Disney4me

We know packing for Disney always consists of the same thing: Toothbrush? Check. Shoes? Check. Sunscreen that’s pretty much necessary thanks to the unforgivable Florida heat? Check X100. Magic Kingdom The basics are necessary, but there are some items that real Disney pros pack to avoid any hiccups during their trip, and we think these should be just as necessary as shoes and sunscreen. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The best part about shopping on Amazon is the free shipping you can get on any order with an Amazon Prime Membership. Don’t have one? Click below to start your free trial today! A Flat Plug Power Strip is a total lifesaver ©Amazon Trust us, this Flat Plug Power Strip will save you from any unnecessary battles for the only accessible outlet in your hotel room. This charging station has the potential to charge SEVEN devices all at once! Convenient or what? And phones are not the only devices you can charge here either. It’s fit to plug in your tablets, portable fans, external batteries, or whatever else you need during your trip. This is a definite must-have if you’re traveling with a big party, or if you have lots of devices you need charged by your next day of adventuring. Shop on Amazon Reusable Silicone Straws are a must ©Amazon Now, if you know Disney World straws, you know that oftentimes, you won’t find yourself drinking out of the standard plastic straw you might be used to. Instead, you’ll likely be drinking out of a paper or agave straw. We don’t mind these from time to time, but after using these again and again, we really prefer to bring our own straws because they don’t break down or have a strange taste! This reusable straw set comes with several silicone straws along with carrying cases and brushes for cleaning them. Shop on Amazon Pop-up Laundry Hamper can save you from unnecessary stress ©Amazon You might be thinking it’s a little odd to pack an entire hamper for your trip, but you’re gonna realize how convenient it is when you’re no longer struggling to find somewhere to store your dirty laundry. This pop-up hamper is easy to pop into place as well as fold down to store inside any luggage. Shop on Amazon Moleskin Blister Prevention Pads will be your best friends © Amazon If you don’t know already, then just be warned that you’ll be taking A LOT of steps during your day at Disney. These Moleskin Blister pads prevent friction from shoes which can help you avoid getting blisters or any other irritations to the skin. Truly a huge aid when walking around the parks all day. Shop on Amazon Reusable bags are great snack savers ©Amazon Whether it’s for snacks you’ve packed from your hotel room or ones you’ve purchased at the park that you can’t finish in the moment, reusable bags are so convenient to bring with you. They’re even perfect to use for non-food-related items, like storing wet socks after a rainy day (because how horrible would it be tossing soaked socks in your bag?). Maybe a little strange, but definitely very useful. Shop on Amazon Stay tuned for more packing tips and travel essentials here on DFB! CHECK OUT MORE DISNEY TRIP MUST-HAVES ON OUR AMAZON STOREFRONT!The post 5 Strange Things Disney World Pros Always Pack first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s been a few days since a massive IT outage caused problems across the world on July 19th. Plane flying Those problems were most evident at major airports, including Orlando International Airport, where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop. This resulted in numerous flight delays. Now, several days later, some airlines are still struggling to get their planes in the air due to the issue. The issue was due to a security update to CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity solution used by businesses around the world. The security update caused technical issues that globally impacted IT systems, including the systems used by U.S. Airlines. Thousands of flights were ultimately delayed, with many canceled. Those problems still seem to be continuing. According to CNN, more than 1,000 flights have been canceled as airlines struggle to recover from the massive IT outage. Orlando International Airport At Orlando International Airport, over 140 flights are delayed, and more than 50 have been canceled, according to FlightAware. Delta Airlines seems to be struggling the most with 46% of its flights delayed into and out of the airport and 21% of its flights canceled. Overall, Delta has seen over 600 cancellations so far throughout the U.S. The airline issued the following statement: “Additional cancellations are expected as some of Delta’s technology continues to recover from Friday morning’s vendor-caused issue.” ©Delta According to FlightAware, over 21,000 flights are currently delayed with over 1,200 having been canceled. So if you’re flying today, you’ll want to make sure make sure you have a way to get notifications from your airport and airline. Sign up for text alerts, if you can, and make sure you have notifications turned on in your airline’s app to keep updated on the status of your flight. Orlando Airport Crowdstrike CEO George Kurtz apologized to customers and informed them that a fix has released, but it could still take some time to get things back in working order, so these delays and cancellations could continue to impact flights over the next few days. Stay tuned to DFB for more. Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Did you have a flight impacted by the IT outage this weekend? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Orlando Airport Impacted by IT Outages, Over 140 Flights Delayed first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

What do you mean another week in Disney World has passed? Time flies when you’re having fun, right? While we’ve been celebrating 15 years of DFB (and it doesn’t even seem like 15 years have passed!), we’ve been making our way around Disney World, doing what we do, eating nine snacks in one day (all FOR YOU), trying out some new ice cream treats, and keeping you updated on the best food in Disney World. We also spent some time looking over Disney World restaurant menus, and we’ve got some changes to tell you about. Here are all the menu changes we’ve spotted in Disney World. EPCOT Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Aass Pilsner Draft Beer is no longer offered at Akershus. Akershus That’s the only update, though. This EPCOT Princess Breakfast Is CHEAPER and EASIER Than Cinderella’s Royal Table (And It Has Cheesy Potatoes) Disney’s Hollywood Studios 50s Prime Time Cafe Traditional Warm Apple Crisp À la Mode changed from $9.50 to $10. Traditional Warm Apple Crisp À la Mode There are no other changes. REVIEW: There’s a NEW PB&J Cocktail in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Backlot Express A new Kid’s meal is available: Southwest Salad with Chicken. Backlot Express It’s made with marinated chicken served over Romaine mixed with roasted corn relish and diced tomatoes topped with pickled red onion, cheese, and house-made jalapeno-lime ranch dressing for $7.79. REVIEW: The Saga Continues in Our Toxic Relationship With This Disney World Snack Disney’s Animal Kingdom Creature Comforts The Roast Beef Wrap is no longer available. Creature Comforts That’s the only change here. REVIEW: We Tried 2 NEW Treats in Disney World, and 1 Is the CLEAR WINNER! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Beaches Pool Bar and Grill The Desserts menu has seen a bit of a shake-up: REMOVED: Mickey Brownie, Seasonal Desserts, and Assorted Fruit Cups ADDED: Marshmallow-Pecan Brownie — chocolate brownie filled with sugared pecans and caramel sauce topped with chocolate ganache and toasted marshmallows for $5.29 ADDED: Blueberry Custard Cupcake for $5.79 Beaches Pool Bar & Grill ADDED: Mixed Fruit Cup for $5.79 ADDED: Minnie Mouse Cupcake — chocolate cupcake filled with cookies and cream mousse and topped with ganache-dipped buttercream, cookie ears, and chocolate bow for $6.79 These changes were also made at the Courtyard Pool Bar. REVIEW: This Disney World Hotel Restaurant TRICKED US Into Thinking We Were on an Island Getaway Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Turf Club Bar & Grill Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc increased from $14 to $15 per glass. Turf Club Bar & Grill There were no other updates here. REVIEW: Did a NEW Menu Fix One of Disney World’s Worst Restaurants? Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Roaring Fork Potato Hash is no longer offered as a Side. The Peach Melba Cupcake has also been removed from Desserts. Peach Melba Cupcake. Honest Pomegranate Blue Flavored Tea is also no longer available. YOU MUST EAT THIS. Seriously. Go to Disney World Right Now. Disney’s Contemporary Resort California Grill Here’s how Market Inspirations has changed: REMOVED: Spicy Kazan Roll, Cascade Roll, Rapini Pizza, Beet Salad, and Kanpachi Crudo ADDED: Farmer’s Market Salad — heirloom tomatoes, baby gem lettuce, stracciatella, everything bagel crostini, balsamic pearls ADDED: Pork Lechon — braised pork belly, basmati rice, bok choy, carrot, Asian pear, fragrant broth ADDED: Tempura Lion’s Mane Roll — black rice, tempura-fried lion’s mane mushroom, jumbo asparagus, carrot, leek sauce California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Here’s how Chef’s Journey has been updated: REMOVED: Pinoli-Herb Crusted Lamb and Corn and Mushroom Mezzaluna ADDED: Herb-crusted Oregon Lamb — apricot couscous, legumes, foraged mushrooms, brandy-peppercorn glaze ADDED: Corn and Summer Squash Mezzaluna — confit baby leeks, corn veloute, heirloom squash, pearl onions, squash blossoms The 2 BEST Things on the Menu at California Grill in Disney World Disney’s Pop Century Resort Everything POP A new lunch and dinner entree is on the menu: Citrus-Basil Salmon. Everything POP at Disney’s Pop Century It’s served with citrus-basil butter, seasonal vegetables, and steamed rice for $16.99. REVIEW: This VIRAL New Disney World Treat Is Like an Uncrustable on Steroids Disney Springs Paddlefish The lunch and dinner menu has changed at Paddlefish. Here’s how Starters changed: Crab Cake description changed from “Crispy chourico, shishitos, sweet chili aioli” to “Maque choux, fried green tomato, remoulade and price changed from $16 to $20 Beef Skewers changed from $18 to $19 Fried Green Tomatoes changed from $14 to $15 ADDED: Sausage and Peppers — crispy chourico, shishitos, sweet chili aioli for $17 ADDED: Grilled Octopus — white beans, andouille, paprika oil for $21 Crab Cake Here’s how Soup and Salad changed: Wedge Salad (GF) changed from $13 to $14 Watercress Salad (GF) changed from $11 to $12 Add Chicken to your Salad changed from $5 to $9 Entrees also changed: REMOVED: Grilled Octopus Shrimp Pasta changed from $27 to $28 Lobster Roll changed from $33 to $35 Crab Cake “BLT” changed from $22 to $23 ADDED: Crispy Chicken — Southern fried thigh, house pickle, avocado, romaine, gochujang ranch, brioche roll for $17 Lobster Roll The Cocktails menu has also been updated: Captain Handsome changed from $17 to $18 Southern Sangria changed from $17 to $18 Steven’s Old Fashioned changed from $17 to $18 Twisted Spritz changed from $17 to $18 Classic Margarita changed from $15 to $16 ADDED: Kayla’s Rock & Roll Hurricane — Hurricane rum, Grand Marnier, orgeat, lime juice, ginger beer for $18 ADDED: Florida Mule — 50 States vodka, lime juice, ginger beer for $18 ADDED: Key Lime Spritz — 50 States Vodka, J.F. Hayden’s key lime, amaretto, lime juice, Sprite for $18 Paddlefish Under Domestic & Imported, the following changed: ADDED: D3 Binny’s Brew for $9 Here’s how Wines changed: REMOVED: Riesling, Raimund Prüm, “Essence”, Mosel ADDED: Riesling, J Lohr, “Bay Mist”, Monterey County for $14 Disney Food Blog Review! Shh, This Disney Springs Seafood Spot Has a SECRET MENU The BOATHOUSE Desserts have changed: Blackberry Cheesecake has been removed from the menu. The BOATHOUSE Passion Fruit Cheesecake has been added — mango gelee, Chantilly cream, coconut caramel, toasted coconut for $10. I Spent $80 on Lunch at The Boathouse in Disney Springs. Was It Worth It? Remember that Disney World restaurant menus change ALL the time. If you have your heart set on a specific food item or snack, be sure to make sure it’s still available by checking out those menus on the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app. We’ll also do our best to keep you updated on changes. Disney dining changes are a lot to keep up with! We’ve done all the research for you in writing our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! We’ve got details on EVERY dining location at Walt Disney World inside our eBook – and it’s easy to download to your tablet or smartphone to take with you on your next trip. After 15 Years of Covering Disney Food Professionally, Here Are 3 Restaurants That Have Never Let Me Down 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 Disney World restaurant? Let us know in the comments! The post 50s Prime Time Cafe, California Grill, and 10 More Disney World Restaurants CHANGED This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

