the vegetarian offerings at Lotus House. Gaolie Beef Bun at Lotus House And while we saw a similar dish at the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival — the Gaoli Beef Slider — we much prefer the Steamed Bun…it just feels like a more authentic Dim Sum dish this way. Currywurst from Bauernmarkt Currywurst held a spot on the menu of Sommerfest, the Germany Pavilion’s counter service restaurant, until recently. I was kinda bummed to see it off the menu the last time I went looking for it. So we were overjoyed when we not only heard that the Bauernmarkt, Germany’s Outdoor Kitchen, would return after a 2-year hiatus…but it would be bringing Currywurst with it! We love the rush of flavor in the Sauce against the mild Sausage. Currywurst with Paprika Chips But the curry flavor takes front and center here! So if you’re not a fan, ask them to go light on it or choose the booth’s Spring-inspired Chicken Fricassee instead. Elderflower Watermelon Sangria at Jardin de Fiestas Elderflower is having a bit of a moment (still). And we found the Elderflower Watermelon Sangria at Jardin de Fiestas to be a a really refreshing offering. What a fun take on a classic Spanish drink! Elderflower Watermelon Sangria This is a great sip for guests who would like to have an adult beverage that doesn’t pack quite as big of a punch as the booth’s Rose Margarita does. Armer Ritter from Bauernmarkt We found ourselves back at the Germany’s Bauernmarkt for our next sweet treat: Armer Ritter. Literally translated “Poor Knights,” you’ll recognize the dish as a rich version of French Toast. And yep — we’ve also seen it spelled “Arme Ritter” — so we’ll let you decide. Armer Ritter Etymology and spelling aside, DFB staff loved the Egg Battered Toast and the topping of Cherry Compote. We just may have to rethink this dish as solely a breakfast favorite. Beef Teriyaki Udon from Hanami Hanami might be an Outdoor Kitchen that you’re tempted to skip. I have one word of advice: Don’t. Because the Beef Teriyaki Udon is truly one of the most delicious dishes we had all day! (And it was one of only two that we actually finished. Seriously. There were fork fights.) Beef Teriyaki Udon The Minced Beef on top of the noodles was packed full of flavor. But even without the meat, we found the umami-rich Noodles to be utterly addictive. Go here and get this. Smoked Pork Ribs from Smokehouse The Smokehouse, located in the America Pavilion, is always a popular stop. While their very popular Pulled Pig Slider and Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños both return, they’ve also introduced a brand new offering: Smoked Pork Ribs with Roasted Corn Salad. Hearty portions and authentic smoke — you can see the Smoker right next to the booth! — make this a winner. Smoked Pork Ribs with Roasted Corn Salad We also couldn’t stop raving about the Roasted Corn Salad. I have a feeling this is gonna be a popular dish at Summer picnics. Dragon Pearl from Lotus House The Lotus House brought another new flavor to the Festival table this year: the Dragon Pearl. Get ready for this one, because it’s like nothing else you’ve ever tried. We’re talking a combo of Beer, Honey, Cream, and Tapioca Pearls. Our staff acknowledges right up front that this one is definitely going to fall into the “you either love it or you hate it” column. And since we like out-of-the-ordinary drinks — we loved it! Dragon Pearl With a creamy finish, depth from the beer, and those addictive Tapioca “bubbles,” we give this one high marks. Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon Salted Caramel Sauce from Smokehouse For our last sweet, we’re heading back around for one more visit to the Smokehouse to try a new addition to the menu. There was widespread outcry when it was announced that the Piggylicious Cupcake would be sitting this dance out. I mean, really — Bacon + Cake. How could you possibly replace that? Well. I’ll be the first to nominate Chocolate + Bourbon. Because Chocolate. And Bourbon. The cake is served warm with a generous drizzle of the super boozy sauce. Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-Salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans A scoop of melty vanilla ice cream, and this would have been perfection. And that will wrap up our review of this year’s new and favorite dishes at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! Don’t forget — you can check out photos of every single dish — both new ones as well as returning favorites — on our main Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Menu Page! But now I’d really love to hear from you! What looks great to you at this year’s Flower and Garden Festival? Leave us a comment and tell us your thoughts below! DFB Staff contributing to this post include AJ, Brooke, and Tina. 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! 2016 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival FULL Menus! News! New Booths and Eats at the 2016 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival First Look! Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Booth FOOD Pictures! View the full article

