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Disney Imagineers are updating the Country Bear Jamboree show in Magic Kingdom with “an all-new act.” The bears are going to be singing Disney songs in NEW styles, like pop-country, rockabilly, and bluegrass! Hey, pals! The attraction is reopening soon at Magic Kingdom, and we simply can’t wait to see it. But, one lucky group of folks will get to preview it first and we’ve got all the details! Disney previously announced that the revamped show, which will feature some significant updates, would be opening in the summer of 2024 and later revealed an official opening date of July 17th! We know we can’t wait to check out this newly revamped show, but an exclusive (and lucky!) group of folks will get to experience it FIRST. A new show is coming! That’s right — select members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can attend the D23 Gold Mem-bear Gatherin’— Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Magic Kingdom! On July 13th, Disney will host D23 Gold Members at this special event. Tickets are $49 plus a $7 processing fee and you can check out more details below: Admission to Magic Kingdom Park at check-in for the event – admission is only valid for entry immediately following check-in for the specified show time. Private preview showing of the All-New Country Bear Musical Jamboree One (1) commemorative print Pre-show discussion with The Walt Disney Archives and Walt Disney Imagineering Country Bear Jamboree There will be three different showings, so make sure you select the right one when you go to buy tickets: “Bunny’s Bears” (Group #1) – 7 p.m. Showtime “Bubbles’ Bears” (Group #2) – 8 p.m. Showtime “Beulah’s Bears” (Group #3) – 9 p.m. Showtime NEW costumes! Check-in will open at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) an hour and a half before each showtime. There will be a dedicated ticketing booth used to check in D23 Members. Keep in mind that late arrivals to Grizzly Hall will not be accommodated, so plan to arrive on time. Check-in times can be found below: Group #1: Check-in from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at TTC Group #2: Check-in from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at TTC Group #3: Check-in from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. at TTC For more information and tickets, click the button below! Tickets will go on sale on Monday, July 8th at 10AM PT. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE You can expect an “all-new act” where the bears sing Disney songs in new styles like pop-country, rockabilly, and bluegrass. You’ll even get to hear a version of “Bare Necessities” in rockabilly style. The show will also be inspired heavily by the Opry-style shows found in Nashville, Tennessee. In fact, Nashville artists are involved in the new song arrangements. Big fans of the original show will want to pay close attention as there will be easter eggs throughout the new production that nod to the older show. ©Disney As for now, Disney hasn’t announced Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club Member previews for the reopening of the Country Bear Jamboree, but we will certainly let you know if that changes! In the meantime, we’ll be on the hunt for even more news from Disney World, so stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for the latest. Why 7:00AM Doesn’t Matter Anymore in Disney World 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 excited about these changes? Tell us in the comments. The post CONFIRMED: D23 Previews Announced for Country Bear Jamboree Reopening in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s officially summer in Disney World, and thousands of people are spending their vacations in the parks! Magic Kingdom It’s an incredibly popular time for people to visit, but it’s also a challenging time. Why? The weather of course! Central Florida gets incredibly hot and humid in those summer months, and if you’re not used to that weather or spending the entire day in the sun, it can be BRUTAL. But you’re way more likely to have an easy go of things if you dress appropriately for the weather! And here at DFB, we’re ready to help with that. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. If you don’t already know, we have our own line of awesome Disney-themed merchandise over on our DFB Store! We’ve got everything from apparel to accessories, and we have some great designs that are made perfectly for those die-hard park fans. Let’s dive into some of our selections that are perfect for summer! The Figment Tank For Figment fans! Would you wait in an hours-long line for a Figment popcorn bucket or to meet our favorite imaginary dragon? If so, this Figment tank is for you! With a subtle rainbow and a line from Journey Into Imagination with Figment’s iconic theme song, you could likely wear this outside the parks as well — it’s not too overtly Disney. GET THE FIGMENT TANK HERE! Train Town Tragedies Tank Love the tiny train town? This one’s for you! If you’ve been following along with our tiny train town tragedies series, then you’ll definitely want this shirt! It features a giant squirrel terrorizing the villagers of the Germany Pavilion’s tiny train town — inspired by real-life events. This one might get you a lot of questions if you wear it outside of EPCOT, though! SNAG THE TRAIN TOWN TANK HERE! Easy Tiger Tank Easy Tiger Tank For those who love a chill day at Animal Kingdom, we’re big fans of this Easy Tiger Tank. Plus, you can get it in either black or white designs! This shirt, a tea from Joffrey’s, and a stroll through the Maharajah Jungle Trek sounds like a perfect vacation day to us. SHOP THE TIGER TANK ONLINE HERE! ‘Ohana Means Noodles Tank ‘Ohana Tank Top Are you a lover of all things ‘Ohana? Us too! And if you were one of the people who rioted online when the restaurant reopened and tried to take away our beloved ‘Ohana noodles, then this shirt is a MUST. It wouldn’t be a trip to one of Disney World’s best restaurants without some delicious noods! SNAG THE NOODLE TANK TOP ONLINE HERE! Disney Transportation Tank Let’s ride! Is there anything more iconic than Disney World transportation? From the Monorail to the Skyliner to the ferry and all the ride vehicles in-between, we could spend our whole vacation just taking it easy and riding around. If you’re the same way, snag this Ready to Ride tank for your summer trip. CLICK HERE TO GRAB THE READY TO RIDE TANK! Princess Bows Tee How cute! Last but not least, we’ve got to show off our Princess Bows cropped tee! This shirt features 9 different bows styled to Disney Princesses and it’s a great subtle nod to Disney and your favorite characters. CLICK HERE TO BUY THE PRINCESS SHIRT! That’s a wrap on our list of summer outfit essentials! We’ll make sure to keep you in the loop with more style recommendations in the coming months! Click Here for More Disney Merch on Amazon!The post 6 MUST-HAVE Shirts for Disney World This Summer first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s one less way to get to Walt Disney World. (Bruce Snyder/Avelo Airlines/WWMT) Back in 2022, low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines, announced with great fanfare that they were launching service from Upstate New York’s Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) to Orlando. However, just two years later, that service is being discontinued permanently. Issues with the route first came to light in May, when Avelo put it on a “seasonal pause” with no flights during the month. When they returned in June, the scheduling had changed to flights on Sundays and Thursdays. In early July, Avelo stopped taking reservations for the route any further than August 18th. Initially, it was unclear if this was another “seasonal pause.” However, Avelo Head of Brand and Communications, Jim Olson confirmed to Binghamton Homepage that the service was discontinued permanently. Olson told the outlet, “Our exit from Binghamton is permanent. Unfortunately, the BGM-MCO route was not profitable, and we do not expect it to be within a reasonable time horizon. We are grateful for the support Avelo has received from the Binghamton community and the Greater Binghamton Airport leadership team.” ©Avelo Airlines Mark Heefner, BGM’s Commissioner of Aviation, seemed to counter the narrative that the route was unsuccessful, saying that the flights were always filled and received great feedback. Heefner went on further, saying “They’re a young airline, Avelo is a young airline. We’re not closing the door whatsoever on them continuing to fly, because we did talk about them coming back for the Spring and offering service, because it did really good. We had a lot of people that really liked the service. So, it definitely affects our area and affects our airport. It’s just difficult.” The end of Avelo’s tenure at the airport leaves BGM with only one flight out of Binghamton: a Delta Airlines route with connecting flights to Detroit. According to Heefner, the county is still working hard to bring in more flights and more air carriers to the airport. ©Orlando International Airport Upstate New York residents near the Binghamton area now have one less option when considering flights to the Orlando area, as Avelo Airlines has pulled out of service at Greater Binghamton Airport. Stay tuned to DFB for further travel news. 2 Reasons WE HAVE BEEF With the Orlando 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 noticed a decrease in flights from your area airport to Orlando? Let us know in the comments below. The post CONFIRMED: A Budget Airline Is ENDING a Popular Orlando Route first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You’re having the best day at Disney World, but decide to take a break and grab a bite to eat so you can keep on going. Cinderella Castle You’re not looking for anything too fancy and don’t have any reservations, so a counter-service or food court spot it is! There’s nothing inherently wrong with that — in fact, some of our favorite eats are from food courts — but there are some serious issues you might run into at these quick service spots. Food court drama is real in Disney World, and we’re sharing some of the most egregious misdeeds we’ve seen! We love stopping by a counter service spot to grab a quick bite to eat before continuing with our Disney World day. But, we’ve seen some serious food court drama happen from time to time, so we’re warning you about it before your next trip! Sitting Down Without Food Unfortunately, we see this all too often around Disney World. Some counter-service spots are incredibly popular, and since they primarily have open, food court-style seating — it can be a pain to find a seat once you’ve found your food. This is especially complicated by the fact that people will often save a table for their party without actually having any food. We’ve found ourselves waiting upwards of ten minutes for tables sometimes. Backlot Express is a Counter Service Restaurant in Hollywood Studios Most of the time, the people with food who are looking to sit down likely could have eaten by the time the other party even made it to the saved table. It should go without saying, but you should wait until you have your food before finding a table at a counter-service spot. In fact, Disney may make the choice for you. At certain restaurants, like Connections Eatery at EPCOT, Cast Members will sometimes be stationed around to advise people not to sit until they’ve received their food. This is typically reserved for especially busy times. Seating at Connections Eatery In addition to Connections, we have found we have the most trouble finding seats at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe at Magic Kingdom, Backlot Express at Hollywood Studios, and La Cantina de San Angel at EPCOT. If you’re looking to dine at a fast food spot during peak meal times, keep in mind you might be waiting for a table — but please don’t take one until you have your food! Pushing To Get a Table Can you tell that getting a Disney World quick-service table can be a cutthroat game? We know you’re tired and hungry and those french fries on your tray are about to bring you back from the grave, but please do NOT push past anyone to beat them to a table. You may have to wait a bit, but we promise that another table will open up soon. It’s all outdoor seating, right? We’ve witnessed adults pushing past children and families balancing full trays of food just to sit at a table by themselves — with no food. Meanwhile, the kiddo and family had to turn around and find somewhere else to sit. Cutting in Line You might find cafeteria-style service depending on which fast food spot you’re dining at, like at Sunshine Seasons at EPCOT or the Disney World Value hotels. In these scenarios, there are often food stations, grab-and-go cases, and drink machines. At the food stations, there are lines, but the grab-and-go and drink machine areas tend to be a free-for-all. Sunshine Seasons While there may not be lines at the soda fountain or by the dessert case, it’s easy to see if there is anyone waiting to get to something that someone else may be using. We’ve been snaked when it came to refilling our resort Refillable Mugs more times than we can count! Leaving a Major Mess We get it — you’re on vacation and don’t feel like doing any work, chores, or cleaning up after yourself. But have some basic human decency, people! Cast Members work hard to keep dining locations looking fresh and clean, so