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Disney World is one of the most magical places on Earth, but between the Florida sun, the endless walking, and the temptation to push yourself to the limit, it’s easy to slip into some bad habits while you’re there. You’ll be doing a TON of walking on these streets. And if we’re being honest, they’re the same bad habits your grandma has probably been telling you to avoid since you were a kid. That’s why we’re here to pass along a few pieces of advice from Grandma herself about what she wants you to STOP doing on your next Disney trip. Forgetting Sunscreen This is the number one “grandma warning” for Disney World, and for good reason. The Florida sun does not mess around. Even if you think you’ll be fine because you’re walking in and out of attractions all day, the reality is that the sun sneaks up on you. A little bit of time in that outdoor queue, plus a mid-afternoon parade, and suddenly you’re looking like Sebastian the crab. WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN! Grandma would be shaking her head right now because there is no excuse for forgetting sunscreen. Not only is a sunburn painful, but it can also completely derail the rest of your vacation. You don’t want to spend your trip hiding from the sun in long sleeves and floppy hats when you could’ve avoided the whole mess with a quick reapplication. So pack it in your park bag, reapply during the day, and listen to Grandma on this one. Skipping Meals We know what happens. You’re rope dropping Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, then hopping on over to Adventureland, then running to catch your Lightning Lane, and before you know it, it’s 3PM and you realize you haven’t eaten since that granola bar in your hotel room. Grandma would not approve. Columbia Harbour House Full Spread Skipping meals at Disney World is one of the quickest ways to turn into a cranky, tired version of yourself that nobody in your group will enjoy being around. Disney food is a big part of the experience, so use it as a built-in break. Even if you’re not sitting down for a full-service meal, there are plenty of quick-service spots where you can refuel. Trust us, you’ll feel better, your mood will improve, and you’ll avoid that mid-afternoon meltdown that comes from running on empty. Forgetting to Drink Water If there’s one thing your grandma has probably told you a thousand times, it’s to drink water. And once again, she’s right. The combination of Florida heat, constant walking, and sugary snacks means your body is working overtime to stay hydrated. Don’t forget your water bottle! Too many people power through the day with sodas, coffee, or cocktails and completely forget that water should be the star player. Dehydration sneaks up fast, and before you know it, you’re dizzy, sluggish, and in need of an unplanned break. Avoid that by grabbing those free cups of ice water at quick-service locations or carrying a refillable bottle. Your future self will thank you, and Grandma will be proud. Changing Diapers Anywhere Other Than the Bathroom This one is less about your health and more about common courtesy. Yes, we know traveling with babies and toddlers can be tough, and diaper changes are part of the deal. But Disney World has tons of designated baby care centers and changing tables in every restroom. There is no reason to be changing your child on a restaurant table, park bench, or attraction queue. Changing Tables Grandma would probably give you the look for this one, because it’s just not something anyone wants to see (or smell) while they’re enjoying their Dole Whip. If you’re traveling with little ones, plan your day with breaks in mind so you can head to a restroom when it’s time for a change. Not only is it more sanitary, but it’s respectful to everyone around you. Why Grandma’s Always Right When you think about it, Grandma’s advice for Disney World isn’t really about rules—it’s about making sure you enjoy your trip to the fullest. Forgetting sunscreen leads to pain, skipping meals leads to crankiness, not drinking water leads to exhaustion, and diaper changes in the wrong place lead to unhappy park-goers around you. None of that screams “magical vacation.” Sometimes we get so caught up in the rush of the parks that we forget the basics, but those basics matter. Grandma’s been saying it for years, and she’s not wrong. Take care of yourself, take care of the people around you, and your Disney trip will be so much better for it. Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World news! It’s Time I Said It…I Can’t Stand These 4 Cringey Things Disney Adults Do at Disney World What’s the piece of Disney advice your grandma would give you? Let us know in the comments! The post Your Grandma Called. She Wants You To STOP Doing This in Disney World. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Target just dropped a big reason why we’re already booking our next flight! Is THIS actually the Happiest Place on Earth? Target just released a gift card that can be used towards your next flight with Delta Air Lines — let’s take a look! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get this Delta Air Lines Gift Card ©Target Check out this $250 Delta Air Lines Gift Card! We didn’t need an excuse to book our next vacation, but Target is giving it to us anyway. This could be a great way to help book your next travel, or a great gift to someone who has been hesitating on buying that flight. All Delta Gift Cards may be used only toward airfare sold on the Delta website or Delta Vacations packages that include airfare, and may not be used for other purchases, such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, or other ancillary products. Keep in mind that this will be an email delivery — you won’t receive a physical gift card. View online We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! The post A Huge Delta Airlines Deal Is Happening at Target for a Limited Time first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Central Florida is working on improving the traffic and expressways, but is this coming at the cost of wildlife? ©nature.org According to The Tampa Bay Times, a new expressway is set to be built in Osceola County, but it’s planned to be dangerously close to the Disney Wilderness Preserve. Here’s everything you need to know. The Southport Connector is proposed to be a 15-mile tolled expressway in Southern Osceola County, extending from Poinciana Parkway to Pleasant Hill Road. It will continue east to Florida’s Turnpike and will have six elevated lanes above and between Cypress Parkway. A portion of the proposed expressway would be just south of Lake Tohopekaliga, bordering the Disney Wilderness Preserve. While county officials are ready to approve the route, environmentalists are concerned about the impact. ©nature.org Part of the path would run through a critical portion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, which is an 18-million-acre set of land that is home to fragile plants and animals. While the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation is not against the project, they’re concerned that there won’t be enough areas for the wildlife to safely cross. ©nature.org Jason Lauritsen, the chief conservation officer of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, said, “Whether it’s deer or black bears or panthers… having connections like this would mean good genetic health for those wildlife populations. Anytime you get fragmentation like this, little by little you end up having populations that become isolated from one another, and over time species become less diverse and less numerous.” ©nature.org The foundation has recommended that the expressway be elevated, even though the undeveloped areas, to limit the chances of wildlife getting injured, especially for the Florida panthers that roam that specific area. Unfortunately, this proposition is very expensive. Janet Bowman, the senior policy analyst with The Nature Conservancy in Florida, which manages the Disney Wilderness Preserve, spoke about managing the area once the expressway is built. They often do prescribed burns to reduce wildfire risk and promote healthy plant and animal life, and if it doesn’t get the prescribed fire, species might struggle. ©nature.org A controlled fire by a highway isn’t practical and can change when and how they conduct the fires. There are also concerns that this is just the start of more urbanization since new roads could increase traffic, rather than decrease it. Charles Lee, the director of advocacy at Audubon of Florida, said “There is really no happy ending. There’s only what I would describe as a modest lessening of impacts.” ©nature.org The Central Florida Expressway Authority will be making their final decision in December. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more Disney news and updates. 2 NEW ROAD EXPANSION PROJECTS WILL MAKE IT 10X EASIER TO DRIVE TO DISNEY WORLD What do you think about this? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. The post New Florida Expressway Could Threaten Disney Wilderness Preserve first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Walt Disney World shared updates on several projects Thursday, including one grand opening date and revamped roller coaster details, some revealed by a menagerie of Muppets featuring Kermit the Frog. The next Disney World attraction to debut will be “Zootopia: Better Together,” a 3D film inside the Tree of Life Theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Opening day for visitors will be Nov. 7, Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World portfolio executive creative producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, said. He also revealed punny aspects of the film, which will replace “It’s Tough to Be a Bug.” The 9-minute film will have elements of its predecessor and surprises tied to the theme of Zoogether Day. “We have a new scent. It’s not a stink bug,” said Danny Hanke, senior creative director. “Oh, and nothing pokes you in the back this time,” he said, referring to the jabbing special effect built into the theater seats for “Bug.” Michael Hundgen, portfolio executive creative producer, reveals the opening date of the new Zootopia: Better Zoogether! attraction during a media preview on Thursday. The new show will run in the Tree of Life Theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) In the storyline, “everyone will come there to see our new character, Heidi Howler. She is a wolf host with a lot of energy,” Hanke said. “Zootopia” characters will be part of the new attraction, as will parts of “Zootopia 2,” which arrives in theaters on Nov. 2. “The same animators working on the movie worked on our attraction,” Hanke said. The attraction will feature a new song titled “We are Zoonited,” and Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps will be available in a new meet-and-greet area in conjunction with the new “Zootopia” theatrical release. Disney executives revealed the details during a preview for members of the media at Epcot. They talked about two WDW roller coasters that will see changes in the next year. Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, currently closed for refurbishment, will have a new early scene, said Wyatt Winter, executive producer. “You will see hundreds of bats filling the bat cave now, all of them kind of staring at you a little ominously in that space,” Winter said. Next up will be the rainbow caverns, he said, “full of spectacular natural phosphorus pools, stalagmites, stalactites and all the colors of the rainbow.” That will shift with a thunderclap. “The entire caverns transform into this eerie red space that’s really kind of warning, like you should not continue in here,” Winter said. There’s a man versus mountain theme coming. “The mountain is always pushing back against all the miners trying to get its gold,” Winter said. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will transition from Aerosmith mode to a Muppet-based storyline. The exterior of the indoor coaster will also change, said Bette Lombardi, producer. “The giant guitar will be getting a vibrant and psychedelic new look, and fans may notice a nod to Dr Teeth’s golden tooth on the piano,” she said. Producer Bette Lombardi is welcomed to the stage by Kermit the Frog for an update on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets, during a preview event at Epcot at Walt Disney World on Thursday. The re-themed coaster is slated to open at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2026. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Inside, the Muppets take over — specifically, the Electric Mayhem band — some Aerosmith scenes from the coaster, which debuted in 1999. “You’ll find us in the recording studio laying down some groovy tunes as we rehearse for our next big concert,” the Dr. Teeth character said. Four Muppet members of their band (and their human handlers) appeared on stage during the presentation, along with Kermit, Fozzie and Scooter. In the new story, Scooter’s uncle has purchased G Force Records, Electric Mayhem’s label. “Scooter needs to figure out a way to get you all to that big concert, and it needs to be fast,” Lombardi said, which mirrors a current plot point regarding the superstretch limo-inspired ride vehicles. No closing date has been announced for the Aerosmith version of the ride. Other attractions updates included: • The “Mandalorian”-inspired update for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, a ride at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will allow passengers to select the interplanetary destination. “The engineer position gets to pick the location … and they’ll also get to communicate with Grogu during the mission,” Hundgen said. • Also at Hollywood Studios, the revamped Animation Courtyard will have an indoor play space called Drawn to Wonderland. It’s inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s concept art for “Alice in Wonderland.” • For Magic Kingdom’s Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, a new support robot named Buddy “will welcome guests into the attraction,” Hundgen said. “They’ll give you mission tips, encouragement, and it’s going to be your first chance to interact with a blaster and test out those upgraded features. The ride, which is getting new vehicles, blasters and targets, is already closed for the refurbishment. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. View the full article

We Found The Secret Treasure To Disney's NEW Pirate Tavern - The Beak & Barrel | Magic KingdomView the full article

It’s about to be the BEST — and WORST — time to visit Disney World. EPCOT Does Disney World actually ever take a break? Apparently not! Fresh off the return of the super-popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, August in Disney World isn’t getting any quieter, as THREE huge events are still scheduled to take place, and will no doubt keep the parks PACKED. August 28th and 29th are significant dates this year, as several points of interest are making their debut at Disney World all over the resort. These noteworthy events will also draw in BIG crowds during those days. 2024 Food and Wine Festival Kicking the festivities off will be the debut of the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! Running August 28th through November 22nd, 2025, the Original Disney Food Festival will feature incredible special events, informative culinary and beverage demonstrations, celebrity chefs, and tasty Marketplace Food Booths around the park. EPCOT Food & Wine Festival A major draw, fans flock to EPCOT each year specifically for this festival. Click HERE for our full EPCOT Food & Wine Festival guide! The major events don’t slow down there, as the very next day marks the start of Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney! ©Disney The biggest Disney fan event of the year will be held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort from August 29th through August 31st, 2025, and — like the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival — will draw in fans from far and wide. This event is a HUGE fan convention hosted by D23 where Disney executives, celebrities, and fans come together in the ultimate celebration of all things Disney. ©Disney The convention will offer special events, exclusive merchandise, unique exhibits, and fascinating presentations. Click HERE to learn more about this year’s Destination D23! Also taking place on August 29th is the grand opening of The Beak and Barrel — a NEW LOUNGE themed to the classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and film franchise! Located in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, this “first-of-its-kind experience will extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean.” The Beak and Barrel ©Disney Featuring a few different themed rooms packed with Pirates easter eggs, this lounge will offer some fun food (including corn griddle cakes, octopus tentacles, and an Island Provisions dish that comes with plantain chips, blue corn tortialls, and toasted flatbread) as well as non-alcoholic and alcoholic specialty beverages alike. You’ll also find wine and draft beer at this Magic Kingdom spot. Truly a rare treasure! ©Disney We already mentioned the theming, which will immerse you “in the Tortuga world through sing-alongs, storytelling, and enchanting surprises.” ©Disney Over at Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar, you can even find two new pieces of merchandise themed to The Beak and Barrel once it opens. ©Disney The lounge offers Advance Dining Reservations for dates 60 days out. Disney has shared that there is a 45-minute time limit for your time inside The Beak and Barrel. Click HERE to view the entire Beak and Barrel menu! Our team is so excited to attend all of these incredible events, and we’ll be bringing you all the latest updates from each one! In the meantime, stay tuned right here at DFB for coverage on all things Disney World! CONFIRMED: Disney Releases FULL Schedule for Destination D23 Which August Disney World event are you most excited about? let us know in the comments! The post HUGE Disney World Crowd News Is About to Drop first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Do you have a countdown going till the start of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival? No? Just me? New snacks to try! If you’re just as excited as I am to run around EPCOT trying new foods and menus, then sit back and grab a pen because we got to try a menu item before the festival starts, and we’re bringing all the details to you. We tried the Kirschwasser Torte, which will be at the Alps booth. This is new to the festival this year and is made with cherry-brandy buttercream, fondant, sugared almonds, and cherry compote. Kirschwasser Torte As soon as we got that first bite, we were in love. There were eight layers of perfect icing, and the sugared almonds on top provide a great crunch. When you get a bite of everything, there’s a great balance between the tartness and the sweetness. It’s not too sweet or has too much icing, and it really has such a nice balance between all the elements. We can’t wait to try this at the booth this year! We loved it! Also at the Alps booth, you can try the Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese and Alpine Ham with baby potatoes, cornichons, and a baguette. There’s also a version without the ham. Both are returning favorites and part of the Emile’s Fromage Montage, the cheese crawl, where if you try five, you get an additional snack for free! Warm Swiss Cheese Raclette You can also try the Frozen Rosé, which is returning, and there will also be the new Stiegl Brewery Goldbräu Austrian Märzen Lager. 2024 We also got a sneak peek at some of the other dishes coming to the festival, and we’re eating it up (literally!). Drinks Take a look at the souvenir cup coming! We can’t wait! There are chicken wings to try, too! You can find these at the Brew-Wing Lab inside the Odyssey Building. YUM! Whether you go sweet or savory, there are so many dishes to try at the festival. Dessert? Yes please! The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival runs from August 28th to November 22nd, and we’re ready to try it all. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for full menu reviews and all the details you need to make Food & Wine the best festival yet. FULL MENUS ANNOUNCED FOR 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! Are you excited for the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival to start in EPCOT? Tell us your past favorite menu item 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 Disney World to attend their media preview of Food and Wine Festival 2025. 