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A measles outbreak is currently under investigation in Florida, just ahead of the start of spring break season. Florida Sunset The spring break season typically means a huge influx of visitors in Florida, as crowds of people travel to the state for vacation. And now, a potential health concern has arisen in the state, just as spring break travel prepares to begin. According to CNN, the Florida Department of Health in Broward County is investigating multiple cases of measles as part of an outbreak at an elementary school in Weston, a city in south Florida. At least six cases have been reported at the school in the past week. Family physician and public health specialist Dr. George Rust commented, “Most kids in our public schools have had the vaccine, although there’s been some slippage in that in recent years. The kids who are not vaccinated, if they’re exposed to measles, 90% of them will get measles. So it’s a highly infectious disease, very contagious.” AdventHealth On Tuesday, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo wrote a letter about the outbreak to parents and guardians, stating that it is “normally recommended” for people who have been exposed to measles and who are not vaccinated against the virus or who do not have a history of infection to stay home for up to 21 days, the length of the incubation period for measles. However, in the letter, Ladapo wrote that the state health department is “deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance.” This contradicts guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states that “unvaccinated children, including those who have a medical or other exemption to vaccination, must be excluded from school through 21 days after their most recent exposure.” AdventHealth ER near Disney World The CDC advises that measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to complications and turn deadly. Symptoms may include fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash of red spots. In rare cases, it may lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, or death. It can also weaken the immune system and may “delete” its immune memory. Experts recommend that children get the measles, mumps, and rubella or MMR vaccine in two doses. One dose is about 93% effective at preventing measles if you come into contact with the virus. Two doses are about 97% effective. According to a 2023 report, nationwide, about 92% of US children have gotten the MMR vaccine by age 2. Advent Health ER Lobby Measles cases have emerged in several states this year. As of Thursday, 35 cases have been reported by 15 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. In comparison, a total of 58 cases were reported for all of 2023. We’ll be on the lookout for more updates as the spring break season gets closer, so stay tuned to DFB for more news. I Travel Full Time. Here Are the Things I ALWAYS Do When I Get to My Hotel Room. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Measles Outbreak in Florida Makes Headlines Right Before Spring Break Season Begins first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We love staying at Disney World hotels! Don’t you?! Coronado Springs Listen, the Disney World parks aren’t the only way to be immersed in the magic. You’ll find the Disney World hotels to be lovely bastions of Disney magic immersion no matter which one you choose. One of the team members was a previous Cast Member and they thought they’d share some Disney World hotel “secrets” with you, so let’s go! You might think that your hotel is only the place where you lay your head down at night, that all the excitement is just at the parks, but you’d be surprised! Here’s one “secret” you should know about and a couple others sprinkled in too! Secret #1: Surprise Character Encounters! Picture this: you’re enjoying a relaxing day by the pool, and suddenly, your favorite Disney character, say Goofy, strolls by, ready to greet you with a warm hug or a high-five. Pluto Too! Yup! Disney magic truly knows no bounds, and characters often make surprise appearances at hotels. Keep your eyes peeled, especially during special events or holidays! Looking Good Donald! Secret #2: Pin Trading – Beyond the Parks Edition! Don’t stop your pin-trading fun just because you’re not in the parks. You’ll find that many hotel lobbies and shops have pin boards just waiting to be explored. Pin trading While you’re there, you can trade with fellow guests and Cast Members (they might have special limited-edition pins!), so, don’t forget to pack your pins and keep an eye out for those hidden gems during your stay. Pin trading Secret #3: Activities Galore! Don’t fall for the misconception that Disney hotels are only comfy beds and Mickey waffles. They offer so much more than that! There are loads of fun activities at your Disney hotel that you can enjoy! Let’s make Mickey s’mores! For example, at several of the hotels, you can make s’mores and hang by a campfire, watch movies under the stars, do horseback riding, do archery, make a lei, or do some tie-dying. Also, many of these activities are free or very little cost. Horseback riding at Fort Wilderness The more ya know! We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more Disney news and even fun behind-the-scenes facts we learned while working at Disney World. Make sure to follow along for more so that you never miss a thing. Looking for more Cast Member secrets? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Did you know this about Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post I Was a Disney World Cast Member, and I’m Letting You In On a HOTEL SECRET first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the most unique ways to experience the Disney parks is by attending one of their exclusive after-hours events! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Last year, Disney announced the 2024 dates for the Disneyland After Dark events. The events have several different themes, including a few Disney Channel-themed nights for guests craving some serious nostalgia! There’s a Disney Channel Nite scheduled on both March 5th and 7th, 2024, and tickets are currently on sale! ©Disney Disney previously announced a few of the festivities that will be part of Disney Channel Nite, including: A Phineas and Ferb dance party Camp Rock karaoke The Ultimate Disney Channel Trivia Challenge Special photo opportunities and snacks Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland But that’s not all! We’ve got even MORE details about what you can expect at these after-hours events! Other offerings at Disney Channel Nite will include: Descendants Musical Journey at the Rivers of America DescenDance Disney Channel Rocks High School Musical / Zombies Pep Rally ©Disney And for guests who love a character experience, you’re in luck too! The following characters will also be meeting during the event: Kim Possible Baloo, King Louie, and Don Karnage Lilo, Stitch, and Experiments Chip, Dale, and Monterey Jack Darkwing Duck and Launchpad McQuack Goofy and Max Rapunzel and Flynn Rider Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Scrooge McDuck Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Disneyland We’ll continue to keep an eye out for any more updates to the Disneyland After Dark events, so stay tuned to DFB to stay in the loop! NEW MAP Shows Layout of Disneyland’s $1.9 Billion Resort Expansion Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you attending one of the Disneyland After Dark events? Let us know in the comments! The post NEW Details Announced for Exclusive Disney Channel Night at Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, where are our LEGO people at? We know you love building all kinds of iconic Disney things with those little bricks. LEGO Store We’ve seen you build castles, Encanto casitas, scenes from classic Disney movies, characters, Star Wars ships, and more. Well, if you’re looking for some NEW LEGO sets, now might be the time to add to your collection because we found six that are on sale for up to 31% OFF on Amazon RIGHT NOW. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. If you don’t have Amazon Prime, don’t worry! You can sign up for a free trial right now at the link below. Now let’s look at that sale! Get the LEGO set featuring Moana’s Wayfinding Boat ©Amazon How far will YOU go to build this gorgeous boat? This set is great for ages six and up and features 321 pieces, including Moana and her mother Sina LEGO mini-doll figures, plus a dolphin figure. The set also includes a large deck and a removable shelter with two beds and a small fire lamp. View on Amazon Buy the Up House LEGO Set ©Amazon This is a must for Up and Pixar fans! You get 598 pieces that form the iconic house, complete with balloons, different rooms and functions, two minifigures of Russell and Carl, a LEGO animal figure of Dug, and plenty of accessories. This is also a limited edition set because it was made in honor of Disney’s 100th Anniversary. Grab it now before it’s gone forever! View on Amazon Buy the Clamshell LEGO Little Mermaid Set ©Amazon This one is for fans of The Little Mermaid. This kit gives you everything you need to build scenes from the movie, including Triton’s court, Ariel’s grotto, Ursula’s lair, and more.You’ll get 1,808 pieces with this set, including Ariel, King Triton, Karina, Indira, and Ursula LEGO minifigures, and Sebastian and Flounder LEGO figures. View on Amazon Get the LEGO Cinderella and Prince Charming Castle Set ©Amazon And they lived happily ever after…Yes, we’re talking about Cinderella and Prince Charming. You can recreate that happy ending with this set. This set is good for ages five and up and features 365 pieces.You’ll get a Cinderella mini-doll figure with an extra ball gown outfit, Prince Charming and Lady Tremaine, plus Gus Gus and Lucifer LEGO animal figures. View on Amazon Buy the LEGO McQueen & Mater’s Car Wash Fun Set ©Amazon If you’ve got a Cars fan in your life, well, they might just love this fun set. Great for ages 2 and up, the set features a brick-built car wash toy and two drivable car toys.It’s just 29 pieces, so it’s great for the younger kids who want to get in on the LEGO fun. View on Amazon Buy the LEGO Disney100 Train Building Toy Set ©Amazon We’ve got another Disney 100th Anniversary Set to share that’s also on sale. Grab this fun train set, which is perfect for ages four and up.The 200-piece set includes an engine and 3 train ‘parade floats’, a station, 6 LEGO minifigures: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Moana, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and Woody. View on Amazon So be sure to head on over to Amazon right now to grab these great deals on LEGO sets. Shop our Amazon StorefrontThe post 6 Disney LEGO Sets Are ON SALE Up to 31% Off 😱 on Amazon Right Now! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news! EPCOT We’ve got water flowing at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. A recently filed permit gives us an idea about construction happening soon at Disney Springs, a brand new snack spot is now open, and more! All the latest Disney Parks news is coming up right now on DFB Guide. By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/subscribe.png So check out the video and then let us know: Which Disney news of the week are you the most excited about? The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: Ride Vehicle Testing, New Permits & MORE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We just noticed a CHANGE in Happily Ever After! They all lived happily… ever… after. We’ve seen a lot of changes in Disney’s nighttime spectaculars since the COVID closures happened in 2020. We’ve seen Enchantment, Harmonious, the return of Fantasmic!, and even EPCOT Forever come and go since the parks reopened. In April 2023, Disney made the decision to bring back a fan favorite — Happily Ever After. It’s been almost a year since its return…and we just noticed a CHANGE that was quietly made to this popular show. Are you ready to begin? If you didn’t know by now, we’re at Disney World ALL. THE. TIME. This has led to us picking up on a lot of new, small changes throughout the parks (we’re looking at you, tiny train town) — even when they’re things that aren’t announced by Disney. Happily Ever After! Well, we were at Magic Kingdom last night and noticed a small change to Happily Ever After that truly brought us so much joy. Now, we know that this doesn’t hugely impact the show, but we feel like we officially have the original Happily Ever After back (and, yes…we cried). Happily Ever After Fireworks When they brought Happily Ever After back in 2023, we picked up on a difference from its original run — at the beginning of the show, the castle wasn’t backlit in the way it used to be during those bigger, more dramatic moments. Along with that, the full-beam searchlights weren’t there in the way that we remembered them. This is how they used to look! Well, we were watching the show last night and noticed that both of those things were BACK! To be sure our eyes weren’t tricking us, we even compared it to some previous footage we have of those moments. On the first beat of the music, and that first moment right before the narrator says, “And they all lived happily ever after,” the castle got a lighting UPGRADE! Look at that backlighting! Once we confirmed it — our jaws DROPPED. We can’t lie to you; the change is pretty remarkable once you see the comparison. To have those full-beam searchlights backlighting the castle during those dramatic moments makes a difference. Also, it’s nice to OFFICIALLY have the pre-pandemic Happily Ever After back in our lives. Like we said, we’re in the parks all the time, so we’re constantly on the lookout for small changes like this. So, keep checking back in with us at DFB to see what we find next! 18 Disney World Secrets Even Locals Don’t Know Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your part of Happily Ever After? Let us know in the comments below! The post Disney Just Quietly CHANGED the Happily Ever After Fireworks in Magic Kingdom! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the BEST feelings in the world is walking into your Disney World hotel on the first day of your vacation and taking a gigantic whiff of the glorious Disney smells. Grand Floridian Yes, each Disney World hotel has its own scent which also has a strange way of smelling like every other Disney World hotel at the same time. We often find ourselves wishing we could just bottle up these smells and take them home with us so that or houses can smell like Disney World, too. Well, we’re here to tell you how you can do EXACTLY THAT. If you didn’t already know, Disney uses ScentAir to fragrance their hotels and theme parks. That’s why they all smell distinctly Disney but so different at the same time. We were able to find out WHICH ScentAir fragrances are used in three of Disney World’s most popular hotels. Grand Floridian Lobby While these scents are specific to brands and businesses, so you can’t purchase the exact same ones, there are ones that are pretty darn close. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Disney’s Wilderness Lodge smells woodsy, comforting, and honestly, a lot like Christmas. Wilderness Lodge ScentAir’s “Walk in the Woods” scent is said to be super similar to the hotel’s scent, and it’s available in candles, diffusers, and even room sprays. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa The Grand Floridian just smells distinctly Disney. It just smells clean, light, and luxurious. A lot of folks get notes of aloe, clover, patchouli, and melon, in particular. Grand Floridian Resort There’s no single scent from ScentAir that can act as an alternative to the Grand Floridian’s smell, but ScentAir does have a Green Clover and Aloe smell that might do the trick! They also have a plain patchouli scent that you could burn at the same time to get the full effect. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort The Polynesian smells like the perfect island getaway. It’s light and refreshing, it’s reminiscent of the beach, and there are a few notes of something woodsy here and there. Disney’s Polynesian Village ScentAir’s Island Breeze is said to be super similar to this, as it has notes of Tiare flower, orange blossom, solar amber and musk. And there you have it! We hope that this helps to put you well on your merry journey down a rabbit hole of Disney scents. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more Disney news as we have it, so make sure to follow along so that you’re always in the loop. Looking for more ways to make your home feel like Disney? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you like for your house to smell like Disney? Let us know in the comments! The post The SECRET Way to Make Your House Smell Like Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re constantly looking to the future to see what changes could come to Disney World! EPCOT Right now, we’re awaiting the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the completion of some major hotel projects, but on the horizon, we’ve got expansions coming to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Disney World seems to be adding new lands to the parks left and right in the past decade, but what about adding a fifth park altogether? Today we’re discussing the possibilities! For years, fans have been hoping that Disney World would build a fifth park in Florida, especially since there’s plenty of open land on the Disney World property. It has been predicted by analysts that Disney will announce a 5th park in the near future, but if they did, what would it include? Disney’s Animal Kingdom Today, we’re sharing our list of 6 lands that Disney World could put in a brand new theme park! Zootopia Back when Disney announced plans for revamping Dinoland, USA in Animal Kingdom, they mentioned Zootopia as one of the options for that park. However, if they don’t use Zootopia in Animal Kingdom, this would be a great candidate for a land in a brand-new park. ©Disney Zootopia performed incredibly well at the international box office, so adding it to Disney World in a large fashion could be a good way to draw in international visitors. The film also did a significant amount of world-building, so there’s a pretty good footprint for what Disney would need to construct. Not to mention the fact that Zootopia Land opened at Shanghai Disneyland in 2023, so it would be easy to copy and paste some of those offerings. Frozen Speaking of movies that performed well, you know we’ve got to talk about Frozen! The first and second films did so well that Disney is currently preparing a third movie for the sisters from Arendelle. World of Frozen opened in 2023 in Hong Kong Disneyland, so this is another one that would be easy to replicate. World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland We’ve already got a few Frozen offerings in the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT, but as the franchise expands, there are definitely more opportunities to come. Tangled Do you know which character we’ve been hoping would get more in-park representation for YEARS? Rapunzel! In Disney World, all she gets is a character meet, some entertainment appearances, and a set of bathrooms. There’s so much potential for what could be done with the Tangled characters! ©Disney Tokyo DisneySea is getting a Fantasy Springs expansion with an area themed to Tangled, and we’ll be interested to see what it entails. For years, we’ve been dreaming of a boat ride with Rapunzel, Flynn, and the floating lanterns — please make our dreams come true, Disney World! Disney Villains Fans would throw parties in the STREETS if Disney World ever fully decided to commit to a Disney Villains land or expansion. Many have hoped over the years that we could get an entire “Dark Kingdom” theme park, but at the very least, a villains-based land would be nice. Sometimes the evil ones are the most relatable This was thrown around as one of the possibilities for the Magic Kingdom expansion beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. And now that Universal Orlando has announced a “Dark Universe” land for its Epic Universe theme park, this feels more like a possibility. More Space Do you know what Disney seems to be stuck on the past few years? SPACE! From Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to the Galactic Starcruiser to Space 220, there was a while there where we just kept getting space-themed additions. And honestly, if they did another one, we wouldn’t mind it! Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run Possibilities for space-themed expansions include IP like Star Wars and Lilo & Stitch, both of which are incredibly popular. They could even do something like Universal does with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and build a SECOND Galaxy’s Edge in a new park — just themed to a different planet. Now that would be something! Mickey’s ToonTown…AGAIN Do you know what we miss incredibly?! Mickey’s ToonTown! This land is still available at Disneyland Park but was removed from Magic Kingdom years ago to make way for the Fantasyland expansion. It would be great to see an improved version return to Disney World in a fifth park. Mickey’s ToonTown Mickey and Minnie don’t get the love they deserve in the Disney World parks — they only have ONE ride that they star in! Imagine all the cool Disney nostalgia a land like this could have. And it would be all the more impressive with today’s technology. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway So there you have it — some of the lands we wish Disney would bring to a fifth theme park! Stay tuned to DFB for more news and updates from Disney World. Could Disney Open a Fifth Theme Park? Click Here to Find Out! 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 land would you want to see in a fifth park? Let us know in the comments! The post 6 Lands That Could Come to a 5th Disney World Park first appeared on the disney food blog. 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Patients at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando were treated to an extra special Disney Princess-themed party. Patients were surprised with dolls, toys, books, Starlight hospital gowns and a visit from Belle. View the full article

