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Are you ready to dream a fantastic dream again?! Disneyland Fantasmic!, the nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Park that has been a park staple since 1992, is BACK after a lengthy refurbishment that began in April 2023,! Not only has it returned to the Rivers of America, but it’s also got some updated scenes, music, and effects! April 2023 changed everything when Fantasmic!’s Maleficent dragon animatronic in the show’s finale caught fire and caused damage that forced Disney to rethink the show. It closed that month, and nearly a month later, on May 24th,2024, the show returned but not without a few changes. The Disneyland Resort invited us to experience these changes for a Fantasmic! media preview and we have A LOT to report! So on with the show! Fantasmic! is back! Before the show reopened, Disney revealed that Fantasmic! would be largely the same with improved special effects. We have to say the show looked great. The new effects look great! However, the company did promise some new music and new scenes, as well as the return of the Peter Pan ship sequence, replacing the Pirates of the Caribbean scene that had once replaced the aforementioned Peter Pan sequence. So now that we’ve seen the show, what’s it like? Take a look for yourself as Peter Pan and Captain Hook cross swords from high up! Peter Pan sequence The projections are looking better than ever. Simba The character floats also look gorgeous. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider Of course, it’s not a party without some Disney villain sequences. “Magic Mirror on the wall…” Magic Mirror Disney also detailed a change to the finale where Sorcerer Mickey fights off the evil Maleficent. The infamous dragon is now gone and replaced with new effects. Maleficent also soars high into the air. Finale There are still some fire effects, though. Finale If you’re looking to catch Fantasmic! in Disneyland, performances are held on most nights, but you’ll want to check the Disneyland app for times. Unlike Disney World, there is NO dedicated seating for the show, so if you want to get a good view, you’ll want to grab a spot early around Rivers of America. If you don’t want to stake out a spot early, you might want to consider a Fantasmic! dining package, which gets you a meal, as well as a reserved viewing area for the show. We sorely missed Fantasmic! at Disneyland, so it’s incredibly exciting to see it back where it belongs. As always we’ll continue to keep you posted on Disney show news as well as all kinds of Disneyland updates, so stay tuned here at DFB to stay in the know! Disney Just Dropped a MAJOR Clue About a NEW Character Meet and Greet! 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 Share some of your favorite (and not-so-favorite) Fantasmic! changes in the comments below! 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 the Disneyland Resort to attend their media preview of Fantasmic!. 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 NEWS: Disney's Fantasmic! Has FINALLY Returned first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There sure are a lot of changes happening around Disney World and the other Disney parks, right? Magic Kingdom About that, we’ve seen so many construction projects across all of the parks in their various stages, and that all has us wonder what your thoughts were on all of it. To that point, you shared all of your thoughts on how you truly feel about Disney’s expansion plans! Recently we reported on Bob Iger’s comments that all future Disney Parks projects will be IP-based and shared our thoughts with our followers on Facebook. We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments! What do you think? Before diving into your responses, let’s chat briefly about what some of these projects are. Animal Kingdom Expansion Plans As we know, for months, Disney had been teasing that a Tropical Americas-themed land would replace Dinoland U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom, and last month, we finally got confirmation they’re moving forward with the project. They even went as far as to release concept art of the new land, with potential experiences inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones. So much to take in! Based on the current layout of Dinoland U.S.A., it looks like the whole land will be undergoing a massive transformation. While plans can always change, we’re really excited about what we see. Not To Be Dramatic, But This is The BEST Part of Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Expansion Beyond Big Thunder Mountain Plans A couple of years ago, Disney announced a “blue sky” project that would bring a NEW land (or lands) to Magic Kingdom. Disney has always teased the possibility of adding Coco-, Encanto-, and/or Disney VILLAINS-themed lands and attractions to Magic Kingdom. The project has been dubbed “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” because expansion will likely be physically located behind the Big Thunder Mountain ride. Possible Land Expansion in Magic Kingdom ©Disney At first, it was just a “maybe, what if” kind of idea, but it’s been confirmed as something that’s really happening since then. At the moment, we’re still waiting for Disney to officially share the plans, opening timeline, and addition of new attractions, restaurants, shows, and more. Disney Confirms Permit To Begin MASSIVE Magic Kingdom EXPANSION DisneylandForward Plans Another expansion project that’s currently underway is DisneylandForward. It’s the plan for rezoning Disneyland’s land so that new attractions and experiences can fill areas that are currently only allowed to be parking lots or hotels. Concept Art ©Disney Disney did receive approval for these plans and can now move forward with them. Disneyland Expansion IS Happening. So What Happens NEXT? As we said, those are some of the main projects that are in the works, and now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s dive into your responses! Not Happy With The Announcement It looks like the biggest thing you took umbrage with, regarding Iger’s comments, was the notion that all future Disney Parks projects will be IP-based. (About 100 of you responded this way) ©Disney Here’s an example of what you said: “It’s ironic how the team behind creating Disney parks and attractions are called Imagineers, when imagination is something completely void at Disney these days! Now it’s all sequels, prequels remakes and IP-only rides! They can’t come up with anything original anymore! Walt would be ashamed of what his beloved company has become!” While we love Disney IP, we can’t disagree with you on this. Just take a casual glance at the Disney World parks and hotels and you’ll find less and less that is completely original IP that is developed for the parks. Cars Land Taking the thought a bit further, you mentioned: “While IP’s can be a good draw for kids, they can become quickly outdated. When the parks originally opened, the ol’ school Imagineers had to literally come up with rides just to fill in the space as Disney didn’t have a lot of IP’s to work off of. Some of the best rides in Disneyland and Disney world are non-IP based. Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, the Matterhorn, and Jungle Cruise were all originally ideas from the Imagineers. I feel sorry for the Imagineers nowadays because the powers at be are probably tying their hands saying that only IP themes rides and attractions are allowed to be created. Hence, no single ride can ever stick out because they’re already represented by the IP they’re connected to.” ©Disney We’re going to come out immediately and say the Imagineers are awesome and we wouldn’t have these amazing experiences without them. Also, there is something to say about them not being able to exert the amount of pure creativity that they were able to in the past, but such is life in a capitalistic world, right? Non-IP Attractions Are Still Pretty Awesome Another thing that’s highlighted in that last response that a number of you echoed, was that a lot of the non-IP attractions are still pretty fantastic today in 2024. (Also, about 100 of you responded this way) Spaceship Earth Here’s an example of what you said: “I love the non ip rides like spaceship earth and living with the land, and shows like hall of presidents and tiki room. You can have fantastic entertainment without the IP” “Hot take, but their best attractions are the ones not based on IP – original Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Horizons, Journey Into Imagination. I wish they would stop with the IP.” Living with the Land Listen, we definitely don’t disagree with you. There are many, MANY days when we hit up the parks ONLY to hop on rides like Spaceship Earth and Living With The Land. They’re classics for a reason and, like you said, completely non-IP. Want To See The U.S. Parks Get The Attention They Need When you look at the incredible projects that have been completed overseas and then look at what we have here, you’re not wrong in thinking that the US parks definitely need to get more attention. (Also, about 100 of you responded this way) Here’s an example of what you said: “Hoping all U.S.