#DisneyKids: Wild About Kilimanjaro Safaris | Walt Disney World View the full article

Rainy days here in Southern California can be few, but little black rain clouds are no reason not to be stylish! As we’ve shared, a bit of rain can make for a lot of fun at the Disneyland Resort, and the perfect outfit can make the day even more special. So we called on Disney fashion expert Leslie Kay – creator of the Tumblr blog, DisneyBound – to share her tips and ideas for rainy day fashion. How is DisneyBounding for a rainy day different than for a sunny day? Leslie: You don’t have to let rain ruin your day. DisneyBounding in the rain is a whole new level of fun! You’re allowed to play around with accessories that would otherwise be irrelevant to your outfit – such as raincoats, rain boots and umbrellas! What is an easy way to convert a sunny day look for a rainy day? Leslie: Raincoats come in all sorts of fun colors – which is perfect for creating your Disney-inspired look. Find one that matches what your character might wear, and you’re ready to hit Disney Parks, DisneyBound style! Are you inspired by a specific rainy day accessory – maybe a raincoat or an umbrella – or do you look for rainy day pieces to supplement a look you already have in mind? Leslie: I think umbrellas add an entirely new level to DisneyBounding. Some characters, like Mary Poppins and Jiminy Cricket, for instance, already rock the umbrella. So by adding an umbrella to your DisneyBound, you’re actually completing the look. For other characters, you can find umbrellas that match their personal story, or an item they may come into contact with in their movie. Winnie the Pooh is a perfect example of that! With a bumble bee umbrella, you’ll certainly put a smile on the faces of several park-goers, when they realize who you’re dressed as. What are your rainy day essentials for a day in a Disney park? Leslie: Making sure you’re warm and dry is essential. Water resistant shoes and a raincoat or a rain poncho will ensure that your clothes remain dry. There is nothing worse than having wet clothes when you’re sitting in an air-conditioned restaurant. View the full article