There has been a lot of construction recently around Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Construction at The Polynesian The traffic patterns have been changing near Floridian Way and Seven Seas Drive, but the roads are going to be closed for an entirely DIFFERENT reason soon. We are here to warn you so you can avoid any transportation issues during your visit to Disney World. Disney World has a big event coming up the weekend of February 23rd through the 25th. This is when the runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is taking place. ©Disney One perk of running a runDisney race is the unique opportunity that racers have to run on property and through some of the Disney World theme parks. With this, Disney has to clear certain parts of the race course to allow runners to safely get by. Princess Half Marathon 2023 The runDisney Princess Half Marathon course will cause certain roads near Polynesian Village Resort, the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary to be closed or restricted on February 24th and 25th. Restrictions and closures will take place on February 24th from 3AM to 7:30AM to accommodate the Princess 10K. The following day, February 25th, they will take place from 3AM to 10AM to accommodate the Princess Half Marathon. Disney bus If you plan to head over to these resorts, Magic Kingdom, or the Transportation and Ticket Center, we suggest giving yourself extra time to travel. This way you will not be late to your destination. Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest Disney news! Click Here to Learn More About Transportation Options at Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever participated in a runDisney race? Let us know down below! The post ALERT! ⚠️ Road CLOSURES Might Affect Your Next Disney World Trip first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s super important to be comfortable on your Disney World vacation! You’ll be walking tens of thousands of steps through the parks, so having the right outfit on is essential. Main Street When we’re getting ready for a comfy day in the parks, we always find ourselves reaching for our Target leggings! If you practically live in leggings too, you’ll know what we mean. And if you’re on the hunt for your new favorite pair, we’re spilling our secrets here! These are our team’s FAVORITE Target leggings. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the High-Waisted Flare Leggings ©Target Flare leggings are definitely making a comeback, so you’ll be comfy AND on-trend in these high-waisted flare leggings. They come in several different colors and sizes. Shop these leggings here! Get the Ultra High-Rise Rib Leggings ©Target If you’re thinking about going on some water rides in Disney World, the quick-drying fabric of these leggings will come in handy! They have a high-rise waist and a hidden pocket, too. Shop these leggings here! Get the High-Waisted Classic Leggings ©Target For just a classic, staple pair of leggings, you can’t go wrong with these. They’re high-waisted, come in a few different colors and patterns, and are made of a soft, breathable fabric. Shop these leggings here! Get the High-Waisted Butterbliss Legging ©Target Here’s one more option for you! These Butterbliss leggings are made of recycled polyester and are super soft. They’re an extra-lightweight fabric made with spandex, so they’re perfect for wearing while you walk around all day. Shop these leggings here! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest Disney news and all our favorite packing tips! Check out more of our favorite Disney essentials on our Amazon storefront!The post The Best Leggings from Target To Wear to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s rapid but effective — we’re about to give you the EXPEDITED version of what you need to know about Magic Kingdom before you go. So buckle up, because we are going to be your efficiency DREAM COME TRUE today! Hey there, Cinderella Castle! We’ve got a really SHORT blog post for you today that’s gonna cover everything you need to know about Magic Kingdom in 600 words or less. (That way, you can easily read this one in one sitting — like during your lunch break or before you gotta go pick up your kiddos from school.) If you’re someone who’s planning a Magic Kingdom trip but you only have so much time to REALLY study up on how to successfully pull off a substantial vacation like this, make sure to download our FREE Magic Kingdom quick guide by clicking the link below! Click here to download our FREE Magic Kingdom quick guide! Alright, are you ready? Here we go! There Are Six Themed Lands (For Now…) Magic Kingdom has six immersive areas: Main Street, U.S.A.; Adventureland; Frontierland; Fantasyland; Liberty Square; and Tomorrowland. Tomorrowland ANOTHER land might be built beyond Frontierland. Disney shared some ideas, but we don’t know any key details. Learn more about this possible NEW land here! There Are 3 Ways to Skip Long Lines Disney Genie+ is a paid line-skipping service on your My Disney Experience app. We don’t always recommend purchasing Genie+, but we DO recommend it for Magic Kingdom because it has the MOST rides and thus the most Lightning Lanes. Lightning Lane at Peter Pan’s Flight Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle / Run have Individual Lightning Lanes, meaning you pay for those Lightning Lanes a la carte. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train You should also use Mobile Order and Mobile Checkout at the restaurants and gift shops that use those services — it can save you lots of time waiting in line! See our complete guide to Genie+ here! Show Times Can CHANGE Magic Kingdom has lots of shows. The BIG ones — Happily Ever After fireworks and the Festival of Fantasy parade — only happen at SELECT times each day. Festival of Fantasy These times are known to change, so check the Disney app at the start of the day. For more information about Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy parade, click here! Food Options Are Pretty Tame The food here is pretty straightforward. Many quick service restaurants have options like burgers, tacos, hotdogs, etc. It’s not super exciting, but you can find something for your group to enjoy. Casey’s Corner full spread This park has some fun character restaurants! People love to meet the characters at Cinderella’s Royal Table, Crystal Palace, and Be Our Guest. Dining Room at Cinderella’s Royal Table We’ve got TONS of food recommendations featured in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, which you can find RIGHT NOW on the DFBstore website. This guide goes WAY more in-depth with what’s available at each location throughout not just Magic Kingdom, but ALL of Disney World property. Check out our complete guide to Walt Disney World Dining here! The Transportation And Ticket Center Can Be Brutal… When driving to Magic Kingdom, you’ll park at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). Then, you can ride the Monorail or the ferry to Magic Kingdom. TTC The only way to arrive directly at the gates of Magic Kingdom is to take a Disney bus; stay at one of the Magic Kingdom hotels and use the Monorail, boat, or walking path; or book a Minnie Van (Disney’s rideshare service). Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom transportation CROWDS at the start and end of the day are NO JOKE. Hang back in the park a bit longer after it officially closes to wait out the crowds. Rides won’t be open, but the Main Street shops stay open. The DANGER with Leaving Magic Kingdom Late at Night Study Up On Virtual Queues The ONLY way to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run is through the free Virtual Queue system or by purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane. TRON Lightcycle / Run Virtual queues open daily at 7AM and 1PM on the Disney app. They book up FAST — make sure you’re ready right at 7AM! Check out our complete guide to Disney World virtual queues. Free Park Services Could Save Your Day The First Aid and Baby Care Center could save your day! There are FREE sample sizes of all kinds of common medication at First Aid. First Aid The Baby Care Center is a place to escape the chaos of the park. It has nursing rooms, changing tables, and bathrooms with kid-sized toilets. Here’s everything first aid centers can do for you in Disney World. Frontierland Is Currently a Hot Mess Splash Mountain AND Country Bear Jamboree are CLOSED. Country Bear Jamboree will reopen this summer with “an all-new act.” The show is closed for now! Splash Mountain is being remodeled into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — February 2024 The ride track itself will be similar, but it’s themed to Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. The updated ride opens this summer. Learn about the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure re-theme here! You’ve Got TONS Of Meet And Greet Opportunities Some of the most well-known spots for character meets and greets include Mickey at Town Square Theater, Princesses at Fairytale Hall, and Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Thotful Spot. But there are LOTS more! Hey, Mickey! Don’t forget about character meals, which will help you bypass the queues and bring the characters straight to YOU! Aurora at Cinderella’s Royal Table And THAT was Magic Kingdom for you… at LIGHT SPEED. Remember, there’s a LOT of other extra stuff you should know about this park before you go, so be sure to check out our other (more in-depth) Magic Kingdom posts when you get the chance — and don’t forget to download our Magic Kingdom quick guide for even MORE rapid-fire tips, tricks, and itineraries, too! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest Disney news! Download our FREE Magic Kingdom quick guide here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite thing to do in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post EVERYTHING in Magic Kingdom in 600 Words or LESS first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There is a lot of good eating at Disney World — we would know, we’re all about Disney food! Raglan Road Disney World is home to restaurants owned by celebrity chefs, a Master Sommelier, and chefs who have been working with the company for YEARS. So when a Disney chef strikes out on their own, well, we’re paying attention. Now, we just learned that a former Disney chef has opened his own restaurant. Chef Heberto Segura was the executive chef at Raglan Road in Disney Springs for 10 years. According to the Orlando Business Journal, Segura has now, along with Pastry Chef Rona Segura, opened his new restaurant The Drake Kitchen + Bar in downtown Orlando. ©The Drake Kitchen + Bar The restaurant is an extension of the food truck owned by the pair, Duck & Drake Kitchen, which can still be found at 1215 Edgewater Drive in Orlando. The cuisine at the new restaurant is “humble, innovative, and personal while keeping traditions close to heart.” The menu features international and Caribbean-inspired foods that showcase local and regional ingredients while being sustainable when possible. ©The Drake Kitchen + Bar The menu includes dishes such as a Broken Egg, made with Duck Egg, Papas Bravas, Garlic Aioli, Lady Edison Ham; Madeira Beach Red Fish with West Indies Coconut-Tomato Curry and Plantains; Prime Steak Frites; Fire Roasted Chicken; Fungi Jon Mushrooms Risotto; and more. Desserts include the Chocolate Budino, made with Double Chocolate Cream, Hot Coffee Caramel, and Sesame Tuille. ©The Drake Kitchen + Bar The restaurant also delivers food orders in the Orlando area — you can check that out on their website. We noticed that delivery to Disney World isn’t available (well, we tried!). You can also place orders to pick up. So if you’re looking for somewhere new to eat in Orlando, be sure to stop by The Drake Kitchen + Bar for a meal at 361 N. Rosalind Ave. Suite 1, Orlando. DISNEY RECIPE: Learn How To Make Sangria Using a Celebrity Chef’s Recipe! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be checking out The Drake Kitchen + Bar? Let us know in the comments! The post A Former Disney World Chef Just Opened a NEW Restaurant! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

By now, you know that we really love a good deal (especially when it comes to Disney). For that reason, lots of people on our team have really grown an affinity for big-box stores like Costco, which often have great deals not only on food and merchandise but also on travel, gift cards, and other vacation essentials. ©Costco While we might not all do our everyday shopping here, these wholesale memberships come in quite handy for Disney deals and gift card offers that could save us TONS. But, we’re not the only ones that have a love for Costco! Let’s take a deeper dive into why people are obsessed with this retailer. With prices rising for nearly everything nationwide, it’s nice to have the comfort of one retail outlet that remains steady. For decades, Costco has maintained loyal customers, employees, and shareholders with its seemingly basic business model. So what really keeps everyone coming back to Costco year after year? ©Shutterstock For starters, it’s important to know the scale of the store that we’re talking about. According to an article in The Economist, “Costco is the world’s third-biggest retailer, behind Walmart and Amazon.” The article also goes on to point out that Costco’s sales are “less than half of Walmart’s” but Costco’s “return on capital, at nearly 20%, is more than twice as high.” Costco has even been referred to by famed investors who’ve personally served on its board as a perfectly run company. Richard Galanti served as the finance boss for Costco until he retired earlier this month and said the retailer knows how to hook shoppers simply by offering high-quality products at the lowest price possible. ©Shutterstock Costco achieves this by keeping markups on their products low and making up the difference by charging an annual membership fee to those who shop in their stores. In 2023, Costco netted more than half its operating profits solely through its annual fees charged to over 129 million members. This membership works in an almost symbiotic relationship, according to finance analysts, where customers are encouraged to continue shopping at Costco rather than shopping around, and in return the massive retailer is able to count on incoming memberships to better their relationships with suppliers delivering products that consumers really want. Food at Costco Costco also focuses on stocking fewer products in its inventory. This gives the retail giant more bargaining power when they go to buy more quantities of a product from supplies (which keeps those suppliers happy too by the way)! Costco’s own brand, Kirkland Signature, also accounts for over a quarter of its total sales which shows that customers have learned to lean into the brand that they’ve established trust with. ©Costco Costco has reported an 8% employee turnover rate which is very impressive considering the national average is 20%. But Costco also pays its employees well. Employee pay at Costco is higher than the industry average, and combining that with opportunity for growth within their careers, generous medical insurance, and retirement coverage, it’s easy to see why many employees have continued to stay working with Costco for over a decade. Most of Costco’s executive team has come from internal promotion and long-term tenure with the company, too! When you take a deeper look inside, it’s really not hard to see why so many people have so many fond feelings and associations with the Costco name and brand. We’re always looking at great places for deals and savings, so be sure to stay tuned with us for more deals as we spot them! This COSTCO Gift Card Deal Could Help You Save BIG on Southwest Flights Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Do you think having a membership to Costco is “worth it”? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below! The post The REAL Reason Why People LOVE Costco first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the fanciest restaurants on the Disney Cruise Line has just subtly changed its dress code rules! Palo Most Disney restaurants — in the theme parks and on the cruise ships — have a casual dress code. You’re on vacation, after all! But there are a few exclusive, signature dining experiences that do request that guests dress up a bit for the meal. One of those is Palo, which is an adults-only restaurant on the Disney Cruise Line. Now, there’s been a change in the rules at Palo! Palo is an elegant northern Italian-inspired restaurant that can be found on the Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy cruise ships. A very similar restaurant is also found on the Wish — Palo Steakhouse. The Palo restaurants on all five of these ships are exclusive to adults and have a fairly strict dress code. Palo Recently, however, we noticed an important update to this dress code: Now, guests attending brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse can wear dress shorts! Previously, shorts were not permitted; dress pants were required. Palo Steakhouse Here’s a look at the full dress code for the Palo restaurants: “Adult-exclusive restaurants aboard Disney Cruise Line ships are elegant dining experiences. Guests are requested to dress in a manner consistent with the restaurant’s sophistication. Formal or semi-formal attire is recommended. Also permitted is dress-casual attire with a polished look, such as dress pants, jeans in good condition, collared shirts, dressy tops and lifestyle shoes. For brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse, dress shorts are acceptable. Clothing such as T-shirts, swimwear and sports attire are not permitted.” Palo Brunch on the Disney Dream Restaurants on Disney’s cruise ships aren’t the only ones with a dress code. Some signature restaurants in the Disney World parks nad hotels have a specific dress code as well, such as California Grill in the Contemporary Resort, Jiko in the Animal Kingdom Resort, and Takumi-Tei in EPCOT’s Japan pavilion. Click here to learn all about the dress codes at Disney World restaurants. If you’re planning a Disney cruise trip soon and want some help with planning, check out our friends at Small World Vacations! They can help you find the best deals for your vacation, and their services are completely free. We’ll keep watching for more updates from Disney, so stay tuned for all the latest news! You Won’t Catch Us on a Disney Cruise Without These 14 Things What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Explore Disney’s Mega Cruise Ship – The Wish A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise These Are the BEST Times to Book Your Disney Cruise The Best Ways to SAVE SPACE in Your Tiny Cruise Cabin 10 Things You NEED on Your Next Cruise (That You Won’t Think to Pack!) What It’s Like to Live on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Have you ever been to Palo? Let us know what you thought of it in the comments! The post Disney Just Changed the Rules at a Popular Adults-Only Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There is nothing quite like the food you can get at Disney World! From delish Dole Whips to famously shaped Mickey Pretzels and everything in between, we love our park food here at DisneyFoodBlog! Mickey Waffle with Powdered Sugar But what if we told you that we have the ultimate recipe for Mickey Waffles? Yes, you heard us right! We are copying the way Disney makes their iconic waffles and our lives have been changed! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. THE Pancake Mix! ©Amazon This mix is THE mix that is used by Disney! The Golden Malted pancake and waffle flour is used to get that delicious golden, buttery flavor of Mickey Waffles that we all know and love. Now you don’t have to go to Disney World for all your Mickey Waffle needs! VIEW ON AMAZON You’ll Need A Waffle Maker For This! ©Amazon This double flip waffle maker features Minnie Mouse shaped waffles! While not traditional Mickey shaped, we think that this waffle maker offers a different and unique spin on the classic waffle and we love it! VIEW ON AMAZON Snag This Mickey Waffle Maker! ©Amazon The double flip Mickey Waffle maker is everything we need in our lives! The waffle maker makes six Mickey shaped waffles and is the ultimate way to bring that Disney magic into your home! VIEW ON AMAZON Perhaps You Want Something Less Traditional? ©Amazon This Mickey Waffle maker is a little less traditional than the typical Mickey shaped waffles Disney makes. This takes a regular waffle and adds Mickey ears to it, which we think is absolutely adorable! It gives you the magic while keeping the waffle shape and we love it. VIEW ON AMAZON Recipe But we’re not going to leave you hanging on that recipe! Here it is: Golden Malted Waffle Recipe. It makes approximately 3-4 waffles depending on size of waffle baker. Ingredients: 1 cup Golden Malted Waffle Mix 1 egg 5 ounces water 2 tablespoons melted butter Instructions: 1. Beat egg and water together. 