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There are several rules you are required to follow when visiting Disney World, but are there some you might break? Welcome to Magic Kingdom While planning your Disney World vacation, you are probably focused on what Lightning Lanes to book and where you will eat. But, there is one thing you should do before packing your bag and heading to the parks. No one likes to admit when they’re wrong, but we’re here to call you out on the rules you’ve been breaking at Magic Kingdom. 1. Feeding the Animals There are a few different animals you’ll find in Magic Kingdom, including birds, ducks, and squirrels. While they are very cute, you’ll want to avoid touching them or feeding them. Disney states, “Feeding, petting, touching, harassing, or harming any wildlife, including birds, is prohibited. “ Disney ducks We have seen guests feed the animals their popcorn, and while you might just be trying to help them get a snack, it can be very dangerous to the animals, causing them to get sick or hurt. Also, please don’t allow your children to chase after them — that is considered harassing them. Let’s share the magical park with our furry friends. So cute! 2. Being Rude to Guests and Cast Members We know that there are times you might get frustrated while at the Magic Kingdom. A ride suddenly breaks down, you miss your dining reservation, or something else, but you should be considerate to others. Disney’s rule is “Please show common courtesy to fellow Guests and our Cast Members by not using profanity or engaging in unsafe, illegal, disruptive, or offensive behavior, jumping lines, or saving places in lines for others.” Crowds This is also a good reminder to not jump in lines or save places in lines for others. Don’t send someone to your party to park the stroller while you go ahead to get in line, and think they should just be able to skip ahead. Your whole party should enter the line together. Magic Kingdom crowds 3. Obstructing Walkways You might hear Cast Members telling you to keep walking during the parade or fireworks. This is because Disney’s policy states, “Obstructing sidewalks, entrances, driveways, patios, vestibules, stairways, corridors, halls or landings” is forbidden. Firework Crowds Unless you are inside the taped-off area on the ground, you will need to keep moving. This is for safety reasons, and you will want to adhere to the Cast Members’ directions. It can be frustrating when looking for a spot, but try to secure your spot early so you aren’t frantically looking at the last minute. New Year’s 2025 Fireworks crowds disperse. 4. Trying to Bring Wagons Wagons have become a popular form of strollers, especially when you have multiple children. But they are not allowed at Disney World. Disney’s policy is that “Wagons are prohibited at any theme park or water park.”. Stroller parking It’s best to not even bring your wagon to Magic Kingdom or any other park, because you will be made to return it to your vehicle or hotel. Certain sizes are acceptable for strollers. “Strollers that are greater than 31″ in width and 52″ in length. Stroller wagons are also prohibited.” Make sure your stroller is in compliance before heading to the park. Stroller Parking We hope you keep these in mind on your next visit to Magic Kingdom! For more Disney World tips, make sure to follow us at DFB. What I Wish I Knew Before I Visited Magic Kingdom in 2025 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 Is there a rule you unintentionally break when visiting Disney World? Tell us in the comments. The post 4 Rules You're Accidentally Breaking in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The U.S. airline industry has been going through some MAJOR shake-ups recently. We’re still reeling over Southwest Airlines switching to assigned seating and discontinuing their “Bags Fly Free” policy. ©American Airlines Other airlines are making changes, too. Last year, American Airlines announced big changes to its rewards program. But that’s not the only change coming to that particular airline. According to CNN, the company is also adding a perk, free Wi-Fi, to its flights soon, meaning that it will be the last of the major U.S. airlines to do so. Yes, American Airlines will soon offer free Wi-Fi on most of its flights beginning in January 2026. However, this free Wi-Fi will only be available to the airline’s loyalty program. Wi-Fi will be available on 90% of American’s fleet, which it states will have it offering internet on “more planes than any other domestic carrier.” ©American Airlines Only a few U.S.-based airlines still charge for Wi-Fi. American charged from $10 for a flight to $599 for an annual pass. American also announced that AT&T will sponsor the service, which will help offset the costs of installing it on planes with good equipment. Delta Airlines previously added free Wi-Fi for most of its flights in 2023, followed by United Airlines with some of its fleet ready for the service by the end of 2025. American Airlines Information Packet Although Internet on planes has been spotty at best, most airlines have been working with satellite providers to make it better. We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney news and news that could impact your next Disney trip, so stay tuned to DFB for more. 4 Popular Airlines Are IGNORING This TSA Airport Rule 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 do you think? Is free Wi-Fi a perk you want when flying? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: American Airlines Announces FREE Wi-Fi on Most Flights first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Who’s ready for the cutest news to make your day even better? A group of zebras is called a dazzle! Animal Kingdom is home to the most incredible animals that just make our hearts flutter (because who doesn’t love an adorable zebra frolicking around or a furry little otter?) And yesterday, while onboard Kilimanjaro Safaris, we met a new friend who has stolen our hearts. Here’s a look! While adventuring on our safari, we came across the newest member of the savanna, Tucker the baby giraffe! Tucker is the newest (and cutest) addition to the savanna! He’s the baby boy of Mara, a stunning Masai giraffe, and we were lucky enough to spot him in person. He isn’t an only child, though—he’s actually one of three! His big brother Jabari made his debut back in 2019, and now the family’s grown even taller. Say hello to Tucker! Tucker’s arrival is especially exciting since he is the first giraffe calf born at Disney World since 2021, making his birth a major milestone. Even more meaningful? Masai giraffes are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with only around 30,000 left in the wild. So every new calf is a big step toward protecting the future of this incredible species. Munch munch munch Tucker was out and about enjoying an afternoon snack, and we were overjoyed to see this little guy doing his thing! His arrival is helping make sure giraffes like him have a bright future. His birth adds to the Masai giraffe family tree, keeping the population healthy and thriving so little ones (like him!) can keep towering over the savanna for generations to come. The cutest! Animal Kingdom has had an abundance of baby animals as of late. Just last September, Bakso the tiger entered the world and was another big milestone, this time for the conservation of Sumatran tigers. He joined the Maharajah Jungle Trek in January 2025 and he has been beloved by all guests ever since. Bakso and his mom Our hearts couldn’t be happier after meeting the newest (and oh-so-precious) member of the savanna. We’re already planning our next ride just to catch another glimpse of this cutie. For all the latest Disney news, stay tuned to us here on DFB! This Is the CUTEST Thing We’ve Seen At Animal Kingdom this Week 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 looking forward to spotting Tucker while onboard Kilimanjaro Safaris? Let us know in the comments! The post A Star Is Spotted! We're Starstruck by the NEWEST Addition to Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re revealing what it’s REALLY like to cruise with Disney! Disney Magic Cruise Ship With the recent release of Disney Treasure back in December, along with the up-and-coming releases of the Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny, we guess you could say the Disney Cruise Line has been a hot topic for MANY lately — especially those planning upcoming vacations. If you’re curious about