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The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival is coming in hot! The festival runs from August 27th to November 21st, and beyond the great food, there’s also awesome entertainment. The Eat to the Beat Concert Series is back, and just wait till you see this new lineup! The Eat to the Beat Concert Series is free with your EPCOT park ticket and takes place at the American Gardens Theatre Stage. There are usually three shows a night, and with this lineup, we’re going to need to see every show. Aug 27: Evolution: Motown Aug 28-31: Hanson Sep 1-3: Evolution: Motown Sep 4-5: The War and Treaty (NEW) Sep 6-7: Yellowcard Sep 8-10: Fly Guys Sep 11-12: Couch (NEW) Sep 13-14: Fitz and the Tantrums (NEW) Sep 15-17: Latin Ambition Sep 18-19: MercyMe Sep 20-21: Grupo Manía (NEW) Sep 22-24: Metro Latino Band Sep 25-27: Element Sep 28-29: New Found Glory Sep 30: Smash Mouth Oct 1: Smash Mouth Oct 2-4: Champagne Orchestra Oct 5-6: Rey Ruiz (NEW) Oct 7-8: Tiffany Oct 9-11: Viva Latina Oct 12-13: The Fray Oct 14-15: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas Oct 16-18: Jaclyn Hayden Oct 19-20: Ben Rector Oct 21-22: Allen Stone (NEW) Oct 23-25: SoundUp Oct 26-27: Lauren Alaina (NEW) Oct 28-29: Bowling For Soup Oct 30-31: Southbound Nov 1: Southbound Nov 2-3: Boyz II Men Nov 4-5: Big Head Todd and The Monsters (NEW) Nov 6-8: M-80’s Nov 9-10: Grace Potter (NEW) Nov 11-12: The Beach Boys Nov 13-16: The Hooligans John Stamos Because these are big artists and free concerts, you can imagine it gets pretty busy! You’ll want to make sure you get in line early if there’s someone who can’t miss or purchase a dining package so you get guaranteed seating (plus dinner!). We’re not kidding about the crowds! In the meantime, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more Disney news. We’ll be there on the opening day of the festival, ready to bring you all the details you need to know before you visit for yourself, and hey, maybe you’ll just catch us at one of the concerts. I SPENT $70 FOR THIS IN EPCOT, AND I’D DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT IT'S WINE & DINE TIME! Food & Wine Festival can be a bummer. You stand in line waiting for what looks like the perfect treat, and it's a bust. But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE EPCOT Food & Wine Festival experience. If you're planning a day or a week at the festival, we've got every performance, activity, and tasty nosh detailed out so you can make the most of your time and money. Listen, it's a tough job eating and documenting the nearly 200 bites and sips, but we do it all for YOU! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Learn More About the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival! Food and Wine Festival 101 Eat to the Beat Concert Updates EPCOT Food and Wine Festival - Fans Facebook Page Wine and Dine Half Marathon Details Get More Updates, Tips, and Tricks to Help You Conquer the Food & Wine Festival Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Who are you excited to see? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

The lights pulse, the crowd roars, and the band takes center stage. EPCOT is no stranger to the thrill of live music, and the teams at Disney Live Entertainment have dished up a concert lineup for the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival that’s sure to keep you singing well into the night. Grab some eats and join us at the American Gardens Theatre stage for the return of the EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Enterprise. Who is Performing at Eat to the Beat This Year? We have some brand-new headliners making their EPCOT debut: Lauren Alaina, Fitz and The Tantrums, and Grace Potter – giving us a taste of everything from country, to indie pop, and blues. And of course, we’re proud to welcome back returning favorites to this year’s festival, featuring the songs you know and love from Boyz II Men, Yellowcard, The Beach Boys, and more. Each week, we bring internationally recognized artists, house favorites, and hit local talent, delivering genres for every music fan. August Aug 27: Evolution: Motown Aug 28-31: Hanson September Sep 1-3: Evolution: Motown Sep 4-5: The War and Treaty (NEW) Sep 6-7: Yellowcard Sep 8-10: Fly Guys Sep 11-12: Couch (NEW) Sep 13-14: Fitz and the Tantrums (NEW) Sep 15-17: Latin Ambition Sep 18-19: MercyMe Sep 20-21: Grupo Manía (NEW) Sep 22-24: Metro Latino Band Sep 25-27: Element Sep 28-29: New Found Glory Sep 30: Smash Mouth October Oct 1: Smash Mouth Oct 2-4: Champagne Orchestra Oct 5-6: Rey Ruiz (NEW) Oct 7-8: Tiffany Oct 9-11: Viva Latina Oct 12-13: The Fray Oct 14-15: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas Oct 16-18: Jaclyn Hayden Oct 19-20: Ben Rector Oct 21-22: Allen Stone (NEW) Oct 23-25: SoundUp Oct 26-27: Lauren Alaina (NEW) Oct 28-29: Bowling For Soup Oct 30-31: Southbound November Nov 1: Southbound Nov 2-3: Boyz II Men Nov 4-5: Big Head Todd and The Monsters (NEW) Nov 6-8: M-80’s Nov 9-10: Grace Potter (NEW) Nov 11-12: The Beach Boys Nov 13-16: The Hooligans Are Eat to the Beat Shows Included in Park Admission? Which artist is calling your name? Whether you’re here for the rock ‘n’ roll or country tunes, admission to our shows is always included with your valid EPCOT park admission. Is Seating Guaranteed? We have multiple show times each night for you to get your music fill, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Eat to the Beat 2026 If you want to ensure guaranteed seating for your favorite artists, you can secure your spot by reserving a Concert Series Dining Package, beginning July 16. What’s Included in the Dining Package? The Concert Series Dining Package includes a delicious meal at an EPCOT restaurant and a guaranteed seat at one of the Eat to the Beat concerts that same day in a reserved seating section of the theatre. Seating is still on a first-come, first-served basis for guests with the dining package, so we recommend arriving early to secure the best view. Where is the Main Stage Located? At the front of The American Adventure pavilion, The American Gardens Theatre is located along World Showcase Lagoon directly across from Spaceship Earth, between the Japan and Italy pavilions. With a packed lineup of talented artists, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series takes place each night from August 27 to November 16, featuring music across a wide variety of styles and genres to satisfy every fan. What Food Options are Around the Theatre? Don’t forget to grab your favorite festival bites and beverages to enjoy while the band takes the stage. With over 30 Global Marketplaces throughout the entire park, we have food and menus for all appetites, including plenty of kid-friendly and plant-based options. For a full list of all the menus coming to the festival, stay tuned for the upcoming EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Foodie Guide. Keep following the Disney Parks Blog to find out more about the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, which runs daily from August 27 to November 21, 2026. Find out more by visiting TasteEPCOT.com. Everything New Coming to Disney Springs this Summer READ MORE EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival: 2026 Delicious Dates READ MORE Discovering Monstropolis at Walt Disney World READ MORE The post 2026 EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup: Full Concert Schedule appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