2. Add Golden Malted Waffle Mix and mix well. 3. Stir in melted butter and mix thoroughly. 4. Ladle onto hot waffle iron and remove when golden brown. That’s it! Don’t forget — order your Golden Malted Waffle Mix directly from the source! Check Out Our Latest Disney Finds Here!The post We Are Copying The Way Disney Makes Mickey Waffles and Our Lives Will Never Be the Same first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We all have a bucket list, a wish list, a “to do before I die” list, or some sort of register, index, docket, or spreadsheet of experiences or accomplishments we’d like to achieve in our lifetime. Some lists are short, some are long, some are challenging, and some are simple but powerful. It’s Fancy Dinner Time If you’re a Disney fan, you likely have one that strictly focuses on Disney experiences, which could be as straightforward as riding every attraction in Disney World or could be much more expensive and complex, like visiting every Disney theme park around the world. Well, on January 31st, I got to check one item off of my bucket list. Dining at Victoria & Albert’s. And not just at Victoria & Albert’s but dining at the Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s. Planning Like anything involved in a Disney World vacation, if you want to secure this exclusive experience, you have to plan in advance. But securing the Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s is a whole new kind of planning. Victoria & Albert’s is only open five days a week (Tuesday through Saturday), they only have two dinner services (5:30pm and 8:05pm), and they have a restricted number of tables available. It also offers three different dining experiences. Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table Only Has One Seating Per Night We recently visited Victoria & Alberts for its reopening in 2022 and reviewed an experience from the Queen Victoria room, But today, I’m taking into the ultra-exclusive experience at the Chef’s Table. This is a coveted dining experience for up to 8 guests that lasts about 3 hours. Guests are again served a multi-course meal, but they get to sit right at the heart of the restaurant, with a view into the kitchen and the chefs. When you dine here, you get to interact with the team and really get an in-depth dining experience. Pricing is $425 per person, with optional wine pairings starting at $210 per guest, and zero-proof pairing starting at $145 per guest. You Look Right Into the Kitchen Needless to say, dining at the Chef’s Table is one of the most exclusive Disney experiences you can have. You’ll want to start trying to get your reservation as soon as that 60-day reservation window opens for your trip. Your best chance to secure a reservation is to stay at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotel to utilize the extended reservation booking window. Some tables at Victoria & Albert’s are available to book online, but the Chef’s Table must be booked over the phone by calling (407) 939-3682. Once we secured our reservation, we received an email about a week before our reservation to confirm our dietary needs and note any celebrations. Victoria & Albert’s Chef Table Email The email also reminded us of the dress code, cancellation policy, and complimentary valet parking option. Disney notes that the restaurant is an “exquisite and intimate upscale dining experience,” so guests are expected to “dress accordingly in semi-formal/formal attire that respects the restaurant’s elegant and opulent aesthetic.” There was also a reminder of the age requirement. All guests dining here must be 10 years old or above. Also, valet parking is included in the cost of your meal. Chef’s Table Experience And finally, if you have any dietary needs, be sure to communicate that with the team when you book your reservation. The restaurant can accommodate most special dietary needs, but you’ll need to provide them with advance notice so they can prepare a menu that suits you. For me, I have an aversion to shellfish, so I was able to respond to this email and let them know of my dining preference so they could adjust the menu accordingly. Atmosphere & Background If you’ve never dined here, let’s go over a quick run-down. Victoria & Albert’s is truly THE place for the luxurious meal of your dreams. Dinner here is served via multiple courses over a few hours. The restaurant has actually received the AAA five-diamond rating, along with other accolades. Every Corner is Beautiful! There are OVER 500 wines available, an entire menu dedicated to WATER (what?! YES!), and much more. There are 3 main dining experiences to pick from, The Dining Room, The Queen Victoria Room, and the Chef’s Table. Each room has its own menu ranging from 7 to 10 courses and its own prices, starting at $295 per person. At the helm of Victoria & Albert’s is a finely-tuned culinary team. Israel Pérez has been at Victoria & Albert’s for over 20 years and is the maître d’hôtel and holds a first-level certificate with the Master Court of Sommeliers. In the kitchen, you’ll find Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers and Pastry Chef Kristine Farmer, who’ve assembled a stellar team and created unique and delicate dishes. THE infamous Chef’s Table Once we checked in for our dining experience, we followed maître d’hôtel Israel Perez through the brightly lit kitchen, and he announced our arrival to the kitchen staff, who all greeted us warmly as we walked through the kitchen and to our table. Through your meal at the Chef’s Table, you’ll be able to see the chefs and cooks working through the dinner service to prepare courses for you and the other guests in the restaurant. You can ask them questions and sometimes they’ll narrate their current task like they’re a host chef on a Food Network show. Watch a working kitchen Because this is a working kitchen, you’re required to stay in the Chef’s Table section. This is for your safety as well as for the chefs and Cast Members. If you need to leave for the restroom or other reasons, you’ll need to ask one of the serving staff to escort you through the kitchen, and then someone will escort you back to your table when you’re ready. It can get really busy in the kitchen For each course, we had one of the chefs come to our table and explain the preparation and inspiration behind each dish, and they often told personal stories about their own love of food or their brush with fame on the Food Network show, Chopped! At that time, we were informed that Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers would not be joining us because of a conflicting event. In his place, Chef Miguel Santeliz welcomed us with a toast. Cheers to a bucket list experience While the kitchen staff bustled to life, Chef Miguel and our serving team duo, James and Craig, welcomed us to Victoria & Albert’s and explained the layout of the kitchen, the roles of the staff, and the intricacies of the menu. Menu The menu comes in a beautiful envelope (of course), ready for you to open it up and discover the secrets inside. Keep in mind that the menu does change depending on the ingredients that are in season and other considerations, so what we were served may not always appear on the menu. The menu you may be offered for your trip may be different. Personalized Menu Though each course is only a few bites, every ingredient is chosen intentionally and woven together intricately to create a piece of art to savor with the mouth and the eyes. Because of the detail of each dish, it was explained that the menu is rarely completely overhauled but adjusted one course at a time so each chef and cook has time to master it. V&A Chef’s Table Menu My husband and I each had our own customized experience. Since I have a shellfish aversion, my menu was tailored to accommodate my preferences, while his contained some shellfish delicacies. I also opted for the wine pairing for the extra cost. I’m going to preface this post right now by saying that I did not take taste notes on each wine. They were all hand-picked by Israel Pérez, and they were all impeccable. So, I won’t be going into too much detail about the wine pairings except to say that if you like wine, you should seriously consider it. Table setting Now, let’s get to our food! Eats Amuse Bouche Our meal started off with an Amuse Bouche course. This actually consisted of 3 separate little dishes. (For those who might be wondering, an Amuse Bouche is basically a fancy little bite-size options to start off your meal. Unlike appetizers, they’re usually free and picked by the Chef.) Chef Gaby Syvaniemi came to our table to introduce this course and the inspiration behind some of the dishes. Amuse Bouche trio First was the Sweet Potato, Lomo Ibérico, Persimmon. This tasted essentially like a light and fluffy sweet potato hushpuppy. It was crisp on the outside and delicate and airy inside. The Ibérico ham is a delicacy that originates in Spain from a special breed of pigs that are fed almost exclusively on acorns and have a more complex, intense flavor with a note of sweetness that is unparalleled. This ham was sliced thinly, crisped, and layered on top of the sweet potato pastry to add a fatty, complex, sweet, and salty component to the dish. Sweet Potato Lomo Iberico Persimmon The next of the trio was a Panisse (a.k.a. chickpea fries), with a Shiso leaf (an herb with a bright taste that has a taste somewhat similar to mint or basil), which had been crisped in a tempura-style, and was sitting on top of a plantain puree. Panisse, Shiso, Tempura This one had some interesting flavors. It has a sushi vibe without a fishy flavor, but more savory. In terms of texture, it was light and crunchy thanks to that tempura-style crispiness, and a bonus since it was vegetarian-friendly. The final dish for amuse bouche course was Venison Carpaccio, Red Cabbage, Rutabaga. Chef Gaby mentioned how she was raised in Norway on a reindeer farm, and that venison was a common staple