the least you can do is bus your trays and clean up any major messes you might have made. Cosmic Ray’s Seating With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. Everyone’s gotta eat when they’re at Disney World, and if we all do our part to make things a bit easier on other parkgoers, chances are we’ll all end up having a magical vacation! In the meantime, we’ll be on the hunt for the latest updates from Disney World, so stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! The BEST Counter Service Restaurants in Disney World in 2024 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! Have you ever dealt with these Disney World dining problems? Tell us in the comments. The post Food Court DRAMA Is Real in Disney World, and We've Witnessed It Firsthand first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When there’s new food announced at a Disney park, you know we’re right there ready to report on it. Sleeping Beauty Castle As much as we love our tried and true menu favorites at restaurants throughout Disney World and Disneyland, we do enjoy news of brand-new food items to try during our next trip (because they might become our new favorites!). Disney has just announced a new lunch menu at Disneyland Resort and we are hyped for all they have to offer. A NEW lunch menu has debuted at Carthay Circle Restaurant over at Disney’s California Adventure Park. Carthay Circle is a classic Hollywood-inspired restaurant filled with Art Deco decor making it feel like a swanky hot spot from the Golden Age of Hollywood (think Hollywood Tower Hotel without all the cobwebs and creepy stuff). It features a sophisticated menu, influenced by upscale Southern Californian cuisine, along with retro-inspired cocktails. Carthay Circle Restaurant Starting on July 12th, new items will be added to the restaurant’s lineup as part of their Prix-Fixe Lunch Menu, which is only available on the weekends, Friday-Sunday. The adult lunch menu includes a choice of one starter and one entrée and is priced at $59 plus tax per adult. Carthay Circle First up as one of the new entrees offered is the Ginger and Soy Glazed Tri Tip which looks absolutely DELICIOUS. The steak seems really tender and we are fans of the Ginger and soy combo. This is listed as a main course option on the menu. @Disneyeats The Pan Roasted Shrimp looks shrimply delicious and we are curious to know what the sauce consists of. It is also on the menu as a main course. @Disneyeats And the Grilled Chicken Meatloaf is also an option as your main course. Chicken Meatloaf isn’t really common to spot, so we love the unique twist on a comfort food classic on the menu. @Disneyeats One of the starter options is the Green Garbanzo Bean Fritters. As a self-proclaimed ‘Garbanzo Girlie‘, these look so good and the presentation makes it seem like it’ll be an interesting burst of flavors in every bite. @Disneyeats And of course, no starter menu is complete without the option of a salad, and this Greek-style salad looks fresh and tasty. Very Southern California vibes. @Disneyeats You can order these items starting on July 12th at Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure Park. We can’t wait to hear what everyone has to say about this new menu and hope to try it out soon. Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest Disney news and updates! FULL REVIEW: Disney’s Newest Restaurant Has Our New FAVORITE Dessert 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 planning on trying out this new lunch menu? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney Reveals NEW Menu for a Popular Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We go to Disney World every single day, and well, let’s just say we’ve seen some things. Waiting at the Monorail station One thing we’ve seen is EPCOT completely change into something we almost don’t recognize now (and we mean that in the best way possible). We’ve also seen baby animals born at Disney World, as well as Disney ducks being treated like the royalty they are (maybe Donald is right and ducks are #1). We’ve also seen some cringey things, but more importantly, we’ve heard some cringey things. So let’s talk about one of the places, the Monorail, in Disney World where we’ve heard things that make us shake our heads. The Monorail is one of Disney World’s FREE transportation options that can take you to and from several parks and Disney World hotels. We would argue that it’s one of the few Disney World attractions that you can ride for free without needing a park ticket. However, here are some questionable things we’ve heard while riding the Monorail. Which stop is Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom? If you’ve never been to Disney World and haven’t done your research, you’ve probably heard of the Monorail and may think that it goes EVERYWHERE in Disney World. However, it doesn’t. But there have been times when people have been on the Monorail and have asked which stop is Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or a hotel that’s not on the Monorail loop. Monorail The Monorail only goes to EPCOT and Magic Kingdom plus the following hotels: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It also makes stops at the Transportation and Ticket Center. If you’re not going to any of those destinations, you’re going to have to take other transportation, like buses or the Skyliner. We Got Stuck On the Disney World Monorail With NO Power Here’s What Happened People on the wrong Monorail Okay, we get it. If you haven’t studied the Monorail routes, you might not understand that there is more than one Monorail. In fact, there are three separate lines. The Resort Monorail goes to Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary. The EPCOT Monorail originates at the Transportation and Ticket Center and goes to EPCOT. The Express Monorail also originates at the Transportation and Ticket Center and goes to Magic Kingdom. EPCOT Monorail Before you get on a Monorail, make sure you’re taking the right route because the Monorails that go to Magic Kingdom do not make stops at EPCOT and vice versa. You will even need to switch to the EPCOT Monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center if you’re traveling from the Resort Monorail or Express Monorail and going to EPCOT. If you’re confused, be sure to ask a Cast Member to help you figure out how to get to your destination. This EPCOT Monorail Hack Feels Illegal (But It Isn’t!) People confused about what stop to get off at Likewise, it’s common when people get confused about what stop they need to get off at. This is particularly true of the Transportation and Ticket Center. For example, if you have to switch Monorails to get to EPCOT, you need to know to get off at the Transporation and Ticket Center. Magic Kingdom Monorail station at Transportation and Ticket Center If driving, you’ll also need to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center if you’re going to Magic Kingdom and take the Magic Kingdom Monorail, meaning that when you leave Magic Kingdom, you need to remember to get off at the Ticket and Transportation Center, too, to get back to your car. It can be confusing, we get it. We’re Begging Disney World for This Monorail CHANGE Family Fights It’s the end of a long hot day in the parks and everyone’s nerves are on edge. When you’re with your family, it’s easy to just snap and start fighting with each other. But here’s the thing you need to remember: you’re in a public space. Everyone else on the Monorail can hear what you’re saying. Please don’t get into arguments on the Monorail Yes, we’ve seen our share of family fights on the Monorail, but we’re asking you to please restrain yourself until you get back to your hotel room. Please don’t bring your arguments into the public. Here’s the Bad News About the Monorail in Disney World Reciting the dialogue You know who you are. The very same people who loudly recite the dialogue in Haunted Mansion are going to recite the Monorail dialogue, including the “Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas.” Usually, the Spanish part is spoken loudly by folks who don’t actually speak Spanish, and it’s just embarrassing. Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas. If you can’t contain your excitement at hearing the Monorail dialogue, fine…just don’t say it OUT LOUD. Mouth the words, keep it inside, and please don’t share your performance with the world. What To Do When the Worst Case Scenario Happens on the Disney World Monorail So, yes, people can be cringey on the Monorail. So the best thing you can do is NOT be that cringey person: do your research (or just ask a Cast Member for help if you need it) and show some respect and kindness to those who are riding the Monorail with you. Stay tuned to DFB for more. Be Prepared for these Big Disney World Monorail Surprises 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 the cringiest thing you’ve heard on the Monorail? Share with us in the comments! The post I Go to Disney World Every Day and I CRINGE When I Hear This on the Monorail first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re well into the summer season, and that means it’s HOT when you go to Disney World! Spaceship Earth at EPCOT Summer in Florida is characterized by ridiculous heat and ridiculous humidity, and typically, a lot of rain. So if you’re traveling in the coming weeks and months, you’ll want to be prepared for the extreme weather. But for those going to the parks this week, we’ve got an extra warning for you! The Orlando Sentinel reports that a heat advisory has been issued for Central Florida for Friday, July 5th. The advisory is in effect for inland counties including Lake, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola from 12PM-6PM. The counties in that area include the land home to major theme parks like Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and others. Cinderella Castle The National Weather Service forecasts that the heat index will climb to 110 degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon, and encourages people to drink lots of fluids, stay out of the sun, and spend time in air-conditioned rooms if possible. For those enjoying a long weekend’s vacation in the theme parks, we recommend that you stay hydrated and take breaks throughout the day so you can spend time indoors. And don’t forget that SPF! Hollywood Studios Those visiting the beach should know that there’s a high risk of rip currents and that it’s strongly discouraged for people to enter the surf right now. It might be best to spend today at the pool instead! Also, when getting dressed, make sure to choose light, loose-fitting clothing that will be comfortable in the heat. There may be isolated showers this evening, so having that rain gear on hand could be helpful! Pandora These high temperatures are expected to continue into the rest of the weekend, with heat indexes in the 102-107 degrees range. It’s possible that the heat advisory will continue for those days, so stay tuned to weather reports in your area. Magic Kingdom If you’re heading to Disney World specifically, it’s important to pack for success! This means clothing that will be comfortable in the heat and keep you from chafing or overheating. Bringing refillable water bottles is also a great idea so that your family can stay hydrated throughout the day. Water bottle refill station in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge The best way to schedule your day when attempting to do Disney World in the heat is to try and do most of your indoor activities mid-day. Schedule a table service lunch meal, sit down in a theater show, or hop in line for a ride that has an indoor queue — all of those things will give you the chance to get out of the heat for a while. Do those indoor shows during the hottest part of the day! And of course, make sure to be patient! With the weather advisory, it may not be possible for you to accomplish your entire to-do list in one day. Listen to your body and take breaks when you need them — well-rested and healthy travelers will be much happier than those who run themselves ragged. You want to enjoy this trip you waited so long for! Slinky Dog Dash We’ll make sure to keep you in the loop with any more weather updates from Central Florida, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest. Click Here to See Our List of Summer Essentials 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 Are you going to Disney World this week? Tell us in the comments! The post WARNING: Heat Advisory Issued for Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Flying can be stressful, but for most of us who want to visit Disney World, it’s necessary. So when we’re heading to Orlando International Airport, it all starts with figuring out how and what to pack and then arriving at the airport early enough to make it through security and wait for our plane. Air travel Of course, then there’s the additional stress that happens when flights get delayed (which happens often), and sometimes it doesn’t even make sense when flights are delayed because where you are, the weather is perfect, and nothing seems amiss. Well, United Airlines wants to make sure you’re more updated on how delays in OTHER parts of the U.S. can affect your flights. According to CNBC, United Airlines is testing a new system that would send text messages to passengers not only alerting them of delays but also sharing live radar maps to show you why there are delays. So basically, you’d get a text with the map and can see where the weather could be affecting flights, which very well could be affecting your flight, too. ©Getty Images This is United’s way of letting you know how ground stops at certain airports can delay planes from getting to YOUR airport (and we recently saw a ground stop at Orlando International Airport). Bad weather can also force other flights to depart later, as well as take different routes, which can also result in delays. Then, one delay leads to another one, which leads to another one, and the next thing you know, you’ve been waiting hours for your own flight. Orlando International Airport United is using generative artificial intelligence to send travelers links to live radar maps from FlightAware, as well as details about other things that can cause flight delays, like airport congestion and mechanical issues. So if you’re flying and suddenly start getting a bunch of text messages from United, you’ll know why. The new system is already being tested during this 4th of July weekend, which is predicted to be VERY busy. It’s going to be a busy travel weekend So far this year, nearly 942,000 U.S. flights arrived to their destinations late, according to FlightAware. Many delays cannot be helped, but at least United is trying to give flyers more information about why they might be waiting on a delayed flight. 