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 and FIRST LOOK at a Brand-New EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Treat first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There is nothing more exciting than a brand-new land in Magic Kingdom. Cinderella Castle Disney has officially announced that Frontierland is getting a massive Cars Land-inspired expansion called Piston Peak, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the biggest changes the park has seen in years. We’re talking two brand-new rides, a totally reimagined landscape, and even a geyser called Old Tankful. But here’s the thing: as excited as we are, we’re also nervous. Disney, please don’t fumble this. We’ve seen how game-changing lands can be when Imagineers absolutely nail it (Pandora, Galaxy’s Edge), but we’ve also seen how a highly hyped area can leave guests feeling underwhelmed if things don’t quite land the way we hoped. So here are the big reasons we’re begging Disney not to drop the ball on Piston Peak. Don’t Make It Feel Like Radiator Springs 2.0 We already have Cars Land in Disneyland, and it’s perfect. Radiator Springs Racers, Flo’s V8 Café, and the way the whole land glows at night? Pure magic. But Piston Peak is supposed to be something new — a Cars universe expansion, not a copy-and-paste. Cars Land Disney has said this area will lean into a National Park theme, with architecture inspired by Rocky Mountain National Park, plus lots of waterfalls, natural landscapes, and even “car-ified” details that make it feel like a world where cars live. That’s promising. But if it ends up looking like Radiator Springs with just a few more pine trees, it’ll feel like a letdown. Piston Peak ©Disney The Rides Need to Deliver Big This is the most crucial piece of the puzzle. Disney has already confirmed two new attractions: The Rally Race Ride – a high-speed, off-road race through mud, geysers, and mountain trails. A Family Ride for Smaller Racers – a kid-friendly attraction housed in the ranger lodge. The off-road rally has the potential to be a major headliner — maybe even Magic Kingdom’s next Rise of the Resistance-level draw. But if the tech isn’t smooth or if it ends up being more screen-heavy than physical thrills, people are going to feel disappointed. The fact that Imagineers have been testing real off-road vehicles to get the ride system right is encouraging, but this needs to feel like a groundbreaking experience. ©Disney And as for the family-friendly ride? Please don’t make it another short, forgettable filler attraction. Magic Kingdom is full of classics because they balance thrills with storytelling. Even the “smaller” rides, like Dumbo or The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, stick with you. That’s the level this second attraction needs to meet. @Disney Don’t Overcomplicate the Story Here’s where things can go wrong: Disney sometimes leans too hard on backstory that never really comes through when you’re actually in the land. We already know Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore will be a new character with an animatronic pre-show to explain the history of Piston Peak. That could be fun, especially since it ties into old-school Disney characters like Ranger Audubon Woodlore from the Humphrey the Bear cartoons. Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore ©Disney But please, Disney — don’t bury us in lore we can’t follow. Guests don’t need to know a 20-page history of Piston Peak. They just need to feel like they’ve stepped into a Cars-inspired national park where fun and adventure happen around every corner. The storytelling should feel natural, not like homework. Protect Frontierland’s Charm This expansion is a major trade-off. In order to build Piston Peak, Disney closed the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat. Those were beloved parts of the park, especially for longtime Disney fans. Losing them stings. Tom Sawyer Island is now CLOSED If Disney wants to win people over, Piston Peak can’t just be flashy and new. It has to feel like it belongs in Frontierland. The concept art suggests Imagineers are blending elements of Big Thunder Mountain’s Bryce Canyon inspiration with the car-themed architecture of Piston Peak, which could be a beautiful fit. If it feels seamless, guests might forgive the loss of the old classics. But if it feels like two totally different lands smashed together, that charm could be gone. ©Disney Don’t Forget the Details What makes Cars Land in Disneyland so special is the detail. The neon lighting at night. The sounds of car engines in the background. The way even the lampposts look like tailpipes. Every little touch makes you believe you’re standing in the world of Cars. ©Disney Piston Peak needs that same level of care. The waterfalls, the “car-ified” lodge architecture, and the massive mountains all sound incredible. But Disney can’t cut corners here. If this land is going to compete with Pandora, Galaxy’s Edge, and the upcoming Villains Land, it needs to feel alive in every detail — from the pathways to the food to the background music. The Stakes Are High Every expansion comes with massive expectations, and Piston Peak is one of the biggest changes the park has made in decades. Disney, we’re rooting for you. Piston Peak could be incredible. It could be the next land that fans can’t stop talking about, the place everyone runs to rope drop, and the must-do for every Magic Kingdom trip. But only if you stick the landing. So please, Disney — don’t fumble this expansion. As always, be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news and updates. Heads Up! Another Popular Disney World Hotel Set To Begin Construction This Month What about you — are you excited for Piston Peak, or are you nervous Disney might not get it quite right? Tell us in the comments! The post Dear Disney: Please Don't Fumble the Cars Land Mega Expansion first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In just a few short months, Disney’s first ship to set sail out of Singapore will go on its maiden voyage. ©Disney The Disney Adventure will begin its own adventure on December 15th and will feature seven themed areas, new attractions, as well as a variety of restaurants, including some NEW Disney Cruise Line restaurants. Well, you know us, and we’ve been WAITING to get a peek at what food on the Adventure will look like, and Disney just gave us our first look! Enchanted Summer Restaurant will have both Tangled and Frozen themes and is set in a “cozy village dining hall.” While eating under floating lanterns, guests can enjoy the Jackfruit (Kathal) Masala Kosha Taco with tempered dahl and water chestnut black garlic raita. ©Disney At Animator’s Palate, one item on the menu will be the Laksa Lemak with prawn, tau pok, laksa leaf, and chili. ©Disney The quick-service Jungle Book-themed Mowgli’s Eatery will offer the Bread Curd Fire Roll – Dahi Ke Sholay with cashew butter toast, dates, and coriander chutney. ©Disney The character dining experience, Hollywood Spotlight Club, will feature Yellow Fin Tuna and Prawns Mubai Bhel with sweet corn, rice puffs, avocado, cilantro, aioli, and tamarind. ©Disney Mike & Sulley’s — Flavors of Asia, a premium dining spot, will feature “four distinct experiences,” including a full-service Japanese steakhouse, a teppanyaki room, a bar with Omakase-style dining, and outdoor dining where you can enjoy sushi and sashimi. One of the items on the menu is the Taraba Kani Chawanmushi, which is Alaskan crab with egg custard and yanagi matsutake mushroom. ©Disney Okay, so this next one is going to make you drool. Animator’s Table will offer a cool Mickey-shaped dessert, the Mickey Chocolate Tarte with Valhrona chocolate fudge, chocolate ganache, and Florentine crunch. LOOK at this beautiful thing, y’all! ©Disney The premium restaurant, Palo Trattoria, will offer a Pure Blood Sanchoku Wagyu Striploin with pink peppercorn, broccolini, and yakiniku sauce. ©Disney The Concierge Kitchen will have Pacific Scallops with cremini-arborio, hazelnut, and sylvetta arugula. ©Disney This is such a great variety of international offerings as well as Asian flavors. The ship will also include meals for guests with special dietary needs, including requests for vegetarian, vegan, and Jain meals, as well as meals made with Halal-certified meats and allergen-related meals. Sounds like there will be a little something for everyone. We look forward to learning even more about the menus on board the Disney Adventure, and we’ll share more details with you when we have them, so stay tuned to DFB for more. 6 NEW Experiences Revealed for the Disney Adventure Cruise Ship What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Explore Disney’s Mega Cruise Ship – The Wish A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise These Are the BEST Times to Book Your Disney Cruise The Best Ways to SAVE SPACE in Your Tiny Cruise Cabin 10 Things You NEED on Your Next Cruise (That You Won’t Think to Pack!) What It’s Like to Live on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Will you be setting sail on the Disney Adventure? Let us know in the comments! The post NEW Food Revealed For Disney's Newest Cruise Ship -- The Adventure first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you BUSTED? Disney World will be changing even more! We’re gonna show you what’s REALLY banned in Disney World (cause there’s a lot of myths and misinformation floating around). Check out our video below: What Has Disney World REALLY Banned? Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more theme park news! What do you think of this video? Tell us in the comments. The post DFB Video: What Has Disney World REALLY Banned? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

By Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times I turn a bend and see a figure in a cornfield. The gray sky is foreboding, a storm clearly on the horizon. When I take a step forward, I’m hit with a gust of wind and fog. Suddenly, it’s no longer a silhouette in the haze but a scarecrow, shrouded in hay, lurching toward me. Related Articles It’s the cheapest time of the year to visit Disneyland right now Zoinks! Volcano Bay Nights to include Scooby-Doo and pals Theme park shifts: Epcot acts, ‘small world’ song, Baby Shark SeaWorld: Fun Card pass for rest of ’25, all of ’26 on sale Science center tweaks adults-only night, lowers age requirement Only I am not on a Midwestern farm, and there is no threat of severe weather. I’m in a warehouse in Las Vegas, walking through a maze called “Scarecrow: The Reaping.” I jump back and fixate my phone’s camera on the creature, but that only encourages them to step closer. I’m hurried out of the farmland and into a hall, where giant stalks now obscure my path. Welcome to Universal Horror Unleashed, which aims to deliver year-round horrors and further expand theme park-like experiences beyond their hubs of Southern California and Central Florida. Horror Unleashed, which opened Aug. 14, is an outgrowth of Universal’s popular fall event, Halloween Horror Nights, which has been running yearly at the company’s Los Angeles park since 2006 and even longer at its larger Florida counterpart. Like Halloween Horror Nights, there are maze-like haunted houses — four of them here themed to various properties such as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Exorcist.” Their more permanent status allows for a greater production factor — think disappearing walls and more elaborate show scenes — and they are surrounded by brooding bars, a pop-up rock-inspired dance show and a host of original walk-around characters. “Hey, sugar,” said a young woman as I near the warehouse’s main bar, a wraparound establishment themed to a large boiler. The actor’s face was scarred with blood, hinting at a backstory I didn’t have time — or perhaps the inclination — to explore. Horror Unleashed is opening just on the cusp of when theme parks and immersive-focused live experiences are entering one of the busiest times of the year: Halloween. The holiday, of course, essentially starts earlier each year. This year’s Halloween Horror Nights begins Sept. 4, while Halloween season at the Disneyland Resort launches Aug. 22. Horror shows and films are now successful year-round, with the likes of “Sinners” and “The Last of Us” enrapturing audiences long before Oct. 31. Culture has now fully