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For 70 years, live entertainment has been at the heart of the Disney parks experience. From the first parade down Main Street, U.S.A. on July 17, 1955, to today’s dazzling nighttime spectaculars, Disney Live Entertainment (DLE) continues to evolve the art of storytelling — blending timeless theatrical traditions with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable moments for guests around the world. David Lightbody, SVP, Disney Live Entertainment, notes that as the theatrical arm of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), DLE works very closely with WDI from the early days of each project as it develops new and exciting live experiences. “It’s a symbiotic relationship,” Lightbody said. “Imagineers build these phenomenal places and invent amazing new technologies, and we bring those spaces to life and weave technology into our storytelling.” Bruce Vaughn, President and Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Imagineering, praised the work of Lightbody’s team that forges strong emotional connections for guests to the experiences they create. “We have an exceptional group of show directors, producers, choreographers and designers all over the world who really give it their all,” Vaughn noted. “They love Disney and they love to tell stories — and that passion shines through in everything they create, from our massive nighttime spectaculars to the most intimate character greetings.” Pushing the Boundaries of Live Entertainment This collaborative spirit has led to a new generation of live shows that push the boundaries of what’s possible. In 2025 alone, DLE has launched a slate of ambitious productions across the globe, a few of which are highlighted in the latest episode of We Call it Imagineering. “Friendtastic!” at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort — the biggest parade in the park’s history — features large LED screens, animation, and special effects. At Disneyland Paris, “Disney Tales of Magic” uses projection mapping, lighting, pyrotechnics, and drones to tell an emotionally resonant story. And, “Disney Starlight” at Walt Disney World lights up the night beginning July 20 with nods to classic electrical parades sprinkled into a dazzling display of the latest lighting technology. There are even more exciting new productions from Disney Live Entertainment, now showing around the world, such as “World of Color Happiness!,” “Paint the Night,” and more, in honor of The Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration; a new castle stage show and enhanced “Momentous: Party in the Night Sky” spectacular for the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong Disneyland; two new theatrical presentations at Disney World — “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” and “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure”… plus an entire menu of new live entertainment productions opening this fall aboard the Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure cruise ships. “We are continuously improving and enhancing the experiences we bring to our parks and cruise ships and looking for ways to incorporate the latest technological advancements,” Lightbody said. “And ‘Disney Starlight’ is the latest evolution in our legacy of nighttime parades.” Technology in Service of Story While technology plays a key role, it’s always in service of the story. “We never really use technology for the sake of technology,” Lightbody said. “We consider all these innovations among the tools in our kit as storytellers. The craft of live theatre is thousands of years old, but the goal of theatre remains the same today as it’s always been. We strive to tell a good story, to engage our audience, and to touch their hearts.” That emotional connection is what sets Disney apart, especially when it comes to creating connections in different places with different cultures. Stories for Every Fan “Each of our parks has different needs and a different audience. We take all those factors into account,” Lightbody explained. “At Hong Kong Disneyland, ‘Friendtastic!’ features characters and stories from films that are very popular in the region, including Zootopia and Turning Red, and incorporates design motifs customized for Hong Kong, like the giant Bauhinia flowers on the floats.” And as Vaughn explains, WDI and DLE have a world-class list of brands at their disposal to suit whichever stories fans love. “We work closely with partners at Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and we also do extensive research at each of our sites around the globe to understand which franchises and characters resonate with the local audience,” Vaughn said. “Then we blend our unique brand of immersive storytelling with cutting-edge technology to make those dreams into reality.” “That’s the joy of being in the live entertainment business,” Vaughn continued. “We’re constantly looking for new and creative ways to share the stories our guests love.” New Magic with Every Visit Live entertainment also brings a unique kind of magic to the parks — one that changes with every visit. “By definition, ‘live’ means a vibrant, dynamic environment,” Vaughn added. “Our attractions are fantastic, of course, but people tend to experience them in a similar way. But live entertainment enables highly personal connections — on any day you might see Ariel blow you a kiss, Moana waving at your kids, or even Stitch offering a high-five. And that’s something you and your family can’t experience anywhere else and will remember forever.” As Disney Live Entertainment looks to the future, it remains grounded in the ideals that Walt Disney himself envisioned. “This organization that we know today as Disney Live Entertainment has roots going back to Walt Disney and the opening of Disneyland 70 years ago,” Lightbody reflected. “We present [those experiences] in new ways that incorporate new and innovative techniques and technology that resonate with today’s audiences and perhaps surprise people with something they’ve never seen before.” From the first trumpet blast of a parade to the final burst of fireworks in the night sky, Disney Live Entertainment continues to deliver joy, wonder, and innovation — one live moment at a time. The post Disney Live Entertainment: Where Innovation and Imagination Take Center Stage appeared first on Disney Experiences. View the full article

A ride vehicle from the old, old-school version of Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction sold for $150,000 at a recent audition of Disney props and memorabilia. The 9.5-foot-long piece, which came from the Disneyland version of the ride, was sold in the Celebrating the Disney Studio and Parks auction of Van Eaton Galleries, based in Studio City, California. This particular elephant has an auction history, Van Eaton said. In 1992, during the first Disneyana Convention, it became the first Dumbo ride ever publicly sold by Disney. After being removed from the ride, the unit was transformed into a grounded photo op. A certificate of authenticity from the Disney says the vehicle is from 1955, meaning a Disneyland original. But the gallery thinks its from a 1960s redesign because the sold piece’s ears were not designed to move like the originals did. So, Dumbo buyer, beware. Other notable sales from the recent auction included a life-size “Star Wars” stormtrooper statue once purchased at Disneyland’s Star Wars Launch Bay. At the recent auction, it went for $10,500. A series of concept paintings by Disney Legend Mary Blair, done in preparation for the “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan” and “Alice in Wonderland” animated films, sold for between $10,000 and $15,000 apiece. Van Eaton Galleries periodically runs Disney-based auctions featuring a wide variety of items, including theme-park signs, cast member costumes and name tags, attractions posters, resort furniture, vintage souvenirs, assorted props and more. The gallery owners collect pieces from many sources, including the general public. They identify winning bids but not winning bidders. The most recent sale wasn’t too heavy on items related to Walt Disney World. The top-seller was a rare 2003 “coming soon” attraction poster for Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a 3-D show that still operates at Magic Kingdom theme park. The winning bid was $2,500. Attractions posters from the early years of Euro Disneyland – now known as Disneyland Paris – fared better. They drew bids between $3,000 and $9,500 for artwork touting the Lucky Nugget Saloon, Phantom Manor and Discovery Mountain, which never opened under that name. It opened as Space Mountain. For more information, go to vegalleries.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

Free. Complimentary. No charge. Zero dollars. Celebration Button It’s not OFTEN you hear those kinds of words thrown around at Disney World, but we’ve gathered up the offerings that are STILL FREE around property so YOU can take advantage of them the next time you’re there. Check out our video below: 50 Things That are SHOCKINGLY Still FREE in Disney World 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! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this video? Tell us in the comments. The post DFB Video: 50 Things That are SHOCKINGLY Still FREE in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Brightline is chugging along with plans to bring its high-speed rail service from Orlando International Airport to Tampa — but it needs help funding the first phase of the project. ©Brightline According to the Orlando Sentinel, Brightline is seeking up to $400 million to get started on the Orlando-Tampa route. Brightline’s long-term goal is to expand to Tampa along the Interstate 4 corridor, which would bring the length of the entire train route from South Florida to roughly 320 miles. Brightline train Since September 2023, Brightline has been running daily routes between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. The trains race through Central Florida at speeds of up to 125 mph before slowing down to around 80 mph in South Florida, on the way to downtown Miami. Onboard a Brightline train The current route between Orlando and Miami with Brightline is about 3 hours and 30 minutes, while a trip between the Orlando airport and downtown Tampa would take about an hour, according to Brightline. In comparison, driving along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando by car typically takes nearly two hours. ©Brightline “Connecting to Tampa means extending the system to the next biggest population center in Florida not presently served and will bring approximately 75% of the state’s population into proximity to a Brightline station,” said Ashley Blasewitz, company spokeswoman, in an email to the Sentinel. Brightline Train Security in Orlando A notice on the website for the Florida Development Finance Corporation in Winter Springs indicates Brightline would use the $400 million in bonds to pay for “design, development, acquisition, construction” of the rail system toward Tampa. The total cost for the Tampa expansion — or a timeline for completion — has not been determined just yet. Brightline Train Station The Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization is studying a downtown location for the Tampa Brightline station, and the Florida Development Finance Corporation will hold a public meeting by phone conference at 2 PM on July 17th. Brightline station in Miami We’ll be on the lookout for additional updates about Brightline and this new potential train route. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest travel news and more. Brightline Announces NEW Partnership with JetBlue To Make Traveling To Florida Even EASIER Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you traveled with Brightline before? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The post Brightline Takes Step Forward With 0 Million Airport Train Expansion first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

