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The Search for Stitch With Maia Kealoha | Aulani, A Disney Resort & SpaView the full article

Marvel’s newest film is almost here! ©Marvel Fantastic Four: First Steps debuts on July 25th, 2025. We’ve already seen the new trailer for the film, and we know the characters will be heading to Disneyland soon. Now there’s something that will make this new movie a little sweeter, or we guess, saltier. Does anyone else feel like popcorn just tastes better when it comes out of a cool bucket? We’re avid popcorn bucket collectors, and we can finally add some more to our collection thanks to AMC! AMC Theater Starting on July 24th, 2025, you can grab your exclusive AMC souvenirs to celebrate the release of the new Marvel film, starting with the new H.E.R.B.I.E. Concession Vessel! This vessel (how fun is that to say) holds and includes a large popcorn,a large drink, and candy with places to store all three. Why are we fascinated with this sweet little robot? ©AMC Theaters Next, we have the Galactus Popcorn Vessel! This includes a large popcorn with your purchase. It certainly makes a statement that’s for sure. ©AMC Theaters If you’re looking for something smaller, you can grab one of these Character Popcorn Tins! These tins include a large popcorn and each one comes with a Blister Topper! You can collect all six toppers, including Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, the Thing, the Silver Surfer, and Galactus. ©AMC Theaters Finally, you can grab these Character Totem Cups to enjoy a large drink in! There are four cups in total, one for each of the Fantastic Four Members. Each cup is inspired by each member of the team and is distinctly different. ©AMC Theaters We can’t wait to see Fantastic Four: First Steps once it finally hits theaters (especially after watching the latest trailer, which has knocked our socks off)! These are all available in limited stock so if you really want them, make sure to grab yours ASAP! Be sure to keep following DFB for more movie news! Marvel Just Debuted NEW Silver Surfer in ‘Fantastic Four’ Trailer Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you see this new movie? Tell us in the comments! The post SPECTACULAR SOUVENIR NEWS: An Exclusive New Marvel Popcorn Bucket Is HERE first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Tom Felton is heading back to Hogwarts. ©Warner Bros. Pictures The actor is set to reprise his role as the blonde-haired bully Draco Malfoy in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway, Variety has reported. Tom Felton will reprise his role as Draco Malfoy in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway for 19 weeks, from November 11th, 2025, to March 22nd, 2026. This marks both Felton’s Broadway debut, and the first time an original Harry Potter cast member has joined the stage production of this play. ©Warner Bros. Pictures “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” takes place 19 years after the final Harry Potter book, and follows Draco, Harry, Ron, and Hermione as parents who are sending their own children off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts Castle “Being a part of the ‘Harry Potter’ films has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Felton said. “Joining this production will be a full-circle moment for me, because when I begin performances in ‘Cursed Child’ this fall, I’ll also be the exact age Draco is in the play. It’s surreal to be stepping back into his shoes – and of course his iconic platinum blond hair – and I am thrilled to be able to see his story through and to share it with the greatest fan community in the world. I look forward to joining this incredible company and being a part of the Broadway community.” Diagon Alley The play opened at the Lyric Theatre in 2018 following a successful debut on the West End, where the show is still running. We’ll be on the lookout for more updates you need to know about. In the meantime, stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest news. Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> What do you think of this new recasting? Let us know in the comments. The post NEWS: 'Harry Potter' Actor To Reprise Role as Draco Malfoy in 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Search for Stitch with Maia Kealoha | Aulani, A Disney Resort & SpaView the full article

Calling all LEGO fans! LEGO Store Whether you’re a Brick Head or not, we can all probably agree that LEGO and Disney have been coming out with some killer collaborations lately. Between princesses, villains, castles, iconic characters, and more, chances are there’s a Disney LEGO set out there for everyone. And, if you’re feeling “perfectly wretched,” this new LEGO set is definitely for you! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The LEGO Disney Cruella De Vil’s Car Toy Model Building Kit is now available to preorder on Amazon! Orders are expected to be shipped on September 1st, just after the set’s official release — but you can buy it now. Get the NEW Disney Villains Cruella de Vil LEGO Set ©LEGO The set is designed for builders 9 years old and up to recreate Cruella’s legendary escapes with a toy car featuring classic 1950s roadster styling. Movable doors, removable roof, and unique spare wheel steering capture the classic car’s dramatic chase-ready design. The set also includes a fur-coated Cruella with a removable hairpiece, plus a Dalmatian figure for movie-accurate scenes. ©LEGO It’s the perfect present for the LEGO or Disney Villains fan in your life! Grab it now while it’s still available to preorder — you never know when it might sell out! View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! Shop for More Disney Essentials on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post A NEW Disney Villains LEGO Set Just Dropped on Amazon first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you LOVE saving money at Disney World (and who doesn’t?!), you’re going to EAT UP this BIG dining news! Cinderella Castle When you plan a new trip to Disney World, chances are you’re factoring in dining costs. Fortunately, a free dining perk is COMING BACK to Disney World in 2026! Disney recently announced that Free Disney Dining for kids is returning in 2026! Let’s eat! Guests can already start booking their 2026 vacations, and we now know that kids can dine for free throughout 2026 when staying at one of the Disney World resorts. You can qualify for a free Disney dining package for kids aged 3-9 when you purchase a dining plan with your vacation package for other members of your party. Sesame Chicken Kids’ Meal To book online, your package must also include theme park tickets. You can book by phone if you already have admission to the theme parks. Kids must choose from the children’s menu, if available. The number of packages available for this offer is limited. The character waffle meal! According to Disney, this deal can be combined with other select special offers. Click here to learn about Disney’s free dining plan offer We’ll continue to keep you posted on all kinds of Disney World deals and updates, so be sure to keep it posted right here at DFB for all the latest news! I Need to Put You on This Money-Saving Secret for Disney World Restaurants 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 Let us know if you plan on taking advantage of this 2026 Disney World deal in the comments below! The post CONFIRMED: Kids Eat Free in Disney World in 2026 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re always keeping an eye out for useful things that can make your Disney World trip easier, more convenient, and just better. We have a lot of ears, too That’s why you know we’re always going to recommend things like ponchos, mobile chargers, power strips for your hotel room, and more. Well, we’ve now got a NEW recommendation for you and it’s a box. Now that might sound exciting, but if you bring your Minnie ear collection to Disney World (and we KNOW you do because we do, too), it’s going to be a complete game-changer. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. So when we go to Disney World, it’s a challenge to pack all our ears and not get them squished. Well, we found the perfect solution on Amazon. Check it out! Get the Chenille Letter Mouse Ears Headband Travel Case Ear Travel Case Yes, this little box says “Ears” on it in Chenille letters because that’s exactly what it’s supposed to do — hold your ears as you travel with them. Open it up and you’ll see space for PLENTY of pairs of ears, too, plus a little zippered pocket where you can carry a few other items, too. Ear Travel Case The front also has a zippered pocket if you need to throw some things in there. Ear Travel Case This could make for a great personal item when you’re boarding a plane, by the way. Plus it protects your ears from getting squished in your regular luggage (and you can always stuff it in your regular luggage, too, if you need to. View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! Shop for More Disney Essentials on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post Why Everyone Is Buying This Box for Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You could save almost $25 off a Disney gift card with an exclusive sale happening NOW! BJ’s Disney gift cards We’re always on the hunt for the best deals that allow us to save a bit when we’re planning our Disney vacations (or when we’re budgeting for what we’re spending on souvenirs). There’s an exclusive sale happening now on Disney gift cards that you won’t find anywhere else. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. We search high and low for the best deals and discounts to share with you that could put more money back in your pocket when planning out you next Disney World trip. If you’re someone who likes to plan ahead while finding the absolute best prices, this new sale we spotted at BJ’s Wholesale is hard to pass up. ©BJ’s Wholesale This wholesale retail powerhouse is know for its deep discounts on anything from T.V.s to groceries but their latest sale is what really caught our attention. Disney gifts cards that already can be purchased at a discount through BJ’s Wholesale are currently on an even BIGGER sale that you could stock up on now! Score this HUGE discount on Disney gift cards now! ©Disney Right now you could save BIG on $500 Disney gift cards. The current sale gets you a $500 value per card for just $474.49 which is almost $25 back in your pocket! If you’re ordering these discounted Disney gift cards through BJ’s Wholesale’s website, you’ll want to allow for 3-5 business days for your cards to ship out to you. View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! Shop for More Disney Essentials on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post GIFT CARD ALERT! A New Disney Deal Is Happening at BJs Now first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World’s resorts can be the top choice for travellers coming to Orlando. It’s tough to say no to the luxurious Grand Floridian Resort, Contemporary Resort, and Polynesian Village Resort (to name just a few). Especially when it comes to places to eat and drink at those resorts. ©Conrad Orlando Well, there are also some AMAZING other hotels off property that offer great amenities and dining. Have you ever heard of the Conrad Orlando hotel? It’s SUPER close to Disney World, and it’s a stunning resort. We recently visited to try out the Apero Bar, and we’re going to share our thoughts. Conrad Orlando offers a traditional hotel stay, featuring both suites and family suites to choose from. Guests staying there can enjoy amenities like the outdoor water garden at the spa, private cabanas, and even a signature rooftop dining experience! Conrad Orlando If you want to visit (even just for a meal), note that parking at the Conrad Orlando is valet only. It really set the tone for an elegant evening. Our valet ticket was validated before we left. Once we got there and entered the lobby, there was a magnificent view looking out onto the impressive pool area. The pool As we mentioned, we visited the hotel to try out the bar, Apero. It was located down one flight of stairs in an open lobby area, with bar seating and a selection of other tables and chairs. There are beautiful views out to the pool area from there as well, including a fountain right outside the window. Marco Dongi, a renowned Mixologist, was on hand to mix four different drinks. These selections were presented on a two-sided menu card. Part of the menu! First up, we tried the Oh Liang for $25. Whew — this was RICH! The rum was hidden behind the earthy almond and coffee flavors. We weren’t able to detect jasmine, nor the sweet floral flavor notes from the Pandan. It tasted a bit like a grassy drink. The texture was very smooth, and it’s one of the more interesting alcoholic beverages that we’ve had. We really liked the square ice cube; it was just gorgeous to look at. The almond and coffee bean on top added to the elegance. The Oh Liang! Next was the non-alcoholic Bellini NA for $15 on Apero’s regular bar menu. The drink is made with white peach puree and Lyre’s non-alcoholic prosecco. It tasted like very sour peaches, so if you like sour flavors, you’ll enjoy this drink. It was not a sweet drink, and it was quite fizzy — almost reminiscent of a wine cooler. Bellini! Time for some food! We got the Burrata for $20. The tomatoes were super fresh and marinated — they were both a little sweet and a little sour. The cheese was exceptionally creamy, with a magnificent shell of mozzarella. Overall, it was a lovely, refreshing dish. Burrata! We just had to try the Short Rib Pizza for $26! This one is made with garlic and shallot confit, braised short rib, mozzarella, pickled red onion, and chili oil. The crust was soft but crisp at the same time. The cheese was perfectly cooked. We didn’t detect much flavor from the short rib, unfortunately. We found that the entire dish was very heavy on garlic and parmesan — even the smell of garlic was very overpowering! This would not be a dish for anyone who doesn’t absolutely love garlic. Short Rib Pizza! Rocher ($18) was for dessert, and it was magnificent. This is described as chocolate frangelico semifreddo, salted caramel filling, chocolate cake, and chocolate fudge sauce. It was just like eating a Rocher candy — super creamy, and the nuts added a perfect amount of crunch. The fudge sauce was rich and decadent. We would 100% get this again! Rocher! All in all, the event was delightful! The atmosphere was elegant and very welcoming. There was a violinist there who was superb and really added a perfect tone to the evening. There was seating at the bar and at nearby indoor and outdoor tables, which were very comfortable. While the menu is heavy on flavorful herbs with Mediterranean influences, there should be something for everyone here. Outside the lobby If you’re in Orlando, this is a place you should try out sometime. For more food reviews, make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog! This Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel Is Taking Luxury to the Next Level DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Have you been to the Conrad Orlando? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Conrad Orlando to attend their media preview of Apero. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post REVIEW: We Just Dined at a SPECIAL Bar in an Underrated Hotel Near Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Look, we LOVE Disney Adults, and we ourselves fit into that category of Disney fans, as well. HOWEVER, there are some things we wish Disney Adults would stop doing… Main Street, U.S.A. During our daily exploration of the Disney Parks, we often come across hidden gems and/or really cool features or hacks that make our day so much better. Either through our own reporting or the natural inquisitiveness of the Disney Adult, eventually these secrets become widespread and popular. Not only that, sometimes behaviors that we aren’t too fond of catch on among Disney Adults, causing some issues. Either way, there are a few things that a large number of Disney Adults have had their hands in ruining. From online behavior to overcrowding, here are four things Disney Adults “ruined” for us. Hollywood Studios Crowds Change Disney is rapidly changing its parks and expanding to create new popular attractions. We’re not saying we love EVERY single change the Disney Parks make. In fact, there are plenty of park changes that make us quite sad (we’ll miss you forever, Muppet*Vision 3D!). Still, we keep an open mind and make final judgments AFTER a change is implemented. However, we often wish Disney Adults would practice this kind of patience, as well. Muppet*Vision 3D Unfortunately, we’ve noticed a bit more of an aversion to any changes or announcements made by Disney, mostly among Disney Adults, especially in online discourse. We get nostalgia and the sense of ownership Disney Adults feel towards the parks, but we ask that folks keep more of an open mind. Hating something before seeing it realized is a waste of your time. Piston Peak ©Disney Living in negativity defeats the purpose of being a Disney Adult. Remember — it’s supposed to be fun! Disney Merch Who doesn’t want the latest Disney merch?! We certainly keep an eye on Disney’s latest souvenir offerings. With that said, demand for Disney merch has gotten to an incredible, less wholesome demand during the age of the internet. The bucket! We aren’t so much annoyed by Disney Adults rushing to the parks as we are hawkers who hijack Disney merch in order to resell the items online. These kinds of Disney Adults abuse demand, contribute to long lines, and ultimately take away inventory from fans AND KIDS (!!!) who would appreciate these souvenirs way more. This game is so fun! From online souvenirs to gifts you can get in the parks, please remember that this is all meant to enhance family fun. Buying Disney souvenirs just so you can resell them to turn a profit may be legal, but that doesn’t make it right — especially when it comes at the expense of young Disney fans. Lounges When it comes to Disney lounges, these spots are some of the BEST Disney Adult hangout locations. Ideal for older crowds who all love Disney, we get why Disney lounges and bars can become VERY popular. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto There’s no piece of advice here — we’re just a bit bummed that some of our favorite lounges have become so popular that visiting is either difficult or requires cramped space and long waits. Oga’s Cantina in Hollywood Studios We digress, as everyone should be able to enjoy these lounges. Opening Days We get that Disney Adults want to be the first to see everything, but all of the crowding can make opening days impossible for everyone. Crowds… Disney Adults pack the parks for even the most minuscule events. It doesn’t matter if a new ride is opening or something as simple as a new meet-and-greet is debuting — Disney Adults will be there. This can make opening days a nightmare of crowds in the parks. It is a bit ironic, though, as hype for these offerings almost always dies down after opening day while the offering itself remains the same. There’s nothing wrong with experiencing something new AFTER opening day (although you can still count on us being there to provide updates and let you know what to expect!). Look at that line! Do you agree with our list? What would you add? Let us know and continue to follow us right here at DFB for more Disney tips, tricks, reviews, updates, and more! HONEST REVIEW: The Joy — and Pain — of Being a Disney Adult 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 are some of your favorite things that have been ruined by Disney Adults? Have you been totally unaffected by Disney Adults? Share your thoughts in the comments below! The post 4 Things Disney Adults Completely "Ruined" When They Became Too Popular first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Unsurprisingly, your next Disney World vacation is about to get MORE expensive. Visiting Disney World is EXPENSIVE Disney World getting more and more expensive is not a new concept, and sometimes the added costs can be worth it. Still, we can’t help but cringe when we see the price for add-ons and tickets, especially when we’ve finally become accustomed to certain prices. Unfortunately, our wallets will be taking another beating thanks to some 2026 Disney World price increases. While the Disney Dining Plan WILL return in 2026, it’ll do so as a more expensive dining option. Mickey Pretzel In 2026, the Quick Service Dining Plan will go up $1.33 for adults and $1.46 for kids, while the Standard Disney Dining Plan will see a $.89 increase for adults and a $1.16 increase for kids. The Quick Service Dining Plan includes a refillable resort mug, a snack credit, and two quick service dining credits per person, per day. The Standard Disney Dining Plan comes with a refillable resort mug, a snack credit, a quick service dining credit, and a table service dining credit per person, per day. San Angel Inn The 2026 plan prices are as follows: Quick Service Disney Dining Plan Adult: $60.47 per person, per night Standard Disney Dining Plan Adult: $98.59 per person, per night Quick Service Dining Plan Children (Ages 3-9): $26.16 per person, per night Standard Disney Dining Plan Children (Ages 3-9): $31.94 per person, per night Corn Dog Nuggets! Those aren’t the only price increases. Per Disney World’s dynamic pricing calendar, we noticed that — for the first 10 months of 2026 — the cheapest days at the cheapest park (Animal Kingdom) are $119, while the most expensive days at the most expensive park (Magic Kingdom) are $199. Most days fall in the $145-$175 range for a single-day ticket with no park hopping. Multi-day tickets eventually invoke some discounts. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ticket prices have been increasing annually for some time now, so we’re always on the lookout for the cheapest days to visit. As it pertains to Disney World in 2026, the cheapest days are going to be August 18th, 2026, August 20th-21st, 2026, and August 24th-28th, 2026, when those 1-day, 1-park tickets for Animal Kingdom are $119, and Magic Kingdom tickets are $139. Cinderella Castle The most expensive days we’ve seen so far fall on April 5th, 2026, as well as March 25th-April 6th, 2026, with Animal Kingdom 1-day tickets costing $179, and Magic Kingdom costing $199. ©Disney We’ll continue to keep you posted on all the latest Disney World developments, so stay tuned right here at DFB to stay in the know! It Just Got More Expensive To Drive to 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 How will these price increases affect your next Disney trip? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World Quietly Confirmed Price Increases Coming in 2026 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We just recently got LOADS of new details about the big Cars expansion coming to Frontierland in Magic Kingdom, and honestly, we’re STILL wrapping our heads around everything (when Disney does an information dump, they literally DROWN you in details). Lightning McQueen in Disney California Adventure Okay, so we know that this new area will be called Piston Peak and that it will have two NEW rides, some water features, and will seamlessly meld with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, thanks to some updates to that ride. But what about characters? If you’ve been to Cars Land in Disney California Adventure in Disneyland, you’ve probably seen Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, Doc Hudson, and more. So, where will these characters be in Piston Peak in Disney World? First, let’s look at some concept art for one of the rides that’s coming to Piston Peak. The rally race ride concept art shows both Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater at the finish line. It looks like the plan is to include these two characters in this ride. So far, this is the only concept art where we’ve seen characters from the Cars movies. @Disney However, Disney is planning on introducing some NEW characters to Piston Peak. Meet Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore, who was included in the LATEST concept art for the expansion. Ranger J. Autobahn Woodlore ©Disney We also recently got to see some new character designs for the vehicles that will be used on the rally race ride. Each car will have its own name, number, and personality. ©Disney Disney didn’t just want to copy and paste California Adventure’s Cars Land into Magic Kingdom. This land will be entirely different, with brand-new rides and brand-new characters. Coming Coming to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, a new area themed to Pixar Animation Studios’ “Cars” will leave Radiator Springs and head to the wilderness with two new attractions including an off-road race. Okay, so what about meet-and-greets? You can meet some of the Cars characters in California Adventure, but will they be available for photo ops in Magic Kingdom? Well, the answer is we don’t know yet. Disney has not yet revealed plans for meet-and-greets, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for more details and sharing them when they’re released. Stay tuned to DFB for more. Disney Just Dropped 5 HUGE Announcements About Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think? What kind of characters would you like to see in Piston Peak? Let us know in the comments! The post Where Is Lightning McQueen in the New Cars Land? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A brand-new Cars area is coming to Magic Kingdom, but one question that is often asked is: How does Cars fit into Magic Kingdom? Big Thunder Mountain Railroad The new Cars area, Piston Peak National Park, will replace Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America and will be located in Frontierland, next to Liberty Square. Many Disney fans have commented on the disconnect between the themes, and there have also been worries about seeing off-road rally cars revving their way around a track while in line for Haunted Mansion. So, how does Piston Peak National Park fit into Magic Kingdom? Let’s dive into it! Let’s start with how exactly Disney Imagineers are tying in Cars IP within Magic Kingdom. This new Cars area is not off the main hub, so you must get to it through Liberty Square or Frontierland. As you are making your way through Liberty Square and into Frontierland, there are lots of different elements represented. You will find nods to Colonial America in Liberty Square, architectural influences from Upstate New York, the West at Diamond Horseshoe, the North Woods at the Country Bear Musical Jamboree, Southwest States, New Orleans with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Arizona with Big Thunder Mountain. There is A LOT jam-packed into this area, and many places across the United States are represented here. Liberty Square Now, this new Cars area will be adding a stop at a national park inspired by the Rocky Mountain area. Piston Peak National Park is inspired by the Rocky Mountain area and the “history and iconic sights of the American Frontier and its national parks.” While Piston Peak National Park is a fictional park, it will be inspired by national parks and utilize “Parkitecture” to harmonize structures with the natural environment. Piston Peak National Park ©Disney The backbone of Frontierland isn’t a specific story, but instead it is focused on “chasing your dream in the American wilderness and writing your own folktale.” All of the stories being highlighted are centered on characters with a “belief in themselves that helped forge a path to their dreams.” Within Frontierland, you will find miners trying to strike it rich on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tiana trying to create the perfect Mardi Gras on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Country Bears trying to entertain their audience in Country Bear Musical Jamboree. So, why would Cars be in Frontierland, and what dream are they trying to accomplish? They are trying to have the “fastest lap in the West” during the rally race! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure We also have some more good news about Piston Peak National Park! Disney Imagineers are carefully designing this new expansion with trees as natural barriers to keep the off-road rally racing separate from other parts of Frontierland and Liberty Square. However, they are also working to incorporate the surrounding areas together for a more seamless transition. For example, soaring geysers from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will stretch into the trails of the off-road rally. ©Disney We are slowly learning more about what to expect with this new Cars expansion, and of course, we will be letting you know all the updates as we get them! Rivers of America, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island are all closing on July 7th in preparation for construction to begin on this expansion. Rivers of America 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 savings, compare discounts, and determine which 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. Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World tips, tricks, and news! 8 CLUES Hiding in the Map of Disney’s NEW ‘Cars’ Area Coming to Magic Kingdom Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think about the new Cars area coming to Frontierland? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney Imagineers Reveal How the New ‘Cars’ Land Fits in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