If you asked most Disney World fans to name the hardest Lightning Lane to grab in Disney’s Hollywood Studios right now, a lot of them would probably shout, “Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster!” before you even finished the sentence. Let’s ride! And honestly, that guess makes sense. It is newly Muppets-fied, it is fast, it is loud, it has the Electric Mayhem involved, and Animal on a thrill ride is exactly the kind of chaos Disney should have been feeding us for years. But the numbers are doing something a little sneakier. According to the data (because we take our Disney science seriously and we research this like someone defending their dissertation), the Lightning Lane that tends to disappear first in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is not Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. It is usually Slinky Dog Dash, with Toy Story Mania! also proving to be far more competitive than some guests might expect. Hollywood Studios has officially entered its “the toys are running the meeting” era. Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Numbers Are Not Behaving Like You Think Here is what the Average LL Finish Time data shows for some of the big Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane rides: Attraction Average LL Finish Time Slinky Dog Dash 8:17 AM Toy Story Mania! 9:50 AM Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets 11:34 AM The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 11:59 AM So yes, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is still a big deal. We are not saying you can stroll in at noon, hum a little “Mahna Mahna,” and expect your ideal return time to find you sitting there, untouched like a complimentary hotel mint. But if you are trying to identify the Lightning Lane most likely to vanish early, the data points straight to Slinky Dog Dash. And Toy Story Mania! is right behind it, holding a tiny plastic blaster and quietly causing problems. Slinky Dog Dash Is Still the Big One Slinky Dog Dash has been one of the toughest Lightning Lanes in Hollywood Studios for a long time, and the reason is not mysterious. It sits in Toy Story Land, it is colorful, it is easy to understand, and it feels like a “real ride” without being too intense for a lot of families. Slinky Dog Dash That 38-inch height requirement also helps. It is restrictive enough to keep out the littlest park guests, but not nearly as restrictive as Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. A lot of elementary-age kids can ride Slinky Dog Dash, which means a lot of families can book it together without splitting the group. Slinky Dog Dash It also occupies that very powerful Disney World category: thrilling, but not terrifying. That is the Lightning Lane sweet spot. It is not a slow-moving show. It is not a “we’ll get to it later” attraction. It is a coaster that kids want, adults tolerate happily, and Toy Story fans actively seek out. That combination makes it a Lightning Lane vacuum. What I Wish I Knew Before Riding Slinky Dog Dash in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Toy Story Mania! Is the Sneaky One Toy Story Mania! does not always get treated like the terrifying Lightning Lane beast that it can be, and that is probably because it is not a coaster. It does not launch you into the dark. It does not drop you into the Twilight Zone. It does not make your sunglasses disappear into the ether of “alas poor Yorick, I knew him well”. Toy Story Mania But it is wildly bookable. Toy Story Mania! has no height requirement, which immediately makes it one of the most broadly appealing Lightning Lane choices in the park. Babies, grandparents, competitive dads, score-obsessed older siblings, and that one person in every group who insists they “know the trick” can all ride. Mr. Potato Head That is important in Hollywood Studios because this park has several attractions that divide families by height, thrill tolerance, or both. Toy Story Mania! is one of the easier yeses. It is also indoors, interactive, air-conditioned, and Toy Story-themed. That is not a ride. That is a vacation survival mechanism with a pull-string shooter. So when families are making their Lightning Lane picks, Toy Story Mania! becomes an obvious choice. It may not look like the scariest Lightning Lane on paper, but it gets snapped up because almost everyone can use it. A Former Disney Cast Member Reveals the SECRET Way to WIN at Toy Story Mania Tower of Terror Is Lurking, Too Tower of Terror is also in the mix, especially in more recent snapshots. It may not always beat Slinky Dog Dash or Toy Story Mania!, but it can sell out earlier than guests expect. Part of that comes down to its position in the Lightning Lane lineup. Tower of Terror is not in the same advance-booking group as Slinky Dog Dash and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, which means some guests may treat it like a secondary pick. Tower of Terror That can be a mistake. Tower of Terror has a 40-inch height requirement, which makes it more accessible than Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster but more intense than something like Toy Story Mania!. It is also one of the park’s true icons. Even people who do not ride it know it. They can hear the screams from Sunset Boulevard and make informed decisions with their whole nervous system. Tower of Terror For thrill-seekers, Tower of Terror is not optional. For many Hollywood Studios fans, it is the assignment. So if you are building a Lightning Lane plan and assuming Tower will casually sit there waiting for you, be careful. That spooky old hotel has range. NEW RULES for Tower of Terror That Disney Adults Are Begging For Why Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Is Not Winning This Race Here is the thing about Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: it is absolutely popular. It is new, it is loud, and it has the kind of retheme that gets Disney fans opening group chats before coffee. But it also has a 48-inch height requirement and multiple inversions. That automatically narrows the audience. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Plenty of families are going to have someone too short, too nervous, too motion-sensitive, or too committed to not being turned upside down before lunch. And when a group is booking Lightning Lanes together, those opinions, preferences, and restrictions have to be factored in. Slinky Dog Dash can serve more of the family. Toy Story Mania! can serve almost everybody. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is more selective. It may have flashier demand, but Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania! have broader demand. That is the real story here. The hardest Lightning Lane is not always the newest or the most intense. Sometimes it is the one that the biggest number of people can agree on without a five-minute sidewalk debate next to a stroller parking corral. We’re Answering Your Biggest Question About Rock n Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets What You Should Book First If Slinky Dog Dash is on your must-do list, book it first. Do not get cute. Do not get distracted. Do not get sidetracked by Muppet fandom and the haunting voice of Sam Eagle in your head telling you that booking Rock n Roller Coaster is distinctly patriotic. Slinky Dog Dash Slinky Dog Dash should be your first Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane priority if your group wants it. After that, Toy Story Mania! deserves more respect than many people give it. If you have kids, Toy Story fans, competitive ride-score goblins, or anyone who needs a dependable indoor break, grab it early. Toy Story Mania Tower of Terror should also be high on your list if your group loves thrill rides. It can disappear faster than guests assume, especially when Hollywood Studios crowds are heavier or Sunset Boulevard is having a moment. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is still worth prioritizing, especially with The Muppets in the mix, but do not assume it is automatically the hardest booking in the park just because it sounds like the loudest one. Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lane Multi Pass in Disney World The Real Hollywood Studios Rule The real rule is this: family-friendly rides can be more competitive than thrill rides. That sounds backward until you remember how Disney World vacations actually work. Most groups are not just optimizing for adrenaline. They are trying to book rides that work for kids, grandparents, nervous riders, height requirements, lunch plans, stroller naps, and whoever has declared they are “not doing drops today.” Toy Story Land! Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania! are attractive because they solve more problems for more groups. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster may be the flashy pick, but Toy Story Land is where a lot of Lightning Lane availability goes to vanish. So next time you are booking Hollywood Studios, do not let the Muppets distract you completely. Yes, we love them. Yes, Disney should put them everywhere. Yes, Sam Eagle should have a list of his personal recommendations on every park map. But when it comes to Lightning Lane strategy, Slinky Dog Dash is still the one to watch. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets And Toy Story Mania! is sitting right behind it, smiling politely, while absolutely wrecking your afternoon backup plan. For more Disney World Lightning Lane strategies, park planning tips, and the latest updates from the parks, be sure to follow DFB so you never miss a trick. Disney World Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy for 2026 More Disney's Hollywood Studios News CONFIRMED: The Hardest Lightning Lane to Book in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Is NOT What You ThinkImagineering Shares Behind-The-Scenes Look at NEWEST Disney World AnimatronicREVIEW: Could This Be THE Drink of the Summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?This Is What We Mean When We Say Something Is Always Happening in Disney World2 NEW Annual Passholder Perks Are Coming to Disney World Next Week 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 Which attraction is your Lightning Lane go-to for Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

We’re pretty massive Disney fans, but that doesn’t mean we don’t check out the other theme parks. One that we’ve been loving lately has been Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. ©Dollywood We’ve been trying lots of food, and of course checking out the rides, and one of the newest rides, NightFlight Expedition, has been high on our list to check out. Unfortunately, it seems like we’re going to have to wait a little bit longer before we’re able to climb on and ride. Originally, NightFlight Expedition was set to open in Spring 2026 but is now expected to open in mid-August. ©Dollywood The park’s president, Eugene Naughton, said, “We’re going to have to do a little bit more work to get the ride ready for operation. It’s an incredibly complex and interesting ride that we’re trying to get ready. [There is] a little bit more work to do on our show and test and adjust period, but we promise to work on it as diligently as possible. I know you all are as excited to have the ability to ride Night Flight Expedition as we are as a team. I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to date. And I want you to know we’ll give you good updates along the way.” ©Dollywood The ride was announced in September 2025 and is a more than $50 million investment for Dollywood. The park said it’s the largest single-attraction investment in Dollywood’s history. They also said it is the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride and will take guests on a give-and-a-half-minute journey with nearly a quarter-mile of track. It will take riders almost three stories high and will reach speeds of up to 29 miles per hour. In four sections, guests can soar over the Smokies, take a whitewater rafting excursion through 500,000 gallons of surging water, climb a mountain ridge on a roller coaster, and then navigate a shimmering lake by boat. ©Dollywood NightFlight Expedition continues Dolly Parton’s story of Wildwood Grove and follows the twin Scientists, Cora and Jasper Oakley, as they search for the legendary Secret Lake. They are the niece and nephew of Ned Oakley, the character whose voice is featured on Big Bear Mountain. The twins’ search takes visitors on a journey through the Great Smoky Mountains at night. ©Dollywood While we’re bummed to have to wait a little longer, we’re excited that they’re working on making the roller coaster perfect for guests. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more theme park news. DOLLYWOOD HAS QUIETLY BECOME THE NEXT BIG THEME PARK FOOD DESTINATION 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 been to Dollywood? Tell us your favorite part in the comments! View the full article

We love hunting for a good Disney deal, and boy, did we find them today! Frogg Toggs Poncho Amazon is one of our favorite places to buy our Disney essentials, toys, decor, and more. That’s because we can find some great deals and save money. Today, we found some incredible deals on a few Disney items, including one for 67% off! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get this Disney Princess book for 58% off! ©Amazon The Disney Princess: 5-Minute Princess Stories has 12 Disney princesses, from Snow White to Moana, and features a durable, padded cover and beautiful full-page illustrations. These only take 5 minutes to read, making it perfect for a bedtime story! Not to mention, you can get it for under $6! view ON AMAZON This adorable Mickey Plushie is 67% off! ©Amazon If you’re looking for a steal on some holiday decor, you can grab this Mickey Mouse Reindeer Holiday Plush for 67% off. Mickey is wearing a reindeer suit with ears & tail & a sparkling bow tie, making it a standout Disney Christmas gift. view ON AMAZON We love this Melissa and Doug Minnie Mouse toy! ©Amazon This Melissa & Doug Disney Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck Deluxe Wooden Magnetic Dress-Up is a great activity to keep kids entertained! This play set includes 2 wooden figures, 2 stands for pretend play, 48 magnetic clothing and fashion accessory pieces, and a storage tray. It’s 36% off right now on Amazon. view ON AMAZON Or, you can grab our favorite poncho for 41% off! Frogg Toggs Poncho We love the Frogg Toggs Ponchos for the theme parks! These are reusable, breathable, and can keep you dry in those Florida storms. Once we’re done using it, we can simply put it back in the pack and keep the inside of our park bags dry. You can get this on sale for under $13! view ON AMAZON And finally, check out our Amazon Storefront! ©Amazon We have built an entire Amazon Storefront with Disney items that are on sale now! We keep this page updated so that you can score great deals on Disney finds. Be sure to pop over to the storefront for more ways to save money on your favorite items. view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