embraced the darker side of fairy tales. “You can make every month horrific,” says Nate Stevenson, Horror Unleashed’s show director. That’s been a goal of David Markland, co-founder of Long Beach’s Halloween-focused convention Midsummer Scream, which this year is set for the weekend of Aug. 15. When Midsummer Scream began in 2016, it attracted about 8,000 people, says Markland, but today commands audiences of around 50,000. “Rapidly, over the past 10 or 15 years, Halloween has become a year-round fascination for people,” Markland says. “Halloween is a culture now. Halloween is a lifestyle. It’s a part of people’s lives that they celebrate year-round.” There will be challenges, a difficult tourism market among them, as visits to Las Vegas were down 11.3% in June 2025 versus a year earlier, according to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. And then there’s the question of whether audiences are ready for year-round haunts that extend beyond the fall Halloween season to winter, spring and summer. I entered Horror Unleashed for a media preview on an early August night when it was 105 degrees in the Las Vegas heat. It’s also been tried before, albeit on a smaller scale. Las Vegas was once home to Eli Roth’s Goretorium, a year-round haunted house that leaned on torture-horror and shuttered after about a year in 2013. But Universal creatives are undaunted. Bars and food locations serve craft cocktails and themed bites in select areas at Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas. (Universal Destinations & Experiences/TNS/TNS) “Scarecrow: The Reaping” is one of four haunted houses at Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas. (Universal Destinations & Experiences/TNS/TNS) The Boiler offers guests a momentary respite, with craft cocktails underneath a flaming machine at Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas. (Universal Destinations & Experiences/TNS/TNS) Horror icons await guests in the Universal Monsters haunted house at Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas. (Universal Destinations & Experiences/TNS/TNS) Show Caption1 of 4Bars and food locations serve craft cocktails and themed bites in select areas at Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas. (Universal Destinations & Experiences/TNS/TNS) Expand More than a decade, of course, has passed, and Horror Unleashed is more diverse in its horror offerings. A maze themed to Universal’s classic creatures winds through a castle and catacombs with vintage-style horrors and a mid-show scene in which Frankenstein’s monster comes alive. Original tale “Scarecrow: The Reaping,” which began at Universal Studios Florida, mixes in jump scares with more natural-seeming frights, such as the aforementioned simulated dust bowl. TJ Mannarino, vice president of entertainment, art and design at Universal Orlando, points to cultural happenings outside of the theme parks in broadening the terror scene — the success of shows such as “The Walking Dead” and “American Horror Story,” which found audiences outside of the Halloween season, as well as “Stranger Things,” which he says opened up horror to a younger crowd. Theme parks are simply reflecting our modern culture, which is craving darker fantasies. Universal, for instance, recently opened an entire theme park land focused on its classic monsters at its new Epic Universe in Florida, and even Disney is getting in on the action, as a villains-focused land is in the works for Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. “We think our audience really wants this,” says Mannarino, noting theme park attendance surveys were prodding the company to give horror a permanent home. And at Universal’s Orlando park, Halloween Horror Nights starts earlier, beginning in late August. “Just a couple years ago, we started in August, and we were selling out August dates,” Stevenson says. “On a micro level, we’re seeing that, boy, it doesn’t matter if you extend past the season or extend out before the season — people are coming. People want it.” Universal is betting on it, as the company has already announced that a second Horror Unleashed venue will be heading to Chicago in 2027. Smaller, more regional theme park-like experiences are once again something of a trend, as Netflix has immersive venues planned for the Dallas and Philadelphia regions, and Universal is also bringing a kid-focused park to Frisco, Texas. There are antecedents for what Universal is attempting. Disney, for instance, tried an indoor interactive theme park with DisneyQuest, for which a Chicago location was short-lived and a Florida outpost closed in 2017. Star Trek: The Experience, a mix of theme park-like simulations and interactive theater, operated for about a decade in Las Vegas before it shuttered in 2008. “I know there’s horror fans and Halloween fans who are always looking for something to do,” Markland says. “What (Universal is) doing is very ambitious and big, and so I’m nervous along with them. We’ll see how it goes. I’m sure people will go as soon as it opens and through the Halloween season, but after that, I don’t know. … They’ve definitely invested in Halloween and horror fans. They’re all-in.” Horror, says author Lisa Morton — who has written multiple books on the Oct. 31 holiday, including “Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween” — is thriving in part because today it is taken more seriously by cultural critics. The genre also has metaphorical qualities — the struggle, for instance, that is life, art and creativity in “Sinners” or the underlying themes of PTSD that permeated the latest season of “The Last of Us.” That makes it especially appealing, she says, for today’s stressful times. “I suspect that’s part of the reason horror is booming right now,” Morton says. “Everything from climate change, that we seem to have no voice in, and our politics, that don’t seem to represent us. Many of us are filled with anxiety about the future. I think horror is the perfect genre to talk about that. When you add a layer of a metaphor to it, it becomes much easier to digest.” To step into Horror Unleashed is to walk into a demented wonderland, a place that turns standard theme park warmth and joy upside down. Don’t expect fairy tale-like happy endings. The space’s centerpiece performance is twisted, a story centering on Jack the Clown and his female sidekick Chance, who have kidnapped two poor Las Vegas street performers and are forcing them to execute their acts to perfection to avoid murder. The deeper one analyzes it, the more sinister its class dynamics feel, even if it’s an excuse to showcase, say, street dancing and hula hoop acrobatics. The space has an underlying narrative. Broadly speaking, the warehouse is said to have been a storage place for Universal Studios’ early monster-focused horror films. That allows it to be littered with props, such as the throne-like chair near its entrance, and for nooks and crannies such as a “film vault” to be renamed a “kill vault.” Somehow — horror loves a good mystery — the space has come alive, and don’t be surprised to be greeted by a vampire or a costumed swampland figure that may or may not be related to the Creature from the Black Lagoon. The goal, says Universal creatives, is to give Horror Unleashed a bit of an immersive theater feel, something that can’t really be done among the chaotic scare zones and fast-moving mazes of a Halloween Horror Nights event. But here, guests can linger with the actors and probe them to try to uncover the storyline that imbues the venue. One-to-one actor interaction has long been a goal of those in the theme park space but often a tough formula to crack, in part because cast members are costly and in part because of the difficulty to scale such experiences for thousands. “As we’ve evolved this style of experience, we have given more and more control of the show to the actors,” says Mannarino on what separates Horror Unleashed from Halloween Horror Nights. “It’s less programmed. It’s less technology. I’ve had conversations with tech magazines, and they’ll ask me what is the most critical piece, and I’ll say it’s the actors. … The lifeblood of our all stories — we can build all of this, but it doesn’t go without the actors. “It’s what really drives this whole animal,” he adds. It extends a bit to the mazes as well. Audiences should expect to spend about five to seven minutes in each of the four walk-through attractions, but unlike a Halloween Horror Nights event, where guests are rushed from room to room without stopping, in Las Vegas there will be one dedicated show scene per maze. Here, groups will be held to watch a mini-performance. In the “Exorcist” maze, for instance, that means witnessing a full exorcism, complete with special effects that will have walls give way to demonic specters. In the ’70s-themed “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” haunt, look out for a bloody scene designed to drench guests. The mazes are intended to be semi-permanent. Stevenson says there’s no immediate plans to swap them out in the near future but hints that Horror Unleashed will be an evolving venue and, if all goes according to plan, will look a bit different in a few years. Thus, he says the key differentiator between Horror Unleashed and Halloween Horror Nights is not necessarily the tech used in the mazes, but the extended time they can devote to unwrapping a story. “When Universal builds a haunted house, the level of story that starts that out is enormous,” Stevenson says. “There’s so much story. All of our partners need that because they base every little nuanced thing off of that story. Unfortunately, we don’t always have the chance to tell that story, and all our fans tell us they want to know more story.” Story percolates throughout the venue. Flatbreads, for instance, are shaped like chainsaw blades. Desserts come on plates that are mini-shovels. Salad dressing is delivered in syringes. In the past, says Mannarino, no one wanted their food to be played with. ‘”Don’t do horrible things to my food!’” he says in mock exaggeration. “But now, people really love that.” Little, it seems, is obscene, when every day can be Halloween. ©2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. View the full article