dining aboard a Disney cruise ship — and what the dress code looks like — you’ve come to the right place! Word on the street — or the seas, in this case — is that you don’t ALWAYS have to dress fancy for dinner when sailing aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship. But just how true is this statement? Arendelle: A Frozen Adventure As it turns out, pretty darn true! When you eat dinner on your Disney Cruise, you can make things as casual or as fancy as you’d like them to be. Enchanté On a 3 or 4-night cruise, things stay pretty “cruise casual” in the dining rooms. With that said, you still can’t show up in your swimwear or tank tops, so keep that in mind. Worlds of Marvel on the Disney Wish However, on Pirate Night — which is a specialty-themed night that happens on EVERY cruise ship and wraps up your evening with a specialty pirate dance party — you can (if you so desire) dress up like a pirate! Captain Hook and Mr. Smee on the Disney Magic There will also be an OPTIONAL dress-up night where you can wear your nice jacket, pantsuit, or dress that you’ve been wanting to show off. ©Disney Now, on a 7-night cruise, there’ll be a formal and semi-formal night that you can choose to take part in, too. Though, once again, it’s not a requirement if you don’t WANT to dress up all fancy with your crew. The only restaurants onboard the ships that are a little more strict when it comes to dress codes are going to be the adults-only, high-end restaurants that you’ll pay extra for. Those restaurants are as follows: Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement — Disney Wish, Deck 12 Palo — Disney Magic, Deck 10; Disney Wonder, Deck 10; Disney Dream, Deck 12; Disney Fantasy, Deck 12 Palo Steakhouse – Disney Wish, Deck 12 Remy – Disney Dream, Deck 12; Disney Fantasy, Deck 12 The chandelier in Enchanté! Do you like to get dressed up or do you prefer a more casual look when dining aboard the Disney Cruise Line? Let us know in the comments and continue to follow us here at DFB for more Disney Cruise Line tips, updates, and reviews! NEWS: Disney Cruise Line Just Made an Important Change to Its Travel Rules Effective Immediately 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 is your favorite Disney Cruise Line restaurant? Let us know in the comments! The post Do You Have to Dress Fancy for Dinner on Disney Cruises? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The best days of summer are almost here! Disney has officially announced that this fan-favorite limited-time event is coming back. EPCOT Annual Passholders, this event is for you! While we don’t know exactly what’s coming this year, we’re excited to see this special event return. Stay up to date with the Disney Food Blog to be in the know about every Annual Passholder perk! Everything you need to know about being a Disney World Annual Passholder! 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 V.I.Passholder Summer Days to be back? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. The post This MAJOR Disney World Annual Passholder Event Is Returning SOON first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you have a hankering for some quick pizza, listen up! @Pizza Hut A brand new study has counted up the stats of the fastest – – and slowest – – pizza delivery chains. According to Insight, their inaugural Pizza Study (which was done in conjunction with PMQ Pizza) goes “beyond surface-level metrics.” Insight says they “analyzed performance data from large and mid-sized pizza chains and compared it to two leading convenience store chains offering pizza, using findings from mystery shopping evaluations conducted across the United States.” Gotta love pizza! Furthermore, the survey found that delivery speed remains a critical driver of customer satisfaction. In fact, while factors like staff friendliness and ambiance matter to consumers, the efficiency of service can have a large and lasting impact on customer loyalty. Furthermore, “overall satisfaction was 64% higher when the customer was satisfied with the speed of service.” So, what did the study actually find as far as delivery wait times go? Well, Domino’s took the crown as the speediest chain with an average delivery time of 26:10! In fact, none of the other major delivery chains had an average of under 30 minutes! Little Caesar’s was closest at 30:46. ©Insight The chains with the longest average wait times were Blaze, Jets, and Donatos, each of which was OVER 40 minutes. Blaze Pizza Pizza delivery time is one of the most important drivers of customer satisfaction, which would seem to give Domino’s a leg-up on their pizza chain competition. Stay tuned to DFB for more on the food industry. 12 of My Favorite Snacks Under $10, From a Former Disney World Cast Member 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 pizza chain? Let us know in the comment below. The post The SLOWEST (and FASTEST!) Pizza Delivery Chains in 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of Disney World’s coolest and most sought-after pools is still under construction. Stormalong Bay prior to its closure Stormalong Bay, located between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, closed for refurbishment in January of 2025 and is set to reopen again just in time for the Summer season this June. We are seriously impressed by the amount of work going into this refurbishment, and we have a little update about how it’s moving along! We are still about two months away from this iconic pool’s reopening date, and construction seems to be moving right along. Currently, the pool is drained and all the sand has been removed. We knew this pool was big, but we had no idea just how much sand was needed to fill certain parts of it. There are huge sandbags all around the pool waiting to be poured. So much sand! There are also scrims and cover sheets up around the hotel and near common areas, like on the walkway to the fitness center and Beaches and Cream. Please Pardon Disney’s Pixie Dust! The area where the iconic ship slide sits is blocked off with planters. The iconic slide This is where the slide would drop you off if the pool were open The pools are drained Another look at the drained pool. Stormalong Bay Our reporter joked that they would hate to have to be the person moving supplies and equipment around the resort. During the day, there are a lot of carts weaving in between traffic and waiting for guests to pass so they can reach the construction site. Stormalong Bay Construction Once this pool reopens in June, guests will have to show proof that they are resort guests and will receive a wristband to swim. If you thought Disney World’s pool hopping rules were strict, there is no getting around the rules at Stormalong Bay. Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club is set to reopen this June We will continue to monitor the progress on Stormalong Bay. To stay up to date on all the latest Disney news, keep it here with us at the Disney Food Blog! These Disney World Hotels Will Have BRAND NEW ROOMS in 2025 Looking for help planning your dream Disney World Vacation? Our friends at Small World Vacations would be more than happy to lend a helping hand! You can fill out their Disney World interest form here! DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Have you ever been to Stormalong Bay? Let us know in the comments!The post Disney World's Best Pool Is Still Closed. Come With Us to See an Update! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is one of the biggest events Disney throws all year — and it brings in the crowds for a reason. Food & Wine Festival From food booths to concerts to unique merch, it’s a whole thing. And while Disney hasn’t officially released the 2025 dates yet, based on what we’ve seen in recent years (and a few other clues), we’ve got a pretty solid idea of when you can expect it to kick off. Let’s talk predictions. For a long time, the Food and Wine Festival was a fall tradition at EPCOT. Back in 2019, the festival ran from August 29th through November 23rd, wrapping up the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Then the pandemic hit, and Disney shifted gears. Food and Wine Festival When the festival returned in 2021, it came back with a longer schedule — starting in July and running through November. That trend continued for a few years, but in 2024, Disney surprised us by pushing the start date back to late August again. Here’s a quick look at the past few years: 2021: July 15 – November 20 2022: July 14 – November 19 2023: July 27 – November 18 2024: August 29 – November 23 So now the big question is — what will Disney do in 2025? Our Prediction for 2025 Given the shift in 2024 back to a late-August start, we think Disney is sticking with that pattern. If that’s the case, we’re expecting the 2025 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival to run from August 28th through November 22nd. Festival Market Why those dates? August 28th is the last Thursday of the month (and Disney usually kicks off festivals on Thursdays) November 22nd is the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which is when the festival typically wraps up This timeline mirrors the 2024 schedule almost exactly and feels like the most likely window unless Disney throws in a curveball. Final Thoughts Of course, Disney hasn’t confirmed anything just yet, and we’re keeping a close eye out for the official announcement. But if you’re starting to think about planning your fall Disney World trip — especially if EPCOT Food and Wine is a must-do — we’d recommend using the August 28 to November 22 window as your planning guide for now. Blackberry Caipiroska: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Minute Maid Lemonade, strawberries blackberry syrup, and frosted mint syrup And don’t worry — as soon as Disney drops the official dates, we’ll let you know. So keep following us for the latest news! Click Here for the latest information on the 2025 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival! 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 you most excited for at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival? Let us know in the comments. The post What Are the Dates for the 2025 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Universal Helios Grand Hotel, adjacent to the future Epic Universe theme park, is now open to guests, Universal Orlando confirms. The debut of the 500-room resort may seem to have come early as its opening has been touted as with the opening of Epic, which is currently in its preview phases and officially will open to the public on May 22. The Mediterranean styling of Helios Grand is seen from inside the theme park, standing at the far edge of its Celestial Park area. The hotel has its own dedicated entrance to Epic, and it’s wedged between the Dark Universe and Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic areas of the park. Features of the new hotel include the rooftop Helios Bar, which has views of Epic Universe as well as the other side of the hotel; Lotus Lagoon swimming pool area with cabanas; dining options named Flora Taverna and Aurora Market; and the Universal Studios Store. Helios also has select rooms with “How to Train Your Dragon” theming. Helios Grand is co-owned and operated by Universal Orlando and Loews Hotels. It brings Universal’s on-property room count to 11,000 spread over 11 resorts. That includes the 1,500 rooms added this year with the opening of Stella Nova and Terra Luna resorts, which also are located within sight of Epic Universe. 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

Being a Universal Orlando Annual Passholder has its perks! ©Universal Annual Passholders have the flexibility to visit the parks more often, take advantage of discounts, free parking, and even Universal Express Pass after 4 PM (depending on your pass type). While Epic Universe is not part of Universal’s Passholder program yet, Passholders can pick up a special freebie in honor of the new park! Starting on Thursday, April 17th, Passholders with valid admission to Epic Universe can pick up a free poster featuring the worlds of Epic Universe, while supplies last. Simply visit the Sensorium Emporium in Celestial Park from park open to park close to pick up your copy! ©Universal But wait, we just said Epic Universe is not included with an Annual Pass, and yes, while this is true, Annual Passholders can purchase Epic Universe preview tickets for dates between April 17th and May 8th, 2025. But hurry! Some dates have already sold out! If you can’t make it to previews, don’t stress! Passholders can purchase special one-day tickets to visit the park after it officially opens! Dark Universe Portal We will be back at Epic Universe to check out even more of this brand new park, so make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for all the latest updates! We’re Inside Epic Universe for an EXCLUSIVE Tour and We Have So Much To Show You! Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Are you a Universal Orlando Annual Passholder? Let us know in the comments!The post Universal Annual Passholders Can Score a FREE Epic Universe Souvenir! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT is BIG. It’s so big, you’ll be halfway through the World Showcase saying, “How long does this keep on going?” EPCOT To help you navigate EPCOT, we compiled our favorite shortcuts, which will help you get from point A to point B much faster. 1. Cutting Through Connections Eatery Straight to Cosmic Rewind Connections is the large restaurant to the left after you go under Spaceship Earth. It’s EPCOT’s Starbucks and restaurant, and it has a large dining area (which we also love for big groups). When you’re heading straight to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in the morning, trying to beat the crowds during Rope Drop, this can be a great way to shave off a few extra minutes. Connections Eatery There’s a back entrance in Connections that leads straight to Cosmic Rewind and will even be on the correct side to enter the standby queue. Score! 2. Taking the FriendShip Boats Two different routes Once you enter the World Showcase, it can feel like you’re trapped, either finishing walking through all the countries or deciding if you should turn back. Because of the circle layout, you might feel like you have to commit to the whole Showcase. FriendShip Boat You can take the boat, though! It runs from Canada to Morocco. Keep in mind that these boats close early once they start setting up for the nighttime spectacular, Luminous, so you’ll want to check the schedule posted by the docks. 3. Walking Through the Odyssey Straight to Mexico! Right before entering the World Showcase on the left (which is the best side to start on), you’ll see a building far off to the side. This is the Odyssey building, which has a food booth inside during the Festivals. You can walk through it to avoid going on the large walkway. The Odyssey Cutting through the Odyssey, you’ll end up right by the Mexico Pavilion, ready to start your journey around the world. 4. Entering from the International Gateway You can head straight to Remy’s If you type in your directions to EPCOT, it will take you to the parking lot in front of the park, where you’ll enter right by Spaceship Earth. But did you know there’s another entrance? It’s near the back of the park between the France and UK Pavilions and is called International Gateway. International Gateway You might want to enter this back way if you’re staying at the BoardWalk, Swan & Dolphin, or Yacht and Beach Club. International Gateway You can also take the Skyliner to enter here! If you’re staying at one of the resorts with Skyliner access or if you decide to park at Hollywood Studios and fly on over, the International Gateway entrance can be a great way to get onto Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure without trekking through the whole park. EPCOT Skyliner Station Overall, no matter how you decide to get around at EPCOT, be sure to stop by our favorite restaurants and check out the beautiful views from each country. Keep following Disney Food Blog for the best tips and tricks for your next Disney World trip. These 10 Tricks Will Change the Way You Do EPCOT 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 are your favorite EPCOT shortcuts? Let us know your favorites in the comments! The post 4 Shortcuts That Will Save You 15+ Minutes in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Star Wars Celebration is nearly here! For the first time since 2008, fans from the far reaches of the galaxy will rally at Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba, Japan from April 18-20. This epic celebration of all things Star Wars will showcase captivating panels, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests and more for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And the best part? Star Wars Celebration LIVE! returns for fans in attendance, allowing them to immerse themselves in captivating commentary from across the galactic system, including a special appearance from Walt Disney Imagineering. With so much to explore, we have highlighted some must-see panels and exclusive merchandise to help you hyper-“dive” into this iconic saga. Take a look below for a taste of what’s to come! Star Wars Celebration Japan Panels Friday, April 18 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. JT: Hasbro Star Wars Panel, Live on the Twins Suns Stage Join Hasbro Marketing & Design team members for an in-depth look at Hasbro’s latest Star Wars offerings from throughout the saga, including the Black Series and The Vintage Collection. Word on the Holonet is there may also be a few surprises. May the Force be with you! 