This past spring, Disney Springs started a new rule where guests using the bus system had to have a dining or hotel reservation for the resort they were going to. It was in place during a holiday weekend, likely to control the crowds and limit how many guests were able to use the free transportation and visit the hotels. Disney Springs While the rule stopped shortly after the holiday, we spoke to a Cast Member at Disney Springs who said it’s coming back and there’s no plan to end it. We heard people online talking about the rule coming back, but we went to Disney Springs to see for ourselves. When speaking with a security Cast Member, we were told that the new rule is either starting June 22nd or 28th with no set end date. It will also include the boats in addition to the buses. Cast Members checking MagicBands The transportation will still be available from Disney Springs, but you will need to show proof to be able to get on. You can show a hotel or restaurant reservation, but if you’re just coming to check out the resorts, you might run into some issues. Blockades put up What do you do when you want to visit the resorts? The easiest way to do so would be to park at one of the four theme parks and use the bus, boat, monorail, or Skyliner transportation to get to your chosen resort. If you’re not an Annual Passholder or hotel guest, you will have to pay for parking. EPCOT parking lot 5 TIPS FOR THE DISNEY SPRINGS BUS RULE Not wanting to pay for parking? You can take a rideshare option like Uber or Lyft, but you would still need to be dropped off at one of the parks, not the hotels. For a while now, resorts have required a hotel or dining reservation for your rideshare driver to drive you into the resorts. Heading to the closest theme park is the easiest way to get around for now. Disney World Rideshare sign This rule is likely coming back due to crowds. As we get into the summer months, everywhere around Disney World tends to get busier, and while we enjoy resort hopping, visiting all the different spots, and trying new food, it’s becoming a bit more difficult. Westside Bus Loop Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. In the meantime, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more Disney news, along with tips and tricks you need to know before you head on your next Disney World vacation. We have everything you need to plan the best trip yet right here at DFB. ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DISNEY SPRINGS RESTAURANTS DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO What do you think about this new rule? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. View the full article

Step behind the scenes of The American Adventure at #EPCOT 🇺🇸 #DisneyCelebratesAmericaView the full article

Walt Disney World has more patriotic experiences than many guests realize. Some are obvious, like the Flag Retreat ceremony at Magic Kingdom or Voices of Liberty at EPCOT. Others are tucked into the background as part of Disney’s incredible environmental storytelling: a Liberty Bell replica, a symbolic Liberty Tree, World War II-era details at Disney’s […] The post Patriotic Experiences at Walt Disney World You Shouldn’t Miss appeared first on Military Disney Tips. View the full article

Here at Disney Food Blog, we love Loungeflys. They’re all high-quality, durable bags that have a super-cute touch featuring some of our favorite Disney movies and characters! ©Loungefly Whether your favorite movies are classics like Peter Pan or Lilo & Stitch, or newer hits like Moana and Up, a brand-new Loungefly mini backpack or handbag is calling your name! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Adventure is out there with this Up Kevin Metallic Handbag! ©BoxLunch This Up Kevin Metallic Handbag features an applique of Kevin made of blue, yellow, orange, and pink metallic fabric. It includes top handles to carry like a purse and a removable crossbody strap for your shoulder, so you can take it on any adventure! view ON AMAZON Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate, because this Jack Sparrow Mini Backpack is the real treasure! ©BoxLunch This Jack Sparrow Mini Backpack features embroidered, applique, and button details to make the bag look just like Captain Jack. There are multiple 3D belts, a pirate sash decorating the front pocket, all topped with a 3D pirate hat! view ON AMAZON You can fly with this Tinker Bell Pixie Dust Velvet Mini Backpack! ©BoxLunch This Tinker Bell Pixie Dust Velvet Mini Backpack features a 3D applique of Tinker Bell! The body of the bag is gorgeous black velvet embellished with golden studded star and moon details. view ON AMAZON See how far you’ll go with this Floral Moana Mini Backpack! ©BoxLunch This Floral Moana Mini Backpack features our favorite wayfinder, the live-action Moana, surrounded by vibrant, embroidered flowers. Moana and Hei Hei are standing at the ready on each side pocket. Whether you’re heading to EPCOT or to see Moana in theaters, you’ll be ready for your next adventure! view ON AMAZON Reach for the stars with this Lilo & Stitch Space Adventure Ride Stars Crossbody Tote Bag! ©BoxLunch This Lilo & Stitch Space Adventure Ride Stars Crossbody Tote Bag features Lilo and Stitch riding in a coin-operated rocket ship, and the body of the bag is a vibrant starry night with embroidered stars and silver foil like they’re really on a space adventure! It comes with a detachable coin bag of a blue-and-yellow planet with Scrump on top. view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside has just undergone a BIG refurbishment, and when we say big, we REALLY mean it. Royal Room While the hotel itself doesn’t look different, the royal rooms at the hotel have just undergone a massive retheme, and it’s time to check them out. We just stayed at the hotel for the first time since the change, and don’t worry, we’re taking you through a WHOLE room tour right now! Disney has been refurbishing the rooms in the Magnolia Bend part of Port Orleans — Riverside since May 2025, and construction on the rooms at the resort as a whole is currently scheduled to be happening through August 2027. Yes, that means there’s still lots of work left to go, but some of the Royal Rooms have now officially completed construction and can be booked once again. Previously, the theming of this room had nods to lots of Disney Princesses, and the storyline was that Tiana and her Princess friends had made a lot of memories staying in the room. Now, however, the story has changed to where you’re a guest in Tiana and Naveen’s home, which has, in turn, changed the theming. Entering the room When we entered the room, there was a coat rack to the right of the door, while the window was directly to the left. Continuing to the right side of the room first (again, if you’re walking in the door yourself), you’ll find both Queen beds on the same wall. Looking into the rest of the room In between the beds is a light blue nightstand, which holds the telephone, a pamphlet for information, and has a drawer for storage and multiple outlets. Nightstand We also appreciate that there’s still lots of room underneath the bed for storage. Underneath the bed Behind the beds, you’ll find absolutely murals that look like a scene from the bayou when they’re off. They look just like art on the wall, that is, until you switch them into one of their two “on” modes. The mural when off The first “on” mode looks like a daytime scene in the bayou. The murals are illuminated from behind and the sides, giving them a gorgeous morning light effect. Then, the second “on” mode is the bayou at night, which is truly magical. It changes the lighting to blue and purple, and if you look closely, you’ll see LED lights flickering like fireflies! The fireflies! Over on the far wall, opposite the entrance and right next to the bathroom door, you’ll find a gorgeous portrait of Tiana and Naveen. What a pretty portrait! Immediately to the left of the portrait is where you’ll find the bathroom, which has a gorgeous blue base color, complete with a stunning yellow and pink design. It slides open to the right on a track, making it easy to open and shut. The bathroom door when closed Immediately when entering the bathroom, you’ll see the sink right in front of you, and there’s even a small footstool that tucks right into the storage so kids can wash their hands more easily. To the left of the sink is a vertical storage space, great for keeping your toiletries. The sink and storage There’s also a full-length mirror in this alcove off to the left, and this is also where you’ll find the closet space. Closet space If you’re facing the vanity and turn right, you’ll find the actual commode room, which is also where you’ll find the shower. The bathroom Coming out of the bathroom and turning to the right, which brings you to the side of the room opposite the beds, you’ll find the coffee station, which is part of the long island countertop that spreads across most of this side of the room. Underneath, you’ll find a beverage cooler… Fridge …and one of our favorite details is the family portraits above the station. Family portraits! The rest of the countertop is storage for clothes as needed, with the TV on the wall above it. This is also where you’ll find another information pamphlet, as well as the remote to the TV. The island spreads across nearly the whole room! You’ll find the trash can and recycling bin to the left of the island. Trash Then, you’ve got the table and two chairs, which is also where you’ll find the letter from Tiana and Naveen. Table and chairs This letter is what tells you a bit more about the story of the room, so we definitely recommend reading it! The backstory is on a letter on the table. Above the table is a stunning stained glass piece of Tiana herself. Stunning! Finally, that brings us back over to the window, which is to the left of the table, but to the right of the entrance door. Blackout curtains are still available in case you want to take a really great nap or avoid being woken up by sunlight in the morning. The window And that’s it, that’s the new room! They do certainly look very different, and while everyone has different opinions on the new look, we do feel the functionality of the room has improved. More Recent Port Orleans -- Riverside News! ROOM TOUR: Come See The NEW Royal Rooms At Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside ResortEveryone Is Freaking Out About These New Disney World Hotel Rooms and We’re Here to Set the Record StraightThese 5 Disney World Hotels Are Suddenly a Much Better DealThese 4 Disney World Hotels Just Got Even BETTERHUGE Changes Hit Disney World Restaurants This Week We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, as always, so stay tuned to DFB! 3 Things You Should ALWAYS Bring to Your Disney World Hotel Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How do you feel about these new rooms? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

