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The “world’s largest” theme park is coming to Orlando in 2025. ©Universal Universal’s Epic Universe construction is well underway, and today we’re learning much more about one of the lands that will be part of the brand-new theme park — Dark Universe! This land will be devoted to Universal’s rich history with horror. Here, visitors will “encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery.” We’re expecting to see many of Universal’s classic monsters in this land. Molly Murphy, President of Universal Creative, shared that Dark Universe will be “a world where Universal’s classic monsters are reimagined in an OMINOUS and CHILLING experience.” ©Universal Universal just dropped BRAND-NEW INFO on the attractions and other details about this land…including the dining options! Let’s take a look! First up, Universal announced the new Das Stakehaus, a quick-service restaurant within Dark Universe that is themed around an “old inn and dining hall built over the ruins of ancient catacombs.” The name is not only a play on the Eastern European setting of vampire lore, but a literal play on words — “stake” instead of “steak” as it relates to vampires is a funny double entendre! ©Universal The restaurant will feature vampire artwork and artifacts and meals will be served by “familiars”, also known as vampire servants! The immersive theming is meant to give you the perspective of vampires themselves, as the paintings and architecture depict vampires as “heroes in their stories while displaying some of Darkmoor’s history, and referencing its architecture.” The menu will feature burgers, kebabs, sandwiches, and more. Next up, Dark Universe will also host The Burning Blade Tavern, a quick-service restaurant that pays homage to the iconic windmill from Universal’s 1931 classic Frankenstein! ©Universal The Burning Blade Tavern will allow diners to eat in an “old mill which Darkmoor Village’s monster hunters have transformed into their hangout.” Instead of the monsters being portrayed as heroes like Das Stakehaus, this restaurant is more about the hunters who protect regular folk from these legendary beasts. Surrounded by trophy heads of conquered monsters, diners will be able to enjoy a menu of burgers, pretzels, wings, bratwurst, and specialty beverages while they listen to tales of victory from the hunters. Additionally, Universal teased that this tavern will erupt into flames several times an hour. To accomplish this, Universal will use two types of fuel to create different types of visibility during the day and evening. Lastly, Universal announced a new snack stand called De Lacey’s Cottage. Located near Frankenstein Manor, this stand pays homage to where Frankenstein’s Monster received friendship and sustenance. ©Universal De Lacey’s Cottage will serve sweets and snacks including ice cream, cinnamon bread, twisted taters, and more. If the twisted taters are like the ones we’ve tried at Halloween Horror Nights, then we can vouch that they’re an excellent addition to the land! To learn more about Dark Universe and its attraction offerings, click the link below! Dark Universe Rides REVEALED For Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe! Now, those won’t be the only dining options at Epic Universe, of course. So here’s a look back at the restaurants that have already been announced. Celestial Park Celestial Park is the land at the entrance of Epic Universe — kind of “the hub” of the park. Restaurants in Celestial Park will include a full-service “surf and turf” restaurant called Atlantic. The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant will present flavors of Asia with authentic Chinese, Japanese, and Thai meals in a full-service fashion. ©Universal | Blue Dragon Restaurant For quicker meals, you’ll be able to enjoy The Oak & Star Tavern for some tasty barbecue or Pizza Moon for a variety of pizza! And if you’re in the mood for some sweets, don’t forget to swing by Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets. There’s Lots More About Celestial Park Right Here! Super Nintendo World Super Nintendo World is also coming to Orlando as part of Epic Universe! Universal promises this land will allow you to enter the world of Mario and Luigi and discover “a new way to play.” ©Universal The main culinary draw for Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World will be the Toadstool Cafe, located in the Super Mario Land section. According to Universal, the restaurant allows diners to “enjoy a variety of tasty dishes inspired by the world of Super Mario and its characters, including Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs and so much more.” The Universal Hollywood version of Toadstool Cafe. The land will also feature two walk-up dining locations. Yoshi’s Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats will each offer treats, snacks and beverages. Click Here for Everything Announced for Super Nintendo World! How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk How To Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, will be “the world’s first dragon-Viking utopia” from the DreamWorks movie franchise. ©Universal Looks amazing, right?! Isle of Berk will have one sit-down dining location — Mead Hall. This is “where guests can feast like a Viking and enjoy a savory menu featuring a variety of meats, fish, sandwiches, and more along with a collection of meads and ciders.” ©Universal | Mead Hall There will also be two quick-service locations in this land — the racing-themed Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel food stand, and Spitfire Grill, which will serve “hearty flame-served meals.” We’ve Got Lots More Info About Isle of Berk Here! We’re still waiting for Universal to announce the dining options in the fifth land at Epic Universe: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic. Keep following us here at Disney Food Blog for all the latest news on Epic Universe! Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> If you’re planning a trip to visit this brand-new theme park, you should get in touch with our friends at Small World Vacations! They are up-to-date on all things Universal, and we’ve been using their free services for years! Contact Small World Vacations Here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which of the Epic Universe dining options are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below! The post BREAKING: 3 Monster-Themed Restaurants Coming To Universal's Epic Universe first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

I am always nervous about losing my ID at the airport, how about you? Orlando International Airport You have to have it out at TSA, then you have to stow it quickly because you can’t have it in your hand or your pocket as you go through the body scanners or metal detectors. And then I’m always carrying a larger bag than I typically carry as my personal item, but still have my important items like my wallet and cell phone stored in my smaller bag I will carry with me every day at my destination. I thought I had found a perfect solution for this by wearing a belt bag — but then I found out these can cause some problems at the airport that you might not be expecting. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. You’ve seen the ubiquitous belt bag…you probably even own one. LOTS of people love to carry these in Disney World because they’re so easy to strap on and go, and they’re small and lightweight (I mean, unless you’re packing rolls of quarters or gold bars in yours.). If you’re a Gen X-er like me, you may call these a fanny pack or hip pack — it’s all the same thing! ©Amazon And after I got a couple of these on Amazon for Disney World park days, I realized how convenient they were and started carrying them frequently — especially to the airport. So, imagine my surprise when I stumbled on a Reddit thread from a flight attendant saying these bags were “the bane of my existence.” OOPS. I certainly don’t ever want to be the bane of anyone’s existence — especially flight attendants who already have a hard job and long hours. As I read on, I realized I’ve been breaking a couple of airport rules by wearing my belt bag — and you could be, too! Let’s take a look… Your Belt Bag Counts as Your Personal Item Now, I should start off here by saying that your mileage is GONNA vary on this one — your experience will be different sometimes. BUT, technically, that belt bag is your personal item. And most of the time, airlines allow you to carry TWO bags onto a place — a larger carry-on to stow in the overhead compartment, and a smaller personal item that fits under the seat. ©Amazon So if you’re wheeling a suitcase onto the plane with a tote slung over your shoulder and a belt bag strapped across your body or around you’re waist, you’re carrying THREE bags. And you could be stopped for this. Now, as I said, your mileage may vary — I did this multiple times without thinking and without being stopped. And then I got stopped one time and realized I had been breaking the rules! It’s easy enough to take that belt bag off and stash it in your larger personal item you’re carrying (be it a tote, backpack, etc.). This avoids you getting stopped, and it avoids breaking the rules. As an eldest daughter with anxiety, I don’t like to break the rules — I want to be an 11/10 airline passenger, so I’m taking that belt bag off and stashing it every time now. Your Belt Bag Is a Safety Issue Now back to that Reddit thread from the flight attendant — which, by the way, had several more flight attendants chime in and agree. Another reason I initially loved wearing my belt bag on flights is that I would continue to wear it in my seat on the plane. It was GREAT to keep my phone and earbuds in there, because we all know there’s no good place to stash them on a place — those back-of-seat pockets are deep and you lose them (not to mention I don’t want to stick my hands down there!). But with your belt bag on, they’re right there within reach. Southwest plane BUT. Wearing anything strapped to your body on take-off and landing is against the rules! It’s a safety issue. I knew that you couldn’t have your bags and other items in your lap during take-off and landing, but I did not realize my crossbody bag was an issue. And just like wearing it when you board the plane — I did this several times without being told by any flight attendant to take the bag off. In fact, I’ve never been told that — I learned about this on Reddit. But now? I take that bag off at takeoff and landing (because…11/10 passenger behavior, remember). So flight attendants don’t actually hate a belt bag...they just hate having to tell passengers who don’t know the rules to take them off. And while I’m unsure how a bag on my chest that doesn’t interfere with my seatbelt and shouldn’t interfere with me evacuating the plane in any way is a safety risk, I’m gonna listen to flight attendants — because they deserve that. And I’m gonna follow the rules because…well, we’ve already established that. But again, your mileage may vary on this! Orlando-Sanford Airport So, the next time I head to the airport, I will once again be sporting my belt bag, but I’ll be following the rules, as well. I hope this keeps you from any awkward situations at the airport or on the plane! Keep following DFB for more travel news! I Travel Full-Time. Here Are My Packing Essentials. 