in her diet growing up. Though this bite visually looked like something that would come from an Asian-inspired cuisine, it was delicate and full of complex flavors. Venison Carpaccio This was INCREDIBLE. The venison was so tender and practically melted in your mouth. It did still have that unique venison flavor that distinguishes it from beef, but it wasn’t gamey. Throughout the progression of this meal, this one bite remained one of my favorites. If I’d have known how much I’d love it, I would’ve taken more pictures of it! This course was also served with a welcoming warm apple cider. Apple Cider This was a delicious way to start the meal and open the palate. Imagine the best apple cider you’ve ever had, concentrated down, and then improved by like 50%, and that should give you an idea of this flavor. It was a classic apple cider with no twist or artistic embellishment, but it was just executed better than any other apple cider I’ve had. First Course Chef Gaby hung out with us for a few more minutes and introduced the next course to us. The next dish follows the classic sequence of transition to caviar after the amuse bouche and pays homage to Chef Scott Hunnel, the former Chef de Cuisine of Chef at Victoria & Albert’s. Royal Belgian Caviar, Parsley Root, Bone Marrow This was so delicate. The parsley root was an unbelievably smooth puree with a sweet flavor, and the caviar added the slightest (but most delicious) level of saltiness. Belgian Caviar It was served with the most thinly sliced and lightly crisped potato ribbons that were seasoned with dill. Dill seasoned potato ribbons And yes, I did just want to eat a whole bowl full of the elevated potato chips. At first glance, I thought of using the potato ribbons to dip into the caviar and parsley root puree, but they were much too delicate for scooping. A little taste of everything. So, I resorted to just enjoying the caviar with the little baby spoon they gave us and enjoying the potato ribbons on the side. Belgian Caviar This dish was a perfect balance of sweet and salty. The puree was light and fluffy, and everything you never knew you always in a parsley root puree. This course was paired with Palmer & Co., Brut Reserve, from Reims. Bread Then it was bread time! The bread we got was an Epee Baguette. Honestly, this didn’t taste all that special, which was sort of a letdown. Don’t get us wrong, it was definitely good bread with an amazing quality to the crust, and a great mix of crunchiness and chewiness, but on its own, it wasn’t anything to write home about. Bread? Yes, please! With the bread, we also got some butter that was incredibly creamy and delicious. If we weren’t in such a fancy restaurant, you might even catch us eating that butter straight off the plate on its own with a spoon — it was THAT good. The salt on the butter was chunky, but not overpowering. Mixed with the bread, the butter was a true delight. Second Course For the second course, I received a Kohlrabi with Lemon Verbena and Horseradish, while my husband had a similar dish but with Norwegian King Crab. Kohlrabi Though the presentation is something to be admired, this was probably my least favorite dish. It was light and citrusy and crisp, and a nice palate cleanser before taking on some of the more complex courses to come, nothing about it really stood out. Kohlrabi Still, even the 2004 World Series winning Boston Red Sox had someone at the bottom of their batting line-up. So, I can’t fault the Kohlrabi for batting last in this flavor line-up. But for face value, this little beauty was a classic example of looks: 10, taste: 3 in the Chef’s Table Thunderdome of flavor. This course was paired with Lail Vinyards, “BluePrint”, from Napa Valley. And I will say this was my favorite of the wines I tasted during the meal service. I am partial to white wines, so take that for what it’s worth, but next time I’m at my local Total Wine store, I’ll be looking for this one (or just ordering it online because we can do that in my state!). Third Course For the third course, my menu deviated again, but in a happy New York deli inspired way! Ok, the chef didn’t come out and say it was New York deli inspired, but Chef Chris, who introduced the dish, said he was Hoboken, NJ. So I gotta think there was some regional inspiration to it. Waygu Pastrami This course consisted of Arrowhead Cabbage, “Waygu Pastrami,” and Pumpernickel — like that signature pastrami you might find at places like Katz’s Deli! Waygu Pastrami In essence, it was meant to be a Reuben made of vegetables, and, truly, it unbelievably replicated the flavors of a pastrami sandwich. The mustard seeds represented the dark mustards associated with this New York classic, and the sauerkraut, rye, and pumpernickel were all represented in such unique ways. It was absolutely delicious! This course was paired with Bodegas La Caña, La Caña Navia from Rias Baixas. More Bread Then, it was time for more bread! We were served salt and pepper seasoned focaccia bread with classic virgin olive oil. Focaccia Bread It was paired with Spanish olive oil. Focaccia Bread This bread was everything you’d want in a focaccia. It had a salty, crunchy crust and a soft, pillowy inside full of alveoli bubbles perfect for dipping into oil. This bread led perfectly into the next course, which was pasta! Fourth Course Our fourth course was freshly made Garganelli pasta in a creamy sauce made from parmesan and romanesco (a fancy cousin of cauliflower) and topped with toasted hazelnuts. Garganelli This dish was also presented to us by Chef Chris, who described his passion for making pasta. Garganelli are traditionally made by hand by wrapping squares of fresh egg pasta dough diagonally around a wooden stick, then rolling each one across a ridged surface to form their characteristic grooves. Garganelli Overall, it was really delicious. Did I only get four little pieces of pasta? Yes. Did I want a heaping cereal bowl full? Also, yes. But this is a fancy spot where you nibble like a lady, and not chow down like a fieldhand. At least, that’s what I had to keep telling myself. This course was paired with Massolino Barolo, Serralunga d’Alba from Piemonte. Fifth Course And I’ll be honest, at this point, I’ve had 4 glasses of wine plus a sparkling wine welcome toast, so this is where I warn you to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Also, something I never really considered until after the fact, you don’t have to drink all of the wine they bring you! You can just sip on the wine during the course it’s paired with and set it aside when the next course arrives. But did I do that? Noooooo…. Again, not sipping like lady, but guzzling like a fieldhand because I figure I’ll only be here once and as a bucket list experience I want don’t want to waste a sip or moment. Wine Pairing And now, back to our regularly scheduled review. Chef Gaby returned to our table to introduce the fifth course to us. This dish was Koji-aged Quail accompanied by a sunflower “risotto” which she said she made by cooking sunflower seeds in a pressure cooker to break them down for a risotto-like consistency. Koji-Aged Quail The quail had a nice crisp skin and was tender and juicy inside, but the stand out was the “risotto.” It had a rich, nutty flavor that was enhanced by the parmesan cheese that was incorporated into it. It was so good, it had me looking at sunflower seeds to see if I could replicate this dish at home! Koji-Aged Quail Chef Gaby went on to describe how the demiglace reduction on the plate was made by using her own homemade cherry coke recipe and cooking it down. Her explanation of this process of just making the cherry soda, which she then used as the base of the demiglace sounded laborious and tedious. This is a perfect example of all of the detailed preparation that each chef puts into all of the individual components of each dish. It’s truly a labor of love for guests to experience in just a few bites. This course was paired with Domaine Faiveley, Gevre-Chamertin from Burgundy. Sixth Course It seems to be a tradition for the sixth course to be a lamb course. And this time was no different. This course featured Rocky Mountain Lamb, Sicilian Pistachios, and Castelvetrano Olives. This was a delicately seared lamb tenderloin served beautifully alongside the olive puree that was nestled into a leek stalk. Rocky Mountain Lamb The lamb was tender and full of flavor without being too gamey. It was so tender it didn’t require a knife, and the texture was so smooth and succulent it almost melted in your mouth. The olives on the leek stalk were, sadly, forgettable. Though it offered a savory, salty contrast to the rich meat, the leek was stringy and difficult to cut. Rocky Mountain Lamb Ultimately, this dish ended up being at the bottom of the line-up with the Kohlrabi. The flavors just weren’t quite as dazzling as some of the other ones were. But the variety of the lamb was nice. This course was paired with Anakota, Knights Valley from Sonoma Valley. Breads…AGAIN Yes, it’s time for MORE bread folks, and we ain’t mad. This was meant to be an Austrian bread that is used often to welcome individuals into their house. Austrian bread We were also served some ribboned butter. Ribboned Butter This was our least favorite of the pieces of bread served, as it was VERY dense. Now, don’t get us wrong — the bread still had great flavor, and it was evident that it was of high quality, but it was just very dense and a bit dry. One reporter shared that they really had to dip it in olive oil to help with how dry it was. Bread and Butter The ribboned butter was similar to another butter we were served (as it did use the same base), and was pretty good. The moral of the story here? Don’t fill up on the bread here — you’ll want room in your stomach for the other stuff! Seventh Course The seventh course is the famous Waygu course. (Because it can’t be a beyond fancy meal without Waygu). Miyazaki A-5 (A-5 being the highest classification of beef from Japan), Niigata Koshiibuki Rice and Furikake. It was prepared in a tataki style. Miyazaki A-5 This course was SO rich. The meat was beautifully tender and flavorful but was also incredibly fatty and rich. The marbling made this steak so tender and the flavors so complex. This is the headliner of the meal, no doubt. But since it is so complex and heavy, it’s almost disappointing that it comes so late in the meal that it’s battling with all of the other dishes in your memory, tastebuds, and stomach. Miyazaki A-5 When the course you’re paired up with is the Miyazaki A-5 Waygu, you’ve really gotta be a dish that can hold your own. And this one is it. Nigata Koshiibuki Rice It’s hard to describe this rice dish. The