For the first time in nearly a decade, Magic Kingdom is preparing to unveil a brand-new nighttime parade, set to debut July 20. Bringing this dazzling spectacle to life takes incredible collaboration and creativity as hundreds of cast members and Imagineers come together behind the scenes, each contributing their unique talents to make “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” a reality. Last week, we shared an inside look at the making of Disney Starlight from our friends at Disney Live Entertainment, but today, we are inviting you to follow along a day in the life of cast members at Magic Kingdom as they make their final preparations before opening night. Allegra, Frank & Gabe, Entertainment Leaders “With just one week until its debut, I couldn’t be prouder of what our incredibly talented cast, crew and leaders have achieved,” said Entertainment Leader Frank. “We stand ready to bring Show Director Tara Anderson’s inspiring vision to life — a parade that gives a nod to the past with eyes firmly set on the future.” Soso, Performer For a parade of this magnitude, the choreography process started months before rehearsals began. Choreographer Cindy Wilson began creating her vision last year. After that, she brought together a group of performers and maintenance choreographers to workshops, where they fine-tuned the details, changed movements that didn’t quite work and tested different props. Once workshops were complete, and the opening team performers were selected, unit rehearsals began. Each “unit” performs alongside one of our Disney characters — Elsa or Mirabel for example. Here, you see performer Soso practicing with fans representing the waves of the ocean. She will perform alongside Moana when the parade debuts. Robin, Costuming Coordinator “Though Costuming cast members work behind the scenes and may rarely interact with guests, their contributions are absolutely vital to the magic of Disney Starlight,” said Costuming Leader Danielle. “They do far more than manage laundry and inventory — their attention to detail and care helps ensure every costume on the parade route dazzles night after night.” Carli, Cosmetology Trainer Carli, Cosmetology Trainer Carli, Cosmetology Trainer Mariarae, Cosmetology Coordinator Mariarae, Cosmetology Coordinator Mariarae, Cosmetology Coordinator Cosmetology is another key team in bringing the Disney Starlight to life. They support the performers in a variety of ways include creating makeup and face painting concepts, building wigs and more. Saige, Kelsey & Noelle, Performers Saige, Kelsey & Noelle, Performers Saige, Kelsey & Noelle, Performers Kelsey, Performer Kelsey, Performer Kelsey, Performer “As a dancer, the focus is usually on you as the art,” Kelsey explained. “But in parades, you get to get up close and personal with the guests. I like being able to make eye contact and connections with them from the street. That’s my favorite part.” Kelsey started her career at Disney as a performer for “Main Street Electrical Parade.” She explained being part of the opening team for Disney Starlight felt very “full circle” for her. Tracy, Senior Costumer Tracy, Senior Costumer Tracy, Senior Costumer Hayley, Performer Hayley, Performer Hayley, Performer Hayley, Performer Katy, Costume Assistant Tracy, Senior Costumer Hayley, Performer Katy, Costume Assistant Tracy, Senior Costumer Hayley, Performer Katy, Costume Assistant Tracy, Senior Costumer Disney Live Entertainment worked closely with operational leaders to create the costumes for Disney Starlight. The designs had to be both beauitful and functional. They found solutions for common conundrums like how to get the costume on easily and quickly, or how to keep the garments lightweight and comfortable; they also found solutions to unique challenges like how to light up the costumes safely and how to create pieces that can sustain high volumes of wear. Fiona & Chris, Performers / Ciera, Performer “Getting outside and practicing is super important,” performer Fiona said. “Not just to test our training but also to understand how the parade naturally travels over the course of 30+ minutes of performing.” Danielle, Main Street Operations Trainer When Main Street Operations Trainer Danielle was a little girl, she visited Walt Disney World with her family. She remembers walking behind the “Main Street Electrical Parade” with her older sister, dreaming out loud about how incredible it would be to one day work the nighttime parades at Disney. “On my very first day out of training, I couldn’t help but call my sister and cry,” Danielle said. “I got to live the dream we created as little girls.” “I hope there is another little girl in the crowd who is inspired by Starlight and grows up to become a parade cast member just like I did,” Danielle added. Saige, Performer In total, Disney Live Entertainment created over 75 new garment designs for Disney Starlight, which translates to more than 10,000 costuming pieces created. Josh & Sarah, Maintenance Choreographers “Seeing the performers bring the choreography to life has been incredibly rewarding,” said maintenance choreographer Brandon. “We’ve watched them take what we’ve given them and make it their own — creating their own stories along the way.” Did you know? A maintenance choreographer is a dedicated cast member who assists the creative choreographer in teaching performers their specific blocking and choreography. But their role doesn’t end once the parade debuts — they remain on hand, ready to troubleshoot footwork challenges, answer questions, and help maintain the exceptional level of entertainment that Disney is known for. Falan & Danny, Performers Falan & Danny, Performers Falan & Danny, Performers Deirdre, Performer Kate, Costuming Leader Deirdre, Performer Kate, Costuming Leader Deirdre, Performer Kate, Costuming Leader Did you know? Most performers do their own hair and makeup. After a couple training sessions with our cosmetology experts, it is up to them to bring the look to life each night before the parade. But don’t worry, our Cosmetology cast members are always nearby to give a helping hand. Mikayla, Merchandise Host Merchandise cast members help build anticipation in the moments before the parade begins, getting guests ready and excited for the magic ahead. As they walk the parade route, they offer show-specific merchandise that immerses guests in the experience — creating lasting connections and unforgettable memories along the way. Saige and Dylan, Performers Saige and Dylan, Performers Saige and Dylan, Performers Bobby and Julianna, Performers Bobby and Julianna, Performers Bobby and Julianna, Performers “It has been humbling to be part of this process as it has always been a dream of mine to be on an opening team,” Dylan said. “This parade is going to touch the hearts of all our guests — those who have visited and seen past shows and our newer ones.” Roberto, Computer Ride Show Technician / Wilson, Mechanic Ahead of the debut, the Engineering Services team plays a critical role in bringing the parade to the Magic Kingdom — reassembling floats upon their arrival at Walt Disney World, configuring complex lighting and audio systems, developing custom charging solutions, and making final technical modifications. Once the parade officially launches, these cast members will remain essential to its daily success, performing routine safety inspections, maintaining float functionality, and providing on-the-spot support to ensure each performance runs smoothly and safely. Brandon, Food & Beverage Cast Member You may not think of Food & Beverage cast members when you think about parades — but who else will guests get all their favorite snacks from? Whether its freshly popped popcorn to iconic Mickey pretzels and bars, they’re the ones making sure every parade moment is paired with the perfect treat. As the excitement builds, they’re already in position — ready to serve smiles, one snack at a time. Elizabeth, Performer / Julia, Entertainment Technician “Technology has come a long way from parades of the past,” said Entertainment Leader Trevor. “We used to have Christmas lights and reflectors. Now we use all different kinds of lighting and design elements to tell our stories in new and different ways.” Lindsay, Performer In the low glow of work lights, overnight rehearsals are where preparation meets precision. Performers take to the parade route to perfect their choreography, while float drivers rehearse intricate maneuvers. Choreographers guide each step, ensuring every moment flows seamlessly, while the maintenance and creative teams continue their around-the-clock testing of lighting and audio. Shelly, Parade Captain As parade captain, Shelly wears many hats. She is a float driver, a trainer and a dispatcher. As dispatcher, she guides the floats in and out of the park safely. Amanda, Attractions Coordinator “The cast members in my area have been so excited to catch sneak peaks of the parade rehearsals backstage and they are looking forward to Starlight,” attraction coordinator Amanda said. “Most of our cast have never seen a nighttime parade, so they are just as excited as the performers to see this magic brought to life!” Stefan, Yavier, Lauren and Kollin, Performers “What’s most exciting about the new parade is the size and scale of the floats,” parade captain Jason said. “Whether guests are front row or across the way, everyone will have an opportunity to appreciate the art and production… to participate in this dazzling event.” Michael, Parade Captain “Seeing the floats come down Main Street and hearing the music in the park for the first time was very emotional for me,” parade captain Michael said. “All our hard work is paying off.” Jason, Parade Captain Did you know? The designers and engineers built the new floats with many learnings of Disney’s past parades. The new floats feature brand new driver technology, which aimed to standardize the driving experience across floats. Shelly, Parade Captain & Dispatcher / Liza, Float Driver “The other parade captains and I have been around while and were lucky enough to have started on other nighttime parades,” Shelly said. “But getting to experience all these “firsts” together as a team —whether it is the first time we get to drive the new floats or the first time a float enters the park — is so special.” Liza, Float Driver “During overnights, I like to find opportunity to have a quiet moment with the park and its legacy,” parade captain Jason said. “We are so lucky to have this be the fabric of our lives. And we get to do it every night.” Lexi, Michael & Casey, Entertainment Leaders After a fun and productive overnight rehearsal, leaders gathered the cast to reflect on the progress made and recognize the group for their energy and enthusiasm. These leaders have played a crucial role in bringing Disney Live Entertainment’s vision to life, demonstrating confidence, positivity and teamwork along the way. Loyren, Custodial Cast Member Custodial cast members aren’t just the first to arrive and the last to leave, they help keep the park clean 24/7, even overnight during third shift. And while their work may not always take center stage, their impact is everywhere — from the gleam of Main Street in the early morning to the spotless parade route just moments before showtime. Without them, the park simply couldn’t shine the way it does. Everything We Know About ‘Disney Starlight’ READ MORE Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2025 Dates & Details READ MORE The Beak and Barrel: New Details READ MORE The post Countdown to Disney Starlight: Inside the Final Hours appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