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 Do you think having this kind of information is useful when your flight is delayed? Let us know what you think in the comments! The post We're Not Sure How We Feel About This New Airline Policy first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Tokyo Disney has announced a NEW drone show! Tokyo Disney Resort The Tokyo Disney Resort has announced a new traveling drone show that will be part of various fireworks festivals across Japan, to deliver “dreams and smiles to people nationwide.” The new show, called Magic in the Air, will feature approximately 1,500 drones throughout its 15-minute runtime. The drones will take various shapes including “characters such as Mickey Mouse, and scenes inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios films Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. The show will also serve as a promotional vehicle for Fantasy Springs, the new land that debuted to near-universal acclaim at Tokyo DisneySea earlier this year. The show will feature scenes themed to the three areas of Fantasy Springs, Frozen Kingdom, Rapunzel’s Forest, and Peter Pan’s Never Land. These scenes will “make guests at the fireworks festivals feel like they’ve stepped into the dreamlike world of Tokyo Disney Resort.” Concept Art, Oriental Land Company/Disney According to the Oriental Land Company (OLC) — the owners of the Tokyo Disney Resort — “This year’s special drone show has even more scenes than last year’s show. Guests can look forward to the “Tokyo Disney Resort Special Drone Show Magic in the Air bringing fantasy and dreams to guests attending fireworks festivals throughout Japan.” Let’s go to Fantasy Springs! The show is another addition to the quickly growing drone show catalog at Disney properties worldwide. Hong Kong Disneyland has had a drone show since 2023, while Disneyland Paris has featured drones for a few years, including the Disney Electrical Sky Parade drone show since January of 2024. Disneyland Paris drones in action Meanwhile, Walt Disney World saw the debut of the Disney Dreams That Soar show at Disney Springs in the late spring of 2024. View of the drone show from the Coca-Cola rooftop The first major drone show at a U.S. Disney property, Dreams That Soar features “hundreds of state-of-the-art drones “dancing” across the sky, choreographed to a soaring musical score of iconic Disney music and memorable dialogue from beloved Disney movies. Watch them fly in a constant state of transformation—designing towering elements that are 400-feet tall and creating images of some of your favorite Disney characters from Toy Story, Coco, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Up, the Star Wars saga and more!” New Drone show The Tokyo Disney Resort is launching a new traveling drone show around Japan, which will help promote the brand-new Fantasy Springs Land. Overall, drone shows like this seem like they’re going to be a massive part of Disney’s nighttime plans at their resorts for years to come. Stay tuned to DFB for further updates on new Disney entertainment offerings. 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 do you feel about Disney incorporating drone shows into their entertainment? Let us know in the comments below. The post A NEW Disney Drone Show Is Debuting This Summer! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Greetings from Disney’s Hollywood Studios! We are here amidst the glitz and glamour to check out a classic dining spot on Sunset Boulevard. Sunset Boulevard While we have been to this restaurant before, we are constantly reviewing Disney World food, which also means returning to restaurants to see if anything has changed since our last review. Today we are heading to the Sunset Ranch Market area to check out Catalina Eddie’s. Let’s head over and see what this quick service restaurant is all about! Atmosphere Catalina Eddie’s is located on Sunset Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It is right next door to Rosie’s All-American Cafe and shares a large outdoor seating area with the restaurant. You can utilize the My Disney Experience app to place a Mobile Order, or you can head to the register to place your order with a Cast Member. Whichever way you choose, you will pick up your food from the counter and bring it to your table. Catalina Eddie’s While the seating area is pretty large, it is all outdoors, and even when we stopped by in the late afternoon, we found it a bit challenging to find a table. We definitely prefer an indoor seating area, especially during the summer months, but when the weather is more mild the outdoor seating area would be very pleasant. Seating Area Within the seating area, you will find condiment stations with a selection of sauces, sweeteners, creamers, utensils, and napkins. All of the stations were well-stocked while we were there, and Cast Members were constantly cleaning and restocking them. Condiments and Utensils Let’s take a look at the menu at Catalina Eddie’s! Menu The menu at Catalina Eddie’s is pretty straight-forward. The entrees consist of pizza, a meatball sub, and a Caesar salad. You can also get a side of breadsticks. ©Disney The menu also includes two options for kids and a Toffee and Coconut Blondie dessert. ©Disney You can also choose from a variety of beverages including four different alcoholic beverages. ©Disney Now that we have gone over the menu, let’s take a look at what we got to eat and drink! Drinks & Eats We tried a bit of everything at Catalina Eddie’s! Let’s just say we were pretty stuffed by the end. Let’s take a closer look at what we got and how it all tasted. Full Spread To start off, we got a Strawberry Lemonade Slushy for $6.49. This drink is probably exactly what you would expect. It has a great strawberry flavor that is balanced out with the lemonade flavor. We loved that the strawberry flavor tasted natural and not syrupy. We even spotted some strawberry seeds in the drink. The drink is not overly tart, but has just the right amount of tartness to balance out the sweetness of the strawberry. This drink was perfect for the warm day and to help cool down a bit before we dug into our food. Strawberry Lemonade Slushy Now onto the eats! We started off with the Meatball Sub which is a hoagie roll stuffed with seasoned meatballs and smothered in marinara sauce and provolone. The sub is served with a Caesar salad and costs $12.49. Meatball Sub The bread on this sub was great. It had a crunchy outside, but will still soft and fluffy on the inside. We were pleased that the bun tasted fresh and not like it had been sitting around for a while. The meatballs tasted like your classic meatballs, but they weren’t anything special. They had lots of meaty flavor with the addition of some herbs. The tomato sauce was full of tomato flavor, but was on the sweet side for us. We could taste a bit of basil as well, but it did not have a super complex flavor and mostly just tasted like tomato. Inside the Meatball Sub Next up, we tried the Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza which was also served with a Caesar salad for $12.29. Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Overall, this pizza was very average. It reminded us of pizza you might get from a school cafeteria. While tasty and satisfying, this won’t be the greatest pizza you ever eat. We were impressed with the amount of sausage on this pizza. The sausage was juicy and had great flavor. While we didn’t get quite as much pepperoni, the pepperoni was crispy. The crust is fluffy, however, we think the pizza was likely sitting for a bit as it was a tad soggy on the bottom. The tomato sauce was likely the same used on the meatball sub as it was also a bit too sweet and mainly a tomato flavor. A slice of Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Both the Meatball Sub and Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza also came with a side of Caesar Salad. We appreciate that the side adds a bit of vegetable to a carb heavy meal. While the salad didn’t blow our socks off, the lettuce was fresh and it had a classic Caesar dressing on top. The salad is a bit on the small side, but as a side it was not awful. The croutons were tasty and had a fantastic crunch. The dressing tastes like dressing you would get from a bottle, but would definitely satisfy if you are craving a Caesar salad. Caesar Salad We also tried out the side of Breadsticks which cost $5.49. The breadsticks are served with marinara sauce and were also just average. We loved that they had a lot of garlic flavor to them, but they didn’t taste super fresh. The bread was fluffy on the inside, but these likely sit for awhile before they are served. We were pretty impressed with the amount of bread you got for the price, and you could easily share these with others for a quick snack. The marinara sauce follows suit with our experience prior. It is on the sweet side and mainly just had a strong tomato flavor. Breadsticks Finally, we got the Toffee and Coconut Blondie for dessert. This is a gooey toffee and toasted coconut blondie topped with salted caramel buttercream. You can get this treat for $4.99 and this was easily our favorite item of the meal. We are big fans of this dessert, and it still stands as a favorite! Toffee and Coconut Blondie First of all, this dessert is huge and a great bang for your buck. This dessert is easily shareable and so delicious! There was lots of coconut flavor, and it worked really well with the toffee. The inside was soft and fluffy, while the outside had just the right amount of crispiness. We did not get a huge amount of toffee flavor from this dessert, it tasted more like just chocolate, however we still really enjoyed it. The salted caramel buttercream packed a good punch of salted caramel flavor, and complimented all the other elements perfectly. Toffee and Coconut Blondie Catalina Eddie’s definitely saved the best for last with this dessert. If you are a coconut fan, we think you will love this dessert. It is on the sweeter side, but all of the different flavors balance each other out and make for a fantastic dessert. Overall Catalina Eddie’s isn’t likely going to be the best meal you could have at Disney World, however it is quick and provides a lot of space for seating. One of the biggest downsides is that all of the seating is outdoors, so you won’t be able to get a break from the heat. The food wasn’t overly impressive, except for the Toffee and Coconut Blondie, but it was all still filling and satisfying. Pizza, meatball subs, and breadsticks can definitely be crowd pleasers and great for picky eaters. The menu does not have a lot of variety though, so make sure that it will have things everyone in your group will enjoy. Sunset Ranch Market A big plus is that Rosie’s All-American Cafe is right next door where you can get burgers, salads, and chicken tenders. All of the classic theme park food can be found in the same area and help provide more options for your group. Nosh or Not? You may want to stop by Catalina Eddie’s if… You are looking for a quick and easy meal on Sunset Boulevard. Catalina Eddie’s provides quick service and it is located right near some pretty popular rides including Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. If you are in the area and want something quick, Catalina Eddie’s could be a good choice. You have picky eaters in your group. The meal options at Catalina Eddie’s are all great for picky eaters. There is nothing spicy to them and all of the flavors are very approachable. You have likely tasted similar food in your life, so Catalina Eddie’s could be a great option if you have picky eaters. You want to get an amazing dessert. We would 100% recommend stopping here just for the Toffee and Coconut Blondie. It is delicious and huge! It is quick and easy to get, and you won’t regret trying this dessert (unless you don’t like coconut or chocolate.) A different restaurant will likely be your best choice if… You want to dine indoors or with air conditioning. The parks get hot, and you will likely find yourself desiring to eat your meals in air conditioning to get a break from the heat. Catalina Eddie’s doesn’t provide any air conditioned seating nearby, however we recommend checking out ABC Commissary if you are looking for indoor seating inside of a quick service restaurant. You are looking for unique eats. Catalina Eddie’s doesn’t offer anything unique and the menu is pretty limited. If you are hoping to have options beyond a pizza, salad, meatball sub, or breadsticks, you will want to try somewhere else. A few of our favorite quick service restaurants in Hollywood Studios include Docking Bay 7 and Woody’s Lunchbox. You want to eat somewhere with lots of theming. While Catalina Eddie’s is situated on Sunset Boulevard, and you can enjoy lots of people watching and take in the atmosphere, the restaurant itself it not very themed. If you are looking to eat somewhere that is heavily themed we recommend 50’s Prime Time Café or Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. We are constantly reviewing restaurants and trying out new eats and drinks at Disney World. You can check out some of our most recent reviews right here: More Recent Reviews! REVIEW: We Insist You Visit This Hollywood Studios Restaurant for DESSERTREVIEW: Well, This is Further Proof That Disney’s Animal Kingdom Is the BEST Park for FoodREVIEW: You Can Probably Skip This Disney World Hotel RestaurantREVIEW: Did We Find Something Actually SPICY in Disney World?!REVIEW: Trust Us, This NEW Disney World Meal Tastes Better Than It Looks Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World food news! Check out our favorite snacks in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! 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! Have you eaten at Catalina Eddie’s? Let us know about your experience in the comments! The post REVIEW: We Insist You Visit This Hollywood Studios Restaurant for DESSERT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