It’s just about that time — St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner! And if you happen to be in Orlando for the holiday, there’s just one place you’ve gotta be…Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant! Year after year, Raglan Road continues to wow with this festival, which combines the best of Irish music, dancing, culture, and food. And even throughout the constant construction in Disney Springs, they’ve kept it going strong. This year’s festival will span seven full days. The party starts TODAY — Friday, March 11 — and runs straight through St. Patrick’s Day on the following Thursday! During the event, you can enjoy all of the wonderful food and drink that Raglan Road offers; and there will be complimentary face painting. Please note: seating will be first come, first served on St. Patrick’s Day, and a cover charge of $10 per person will be applied on that day only for all guests over the age of 18. It gets BUSY, so go early! Let’s take a look at what you can expect in 2016! Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival Special Culinary Events Master Chef Kevin Dundon is sure to have something special in store for guests who attend Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival culinary events! Choose from a luncheon and culinary demonstration, or indulge in a special signature dining experience. Exclusive Luncheon & Culinary Demonstration. Do you prefer a healthy dose of learning along with you a delicious meal? Then check out Raglan Road’s Luncheon and Culinary Demonstration! Master Chef Kevin Dundon will be on hand to prepare an exclusive four-course luncheon, inspired by Restaurant Jammet, the famed restaurant that ruled the Irish culinary scene for more than half a century. Check out the menu for the event, which promises to be something special! Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival Lunch Demonstration Menu — Click to Enlarge The event takes place Monday, March 14 at 1:00PM. The price for the luncheon, which includes wine pairings, is $55, plus tax and gratuity. Call 407-938-0300 to book your reservation. Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival Signature Dinner. Master Chef Dundon also takes his inspiration for this dinner from Restaurant Jammet. But this is more than just a Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival Event; look for the evening to be, in Raglan Road’s words, a “Centenary Celebration.” Check out the menu, which pays homage to Jammet and the birth of a nation. Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival Signature Dinner — Click to Enlarge The event takes place Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30PM. The price for the dinner, which includes wine pairings, is $115, plus tax and gratuity. Call 407-938-0300 to book your reservation. Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival Entertainment Lineup While the food is our favorite thing about any Disney celebration (natch), there’s also some top-notch entertainment happening at the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival. The event includes seven straight days of music and dancing on two different stages! The lineup includes something for everyone. Avi McGourty brings her soulful songwriting and performing to us all the way from County Tipperary. JigJam combines the best of Irish trad with American bluegrass to create a high energy fusion. We dare you to sit still! JigJam Will Appear at Raglan Road’s Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival And crowd favorites The High Road, The Raglan Roots Coalition, and Cooney & Ryan round out the lineup. But of course, it wouldn’t be a party without the incredible Raglan Road Dancers! Raglan Road Dancers So get ready to hoist a Guinness and pay tribute to all that is Grand about Ireland — and Raglan Road! So tell us — will you be celebrating a Mighty St. Patrick’s Day with Raglan Road this month? Leave a comment and let us know what you’re looking forward to the most! 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! March Signature Dining Events Highlight the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival at Raglan Road News: Great Irish Hooley at Raglan Road Irish Pub Raglan Road News! St. Patrick’s Day, Gluten Free Food, and More… View the full article

Walt Disney World guests are now incorporated into the finale of the "it's a small world" ride at Magic Kingdom, thanks to their MagicBands. The final scene of the Fantasyland attraction has signs with the words for "good-bye" in multiple languages. There are also three big screens built in to... View the full article

Plan for a Day in the Theme Parks With Your Little Ones | Walt Disney World View the full article

We have exciting changes coming this year at runDisney. One of the changes I’m personally most excited about is the Avengers joining forces with more Super Heroes in 2016. The November event name will change to celebrate this expanded roster to the 2016 Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort. To kick off the first year, we are thrilled to announce the themes for the event weekend. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Captain America’s first appearance, the Captain America 5K will be inspired by the vintage style of the original artwork! The master of mystic arts is set to host the Doctor Strange 10K. What better motivation than the “Doctor Strange” movie releasing the week before the event? The half marathon will remain the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon. Get ready to see the First Avenger, Captain America! The Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend will be full of surprises. With the mighty additions, you never know who will show up on course! Who would you be most excited to see on course? Registration for our most powerful event will open on April 12, 2016, at noon ET. Sign up for an email reminder today. Make sure to join the fun by following @runDisney on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #runDisney. View the full article

Orlando is king for family-friendly resorts. So say the readers of TripAdvisor, who made their choices for best family hotels and resorts in the website's Travelers Choice Awards this month.The No. 1 choice was Floridays Resort Orlando, on International Drive just outside Walt Disney World. The... View the full article

Jordan Alexander's favorite ride is Splash Mountain and she was very excited to ride it with her husband, Steve, during a recent visit to Walt Disney World. But that didn't happen. Steve was hot and tired from their day at Magic Kingdom and decided to skip riding the water flume attraction, thus... View the full article