For years, Disney World has experimented with different ways to skip the lines at its popular attractions. There was FastPass+, there were paper tickets and kiosks, and eventually, there was Genie+. These days, if you want to access the Lightning Lane (a.k.a. the shorter “express lane”), you need to pay an additional fee. As it stands currently (now through July 23rd, 2024), Disney Genie provides access to Lightning Lanes as well as other planning tools to help you maximize your time in Disney World. But soon, this service is changing. Kali River Rapids Lightning Lane sign in Disney’s Animal Kingdom In fact, BIG changes are coming to Genie+ at Disney World SOON! Starting July 24th, 2024, there will be an official name for the Lightning Lane service that is currently part of Disney Genie. Say hello to Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass, an updated version of Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes. OK, this may sound confusing, but we’re here to help! Recently, it seems like Disney has taken a step to help clear up some confusion, too. We have a full guide to all the things that the Lightning Lane Multi Pass service can do, but for now, we’ll give you a short, simple overview of what’s changing. Disney Genie+ is now Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Individual Lightning Lanes are now Lightning Lane Single Pass. As of July 24th, you can: Make Lightning Lane plans before you’re in Disney World Choose your experiences and times prior to purchasing Book Lightning Lane passes for multiple vacation days, all in a single day Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lane Multi Pass in Disney World We will have reporters live on the ground in Disney World on July 24th. They will be sharing everything they learn about the new service, what’s changed, and how to use the system to your advantage. Keep your eyes on our Instagram stories on July 24th for more information! New Lightning Lane changes are coming So, what is Disney doing to prepare for the changes? Well, for one thing, they’ve started prompting people to update their My Disney Experience app. Additionally, we spotted some NEW Lightning Lane Multi Pass informational brochures in Disney World! We got this one at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. It reads, “Beginning July 24, get to some of your favorites faster with our new Lightning Lane passes! Lightning Lane Multi Pass replaces Disney Genie+ service, and Lightning Lane Single Pass replaces Individual Lightning Lane entry.” The rules are CHANGING! It looks like Disney tried to keep the explanation as short and simple as possible. There’s a section that explains what each pass can do for you and spells out the way you can now plan ahead. The guide states: Choose up to 3 Multi Pass experiences and arrival windows in one theme park before your visit. On the day of your visit, once you redeem a selection, you can use the My Disney Experience app to check availability for another Multi Pass experience — and add to your plans. Keep this in your park bag! There’s also a section on Lightning Lane Single Pass (Disney’s pay-per-ride system for its most popular rides). This section explains the process by saying: Secure a time to ride one of our most highly demanded attractions when you purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass! You may purchase up to 2 Lightning Lane Single Passes per day, subject to availability. This could come in handy! Disney has more information on the back about using the service on the My Disney Experience app. Again, it seems like they tried to keep things simple with only three steps. Don’t forget — we’ll be sharing our full experience with the new service on July 24th! Here’s what it says on the back! One of the BIG changes with the new service is the timeline. Per Disney’s new guide, “If you’re staying at a Disney Resort Hotel, or other select hotels, you can purchase Lightning Lane passes up to seven days in advance of your check-in date. All other Guests can purchase up to three days prior to your first park day. You can purchase Lightning Lane passes beginning at 7AM on your first day of eligibility.” Here’s a closer peek We stopped by EPCOT’s Guest Relations counter AND a Guest Experience Team umbrella to see if they had any brochures. At the time of our visit, the only place to get these new paper guides was a Disney World hotel front desk. BoardWalk Inn Lobby Be sure to tune in on July 24th to see all the pros and cons of the updated skip-the-line service! And, if you’re in Disney World, we highly recommend picking up one of these guides at a Disney World hotel. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. The EASIEST Way To Use Disney World’s NEW Lightning Lane Multi Pass System 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 this new service? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney Hotels Sharing Important Information Before Major July 24th Changes first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve been searching for an elegant Disney World restaurant that won’t let you down, we’ve found your match! Narcoossee’s meal We’ve been on a dining roll recently, reviewing restaurants and treat stops that haven’t failed us yet. Would one of the fanciest restaurants in all of Disney World break that streak for us? It was time to find out! Narcoossee’s is an upscale yet casual seafood restaurant located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. To find it, you’ll want to venture out of the main building and head towards the marina, as the building is in an interesting circular shape that juts out into the Seven Seas Lagoon. Narcoosee’s This restaurant is a signature dining venue, and you must adhere to a dress code. The entire dining room was recently refurbished, and the menu was updated. Since it’s so close to the waterfront, it’s a prime location to take in the sights and sounds of the Electric Water Pageant and the Magic Kingdom Fireworks if you time your visit just right! Atmosphere The atmosphere of this restaurant is very bright and relaxing. It’s got a more coastal or nautical theme, and the various shades of blue and turquoise seem to shine in the setting sunlight. There’s lots of natural light that billows in from the windows, which gives you an excellent opportunity to look out at the lagoon while you’re enjoying your meal. Table setting While plush booth seating is available, standalone tables, which are smaller and more intimate, are also available — the perfect setting for an exquisite meal! View from our seats Once we were seated at our table, we were offered our menus. Menu Narcoosee’s will offer you a few menus when you dine here. One will be for your main courses, featuring appetizers, starters, soups, salads… Starters …entrees, sides, and enhancements. Entrees and more Another menu will be for your specialty cocktails, zero-proof cocktails… Spirits … beer and non-alcoholic beverage options. More drinks Lastly, you’ll have several desserts and after-dinner cocktails to choose from. Dessert menu After browsing their selections of everything we could choose from, we went with an interesting array of dishes that we felt could satisfy multiple palettes. Drinks We opted to order the Yuzu-Black Peppercorn Gin and Tonic first! This drink is made of Monkey 47 Gin, Aperol Liqueur, House-made Yuzu-Black Peppercorn Tonic, Lemon Grass, Beet Root, and Soda Water and is priced at $16. Yuzu-Black Peppercorn Gin & Tonic This turned out to be an amazing gin cocktail! All of the flavors within it were very pronounced and overall refreshing. This is a great option for a light start to dinner on after a hot day. You have to like acidity to your drink though as the yuzu is a bit like lemon but it’s not overly acidic. A closer look We followed up one great drink with another in the Salted Mascarpone Espresso Martini. This drink is made of Grey Goose Vodka, Kahlúa Liqueur, Joffrey’s Coffee Italian Espresso, and Cane Sugar with Mascarpone-DISARONNO Originale Liqueur Foam and is priced at $18. Salted Mascarpone Espresso Martini This one gave the Yuzu Gin & Tonic a run for its money in terms of our favorite of the evening. The mascarpone is so fluffy and light it’s like a slightly salty, sweet cloud. The drink itself is a classic Disney espresso martini –light and sweet– but the addition of the mascarpone makes it so fun and interesting. Eats We started things off with the bread service, which turned out to be one of our favorite breads in all of Disney World! We found it to be super crusty, but it’s a thin crust, so not too tricky to bite through. Then it’s super soft and airy in the middle. The sea salt butter is not super spreadable, but it’s got a nice creamy flavor that pairs well with a bit of tang from the bread. Bread Service From there, we tried the Brisket and Ricotta Tortelloni, which is served with parsnip, brown butter, Sultana raisins and priced at $17. Brisket and Ricotta Tortelloni We found the ricotta to be so creamy and smooth, which helped elevate this dish for us. The tortelloni was stuffed perfectly, with the bites being about 40% filling. The brisket was savory, tender, juicy, and melted in our mouths with minimal grease. The raisins added a really subtle sweetness to cut through some of the salt, and we can’t say enough good things about this dish! Inside look Up next was the Lobster Bisque which also includes butter-poached Lobster, vanilla, coral, and is priced at $19. Lobster Bisque Wow, was this creamy and so so flavorful! It was packed with the buttery, meaty lobster flavor but perfectly smooth. It’s poured table side over the beautifully presented add-ins, which left a lasting impression on us. We especially thought the creamy butter was an unbelievable addition. Getting a bite with the butter, the bisque, and the chunks of lobster was so complex, while still having a familiar flavor. If you’re looking for a soup that can stand on its own and really give you something to talk about, this is worth trying for sure! Delicious It was time to turn our attention to Red Wine-glazed Salmon. This dish is made of confit tomatoes and potatoes, lacinato kale, pickled mustard seed, harissa romesco, and Vidalia soubise and is priced at $46. Red Wine Glazed Salmon Ok, this was AMAZING! It was so impeccably cooked, and the glaze plus the sides were full of complex savory flavors without feeling unapproachable. One of our reporters likened the glaze to a fancy barbecue flavor, and we think that’s fair because a lot of the fruity, heavy flavor of the wine comes out. However, we also have to mention that the potatoes were the star of the show here. We love the sun-dried tomatoes and the greens (though they could be a bit salty if you get them alone). The pickled mustard seed honestly was our favorite bit, adding the perfect tang, and there was enough to have a little in every bite. But we’ve also got to mention that the salmon was so perfectly cooked that it was hard to keep it on the fork because it was so tender and flaky. The POTATOES! The Gulf Shrimp Bucatini was up next! This dish was made with house-made bucatini pasta, roasted tomatoes, savoy spinach, parsley, and basil pistou and is priced at $42. Gulf Shrimp Bucatini It should surprise no one at this point that the next dish was equally as thrilling. The sauce in this dish is some of the best tomato-based pasta sauce we’ve ever had. We found it to be incredibly colorful, creamy, and savory. The sun-dried tomatoes added a wonderful acidic flavor to the mix. The noodles were wonderfully al dente. The shrimp was cooked nice and plump and wasn’t overcooked or rubbery. The pesto was super bright, but we think the real star was the tomato sauce. If we were to return in the near future, we would absolutely get this dish again! Gulf Shrimp Bucatini We opted for the Almond-crusted Cheesecake for dessert! This one is served with Lambert cherry sauce and chantilly and is priced at $17. Almond-crusted Cheesecake Wow, where to start! We loved this. Seriously, this one was