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 carry a belt bag in the airport? Did you know about these rules? Let me know in the comments below!The post Your Favorite Disney World Park Bag Could Be a Problem at the Airport. Here's How to Stay Out of Trouble. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Do you love character dining at Disney World? Mickey! Character dining can be a fun way to have interactions in a different setting than waiting in line at the parks — and all while you’re enjoying a meal. While most character dining locations in Disney World keep it pretty consistent, there’s one that changes regularly — and it’s changing today! Hollywood and Vine is a character dining restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. At breakfast it’s home to the Disney Junior Play n’ Dine character breakfast buffet. Characters can vary, but you will usually find Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and Roadster Goofy during this meal! Goofy at the Play N’ Dine Breakfast For lunch and dinner at Hollywood and Vine, you can go to Minnie’s Seasonal Dining. And today, the “season” is changing! Minnie’s Summertime Dine starts today and will run through, well, the SUMMER! (PRO TIP: Remember that Halloween season starts very early in Disney World — usually by the second week of August! So you can expect the Summertime Dine to end around then and be replaced by a Halloween seasonal meal.) You can meet Minnie and friends in their beach-inspired costumes. In addition to Minnie, you will usually find Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto! ©Disney Minnie really knows how to throw a dinner party, and you’ll find a buffet that includes oven-roasted herbed chicken, carved beef tenderloin, seared salmon, spice-rubbed pork loin and a plant-based roasted mushroom-farro risotto. Herb Crusted Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream We’re bread pudding lovers here at DFB, and we’re also pleased to report that there’s usually a seasonal bread pudding on the dessert table! Bread pudding Pricing for Minnie’s Summertime Dine is $63 per adult and $40 per child (ages 3-9). Our best advice is to make an advance dining reservation for your meal here! You can do that through the My Disney Experience app, the Disney World web site, or by calling (407) WDW-DINE up to 60 days in advance of your visit. If you can’t make it during the summertime season, Hollywood and Vine also offers Minnie’s Halloween Dine (which usually runs from mid-August through October), and Minnie’s Holiday Dine (which usually runs from November through early January) to wrap up 2024. We’ll let you know the exact dates for those when they are announced — so keep following us here at DFB! Here’s How I Got Two Character Meals for the Price of One in Magic Kingdom! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite “season” at Hollywood and Vine? Let us know in the comments below!The post A Disney's Hollywood Studios Restaurant CHANGES Today first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Oh, boy — here we go again! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been a hot topic for over a year now since its announcement and subsequent construction first began. While Disney teased us with lots of details about the ride making us even more excited to snag a preview and be one of the first to ride it, that hasn’t been smooth sailing. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Since tiered previews began for the attraction we’ve seen lots of instances where Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has closed or stopped boarding, sometimes for almost the entire day! And it seems that today didn’t start off much better for the ride. Friends, if you’ve been eagerly awaiting your chance to finally hop aboard the log vehicles and float down the bayou into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, we’re here to tell you that acquiring that virtual queue is only half the battle right now. While those are certainly hard to snag (especially at the 1PM drop), there’s a little more that needs to happen for you to get to ride. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure We’ve seen Tiana’s Bayou Adventure experience several delays resulting in being down for hours at a time and canceling previews on several days. The kinks are definitely still being worked out. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Earlier today Tiana’s Bayou Adventure halted boarding processes almost immediately after the park opened. One of our readers even sent in their own screenshot of where they had secured a boarding pass for the ride and were understandably frustrated they had yet to get the all-clear to ride. Credit: Chris Perry When we checked even later in the day we saw that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure was STILL stuck at the same initial grouping of riders and it didn’t look like they had made much progress to get them on the ride soon. ©Disney It wasn’t until after midday that we saw the first signs that riders might actually have a chance to ride! Around noon, the virtual queue boarding groups did start to increase in numbers meaning they were starting to move folks through the queue and ride. ©Disney Do you think that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be able to board all of its current virtual queue boarding groups today? Or, do you think there’s a strong possibility it could go down for an extended amount of time again? We’ll be sure to keep a close watch over it for any further changes (and challenges) the ride could experience. Be sure to stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog for all the latest! CONFIRMED: Disney World Price Increases DRAMATICALLY Outpace Inflation 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 these struggles to keep Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will improve or continue as the ride opens publically in just a few short days? Give us your thoughts in the comments below! The post Tiana's Bayou Adventure Still STRUGGLING Today in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you ready for a Disney Cruise? The Disney Magic docked at Lookout Cay We recently got to be some of the first people to see and experience Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (Disney’s new private destination), and we wanted to bring you our review of True-True Too BBQ. Let’s dive right in! On Lookout Cay, you’ll find that the market-style dining spot here is True-True Too BBQ, which is a restaurant inspired by seashells that has shaded seating. The island is truly a uniquely Bahamas island experience. Atmosphere We were blown away by how incredible Eleuthera Island was. You’ll find that the atmosphere is so pristine and lovely. You’re surrounded by pure white sand, the bluest clear water, and rocky outcroppings that go right into the sea. Lookout Cay When it came to the food, we did have a hard time trying to find seating at Serenity Bay BBQ and True-True Too BBQ. It took us about 10 minutes to wait for a table and some of our team also had to share their table with other guests. Also, they had yet to figure out how to fully deal with the flies (it felt like there were hundreds of them buzzing around the food). We’re chalking these experiences off as part of the “growing pains” Disney is going through since this was their first day serving cruise passengers here (and we can’t imagine all the kinks they had to work out). True-True Too BBQ Now, let’s head over to True-True Too BBQ and dive into the meals we tried there which were the Beach BBQ Burger and the BBQ Ribs and Roasted Chicken. Eats First up we have the Beach BBQ Burger which came with a side of fries. Our first impression was that this was a solid burger and fries (think exactly what you’d find at the Disney parks). Our burger from True-True Too BBQ You’ll want to note that the burgers and cheeseburgers are pre-made with all the fixing already on them (i.e. the pickles, the red onion, and the tomato are all already on them). Beach BBQ Burger We did see that a mom asked if she could get a plain one and they were able to accommodate her (just food for thought). So if you want or need to have a plain burger, just ask and they’ll be able to help you out. Next up, let’s talk about the BBQ Ribs and Roasted Chicken. As you can imagine, it’s a meal of carved rotisserie chicken and slow-cooked BBQ Ribs, and we got sides like baked mac and cheese and grilled corn on the cob. BBQ Ribs and Roasted Chicken For us, the roasted chicken didn’t have a ton of flavor, but it wasn’t dry. Also, keep in mind that the bone is in, so if that’s something that bothers you may want to try the chicken sandwich instead. Ribs Next, with the ribs the meat was falling off the bone. They were saucy and super flavorful. We loved how the bell peppers on top added a fresh and savory crunch. (This is the best thing we had so far.) Baked Mac and Cheese We also were big fans of the baked mac and cheese. It was super creamy and cheesy with a little crunch on it. Nosh or not… Check out True-True Too BBQ if… You just want familiar food you might have when at the Disney parks. You want something to eat but don’t want to hike all the way back to the ship for lunch. You want to make sure you’ve tried all the dining options in Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Skip out on True-True Too BBQ if… You’re not a fan of eating outside in the elements. You were looking for a gourmet dining experience. BBQ isn’t your jam. Overall Overall, we enjoyed these meals and we think you would too. They’re not exactly gourmet, but they are solid options. Also, trying to find seating was a bear, so keep in mind that you might need to wait a bit in order to find a spot. True-True Too BBQ Menu Sign Now that there are cruises to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point we’ll keep you updated with all the latest, so keep it right here! Planning a cruise? If you book your Disney Cruise to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point with our friends at Small World Vacations, you can snag up to $100 extra onboard credit. This is on top of the onboard credit Small World Vacations already gives our Disney Food Blog readers. Treat yourself to drinks, shore excursions, or a relaxing spa treatment. So if you’re thinking about heading to Lookout Cay, book before June 30, 2024, with Small World Vacations and get this amazing offer! Contact Small World Vacations Today To Grab This Offer! 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 going to Lookout Cay in 2024? 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 Cruise Line to attend their media preview of Lookout Cay. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post REVIEW: How's the Food at Disney's New Private Island Destination? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The first step to a successful Disney trip is packing the best essentials! Main Street And when we think of purchasing those essentials for our trip, a lot of stores come to mind, like Target or Amazon. But did you know that ALDI’s is also a great place to find what you need as well? They have been releasing new Disney items each week for the past few weeks. And this week, they are releasing a few essentials that would be perfect for your Disney World trip! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Yup, the beloved grocery chain also stocks those travel essentials you’re always looking for when on vacation mode (along with some yummy kettlechips). So let’s get into these must-need items you can currently find at your local ALDI, along with similar items from Amazon in case you’re like most of us and enjoy clicking a button and having your essentials shipped straight to you. Or in case you don’t live close to an ALDI! Online shopping is like having virtual pixie dust! The new items should be available in ALDI stores from 6/26-7/2. ©Aldi Crane USB Neck Fan ©Aldi Summer is no joke, so to beat the heat, you’ll want a portable fan to cool you down when you’re out and about at the parks and ALDI is going to start selling Crane USB Neck Fan at their stores next week. The convenient thing about these fans is that not only are they rechargeable so you can go back to your hotel room, charge ’em up, and have them ready for the next full day of fun, but these are meant to be worn on your neck, allowing your hands to be free the entire time. Talk about convenience! Now you can snap pics like there’s no tomorrow without worrying about setting your fan down somewhere first. This ASNUG Portable Neck Fan gives you ultimate cooling! ASNUG Portable Neck Fan A similar item you can order on Amazon is this Portable Neck fan that we personally LOVE (just make sure you wear your hair up and give it a full charge). The sleek design offers 360° of air output and makes minimal noise when in use. Complete with 3 speed options and available in a variety of fun colors, we give this portable fan a big thumbs up! Shop on Amazon Crofton 40 oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle ©Aldi I’m sure you’ve heard it a billion times from all of us on the team, but if you’re headed to Disney World, especially now in the summer, you need to STAY HYDRATED! Trust us, your body will truly thank you. And even ALDI seems to be well aware, because they’re releasing this insulated water bottle in their stores, perfect for all your hydrating needs. This bottle will keep your drinks cool, with its double-wall vacuum insulation, and a spout for convenient sipping. This Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle keeps our hydrating game strong! Owala Water Bottle Another great option offering the same insulation to keep your drinks chilled all day long is this Owala water bottle. It’s our FAVORITE for the parks. We can rave about this one all day, especially since it comes equipped with a straw as well (we’re not exactly sure why, but drinks sipped through a straw taste 10x better). The pop-able carry loop makes it easy to walk around with if you’re holding it for constant sips and we’d go as far as to claim that it’s definitely our fave water bottle to take with us on our park adventures. Shop on Amazon And there you have it, some Disney trip travel essentials you can find at ALDI, and some alternative options we love from Amazon in case they aren’t in stock at your local ALDI just yet. Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest and greatest tips, tricks, and Disney news! CHECK OUT MORE DISNEY MUST-HAVES ON OUR AMAZON STOREFRONT! The post New Disney World Must-Haves Are Coming to ALDI Next Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Oogie Boogie Bash is one of the most beloved events at Disneyland Resort, and we see why! We look forward to it every year. Disney California Adventure during Oogie Boogie Bash Not only can you meet tons of rare characters in a nearly-empty Disneyland, but you can also try exclusive snacks, grab special merchandise, and experience Halloween magic in a way only Disneyland creates. But when can you grab tickets for this after-hours event? Now we finally know! Disney has just announced that tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash will go on sale on the following dates: June 25th, 2024: Inspire Magic Key Holders (limited number of tickets available for pre-sale) June 26th, 2024: All Magic Key Holders (limited number of tickets available for pre-sale) June 27th, 2024: General public (limited amount of tickets available) Mickey’s Trick and Treat at Oogie Boogie Bash (2023) You’ll be able to buy tickets on the Disneyland.com website with the waiting room to purchase tickets opening at around 8:45AM PT and sales beginning no earlier than 9AM PT. Now, these tickets can go VERY fast, so we suggest planning ahead if you’d like to go and grabbing your tickets ASAP. They can be there one day and gone the next, so we really don’t recommend waiting. Villains Grove Keep in mind too that this is a separate ticketed event, so if you want to be in Disney California Adventure all day, you’ll need to buy a regular park ticket as well as an Oogie Boogie ticket. This event also does go VERY late, so it may not be suitable for young children with early bedtimes! Mother Gothel at the Oogie Boogie Bash Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Learn all about Oogie Boogie Bash right here! IT'S SPOOK-TACULAR! Get ready for the spookiest season of the year at Disney World! We are beyond thrilled to announce the arrival of our brand-new guide -- Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide! From the thrills of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party to the enchanting resort decorations that'll send shivers down your spine, our guide is packed with tips and tricks to help you squeeze every ounce of ghoulish fun out of your visit. Plus, we've got the inside scoop on all the limited-time-only bone-chilling activities happening across the parks! Get the Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide to make your frightfully delightful adventure even more magical! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Halloween at Walt Disney World See EVERYTHING Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Has to Offer Get the Latest Updates on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 9 Disney Halloween Items You Can Get at Target Right Now Photos AND Reviews: ALL the 2023 Fall and Halloween Treats in Disney World! DFB Video: The ULTIMATE Guide To Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe What’s your favorite part of Oogie Boogie Bash? Tell us in the comments! The post BREAKING: Disneyland Oogie Boogie Bash TICKET SALE DATES Announced for 2024! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

FINALLY! We’ve been WAITING for this news! Dark Universe portal photo op Epic Universe is a brand-new theme park opening at Universal Orlando in 2025, and it will comprise five themed lands: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. Tons of fans are super excited about that last land, especially those who already love Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights event in the fall. Soon, there will be monsters at Universal Orlando all year round! And now, Universal has announced the RIDES that will be part of Dark Universe — check them all out! Dark Universe will bring tons of classic monsters to Epic Universe. In this land, visitors will “encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery.” One Universal executive said that Dark Universe will be “a world where Universal’s classic monsters are reimagined in an OMINOUS and CHILLING experience.” ©Universal We’ve already seen some sneak peeks of the land and one roller coaster within, thanks to bioreconstruct on Twitter/X. But now, we have the full details about all the rides and attractions in this spooky land. Dark Universe Concept Art. Dark Universe’s signature attraction is going to be the massive E-Ticket level attraction Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Dark Universe Concept Art. Located in the facade of a massive manor, this ride’s official synopsis from Universal reads, “Dr. Victoria Frankenstein continues the work of her ancestors deep below the family estate. A demonstration of her experiments to control monsters goes awry when Dracula leads a revolt of enraged monsters including The Wolf Man, The Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and more.” According to Universal, the attraction will be a “state of the art dark ride” that will “defy what you think of a theme park attraction. ” The attraction’s ride system has long been rumored to be a Kuka Arm vehicle similar to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which seems to be verified by vehicles that look quite similar to those featured on the Potter attraction in the newly released concept art pictured above. They also claim that the ride will have the most technologically advanced animated figures ever built. Dark Universe Concept Art. The land’s second attraction will be a spinning family coaster themed to The Wolf Man. Dark Universe Concept Art. According to the official synopsis of Curse of the Werewolf, guests will enter the Guild of Mystics and be “greeted by Maleva, the guild’s all-knowing seer and leader, who warns them that they bear the mark of the werewolf. Guests then board a wagon and venture into the forest, racing to escape the werewolves before they become one themselves.” Dark Universe Concept Art. In addition to these two major attractions, Dark Universe will also feature a Monster Makeup Experience, where “monster makers have converted Dr. Pretorius’ infamous old lab into a parlor and skilled artisans use their talents to transform guests into a likeness of their favorite Universal Monsters.” Dark Universe Concept Art. Finally, there will be several meet and greet opportunities in the land, giving guests the opportunity to interact with characters including but nit limited to Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster and the “alluring” Bride of Frankenstein, Victoria Frankenstein’s servant, Ygor, and The Invisible Man, “an eccentric monster hunter and a talented musician who regales guests with songs and tales related to classic monster stories.” Monstrous meet & greets We can’t wait to ride them! Epic Universe, including all five new themed lands, will open in 2025. The project has been called Universal’s “most ambitious theme park yet,” with “more than 50 awe-inspiring attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences.” In fact, this park will almost DOUBLE the size of Universal Orlando. ©Universal Now, you can get even more details about the park by visiting the Epic Universe Preview Center at Universal CityWalk in Orlando. There’s even a complete model of Epic Universe there! Epic Universe Model at Preview Center on Universal CityWalk Universal has already released details about the rides in a few of the other Epic Universe Lands, including Celestial Park and the Isle of Berk. At Celestial Park, there will be a dual-launch racing roller coaster called Stardust Racers that reaches speeds up to 62 miles per hour on a track that gets up to 133 feet high! ©Universal The Constellation Carousel is the “grand centerpiece” of Celestial Park. ©Universal Over in the Isle of Berk, you can hop on Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, which is a family thrill coaster reaching speeds up to 45 miles per hour and taking riders on a trip around the perimeter of the land and across the lagoon. ©Universal The notorious twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut will take you on an adventure at Fyre Drill, where you’ll take on the role of a villager preparing to protect the town against fire-breathing dragons. You’ll “blast water cannons at flame-like targets to practice putting out fires” on this boat-ride-meets-game attraction. ©Universal Isle of Berk is also home to the thrill ride Dragon Racer’s Rally, which is where you can “practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on two Viking-made dragon-riding trainers that reach heights of up to 67 feet in the air.” ©Universal We’re watching excitedly for news about the rides and attractions coming to the other two parks, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, and we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as we have more information. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Orlando theme park news! Click here to learn more about Epic Universe. Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Which new ride are you the most excited about? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: Dark Universe Rides REVEALED For Universal Orlando's Epic Universe! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Don’t let the Halloween season sneak up on you! There’s a LOT happening at Disneyland Resort for Halloween this year, like the insanely popular (as in, sells-out-in-under-one-week) Oogie Boogie Bash. But there’s another SUPER fun perk you can experience if you visit Disneyland during the fall. And good news — this one won’t cost ya any extra money! Disneyland There is a super-detailed ride overlay (it takes WEEKS to come together) that transforms a classic Disney attraction each year. Up until this point, Disney hasn’t shared any major news about the fate of this Halloween makeover. But now, we have some important NEW details to share. Each year, Disneyland Resort hosts Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie at its finest mansion. That’s the Haunted Mansion, more specifically. The Nightmare Before Christmas cast takes over Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride for Halloween, and your ride through the mansion looks a little more…festive! Oogie Boogie It’s an EPIC blend of Christmas, Halloween, and the classic Haunted Mansion ride we all know and love. And good news — Disney announced that Haunted Mansion Holiday will return this year! Sally in the Haunted Mansion Disneyland When this ride reopens for the season, it will be a little different. In fact, we learned that the Haunted Mansion Holiday will be available to ride EXCLUSIVELY via a virtual queue when it first opens. Imagineers are working on a reimagined queue experience right now, so a big portion of the standby line is behind walls. We still don’t have an exact reopening date, and the ride has been closed since January! That said, it seems like Disney just gave us a BIG hint about when the ride could reopen. Haunted Mansion construction walls You’ll need to use the Disneyland app to join the virtual queue. But luckily, Disney hinted that the virtual queue will only be used while the queue is under construction. We’ll be sure to share more details as we learn more about the updated queue experience. Haunted Mansion Holiday is BACK! Now, the virtual queue process should work the same way it does for Disney’s other attractions. If you’ve ever joined a virtual queue in Disney World to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run, for example, the process should remain the same for the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride. Just make sure to have SPEEDY reflexes — the faster you’re able to join the virtual queue, the more likely you are to get on the ride EARLY in the day. TRON Lightcycle / Run Virtual Queue The Halloween season will take place from August 23rd through October 31st at Disneyland Resort. Now that we have a general reopening timeline (we’re expecting this ride to open for the Halloween season), we’ve got a LOT to look forward to! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. NEWS: Disney CEO Announcement Could Be Imminent, Says Iger Adviser Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe What’s your favorite part of the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride overlay? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING NEWS: Disney Just Dropped Three MAJOR Haunted Mansion Announcements! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year? Oh, how time flies! Magic Kingdom Disney World has already revealed a lot of news this year, too! CommuniCore Hall and Plaza officially opened in EPCOT, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be opening at the end of June, and so much more. If you’re heading to Disney World in July, we need you to know ahead of time that these attractions will NOT be available. Test Track As of June 17th, Test Track in EPCOT has officially closed for a lengthy retheming. Disney hasn’t shared much about what’s changing, but we do know that the theming of the ride will take inspiration from the original attraction in this location, World of Motion! Test Track That’s about all we know about this attraction right now, and there’s no reopening date at this time. We’ll be sure to keep you updated though! 4 BIG CLUES About the Test Track OVERHAUL in EPCOT Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has been closed for months due to a lengthy refurbishment; it’s second in a span of two years. While it will be closed for the majority of July, it will finally be reopening on July 27th! Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster However, this will still be the same ride you know and love! Disney confirmed that there has been no major story changes to the ride, and this was instead a “routine refurbishment” to address typical wear and tear and maintenance issues. Country Bear Jamboree Back in January, Country Bear Jamboree closed for retheming — a first for the opening-day attraction. And good news! This ride will be reopening on July 17th! New look at Country Bear Jamboree The new show is called Country Bear Musical Jamboree, and we’ll see the bears in an all-new show! The bears will be singing Disney songs in new styles like pop-country, rockabilly, and bluegrass. The show will also be inspired heavily by the Opry-style shows found in Nashville, Tennessee, and Nashville artists were part of the show’s song arrangements! Don’t forget to be on the lookout for easter eggs that nod to the old show in the new version of the attraction. What’s REALLY Changing at Country Bear Jamboree in Magic Kingdom Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade In early June, it was announced that Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade’s last day of operation would be June 23rd, 2024. Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade This permanent closure to the opening day attraction is to make way for a new DVC lounge. This announcement has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans would rather see a meet-and-greet, family attraction, or rest area for all guests in its place instead. Shootin’ Arcade At this time, these are the only closures that are currently announced for Disney World in July, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated, so stay tuned to DFB! Check out everything coming to Disney+ in July! 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 and reopenings? Tell us in the comments! The post 4 Disney World Rides Will Be Closed for Refurbishment in July first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

I recently got lost on a deep dive into the history of prices at Disney World, comparing ticket, Annual Pass, Genie+, and food prices to the rate of inflation over the same time period, and I came out with some SHOCKING results. Now, another recent study took a close look at those price increases, and the numbers they reported confirm my research. All of it paints a somewhat scary picture of how prices have changed and how they might change in the future. Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle Luckily, here at DFB, we have all kinds of tips to help you save big on your next trip! Let’s take a look at these price increases to get a good idea of what’s happening, and then I’ll spill some big money-saving secrets to help make your next vacation much more affordable. FinanceBuzz recently published their findings from a study comparing Disney World price increases to the rate of inflation over time. Overall, they found that prices for some popular Disney World food items increased by an average of 61% since 2014, while the rate of inflation was just 32%. That means that prices for Disney eats have been increasing at almost double the pace of inflation. Compared to the park ticket price changes, food prices are increasing at a higher rate: Park tickets increased by 56% in the last ten years. (Note that park ticket prices are going to increase again in 2025 — you can learn more about that here.) Mickey pretzel The worst offender for price increases since 2014 is unfortunately one of our favorite snacks in Disney World: the bread service at Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. In 2014, the bread service cost $9.99. Now, it’s $22. WOW. This appetizer comes with several different kinds of naan bread and a BUNCH of different dips, and although we highly recommend it as a delicious way to kick off your meal, we’ll definitely be thinking of that price increase the next time we buy it. Sanaa Bread Service at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Another one of our top snack picks is the corn dog nuggets from Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom. These have unfortunately doubled in price over the last ten years as well. In 2014, they were $4.99, and now they cost $10.79. ©FinanceBuzz FinanceBuzz listed a few more iconic treats that had price increases outpacing the rate of inflation: Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar — 63% price increase DOLE Whip — 58% price increase Churros — 54% price increase Although not every food price change outpaced the rate of inflation, food prices throughout Disney World all went up by at least $1.50 since 2014. Corn Dog Nuggets and Plastic Cheese In some happier news, Mickey Waffle prices actually increased at a rate LOWER than inflation, at just 30%. We’re taking that as a great excuse to buy more Mickey waffles the next time we visit! Mickey waffle In my own recent research, I looked into historical price increases for Disney World tickets, Annual Passes, Genie+, and Mickey Ice Cream Bars. I found some really surprising results, such as this one: If Annual Pass prices increased at the normal rate of inflation since they were first introduced in 1982, the Incredi-Pass would cost about $325 today instead of $1,449. Annual Pass Prices If you remember a time when Mickey Ice Cream Bars cost less than $3 in Magic Kingdom (or if reading that just now made your jaw drop), you need to check out more of my findings here! 4 Charts To Explain Disney World’s Freakish Price Increases Even though Disney World is clearly an expensive vacation, there are definitely some great ways to save money and cut down on the overall cost. To save money on dining, try visiting quick-service restaurants instead of table-service restaurants. Those sit-down meals can be tempting, but there’s some really great food at Disney World’s quick service (fast food) spots, and your meal will be MUCH cheaper there compared to the table service alternatives. Custom Bowls at Satu’li Canteen Although the food prices don’t fluctuate based on the