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EPCOT’s most popular ride is changing tomorrow! Did the Nova Corps decide to give their ship a new paint job? Did Star-Lord add a little “Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit” nostalgia to the playlist? Maybe the date will give you a clue. What if we told you that the change set to hit Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was happening on the 21st of September? Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is getting a special one-day change, and fans are going to love it. We’re going to tell you why you NEED to know before you get on this ride tomorrow! Let’s be real. The roller coaster itself is cool and all, but most fans love to ride Cosmic Rewind because of the epic music playing during the ride. Every time you ride the coaster, one of six songs from a (wonderfully curated) playlist is selected at random to play during your experience. Crowds at Cosmic Rewind These are the songs you may hear: “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire “Disco Inferno” by the Trammps “Conga” by Gloria Estefan “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears “I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock of Seagulls “One Way or Another” by Blondie Since the song is chosen at random, there’s a chance you’ve heard all of them, some of them, or maybe even the same song every time you ride the coaster (I once got “One Way or Another” FOUR TIMES IN A ROW). However, tomorrow, September 21st, the song selection won’t be so random! Cosmic Rewind queue Tomorrow is September 21st, you know, “the 21st night of September.” This means tomorrow, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be playing “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire non-stop throughout the day. So, if you ride the ride, you will 100% get that song! Cosmic Rewind This is a great opportunity for anyone who hasn’t gotten to experience that song on the ride yet, or if you just love “September” (it’s one of our faves)! At this point, the “September” song takeover is a tradition — we’ve seen it happen for the past several years, and we NEVER get tired of that song. So make sure to stop by tomorrow! Be warned — the line could be EXTRA long. We expect alllll the “September” fans to show up. Get on this ride! If you go to visit EPCOT, make sure to explore everything that the Food and Wine Festival has to offer. We’ve tried all sorts of unique and tasty food and drink around the World Showcase — it’s one of our favorite festivals of the year! There are also unique activities to explore, as well as free concerts for you to enjoy. EPCOT Food & Wine Festival display Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. We can’t wait to help Rocket and the Guardians steal back the cosmic generator tomorrow (over and over again)! For more Disney news and updates, make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog. FULL LIST of What’s Opening in Disney World in 2026 DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Will you be going to EPCOT tomorrow? Let us know in the comments! The post A Big Ride Change Happens in EPCOT Tomorrow (but It Won’t Last Long!) first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Every week, we report the average Disney World wait times in every park so that you can be prepared for your next trip to Orlando! Magic Kingdom With Fall in full swing, wait times have stabilized! So, knowing what the weekly average wait times are for those popular rides can make or break your upcoming trip. If you’re heading to the parks soon, we’ve got all the info you need to know! Take a look at this week’s average wait times for proof! This is everything you need to know about the average wait times in Disney World over the past seven days. There are very few waits over an hour, which is incredible. Does this mean September is one of the best times to visit the parks? We think so! Magic Kingdom Wait Times TRON Lightcycle / Run Launch Room TRON Lightcycle / Run — 55 minutes Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — 45 minutes Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — 42 minutes Peter Pan’s Flight — 37 minutes Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh — 30 minutes Jungle Cruise — 29 minutes Haunted Mansion — 28 minutes Space Mountain — 19 minutes Space Mountain queue Pirates of the Caribbean — 17 minutes Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid — 17 minutes Enchanted Tales with Belle — 15 minutes Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini — 11 minutes Tomorrowland Speedway — 10 minutes Aladdin and Jasmine on the Magic Carpets Magic Carpets of Aladdin — 10 minutes “it’s a small world” — 10 minutes Mickey’s PhilharMagic — 9 minutes Country Bear Jamboree — 8 minutes Carousel of Progress Dumbo the Flying Elephant — 9 minutes Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover — 8 minutes Mad Tea Party — 8 minutes Prince Charming Regal Carrousel — 6 minutes Carousel of Progress — 5 minutes Enchanted Tiki Room — 5 minutes 3 Magic Kingdom Restaurants the Experts Refuse to Book EPCOT Wait Times Outdoor section Test Track — 71 minutes Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — 63 minutes Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — 46 minutes Frozen Ever After — 44 minutes Soarin’ — 23 minutes Mission: SPACE — 22 minutes Gran Fiesta Tour: The Three Caballeros Turtle Talk with Crush — 15 minutes Living with the Land — 14 minutes The Seas with Nemo and Friends — 14 minutes Journey into Imagination — 13 minutes Gran Fiesta Tour — 8 minutes Awesome Planet, American Adventure, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. This Is One of the BEST Things To Do in EPCOT, and You Can’t Change My Mind Animal Kingdom Wait Times Line for Flight of Passage in Pandora Avatar Flight of Passage — 53 minutes Na’vi River Journey — 42 minutes Kilimanjaro Safaris — 24 minutes Expedition Everest Expedition Everest — 22 minutes Kali River Rapids — 19 minutes Dinosaur — 15 minutes The Boneyard had no wait times this week. These Disney Adult Animal Kingdom Hacks Are Getting Out of Control Hollywood Studios Wait Times Stormtroopers in Rise of the Resistance Rise of the Resistance — 69 minutes Slinky Dog Dash — 48 minutes Toy Story Mania — 41 minutes Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway — 38 minutes Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster — 36 minutes Tower of Terror Tower of Terror — 36 minutes Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — 31 minutes Alien Swirling Saucers — 21 minutes Star Tours — 5 minutes Walt Disney Presents had no wait times this week. 5 Magic Kingdom Secrets Disney Doesn’t Want You to Know Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World! Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. ‘Menu Sleuths’ Are Taking Over Disney World Restaurants Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How long would you wait for your favorite ride? Let us know in the comments below! The post Disney World Ride Wait Times for Every Park This Week – The Complete List first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We know, we know, we haven’t even got past Halloween yet, but we can’t help that Disney is already thinking about the holiday season! Of course, we can’t wait to celebrate the season at Disneyland Resort with the holiday parade, fireworks show, special treats, and festive decor. We also can’t wait to see “it’s a small world” adorned with thousands of shimmering lights and whimsical decor. “it’s a small world” in Disneyland However, in order to get this iconic attraction ready for the holiday overlay, Disney will need to close it down for a bit. The attraction will be closed starting October 30th, 2025, at Disneyland Park, but it will reopen in time for Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, which kick off on November 14th, 2025. You can find “it’s a small world” over in Fantasyland at Disneyland Park, and it is an iconic attraction. We love singing along and sailing on “the happiest cruise that ever sailed,” but the holiday overlay is truly spectacular to see. It really takes this attraction up a notch, and we can’t wait to see it again this year. “it’s a small world” Holiday The façade of “it’s a small world” is adorned with thousands of shimmering lights, and throughout your journey on the attraction you will spot whimsical decor, enjoy jubilant regional adornments, and hear traditional holiday tunes. You can ride the special holiday overlay beginning November 14th, 2025, until January 7th, 2026. “it’s a small world” Holiday You already know we will be at Disneyland on November 14th to check out all of the special holiday offerings, and we can’t wait to share them all with you. Want some help planning your vacation to Disneyland? Make sure to reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations. They have years and years of experience planning Disneyland vacations, and their services are completely free! Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disneyland news! 5 Disneyland Planning Traditions Canceled for 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your favorite Disneyland attraction? Let us know in the comments! The post An Iconic Disneyland Ride Is Closing SOON! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Prepare for a spellbinding celebration as Disney Halloween returns to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea from September 17 to October 31. Magic is brewing this season, including the return of the fan-favorite “Villains’ Halloween ‘Into the Frenzy’” parade and dazzling decorations across both parks. For the first time, “Lazos de la Familia” inspired the Pixar Animation Studios film Coco is coming to Tokyo DisneySea. Halloween Decor at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are decked out in festive Halloween décor, creating the perfect backdrop for seasonal fun and photos. At World Bazaar, Main Street is adorned with thorns, a Mickey-inspired pumpkin photo spot, and banners of Disney Villains. You can also spot a Halloween-themed Mickey Flower Bed at the entrance and whimsical pumpkin and ghost designs in Toontown. Over at Tokyo DisneySea, Mediterranean Harbor features Italian-themed decorations at Passaggio MiraCosta and Palazzo Canals, while the American Waterfront’s New York area has been transformed with pumpkin displays. New Coco-themed Experience at Tokyo DisneySea You’ll go “un poco loco” for the debut of “Lazos de la Familia” over at Lost River Delta in Tokyo DisneySea. Step into the world of Pixar’s Coco and celebrate the spirit of Día de los Muertos with vibrant skeletons, marigolds, and lively performances of mariachi music. You can even savor a marigold-inspired drink that blends orange and mandarin orange, a seafood salsa rice bowl topped with salmon, sausage, and a skeleton-shaped tortilla chip, or an orange-flavored Pan de Muerto with orange. Disney Villains Take Over the Parade “The Villains’ Halloween ‘Into the Frenzy’” parade once again returns to Tokyo Disneyland, transforming the park into a wickedly fun celebration. The parade is led by Dr. Facilier from Disney Animation’s The Princess and the Frog and features Mickey and his friends dancing to festive music alongside fiery effects and dramatic bursts of smoke. With its electrifying finale and immersive atmosphere, this Halloween party on the parade route is a must-see highlight of the season. Over at Mediterranean Harbor in Tokyo DisneySea, enjoy the lively celebration on the water “Disney Halloween Greeting.” Mickey and Friends are spreading Halloween cheer on a boat filled with sweets and a giant pumpkin. The Pumpkin King Takes Over Haunted Mansion From September 16, 2025, to January 12, 2026, the iconic Haunted Mansion in Fantasyland will transform into Haunted Mansion “Holiday Nightmare.” This seasonal overlay, inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, brings Jack Skellington and his crew to life in a festive fusion of Halloween and Christmas. Halloween Fireworks Light Up the Night Sky Spectacular Halloween fireworks are lighting up the night sky once again over both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. This breathtaking display is set to Halloween-themed music, creating the perfect grand finale to a day of festive fun. Exclusive Halloween Merchandise and Villains-Inspired Accessories Experience the Halloween season with boo-tiful merchandise at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The lineup includes playful ghosts, Disney Villains-inspired accessories. and more! Pumpkin-Flavored Delights and Seasonal Treats Sink your fangs into a new lineup of themed food and beverage at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. From pumpkin treats and maple-flavored waffle to villainous drinks, these new offerings perfectly capture the season. Mickey Waffle with pumpkin whipped cream and maple sauce Pumpkin Muffin with almonds Halloween Sundae with pumpkin soft serve and churros Maple Pumpkin-flavored Churros Pear and Strawberry-flavored Tea Drink Special Drink with pumpkin milk and coffee jelly With so many fa-boo-lous experiences, delicious seasonal treats and limited-time entertainment, Disney Halloween at Tokyo Disney Resort is a must-visit! Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more frightfully delightful Halloween happenings around the world! Duffy and Friends Celebrate 20 Years at Tokyo Disney Resort READ MORE Tokyo DisneySea 25th Anniversary Dates and Details READ MORE How to Stay Cool This Summer at Tokyo Disney Resort READ MORE The post Tokyo Disney Resort Halloween Returns with Villains, Fireworks, and More appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Who’s ready to go shopping for your new Loungefly bag for the fall season? We know we are! Loungefly bags galore! We check online frequently to see what new Loungefly bags there are out there, because not all of them we end up seeing in the parks, and some of them slip under the radar. But not on our watch! While we were searching online today, we found four new bags online you won’t want to miss, because they could make some AMAZING new additions to your collection. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. For All Those Classic Disney Channel Fans! ©Amazon If you loved watching Lizzie McGuire growing up, you need to grab the Lizzie McGuire Loungefly Crossbody Purse online ASAP! It’s perfectly hot pink with flowers all over the top flap of the bag, and the cartoon version of Lizzie McGuire herself is on the bottom left corner. Check it out here! Minnie Mouse Fans, This is For You! ©Amazon Can’t get enough of Minnie Mouse and want a unique bag that very few other people have? Check out the ‘Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Gardening’ Earth Day Mini-Backpack! The front pocket is the flower pot Minnie is holding, and it even comes with a coin purse that attaches right to the zipper of the main pocket. Don’t forget to look on the back of the bag — you’ll find Mickey dreaming about Minnie! Check it out here! PERFECT For The Halloween and Christmas Seasons ©Amazon For those of you who can’t decide between Halloween and Christmas, celebrate both all season long with The Nightmare Before Christmas 30th Anniversary Loungefly Backpack! Oogie Boogie is front and center on the top with Jack and Sally on either side, and then the front pocket’s design truly brings it all together. We can’t get enough! Check it out here! Talk About Unique! ©Amazon Got a love of gardening and Disney? The ‘Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Gardening’ Earth Day Loungefly Crossbody Purse is quite literally right up your alley. It’s smaller than other bags, but it can still fit a good amount of items you need for your day in the parks, and we can’t get over how much we love Mickey in his little hat holding his watering can! Check it out here! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney merchandise news and more! The post 4 NEW Amazon-Exclusive Disney Loungefly Bags Are Online Now! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A 32-year-old man’s death from injuries he suffered on Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers roller coaster will spark an intensive investigation examining everything from the attraction’s restraints to training protocols, safety experts said Friday. Kevin Rodriguez Zavala of Kissimmee died of “multiple blunt impact injuries,” according to the Orange County Medical Examiner. His death has been ruled an accident, but what went wrong at Universal Orlando Resort’s newest park remains a mystery. In the coming weeks, the ride — which has since been closed — is going to be meticulously inspected by Universal, law enforcement and the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said attorney Kimberly Wald, who has litigated amusement ride deaths. “When something of this magnitude happens, especially that it was relatively new, they are going to look at the way it was designed, the way it was built and the actual assembly,” said Wald, whose firm represented the family of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson after he fell to his death from the Orlando FreeFall drop tower in 2022. “Should there have been a better shoulder harness? Where did the blunt force trauma occur?” Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, died from multiple blunt impact injuries while riding the Stardust Racers thrill ride at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (GoFundMe page) Experts cautioned that it’s still too early to know what happened on the Stardust Racers. Zavala, who was found unresponsive Wednesday, used a wheelchair, according to photos on a GoFundMe account. According to an Orange County Sheriff’s Office report released late Friday, Zavala had a preexisting spinal injury and was taking medication. “If the ride is not designed to have a handicapped rider, and you start manipulating it, then it’s a problem,” Wald said. “But every step needs to be examined, from soup to nuts. … It’s a public safety concern.” Theme park deaths are extraordinarily rare, but when they happen, they typically involve a mechanical mishap, a design flaw, or a rider-induced issue, such as standing up or disregarding safety instructions, said Dennis Speigel, owner of International Theme Park Services, a consulting firm that advises attractions on design planning and operations. “Overall, bottom line, it will be a transparent, open investigation,” he said. “The facts will be known. Universal will handle this at the highest level of integrity in our industry.” Stardust Racers, which opened with the rest of the new theme park in May, is a dual-launch, “dueling” coaster with side-by-side tracks that reaches a top speed of 62 mph and a height of 133 feet, according to Universal. The most prominent feature is the patented “celestial spin,” where the tracks twist around each other in a barrel roll. Riders are restrained only at the lap by a solid bar that lowers from overhead, without any shoulder constraints. Universal will likely bring in third-party engineers and review the ride’s design, speed, restraints and training protocols for ride attendants and other staff, said Brian Avery, a University of Florida professor and expert on ride safety. Guests take a ride on the Stardust Racers twin coaster at night at Epic Universe on April 21, 2025. (Patrick Connolly/The Orlando Sentinel) The park’s safety and accessibility guide states that Stardust Racers riders “should be able to independently: (1) maintain an upright position, (2) support your torso, neck, and head while absorbing sudden and dramatic movements, and (3) brace your body with at least one natural upper extremity.” Design elements and safety measures should protect riders even if they pass out or suffer a medical episode on the ride, Avery said. “If you lose the ability to maintain postural control because you have passed out, it needs to be accounted for,” he said. “It is understood people will pass out on these rides.” Stardust Racers was manufactured by the German company Mack Rides. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident involving the ‘Stardust Racers’ attraction. … We are in close contact with the operator and the authorities and are actively supporting the investigation,” Maximilian Roeser, a company spokesman, said in a statement. In Florida, the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service oversees amusement park rides, unless the theme park has more than 1,000 employees. In that case, the theme park would self-inspect with a requirement that it report any kind of injuries. Since the ride opened to the public less than four months ago, Universal has reported two incidents on Stardust Racers. On June 22, a 63-year-old man was reported to have suffered dizziness and “an altered state of consciousness” after the ride. On June 24, a 47-year-old woman was reported to have experienced “visual disturbance” and “numbness” after getting off the ride. A GoFundMe page has been set up in memory of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who died from injuries sustained while riding the Stardust Racers thrill ride at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park. (GoFundMe) As of noon Friday, the GoFundMe account for Zavala had reached more than $13,029 raised from 373 donations. The family set up the account to help cover funeral and memorial expenses. “Kevin was truly one of a kind,” according to the account. “He was an old soul — wise beyond his years — with a heart full of compassion, love and understanding. … Despite the restrictions and obstacles he encountered throughout his life, Kevin met them all with grace, strength and an unwavering spirit. He overcame so much.” View the full article