life-changing. This could very easily rank highly on the list of best desserts we’ve ever had at a table service restaurant in Disney World. We could make a return trip just for this dessert EASILY. It’s a super creamy cheesecake built with delicious and flavorful sugared almonds. It almost had a frangipani flavor to it (think sweet, floral, tropical), and the tart cherries on the side were the perfect balancing element. Plus, when we discovered you could add whipped cream to this — we were living the DREAM. Overall Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Narcoosee’s, a restaurant that very rarely lets us down. We were pleased to find that we were still discovering new and fresh flavors from their revised menu and we’re drooling just reminiscing about our experience there. View from our seats If you find yourself in search of an excellent restaurant to celebrate an occasion, enjoy an incredible array of dishes, or just treat yourself to something fancy for an evening we can’t recommend Narcoosee’s enough! Nosh or Not? Stroll on down to Narcoosee’s if… Fine dining at Disney World with an excellent meal is exactly what you’re looking for! There’s nothing wrong with being a little fancy while on vacation or stopping by for an excellent choice of restaurant for a date night. You’re fond of a dining experience with a view. The view you’ll get while dining here is bar none, and if you’ve timed your meal (and seating) just right, you’ll have opportunities to see the nightly fireworks and water pageant. Cruise on by if… Coastal menus aren’t your calling. If you’re not looking for a seafood-inspired menu, this might not be calling your name as loudly. You’re trying to be budget-conscious. This is a signature dining restaurant at Disney World, and with that classification, you’ll need to be aware that this meal won’t come cheap. While you’re here, check out a few of our most recent reviews below and stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog for even more to come! REVIEW: Did We Find the Solution to Disney’s Most DIVISIVE Meal Problem? 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 Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Best Disney Springs Restaurants The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel 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’s your usual order when you visit Narcoosee’s? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: This Disney World Hotel Restaurant Is Close to Perfection. Yes, Really. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We can never over-stress the importance of a good park bag, but we know everyone has their own preferences when it comes to what kind of park bag to use. UK Pavilion at EPCOT For example, belt bags are great if you only want to carry a few essentials. We tend to be SUCKERS for Loungefly bags because they allow us to express all our Disney nerdiness and are big enough to carry things like water bottles, chargers, phones, and more. However, Lug bags are now becoming pretty popular, and we’ve seen some of the crossbody Lug bags (like the Figment one) sell out in SECONDS. Well, Lug makes cute backpacks, too, and we just found the one you need at EPCOT. We found this MAGICAL Tinker Bell Lug Backpack at The Queen’s Table store in the U.K. Pavilion, and we are obsessed. These backpacks are a little bigger than the mini backpacks, so if you need a bigger bag than the typical Loungefly, these are the BEST. Plus, LOOK at it. Tink is on the front with the words “…Just a little bit of pixie dust.” There’s also a front zippered pocket — which ALWAYS comes in handy for those items you grab often throughout the day. Tink! The sides of the bag have a pattern of shooting stars with a Tinker Bell silhouette. There are also pockets on each side of the bag for anything that might fit in there (water bottles, for example). Side Another thing we LOVE about these bags is their super padded straps. That means you can carry this backpack around all day comfortably. Nicely padded straps This bag is $110, and we’re not sure how long it will last, so if you’ve got your eyes on it, you might want to make your way to EPCOT quickly. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more new Disney merchandise throughout Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more. While you’re in the shopping mood…have you checked our DFB exclusive graphic tees and merch? DFB DOLE Whip Shirt It’s super fun stuff to wear to the parks, or to rep your happy place at the grocery store! Click here to visit the DFB Merch Store! What’s In Our Bag?! DFB Reporters Share Their Secrets 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 of this backpack? Let us know in the comments! The post Your New Favorite Park Bag Just Landed in EPCOT’s United Kingdom Pavilion! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

I’ve eaten at every Disney World restaurant, every snack stand, and every EPCOT festival booth in the 15 years since I started Disney Food Blog. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Y’all, there are so many restaurants I absolutely LOVE, but I have to be honest and tell you there are also some I would NEVER recommend. Wait…never say never, AJ. There is one spot in EPCOT I used to warn people away from that has turned into a place I definitely think you should try! What do you do when there's a nearly 3-month gap between the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival and the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival? You throw yourself a big old DFB Mega Fest! We've got loads of giveaways, behind the scenes content, and untold crazy stories from AJ Wolfe and the DFB team. Come celebrate DFB Mega Fest with us! I’m talking about Regal Eagle Smokehouse. Regal Eagle Smokehouse This restaurant is themed around The Muppets’ Sam Eagle, and you’ll find nods to him and more of The Muppets throughout the restaurant. Sam Eagle Sipper at Regal Eagle Smokehouse This is serious barbecue, and the menu includes Memphis Dry-Rub Pork Ribs, a Sliced Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich, and a Kansas City Half-Smoked Chicken. Memphis Dry Rub Pork Ribs There are also sides like these Baked Beans with Burnt Ends (I REALLY like these)… Baked Beans with Burnt Ends …and desserts including THIS S’MORES BROWNIE. S’mores Brownie at Regal Eagle This is SOLID food — a fast casual restaurant with some serious table service quality. Regal Eagle Smokehouse opened about a month before Disney World shut down for the pandemic in 2020, and I couldn’t wait to try it again when it re-opened later in 2020. But this spot? Well, it used to be a little place called Liberty Inn. Liberty Inn Sign The menu at Liberty Inn included cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, and a variety of desserts. The food was sub-par, and the only reason I could recommend eating here was the plentiful seating in AC. There were just too many better food options in EPCOT’s World Showcase. Grilled Chicken Wrap at Liberty Inn I was not sad to see Liberty Inn go. And it turns out that in its place we got an inspired renovation into an “all-American” concept that still fits in the American Pavilion — but with character. They do a great job at Regal Eagle food-wise! Barbecued Pulled Chicken Sandwich at Regal Eagle Smokehouse Just goes to show — never say never when it comes to Disney World Restaurants. As I’ve said many times before (because it’s SO TRUE!), the only thing that’s consistent about Disney restaurants is that they’re inconsistent. For 15 years, we’ve consistently brought you all things Disney World, and we’re not stopping now! We’re in the parks every day bringing you all the new snacks, menu changes, ride and construction updates, and so much more! Keep following us here at DFB! I Was Fired from My Job 15 Years Ago and Started a Blog. Here’s What Happened Next. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW The post I Never Thought I'd Recommend this Disney World Restaurant, but Here We Are. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World attractions temporarily close all the time. Magic Kingdom Disney closes rides and attractions for refurbishment all the time. There are periods when we’ll see several rides closed at a time and other times when only one or two rides are closed. We love to see when the number of rides closed in a week is low, which is what is great about this week! While a few restaurants and other attractions will be closed for refurbishment this week, only two rides are closed, for now! Peter Pan’s Flight One of Magic Kingdom’s most popular rides closed for refurbishment on July 8th! Peter Pan’s Flight Peter Pan’s Flight will be closed until August 21st. While Disney hasn’t commented on the closure, a permit filed for the ride indicates some general construction. We’ll be keeping our eyes open for any more information concerning any changes coming to this popular ride! Disney’s Average Wait Time for This NEW Attraction May SHOCK You in Magic Kingdom Test Track Test Track closed on June 17th, and Disney is giving this ride a BIG makeover! Test Track Disney has shared that the new version of Test Track will take inspiration from the old ride, World of Motion, that was originally there when the park opened in 1982. Other than that, Disney hasn’t shared many other details about the project. We don’t even have a reopening date yet, but we’ll be watching for more updates. But what else will be closed during your trip to Disney World this week? Keep reading to find out! Magic Kingdom Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade We had to say goodbye to an opening day attraction on June 23rd. Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade was around for generations and provided simple fun to all who played. Now, the attraction has closed to make room for a new Disney Vacation Club lounge. This lounge will be the third in Disney World, joining one in EPCOT and one at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Disney has not yet announced when the new lounge will open. What’s CHANGED at Magic Kingdom’s Cult Favorite Attraction After Its LONG Closure? Tomorrowland Terrace Tomorrowland Terrace is a quick-service restaurant that has been closed since the 2020 pandemic-related closures, but even before that, this spot was only occasionally open. Tomorrowland Terrace Once in a while, you’ll see the dining room open as a rest area (and it’s still being used for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties), but it’s usually all roped off and empty. Beautiful view from Tomorrowland Terrace Disney hasn’t announced when this spot could finally reopen, but we’ll be watching for updates. If you’re looking for a nice spot to hang out in Disney World and sit down for a rest, this could be it! We’ve Got Some Bad News About Magic Kingdom’s Extended Evening Hours Perk EPCOT Restaurant Marrakesh Restaurant Marrakesh is currently closed in the Morocco pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase, and there’s no word yet on when the restaurant could fully reopen. Restaurant Marrakesh We’re watching for updates on when the full restaurant could reopen! A PLAGUE Has Infected EPCOT’s Tiny Train Town! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Voyage of the Little Mermaid Voyage of the Little Mermaid is currently closed in Disney World. We recently spotted some construction walls up at the show! Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney is going to introduce a new, updated show in this spot, though it will still be themed to the animated movie The Little Mermaid! The new show will be called “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” and is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Fall 2024. ©Disney It will be a “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.” ALERT! An Exclusive Hotel Perk Is Coming BACK to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Blizzard Beach Blizzard Beach closed for refurbishment on March 17th. Blizzard Beach While Blizzard Beach is closed, Typhoon Lagoon is currently open. The two water parks often rotate off and on for being open. Disney has not announced when Blizzard Beach might reopen. We’ll be watching for any updates, though! Click here to learn all about Typhoon Lagoon. Disney World Hotels World Premiere Food Court — Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort The World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort is undergoing a bit of refurbishment throughout July! The World Premiere Food Court This food court closed for refurbishment on July 1st and will remain closed until July 31st. While it’s getting a face-lift, you will be able to mobile order from a limited menu on the Disney World app. If you’re planning a stay at this resort in July, this is an important update to note! Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. Check out more upcoming closures and current construction projects at Disney World here. Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lanes Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments! The post 2 Rides Remain CLOSED in Disney World This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney vacations are NOT just to theme parks. While Disney operates several theme parks around the world, they also have many vacation destinations that are not theme parks but are still just as fun (and perhaps even more of a vacation)! @DisneyAulani There are Disney cruises to multiple destinations and Disney owns a few resorts that are not located near theme parks. One of those resorts is located in Ko Olina, Hawaii. Aulani is a beautiful resort right on the beach. It offers a wide variety of entertainment and relaxation. There are shows, characters, pool activities, beach activities, a spa, and so much more to make your vacation one of your favorites without having to step foot in a theme park. And now, one guest favorite amenity at Aulani will be changing soon! There are multiple pool and spa locations around Aulani. Many are included with your stay, while a couple may be added on for an additional price. However, one pool, the Wailana Pool, will soon be changing! Wailana Pool ©Disney Wailana Pool is located off the beaten path and offers a space of tranquility and relaxation. It has a beautiful waterfall that empties into the pool and lots of tropical shade trees. For a while now, this pool has been available to the whole family, but starting on August 5th, it will become an adults-only pool once again. ©Disney Guests and Disney Vacation Club Members 18 and older may enjoy this pool and the cabanas located near it, while kids and families are welcomed to the several other pool areas located around the resort. Wailana Pool is also located right by the Wailana Pool Bar where guests can enjoy refreshments while they lounge by the pool. ©Disney Other pool experiences around Aulani include Keiki Cove Splash Zone, Menehune Bridge, Waikolohe Pool and Stream, Ka Maka Grotto, and Rainbow Reef (additional cost). There is so much to do and see at Aulani, but if you’re planning on visiting soon, it’s important to note this change! This new rule will provide adults a space for serenity, peace, and relaxation. But worry not, families will still have LOTS to do and see. Mickey in Hawaii! If you’re hoping to plan a trip to Aulani but don’t know where to start, check out our friends at Small World Vacations! They can help you plan your vacation for FREE. For more news and updates, be sure to keep following DFB! EXTENDED Closure Confirmed for Pool at a Popular Disney World Hotel DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Are you planning a trip to Aulani? Let us know in the comments! The post A Disney Resort Pool Is CHANGING -- Here's What You Need to Know first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

All of us love it when we’re able to get our favorite Disney souvenirs online, right?! ©Amazon It’s great and all that we can get our fill on Disney souvenirs when we’re in a gift shop at Disney World, but there’s something almost magical when we can do it from the comfort of our homes while we’re sipping on coffee in our favorite pajamas. To that point, we saw that Amazon just dropped some of the most EPIC Disney souvenirs that have us saying, “Okay, take my money” and we need you to know about them. Let’s get right into it! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Remember, you can get free, fast shipping with an Amazon Prime membership, so sign up for a FREE trial below. Let’s get right into the two EPIC Disney souvenirs that are available on Amazon right now! Shop this Disney’s 100th 25 Pieces Foam Puzzle Mat ©Amazon First up, we’re big fans of Disney souvenirs, especially ones that can be enjoyed by a lot of people no matter what age they are, which is where this one comes in hot. Not only does this puzzle have some of your kiddos’ favorite Disney characters on it, but it’s also constructed out of soft foam which means it’s safe and durable. This would also be such a fun puzzle to build with the kids when you’re back in the hotel room and just unwinding. View on Amazon Shop this Inflatable Disney’s Nightmare Before Christmas Mayor-Mobile Scene Yard Decoration ©Amazon Lastly, if you’re a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas and if Jack Skellington, Zero, and the rest of the ensemble are your besties, you absolutely have to check out this inflatable yard decoration. For starters, it’s never too early to get your Halloween lawn decor on lock. At 10’ long, 8’ tall, and over 4’ wide, this would be the perfect piece to your decor and make your yard the most epic one of all in the neighborhood. View on Amazon We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news and updates, so make sure to follow along for more. Click here to view our Amazon Storefront The post SIGH. Okay, Take My Money — Amazon Just Dropped the Most EPIC Disney Souvenirs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This has been a HUGE year for Disney movies. ©Disney Inside Out 2 has been breaking box office records left and right and is still going strong. Deadpool & Wolverine is dropping in theaters soon and could be one of the most highly anticipated Marvel movies in a long time. Moana 2 will release on November 27th (and its trailer is already breaking records), and ahead of that release, some new books are coming out to celebrate the new movie! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Looking to grab that free shipping on Amazon but don’t have Amazon Prime? You can sign up for a free trial membership by clicking on the banner below. Two new Moana 2 books are now available for pre-order on Amazon. Get the Moana 2 Little Golden Book ©Amazon Join Moana on her next adventure with Maui and a brand new crew of “unlikely seafarers.” Moana will journey to the far seas of Oceania into dangerous waters for a new adventure in Moana 2. And you can read all about it before the movie comes out — the book releases on October 15th. Pre-Order on Amazon Buy the Moana 2 Big Golden Book ©Amazon Older readers, ages three to seven, (or anyone who loves Moana) will love getting the Big Golden Book that tells the story of Moana 2. This could make a great gift for any Moana fan in your life, as well as a nice collectible for ALL Moana fans. Pre-Order on Amazon These aren’t the only Moana 2 books coming out, though: even more books are set to come out later this year. In the meantime, be sure to check out our Amazon shop for all your Disney souvenirs and necessities. Visit our Amazon ShopThe post ALERT: Disney Drops FIRST OFFICIAL ‘Moana 2’ Souvenir on Amazon! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Extra, extra, read all about it! Seriously, we’re sure Disney World hasn’t had a wink of sleep because they’ve dropped so many new updates this week. If you’ve missed out, this is your chance to catch up! Magic Kingdom I’m back again with another round of WHAT’S NEW UPDATES AT DISNEY WORLD, a rundown on all the epic news and updates that happened at Disney World this past week. This week, we got the 4-1-1 on TWO NEW BOOTHS announced for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, the Country Bear Musical Jamboree has officially OPENED at Magic Kingdom, and an exclusive hotel perk that’s coming BACK to Hollywood Studios! Are y’all ready? Okay, let’s go! While there’s sure to be a long debate on whether the new Country Bear Musical Jamboree lives up to the iconic original incarnation, we must admit that “The Bare Necessities” finale is one element of the new show that really works well when seen with an audience. Here’s a full list of the NEW songs: “Try Everything” from Zootopia “Kiss the Girl” from The Little Mermaid “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from Mary Poppins “A Whole New World” from Aladdin “Fixer Upper” from Frozen “Remember Me” from Coco “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story “The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book “Come Again” We’re glad to have our favorite band of bears back! FIRST LOOK: Disney Just Dropped a NEW $35 Souvenir in Magic Kingdom An Exclusive Hotel Perk Is Coming BACK to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney World offers Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for select guests, giving them extra hours in the parks! Unlike Early Theme Park Hours, Extended Evening Hours are offered only at one park per specific date. Right now, you’ll find this extra perk in EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, but Disney just revealed that Extended Evening Hours are coming back to Hollywood Studios! Tower of Terror We spotted the change on the My Disney Experience app. People staying at select Disney World hotels can experience Extended Evening Hours at Hollywood Studios beginning on September 25th, 2024. ©Disney This means you’ll be able to ride the following rides! Alien Swirling Saucers Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Slinky Dog Dash Star Tours – The Adventures Continue Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Toy Story Mania! The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge And as a reminder, these are the hotels that qualify for Extended Evening Hours: Disney’s Contemporary Resort Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas & Cabins Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s Beach Club Villas Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Riviera Resort Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort Hollywood Studios We’re happy to see this hotel perk is back and can’t wait to take advantage of it starting on September 25th, 2024! Of course, that’s not all that happened! There are plenty of things that happen every single day at Disney World. Check out EVERYTHING by clicking through the links below! Our reporters and writers keep these pages updated with all the latest things that take place in the parks — from merchandise drops to new menu items. See for yourself! WHAT'S NEW AT DISNEY? Check out our daily updates on all the happenings around Disney World and Disneyland! Magic Kingdom EPCOT Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom Disney Hotels Disney Springs Disneyland Looking for more big Disney World news? Click here! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. 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 these big Disney World updates? Let us know in the comments! The post Heads Up! 3 BIG Announcements Dropped in 3 Disney World Parks! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Planning a trip to Disney World involves…well…a lot of planning. You have to figure out your budget, how long you want to stay, where you want to stay, and what kind of park tickets to get. Most of us fly to Disney World You also have to figure out HOW you’re getting to Disney World. Although many may drive, for most folks, this means flying to Orlando. Well, one airline wants to make your flying experience a little more EXTRA by adding a LOT MORE first class and premium class seats to its planes. Beginning in September, Alaska Airlines has plans to start rolling out more first class and premium class seats across its fleet of aircraft, which would add 1.3 million premium seats per year to its fleet of planes. The planes that will be getting these upgrades include 900ERs, 800s, and Max9s. The airline has already retrofitted its regional aircraft by adding 400,000 premium class seats to its E175 planes. ©Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines is also making it easier for passengers to upgrade their seats. The upgrades to its aircraft are expected to be complete by summer 2026. First Class seating will be more enhanced than ever with more legroom, a calf rest, a new seatback device holder, a six-way headrest with neck support, and USB-C charging capabilities. ©Alaska Airlines In premium class and the main cabin of the 737-800 fleet, features will be improved, including new device holders with built-in cup holders, USB-C charging, and a six-way headrest with dedicated neck support. Many planes will also receive an “interior refresh.” ©Alaska Airlines So, when you fly to Disney World, you may want to consider booking a seat on Alaska Airlines. Of course, when you get to Orlando, you’ll still have to figure out how to get from the airport to Disney World. You have several options, including renting a car, using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, or taking a shared shuttle service like Mears Connect driven by Sunshine. ©Alaska Airlines If you want to do some planning before your flight (or even on the plane!), check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We’ve compiled all of our BEST tips and tricks from years of Disney World travel into one eBook that you can download to your tablet or smartphone and take with you! Stay tuned to DFB for more. And let us know what you think of the new design in the comments below! Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever flown with Alaska Airlines? What was it like? Share in the comments! The post Alaska Airlines Reveals NEW Premium Seats in Its Cabins and We NEED Your Thoughts on the Design first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Most folks visiting Disney World might not think to look at the hidden gem restaurants located in Disney World’s hotels. While there are excellent character dining options with princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, there’s another popular dining experience that people seem to FORGET about in Disney World! There’s another place to meet Snow White! We recently ventured beyond the gates (okay, it was a boat ride away) of Magic Kingdom for an enchanted evening meal. But did this meal live up to the high bar we’ve set for this restaurant in the past, or is its appeal starting to fade? Let’s find out! Artist Point is nestled within the halls of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. It’s a great destination for those looking to tackle a unique meal outside Disney World’s theme parks. If that name isn’t quite ringing a bell for you, that could be because you know it by its character dining name — Storybook Dining. Artist Point restaurant Here, you’ll enjoy a prix fix menu while clapping and laughing along with some of the most notable characters pulled from the classic animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Just don’t be started if you see a villain make their presence known while you’re dining, and you’ll quickly see why this meal has won over the hearts of many. Atmosphere The atmosphere at this restaurant will make you feel like you’re truly turning through the storybook pages of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs and entering their fair land. The dining rooms mainly consist of tables and chairs, and there’s ample seating throughout the multi-room dining space with enchanted twinkling trees. Enchanted trees There really isn’t a bad seat in the restaurant because it’s designed to feel open, and you’re often invited to stand up and wander around (just don’t stare down the Evil Queen too long when she’s around)! A few booth style tables After we were sat at our table, we were offered menus that listed the prix fix options for the meal. We were also given a few souvenir cards with signatures from the characters who would be visiting us throughout the meal. Such beautiful light fixtures Don’t worry about having to get up from your table to meet with Snow White… Snow White …Dopey… Dopey …and Grumpy, as they’ll come around to visit you (maybe a few times) while you’re dining. Grumpy However, our server was quick to offer us an invitation to visit with the Evil Queen… Invitation to meet the Evil Queen …(and beg her grace for a portrait) that can be redeemed at special points throughout your dining experience. The Evil Queen We highly recommend taking full advantage of this meet-and-greet because it is currently the ONLY way you’ll get to meet with the Evil Queen at Disney World (and year-round)! Menu This restaurant features a prix fix menu with a storybook twist, where most of the meal’s selections are made and brought right to you. Your story will begin with shared appetizers. ©Disney From there, the meal moves to the core of the story entrees (where you’ll choose one of the choices offered). ©Disney Finally, your meal comes to a close with a sweet ending of shared desserts. ©Disney Of course, there are a few options available to enhance your meal, like non-alcoholic specialty drink selections for an additional fee… ©Disney …wickedly refreshing cocktails… ©Disney …beers… ©Disney …and wines. ©Disney The children’s menu will also offer a selection of appetizers… ©Disney …choice of entree… ©Disney …and choice of two sides. ©Disney Everyone at the table will be allowed to share the desserts at the end of the meal and allergy-friendly options are available upon request. Meals here will run you $65 for adults and $39 for children ages 3 to 9 plus tax and gratuities. Drinks Time for a drink! We opted to try the Through the Forest cocktail. Through the Forest We were able to add this to our meal for an additional $5. It’s made of Wildberry, Lime Juice, Mint, and Sparkling Water. Essentially, it’s a non-alcoholic mojito with a raspberry blackberry kick. We really loved how bubbly it was and that it felt like a true mocktail! So bubbly! If you’re looking for a drink that won’t taste like heavy syrup and want something to help add some brightness to your meal, we highly recommend either of these! Eats Since this is a prix-fix meal, most of the meal is preselected for you. All we needed to do was make a decision on which entree we would like to try out for this meal. For continuity, we’ll talk about the meal as it was presented to us throughout our dining experience. The first course we were brought out was our shared appetizers. They were brought out on a tree with several tiers that included the Wild Mushroom Bisque, Wicked Shrimp Cocktail, and the Hunter’s Harvest. Shared appetizers We started things off by sipping the Wild Mushroom Bisque. It’s made with chive oil and pureed into a thicker soup consistency. It tastes almost peppery, and the earthy mushroom flavor is subtle (this might be a good way to stealthily get your kids treated to some mushrooms while you’re here). Wild Mushroom Bisque Then, it was time to dig into the Wicked Shrimp Cocktail. It has a bloody mary vinaigrette, seaweed salad, and spiced house-made seasoning. Wicked Shrimp Cocktail Just like its name suggests, it is “wicked” good! The shrimp was plump and briny, and we found the seaweed salad and vinaigrette to be fitting accompaniments to help it stand out. SO plump! The Hunter’s Harvest rounded us out for our shared apps. It’s made of Turkey and Chicken, Cranberry Preserve, and Crispy Sauerkraut. Hunter’s Harvest They’re rolled into a meatball consistency, and when you bite into them, it’s like a flavor explosion in your mouth. They’re lightly coated in something sweet like a teriyaki sauce, and we found these to be a delicious tease of the turkey and chicken meat, coupled with the sweet cranberry preserve. Still, we almost missed the crispy sauerkraut unless we were really looking for it underneath the other more prominent flavors. Inside of the meat We found all of these to be quite an interesting tease for our upcoming entrees. Speaking of which, we haven’t told you yet which of the entree choices we had decided on. We opted for the Sorceress Spell of “Tricken” Chicken (which was the plant-based option on the menu) and Magic Mirror’s Slow-braised Pork Shank. Our entrees for the meal Let’s start things off with the “tricken” chicken plate first. This dish is made of cauliflower puree, roasted vegetables, and vegetable jus. The vegetables had some interesting colors, which helped liven up the presentation of the plate. Sorceress Spell of “Tricken” Chicken The veggies were well cooked, and the vegetable jus was earthy and herbaceous, giving it a distinct taste and smell. The cauliflower puree was very thin (like you would expect a puree to be) and certainly had a cauliflower taste. Inside look The chicken was cooked more like a chicken patty since it’s a plant-based option and less like an actual chicken. It was fine to pass as a chicken, but you really needed to be able to appreciate a drier chicken patty over envisioning this meal as a juicy piece of chicken. We realize this comes with the territory of being a plant-based option instead of true chicken, but overall, it didn’t wow us. Just a bite Then, it was time to start in on the Magic Mirror’s Slow-braised Pork Shank. This dish is served with polenta and gastrique and tasted just as amazing as it looked! Magic Mirror’s Slow-Braised Pork Shank We found the meat in our dish to be very tender (like “fall off the bone when touched with a fork” tender) and had great flavor! The pork shank reminded us of carnitas, where the slivers practically melted apart in your mouth. Look at how tender it was! The polenta reminded us of thicker-styled grits that were buttery and, with gastrique juices, almost had a sour cream flavor to them. We could go on and on about this dish because it blew us away, and we can’t recommend it here enough when you visit. So delicious OK, you’ve gotta stay with us because there’s still dessert to get through. This meal comes with a lot of food, so make sure to save some room! Shared desserts Dessert is another multi-sampling option, just like the shared appetizers. Here, we were treated to Miner’s Treasures, Poison Apple, and Gooseberry Pie. But there was also a special chocolate treat that was brought out to our table resembling a chocolate heart served on dry ice that billowed out of the Queen’s box she’d gifted the huntsman for Snow White. A “gift” from the Evil Queen? Disney couldn’t have gone more over the top with this presentation because you feel like you’ve hit the jackpot here! The Miner’s Treasure is a cute little “rock” of sorts with Dopey’s likeness featured in the treat. Miner’s Treasure It tastes like cookies and cream whipped mousse inside and held together surprisingly well! The rock pieces taste like bits of brownie at first, but once you chomp down, you get a milk chocolatey taste, kind of like an M&M candy piece. If you’ve ever tried the Grey Stuff at Be Our Guest, this was very similar. Cross section of the inside The “poison” apple really caught our eye from the start, and for good reason! “Poison” Apple Its candy outer shell is easily breakable, as it’s not made of thick, hard chocolates. It looked like a thinner chocolate with a whipped dark chocolate mousse inside containing crispy pearls with a hint of sour apple flavor. Crunchy and fluffy on the inside The gooseberry pie dessert about did us in, though, on the flavor scale! Gooseberry Pie It features a toasted meringue top that’s crunchy and soft underneath (like whipped egg whites). The gooseberries tasted like a small cooked sour green cherry but also had the consistency of a cooked apple. The pie crust didn’t have much flavor but did crumble nicely when cut. Cross section of the gooseberry pie In all seriousness, the crust went nicely with the stronger prominent, sour taste of the gooseberry. Overall Overall, It’s really hard to find fault with this stunning dining experience. This restaurant works really hard to deliver an experience you won’t easily forget! Everything from the theming, the characters, and even the details from the menu and desserts work harmoniously to bring together a dining experience you’ll be talking about for weeks after you’ve wrapped up your meal here. The poison apple If you’ve found yourself looking for a filling meal with a little bit of entertainment AND don’t mind going a bit out of your way to visit another Disney World hotel, we think your efforts won’t be in vain here! Nosh or Not? Come on down to the join the celebration if… Meeting rare characters is a high priority for your trip. This unique dining atmosphere is the perfect storybook setting to meet with beloved, classic characters that typically don’t meet in the park. Whether you’re into princesses or villains, there really are several to meet with during this meal for all character enthusiasts, and we give it high praise for allowing us some one-on-one time with characters we don’t typically get to meet inside the Disney World parks. You’re looking to dine like royalty! It’s true… here you’re treated to a multi-course meal where you never have to leave the table unless you want to greet the Evil Queen or take a few photos with the dwarves and Snow White. The servers here do a phenomenal job of tending to your taste buds as swiftly as possible and keeping your meal moving right along to the next course! You’re taking an “off” day outside of the Disney World parks. One