The start of Disneyland’s busy Halloween season is also one of the cheapest times of the year to visit the Anaheim theme park when bargain hunters can save more than $100 on tickets. Tickets to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure cost $104 during 16 select dates in late August and early September — the lowest price in the theme park resort’s seven-tiered pricing system. Disneyland introduced tiered pricing in 2016 with lower prices during slower periods of the year and higher prices during the busiest seasons. Since then, the park has expanded the number of ticket tiers and raised prices on the top end to $206 while holding the lowest price steady at the $104 level. Daily tickets for Disneyland or DCA can be purchased for $104 on the following dates: Aug. 19-21 Aug. 25-28 Sept. 2-4 Sept. 9-11 Sept. 16-18 All of the $104 dates fall on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday except for Aug. 25 — which is a Monday. A few of the lowest-priced August dates land just a few days away from top-tier $206 dates — on Aug. 23 and Aug. 30-31. The remaining highest-priced dates in 2025 fall on Saturdays in October (Oct. 4, 11 and 18) and November (Nov. 8 and 29) and during Thanksgiving (Nov. 24-29) and Christmas (Dec. 20-31). Right now is one of three stretches on Disneyland’s tiered-pricing calendar when the park typically lowers admission to rock bottom levels. You’ll have to wait until a stretch of weekdays after Halloween and before Thanksgiving for your next chance at $104 Disneyland tickets — on Nov. 3-6 and Nov. 10-13. The third stretch of the year when Disneyland tickets are typically at their lowest prices happens after the Christmas season ends. In 2026, those dates fall on select weekdays between Jan. 6 and Feb. 12. View the full article

Disney dropped news of another refurbishment coming to Disney World! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has been going through lots of refurbishment plans, and they’re adding another to that list. Let’s take a look at the details! As we mentioned, Animal Kingdom Lodge has been undergoing a lot of construction lately. Earlier this year, on July 7th, Disney started refurbishing the Zebra Trail Terrace at the Lodge’s Jambo House. The refurbishment of Zebra Trail Terrace is expected to continue through mid-September 2025. Animal Kingdom Lodge Then, Disney announced ANOTHER refurb hitting the Lodge, with plans for the resort that are going to start in October of 2025. Guest rooms at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will be undergoing refurbishment. This refurb is expected to last through May 2026. Animal Kingdom Lodge — Kidani Village Then, after that, refurbishment at Jambo House will begin in May 2026 and go through January 2027. That’s right, refurbishment plans for the Lodge that will last until 2027! We’re excited to see the updated rooms, but it’s just going to be a very long time. These were all the plans announced a little while back, but now more refurbishment plans have been added to the popular resort. Animal Kingdom Lodge Before the massive room refurbishments begin in October, Disney will be closing the Samawati Springs Pool Slide. Starting on September 8th, the Samawati Springs Pool Slide will be closing at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village for routine maintenance. There is currently no timetable for when this refurbishment will be complete. Samawati Springs Pool If you’re staying at the resort, there will still be another fun water slide option for you to enjoy. It’s located at the Uzima Springs Pool! Also note, outside of the slide pool for a bit, all the resort’s amenities will remain available during construction. You just may see or hear construction at work. Samawati Springs routine closure sign Refurbishment periods are tough, but they are necessary to keep everything at the Walt Disney World Resort up to date. We’re looking forward to all the updates coming, especially with a deluxe resort like this one. For more Disney news and updates, be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog. Are you planning on staying at the resort anytime soon? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World Announces ANOTHER Refurbishment for This Popular Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Doing your homework before picking the perfect Disney World hotel for you and your family is important, and it never hurts to get some tips from Disney World hotel experts! Disney’s Pop Century Resort An incredibly popular value hotel option at Disney World, Disney’s Pop Century Resort is an affordably priced resort along the Disney Skyliner route that offers fun theming based on pop culture throughout the decades. Over the years, the DFB team and I have stayed here, learning all about the resort and coming up with tips that could help you during your next vacation. If you’re thinking about staying here, there are a few tips you should be aware of that aren’t always apparent — even in the fine print. You’ll Be Outdoors A Lot Pop Century is set up in a motel style, so unless you’re in your room, you might find yourself outdoors quite a bit. Pop Century Resort The buildings here have exterior entrances, outdoor halls, and lots of open space in between. Pop Century Resort As a Disney resort, Pop Century doesn’t quite have the same safety concerns as other open-air motels, but it does have a big weather problem. Central Florida is home to hurricane weather, including rainstorms that feature thunder and lightning, as well as some really ugly humidity. Unlike other hotels, Pop Century doesn’t do a tremendous amount to shield you from Mother Nature. The Skyliner Also Has Weather Concerns A major perk of staying at Pop Century is the proximity to a Disney Skyliner station. This gondola transportation gets you to other Disney World hotels as well as EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios conveniently and free of charge. Disney Skyliner at Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts There’s one major caveat, however: The Skyliner is useless during inclement weather. If the weather is bad enough, the Skyliner will shut down, and the only other free means of transportation at Pop Century is the Disney World bus. You can also use a rideshare, but that’s certainly not free. Inside a Skyliner Gondola The Skyliner is one of the biggest reasons guests stay at Pop Century, and if it’s inoperable for a decent chunk of your trip, then you’re not getting the full value of staying at this resort. Dining Options Are Limited Disney World is home to some FANTASTIC hotel restaurants, but you likely won’t find anything at Pop Century on one of our best-of lists. They have surprised us a couple of times, though! Everything Pop You’re pretty much limited to Everything POP Shopping & Dining food court, Petals Pool Bar, and in-room pizza on demand. Petals Pool Bar Yes, you’ll find options at these locations that are suitable, but the quality here is average. Additionally, these aren’t sit-down table-service restaurants, so if you want something more refined, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Pop Century Is Big The hotel resort is certainly large — big enough that you can sufficiently visit each decade and spend a good amount of time doing so. The layout is incredibly spaced out, forcing a lot of unanticipated walking. Pop Century Resort You’ll find walks going to and from the lobby, pools, bus stop, and Skyliner. The trick is to request specific decade/building sections at check-in. Essentially, identify what you want to be close to, and go from there. Hippy Dippy Pool These requests aren’t guaranteed, but asking doesn’t cost anything. Trust us, after a long day at the parks or during a severe downpour, walking less matters. You’ll Be Surrounded By Nonstop Theming At Pop Century, be prepared to celebrate the decades through pop culture! There are TONS of both Disney and cultural references EVERYWHERE, and it can take you days to find everything! Pop Century You’ll be able to spot giant props of toys you played with as a kid… Disney’s Pop Century Resort And some of your favorite Disney characters, as well! Pop Century There are several smaller easter eggs, like the trinkets in the lobby shadow boxes, the fake song names on the back of the giant 8-trax, and more. Shadow Boxes You’re paying to stay here, so you might as well explore and hunt down some beloved props and items! Pop Century Have you stayed at Pop Century? Share some of your best tips in the comments below, and continue to follow us here at DFB for all the latest Disney World coverage! Why Disney Adults Can’t Stay Away From Pop Century Hotel What is your favorite Disney World hotel? Let us know in the comments! The post 5 Things No One Tells You Before Staying at Disney's Pop Century Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ahoy there, pirates! Have you fought the mighty crowds to get your Beak and Barrel reservation and are now willing to walk the plank to get inside? We have an update for you that will make you as happy as finding buried treasure. The Treasure Trove ©Disney Okay, let’s drop the pirate speak. Disney just showed us new pictures of what to expect at Beak and Barrel, the new pirate-themed lounge coming to Magic Kingdom on August 29th, so let’s jump in! Sound the alarms: we have signage! This large map appears to be located outside in Adventureland and features Rummy, the parrot who oversees the tavern, on it. ©Disney They added another sign, too! This one is filled with details with the wood planks, knotted rope, and sea barnacles that look like they pulled it straight out of the ocean. ©Disney The new restaurant has caused quite a bit of chaos with reservations, so if you’re looking to book, don’t be concerned that you don’t see any available. Reservations open 60 days in advance, and while we’re just as excited to check out Beak and Barrel, this is a permanent location and is expected to be around for a while. ©Disney One part that makes us at Disney Food Blog so excited is the menu! There are some food options like Cook’s Corn Griddle Cakes and Kraken’s Catch, which is octopus tentacles marinated in lemon and lime juice with olives, bell peppers, avocado, and a piquillo pepper-almond foam. ©Disney Let’s not forget about the drinks! From the Siren’s Whisper made with Pot & Column Still White Rum Blend, Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur, Combier Crème de Pêche de Vigne Liqueur, Lime, and Cinnamon to Barrels Ablaze with Jack Daniel’s Bonded Bourbon, Honey, Lemon, and Chile, we’re ready to try them all. Barrels Ablaze ©Disney We love a good souvenir mug, too! Plunderer’s Punch ©Disney In the meantime, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more Disney news and reviews. TWO NEW RULES WE CAN EXPECT AT BEAK AND BARREL IN MAGIC KINGDOM 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 excited for Beak and Barrel to open? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney Reveals FIRST LOOK at Signs for Beak and Barrel at Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve ever tapped into a Walt Disney World park and noticed the fingerprint scanner, you might have wondered why Disney uses it in the first place. Finger Scan Every guest who enters a Disney World park will come to a touch point at the entrance and will need to scan their ticket and place their finger on the scanner. It can feel a little unexpected during a vacation, but the process is far less invasive than it may seem. Here’s the real reason behind it, and what to do if you’d rather not participate. Disney refers to this process as Ticket Tag, and it’s all about security. The scan helps ensure that tickets and park passes stay linked to the rightful Guest, preventing them from being transferred or shared. It’s quick, efficient, and adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring your ticket remains yours alone. Scanning in to the parks One of the biggest myths is that Disney actually keeps your fingerprint on file, but that’s not the case. According to planDisney, when you scan your finger for the first time, Disney’s system takes a temporary image, translates it into a unique numerical code, and then deletes the original image. That code becomes your identifier for the rest of your trip. No fingerprint images or biometric data are stored, so your privacy is safeguarded. Time to go to the parks! For anyone uncomfortable with the finger scan, there’s an alternative. Guests can visit Guest Relations before entering the park and request to opt out. In that case, you’ll need to show a photo ID that matches the name on your ticket. For children without an ID, the accompanying adult on the same account can verify for them. Magic Kingdom Ultimately, Ticket Tag is designed to make park entry smoother and more secure, whether you’re using a MagicBand, MagicBand+, Disney MagicMobile pass, Apple Watch, or a physical ticket. So next time you scan your finger at the gate, you can rest easy knowing it’s just Disney’s way of keeping the magic and your ticket safe. Disney World Annual Pass For more Disney World information and news, be sure to follow DFB! The Unspoken “Tourist Tax” You May Face on Vacation in Disney World Which Disney World park do you head to first on your vacation? Tell us in the comments below. The post Disney World Scans Your Fingerprints -- Here's Why first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This week, Disney Publishing celebrated the 20th anniversary of Percy Jackson and the Olympians — an epic young adult saga that follows the adventures of Percy, a young demigod in the present day who discovers he is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. The franchise that has been both a critical and commercial success since its debut. The first book in the series, The Lightning Thief, was named a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association in 2006. It launched a seven-book saga that has remained on The New York Times bestseller list for over 780 weeks and inspired two follow-up series. The franchise has also expanded beyond the page. A hit musical adaptation premiered on Broadway in 2019, and the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians has earned eight Children’s and Family Emmy® Awards. The show returns for its second season on December 10. Rick Riordan — author of the book series and co-creator and executive producer of the Disney+ adaptation — recently sat down to discuss the franchise’s enduring appeal across generations, his long-standing partnership with Disney Publishing, and what’s next for fans in both print and on screen. Percy Jackson and the Olympians has become a multi-platform franchise over the past two decades. It spans seven core novels, feature films, a Broadway musical, and a Disney+ series. What do you think has driven the enduring appeal and adaptability of the story across formats and generations? I think at its core, it’s because Greek mythology is so universal and digs into so many themes that are inherently human: love, family, anger, revenge, loyalty. What do these things mean? The Greek myths are all about that and being able to explore that in the 21st century with modern day demigods is an idea that is much bigger than me and has really lit the imagination of all the readers out there. You’ve maintained a long-standing relationship with Disney Publishing, not just from Percy Jackson. What makes Disney such an appealing partner for you? It’s been really great because over the years with Disney Hyperion as my partner for most of that time, I’ve had all the advantages of a small boutique publishing house with lots of personal attention and lots of great relationships, with the muscle of the Disney Corporation. So it’s kind of been a “best of both worlds” situation. For parents who want to encourage their children to get into reading, why are your books — and the books that are published alongside you by Disney — a great place to start? I’m glad that they do work for many kids, and I hope that’s because of my experience in the past as a teacher, that I spent a lot of time in the classroom telling stories, teaching mythology, and trying to make the old stuff relevant to new generations, hopefully with a little sense of humor in there. So that’s my hope and that’s, I think, why they work for kids. Can you talk more about your next book being published by Disney, The Court of the Dead? It’s coauthored with Marc Oshiro, and is a follow up on the book we did called The Sun and the Star. It is The Court of the Dead, and it’s about Nico di Angelo, who is a character from Percy Jackson’s world, but is such a fan favorite as the son of Hades and sort of this goth figure, and the readers have loved that he now has his own books going. And it’s been really fun to explore his point of view because it’s so different from Percy’s. Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is coming to Disney+ in December. What are you most looking forward to fans experiencing? I am so excited that it’s finally coming out and that we can share it with people because I’ve been reading the scripts and looking at dailies and looking at cuts for so long that it seems incredible we’re finally almost here. The thing I’m looking forward to most is some of the artwork that you’re going to see, bringing the Sea of Monsters as a setting alive. Scylla and Charybdis — the monsters — the ironclad ship that they sail into the sea. Incredible stuff, very cinematic. Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson in Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney+ The post 20 Years of ‘Percy Jackson’ with Creator Rick Riordan appeared first on Disney Experiences. View the full article

The upcoming edition of Volcano Bay Nights, held at the Universal Orlando water park, will include the Scooby gang. The evening events will be held Friday evenings between Sept. 5 and Oct. 31. Among the entertainment options will be a DJ-driven Beach Bash on the attraction’s Waturi Beach, where Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Daphne, Fred and Velma will make appearances along with the Mystery Machine van. Visitors also can expect to see villains from the animated realm, including Ghost Clown, Universal says. Admission will include access (and shorter waits) for Volcano Bay’s slides, body plunges, lazy river and the Krakatau Aqua Coaster that winds through the park and its centerpiece volcano structure. Tickets also include select complimentary snacks and a Coca-Cola Freestyle Souvenir cup. Other specialty food items will be available for purchase. The Dancing Dragons Boat Bar, Whakawaiwai Eats, Kunuku Boat and the Feasting Frog also will be operating. The limited-capacity event will take place from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night, although ticketholders will be able to enter the water park at 4 p.m. Tickets are $99. Parking in the Universal garage is included. Private cabanas, booked at concierge huts on event day, are available, starting at $279.99. For tickets or more information, go to universalorlando.com. Select other Orlando-area after dark water park offerings as the summer of 2025 winds down include: • Remaining sessions for Typhoon Lagoon’s Disney H2O Glow After Hours are Aug. 25, Aug. 31, Sept. 6 and Sept. 13. It includes rides, snacks, dance party and appearances by “Toy Story” characters. Tickets are $85 ($42.50 for ages 3-9). For more info and tickets, go to disneyworld.com. • Aquatica Orlando’s AquaGlow After Hours has sessions set for Aug. 22-23, Aug. 29-30 and all four Saturdays in September. Activities include glowing enhancements to attractions, including a neon version of Tassie’s Twist, plus a laser show over the wave pool. Tickets also include foam parties, dance parties and complimentary soft drinks. Tickets are $49.99 to $54.99, depending on the date. For more info and tickets, go to aquatica.com. • Island Nights, a 21-and-up event at Kissimmee’s Island H2O water park, are set for Saturdays through Sept. 27. They include an “electric glowing foam party,” access to all standard areas (except kid zones) and a DJ party. The attraction will add live performances by Quavo and Offset on Sept. 27 and Oct. 11, respectively. The park touts this as “Florida’s first-ever wave pool concert stage.” Ticket prices range from $35 to $46 depending on date, but the early-bird pricing for concert nights are now selling for $59.99. For tickets and more information, go to islandh2owaterpark.com. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. View the full article

If you’re a beer lover at Walt Disney World, there’s a hidden treasure waiting for you: Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale. This African-inspired amber ale pays tribute to the legendary Adventurers Club, the beloved Pleasure Island hangout that still has a cult following to this day. It’s not just a drink—it’s Disney history in a pint […] The post Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale: Disney’s Adventurers Club in a Glass appeared first on Military Disney Tips. View the full article

For 70 years, The Happiest Place on Earth has called the city of Anaheim home. In celebration of the anniversary of Disneyland Resort and to bring a touch of pixie dust to our neighbors, the resort is inviting residents to join the celebration with exciting events across the city through 70 Happiest Hours in Anaheim. The excitement starts Aug. 20 and continues through Aug. 22, 2025! From dance parties and unforgettable festivities to surprise visits from favorite characters, keep an eye out for our magic makers on the move this week as we celebrate happiness like only Disney can – you never know where we’ll show up next. 70 Happiest Hours Initiative Whether you’re an Anaheim resident or Disneyland holds a special place in your heart, stay tuned for a look at every moment of fun as we sprinkle pixie dust all throughout Anaheim. Day 1: Aug. 20, 2025 8:00 A.M. – Start the School Year Off with Disney Magic at Crescent Elementary Kicking off the celebration in style, the fun began at Crescent Elementary School this morning where students and teachers were greeted with a touch of magic. Over 800 students and staff were surprised with a first day of school celebration inspired by The Happiest Place on Earth, including visits from Disney characters, live entertainment, delicious breakfast treats and more. Each student and staff member also received a plush Mickey Mouse to take home as a reminder of the special day. From a spirit tunnel of Disney VoluntEARS to moments shared with their favorite characters, this first day of school was sure to be one they won’t forget. 