We’re loving these EPCOT-themed souvenirs! EPCOT It’s hard to resist a nostalgic Disney souvenir, and Amazon is PACKED with them! We’re often looking for Disney t-shirts that are perfect for our park visits, and these nostalgic EPCOT-themed shirts are right up our alley. Let’s check ’em out! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Sport a Frozen-themed shirt during your next EPCOT visit ©Amazon Frozen Ever After is one of the most popular rides at EPCOT, and if you’re a big fan of the ride (and franchise), check out the Frozen 2 Kristoff & Sven Lost in TheWoods Poster T-Shirt! This shirt is available in four different colors — white, baby blue, heather grey, and pink heather — as well as several sizes. ©Amazon This shirt features Kristoff and Sven on the front in a poster style with the print “Lost in the Woods” underneath them. Great for a visit to EPCOT or for your regular wardrobe, this lightweight shirt is an awesome souvenir that you can grab right now on Amazon! BUY ON AMAZON You can rep this Marvel ride with a comic book style! ©Amazon Available in many sizes and colors, the Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 Cosmo the Space Dog T-Shirt lovingly pays homage to this Marvel space pooch as well as the ever-funny Kraglin Obfonteri! ©Amazon Designed in a comic style with fun colors and comic book windows and lettering, this shirt features Kraglin saying “She’s a Good Dog”, as well as Cosmo the Space Dog in an illustrated form that hearkens back to classic comic book ads. The shirt also features Cosmo’s name logo, the Guardians’ iconic flame symbol badge, and a plug for delicious alien Zarg-Nuts. This is the PERFECT shirt to wear as you’re zooming around the galaxy on Cosmic Rewind! BUY ON AMAZON We’re always on the lookout for great Disney World souvenirs, so make sure you keep it posted right here at DFB for the latest finds! View the full article

Disney World has been giving hotel room updates across many hotels recently! The Royal Rooms now! In the years since the pandemic, we’ve seen a variety of hotel overhauls with newly-themed rooms, updated furniture, and often, the removal of carpet. Some of these renovations have been wildly popular, while others have caused uproar among Disney fans. So when we started to see some controversy surrounding the Royal Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside, we knew we had to check out the space for ourselves. What Are the Royal Rooms? The Royal Rooms are a batch of rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside that are available at an upcharge from the standard hotel rooms. Previously, these rooms were themed to a variety of Disney princesses with memorabilia and nods to many fan-favorite leading ladies. ©Disney Recently, these rooms have been in the process of being updated, and as guests have begun to stay in the new version of the Royal Rooms, photos have been shared online of the renovation. And let’s just say…fans aren’t very happy with some of the changes. What Changed? For starters, many of the same changes have been made to this room that we’ve seen in other hotel updates recently. The carpet has been removed and replaced with a vinyl wood-like flooring. The heavier curtains have been removed to be replaced with a design that lets more light into the room, and much of the dark coloring has been swapped out for brighter tones. Royal Room The furniture has been completely swapped out — everything from the beds and headboards to the dresser and chairs. The artwork above the beds has also been changed. It used to feature a fireworks design that would “burst” with light when you pushed a button, but now offers a light-up firefly design inspired by the bayou. The fireflies! But perhaps the main change to the Royal Rooms is the theme. Previously, the backstory of these rooms was that a variety of Disney Princesses were visiting Tiana and bringing trinkets with them. Now, the backstory is that you’re a guest of Tiana and Naveen, staying in her “guest room.” The backstory is on a letter on the table. Because of this, the rooms are now heavily themed to Princess and the Frog, without representation of other Disney franchises. There are still hidden details around the room, but it’s not quite as overly themed as before. Tiana artwork So why are people upset? What Fans Are Saying When the photos of this room makeover surfaced, fans had a LOT of opinions, which were heavily leaning into the “negative” category. Folks have described these rooms as “losing character” and “lacking in whimsy.” They’ve said that the old version of the Royal Rooms was more thoroughly themed and that this feels like a downgrade. To be fair, those older rooms used to have cool features like Genie’s lamp as the sink faucet! ©Disney Mostly, people don’t like that these rooms are still available at a premium price, when they don’t stand out as much from the standard rooms in the Alligator Bayou section of Riverside or the standard rooms at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter. They’ve noted that this makeover looks too similar to other room rethemes recently, with the lighter color palette and clean, more minimalistic design. The bathroom now Well, we stayed in these rooms ourselves, and we have some thoughts to share on the topic. What Are the New Rooms REALLY Like? We’ll start with the positives — the rooms fit their new theme and backstory well. They include several nods to Tiana and Naveen, and there are still some hidden details to find that are inspired by their movie. It does feel on brand with “staying in the guest room,” and they flow well with Port Orleans Resort — Riverside as a whole. Closet space Also, the main pro with this renovation is that the space in the room has been used more efficiently. There’s more storage overall, and the furniture fits and flows better than it did before. Previously, it felt a little cramped in here, particularly with the dark color palette. Now, you’ve got more drawers and cubbies, outlets, and even under-bed storage for your luggage. Underneath the bed The items in the room are of good quality, too. Our team member who stayed in the room described it as feeling a little less “hokey” than before. It genuinely feels like a nice hotel room…it just may not be what you’re looking for. Nightstand However, we definitely agree that these are suuuuper similar to other standard room rethemes we’ve seen in Disney World. It feels on par theming-wise with makeovers like the basic rooms at the Contemporary, Polynesian, All-Stars, or Caribbean Beach. They do not feel like rooms that you would pay an extra $100 a night for. One of the beds They don’t have the uniqueness and novelty that they did before, and really, the only draw to pay for them is if you have a major Tiana fan in your group. They kind of blend in with the other recently redone rooms, too, thanks to all the blue-and-white accents. Disney has been very fond of those same vibes with many of the refurbishments. Floor in the bathroom We’ll be interested to see if these rooms lose some of their popularity or stay booked after the retheme. We’ll keep you in the loop with any more hotel updates in Disney World. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest. 8 Hotel Changes Hit Disney World in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you stay in this hotel room? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Grab the fireworks, sparkles, and Sam Eagle because we are getting ready to celebrate the Fourth of July in Disney World! While we’ll definitely be catching the fireworks, here at Disney Food Blog, we can’t forget about all the new snacks coming! Fourth of July treats We’re going through the hotels and parks to grab a few returning, but a lot of brand-new snacks are all here for the 4th of July season. With it being the 250th anniversary of the United States, every treat feels a little bit more special this year. These snacks are usually only here for a limited time, so if something is calling to you, you might want to prioritize it during your visit. Okay, enough of the details — who’s ready to eat? Resorts Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter We ran to Scat Cat’s Club Cafe and Lounge (aka our spot for all beignets) to try the Fourth of July Beignets, which are cinnamon sugar-dusted beignets with marshmallow sauce and apple pie filling for $9.79. Fourth of July Beignets We love the beignets here, and these are no exception, and they totally reminded us of the Fourth of July. There are three, so you have enough to share, and the cinnamon sugar on top was a nice addition. The marshmallow on top reminds us of melted vanilla ice cream in the best possible way. There was just enough filling that you could taste them without them getting soggy, and who doesn’t love that they’re Mickey-shaped? So much sugar and a fun dessert to pass around the table. Mickey shaped! Disney’s Contemporary Resort Then we headed to the Contempo Cafe for the Fourth of July Cake, which is a strawberry and lemon mousse and confetti cake in a hard chocolate shell for $6.79. Fourth of July Cake This was a blast! It had a colorful surprise once you got past the hard shell exterior. It gives a satisfying crack when broken, but it’s still easy to eat. The whipped cream on top was airy and light, but the cake, mmmm, it was great. It was a smooth and bouncy mousse similar to a cheesecake, where there’s a subtle citrus flavor with the center strawberry mousse giving it a bright strawberry flavor that didn’t taste artificial. The layer of canilla cake on the bottom helped hold everything together, and it was one of the least messy, colorful desserts we’ve had. Inside Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort The Chocolate Covered Bacon is returning to Kona Island for $4.25. There were two options: one that was plain and one with red, white, blue, and stars. We were so glad to see these returning because it’s one of our favorites! Chocolate Covered Bacon YUM! This is three strips of bacon stacked on top of each other and then coated in dark chocolate with more chocolate decorations on top. The dark chocolate was super creamy and rich, and the bacon was perfectly smoky. It’s a total win in our book, and despite being rather simple, we’re thrilled every time we have it. When we had a bite of the bacon separately, we could taste the peppery flavor of the bacon, but with the chocolate, that flavor doesn’t really come through, so you get to enjoy more of the chocolate. Look at this thickness Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Heading to the BoardWalk Deli, we tried the Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake, which is made with vanilla sponge, strawberry filling, chantilly cream, and white chocolate pinwheel for $6.99. Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake This cake is exactly what it claims to be! It’s light and fluffy with that perfect crumbly texture. It’s filled with strawberry filling and topped with whipped cream. It’s so light and fruity and truly tastes like summer in one bite. If you’re a fan of classic strawberry shortcake, you’ll definitely want to try this for the classic flavors. Inside Disney’s Beach Club Resort We couldn’t skip the Star Spangled Shake at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop for PRICE either. This is a berry and vanilla-flavored milkshake with confetti cake ice pop, whipped cream, and red, white, and blue star sprinkles. Star Spangled Shake The berry and vanilla milkshake was thick and had a great creamy consistency. It leans more vanilla, with a subtle blueberry flavor coming through. It was sweet but not overly, and we thought it had a great balance. You also get to have it in a souvenir cup you can take home! There was extra frosting around the edges with sprinkles, and there was a whole cake pop inside that was funfetti. It was soft, dense, and chewy. It was a fun addition and an overall hit with us. Cake pop Disney Parks EPCOT Stopping at Regal Eagle Smokehouse, we grabbed the Sam Eagle Star-Spangled Shortcake, which is vanilla cake with strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, whipped cream, star sprinkles, and a Sam Eagle chocolate coin, and costs $6.29. Sam Eagle Star Spangled Shortcake While it’s a little hard to see into the bowl, Sam Eagle is there on a white chocolate coin! The berry flavor is the strongest flavor here, and the sweetness mixed with tartness comes through with every bite. It tasted very bright and fresh, which we enjoyed on a hot summer day. Speaking of the heat, the whipped cream did melt very quick, but when it melts, it makes the shortcake even softer. The cake is light and fluffy and breaks apart easily with a slight buttery taste. All of it combined together felt balanced, and it tasted like summer in a bite. We loved the berry flavor We also had The 1176 for $6.49, which is a non-alcoholic drink made from blue raspberry, Sprite, and strawberry fruit juice-filled pearls. This is also located at Regal Eagle Smokehouse. The 1776 The blue raspberry didn’t really come through in the drink, and it really tasted like Sprite with the strawberry fruit juice-filled pearls. We also felt like the straw wasn’t quite big enough, and we struggled to get the pearls through the straw. Because of that, it got a bit messy! While it looks like a slushy, it’s a normal Sprite with ice, but it does have a fun color block effect. It’s fun for a soda that’s a little different, and we think kids might enjoy it, but this is one we would likely skip again since $7 for Sprite is quite a lot! Fancy sprite! That’s a wrap! This might be our favorite way to celebrate the holiday — tons of sprinkles, berries, and whipped cream. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more of the best food reviews so you know what to try during your next visit. 3 MAJOR DISNEY ANNOUNCEMENTS INCLUDING AN OPENING DATE, NEW MENU, AND A HUGE RULE CHANGE 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 visiting Disney World this summer? Tell us which snack you’d try in the comments! View the full article