It feels like Disney World is in the middle of a huge transformation, with projects popping up left and right. From brand-new attractions being built to favorite areas being torn down and massive renovations appearing around the parks. Construction at Big Thunder Mountain For new projects to start, old projects have to go away, and that can mean a lot of construction. If there are tons of areas actively under construction, why does this mean ticket prices constantly go up every year? We keep track of ticket prices from year to year, and these prices keep getting higher and higher. With so much currently closed, is this really right? Scanning in! Right now, Frontierland looks like an active construction zone (well, because it is). Tom Sawyer Island, Rivers of America, and the Liberty Square Riverboat closed down in June, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been undergoing renovations since the beginning of the year. Walls at Tom Sawyer Even the train station in Frontierland is closed down, and instead of the Walt Disney World Railroad going around a full circle of Magic Kingdom, it stops in Fantasyland, where it goes backwards to the Main Street station. Going backwards! The only attractions open in Frontierland are the Country Bear Musical Jamboree and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. That’s not a lot for a huge area of Magic Kingdom! With fewer rides, the lines can also be longer at the open attractions. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Villains Land and Piston Peak, the Cars-themed land, will be behind Big Thunder Mountain and replacing the old Tom Sawyer Island. While we’re thrilled with these huge expansions coming, what about the years it will take til they’re open? Villains Land ©Disney Piston Peak is set to open sometime before Villains Land, but it’s likely still a few years away. Piston Peak ©Disney Even Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin is closing on August 4th, 2025, and won’t open until 2026. It’s getting a complete renovation with new targets, shooters, and more, but that’s another Magic Kingdom attraction down for the count! ©Disney Over in EPCOT, Test Track has been closed since summer 2024 and is just now reopening on July 22nd, 2025. That’s over a year of a popular thrill ride not being open. Test Track Spaceship Earth is temporarily closing in August and is set to open later in 2025, but without an exact reopening date. Will it be one month? Will it be five? We’re not sure! EPCOT Don’t get us started about Animal Kingdom! All of DinoLand, U.S.A. is going through phased closures while it’s transformed into Pueblo Esperanza, the Tropical Americas area. Construction Walls featuring Artwork for Tropical Americas What are we supposed to do without riding DINOSAUR? As the transformation approaches, prices for Animal Kingdom, typically the least expensive park, are not decreasing. DinoLand Construction In Hollywood Studios, the Muppet Courtyard closed down to make way for Monstropolis, and the friends from Monsters, Inc. are moving in. Construction Walls up in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Even Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is getting a retheme to include the Muppets. Although we’re excited that the Muppets aren’t leaving Hollywood Studios, we know the roller coaster is going to close sometime in 2026. ©Disney That is a whole lot of closures only at Disney World! Again, new projects are coming, but what about all of the time in the meantime? Do you think Disney should lower ticket prices when attractions are shut down, even though the promise of new lands is coming? Tell us your thoughts in the comments and make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more! Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. DISNEY WORLD JUST DROPPED 15 HUGE ANNOUNCEMENTS 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 The post Disney World Won’t Lower Ticket Prices Despite These Permanent Closures first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We often stress the importance of staying hydrated at Disney World and beyond, but if you own this particular water bottle — you should probably (definitely) get rid of it. Stay hydrated! Walmart is recalling around 850,000 stainless steel water bottles because the lid can “forcefully eject” and strike consumers. As of writing, two people have suffered vision loss from the water bottles, the Associated Press reports. This recall is for Walmart’s “Ozark Trail 64 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottles,” which have been sold in stores since 2017. A notice published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates that the water bottles pose “serious impact and laceration hazards.” ©Walmart The report says that when consumers attempt to open the bottles “after food, carbonated beverages or perishable beverages, such as juice or milk, are stored inside over time,” the lid can forcefully eject. As of the announcement, which was posted on July 10th, Walmart received reports of three consumers who were injured after being struck in the face by these lids when opening the bottles. Two of these people “suffered permanent vision loss after being struck in the eye.” If you own one of these water bottles, it is recommended that you stop using it immediately and contact Walmart for a full refund. You can also bring the bottles to your local Walmart store to obtain compensation. ©Walmart “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” Walmart said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. The company added that it had “fully cooperated” with the CPSC and the manufacturer of the recalled product “to remove it from our stores and notify consumers.” The stainless steel base of the bottle is silver, and the lid is black — there’s also an Ozark Trail logo embedded onto the side of it. We also recently reported on a recall for Anker portable chargers due to “melting of plastic components, smoke, and fire hazards.” You can read more here. ©Amazon We’ll be on the lookout for additional updates regarding this recall and any others you need to know about. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest news from Disney and beyond. A New Stanley Collection (With 4 New Colors) Just Dropped On Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you own any of these water bottles? Let us know in the comments. The post NEWS: 850,000 Water Bottles Recalled by Walmart Due to "Forcefully" Ejecting Lids first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Grab your suitcases because a popular airline just added a new route to Orlandooooooo! Let’s pack! Breeze Airways now offers about 40 routes to the Orlando International Airport (MCO), and we’re so ready to book our next flight and head to Disney World. Starting October 3rd, a new route connecting Orlando and Norfolk, Virginia, will be starting with Breeze Airways. ©Breeze Airways Tickets start at $49 one way and will be available on Mondays and Fridays. That means you can spend the week or the weekend in Florida having the most magical trip. TSA lines at MCO There is so much happening at Disney World at the end of the year, and this flight is a great way to book your holiday trip. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs on select nights from August 15th to October 31st, so you can snag a ticket to the event while you grab your plane ticket. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will also run from November 7th to December 21st. Have you been dreaming about a Christmas vacation in Florida? Now’s your chance! Happy Holidays! Remember: these flights start on October 3rd and will be on Mondays and Fridays, starting at $49 one way. We’ve been seeing Breeze Airways adding more and more flights, especially nonstop, to Orlando, so we’re glad to see another airport hit their list. Welcome to the Orlando International Airport 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. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for all the news you need for your next Disney vacation. THE NEW RULES YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW AT THE ORLANDO AIRPORT 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 coming to Disney World for the holidays? Tell us what you’re looking forward to in the comments! The post Popular Airline Adds NEW Route to Orlando with Flights first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Sometimes, for the best restaurants at Disney World, you’ll have to step outside the parks into the resorts. Dining at Disney Resorts is our best dining hack to get high-quality meals in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Todd’s English bluezoo Disney World’s hotels are often home to some of our FAVORITE spots, especially if you’re looking for more upscale dining. This is especially true if you’re looking forward to spending a romantic night out or to celebrating an event with a fun drink. Want to find some of the best wine on property? TEN Disney World restaurants just won awards for their wine selections! The Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards have just announced its 2025 winners, recommending some of the best wine locations in various cities and regions. When we searched up Orlando, 36 restaurants won awards for their wine in the area, and ten of those are on Disney World property! Victoria & Albert’s If you’re looking for the best wine and/or wine selections at Disney World, consider stopping by the following restaurants, which made the list! Victoria & Albert’s Queen Victoria’s Room at Victoria & Albert’s California Grill California Grill Citricos Citricos Flying Fish Café Flying Fish Il Mulino New York Trattoria Il Mulino Jaleo Jaleo by Chef Jose Andres STK Orlando STK Orlando Summer House on the Lake Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs Todd English’s Bluezoo Todd English’s bluezoo Shula’s Steakhouse also made the list, but it’s since closed and is now being replaced with Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina. We’re just dreaming of sitting back in a comfortable booth surrounded by friends and family and a bottle of wine on the table. While the theme parks can feel go, go, go, we love to spend some relaxing time at table service restaurants during our vacations. Bourbon Steak Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. We’re always looking to try out all the newest restaurants and offerings in Disney World, so you know where you should eat at, as well as where you may want to skip. More Recent Disney Reviews! REVIEW: We Hate To Tell You This, but We Tried a $16 Disney Hot Dog and It Was Totally Worth ItREVIEW: Move Over, France Pavilion! There’s a NEW Place To Find a Sweet French Treat