of the complaints we hear most is that people don’t typically like to come out of the Disney World parks once they’ve scanned in to use their tickets that day (and with ticket prices being what they are, we can’t say we blame them). However, this makes Storybook Dining a prime dining opportunity to book for one of the days you’re not planning to visit the parks, like your rest day or even the day you check in. It helps give you a taste of what’s to come for your vacation without feeling like you’re missing out on much while you’re not inside the theme parks. You’ll do better dining somewhere else if… You’re looking for a more intimate dining experience. The dining room here is several rooms large, open space, and can get loud even when folks are talking at their regular volumes. Add in a little fun and excitement when the characters come around, and you could find it a bit more noisy than you would have preferred. You’ve got a list of specific characters to see and the ones from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs aren’t exactly on the list. We get it! Being strategic about where you choose to dine at Disney World is already a huge learning curve, but not all character dining will feature the same characters. If you’re looking to meet a broader cast, you might do better meeting Mickey and Friends at places like Chef Mickey, Garden Grill, or Hollywood and Vine. You think your money on this meal might be spent better elsewhere. You’re not offending anyone at all if you decide this meal, its menu lineup, and, more importantly, its price tag just doesn’t align with your plans. Everyone has different tastes, and with so many other restaurants around Disney World, there’s sure to be something else that catches your interest. Don’t take our word for it, though! Check out Storybook Dining for yourself, and before you make your own Disney World dining reservations, take a look at a few of our most recent reviews below and stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog for all the latest Disney World menu news, updates, and changes! REVIEW: We Can Tell You What NOT to Order at This Disney World Restaurant 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 Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Best Disney Springs Restaurants The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel 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! Is Storybook Dining at Artist’s Point one of your favorite character meals at Disney World? Tell us why or why not in the comments below! The post REVIEW: I Left Magic Kingdom for This Disney World DELUXE Hotel Restaurant – and I Have NO Regrets first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Recently, performing Cast Members at Disneyland voted to unionize with the Actors’ Equity Association. But that’s not the only union representing Cast Members in California. Disneyland These unions work to ensure the Cast Members at the Disneyland Resort have fair working conditions, favorable wages, and security in terms of living conditions. Since April 24th, 2024, four unions have been working on contract negotiations with the Disney company, but on Friday evening, July 19th, members voted to authorize a strike due to unfair labor practices. According to NBC News, four unions representing more than 14,000 Cast Members around Disneyland Resort (Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Disney hotels, Downtown Disney district) had members vote to authorize a strike which would be the first walkout in Disneyland in 40 years (the last one was in 1984 for 22 days). 99% of those who voted (the number of voters was not released), voted to authorize the strike which is allowed to happen at any time. Disneyland The unions cited economic hardship including housing and food insecurity as Aaron Zarate, a candy maker at Disneyland who is a member of the workers’ bargaining committee, stated, “This vote shows that the Cast Members have had enough!” Ahead of the vote, the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee said in a statement, “Instead of working with us toward a fair contract, Disney has engaged in multiple instances of conduct we allege are unfair labor practices, including unlawful discipline and intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work.” Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland The authorization to strike does not mean a strike will happen immediately or at all. Jessica Good, a Disneyland Resort spokesperson, added that a strike authorization is “not unusual” during the negotiation process. Good also said, “We greatly appreciate the important roles our cast members play in creating memorable experiences for our guests, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them while positioning Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation.” Negotiations will continue on Monday, July 22nd, and Tuesday, July 23rd. Disney California Adventure Custodians, ride operators, candy makers, and merchandise clerks are the Cast Members at the center of the fight. On June 10th, almost two months after negotiations began, over 675 Cast Members filed unfair labor practice charges against Disney. These charges are currently being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board. Disney California Adventure The four unions that represent the workers are the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83; the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW); the Teamsters Local 495; and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324. As this situation continues to develop, we’ll keep you updated with more information. So stay tuned to DFB for more news. BREAKING: NEW Restaurant Announced for Disneyland 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 The post NEWS: 99% of Unionized Disney Cast Members Vote To Authorize Strike first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the pools at a popular Disney World hotel will be closing soon! Caribbean Beach Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a large hotel located on the Disney Skyliner route. Between its convenient access to transportation and its moderate price point, Caribbean Beach Resort is a popular choice for guests. But if you’re planning to stay there soon, we have an important heads-up about an upcoming closure! If you’ve stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort in the past, you may have noticed that it’s HUGE. The hotel sections are organized into “villages” to help identify each area of the resort — Trinidad, Martinique, Barbados, Aruba, and Jamaica. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort In addition to the hotel’s main Fuentes del Morro Pool, each of the five villages also has its own leisure pool. This can be a convenient perk if you want to enjoy a quick dip without having to hike across the resort, or if you’re looking for a quieter and less crowded pool day. Barbados Section If having close access to a leisure pool is important to you during your stay, it’s important to note that the Barbados leisure pool will be closed from July 29th through the end of September 2024. Barbados Leisure Pool Closure Guests staying at the resort still have the option to use one of the other four leisure pools, in addition to the hotel’s large feature pool, Fuentes del Morro. But if you plan to spend a lot of time relaxing poolside, you might want to plan around the Barbados section in the upcoming months, or be prepared to have a longer walk to the nearest pool! Fuentes del Morro pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort On the other hand, if you prefer a more lively pool day experience, the Fuentes del Morro pool may be more up your alley anyway. The feature pool offers daily family-friendly activities, like themed pool games, relays, trivia, and more. Caribbean Beach Resort Pool We’ll continue to be on the lookout for other closures from around the Disney parks that could impact your upcoming vacation, so check back with DFB for all of the latest updates! The ONE Thing People Don’t Want To Admit About Disney World Hotels Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels A Full List of Changes Announced for Disney World’s Hotels The BEST Disney World Hotels for 2023 The WORST Disney World Hotels for 2023 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What Items from Amazon Can You Have Delivered to Your Resort Hotel? We’ve Got the Details Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What is your favorite hotel pool in Disney World? Share with us in the comments! The post NEWS: EXTENDED Closure Confirmed for Pool at a Popular Disney World Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Every week, we check the average Disney World wait times in every park so that you can be prepared for your next trip to Orlando! This week, a Magic Kingdom classic saw a jump in its average wait time, while Disney World’s busiest ride got even busier! Space Mountain With Peter Pan down for its first full week, Space Mountain saw a large jump in its average wait time at the Magic Kingdom. Meanwhile, Disney World’s longest average wait time was for Flight of Passage, as usual, which jumped over 10 minutes this week. Take a look at this week’s average wait times — going from highest to lowest! Magic Kingdom Wait Times The Magic Kingdom park saw a couple of interesting developments this week. The first full week without Peter Pan’s Flight open caused Space Mountain’s wait to jump up, while the Country Bears returned after a long refurbishment to a 15-minute wait. Say what?! Yes, despite being a brand-new attraction, the Country Bear Musical Jamboree had a surprisingly LOW average wait time. (NOTE: Tron Lightcycle/Run does not currently use a standby queue; it’s not included here, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure does not have a standby queue yet.) Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — 59 minutes Space Mountain — 47 minutes Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — 35 minutes Jungle Cruise — 36 minutes Haunted Mansion — 33 minutes Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh — 31 minutes “it’s a small world!” Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — 27 minutes Enchanted Tales with Belle — 23 minutes Astro Orbiter — 24 minutes Pirates of the Caribbean — 21 minutes “it’s a small world” — 19 minutes Tomorrowland Speedway — 16 minutes Mickey’s PhilharMagic — 15 minutes Mad Tea Party Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini — 15 minutes Liberty Square Riverboat — 15 minutes Country Bear Musical Jamboree — 15 minutes Magic Carpets of Aladdin — 13 minutes Enchanted Tiki Room — 12 minutes Dumbo the Flying Elephant — 11 minutes Mad Tea Party — 8 minutes Carousel of Progress Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover — 8 minutes Prince Charming Regal Carrousel — 7 minutes Tom Sawyer Island — 6 minutes Carousel of Progress — 5 minutes Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse — 5 minutes Hall of Presidents — 2 minutes We’ve Got Some Bad News About Magic Kingdom’s Extended Evening Hours Perk EPCOT Wait Times EPCOT’s wait time champion was still Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure as usual, though its lead was a little bit slimmer than usual this week. (NOTE: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind does not currently use a standby queue, so it’s not included here.) EPCOT’s animatronics Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — 53 minutes Frozen Ever After — 46 minutes Soarin’ — 29 minutes Mission: SPACE — 26 minutes The Seas Turtle Talk with Crush — 15 minutes Spaceship Earth — 12 minutes Journey into Imagination — 9 minutes The Seas with Nemo and Friends — 8 minutes Gran Fiesta Tour — 8 minutes Living with the Land — 8 minutes Test Track, Awesome Planet, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. A PLAGUE Has Infected EPCOT’s Tiny Train Town! Animal Kingdom Wait Times Animal Kingdom’s Flight of Passage shot up, with an increase of over 10 minutes this week, emphatically retaining the title of the resort’s longest overall average wait. Expedition Everest Avatar Flight of Passage — 93 minutes Kali River Rapids — 49 minutes Na’vi River Journey — 48 minutes Expedition Everest — 36 minutes Kilimanjaro Safaris Kilimanjaro Safaris — 25 minutes Dinosaur — 21 minutes It’s Tough to Be a Bug — 10 minutes TriceraTop Spin — 6 minutes The Boneyard — 0 minutes What Exactly Is ‘Balloon Daycare’ in Animal Kingdom, and Why Do You Need to Know About It? Hollywood Studios Wait Times Hollywood Studios remained mostly unchanged this