-based parks get much needed love” “Would have like to see some non-IP attractions but as long as they invest as much money into the rides as Tokyo does I’m okay with it” It’s so beautiful! That’s the thing. If Disney will truly invest in the U.S. parks the way they do in Tokyo, well, let’s just say that we’ll all be some pretty happy Disney fans. I mean, have you SEEN that Tangled Lantern Festival Scene in Fantasy Springs?! We went to check out the NEW lands in Tokyo, and you can watch our video right here to see exactly what we’re talking about. Those were just some of your thoughts on Disney’s expansion plans, especially when it comes to the use of IP, and we’d love to hear from you! Until then, keep it right here for all the latest Disney news! Also, follow us on Facebook to join in on the next discussion. You’d Never Believe These Things Used To Be NORMAL in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What are your thoughts on Disney’s expansion plans especially when it comes to the use of IP? Let us know in the comments below! The post "I am sick of all the old 'nostalgia lovers' complaining": Experts Have BIG Feelings About Disney's Expansion Plans first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

All the Disney Parks news from the week is coming up right now. Fantasmic! returns! Fantasmic! returns to Disneyland, a Magic Kingdom special event has SOLD OUT, and we may have an opening date for a popular Hollywood Studios ride. Check out our video below: Latest Disney News: Fantasmic! Returns, Magic Kingdom Event SELLS OUT, Ride Reopenings & MORE Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more Disney and Universal news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think about this Disney news? Let us know in the comments! The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: Fantasmic! Returns, Magic Kingdom Event SELLS OUT, Ride Reopenings & MORE first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Packing for your upcoming Disney World trip? Let’s see, have you got t-shirts? A portable charger? A rain poncho? Travel-sized toiletries? What about a carabiner? ©Getty Images We know it might seem super random, but there are actually a few very good reasons why you should bring a carabiner on your next magical vacation! We promise we’ll explain everything AND recommend an awesome MICKEY-shaped option for your upcoming trip. Let’s get into it! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. All of the items we have listed in this post 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. OK, now we need to explain ourselves. WHY would someone need a carabiner in Disney World? First of all, it comes in super handy if you’re bringing your refillable mug to the parks. Refillable mugs can be purchased at any of the hotels, and you get free refills on soda and coffee throughout your trip (note that you can only get those refills at the hotels — it doesn’t work inside the parks). Resort Refillable Mug If you brought your morning coffee with you to Magic Kingdom, you’ll need somewhere to put your mug once you’re finished. To avoid it leaking any leftover drink on your other stuff, just strap it to the outside of your bag with a carabiner! A carabiner can come in handy for any of these kinds of items that you don’t want to carry around but also don’t have room to pack in your park bag, like hats, popcorn buckets, or water bottles. Refillable Popcorn Bucket Lots of folks use them with strollers, too, to keep your backpack or diaper bag attached so you don’t have to carry it but still have easy access. Adventureland stroller parking Since this is a DISNEY trip we’re talking about, we found this super cute Mickey-shaped carabiner that we think you’ll love. Get the Mickey Carabiner from Amazon ©Amazon This Mickey Mouse-shaped carabiner is made by Petunia Pickle Bottom and would be perfect for your upcoming trip. It’s plenty big enough for whatever you need to clip to your bag and is actually designed as a stroller hook, so it’s extra practical for strollers and diaper bags. ©Amazon The carabiner comes in either black or pink and rose gold, so you can pick whichever matches your own Disney aesthetic. Shop the Mickey carabiner on Amazon here! Maybe you need something smaller, though, for items like a hat that don’t require quite as much room. You’ll probably do just fine with these 2-inch carabiners instead. Get the 12-pack with Multicolored 2-inch Carabiners ©Amazon You can get a 12-pack of 2-inch carabiner clips on Amazon, and they come in a bunch of different colors. Shop these carabiners on Amazon here! While we were browsing and searching for the best Disney carabiners, we came across this super handy tool that we thought you’d be interested in: It’s a Mickey ear headband holder! Get the Mickey Ear Headband Holder ©Amazon You can’t use a carabiner to hold most Mickey ear headbands because the headband is not a complete circle, so it’ll just fall right out. So if you don’t plan on wearing your ears all day (and let’s face it — sometimes they cause headaches and simply MUST come off for a little while), this holder will come in handy. ©Amazon The package comes with two ear holders, each of which holds one ear headband. There’s a keychain on one end so you can easily attach it to your park bag. Shop the Mickey ear holder on Amazon here! There’s just one more thing we found while we were doing our Mickey carabiner online shopping (can you tell we are easily distracted? ). These Mickey key rings caught our eye and we may or may not have them in our Amazon cart right this second. Get the Mickey Key Rings ©Amazon These Mickey-shaped key rings are a fun way to bring Disney into your everyday life. They work just like normal split keyrings, and the package comes with ten of them so you’ll have plenty of backups (unless you hook them all together in one epically long Mickey keyring chain, which we think would be awesome). Shop the Mickey key rings on Amazon here! Now you’re all set to get going on your upcoming vacation! 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 Why Everyone Is Buying These Carabiners for Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Alright, let’s be honest here: Disney is EXPENSIVE. Just the ticket alone is a pretty hefty price tag and if you’re purchasing tickets for a whole family, well we understand that extra purchases may not fit the budget, especially with Individual Lightning Lane typically coming at about 20 bucks per attraction per person (OUCH!). Spaceship Earth Still, if you’re going to Disney World, you want to ride those big-ticket attractions you’ve been hearing so much about. And while buying Individual Lightning Lanes can guarantee you a spot in line, they’re definitely not the ONLY way to do it! Here’s a list of our best tips and tricks to ride those expensive Individual Lightning Lane attractions WITHOUT an expensive Individual Lightning Lane. But first, let’s take a look at what an Individual Lightning Lane is! You have probably heard of Disney Genie+ — the service you can buy on a per-day, per-person basis to reserve times to ride most of the rides at Disney World. BUT — and this is a big but — the very most popular rides in Disney World are NOT available on Disney Genie+. Instead, you can purchase a window of time to ride the ride with a shorter line on an per-ride basis. That’s why they are called INDIVIDUAL Lightning Lanes (and you might also hear us call them pay-per-ride or “fancy” Lightning Lanes). Rise of the Resistance The rides in Disney World that currently have Individual Lightning Lanes available are: TRON Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom 7 Dwarfs Mine Train in Magic Kingdom Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Flight of Passage in Disney’s Animal Kingdom One interesting thing to note — when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens in June in Disney World, it will be part of the regular Genie+ and NOT an Individual Lightning Lane. NOW, if all of this Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane stuff confuses you (and don’t even get us started on