Grab your cowboy hats and lassos because we’re heading to The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort! They’re back! This resort always makes us appreciate the great outdoors. We went to Trail’s End Restaurant, which just added three menu items we couldn’t resist. Hop on your horses, and let’s ride! Before you get into it, remember that you can Mobile Order at this quick service restaurant. That means instead of waiting in line, you can order directly on your phone and even pick the time you want to pick everything up. Mobile Order saves us so much time and makes life so much easier. Trail’s End We grabbed the Mickey S’more Brownie for $5.99, which is a s’more-flavored brownie with graham cracker crumbs, marshmallow cream, chocolate buttercream, dark chocolate crispy pearls, mini marshmallows, and white chocolate flames. Mickey S’more Brownie The marshmallow layer is very sticky and sweet, and the graham cracker adds that iconic sandy texture. The fudge icing on top overpowers the brownie just a bit, and it made us wish there was more brownie! All the flavors together make for a very sweet bite, and we think kids are going to be obsessed with this, but adults who don’t want to eat pure sugar might want to skip. It was a fun take and looked pretty cute, too. Inside We also grabbed the Black Forest Cupcake, which is topped with whipped cream, leaf quins, dark chocolate leaves, white chocolate chips, and character decor for $6.99. Black Forest Cupcake The cake itself had a really good chocolate taste and a very soft texture, while the cherry filling throughout the middle of the cupcake is sweet and tart with that classic cherry flavor. It’s a great flavor to balance out the chocolate cake. The frosting is a whipped cream style frosting that’s light and covered with shavings of chocolate. It was overall a great cupcake, and while it wasn’t anything too original, sometimes you need a simple chocolate cupcake to keep you going. We didn’t feel like it was really Black Forest as much as chocolate, but we enjoyed it just the same. We loved the filling Finally, we had the Chocolate-Hazelnut Bear Claw, which is similar to other bear claws we’ve had in the past. This one is a puff pastry filled with chocolate-hazelnut spread, topped with toasted almonds, dark chocolate, and vanilla icing for $5.79. Chocolate Hazelnut Bear Claw When we originally tore into this, it didn’t look like there was a lot of filling, but it ended up being perfect. There’s plenty of Nutella (or chocolate hazelnut spread, whatever you’d like to call it) throughout the pastry. It was rich and delicious, and the almonds added a nice crunch on the outside and a different texture to each bite. This would be really good with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa to help cut through some of the richness and totally matches the vibes of Fort Wilderness. Inside We’re living our cowboy dreams, but in the meantime, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more of the best food reviews you don’t want to miss during your next Disney World vacation. A DEFINITIVE RANKING OF EVERY DISNEY WORLD HOTEL 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 Which of these snacks looks the best? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. View the full article

Walt Disney World is currently in a state of transformation, with new lands under construction — including in areas like the Animation Courtyard — that had sat somewhat desolate for years. However, that doesn’t mean there’s activity everywhere. Wonders of Life From a shuttered EPCOT Pavilion to empty buildings and even a whole land that hasn’t seen a major upgrade in years, there are several major spots at the “Most Magical Place on Earth” that could use some TLC. Wonders of Life Built between the then-Universe of Energy and the then-World of Motion, Wonders of Life opened to much fanfare at EPCOT in 1989. The pavilion, dedicated to health care, the human body, physical fitness, medicine, and nutrition, was initially a hit thanks to the advanced-for-the-time simulator attraction Body Wars and the popular Cranium Command show. However. As EPCOT evolved with the additions of Test Track, Mission Space, and Soarin’ in the late 90s and early 2000s, its popularity sagged. The pavilion closed in 2007, and for the next decade, it was used as a temporary Festival Center during the park’s annual events. ©Wikipedia In 2019, Disney announced plans to turn the space into the new Play! Pavilion, which would be themed to be an “interactive futuristic city where guests would be able to interact with a variety of Disney characters.” As with many projects during this period, work on the Play! Pavilion was paused. However, unlike much of the rest of EPCOT’s “reimagining”, work never resumed. ©Disney || Play Pavilion Concept Art In 2023, Disney confirmed that the space was being “reevaluated” and the former Wonders of Life has remained vacant since. Stitch’s Great Escape The show building at the front of Tomorrowland that once held Stitch’s Great Escape has actually been home to three different attractions over the years. Mission to Mars, a clone of the Disneyland original, opened in the Tomorrowland space in December 1971 — just months after the Magic Kingdom opened — and operated until October 1993. ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was here before Stitch’s Great Escape It was replaced by the beloved (and reviled) ExtraTERRORestial Alien Encounter from 1995 until 2003. The attraction was retooled into the much-bemoaned Stitch’s Great Escape in 2004, and remained in operation for the most part until 2018. The space has remained vacant, short of some limited meet & greets, since. Millennium Village Opened in 1999 as the centerpiece of EPCOT’s Millennium Celebration, the purpose-built 60,000 square foot Millennium Village housed exhibits – ranging from small presentations to elaborately themed environments, and even a virtual reality “ride” – showcasing countries that weren’t represented in World Showcase proper, including Brazil, Chile, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and others. The Millennium Village It was so popular that many hoped the concept might become a permanent part of EPCOT after the celebrations ended. However, that wasn’t meant to be, as the village closed when the celebration ended in January of 2001. Millennium Village The structure is currently used during Food & Wine and other EPCOT festivals; however, for most of the year, it sits empty and vacant, taking up a potential World Showcase expansion pad. Asia While Animal Kingdom’s Asia isn’t “abandoned” in the same sense as the above three, the land definitely feels a bit left behind lately. It’s still home to Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids, but both of those attractions are over 20 years old, and the land has been relatively stagnant while the rest of Animal Kingdom has been transforming around it. Expedition Everest Given all of the changes happening at Walt Disney World, it seems like it’s just a matter of time until these “abandoned” areas are transformed. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World’s evolution. There’s Only ONE Bad Thing About EPCOT’s France Pavilion 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 hope comes to these areas? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