9:30 A.M. – Inspiring the Next Generation of Readers at Ponderosa Elementary Later in the morning, the fun continued at Ponderosa Elementary School, where third and fourth grade students were invited to a special celebration designed just for them. Greeted by Mickey Mouse and Disney Ambassador of Disneyland Resort, Raul Aquino Rojas, over 250 students enjoyed festive music, photo backdrops and tasty treats while choosing from a selection of books to take home. To make the moment even more special, New York Times bestselling author Ridley Pearson made a surprise appearance and participated in a live reading of his newest book, “Kingdom Keepers: Inheritance: The Final Draw.” In honor of this exciting moment, the resort also announced a $15,000 donation voucher to Ponderosa Elementary School to support the continued development of these students and their love of reading. 12:00 P.M. – Sixties-Style Sockhop at Brookhurst Community Center Feeling hungry? Lunchtime at the Brookhurst Community Center got an extra boost today as local seniors were surprised with a sixties-themed dance party and lunch event. These residents brought their appetite and outta sight moves to the dance floor in festive fashion as a live band played popular hits of the 1960s, from Motown to girl groups and everything in between. When they took a break from the dance moves, attendees also enjoyed a delicious meal, Disney-themed treats, games and more. 4:00 P.M. – A Fun-Filled Afternoon at the Boys and Girls Club The magic makers are on the move again! Our next stop was the Boys and Girls Club of Anaheim, where nearly 100 participants were surprised by a visit from some Disney characters. Donald Duck and Daisy Duck stopped by to say hello to students and capture memorable photo moments with their new pals. Students enjoyed coloring and craft time with the help of Disney VoluntEARS, and they received tasty snacks and novelty popcorn buckets to take home as a souvenir from this unforgettable day. 7:00 P.M. – A Block Party Bash For the Ages at Ponderosa Park As the sun set on the first day of the 70 Happiest Hours in Anaheim, there was still one more stop to spread happiness throughout the city. The day wouldn’t be complete without a festive block party bash – with a touch of Disney magic. From live entertainment to exciting giveaways and more, residents of all ages enjoyed the live band, themed décor, fun games and snacks while getting to know their neighbors. Of course, this block party featured favorite Disney characters who were excited to meet new friends – including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, enchanting princesses and more. Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum couldn’t miss out on the fun either. He also stopped by the party to welcome residents and thank them for 70 incredible years of Disneyland Resort. Stay tuned for more updates to come as the 70 Happiest Hours fun continues tomorrow. Disneyland Resort Surprises Anaheim Teachers READ MORE A Morning of Memories: Disneyland Cast Members Celebrate the 70th READ MORE Disneyland Resort Honors Purple Heart Recipients READ MORE The post Disneyland Gives Back to Anaheim with 70 Happiest Hours Initiative appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Ahoy, sailors! We’ve been on choppy waters lately, toiling away on the My Disney Experience website in hopes of securing a Beak and Barrel (the new Pirates of the Caribbean tavern) reservation in Magic Kingdom. Let’s just say the experience of securing reservations was NOT smooth sailing…. Plunderer’s Punch ©Disney In fact, the first day that dining reservations opened to guests, on August 20th, reservations quickly booked up for September AND October. Here’s what we’re seeing. The Beak and Barrel restaurant in Magic Kingdom is one of the most highly anticipated lounges in all of Disney World. Reservations were set to open earlier this summer, but the date was changed due to technical difficulties. Screenshot from Disney World app Well, finally, reservations opened on August 20th at 7 PM (which is highly unusual; most Disney reservations open in the morning). Those hoping to secure a reservation were placed in a virtual queue. ©Disney By 7:30 PM, an entire MONTH of reservations (plus August 29th–31st) was sold out*. *Note that random dates and times seem to keep appearing and disappearing depending on the size of your party, so keep checking back. ©Disney October dates quickly started to disappear, too, though we noticed that after tweaking the party size and date range, the availability changed. Keep trying — don’t give up the ship, fellow pirates! ©Disney We have a feeling that The Beak and Barrel availability could change as we get closer to September. If you were not able to score a reservation, check back often. You never know when someone else might cancel their reservation or change their plans! ©Disney The tavern officially opens on August 29th, so be on the lookout for our full review! This family-friendly lounge will feature tasty options for pirates of all ages, as well as refreshing cocktails for those ages 21 and up. You can check out the FULL menu (with photos) below! The Beak and Barrel — Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom The lounge will offer Advance Dining Reservations for travel dates 60 days out. Disney has shared that there is a 45-minute time limit for your time inside The Beak and Barrel. ©Disney Additionally, if you’re visiting Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you will be able to pop into The Beak and Barrel during the event. The Beak and Barrel will be open during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party AND Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Siren’s Whisper ©Disney 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. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. Did you score a reservation? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney Just Opened NEW Dining Reservations That Nearly Sold Out in MINUTES first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Eek! If you’ve been following Disney Food Blog’s AJ Wolfe for a while, you might have seen she wrote her very own book, Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture. The book came out this month, and we’ve been celebrating this huge accomplishment. At the Peoplemover! If you’ve been wanting to get your hands on the book, we have some awesome news! Disney Adults is officially available on Amazon UK! We’re so ready for our besties in the United Kingdom to read the book. Disney Adults! Now, I know I don’t need to convince you to read it because I know if you read the blog, you’ve already been dying to read the book and learn more about the culture behind Disney Adults, but here’s a little bit about it: “Disney Adults dives deep into a misunderstood subculture, exploring the lives and experiences of a fascinating community to understand its devotees’ unwavering passion for all things Disney, why it offends, and why it matters.” SHOP NOW Over here at Disney World, different restaurants at Disney Springs and EPCOT are helping us celebrate, too! There are special drinks available until August 31st, and we’ve tried (and loved) them all. Big Wave Dave! If you haven’t grabbed your copy yet, don’t forget to order! You can get the book straight on Amazon, on your Kindle, and even signed copies by AJ. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more tips and tricks for your next Disney trip and for everything Disney. JUST REVEALED: NEW MAP SHOWS EVERY EXCLUSIVE TREAT CRAWL LOCATION IN DISNEY WORLD Have you read Disney Adults yet? Tell us what you thought of it in the comments. The post Big News for ‘Disney Adults’ Fans in the UK! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In case you missed it, Disney Adults: Exploring (and Falling in Love with) a Magical Subculture, a book by DisneyFoodBlog’s very own AJ Wolfe, is available NOW! Disney Adults! To celebrate this huge accomplishment, we’ve partnered with a select group of restaurants in Disney Springs to bring YOU seven EXCLUSIVE Disney Adults drinks. Therefore, it is the Disney Adult Crawl. So if you’re looking to get your hands on these exclusive drinks, you’ll want to listen up before they’re gone. If you haven’t grabbed a copy of Disney Adults yet, you can find it pretty much everywhere books are sold! So here’s what you’ll need to find these exclusive Disney Adults drinks. You’ll want to make sure you grab the Disney Adults Crawl map and menu so you don’t miss out on ANY of them. You can grab that by clicking below and signing up for the DFB newsletter. Now, this crawl is only happening through August 31st, so if you want to grab these drinks, you’ll need to do it before the end of the month. Here’s a full list of the drinks PLUS links to our reviews: The Tipsy Teacup at Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs Disney Adults Wild Rosy at Raglan Road in Disney Springs Disney Adults Blue Hooch at Homecomin’ in Disney Springs Disney Adults Refresher at Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew in Disney Springs Disney Adults Big Wave Dave at Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Disney Springs Frozen Duck Duck Razz Razz at The BOATHOUSE in Disney Springs Disney Adults Frozen Duck Duck Razz Slush Over at The Boathouse, you’ll find the Frozen Duck Duck Razz Razz. It has that taste of the Duck Duck Razz drink that you might be familiar with — the light alcoholic taste with a twinge of that tangy raspberry flavor to it. It’s not overly sweet, and you can barely detect a hint of alcoholic taste in it. It’s just enough to be like, oh, there’s a little bit of alcohol in there. This is a pretty good deal if you’re looking for a memorable souvenir and something to whet your whistle with! Read Our Full Review of This Drink Here SO BLUE! Head to Splitsville if you love blueberry lemonade for Big Wave Dave! This drink costs $16 and is made with Wheatley Vodka, grain alcohol, and blue raspberry! This one felt like tasting the ocean without all the salt. The vodka was so smooth, it was barely noticeable, which we loved. Read Our Full Review Here! Disney Adults Blueberry Refresher If you’re looking for a nonalcoholic option, Everglazed has the Blueberry Refresher! This is made with Blue Raspberry Monin syrup and a white cranberry juice base. It doesn’t taste super syrupy, and it has a nice sweetness balanced with a hint of tartness. It’s not a sweet or as strong as a full juice — it’s cut with water to help with the “refreshing” part. Read Our Refresher Review Here! Disney Adults Blue Hooch Over at Homecomin’, you can grab the Blue Hooch. This special version of the drink is crafted with Blue Flame moonshine, lemon-infused moonshine, blue curaçao, house-made simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and a splash of Sprite, all for $16. Plus, it comes with a Disney Adults topper and coaster. What is not to love? Read Our Full Review of the Blue Hooch Here! Wild Rosy Our friends at Ragland Road have crafted a special Disney Adults version of its Wild Rosy, which is made with Glendalough Wild Rose Gin, Rockets Botanical Liqueur, homemade rosemary syrup, lemon Pelligrino, and Fever Tree premium tonic for $16 — although you can grab it for $10 before 3 PM Monday through Friday! The Disney