Virtual Queues), you are not alone. This is confusing to, well, EVERYONE. We’ve been using the system since it was released by Disney World in October 2021, and we’ve got a video you can watch right here that explains everything we’ve learned. OK! Now that you’re a Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane expert, let’s get back to those tips on how NOT to use them! Trust us, your wallet will definitely thank you. Rope Drop Is Your Best Friend! Crowds at rope drop in Hollywood Studios Ready those alarms because you’re going to need to wake up early for this one. We know that doesn’t sound appealing, but try to resist pressing the snooze button this once. To guarantee a spot on those big ticket attractions, such as Rise of The Resistance or Flight of Passage, without an Individual Lightning Lane, you need to get to the park before it even OPENS. This is called “rope drop,” and our best strategy is to get there 30 minutes before the park’s opening, so once they start letting guests in, you can head straight to your desired attraction. And because the park just opened, there’s little to no wait times for them! 2. Go on the Rides During Fireworks and Parades! Yep, they’re pretty, but you may want to skip them to get some extra rides in! This list is all about prioritizing those rides with a pricey Individual Lightning Lane, so of course we’re going to skip any firework spectaculars or festive parades because they’re the best times to get in line for a ride. Wait times are lowered significantly due to guests watching these shows, so it’s the best time to hit up those must-do attractions. Just make sure to check the show times for the day and coordinate with your group about what time you’ll be heading to which attraction. 3. Getting a Virtual Queue! ©Disney OK, we said earlier we weren’t going to talk about Virtual Queues, but we have to talk about them because they’re free! Although we have listed some good tips, some of the newest and most popular attractions at the parks can’t actually be done with any of them because there are no stand-by lines to wait in. This is the case right now with TRON Lightcycle / Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. For these two rides you either have to have a free virtual queue, or you have to buy an Individual Lightning Lane. If you just show up at the ride, there is literally no line you can get in to just ride. So, what’s a Virtual Queue? You sign up for them through the My Disney Experience app. When you sign up, you’re given a “boarding group” number, and when that number is called, you’ll get a notification on your phone to head to the ride. You’ll have an hour to get there and scan in. So basically, you join the line “virtually” so that you can do other things in the park while you’re waiting to ride. Now you often have to be very quick to get in a free virtual queue — they tend to fill up quickly. Your first opportunity for a Virtual Queue is at 7AM, and we recommend waking up early, opening up, and being ready to go a few minutes before 7. If you didn’t get in at 7AM, you’ll have another chance at 1PM. There’s a caveat to that one, though — you’ll need to be IN the park to join the Virtual Queue at 1PM. The system can be a little tricky for those unfamiliar with it but don’t worry because we have you covered on all the basics of Virtual Queues and how to get one at the link below! Virtual Queues: How To Get a Boarding Group for Disney’s Most Popular Rides And one more Virtual Queue note — remember how we talked about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure NOT having an Individual Lightning Lane when it opens this summer? It WILL have a Virtual Queue, so if you’re visiting this summer, you’ll want to get familiar with this option! 4. There’s No Need to Purchase an Individual Lighting Lane for Animal Kingdom! Pandora If you made it to the bottom of this list and feel like an Individual Lightning Lane might be your go-to for at least one park, then let us assist you in your choice by letting you know that purchasing an Individual Lighting Lane for Animal Kingdom is pretty much unnecessary. Listen, we adore Animal Kingdom, and it is home to some AMAZING attractions, but it’s no secret that it’s the park with the least amount of rides. This means that you’ll most likely get to ride all the attractions on your list, including its Individual Lightning Lane attraction — Flight of Passage. This can also be knocked out early in your park day with just rope dropping alone, so we suggest you save your Indivdiual Lightning Lane Purchases for a busier park such as Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. Rise of the Resistance We hope these tips help you get the most out of your Disney World vacation. For more tips and tricks, make sure to stay tuned with us as we give you the latest on Disney news! You Can RIDE Disney Attractions at HOME — Here’s How! 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 a favorite tip from our list? Let us know in the comments! The post How to Get on the Most EXPENSIVE Rides in Walt Disney World WITHOUT Paying first appeared on the disney food blog. 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A BRAND NEW nighttime show just debuted at Disney World! Disney Springs at night Earlier this year, Disney announced that a new nighttime drone show would be coming to Disney Springs this summer. The new show, Disney Dreams That Soar premiered on May 24th, and will run until September 2nd. Disney Dreams that Soar showcases Disney stories that celebrate “the joy of flight with state-of-the-art drones choreographed to create designs in the sky” all paired with a “soaring” musical score interspersed with movie quotes” and after seeing the show, it definitely lived up to that billing! Y’all this is a seriously cool show. Note that we’re hearing that there were some issues with crowd control at the first showing tonight. As the show continues, demand should slow down a bit. But if you can avoid the first week or so — or stick to the second showing on the night you choose to experience the show — you will probably have less of an issue with crowds. Stay tuned to DFB for more news on Disney’s summer 2024 offerings! 20 Upcoming Dates To Avoid Disney Springs 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 Would you go out of your way to see Disney Dreams That Soar? Let us know in the comments below. Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of Disney Dreams That Soar. 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 BREAKING: A Brand-New Drone Show Has Debuted at Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Country Bear Jamboree was one of the opening day attractions at Magic Kingdom, opening alongside the park on October 1st, 1971. Country Bear Jamboree Last year, Disney announced that the attraction would be closing to make room for a new, updated version of the show — and we’ve been keeping an eye out for every update we can get since then! Disney just shared a sneak peek and more details of what we can expect from this retheme, but now we’ve got another clue that things are moving along. We’re taking another look at recently filed permits for Disney World to get an idea of what sort of work may be going on around the property — here’s what we found this time around. Frontierland Disney World has filed a new permit to install signage at Grizzly Hall, the home of the Country Bear Jamboree! This is especially exciting because the original sign has gone missing, so hopefully a new sign will be put in its place soon. Country Bear Jamboree The original Country Bear Jamboree gave its final performance on January 26th, 2024. The new version of Country Bear Jamboree, the Country Bear Musical Jamboree, is set to debut in Summer 2024. While we don’t know exactly what the refreshed show will look like yet, other than that the bears will sing classic Disney songs in new styles like country, rockabilly, and bluegrass. We also just got a sneak peek of some of the bears’ COSTUMES! ©Disney The refreshed attraction will be a take on classic variety shows found in Nashville, Tennessee, and Nashville musicians are involved in the new arrangements. The name of the show is receiving a slight tweak to go along with the new version as well. Instead of Country Bear Jamboree, the new version will be called Country Bear Musical Jamboree. A new show is coming! Don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Magic Kingdom updates and more news from around Disney World! We’ve Got Country Bear Jamboree NEWS! