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Disney recently made a big investment, but is it worth the cost? Disneyland Entrance Things are constantly changing in the Disney parks. From new attractions to updated policies and procedures, we keep an eye on all the latest updates from around the parks so we can keep you in the know for your next visit. One recent change we noticed came with a big price tag for Disney — but was it worth it? On a recent trip to Disney California Adventure, we noticed that the park had started testing its new turnstiles at the entrance. The new turnstiles are automated to open after a Cast Member scans and validates a theme park ticket. The update has also expanded the amount of available turnstiles and gates, plus it will make them both stroller and ADA-compliant. New turnstiles! The new turnstiles feature a screen with a barcode scanner below and a MagicBand+ tap point. Disney also removed the physical turnstiles from between the ticket scanners. But we did run into a few kinks in our first times using the new turnstiles. The first time our reporter went, he experienced some trouble with the mechanism that is supposed to take the guest’s photo and then let them in. A Cast Member nearby ended up scanning his ticket again without the machine. New turnstiles While our reporter didn’t have any issues with that process the next time he visited, he also noted that the turnstiles were not compatible with MagicBand+ on either visit. In general, our reporter preferred the old system for entering the park because it seems to be more efficient. However, this could change as testing progresses and Disney works out the bugs. New turnstile In all, the process for scanning in at the new turnstiles didn’t seem to be any quicker than with the previous turnstiles. However, we are glad to see that the new design does make the entrance more accessible, even if the technology itself doesn’t seem to be super impactful! We’ll continue to test out the new turnstiles to see if things change as they get more usage, so stay tuned to DFB for more updates! Now THIS Controversial Disney Hotel Change Is One We LOVE! 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 used the new scanners? Share your experience in the comments! The post Disney Just Bought Million Ticket Scanners -- But Do They Actually Make Your Life Better? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Waits increased pretty much across the board at Walt Disney World this week. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train The major attractions at the magic Kingdom and EPCOT both saw quantifiable increases in average wait times over the first full week of May. Not to be outdone, Animal Kingdom’s Flight of Passage – the ride with the highest average wait time in the whole resort – leapt up close to 100 minutes. Take a look at this week’s average wait times — going from highest to lowest! Magic Kingdom Wait Times After seeing decreases last week, the Magic Kingdom’s “Big Four” (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain, and Jungle Cruise) all saw wait times jump up this week. (NOTE: Since Tron Lightcycle/Run does not currently use a standby queue, it’s not included here.) Space Mountain Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — 67 minutes Peter Pan’s Flight — 53 minutes Space Mountain — 48 minutes Jungle Cruise — 46 minutes Haunted Mansion — 35 minutes Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — 31 minutes Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh — 30 minutes You can hear the song can’t you? Enchanted Tales with Belle — 26 minutes Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — 25 minutes Pirates of the Caribbean — 24 minutes Astro Orbiter — 22 minutes “it’s a small world” — 18 minutes Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini — 16 minutes Barnstormer Mickey’s PhilharMagic — 15 minutes Liberty Square Riverboat — 14 minutes Dumbo the Flying Elephant — 13 minutes Tomorrowland Speedway — 12 minutes Enchanted Tiki Room — 11 minutes Magic Carpets of Aladdin — 11 minutes Mad Tea Party — 9 minutes Prince Charming Regal Carrousel — 9 minutes Carousel of Progress Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover — 8 minutes Tom Sawyer Island — 6 minutes Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse — 4 minutes Carousel of Progress — 4 minutes Hall of Presidents — 0 minutes Country Bear Jamboree — (This attraction has now closed for refurbishment — read all about the changes here) REMINDER: Magic Kingdom Fireworks Times Change SOON! EPCOT Wait Times Both Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure both saw increased this week, with the former nearing the 70 minute mark. (NOTE: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind does not currently use a standby queue, it’s not included here.) EPCOT’s animatronics Frozen Ever After — 69 minutes Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — 68 minutes Test Track — 55 minutes Mission: SPACE — 37 minutes Soarin’ — 36 minutes Soarin’ Around the World is back Turtle Talk with Crush — 15 minutes Spaceship Earth — 14 minutes Journey into Imagination — 12 minutes The Seas with Nemo and Friends — 11 minutes Gran Fiesta Tour — 10 minutes Living with the Land — 10 minutes Imagination Pavilion Awesome Planet, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. 13 Essentials for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Animal Kingdom Wait Times Animal Kingdom’s Flight of Passage trained its title of highest average weight time at the resort, increasing to an an average of 95 (!!) minutes, easily clearing the competition. Flight of Passage (Yep, it’s in there) Avatar Flight of Passage — 95 minutes Na’vi River Journey — 51 minutes Kali River Rapids — 38 minutes Expedition Everest — 35 minutes That’s our dino Kilimanjaro Safaris — 34 minutes Dinosaur — 19 minutes It’s Tough to Be a Bug — 10 minutes TriceraTop Spin — 7 minutes The Boneyard — 0 minutes Not To Be Dramatic, But This is The BEST Part of Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Expansion Hollywood Studios Wait Times Slink Dog Dash and Rise of the Resistance continue to duke it out for the title of highest average wait at Hollywood Studios. This week the former feel slightly, while the latter rose to close the gap to a minute. Slinky Dog Dash Slinky Dog Dash — 75 minutes Rise of the Resistance — 74 minutes Tower of Terror — 57 minutes Alien Swirling Saucers Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway — 45 minutes Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — 52 minutes Toy Story Mania — 42 minutes Alien Swirling Saucers — 29 minutes Muppet Vision Entrance Walt Disney Presents — 16 minutes Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy — 14 minutes Star Tours — 11 minutes Muppet Vision 3D — 10 minutes Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is currently closed for refurbishment and is set to reopen this summer. Getting EVACUATED on This Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ride is Kind of Cool and We Have the Pictures to Prove it! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World! NEWS: A Disney World Hotel Restaurant Is Undergoing Refurbishment SOON! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How long would you wait for your favorite ride? Let us know in the comments below! The post Disney World's Biggest Ride is Averaging Waits Close to 100 Minutes! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Pixar Fest is happening NOW through August 4th at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, and the all-new food booths are finally OPEN! Pixar Fest! This is the FIRST time Disneyland is bringing exclusive food booths to Pixar Fest and each booth is themed after popular Pixar films! And now that we’ve eaten all the new menu items and checked out the new drinks, it’s time to talk about what YOU should eat and drink on your visit! BEST of Pixar Fest 2024 All of the food items at this year’s Pixar Fest are NEW, so we’re gonna break it down by booths for you — telling you the best items to eat at each booth! Are you ready? Let’s dig in! Red Panda Bao from 4*Town Fav*4*ites inspired by “Turning Red” This booth is serving up a new bao bun dish, a dessert, and more! However, we liked the Red Panda Bao, which is a jumbo pork and vegetable stuffed bao with chile-garlic sauce for $9. Red Panda Bao The bao is cooked to perfection, and the sauce has a wonderful garlic flavor. However, it is spicy, so we’ll warn you about that. We really liked it, though! Read our full review of this booth here Gusteau Macaron at Gusteau’s To-Go Disneyland macarons are usually pretty good, but Gusteau’s Macaron even won over our reporter who doesn’t like macarons. This macaron is $7.75 and has a crème brûlée mousse with caramel center, as well as an image of the Chef himself. It’s one of the best macarons we’ve had. Gusteau Macaron It had a nice chewiness with the perfect combination of flavors. The center was nice and creamy. Pretty much everything a macaron could be and more. Read our full review of this booth Sea Monster Lemonade from Portorosso Pasta Inspired by Luca, the Sea Monster Lemonade for $$7.50 is made with lemonade, white grape juice, and peach syrup garnished with blue citrus mango jellies. First, it’s so much fun to drink, and the mango jellies are WAY better than popping pearls. Sea Monster Lemonade It has a lovely sweet and sour flavor with a light hint of peach throughout. It’s very refreshing, too. It’s nice to have good non-alcoholic options like this. Read our full review of this booth “Smoked Fire Wood” BBQ-spiced IMPOSSIBLE Chicken at Elemental Table Yes, a plant-based option has made its mark on us for our best of the fest list! The “Smoked Fire Wood” BBQ-spiced IMPOSSIBLE Chicken is made with hot mustard sauce, pickles, and charred onions for $8.50. Like Ember from Elemental, this packs some heat, but in a very good way. “Smoked Fire Wood” BBQ-spiced IMPOSSIBLE Chicken We also loved the combo of the mustard and the pickles. The BBQ flavor also comes through nicely. Read our full review of this booth Half Note Jazz Cake from The Spark The perfect red velvet cake doesn’t exis…okay, well, maybe it does. We fell in love with the Half Note Jazz Cake for $7.25. It is perfection — you’ve got a nice moist cake that simply melts in your mouth. Half Note Jazz Cake You’ve also got the perfect amount of cream cheese frosting that adds just the right amount of sweetness. Truly, everything about this case is just right (better, actually). We also loved the piano look of this cake. This is one dessert we’ll be coming back for! Read our full review of this booth And there you have it — the can’t-miss dishes and drinks from this year’s Pixar Fest food booths! The booths (and Pixar Fest) are open through August 4th so you have plenty of time to check out all the menus! Stay tuned for more fun from this year’s Pixar Fest at Disneyland! To see ALL the details about Pixar Fest 2024, CLICK 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 Are you making plans to attend this year’s Pixar Fest? Let us know in the comments! The post Everything You NEED To Eat and Drink at Disney’s 2024 Pixar Fest first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We finally have a countdown to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party