They’re heeeeere! The popular Mickey light-up pumpkins are BACK! ©Disney Now that we can already grab our tickets for Halloween parties at Disney, it’s not too early to start thinking about how we should decorate for the upcoming season. And we’re happy to announce that the Mickey light up pumpkins are BACK but you’ll need to be quick because they could sell out SOON! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Grab your Mickey light-up pumpkin! ©Disney These Mickey pumpkins took the Disney fandom by storm when they debuted and we’ve been waiting with baited breath for their return. Their fun design and friendly smile are so inviting around the soft glow of the pumpkin that’s created when they’re lit up. View on Amazon There’s also a Minnie Mouse pumpkin too! ©Disney We love that they’ve kept her friendly demeanor and signature Minnie bow on her pumpkin’s design, too! View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! Shop for More Disney Essentials on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post This Is Not a Drill! RUN to Get Disney's VIRAL Light-Up Mickey Pumpkin Before It Sells Out first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s a quiet little bakery in EPCOT that’s not so quiet anymore. Les Halles If you’ve been to EPCOT recently and tried to grab breakfast in the France Pavilion, chances are you’ve run into this problem. Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie used to feel like a bit of a hidden gem, but those days are long gone. Now, the line at rope drop is starting to spiral out of control — and yep, it’s getting out of hand. Les Halles is tucked in the back of the France Pavilion and offers some of the best breakfast options in EPCOT. We’re talking croissants, quiches, baguettes, pastries, and sandwiches that are shockingly good for theme park food. For a long time, it flew under the radar because not everyone realized it was even open at park open —most people assumed World Showcase didn’t start until 11AM. But guess what? Les Halles is open with the rest of the park, and people are finally catching on. Heading into Les Halles! Add in the fact that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is one of the top attractions in the park and that it’s located right there in the France Pavilion, and you’ve got a perfect storm. People rope drop Remy, then swing over to Les Halles for breakfast — because why not grab a pain au chocolat after your rat-themed ride? It’s a solid plan in theory… but when everyone else has the same idea, it creates a problem. Les Halles Bakery Cases And here’s the issue: that line? It gets long. Really long. We’re talking out the door long. And no, there’s no Mobile Order here. This is a good old-fashioned queue that snakes through the bakery, then spills out into the main walkway outside. If you’re planning to hit Les Halles for a quick bite, you’ll want to recalibrate your expectations. “Quick” during rope drop is not on the menu. Avoid a line like this! Even though the food is pre-made and service moves relatively fast once you order, the bottleneck is just getting inside. During busy mornings, it can take you 20–30 minutes just to reach the counter. And once you have your food, finding a seat is its own adventure. The seating area is very limited, and unless you get lucky, you’ll probably be eating while standing at one of the few high-top tables — or balancing a box of pastries on your lap on a bench outside. Seating To be clear, the food is still worth it. We’re not saying to skip Les Halles entirely — it’s still one of the best quick service spots in the park, hands down. But this is your heads-up: it’s no longer a casual walk-in situation during rope drop. You need to plan ahead, especially if you’re hitting EPCOT early in the day. If you want to avoid the crowd, here are a few tips: Go later in the day. The early morning rush is the worst. By mid-afternoon, lines are usually shorter (though seating is still tight). Send someone ahead. If you’re with a group, split up — one person can get in line while others scope out a table. But don’t hog tables; this in itself causes problems. Only snag a table if your family is within a couple of minutes of actually eating. Don’t expect to sit inside. Mentally prepare yourself to eat outside. The stone benches in the France Pavilion aren’t glamorous, but they get the job done. Consider skipping it if you’re in a rush. If you’ve got a tight schedule or back-to-back Lightning Lanes, this might not be your best breakfast stop. A WHOLE Baguette! And for the love of croissants, if you’re trying to rope drop Les Halles, don’t assume you’ll be in and out in five minutes. This isn’t your average snack break—it’s basically got the wait of an attraction now. Les Halles The bottom line is that Les Halles is amazing, but it’s not a secret anymore. The rope drop crowd knows it, the Remy fans know it, and the regulars definitely know it. So if you’re planning to stop by first thing in the morning, be prepared to wait—and maybe bring a little extra patience along with your appetite. Keep following Disney Food Blog for all the latest from Disney! We Reviewed Our 13 Favorite Snacks in EPCOT 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 go-to morning snack in EPCOT? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. The post A Growing Trend in the France Pavilion in EPCOT Is Getting Out of Hand first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are SO many amazing places to eat in Disney World! Disney’s Animal Kingdom From the most iconic snacks to those hidden gems, we’re constantly on the hunt for our next favorite meal. Now, one of our favorite spots in Animal Kingdom has changed, and we’re putting the new menu items to the test to see if they’re worth your time and money! Over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, if you walk straight to the Tree of Life and veer to the right, you’ll see a path towards Asia. Just before you hit that sign, stop, and you’ll find Eight Spoon Cafe! Asia in Animal Kingdom Eight Spoon Cafe has been a favorite of ours for years now, thanks to their pulled pork mac and cheese and other small plates. This stand is open from 10:30 AM until 5 PM, so we stopped by to check out their latest menu changes. Eight Spoon! Before you head over, it’s important to note that there is super limited seating by Eight Spoon, but it’s right across the pathway from Flame Tree Barbecue‘s giant seating area. Enough about the stand itself, though, what about those changes? First, that delicious mac and cheese has been removed from the menu! The menu! In its place are two new menu items starting with the Pulled Pork Sliders for $7.99! These are made with pulled pork, a tangy barbecue sauce, Hawaiian rolls, with house-made pickles and chips. The Pulled Pork Sliders! The bread was super soft and did a great job of holding all of the pulled pork together. The pork itself had a bit of a kick, but it wasn’t overwhelming. The tangy and acidic flavors worked well together, and luckily, the meat wasn’t overly fatty. The acidity comes from the barbecue sauce being vinegar-based, so if you enjoyed a sweeter sauce, consider skipping these. A closer look! There’s quite a bit of meat on these, which we appreciated, but the sliders themselves are a bit small. The reporter who put these to the test isn’t a huge barbecue fan, but she loved them! Another look at the slider. For the second option we grabbed, we tried the Smoked Chicken Wings for $7.99. It includes 3 smoked chicken wings with a tangy barbecue sauce and is served with housemade pickles and chips. Ours didn’t come with the pickles, but they are listed on the online menu. The smoked wings! The outside of the wings didn’t have much sauce, but luckily, the wings themselves on the inside weren’t dry. The outside had a spicy rub, and the skin was perfectly chewy with a great fry. A look at the wing! The wings were a bit small, so we wouldn’t consider them shareable. The inside was a hearty, savory chicken that paired well with the spices on the outside. The spices were more reminiscent of a Pringle barbecue chip than a barbecue sauce. The wings with the chips They weren’t messy, and we did enjoy them! That being said, these are more of a snack than a meal, and if you’re looking for something really consistent, we don’t know that it would be these. Both options together! Both options were pretty tasty overall but they aren’t anything to go out of your way for. If you happen to be stopping by, they’ll be good snacks to enjoy that offer something different than your normal theme park options. If you’re missing that classic mac and cheese, head over to Flame Tree Barbecue and grab the Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork! The Mac and Cheese with Pulled Pork If you’re looking for more Disney snacks and reviews, be sure to stay tuned to DFB! Happy snacking! Best Snacks in Animal Kingdom for 2025 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! Will you try these snacks? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: TWO New Snacks Landed In Animal Kingdom, but Disney Just Ditched an ICONIC Snack in the Process first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The hard part of loving Disney World food is that, sometimes, that favorite food goes away, and that just ends up making us sad. Flame Tree Barbecue We’re still mourning the loss of the original chicken waffle sandwich at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Magic Kingdom. We complained so loudly about the loss of Hush Puppies at Columbia Harbour House, though, that Disney must’ve heard us and brought them back. Well, there is one DFB snack fave that we haven’t seen in FOREVER, but, y’all, it’s back — and we couldn’t be happier. Once upon a time, a snack called the Key Lime Pie on a Stick appeared at Neighborhood Bakery in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You may know this location as the place you can get that popular Num Num Cookie. Well, we LOVED the Key Lime Pie on a Stick, and then it went away. Now, we’ve seen different versions of the snack pop up from time to time for extremely limited times, but not often. Key Lime Pie on a Stick Now, though, this snack has returned as the Key Lime Pie Pop for $6.29 at Flame Tree Barbecue in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! It’s back, baby! The Key Lime Pie Pop is a Key Lime Pie dipped in Dark Chocolate with Graham Cracker Crumble on a stick. Yes, we ran to Animal Kingdom to be reunited with this longtime favorite snack (cue “Reunited, and it feels so good…“). It’s BACK! It even has this cute design on the back. The back This reunion made us remember why we love this snack so much. The dark chocolate on the outside is perfect and not too bitter. This balances with the graham crackers on the outside, as well as the layer of graham crackers on the inside (yes, this snack GOES THERE). The key lime pie custard filling is beautifully tart with the not-too-sweet chocolate. The filling is also so smooth, soft, and creamy. The perfect filling Honestly, this really does feel like a slice of pie on a stick. We will warn you that the graham crackers are a little mushy because it does get pulled out of the freezer, but we’re totally fine with that. It’s also very messy — that chocolate gets a little melty in the Florida heat. This is one snack we won’t share…with anyone. Get your own if you want it. We’re not entirely sure how long it will be available, so we’d recommend sooner rather than later. 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! We Reviewed Our 13 Favorite Snacks in EPCOT 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? Are you happy this snack has returned? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: One of Our FAVORITE Snacks Is BACK in Disney World — Spoiler Alert: It’s Still AMAZING first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin just shared a SNEAK PEEK at a new restaurant coming soon! Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina is set to make its debut at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in mid-summer 2025. Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel We already got a sneak peek at what to expect when we dined at Bourbon Steak in Orange County, but now we are getting a sneak peek at the design and some of the dishes coming to the restaurant. This will be Bourbon Steak’s 10th location and third location in Florida (there are also Bourbon Steak restaurants in Miami and Del Ray Beach). Bourbon Steak will replace Shula’s Steakhouse in the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. Shula’s Steakhouse will be taking reservations through June 14th, 2025, and then it will be permanently closing to make way for Bourbon Steak. We don’t know an official opening date for Bourbon Steakhouse, except it is anticipated to open in mid-summer 2025. Shula’s Steakhouse Bourbon Steak is by Michael Mina, a well-known chef with multiple Michelin stars and the owner of more than 40 restaurants worldwide. This new location for Bourbon Steak will feature “a reimagined modern take on the quintessential American steakhouse with premium cuts of beef and seafood infused with global flavors, along with decadent signature desserts, and world-class beverage offerings.” ©The Mina Group Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin shared some first looks at how this restaurant space will look. We got a peek at some of the dining area. From the concept art, it looks elegant and refined. The restaurant seeks to celebrate the details that make meals memorable, and Chef Michael Mina is bringing “his fresh perspective to familiar favorites.” ©Walt Disney World Dolphin We also got a look at the bar area, including a look at the extensive collection of wines and liquors. Bourbon Steak is an ode to the traditional steakhouse that hopes to bring “new delight to time honored rituals.” ©Walt Disney World Dolphin While the full menu hasn’t been released yet, the Walt Disney World Dolphin is featuring some dishes on their page including the Bone-In Ribeye and Onion Rings… ©Bourbon Steak …the Warm Beignets with Various Sauces… ©Bourbon Steak …and the Japanese Old Fashion Drink. ©Bourbon Steak We can’t wait for the full menu to be released so we can start planning out meal here! When we dined at the Bourbon Steak in Orange County some of our favorite menu items included the 8-oz Filet which was cooked to perfection, seasoned very well, and was oh so juicy! The cut of the steak! We also loved Michael’s Ahi Tuna Tartare which was tossed tableside. All the ingredients were high quality, and the fish was wonderful and melted in our mouths. We loved the balance of sweet and spicy in this dish! The Tuna Tartare We also can’t forget about the Truffle-Infused Brioche Roll which was one of the best dinner rolls we have ever had! It does still pop up in our dreams from time to time. It was hot and fluffy, with the perfect amount of truffle butter inside. The roll! While Bourbon Steak is on the pricy side, we really felt like this restaurant was a great example of “you get what you pay for” as we had a wonderful experience, and the food was wonderful. We are interested to see how the newest location of Bourbon Steak stands up to our experience in Orange County. Of course, we will be bringing you a full review once the Bourbon Steak in the Walt Disney World Dolphin opens up! Our spread at 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. Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World food news! Check out our FULL review of Bourbon Steak in Orange County! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited for Bourbon Steak? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The post NEWS: Close-Up Look at the NEW Restaurant Coming to Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, this is not a drill—Target has a hidden Disney wedding registry gift that we just found, and if you’re heading to a Disney wedding (or planning one), you’re going to want to know about this. ©Target So here’s the scoop: Target is offering a Disney Gift Registry option that’s completely online — and it’s basically a Disney Gift Card dressed up in wedding magic. It says “Happily Ever After” right on the front. We’re obsessed. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Disney Gift Registry (Email Delivery) ©Target No, it’s not in stores. You won’t see it sitting next to the toasters and bath towels on a typical wedding registry list. It’s quietly tucked away online in the gift card section, and it’s specifically made for weddings — because who wouldn’t want to kick off their marriage with a Disney trip, a cruise, or a shopping spree on DisneyStore.com? ©Disney You can choose from $50 or $100 gift amounts, and it gets delivered straight to your email (so yes, it’s perfect for last-minute gift givers, aka most of us). Where can you use it? Short answer: Pretty much anywhere Disney takes your money. Longer answer: You can use this eGift card at: Walt Disney World in Florida Disneyland in California Disney Cruise Line Adventures by Disney Aulani (Disney’s resort in Hawaii) DisneyStore.com Disney Store locations in the U.S. That means the newlyweds can put it toward dining, merch, park tickets, hotel stays — you name it. (Just keep in mind that a few carts and outdoor vendors may not accept it, so it’s always smart to check with a Cast Member before trying to use it there.) ©Target And here’s another cool thing: it never expires. There are no extra fees, no “use it within 12 months or lose it” nonsense. It’s just sitting there until the couple is ready to turn it into Disney magic. So, if you’ve got a Disney-loving couple in your life—or you are the Disney-loving couple — this is a dream wedding gift. It’s useful, fun, romantic, and you don’t have to panic-buy a gravy boat from their registry at 2 a.m. View on Target We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! Shop for More Disney Essentials on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post Target Has a SECRET Disney Gift Registry Online first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Cruise Line was awarded the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s 2024 Blue Circle Award, acknowledging Disney’s ongoing commitment to operating responsibly in the region. Jessica Lyons, manager of port planning and operations at Disney Cruise Line, accepts award from Peter Xotta, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, and Cathy McLay, chair of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s board of directors. Disney Cruise Line has received the Blue Circle Award for 12 years — every year that Disney has homeported the Disney Wonder at the port. The award celebrates Disney’s participation in the port’s voluntary EcoAction Program that encourages the use of innovative technologies to minimize the maritime industry’s environmental impact in the region. In alignment with Disney’s environmental goals, Disney Cruise Line continues to introduce new initiatives that reduce emissions and minimize waste. For example, across its legacy ships — including the Disney Wonder — Disney Cruise Line has operationalized the use hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as part of its strategy to reduce emissions. HVO is a renewable diesel made from sustainable sources like recycled cooking oils and waste animal fats. The Disney Wonder also reduces emissions while calling on Vancouver by utilizing the port’s shore power technology. Shore power allows cruise ships to turn off their engines while docked and “plug in” to the port’s power source to run all onboard systems as normal. By connecting to shore power, the Disney Wonder saves fuel and reduces air emissions. Learn more about The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to creating a better world at impact.disney.com. The post Disney Cruise Line Recognized for Commitment to Sustainability appeared first on Disney Experiences. View the full article

Disney Cruise Line was awarded the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s 2024 Blue Circle Award, acknowledging Disney’s ongoing commitment to operating responsibly in the region. Jessica Lyons, manager of port planning and operations at Disney Cruise Line, accepts award from Peter Xotta, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, and Cathy McLay, chair of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s board of directors. Disney Cruise Line has received the Blue Circle Award for 12 years — every year that Disney has homeported the Disney Wonder at the port. The award celebrates Disney’s participation in the port’s voluntary EcoAction Program that encourages the use of innovative technologies to minimize the maritime industry’s environmental impact in the region. In alignment with Disney’s environmental goals, Disney Cruise Line continues to introduce new initiatives that reduce emissions and minimize waste. For example, across its legacy ships — including the Disney Wonder — Disney Cruise Line has operationalized the use hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as part of its strategy to reduce emissions. HVO is a renewable diesel made from sustainable sources like recycled cooking oils and waste animal fats. The Disney Wonder also reduces emissions while calling on Vancouver by utilizing the port’s shore power technology. Shore power allows cruise ships to turn off their engines while docked and “plug in” to the port’s power source to run all onboard systems as normal. By connecting to shore power, the Disney Wonder saves fuel and reduces air emissions. Learn more about The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to creating a better world at impact.disney.com. The post Disney Cruise Line Recognized for Commitment to Sustainability appeared first on Disney Experiences. View the full article

Merchandise based on the Nintendo character of Toad is sold in a store near the entrance of Epic Universe theme park. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)Epic Universe is populated with monsters, wizards, dragons and little guys named Mario and Luigi. And Universal Orlando is tempting visitors to buy remembrances of them, creating a lineup of merchandise, much of which is exclusive to the new theme park. Consumer tastes and trends make producing souvenirs a more elaborate task than cranking up T-shirt and keychain factories. “We really have leaned in on the novelty, the playfulness,” said Cathy Fischer, senior vice president of parks global merchandise for Universal Products & Experiences. “It’s really about that cosplay.” Epic visitors are decked out as videogame characters, playing into the theme of the park’s Super Nintendo World, or as goth vampire types for photo ops within Dark Universe, the land that celebrates Universal’s classic monsters. “We want people to come into the park and have fun, and what better way than to just get into whoever their favorite character or monster is, to really feel that when they come into the park?” Fischer said. The trend may have been jumpstarted by robed Hogwarts “students” at the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in 2010. And Disney World visitors have embraced “Disneybounding,” wearing clothes that harken to the outfits and color schemes of film characters. “What we found through the demographics and consumer insights is that the consumer is changing, and there’s a different expectation,” Fischer said. “Whether it’s the headgear or wearing the glasses or the full cosplay, it’s about being in the moment and that time,” she said. For folks without closets full of costumes, Universal has stocked Epic with potential purchases, including big, bright red Toad hats, bride of Frankenstein wigs and various Viking gear that reflects Epic’s How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk realm, right down to Astrid’s (plastic) axe. “You can buy the headgear, the sword, the shield, the apparel,” Fischer said. “There’s opportunity in most of our worlds to transform and be that inner character.” Options at Berk extend to a headpiece that represents Toothless, the green-eyed dragon of the film series. “Just like you can become a Viking, you can become Toothless as well,” said Don Davis, director of product