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited about this attraction retheme? Tell us in the comments. The post Disney Files NEW Permit for Country Bears Retheme at Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Whoever designed this new Disney Loungefly collection deserves a round of applause. And our endless gratitude. And probably a huge raise, too. ©Loungefly Disney comes out with new Loungefly bags all the time, and we love checking out all the new designs! But when you combine the cute and practical bags with possibly the most aesthetically pleasing and tear-jerking Pixar movie ever, it takes these souvenirs to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The newest Disney x Loungefly collection is themed to Pixar’s movie Up, which is definitely a fan-favorite. Carl and Ellie’s love story is UNBEATABLE. The music is BEAUTIFUL. And Dug is MY FAVORITE. If you can’t already tell, I’m having a very difficult time not adding every single item in this new collection to my online cart. Some of the items from the new collection 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. Now, let’s check out some of our favorite things from this ADORABLE new collection! Get the Spirit of Adventure Mini Backpack ©Amazon The Spirit of Adventure backpack features Carl and Ellie as kids, flying in a cardboard box plane. There are even little flaps on the sides of the backpack for the “wings.” ©Amazon One of the best details is the zipper pull on that front pocket — it’s Carl’s grape soda bottle cap pin. Shop this bag on Amazon here! Get the Dug “Crossbuddies” Bag ©Amazon You had us at “crossbuddies.” This Dug crossbody bag is made of plush fabric and vegan leather, and it features the loveable pup hugging Kevin’s babies. ©Amazon But here’s a fun feature: That front pocket is actually reversible, so you can flip it around and then Dug is hugging his favorite toy — tennis balls! ©Amazon The crossbody strap is adjustable and removable, so you can fix it however you want. Shop this bag on Amazon here! Get the Adventure Book Wallet ©Amazon Ellie’s scrapbooking skills are legendary, and you can carry around her Adventure Book scrapbook in the form of this Loungefly wallet! ©Amazon “My Adventure Book” is embroidered on the front, and it opens (with a zipper) to reveal twelve card slots. Shop this wallet on Amazon here! Get the Carl and Ellie Cameo Backpack ©Loungefly This backpack is one of the best things in the collection, in our opinion! The front has a gilded frame with a picture of Carl and Ellie’s house at Paradise Falls. When you open that frame… ©Loungefly …you see a picture of the couple! There are clouds and balloons all around the frame with more characters from the movie, like Russel, Charles Muntz, Dug, Kevin, and more. Shop this backpack on Loungefly here! Get the Dug Backpack Dog Harness ©Loungefly As a dog mom myself, I had to include this Dug Mini Backpack Harness for pups! The backpack has a main pocket and a front zipper pocket, and the harness has adjustable straps and a comfortable mesh padding. Shop the dog harness on Loungefly here! See what we mean?? How can you NOT order every single one of these? 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 Everyone Else Can Go Home. Disney Just Dropped the BEST Loungefly Collection EVER. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Get READY FOR SUMMER! ©Shutterstock Amazon is having a massive Memorial Day sale, which is the perfect opportunity to stock up on some SUMMER Disney World essentials. We’re always on the hunt for the best Disney World essentials that can help make a HUGE difference during your trip — especially during those summer months! You never know when you’ll be faced with scorching heat or torrential rain, so being prepared for both is essential. Check out the deals we found below and hurry — they won’t last for long! This Portable Pocket Fan Helps Beat the Heat Amazon Perfect for Disney Parks or just the summer heat, this mini-fan is easily foldable, and charges via USB-C. However, that’s not all! It also features a flashlight AND in a pinch can be used to charge your phone. The light, compact fan can easily fit in your park bag or looped onto your keychain! VIEW ON AMAZON Check Out this Backless Bodysuit Amazon Staying cool when you’re in the parks can make or break your trip. This bodysuit is perfect park-wear for the warmer months, as it’s cool and light, making it ideal for the temperatures. And they pair perfectly with… VIEW ON AMAZON …These Shorts! Amazon If you’re looking for a good pair of shorts for a summer trip to Walt Disney World to Disneyland or just a normal day in the sun, these are a must-buy deal. These Levi’s 501 shorts are a classic and they feature a bit of stretch for extra comfort in the parks. VIEW ON AMAZON Finish Off the Outfit With These Sandals Amazon The final compliment to a solid summer outfit would be these stylish, yet comfortable cork sandals. Fair warning, though, you don’t want these to get wet — so make sure you check the weather before packing them! VIEW ON AMAZON These Yoga Pants Have one ESSENTIAL Thing… Amazon POCKETS! Specifically, a pocket large enough to carry a water bottle You can’t beat that — especially since it’s so important to stay hydrated. VIEW ON AMAZON Travel in Style with this Toiletry Bag Amazon This is the perfect toiletry travel bag, with space for everything you could want to carry, plus it even has a hook to hang in a hotel room. This can come in handy as a good majority of Disney World hotels can be seriously lacking in counter space — trust us on this one. VIEW ON AMAZON Check out these Adorable Mickey & Minnie Earrings Amazon This adorable pair of Disney earrings make the perfect understated Disney fashion accessory for summer. A cute accessory that doesn’t make us any warmer than we already are? Sign us up. VIEW ON AMAZON Stay Hydrated with This Bluey Water Bottle Amazon Finish off the summer ensemble with this adorably cool Bluey water bottle, complete with everyone’s favorite Australian Blue Heeler pup. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — staying hydrated is SO important at Disney World and this water bottle can help you do it! VIEW ON AMAZON Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World shopping news and more! Check Out Our Amazon Storefront!The post 8 Disney World Essentials Are ON SALE During Amazon's HUGE Savings Event! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It might not be spooky season just yet, but we’re already getting excited about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. Halloween in Disney World Where else can you see the Haunted Mansion ghosts outside the famous attraction or scary spectres in the Boo to You Halloween parade! Between the rare character appearances, special Halloween treats, and beloved nighttime parade, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a POPULAR event — so when will is sell out this year? Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a seasonal Magic Kingdom event requiring a separate ticket for entry. This year, the event will take place on select nights from August 9th through October 31st, 2024. Once inside, guests enjoy plenty of ghoulish fun and entertainment only available at the Party! But, tickets have completely sold out for this event the past two years — in fact, we’ve already seen the first date sell out for 2024. Happy Halloween! So, if you’re thinking about buying tickets for this spooky affair but haven’t done so yet, you might be wondering when exactly the event will sell out entirely. And, while we don’t claim to know the future — we have been doing this for a while, so we’ve got a pretty good idea of when it might happen. We do recommend buying tickets as soon as possible to ensure you get the date you want! Halloween night — October 31st — is already completely sold out, so you’re unfortunately out of luck if you didn’t already get tickets for that night. It’s possible Disney could release more tickets, but it’s unlikely from what we’ve seen. Typically, Halloween typically sells out first, and then the dates closest to it follow. Main Street U.S.A. at night In 2023, tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party were sold out on every single date by the end of September. So, while you still may be able to purchase tickets well into the event’s run, you may not get the first pick of dates and have to choose from what’s left. Disney occasionally sells tickets at the gate the night of the event if there are any available, but it’s not a guarantee and not something we recommend you plan on doing! Time for the party! Back in 2022, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was completely sold out by mid-September, so we can start to see a pattern here. Not only that, but all the August dates had sold out before August had even rolled around. As we mentioned before — we can’t tell the future, so we don’t truthfully know when or if Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will sell out in 2024, but with the first date already selling out this early it’s entirely possible this year could be actually quite scary in terms of tickets selling out! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party sign in 2022 If you’re interested in attending this year’s event, make sure you get those tickets ASAP — especially if you want to go in late October or close to Halloween (since the dates closest to Halloween tend to sell out first). You can see the full list of available dates by clicking here. Stay tuned to DFB as we continue to bring you the latest news you need to know about Halloween in Disney World and more! EVERYTHING You Need To Know About Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom 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 Are you heading to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year? Tell us in the comments! The post When Will Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Sell Out? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s almost the weekend somewhere…hmm, maybe that doesn’t work quite as well as “it’s 5:00 somewhere”…but whatever, let’s start planning BRUNCH! Disney Springs There are lots of great brunch spots in Disney World, like the Grand Floridian Café, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Kitchen, and Wine Bar George. But for a limited time, there’s a NEW brunch in Disney Springs, and it sounds incredible! From now through August 31st, 2024, Jaleo is offering ¡OLÉ! Bruch Weekends at its Disney Springs location! Jaleo This DJ brunch event is held every Saturday and Sunday from 12PM to 3PM. There’s a curated brunch menu created by Chef Kristoffer Anderson that features some popular tapas and Spanish egg dishes. Plus, did we mention that, for an extra cost, you can add on unlimited sangria? A DJ performs inside throughout the event, or you can head out to the patio to have brunch with lake views. The experience is $42 per person, and Jaleo’s normal á la carte menu is still available during the event. ©Jaleo Here’s a look at what’s on the menu: Jamón Serrano con Melón: 24-month cured Serrano ham with summer melon and sherry dressing; Tostada de Salmón: Smoked salmon on cristal bread with hard-boiled eggs, goat cheese, and capers; Endivias: Endives with goat cheese, oranges, and almonds; Croquetas de Pollo: Traditional chicken fritters; Huevos Benedictos: Fried egg on toasted brioche, with Jamon Ibérico, Sauteed Spinach, and Ibérico Hollandaise; Gambas al ajillo: The very, very famous tapa of shrimp sautéed with garlic; Paella de Costilla Ibérica y Verduras: Paella with artichokes, pearl onions, and Ibérico Pork Ribs; Ensalada Mixta: Mixed Green Salad with tomatoes, sweet onions, and Spanish Piparra peppers; and Torrijas: Sweet-Soaked Spanish Toast with Crema Catalana Ice cream and Strawberries ©Jaleo You can add endless Sangría Roja for an extra $28. Book your reservations for the Jaleo DJ Brunch here. With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. DFB Guide Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest Disney news! Click here to see the ultimate guide to the best breakfast in Disney Springs. 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 Where is your favorite place to get brunch in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post There's a NEW Brunch Option in Disney World with UNLIMITED SANGRIA first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Big changes are coming to Disney World! Disney’s BoardWalk Inn With the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the reimagining of Country Bear Jamboree, and several hotel updates on the horizon, there are going to be quite a few new things to explore in Disney World soon. But here at DFB, you know we get extra excited about new restaurants…and one is coming soon to Disney’s BoardWalk! The Cake Bake Shop has been under construction for a while now, and progress has been a bit slow-going. However, during a recent visit to the BoardWalk, we spotted a HUGE update! Signs are up! Do you see it? Yep, the restaurant now has SIGNS up. The restaurant’s logo is designed in gold on a white background. Faaaancy! The logo is here We spotted two large signs on either end of the building. They don’t look to be complete just yet, surrounded by unfinished supports. Based on the holes above the signs, we’re wondering if Disney will add lights to illuminate the lettering at night. The other sign The Cake Bake Shop was originally slated to open in 2023, but in September, its opening was delayed to “early 2024.” We’re probably past that point now, so we’ve got our fingers crossed that it opens sometime this year. The building will have two separate components — The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant and The Cake Bake Shop Bakery. The side of the building This new Table Service restaurant will serve items for brunch, lunch, and dinner featuring both sweet and savory menus. Afternoon tea service will be offered as well! Disney notes that the new eatery will present a “whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk that guests know and love.” The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant will also include a new Champagne Bar. ©The Cake Bake Shop Don’t want to sit down and eat for a while? No worries! In The Cake Bake Shop Bakery, you’ll find a bakery case filled to the brim with lots of goodies including — but not limited to — cheesecakes, cookies, pies, macarons, croissants, and dessert bars. Coffee drinks will also be available. Bakery Case at the Cake Bake Shop in Indianapolis We can’t wait to see what this new restaurant has in store and to try ALL the eats! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates as we get closer to its opening. Click Here for All the Cake Bake Shop Details! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited about this new restaurant and bakery? Tell us in the comments! The post We Spotted Something NEW at The Cake Bake Shop in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve ever been to Downtown Disney in Disneyland, chances are you’ve — at the very least — walked by Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs. It’s a snack kiosk known for some wild corn dog creations like the Golden Dragon and Panko Crusted Pickle Dog but are also known for their Classic Dog. Yowza that’s bright! So, when we found out that a Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs would be coming to the BoardWalk at Disney World, we were thrilled! We’ve been keeping an eye on the progress of this little snack shack, and we’re bringing you an exciting update. We’re getting closer and closer to the opening of Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs at Disney’s BoardWalk! While we still don’t know an official opening date, it looks like things are nearly ready over at this new little snack shack. So close! We’re hoping the Pickle Dog makes its way over here — but, this is NOT for those who dislike pickles. In fact, if you’re not too sure about this kinda weird combo of ingredients, you’ll probably want to pass. But if you’re a pickle fan — and especially if you love the pickles in Disneyland — you’ll likely really enjoy it. Ain’t she a beaut? The Golden Dragon corn dog is a panko-encrusted, kosher, all-beef corn dog. This one comes with Sriracha Aioli and Sweet Thai Chili dipping sauces. It wasn’t too spicy, and the panko breadcrumbs added a nice, light crunch. The Sriracha Aioli and Sweet Thai Chili dipping sauces were delicious and went perfectly with the Golden Dragon. Each sauce added a lot of flavor, but just like the corn dog, neither was too spicy. Golden Dragon Panko Encrusted Corn Dog from Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs It looks like there will be an order window along with another window where you can pick up your order. Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs While Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs didn’t give a specific date, their announcement does mention “later this year” so we’re excited to see this space transform and can’t wait to be one of the first to try their east coast offerings. Blue Ribbon hasn’t shared any potential menu items just yet, but if the Disneyland version is any indication — we’re going to need to bring our stretchy pants! Stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog as we continue to keep an eye on the latest updates from Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs and more news from around Disney World! PREVIEW and PHOTOS: Is This What We Can Expect When Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs Opens in Disney World? Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Best Disney Springs Restaurants The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you a corn dog fan? Tell us in the comments. The post This NEW Disney World Snack Spot Is One Step Closer To Opening! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As soon as I saw this new Disney item, I hopped into my car and booked it to Costco. Trust me when I say that you’ll probably do the same! ©Shutterstock We find fun Disney merchandise all over the place, at stores like Target, TJ Maxx, Aldi, and — yes — Costco. Whether you’re looking for a gift for a Disney fan in your life or you want to treat yourself with a beautiful Disney-themed decoration in your own home, we think you’ll love this new digital Disney photo frame! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The Disney PhotoShare digital photo frame is making its way to Costcos around the country! When I got to my Costco and asked about the frame, I was told that it literally just arrived. Phew! (Just a heads up — if you don’t have a Costco near you or they don’t have it yet, you can also get this frame online on Amazon.) With this frame, you can upload your own pictures and have family and friends send their pics too, and all of the photos will play in a continuous slideshow. My in-laws have a picture frame like this, and they love that it allows them to stay connected with all their kiddos and see the latest family pics all the time. Disney digital photo frame This would be such a cute way to show off pictures from your latest Disney World trip. And it lets you keep those memories on display instead of tucking them away in a photo album or — worse yet — just keeping them in your phone where (let’s be honest) you’ll probably never go back and look at them. I am 100% guilty of taking 1,000 pictures on a vacation and then promptly forgetting about them all once I get home. With this frame, I can relive those fun memories every day. Shop the frame on Amazon here! The frame connects to WiFi and allows your family and friends to send the pictures via the PhotoShare Frame App. Pictures can be uploaded via SD card or USB, and the frame can hold more than 5,000 pictures! So for all of us who have approximately thousands of photos of us and our loved ones in front of Cinderella Castle, there’s plenty of room to display them all. Cute! The frame itself looks super classy as well. It has a dark brown espresso finish with little black Mickey heads on two of the corners. The frame is 10″ wide and the screen is an HD touch screen. You can keep it on a tabletop or mount it on the wall. One more cool thing about this particular photo frame is that you can add digital Disney-themed borders and character pop-ups! There’s an optional auto-effect feature, and if you turn it on, it’ll add those in automatically as it plays your picture slide show. This Disney digital photo frame is $99.99 at Costco, but if you don’t have a Costco near you or the location by you doesn’t have them yet, you can also get it online from Amazon! The downside to buying this frame online is that it’s more expensive than the Costco one, but we’re not seeing the frame on Costco.com yet, so the Amazon version is the best option if you can’t get it in-store. Get the Disney Digital Photo Frame on Amazon Grab it from Amazon, too! The good news is that Amazon is offering free shipping on the frame for Amazon Prime members. Not a Prime member? No worries. Just click the link below to start your free trial. So what are you waiting for? Time for a trip to Costco! Shop the frame 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 NEW Reason Why Disney Adults Are RUNNING to Costco first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve all got our FAVORITE Disney World hotels, right? Personally, I’m a huge fan of Disney’s Pop Century Resort, with its value-level prices and access to the Disney Skyliner. But what about a Disney World hotel that you’d NEVER stay at again? All-Star Resorts We recently asked our DFB readers which hotel in Disney World they’ll never stay at ever again, and we got HUNDREDS of responses. Looking through all the picks, we noticed one CLEAR winner (and we totally could’ve called it), but there was a pretty popular second-place pick that we think might SHOCK you! Before we get into it, make sure you’re following us on Facebook so that you can respond to our next question and get your opinion into our DFB Blog posts! OK, ready to hear about our readers’ LEAST favorite hotels in Disney World? The #1 Pick: Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort We bet you could’ve called that one, right? Same! Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort might be one of the CHEAPEST hotels on property, but it’s also one of the least popular among our readers. That’s because this hotel has got a couple of key problems. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort First, there are two other All-Star Resorts that have the same low prices but have more interesting theming, according to our readers: Movies and Music. Mario said, “All Star Sports: Out of the All Stars, it’s been the one I’ve liked the least.” Lots of fans love Disney because of the classic movies and incredible music, but there are fewer who feel passionate about Disney sports. The statues and decorations at the other All-Star Resorts are just more popular and fun for fans of the movies and tunes. All-Star Sports Another problem with Sports specifically is that it’s usually where big groups of students stay when they visit Disney World for cheer, dance, or other sports competitions. These competitions happen a few times a year, and All-Star Sports is a hot spot for where the groups like to stay (which totally fits the theme of their trip). Christina said her least favorite hotel is “All Star because of the noisy youth groups,” and Jeanie said, “It was too noisy.” All-Star Sports Madison brought up one more problem, and this one is true for all three All-Star hotels: She said, “I need the Skyliner.” The Disney Skyliner is a transportation system that connects EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, and Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts (the last two hotels share one Skyliner station). That means the All-Star hotels are the only value hotels that DON’T have Skyliner access. Taking the Skyliner is usually faster than the bus, and it’s almost a ride in itself since you get to “fly” above Disney World in gondolas. That transportation system is a huge perk for guests staying at the hotels with Skyliner stations, and it’s one of the main reasons why I pick Pop Century pretty much every time I visit Disney World. Skyliner Pop Century and Art of Animation are both value hotels (like the All-Star hotels), but the All-Star ones are almost always the cheapest option overall. Pop Century is the next cheapest, and Art of Animation is the most expensive value resort. If you’re looking for the cheapest possible hotel at Disney World, you may want to look at hotels that Disney DOESN’T own. There are several good neighbor hotels that are still on Disney World property (and offer free transportation between the hotel and the parks) but boast lower prices than the Disney-owned options. Learn more about Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort here. The SURPRISING Runner-Up: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort We’re going from the LEAST expensive hotel in Disney World to one of the MOST expensive resorts! We were a little surprised to see how many people said they’d never stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort again. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort The Grand Floridian is a deluxe-level resort, so it’s among the priciest hotels in Disney World. Add to that the fact that it’s a Magic Kingdom area hotel with a stop on the Monorail and it’ll make sense that it’s often THE most expensive of the Disney-owned hotels. Many of our readers cited the price as the reason why they won’t stay there again (and tbh SAME): David said, “According to my wallet, the Grand Floridian.” Disney’s Grand Floridian Robin agreed, saying, “Grand Floridian. I can’t justify dropping that much on a room when we’re barely in there.” Robin has a good point — if you’re planning to spend most of your time in the parks, it just might not make sense to spend so much on your hotel room when you’re literally only there to sleep and don’t plan on hanging out much in your room. James mentioned that they would go back to visit but probably not to stay: “Probably Grand Floridian. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely place and have dropped by for a look around and would do again, but it’s just not my vibe to actually stay in especially given the cost.” Grand Floridian Lobby That statement that it’s “not my vibe” was echoed a few times. Luther said, “The Grand Floridian. It’s a wonderful resort but it’s just not me.” The Grand Floridian has a very posh vibe, with marble floors, a grand lobby, and luxurious decorations. Some people absolutely LOVE that, but others aren’t interested in it. It really just depends on your preference! As someone who stays at value hotels almost exclusively, I can definitely see where our readers are coming from. If someone ELSE is paying, I’d love to stay at the Grand Floridian! But when I’m the one shelling out the cash, I’m totally happy to visit, grab my mac ‘n’ cheese from Gasparilla Island Grill, and then head back to Magic Kingdom (with a stop at the Polynesian Village Resort to grab a DOLE Whip for the trip, of course). Learn more about the Grand Floridian here! Honorable Mentions Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge This one BREAKS MY HEART. I have stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge a total of ONE time (there was a great bounce-back offer that made it possible), and I’ve been dying to go back ever since. But when our readers explained WHY they said they’d never go back to Animal Kingdom Lodge, I had to conclude that they have one very good point. Animal Kingdom Lodge Melissa said that they “stayed there a few years ago and it is a beautiful resort but it is far out from everything. I felt like I was in the bus for hours, but I’m glad to have stayed there.” Melissa is completely right. Pretty much the ONLY downside to Animal Kingdom Lodge is the transportation — for a deluxe resort, it really has awful transportation options. Animal Kingdom Lodge The ONLY option if you’re staying here is the bus. No Skyliner, no Monorail, no boats. And because it’s over near Animal Kingdom (duh), it’s pretty far away from the other parks, which means those bus rides will be fairly long. Kelly agreed, saying “AKL … because it is too far out from everything else … that does NOT mean I wouldn’t want to tour it and eat at Sana’a or one of the other amazing restaurants.” Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Even if you don’t stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, I totally agree with Kelly that you SHOULD visit to see the beautiful grounds (and real-life animals on the savanna) and eat at any of the incredible restaurants there. Some of my favorites are Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko. Learn more about Animal Kingdom Lodge here. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Like Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Caribbean Beach has one fatal flaw. The Achilles heel of this moderate-level hotel is its sheer SIZE. Larissa summed up the problem: “Caribbean beach… way too spread out … too much walking!” You might get a room right next to the Skyliner station and have easy access to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. (Usually you have to request and possibly pay extra to get a location like that.) OR your room might be located way on the other side of the resort and you’ll have to take a bus to even get to the Skyliner station. Caribbean Beach Resort The internal bus loop at this hotel is a DOOZY. If you’ve never heard of internal bus loops, it just means that there are several stops at the same hotel instead of just one main bus stop at the front. Because of the size of Caribbean Beach, there are EIGHT bus stops throughout the resort. That could mean a loooong bus ride in the morning as the bus has to make a bunch more stops throughout the hotel before it can get on its way to whichever park you’re wanting to visit. Kelly said, “I don’t want to stay in a resort that is so large that it has several bus stops.” Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Note that Caribbean Beach isn’t the only hotel in Disney World with an internal bus loop (though it definitely has the most stops). Here’s an overview of all the hotels with internal bus loops and how many stops are on each one: Port Orleans — Riverside with three stops Saratoga Springs with five stops Old Key West with five stops Coronado Springs with four stops Caribbean Beach with eight stops Learn more about Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort here. Disney’s Riviera Resort We’ve got to mention one more hotel that was mentioned several times: Disney’s Riviera Resort. One reader said, “Riviera, overpriced, small and a pain to get to if the skyliner is down. Wouldn’t suit my family’s needs if we were booking a trip.” Disney’s Riviera Resort The Riviera definitely has some of the smallest rooms of any deluxe-level hotel at Disney World, especially if you’re staying in one of the tower rooms. For the price, it’s a little bit off-putting that the rooms can be so small. Although the Riviera has a Skyliner station (and is very close to EPCOT), it can sometimes be a pain to get on the Skyliner because it’s a stop on the way from the main hub (at Caribbean Beach) to EPCOT, which means sometimes the gondolas are all full and you just have to wait until an empty one comes along. I’ve been stuck waiting for a long time when all the gondolas were full and there wasn’t room for me to board. Learn more about Disney’s Riviera Resort here. Never Say Never! Lots of our readers reminded us that we should “never say never” when it comes to Disney World hotels! Sherry said, “Doesn’t matter to me. I’m on Disney property I literally sleep and shower there! If I’m paying I can’t afford deluxe but I’d sure stay there on someone else’s dime lol!!!” I totally agree with Sherry — I would LOVE to stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort…just as long as someone’s paying for me! And it’s always fun to try out different hotels to check out the unique theming and eats found at each one. Polynesian Village If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all the choices you need to make for your upcoming Disney World trip (we don’t blame you — there are so many hotel, restaurant, and ride options!), talk to our friends over at Small World Vacations. Their travel agents have tons of experience planning Disney trips, and they can help you make all the right choices for your upcoming vacation! Stay tuned to DFB for more tips and updates as you plan your upcoming trip! Click here to see an overview of ALL the hotels in Disney World. Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels A Full List of Changes Announced for Disney World’s Hotels The BEST Disney World Hotels for 2023 The WORST Disney World Hotels for 2023 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What Items from Amazon Can You Have Delivered to Your Resort Hotel? We’ve Got the Details Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which Disney World hotel is your FAVORITE? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney Experts Reveal the Hotel They'll NEVER Stay In: There Was One CLEAR Winner (and a SURPRISING Runner-Up!) first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

April 5th marked the beginning of the Season of the Force at Disneyland Resort! Disneyland fireworks This special Star Wars season runs through June 2nd and celebrates the mega-popular franchise and all of us fans. Over in Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge, the celebration features character meet-and-greets, specialty snacks, and even a new fireworks show. We caught the fireworks show when it debuted, but Disney just shared that someone new might be joining the festivities! This just might be the droid you’re looking for after all! Disney has shared that a modified R1 series astromech droid named Bard will be seen beginning tonight at the Black Spire Spaceport in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during “Fire of the Rising Moons” at Disneyland Park! Fire of the Rising Moons This new fireworks show offers a special view of Disneyland’s fireworks with a musical accompaniment that includes selections from John Williams’ scores from the films! You can watch it from Black Spire Spaceport right next to the Millennium Falcon, the TIE Echelon docking platform, and the speeder garage. Fireworks in Disneyland Resort The show is narrated by “Tohan Lege, the storyteller known as the Lore-weaver. Pursued by those in power who would silence his voice, Tohan adopted Black Spire as his home and wrote of its colorful