‘Tis the season to feel a bit wicked, which means we’re all channeling our inner Disney Villains, right? ©Disney Well, over in Hong Kong Disneyland, Disney Villains are taking over Main Street, U.S.A. as a new addition to the resort’s 20th Anniversary Celebration. Yes, the Villains are throwing a party and we’re all invited (or rather, uninvited). That party? It starts TODAY! In fact, a whole Disney Villains TAKEOVER is happening right now in Hong Kong Disneyland, starting with Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party. Maleficent is leading 11 Disney Villains — and their henchmen — down Main Street, U.S.A. for a villainous dance party. Each villain will have their own dance zone where you can dance to an all-new anthem, “Party Like A Villain.” ©Hong Kong Disneyland The evil fun doesn’t end there. “Let’s Get Wicked” – The Musical Spectacle will take over Theater in the Wild in Adventureland with Ursula, Dr. Facilier, Maleficent, Mother Gothel, and Gaston. This is a returning show that features “powerful vocals, dazzling effects, and devilish charm.” ©Hong Kong Disneyland Of course, you’ll also get to meet Disney Villains throughout Hong Kong Disneyland, as well as “Jack Skellington’s The Nightmare Before Dinner” experience at River View Cafe, a special Halloween dining experience. You’ll also be able to indulge in special villainous snacks, as well as enjoy ride overlays. If you’ve ever wanted to visit Hong Kong Disneyland, now might be the time, especially if you love Disney Villains (it’s me, I love Disney Villains). Stay tuned to DFB for more. FULL GUIDE To Entertainment at the Hong Kong Disneyland 20th Anniversary Celebration  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever visited Hong Kong Disneyland? Let us know about your trip in the comments! The post Disney's NEW Villains Party Begins Today! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A new hotel may be in the works in Kissimmee, near the east end of Disney World and the US-192 corridor, according to the Orlando Business Journal. Welcome to Disney World! Common Oak Engineering LLC has filed a proposal for the development of a 9,750-square-foot hotel with onsite parking at the southwest corner of N. Poinciana Blvd. and Kissimmee Vineland Road. We’ve got all the details you need to know. The land is currently owned by Illinois-based Real Global Investments LLC, which purchased the land in 2013 for $462,500. No other specifics were included in the documents that have been submitted thus far. Common Oak Engineering also declined to comment when asked for further details. ©Google Maps | Potential new hotel site The dimensions of the hotel plans hint at the property being a small hotel, per the senior director of hospitality market analytics at CoStar Group, Chatal Wu. Monorail at EPCOT “Based on the building square footage, it looks to be a very small hotel. Typically, a hotel room ranges between 250 to 400 square feet in size. If adding all public spaces, 9,000 square feet would only yield 30 rooms at best,” she said. “However, the lot size of 1.5 acres is very typical for a hotel parcel. Developers can build a 100- to 200-room hotel inclusive of a surface parking lot on 1.5 to 2.5 acres.” Toy Story Land The location of the hotel also has potential since it’s close to Disney World, and not too far from SeaWorld and Universal Studios along I-4. The largest hotels that have opened in the area this year so far are the three Epic Universe hotels: Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort, and Universal Helios Grand Hotel. Universal Helios Grand We’ll be on the lookout for additional updates about this potential new hotel and other accommodations near Disney World. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more. A Definitive Ranking of EVERY Disney World Hotel! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you stay on or off property when you visit Disney World? Let us know in the comments. The post Mysterious New Hotel Being Planned Near Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Big changes are on the horizon for Disney World, and 2026 is going to be an exciting year. Cinderella Castle From long-awaited ride refurbishments to brand-new storylines and reimagined spaces, the parks and resorts are evolving in ways that promise fresh experiences for both first-time visitors and seasoned fans. Whether it’s a beloved classic getting a modern update or a brand-new twist on an iconic attraction, these openings will make 2026 a year Disney fans won’t want to miss. Big Thunder Mountain Big Thunder is undergoing a major refurbishment and will reopen in 2026 with enhancements like a newly designed Rainbow Caverns scene with underground glowing pools, phosphorescent cave walls, stalactites & stalagmites, and more immersive theming. When the attraction reopens in 2026, “the unsuspectin’ passengers who board the runaway trains will learn just how wild the wilderness can get.” Big Thunder Mountain Railroad New Smugglers Run Experiences In honor of the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu movie on May 22nd, 2026, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will offer NEW experiences for those who ride it, beginning on that same date. The ride will get a new storyline featuring both the Mandalorian and Grogu. ©Disney Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin will reopen after some big changes! The ride vehicles on Space Ranger Spin are getting an upgrade with a new design. We will also be introduced to an all-new character. “Buddy” is a friendly robot, and he will make sure you’re prepared for your mission. The static targets found in the attraction today will be upgraded with new technology that will allow them to react and light up when hit. The ride vehicles will also have new handheld blasters. ©Disney We can’t wait to see all of these things open at Disney World. Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Why You Should Start Planning Your 2026 Disney World Christmas Trip Now Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you heading to Disney World in 2026? Tell us in the comments below! The post FULL LIST of What's Opening in Disney World in 2026 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World Annual Passholders get a ton of perks. In addition to gaining entrance into Disney World’s theme parks, Annual Passholders also get free gifts, exclusive access to special food and merchandise, early previews of rides, discounts on food and merchandise, and so much more. Annual Pass However, these perks often change, and many are only available for a limited time. That’s why we want to remind you that four big Annual Passholder perks are going away SOON. Four Disney World Annual Passholder perks will be going away as of September 27th. This includes the Crush Passholder Magnet, which is now available at Discovery Trading Company & Riverside Depot in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Crush Magnet You also don’t have a lot of time left to enjoy the Annual Passholder-exclusive Totally Sweet Sundae from Dino-Bite Snacks in Animal Kingdom. The sundae features Butter Pecan Ice Cream topped with Hot Fudge, Caramel, Candied Pecans, and Whipped Cream, garnished with Sea Blue Sugar and served in a White Chocolate-dipped Waffle Bowl. Totally Sweet Sundae You also only have until September 27th to try the Annual Passholder-exclusive Just Keep Swimming Frost at Joffrey’s in Animal Kingdom. It’s made with Joffrey’s signature frozen lemonade, Minute Maid lemonade, and blue raspberry syrup, topped with SKITTLES POP’d Original Freeze-Dried Candy The Just Keep Swimming AP exclusive drink Finally, don’t miss out on some special PhotoPass Magic Shots that celebrate Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. You’ll find these photo ops available from across Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond in Animal Kingdom: Becky sails overhead, holding a pail containing Nemo and Marlin A postcard of Mount Wannahockaloogie with Peach the Starfish Hank the octopus in a nautical Magic Shot Be sure to grab these perks while they’re still available. If you do miss out, though, don’t worry — new perks get announced all the time, so expect to see a new magnet and new perks revealed soon. Stay tuned to DFB for more. EVERY SINGLE Disney World Annual Passholder Perk…And How To Use Them To Your ADVANTAGE  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you have a Disney World Annual Pass? Which perks are your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post Warning! Disney World Is About to Slash 4 Annual Passholder Perks first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Planning a Disney World vacation is expensive, but there are lots of ways to save money, and we always want to make sure you are taking advantage of deals and discounts! There are lots of options out there for comparing prices, and today we wanted to take a look at hotel deals for Disney World. Disney’s Riviera Resort We compared prices on Priceline to booking directly on the Disney World website. Plus, we are sharing some of the best hotel deals that you can take advantage of for your Disney World vacation! In general, we found that you could save between $6 and $89 per night at select Disney World hotels on Priceline. While that may not seem like a lot, those savings can add up if you are spending multiple nights at Disney World. Usually, the lower savings were available at Value and Moderate hotels, while the higher savings were available at Deluxe hotels. However, we also found that booking directly on the Disney World website and taking advantage of special deals can usually save you even more than you would on Priceline. First, let’s take a look at some of the deals currently available for Disney World hotel stays. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Annual Passholders can save up to 35% on rooms for most stays between August 1st and October 11th, 2025. Depending on the resort, you can save from 25% to 35% on rooms. Another deal is available for anyone who stays 5 nights or longer at select Disney Resorts. When you stay five nights or longer, most nights from August 1st through October 11th, 2025, you can save anywhere from 20% to 30% on rooms, depending on the hotel. This deal is available to anyone, regardless of whether you’re an Annual Passholder. Disney’s BoardWalk After October 11th, there are still more deals to take advantage of! Passholders can save up to 30% on rooms most nights from October 12th through November 20th, and from November 23rd to December 25th. If you aren’t a Passholder, you can still save up to 20% on hotel rooms during the same time periods. Disney’s Art of Animation For example, when looking at hotel options for a stay from September 24th through September 26th, we found rooms on Priceline for $567 per night at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, $243 per night at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, or $230 per night at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. When comparing that to Disney World’s website and taking advantage of the Annual Passholder deal, the same dates would cost $507 per night at the Grand Floridian, $204.40 per night at Coronado Springs, and $379.40 per night at Art of Animation. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort We also compared prices for the deal available to guests staying for five nights or longer to prices on Priceline. We looked at staying for six nights from October 1st through October 7th. On Priceline, you could book Disney’s Yacht Club Resort for $935 per night, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside for $366 per night, or Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort for $292 per night. When taking advantage of the discount on Disney World’s website, you can book Yacht Club for $917 per night, Port Orleans – Riverside for $302.63 per night, or Coronado Springs for $241 per night. Disney’s Coronado Springs Finally, we wanted to compare prices for hotel stays when not taking advantage of a Disney World discount. This time we are looking at prices for a four-night stay during peak times when the deals aren’t available. from October 13th through October 17th. On Priceline, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is available for $832 per night, Disney’s Old Key West is available for $791 per night, and Port Orleans – Riverside is available for $245 per night. On Disney World’s website, you can book BoardWalk Inn for $$696.50 per night, Yacht Club for $1,003.25 per night, or Port Orleans – Riverside for $337.25 per night. Disney’s Old Key West Our biggest recommendation is to be on the lookout for special deals being offered by Disney World and compare prices for your stay before booking. We always want to make sure you are getting the best deal on your Disney World vacation, so comparing prices is essential! You can also reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations for help planning your trip and assistance taking advantage of deals and discounts. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World tips and all your Disney news! A Definitive Ranking of EVERY Disney World Hotel Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW When is your next Disney World trip? Let us know in the comments! The post These 4 Hotel Deals Are Shocking Disney World Guests first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you overbooking your Disney World dining reservations? One of our meals at Homecomin’ Whether you’ve been to Disney World 100 times or you’re getting ready for your first-ever trip, one thing is for certain: Disney dining is always changing — evolving, if you will. Today’s rules aren’t necessarily yesterday’s. With that in mind, we’re calling into question how many Disney World dining reservations you actually need per visit. After some serious dialogue with our team of Disney World experts, we came to some surprising conclusions. First and foremost, it has to be said: There is no blanket answer. How many reservations you should be booking all depends on the scenario you find yourself in. Are you at Disney World for two weeks or two days? Are you traveling with kids or just your spouse? Do you have the Disney Dining Plan, or are you working with a personal budget? Which parks do you plan on spending the most time at? These questions MATTER, so we’re going to go over a few scenarios that may shed light on how many dining reservations we THINK you should be making — and how many is too many. Full spread from The BOATHOUSE SCENARIO 1: You’ve got a short trip planned In this first scenario, you’re looking at a one or two-day vacation at Disney World. In this case, you’ll want to limit dining reservations to maximize time, most likely. Disney Springs If you spend a good chunk of time dining or waiting for your reservation, that’s time that you miss out on riding some of your favorite attractions. That’s why, with very short trips like this, we might recommend one or two dining reservations MAX. If you wanted to forgo dining reservations altogether since it’s only a couple of days and opt instead for quick service, we get that, too. SCENARIO 2: You want to dine at the most popular restaurants If you’re picky and crave some of the most popular dining options in Disney World — such as Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Space 220, GEO-82, and Cinderella’s Royal Table (and most character dining experiences) — you’re pretty much backed into a corner. You’ll need to use Advance Dining Reservations (ADR) to secure a spot. Cinderella’s Royal Table Disney World’s most in-demand restaurants aren’t the kinds of dining experiences you can just “wing.” Sure, you may get lucky day-of, but the odds are not in your favor. If you want to dine at one of these spots, you’ll need to book your reservations 60 days out, or risk missing out entirely. Space 220 Dining Room With that in mind, if hitting up these hard-to-dine-at restaurants is your TOP priority, we won’t judge you for how many reservations you make. To learn more about Disney World restaurants and find out which ones might be the most popular when you visit, click the link below! Disney World Restaurants Guide SCENARIO 3: You are prioritizing balance Table service dining takes time (and money). If you’re looking to spend ample time riding rides, suffice it to say, a dining reservation will cut into that in a way that quick service dining won’t. The Grand Ballroom in Be Our Guest Restaurant But part of the charm of Disney World is the bounty of wonderful dining experiences offered. You know this. We know this. We all visit the resort for the rides AND the food, right?! So completely writing off dining reservations is unrealistic. California Grill That’s why some of our experts believe having ONE reservation per day is totally reasonable! Setting aside one meal to really take in the atmosphere and good food won’t derail a vacation. In fact, it could do wonders to help! When you start stacking multiple reservations per day, however, complications can occur. SCENARIO 4: You’re on a tight budget You probably already know this, but table-service restaurants will generally cost more than quick-service locations. The food is usually pricier, AND THEN you have to factor in gratuity. It ain’t cheap. Sanaa dining room Unless you have a short trip, booking multiple reservations per day is going to make your wallet VERY mad. Hollywood Brown Derby Of course, you can always budget for a bunch of dining reservations, but if you don’t plan for this 60 days out while you’re selecting your restaurants, life is gonna hit you very fast once you’re actually dining. SCENARIO 5: You have the Disney Dining Plan Of course, you can always take the budget out of the equation and go with the pre-paid Disney Dining Plan! In this case, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of your dining credits. Disney Dining Plan There are two plans, but the Standard Dining Plan (which is available as an add-on for Disney World Vacation Packages for guests staying at a Disney-owned and- operated Resort hotel) includes the following: One table service entrée, dessert (lunch and dinner only), OR full buffet per person, per night One quick service meal, including entrée OR combo meal One snack/nonalcoholic drink One Resort refillable drink mug per person, per package Additionally, select dining experiences require TWO Meal Credits: ONE Table Service meal credit may be used for several Character Dining Experiences. The exceptions are the following, which require TWO Table Service credits: Cinderella’s Royal Table Akershus Royal Banquet Hall — Princess Storybook Dining Story Book Dining with Snow White at Artist Point Two table service meal credits may be exchanged for one of the following: One Signature Dining Experience, including entrée, dessert, plus non-alcoholic beverage One Disney Dinner Show (Category 2 or 3 seating at all dinner shows), or Category 1 seating at the 8:30pm show at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue) *One room service meal, including entrée, dessert (lunch and dinner), plus non-alcoholic beverage — *AVAILABLE AT DISNEY’S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT ONLY Two quick service meal credits may be exchanged for Pizza Pickup at participating locations* which includes the following 1 Large Pizza 2 Single-serving Nonalcoholic Beverages (or Alcoholic Beverages, for Guests 21 and older) *Valid at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. Raglan Road full spread So if you’re already paying for one table-service credit a day, make sure you book ONE table-service dining reservation a day! Sometimes, it really is that simple! SCENARIO 6: You’re visiting EPCOT during a festival While EPCOT has a TON of great dining options, you may want to be cautious about booking dining reservations when a festival is ongoing. Welcome to Food & Wine! Our experts have had to CANCEL reservations because they filled up on food offered at festival booths or found great festival eats for