I’ve already told you about how the new Adventures by Disney Walt Disney World Resort and Central Florida vacation allows you to experience the theme parks in true VIP style. But I’m equally excited to tell you all about all the cool experiences you can enjoy on this trip outside of Walt Disney World Resort. I’ve lived in Central Florida for 16 years, and throughout my time here I’ve explored the area, become one with nature and seen more than my fair share of gators. But this Adventures by Disney vacation takes guests to places I had never before visited, and truly allows travelers to experience the real Central Florida in authentic and exhilarating ways. From visiting iconic Central Florida locales like the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where you can enjoy a private lunch with an astronaut, to exploring unspoiled wetlands by airboat and kayak, this trip checks more than a few “must-sees” off your travel wish list. But to really see “Old Florida,” you’ll journey to Forever Florida, a 4,700-acre wildlife conservation area that preserves the region’s ranching heritage. Here you can explore nine distinct ecosystems on a swamp buggy tour that takes you on the lookout for alligators, black bears, deer, panthers and more. Or saddle up for a horseback adventure through natural trails and (surprisingly deep) creeks. Get up close with Florida Cracker Horses, the direct descendants of those brought over by Ponce de Leon and other Spanish settlers in the 1500’s. (I always wanted to channel my inner Ponce de Leon so he could lead me to that supposed fountain of youth!) But if you’re like me, you want to take your trip into the Florida wilds to the next level. Adventure seekers can enjoy a series of ziplines high above the treetops. And if that’s not thrilling enough, take ride on the only zipline roller coaster in the United States. Get outfitted in a harness and set off on 1,000 feet of adventure as you swing, swoop, jump, zip and dip at speeds up to 20 miles per hour along a rigid zip-rail system. It’s truly unlike anything I’ve ever ridden! For the truly brave there’s also the Panther Pounce. Step off a 7-story platform and freefall (in a safely controlled manner) to the ground below. It’s a total adrenaline rush! I learned that 20% of people who climb to the top of the tower ultimately can’t bring themselves to go through with it (I think it’s best that I learned this after I somehow managed the courage to step off that platform). But whether you attempt it or not, it’s equally exciting to see others face their fears and make the leap. All of this, and more, is what makes Adventures by Disney the ultimate way to visit Central Florida. View the full article

Like Olaf, I’m a big fan of sun, sand, and H2O. I’m Allison and for me, sharing lots of ways to have a splashing good time at Walt Disney World Resort is as much fun as getting a warm hug from everyone’s favorite snowman! Last week, we shared exciting news of the inaugural Frozen Games coming to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park this summer, with Olaf and Kristoff leading guests in a friendly “Frozen” competition each day. And while Olaf’s dream of being ‘in summer’ isn’t here just yet, here are five ways to start melting away winter now at Blizzard Beach. Toboggan Racers let you slide down the slopes just like Olaf. This 8-lane race down Mount Gushmore sends you headfirst on “toboggan” mats on a 250-foot-long slope with three snowy dips along the way. Catch some air on snow-banked Slush Gusher. You will travel right through sprays of winter snowmelt on this 90-foot-long, high-speed slide as you zoom over two rolling hills. When it’s time for a bite to eat, recharge at Lottawatta Lodge. Choose from tasty flatbreads, wraps, salads or sandwiches and pick up a special all-day refillable mug for $9.99 and come back anytime to fuel up or chill out. Take it easy at Melt-Away Bay and choose from lounging on the warm sand or floating offshore in a tube among gentle waves. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Dig into a Sand Pail ice cream bucket from I.C. Expeditions. This indulgent dessert with chocolate and vanilla soft-serve ice cream topped with chips of waffle cone, cookie pieces, sprinkles, hot fudge, caramel sauce, strawberry sauce, whipped cream and a cherry is worth melting for. What ‘cool’ things are you most excited to do during your visit to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park? View the full article

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an awesome park for preschoolers, where they can explore the magic of nature through themed attractions, shows, character experiences and more. One of theme park’s most popular attractions for all ages is Kilimanjaro Safaris. During this 18-minute ride on an open-air vehicle through an African savanna, little ones will marvel at lions, giraffes, zebras and other favorite animals in their natural habitats. We recently spent the day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and chatted with young guests about their safari experiences. We think you’ll agree, their enthusiastic reactions are pretty adorable. Do your #DisneyKids have a favorite memory of Kilimanjaro Safaris? View the full article