in EPCOT!REVIEW: An Excellent Burger at a Disney Pool Bar? Yep, It’s Possible!REVIEW: Excuse Me, But I’m Still Thinking About This Grilled Cheese in Disney WorldREVIEW: RED VELVET MICKEY WAFFLES and Characters (MAX!!) Make This Disney Breakfast a Must-Do You can count on us to bring you all the latest and greatest Disney dining reviews and news, so stay tuned to DFB! REVIEW: This Hidden Restaurant In Disneyland Is the Best Spot To Meet Mickey and His Pals Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants The Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants The Best Disney Springs Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Where is your favorite spot to grab wine in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post Experts Prove These Ten Disney World Restaurants Have The Best Wine first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Well, Star Wars fans, we know you’ve been anticipating the debut of the new Star Wars Coca-Cola bottles Disney teased a few weeks ago. ©Disney Now, these are different from those controversial Star Wars detonator Coca-Cola bottles you’ve seen in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Instead, Disney recently revealed regular Coke bottles with new Star Wars designs, including some exclusive designs you would only be able to find in Disney World and Disneyland. Well, we’ve got an update on those special Star Wars Coke bottles in Disney World. So, Coca-Cola has released 30 new designs for its soda bottles that feature Star Wars characters. You can get many of these bottles pretty much all over the world. Here’s the full list of bottles you can find: Coke: Lando Calrissian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Queen Amidala, Kylo Ren, Ahsoka Tano, Darth Maul, K-2SO, Boba Fett, Poe Dameron, The Mandalorian, Cassian Andor, General Grievous, and Emperor Palpatine Zero Sugar Coke: Darth Vader, Yoda, Princess Leia, Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Han Solo, BB-8, C-3PO, R2-D2, Finn, Rey, Grogu, and an Imperial Stormtrooper ©Disney However, three bottle designs are only available in Disney World and Disneyland: The Mandalorian and Grogu, First Order Stormtrooper, and Chewbacca. Well, we recently found the First Order Stormtrooper bottle in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. First Order Stormtrooper Coke Bottle There’s just one problem. Disney’s original list says the Stormtrooper Bottle is supposed to be Zero Sugar Coke, but the bottle we found held Regular Coke. That means if you’re looking for a specific kind of bottle and a specific kind of Coke product, you might want to double-check to make sure you’re drinking what you want to be drinking. It’s regular Coke We checked the Coca-Cola website and saw that the Stormtrooper bottle was listed under regular Coke (like what we got), so it looks like Disney’s list might have been wrong. However, it’s something to keep an eye out for, especially if you need to drink Zero Sugar Coke due to dietary restrictions. We’ll keep an eye out for more of the Coca-Cola Star Wars designs in the parks and keep you updated, so stay tuned to DFB for more. This ‘Star Wars’ Icon Has No Plans on Returning to the Franchise Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you found any of the new Star Wars Coca-Cola bottles yet? Let us know what you’ve seen in the comments! The post Don’t Let the Star Wars Coke Bottles in Disney World Fool You first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Yes, we’ve been thinking a LOT about the holiday season in Disney World, but the reality is that it’s still summer and we’re still several months away before the big Christmas tree goes up in Magic Kingdom. Campfire Cupcake from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge That means we’re still enjoying summer food and drinks in Disney World, including the infamous Campfire Cupcake at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. We did also get a sneak peek at the upcoming Beak and Barrel coming to Magic Kingdom, the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge that is expected to open later this year. We also kept an eye on Disney World restaurant menus, and like always, they changed this week. So let’s take a look at the updates. Magic Kingdom Liberty Square Market Beverages REMOVED: Red, White, and Blue Slushy Welcome to Liberty Square Market! Columbia Harbour House Sesame Allergy-Friendly REMOVED: Plant-based Crispy Mushroom Roll Columbia Harbour House EPCOT Sunshine Seasons Snacks REMOVED: Cinnamon Roll ADDED: Side Salad for $4.29 Sunshine Seasons Disney’s Hollywood Studios Woody’s Lunch Box Beverages REMOVED: Hot Cocoa Woody’s Lunch Box Disney’s Animal Kingdom Isle of Java Snacks REMOVED: Chocolate Chip Cookie Isle of Java Tiffins Appetizers REMOVED: Charred Octopus and Gobi Manchurian ADDED: Seared Yellowfin Tuna with Pork and Shrimp Dumpling — Rice Masago-crusted Tuna, Gochujang Sweet Chili Sauce for $19 ADDED: Passion Fruit Hamachi Crudo — Passion Fruit and Sesame Leche de Tigre, Pickled Pineapple, Cilantro Oil, Szechuan Chili Crunch for $21 ADDED: Coconut-Ube Cauliflower Soup — Miso Caramel, Roasted Cauliflower and Mushroom, Fried Garlic for $14 Specialty Cocktails REMOVED: Tropical Rainbow Cocktail Tiffins The Smiling Crocodile Beverages REMOVED: POWERADE The Smiling Crocodile Disney’s Beach Club Resort Hurricane Hanna’s Entrees REMOVED: Hanna’s Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger Grilled Chicken Sandwich description changed from “Provolone and Chunky Avocado Spread on a Pretzel Bun served with French Fries” to “Provolone and Chunky Avocado Spread on a Brioche Bun served with French Fries ADDED: Hanna’s Bacon Angus Cheeseburger — with Lettuce and Tomato on a Brioche Bun served with French Fries for $14.69 ADDED: Turkey and Swiss Sandwich — Served with Chips for $11.49 Hurricane Hanna’s Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort The Artist’s Palette Dinner Exclusives ADDED: Beef Bourguignon for $14.99 ADDED: Mojo Pork for $14.99 ADDED: Baked Ziti — Served with Breadstick for $11.99 Beverages with Alcohol REMOVED: LiveWire Rocket Queen ADDED: LiveWire Pomelo Rum Punch — Casa Magdalena Rum, Pomelo, Cinnamon, and Pandan for $13 The Artist’s Palette Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Courtyard Pool Bar Entrees REMOVED: Greek Salad with Chicken Courtyard Pool Bar Disney’s Old Key West Resort Good’s Food To Go Breakfast Entrees Breakfast Platter description changed from “Scrambled Eggs, Mickey-shaped Waffle, Bacon, and Potatoes” to “Scrambled Eggs, Mickey-shaped Waffle, Bacon, Sausage, and Potatoes” Entrees Bacon Cheeseburger description changed from “7-oz Grilled Angus Patty topped with Bacon, Cheddar, Lettuce, and Tomato on a Brioche Bun served with choice of Side” to “7-oz Grilled Angus Patty topped with Bacon, American Cheese, Lettuce, and Tomato on a Brioche Bun served with choice of Side” Cheeseburger description changed from “7-oz Grilled Angus Patty topped with Cheddar, Lettuce, and Tomato on a Brioche Bun served with choice of Side” to “7-oz Grilled Angus Patty topped with American Cheese, Lettuce, and Tomato on a Brioche Bun served with choice of Side” Foot-long All-Beef Hot Dog description changed from “Served with House-seasoned Kettle Chips or Coleslaw” to “Served with choice of Side” Chicken Strips description changed from “Served with House-seasoned Kettle Chips or Coleslaw” to “Served with choice of Side” Sandwiches Cuban Sandwich description changed from “Ham, Pork, and Swiss Cheese with Pickles and Mustard on an Artisan Roll served with choice of Side” to “Ham, Pork, and Swiss Cheese with Pickles, Mayonnaise and Mustard on an Artisan Roll served with choice of Side” Sides ADDED: Macaroni & Cheese for $4.79 Snacks REMOVED: Mickey-shaped Pretzel ADDED: Allergy-friendly Cookies — For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies for $6.99 ADDED: Mickey Crisped Rice Treat for $4.99 ADDED: PB&J Uncrustable for $4.79 ADDED: Strawberry Toasted Pastry for $2.99 ADDED: Apple Slices for $2.79 ADDED: Allergy-Friendly Fruity Bears for $2.69 ADDED: Grapes for $2.49 ADDED: Strawberry-flavored Yogurt Smoothie for $2.39 ADDED: Carrot Sticks for $1.99 Dessert REMOVED: Key Lime Tart and Brownie ADDED: Nestlé Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar for $6.29 ADDED: Nestlé Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Sandwich for $6.29 ADDED: Frozen Key Lime Pie for $9 ADDED: DOLE Whip Key Lime and Vanilla Soft-serve Swirl — DOLE Whip Lime and Vanilla Swirl topped with Graham Cracker Crumbs for $5.79 ADDED: Caramel Brownie for $5.29 Kids’ Disney Check Meals Power Pack description changed from “includes Grapes, Cheddar Crackers, Strawberry flavored Yogurt Smoothie, Apple Bar, Carrot Sticks and 1% Mickey Milk” to “includes Grapes, Cheddar Crackers, Strawberry-flavored Yogurt Smoothie, Mini Babybel Snack Cheese, Carrot Sticks and 1% Mickey Milk” Good’s Foods To Go Disney’s BoardWalk Inn BoardWalk Deli Allergy-Friendly ADDED: Ham and Cheese Croissant — Ham, Cheese, Pressed Flaky Croissant for $11.49 BoardWalk Deli Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Kona Cafe Breakfast Kids’ Create-Your-Own Entrées REMOVED: Pudge’s Peanut Butter French Toast Non-Alcoholic Specialty Beverages REMOVED: Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride Pudge’s Peanut Butter French Toast Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort El Mercado de Coronado Handhelds REMOVED: Buffalo Chicken Sandwich ADDED: Swiss Dip Sandwich — Thinly sliced roasted beef layered with melted Swiss cheese on a toasted French baguette. Served with a rich, savory beef au jus for the perfect dip for $18 ADDED: Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich — Crispy fried chicken breast topped with shredded iceberg lettuce, house-made hot honey sauce, zesty dill aioli, and crunchy pickles — all stacked on a toasted Kaiser roll for $16 Kids’ Entrees ADDED: Kids’ Pepperoni Pizza A personal-sized pizza topped with zesty tomato sauce, melty mozzarella cheese and classic pepperoni slices. choice of a Danimal smoothie or a Cutie and your choice of Milk or Bottled Water for $7.99 Grab and Go Offerings REMOVED: House Salad, Caprese Sandwich, Buffalo Turkey, and Italian Hoagie Sandwich ADDED: Southwest Chicken Salad — Our house-made chicken salad tossed with green chili aioli, black beans, and fresh tomato salsa, served over a bed of spinach atop warm, fluffy tandoori naan for $14 ADDED: Asian Salad — A crisp blend of red and napa cabbage tossed with shredded carrots, pickled ginger edamame, and fresh sliced cucumbers. Topped with crunchy fried chow mien noodles for the perfect finishing touch for $12 ADDED: Caprese Salad — Fresh mozzarella layered with sliced Roma tomatoes and peppery arugula, topped with shaved Parmesan and drizzled with vibrant house-made pesto for $12 ADDED: Turkey BLT — Sliced turkey breast, crispy bacon, and Swiss cheese layered with shredded iceberg lettuce and a bold Schug aioli, all tucked into a warm, traditional focaccia for $15 ADDED: Italian Sandwich — Layers of sliced pepperoni, salami, and smoked ham with melted provolone cheese, topped with peppery arugula, house-made pesto, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze — all served on savory onion and caper focaccia for $15 El Mercado de Coronado Disney’s Pop Century Resort Everything Pop Entrees ADDED: Plant-based Burger — Featuring Impossible® Beef with Special Sauce, Pickles, Lettuce, Onions, and Tomato on