a much cheaper price than sit-down dining. This is a VERY common occurrence during festival seasons, and we need to remind you that IF YOU DON’T CANCEL YOUR RESERVATIONS BEFORE YOU’RE WITHIN A TWO-HOUR WINDOW, YOU COULD BE SUBJECT TO LATE OR NO-SHOW FEES. SCENARIO 7: You need breaks For a lot of folks, one reservation per day is plenty. HOWEVER, if you’re traveling with young kids or you’re the kind of person who needs to take long breaks throughout the day, two reservations per day can provide much-needed relief. Strollers in Magic Kingdom Look, you’ve already accepted you won’t be able to do everything, so it’s totally understandable to want to reset, take your time, get off your feet, and have some good food while you’re at it. Coral Reef Restaurant Ultimately, we can only suggest how many reservations are too many. You’re an individual with personal preferences, so however many dining reservations you feel are right for you and your family (especially if you’re a seasoned Disney World pro), that’s the right answer. What’s your usual Disney World dining game plan? Let us know, and continue to follow us here at DFB for all kinds of Disney World tips, tricks, reviews, updates, and more! We Reviewed the Hardest Dinner Reservation You Can Get in Magic Kingdom Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How many dining reservations do YOU usually book during a Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! The post Experts Reveal How Many Dining Reservations Are Too Many at Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World has just announced another refurbishment — though this one isn’t happening until 2027! Skyliner The Disney Skyliner undergoes a routine closure each year to make sure things are running smoothly. Disney previously announced the dates for the 2026 closure, but now we officially have the dates for the 2027 closure as well! Disney has updated the Skyliner page on the My Disney Experience app with dates for the 2027 closure. If you’ve got a 2027 trip planned, keep in mind that the Skyliner will be closed from January 24th to January 30th. This means you’ll have to find an alternate mode of transportation. Inside the Disney Skyliner It’s worth noting that Disney skipped this refurbishment in 2025 for the first time since the Skyliner opened. Skyliner All of the stops and connections between EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and the parks will not be available during this time, but complimentary buses will be offered. We recommend adding some additional travel time since other forms of transportation will be busier due to higher crowd levels without the Skyliner. Skyliner station If you were considering staying at the Art of Animation Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort, or the Riviera Resort during these dates and were staying there for the Skyliner, you might want to consider booking somewhere else. Skyliner While buses will be available, there are also options like boat transportation between Hollywood Studios and EPCOT and some surrounding resorts. All Disney Resorts have bus transportation, but there are a few more options, like the Monorail or boats. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner We’ll continue to keep an eye on this calendar, as it could change with the dates being scheduled so far in advance. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! 4 Nightmare Skyliner Stories We’ve Heard in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you use the Skyliner when you’re at Disney World? Let us know in the comments. The post JUST ANNOUNCED: The Disney World Skyliner Will Temporarily Close in 2027 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve eaten at every single Magic Kingdom restaurant, and we recently just had to make room at the top of our list for a new one! The Beak and Barrel The Beak and Barrel opened at Magic Kingdom in August, and it has become so popular that finding reservations for it has become difficult. This tavern is the first of its kind at Magic Kingdom, offering up cocktails, food, and more for all guests to enjoy — at least for 45 minutes. Let’s talk about how this spot has made its way into our hearts and towards the top of the list. Let’s start with what our top favorites were before Beak & Barrel opened. Liberty Tree Tavern serves up Thanksgiving food all year round, so that’s a huge win for us! The Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen offers up more unique food than any other Magic Kingdom restaurant. Cinderella’s Royal Table is iconic, but the food is just okay. Still, meeting the princesses is worth some bonus points. Crystal Palace is another character meal, and it has a buffet that has some decent food options. Liberty Tree Tavern But now, we have to make some room in our top selections for the new tavern in town — The Beak and Barrel. So, yes, the Beak and Barrel is themed all around Pirates of the Caribbean. The story behind it is that a legendary pirate rumrunner, Captain Meridian “Merry” Goldwyn, has set up this “lively pirate pub” we know as The Beak and Barrel. Her first mate is Rummy, the tavern’s quartermaster, who keeps an eye on everything from his roost near the top of the bar. Skull Bar at The Beak and Barrel For food, we grabbed the Island Provisions for $16. For that price, you get a plate of Plantain Chips, Blue Corn Tortillas, and Toasted Flatbread served with Mango Chutney, Garlic Chimichurri, Spiced Guava, and Zesty Cilantro Cream Dips. This is a take on the classic chip and dip platter. We think this is the snack you should get if you’re looking for something to share. The Beak and Barrel One of our favorite drinks is the Barrels Ablaze for $19, made with Jack Daniel’s Bonded Bourbon, Honey, Lemon, and Chile. This drink is very spicy and has a bit of a bite. If you enjoy more complex cocktails with dark liquor, this is for you. Read Our Full Review of the Beak and Barrel Here Barrels Ablaze Disney did an excellent job with this new tavern, and you can tell that there was a lot of thought put into this space — everything, down to the Cast Member characters, makes this tavern outstanding. It is very immersive with delicious food and great cocktails. That’s why it’s an easy choice to add this to the top of our favorites at Magic Kingdom. The Beak and Barrel For more tips for Disney World dining, be sure to follow us at DFB! 73% of Disney Fans Admitted They’re Waiting for One BIG Thing Before Visiting the NEW Magic Kingdom Restaurant Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which Magic Kingdom restaurant is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below! The post REVIEW: We Just Updated Our Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking (Spoiler Alert: We Found a NEW Favorite) first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The 2025 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival officially kicked off on August 28th! The event runs through November 22nd, so you still have plenty of time to eat and drink your way around the Global Marketplaces. We ate and drank our way through the festival on opening day, selecting our best of the fest items. Full Spread at Mexico Global Marketplace But our rankings could be changing in a bit over a week, as TWO new booths will be joining the festival lineup! Beginning September 28th, you will have two more options for Global Marketplaces as the Coastal Eats and Gyozas of the Galaxy booths make their debut. We are eagerly awaiting September 28th, but we do already know the menus and prices for both of these booths. Coastal Eats is a returning booth, but it will be serving up some new items. On the menu this year, you can find the following: Food: Lump Crab Cake with cajun-spiced vinegar slaw and rémoulade — $7.50 Peruvian Ceviche with mahi mahi, shrimp, sweet potato, chulpe, choclo, and leche de tigre (New) — $7.50 Seaside Pot Pie with shrimp, scallops, crawfish tails, and lobster bisque topped with puff pastry (New) — $7.50 Beverages: Boyd & Blair Pomegranate Codder — $12.50 Rileys Lookout Sauvignon Blanc (New) — $6.50 2025 Coastal Eats Booth Gyozas of the Galaxy is a brand-new booth this year, and we are SO excited to check it out! Here is a peek at the menu: Food: Buffalo-style Dumplings: Chicken dumplings with buffalo sauce, celery root purée, blue cheese cream, crumbled blue cheese, shaved carrot, and micro celery (New) — $6.00 French Onion Soup-style Dumplings: Pork and beef soup dumplings with caramelized onions, sherry-beef broth, onion and Gruyère soubise, parmesan cracker, and micro chives (New) — $6.00 Street Corn-style Dumplings: Chicken dumplings with tomatillo salsa verde, street corn salad, cotija cheese, lime crema, and cilantro (New) — $6.00 Beverages: Pineapple Colada: White rum, DOLE Pineapple Juice, and sweetened coconut milk (New) — $12.00 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris (New) — $6.50 2025 Gyozas of the Galaxy Booth Of course, we will be stopping by both of these booths on September 28th to give you our full review and let you know whether they are worth a stop during your day at the Food and Wine Festival! Coastal Eats Spread in 2024 Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World news and check back for our reviews of Coastal Eats and Gyozas of the Galaxy! Check out everything you need to know about the 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival! IT'S WINE & DINE TIME! Food & Wine Festival can be a bummer. You stand in line waiting for what looks like the perfect treat, and it's a bust. But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE EPCOT Food & Wine Festival experience. If you're planning a day or a week at the festival, we've got every performance, activity, and tasty nosh detailed out so you can make the most of your time and money. Listen, it's a tough job eating and documenting the nearly 200 bites and sips, but we do it all for YOU! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Learn More About the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival! Food and Wine Festival 101 Eat to the Beat Concert Updates EPCOT Food and Wine Festival - Fans Facebook Page Wine and Dine Half Marathon Details Get More Updates, Tips, and Tricks to Help You Conquer the Food & Wine Festival Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be stopping by either of these booths after they open on September 28th? Let us know in the comments! The post ALERT: The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Is Changing Next Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re looking for something a little different for your next Orlando trip, you might want to skip Disney World and Universal Orlando and visit SeaWorld Orlando instead. ©ClickOrlando Why? Well, SeaWorld Orlando has a lot of fun attractions, plus you can spend some time getting to know some sea-worthy animals. SeaWorld Orlando even has a ride that rivals Soarin‘. AND a brand new dark ride is coming in 2026 that will take you to dizzying depths underneath the sea. SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep promises to take riders on “an awe-inspiring voyage into the ocean’s most extraordinary realms” guided by the SEA Collective’s Adventure Team. The ride will be a “state-of-the-art submersible” that will allow you to “discover dazzling ecosystems, legendary sea life, and breathtaking stories of resilience and wonder.” ©SeaWorld Orlando It will feature “an immersive feel and advanced special effects to a spectacular finale launch that celebrates the ocean’s resilience and beauty.” Check out the trailer for the new attraction:  The ride is expected to open in 2026. If you want to get an early preview, you might want to consider a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass because Annual Pass members will be among the first to ride it! If you sign up for an Annual Pass now, you’ll also get up to $100 in gift cards. Stay tuned to DFB for more. I Went to 3 Different Theme Parks in a Week. Disney and Universal Were Hard…But SeaWorld Nearly Killed Me. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think? Will you be visiting SeaWorld Orlando? Let us know in the comments! The post SeaWorld Orlando Confirms Brand NEW Dark Ride Coming in 2026 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Spooky season is in full swing around the Disney parks, and we’ve been lovin’ every minute of it! Halloweentime at Disneyland Over at Disneyland, one of our favorite ride overlays is back: Haunted Mansion Holiday. This iconic Disneyland ride gets transformed into a Tim Burton wonderland with characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas. This year, the Oogie Boogie Man animatronic got a bit of a glow-up, and Disney just shared a behind-the-scenes look! In the video, Imagineers explain that the old Oogie Boogie animatronic was only able to pulse between two different positions. The upgraded version of the figure features much more animation and smoother movements, which, in turn, makes him look more realistic. Well, well, well Haunted Mansion Holiday follows the story of Jack Skellington and The Nightmare Before Christmas instead of the traditional Haunted Mansion story, so it’s perfect for fans of the film! It’s also why the overlay sticks around for both holidays, as many fans feel that it’s both a Halloween and Christmas film. This way, Disney appeases everyone! It’s Halloween and it’s Christmas! You’ll see other iconic characters as well, like Jack, Sally, and some of your favorite Haunted Mansion characters, as they’ve been revamped for the overlay. Expect long lines for this attraction and pack your patience, because the lines for this ride can get VERY long. Haunted Mansion Holiday We’ll be on the lookout for additional updates from Disneyland and beyond. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more. See This Year’s Haunted Mansion Holiday Overlay Here DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Are you heading to Disneyland for Halloweentime? Let us know in the comments. The post NEW Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Popular Disney Ride Overlay first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Moonlight Magic is returning in 2026 — and MORE dates have been added for 2025! Moonlight Magic is an exclusive event for Disney Vacation Club Members that includes a night of after-hours access at a select park. During the night, members can enjoy shorter wait times for attractions, character meet and greets, entertainment, and complimentary special treats. Moonlight Magic These events are no-charge events for Disney Vacation Club members, and each member can register for one event date during each event season. Disney just confirmed THREE new dates for 2025 and announced that Moonlight Magic will return in 2026. We have all the details for you! For starters, there will be three additional dates of Moonlight Magic in 2025. Disney Vacation Club members will be eligible to register for one of these three dates, even if they have already attended a Moonlight Magic event in 2025. The new dates for 2025 will take place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on October 29th, November 18th, and December 15th. Free ice cream! As well, dates for 2026 have also been announced. Currently, these are the dates and parks that Moonlight Magic has been announced for in 2026: Disney’s Animal Kingdom: January 20th, 2026 Disney’s Hollywood Studios: April 22nd and July 2oth, 2026 EPCOT: February 12th and September 10th, 2026 Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: June 25th, August 4th, and August 20th, 2026 Disney California Adventure Park: February 23rd, 2026 Moonlight Magic at Hollywood Studios Each Disney Vacation Club Member is eligible to register for one Moonlight Magic event per season. A member can register themselves and up to 4 additional guests per membership, for a total of 5 people. The event seasons for 2026 are the following. Winter: January – March Spring: April – June Summer: July – September Character Meet and Greet at Moonlight Magic Registration is required for Moonlight Magic events and space is limited, so make sure you register early to guarantee your spot! The date registration opens depends on the event you are hoping to attend. Make sure you look up the date registration begins for the specific event you want so you can be prepared. Walk-ins are not permitted for the events. Get ready for some Moonlight Magic fun! Special buckets at the EPCOT event in 2022 Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to a Moonlight Magic event before? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The post Disney World Announces NEW DATES for Exclusive Moonlight Magic Events first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Get ready to soar over the Smoky Mountains because a new ride is coming to Dollywood! ©Dollywood Taking flight in spring 2026, NightFlight Expedition is a hybrid coaster and whitewater river ride on a journey “to discover the mystery of the legendary Secret Lake.” Located tucked away in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Dollywood is embarking on a new journey — NightFlight Expedition. This new ride will be a “groundbreaking hybrid coaster and whitewater river ride,” scheduled to open in spring 2026. ©Dollywood Cora and Jasper Oakley will lead riders on a journey to discover the mystery of the legendary Secret Lake. The ride will feature “remarkable vehicles,” and adventurers can experience four different storylines in a first-of-its-kind attraction as they “fly through the Smokies, conquer raging rapids, climb mountain peaks and glide across a shimmering lake.” There will be four adventures: Soaring over the Smokies ©Dollywood Climbing a mountainside ©Dollywood Plunging into whitewater rapids ©Dollywood Navigating a mysterious lake ©Dollywood NightFlight Expedition will be situated in the Wildwood Grove section of Dollywood, within an indoor, weather-independent 44,000-square-foot facility, which is quite spacious. The track length will run nearly a quarter of a mile at 1,255 feet, with a maximum speed of 29 MPH. The ride will be five and a half minutes long (including loading and unloading). In addition, it’s nearly three stories high at its tallest point. The minimum height requirement is 39 inches, and 10 passengers will fit in each ride vehicle. ©Dollywood What do you think of this new ride? Does it sound like one you can’t miss? We’ll be on the lookout for an official opening date and more details! In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest theme park news. The Surprising Thing You Can Do at Dollywood — But Only on Sundays DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Have you been to Dollywood? Let us know in the comments. The post Dollywood Announces NEW First-of-Its-Kind Ride Coming in 2026 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ahoy, mateys! Today, September 19, be International Talk Like a Pirate Day. To celebrate, I be sharin’ how to have the best pirate-themed day ever at Walt Disney World Resort, so ye can live out yer swashbucklin’ dreams. And this guide isn’t just for today — it be good for any day ye fancy some adventure! Whether ye want to munch on grub, board a boat, or cross paths with a few buccaneers, Magic Kingdom be the place to weigh anchor. So, arr ye ready? Let’s set sail and see what treasures await. I’ll even be givin’ ye a few phrases to help ye talk like a true pirate! A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas In Adventureland, Captain Jack be callin’ all marauders to join him in raiding the Treasures of the Seven Seas! At The Crow’s Nest, ye can claim a magical talisman that reveals a secret treasure map. From there, it’s all hands on deck as ye fend off enemies, dodge capture, and hunt for hidden loot. Best of all, this scavenger hunt be included with yer Magic Kingdom ticket – no extra doubloons required! Talk Like a Pirate “X marks the spot!” – The classic way to tell yer mates where the treasure be buried. Set Sail with The Pirates of the Caribbean Also in Adventureland lies a place where dead men tell no tales! The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction takes you on a voyage to the 17th century, when rowdy pirates ransacked Caribbean ports. Along the way, ye’ll get to navigate cannon fire between land and sea, stumble upon Captain Jack Sparrow and be whisked into the pirate life with sights, sounds, and smells. It’s a can’t miss on any ultimate pirate day! Talk Like a Pirate “Avast!” – Ye shout this when ye want yer crew to pay attention, especially when yer pointing out details in the attraction. Cross Paths with Captain Jack Sparrow Keep a weather eye out for a legendary pirate who roams Adventureland, meeting guests and sharing stories of the high seas, always on the lookout for recruits to join his next voyage. Talk Like a Pirate “Ahoy!” – A hardy greeting to yer fellow buccaneers, or even Captain Jack