"It's St. Paddy's Day," says John Cooke, co-owner and partner at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Disney Springs. "Never St. Patty's." Get it wrong while you hoist a glass of green beer and you are adding insult to injury and, let's face it, simply asking for trouble. The true Irish would... View the full article

Coming up on Sunday we’ll be celebrating Daylight Savings and Springing Forward — and you know what that means: one less hour of sleep. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but let me also be the bearer of GOOD news: we at DFB have decided to add a silver lining to your weekend and offer some GREAT savings at DFBStore.com in honor of Daylight Savings time! Whether your visit is just around the corner during the Spring Break rush or you will be logging your Disney Days later on in 2016, one thing is for sure: Planning ahead is the key to a stress-less vacay. And that’s never more true than when it comes to dining. I totally get it. It’s hard to know what you’ll want to do — or EAT! — 3, 6, or even 12 months down the road. But knowledge is power! Besides, if you really want to dine in the hottest restaurants, you pretty much have to plan ahead. Be spontaneous, sure. But get a couple Advance Dining Reservations in place. But which ones? That’s where Disney Food Blog comes in! You already enjoy our reviews, news, and tips daily on our Blog. But did you know — that’s JUST the tip of the iceberg. Because we have lots more to share with you in our complete line of DFB Guides. So don’t let Daylight Savings time get you down; dig into some savings instead! Save 25% on The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2016 Fully updated for your 2016-2017 adventures, the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2016 e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 530 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subject — Disney foooood! So you save time and money as you enjoy planning one of the most important parts of your trip. DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Sample Pages And in honor of Daylight Savings Time and the return of Spring and Summer, we are offering extra savings on our most popular DFB Guide today. Just enter promo code DAYLIGHT at checkout and you’ll save 25% off of our cover price of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2016 e-Book! But if you’d like to enjoy even more detail, check out another great offer. Save 25% on the DFB Everything Bundle! Want even more great information, pictures, and tips? Then the DFB Everything Bundle may be just the right fit for you. And to get you ready for that next big trip, we are offering the DFB Everything Bundle for 25% off the already low price! It’s like getting an entire book for free. Just enter promo code DAYLIGHT at checkout to take advantage of this offer. The Everything Bundle includes, well, Everything! When you purchase this special bundle of DFB Guides, you’ll get it all: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2016 Edition The Updated DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks The Updated DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks The Updated DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks A Pre-Order of the 2016 DFB Guide to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and the 2015 Edition for FREE as an immediate download A Pre-Order of the 2016 DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays, and the 2015 Edition for FREE as an immediate download DFB Dining Adventures That’s every book in our collection of critically-acclaimed DFB Guides. And with the convenient e-book format, you can load your books onto as many electronic devices as you want. Have them at your fingertips, ready to plan and take with you into the Parks. Just download and off you go! The DFB Everything Bundle is already a terrific bargain at well below 40% off the individual prices of the books, but we’re excited to offer you additional savings of 25% off for a limited time. Enter promo code DAYLIGHT at checkout to take advantage of this offer. Shop in confidence, knowing that all of our DFB Guides are 100% money-back guaranteed. As always, we thank you for your continued support of Disney Food Blog! We couldn’t do this without all of you! 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: LEAP Into Savings Today at DFBStore.com! Epcot Food and Wine Festival Opening Week — Celebrate With Savings! Bundles of Savings: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Midpoint Sale! View the full article

Over the past two years, we’ve shared with you some of the work that’s been going on to reshape the Hub area in front of Cinderella Castle. This area is used a ton by guests for photos in front of our lovely castle, but is also a key area for parade and fireworks viewing. I have to say that in this picture, snapped after all the guests have gone home, the area looks pretty amazing with it’s ornate gardens and tiny topiaries. View the full article