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. JT: Lucasfilm Publishing: Manga Mania!, Live on the Galaxy Stage Take a deep dive into the past, present, and future manga stories from a galaxy far, far away with authors and artists from around the world. Featuring all-new announcements & reveals! 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. JT: Lucasfilm Publishing: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away…., Live on the Galaxy Stage Join us in Japan for the latest publishing news from the prequel trilogy to the sequel trilogy and beyond, including news on the grand finale of The High Republic! With Adam Christopher, Tessa Gratton, Marc Guggenheim, Lydia Kang, Ethan Sacks, Phil Szostak, Alyssa Wong, and Marvel’s C.B. Cebulski! Saturday, April 19 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. JT: Bit Reactor Developer Panel featuring Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games, Live on the Galaxy Stage Join Bit Reactor, along with Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games, for a first look at a new Star Wars turn-based tactics game. Sunday, April 20 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. JT: Disney Experiences: Building the Galaxy with Walt Disney Imagineering, Live on the Twins Suns Stage Join Walt Disney Imagineering for an intimate discussion on how Star Wars comes to life at Disney Experiences around the world. Hear directly from the creative minds behind Star Wars projects and attractions. Star Wars Celebration Japan Merch and More Our presence doesn’t stop there! We’ve also curated a selection of our favorite event merchandise from fan-favorite licensees. From stunning new collectibles to unique new accessories, fans won’t want to miss out on these bounties available for purchase in Japan! Pay homage to Star Wars: Visions Volume I with the new Black Series The Ronin & R5-D56 figures from Hasbro. Available only at Star Wars Celebration Japan, this Japanese-only single-language collectible figure comes with 11 accessories, and a window box package complete with a matte finish with embossing and gloss details. Fans looking to adding to their LEGO building set collections won’t want to miss out on this commemorative Star Wars Celebration 2025 tile, available at the LEGO Star Wars booth retail area as an exclusive gift with purchase. Immerse yourself in the familiar sounds inspired by a galaxy far, far away…. with the new limited-edition ATH-CKS50TW2 ear buds from Audio Technica, available in limited quantities at Star Wars Celebration Japan and online starting April 21. With four options to choose from, including earbuds themed to Darth Vader, R2-D2, the Mandalorian and Grogu, fans can enjoy unique sound effects based on their favorite characters. Fans looking for a commemorative keepsake to take home won’t want to miss out on the Star Wars Celebration Exclusive edition of the 1/6th scale Stormtrooper (Cherry Blossom Version) figure from Hot Toys. This finely crafted collectible features a meticulously printed cherry blossom pattern, bringing a fresh twist to the iconic stormtrooper armor. What sets the Star Wars Celebration edition apart is its inclusion of a stunning cherry blossom-patterned haori jacket, along with a Star Wars Celebration-themed backdrop, making it a must-have for fans looking to elevate their display with a commemorative piece. The galaxy’s most adorable Force-user, Grogu, is the star of the first Grogu: Cutest in the Galaxy pop-up at Makuhari Messe for Star Wars Celebration Japan. The pop-up features a curated range of merchandise for sale including apparel, zakka (items that improve everyday life through both their utility and charm), and mini collectible items. Visitors to the pop-up can also enjoy viewing several 15-second anime shorts that feature Grogu’s humor, attitude, and heart that debuted in Japan in 2024. Interactive activities at the pop-up include a floating, meditating Grogu photo spot and an activity to create a personalized tote bag. For more information on all things Star Wars Celebration, please visit StarWarsCelebration.com and be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog, @DisneyParks and @WaltDisneyImagineering socials for all the fun announcements and reveals throughout the weekend! The post Incoming Transmission: <I>Star Wars</I> Celebration Japan Kicks Off This Weekend! appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Universal Orlando just got more epic! Epic Universe The resort’s third theme park, Epic Universe, is set to open on May 22nd, 2025. Before the park officially opens to the public, it has been open for previews. Team Members and their guests, along with other select guests, have been able to experience this brand-new park. Starting on April 17th, Universal Annual Passholders will be able to step into the gates of Epic Universe ahead of the park’s opening, but some dates have already started to sell out. If you are an Annual Passholder, you can purchase tickets between April 17th and May 8th, 2025, to experience this brand-new theme park before it officially opens to the public at the end of May. Tickets can be purchased through the Universal Orlando Resort app so long as you have your Annual Pass linked to your account. If you purchase an Annual Pass now, you must scan into a park at Universal Orlando in order for your pass to be marked as “active.” Isle of Berk If you have been waiting to purchase your preview tickets, you may want to do so soon, as the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 26th of April, along with the 3rd of May, have already sold out. Will Epic Universe Be Part of Universal’s Annual Pass Program? ©Universal If you can’t attend a preview, don’t worry. Annual Passholders can also purchase single-day tickets to Epic Universe (for visits after the official opening date), and they are available to purchase now! Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry We will be back at Epic Universe very soon to check out even more of this amazing park, so as always, stay tuned with us here at the Disney Food Blog! We’re Inside Epic Universe for an EXCLUSIVE Tour and We Have So Much To Show You! Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Do you have tickets to visit Epic Universe this year? Let us know in the comments! The post WARNING! Epic Universe Passholder Previews Have Started to SELL OUT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE! The BEST RIDE IN EPCOT competition is about to BEGIN. Place your predictions now, find your seats, and let’s find out TOGETHER who’s taking home the EPCOT RIDE CHAMPION TITLE — today on DFB Guide! Check out our video below: The BEST Ride in EPCOT  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: The BEST Ride in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re looking to visit these ports via the Disney Cruise Line, we have some bad news… ©Disney Disney Cruise Line will take you all over the world in style, and when it comes to cruising, Disney is one of the best. With that said, Disney — or any cruise line for that matter — doesn’t have unlimited access. As cruising demand goes up, port availability isn’t exactly keeping up. In fact, several well-known ports and countries have placed restrictions and bans on cruise ships. As a deterrent to overtourism, large cruise ships have been banned from a number of super-popular ports. Overtourism leads to larger issues that can strain local resources, and it’s been known to cause environmental issues like pollution and erosion, as well, per Forbes. As such, foreign governments are putting their foot down. ©Disney Barcelona, Spain, doesn’t need the extra tourism as it’s already one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world. That’s why the city made an effort to slow down cruise-based tourism in 2023. The city has banned