himself. Visit The Beak and Barrel Avast ye! The Beak and Barrel in Magic Kingdom is calling ye to join in the adventure. Pirates of all ages are welcome to this here new tavern, inviting ye to try some delicious grub and grog. Beyond the rations, ye’ll be immersed into the pirate life with sing-alongs, enchanting surprises and Rummy the parrot squawking commands to the staff – along with a few jokes. Turn your spyglass toward reservations on yer My Disney Experience app or visit DisneyWorld.com. Talk Like a Pirate “Yo-ho!” – A jolly cheer to raise when ye be celebratin’ with the crew. Seek Pirates on Peter Pan’s Flight In Fantasyland, hop aboard your pirate galleon and join Peter Pan on the flight of a lifetime. As ye soar over London and descend into Neverland, keep yer eyes peeled: Pirate Cove and Captain Hook be in yer path! Talk Like a Pirate “Buccaneer” – Another word for a pirate, especially one who plunders at sea. Spot Captain Hook in the Festival of Fantasy Parade Alongside rides, themed areas and plenty of grog and grub, join your favorite Disney characters as they float through the park in a parade spectacular celebrating the tales of Fantasyland. It’s a festival of fun for everyone, and you may just be able to spy the infamous Captain Hook. Talk Like a Pirate “Shiver me timbers!” – Say it when ye spy something surprising, like a giant pirate float in the parade. Accessorize like a Pirate There is plenty of plunder worthy of a pirate’s chest to take home with ye. Head to Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar in Adventureland for pirate-perfect collectibles. From The Beak and Barrel trinkets to the Pirates of the Caribbean Light Up Bubble Sword, there is something for every pirate, no matter their journey! Talk Like a Pirate “Booty!” – It means treasure, so claim yer loot and wear it proudly! Whether ye be celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day or just fancy a jolly adventure, Magic Kingdom offers treasure, fun, and piratey memories for all ages. So, grab yer pirate wear, brush up on yer lingo, and get ready to set sail for a day ye won’t forget! * Valid theme park admission and reservation required for park entry. First Look at The Beak and Barrel, Opening August 29 READ MORE Avast Ye! The Beak and Barrel Photos and Details Await READ MORE Yo Ho, Yo Ho! The Pirates Conquest from Disneyland to Screen READ MORE The post How to Have the Ultimate Pirate Day at Walt Disney World appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is already starting to look much different. Not only is Disney hard at work building a brand-new bar in the hotel’s lobby, but the hotel is also undergoing quite a few other changes. And one of these changes was just revealed, and we have to say, it is GORGEOUS! A new addition at Disney’s Grand Floridian If you have walked through the Grand Floridian’s lobby recently, you have probably spotted one of the many construction walls or tarps that are currently adorning the lobby. You will notice lots of walls up in the lobby around the location of the new bar, as well as around what used to be the Garden View Tea Room (but we haven’t seen it open for a long time). About a month ago, we also spotted more scrim and walls up at the staircases off the lobby. Well, we stopped by on September 18th and noticed a STUNNING new addition to the staircase. The scrim and walls were down, and a beautiful new mural has been revealed. The mural features the Grand Floridian hotel, as well as Sandhill Cranes and lush vegetation. Even the sky looks stunning. We could probably stare at this new mural all day long, and we think it is a wonderful addition to the Grand Floridian lobby. The staircases have also gotten some touch ups too, so this area is looking very refreshed! It is so pretty! We also took another peek at the progress of the new lobby bar. The birdcage is really starting to take shape! While there is still quite a bit of work to go before it will be open, we always love seeing the progress. A look at the new lobby bar The bar will “pay tribute to the resort’s Victorian roots with intricate woodwork, stained glass, and brass accents.” Additionally, the lobby will be getting new furniture and carpeting as part of the transformation. ©Disney There are also curtains hanging up by what used to be the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. As well, the walls are still up around the main check-in area — which have been there for some time. Currently, check-in is located in the lobby, and you will find Cast Members scattered around near the entrance to assist you. Disney’s Grand Floridian Lobby We can’t wait to see what the lobby looks like when all the construction is finished! Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World news! I Stayed at the Luxury Hotel Disney Fans Dream About — 8 Things Impressed Me the Most Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your favorite Disney World hotel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The post 3 CHANGES Hit Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Not all Disney World hotels are created equal, and there are some that we just won’t book. “Here come the Mighty Ducks, burnin’ up the ice…” With over 25 resorts at Disney World, there’s something for every budget and travel style. But let’s be real, everyone is going to have their favorites — and their, well, not-so-favorites. Whether it’s an inconvenient location, an overwhelming layout, or just not the best bang for your buck, we’re listing a few resorts here that some folks consistently skip. Let’s dive into three Disney World hotels some people refuse to book, and why you might want to avoid them, too. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort On paper, Caribbean Beach sounds great. A moderate resort with colorful, island-inspired theming, a fun pool, and access to the Skyliner (and that pineapple coconut bread pudding at Banana Cabana)? Sign me up! But here’s the problem: This resort is MASSIVE. Caribbean Beach Resort Caribbean Beach is so spread out that getting from one side of the resort to the other can feel like a full-on expedition. If your room isn’t near the main lobby, you’re in for a long walk just to grab a snack, refill your resort mug, or check in with the front desk. And don’t even get me started on the internal bus system. Since the resort is so big, buses make multiple stops before even leaving the property, meaning you’ll be spending more time commuting and less time in the parks. Caribbean Beach bus stop Sure, it’s got the Skyliner, which is admittedly pretty sweet. But when we’re paying moderate resort prices, we expect to be able to grab a quick breakfast without needing to plan an expedition. If you’re looking for an alternative, perhaps consider Coronado Springs? Granted, it’s not on the Skyliner route, but it offers Moderate prices and amenities in a much more convenient layout to maneuver. Coronado Springs Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Look, I love a good value resort. But if I’m choosing one, All-Star Sports is probably NOT it. All-Star Sports Resort First of all, theming matters, and if you’re not a huge sports fan, this resort doesn’t offer much appeal. Plus, All-Star Sports is often packed with large groups, including cheerleading squads and sports teams, which means noise levels can be a bit of an issue. Crowds But the biggest reason I avoid All-Star Sports (and honestly, the All-Star Resorts in general) is because of one thing: the Skyliner. The slight price difference between staying at Pop Century versus an All-Star resort is more than worth it for the convenience of having Skyliner access. Skyliner Station at Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts Instead of relying solely on buses, which can be slow and crowded, you get a quick and scenic ride to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. I’ll take that over waiting for a packed bus at the end of a long park day any time. In addition to the Skyliner, Pop Century also arguably offers a more universal theme, with cultural icons and touchstones that are likely to appeal to those who aren’t fans of specific sports or films. Disney’s Pop Century Resort Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Yes, the Grand Floridian is gorgeous. Yes, it’s fancy. And yes, it’s way out of my budget. Grand Floridian Disney’s flagship resort is known for its Victorian elegance, prime location near Magic Kingdom, and upscale dining options. But unless you’re rolling in Disney dollars, it’s hard to justify the price tag. Rooms here can cost well over $700 per night, and while the theming is stunning, I don’t necessarily need to feel like I’m staying in a fancy country club when I’m just there to crash after a long park day. Grand Floridian Resort For less money, you can stay at Disney’s Polynesian or Contemporary Resort and still have that coveted monorail access. Monorail at the Contemporary Resort Or, if you’re really looking to save, you could book a Skyliner resort like Riviera Resort and use the extra cash for more dining, souvenirs, or even an extra park day. Disney’s Riviera Resort The Bottom Line Look, we get it. Choosing a Disney World hotel is hard enough without us coming in and potentially crushing your dreams. But we’d rather be honest than have you waste your hard-earned vacation budget on hotels that might disappoint. Whether it’s the marathon-length walks at Caribbean Beach, the lack of Skyliner access at the All-Stars, or the budget-busting rates at the Grand Floridian, these are the hotels some people choose to skip. So, would you skip these hotels too, or do you swear by them? Let us know what you think! Until then, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news! SNEAK PEEK at the Construction of Disney World’s Newest Hotel Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you skip these Disney World Resort hotels too, or do you swear by them? Tell us in the comments! The post 3 Disney World Hotels the Experts REFUSE To Book first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Oh, hi, we’re just here enjoying Halloween and the whole fall season in Disney World, while also looking ahead to the holidays. So yes, happy Hallowthanksmas. But, hey, it’s time to start planning those holiday trips anyway, right? There’s so much to look forward to, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Oh, and the FOOD…we’re always here for the holiday treats. Santa in The Odyssey