time of year, ticket and hotel prices definitely do. You can save room in the budget by avoiding busy seasons like Spring Break, summertime, and the winter holiday season. February, early May, and September tend to be good times to go when crowds are a bit lower and thus hotel and ticket prices are similarly subdued. Main Street I almost always choose to stay at a value hotel instead of deluxe because you can save THOUSANDS of dollars that way. While deluxe hotels get up to (and exceed) $1,000 per night, you can often find value hotels at around $200-$300 per night. My personal favorite value hotel is Pop Century (because it has both cheap prices and a Skyliner station), but if you’re willing to give up the Skyliner, you can get even CHEAPER rooms at Disney’s All-Star Resorts. Disney’s Pop Century Resort Also, make sure to watch out for deals and discounts. Disney frequently offers limited-time and seasonal savings that can help you save BIG money on tickets and hotel stays (we’re talking up to 35% off with some of them). It can be tough to predict when new deals will pop up, but that’s why you follow us! You can keep checking our Disney Deals and Discounts page to stay on top of all the latest discounts. If planning a Disney World vacation while sticking to a budget sounds like a lot of work to you, you’re absolutely right. It’s no joke. If you want some help along the way, contact our friends over at Small World Vacations. Their travel agents have decades of experience planning Disney vacations, and they’re amazing at tracking down the best deals for your trip. Plus, their services are completely FREE. Our BEST tip for sticking with your budget at Disney World will forever be to plan ahead – especially for dining. When you buy our DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World, you’ll get immediate access to our downloadable worksheets for planning your trip, as well as sample one-day dining itineraries, which can be a huge help when it comes to keeping to your budget. DFB Guide Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest Disney news! Click here to learn how Disney World ticket prices will change in 2025. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this study’s findings? Let us know in the comments! The post CONFIRMED: Disney World Price Increases DRAMATICALLY Outpace Inflation first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The weekend is almost here which means it’s time to check out the cart! Disney Swimwear There really hasn’t been a better time to do so especially since there are some sizeable discounts and free gifts on Disney merch online right now. So let’s not waste another minute and dive right in! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. First up, every one of us likes a free gift, right?! ©Disney Right now, you get to choose a free gift from an assortment of products they have when you spend $100+ (make sure to use code GIFT at checkout). View on Disney Store Shop the Olaf Weighted Plush ©Disney One of the free gifts you could choose is this Olaf weighted plush. We already know how effective warm hugs are for melting away stress, but now you can add a weighted plush to it that enhances the experience! View on Disney Store Shop this Mickey Mouse Floral Ear Headband for Adults ©Disney Here’s a look at the back: ©Disney Another free gift you could choose is this Mickey Mouse Floral Ear Headband for Adults. One cannot have too many Mickey ears, am-I-rite? This pair has a checkered design with flowers and three vinyl appliqué flowers with faceted gems, which makes it a great option to rock during the summer! View on Disney Store Next, since we’re all thinking about summer, how about a discount on swimwear? ©Disney Right now, you can get up to 40% off of selected styles. It’s a limited-time offer, so don’t miss out! View on Disney Store Shop the Mickey Mouse Americana Loungefly Mini Backpack ©Disney Last up, you won’t want to miss out on the discount for this backpack. It normally goes for $79, but it can be yours for $50 with any purchase! So, if you’re looking for a new park bag, we’d definitely recommend checking this one out. Also, it’s covered in a patriotic Mickey pattern, which makes it the perfect bag for celebrating the 4th of July at Disney World. View on Disney Store We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news and updates, so make sure to follow along for more. For additional savings, there’s a code for free shipping on orders of $75 or more — just type in SHIPMAGIC at checkout in the promos section. ©shopDisney We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news and updates, so make sure to follow along for more. Click here to view our Amazon Storefront Will you be checking out any of these deals? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney Is Giving Out FREE Souvenirs Online Today! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you ready for some GOOD and BAD news about Disney World dining packages? Great — you’re in the right place! Disney just quietly updated their website with some big updates coming soon for Fantasmic! Dining Packages! Fantasmic! || ©Disney Disney World is no stranger to AMAZING nighttime entertainment, and one of our favorite shows is Fantasmic! Now, Fantasmic! saw some changes back in 2022 that made the show even better. And since there is always a lot of demand for this show, you might have to line up WELL in advance to catch it each night. Of course, there is a way to make getting seats for Fantasmic! easier, and that’s by purchasing a Fantasmic! Dining Package. However, some big changes are coming to the dining packages that we need to tell you about. Here’s how the Fantasmic! Dining Package works. You make a reservation at a select restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and pay a set price for a meal that includes a few courses, a non-alcoholic drink, and a a voucher for reserved seating for a Fantasmic! evening show. So it’s basically a way to get a guaranteed seat for Fantasmic! Fantasmic! Great, right? I know! But we’ve got a couple of big changes on the horizon! Fantasmic! Dining Package Price Increase and Addition of Alcohol Here are those BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS: according to the Disney World website, the prices for the Fantasmic! Dining Packages are about to go up on August 29th. BUT there’s also some good news: the packages will include one alcoholic beverage for those in the party who are 21 and older. Here are details on how the packages will change: 50s Prime Time Cafe includes an entrée, dessert, a non-alcoholic beverage or an alcoholic beverage for 21+. Lunch and dinner will increase from $54 per adult and $23 per child to $60 per adult and $23 per child Hollywood and Vine includes one full buffet, a non-alcoholic beverage or an alcoholic beverage for 21+. Breakfast will increase from $59 per adult and $39 per child to $65 per adult and $39 per child. Lunch and dinner will increase $75 per adult and $49 per child to $81 per adult and $49 per child Mama Melrose’s includes an entrée, dessert, a non-alcoholic beverage or an alcoholic beverage for 21+. Lunch and dinner will increase from $56 per adult and $23 per child to $62 per adult and $23 per child Sci-Fi Dine-In includes an entrée, dessert, a non-alcoholic beverage or an alcoholic beverage for 21+. Lunch and dinner will increase from $51 per adult and $23 per child to $57 per adult and $23 per child Hollywood Brown Derby includes an entrée, dessert, a non-alcoholic beverage or an alcoholic beverage for 21+. Lunch and dinner will increase from $77 per adult and $31 per child to $83 per adult and $31 per child Hollywood Brown Derby Heads up that you can use the Disney Dining Plan for your dining package: you’ll use one table service credit for 50’s Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, and Sci-Fi Dine-In. You’ll use two table service credits for Hollywood Brown Derby. Also, if you are planning on booking a Fantasmic! Dining Package, you will still need to have a valid park ticket for Hollywood Studios plus select guests will need a park pass reservation for that park on that day. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant You will also need to make a reservation for the dining package on the Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app. Stay tuned to DFB for more! Everything you need to know about the Fantasmic! Dining Package Now, if you want our thoughts on whether or not Fantasmic! Dining Packages are a good deal for the money, and details on everything else Disney World Dining related, we gotchu!! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining below! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW The post NEWS: Two BIG Changes Coming To Disney World Dining Packages! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is a BIG place full of all different kinds of people who are likely hot, tired, sweaty, and slightly irritable while also being extremely excited to be in the Most Magical Place on Earth. EPCOT If you’ve never been to Disney World, you’ve likely heard a lot about it from the people around you who have been. The good, the bad, the ugly — regardless, you’ve probably heard a lot of MIXED things. So what’s really true? Well, if you’ve heard these wild things about the parks…they’re actually really accurate. It’s FULL of Screaming Kids This one seems like an exaggeration, but it’s not! Disney World is a family park, meaning that there are going to be kids of all ages with their families around the parks? And you know what kids do (because they’re…kids)? Cry and yell. Pandora The thing is though, you need to be PREPARED for this! Yes, it’s not fun to be next to an upset child, but that child and their family also aren’t having the best time right then either, so you’re all in the same boat! Pirates of the Caribbean Avoiding upset kids is pretty hard since, as we said, it’s a family park, but you can try to stick to the more thrilling attractions that kids aren’t interested in/don’t meet the height requirements for. Or, if you’re in an open area and there’s a child near you having a moment, pause for a second to let the family get ahead of you, veer off to the side, or get yourself to another area where the sound is dulled. This isn’t always an option, but it’s likely easier for YOU to move rather than the family with the upset child. Everyone Fights (At Least Once) If you’ve never been to Disney World, you’re probably thinking, “how could you fight on a vacation you’ve all been so excited for?” Uh, remember when we mentioned being HOT and HUNGRY and TIRED at the beginning of this post? Yeah, that’s all a recipe for disaster, and it happens to the best of us at least once. Magic Kingdom The truth is, even the best of friends or family members who get along super well could have at least one fight or disagreement in the parks. Is it ideal? No, of course not, and you’ll want to do all you can to avoid it (we’ll get into that in a second), but it’s another thing to be prepared for before your trip begins. Mickey! So what can you go to avoid this fate? The best thing is to watch yourselves closely, take breaks when needed, and COMMUNICATE with your group! This is easier said than done, trust us, but it’s so important. On the opposite side, you need to be prepared for plans to change if someone in your party is communicating that they need something to you. If you were planning to head to a ride but your family member says “I’m getting hungry, can we grab a snack?” It’s snack time! It’s all in the small things, friends, because small things quickly turn into BIG things! It’s One Of The Most Expensive Vacations You’ll Ever Take All you have to do is just START planning a Disney World vacation on the Disney World website, and you’ll see how fast the cost adds up. It’s true that Disney World vacations are often some of, if not THE MOST, expensive vacations that families take. All-Star Sports Hotel So why do they do it? Well, it’s a bucket list item for many families, and experiencing the Disney magic with your kids at least once while they’re young/young-ish is important to a lot of families. However, other families choose to take trips when their kids are older so everyone will definitely remember it. Regardless of when you decide to go, it’s still wildly expensive. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at night There are some great ways to save money on your vacation though! Checking for discounts and deals on the Disney World website is a big one, as well as looking at ticket prices to choose one of the cheapest times to visit. Staying at a Value hotel will keep your on-property hotel costs as low as can be, or you can even choose to stay off-property or at a Good Neighbor Hotel. If all that sounds a little too intense, you can book with a travel agent and have them do all the hard work for you FOR FREE! Try out our friends at Small World Vacations! It’s Hotter and More Humid Than Should Ever Be Legal You are in Florida, which means you’re likely expecting some heat if you’re traveling during the spring, summer, or early fall, BUT if you’ve never been to the state before…you’re likely REALLY not prepared for the heat and humidity. Magic Kingdom The humidity is really often the worst part, because it makes everything feel WET and STICKY as well as hotter than the surface of the sun. And contrary to the popular (incorrect) belief, there is no weather dome over Disney World, so the parks can’t just air condition themselves or shield you from rain. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Unfortunately, there’s no way to get the heat and humidity to just…stop, but we do recommend staying out of the sun as much as possible during the middle of the day, ensure you stay hydrated the WHOLE day (hydration really starts the day before, if we’re being honest), and maybe even taking a break during the heat of the day to take a nap, swim in the pool, or watch a movie! That break can be MAGICAL, okay? Just trust us! EPCOT Looking for more tips to help plan your Disney World trip? We’re always keeping you updated on the latest news so you know what to expect when you’re in the parks, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB! This Disney World bag rule will CHANGE your first day in the parks 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 else would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments! The post 4 Completely Uncalled for Disney World Assumptions That Are Actually True first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Nearly two weeks after Disneyland employee Bonnye Lear died due to injuries sustained in an accident at the park, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to aid her family. Disneyland Lear, an administrator at the park’s exclusive Club 33, fell from a golf cart in a backstage area on June 5th. She suffered massive trauma, and succumbed to her injuries on June 7th. According to the Lear Family’s GoFundMe page, the campaign has been launched by a family friend to help the family — including Lear’s three children — raise “funds for any costs associated with the rectification of this tragic accident including cremation, memorial service, a strong legal team to seek justice for her death, and any other unexpected costs.” A photo of Bonnye Lear from her family’s GoFundMe page. The page says that Lear was a “kind, gentle soul and loving personality” who would “light up a room with a level of professionalism that was unmatched.” The page also praises the 24 year Disneyland employee as a “firework [who] spread her light to all of those around her with enthusiasm and grace.” The Lear family page also takes the time to give thanks for all the “support and love they have received” since Bonnye’s passing, before ending on the message that “Your contributions will make a huge difference. Thank you for taking the time to read and helping us honor Bonnye’s memory as the Lear family navigates this unimaginable grieving process.” As of press time, the Lears’ GoFundMe has raised nearly $6,000 of a $100,000 goal. Lear Family GoFundMe According to reports, investigators from both the the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA) as well as the Anaheim police department have opened investigations into Lear’s death, which is standard procedure. Disney’s public comment on the matter has come in the form of a statement from Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock, which read in part, “We are heartbroken by the loss of Bonnye and offer our sincere condolences to everyone who cared for her. At this time, we are focused on supporting her family and our cast members through this tragic event and making sure they have the resources they need.” Club 33 Disneyland Bonnye Lear’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with the expenses that have accumulated since the Club 33 manager died due to injuries suffered in an accident backstage at Disneyland. We at DFB send our condolences to the Lear family. We will continue to report on this case as new details emerge. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Campaign Launched For Family of Disneyland Employee Killed in Tragic Accident first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Since Disney CEO Bob Iger returned to the company in 2022, he knew he had some incredibly important tasks to check off his To-Do List. ©Disney But, there’s one task that might prove to be the most integral to the future of Disney — choosing a successor to replace him once his contract expires. Though his contract has already been extended once since his return, it’s set to expire in 2026. Rumblings of who’s on Iger’s shortlist to replace him have been swirling for a while, and it’s possible we could get an announcement sooner than we originally thought. We could learn who will be in control of the fate of Disney by the end of 2024, according to a new report from Yahoo Finance. At the Cannes Lions Festival on June 18th, Kevin Mayer, Candle Media co-founder and close Iger adviser, said we may be closer than we think to finding out who the second-time Disney CEO will choose as his replacement. ©Disney “I think we may know this year, but [Bob Iger] has two and a half more years. So it wouldn’t surprise me if it is extended a little bit beyond this calendar year into next calendar year,” Mayer said. He continued that he doesn’t know an exact date or have any specific insight into the process, but he said the transition “will be very clean and very good this time around.” “In the not-too-distant future, he’s going to make it known who a successor is so he has some time to spend with him or her at the helm,” Mayer — whose name was once thrown into the ring as a potential candidate — said. ©Disney This is especially interesting because it was previously reported that no decision on a successor was expected this year. The four people who have been named as the next potential Disney CEO are Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Entertainment; Jimmy Pitaro, former ESPN president; Disney Parks chair Josh D’Amaro; and Alan Bergman, Walden’s other co-chair at Disney Entertainment. ©Disney Iger has reportedly been spending time with the internal candidates to give them an idea of how he does the job, along with giving them exposure to other areas of the business they may not be familiar with. We do know that the board committee formed in 2023 met six times last year and has been working with a search firm along with conducting interviews. ©MasterClass One thing is for sure, we’ll be on the lookout for the latest updates about Iger’s search for a successor and more news from The Walt Disney Company. Don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for all the news you need to know! “We’ve Learned From the Past” — Disney CEO Bob Iger Comments on Succession Process 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 Who do you think will make the cut and become Iger’s successor? Tell us in the comments. The post NEWS: Disney CEO Announcement Could Be Imminent, Says Iger Adviser first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are some big no-nos when it comes to going to Disney World. Cinderella Castle in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom You shouldn’t break theme park rules or plan too much for your day so that your family gets overwhelmed and exhausted. You shouldn’t skip water breaks throughout the day or yell at Cast Members. But one other common rule that we usually tell our followers — you shouldn’t break in new shoes during your Disney World vacation! During a Disney World trip, you’ll likely be walking 20,000+ steps a day in the theme parks, which is a LOT more than many people are used to. Because of this, we recommend that you bring the most comfortable walking shoes you own and test them out ahead of time. Pandora However, we’ve seen many a Disney World visitor make the mistake of breaking in new shoes during their trip. Even if they’re comfortable shoes you’ve owned in the past, breaking in a new pair is a BAD idea — trust us, we’ve been there! You’ll end up with blisters and achy feet by the end of day one or two. Disney’s Hollywood Studios If you absolutely MUST bring new shoes to Disney World, there is one way you could possibly test them out, though. Recently, I wore a new pair of sandals to a half-day visit to Disney Springs as a trial run. I was only in the shopping and dining complex for a few hours, and all the walking to and from different stores and restaurants helped me to get a good gauge for whether I could wear the shoes longer. Disney Springs Spoiler alert — I have decided that the particular pair of shoes will NOT be added into my regular rotation for the parks. However, I got to figure that out in a low-key environment with minimal discomfort. That’s why I recommend trying out any new shoes in Disney Springs or around your resort first — go for an extended walk and see if you might be able to handle wearing them all day. Walk around Disney Springs a bit! Don’t subject yourself to 13 hours of torture in the parks by wearing new shoes that are untested! Make sure to break them in before your trip or try them out in a less strenuous capacity. Your feet will thank you! Animal Kingdom Stay tuned to DFB for more news and updates from Disney World, as well as all the tips for your upcoming vacation. We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know! Click Here to See Shoes You Could Wear to Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What shoes do you wear to Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post I Broke In New Shoes at Disney World. Here's How To Do It the RIGHT Way. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