While Pixar Plaza may be easy to walk past in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this area recently got some new additions that might catch your eye! Pixar Plaza got a facelift! This area has seen lots of changes recently, including a new meet and greet. But, we were super excited to see a very colorful addition recently. You will find Pixar Plaza nestled off to the side as you are walking towards Toy Story Land from Animation Courtyard. It can be an easy area to miss, but if you are a Pixar fan, you will want to make a stop! This area recently debuted some colorful new gates with paintings that represent numerous Pixar movies. Bright colors and nods to Pixar movies The gates accent both sides of the entrance and are even complete with a Pixar ball on top. It is a lot of fun to try and figure out what movie each of the panels represent! We love the bright colors and hopefully it makes this area a bit easier to spot for guests. Can you name all the movies? In addition to the new gate, you can also find a beautiful Inside Out 2 mural in Pixar Plaza. This mural debuted back on June 10th, when Joy and a bunch of Pixar eats made their way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios too. However, we still think it is such a fun mural dedicated to Inside Out 2. Inside Out 2 Mural Joy also made her debut in Pixar Plaza back on June 10th. She can be found where Frozone used to meet, which is the first spot on the left when you walk in. Frozone now roams throughout the Pixar Plaza area. Joy at Pixar Plaza in Hollywood Studios! In addition to Joy and Frozone, you can still find some classic characters in Pixar Plaza including Sulley, Edna Mode, and Mrs. Incredible. Plus, there are additional photo ops in the area, Pixar easter eggs, and you can also stop by the Neighborhood Bakery to grab Jack-Jack’s Num Num Cookie. Sulley Meet and Greet at Pixar Place It is always fun to see new things come to Disney World, especially when it adds a lot of color to an area Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news! Check out our reviews of some of the new Pixar treats at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! 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 Pixar movie? Let us know in the comments! The post Something NEW (And Colorful!) Has Debuted at Disney's Hollywood Studios first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Staying at a Disney World hotel is a bucket list experience for many people. Old Key West No matter if you’re staying at a value, moderate, or deluxe hotel, the Disney magic of staying on property is like no other. However, there always comes the dreaded time when you have to leave and head back home. But there’s one part of leaving the hotel that we ALWAYS find so awkward, and it may not be what you’re thinking! When you’re staying in a Disney World hotel, you may choose to grab some groceries from a nearby grocery store yourself if you drove in, OR you may choose to order groceries from Kroger Grocery Delivery. This is a fantastic way to save money on your vacation, so you’re not spending money on the Disney prices associated with every snack or meal on property. Delivery! Kroger can bring all the snacks and drinks you’ll need on vacation straight to your hotel (but not to your hotel door, just to the lobby, who will hold it for you)! Plus, you can even order essentials you may have forgotten like medication, ziplock bags, water bottles, and more. Kroger Groceries As we said, the last day of your vacation is always hard because you’re going back to reality. You’re starting that drive or hopping on that plane back home, where all of life’s struggles and hardships (and your credit card statement) hit you that the Disney bubble seemed to make disappear. But there’s another reason we found checking out of our hotel to be EXTREMELY awkward recently. Stormalong Bay When one of our writers recently went on her Disney World vacation, she realized just how many unopened snacks and drinks she still had that she wouldn’t be able to bring on the plane back home. She really didn’t want to just throw them away since they were still perfectly good, but was afraid if she just left them in the room, they’d be tossed anyway. She had a plan, but she was afraid of how to go through with it: She wanted to find a family who appeared to be just starting their vacation and ask if they’d like the items. Caribbean Beach Now, this may not be a problem if you’re driving home or if it can all fit in your checked luggage, but if you’re traveling through regular security, any water bottles or other drinks won’t be allowed through in a carry-on. It may sound easy to just find a family to offer things to, but it’s NOT! It can be such an awkward exchange as you’re trying to assure them that it’s just normal food that hasn’t been opened and that you’re just trying to be nice, but hey, stranger danger! Art of Animation So the next time you run into this on vacation, you could do what we tried to do and offer the items to another family vacationing, or you could always call down to the front desk and see if they have any use for it. Perhaps unopened drinks and prepackaged food can be given to the Cast Members working, or they’ll know where to bring it. However, we suggest calling down using your hotel room phone about this first instead of just taking it all down — this way, if they say they can’t use it, you haven’t just dragged down a ton of food and drinks for no reason. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Lobby We’re always here to bring you the latest and greatest Disney World news and tips for your next vacation, so stay tuned to DFB! Check out our ultimate guide for grocery delivery in Disney World right here! 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 do you do with leftover unopened groceries you can’t take back home? Tell us in the comments! The post AWKWARD ALERT: This Is the WORST Part of Checking Out of My Disney World Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you know us, you know we’ll forever sing the praises of the food at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which is SEVERELY underrated. Animal Kingdom First, you know we’re going to talk ALL DAY LONG about Cheeseburger Pods and how everyone needs to know just how good Nomad Lounge is. But we’re also going to send you to Flame Tree BBQ for the Pulled Pork Fries (even if the onion rings have been replaced with fried onions). However, we’re also BIG fans of the Baked Mac and Cheese at Eight Spoon Cafe, but Disney just literally upgraded that Mac and Cheese and made it better. So we were just perusing menus at Animal Kingdom, like we do, looking for anything new and interesting, and we noticed that Eight Spoon Cafe has just added Barbacoa Beef on Alfredo Mac and Cheese to its menu. Okay, we are INTRIGUED. It’s a Mac and Cheese with a creamy Alfredo sauce, topped with Barbacoa Beef, crispy onions, and green onions for $7.29. Barbacoa Beef on Alfredo Mac and Cheese We’re happy to report that this snack tastes as good as it sounds! The beef on top is very tender and has a wonderfully seasoned flavor. The sauce is creamy and herby and just pairs PERFECTLY with the Mac and Cheese and beef. The crispy onions add additional flavor and crunch, although when you take a bite of everything, that onion flavor gets a little drowned out. DELICIOUS You also get a lot of meat for the cost, especially coming in at under $8. The green onions are fresh, but again, their flavor gets a little overpowered by everything else. The sauce is the star of the show, after all, and we were licking every last bit of it up off the container (don’t judge us!). We would absolutely order this again (and we will). SO creamy So we’ve got yet ANOTHER amazing menu item in Animal Kingdom, which just keeps blowing all the other Disney World parks out of the water when it comes to food. So be sure to pop by Eight Spoon Cafe next time you’re in the area, and check it out. WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Stay tuned to DFB for more reviews. REVIEW: Trust Us, This NEW Disney World Meal Tastes Better Than It Looks Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you tried the Mac and Cheese at Eight Spoon Cafe? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Well, This is Further Proof That Disney's Animal Kingdom Is the BEST Park for Food first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The (wake up) times, they are a’ changin’ at Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom Right now, there are few more important times at Walt Disney World than 7:00AM. As you likely know, that’s when you need to wake up on each day of your Disney World vacation to purchase Genie+ service and Individual Lightning Lanes. However, that all changes later this month. Starting on July 24th, Disney is introducing a newly revamped skip-the-line ride reservation system, with Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes morphing into Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass respectively. However, the names aren’t the biggest change. Lightning Lane Multi Pass (purchase of which allows you to book up to three ride reservations) and Lightning Lane Single Pass (purchases of which allow you to “secure a time to ride one of Disney’s most highly demanded attractions) will now allow you to make your ride reservations well in advance of your Walt Disney World visit. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World hotel, you can begin purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass reservations for an up to 14-day vacation 7 days before your reservation begins. If you’re not staying at a Walt Disney World hotel, you can begin doing so 3 days prior to each park day. Eligibility still opens at 7:00AM, but hey at least that’s not 7:00AM every day of your vacation. A quick tip: Once you book your trip, calculate either 7 days out or 3 days out (depending on where you’re staying) and set a reminder to yourself to book your Lightning Lanes. While you’re at it, make sure you have every member of your party entered into the My Disney Experience app and know what rides you’re shooting for, so that everything goes as smoothly as possible once your eligibility window opens. Flight of Passage (Yep, it’s in there) Don’t rejoice quite yet, however. Despite these changes, there is still a chance that you’ll need to wake up at 7:00AM on certain days of your Disney trip for a virtual queue. In case you’re not familiar with virtual queues, according to Disney, “From time to time, a virtual queue—accessible via the My Disney Experience app—may be used for a limited number of our most highly demanded attractions. When the virtual queue is in place, a standby queue will not be available, and Guests must use the My Disney Experience app to enter the attraction or experience.” ©Disney There are usually two times a day when virtual queues can be accessed: the dreaded 7:00AM, and a second round at 1:00PM. So, for example, if you are unable or unwilling to purchase Lightning Lane Single Passes for an in-demand attraction like Tron Lightcycle/Run or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, you’ll still need to wake up before 7:00AM to try and score a spot in the virtual queue. Cosmic Rewind uses a Virtual Queue While Disney’s new Lightning Lane systems will cut down considerably on the importance of waking up at 7:00AM during your Walt Disney World vacation, there’s still a chance you may need to if you’re planning on trying for a virtual queue. Stay tuned to DFB for more on the new system’s launch and effect on Walt Disney World’s rides and wait times. Book These Rides FIRST With 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 Are you excited about the NEW Lightning Lane system? Let us know in the comments below. The post Why 7:00AM Doesn't Matter Anymore in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you flying on vacation soon? There are some accessories you shouldn’t leave home without! Let’s fly! Most people have checklists when it comes to essentials they MUST bring with them on vacation, but do you have a checklist when it comes to essentials you’ll need for your flight? Whether you’re a flight attendant, frequent flyer, or taking your first trip to Disney World, there’s one item that sticks out that everyone could use! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Check out this essential Travel Blanket Pillow One of the most common requests flight attendants get asked by guests is if they can provide a pillow and blankets on the flight. Unfortunately, flight attendants typically can’t provide any unless you’re in first class or on an international flight. Wouldn’t it be great if you had a compact pillow that turns into a blanket that you can take just about anywhere? Ask and you shall receive! ©Amazon This BlueHills Travel Blanket Pillow is PERFECT for long travel. Whether you are a passenger on a long road trip or have a long flight, this blanket/pillow combo can provide just the right comfort for you to get some rest. Super soft, warm, and stylish, this essential travel item is ideal for long flights. Easy to transport, the blanket pillow also comes with a plush travel bag, luggage strap, and a backpack clip. The blanket measures 70 x 48 inches and comes in nine different colors. The best part is that the travel blanket and travel pouch are washer and dryer-safe. Buy on Amazon Free up your hands with this airplane phone mount Additionally, if you’re looking for some other airplane travel essentials, we’ve got you covered! For starters, this Perilogics Universal in Flight Airplane Phone Holder Mount helps you multitask or rest your arms during your flight! ©Amazon This phone mount clamps onto tray tables, luggage handles, and more, up to 1.5 inches wide. It boasts dual joints with 360-degree rotation and is compatible with a wide range of phone sizes. If you ever wanted to turn your phone into a little tv while freeing up your hands on a flight, this little guy would be a big help. Buy on Amazon Go wireless with this Bluetooth audio transmitter-receiver Finally, if you’ve ever wanted to use in-flight entertainment that requires corded headphones but simply want to use your own Bluetooth listening device, this travel item is for you! ©Amazon The Twelve South AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter Receiver works with AirPods or wireless headphones and any 3.5 mm audio jack. This device wirelessly transmits audio from in-flight entertainment, gym equipment, gaming devices, TVs, and more to your headphones! The AirFly is ideal for long flights, carrying a 20+ hour battery life, and has a max reach of 33ft. The device is rechargeable, pairs easily, and comes with everything you need. Buy on Amazon And there you have it! For more travel tips, updates, news, and more, stay tuned right here at DFB! Click here to view more travel essentials!The post There's a Reason Why Flight Attendants Love This Item first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney’s Animal Kingdom may not be a lot of people’s favorite parks, but there are SO many exciting things to do and experience here, we think a lot of people are missing out! Animal Kingdom Not only does this park have some of our favorite dining options (both table service and quick service), you can also ride some iconic attractions like Expedition Everest and Dinosaur, and, of course, see some adorable animals. But speaking of those animals, did you know there’s one thing you CANNOT bring into the park, under any circumstances? You may have noticed before that balloons are sold in most Disney World parks, but NOT Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s true that you won’t find balloons anywhere in Animal Kingdom, but it’s not only that you can’t buy them anywhere — you also can’t bring balloons from anywhere into the parks. Animal Kingdom It’s true! This is because if any balloons were to fly away and land in the savanna area, it would be extremely unsafe for the animals to potentially eat. It’s impossible to keep eyes on all guests at all times, and balloons can slip away in an instant. Retrieving fallen balloons from the savanna also could be dangerous for the Cast Members, so to avoid any issues, no balloons are allowed in Animal Kingdom. Play in the park balloon design But what happens if someone brings a balloon into Animal Kingdom, not knowing that they’re not allowed? It wouldn’t be great if Disney forced them to get rid of their balloon that they’ve paid a hefty price for, so they came up with an alternate plan: Balloon Daycare! Disney World Balloons If a guest walks into Animal Kingdom with a balloon, they’ll be stopped or instructed by a Cast Member to bring their balloon over to one of them where they will enter Balloon Daycare for the day, until they come pick it up! Balloons! The balloon will be kept safely indoors and will be marked as being yours (so don’t worry, you’ll get yours back!). In fact, you may even get a card at the end of the day sharing all your balloon did that day, like what movie it watched, if it had a snack and a nap, or played with other balloons! Pandora This is a great way that Disney World can keep their animals safe and happy while also ensuring guests are able to enter the park and experience what they’d like to without having to get rid of their balloon. However, this does mean that if you use a balloon as a way to identify your stroller, you’ll need to have a Plan B! Adventureland stroller parking We’re always here to bring you the latest Disney World news and information to make sure your trip goes as smooth as possible, so stay tuned to DFB! 4 Jaw-Droppingly Good Disney World Ride Transformations 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 sent your Disney World balloons to “daycare” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Tell us all about your experience in the comments below! The post What Exactly Is "Balloon Daycare" in Animal Kingdom, and Why Do You Need to Know About It? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World has made some very questionable food decisions recently. Columbia Harbour House Now, we’re used to restaurant menu changes and updates — they happen ALL the time, but most recently, Disney World has done some menu changing that we know a LOT of our readers (and us) haven’t been exactly thrilled with. Getting rid of the waffle sandwiches at Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom is a very good example. However, there was another snack that disappeared from a Disney World menu recently, but we’ve got a very important update: HUSHPUPPIES ARE BACK! We weren’t the only ones upset, though; it seems like a lot of Disney World visitors love those hushpuppies. Well, we’ve got some good news: the hushpuppies are back as of yesterday, July 3rd. We made a beeline straight over to Columbia Harbour House to see for ourselves! And there they were, back on the menu like they had never left (excuse us while we wipe the tears of joy from our eyes). During our visit, these were NOT listed on the Mobile Order menu, but you can get them if you order in-person. BEST day ever. Of course, we had to put in an order that included hushpuppies — for science! But while we were waiting, we spoke with Cast Members who told us that they’d had a lot of complaints when the hushpuppies disappeared from the menu. Now, everyone is relieved that the hushpuppies are back. They’re available again with the Trio Platter or as a separate side for $4.99 (you’ll get six). We love these!!! So, y’all, it’s a 4th of July miracle! Now, you’ll have to give us a moment alone with these glorious little balls of fried cornmeal. Happy tears, y’all. Happy tears. Thank you to DFB reader Jason B. for the tip! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney food news! The ONE Thing You Must Try from EVERY SINGLE Disney World Table Service 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! What was your favorite menu item that disappeared in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post We Witnessed a Snack MIRACLE in Magic Kingdom, and You’re Gonna LOVE This Update first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We spend a lot of time talking about places to eat in the Disney World parks, but it’s just as important to consider where you’ll dine at your Disney World hotel! Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to choose a resort that meets your culinary needs, and that likely means you’ll have to spend a little more dough. But what happens if you’re ballin’ on a budget? Well, recently, I headed to one of the moderate resorts in Disney World to check out their quick service dining and report back with a full review! Atmosphere Riverside Mill is located at Port Orleans Resort — Riverside, and you can enter through the hallway from the lobby, or from outside the main building of the resort. Riverside Mill Riverside Mill is designed to look like an old-fashioned mill, and it even has a giant water wheel spinning on the outside! The views here are lovely, with big windows and surrounding wooded areas. There’s a giant water wheel outside the window This spot is a food court, so several different walk-up stations serve various kinds of food. You can order things like burgers, pizza, pasta, or a variety of southern-inspired entrees. The order stations There are also a few refrigerators in the back that are filled with beverages… Beverage refrigerators …as well as some prepackaged sandwiches and salads. Cold foods One of the counters is specifically home to desserts, which is where you’ll find the seasonal treats! Sweet treats! And of course, there are various prepackaged snacks available, like chips and candy. Little stations like this are spread throughout Once you’ve got your eats, you’ll head to the checkout counter to ring up your order. Checkout counter In the middle of the restaurant, there’s a self-serve drink station… Drink station …a selection of condiments… Condiments …and a coffee station. Coffee station The dining room is pretty large here, with ample seating spread throughout! Seating area Many of the tables have window views, so you can dine and enjoy that natural scenery at the same time. Lots of places to sit Now that we’ve taken the tour, let’s look at the menu! Menu The menu here is pretty varied, with items for a broad range of tastes. The “Specialties” include Citrus-Basil Salmon, Mojo-roasted Chicken, and Smothered Beef in Gravy. You can also grab some classics like burgers and chicken. ©Disney There are a few southern-inspired sandwiches as well, like a Beef Po’ Boy or a Turkey Pimento Wrap. And because it’s a hotel food court, they of course have pizza available. ©Disney For lighter fare, you can grab a selection of soups or salads. And plant-based eaters may want to try the Korean-style Impossible Burger. ©Disney Need a side to go with your meal? Check out the charcuterie, french fries, bread sticks, or macaroni and cheese. ©Disney And we can’t forget about the kids! The menu for the little ones includes options like cheeseburgers, pasta, chicken strips, and macaroni and cheese. ©Disney In addition to these items, Riverside Mill serves a variety of beverages, some seasonal desserts, and plenty of prepackaged snacks. Eats To get a sampling of the menu, I ordered two entrees and one of the seasonal desserts. Let’s dig in! Full spread Starting things out with one of the specialties, I tried the Smothered Beef in Gravy for $14.99, which is described as slow-cooked beef in Louisiana spices. You get your choice of sides from the buffet, and I chose the mashed potatoes and green beans. Smothered Beef Starting with the sides, the mashed potatoes have a LOT of skin left in them. They didn’t feel like they were cooked all the way through in some spots, and even though they were creamy and buttery, the texture was very bizarre. There was so much skin, in fact, that it was rather annoying to eat. You can get them with gravy or without. The green beans were cooked a little past al dente, and they were nicely peppered and salted. They had a little bit of chew to them, and I was pretty surprised by how good they were. Mashed potatoes and green beans The smothered beef was fine, but nothing really to write home about, and it might be disappointing if you’ve hade homemade southern pot roast in the past. It’s spiced with something that tickled my tongue, and it has carrots throughout in the gravy. Some pieces of the meat were tender, while others were quite fatty. Not my favorite entree ever. The beef The other entree I opted to try was the Steakhouse Burger with fries for $13.99. It’s a beef burger topped with shaved beef, swiss cheese, and French onion aioli. Steakhouse Burger The burger needed to be seasoned more thoroughly, as did the shredded beef on top — both were somewhat bland. Most of the flavor here comes from the aioli and the onions. The aioli added a creaminess to the overall texture and the onions added some chew. The cheese is mild, but kind of ties everything together. Steakhouse Burger The bun is a little bit buttery and the burger was a smidge overcooked but not too dry. Honestly, this was very middle-of-the-road as far as Disney burgers go. It was better than most of the fast food options but not as good as the burgers you’d get at sit-down spots. The fries are typical Disney fast food fries — great when they’re fresh but get stale rather quickly. Sometimes they need a little extra salt or some ketchup for dipping. Inside the burger And finally, we’ve got dessert! I ordered the seasonal cheesecake option, which was a Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake for $6.29. It’s topped with a tiny Mickey-shaped sugar cookie! Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake This was honestly my favorite of the three items! It was creamy and cheesy with a smooth texture and great fruit flavor from the toppings. The lemon gel added some tartness and the blueberries were fresh and sweet. Inside, there was a fruity blueberry filling. I would get it again! Cheesecake So how did Riverside Mill fare? Let’s talk about it. Overall In the end, I think this restaurant is just fine. It has a variety of basic eats, but it’s not really more special than any other food court at a Disney World resort. I would probably eat here during my stay and enjoy my meal, but it’s definitely not a must-do. The spread This hotel is also home to Boatwrights Dining Hall and River Roost, which have arguably better eats. If you have the time and money for those options, I would recommend them instead! Nosh or Not? Take a trip to the mill if… You need a quick meal during your Port Orleans Resort — Riverside stay. If you’re staying at this resort and just need to grab a quick bite, this is a good option. They’ve got variety and cheap prices. You have picky eaters in your party or a variety of tastes. If your family can’t agree on what they want to eat, a food court is the perfect choice! Everyone can get a different type of cuisine. Skip the mill and sail down the river to a different spot if… You have high culinary expectations. If you want a special dining experience or particularly delicious food, this probably isn’t the stop for you. You’re not staying at this resort. This isn’t a spot I would recommend going out of your way to visit. There are plenty of food courts in Disney World and they’re all fairly similar. You’re dining for dinner. While Riverside Mill is the only option for breakfast and lunch, other restaurants are open at the hotel for dinner. Riverside Mill That’s a wrap on my visit to Riverside Mill, thanks for coming along! Stay tuned to DFB for more restaurant reviews from around Disney World. Click Here for the Best (and Worst!) Disney World Hotel Restaurants! 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 been to this spot? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! The post REVIEW: You Can Probably Skip This Disney World Hotel Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A meal at Disney World is MORE than just your standard entrée and side dish. So let’s start looking at some of the best restaurants on Disney property for dinner. After all, it’s your capstone meal of the day! Steakhouse 71 We’ve already addressed some of the best spots to grab breakfast during your Disney trip. And now we’re taking a look at your end-of-the-day meal. Take a look at your touring plans and decide what type of dinner best fits in your schedule. You might want an indulgent, luxury dinner on your last evening in Walt Disney World. On other days, you may just want to grab something quick because your family rope-dropped and park-hopped like pros, and now you need to work around a showtime or hit the bed! So, let’s go through some of the best choices for dinner, no matter what you’re looking for! Dinner on the Go! You are racin’ through the parks, you have a rapidly approaching Lightning Lane reservation, you’ve just arrived in Disney World late in the day and don’t wanna burn a lot of time at dinner (or a park ticket, potentially), or you’re just sticking to a budget and looking for something tasty. Grab your pen and take some notes! Capt. Cook’s Staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, or looking for a great counter service meal in a tropical environment? Then you’ll be hooked on Capt. Cook’s! Capt. Cook’s offers unique island-inspired quick service meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual, yet fun, environment. Full spread from Capt. Cook’s at the Polynesian Polynesian favorites (like an Aloha Pork Sandwich and Pulled Pork Nachos), along with classic quick service eats like burgers, are served for lunch and dinner. Those Pulled Pork Nachos sound simple enough, right? WRONG! We’ve loved these beauts for YEARS. They feature Poly Chips (homemade potato chips and fried wontons. Basically the best chip combo ever.) Topped with Cheese, Spicy Mayonnaise, Pico de Gallo, and Pineapple Salsa and cost $10.29! These are a loooooongtime Poly favorite for many — us included! They’re SO good. (Did we mention we like these nachos enough yet? No? OK, well we lurve these nachos!) Geyser Point Geyser Point Bar & Grill — located near the Copper Creek Springs Pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge — is a unique space in that it offers two different kinds of service for guests… all in one cozy and lovely setting. Geyser Point blends two different dining styles (a Table Service lounge and a Quick Service walk-up counter) and two different menus. YUM While so many Disney restaurants are indoor and very people-y, this open-air lakeside patio is an OASIS! The open air restaurant offers gorgeous waterfront views, and a fireplace for cool evenings. There is still plenty of bar seating, covered tables, and cozy benches that host a glorious view of the lake! The cedar and stone design creates a Northwest vibe, and the surrounding flora and fauna really set the scene. And sitting here at sunset enjoying a cocktail and a charcuterie with your friends is the soul-soothing respite that you need after a long day standing in queues. Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Draft & Barbecue It’s all in the name at Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue at The American Adventure pavilion in EPCOT! This fast-casual restaurant celebrates the regions of American BBQ and serves up craft brews on tap. Guests are encouraged to try any of the four house-recipe sauces while they enjoy their Memphis Dry-Rub Pork Ribs, Sliced Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich, or Kansas City Half-Smoked Chicken — to name just a few entrees on the menu. Classic sides like Baked Beans with Burnt Ends and dessert options are available to complete the meal. The food is decent, but we’re not sure all southerners would agree that it’s BBQ! An abundance of seating is available indoors and out, with the outdoor seating area boasting a large smoker AND even more sips available at an outdoor walk-up bar. And who, you may be wondering, is the Regal Eagle? Why, it’s Sam Eagle of THE MUPPETS fame! You’ll find nods to Sam and the whole gang around the eatery. Columbia Harbour House Enjoy some New England-inspired surf-and-turf at Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square! In addition to Platters that feature options like fried fish and shrimp, the spot also boasts a fan-favorite Lobster Roll. Landlubbers can opt for chicken strips (among other options). And those searching for lighter fare can enjoy items such as Grilled Salmon or an entree salad. Columbia Harbour House Columbia Harbour House features one of the best-loved plant-based dishes in Disney World, too, with the Lighthouse Sandwich. There really is something for everyone here in this charming, nautically-themed counter service restaurant! P.S.A. recent menu change removed the hush puppies from the menu. Sigh. Ronto Roasters Black Spire Outpost — the village on the planet of Batuu where Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set in Disney’s Hollywood Studios — serves up sandwiches, snacks, and beverages at Ronto Roasters! You’ll spy a pitmaster droid busy at work turning a mechanical spit at Ronto Roasters. What’s he grilling? Why, it’s a side of Ronto — a beast native to Luke Skywalker’s home planet of Tatooine. Ronto Roasters Ronto Roasters specializes in the Ronto Wrap, a handheld snack featuring spiced grilled sausage and roasted pork! And while the specialty of the house features grilled sausage, Ronto Roasters also serves some truly tasty plant-based options, as well. Look for additional snacks and intergalactic beverages to fuel your Batuuan adventures. Flame Tree BBQ Flame Tree Barbecue is where guests with a beastly hunger can dine in a lush outdoor paradise overlooking Discovery River. Flame Tree Barbecue is a popular counter service spot in Disney’s Animal Kingdom featuring barbecue classics (along with a few twists)! There’s mac and cheese with pulled pork and an onion ring(!!), ribs, chicken, and more. A meatloaf that even non-meatloaf people will love. Located near the Discovery Island bridge to DinoLand, it boasts some absolutely gorgeous views. All seating is outdoors, but colorful pavilions provide shade and cover from the sun or inclement weather. And if you choose the waterside pavilion, you’ll have a great view of Expedition Everest and the character flotillas that pass by. Chicken Guy! Chicken Guy! — headed by Guy Fieri and restauranteur Robert Earl — has its Flagship location in Disney Springs. The menu puts the spotlight on fresh, all-natural Chicken Tenders paired with a variety of sauces. The tenders are “hand-pounded to maximize crunch,” and brined in lemon juice, pickle brine, and buttermilk, and infused with herbs. Sandwiches, salad bowls, mac-and-cheese, frozen treats, and more are also on offer. Southwestern Chicken Sandwich You might already know that some of the best table service restaurants can be found in Disney Springs, but did you know that there’s also some great fast food available there as well? Take it from us it might be worth it to opt for chicken tenders and mac & cheese over some of Disney Springs’ fancier eats! The location is tucked right next to Planet Hollywood where Guy Fieri created the burger and sandwich menu. The BEST Disney World Restaurants for First-Timers! All You Can Eat Dinner Disney World’s buffets and family-style offerings can be a rather pricey endeavor, but they’ll make the price worth your time — as long as YOU’RE willing to fill your plates again. And again. So let’s see which of Disney World’s all-you-can-eat serve up some of the HEFTIEST offerings around — starting with a deluxe resort restaurant… Boma Boma continually emerges on the “favorite restaurants” lists of many Disney guests! Located in the stunning Animal Kingdom Lodge, the popular buffet at Boma gives visitors the opportunity to sample flavorful African dishes while also dining on some American favorites during breakfast or dinner. We love Boma, and we love a solid buffet option, but the real selling factor here is the endless supply of Zebra Domes! In case you aren’t familiar, let us introduce you to our long-time dessert-crush, the Zebra Dome! Zebra Domes at Boma! It is a thin cake base topped with Amarula cream liquor mousse, coated in delicious white chocolate, and finished with chocolate stripes and shavings. This dish is a favorite here at DFB, maybe almost as long as plastic cheese! We always give two thumbs up to this restaurant, and we always find something new to try here. P.S. We’ve got some PRO Tips for Disney World buffets right here! Steakhouse 71 The retro theme in this dining space (and at the awesome bar) continues to delight guests. The hallway leading to the restaurant is covered in photos from the early days of Disney World — Disney history buffs will especially love this touch! Not surprisingly, the dinner menu at Steakhouse 71 has a heavy steak focus. We highly recommend the prime rib! Prime Rib at Steakhouse 71 Steakhouse 71 really feels like a signature restaurant and after eating here, we’re a little shocked that it’s not! This is also a great place to go if you want a more upscale meal for less money. The steak and other entrees are not overly expensive for what you get, and the cocktails are strong for the amount that they cost. Liberty Tree Tavern Themed after a late 18th century home, Liberty Tree Tavern, in Magic Kingdom, is divided into different rooms decorated to reflect famous names from the United States’ Revolutionary period, including Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. The full spread The meal, served family-style, is both hearty and plentiful. Many guests like to refer to it as “Thanksgiving all year” thanks to the Patriot’s Platter, which serves up all-you-care-to-enjoy roasted turkey, pot roast, and oven-roasted pork served with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, seasonal veggies, and herb stuffing. (A plant-based version of this meal and allergy-friendly options are also available.) Dessert is included as well, featuring the spot’s signature Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake… one of our favorite desserts in all of Disney World! Biergarten If you’re ready for an exciting, fun-filled meal, head over to Biergarten in EPCOT’s Germany for a spell! The Biergarten is a theater-style restaurant filled with long, family-style tables. It’s basically set up like an authentic German beer garden! The story (because every Disney experience has a story) is that this