a Brioche Bun (Plant-based) for $14.49 Everything POP! Disney Springs Amorette’s Patisserie Limited Time Offerings REMOVED: Patriotic Cake Bar Patriotic Cake Bar The Daily Poutine Entrees REMOVED: Burnt Ends BBQ Poutine Daily Poutine Disney World menu changes happen all the time, and if you want to keep up, you’ll need to keep an eye on menus on the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app. Of course, we’ll also let you know when Disney World restaurant menus change, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Disney dining changes are a lot to keep up with! We’ve done all the research for you in writing our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! We’ve got details on EVERY dining location at Walt Disney World inside our eBook – and it’s easy to download to your tablet or smartphone to take with you on your next trip. The Character Dining Restaurants Disneyland Experts Refuse to Book Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Did your favorite Disney World restaurant change its menu this week? Share your thoughts in the comments! The post ALERT: Disney’s Pop Century Hotel Just CHANGED Its Restaurant Menu first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In just one week, something NEW arrives in Disney World that we haven’t seen in years. ©Disney It’s been far too long since there’s been a nighttime parade in Disney World. Past parades would light up Main Street, U.S.A., and are one of the most nostalgic Disney experiences we remember (we still miss you, Main Street Electrical Parade!). In just one week, the park’s new parade, Disney Starlight: Dream The Night Away, premieres, and if you haven’t been counting down the days like us, here’s everything you need to know before heading to Magic Kingdom. On July 20th, Disney Starlight will have its opening day in Magic Kingdom, and we’re expecting BIG crowds. This parade will be “using the latest technology to tell new stories about the characters you love,” and at its opening, it will show at 9 PM and 11 PM in the park, except on nights where special Halloween and holiday events are taking place. A new nighttime parade “Disney Starlight” will come to Magic Kingdom in Summer 2025 using the latest technology to bring Disney stories to life and will feature moments from fan-favorite films like Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Peter Pan,” “Frozen” and “Encanto.” This new parade will feature tons of beloved characters, such as the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio, as well as characters from Encanto, Frozen, Moana, and Peter Pan. You’ll also get to see Princess and Prince duos like Aurora and Philip, Tiana and Naveen, Cinderella and Prince Charming, and Belle and the Beast. ©Disney We also know that floats inspired by Coco and Wish will be included in the parade! ©Disney Then, the grand finale float, which is inspired by the classic Main Street Electrical Parade float, features some very special friends like Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy! Disney says that, “Together, the duo [of Mickey and Minnie] sends us off, reminding us to believe in the power of wishing upon a star.” ©Disney We can’t wait to see this show, and if you feel the same, you’ll want to get your spot along the parade route EARLY! If you’re an Annual Passholder, you need to know that park pass reservation rules have CHANGED due to this parade. For dates starting July 20th, for a limited time, Annual Passholders will NEED to have a park pass reservation to enter Magic Kingdom. While a Magic Kingdom reservation will make seeing the parade the easiest, you can still park hop from other parks as long as there is availability in Magic Kingdom. ©Disney This parade is also doing things a little backwards! Instead of starting in Frontierland and ending on Main Street, U.S.A., it’s starting at the front of Main Street and ending in Frontierland. This is going to help with traffic flow for guests wanting to leave after watching the parade. ©Disney Get ready to light up the night sky and welcome Disney Starlight to our nighttime spectacular family. July 20th is going to be a day in history for Disney World, and we’re ready to bring all the details straight to you. Looking for more recent Magic Kingdom news? Check out our posts below! More Recent Magic Kingdom News! ALERT: Disney’s Pop Century Hotel Just CHANGED Its Restaurant MenuREMINDER: New Nighttime Parade at Disney World Debuts This Week!Disney Just Shared NEW Behind-the-Scenes Looks at a Popular Ride RefurbishmentThe NEW Rule You Have To Follow for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney WorldYou Have Been Warned – These 11 Things Are Closed in Disney World This Week Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World news and beyond! BREAKING: NEW DISNEY CHARACTER Coming To Disney World’s New Nighttime Parade! 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 looking forward to this new parade? Tell us in the comments! The post REMINDER: New Nighttime Parade at Disney World Debuts This Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT is home to many incredible snacks, and now there’s ANOTHER ONE to add to the list! EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion Over in the Japan Pavilion, you’ll find Kabuki Cafe, which is a small stand that serves up shave ice and other special treats. We heard about a new special treat that just landed on the menu, combining two of our favorite treats, so we knew we had to try it. As it turns out, this new treat is everything we didn’t know we’d been waiting for! The new snack here is called The Mochi-Gori, and it’s $12. This is a kakigori shaved ice with a Mochi-donut on top, topped with coconut crème sauce and whip cream. The Mochi-Gori For this price, you can select up to three flavors to add to the shave ice, and we chose Blue Hawaii, Cherry, and Grape. The donut on top is light and fluffy, but toasted enough on the outside to give it a really great texture. The coconut glaze really sells it, though, and ties it all together! It’s amazing! This is a very sweet snack, of course, but we loved that it was basically two in one. You had the pastry sweetness of the donut mixed with the icy sweetness of the shave ice, and it pairs fantastically together. We’d absolutely get it again! The donut was everything! We know when you think of EPCOT, you might think of the incredible food of the festivals, but don’t forget to check out the food booths that are there all year round, too. The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is starting on August 28th, so we like to take the time before a festival to try the restaurants we might be forgetting about! EPCOT Food & Wine Festival 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. Looking for more recent reviews? Check our posts below! More Recent Reviews! REVIEW: We Hate To Tell You This, but We Tried a $16 Disney Hot Dog and It Was Totally Worth ItREVIEW: Move Over, France Pavilion! There’s a NEW Place To Find a Sweet French Treat in EPCOT!REVIEW: An Excellent Burger at a Disney Pool Bar? Yep, It’s Possible!REVIEW: Excuse Me, But I’m Still Thinking About This Grilled Cheese in Disney WorldREVIEW: RED VELVET MICKEY WAFFLES and Characters (MAX!!) Make This Disney Breakfast a Must-Do Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World food news and reviews! REVIEW: This NEW Snack in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion Is Worth Planning a Whole Trip Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants The Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants The Best Disney Springs Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Would you grab this snack? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: We Found the Best NEW Disney Snack and It's Hiding in the Japan Pavilion first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Orlando International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, and if you’ve been planning a Disney World trip, this is most likely the airport you’ll be coming through. Orlando International Airport Something is coming up that’s EXTRA special at the Orlando Executive Airport, which is the designated reliever for the Orlando International Airport. There’s a FREE family event happening later this month that adults and kids alike are sure to love — trust us when we say you don’t want to miss it! On Saturday, July 26th, from 11 AM to 2 PM, you can head to the airport for the Wings and Wheels Family Fest at Orlando Executive Airport! ©MCO You’ll get the chance to see aircraft & helicopters up close, as well as emergency response vehicles, high-end sports cars, and specialty transports. You can also hear great music, eat at food trucks, and so much more. Orlando International Airport We can’t wait to see how this event turns out! If you’ve got kiddos who adore cars, trucks, emergency vehicles, and more, they will especially adore this event. If you’ve ever been to the Orlando International Airport, the bigger of the Orlando airports, it might be the busiest you’ve seen. It can be very overwhelming, but don’t worry, we have some tips to manage it! TSA lines at MCO First up, we love the MCO Reserve, which allows you to prebook a time to go through TSA security. We describe it as our Lightning Lane (or FastPass!) at TSA. You’ll go in a separate line for your reserved time. ©Orlando International Airport We also make sure we’re staying up to date on airport news (which we share with you here at DFB!). Recently, TSA has allowed passengers to keep their shoes on through security. Trust us, you don’t want to be that person who is fumbling with their shoes while everyone is rushing you along. MCO Airport Also, make sure you have your REAL ID before going through security! 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. More Recent MCO News! A FREE Airport Event is Coming to Orlando!BREAKING: Ground Stop Issued at Orlando International Airport, Over 250 Flights DelayedNEW RULES For Flying to Orlando Airport This SummerWhy You Should Expect Delays If You’re Flying To Orlando Airport SoonSomething NEW Just Debuted at the Orlando Airport Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Orlando news and beyond! “There’s only one answer, right?” Orlando Airport Transportation to Disney World Needs 2 Big CHANGES 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 planning to attend this event? Tell us in the comments! The post A FREE Airport Event is Coming to Orlando! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve been jet-setting across the globe to bring you a look at Disney’s Aulani Resort lately, but right now, we’re heading OFF of Disney property to check out another Hawai’ian institution… DOLE Pineapple Plantation …the DOLE Pineapple Plantation! Technically, this isn’t where DOLE Whip was invented, but we certainly wouldn’t have the iconic sweet treat if not for this place. And, speaking of DOLE Whip, this is definitely where you want to visit if you’re after the BIGGEST one we’ve ever seen in our years and years of them. The DOLE Plantation in Wahiawa, Oahu, is a must-visit spot for any DOLE Whip or pineapple fan — and anyone who wants to learn more about one of Hawai’i’s main agricultural industries. We couldn’t resist making a stop on our recent trip to Hawai’i and thought we’d take you along on a little tour. There were pineapples as far as we could see in some directions! Pineapples as far as the eye can see! The pineapples are harvested using multiple methods, but mainly using large harvesters like the Model A one pictured below. There’s a Plantation Garden Guided Tour, which we definitely recommend for anyone who wants to learn more about the Hawai’ian pineapple industry. A type of harvester You can also get lost in a Pineapple Garden Maze — which happens to be the largest pineapple maze in the world. And, if you download the DOLE Plantation app, there are even fun games and activities you can do while you’re trying to avoid getting lost! The Pineapple Garden Maze We took a trip on the Pineapple Express… We hopped on the Pineapple Express …no, not that kind. The Pineapple Express is a train that takes you around part of the plantation, but it’s an additional cost. At $15 per person, we don’t really think it’s worth the time or money. No, not THAT kind of Pineapple Express Of course, we couldn’t pass up a trip to the DOLE Plantation without getting a DOLE Whip — and y’all, in all our years of professional DOLE Whip eating, we’ve NEVER seen one quite this big! The best part about this one was that there was FRESH pineapple at the bottom picked right from the farm — which is something we think Disney should definitely take notes on. BIGGEST DOLE WHIP WE’VE EVER SEEN We’ve got PLENTY more Hawai’i content where that came from, so make sure you check back for more! We’re talking reviews, tours, and everything you need to know. In the meantime, stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog so you don’t miss any Disney news! NEW 2025 Flight Deal Announced for Southwest Airlines Travel Updates, Tips, and Tricks Complete Guide to Booking the CHEAPEST Flight to Disney World What to Do if Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Disney World From the Orlando Airport You’re SLEEPING on These Packing Hacks Air Travel Tips That’ll Change Your Life 8 Catastrophic Travel Mistakes and How to Solve Them The Airline with the MOST Flight Delays and Cancellations This Small Change Will Save You From Lost Luggage The Best Disney Luggage for 2023 21 Things a Former Flight Attendant Needs You To Know 7 Highest-Rated Travel Items on Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe Have you been to Hawai’i? Tell us in the comments. The post We've Been Eating DOLE Whip Professionally for 15 Years and This Is Officially the BIGGEST One We've Ever Seen first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s summer, y’all, and it is HOT in Florida. Hot and humid…yeah, you know the drill. Ghirardelli Now, we’re doing our best to stay cool with our water bottles, cooling towels, and neck fans, but one of the best ways to stay cool in the summer is one of our favorite things to do…eat. And what are we eating? Ice cream, of course! Now, if you’ve been looking for an excuse to go get some ice cream in Disney World, you’ll want to visit Disney Springs on July 25th for a very special deal on a Ghirardelli ice cream sundae. Why July 25th? Well, July 25th is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, and we’ll celebrate any day that’s all about food. You can visit Ghirardelli in Disney Springs and get a Mini Hot Fudge Sundae for just $7.25 — this sundae is usually $13.95, so that’s almost half off! ©Ghirardelli Ghirardelli’s Mini Hot Fudge Sundae is made with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and handmade hot fudge topped with whipped cream, diced almonds, a cherry, and a Milk Chocolate Caramel Square. YUM. So if you have a sundae craving on July 25th, you know where to go! Oh, by the way, if you can’t get to Disney Springs, you can also grab this offer at Ghirardelli locations in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Diego, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Louisville, and more. Ice cream for everyone, folks! Stay tuned to DFB for more. WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose, but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! The Kitchen Sink & More of the BEST Ice Cream Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite ice cream sundae? Share with us in the comments! The post We’re Running to Disney for Almost HALF OFF Ice Cream, but There’s a Catch! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Epic Universe is all the rage right now when it comes to Universal news, but there’s ANOTHER new park coming up that you may have forgotten about! ©Universal Universal is also working on its new theme park coming to Frisco, Texas, which will be called Universal Kids Resort. It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything about the new park, but now we’ve got an exciting update — we’ve got aerial photos for the first time! Thanks to @stclairphotos on Instagram, we’ve got new aerial photos of what the park is looking like so far. Universal is still very early on in the building process, but we can see it coming to life! @stclairphotos on Instagram The hotel on the property is coming along very well, and we can already see some of the colors on the windows. It looks pretty similar to the concept art, which always makes our little theme park-loving hearts so happy. @stclairphotos on Instagram This is a 300-room themed resort, and it reminds us of a playground. We’re ready to run inside and see what’s happening (well, maybe when it’s finished!). ©Universal As for the actual park itself, progress is being made with lots of concrete pathways and bases, a few buildings, and one roller coaster is clearly visible! @stclairphotos on Instagram According to Universal, this new park will be “set in a lush green landscape” and feature “immersive themed lands.” It will celebrate “Universal’s iconic brand of entertainment, humor, and innovation, and bring to life its beloved characters and stories in ways that will wow even the youngest theme park goers.” ©Universal This theme park will be smaller than Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood, as it’s geared more towards kids. You’ll be able to experience rides, shows, a hotel, and character meet-and-greets featuring Minions and Shrek. ©Universal This will be Universal’s first park geared towards families and younger kids, as well as its first in Texas. We’re really looking forward to seeing how it continues to develop! Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your next vacation? 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. More Recent Universal News! We Just Got a NEW Look at the Universal Theme Park Coming to Texas in 20267 Rules Halloween Horror Nights Is Enforcing in 2025WARNING: Your Early Entry Strategy Needs To Change ASAP at Epic UniverseNEW Report Indicates Elon Musk and Universal Could Be Partnering To Bring an Underground Tunnel System to OrlandoNEW Limited-Time Snacks and Souvenirs Revealed for Universal Orlando! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Universal news! When Will Universal’s New Texas Theme Park Open? Here’s What We Know! 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 planning to visit this new park? Tell us in the comments! The post We Just Got a NEW Look at the Universal Theme Park Coming to Texas in 2026 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It may be 2025, but let’s be honest — the ’90s are SO back in a multitude of ways! Goofy and Max in Animal Kingdom Lots of ’90s style staples are back in multiple different stores, so if you’re looking to bring all the retro items to your upcoming park visit, you’re in luck. No need to dig through your closet or call up your parents and ask if they have your old wardrobe, check out these ’90s essentials you can rock in the park right now! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. We Love Bucket Hats! ©Amazon Bucket hats were all the rage back in the ’90s, and they’ve been coming back over the past few years! Grab yourself the Mickey Mouse Bucket Hat online now and prepare to keep your head and eyes protected from the hot sun. It comes in red and cream, so you can choose which works best for your personal style. Grab it here! Channel The White Rabbit! ©Amazon If you’re a big fan of Alice in Wonderland, you’ll love grabbing the Alice In Wonderland White Rabbit Outlined Text Poster T-Shirt to bring back that “big t-shirt with shorts” look. That one’s been back for a while, which means we think it’ll stick around for quite some time! Grab it here! Don’t Forget The Sunglasses! ©Amazon Remember those big sunglasses from the ’90s? Bring them back in style with the BUTABY Rectangle Sunglasses, which come in a two pack! The printed ones really remind us of what our parents used to wear and keep in the car all the time. Talk about a throwback! Grab it here! Older Style Shoes Can Still Be Fashionable! ©Amazon Back in the ’90s, you likely remember those larger, block-y sneakers that were everywhere. Grab yourself some New Balances and get ready to be comfortable AND fashionable as you walk miles and miles around the park. Grab it here! Adorable Socks For The Win ©Amazon And with those shoes, you’ll want to grab some adorable socks to match the look. We can think of no better ones than the Socksense Cartoon Character Series Crew Socks! This one pack comes with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Stitch socks, and you can pair them with almost any outfit. Grab it here! Can’t Forget Those Fanny Packs! ©Amazon Belt bags and fanny packs were all the rage back in the ’90s, and we had a hard time believing they were coming back, and then there they were! The design changed a bit, and now bags like the Telena Belt Bag are everywhere. They’re all the rage yet again, and we see why — they’re stylish, convenient, and are great for theme park days. Grab it here! Keep That Hair Up! ©Amazon We can’t count how many scrunchies we used to own, and now our houses are filled with them again! The Kitsch Mickey/Minnie Fabric Rhinestone Scrunchies is cute beyond belief — it’s themed to Mickey Mouse, but pretty subtly, so it’s great to use anywhere and everywhere. Grab it here! Graphic Tees Are All The Rage! ©Target I you’ve been looking to go closer to the “smaller shirt” ’90s style, then look at the Minnie Mouse Graphic Tank Top! It features Minnie in three different outfits and is perfect for summer. Grab it here! Winnie The Pooh is Always in Style! ©Walmart If you love Winnie The Pooh as much as we do, and that love has never gone away, then the Winnie the Pooh Women’s Graphic Baby Tee is calling your name! It screams ’90s to us, especially paired with some graphic socks, chunky sneakers, and a belt bag. Grab it here! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney merchandise news! The post The 8 Best ’90s Disney Fashion Trends That Still Work in 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s a restaurant in Disney Springs that is so underrated that people just keep walking by it. The Basket at Wine Bar George So you may be well aware of Wine Bar George (and we’ve talked about it a lot), but did you know about its counter service location, The Basket at Wine Bar George? Here, you can order those amazing Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites, as well as other small bites, including everything you need for the perfect picnic. This location also has frozen frosé drinks, but did you know you can also get a Frosé Flight? The Frosé Flight for $22 features your choice of four frozen frosé drinks to sample. We asked for the most popular flavors and got the regular frosé, the Freaujolais, the Frozcato, and the Hurricane. As you can see, this combination makes for a pretty flight. Talk about the perfect summer celebratory drink…err…drinks! Frose Flight The Frozcato is made with DOLE WHIP Pineapple, Moscato, and vodka. It’s basically like sipping on a DOLE Whip, so obviously we loved it. It’s got that sweet, slightly tart pineapple flavor, and you can’t taste the booze at all. This one also melted the slowest, for what it’s worth, so maybe drink it last (if you can wait!). Frozcato The regular Frosé is made with rosé, vodka, and strawberry. It’s BEAUTIFUL. It tastes like a pink rosé, but icy. It’s just a nice sipping drink and oh, so refreshing (oh, who are we kidding? These are all refreshing!). Frose The Freaujolais is a Beaujolais with vodka and raspberry. Beaujolais is a bolder red wine, so you get something that tastes a bit stronger and drier, but that raspberry flavor really comes through. This is a good pick if you’re not a fan of super sweet wines, too. Freaujolais The Hurricane was a super nice surprise because this one is more like a cocktail than frozen wine like the other three drinks. You’ve got a nice rum flavor combined with berry and pineapple flavors, and it just works. However, it’s a heftier drink due to all the different alcohols in it, so it doesn’t go down quite as smoothly as the others. Hurricane Overall, though, we recommend the flight because it’s gorgeous and is a great way to cool off in Disney Springs. But you’ll need to hurry: it’s only available until the end of July! Funny story…a woman saw us drinking on the flight and ended up having to get it, too, because it looked so good. We had several folks asking us about it while we were taking photos. Next viral trend in Disney World? MAYBE! Stay tuned to DFB for more. The 1 Drink You Should Get From Each EPCOT Pavilion Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you tried any of the frosé here yet? Let us know which is your favorite in the comments! The post REVIEW: The Best We’ve Ever Spent in Disney Springs Is Only Here for July first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The holidays are fast approaching in Disney World, and that means that we’ll start seeing decorations change soon. Hollywood Studios Now, Halloween has to come first, of course, but in years past, we’ve often seen an almost immediate shift between Halloween and Christmas (we’ve literally seen it change overnight!), but Disney’s dates are throwing us off this year. Is it possible that Disney will start its holiday season LATER than normal? This year, Disney World has its official holiday dates as November 14th-December 31st, 2025. So does this mean that we really won’t see any decorations until November 14th, a whole 14 days after Halloween has ended? Well, here’s what we know. Magic Kingdom Last year, the official start date of the holidays for the whole resort was November 12th, but Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party started on November 8th, and Jollywood Nights started on November 9th. In 2024, decorations DID go up right after Halloween, so they were largely in place for the parties. You probably don’t want to go to a Christmas party when there are pumpkins everywhere! Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks This year, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins on November 7th and Jollywood Nights begins on November 8th, so we expect to see decorations up before November 14th. Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas Time parade We’re expecting other holiday experiences, such as the Merry Menagerie in Animal Kingdom, the Christmas Tree Stroll in Disney Springs, and special dining options, to begin on November 14th. Polar Bear Merry Menagerie puppets Last year, we also saw the holiday decorations stay up past Christmas into January. There were still Christmas decorations up when the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts started January 12th. Festival of the Arts 2024 They were also up during the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, which was January 8th. It’s sometimes weird to see the decorations up when in past years, they’ve gone down overnight, but if you ran the marathon, you got to run down Main Street with the giant Christmas tree, which does sound pretty magical. Christmas in Magic Kingdom 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. More Recent Holiday News Here! Why You Can’t Trust Disney World’s Holiday DatesDisney World Just Dropped 15 HUGE AnnouncementsFIRST LOOK at New Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party SouvenirDisney Just Announced Everything Returning to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2025All the Food CONFIRMED for the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World holiday news! Everything CONFIRMED for the 2025 Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF HOLIDAY MAGIC Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. It includes all the must-have information for navigating the holiday season at Disney World, including: The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! Save 20% on the Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide with code PEPPERMINT. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Get All the Details About Disney Jollywood Nights Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you planning to spend the holidays in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post Why You Can't Trust Disney World's Holiday Dates first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disneyland is full of tasty snacks and meals we can’t get enough of, and we make sure to try out each and every one. That’s kinda of our job here at Disney Food Blog — go to Disney, eat the food, blog it! Then you have all the details you need to have the best Disney vacation ever. Disney’s Grand Californian While the parks are full of great options, the hotels are not to be missed. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel has some fantastic dining choices to try, especially over at GCH Craftsman Grill. There’s a new hot dog of the month available right now, and if you’re a savory fan, we’re telling you now, you’ve GOT to check it out! This month’s hot dog is The Bodega Dog for $16. It has Shredded Pork, All-Beef Hotdog, Broccoli Rabe, Caramelized Onions, Monterey Jack Cheese, and Hot & Sweet Pepper Aioli, served on an Italian Hoagie Roll. It’s served with French fries and Pickled Hot Cherry Peppers. The Bodega Dog There are lots of savory flavors here, with the pulled pork and beef hot dog, but the caramelized onions have a sweeter flavor, which pairs well with the meats and pepper aioli. There’s only a bit of spice from the aioli, as it definitely leans more towards the sweet pepper side for the flavor. So many savory flavors! The Monterey Jack has a sharp cheesy taste, but there isn’t too much of it on this dish. We wish there was more! The hoagie roll was perfect with the outside being nice and crunchy and the inside being soft and fluffy. The fries were crispy, as they always are here — we always know we can count on them! We loved this hoagie roll! This reminds us of the Philly Cheesesteak Hot Dog they had here a little while ago, which we loved too! Overall, we definitely recommend it if you’re a fan of savory meals, and think it’ll certainly fill you up to keep you going throughout the day. A Philly cheesesteak… hot dog? We can’t wait to come back and try the new hot dog next month! 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. More Recent Reviews! REVIEW: We Hate To Tell You This, but We Tried a $16 Disney Hot Dog and It Was Totally Worth ItREVIEW: Move Over, France Pavilion! There’s a NEW Place To Find a Sweet French Treat in EPCOT!REVIEW: An Excellent Burger at a Disney Pool Bar? Yep, It’s Possible!REVIEW: Excuse Me, But I’m Still Thinking About This Grilled Cheese in Disney WorldREVIEW: RED VELVET MICKEY WAFFLES and Characters (MAX!!) Make This Disney Breakfast a Must-Do Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney Parks food news and beyond! Disney Just Revealed an Exclusive NEW Hotel Lounge, and We Have So Much to Show You! 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 What’s your favorite snack to get in Disneyland? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: We Hate To Tell You This, but We Tried a Disney Hot Dog and It Was Totally Worth It first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When planning a Disney World trip, before you even buy your tickets, you’ll come across a big question: Do I need Park Hopper tickets? Disney World Theme Park Ticket Cards Instead of visiting one of the four parks a day, Park Hopper tickets allow you to go to any of the four parks whenever you want to. Should you pay for this add-on? We asked the experts to see if it’s worth the cost. Before we can discuss whether the cost is worth it, we need to determine the price. The cost of tickets, both single park and Park Hoppers, depends on what date you’re going, but on average, a single park ticket costs about $160. Park Hopper tickets start at $198, and you have to add them on for your entire trip, if you do it one transaction. If you want Park Hoppers for some days and not others, you’ll need to buy them in separate transactions. However, keep in mind that it’s cheaper to buy more tickets in one transaction, as the cost per day decreases. Tickets That’s about a $38 add-on per ticket. For a family of four, that’s approximately $150 per day of your trip, which can be quite costly. Let’s talk about what the experts think! You Might Want to Consider Park Hoppers If… You’re on a shorter trip If you’re only coming to Disney World for two days or so, you might want those Park Hoppers. This can be great if you’re determined to hit all four parks. This way, you can spend half a day at each park and get on all the rides you want. EPCOT You’re family has a lot of little ones Kiddos on the shorter side might not be able to ride every ride across Disney World. If you’re heading to a park like Hollywood Studios and you aren’t splitting up your group, you might notice that once you hit the few shows and rides with no height requirements, there isn’t a lot else to do. Park Hopper can save the day by allowing you to head to other parks with more rides for everyone. It’s also great if you’re planning on a midday nap break at the resort, so you can head to a new park afterwards. Dumbo the Flying Elephant You know what you like and what you don’t If you’ve been to Disney World before, you might know the attractions you must hit and the others that you can skip. If you know you’re only going to ride two rides in Animal Kingdom (especially with all the construction happening), a Park Hopper might be an excellent option for you to be able to leave and spend the rest of the day at a different park. Pandora in Disney’s Animal Kingdom You Might Not Want Park Hoppers Because… It takes too much time to get from park to park Unlike Disneyland, switching parks at Disney World can take you a good hour to an hour and a half, and at Disney World, time is money. No matter what transportation you take, and even if you decide to walk, it’ll take time to get there, and you’ll likely have to go through security again, which can take a lot more time than you think. Monorail It’s easier to plan for one park When you have the option to change parks, it can be challenging to decide when to leave, especially since transportation can be time-consuming. Once you switch, it’s unlikely you’ll want to go through the hassle of returning to your starting park, so you’ll want to ensure you’re completely done with that park. If your favorite attraction has temporarily shut down and you’re deciding whether to wait for it, but you’ve also paid to park hop, it can be challenging to determine what to do. Only going to one park can make decision-making a lot easier. Scanning in! It’s exhausting Disney World is BIG. Yes, transportation can take a long time going from park to park, but it’s also tiring. Whether you’re driving, sitting on the monorail, or on the Skyliner, it’s likely you’ll be waiting at some point. Waiting for security, waiting to get on your transportation, waiting to scan in. This can be exhausting when you’ve already gone through this in the morning! Skyliner at Riviera Should You Add the Park Hopper? Well, that’s going to depend on your family. Our experts prefer to stick to one park ticket when possible to make our vacation easier, but if you love visiting more than one park each day, add it on! Do you need a Park Hopper? 