You’re not going to find bigger Loungefly fans than us! That’s why we’re ALWAYS looking for the best Loungefly deals. So many Disney bags! Looking for that cute Disney park bag? You’ve come to the right place. Right now, there are eight Disney Loungeflys on sale on Amazon, and one of them is 50% off! We’re not going to waste any time, so let’s just hop right into it. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get this Loungefly Minnie Floral Wallet ©Amazon This Minnie Floral Loungefly Wallet has that summer feel written all over it! The wallet has stunning embroidered details, lace all around it, and a pink bow to top off the Minnie ears. You’ll find many card slots and an ID slot on the inside. The price is too good to pass up, as it’s currently 50% off! View on Amazon This Scar Loungefly Wallet is so cool! ©Amazon Be prepared (wink, wink) to spend your money on this Scar Loungefly Wallet! The wallet is inspired by the iconic villain from The Lion King, Scar. It has a lot of detail, and even ears that stick out on the sides. We love the zipper featuring Ed. The wallet is currently 13% off! View on Amazon We love this Marie Loungefly Wallet ©Amazon If you’re a fan of the Disney classic, The Aristocats, you need to check out this Marie Loungefly Wallet! The wallet is half Marie, the adorable kitten, and half cupcake. You’ll find Marie’s bow on top and her ears sticking out. It’s not currently on sale formally, but the price has dropped and continues to drop! Trust us, we’ve been watching. View on Amazon Or, you can grab this Mickey Mouse Loungefly Bag ©Amazon Take a look at this Mickey Mouse Loungefly Checkered Bag! The all-black Mickey mini backpack has a sleek checkered design. You’ll also find Mickey ears sitting on top of the bag. Did you notice the Mickey glove zipper? It’s on sale! View on Amazon Don’t forget about this Mickey Mouse Loungefly Bag ©Amazon There’s also this Mickey Mouse Glitter Sequin Loungefly Backpack! The bag converts between a mini backpack and a crossbody bag. It has adjustable straps, glitter, sequins, and printed details. It’s a bag that will stand out anywhere, just like how the fact that it’s 29% off stands out! View on Amazon Check out this Mickey & Friends Loungefly ©Amazon This Mickey & Friends Loungefly Backpack feels a little more unique than your usual Loungefly, and we’re here for it! The bag features Mickey, Donald, and Goofy on the front. The pockets have Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck on them, and Pluto is on the back. The bag is 13% off right now! View on Amazon Get this Minnie Mouse Pumpkin Loungefly! ©Amazon It might not be spooky season yet, but now’s the time to grab this Minnie Mouse Pumpkin Mini Loungefly Backpack! The backpack features the beloved Minnie Mouse peeking out from behind a bowl of candy shaped like a jack-o’-lantern. It features an adorable pattern of pumpkins and candy corn. The same pattern appears over the side pockets, back of the bag, and Minnie’s eye-catching bow. Oh, by the way, the bag glows in the dark and is candy corn scented. It’s an absolute steal at 40% off! View on Amazon And finally, check out this Zootopia Loungefly ©Amazon Lastly, there’s this Zootopia 2 Loungefly Backpack! The Loungefly features everybody’s favorite fox, Nick Wilde. You’ll find other beloved characters printed all over the bag, including Judy Hopps, Chief Bogo, Clawhauser, and Flash. You can grab this for 37% off! View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

Saving money at Disney World is something that every guest wants to do. There are so many hacks about saving money during your trip that go around, but let’s be honest — some are just not worth it! Main Street, U.S.A. And we found a “hack” that could actually cause you to waste money instead of saving it. Have any guesses? I’ll give you a minute to think…okay, time’s up! Let’s see if you guessed what Disney money-saving “hack” is actually wack! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. If you guessed the resort refillable mugs, you’d be correct! To save money, guests staying at Disney World resorts will often purchase the resort refillable mugs to save money instead of constantly purchasing fountain beverages when they’re thirsty. Each refillable mug is 16 ounces and costs $22.99, and is valid for the length of your resort stay up to 14 days. But it may not be worth it for your travel party, and here’s why. Disney World Resort Refillable Mug You Can Only Use Them at the Resorts If you’re spending a lot of your days at the parks, then the refillable mugs may not be for you. These mugs only give you access to the self-serve beverage stations at the resorts, not the parks. It’s great to fill in the morning to bring with you to the park, but keep in mind that you will not be able to refill it while you’re at the parks. Coke Freestyle Machines at Primo Piatto Some Beverage Stations Are a Lengthy Walk Away Because Disney sees over tens of thousands of guests each day, there are MANY resort hotels, and some are pretty big, so the walk from your room to the beverage stations may be a good 10-minute walk. So, if you’re staying at resorts like Caribbean Beach, Saratoga Springs, or Old Key West, this is one thing to keep in mind! Caribbean Beach Resort Find Out Which Disney World Resort Is Best For You! How Many Times Do I Need to Refill My Mug to Break Even? Let’s do the math: the current cost of a fountain beverage at Disney resorts is around $4.79 per cup. Which means to break even, you’ll need to refill your mug at least five times. Don’t think you’ll refill your mug that much? Then maybe the refillable mug isn’t for you! Disney World Resort Refillable Mug Don’t Worry…We Have a Solution for You! Did you know you can get drinks delivered right to your resort through Amazon? They offer same-day delivery, or you can order up to three days ahead of time with a reserved window to make sure your groceries will be there when you are! There is a $9.95 delivery fee for orders less than $50, a $6.95 fee for orders up to $100, and free delivery for orders over $100. Be sure to save THIS LINK for your next Disney trip to save some time and money! Photo by Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images We’ve always got you covered with tips and tricks for your Disney World vacation! Stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog, so you don’t miss any Disney news and updates! Our Best Tips For Planning the Best Disney World Vacation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you think the resort refillable mug is worth it? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Who doesn’t love a good Muppets movie? We know we do, and one of our favorites, Muppet Treasure Island, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The Muppet Show ©Disney Yes, you heard us right, Muppet Treasure Island came out 30 years ago! And to celebrate, there is a brand new merch collection that you need to check out. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Muppet Treasure Island has decided to collaborate with Cakeworthy to release some truly incredible merch items that you might just have to add to your cart! Check out this ‘Muppet Treasure Island’ Mug ©Disney With this mug, you can go on a swashbuckling adventure with Kermit Captain Smollett and the rest of the crew. This barrel mug is the perfect addition to you’re Muppet’s merch collection, and such a fun addition for anyone who loves Muppets Treasure Island! SHOP ON DISNEY STORE Next up, check out this ‘Muppet Treasure Island’ 30th Anniversary Pullover Sweatshirt ©Disney This super cute pullover features Kermit as Captain Smollett, Miss Piggy as Benjamina Gunn, Sam Eagle as Mister Arrow, Gonzo and Rizzo on the front, and the Muppet Treasure Island logo on the back. This is great if you’re looking for some comfy and cozy Muppets merch. If you want to rock an adorable pullover featuring the Muppets in their Treasure Island best, this is for you! And you can pre-order this pullover right now. SHOP ON DISNEY STORE Lastly, check out this ‘Muppet Treasure Island’ 30th Anniversary T-Shirt ©Disney You can pre-order this iconic shirt right now on the Disney Store. The front of this shirt features Kermit as Captain Smollett, Fozzie Bear as Squire Trelawney, Gonzo, Rizzo, and the Muppet Treasure Island logo. While the back features the hilarious quote from the film, “And this is supposed to be a kid’s movie!” This shirt is so much fun and would be absolutely perfect to wear this summer in Disney World. SHOP ON DISNEY STORE Will you be adding any of these items to your Muppets collection? Let us know in the comments! And stay tuned with Disney Food Blog so you never miss anything. View the full article

Packing for a Disney World trip is its own kind of art form. Doohoeek Charging Station for MagicBand+ Between the park bags, the snacks, the rain ponchos, and the seventeen pairs of shoes you’re “definitely going to need,” it’s easy to overlook a few things that make a surprisingly big difference once you’re actually in the hotel room. These three items won’t take up much space in your luggage, but you’ll absolutely notice them when you have them. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. One Less Morning Scramble Before the Park Doohoeek Charging Station for MagicBand+ If your family uses MagicBand+ devices, you already know the low-battery panic is real. Nothing slows down a morning like realizing your band is dead twenty minutes before rope drop. This MagicBand+ charging station charges four bands at the same time in about 90 minutes, which means everyone leaves the room fully powered up without any last-minute cable hunting. The click-to-charge design snaps each band in place securely, and the whole thing runs off a single USB-C cable, so it doesn’t add a web of cords to your nightstand. It’s compact enough to pack without thinking twice and genuinely takes the stress out of an already packed morning routine. If you’ve got multiple MagicBand+ users in your group, this one’s a no-brainer. view ON AMAZON Resort Noise Is More Real Than You Think Dreamegg Portable Travel White Noise Machine Disney resort hallways can get loud. Ice machines, neighboring rooms, kids who are way too excited at 11 PM, the general hum of a hotel that never fully sleeps. If you’re a light sleeper or you’re traveling with little ones who need a consistent sleep environment, this is a problem worth solving. The Dreamegg Portable Travel White Noise Machine is roughly the size of an egg and weighs just 1.6 ounces, so it adds almost nothing to your bag. It offers 16 sound options, including white noise, rain, and ocean waves, with 32 volume levels for customization. The battery was upgraded to 1000mAh, which is double what most competitors offer, so it runs across multiple nights on a single charge. There’s even a memory function so it picks up where you left off without fiddling with settings in the dark. It’s a small thing that makes a real difference in how rested you feel the next morning. view ON AMAZON Your Whole Family Shouldn’t Be Fighting Over One Outlet Flat Plug Power Strip Most Disney World hotel rooms weren’t exactly designed with today’s tech in mind. You’ve got MagicBands to charge, phones to top off, and maybe a tablet or two for the kids to unwind with at the end of a long park day. One or two outlets just don’t cut it for a family. A flat plug power strip solves this fast. This one has three standard outlets plus two USB-A and two USB-C ports, so you can charge up to seven devices at the same time. The plug itself sits at a 45-degree angle and is only 0.35 inches thick, which means it tucks neatly against the wall without hogging space or blocking adjacent outlets. It also has no surge protection built in, which is actually a requirement on Disney Cruise Line ships if you ever take that trip, so it’s a two-for-one travel investment. This is one of those things that sounds boring until the moment you actually need it. view ON AMAZON A little bit of preparation goes a long way when it comes to hotel comfort, and these three items are easy wins that take up minimal space in your luggage. We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