week, with Slinky Dog Dash and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster leading the pack. Tower of Terror Slinky Dog Dash — 66 minutes Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster — 61 Minutes Rise of the Resistance — 56 minutes Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — 49 minutes Tower of Terror — 45 minutes Alien Swirling Saucers Toy Story Mania — 45 minutes Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway — 44 minutes Alien Swirling Saucers — 28 minutes All eyes on you Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy — 13 minutes Star Tours — 12 minutes Muppet Vision 3D — 10 minutes Walt Disney Presents — 3 minutes. ALERT! An Exclusive Hotel Perk Is Coming BACK to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World! We Will Never Use a MagicBand the Same in Disney World Thanks to This $10 Upgrade Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How long would you wait for your favorite ride? Let us know in the comments below! The post Disney’s Average Wait Time for This NEW Attraction May SHOCK You in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Fans of the Country Bear Musical Jamboree it’s time to listen up because we have MORE news coming your way! Hey, Big Al! This time, we have news coming from the West Coast in Disneyland! While the Country Bears no longer play their jamboree over in Disneyland, they will again be featured in Walt’s original theme park. This time, you’ll find some of their favorite food and music showcased at a reimagined restaurant! Hungry Bear Restaurant closed in Disneyland on July 8th for refurbishments. Now, Disney has announced that the popular restaurant over in Critter Country will be getting a new name and theme. When the restaurant reopens it will be called Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, and it will feature aspects of the Country Bears! ©Disney Disney has shared that you’ll find the bears’ favorite barbecue food at the re-themed restaurant while you enjoy your meal to the “soundtrack of their greatest hits.” This may mean that the new songs featured in the new show over in Disney World will be the tunes you get to hear at the new restaurant in Disneyland! Previously, you could find some classic American dishes here such as cheeseburgers, a Honey-spiced Chicken Sandwich, and funnel cakes. Country Bear Musical Jamboree in Disney World Unfortunately, Disney has stated that while you’ll get to enjoy the bears’ favorite food and music, this restaurant will NOT be a character meal, so we won’t get to meet the famous bears themselves while feasting away. We get to meet Big Al at the new Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree. The full menu, concept, and opening date will be announced at a future date, so we’ll be keeping our eyes and ears open for all the details! Keep following DFB because we’ll be sharing everything as we learn it! When Will the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Ride Open in Disneyland? 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 try the Country Bears’ favorite barbecue meals? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: NEW Restaurant Announced for Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Do you think you have what it takes to work at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind I had the opportunity to be a part of the opening team for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and I am rounding up some of the qualifications for working at this popular EPCOT attraction. Cast Members really do make the magic happen at Disney World! I was fortunate to be able to be a Cast Member, and even though I no longer work at Disney World, I still have so much respect and admiration for every single Cast Member. There are so many different roles available as a Cast Member and each role is unique. However, what are some of the most important qualifications for a Cast Member working at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? You Need to Put Safety First Safety is important all across Disney World, but it is especially important when you are operating an attraction. Every single Disney World attraction requires putting safety first and foremost. Safety even goes above things like theming, courtesy, and efficiency. Safety is THE most important aspect of working at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Cosmic Rewind Queue As a Cast Member, you are required to ensure everyone meets the boarding requirements including height requirements, ensure everyone is safely secured and following directions, and monitoring safety in everything you do. Cast Members are always watching their surroundings and monitoring guests to make sure everyone is safe. As you have probably already gathered, safety is SUPER important, especially when you are dealing with a fast-moving attraction like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. You Have to Be Able to Work in a Fast-Paced Environment As well as having an eye for safety, working at an attraction like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind requires you to thrive in a fast-paced environment. New attractions almost always have a huge demand, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attracted lots of eager riders. You need to be able to put some pep in your step (safely) to ensure as many people as possible are able to experience the ride. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind As a ride operator, you are trained in all the different positions of an attraction from loading to greeting guests at the entrance, you do it all! Each position plays a role in making sure the attraction is operating efficiently and there isn’t any room for slacking off on the job. You will be on your feet and moving your whole day, and usually at a fast-pace, so be ready. You Have to Be OK With LOTS of Stairs Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has A LOT of stairs. You have probably wondered at least a few times why they decided to put in two huge staircases right as you get off the ride (it is really to get you up and over the track, but trust me, we wondered a lot too.) However, those are only beginning when it comes to stairs. The entire attraction and building are filled with staircases. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Just to move in between positions or get to the breakroom usually required climbing at least a few flight of stairs. As well, the entire track is walked by a Cast Member each morning, and as you have probably guessed, there are lots more stairs to get to and around the track. During evacuations you will also need to climb stairs to get to and evacuate the guests on the ride. The good news is that you will get leg day in every single day you are at work! You Have to Be OK With Vomit Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a roller coaster that goes fast and puts a lot of weird forces on your body. Add in some darkness, screens, and a full day in the park, and you will find that the ride doesn’t always agree with everyone. Cosmic Rewind Queue To work at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind you will have to OK with vomiting (or at least enough to be able assist someone that isn’t feeling well.) While the ride operators are not the ones that actually clean up the vomit, you will likely find yourself nearby some at some point. It doesn’t happen constantly, but it is definitely something that you will need to be prepared for. You Need to Be Able to Adapt Quickly This is pretty true for just about anywhere at Disney World. Things can change quickly and you need to be able to adapt. Sometimes processes in the ride’s operation will change or the ride might go down for technical difficulties. No matter what the situation, you need to be able to pivot and adapt. There are lots of processes in place for when things happen that we follow, but every situation is not the same and sometimes requires adaptation. The ride may be operating smoothly one minute, and then be down for technical difficulties the next, so being ready to adjust is necessary. You Have to Be Able to Have Fun With Theming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has a pretty neat backstory for the attraction. Essentially, the ride is supposed to be a pavilion for Xandar (much like the pavilions in World Showcase). The people of Xandar have built the pavilion to share their culture with the people of Earth. As part of the exhibition, the Xandarians want to take guests up to see the Cosmic Generator. However, that is where things take a turn for the worst! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind But, no spoilers here, you will have to experience the attraction to find out. You can have a lot of fun being a Xandarian and immersing the guests in the story. However, it can also be confusing so also knowing when to tone down the theming is important too! Bonus Points for Loving the Ride! You do get some bonus points for loving the ride too! However, this is not a requirement at all. You do not need to love the ride or have even ridden the attraction to be able to work there. We had numerous Cast Members who either didn’t want to ride or didn’t like to ride. While you are given the opportunity to ride during training, it is not something you MUST do. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind We had some that did not like roller coasters and chose not to ride, and we also had some Cast Members that had ridden the ride once and it just did not agree with them. We also had plenty that absolutely loved the attraction and rode any chance they got. Wherever you stand on ride affinity won’t matter for working there, as long as you are able to describe the ride and talk to guests about it! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind While working at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind may not be for everyone, I absolutely loved my time working there. I think back on my time there so fondly and I love sharing my favorite attraction with anyone that visits Disney World. I personally think it is a absolutely amazing ride, although I might be just a little bit biased. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind If you are a ride fanatic and want to learn about some Disney World ride hacks, make sure you check out our video that goes over FIFTY new Disney World ride hacks: Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World news! Find out if you can guarantee getting a certain song on Cosmic Rewind! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your favorite song on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Let us know in the comments! The post What It Takes To Be a Cast Member at Cosmic Rewind in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news! Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Two NEW booths are coming to the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, the most popular ride in Disney World now has a single rider line, and one classic Magic Kingdom attraction is BACK after a revamp. All the latest Disney Parks news is coming up right now on DFB Guide. By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/subscribe.png So check out the video and then let us know: Which Disney news of the week are you the most excited about? The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: NEW Food & Wine Booths, Rise Single Rider Line & More! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hey! It’s Saturday, and that means it’s time to bring home some new Disney merch! ©Amazon We bet there are so many great pieces of Disney merch that you’ve had waiting in the cart for a while now (we see those mouse ears), and about that, Amazon just dropped some new pieces that have your name right on them! Let’s get right into it! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Remember, you can get free, fast shipping with an Amazon Prime membership, so sign up for a FREE trial below. Let’s get right into the Disney merch that’s available on Amazon right now! Shop this 5-Second Rule Disney Edition board game for 38% OFF ©Amazon First up, we’re big fans of game night with the fam, and nothing’s better when it’s a Disney game, too. Since your family game night is coming up, you’ll definitely want to check out this one, especially now when you can get it at a discount! It’s a fun game that will have you trying to answer different Disney-related tasks all within 5 seconds. You and the family will have a blast with this one! View on Amazon Shop this Melissa & Doug Disney Mickey Mouse Wooden Chunky Puzzle for 15% OFF ©Amazon Next, Disney puzzles are fantastic, especially ones that can be enjoyed by a lot of people no matter what age they are. That’s where this one comes in. Not only does this puzzle have some of your kiddos’ favorite OG Disney characters on it, like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and more. Your kiddo is going to love playing with this one! View on Amazon Shop The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook for 52% OFF ©Amazon Listen, we love food ’round these parts — specifically Disney food! There’s nothing more magical than making your favorite Disney dishes right at home, which is why we can’t recommend this one enough. There are 100 recipes that will have you recreating your favorites, like Dole Whip, Mickey Pretzels, and more! View on Amazon Shop this Princess Bedtime Stories for 48% OFF ©Amazon Sometimes all we need is a little bedtime story to help us off to sleep (no matter how old we are), and this one can be a perfect addition to your collection. It comes with 18 bedtime-themed Disney Princess stories of your kiddo’s favorites like Belle, Cinderella, Tiana, Merida, and more. View on Amazon Shop this Disney Hocus Pocus The Game for 34% OFF ©Amazon With Halloween around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get ready for your spooky-themed game night party with this Hocus Pocus game. This one will have you strategizing and working together to protect Salem’s children and ultimately stop the wicked Sanderson sisters! View on Amazon Shop this Tervis Disney 100 Halloween Tumbler ©Amazon Speaking of Halloween, have a look at this spooky tumbler! It’s perfect for the upcoming season and comes complete with Mickey, a poison apple, and all the rest of the spooky vibes. Also, this is a great tumbler for keeping your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold! View on Amazon We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news and updates, so make sure to follow along for more. Click here to view our Amazon Storefront The post New Disney Souvenirs Are up to 52% Off on Amazon Right NOW! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s officially spooky season. It won’t be long before we’ll start seeing the Mickey pumpkin wreaths in Magic Kingdom, along with all the other Halloween decorations. Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle as the Sanderson Sisters The first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is coming up soon, too, on August 13th. We’ve already confirmed everything you’ll be able to see and do at this year’s party, but if you’re planning on attending and haven’t yet booked your tickets, you might want to do so quickly. We’re already seeing some dates that are completely sold out. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separate ticketed event in Magic Kingdom that happens on select nights from August 13th through October 31st from 7PM to midnight, although ticket holders can enter the park as early as 4PM. The party includes trick or treating (a.k.a. FREE candy), exclusive entertainment, exclusive character meet and greets, exclusive food, and more. Tickets range in price from $109 to $199, depending on the date you wish to attend. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tickets are already selling out for some dates, so here’s the full list of parties that have officially already sold out: August 13th October 31st As you can see, Halloween night tickets are already gone, but if you plan on going to the party on any other night, we recommend getting your tickets now. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party If you do plan on going to the party, be sure to read ALL about it to maximize your time. You’ll want to make a list of priorities, including rides you wish to ride (with shorter lines because it is a limited ticket event), foods you want to try, characters you’d like to meet, and entertainment you wish to see (not only is there the Boo-To-You parade but there’s also the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular show and the Mickey’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks show). There’s so much to see and do that you’ll want to make sure you have time for everything on your list! Boo-To-You Parade Want to know more about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party? We’ve got you covered! We’ve got a FULL guide to everything there is to see and do at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Stay tuned to DFB for more. Why I’m Skipping Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party This Year IT'S SPOOK-TACULAR! Get ready for the spookiest season of the year at Disney World! We are beyond thrilled to announce the arrival of our brand-new guide -- Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide! From the thrills of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party to the enchanting resort decorations that'll send shivers down your spine, our guide is packed with tips and tricks to help you squeeze every ounce of ghoulish fun out of your visit. Plus, we've got the inside scoop on all the limited-time-only bone-chilling activities happening across the parks! Get the Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide to make your frightfully delightful adventure even more magical! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Halloween at Walt Disney World See EVERYTHING Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Has to Offer Get the Latest Updates on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 9 Disney Halloween Items You Can Get at Target Right Now Photos AND Reviews: ALL the 2023 Fall and Halloween Treats in Disney World! DFB Video: The ULTIMATE Guide To Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Will you be attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments! The post Full List of SOLD OUT Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Dates in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The day has finally come for the public to enjoy one of Disney World’s opening day attractions once again! The NEW Country Bear Musical Jamboree! Well, if we’re being technical, the original edition of this show is now in the past, but Country Bear Musical Jamboree is officially open! We got a sneak peek at the show before its official opening to check it out, but now that you’re getting ready to experience itself, we really have to break down some of these changes! Country Bear Musical Jamboree is the new edition of Country Bear Jamboree. It opened on July 17th, 2024 with the bears performing an all-new act featuring popular Disney songs sung in rockabilly, bluegrass, Americana, and country-pop styles. And here’s where the first big change lies, and probably the one you’ll notice most — there are no more original songs by the bears. Country Bear Musical Jamboree Yes, we’re sorry to say that for fans of “Blood On The Saddle,” you won’t be hearing Big Al (or anyone) sing it in the show anymore. Well, Big Al does start to sing it as a joke, but then he goes into performing “Remember Me” from Coco. With the exception of the opening and closing songs, all the songs in the show now are Disney songs sung in these new styles, making the show reminiscent of Opry-style shows from Nashville, Tennessee. Allison Russell and Chris Thile This means that everyone in the audience will likely recognize more than one song and be able to jam in their seats! With the original version of the show, there were many songs that went right over kids’ heads, making it less entertaining for them. Now, with the new list of songs, the whole family is more likely to have a great time. The songs you’ll hear during the show are: “Country Bear Musical Jamboree” sung by the Five Bear Rugs Bunny, Bubbles, and Beulah with Trixie singing “Try Everything” from Zootopia Romeo McGrowl singing an Elvis-type rendition of “Kiss the Girl” from The Little Mermaid Ernest doing a solo fiddle of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from Mary Poppins “A Whole New World” from Aladdin by Teddy Barra and Wendell “A Bit of A Fixer Upper” from Frozen by Terrance Big Al (tries to) sing “Remember Me” from Coco but also teases like he’s going to start singing “Blood on the Saddle,” from the original show “You’ve Got a Friend In Me” from Toy Story sung by Rufus and Sammy “The Bear Necessities” from The Jungle Book is the closing song “Come Again (Come On In)” is still the exit song — like the original show — sung by Rufus, Sammy, Melvin, Buff, and Max New look at Country Bear Jamboree And speaking of characters, we’re happy to share that all your favorite bears are still in the show singing their hearts out! However, they do look a little different! Check out the list of changes below: Henry wears a cowboy hat and suit with a bolo tie Henry The Five Bear Rugs (Zeb, Zeke, Fred, Ted, and Tennessee) now all wear matching blue bandanas and hats Five Bear Rugs Bunny, Bubbles, and Beulah now wear pink frilly hats and western attire Bunny, Bubbles, and Beulah Trixie is dressed in a pink and silver flashy skirt and shirt Trixie Teddi Beara still flies high in the sky, but now she wears a pink hat with a blue feather boa and an elegant necklace Teddi Beara Wendell now wears a cowboy hat and vest Wendell Ernest is dressed just like Bert from Mary Poppins! Ernest Terrence (formerly Shaker — yes, name change!) now wears a dirty-looking cowboy hat, a green vest, and a bolo tie Terrence Romeo McGrowl (formerly Liver Lips McGrowl) is now dressed in an Elvis-style outfit with fringe on the sleeves Romeo McGrowl Gomer looks very similar, but his fur is just a little darker ©Disney Big Al also looks the same, but a little fresher! It’s Big Al! You’ll also find some easter eggs hidden in the show and around the theatre to pay homage to the original show, but we don’t want to spoil those for you! If you’re heading to see the show soon, we hope you love it and can’t wait to hear your thoughts! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news. WAIT! Does the reopening of this show mean one of our favorite snacks could return? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of the new show? Tell us in the comments! The post What's CHANGED at Magic Kingdom's Cult Favorite Attraction After Its LONG Closure? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

FINALLY somewhere to store your lollipop 🙌 🍭 #DisneyParks #DisneyEats #InfomercialView the full article

There are hundreds of thousands of people who work for The Walt Disney Company in one way or another. ©Disney Some work as Imagineers or in Disney’s theme parks. Others, however, are part of the company’s Board of Directors, or otherwise involved in the core of the company. However, Disney has just announced that one of their Board of Directors is leaving the company after 6 years. Today, The Walt Disney Company announced the departure of Safra A. Catz, the Chief Executive Officer of Oracle Corp., who has left the Board of Directors after six years. This now means the Board of Directors now has 11 members instead of 12. ©Disney Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, said the following about her departure: “Throughout her tenure on Disney’s Board of Directors, Safra has provided invaluable insight that has helped shape the company’s long-term strategic planning amid a rapidly changing technological landscape that affects our businesses. Her contributions have been tremendous, and on behalf of The Walt Disney Company, I want to personally thank Safra for her years of service.” ©Disney Regarding her departure from the company, Catz said that she has “been honored to serve on Disney’s Board” and is “especially proud of the work we’ve done to fortify the company’s unparalleled strengths and continue its rich legacy of innovation.” She continued on, expressing her gratefulness for the opportunity to serve on the board and wished the company and its employees “every success in the future.” The Walt Disney Company headquarters in California It’s unclear right now what this means for the Walt Disney Company, but it is safe to assume it’s likely someone will be brought on to fill the position sooner rather than later. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the latest news we hear coming out of The Walt Disney Company, so stay tuned to DFB. A Disney CEO announcement could be imminent, says Iger advisor 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 news? Tell us in the comments. The post NEWS: Disney Announces Board of Directors Suddenly Reduced from 12 Members to 11 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article