This year, you’ll be able to experience this exclusive after-hours event on select nights starting on August 9th all the way through October 31st. Tickets cost between $119-$199 depending on which night you’re going, and while any day is usually a great day to experience some Disney magic, there are some days we highly recommend NOT going to this special experience. Whether this is due to higher crowd levels or more expensive ticket prices (which sometimes go hand in hand), these are the dates we recommend staying FAR away from. August 9th The first event of the year is bound to be teeming with crowds, as everyone wants to get the first look at the new merchandise, snacks, and more coming to the after-hours party. Main Street U.S.A. at night While pricing hasn’t been revealed for individual dates just yet (tickets go on sale for the public on May 15th!), we also have a sneaking suspicion this date may be more expensive than the other August dates due to it being the very first of the season. Most Expensive Dates (Expected to be October 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, & 29th) As the months pass and we get closer to Halloween, the pricing for the party will most likely start to creep toward the top of the price range. Typically, these are the Friday nights in October and the party right before Halloween. Happy Halloween! In this case, those dates fall on October 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, and 29th of this year. Again, we don’t have exact pricing just yet, but if you want to stay away from some of the most expensive dates of the event, this is NOT the time to go! Halloween And, of course, while it’s beyond fun to be in Disney World on Halloween, and especially experience their Halloween event on the actual day, this is not the day to go to avoid crowds or pay a cheaper price. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party This will undoubtedly be the most expensive date of the event, and will likely sell out the fastest, which means crowds will be LARGE. However, it also means that if you’re set on going ON Halloween, you’ll want to grab that ticket ASAP when they go on sale May 15th. Cast Members at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party The party will take place on select nights, starting at 7PM and running until midnight, with party guests able to enter the park as early as 4PM. Keep in mind that the party does not happen every night—only select nights between August 9th and October 31st. We personally can’t wait to hear more about this incredible event as we get closer to opening, and we’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB! 10 Signs You Should SKIP Micke’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney World 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 date are you planning to go to the event this year? Tell us in the comments! The post FULL LIST of Dates To Avoid Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Let’s face it, Disney World is practically dripping with romance! Cinderella Caste Cinderella’s Castle, fireworks lighting up the night sky, sharing a Dole Whip (Don’t judge! It’s true love!). The magic is so palpable that it’s practically begging you to pop the question. But hold your Mickey ears, lovebirds, because not every spot is a fairytale dream come true. Let’s go over a list of the absolute worst (or maybe the absolute funniest?) places to pop the question! Here are eight places you should definitely steer clear of if you want your proposal to be more fairy tale and less epic fail. During a Character Meet and Greet Sure, getting a hug from Mickey is a dream come true, but proposing while he’s mid-squeeze with your fiancé? Not so much. Mickey! Here’s another fun fact — Disney characters aren’t supposed to be in any proposal-related pictures (it’s against the rules!), so save the proposal for AFTER that Mickey hug. On a Ride While the g-forces might be strong on your favorite ride, it might not be the most romantic setting. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Can you imagine fumbling the ring while screaming “Will you…” while literally upside down? Unless your partner thrives on chaos (and potential nausea), go ahead and save the proposal for solid ground. Retrieving a lost diamond ring from a theme park roller coaster track is NOT the way to go. In Front of a Long Line As you know, sometimes the lines at Disney World can get pretty legendary. Trapping your partner between a sweaty family of eight and a grumpy teenager for an hour-long wait is not exactly setting the best mood. Long lines You’ll probably want to find a more relaxing spot where “happily ever after” doesn’t involve inching forward for the next 45 minutes. But don’t worry, we do have some GOOD ideas for you, too. Click below for our ultimate guide to proposing at Disney World! The Ultimate Guide To Proposing At Disney World for 2024 Nearby Loud Attractions Now, they might say “yes,” but will they hear you over the banshee wails coming from the nearby Expedition Everest coaster? Expedition Everest Maybe find a spot with a more romantic “soundtrack” (think fireworks, not terrified screams). In the Middle of a Parade Route Imagine your magical moment getting interrupted by a giant float shaped like Maleficent. Maleficent Dragon on Main Street, U.S.A. Unless your partner worships Maleficent, you might want to avoid the parade entirely and propose somewhere you can focus on each other, not the parade chaos. In a Busy Gift Shop Disney has some pretty awesome souvenirs, but a ring surrounded by Disney character plushes might not be the most memorable proposal. Unless you both happened to work in a Disney World gift shop and want to preserve the memory, we don’t recommend a crowded store as a proposal location. Crowds inside Creations Shop Like we said, unless your partner specifically requested it, you might want to find a more unique backdrop for your big question than a sea of Disney merch. Proposing At Disney World In 2024: Ideas, Tips & Advice At the Food Court Disney food is delicious and all, but a greasy hot dog and a proposal don’t exactly scream “romance.” Connections Eatery You’re going to want to find a more intimate setting for this special moment because the only thing worse than a lukewarm churro is a lukewarm “maybe.” Restrooms or Near Trash Cans (We Shouldn’t Even Have to Say This, But…) Okay, so this one’s a gimme. Let’s just all agree that happily ever after doesn’t start in the restroom or next to overflowing bins. A prime dining spot for many These are just a few of the places you should never propose at in Disney World! In the meantime, keep checking back in with us at DFB for the latest! Disney’s New VILLAIN Wedding Dresses Are Bold, Moody, and FABULOUS! 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 the places you would never propose at in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! The post 8 Places You Should NEVER Propose in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are celebrating all things Pixar now through August 4th at Pixar Fest! You can enjoy special parades, fireworks, characters, and all-new food booths! The booths are all inspired by Pixar films and you don’t want to miss them! The Spark Booth The Spark inspired by Soul is one of the six brand new booths at this year’s Pixar Fest, and if you’re a fan of soul food and beer, this is the booth for you! Let’s go check it out! Menu The Spark inspired by Soul menu is drink-heavy with just two food items — and the food and drinks are new for 2024! The Spark Menu You’ll find Supper Club Chicken & Potato Waffles, Half Note Jazz Cake, The Great Beyond, the SPARK-ler, and four beers you can purchase individually or try them all in a beer flight! Full Spread except for the beer First up you can check out the Supper Club Chicken & Potato Waffles for $8 with peach cobbler sauce and cinnamon-herb crumble. So, yes, this is an odd combo and some people didn’t seem to enjoy this. However, we think it’s worth trying. The chicken is like chicken nuggets, but the potato waffles are cooked perfectly (we just wish there were more). The crumble adds a nice crunch. We appreciate what Disney was going for here, but it’s too sweet for chicken. Supper Club Chicken & Potato Waffles And for dessert, a traditional red velvet cake named the Half Note Jazz Cake for $7.25. THIS is worth visiting this food booth for. It’s incredibly moist and melts in your mouth. You might think that red velvet cake needs a thick layer of cream cheese frosting, but let us tell you, this was perfect. The icing adds the perfect amount of sweetness. Plus, the keyboard icon is so adorable for this booth! We will be ordering this again, for sure. Half Note Jazz Cake Two drinks and four beers round out the Soul-inspired menu! First up we have The Great Beyond for $18.50 made with gin, maraschino liqueur, violet & blue curaçao syrups, lemon juice, and pear nectar topped with butterfly pea flower tea and garnished with a white orchid. The Great Beyond It’s pretty, that’s for sure, but we feel like we paid nearly $18 for a watered-down drink. We mean, it’s refreshing with a strong tea flavor, but it doesn’t have any kind of kick, although it does have a strong bitter and tart aftertaste. The Great Beyond Next is the SPARK-ler for $13.50 made with cotton candy & blue curaçao syrups, mango purée, and pineapple & lime juices garnished with a glow cube. SPARK-ler Why is this non-alcoholic drink almost $14? The glow cube, that’s why. However, we didn’t think the flavors really blended together at all. You can taste each one and it’s like eating a whole bag of Gushers at once. It’s not bad, but it’s tart and sweet, and there’s just way too much going on here. Maybe kids will like it! SPARK-ler And then, there’s the beer! You can sample them all in the Inspirational Flavors Flight for $18.50 or each individually. Dust Bowl Brewing Company Porch Punch Imperial Fruit IPA ($15.25) Ballast Point Brewing Company Grunion Pale Ale ($14.00) Bottle Logic Brewing Aurora Borealis Honeydew-Lime Hard Seltzer ($15.25) Garage Brewing Co Prickly Pear Hefeweizen ($15.25) Inspirational Flavors Flight Of course, we gave the flight a try! The Porch Punch didn’t have much hops or actual beer flavor. It’s fruity and tart with hints of a malty flavor with a pleasant fruity aftertaste. Like its name, though, it does pack a punch with 10.4% ABV! Porch Punch The Grunion Pale Ale tastes similar, but the fruity flavor isn’t as strong. This one is drier and more tart. We’d say it tastes more floral than fruity. Grunion Pale Ale The Honey Dew Line Hard Seltzer has a lovely sweet honeydew flavor. It’s like a sweet fruity soda. Although it’s pretty strong (8% ABV ), we couldn’t taste the alcohol. The aftertaste is also sweet and pleasant. Honeydew Lime Seltzer Finally, the Prickly Pear Hefeweizen has a strong pear odor, but it tastes nutty with hints of pear. So you’ve got a smooth fruity and nutty beer with a nutty aftertaste. Prickly Pear Hefeweizen Overall, these beers could please even non-beer drinkers. OVERALL The Spark inspired by Soul booth is probably not where you want to go for drinks, but we’ll be eating that cake every day while it’s still available. So maybe come for the cake and skip the drinks. Stay tuned for more fun from this year’s Pixar Fest at Disneyland! To see ALL the details about Pixar Fest 2024, CLICK 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 Are you making plans to attend this year’s Pixar Fest? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: The Spark Food Booth at Pixar Fest in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