When it comes to booking a vacation to Disney World, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is picking the hotel you’ll be staying in. The Entrance Sign Resorts can get expensive depending on where you want to stay — the closer to the parks (especially Magic Kingdom), the more expensive it’ll be! But did you know there’s a hotel on property that accepts rewards? (That means possible free nights!) Let’s talk about how to save money by staying at this resort on your next Disney World vacation! Did you know that there are three hotels on Disney World property that accept reward points? The Swan and Dolphin Resorts and The Swan Reserve are actually Marriott-owned hotels rather than official Disney World Resort hotels. So, Marriott Bonvoy rewards members will be able to use their points toward discounted or even FREE stays at these resorts! Don’t have enough points to use? Don’t worry — you’ll earn them by staying here, too. The Swan Resort How to Earn Rewards with Marriott Bonvoy Marriott Bonvoy is a FREE rewards program you can join, so it’s very easy to start earning points toward your next stay. And when you book a hotel for four nights using your points, you’ll get a fifth night free! This perk is automatically applied, so there is no promo code needed, and it applies to standard rooms at Marriott hotels and comps the lowest point-value night. The Dolphin Hotel Marriott Bonvoy members may also offer exclusive discounts on certain stays (and this includes Disney). Guests can also combine paying with money and points, which is a great alternative if you don’t have enough points to cover your entire stay! The Dolphin Hotel There are always offers so you can earn points to use on your next stay, including staying at Marriott hotels, going to Starbucks, using your Uber account, and more! During the third week of each month, members can earn 100 points after three qualifying Starbucks purchases! And if you link your Uber account to your Marriott Bonvoy account, you’ll start earning points through rideshares and delivery services. The Swan Hotel So, Why Should You Stay at the Swan and Dolphin and the Swan Reserve? Yes, a major perk of staying at these hotels is using and earning rewards throughout your stay, but why else should you book this hotel for your stay? First of all, the proximity to two of Disney World’s theme parks is a major perk. By staying here, you’ll be walking distance from the International Gateway entrance of EPCOT and the main entrance of Hollywood Studios. And if you’re not into walking — don’t worry, you’ll be able to take boats to each park and the surrounding resorts of the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and BoardWalk Inn. Friendship Boat Dock at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels The restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels are also top-tier, with several award-winning and Michelin Star Chef dining locations! bluezoo at the Dolphin Hotel: This award-winning restaurant by celebrity Chef Todd English offers a menu of fresh seafood and coastal cuisines from around the world. Rosa Mexicano at the Dolphin Hotel: This dining location is known for its award-winning margaritas and offers an elevated and authentic fiesta dining experience through its contemporary interpretation of authentic Mexican cuisine. Il Mulino New York Trattoria at the Swan Hotel: Inspired by the original New York City location, which has been voted #1 Italian restaurant for two decades by Zagat, this restaurant serves traditional dinners from the Abruzzi region of Italy. Amare at the Swan Reserve: This dining location is the signature restaurant of the Swan Reserve and offers dishes inspired by the Mediterranean region. Todd English’s bluezoo But Wait! You Can Save EVEN MORE with Marriott Rewards Let’s be honest, everyone loves saving money, and there’s a way you can save even more. If you’re in the market for a credit card, The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card gives members exclusive perks that can help you save more money on your next vacation! There’s no annual fee, either. Here are just a few of those exclusive perks: New cardmembers earn 30,000 points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account. Earn up to 14X total points for every $1 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. You’ll automatically receive Silver Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy each calendar year as a cardmember. Earn 2X points for every $1 spent on purchases at grocery stores, select streaming and internet, cable, and phone service purchases, and rideshare & select food delivery. Earn 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases. You also can receive FIVE Elite Night Credits every calendar year. The Dolphin Hotel If you don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World vacations, we have a solution! You can reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations for help! They have experienced agents who will watch your reservations for future savings and discounts and will figure out what works best for your group regarding dates, resort, and plans! AND they also offer expert tips and first-hand advice, so you aren’t alone on your magical vacation! We’re here for you, too! Be sure to stay tuned in to the Disney Food Blog, so you don’t miss any Disney news or updates! I Had No Idea These 8 Marriott Bonvoy Perks Existed! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you stay at these Marriott hotels on your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Alright, Amazon shoppers, let’s talk toys. ©Amazon The shopping hub has some of our absolute favorite Disney playthings and toy stories (and stories featuring Toy Story) available now! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The Collected Stories of Winnie-the-Pooh ©Amazon This collection — available in hardcover, paperback, and audio, digital editions — brings together the original Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner stories by A.A. Milne, with the audiobook voiced by an amazing all-star cast, including Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, Finty Williams, and Geoffrey Palmer. SHOP HERE Gund Winnie the Pooh Plush Set ©Amazon Of course, the perfect pairing with the stories of Winnie the Pooh is this 4-piece mini-plus set, which features the titular bear himself, as well as Tigger, Piglet, and a honey pot. SHOP HERE Pop Up Bluey Game ©Amazon When playing this take on the classic, players take turns sliding the crocodile sticks into Bluey’s barrel, “but pick the wrong slot and…POP! Bluey is out of her barrel, and so are you.” SHOP HERE Bluey 5-Minute Stories ©Amazon This hardcover collection features Bluey, Bingo, and the whole Heeler gang in six stories, each meant to be read in five minutes or less, making them ideal for bedtime. The stories in this collection include: Bluey: The Pool Bluey: Bingo Bluey: Charades Bluey: Hammerbarn Bluey: Typewriter Bluey: Baby Race SHOP HERE Disney Princess 5-Minute Stories ©Amazon Similar to the Bluey collection, this hardcover features 12 stories of Disney Princesses – – including Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, and Moana – – all meant to be read in 5 minutes or less. SHOP HERE Princess & Friends Doll Set ©Amazon This playset offers princess fans hours of imaginative fun with 5 Disney Princess dolls – – Ariel, Tiana, Belle, Jasmine, and Rapunzel, each wearing a removable skirt or pants in a unique friendship print – – along with their sidekicks Flounder, Ray, Chip, Rajah, and Pascal! SHOP HERE Woody & Bullseye ©Amazon Whether child or collector, you’ll have a friend in these movie-accurate figurines of Woody and Bullseye from Pixar’s iconic Toy Story franchise. SHOP HERE 5-Minute Pixar Stories ©Amazon Another 5-Minute Stories collection, this hardcover features Pixar properties, including Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles, and Inside Out. SHOP HERE Disney Villainous Strategy Board Game ©Amazon This strategy game from Ravensburger allows players to inhabit some of Disney’s most devious villains. SHOP HERE Villains 5-Minute Stories ©Amazon Speaking of Disney’s Villains, this final set of 5-minute stories features tales based on iconic baddies, including Captain Hook, Cruella, and Maleficent. SHOP HERE If you’re doing some shopping for the youngsters in your life, get over to Amazon ASAP and stay tuned to DFB for more Amazon finds. View the full article

We’re traveling all the time, and we’re pretty specific about what products we like to use. We want a bag that keeps everything organized and fits easily on the plane. What are you packing? We weren’t surprised to see a Mom Life Travel Duffel going viral, and while we were interested in trying it out, the $70 price tag stopped us in our tracks. If you were interested in trying out the bag but weren’t too thrilled about spending $70 on a duffel, we found a few similar options that might do just the trick! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. BAGSMART Duffle Bag ©Disney This bag is the perfect size for a quick weekend trip when you just want to use a carry-on. It can fit under most airline seats and even has an outside pocket to keep the small essentials you want to keep close by. The inside has slip pockets on the inside, too, so you can keep everything organized. We love the water bottle pouch on the side, as well! shop now TIBES Weekender Bag ©Disney This one is so fun because of the pattern! It’s 21 inches, and the star of this bag is its waterproof shoe compartment at the bottom. It can fit about three pairs of shoes. This bag also has slip pockets on the inside and a few pockets on the outside to slide items like your passport into. shop now GAYUAPEIA Weekend Travel Duffle ©Disney This duffle also has a bottom shoe compartment, but it’s a little smaller than the other one. We love the strap that you can slide over your rolling suitcase so you don’t have to carry two separate bags. The size is convenient to put under your seat or in the overhead compartment on your plane. shop now In the meantime, make sure you keep following DFB for more travel tips along with our favorite products! View the full article

Disney World’s most popular places are also the HARDEST reservations to make. Meet Cinderella while dining on fairytale-inspired fare. So we’re gonna tell you all about WHICH reservations you need to be prioritizing NOW (along with our BEST strategies for SECURING your spots). Check out our new video: The HARDEST Disney World Reservations to Get Right Now Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more theme park 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 video do you want to see from DFB next? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