cruise ships from docking at the World Trade Center pier near the city center, forcing them to dock a half hour away at the Moll d’Adossat pier. While cruising isn’t banned outright here, the new legislature is pushing cruise-based tourism away from urban areas as an act of preservation. Barcelona Cruising is limited in the United States as well. Belfast, Maine, has banned any cruise ship carrying 50 passengers or more — so that effectively eliminates Disney Cruises. This ban was put into effect as smaller ships couldn’t safely navigate past these large cruise ships. It’s BIG! If you’ve ever wanted to visit Iceland, you may want to find an alternative to cruising. In January 2025, Iceland imposed an international cruise fee to combat overtourism and environmental degradation. Right now Disney isn’t sailing to Iceland, but if it does again, each passenger will need to pay 2,500 ISK (approximately $18) per port day. Iceland, Adventures By Disney ©Disney Nice, France is gorgeous, and it is a hotspot for tourists along the Riviera, but things have changed starting in 2025. Beginning July 1st, 2025, cruise ships that carry more than 900 guests will no longer be allowed to disembark their passengers for excursions. You’ll be able to dock and look at the city, but you won’t be able to get off the ship. Villefranche-sur-Mer has also introduced this ban. ©Google Maps Another confirmed port with complications is also one of the most famous in the world. Venice, Italy, is known for its canals and bridges, and tourists flock to the city every day. It’s also a city with an ugly history with cruise ships, including a crash where a cruise ship crashed into one of the wharfs. As a result, the Italian government banned ships weighing over 25,000 tons from entering the city’s lagoon down the Giudecca Canal. Disney’s cruise ships far exceed that weight requirement. Adventures By Disney Other ports with varying degrees of cruise ship bans and restrictions include the Balearic Islands (number of crusie ships at port limitations), Santorini ($20 per person charge), the Greek island of Mykonos ($20 per person charge), Dubrovnik, Croatia (2 ships per day with no more than 8,000 passengers), Zeebrugge, Belgium (2 ships per day), Alaska (5 ships per day), and Bora Bora (1,200 passengers per day). ©Disney We’ll continue to keep you posted as the cruising landscape changes, so stay tuned right here at DFB to stay in the know! The Best Times To Go on a Disney Cruise in 2025 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 Do these port bans make you rethink sailing with the Disney Cruise Line? Share your thoughts in the comments below! The post CONFIRMED: Disney Cruise Line Is BANNED By These Ports first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Some BIG things are in store for Magic Kingdom in Disney World. Although we’re still waiting to get more word on the new Villains land Disney has announced for the park, we’re already starting to see progress on the big Cars expansion that’s coming to Frontierland. Cars Area Concept Art ©Disney Disney has already filed permits regarding stormwater management for the Cars expansion area, which will take over Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. Now, a new permit has been filed to set up trailer complex that will probably serve as offices for the project. Disney has filed a new permit with Orange County, Florida to “install trailers” at 5055 CaribbeanWay, Area MK, which would put those trailers somewhere in a backstage area in Frontierland behind Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. This suggests that these trailers will serve as office space for the project once construction begins. ©Orange County, Florida The contractor mentioned in the permit is McGrath Rentcorp, a company that rents and sells modular buildings, storage containers, and offices. This is just another step in the process that Disney is taking before construction begins in the area. However, it seems like the project is moving right along. The new Cars expansion will bring two new rides to the park. One of the new rides will have you racing through the mountains of Frontierland dodging geysers and splashing through mud holes in a race to the finish line. Disney has started testing out the ride concept in another location. @Disney The other ride will be geared towards younger Cars fans. Disney hasn’t shared many details on that ride yet, but we’re keeping an eye out for more information. This does mean that it might not be long before you’ll encounter construction walls in Magic Kingdom, as well as see construction during your next trip. You might want to plan accordingly. Stay tuned to DFB for more. Everything That Has to Permanently Close to Make Way for the ‘Cars’ Expansion 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 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney Files NEW Permit for Magic Kingdom's 'Cars' Expansion first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Only true Disney Adults know of Disney’s famous and most secretive club. Walt & Mickey This secret club was founded by Walt Disney and has most of us banging at the door wanting to be let in — but is Club 33 becoming less of a secret? Disney broke its biggest rule and officially added Club 33 to the Disneyland app and website. We guess it’s not that much of a secret anymore! This is the most public information about the club that has ever been available on the Disneyland app or website. ©Disney You might see Club 33 signs around the parks, but it’s not on any map. Club 33 at Disneyland is located by the Blue Bayou Restaurant. Club 33 Mosaic Logo Membership is hard to come by for Club 33, and it usually has a massive waitlist, so you should expect to wait many years before hearing back. When you search Club 33 on the Disneyland app or website, you can find the interest form but don’t expect to hear back anytime soon. ©Disney If you are asked about joining, it will also cost you thousands of dollars, and no, that doesn’t cover dinner. There are annual fees, access to exclusive lounges, VIP tours, special events, and even opportunities to buy special merchandise, which all add up. It’s estimated to cost about $31,000 a year, but that’s just an idea. Club 33 Disneyland Since the membership form is available online, we’re not quite sure if Disney is looking for new members or if too many people have been asking, so it’s just easier to add a link. Either way, we’ll be keeping our eye on it to see what happens. Keep following Disney Food Blog for all your favorite Disney news in one place. Every Single Disney Ride Opening in 2025 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 Club 33? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. The post Disney's SECRET Club Is Quietly Becoming Less Exclusive first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Sometimes, even the tiniest Disney World transportation issue can have huge repercussions on a Disney World trip, especially if you’re not familiar with the transportation specifics of your hotel. Disney Bus For example, you should always know if your Walt Disney World hotel features an internal bus route. If you’re not familiar, an internal bus loop is a route within the grounds of the hotel and generally means that the bus you board may have to stop at a few different bus stations before leaving to go to the parks or make a few stops on the way back to your room at the end of the night. This could add quite a bit of extra travel time to your daily schedule, and if you don’t compensate for it, you may end up missing Lightning Lanes or dining reservations. Internal bus loops can be found at resorts like: Old Key West Saratoga Springs Port Orleans – Riverside Caribbean Beach Coronado Springs Caribbean Beach bus stop That said, resorts with internal bus routes aren’t the only ones with potential multiple bus stop issues to plan for. Even if a Disney resort only has one bus stop to its name, that doesn’t mean your resort bus won’t make an extra stop or two before reaching your final destination. For example, we recently encountered the following issue over at the Polynesian Resort. We needed to head over to Disney Springs and after waiting 20 minutes — we had just missed a bus, and wait times tend to be slightly longer in the afternoon — we caught a bus. The bus was to the point where all the seats were 100% filled and several folks were left standing, holding onto the overhead handles, however, we didn’t go to Disney Springs IMMEDIATELY after