Yes, (in case you’re wondering) one of the great advantages about working for Walt Disney World Resort is to visit the parks frequently. It was an incredible gorgeous morning at the Magic Kingdom Park this past Tuesday, and I had a pleasant opportunity to talk about vacation planning with some of our multigenerational family guests on Main Street U.S.A. Understandably, planning a ten, twelve, eighteen family member vacation to Disney is no small task. It takes a lot of coordination. And according to the families I spoke to that day at Magic Kingdom Park, “it’s totally crazy and totally worth it”. I get it, when four generations travel together you have to find balance, find a little bit for everyone, and it’s not easy. But then you are all together, creating wonderful memories and that’s the beauty of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Here there’s something for everyone! The magic is to plan ahead. With four great themed parks to visit, two water parks, and Disney Springs, there’s a lot to see and do at Disney. One great tool I recommend is our Grandparents Vacationing Guide website. You can check out the details on how to get set up on My Disney Experience, for example (a great guide, by the way). It’s awesomely convenient to have all information right on your hands if you download the application on your phone! One more thing: remember to make dining reservations and enjoy the show! View the full article

Planning on rolling into Southern California this spring? Join us for the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration and be among the first guests to hop aboard Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, the newest attraction inside Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park. It’s a perfect time of year to celebrate. In fact, twenty of Luigi’s cugini (cousins) are visiting from Carsoli, Italy, to help commemorate Race Day in Radiator Springs. Plus, all the glitz of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration remains in full swing, too, with nighttime spectaculars like “Paint the Night” parade and “World of Color — Celebrate!” All this celebration calls for a beautiful “vroom” to sleep in each night, so now there’s an added bonus for those looking to stay at one of our three on-property hotels. When staying between April 3 and June 16, 2016, you can save up to 20 percent on premium rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa or the Disneyland Hotel, or save up to 10 percent at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, on select Sunday through Thursday nights.* Book through May 24, 2016. Of course, by staying at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, you’ll have convenient theme park access, as well as my favorite perk: early morning admission to Disneyland Resort theme parks!** Separate theme park admission and valid hotel key card required. Click here for more details and to book today! *Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at the same hotel. Savings on premium rooms are available on Premium, Deluxe and Woods/Garden/Courtyard rooms; select Concierge rooms; and Paradise, Artisan and Regal suites. Ask about savings on other room types. Not valid on previously booked rooms. Advance reservations required. Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Excludes applicable fees and taxes. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and five (5) people maximum per room. Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Separate theme park admission required to enjoy the parks. **Disneyland Resort Hotel Guest Extra Magic Hour currently allows registered Disneyland Resort hotel guests admission into select attractions at Disneyland park on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and Disney California Adventure Park on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday before the applicable park opens to the general public. Check disneyland.com for schedule of when each park offers Extra Magic Hour. Each registered hotel guest (ages 3 and older) must have a valid theme park ticket and active hotel room key card. To enhance the Extra Magic Hour experience, it is strongly recommended that guests arrive at least one hour and 15 minutes prior to regular park opening. Applicable theme park, days and times of operation and all other elements including, but not limited to, operation of attractions, entertainment, stores, restaurants and appearances of characters may vary and are subject to change without notice. Subject to capacity, cancellation and other restrictions. View the full article