quaint Bavarian village is celebrating Oktoberfest and you get to experience it! No matter when you eat here, for lunch or dinner, every experience is set on this Oktoberfest evening. Up on stage, German performers showcase authentic Oktoberfest numbers throughout the day — lederhosen and all! Biergarten The full buffet features your favorite German dishes, including bratwurst, spaetzle, potato salad, and more. Don’t forget to wash it down with your favorite German beer! Prost! We’ve Eaten at Every Magic Kingdom Restaurant. These Are the BEST. Character Dining for Dinner Do we need to reintroduce ourselves? Hello, we are Disney Food Blog, we love Disney and we love food. So, when we get to good food and fun Disney characters all together is a mashup of awesomeness, yeah, we’re here for it! Let’s check out the BEST of the best options on property for ya. You might notice that this section is a little… small, considering all of the character meals that Disney offers. Well, we’re focusing on dinner, and sometimes for some restaurants, dinner just isn’t their moment to shine. So, if your favorite character meal isn’t listed, that doesn’t mean that we don’t enjoy it — it might just mean that we prefer it for a different meal! Garden Grill Located in The Land pavilion in EPCOT, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast at Garden Grill Restaurant is one of the only places you’ll find Mickey Mouse in EPCOT — and he’s joined by Chip, Dale, and Pluto! These four characters provide the ample entertainment at this family-style restaurant! Mickey at Garden Grill The food is served on platters here, so it’s an all-you-can-eat feast with your family. Since the earliest days of EPCOT Center, this restaurant has had many different styles, but has always been Disney World’s only rotating restaurant! Throughout your meal, you’ll see several of the different scenes from the Living with the Land ride below! Tusker House Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House is one of the best-kept secrets around when it comes to Disney dining and Character Meals. The food at this all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet is flavorful and interesting, and the characters are high-quality, featuring Donald, Mickey, and friends… all dressed in their Safari best! He’s #1! If you are looking for a fun character meal in a unique setting with terrific food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we highly recommend this restaurant. We typically really enjoy our experiences at Tusker House. The food is both approachable and unique at the same time — not easy to pull off! Animal Kingdom doesn’t have a ton of sit down meals compared to other parks, so it’s great to have this option. Ranking the Best Character Dining in Disney World Date Night at Disney World Though largely built on fairytale romances, when folks often think of Disney World, they imagine family destination instead of romantic getaways. But let us set the record straight, this place is super fun for adults. There are hundreds of marriage proposals, honeymoons, and even weddings that take place here every year. And all of those couples need a place to eat, right? Jaleo Jaleo is a Spanish restaurant by Chef José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup. Jaleo features an extensive menu of tapas that showcase traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine such as paella (cooked over a wood fire), hand-carved Jamon Iberico de Bellota, and wood-grilled Iberico pork. This Signature dining experience in Disney Springs is the first Florida location for Jaleo, which has four other locations in the United States. Jaleo Jaleo is an upscale Spanish-inspired restaurant in Disney Springs. It’s a signature restaurant as well, so it’s a little pricier than you’ll find at other spots. Jaleo has tapas and other dishes that are meant to be shared around the table, with everyone trying a little of each food that comes by! The food comes out a bit at a time, so it’s not a classic everyone-gets-one-meal-all-at-once kind of situation. The style is based on the Spanish tradition to share food and conversation with your party, so you won’t be rushed. And trust us when we say, try the sangria! Artist Point Disney’s Wilderness Lodge boasts cozy cabin vibes and easy access to Magic Kingdom. It’s also home to some stellar restaurants — like Artist Point. What makes this spot so unique? It’s where you’ll find Storybook Dining with Snow White! At Artist Point, you can indulge in a prix-fixe meal that includes multiple appetizers to share, one entrée per person, and lots of shared desserts. Dessert at Artist Point We love Storybook Dining at Artist Point and we will shout it from the rooftops. For the price, especially compared to other prix fixe meals, it feels like more of a production, which is a nice thing. It’s not all-you-can-eat, but it is nicely plated food thoughtfully prepared with a touch of whimsy to it. Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera is located atop Disney’s Riviera Resort! This rooftop restaurant features a signature dining experience for dinner — including fireworks views. Whether you want a full meal or just to grab a tasty cocktail, this is a great spot — and you don’t even need a park ticket to visit! We visited recently and found something new, and it was almost too pretty to drink. Tramonto Cocktail at Topolino’s Terrace The name Topolino means Mickey Mouse in Italian, so this elegant dining experience still has a Disney flair! Topolino’s is a signature dining experience (we’re talking dress code, handmade pasta, and artisanal cheeses). Unless you’ve made a special trip to the Riviera Resort, you might not know much about this nighttime dining experience! And even if you have noticed it, you might have also noticed the price tag that comes with it. If you’re looking for an adult-friendly space that feels a little less “theme park” and a little more “elegant French/Italian dinner,” this is the place for you. Three Ideas For an Unconventional Disney World Date Night Just for Fun Via Napoli Via Napoli, in the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT, offers authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas, pasta, and meat dishes that are sure to make any Italian food fiend happy. Via Napoli The soaring ceilings, rustic frescoes, and massive wood ovens — named Vesuvio, Etna, and Stromboli after three active volcanoes in Italy — found in the restaurant offer a casual and flavorful dining experience for EPCOT guests. Seriously, the pizza here is fantastic — it’s our favorite in Disney World — and offers a great value, to boot. Raglan Road Welcome to Raglan Road… an authentic Irish pub right in the heart of Disney Springs! Classic Irish dishes are presented with a contemporary twist, and you’ll enjoy your terrific food and lively craic in a spot that often features live Irish music and dancing! Raglan Road P.S. When we say that this pub is authentic, we mean it. The bars and furniture in the pub were actually built in Ireland! Raglan doesn’t disappoint. And in fact it lands on our ten favorite Disney World restaurants list, so we consider it destination dining for sure. Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue Giddy-up, pardner, and get ready for a rootin’ tootin’ good time! The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner show made its debut on June 30, 1974 and has been delivering wonderful vacation memories to Walt Disney World guests ever since. Hoop-Dee-Doo Disney’s Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is an extravaganza of food and entertainment that the whole family will love. Seriously, it’s hard not to have a good time here. Located in Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, the setting is a huge barn complete with stage and musical numbers, and there are (literally!) buckets of food for the table to share serving up an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal of fried chicken (find the recipe here!), ribs, mashed potatoes, and MUCH more. Round up the little ‘uns and get ready for a show! Homecomin‘ You’re always welcome at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs! Celebrity Chef Art Smith (known as a BBQ Pitmaster Judge, author of Art Smith’s Healthy Comfort and other cookbooks, founder of Art and Soul in Washington, D.C. and Table Fifty-Two in Chicago, and former Chef to Oprah Winfrey) celebrates Southern and Floridian cuisine and “farm-to-fork” food at his Disney Springs restaurant. Whiskey Flight The name Homecomin’ refers to Chef Smith’s roots as a Florida native. (Fun fact: Chef Smith participated in the Disney World College Program as a culinary intern, and is a Florida State University alum!) Homcomin’ has a lot to offer, including a delicious Hummingbird Cake, the iconic Fried Chicken and Doughnuts, and so much more (we see you, moonshine flights…). You really can’t go wrong on this menu, so if you see something you might like, give it a try! Space 220 Space 220 is a futuristic restaurant that takes guests on a dining adventure 220 miles above EPCOT! Guests board an elevator that simulates real-time rocketing into orbit as they travel to the Centauri Space Station hovering above the Earth. Diners will take in daytime and nighttime views of Earth as they’re surrounded by a full panoramic view of space. Take a look INSIDE Space 220 HERE! Space 220 A multi-course, prix fixe menu three-course dinner allows guests to enjoy the cuisine of Executive Chef Marc Kusche through modern, upscale dishes. Oh, and we’ve ranked every dinner menu item from best to worst for you! The Big Reason You Should STOP Eating in Disney World Parks Hungry yet? If you’re ready to explore MORE breakfast reviews for these restaurants, be sure to pick up a copy of our DFB Guidebook with all of our best dining tips, tricks, and money-saving hacks! 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 dinner spot in Walt Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post The Best Disney World Restaurants for Dinner for 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There is a tiiiiiny little donut shop tucked away in the corner of Disney Springs, and we need to talk about it. This place is easy to miss, but don’t let its out-of-the-way location deter you from visiting. The store is called Everglazed Donuts, and it serves some impressive donuts. Everglazed You have to have a sweet tooth to really appreciate the donuts and drinks served here, but if you don’t mind a healthy dollop of icing or a smattering of sprinkles, you need to see what they’ve got to offer. One of our favorite creations is available just in time for the Fourth of July holiday. Wait until you see it. Seriously. Everglazed is serving up a Cheeseburger Mega Donut. Yep. A Cheeseburger. Mega. Donut. It starts with a glazed donut (though it looks more like a hamburger bun — impressive!). ©Everglazed From there, those lunatics at Everglazed crafted a chocolate cake donut that resembled the burger patty. This is getting weirder and weirder, but we love it. ©Everglazed Here comes the most important part: the cheeseburger toppings. Gotta start with some lettuce, a.k.a. vanilla buttercream. ©Everglazed From there, we’re adding our tomatoes and CHEESE. Can’t have a cheeseburger without some golden cheddar, right? ©Everglazed Behold, the Cheeseburger Mega Donut. It’s epic. It’s incredible. It’s America. If you squint, you’d probably never even know this is a donut. ©Everglazed There are only limited quantities of this special menu item, and it’s only available through Sunday, July 7th. Make sure to stop by Disney Springs ASAP if you’re interested. And trust us — you’re interested. ©Everglazed While we’re on the subject of America, we should probably mention all the other fun things you can do in Disney World during this Fourth of July weekend. Of course, you’ve got the EPIC Magic Kingdom fireworks show, Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky, but you can also meet Mickey and friends in their patriotic gear in EPCOT and try plenty of other exclusive treats. It’s a FUN time to visit the parks! Happy 4th! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. One of Magic Kingdom’s Most EXCLUSIVE Fireworks Shows Is BACK! But Not for Long! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you planning to try this burger donut? Let us know in the comments! The post This Is the Most Ridiculous Disney World Food Creation We’ve Ever Seen, and We’re Both Confused and Impressed first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Recently, Disney has shaken things up with the announcement that Genie+, their paid skip-the-line system, was going to undergo some pretty big changes in Disney World. ©Disney The new system will have two types: Lightning Lane Multi Pass (previously the regular paid Genie+ service) and Lightning Lane Single Pass (previously Individual Lightning Lanes) starting on July 24th. The problem? Many Annual Passholders are feeling like this system completely screws them over. To give you the brief(ish) version, the new changes will allow guests to: Make up to 3 Lightning Lane plans before you get to the parks, choosing your attractions and what times you’ll ride prior to purchasing Book Lightning Lane passes for multiple vacation days at one time Then, on the day of your visit, you can book another Lightning Lane when you’ve used up one of the ones you booked previously. It’s similar to how FastPass+ worked, and getting to know you’ll at least get to skip the lines at 3 attractions per day is fantastic, right? Genie+ So how early can you make them? Well, guests staying at Disney World hotel can make these reservations up to 7 days before their vacation starts. All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance. Genie+ That’s still plenty of time, right? Well, here’s where the issues start to come in. We don’t yet know what kind of availability there will be at the 3-day advance mark. Will Disney hold out some reservations so that they’re only available at the 3-day mark? Otherwise, local folks who don’t usually stay in hotels may have a hard time getting a Lightning Lane for some of the most popular rides — like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or Slinky Dog Dash. And, for local Passholders who choose to go to the parks on a whim, this feature will be useless to them. APs this way Now, you will still be able to purchase Lighting Lane Multi Pass or Lighting Lane Single Pass the day of your trip…however some of the times available may be heavily booked up already due to those who have pre-planned. Not to mention that Passholders will (likely) be paying the same amount for Genie+ that other guests will, even though they’re not getting this planning perk. Annual Passholder Magnet Disney has also reintroduced the idea of a tiered system for rides. Out of those 3 advance selections, guests will be able to choose one experience from a higher-tiered group and two experiences (or all three) from a lower-tiered group. So for Annual Passholders who head into the parks on a whim, what happens if all those higher tiered attractions are all sold out? Read more about the attractions in Tier 1 here In general, these changes are skewing in favor of people who travel in from far away and stay at Disney World hotels rather than those who live close enough who don’t need to use Disney accommodations for the night, and THAT’S the basis of what Annual Passholders aren’t happy about. Magic Kingdom Annual Passholder entrance We will be testing out all of these possibilities when the new service starts later this month, so stay tuned to DFB! We have BAD NEWS about the new Genie+ changes 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 do you feel about these changes? Tell us in the comments! The post "Locals Are Being Screwed Over." Annual Passholders Are Furious About Disney's NEW Lightning Lane Changes first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you love a good parade, boy, do we have some NEWS. FOR. YOU. Universal Orlando You might already be the type of person to stop EVERYTHING to watch the Festival of Fantasy Parade in Magic Kingdom, or Magic Happens in Disneyland. But now there’s a NEW parade in town, and this time, it’s over at Universal Orlando Resort. Will it be one that you absolutely must go see during your next trip? We got a first look at it, and now we’re sharing ALL the details with you! Universal’s brand-new Mega Movie Parade has arrived at Universal Studios Florida and it’s got a LOT going on. The parade features references to some of the most iconic movies ever made, including E.T., Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Jaws, Trolls, Minions, and so much more. This is also the biggest daytime parade for Universal Orlando EVER. Back to the Future The parade features a 16-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, y’all! You cannot get much more epic than that. There he is! There’s also a live marching drum line performing the iconic music from Jaws (da-dum, da-dum, da-dum) along with a float themed to the movie. Jaws Plus, you’ll want to look for references to Sing and Kung Fu Panda. Sing float The parade features a total of 13 floats and nearly 100 performers (which includes folks dancing, skating, walking on stilts, and more). These performers are AMAZING The finale of the parade even includes a massive Jurassic World float with a Gyrosphere, Raptors, and Tyrannosaurus rex. That T-Rex, though! Look for special effects and hidden details throughout the parade that make things extra special. We loved seeing all these characters on bicycles for the E.T. portion of the parade. E.T. Mega Movie Parade officially debuted on July 3rd and will continue to be available at Universal Studios Florida. Be sure to check the Universal app for times and parade route. Minions! Looking to make things extra special? Grab one of the new interactive bubble wands inspired by Trolls and Jurassic World. These actually interact with some of the Universal Mega Movie Parade floats. Interactive Bubble Wand The parade isn’t the only new thing in Universal Orlando, though. DreamWorks Land also recently opened. You can meet Shrek and splash around in his swamp, ride the Trollercoaster, and learn kung fu from Po. And don’t forget to get the Shrek Pretzel with green cheese! Trolls Trollercoaster You can also visit Universal to see the brand-new nighttime show CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular. It’s got fountains, projection mapping, drones, and much more! Get a peek at it here. CineSational But wait…there’s MORE. You can also stop by The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Hogsmeade Land for another new nighttime show — Hogwarts Always. There are even four different endings to the show (featuring different Houses winning the House Cup) so you never know which ending you’ll get. Hogwarts Always WHEW. That’s quite a lot to do over at Universal, so start planning those trips early. We’ll keep you updated on other Universal Orlando news, including all the latest on Universal’s third park, Epic Universe. Stay tuned to DFB for more. Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Will you be headed to Universal Orlando this summer? Let us know in the comments! The post FIRST LOOK at the BRAND-NEW Mega Movie Parade in Universal Orlando first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s the 4th of July in Disney World — and you know what that means. It means everything is getting a patriotic makeover today. Cinderella Castle You’ll see red, white, and blue decor all along Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. You’ll also see some fun 4th of July treats popping up all over the parks and hotels (pro tip: DON’T GET THE FUNNEL CAKE). The 4th of July fireworks show premiered last night with one final performance tonight in Magic Kingdom. Oh, and the CROWDS have arrived, which might make you think the price of Genie+ would go up today, but guess what? It didn’t! As you may know, the price of Genie+, Disney’s paid skip-the-line service, fluctuates depending on demand, which is what we call surge pricing. So when the parks are at their busiest, the price of Genie+ tends to go up. The price is also dependent on which park you buy it for or if you buy it for all four parks. Today, July 4th, the price of Genie+ is the same as it was yesterday: Multiple Parks: $29 Magic Kingdom: $29 EPCOT: $21 Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $26 Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $18 ©Disney This price has been the same since June 27th, so it hasn’t really fluctuated at all since then. The highest price we’ve ever seen for Genie+ is $39 per day per person, so this isn’t the HIGHEST demand we’ve seen for the service. You’ll be able to view the current day’s pricing on the My Disney Experience app. Using Genie+ on our phone The price for Individual Lightning Lane (Disney’s pay-per-ride service) today is as follows: $20 for TRON Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom $17 for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT $25 for Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios $16 for Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom The Individual Lightning Lane option for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom was already sold out first thing in the morning. The ride was also temporarily closed earlier this morning but has since reopened. The only way left to ride it today is through the virtual queue — the second opportunity to grab a spot in the virtual queue opens at 1PM (but it will probably go quickly). Note that Genie+ will change on July 24th. Genie+ will be renamed Lightning Lane Multi Pass, while Individual Lightning Lane will become Lightning Lane Single Pass. The new services will also allow you to book Lightning Lane selections in advance of your trip: 7 days early if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel and three days for everyone else. We have the full details about how the changes will work, and we’re planning to answer ALL your questions when the changes go live. ©Disney Stay tuned to DFB for more! Book These Rides FIRST With 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 Will you be in Disney World over the long holiday weekend? Let us know what it’s like for you in the comments! The post We Have Good News and Bad News About Disney’s 4th of July Genie+ Prices first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ll say it once, and we’ll say it again, it’s not always easy getting decent breakfast options once you’re in the parks. What gives, Disney? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Spaceship Earth at EPCOT At your hotel? Sure, you’ll find a variety of great breakfasts, from character dining experiences to quick service (like those awesome Breakfast Totchos). At EPCOT, the breakfast options are even slimmer, which makes NO sense because EPCOT has so many amazing food choices for lunch and dinner. But that’s recently changed, and we are SO happy to share this great breakfast news with you. So as you may know, all the construction for the massive EPCOT transformation is finally complete (although EPCOT isn’t completely done with construction just yet…but we digress). The final part of the transformation, CommuniCore Hall and Plaza, recently opened. CommuniCore Hall Something else opened up with that new space, though — a new food spot. Okay, that’s enough to get excited about, right? There’s a NEW food spot in EPCOT, y’all! It’s called Festival Favorites, and it’s a quick service spot open year-round that serves up some of the best food from EPCOT’s many festivals. So it’s basically like a festival spot that’s open even when there isn’t a festival happening in EPCOT. YAY! Festival Favorites Here’s the BEST news about Festival Favorites, though: It’s open at 9:30AM. So if you’re wanting breakfast at EPCOT and you don’t want to wait in line at Connections Cafe (EPCOT’s Starbucks), just head on over to Festival Favorites to grab something different. We imagine that the menu might change here often, but recently, we enjoyed some delicious Arepas and Coconut Tres Leches. Coconut Tres Leches You can also get a specialty cocktail, beer, or wine here, too (yes, we’re talking about breakfast, but it’s Happy Hour somewhere when it’s 9:30AM in Florida, right?). Current Festival Favorites menu So if you’re arriving at EPCOT at 9AM (its usual opening time) and want something a little different for breakfast, you know where to go. Even better? You’ll probably not have to deal with a long line there either! So you can grab a quick bite to fuel for a day full of your favorite rides and EPCOT experiences. However, if you are looking for a character dining breakfast in EPCOT, you can always get a reservation for Garden Grill to have breakfast with Chip ‘n’ Dale and friends or Akershus Royal Banquet Hall to dine with Disney princesses. Not that these dining experiences will take some time out of your busy day, so plan accordingly. Stay tuned to DFB for more. REVIEW: We Found the Ultimate Disney World Breakfast for Picky Eaters Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your go-to breakfast in EPCOT? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING BREAKFAST NEWS: Your EPCOT Morning Just Got a Lot Better first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We stay at the Disney World hotels ALL THE TIME, so when something at a Disney resort makes even seasoned experts giddy and excited, you know it was special. Disney’s Fort Wilderness We toured the new cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort earlier this year and were left pretty impressed. With that said, we recently returned for a little more fanfare, which included recreational activities, a dinner show, and tons of fun. Over the span of a weekend, our experience at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort was elevated from an underrated resort to one of our absolute favorites — and we can’t wait to tell you how! Have you had a similar experience at Fort Wilderness? Honestly, our most recent stay might have changed the way we think about Disney World resort stays. We already loved the new DVC cabins, and after all the fun we had at the resort, we can safely recommend staying here if you get the chance! As always, stay tuned right here at DFB for the latest Disney World news, tips, reviews, and more! Recounting My Honest Experience at Disney’s Failed Star Wars Hotel Months After Its Unexpected Closure Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What are some of your favorite activities to do at Disney’s Fort Wilderness? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of the DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness Reopening. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post FORGET a Park Day. This Disney World Resort Has SO MANY Unique Perks! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article