We’re going out tonight. A little dancing, so many Mickey Ice Cream Bars, and six-foot waves. There’s only one place to find all this and waterslides galore: H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon.  This year, I heard rumors that a certain superstar was headlining the dance party, so I knew my husband, Todd, and I had to get into one of the 13 nights available this summer. Come along to find out why this is my number one favorite After Hours event at Walt Disney World. Todd and Rain pose for their annual photo with Laguna Gator at H2O Glow. Say Hello to Laguna Gator It’s more of a sandy carpet than a red carpet, but make no mistake, this is your spot to stop and pose with a statue of Laguna Gator. Since we all tend to put away our phones in favor of splashing through the waterpark, I always keep this in mind as a good chance for a group photo before my hair gets wet. Look to the right of the path into the park to take advantage of this ‘hidden’ spot. Another sweet spot for a photo is just down the path. I stopped to see Miss Tilly, (the 20th‑century shrimping vessel beached atop Mount Mayday) through one of the spyglass stations.  Rain's Tip: When packing for a day at Typhoon Lagoon, make sure to bring a cute cover-up for this brief photo moment while the sun still lingers.  Cast members at Typhoon Lagoon decorated the sidewalks for our big night! It’s Totally Rad to Be Early Getting into H2O Glow is easy, so let’s focus on getting there early. The party officially starts at 8:00 p.m. and ends at 11:00 p.m., but the pros always show up to the party fashionably early. By this time, a lot of the day guests are filtering out, so the park is already not-too-crowded and there are plenty of lounge chairs freeing up for you and your fellow After Hours friends. There were so many chairs available to hang before the event started. You can enter Typhoon Lagoon as soon as 6:00 p.m., adding two more hours to your night. It’s a good chance to grab complimentary towels at Singapore Sals, chill in a lounge chair, ride a few waterslides, and otherwise watch the park transform into party central. Towels are included at H2O Glow, just stop by to pick them up. Since all the attractions are scheduled to be open during H2O Glow, we always wait to queue up for slides that will have much shorter lines when the party starts. Since we got to the party a bit early, we had plenty of time to drop our valuables in a locker (available for a fee) and take our time for a leisurely dip.  Take your usual Castaway Creek float, but this time it’s truly lit. Take a Dip and a Trip in Castaway Creek My favorite mode of transportation at Typhoon Lagoon is Castaway Creek, a 2,000-foot long waterway that traverses the entire park. And at this event, the creek gets a glow-up. As we floated, we noticed that a few new inner tubes had joined the party, with silly character floats like Sulley, Kevin, Nemo, and even WALL-E appearing in the water. The author tries yet another character tube with lots of time to float. Which characters will you float with on your H2O Glow night? During H2O Glow, cast members add this little bit of extra magic to make the night feel special, and yes, I made an attempt to try them all.  H2O Glow has both party thrills and chill After Hours moments. We had to hop off the watery highway for a little detour. The Mt. Mayday Trail is a bit of a hidden gem at Typhoon Lagoon, but it’s totally worth the climb up here at H2O Glow to take in a unique view of the sunset that you usually don’t get to see.  But now that I’d had some quiet reflection, my attention was all about the dance party that I could hear heating up below. We hopped the next set of glittering tubes to float back around to the front of the park. By now, the party had officially started and a dance mix of the DuckTales theme song was our siren song calling to the dance floor (make that dance beach). The music starts at 8:00 p.m. and carries through the night. It’s Party on the Beach If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s burning all my After Hours time at the dance party. At Typhoon Lagoon, a DJ is spinning right on the beach, where it’s easy to bust a move in the sand, right by the Surf Pool shore.  The crowd was already gathered when we joined in, and by crowd, I mean Chip, Dale, Donald, and Daisy! They were all there to dance and play instead of taking photos and signing autographs, and this kind of hang-out atmosphere is always a more laid-back way to experience the characters.  Chip makes his best attempt at doing The Robot at H2O Glow. We were dipping a toe in the Surf Pool when I heard it: “Boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap…” I yelled at Todd that I had to go. Luckily, he understood: Miley Cyrus’ Hoedown Throwdown was just getting started … and who was there, but Launchpad McQuack!  High fives and vibes abound on the sandy dance floor I popped, locked, polka-dotted, and even earned myself a high-five from Launchpad. Talk about Disney memories! And later, even Powerline Max came out to lead a few dances on the stage. Over near Leaning Palms, there was also a special character greeting area where we were able to meet Max, get a few photos, and tell him how much we loved his moves. So Many Trips Down the Fruit Chutes So, are you team banana, coconut, or pineapple? The Crush ‘n’ Gusher is a set of three 400-foot long water coasters that wind in and around each other. At the queue entrance, Todd and I grabbed a two-person inner tube and had to choose our slide: Pineapple Plunger, Coconut Crusher, or Banana Blaster? Each fruit chute is a bit different, with various drops and turns, but every single one has water coaster elements that speed up your raft and send you zipping toward the final plunge. With three different flumes to experience, this is my number one slide to put on repeat at H2O Glow.  There’s nothing like boarding your raft, zooming through tunnels, splashing down, and getting right back in the short line to pick your next fruit chute. With shorter wait times, why not try them all?  Rain's Tip: If you like body slides, head over to try all three of the twisting Storm Slides or try racing your family down the 5-story Humunga Kowabunga trio of plunges. Another Mickey Bar, Please If you saw me at H2O Glow last week, I probably had a box of popcorn in my hand. If there’s unlimited snacks, I’m already there. At H2O Glow, your map will indicate where to find all of the complimentary snack stations, and you can find them in the park via the big glowing wave markers. There, you will find friendly cast members handing out treats, including Mickey Ice Cream Bars, Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches, popcorn, Fruit Bars, and more. Rain enjoys the Frozen Hot Honey Lemonade and Sloppy Max Sliders at Leaning Palms.  And Even More Festive Food and Drink In addition to the complimentary snacks, there is exclusive food and drink, and H2O Glow always turns it out with colorful spins on poolside snacks.  We tried the Sloppy Max Sliders, Pork Tamale, both scorched with a Powerline logo. Our Churro Rings came with colorful neon sprinkles, and even our Pretzel Bites had day-glo salt.  Rain’s yummy hot Honey Lemonade and Todd’s IPA in a Disney Waterparks souvenir cup. My favorite sip of the night was the Frozen Hot Honey Lemonade, a fresh sweet-and-spicy combo with a bit of spice around the rim of the cup.  The Pork Tamale, available at Typhoon Tilly’s. Rain's Tip: Keep in mind that the quick-service locations at H2O Glow close at 10:00 p.m., so grab your must-eats at least an hour before the party ends. Another Amazing H2O Glow Night for the Books After some more dancing in the moonlight and a few trips down Miss Adventure Falls and Keelhaul Falls, we were ready to call it a night. With so many attractions, characters, food, and entertainment, we had so much to do during our After Hours night. That’s why I keep coming back every year.  Discover your own neon-fueled night at H2O Glow by grabbing tickets online, priced at $85 to $89 for adults (plus tax) with kids ages 3 to 9 saving $20 per ticket. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members, and Disney Water ark Seasonal Passholders can save 20%. The post Our Neon Night: Inside H2O Glow After Hours 2026 appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

LEVEL99 is a “real-world, challenge-based, social entertainment” venue packed with games, challenges, and a whole lot more, and we can’t WAIT for it to open at Disney Springs on June 29th. LEVEL99 games! We’ve already got a sneak peek at some of the menu items coming to the lineup, and now, LEVEL99 has confirmed some of the games coming to their NEW Disney Springs location opening this month! LEVEL99 will have 63 life-sized mini-games and challenges, including the iconic Axe Run! You’ll be able to crack puzzles and outsmart challenges with your group. While they have other locations, this is the first one in Florida, and it will be the largest LEVEL99 yet! You can find it on the West Side of Disney Springs, close to the AMC Theater, in the former NBA Experience location. LEVEL99 Virginia We got a chance to visit another LEVEL99 location and check out the games, and we had so much fun. There were some that were more physical and others that were more brain-focused. Three games have been confirmed for the Disney Springs location: Axe Run, where Players race across a narrow beam while dodging swinging axes, aiming to hit the finish button as quickly as possible without stepping off course – an adrenaline-pumping test of speed, focus, and agility. LEVEL99 Axe Run Ninja Swing, where Players test their strength and precision by using ropes to navigate across a series of platforms, each one trickier than the last, earning Stars based on how far the group advances without falling. This place is SO fun! Mansion Banquet, where Players step into the role of dinner party planner, racing to solve quirky logic puzzles and perfectly match finicky guests with their ideal seat, entrée, and drink before mealtime. So many games! Beyond the games, you’ll be able to fuel up with a full selection of scratch food and beverage options. Menu items will include Level99’s award-winning Detroit-style pizza, wagyu burgers, and other craveable bites, as well as handcrafted cocktails and local beer selections on tap. Detroit Style Pizza We’ll be on the lookout for even more LEVEL99 news you need to know about — and don’t forget to check back for our full review when it opens! In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more. Check out more Disney Springs updates at the links below! 3 Games CONFIRMED for LEVEL99 at Disney SpringsSummer in Disney Springs Just Got Even SWEETER Thanks To 2 NEW ChangesJUST ANNOUNCED: Ticket Prices and Sale Date for LEVEL99 at Disney Springs3 Menu Items CONFIRMED for LEVEL99 at Disney SpringsLEVEL99 Opening Date Revealed for Disney Springs Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you planning on visiting LEVEL99 when it opens at Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article