Adults version has a dehydrated orange that’s coated in blue and glitter. Read Our Full Review of the Wild Rosy Here! Tipsy Teacup Finally, if you love a boozy dessert, this is for you! Over at Vivoli il Gelato, you can grab the tipsy teacup. This drink is a strawberry “affogato” with peach bellini prosecco in the center. Note that “affogato” is in quotation marks because it’s not a true affogato with espresso, but the concept is the same. It’s like a fun little twist just for us Disney fans! It’s also served in an adorable teacup. Read More about the Tipsy Teacup Review Here! Disney Adults Crawl So grab yourself a copy of Disney Adults, download the map, and get to the crawl! Stay tuned to DFB for more. Click Here to Order Disney Adults Right Now! Which one of these would you love to try? Tell us in the comments. The post We Created a New Secret Dining Experience in Disney Springs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Whether you are heading straight toward an adventure on Runaway Railway or have breakfast reservations at Hollywood & Vine to kick off your day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you may have come across friendly PhotoPass photographers who want to snap your group’s picture to kick off your fun-filled vacation. With backdrops including the Chinese Theater, Toy Story Land, or even Gertie at Echo Lake, these cast members make you and your family the true center of the action at Hollywood Studios. And if you’ve ever taken a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and noticed a cast member with an extra-bright smile, a welcoming wave, and the uncanny ability to make you feel like you are the star of the show, chances are you’ve met Willie Jackson, a PhotoPass photographer who has captured the hearts of guests and cast members alike with his positive attitude and outgoing work ethic. For the past 15 years, Willie’s joyful spirit and pure enthusiasm has helped create countless magical moments that guests will cherish for a lifetime. Now, Willie will join an incredibly special group of cast members across The Walt Disney Company, as he receives the prestigious Walt Disney Legacy Award. What is the Walt Disney Legacy Award? Celebrating Walt Disney’s legacy by acknowledging outstanding cast, crew, and Walt Disney Imagineers worldwide, this global recognition program is inspired by Walt’s personal example and lasting legacy. With this significant achievement, Willie joins a select group across Disney Experiences who put forth their very best for guests, fellow cast members, and the company as a whole, just as Walt would have. This inspiring cast member-nominated award is reserved for rare individuals like Willie, who exemplify all three of the Legacy qualities: Dream, Create and Inspire. Willie joins a very rare class of cast members who were selected for the Legacy Award this year, with fewer than 1% of cast members across Disney Experiences chosen. Over the next several weeks, deserving cast members around the globe will join this special group and experience surprise moments – just like Willie’s – when they learn they have been selected for this remarkable honor. Willie Breaks the Record for Most Disney World Cast Compliments Last year, Willie was named the most complimented cast member at Walt Disney World, where he officially hit a milestone moment with more than 1,000 Mobile Cast Compliments from guests. With this record number of magical moments, thousands of guests visiting from around the world have been able to interact with Willie as he snaps photos as if he is directing a scene from a movie. Willie's Fun Fact Across Walt Disney World, over 1.4 million cast compliments have been submitted by guests, with over 1,000 of these compliments just for Willie! So, how was Willie able to collect all of these recognitions? To recognize a cast member who made a difference during your latest visit, open the My Disney Experience app, navigate to the bottom of the menu screen or search for “Cast Compliment,” and tell us how a Disney World cast member made your visit even more memorable. Cast Members Talk About What Makes Willie an Inspirational Choice Every few years, cast members at Disney have the chance to submit testimonials about fellow co-workers who go above and beyond each day and to help carry on Walt’s impactful legacy. There are so many cast members that come to mind that could fit this description, which makes Willie’s positive impact on those around him even more inspiring as he prepares for this true honor. Interested in learning about how Willie displayed each of the three Legacy qualities? Here’s what some of his peers shared about his finest Legacy qualities: Willie's Three Legacy Qualities Dream: “Willie not only creates happiness, he creates memories that last a lifetime. Any interaction with Willie, even from a distance, is sure to make people smile.” Create: “As he poses guests for photos and explains his creative scenes to them, Willie brings the mission and purpose of Hollywood Studios to life. The park is his set, the guests are the star, and Willie takes his place as director.” Inspire: “Willie inspires everyone, cast and guests alike, to look at the world through a fun and imaginative lens. His fun energy, creativity, and dedication to providing everyone with the most magical experience possible are invaluable.” Willie Receives His Surprise Fit for a Star After 15 years at Walt Disney World, Willie remains a standout superstar who brings positivity and joy to his role each and every day. However, Willie had no idea what was in store when he started his shift today at Hollywood Studios. This morning, over 100 PhotoPass photographers and Disney leaders gathered to surprise and honor Willie with a special moment as he became one of the newest Legacy recipients. Willie was as joyful as always during this recognition, and took some time to reflect on what this award means to him: As Willie prepares to don his well-deserved blue nametag, his journey reminds us all of something Walt himself believed, “You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world… but it requires people to make the dream a reality.” Interested in learning more about the blue Legacy name tag? Check out Disney Parks Blog for additional information about prior recipients and stay tuned to the blog and @DisneyParks social channels for even more inspiring cast members stories across Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Parks around the world. Congratulations to Willie and all The Walt Disney Legacy Award recipients and thank you for showing us what it means to Dream, Create, and Inspire! Cast Honored at Walt Disney Legacy Award Celebration READ MORE 5 Things You Need to Know About the Blue Legacy Name Tag READ MORE Honoring Cast as New Recipients of The Walt Disney Legacy Award READ MORE The post Most Complimented Disney World Cast Member Receives the Walt Disney Legacy Award appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

We’re all about a Disney collaboration with other organizations. For example, we’ll always support Disney’s collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. La La Land Kind Cafe Well, Disney just recently collaborated with another group, the La La Land Kind Cafe, which gives back to the community by supporting foster children, and we were invited to check out La La Land Kind Cafe’s new Mickey and Friends-inspired kids’ menu! So let’s go! La La Land Kind Cafe is part of an initiative to offer support and opportunities for foster children, including paid internships to help kids make the transition from foster care to adulthood. La La Land Kind Cafe The coffee shop has locations throughout Texas, but has recently expanded into the Los Angeles area, as well as Nashville. Now, for the first time ever, the cafe has launched a special Mickey and Friends menu for kids! Mickey and Friends! The kids’ menu is inspired by Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto. It features five mini drinks plus a special drink for Mom and Dad! Here’s the menu: Chocolate covered banana cloud latte — fresh banana blended with vanilla bean and dark chocolate drizzle with espresso or matcha (iced) Mini cocoa cuddles — mocha, vanilla, and milk (hot) Mini bloom milk — lavender, honey, and milk (hot) Mini magic milk — strawberry, vanilla, lavender, and milk (iced) Mini super strawberry milk — strawberry, vanilla, and milk (iced) Mini fruit punch — hibiscus, lemon, and strawberry (iced) New Mickey and Friends menu OBVIOUSLY, we had to try a few drinks. We ordered the Chocolate covered banana cloud latte, and it really tasted like a chocolate-covered banana. Those flavors mixed with the espresso made for a wonderful sweet coffee drink. Also, check out the fun cup sleeves. Chocolate covered banana cloud latte We also tried one of the kids’ drinks, the Mini magic drink. It’s also VERY tasty with flavors that are so balanced. It’s also a really fun color, so kids are going to love it. The kids’ drinks have special drink stoppers shaped like Mickey’s head! Mini magic drink Speaking of those coffee sleeves, they have Disney characters on one side! Donald! You can also get some toasts in mini sizes for kids. One option is strawberries, bananas, and honey (YUM), while the other is avocado…with the option to add eggs. Toasts! As you can see, they also have Munchlings! We had to get one for ourselves. These are the mystery boxes where you don’t know what you’re going to get. We love it! Munchlings plush Did we mention that they also have Pluto-themed pup cups? You can also get a complimentary pet bandana while supplies last. “Be Kind” Mickey and Friends totes are also available. Be Kind tote We also noticed a display of Disney merchandise. It’s all for sale, but it’s a QR code that you scan, and buy the product online. Merchandise displays are available at six La La Land Kind Cafe locations: Bell Avenue – Dallas, TX Legacy Drive – Plano, TX M-K-T Heights – Houston, TX South Congress – Austin, TX Montana Ave – Santa Monica, CA 3rd Street – Los Angeles, CA Mickey and friends merch! The first 300 adults who show up at any La La Land Kind Cafe on August 22nd will get a Mickey & Friends reusable coffee cup with a purchase. Check it out! Mickey and Friends reusable cup Also, when we visited, the cafe was playing some of our favorite Disney music. We also loved how there were Disney touches all over the cafe inside and outside. So fun! So if you live near a La La Land Kind Cafe, you’ll want to be sure to bring your little ones by to check out the new menu. Stay tuned to DFB for more. REVIEW: Why Don’t More People Know About This Down-to-Earth Disneyland Breakfast Spot? Will you be checking out the new Mickey and Friends Menu at La La Land Kind Cafe? Let us know 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 La La Land Kind Cafe to attend their media preview of the Mickey and Friends kids’ menu. 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: We Tried the NEW Disney x La La Land Kind Cafe Menu first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article