Pavilion at EPCOT We also LOVE the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, but this year’s festival is changing up some things. Where you meet Santa in EPCOT during the festival is changing! The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is happening from November 28th through December 30th. The festival will bring special food booths, activities, and special entertainment to EPCOT. One of the biggest things you’ll be able to do, though, is meet the big guy himself, Santa! Now, in previous years, Santa has met with EPCOT visitors at The Odyssey, but that’s changing this year. Santa in The Odyssey Pavilion at EPCOT At this year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, Santa is moving over to CommuniCore Hall, where he’ll be meeting people every day through December 24th at 11 AM, 12:30 PM, 2 PM, 3:30 PM, and 5 PM. So if meeting Santa is on your list for the festival, you’ll want to make sure to note this change. CommuniCore Hall CommuniCore Hall was originally pitched as an additional space to be used for festivals, so we’re glad to see something new happening there. Note that JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season will also be moving this year…instead of the Promenade, you’ll be able to catch it on the outside stage at CommuniCore. Joyful: A Celebration of the Season! We’ll let you know about any other changes, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. A Word of Warning About These 4 Holiday Problems in Disney World  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be attending the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays this year? Let us know what you’re looking forward to in the comments! The post An Important CHANGE Is Debuting at EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays This Year first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Four years ago, one of Disney World’s most unique restaurants opened in EPCOT. Space 220 is both an attraction and a restaurant, with an experience that takes you on a space elevator up into the stars, where you arrive at a dining spot with 360-degree views of space (along with some fun easter eggs). Space 220 in EPCOT Space 220 offers both a prix fixe restaurant dining experience as well as a lounge, and we’ve visited many times. The menu changes a LOT. However, we just attended a special media event to celebrate the restaurant’s fourth anniversary, and we got a sneak peek at some NEW food and drinks you’ll be able to order in the lounge soon. Yes, new menu items are coming to the Space 220 lounge on October 1st (mark that date on your calendar). Even better, we got a chance to see some of these new menu items AND taste them, and we’re bringing you along for the ride. So, let’s go up the space elevator and head in! Let’s go to space! Welcome to space! Not a bad view One of the new menu items is Cosmic Lobster Bao, which might be the coolest menu item name. It’s made with Lobster, Celery, Chive, and Lime Mayo. It looks amazing, right? Cosmic Lobster Bao We got to taste the DLR Curry Wurst — it’s bratwurst with a delicious and sweet curry ketchup topping. The bratwurst itself was SO juicy and had a great snap when bitten into. You also get crispy fries with it. DLR Curry Wurst The Solar Flare Pork Belly is made with Slow Roasted Pork Belly, Spiced Apple Sauce, and Pickled Radish. The pork belly is super fatty with a crispiness on the outside. It kinda just bursts in your mouth when you bite into it. The pieces are also thick! The spiced apple sauce is creamy and adds a lovely flavor. Plus, you get pickled radishes on the side. What a fun dish! Solar Flare Pork Belly We also tried the Astro Cluck and Comet Crisp, which has another super fun name. It’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Waffle with Spicy Maple Syrup, and Spicy Pickles. You’ve got a crispy waffle with a hint of sweetness, crispy chicken, and a little bit of a kick with the spicy maple syrup. Don’t worry, though, it isn’t SUPER spicy. The spicy pickles are tangy and acidic, and have a bit more of a kick (and you do feel the spice with those). We’ve always liked the Chicken on Waffle here, and this is a new take on that. Astro Cluck and Comet Crisp We never expected to go to space for a Reuben, but here we are. The Saturn Reuben Sandwich is made with Corned Beef, Swiss Cheese, Sauerkraut, Russian Dressing, and Rye Bread. The bread is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The corned beef is SO tender, and we love the tanginess the sauerkraut adds. The Russian Dressing is the perfect finish, along with the cornichon on top. We were told that the sandwich’s shape is created by a special machine, and y’all, IT’S SO COOL. Space Reuben for the win! Saturn Reuben Sandwich We also had a menu favorite, the Blue Moon Cauliflower, made with Tempura-fried Cauliflower, Housemade Hot Sauce, and Bleu Cheese Dust. The restaurant said this is a top seller, so it’s not going anywhere. It has a light, crispy batter on the outside, and the cauliflower on the inside is so saucy. The buffalo sauce adds a bit of a nice kick. We almost ALWAYS get this when we visit Space 220. Blue Moon Cauliflower We also tried a drink from the regular menu, the Gamma Burst Cocktail, which is made with Grey Goose Strawberry and Lemongrass vodka, Midori Melon Liqueur, and Strawberry Popping Pearls. It’s sweet, fruity, and tropical. It’s also very refreshing, AND you get lots of boba. In fact, it’s almost too much boba and not enough drink. The boba does have a light strawberry flavor. Our server loves this drink, so we had to try it. Gamma Burst Cocktail Okay, so now we’re at the favorite part of the menu…DESSERT. And we didn’t get to just try one dessert, we got to try three with the new Flight 220. Now, the current flight comes with Lunar Carrot Cake, Tang Macaron, and Strawberry Saturn, but it will be changing to Cosmic Cheesecake, Cookies and Cream Macaron, and Strawberry Saturn. First, we’re giving this a gold star for presentation alone. LOOK at these gorgeous treats. Flight 220 The Cosmic Cheesecake has a chocolate mousse base with a chocolate shell on the outside. Yes, this one is for you, chocolate-lovers. It’s also interactive, because you break it open to get to the mousse on the inside. SO fun and SO delicious. It also just looks AMAZING. Cosmic Cheesecake We were honestly shocked at how big the Cookies and Cream Macaron was. It’s HUGE. The macaron is nice and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s filled with a fluffy cookies and cream mousse. Then you’ve got a salted caramel filling in the middle, which was a nice surprise. Cookies and Cream Macaron The Strawberry Saturn has a strawberry mousse filling surrounded by a white chocolate shell with a white chocolate ring. The bottom is like a strawberry crumble. The mousse is light, milky, fluffy, and creamy, like a good mousse should be. The white chocolate shell was SO creamy. We also liked the crunch from the strawberry crumble, as well as the additional strawberry flavor. Honestly, if you could eat strawberry milk, that’s what this is like. Strawberry Saturn So you might want to try to get into Space 220 Lounge on or after October 1st to try these new bites for yourself. I’ve always preferred the lounge over the restaurant menu (which is prix fixe), and it’s a great way to experience the atmosphere of Space 220 without having to commit to three courses of food. Stay tuned to DFB for more. WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! The Sneaky Reason You Should Book an 8 PM Reservation for These EPCOT Restaurants Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever visited the Space 220 Lounge? Share your favorite food and drinks in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Space 220 to attend a media event celebrating its 4th anniversary. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post REVIEW: This EPCOT Restaurant Dropped a New Menu, and It’s Full of Heavy Hitters first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re Disney Food Blog, and you’re watching Disney Channel! ©Disney Camp Rock Does that take you back to long summer days sitting on the couch with Lunchables and Disney Channel running all day? Oh, I could just picture myself watching movie after movie with my siblings. Ready for another blast of nostalgia? A popular Disney Channel movie is getting a new addition to its series. Camp Rock 3 is officially in production. Yes, this is real, and yes, the Jonas Brothers are in it. Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas will be reprising their roles, and Demi Lovato will return as an executive producer, along with the Jonas Brothers. Filming started in Vancouver this year. ©Disney Other actors joining the cast include Liamani Egura from Desendants: Wicked Wonderland, Malachi Baron from Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, Lumi Pollach from Electric Bloom, and a few others that we’re excited to meet. Maria Canals-Barrera from Wizards of Waverly Place will be returning to her role as Connie. ©Disney According to Deadline, the story will pick up when “Connect 3 lose their opening act for a major reunion tour, returning to their beloved Camp Rock to ride over the next big thing. As campers vie for the chance to open for their favorite band, tensions rise and friendships are tested, leading to unexpected alliances, revelations, and romances.” Mitchie and Shane’s outfits Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, says, “Camp Rock is an important part of the Disney Channel Original Movie legacy, with unforgettable music, energetic storytelling, and characters that live in the hearts of fans to this day. Bringing it back with Kevin, Joe, Nick, and DEmi is a full circle moment, and we can’t wait to reintroduce this world to a new generation.” ©Disney The original Camp Rock came out in 2008, and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam aired in 2010, so we’re thrilled this is coming back over 15 years later. It was in the Top 10 Disney Channel Original Movies, and while it doesn’t have a release date yet, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more information. 10 HUGE DISNEY MOVIE ANNOUNCEMENTS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited for Camp Rock 3? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. The post NEW Disney Movie Announcement Drops, and We Seriously Weren’t Expecting It first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article