UH-OH! It’s happening again. Things that were hardly a blip on your radar a few minutes ago are suddenly beyond irritating. That’s when it dawns on you: “Hmm… it’s been a while since I’ve eaten anything…” Yep! You’re HANGRY. And that means you need some Hanger Management! Hanger Management Booth Fortunately, fans at Disneyland Resort’s Pixar Fest have exactly that at the ready thanks to the Hanger Management Food Booth! It’s one of six brand-new food booths at Disney California Adventure that have hit the scene for this Pixar-themed summer celebration. These new booths join a whole lot of Pixar-inspired fun happening around the Resort including special character meet-and-greets, dance parties, the Better Together Pixar Pals Celebration Parade, and more! Menu As an all-new Pixar Fest Booth, Hanger Management presents a menu of all-new items inspired by the beloved Emotions from Pixar’s Inside Out. And it’s none other than Anger himself serving as the unofficial mascot for your HANGER! This booth is offering twists on a truly classic dish to take care of any necessary “Hanger Management.” Up for grabs here are Joyful Yellow Comforting Mac & Cheese, Angry Red Hot Mac & Cheese, and “Mood Swing” (a mix of both)! And the Mood Stabilizer Mule is available to wash down your chosen dish. Hanger Management Menu So… do the eats at Hanger Management offer JOY or DISGUST? Let’s find out! Eats Okay, so I’m going to say this right off: whenever I see a food menu full of nothing but Mac and Cheese, I’m already pretty hopeful. After all, who doesn’t love Mac and Cheese? Then again, some of the twists here may give you pause. We’re starting out with the Joyful Yellow Comforting Mac & Cheese for $8.50. This dish comes covered with “happy” cheesy puffs! It’s pretty much standard mac and cheese, but kids are going to love it. The cheesy puffs are also a lot of fun. Joyful Yellow Comforting Mac & Cheese On the other hand… the Angry Red Hot Mac & Cheese is also up for grabs for $8.50. Anger’s version incorporates spicy cheese crunch into the dish. The red one is…well… VERY red, and our esophagus was ON FIRE after eating this. It’s a LOT of heat. You might want to make sure you have some milk nearby to cool off your taste buds. Anger was NOT holding back when you created this dish. Angry Red Hot Mac & Cheese Can’t decide between the two? Try the Mood Swing for $9. This dish is a half portion each of the Joyful Yellow Comforting Mac & Cheese and the Angry Red Hot Mac & Cheese. We recommend getting this if you want to try the Angry Red Hot Mac & Cheese because, like we said, that red hot version is HOT. Drinks The Mood Stabilizer Mule for $17 is the drink of the house at Hanger Management. Bourbon, watermelon liqueur, candied orange & watermelon syrups, and orange & lime juices comprise this cocktail, and it’s topped with ginger beer and garnished with watermelon candies. Mood Stabilizer Mule We’re on the fence with the mule. We only got a hint of watermelon flavor, but the ginger is really strong. It’s not bad, but it’s also not great. It’s also possible that our taste buds were fried after eating the Angry Red Hot Mac & Cheese. If you don’t like ginger, you might not enjoy this. OVERALL Well, ANGER management could be needed for those who try the spicier Mac & Cheese here, but we really did like the regular Mac & Cheese. This booth will likely be a kid-pleaser for that joyful mac & cheese. We weren’t thrilled about the drink, though, and it wasn’t anything super memorable, but then again, maybe it’s because our taste buds were fried right before we drank it. Well, now that our hanger has been successfully managed, it’s time to step away from Hanger Management for the time being. But we’ve also checked out FIVE other Pixar Fest Food Booths, and you can find out everything you need to know about ALL the eats at Pixar Fest HERE! Click HERE to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the FUN at Pixar Fest! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you going to Disney California Adventure during Pixar Fest? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: The Hanger Management Food Booth at Pixar Fest in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you counting down the days until Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? It’s really not so scary! We don’t blame you if you’re stoked (we’re excited, too!!). There are just so many reasons to be hyped up for the party like all the treats, rides, and entertainment. But, have you thought about what you’re going to do the day after the party? Well, let’s talk about how the day after the party, we’ll be hitting up one park in particular. Let’s go! Before we talk about where we’re going to go afterward, let’s do a quick recap of what the Halloween party is! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Crowds Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is an extra-ticked event in Magic Kingdom. There are a TON of Halloween exclusives for the party like a Halloween parade (led by the Headless Horseman), trick-or-treating throughout the park, exclusive snacks, a not-so-spooky fireworks show, a Hocus Pocus-themed stage show, exclusive character meet and greets, and more. DATES ANNOUNCED for 2024 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle as the Sanderson Sisters Another perk of the party is that the capacity in the park is reduced, so you’ll see fewer people and shorter lines for rides! Keep in mind that not all the rides are open during the party, but a good amount of them are. FULL LIST of Rides That Will Be OPEN at the 2024 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the BEST, but let’s be real. It can wipe you out! Who wants to fight the crowds for rides at rope drop the next day? Not us! That’s why EPCOT is our go-to park for the day after. Here’s why: Relaxation Station EPCOT is more like a giant world fair than a high-speed thrill ride. Think strolling around different countries, soaking up the vibes, and trying yummy food (and maybe a drink or two!). Canada Pavilion It’s the perfect way to recharge after a night of costumes, candy, and spooky fun. It’s Okay to Sleep In Let’s face it, sleeping in a bit after the Halloween party sounds pretty amazing, and as an added bonus, there’s no need to set an alarm for EPCOT! EPCOT Unlike some parks, it doesn’t get crazy busy first thing in the morning. So, make sure to sleep in, grab some breakfast, and ease into your day. Your tired feet will thank you. Something for Everyone EPCOT really does have something for everyone — rides, shows, educational content, and more! EPCOT Do you want to go fast? Hit up Test Track! Do you want to learn a thing or two about produce? Ride Living With the Land! Basically, EPCOT is where you’re going to get the most bang for your buck (especially after paying for the Halloween party). EPCOT Those are just a couple of thoughts on why we’ll be visiting EPCOT the day after Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, but now we want to hear from you! Until then, keep it right here at DFB for the latest Disney news! Click Here for ALL the Info on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! 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 Which Disney World park will you go to the day after Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Tell us all about it in the comments. The post The Only Disney Park We’ll Visit the Day After Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We know that Disney closes rides for refurbishment for good reasons. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Safety is paramount on theme park rides, so regular refurbishments to double-check everything is working properly are very important, plus, a little love and updating go a long way. But sometimes, we have to wonder just what they are doing that takes them SO long and why the ride is closed for many months. One Disney World ride has been closed for five months now, and we’re starting to wonder if there’s an end in sight. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster closed on January 8th, it won’t reopen until the summer of this year. When we glanced at the calendar, there were still no times available into the first week of July! Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Since Disney doesn’t put out the full calendar all at once, the first week of July is as far as we can see for now, and it appears it will be closed at least until then. Last year, when the ride closed around this time (on February 20th, to be exact), it reopened on May 26th. FULL Ride-Through of the NEWEST ‘Frozen’ Ride –It May Be Disney’s Best Ride EVER While we keep waiting for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to open, let’s take a look at what else will be closed the week of May 11th through May 18th! Magic Kingdom Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Splash Mountain is permanently closed — this ride is being renovated to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! The new ride will be themed to The Princess and the Frog. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure The ride in Disney World is set to open this summer. Now, we are starting to see some big signs that we’re getting close. New signs have been added to a couple of the stores near the ride! Critter Co-Op and Tiana’s General Store will be coming to Magic Kingdom. Critter Co-Op We have also seen Disney Imagineers test riding the ride! Now, that gets us super excited to see! If they’re riding it, that’s gotta mean it’s almost ready, right? Imagineers testing Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Other subtle details have emerged such as a water lily on the new gate. The water lily is a nod to the movie the ride is inspired by. The queue is also starting to look really good, and we know there’s going to be a fun Mardi Gras celebration! A new lily in the queue And now that some of the walls have come down, you can see new details like this new sidewalk that has been exposed! Walls are down outside We recently learned lots of new information about this ride, including a hint that there will be Splash Mountain Easter Eggs throughout the attraction! Disney recently shared a look at new characters coming to the ride, but there has not been an opening day announced yet. We’ll be watching and listening as summer approaches! NEW Ride Testing UPDATE Spotted at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom If you miss Splash Mountain or want to celebrate the new ride, you should check out our DFB t-shirts! We have a Splash Mountain Farwell Tour shirt… DFB Exclusive! …and a Tiana tee as well! Check out our new Tiana-inspired merch! You can shop both tees (and lots of other Disney merch) at our online store. Click here to shop our DFB merchandise store. Country Bear Jamboree Country Bear Jamboree closed on January 27th, 2024 for refurbishment. When we recently visited Magic Kingdom, we noticed that the sign for the show has now been covered up! Country Bear Jamboree Disney announced that a NEW show is coming to Country Bear Jamboree, with the bears learning an all-new act. The new show is set to open sometime this summer. With Country Bear Jamboree and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure closed, that leaves just Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Walt Disney World Railroad open in Frontierland. REMINDER: Magic Kingdom Fireworks Times Change SOON! Tomorrowland Terrace Tomorrowland Terrace is a quick-service restaurant that’s remained closed since the 2020 pandemic-related closures, but even before that, this spot was only occasionally open. Tomorrowland Terrace Once in a while, you’ll see the dining room open as a rest area (and it’s still being used for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties), but it’s usually all roped off and empty. Disney hasn’t announced when this spot could finally reopen, but we’ll be watching for updates. If you’re looking for a nice spot to work in Disney World, this could be it! Disney Just Added a NEW “Secret Door” in Magic Kingdom Disney’s Hollywood Studios Voyage of the Little Mermaid Well, it’s official — Voyage of the Little Mermaid is permanently closed in Disney World. We had suspected this was the case for some time (as it hasn’t actually been open for a few years now), but now the permanent closure has been confirmed. Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney is going to introduce a NEW show in this spot, though it will still be themed to the animated movie The Little Mermaid! The new show will be called “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” and is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Fall 2024. ©Disney It will be a “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.” Vacation Fun Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie, is a show that takes place at the Mickey Shorts Theater at Echo Lake in Hollywood Studios. Vacation Fun As of April 29th, the show the show’s website stops showing times to view the production. Luckily, times begin popping back up on May 25th. It is likely Disney is just going to be tidying things up for a little while. We’ve seen other shows in Hollywood Studios get some attention recently, so perhaps Vacation Fun will be getting a little love. This Disney’s Hollywood Studios Cheese HACK Just Changed My LIFE EPCOT Restaurant Marrakesh Restaurant Marrakesh is still closed in the Morocco pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase, and there’s no word yet on when it might reopen as a dining location. However, the restaurant kind of opened on May 1st. It will be functioning as an Annual Passholder lounge from May 1st through June 26th. Restaurant Marrakesh building Even though we’re still waiting for the full restaurant to reopen, Annual Passholders will be able to enjoy the air conditioning, charging stations, and complimentary food and beverages. There may even be opportunities to meet “special friends” throughout V.I.Passholder Days, according to Disney. We still don’t know if it is permanently closed or if it could reopen as a restaurant, but we’ll take what we can get. Is There a Way to Guarantee Getting a Certain Song on EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? We Found Out! Blizzard Beach Blizzard Beach had its last open day on March 16th, 2024 before it closed for refurbishment. Blizzard Beach has nine attractions that we won’t be able to enjoy this week. Blizzard Beach While Blizzard Beach closed, Typhoon Lagoon opened on March 17th, 2024. The two water parks often rotate off and on for being open. Disney has not given a timeline for this new closure or how long Typhoon Lagoon will be open. We’ll be watching for any updates, though! You’ll Suffer Without These 7 Essentials in Disney World This Summer Disney World Hotels Port Orleans French Quarter — Doubloon Pool Doubloon Pool underwent refurbishment for several months and finally reopened at the beginning of April. Doubloon Lagoon Pool However, on May 6th, the pool once again closed due to unexpected maintenance. Disney’s website now shows that it is closed for refurbishment once again with no reopening timeline listed. We’ll be watching for it to reopen once again! Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. Click here to check out more upcoming closures and current construction projects at Disney World. Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments! The post This Disney World Ride Closure STILL Has No End in Sight first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re back with all the latest Disney news! Peter Pan’s Never Land We’re giving you an EXCLUSIVE first look inside the newest land at the Tokyo Disney Resort, dates have been announced for this year’s Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Disney has partnered with a competitor to offer a new streaming bundle. All of the latest theme park news is coming up right now on DFB Guide. By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/subscribe.png Let us know what you think about the latest Disney news in the comments below! The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: Mickey's-Not-So-Scary Dates, INSIDE Disney's New Land Fantasy Springs & A LOT MORE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The NEW Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride is opening SOON in Disney World! Although we know it’ll open this summer, we’re still waiting for an official opening date (ahem…Disney, whenever you’re ready), but here’s the real question: Once the ride opens, how will you get on it? Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom Some rides at Disney World use virtual queues instead of standby lines, some offer Lightning Lanes with Genie+, others have Individual Lightning Lanes, and still more have just standby queues with no option to skip the line at all. It’s fair to say that getting on certain Disney World rides is COMPLICATED. So what will Tiana’s Bayou Adventure use? Standby line or virtual queue? Genie+, Individual Lightning Lane, or no skip-the-line option at all? Here’s what we know so far and what we’re predicting for when it opens. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is not really a brand-new ride. Instead, it’s a complete re-theme of the old Splash Mountain ride. So, we can speculate about what will happen when Tiana’s opens based on what usually happens with new rides combined with what Splash Mountain used to have back in the day (and by “back in the day” we mean…like a year and a half ago ). Tiana’s Bayou Adventure construction First, let me give you a quick overview of the new ride so that you know what we’re dealing with here (and whether or not you want to ride it in the first place!). Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is opening this summer (2024) in Disney World. The Splash Mountain ride has been closed for about a year and a half now for the refurbishment. The storyline of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure takes place just after the movie The Princess and the Frog. Tiana has made her dream come true by opening a restaurant, and now she wants to say thank you to her community of supporters by hosting a big Mardi Gras party. But OH NO — she realizes she’s missing a key ingredient for the event and needs your help to find it! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Concept Art ©Disney Guests join Tiana on an adventure through the bayou, where they’ll encounter familiar characters like Louis the alligator, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, Eudora (Tiana’s mom), Charlotte, “Big Daddy,” the King and Queen of Maldonia, and Naveen’s younger brother, Prince Ralphie. ©Disney Tiana’s Bayou Adventure concept art There are also going to be some NEW characters, including a band of musical critters. ©Disney Of course there has to be some great music on the ride if it’s going to live up to the music in the film. The ride will feature a mix of songs from the movie and original music. One of the features that we’re MOST excited to experience is actually in the queue because Disney has promised that the smell of fresh beignets is going to be pumped into the queue as a nod to New Orleans and Tiana’s signature dish. Queue So are you convinced that you need to try out this new ride? Alright, good deal. Now, let’s talk about how you’ll get on it. Virtual Queue or Standby Line? There are only a couple of rides in Disney World that are currently using a virtual queue in place of a standby line: TRON Lightycycle / Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. To get on those rides, you CAN’T wait in a normal, standby line. Instead, you must join the virtual queue on the app and wait to be called back when it’s your turn to ride. To learn HOW to join a virtual queue in Disney World, click HERE. Most new rides and attractions use a virtual queue when they first open in Disney World. Even the walk-through attraction Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana used a virtual queue for a couple of days once it opened in EPCOT. For that reason, we’re expecting Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to use a virtual queue for at least a little while when it opens. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure It’s possible that the virtual queue won’t last very long (it could even just be for the first week or so), but how long it lasts will likely depend on guest demand. Disney utilizes virtual queues to keep the wait time lower (so you’re not stuck waiting in a 5-hour line), but if not too many guests are joining the virtual queue, they might move it over to a standby line sooner rather than later. If you’re going to Disney World within the first couple of weeks of the ride opening, though, you can probably expect to use a virtual queue to get on. Individual Lightning Lane or Genie+? So here’s the more complicated question: Will Tiana’s Bayou Adventure be part of Genie+ or have an a la carte Lightning Lane? There are two different ways to skip the standby lines in Disney World. Lots of rides are part of Genie+, which you can purchase as a feature for any of the parks on the day of your visit. Using Genie+, you can reserve Lightning Lanes throughout the day, which means you’ll get to skip the standby lines. Lightning Lane at Expedition Everest Some of the most popular rides in Disney World, however, are NOT part of Genie+. Instead, their Lightning Lanes are available for purchase a la carte. You don’t have to buy Genie+ to buy Individual Lightning Lanes, and you don’t have to buy Individual Lightning Lanes to buy Genie+ — you can get either one, both, or neither. Here are the rides that have Individual Lightning Lanes in Disney World: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — Magic Kingdom TRON Lightcycle / Run — Magic Kingdom Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — EPCOT Avatar Flight of Passage — Disney’s Animal Kingdom Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — Disney’s Hollywood Studios You can buy Individual Lightning Lanes for up to two attractions per day. If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel or at the Swan and Dolphin or Shades of Green Resort, you can buy Individual Lightning Lanes starting at 7AM on the day of your visit. Everyone else can start buying Individual Lightning Lanes