boarding. Disney Bus Instead, our bus took a detour over to Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to pick up MORE guests, even though we were already at standing room only. In other words, even if your resort only has ONE bus stop, that doesn’t necessarily always mean that the buses coming to and from your resort aren’t gonna be coming and going from OTHER resorts, too (especially in the afternoon). So, if you’re in a hurry to get somewhere and you’re relying on a Disney bus to get you from point A to point B, ALWAYS factor in more time into your schedule for transportation purposes than you think you’re gonna need. Because that extra bumper is gonna be CRUCIAL. Disney World Bus We get questions ALL the time about Disney World’s free transportation services (because it can seem kind of intimidating at first), SO we created a FULL FREE GUIDE about all-things Disney World transportation to make things a whole lot more…. Well… NOT intimidating! In this guide, we cover EVERYTHING you need to know about navigating your way around the parks via buses, Skyliner, monorail, boats— you NAME it — including estimated travel times, insider tips, ECV/wheelchair accommodations… and MORE! Be sure to check that out, and stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World Transportation! Grab That Free Guide Right 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 Have any Disney transportation tips? Let us know in the comments below! The post I Was Surprised by this Disney World Transportation Problem, and It Made Me Miss My Lightning Lane first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Who wants to go to Disney World? Have you been considering a trip to Florida? Have you been waiting for the perfect deal to come along? You’re in luck! Disney just announced a NEW deal for Disney fans from the UK and Ireland, and (spoiler alert) it involves FREE dining. Disney World Starting on the 29th of April, 2025, Disney will have a brand-new free dining offer! We have all the details here, so come with us and let’s see what’s available. If you’re planning a Disney World vacation between January 7th and December 19th, 2026, you’ll want to listen up. There’s a new way to enjoy FREE Disney Dining & Drinks (excluding gratuities) on selected meals. That’s right — FREE DINING is BACK! Bookings for this NEW Hotel & Ticket package open April 29th, 2025. Garden Grill OK, let’s break this down a bit for you. In order to qualify for the FREE Disney Dining & Drinks Package, you must stay in a Disney Resort hotel, and EVERYONE in your party will enjoy the free Disney Dining Plan (worth €1,273 per adult). Bookings open April 29th, 2025. What’s included with the FREE Disney Dining & Drinks deal? We’ve got all the details: Meals and drinks are included for everyone on your booking on every day of your trip Over 170+ Dining Locations throughout the Disney Parks, hotels, and wider Resort, including Disney Springs and Disney’s BoardWalk This includes a huge variety of snacks and treats, including Mickey bars, Le Cellier steak, popcorn, and more! A wide range of meals, including quick-service snacks, family-friendly restaurants, and signature experiences, and Character Dining with Mickey and friends Drink options, including soft drinks, mocktails, and smoothies – plus beer, wine, and cocktails for those ages 21+ Who’s ready for some steak? Disney is also offering a special ticket deal! You can score a Disney 14-Day Magic Ticket for the price of a Disney 7-Day Magic Ticket for select arrival dates in 2026. This deal is exclusive to UK and Ireland Guests, and comes with Memory Maker (worth $210). If you book this offer by July 1st, you can save €300 per booking on flight-inclusive packages when you book directly with Disney. Or, save €200 per booking on Hotel & Ticket packages. DOLE Whip Now, let’s get to the FREE Disney Dining & Drinks. From just €164 per person, per night, you can stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for 14 nights during the summer holidays when you book by November 5th, 2025. The package includes: FREE Disney Dining Plan at your selected Resort hotel, with savings worth €1,273 per adult non-alcoholic/alcoholic drink to enjoy per meal 14-Day Ticket for the price of 7 Park Hopper tickets to visit multiple parks per day Memory Maker (worth $210) to capture and download your Disney PhotoPass photos Includes a €200 saving on your Hotel & Ticket package You can reserve this deal SOON — Disney only requires a €65 deposit per person. Animal Kingdom Lodge Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. The Disney World Skyliner Is CLOSING Temporarily in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you planning to take advantage of this offer? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: FREE Dining Plan Deal Announced for UK and Ireland Visitors first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Fields Days! Brings Magic and Fun to Young Students Who Lost Their Schools in L.A. Fires In difficult times, a little happiness can go a long way. Disney recently committed $15 million for relief and rebuilding efforts in L.A. and Altadena in response to the devastating L.A. wildfires. As part of our ongoing support, we brought a little Disney magic to two schools in Brentwood—Nora Sterry Elementary and Brentwood Science Magnet—that admirably took in students who lost their own schools during the Palisades fire. We call our events “Disney Field Days,” essentially fun-filled carnivals with characters, games, activities, music, dance and more—everything that makes a day at a Disney park so special. Across two separate days, more than 900 students attended with the support of dozens of Disney cast members and Disney VoluntEARS. Disney stories from Princess, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and more came to life as kids got to meet their heroes and just have fun. We loved seeing students and faculty dressed in their Disney best, donning Mickey Mouse ear headbands and t-shirts with their favorite characters. From an epic grand finale dance party led by Stitch to surprise appearances from Disney talent, including Dara Reneé and Joshua Colley from Descendants: The Rise of Red, and stars of the Zombies franchise Meg Donnelly and Trevor Tordjman, it was a joyful day from beginning to end. Disney Aids L.A. Fires Victims with Surprise, Sentimental Items At Brentwood Science Magnet, we also created some extra magic for two people who lost special items in the fires. Young Student Is Reunited with a New Old Friend—A Giant Tiger Stuffy While eight-year-old Felicity Dale was able to save her Mickey Mouse plush toy, she had to leave behind her beloved giant stuffed tiger when her family lost their home to the Palisades fire. Upon hearing this story, we decided to create some extra magic for Felicity, setting out to reunite her with her favorite stuffy. After a brief detour around Disney’s Animal Kingdom to meet a new friend (baby Bakso, our newest tiger) he found a new home with young Felicity. Rebuilding a Teacher’s Decades’ Worth Collection of Mickey Ears Elizabeth Lamb, a teacher at Palisades Charter Elementary School and avid Disney fan, lost her Disney-themed classroom in the Palisades fire, including her collection of Mickey Mouse ears. We helped kickstart an all-new collection for her with more than 50 ear hats gathered from our Disney stores, parks and our amazing Disney VoluntEARS. In addition to Disney Field Days, we are continuing to support the community in various ways, including donation drives, LA Strong t-shirt sales and more. Stay tuned as we’ll continue to share here all the ways in which we’re planning to rebuild and support the communities we call home! The post L.A. Fire Relief Efforts: How Disney Helps the Communities We Call Home appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Even as a busy summer season approaches Walt Disney World, one of the Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions is going to miss the whole period… and more. Cinderella Castle Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – – the “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” – – has been one of the Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions since the East Coast version of Tony Baxter’s E-Ticket magnum opus opened over 40 years ago. However, the coaster has been down for the majority of the 2025. Big Thunder first closed on January 6th, part of a spate of routine refurbishments following the conclusion of the busy Holiday season. However, unlike the others which were scheduled for a month or two, Big Thunder was scheduled to be down a WHOLE lot longer. According to Disney, the “attraction will reopen with a little bit of new magic in 2026.” Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Yup, you read that right: 2026. Meaning that Big Thunder will be down for the entirety of the summer, fall, and Holiday seasons of 2026… at least. After all, Disney has yet to give an official rough estimate of WHEN in 2026 Big Thunder might reopen, meaning the attraction could miss a big chunk of that year as well. The “new magic” (we expect some upgraded and repaired special effects, as well as mechanical enhancements to the track and ride vehicles) better be worth it. Of course, the major elephant — or should we say tractor-trailer — in the room when it comes to Big Thunder’s renovation is the fact that the ride sits directly on the shores of the Rivers of America, which are scheduled to close soon to make room for construction of the Frontierland Cars expansion. Plus, the land “beyond” Big Thunder is set to be home to Villains Land. All of this means that when Big Thunder reopens in 2026, the ride will still be surrounded by construction for years to come. Track work Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain will be closed for the next 8 months, AT LEAST, as the ride continues to undergo a massive refurbishment. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World’s calendar. What I Wish I Knew Before I Visited Magic Kingdom in 2025 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 missing Big Thunder at the Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below. The post Like It or Not, This Iconic Magic Kingdom Ride Is Still CLOSED for At Least 8 More Months first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Attention travelers! ©Southwest Airlines If you’re planning a trip for later this year, get over to Southwest’s site right now, as the well-known budget airline is offering a major sale RIGHT NOW! Now through April 17th, Southwest is offering fares as low as $49 as part of their newest Wanna Get Away sale! The sale offers are valid for travel between April 29th and August 27th! ©Southwest Airlines As usual for these types of offers, certain terms and conditions apply including: 21-day advance purchase required. Purchase from April 8th through April 17th, 2025 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Continental U.S. travel is valid April 29th through August 27th, 2025. Continental U.S. travel to/from Hawaii, international, and San Juan, Puerto Rico valid August 17th through October 3rd, 2025. Interisland Hawaii travel valid April 29th through June 3rd, 2025. Continental U.S travel blacked out May 26th, 2025. Continental U.S. travel valid on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from April 29th-June 12th, 2025 and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from June 13th-August 27th, 2025. Travel from continental U.S. to Hawaii and international is valid Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Travel to continental U.S. from Hawaii and international is valid Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Interisland Hawaii travel is valid Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico is valid Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Fares valid on nonstop service where indicated; if not indicated, fares are valid on single connecting service. Displayed prices include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees. Points bookings do not include taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges of at least $5.60 per one-way flight. Seats, days, and markets are limited. Fares may vary by destination, flight, and day of the week and won’t be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Travel is available for one-way Wanna Get Away fares. Fares may be combined with other Southwest Airlines combinable fares. If combining with other fares, the most restrictive fare’s rules apply. Advertised fares may be available on other days of the week, but that’s not guaranteed. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward future travel on Southwest Airlines, as long as reservations are canceled at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Failure to cancel prior to departure will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the reservation. Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel may require a fare upgrade depending on fare purchased and Rapid Rewards® tier status. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Offer applies only to published, scheduled service. ©Southwest Airlines If you’re planning to travel this spring or summer, get over to Southwest by April 17th to take advantage of the airline’s latest sale offering! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on travel deals! I Was Today Years Old When I Learned Orlando Airport Has SECRET FIREWORKS VIEWING 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 planning on traveling this year? Let us know in the comments below. The post NEW 2025 Flight Deal for Southwest Airlines Ends THIS WEEK first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Did we just find the best dessert hack? Uh, yeah, I think we did. Ice Cream Sandwich This trend is getting popular at McDonald’s, but we think that’s just the start. This trend can work almost everywhere, even at Disney World! For this hack, you need only three items: two cookies and ice cream. You can make your own ice cream sandwich! At McDonald’s, guests have been making the ice cream sandwiches with vanilla ice cream and chocolate chip cookies, but some have even made it with Oreo McFlurries. McDonald’s at Disney World All you need to do is scoop the ice cream on top of a cookie and sandwich it with the second. Take a bite and you have the best ice cream sandwich. Ice Cream Sandwich We think you can take this hack to Disney World, too. At Disney Springs, you can pick up the best cookies at Summer House on the Lake and skip over to Salt & Straw to combine the two. The possibilities are endless! With Salt & Straw’s unique ice cream flavors and Summer House’s big, soft cookies, you can make the best ice cream sandwiches. Cookie Bar Maybe you could even try this with Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies, which are massive and full of toppings. Gideon’s Chocolate Chip Cookies You can also try this with Jack Jack Num Num Cookies and ice cream from Hollywood Scoops or Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream. Jack Jack Num Num Cookie Take this ice cream sandwich trend and run with it! There are so many possibilities and endless flavor combinations. Keep following Disney Food Blog for the best food and snacks tips! Check out our master guide with the best Disney World restaurants! 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! What cookies and ice cream would you try this trend with? Tell us your ideas in the comments! The post What? You Haven't Tried The Viral McDonald's Snack Hack Yet?!! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It can be a confusing time, as on-and-off tariffs could affect travel trends. Flying There have been rising concerns about rising prices due to tariffs, and travel may be put on the back burner for some Americans. This could actually cause prices to fall as tourist industries start offering discounts and promotional deals to attract consumers and vacationers. Could this also mean that flights could become cheaper? According to the New York Times, tariffs could increase the cost of building a plane, but there are more immediate concerns for air carriers on the horizon. Brian Sumers, who writes for the Airline Observer, said that due to economic uncertainty, people get worried, which causes them to spend less money as “they don’t know how their investments will hold up, or whether they will have a job in six months, and so they hold off on planning travel and buying plane tickets.” Orlando International Airport Back in March, Bank of America analysts found that domestic travel was not off to a strong start in 2025. This, of course, can be attributed to bad weather, a late Easter, and falling consumer confidence. While this is still developing, airlines are planning to trim capacity to maintain prices; as Delta Airlines said, “it would reduce planned capacity growth in the second half of the year.” Sumers continued to go on to see that he expects prices to fall and more empty seats on planes. It is