development. The mask “actually makes sounds, and the eyes light up as well. … People just like to walk around the park and really show their love for Toothless.” Epic Universe offers standard fare — T-shirts with logos, mugs, backpacks, phone covers, etc. — but also less traditional fare such as a Frankenstein Manor Christmas ornaments, dragon-themed onesies and hand fans tied to the Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster. Social media — the “look at me” aspect — remains a factor in merchandising. Fischer said guests post “look at all these fun things. They kind of get me out of my comfort zone and kind of get me out of what I would normally purchase.” Exclusivity plays a role for the Epic merch, too. Fischer estimated 80-90% of the goods were developed specifically for the park. And its stores were designed to align with the entertainment aspects. “Everything is about storytelling, and the immersiveness of not only the product but the environment of where it is,” Fischer said. “We worked closely with our Universal Creative team because they’re the ones who created this world,” Davis said. Epic visitors currently see the first round of park merchandise on shelves, Fischer said. A second wave is in the works, she said. “The important thing is understanding what the guest is engaged with and what are they asking for — maybe what’s not performing or what’s performing great,” Fischer said. “And how do we expand it even further?” 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

BIG news, people! Disneyland just announced TONS of news about its huge expansion project coming soon. With all the new attractions and an entire Avatar land on the way, Disney is gonna need more room for all these new people. Well, that starts with a parking garage, right? Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Disney just announced that an all-new parking structure and transportation hub are coming to the Disneyland Resort area. Here’s what we know. It’s official — plans are underway for a new parking structure and transportation hub. These areas will be built on the east side of Disneyland Resort — a portion of what is currently the Manchester Cast Member parking lot. Disneyland Resort Remember how we said all these additions would bring in more people? Well, Disney’s new parking structure and transportation hub will provide about 6,000 parking spaces, shuttle and rideshare areas, security screening, and dedicated access for traffic off of Disney Way. Disney hopes this will improve parking and traffic flow throughout the resort area. We’re about to get WAY more parking! But wait! There’s MORE. We got concept art, too! Looking closely at the concept art, the new parking and transportation hub will also include a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard. The bridge will lead to an all-new esplanade arrival experience. How convenient! ©Disney This is just the beginning, though. Disney has plans to add two all-new attractions that will double the size of Avengers Campus, plus create a new Coco-themed ride AND an Avatar land at Disney California Adventure. Phew! Construction for this massive undertaking will begin in the fall of 2026. ©Disney In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. BREAKING: Permanent Closure CONFIRMED To Make Way for NEW Avatar Land at Disney California Adventure Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe What do you think about these changes? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney Just Confirmed NEW Transportation Hub That Will Make Your Trip 10X EASIER first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the biggest announcements to come out of 2024’s D23 Ultimate Fan Event was the announcement that a NEW Avatar expansion is coming to the Disneyland Resort. ©Disney This won’t just simply be a clone of the Pandora: The World of Avatar land that opened at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom in 2017. Instead, according to Disney, this new land will “draw inspiration from Avatar: The Way of Water and upcoming Avatar films to bring Pandora to life in a brand-new way.” In further describing the land’s attraction, the concept art of which shows a boat ride that looks similar to the Shanghai Disneyland version of Pirates of the Caribbean, Ali Rubinstein said it will send guests on the “adventure of a lifetime in search of majestic natural wonders that can only be found on Pandora and the beauty – and danger – that come along with the journey. This new and thrilling excursion will bring all the action, excitement, and wonder of Avatar, taking guests all the way to the wide-open seas of Pandora. This is going to be a dynamic, intense and emotional experience on a grand scale that we know our guests will love.” ©Disney Now, Disney has confirmed where exactly the new Avatar land is going to be installed at the Disneyland Resort. This new addition will take over a portion of the current Hollywood Backlot area in Disney California Adventure. Disney noted that to make way for this new experience, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will close in early 2026. ©Disney When the attraction closes, a multi-year construction project will begin in the fall of 2026. Disney noted that the project is still in the early stages of development, and additional details will be shared later, including construction timeframes. ©Disney Disney is bringing a new Avatar expansion to the Disneyland Resort, and now we know WHERE it’s going! Stay tuned to DFB for more on this new area. Disneyland Resort’s 70th Anniversary Celebration Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you excited to see Avatar come to the Disneyland Resort? Let us know in the comments below. The post BREAKING: Permanent Closure CONFIRMED To Make Way for NEW Avatar Land at Disney California Adventure first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Back in August 2024, Disney shared that a brand-new Coco ride would be coming to Disney California Adventure. ©Disney And now Disney has announced its specific location inside the park! The brand-new Coco ride will be located near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier in areas that are predominantly backstage as of today. Unlike the new Avatar land, it doesn’t seem like this is taking anything’s place! ©Disney In the concept art, you can see part of Incredicoaster on the left. Based on that and the description, it looks like the ride will go in the area south of Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and behind Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind. We’ll have to wait and see to know for sure, but that’s the hint we got from the art Disney shared! Screenshot of Disney California Adventure map This will be the very first ride in any Disney park to feature Coco, which made this VERY exciting news for those who love the movie. The new attraction will be a boat ride, and we’ll see music play a large role (unsurprisingly as the movie is full of great songs!). The Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia Celebrate The Musical World of Coco! Construction on this new attraction is set to begin backstage this fall, which means we still have some time before we get to check it out. But we’ll be on the lookout for more details as we get closer to experiencing the attraction! For more Disney news, keep following DFB! A Word of WARNING Before You Plan Your 2028 Disneyland Trip Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you excited to ride the new Coco ride? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: Location REVEALED for NEW 'Coco' Ride Coming to Disneyland Resort first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article