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. You tell us: Do you add the Park Hopper option? Tell us what you prefer in the comments, and keep following Disney Food Blog for more tips and tricks for your next Disney trip. WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BUY YOUR DISNEY WORLD TICKETS BEFORE OCTOBER 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 The post Is Park Hopping REALLY Worth 8? 9 Disney World Experts Weigh In first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Calling all Marvel fans! Spidey! If you have a Disney Visa Card, there’s a special promotion that’s going to make you grab your capes, shields, and helmets and start saving the day. Right now, Disney Visa Cardholders can save 20% off a Marvel Unlimited Annual Plus Membership! The Black Panther! When you use your card, you get one year of access to Marvel’s legendary comic library plus a limited-edition collectible kit. Don’t forget to use the promo code DRVCPLUS. This offer is only valid through July 31st, so make sure you order soon. ©Disney What do you get with your membership? Lots of Marvel-themed fun! Limited Edition Hasbro Marvel Legends Knight-Spider figure not available anywhere else Hellverine by Skottie Young Pin Wolverine: Revenge #1 Alessandro Cappuccio Variant Comic Wolverine Meme Homage Annie Wu Lithograph SNIKT! Patch Invited and Access to Marvel Events 10% Off Marvel Merchandise and More at the Disney Store ©Marvel Unlimited For the membership, you’ll instantly get access to 30,000 digital comics and and new comics join the lineup weekly. Newer comics are added as soon as three months after they’re in stores. This sounds perfect for the ultimate Marvel fan, and all you need is your Disney Visa Card. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more deals and promotions. FULL LIST OF EXCLUSIVE PERKS FOR VISA CARDMEMBERS IN DISNEY WORLD Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW The post NEW Limited-Time Disney Visa Cardmember Discount Revealed! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Big changes are coming to Disney World, and some of them are already underway! Main Street U.S.A. From new lands inspired by Monsters, Inc. and the Disney Villains to attraction overhauls to update technology and make for a smoother ride, your next Disney World trip could include some very different plans! And today, we’re taking you behind the scenes of one ride update to show you what’s coming. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been temporarily closed in Magic Kingdom since the beginning of 2025. This popular roller coaster is undergoing a major refurbishment that’s set to last until 2026, and in the meantime, Disney says it’s getting a “little bit of new magic.” Recently, we got a small sneak peek at some of the magic in action! ©Walt Disney Imagineering During some behind-the-scenes clips shared on the Walt Disney Imagineering Instagram account, we got to see portions of the brand-new track that’s getting fully replaced, as well as glimpses at some of the theming areas that are getting touch-ups. ©Walt Disney Imagineering The video also showed a sneak peek at one of the trains, and it looks like it’s getting some touch-ups as well! Disney hasn’t shared many details about this refurbishment overall, but it’s rumored that the ride could get some of the same effects as the Disneyland version. ©Walt Disney Imagineering The Anaheim version of the ride has some pyrotechnic effects on the third lift hill, which were added during a refurbishment a few years back. Those effects are part of the reason many people rate the Disneyland version as “better” than the Disney World ride. Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland The Disneyland version of the ride closed back in January 2013 to install new effects, a new track, new scenery, new ride vehicles, and an upgraded ride experience. For that refurbishment, the ride was closed until March 2014. So if Disney World’s coaster is getting similar updates, it makes sense that the timeline would also be over a year. Big Thunder at Disneyland Hopefully, Disney World will continue to share information about what’s coming to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad throughout the refurbishment, and we’ll make sure to update you when we get an official reopening date. Stay tuned to DFB for all the Disney World changes coming in the future! 3 Disney World Rides Are Changing in 2026 — Get the Details Here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of the ride changes coming to Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney Just Shared NEW Behind-the-Scenes Looks at a Popular Ride Refurbishment first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is busy, busy, busy! It’s Disney World! The parks are always changing, but right now it feels like they’re changing more than ever. Magic Kingdom is getting a Cars-inspired land, they’re building Monstropolis in Hollywood Studios, and you can head to the Tropical Americas in Animal Kingdom in 2027. That’s why we like to do a round-up of the biggest news each week, so you’re always in on the latest Walt Disney Company updates and news. Let’s five in to this week’s changes! A majority of our changes are hitting the Magic Kingdom this week, so we’re starting with the bad news first. After being a park staple for over 50 years, Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Bell Riverboat, and the Rivers of America closed permanently on July 7th, 2025. Tom Sawyer Island These attractions, located in the heart of Frontierland, have been closed for the new Piston Peak expansion. While we are excited to see the new Cars-inspired area come to life, we won’t lie and pretend that this closure didn’t hurt. These attractions weren’t the most popular in the park, so we understand why they had to go, but at the same time, it’s hard to see such an icon gone. Piston Peak ©Disney The new land will feature 2 new attractions as well as shops, water features, and more to tie it into the story of Frontierland. Walls have already appeared in Frontierland as construction begins on the new land. Big Al is checking out the construction! We have already spotted Cast Members around the area and changes to the park maps, removing the attractions from the offerings and design. Cast Members in hard hats and high-vis vests There is no expected opening timeline for Piston Peak just yet, so we are expecting more construction walls to appear and stay put for the next few years. See The Closed Attractions On Their Final Days Right Here Next up in Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad has also gone through some big changes! The train has changed from going completely around the theme park to running on a shuttle system between the Fantasyland Station and the Main Street Station. Walt Disney World Railroad While it’s in the shuttle mode, the Frontierland Station will undergo some repairs. To make sure you don’t have to ride backwards every time, Disney also changed half of the seats to face the opposite direction. The seats! These changes are believed to be related to the construction happening around the park, so we can’t catch a sneak peek as Piston Peak comes to life and Villains Land is being built! They also added new narration to the train where the conductor discusses a new experiment and references the original Experiment 626, also known as Stitch. Frontierland Station is closed! There is no expected date for when the train will return to its normal route around the park. Learn More About Villains Land Here Finally, the biggest news of all this week was soooo many holiday updates! Disney did their big one with the holiday news this week by sharing tons of updates about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights, and Festival of the Holidays. 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party The holidays will officially run from November 14th, 2025, until December 31st, 2025, in Disney World! In Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an after-hours event that takes place on select nights, which you can see below. Nov. 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30 Dec. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21 Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Over in Hollywood Studios, Jollywood Nights is also a special ticketed, after-hours event. It takes place on: November 8th, 15th, 17th, 22nd, 24th, 29th (Saturdays and Mondays) December 1st, 6th, 10th, 13th, 17th, 20th, 22nd Jollywood Nights Both of these ticket events will include limited-time snacks, drinks, entertainment, special meet and greets, and more! Prices range depending on the night you attend each party. Finally, in EPCOT, you can check out Festival of the Holidays in EPCOT from November 28th through December 30th, 2025. Festival of the Holidays! This festival includes their holiday kitchens, World Showcase Holiday Storytellers, and more fun. This also means that the Candlelight Processional is returning, where celebrity guest narrators to tell the Christmas story along with a choir of Cast Members accompanying the Voice of Liberty to sing classic Christmas carols. Candlelight Processional The delicious Cookie Stroll is returning, as well as Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt! This event is available to anyone in EPCOT and doesn’t require a separate ticket like the other events mentioned for Christmas. Everything CONFIRMED for the 2025 Disney World Holiday Season Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. We can’t wait for the holidays to kick off in just a few months! As always, be sure to keep following DFB for the latest Disney news and updates! The ULTIMATE Guide to Planning A Walt Disney World Vacation DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF HOLIDAY MAGIC Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. It includes all the must-have information for navigating the holiday season at Disney World, including: The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! Save 20% on the Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide with code PEPPERMINT. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Get All the Details About Disney Jollywood Nights Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you going to Disney during the holidays? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney Just Dropped 3 MASSIVE Magic Kingdom Updates first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article