also expected that discounted carriers like Froniter Airlines may feel the effects of this travel change more. Frontier Airlines CNBC reports that Froniter Airlines, along with Delta, have started to cut flights due to the fleeting demand that happened in March. Frontier said that “Revenue growth is anticipated to be lower than expected due to weakened demand in March, resulting in fare discounting and promotions across the industry, amplified by the close-in nature of Frontier’s bookings.” Frontier Plane at the Orlando Airport So what does this mean for you? Well, if the uncertainty around a potential recession continues, other airlines may join Froniter in cutting ticket costs and running discounted promotions, which could mean cheaper flights for you! Orlando International Airport We will continue to monitor any travel news and how it may affect your upcoming Disney World vacation, so make sure to continue to follow along with the Disney Food Blog! 5 Most Important Rules for Orlando Airport Transportation to Disney World If you are looking to plan a trip to Disney World, our friends at Small World Vacations would be more than happy to help! You can fill out their Disney World interest form here. DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Do you have a Disney World trip planned this year? Let us know in the comments!The post Experts Predict Prices Will Drop SOON on Flights to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Breakfast at Disney World is no easy feat. When you’re ready to head into the parks, the last thing you want to think about is breakfast, but you know what they say: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For this restaurant, breakfast might be the best meal of the day. Disney’s Yacht Club EPCOT can be an especially hard place to grab breakfast — your table-service choices are two character meals (at Akershus and Garden Grill), and while we love them some days just aren’t a character breakfast kind of day. And your quick service choices? Well, you’ll be relegated to a few pre-made breakfast sandwiches. But what if we told you there’s a GREAT breakfast option a short walk from EPCOT’s back gate? We headed to Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort to try some breakfast offerings, and we’re bringing you a full review to see if it’s worth stopping by during your next Disney World vacation. Atmosphere Ale & Compass is located inside the Yacht Club and has New England comfort food in this coastal-inspired restaurant. Ale & Compass It’s meant to resemble a cozy lighthouse! It’s a bit dark inside, but in a comfortable way. It continues the theme of the Yacht Club with classy nautical elements. Come on in We love this stop to rest and recover before or after a park day (or even between!). You need to book a reservation in advance, but we usually find reservations available the same day. Comfortable seating There’s the Ale & Compass Restaurant, which we dined at, but also Ale & Compass Restaurant to Go, bar seating at Ale & Compass Lounge, and grab-and-go options at The Market at Ale & Compass. Let’s eat Ale & Compass is a go-to for us, and we’ve also reviewed it for dinner, which you can check out here. Now that we know more about the space, let’s talk about the menu. Menu This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but this time, we stopped by for breakfast, which runs from 7:30 to 11:00 AM. The menu You can order individual entrees or do the Continental Enhancement, where you can choose an entree and get additional Continental offerings. This costs $28 for adults, and most individual entrees range from $16 to $25. That means for as little as $3 more, you get access to an entire amazing buffet with your full entree — and your drink is also included. What a steal! The menu When you order the Continental Enhancement, you get your entree, access to the buffet, plus a drink, which can be coffee, juice, tea, or a soft drink. Drinks The Continental Enhancement is $13.50 for kids, which is great for pickier eaters who like options. Offerings There are a variety of savory entree options, from Steak and Eggs and Crab Cake Benedict, and sweeter options like Seasonal French Toast. They also offer a full kids’ menu, specialty juices and drinks, and Joffrey’s Coffee. They even have cocktails! Enough of the menu, let’s try some food. Eats To start our meal, we had the Chicken and Waffles for $20. Chicken and Waffles Don’t be deceived by the color! No, this is not spicy chicken, but instead a cranberry maple syrup. It comes with a huge piece of chicken that is nicely seasoned with salt, pepper, and other seasonings. We got a fried chicken thigh that was so big! It was crispy and dense, which paired great with that airy waffle. Yum! The chicken and waffles are a huge portion and come with three round waffles. They’re savory with herbs and balanced well with the syrup. The waffle was crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and very light. Look at that fluffy waffle The cranberry maple syrup is sweet and mixes well with the waffles and chicken. It’s a great, hearty breakfast that filled us up and got us ready for the park day ahead. Delicious! Another entree we tried was the Steak and Eggs for $21. Steak and Eggs The temperature was exactly what we asked for, and it had a poached egg on top. It was runny, and we loved it with the steak. Diving in The Brown Butter Hollandaise sauce on top was a little lemony and paired really well together. We love a runny yolk The steak was a great cut and wasn’t fatty at all. It was sitting on red hash with onions, potatoes, and beets, as well. Steak and Eggs We also had the Continental Enhancement, which was worth every penny. Our spread You might be thinking of a Continental Breakfast at a hotel, which has some pastries and some yogurt, but this buffet had so much more. There were two different types of yogurt and overnight oats with additional toppings to add on. So many choices We loved the cheddar biscuits, and there was even sausage gravy to go with them. There were warm cinnamon rolls and croissants, as well. A TOWER of croissants Additional pastries and different fruit options were available, and we really enjoyed everything we put on our plates. So many things to chose from The oats weren’t mushy in the slightest, and the fruit tasted fresh and sweet. Everything here is on the smaller side or offered in smaller bowls, but again, we loved this because this was only part of our meal — we have a whole entree waiting for us at the table. Yummy After those amazing meals, let’s talk about our drinks! Drinks We ordered the Peru Alto Mayo Protected Forest Coffee Roasted by Joffrey’s Coffee for $9.75, which serves two. Coffee It is served in a pressed pot, and the server told us to let it brew for a few minutes before pushing down the stopper. If you want cream, they bring a fresh pitcher to the table, and we loved that it wasn’t prepackaged. Our drink! It was very smooth and fresh and had plenty for both people to have multiple cups, but there is also an option if only one person wants it. While we loved this additional add-on, you can also get standard coffee free with your Continental Enhancement. Nosh or Not Ale & Compass for breakfast is a must-visit if you… Want a filling breakfast or bunch options before going to the parks Enjoy being able to add on different items, and want to take advantage of the Continental buffet offerings Like a quieter and calmer dining experience Want a sit-down breakfast on your EPCOT park day You might want to pass on this restaurant if you… Enjoy faster, on-the-go options for your park day Want a lighter and less filling meal Prefer non-traditional American flavors Overall We think this is an underrated spot to find at Disney World! With the Continental Enhancement, you can get a full entree with sides, plus access to the buffet and a drink for only $28. At Disney World, that’s a huge deal! Ale & Compass There was a great variety of food to try, and we enjoyed everything we had, from Steak and Eggs to Chicken and Waffles to the Continental buffet. Make sure you’re following Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney food reviews so you can have the best vacation yet. The Best Restaurants in Disney World in 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! Have you tried Ale & Compass before? Let us know what you thought of it in the comments! The post REVIEW: We Just Solved a Big Breakfast Problem in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article