history and the fiery spirit at its heart. His droid, who he fondly called Bard, allows us to hear the Lore-weaver in his own words, each night as Black Spire celebrates the Fire of the Rising Moons.” Legend has it that Tohan “met and spoke to anyone he could, and began to record its history. To ensure that the stories would endure, Tohan found an old astromech droid left behind at the Depot. The mechanics helped him get it working with scrap parts and luck. Tohan called the droid Bard, and together they recorded the Lore-weaver’s stories, until there were no more to tell.” R1 Series Astromech Droid – “Fire of the Rising Moons” at Disneyland Park: A modified R1 series astromech droid named “Bard” is featured at the Black Spire Spaceport during “Fire of the Rising Moons” at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif. “Fire of the Rising Moons” is a nighttime experience in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that highlights a different view of the stunning Disneyland Park fireworks display, with musical accompaniment. Including selections from composer John Williams’ Star Wars film scores, “Fire of the Rising Moons” can be enjoyed from multiple areas in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including the Black Spire Spaceport, the TIE Echelon docking platform, and the speeder garage. (Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort) And that’s where Bard comes in! Keep an eye out for him at the Black Spire Spaceport in Galaxy’s Edge starting tonight at Disneyland. During the Season of the Force, you can visit the wandering droids, say hi to your favorite characters, try new limited-time snacks, ride Hyperspace Mountain (Space Mountain with a Star Wars overlay), and experience the all-new Star Tours scenes. Don’t miss out on this annual celebration! Stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog as we continue to bring you everything you need to know about Disneyland and more! Check Out the NEW Disneyland Star Wars Fireworks Show Here 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 Have you seen this new fireworks show at Disneyland? Tell us in the comments. The post ALERT! Keep an Eye Out for a NEW Droid at Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Get a sneak peek at some of our favorite details in the rockwork at Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea. View the full article

Two cast members from Disneyland Resort visit every Disney Park around the world...in 24 days. View the full article

The culinary team from Tiana’s Palace at Disneyland park is sharing a recipe for 7 Greens Gumbo with Chicken & Andouille Sausage.View the full article

Disney De la A a la Z | Disneyland Resort | Full SongView the full article

Here’s your special breakdown of the characters that are joining other Pixar pals at Disneyland Resort during the year!View the full article

Headed to Disneyland Resort for Pixar Fest? Our planDisney panel has the advice you need on where to eat, and how to find your favorite characters. View the full article

Get a sneak peek at photos from the Tiana's Bayou Adventure queue that build on the backstory of Tiana's Dad, a decorated World War I veteran.View the full article

You can never have too many park bags! Loungefly wall! Many people on our team have collections of Disney bags, backpacks, or Loungeflys ready to take to the parks when our vacations roll around, and they just make any park outfit that much cooler! If you’re looking to add to your collection, there are several Disney Loungefly bags on sale on Amazon now. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Hercules 25th Anniversary Backpack ©Amazon This Hercules Loungefly mini backpack was released for the movie’s 25th anniversary, and it features Meg and Hercules on the front! It’s made of faux leather and has several storage pockets, and right now it’s available on Amazon for 50% off. Hurry and snag it! CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE HERCULES BACKPACK! Disney Princess Cakes Backpack ©Amazon This adorable cake-themed backpack is covered in pastries made to look like the Disney Princesses — how cute is that?! It has faux icing trim and two zipper pockets for storing all your theme park essentials. Right now it’s 48% off on Amazon. SNAG THE CAKE BACKPACK ONLINE HERE! Maleficent Dragon Backpack ©Amazon Calling all Sleeping Beauty or Disney Villains fans out there — this Maleficent backpack was MADE for you! With Maleficent in her dragon form featured on the front, this would be great for Halloween or for a trip to watch Fantasmic. Get it on Amazon now for 35% off! SNAG THE MALEFICENT BAG ONLINE HERE! Mickey Musician Backpack ©Amazon If you’re hoping to snag some of the Disney100 merchandise on sale, then now is your chance! This Mickey Musician backpack is on Amazon for a 40% discount, and it features many of our favorite characters on the front. CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE MICKEY MUSICIAN LOUNGEFLY! The Little Mermaid Loungefly ©Amazon If you want to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of The Little Mermaid, you might want to snag this “Life is the Bubbles” Loungefly backpack! It has cartoon artwork of Ariel, Sebastian, and Flounder hanging out under the sea, and it’s on sale for 25% off. PICK UP THE MERMAID BACKPACK ONLINE HERE! Queen of Hearts Loungefly Backpack ©Amazon Annnnd we’re back to the villains! This Queen of Hearts backpack is made for those Alice in Wonderland fans, and it even has a croquet mallet as the zipper charm. Snag it online now for 39% off. CLICK HERE TO PICK UP THE BACKPACK! Disney Princess Books Purse ©Amazon Last but not least, we’ve got this crossbody bag inspired by the Disney Princesses! It has a copy of each of their storybooks printed on the front, all hung from a gold chain. This is the perfect bag for when you want to pack lighter, and it’s 20% off right now. SNAG THE PURSE ON AMAZON HERE! That’s a wrap on our list of Loungefly bags! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney merchandise updates. Click Here to Shop More Disney Merch on Amazon!The post 7 Disney Loungefly Bags Are ON SALE Up to 50% Off on Amazon Right Now first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Some people may say that Walt Disney World is not a fashion show, but we’d like to beg to differ. Magic Kingdom Now, we’re not saying it’s like a runaway at New York Fashion Week, but it’s a great place to express yourself! Whether it’s wearing your favorite character on a t-shirt or a whimsical pair of Minnie ears, one of the best parts of being at Walt Disney World is getting to dress in ways that reflect your interests and favorite things. One of the best ways to do that is through your park bag! Bags are crucial to your day at the parks, they carry all your travel day essentials and, if you have one that catches people’s attention, you’ll pretty much always get kind compliments, which can really make your day. So, here is a list of bags we’ve worn to Disney World that people always compliment us on that we think you’ll absolutely love! Loungefly Disney Lilo & Stitch Fruits Mini Backpack ©BoxLunch We can’t stop getting complimented when we’re wearing this Stitch Loungefly backpack. It’s so vibrant and fun, and the little Stitch characters sprinkled around are so adorable. Plus it features what looks like a pineapple soft serve (maybe even a Dole whip?) on a cone, pineapples, and watermelons, which really gives it that summer vibe that’s perfect for the upcoming season! Shop on Box Lunch Scarlet Witch Loungefly Mini Backpack ©Amazon As Scarlett Witch fans, this bag was a must-have and there were no “ifs, ands, or buts” about it. Thankfully, everyone else seems to agree because every time we step into the park with this Loungefly backpack, we get so many compliments on it! The details on this are stunning, as well as the metallic red color of the bag. Get It Here Mini Backpack Organizer HOYOFO Mini Backpack Organizer Insert And although it’s not an actual bag, we had to include this mini backpack organizer that is absolutely LIFE CHANGING! This insert fits in almost any mini backpack and has multiple pockets for all your storage needs. Every time someone sees this in our bag, they ask where we got it because they want one for themselves. It’s the perfect accessory for bag organization. Shop on Amazon Be on the lookout for more bag recommendations and stay tuned with us here as we give you the latest on Disney news! CHECK OUT MORE AWESOME BAGS AND ACCESSORIES ON OUR AMAZON STOREFRONT!The post People Always Compliment Me When I Wear This Bag to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article