We don’t often report on runDisney news here at the DFB (unless it has to do with WHAT you’re going to eat BEFORE your race and WHERE you’re going to eat after to celebrate your accomplishment!). But we make a small exception for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon… ‘cuz wine. And DINE! And also because it takes place in tandem with the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, our favorite celebration of the year! So we thought we’d chime in with some news about the 2016 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, which will take place November 3 – 6, 2016. Here’s the RUNdown, along with details on two NEW challenges debuting this year! Wine and Dine Half Marathon First: the Half Marathon — typically a nighttime race — will take place in daytime hours moving forward, beginning at Epcot at 5:30 AM on Sunday, November 6th. An updated course will bring runners through Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Please note that the Post Race Party will take place on Sunday evening, and runners will have exclusive access during “later hours,” according to runDisney. (This is AWESOME, because it means you don’t miss out on party fun if you’re a slower runner…not that I have any experience in that department at all, of course. ;-D) 2015 Epcot Wine and Dine Medal Wine and Dine 10K — NEW! Second: a Disney Wine & Dine 10K has been added to the weekend, with Chef Remy on the way to host the race! The race will start at Epcot at 5:30 AM on Saturday, November 6th. (There will still be a 5K race as well :-D; Mickey’s Holiday 5K will take place at Animal Kingdom on Friday, November 4.) Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge — NEW! Third: An all-new combo event will challenge runners to tackle both the 10K AND the Half Marathon. Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge finishers will receive a special third medal for the Challenge in addition to the medals they earn by finishing the individual 10K and Half Marathon races. So get ready to lace up those running shoes and start logging those miles! Registration for these events opens at Noon EST on March 29, 2016. Be sure to check out all the info on rundisney.com and keep an eye on our Epcot Food and Wine Festival page for other details from the season! Start Your Food and Wine Festival Planning Today! The DFB Guide to the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book is now available for Pre-Order! (And you get the 2015 Guide FREE!) Want even more great tips? 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. Order your 2016 edition today and get the 2015 edition for FREE, immediately! 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! Use code CHEFS at check-out for a $3 discount! Be sure to check our main Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page frequently for updates, and also check out Epcot Food and Wine Festival 101 for even more information about the festival! Are you hoping to participate in any of the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Events? 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: 2012 Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Registration Now Open! News! Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Merchandise News! 2014 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Events and Registration Announced View the full article

If you’ve never participated in a runDisney event before, but have an appetite to try one, then we have the perfect race weekend for you. Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend on November 3-6 is expanding the menu of race offerings in 2016. In addition to the popular holiday-themed 5K and enticing half marathon, the weekend will now include the first-ever Disney Wine & Dine 10K! This year Chef Remy will host the inaugural event. As the race weekend expands, all of the races, including the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon, will move to a morning start time. With all four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort soon remaining open during the nighttime hours, daytime races allow us to give our race participants the best possible runDisney experience along with fantastic entertainment. runDisney is also excited to announce we will be adding a challenge to the weekend. That’s right, Lumiere invites you to be our guest by participating in the Disney Wine & Dine 10K on Saturday and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon on Sunday to complete Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge. These runners will receive two inaugural finisher medals as well as the half marathon medal! To toast your race weekend accomplishments, The Post Race Party will take place Sunday evening at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, finishing with exclusive runner access during the later hours. The exciting expansion news goes beyond runDisney. There are also exciting enhancements coming to Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Some of these additions will be open for guests to experience during our race weekend, including the nighttime spectacular “Rivers of Light” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Frozen Ever After experience at the Norway Pavilion at Epcot and more! Registration for our most appetizing race event will open on March 29, 2016 at noon ET. Sign up for an email reminder today. Make sure to join the fun by following @runDisney on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #runDisney. Cheers and bon appétit! View the full article

We recently brought you the first two installments of our interview with Steve Davison, Vice President of Parades and Spectaculars at Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment, revealing the inspirations behind the three dazzling nighttime spectaculars featured during the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. We began with “Paint the Night” parade, continued with “Disneyland Forever” fireworks and today we end with “World of Color – Celebrate!” at Disney California Adventure park. How did you decide to devote this show to the life and creativity of Walt Disney? Steve: We wanted “World of Color – Celebrate!” to be an anchor for the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. We wanted to tell a heartfelt story of a man who always followed his dreams into the unknown and show how he made great things happen by taking chances. How did you select the specific moments and milestones that are featured in the show? Steve: Each moment in the show is a milestone in Walt Disney’s career. It shows how he started, and where his journey has lead us all today. For example, we wanted to show how the creation of Mickey Mouse compelled him to create full-length animated features. What influences from the “Wonderful World of Disney” can be found in the show? Steve: We treated this show as if it was an episode of the “Wonderful World of Disney,” in which a host takes us into world of Disney. For “World of Color – Celebrate!” we presented Neil Patrick Harris the way Walt Disney would be presented as the host. This made Neil our guide to explore dreams of a very special man, Walt Disney. I hope you’ve enjoyed our chat with Steve Davison. Be sure to catch “Paint the Night” parade, “Disneyland Forever” fireworks and “World of Color – Celebrate!” on your next visit to the Disneyland Resort! View the full article