at the park opening time. To learn how to use Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes, click HERE. There are a couple of reasons why the “Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane” question for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is more complicated than the virtual queue dilemma. One is that Splash Mountian was part of Genie+ — it didn’t have an a la carte Lightning Lane. It’s possible that will mean that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be part of Genie+, too. Splash Mountain Lightning Lane Another complication is that guests are limited to only TWO Individual Lightning Lanes per day, and there are already two rides with Individual Lightning Lanes in Magic Kingdom: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle / Run. If there are suddenly three options and the rule of only two per guest stands, then you’ll have to pick between the three and use either the standby line or virtual queue for the other one. TRON Lightcycle / Run So one option is that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will just be part of Genie+ when it opens, which would be a little bit surprising considering we’re expecting this to be a really popular ride and most of the popular rides have a la carte Lightning Lanes. However, this fits better into what previously happened with Genie+ in Magic Kingdom since Splash Mountain was part of Genie+. The other option is that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has an Individual Lightning Lane, in which case Disney might make Seven Dwarfs Mine Train part of Genie+, or just have three Individual Lightning Lanes in Magic Kingdom. ©Disney We’ll be there on the opening day of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to bring you all the details and info you need to get on the ride ASAP. Stay tuned to DFB for all the updates! Click here to learn more about the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride! 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 hoping to get on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure when it opens? Let us know in the comments! The post Will Tiana's Bayou Adventure Have an Individual Lightning Lane When It Opens in Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Disney Genie+ service has been divisive amongst park-goers since its introduction, and Cast Members also have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the service. Lightning Lane sign at Beauty and the Beast show The Disney Genie service was introduced after the pandemic as a replacement for the old FastPass+ system. The service includes a complimentary planning tool, along with the option to add two additional options. These options are the Genie+ service and purchasing Individual Lightning Lanes. Many Disney World fans have been vocal about their dislike of the new service, especially when comparing it to the old FastPass+ service, which was free and allowed you to book rides in advance of your trip. And while guests have been very divided over their opinions, Cast Members also feel a lot of the burden of this service. Cast Members on the frontline who are operating the attractions are the ones who often have to deal with a lot of the burden of this divisive service. A little throwback to FastPass+ Before we get too far, let’s explain a bit about what Genie+ is and how it works. Genie+ is a paid, add-on service that you can add to your park ticket for the day. It can be bought for one or multiple parks each day, and the prices will vary based on the demand. Busy days will see higher prices, while slow days will see cheaper prices. Once you have purchased Genie+, you will use the My Disney Experience app to book your Lightning Lanes. You will be able to book almost any attraction in the park, except for a few major rides that you will need to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane. Soarin’ Around The World entrance Each Lightning Lane that you book will have a certain return window, and when it is your time, you head to the attraction and scan in at the Lightning Lane entrance. The Lightning Lane provides a quicker line to experience the attraction, however, the only guarantee is that the line will be shorter than the standby line. It may be a five-minute line, or you may find yourself waiting upwards of 30 minutes if it is a particularly popular ride. While this service provides guests with an option to pay to skip the lines, it has also seen its fair share of critics. Now, let’s get to some of the frustrations of Genie+. ©Disney Those who are waiting in the stand-by line may have to see lots of Lightning Lane guests loading, or experience longer waits because of the Lightning Lane. As well, those in the Lightning Lane may feel as though their wait is too long, especially since they are now paying for this service. The Lightning Lane is also utilized by those with the Disability Access Service (DAS) and Rider Switches, and with the addition of those who purchased a Lightning Lane, the line can end up fairly busy. This can mean a longer wait for all parties involved, and while Disney tries to report wait times as accurately as possible, they are sometimes off. Cast Members often have to deal with upset guests who have been waiting a long time. The Cast Members are trying their best to be efficient and safe, while also following the ratios set for their attraction. It can be frustrating to end up waiting a long time, but sometimes that will be the case. Lightning Lane doesn’t guarantee you won’t have to wait. Another frustration is that when you book a Lightning Lane, you are given a specific window to return to the attraction. It is an hour-long window, and you can show up at any point during the window. However, sometimes things happen, and you may not make the window. Cast Members try their best to accommodate guests, but it is not always possible. The return times are there for a reason and are in place to help with line management. It can be frustrating to miss your window and be denied entry, but Cast Members are simply doing their jobs and trying to ensure the process is fair for everyone. Cast Members want you to have a good time. It is also possible that you may have selected a window, only for the ride to be down when you get there. This is something that is completely out of the Cast Members’ control. While definitely frustrating, the good news is that you will automatically receive a multi-experience pass that can either be used later in the day at the same attraction. Or you can view a list of additional attractions that the pass will work at. The multi-experience pass will allow you to tap through the Lightning Lane on one included attraction. You can wait for the original attraction to open again OR use it on a different attraction, not both. When an attraction does go down, you may notice a longer Lightning Lane wait once it reopens, as others will also be redeeming their Lightning Lane. Keep that in mind and be prepared to possibly wait longer. Sometimes attractions go down! While the service is still very divisive, understand that Cast Members are likely as frustrated by it as you are. They don’t have control over the Disney Genie+ service, and they also understand your frustrations. Cast Members are doing the best they can with what they have, while making sure everyone is being treated as fairly as possible, and trying to ensure guests have a magical trip. They are juggling a lot at once, so please be patient and kind. A great way to be prepared is to learn more about Genie+. We have lots of resources including this guide, as well as oodles of videos, like the one you can watch right here! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news and Disney World tips! Check out EVERYTHING you need to know about Genie+ and Lightning Lanes! 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 used Genie+ before? Let us know about your experience in the comments! The post Disney World Cast Members Have a Love-Hate Relationship With Genie+. Let's Talk About It. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Look at that mountain. (OK, technically, it is a salt dome). Isn’t it glorious? And GREEN! Soon, we’ll be flying down that big old hill on the NEW Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride in Magic Kingdom, and we can’t WAIT. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open in Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom this year! In fact, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open in Disney World THIS SUMMER and “later in 2024” in Disneyland. The last time we checked the calendar, summer was looking pretty close, which means that Disney Imagineers must be getting close to finishing all that construction. During a recent visit to Magic Kingdom, we noticed some EXCITING progress we simply had to share! The new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride will pick up the story of The Princess and the Frog “after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure.” Tiana and her friends are preparing for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance, but like any good story, there’s a hitch in the plans. That’s where we come in! “Tonight Only: A Celebration of Family and Friends of New Orleans at the Proud Home of Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen! Everone Is Welcome!” Speaking of Tiana’s friends, Disney confirmed that Prince Naveen, Louis, and Mama Odie will be featured on the ride, along with Eudora (Tiana’s mom), Charlotte, “Big Daddy,” the King and Queen of Maldonia, and Naveen’s brother Prince Ralphie. Phew! That’s a LOT of characters! ©Disney OK, now let’s get to the news. During our visit to Magic Kingdom, we spotted some ride testing. But wanna know the best part? We saw a FLASH of light, meaning that Disney is likely testing its cameras for ride photos, too! Watch the video below to see that flash in action. Based on the timing, it seems like the camera will remain in the same location as it was before the Princess and the Frog makeover. We’ve watched Imagineers test the ride several times now, but we’re still DYING to see what it’s like inside the ride. Imagineers testing Tiana’s Bayou Adventure We’ll be sure to keep our eyes out for additional updates. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. Check out everything we know about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure HERE!! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite Magic Kingdom ride? Let us know in the comments! The post NEW Ride Testing UPDATE Spotted at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re celebrating Pixar Fest now through August 4th at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, and now, we’re checking out the new food booths at Disney California Adventure! Elemental Table One of the new booths is The Elemental Table, inspired by Pixar’s sleeper hit Elemental, and at this booth, you’ll find sweet and savory dishes along with a couple of margaritas! Let’s check it out! Menu The Elemental Table booth is serving up two food dishes and two drinks for Pixar Fest, and they’re ALL NEW! Elemental Table Booth First up, there is a plant-based “Smoked Fire Wood” BBQ-spiced IMPOSSIBLE Chicken with hot mustard sauce, pickles, and charred onions. Next up you can indulge your sweet tooth with the Kol Nut Whoopie Cookie Pie featuring cake cookies baked with cocoa powder filled with cream cheese frosting and topped with crushed cinnamon candies. Elemental Table Full Spread Two margaritas are on the menu at the Elemental Table — the H2O-rita made with tequila, blue curaçao syrup, lychee nectar, yuja purée, and lime juice garnished with a rock candy stick and the Exothermic Margarita made with tequila, ancho chile liqueur, passion fruit nectar, lime & grapefruit juices, and agave nectar garnished with a rock candy stick. The drinks Eats The plant-based “Smoked Fire Wood” BBQ-spiced IMPOSSIBLE Chicken is made with hot mustard sauce, pickles, and charred onions for $8.50. “Smoked Fire Wood” BBQ-spiced IMPOSSIBLE Chicken This had some heat! We definitely felt a little bit of a kick to it. It wasn’t too spicy, but we thought it was the perfect amount. Our biggest gripe was that it was lukewarm when they served it to us. The combo of the mustard and pickles was one of our favorites, however, if you hate pickles this may not be the dish for you. This is for pickle-lovers! The BBQ flavor comes through from the coating on the strips, but we do have to warn you — the “chicken” tasted a bit salty to us. Next up we tried the Kol Nut Whoopie Cookie Pie. This dessert is made with cake cookies baked with cocoa powder filled with cream cheese frosting and topped with crushed cinnamon candies — and it looks kinda like the rocks from the movie Elemental! Kol Nut Whoopie Cookie Pie At first glance, we were just shocked at how RED this thing is! But we were even more shocked that it did not stain our teeth red. So don’t be scared by the looks of this thing, but it was delicious. The center was the highlight — the frosting was super smooth and creamy. The cookies are spongy but we want to warn you that the top “burnt” part gives it a slightly weird texture. It all works for us, but if you’re hesitant about weird textures keep that in mind. Inside It costs $7 and we’d probably go back to get this again! Drinks Moving on to the margaritas! First up is the H2O-Rita ($17) with tequila, blue curaçao syrup, lychee nectar, yuja purée, and lime juice garnished with a rock candy stick. This margarita was a little confusing to us — we couldn’t quite put our finger on the taste. The first thing that came to mind was a Bath and Body Works product but not really in a bad way? It’s fruity and mildly floral somehow. It was good but something better was in store… H2O-rita And next is the Exothermic Margarita ($17) with tequila, ancho chile liqueur, passion fruit nectar, lime & grapefruit juices, and agave nectar garnished with a rock candy stick. We saved the best for last because this was our favorite drink of the entire festival when we tried it! It’s really balanced — it’s mostly fruity with a tiny hint of spice. We mostly noticed the passion fruit flavor in this drink. Exothermic Margarita This is a must-grab for fruity drink fans! It’s hard to justify $17 for a drink, but if you’re gonna spend it, we recommend this one. OVERALL The items at the Elemental Table booth were pretty hit or miss…but the hits make it SO worth a stop. We loved the Exothermic Margarita especially, followed by the Kol Nut Whoopie Cookie Pie. If you’re in the mood for some tequila or a sweet treat, stop on by! We will say the IMPOSSIBLE Chicken dish was also pretty good but it’s not for everyone. Elemental Table Full Spread Stay tuned for more fun from this year’s Pixar Fest at Disneyland! To see ALL the details about Pixar Fest 2024, CLICK 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 Are you making plans to attend this year’s Pixar Fest? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: The Elemental Table Food Booth at Pixar Fest in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s a legitimate hack to getting your Yak & Yeti favorites WITHOUT having to wait in those notoriously long lines (seriously, we tested it)! We made a meal! It’s no secret that Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to some of our favorite restaurants to enjoy when we’re at Disney World, but we’re not always a fan of waiting around for our food. So where’s a good place to visit in the park that’s not going to keep you waiting? We’re about to blow your mind! Most people don’t realize that one of the most sought-after spots to dine around the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom isn’t always the restaurant with the longest line. So when you walk up to Yak & Yeti Restaurant and find tons of folks already waiting for their reservation with no chance at a walk-up reservation, AND the line is as far as your eyes can see for Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe, you’re not ENTIRELY out of options (depending on when you’re visiting)! Crowds in Asia It was tough due to its tricky schedule, but we recently stopped by the little-known Yak & Yeti Quality Beverages quick-service restaurant to see if trying to order a few of our favorites here was any faster. We were pleasantly surprised! Atmosphere This is truly a “blink and you’ll miss it” kind of place. It’s pretty elusive because it’s not a restaurant that stays open all day, and you’ll need to be aware of its operating hours to visit unless luck is on your side and it’s open as you pass by. Yak & Yeti Quality Beverages When you walk up to the restaurant, you’ll notice right away that it’s mainly just a menu and serving window where the Cast Member will take your order AND present your food to you. They’re pretty quick, too, so we don’t recommend walking away and expecting it to be a while before they’re ready to hand your order over. All of the seating is outdoors The plus side here is that there’s plenty of seating as long as it’s not terribly busy. You’ll want to keep in mind that this restaurant shares seating with Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe as well, so if you can plan to eat in the off times that might be less crowded for you. Seating There are also self-service utensils, napkins, and condiments nearby that you can grab until your belly is content to accompany your meal. Condiments cart Seriously, you’ll forever find us here picking up sauces and more napkins! Menu The menu here isn’t as extensive as its sister location just around the corner at Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe, however it does have a few light bites like chicken fried rice, side pork egg rolls, a salad… Menu … and a few alcoholic and fountain soda beverage options. Drinks There’s one drink here we KNEW we should be after and it’s called the Yak Attack! This gem is a mango daiquiri made with Don Q Cristal Rum and wildberry flavors and will cost you $14 (but spoiler alert: you’ll be begging them to take your money for one of these)! Yak Attack This is one of the tastiest alcoholic blended drinks we’ve ever had at Disney World and we’ve tried a TON! The wildberry in the bottom is very tasty and mixes incredibly well with the mango daiquiri. If you let the cherry float long enough in the drink though, you’ll get hints of it in the frozen drink’s taste, too! So fruity! This drink is delicious and not one to be overlooked! We loved that this wasn’t just another boring daiquiri and we were content with the cost for what this drink delivered in taste. Do yourself a favor and pick one up on your next visit (you can thank us later for that pro tip)! Eats While we knew we were stopping to try out the Yak Attack we had to grab something to snack on while we were here. Naturally, we decided to throw caution to the wind and make it a multi-course meal (you know, in the name of Disney World food research). So to accompany our Yak Attack we also ordered the Side Pork Egg Rolls which come as a serving of 2, a Mini Mango Pie, and a Cookies & Cream Parfait. Doesn’t this look like the lunch of theme park champions? We thought so, too! We made a meal! To kick things off after sipping on our chilly frozen daiquiri we decided to put the Side Pork Egg Rolls to the test! These beauties will cost you $8 and look (and taste) exactly as they’re billed. Side Pork Egg Rolls Each of the egg rolls has a crispy outer layer that’s not too greasy to turn you off from eating them already, but the surprise with these is just how packed they are with a whole array of FLAVOR on the inside! Once you bite through them they’re so soft, and you could cut them in half with a spoon or fork if you had to. The inside pork and veggies have a light Asian spice and you can tell they’ve been prepared with Asian spices and sauce, however, we did recognize that they could be a little dry for some folks. Inside the egg rolls If this is the case for you (or you’re just really looking to knock it out of the park on the flavor intensity), stop by one of the nearby condiment carts to grab some soy sauce to help them out a bit! We decided to “treat” ourselves to not one but two desserts this visit so we opted to try out the Mini Mango Pie. This pie is a returning FAVORITE of ours which we’ve loved from the very first bite, and they’re still as good as ever. You can grab one for $8.49. Mini Mango Pie While the packaging has changed a bit over the years since they were first introduced to us (it was love at first bite, what can we say) the contents are still the same. The mango-flavored gooey pie is so tasty, and we actually preferred keeping ours out in the sun to melt just a little so it gave it a different texture than when it’s first served. The outer crust is more of a crumbled crust that just melts in your mouth with every bite, and now that we’re reminiscing on it we’re so tempted to run right out for another immediately. As delicious as ever But, these aren’t exclusive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom! If you find yourself craving one once you’re home you can often find them in your local Kroger or Publix supermarket to get you by until your next visit! Alright, now that we’ve hit this sugar high we had to try to keep it going. So, last up on our list to try out was the Cookies & Cream Parfait. This treat was made of chilled, layered pudding, whipped cream, and cookie crumbles and cost us $8.49. Cookies & Cream Parfait This was another GREAT option for a quick treat that wouldn’t get super messy on a hot day like an ice cream could! It had all the same makings of what you would ideally want in a cookies & cream treat between the layers of chocolate pudding and whipped cream, and when you dug down enough, you could even get to the final cookie crumble at the very bottom! A spoonful While we enjoyed it, it wasn’t our favorite. But in fairness, it had some stiff competition going up against our beloved mini mango pie. We could easily see this becoming a popular snack option for parents with little ones looking to treat them. Overall To be fair, while this place is tiny, it is mighty in what its small menu offers. It does its job effectively. All outdoor seating There are plenty of great options for a snack break, or combine a few like we did to make an entire quick meal. Nosh or Not? Make sure to time your next visit here just right if: You truly just want to grab a drink and maybe a light bite. The menu here isn’t very extensive at all. You want to beat that long line at the other two Yak & Yeti Restaurants. The lines can back up for Yak & Yeti Restaurant and Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe, resulting in a fairly lengthy wait. If you want to get in and out as quickly as possible, this is the best option of the 3! You HAVE to have the exclusive alcoholic drinks served here! Remember that INCREDIBLE Yak Attack drink is only served here or at the bar inside Yak & Yeti Restaurant. If you’re not looking to dine inside or have to step into the bar to grab your drink, this is your best option. Keep breezing past those order window shutters if… You’re dying in the heat and NEED to be indoors for your meal. Unfortunately, there’s only covered seating available for this quick-service restaurant. If you’re looking for an indoor meal, this isn’t a restaurant to visit. You’re looking for some sharable entrees or snacks. Again, the menu here is really more light bites and small portioned snacks with a few beverage options and not anything more than that. You’re not a fan of animals surrounding you and your food while you’re eating. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an incredible park, but there is true wildlife that surrounds you. While that might not be a bother when you DON’T have food in your hand (or your little one’s hands), that could change on a dime when there’s a hungry bird strolling the area waiting to sneak a bite. They don’t mean any harm, you’ve just made the food look too good to pass up! We’ve eaten EVERYWHERE at Disney World and reviewed THOUSANDS of drinks, eats, treats, and snacks! Be sure to check out a few of our latest reviews below and stay tuned with us at DFB for more. REVIEW: There’s a NEW Dole Whip Margarita in Disney World (and You’ll LOVE IT) 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! Do you prefer to visit Yak & Yeti Restaurant, Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe, or Yak & Yeti Quality Beverages when you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Tell us all the reasons for your choice in the comments below! The post REVIEW: You Can Get MANGO PIE in Disney World With NO WAIT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Summer is right around the corner and you know what that means — some hot months ahead in Disney World. It’s sunny out there! Disney World has some pretty hot and muggy summers but that doesn’t mean you have to go unequipped to handle the heat! We found some Amazon essentials that could save you during your next Disney World vacation! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. These Amazon items could prove VERY useful this summer when you’re visiting Disney World. Let’s take a look! Cooling Fans What better way to cool down at Disney World than a cooling fan? ©Amazon This AMACOOL Stroller Fan is battery-operated, has three speeds, and is rotatable. The best part is you can hook it onto a stroller and not even worry about holding it during a long park day! View on Amazon A different type of fan you could opt for is the Kbinter Personal Mini Fan. ©Amazon This handheld fan comes with a rechargeable USB cable, three speeds, is compact, and, most importantly, is designed after Mickey ears! You can also get it in three different colors! Buy on Amazon We’re big advocates of neck fans and this is one of our favorites! ©Amazon The JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan is perfect if you’re looking for a hands-free fan! It is rechargeable, built for comfort, and comes in five different colors. View on Amazon Cooling Towels Cooling towels can be life savers during park days or during any strenuous physical activity! ©Amazon The Sukeen 4-Pack Cooling Towels are soft, breathable, microfiber towels that come in a wide variety of colors. They provide an instant cool and are reusable. Buy on Amazon Bucket Hat Want to beat the heat in style? How about a bucket hat? ©Amazon This Mickey Mouse Bucket Hat comes in five different styles and three different sizes. This officially licensed red hat is adjustable and is perfect for blocking the sun’s UV rays. View on Amazon Water Bottle You should always stay hydrated but it’s extra important when the weather is especially hot. Owala Water Bottle The Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle comes in TONS of different colors and a few different sizes. Sturdy, sleek, and effective, this water bottle is a fantastic park day accessory! Buy on Amazon Anti-Chafe Stick Anti-chafe sticks are essential if you want to avoid a bad time in the Florida humidity. ©Amazon Head to Amazon for the Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick! This anti-chafe stick provides thigh rescue with an aloe, pomegranate, and grapeseed oil recipe. We’re not joking, this friction-free essential can SAVE a vacation! View on Amazon We’re hoping your summer travels to Disney World are a blast and worry-free! Make sure you check back here at DFB for all the latest Disney World news, tips, merch recommendations, and more! Find EVEN MORE essentials on our Amazon Storefront!The post 5 Amazon Essentials to Survive the Heat in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Sure, “Anyone can cook” according to Ratatouille‘s Chef Gusteau… but can anyone cook quite like him? Gusteau’s To-Go Booth That’s the question we’re asking as we visit Gusteau’s To-Go — one of six brand new Food Booths at Disney California Adventure that have hit the scene for Disneyland Resort’s Pixar Fest! These new booths join a whole lot of Pixar-inspired fun happening around the Resort, including special character meet-and-greets, dance parties, the Better Together Pixar Pals Celebration Parade, and more! Let’s see what Chef Gusteau has cooked up for the Fest… Menu As an all-new Pixar Fest Booth, Gusteau’s To-Go presents a menu of all-new items inspired by the famed Chef in Pixar’s Ratatouille! Two dishes make up the food menu: Ratatouille Pizzetta and the Gusteau Macaron. They are joined by two cocktails: Le Critique Cognac Sidecar and the Little French Daiquiri. Booth menu So, has Chef Gusteau come up with a must-eat menu for Pixar Fest? Grab your fork and knife (and don’t forget to tuck in a cloth napkin) and get ready to find out with us in our review! Eats First, we have the Ratatouille Pizzetta for $8. It’s topped with mozzarella, eggplant, squash, zucchini, a drizzle of tomato sauce, and a wedge of French camembert. It’s so fun to see how this dish incorporates the ingredients inspired by Remy’s signature dish! Ratatouille Pizzetta Okay, we’re going to be real here — this is just an elevated version of the Lunchables pizza — it’s even served cold. It’s fine, though, although there isn’t anything special about it. The toppings are fresh, although the sauce is pretty basic. It’s…basic The “dessert course” here at Gusteau’s To-Go is the Gusteau Macaron, but of course! It costs $7.75. This macaron features a crème brûlée mousse with caramel center and features a charming image of the Chef himself. Gusteau Macaron Our reporter isn’t necessarily a huge fan of macarons, but still thinks this is one of the best we’ve had. It’s got that nice chewiness with the perfect combination of crème brûlée and caramel flavor. The center is nice and creamy. The perfect macaron? Of course, what meal at Gusteau’s would be complete without a drink or two to pair with it? Drinks Two cocktails are featured at Gusteau’s To-Go, and we’re starting with Le Critique Cognac Sidecar, which costs $17. It’s somewhat rare to find cognac featured in a Festival cocktail if our recollection is correct, and this twist on the classic is also made with apricot liqueur, house-made fig syrup, strawberry purée, and lemon juice. Le Critique Cognac Sidecar It’s topped with sparkling wine and garnished with a strawberry. So, what do we think Le Critique would have to say about it? Well, we think Le Critique would find it pretty tasty? It’s heavy on the strawberry flavor, which is nice. It also doesn’t taste super strong. This one is a people-pleaser. Delicious! Joining the Sidecar is the Little French Daiquiri for $17.00. Rum, French wine aperitif, pear nectar, cherry plum syrup, and lime juice come together in this beverage, which is garnished with a brûléed pear chip. (Ooh la la, it’s FANCY, no??) Little French Daiquiri It’s fancy, but flavor-wise, it’s a little bland. It has a light apple flavor and it’s refreshing and easy to drink. But it needs something more. OVERALL Overall, we think Chef Gusteau might be slightly appalled that this booth isn’t as good as it could be. Ratatouille on a cold Lunchables-style pizza? It’s not even an original thought, but who knows? Maybe Remy wasn’t around to help make the meals when this menu was decided upon. We will say the Le Critique Cognac Sidecar is worth visiting this booth for, though. For now, we’re saying “Au revoir!” from Gusteau’s To-Go. But we’ve also checked out FIVE other Pixar Fest Food Booths, and you can find out everything you need to know about ALL the eats at Pixar Fest HERE! Click HERE to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the FUN at Pixar Fest! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you going to Disney California Adventure during Pixar Fest? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: Gusteau’s To-Go Food Booth at Pixar Fest in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

While EPCOT may be best known for its selection of food and drinks, it also boasts some pretty thrilling rides including Test Track and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. EPCOT We have been fans of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind since it first opened, but today we are answering a question that we hear a lot about the ride! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened in EPCOT in May 2022 and has been thrilling riders ever since. This is a roller-coaster ride that takes you on an intergalactic adventure with the Guardians of the Galaxy. It is one of the longest indoor roller coasters ever built. The ride features rotating vehicles and lots of high-speed adventure. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind If you haven’t had a chance to experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind yet, we won’t be spoiling too much of the ride. But, if you don’t want to know anything about the ride, this is your warning. Spoilers that you don’t want to hear may await ahead. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind While you are strapped into your starjumper, you will be able to enjoy some rocking tunes while you are saving the galaxy. Six different songs play on the ride, but you won’t know which track you will hear until you blast off. The song options are “September,” “Disco Inferno,” “Conga,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “I Ran,” and “One Way or Another.” There is lots of debate regarding which song is the best, but what if you want a certain song? Disney said that you won’t know what song you are getting, but is that just what Disney is claiming? Is there a way to guarantee which song you will get while riding Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Are the Cast Members choosing the song you get? Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind While we hate to be the bearer of bad news, you won’t be able to guarantee which song you get. There is really no way to know which song you will be getting or to guarantee you will get a certain song. The Cast Members don’t get to choose the song, no matter how many different buttons they push or how nicely you ask them for a certain song. Loading Area for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind The ride vehicles run the songs in a loop, but with two different sides for loading and unloading, numerous vehicles running, and the addition and removal of vehicles throughout the day, there is really no knowing which song will play on the vehicle next. We wish we had better news for you, but even when you have gotten “Disco Inferno” three times in a row, there isn’t a way to guarantee you won’t get it again on your next ride. That just means you need to ride it a couple of extra times so you can hear all the songs you want! Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney news! Check out the one thing you must eat at EVERY restaurant in EPCOT! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your favorite song on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Let us know in the comments! The post Is There a Way to Guarantee Getting a Certain Song on EPCOT's Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? We Found Out! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re Disney Food Blog…of course, we’re going to talk about Disney World restaurants all the time. Food from Lotus Blossom Cafe If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we have some favorite restaurants, too, including Homecomin’ in Disney Springs, Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. However, did you know that only 10 Disney World restaurants had perfect inspections last month? So, we do have to put this into perspective. Each Florida county health department runs inspections for restaurants all over the state, including Orange County and Osceola County, the two counties where Disney World resides. Routine inspections are performed to determine if the food and dining environment at Florida restaurants are safe. These inspections generally happen by surprise, meaning the restaurant doesn’t know when it’s going to happen. The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge According to The Orlando Sentinel, Disney World restaurants were among the 2,509 Florida restaurants inspected throughout the month of April 2024. Of that, 259 Florida restaurants received perfect inspections, including 10 Disney World restaurants. Walt Disney World Here are the 10 with perfect scores: Dahlia Lounge at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Refreshment Outpost at EPCOT Lotus Blossom Cafe at EPCOT Turtle Shack Pool Bar at Disney’s Old Key West Resort Tortuga Tavern at Magic Kingdom Tortuga Tavern The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Paddock Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Grandstand Spirits at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Grandstand Spirits Note that not EVERY restaurant in Florida is inspected each month, although each restaurant must have a minimum of two inspections per year. Granted, when a restaurant is inspected, most violations found are generally small and easily fixed, but a perfect score is a little rarer to see. Maya Grill Stay tuned to DFB for more. 14 Million Reviewers Named the Top 100 Brunch Restaurants, and One Is Coming SOON 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 do you think about this news? Let us know in the comments! The post FULL LIST of Disney World Restaurants With Perfect Inspections in April 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Watching Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom is one of our favorite ways to end a day in the parks. Happily Ever After It’s a beautiful show that makes us cry nearly every time, and we know a lot of families want to be sure to grab a good spot around half an hour before showtime. Which is why you need to know that as the days get longer, the time for fireworks is about the change! What’s your favorite part of Happily Ever After? Tell us in the comments! The post REMINDER: Magic Kingdom Fireworks Times Change SOON! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are so many airlines to choose from when planning your Disney World vacation. One popular airline, which is also one of the largest airlines at Orlando International Airport, is Southwest Airlines. We love their checked bag allowance and their special change and cancellation policy. However, we also know the airline has had some struggles recently. Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines has had its fair share of problems, including mass cancellations that occurred in December 2022 and, more recently, delaying over 50% of their flights at the Orlando International Airport on March 9th, 2024. Well, if you have been affected by a Southwest Airlines delay or cancelation, listen up! According to The Washington Post, Southwest Airlines has recently launched a new compensation fund for fliers. This compensation fund became available on April 16th, 2024, as a result of the December 2022 challenges. The fund is a part of the $140 million settlement with the Transporation Department. This fund will provide inconvenienced travelers with a $75 Southwest LUV voucher. You will only be able to request this voucher if the issues were within Southwest’s control and you experienced a lengthy delay. On domestic flights, the passenger must have arrived at their final destination at least three hours after the scheduled arrival time. For international flights, it must be at least six hours after the scheduled time. The delay must have been within Southwest Airlines’ control, such as a mechanical problem. Southwest Airlines at the Orlando Airport Passengers must go online to submit a request for the voucher within one year of the delayed or canceled flight. Southwest Airlines is planning to respond to requests within 30 days. They are anticipating that this compensation fund will run for three years. Be sure to head online to request your $75 if you have experienced a delay or cancelation that was within Southwest Airlines’ control recently. Stay tuned to DFB for more travel news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this Southwest voucher? Let us know in the comments! The post Southwest Airlines Launched a Fund for Flight Disruptions, and They’re Giving Away FREE Vouchers first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s nothing quite like sipping coffee as you stroll down Main Street, U.S.A. Main Street, USA If you’re fueling up for a long day in the park, you’re going to want to make sure you get your Disney World caffeine fix. And sure, you could head over to Main Street Bakery (aka the Magic Kingdom Starbucks), but the lines there tend to be LONG. So we’re telling you just when to AVOID the Main Street Bakery! Main Street Bakery is Magic Kingdom’s Starbucks location, and though we love grabbing Starbucks and chilling on the hub grass as much as the next Disney Adult — it’s not always a good time to do it. More often than not, this quick-service spot boasts quite a long line. But, there are a few specific times when you’re gonna want to AVOID Main Street Bakery if you can help it! At Park Opening Okay, we realize this one is probably common sense, but given that most folks drink their coffee in the morning — you might want to avoid Main Street Bakery at park opening. We know, we know, you need your coffee! And trust us, we get it. But, banking on getting Starbucks as soon as Magic Kingdom opens means you’ll find yourself waiting in a pretty long line. The Line at Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom! If you still need your fix in the morning, there are plenty of places to grab some — but more on that later. When It’s Raining There’s nothing quite like sipping on a cozy cup of coffee in the rain. And, it can definitely be a little pick-me-up when the rain has put a damper on your day. Heading to Main Street Bakery might be a damper in and of itself, though, as rainy days tend to impact the lines here! Rainy day at Magic Kingdom If you ask us, a better way to kill time would be to hop in line for an indoor dark ride, but hey — what do we know? We’re just the experts over here! Before the Parade Ah, you’ve had the perfect morning and now you’re ready for an afternoon treat before you settle in and watch the parade. There’s just one problem — you’re not the only one. Festival of Fantasy Since the Festival of Fantasy Parade takes place all down Main Street, folks already tend to gather in this area anyway. Then, the smell of those delicious beans just draws people in — even those who might not normally drink coffee in the afternoons! Gotta keep that energy up at the Most Magical Place on Earth. After Fireworks You’ll also probably want to avoid Main Street Bakery right after the fireworks when most people are making their way out of the park. Again, you’ll find a higher concentration of people in this area — and even some stopping to get one last drink or treat before their Magic Kingdom day is done! Beautiful! Of course, we’re not here to yuck anyone else’s yum. You want that Starbucks before you walk down Main Street, U.S.A.? You go right ahead — we just want to make sure you’re prepared for a bit of a wait! If you don’t feel like missing out on valuable park time while you’re waiting for your coffee, you’ll want to explore some other choices. But, we’re here to HELP — which means offering you some alternative options instead! Shaken Espresso Joffrey’s serves coffee and tea throughout all 4 parks, in Disney Springs, and even at a few resorts! Their Magic Kingdom kiosk, Joffrey’s Revive, is located near Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. There, you’ll find specialty and seasonal sips –– plus a selection of HUGE donuts and other pastries! Of course, you may still encounter a line here — it’s a popular choice for coffee, but we’ve found the line isn’t quite as long as Main Street Bakery most of the time. Joffrey’s Revive You can Mobile Order at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Tomorrowland Terrace, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, or Sunshine Tree Terrace — they all sell Joffrey’s brand of hot coffee. If cold brew is more your speed, Mobile Order at Pinocchio Village Haus or Friar’s Nook. Pinocchio Village Haus offers Joffrey’s hot coffee AND cold brew, while Friar’s Nook serves cold brew! And, Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Liberty Square serves Joffrey’s hot coffee, but they also offer pre-sweetened iced coffees out of a machine. These are available in mocha or French vanilla flavors! Joffrey’s Don’t forget to stay tuned to DFB for the latest news from Disney World and more! EVERYTHING You Need To Eat at Magic Kingdom in 2024 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 When are you going to Magic Kingdom next? Tell us in the comments. The post 4 Times To AVOID the Main Street Bakery in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Get a peek at the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, projected to open in December 2024.View the full article

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival With Little Ones | planDisneyView the full article

See the critically endangered baby addax we welcomed just in time for Mother’s Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!  View the full article