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Here at DFB, we know you love being dragged into the drama of the tiny train town! Train Village in EPCOT If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ve probably seen our updates from the train village in the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT — that place is absolutely rife with crime. We’ve caught its residents red-handed many times, from murders to robberies to smuggling rings. What’s going on in the rowdy village this week? Let’s take a look! As the self-proclaimed mayor of tiny train town, I try to make sure I visit at least once a week to see what’s going on and what shenanigans are happening. And this week? We had a pretty major bit of chaos! Oh no! Yep, we had an entire train get derailed this week — what a catastrophe! I’ll be speaking with the town’s engineers to see what we can do to prevent this in the future. But for now, nobody was harmed and the trains are all back to normal operating schedules. Derailed train We’ve also been keeping a close eye on one of our citizens, who seems to have kidnapped some ducks from their natural habitat. They’re currently being held hostage in a small kiddie pool in front of his house! We’re waiting on more information about the suspect, but we’ll be sending someone from the local wildlife federation out there shortly to rescue those birds. Where did those ducks come from? But that’s not all the thieving being done in this town! It seems as though another family has been stealing outdoor furniture from the downtown area. We spotted a lost park bench as well as a missing planter in front of this blue cottage. Do these people not have better ways to spend their time?! What’s going on here? And last but not least, we’ve got a submission from one of our followers! DFB reader @morgangaskin_ on Instagram sent us this photo of another giant lizard attack in the town. This poor man had his arm ripped CLEAN off! That’s going to be a lot of paperwork for me. Courtesy of @morgangaskin_ on Instagram Well, I’ve got to go settle these disasters and fill out some paperwork, so I’ll see you guys next time! Stay tuned to DFB for more real news from Disney World as well as all the disastrous train town updates. * The anarchy within is mostly created by natural occurrences, like giant squirrels, wind, rain, and relatively godzilla-sized lizards who frequent the town; but we find it fun and entertaining to make up fictional stories about what COULD be happening. We are grateful to the folks who create and maintain this Tiny Train Town for Disney World, as it’s one of our favorite parts of EPCOT and always has been. Click Here to Read About More Train Town Disasters! 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 visited the tiny train town? Tell us in the comments! The post Things Have Gone OFF THE RAILS in EPCOT’s Tiny Train Town (Literally!) first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve got good news and bad news. Let’s start with the bad news because who wants that hanging over your head? Magic Kingdom OK, so the bad news is that Magic Kingdom’s beloved Happily Ever After fireworks show will not run for two nights in a row this July. So, if you were hoping to catch the show, you might want to rethink your plans. Now, let’s get to the GOOD news! The reason that Happily Ever After will NOT run in Magic Kingdom is that a different show will temporarily take its place! The exclusive show is called “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.” Can you guess when this celebration will take place? 4th of July in EPCOT The special nighttime spectacular will happen on July 3rd and July 4th, 2024 at 9:20PM. Make sure you reserve your spot for the show EARLY — this is one of those rare celebrations that tends to draw BIG crowds. Red, White, and Blue! You can catch the show inside Magic Kingdom (of course) and from nearby Magic Kingdom-area hotels like Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Cinderella Castle lit up If you happen to be in Disney World around the week of the Fourth of July, look out for all kinds of special events! Listen for some FUN music in Magic Kingdom as a DJ hosts a dance party in front of Cinderella Castle and stick around AFTER the EPCOT fireworks show, Luminous “The Symphony of Us,” for an additional fireworks display called “The Heartbeat of Freedom.” This one takes place July 3rd and 4th at 9PM. Luminous Additionally, you can meet Mickey and his friends in their special (and highly patriotic) “Spirit of ’76” outfits! You’ll find them at The American Adventure in EPCOT on July 4th. Hi, Mickey! There’s a LOT going on in Disney World for the Fourth of July! Prepare for crowds and long lines, and make sure to drink lots of water. It will be HOT in Central Florida in early July. ADORABLE! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. The Best Stanley Water Bottle To Take to Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever seen these special fireworks? Let us know in the comments! The post 🚨These EXCLUSIVE Fireworks Are Only in Disney World for 2 (!!) Days🚨 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Looking to travel internationally soon but need to apply for or renew your passport? We’ve got great news! Passport If you’ve tried to get a new U.S. passport or renew your existing passport in the last couple of years, chances are you’ve run into delays among other issues. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of State has fixed most of these problems, and for some folks, it’s about to be even easier to get passports and other travel documents! Orlando will be getting a new passport office run by the U.S. State Department soon, which will make it home to only the second passport office operating in Florida. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Orlando, made the announcement according to News 6 Orlando. ©U.S. Department of State State Department passport centers like these are meant to handle urgent travel needs like getting a passport issued same-day or getting a foreign visa within a month. Keep in mind that this office will operate differently from passport counters at local post offices or at the county clerk of courts. Instead, offices are by appointment only — and require an additional fee in order to expedite any processing. Because there is often only one of these types of offices per state, they tend to be backed up with requests. As of now, the only other passport office in Florida is in Miami, with the next closest being Atlanta, Georgia. Passport Rep. Frost has been pushing for the State Department to look at opening an Orlando office and extending the operating hours of the Miami office. “Last summer my office saw an influx in folks and cases of people very stressed in trying to get their summer travel plans booked, whether it was for vacation or a funeral or graduation, only to figure out that their passport was expired or about to expire,” Frost shared. “Our system was totally backed up, with renewals taking over six weeks.” ©U.S. State Department Additional U.S. cities will be getting passport offices, including Cincinnati; San Antonio; Kansas City, Missouri; Salt Lake City; and Charlotte. According to Frost, the General Services Administration is now tasked with finding a place for the Orlando office soon which can take up to a year. He hopes to have the office up much sooner, though. Airplane This is welcome news, especially as passport processing times just recently returned to pre-pandemic levels at the end of 2023. Per the Department of State, “Between October 2022 and September 2023 (the federal fiscal year), the Department of State issued over 24 million passport books and cards – the highest amount ever in our nation’s history.” If you want to get started on your passport application or renewal, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website here. ©U.S. Dept. of State Hopefully, this makes it easier for folks to get those important travel documents the next time they’re in need. If you’re looking for the latest travel, theme park, and food news, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog to get all the newest updates and more! Getting Your Passport Just Got EASIER DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Does this new passport office make your life any easier? Tell us in the comments. The post Passport Problems? A NEW Orlando Addition Could Be Your Solution first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ahoy, sailors! We’ve got some exciting news to share. Disney Wish at Castaway Cay Planning a Disney Cruise Line vacation? Considering a trip aboard the NEW Disney Treasure cruise ship? Interested in the upcoming itineraries? We’ve got you covered! Disney just released a BUNCH of new details on 2025–2026 Cruise Line trips, and we’ve got the details! We have a NEW look at Disney Cruise Line itineraries from Fall 2025 to Spring 2026! Now’s the time to start booking those vacations. Disney has TONS of options, including three-, seven-, and ten-night sailings, with destinations ranging from the Bahamas to Australia. Oh, and you can also stop by one of Disney’s private island destinations, like Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay. ©Disney Let’s start with a look at the cruises that travel to Mexico! Options include 3, 4, and 7-night trips to Cozumel, Progreso, Ensenada, and Catalina Island. You can cruise with the Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder! ©Disney If you’re interested in sailing to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, you’ve got plenty of options! Disney is offering 3, 5, and 7-night sailings to the Bahamas, Eastern and Western Caribbean, plus one of Disney’s private island destinations! Options include Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay, and dates range from October 2025 to May 2026. ©Disney If you’re looking for a longer cruise, you can travel all the way to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific onboard the Disney Wonder. Disney has 3- to 10-night sailings and even some Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime cruises. ©Disney Be sure to check the calendar before you book your trip; holiday cruises are offered on select dates in September and October and November and December. Halloween on the High Seas You might even spot some Disney characters in NEW Halloween costumes. These specialty cruises are a TON of fun! Halloween on the High Seas Will Return to Disney Cruise Ships Don’t forget — there’s a BRAND-NEW Disney Cruise Line ship coming SOON! The Disney Treasure is set to feature new dining experiences, new shows, and new rooms! We can’t wait to see it in person. One of the things we’re most excited about? The new Haunted Mansion lounge! Haunted Mansion Parlor, Disney Treasure ©Disney Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. Small World Vacations OK, so who’s ready to book a cruise? In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. We’re Seriously Hoping They Bring This Miracle Addition to the Disney Cruise Line’s NEWEST Ship What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Explore Disney’s Mega Cruise Ship – The Wish A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise These Are the BEST Times to Book Your Disney Cruise The Best Ways to SAVE SPACE in Your Tiny Cruise Cabin 10 Things You NEED on Your Next Cruise (That You Won’t Think to Pack!) What It’s Like to Live on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you planning a 2025–2026 trip? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: TONS of NEW Disney Cruise Line Itineraries Revealed for 2025–2026! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If we could give you just ONE piece of advice before you go to Disney World this summer, we know exactly what we’d tell you. Magic Kingdom We’d want to tell you to download the My Disney Experience app and take advantage of its features (like Mobile Checkout and Mobile Order) and be sure to make a list of the rides and attractions you want to prioritize and don’t even think about going to Magic Kingdom without getting a DOLE Whip. But if we only got to tell you ONE THING, we’d say this: HYDRATE. To help you do that, we’ve found the BEST Stanley water bottles to take to Disney World! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. When we tell you that Orlando, Florida, is hot, you’re going to roll your eyes and say, “Duh, DFB, of COURSE it’s hot!” But really let that sink in and take it to heart because it is HOT hot, and when you’re in Disney World, you’re usually outside for most of the day, walking a TON, and sweating like you’ve never sweat before. To keep yourself healthy and energized, you really need to prioritize hydration. Drink lots of water while you’re at Disney World! Of course, you can always grab the free water that’s offered at every quick service restaurant (just ask at the counter!), but in order to have access to water all the time, we’d recommend taking your own water bottle into the parks with you, too. There are water refill stations all over the place, so you don’t need to worry about that. Water Bottle Refill Station By TRON What you DO need to worry about is whether you have the BEST water bottle for your trip. Luckily, we’ve done the shopping and found some of the best options out there! Stanley is a super popular water bottle brand right now, and its bottles get great reviews, so we focused on that brand. All of these bottles and accessories are available on Amazon, which means Prime members can get faster, FREE shipping! Not a Prime member? No worries. Just click the link below to start your free trial. Alright, let’s get into it! The Best Stanley Water Bottles for Travel Get the Stanley IceFlow Stainless Steel Tumbler ©Amazon This bottle is great for travel for a couple of reasons. First, it has a straw that folds down so you can swing it around and toss it in your bag without worrying that the water will leak out. Second, it has a rotating handle that lets you grab it and go or clip it onto your bag if you would rather do that than put it inside. ©Amazon The bottle comes in a bunch of different colors, so you can pick whichever fits your vibe! It has double-wall vacuum insulation and is made of stainless steel, so it’s supposed to keep your drinks cold for up to 12 hours. Shop this bottle on Amazon here! Get the Stanley Quick Flip GO Water Bottle ©Amazon Another option is this Quick Flip GO Bottle, which has a leak-resistant cap. You push the button on the front to open the lid, and then you can drink through the mouthpiece there. This one does not have a straw, so if that’s important to you, you might want to stick with the IceFlow one listed above. However, the Quick Flip GO Bottle does still have double wall insulation that will keep your drinks cold for up to 12 hours, and it also has that handle on the top that makes it easy to carry around. Shop this bottle on Amazon here! Coffee Lovers Need the Stanley Classic Travel Mug ©Amazon If you’re looking for something to bring your morning coffee with you to rope drop, this Classic Travel Mug will do the trick. It’s actually a French Press that doubles as a travel mug and will keep your drink hot for up to four hours. It’s made with stainless steel. Shop this bottle on Amazon here! If You Have the Viral Quencher, Try These Accessories Now, we know a lot of you probably already have the viral Stanley Quencher water bottle, and there’s no problem with taking that one into the parks, either! In fact, we found a few accessories that make it even more convenient to carry around. ©Amazon This water bottle went viral for a few good reasons. First, you can get it in a variety of sizes, and those bigger bottles (like the 40 oz version) mean you don’t have to spend a lot of time refilling it constantly. The FlowState lid has three positions: a straw opening, a drink opening, and a full-cover top for leak resistance. The handle on the side is convenient, too. It’s dishwasher safe, which is a big bonus in our opinion. Don’t have one yet? Grab it on Amazon here! Get the Water Bottle Carrier Bag Stanley Carrying Case Because the Quencher is pretty big, it might not be the most convenient thing to carry around in your hands all day. We got this water bottle holder that makes it much easier to bring on the go! We even take our Stanley to Disney World! The bag is designed for Stanley bottles and has a removable and adjustable padded shoulder strap, two front pockets to hold essentials like chapstick and cards, and a carabiner clip to carry keychains. Shop this bag on Amazon here! Get the Disney Straw Covers ©Amazon These little Minnie-themed straw covers will give your Stanley the perfect Disney touch! Five straw covers come in this set (which is a steal at just $5), so you can even switch them out on different days of your trip. The covers are made of food-grade silicone and will defend your straw from dust and give it extra protection against leaking. Shop these straw covers on Amazon here! Get the Stanley Snack Bowl Snack bowl Serious Stanley fans will need this snack bowl, which can fit right on top of the 40oz Stanley tumblers! Stanley Food Carrier The bowl has four different compartments so you can keep your different snacks separate. As you can see, it worked great holding our Casey’s Corner corn dog nuggets and plastic cheese (an essential Magic Kingdom snack). Stanley This could free up your hands so you don’t have to carry your food and drink separately! Shop this bowl on Amazon here! Keep following DFB for more updates on the newest Disney merch! Check out our DFB Amazon storefront to see some of our favorite Disney essentials!The post The Best Stanley Water Bottle To Take to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you regularly sing “Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me,” we might have a HUGE update for you. Pirates of the Caribbean Okay, so we’ve been trying to get more details from Disney about the Pirates of the Caribbean tavern in Magic Kingdom that was announced back in September 2023. All the information we got was that it would be a new bar themed around Pirates of the Caribbean that it would feature Barker Bird. But Disney’s been quiet on details ever since, so we’ve been looking for construction in Adventureland that could signal it’s coming soon. We recently turned up a new permit that could provide a hint, and now we’ve got actual signs of construction. Some people are speculating that the tavern will be where the Pirates League used to be located. The Pirates League has been closed since 2020. That location would be near the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean. The Pirates League used to be a salon similar to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, except kids could get pirate makeovers. Pirates League We also recently noticed that Tortuga Tavern was closed, although Cast Members told us it was a seasonal closure. That was interesting to hear because that restaurant is typically open during the busy summer season. We also noticed the menu was completely removed, which is something we often see when a spot permanently closes. Menu removed at Tortuga Tavern We’ll be keeping an eye out for construction around Pirates of the Caribbean and elsewhere in Magic Kingdom (there is a big expansion on the way, after all), so stay tuned to DFB for more. The WORST Time To Go Shopping in Magic Kingdom Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What would you like to see in the new Pirates of the Caribbean tavern? Let us know in the comments! The post ALERT: NEW Construction Spotted Near Pirates of the Caribbean Ride in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re dreaming of sunny skies, blue waters, and sandy beaches. ©Disney Disney Cruise Line offers adventures, relaxation, delicious food, and fun experiences. We love to be in a Disney atmosphere while sailing on the high seas. Plus, the journey is just as great as the destinations. Speaking of cruise destinations, Disney’s brand-new cruise destination in the Bahamas, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, is now open for you to visit! We stopped by and checked out the “adults-only” areas of the spaces. We know it’s great to vacation with the whole family, but once in a while, we adults need some grown-up time. That’s why these “adults-only” locations at Lookout Cay are great. You get a little rest and relaxation — kid-free. Lookout Cay Here on Lookout Cay, there is an adults-only beach called Serenity Bay. It includes a dedicated dining area and six private cabanas available to reserve and is exclusive to guests 18 years of age and older. Once you make your way down the pathway, you’ll come across the cabanas which also have direct beach access. Serenity Bay Cabanas After you pass the cabanas, you’ll find Serenity Bay BBQ — the adults-only buffet that serves up island eats with a bit more peace and quiet than the other dining locations on the island. Serenity Bay BBQ You’ll find a good amount of seating in the shade here, but if your cruise happens to have more adults, you could have trouble grabbing a seat depending on how crowded your sailing is. As far as the menu goes here, it’s pretty similar to what you’ll find at True-True BBQ and True-True Too BBQ in the family areas. Seating at Serenity Bay BBQ Since this is an adults-only area, of course, there’s a bar at Serenity Bay, too! The Blue Hole Bar serves up island-inspired cocktails and mocktails, plus beer and wine. The Blue Hole Bar Of course, there is a family-friendly beach at Lookout Cay, as well. On the East side of the island, you’ll find a beach for everyone, and there’s an interactive water play area. But we are pretty excited about this adult-exclusive beach! We had fun checking out all that Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point had to offer during our trip and still have more to share, so stay tuned to Disney Food Blog! And, don’t forget to check back here for the latest Disney Cruise Line news so you can plan the best trip ever! What It Costs to Take a Disney Cruise What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Explore Disney’s Mega Cruise Ship – The Wish A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise These Are the BEST Times to Book Your Disney Cruise The Best Ways to SAVE SPACE in Your Tiny Cruise Cabin 10 Things You NEED on Your Next Cruise (That You Won’t Think to Pack!) What It’s Like to Live on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe 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 to attend their media preview of Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. 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 FULL TOUR of the Adults-Only Area at Disney's NEW Island Destination first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article