The force is strong on this ship! With the overwhelming excitement of Disney cruisers to this year’s Star Wars Day at Sea aboard the Disney Fantasy, we announced today the return of this day-long celebration in 2017. What’s more, these special Disney Fantasy sailings are expanding to both eastern and western Caribbean 7-night itineraries. They are only offered for a limited time on 15 sailings from early January through mid-April from Port Canaveral. Each sailing features a full day of dark side and light side fun, including official appearances of Star Wars characters, a deck party and fireworks, Jedi training for kids, at-sea screenings of Star Wars films, unique food and beverage offerings, and special merchandise. Read on to find out more details about the intergalactic entertainment you can enjoy during Star Wars Day at Sea, and let us know in the comments what your family is most excited to experience, either for the first time or again if you’ve already joined us this year … Force-filled Fun for Everyone Characters from across the Star Wars galaxy are onboard for interactions, photos and also may be seen patrolling the decks. Kids and families enjoy friendly competition during Star Wars trivia games, putting their knowledge of the film and television sagas to the test. Guests are encouraged to bring their costumes and participate in the costume celebration held in the ship’s atrium. Younglings Use Their Power In “Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple,” Force-sensitive children learn the ways of the Jedi and use their new-found skills in a final face off with Darth Vader. Star Wars-themed arts and crafts, games, and activities are offered throughout the day in Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab youth clubs. Star Wars Deck Party and Fireworks An exciting evening blasts off with a deck party filled with music, a galactic dance party and appearances of Star Wars characters on the deck stage. The grand finale is a spectacular display of pyrotechnics, lighting and sound effects set to a medley of Star Wars music. Merchandise, Food and Beverage Event merchandise exclusive to Star Wars Day at Sea is available on each sailing, including a range of collectible items, apparel and trading pins. Specialty Star Wars-themed beverages, including non-alcoholic offerings, as well as snacks, dinner menu items and desserts, please the palates of everyone from Padawans to rebel pilots to Tusken Raiders. Film Screenings Guests can watch “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” the first in a new series of standalone Star Wars films, to be released on Dec. 16, 2016, as well as all seven films in the Star Wars saga. View the full article

Are you in the midst of planning your next Walt Disney World vacation? Then you’ll want to know that Disney has increased the price of the Disney Dining Plans for the Quick Service, Standard, and Deluxe Dining Plans as of March 9, 2016. Disney Dining Plan Prices as of March 9, 2016 Quick-Service Dining Plan $44.13 per night ages 10 and up $19.04 per night ages 3 to 9 (Increase from earlier 2016 pricing of $42.84 and $17.47) Standard Dining Plan $63.70 per night ages 10 and up $22.85 per night ages 3 to 9 (Increase from earlier 2016 pricing of $61.84 and $20.96) Deluxe Dining Plan $115.08 per night ages 10 and up $35.49 per night ages 3 to 9 (Increase from earlier 2016 pricing of $111.57 and $32.56) This pricing was obtained through booking online reservations on DisneyWorld.com. Wondering Whether the Disney Dining Plan Will SAVE You Money? We’ve got TONS of Disney World Dining Tips — including a full chapter and price break-down and comparison on whether the Disney Dining Plan will save YOU money — in our big, bold 2016 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining! With more than 530 pages, The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs, how to save dough on your Disney dining, and more! With sample dining itineraries, plus multiple bonus features and reusable worksheets, you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining E-book — and use code HAPPYPLACE for an extra $4 discount for a limited time! What are your thoughts on the latest pricing information for the Disney Dining Plan? Please chime in 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 Dining Plan Price Increase 2016 Disney Dining Plan Changes and Updates News! 2013 Disney Dining Plan Pricing and Updates View the full article