Koshiibuki rice is renowned in Japan as one of the best quality kinds of rice in existence. It has earned this reputation from its sweet and sticky texture. In this dish, it had a nutty, cheesy, almost risotto experience but it was also toasted, so it had that additional complexity to it both in flavor and in texture. As much as I loved the A-5, I would’ve asked for a second helping of this rice! This course was paired with Château Haut Nouchet, Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux. Cheese Next, it was time for cheese, of course! Chef Gaby returned to introduce the cheese course with some options inspired by her time spent on a reindeer farm. From a bold bleu cheese to a soft and smooth brie, these cheeses came with a complement of a tapioca rice cracker and a calamansi (a tart citrus fruit from the Phillipines). Cheese Course This really was an amazing cheese board and we found that it was best when you got a little bite of everything mixed together. The cheese was so soft and oozy (in the best way possible). And we especially loved the tartness added by the calamansi. Cheese Course This course was paired with Barone Pizzini Franciacorta, “Golf 1927” from Lombardy. Palate Cleanser This was neither another course, nor was it really dessert. Perhaps we can lump it into a bonus round. But it consisted of a Fastelavnsboller. This is a Norwegian pastry that is typically a sweet bun, cut in half and filled with whipped cream or custard. Fastelavnsboller I probably won’t be doing this dish any justice, but just imagine a well-laminated pastry that is soft and pillowy on the inside but crisp and toasty on the outside. Tucked in with the pillowy, doughy inside is a rich vanilla almond iced cream and it’s topped with what I can only describe as flattened pieces of Capt Crunch cereal. Palate Cleanser Have you ever had the Croque de Glace at L’Artisans de Glaces in the France Pavilion in EPCOT? This is like an elevated version of that! Like a thousand times better! I also ordered a shot of espresso, which I enjoyed thoroughly. But looking back on it, I do regret not asking for a coffee menu to see about all of my options. When you’re a coffee person (like I am) and you’re dining at one of the most fanciest spots you’re likely to ever dine in, don’t settle for just plain, ol’ espresso — get a show-stoppin’ coffee beverage. But I’ll blame the fact that I’d had 8 glasses of wine at this point and give myself a break. Espresso This was also when they brought a special birthday treat for me. I had let them know in advance that it was my birthday, since the quintessential birthday button wasn’t exactly the right accessory for this posh event (but yes, I did wear my birthday button everywhere else because when you’re in Disney, that’s what you do!). Birthday surprise treat And before you ask, no, the entire kitchen staff did not come over and sing “Happy Birthday” to me, nor did they make me wear a birthday sombrero or sit on the birthday saddle. This is a classy joint, so there are no raucous shenanigans, just elegant birthday pastries! Dessert Finally, we got to dessert, the FINAL course of the night! This consisted of a variety of items. Dessert Course First, there was a Raspberry Bakewell with whipped cream on top. It was wonderfully light after such an extensive meal. Raspberry Bakewell Next was the Pomegranate Pate de Fruit. This is the one that looks like a red and pink spiral, and it tasted like a bougie fruit roll-up! Dessert Trio Then we had the Balsamic Fig Ganach. This is made of a checkerboard biscuit base and topped with a thick swirl of balsamic fig ganache. Balsamic Fig Ganache Finally, there was also a Gingerbread Madeleine. Remember when I talked about the apple cider they served at the beginning of the meal being like the best apple cider you’ve ever had times like a million? Well, adapt that same math/flavor logic to these gingerbread madeleines. Cute little Gingerbread Madeleines, all tucked in There was nothing super “culinary” about them, nothing too artistic, or bougie, or over the top. But imagine warm, soft gingerbread, fresh from the oven, filled with those delicious, autumnal spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove. And imagine the best possible version of that and that might be what this tasted like. Gingerbread Madeleine There are some things that are so fancy that you can only eat them once and savor those experiences. But things like the Gingerbread Madeleine, the Venison Carpaccio, the Nigata Koshiibuki Rice, and the Apple Cider and all items I could eat every day and never grow tired of! Bonus Now, I opted for the wine pairing, and after 8 glasses of wine, I’m glad I didn’t go overboard with other cocktails and spirits because then I probably wouldn’t remember enough to write this post. HOWEVER, after mentioning to our serving team, Craig and James, how much I love Old-Fashioned cocktails, Craig indulged me with a little sample of his perfectly curated and crafted Old-Fashioned! Old Fashion And just like you’d imagine at a swanky place like V&A’s, this was a super fancy Old-Fashioned. The bourbon (no, I don’t remember what bourbon he used) was infused with rendered pork belly, his own recipe for orange bitters that he then carbonated and portioned out from a soda siphon, and made his own candied Amarena cherry. Old Fashion I wish I could recall all of the details that went into making this mixology masterpiece, but just like how Tinker Bell flies from the top of the Castle during Happily Ever After, this will just have to remain chalked up to Disney magic. PHEW! 8+ courses and plenty of wine, food, and even coffee and cocktails. We did it! We made it to the end! Nosh or Not Victoria & Albert’s is not for everyone, because of the price tag, the menu, or the setting. But if you’re considering it, here are some questions to ask yourself: Consider dining at Victoria & Albert’s if: You seek the ultimate Disney World experience: While it might not become a regular dining spot, Victoria & Albert’s offers a potentially once-in-a-lifetime meal, showcasing the best of what Disney has to offer in terms of food and service. You appreciate multi-course meals: With an extensive selection of courses, including the option for a 9-course meal in the exclusive Queen Victoria’s Room, this is an ideal choice if you enjoy sampling a variety of dishes rather than opting for a single large entree. You are celebrating a special occasion: Whether it’s a significant achievement or a romantic getaway, Victoria & Albert’s, especially the intimate Queen Victoria’s Room, provides an excellent setting for special moments. On the other hand, it’s best to skip Victoria & Albert’s if: You prefer to avoid high expenses: With a substantial price tag (excluding tax and tip), this restaurant may not be suitable for those looking for a fine dining experience without the hefty cost. Other Disney signature dining options like California Grill offer a more budget-friendly alternative. You are not a fan of fine dining: If you lean towards casual fare like chicken tenders and fries, Victoria & Albert’s might not align with your dining preferences. While it’s a Disney bucket list item, it’s essential to avoid it solely due to a sense of obligation. You prefer a single, large dish: Victoria & Albert’s revolves around multiple courses, making it less appealing for those who prefer a traditional dining experience with a singular, substantial entree. Overall Overall, Victoria & Albert’s has long been on my bucket list of things to experience at Disney World. The cuisine lives up to high expectations, showcasing quality. The service is impeccable, set against a backdrop of beauty and elegance. Moreover, they excel in tailoring the menu to accommodate dietary preferences. Not to mention, the majority of the dishes we sampled were undeniably delightful. It truly fulfills all the criteria in that aspect. The service is impeccable But it may not be for everyone. Though I have no problem dressing up and attending fancy dinners, the theater, ballets, and concerts, my husband, for example, is not as comfortable. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience, especially the fancy, pinkies-up, sit-up-straight parts, but this was indeed a big ask of my husband, who enjoys more blue-collar, just be comfortable and eat comfort food kind of experiences. If you love to pretend like you’re in the first-class dining room on the Titanic, dining in Downtown Abbey, or having tea with the Bronte sisters, you’ll probably love this. Chef’s Table room What’s truly worth the cash? That’s a question only you can answer. But if you’re looking for the fanciest, most elaborately elegant restaurant in Disney World, you know where to go. Click here for our full page ALL about Victoria & Albert’s Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Best Disney Springs Restaurants The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you ever eaten at Victoria & Albert’s? Do you think it’s worth it? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: We Ate the MOST EXPENSIVE and EXCLUSIVE MEAL in Disney World. Here's What It Was Like. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, a LOT has been announced about Universal’s newest theme park — Epic Universe. BUT, let’s face it. A lot of those announcements have been shown with concept art. Hello, Epic Universe! Since we’ve only learned a little bit about what will await us at Epic Universe, its lands, and its 3 onsite hotels, we really wanted to see it in person for ourselves. So, that’s just what we did! Let’s take a look at what we saw on our field trip out to (the future) Universal Epic Universe. Since Epic Universe has gathered our attention lately, we decided to pay the construction site a little visit. Alright, you got us… we had to check it out from afar (because we can’t actually be “in” the construction areas while they’re working), but what we saw was stunning! ©Loews Hotels & Co Both of the forefront hotels that will be found at the entrance of Epic Universe seem fairly complete on the outside with Stella Nova Resort mostly covered in its shiny exterior coating… Stella Nova Resort … while there’s still a significant amount waiting to be added to Terra Luna Resort. Right now, it kind of just looks like a hunk of concrete. Terra Luna Resort If you look in between the hotels, you can get a peek at the construction going on inside the park, too! We caught a glimpse of the coaster track for Starfall Racers and a few exterior details for the surrounding area. Starfall Racers track in the background On the opposite side, you could get a slight peek at the construction going on over in that direction but it was mostly construction equipment and dirt. Mostly dirt and construction vehicles this way Yeah, there’s still just a lot of dirt beyond the front prime-value hotels that border the park’s entrance but it didn’t make us any less excited to be so close to the action! We’ll be keeping a close watch over it and will continue to bring you updates as construction on this expansive park progresses! In the meantime, check out our links below to read up on EVERYTHING you need to know to be prepared for Epic Universe’s opening, and stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog! Is Disney Accidentally Paying for Universal’s Massive Theme Park Expansion? Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Which of Epic Universe’s lands do you plan to visit first? The post PHOTOS: Big Construction UPDATE for Universal's NEW Epic Universe Theme Park first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here at DFB, we’ve seen our fair share of interesting food and beverages. Who wants coffee? Some of them are a hit, and others tend to make us scratch our heads a bit. We’re always more than willing to give anything a try — no matter how interesting the flavor combination may seem to us. Recently, we’ve been seeing a lot of creativity from Starbucks with their drinks — and they just released a new drink that follows this trend… MEAT-FLAVORED COFFEE. If you find yourself in China, make sure you head to Starbucks so you can get your hand on their latest creation. ©Starbucks To help ring in the Lunar New Year, Starbucks China released a brand new drink to celebrate. This drink is their Abundant Year Savory Latte, which sounds like it could be delicious… right? ©Starbucks Well, we’ll let the people who have tried it be the judge of that. This drink is a pork-based latte, which isn’t a flavor combination that you see floating around too much. However, pork is said to represent prosperity in the new year — so it makes sense. ©Starbucks This drink is made of Dongpo Braised Pork Flavor Sauce with espresso and steamed milk and is garnished with pork sauce and pork breast meat. What do you think of that flavor combo? Starbucks in Disney Springs This drink was announced by Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Shanghai on Webio. They noted that their goal was to integrate their traditional customs into coffee — which is what resulted in this drink. Gotta’ have our Starbucks We’re really curious about who pitched the idea of a pork-flavored latte.. that is also served with pork on a skewer. Either way, we’re feeling a lot of FOMO wishing that we could try it. Latte If you find yourself at Shanghai Disney Resort, ask around and see if it is available there — or even take a little day trip into the city and grab it. If you do, let us know what you think — we NEED to know. Seriously, how do those flavors complement each other? We are just so intrigued. Shaken espresso We’re keeping our eyes open for fun news like this all the time, so keep checking in with us to see what we find next! FULL List of Disney Starbucks Cups You Can Buy Online RIGHT NOW! 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 this new drink? Let us know in the comments below! The post Starbucks Just Released MEAT-FLAVORED COFFEE and We're Intrigued 🤔 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Traveling isn’t easy these days — and it certainly isn’t cheap, either! Flying Between gas prices on the rise, increasing airfare costs, and the price of goods and services increasing in general — things are looking pretty bleak. We don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but we do like keeping you updated on the latest travel news — which is why we’re sharing this update with you. Heads up, JetBlue travelers! Baggage fees have increased for select airfare types. According to Fox Business, the change applies to the first checked bag on US, Latin America, Caribbean, and Canada flights within 24 hours of takeoff. ©Getty Images For first bags checked within 24 hours before departure, the fee has been increased for Blue Basic, Blue, and Blue Extra tiers to $45 (previously $35). If you check your first bag more than 24 hours before takeoff, the cost is $35. ©JetBlue Blue Basic, Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra, and JetBlue Plus card member customers will have to pay $60 for their second checked bag within 24 hours of departure, and $50 for the second bag before 24 hours of takeoff. Blue Plus, Mint, and Mosaic customers get complimentary first checked bags still. ©JetBlue “The cost of doing business has gone up significantly due to increased wages, higher fuel costs, and other inflationary pressure, and we remain unprofitable since COVID. While we don’t like increasing fees, it’s one step we are taking to get our company back to profitability and cover the increased costs of transporting bags,” a JetBlue spokesperson said. “By adjusting fees for added services that only certain customers use, we can keep base fares low and ensure customer favorites like seatback TVs and high-speed Wi-Fi remain free for everyone.” ©JetBlue Hopefully, this won’t have too much of an impact on your upcoming trips. We do our best to keep an eye out for the latest flight deals and discounts that can help you save on your travels, like this one right here — and these too! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest travel news, updates, discounts, and more. CHEAP Flights Are Coming to the Orlando Airport SOON Travel Updates, Tips, and Tricks Complete Guide to Booking the CHEAPEST Flight to Disney World What to Do if Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Disney World From the Orlando Airport You’re SLEEPING on These Packing Hacks Air Travel Tips That’ll Change Your Life 8 Catastrophic Travel Mistakes and How to Solve Them The Airline with the MOST Flight Delays and Cancellations This Small Change Will Save You From Lost Luggage The Best Disney Luggage for 2023 21 Things a Former Flight Attendant Needs You To Know 7 Highest-Rated Travel Items on Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe Will you still fly JetBlue after this change? Tell us in the comments. The post WARNING: It Will Now Cost You MORE To Bring Luggage on This Airline first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re big fans of the new Brightline train service that lept onto the scene in Central Florida late last year. It seems that we’re not the only ones! Brightline train In addition to offering exceptional transportation, low fares, and even better seasonal offers to travel by speed train, Brightline has partnered with a popular hotel brand to bring you an extra surprise — and we’ve got the details! Brightline has teamed up with Marriott Bonvoy to give their travelers a surprise offer. If you’re traveling by Brightline train service and book your hotel stay in a Marriott Bonvoy hotel, this combination could unlock a $50 hotel credit. ©Brightline/Marriott Bonvoy This credit can be used for food and drink purchases at your Marriott Bonvoy hotel (and there are over 120 hotels and resorts to choose from) near the Brightline train stations. To book this offer and be eligible for the $50 hotel credit, you can visit Brightline’s website for all the details. ©Brightline/Marriott Bonvoy It’s exciting to see popular transportation services partnering with area hotels to bring you even more perks when you’re on vacation. Make sure you check back in with us for even more offers and updates here at Disney Food Blog! NEWS: A Proposal for Brightline Train Service to Tampa Could Soon Move Forward Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Do you have plans to ride the Brightline train when you’re in Orlando? Leave us your thoughts on the speed train in the comments below! The post HOLD UP! You Can Get for FREE By Being Picky With Your Hotel Room When You Travel by Brightline Train first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Not all advice is good advice when it comes to putting together the perfect Disney trip. Disney World We’ve heard it all when it comes to the Disney Parks over the years. From great planning tips to general Disney hacks, the right advice can save a Disney vacation. With that said, some advice we’ve heard hasn’t aged gracefully. Life has changed dramatically over the last five years and with that, the way we plan our Disney vacations. Advice we used to swear by may be something we no longer abide by. In fact, we’ve come up with 20 pieces of advice you SHOULDN’T follow anymore. Let’s take a look! 1. Rope Drop Is a Must Rope Drop at Hollywood Studios Rope dropping is the process of showing up before the parks open to be one of the first people inside, giving yourself a better chance on riding something that usually has long waits. In the past, this was the best way to ride everything you wanted to ride. However, rope dropping has several issues this days. It no longer guarantees you timly waits (we’re looking at you Avatar Flight of Passage), it requires you to get up super early while on vacation, and can tire you out before your day has even really started. Sleep in here and there and enjoy the vacation aspect of your trip. Also, the creation of Genie+ has also lowered the need to rope drop. 2. The Disney Dining Plan is Always Worth It The truth is… the Disney Dining Plan isn’t for everyone The Disney Dining Plan is great if you have a plan of attack and know how to maximize your credits, but at this same time, it could be an excessive cost that just isn’t worth the value. If you decide to indulge in the Disney Dining Plan, check out our guide for helpful tips and tricks! 3. Animal Kingdom is Just a Zoo — Skip it! Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom Anyone who tells you Disney’s Animal Kingdom is just a zoo is definitely selling the park short. Animal Kingdom acts as both a safari and a theme park, which some up close interactions with animals, brilliant lands, and memorable attractions, such as Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest. Honestly, Animal Kingdom may be the most unique Disney Park IN THE WORLD and is worth your time. 4. Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are Half-Day Parks Disney’s Hollywood Studios Sure, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are half-day parks…if you don’t want to do all the fun stuff and want to leave the parks feeling like you’re missing out. We’ve already talked about all the great things Animal Kingdom has to offer, but Hollywood Studios has quickly accumulated A TON of E-ticket attractions over the last few years, making it not only a full-day park, but one that is going to require you to wait a lot if you don’t have Genie+. Disney World has continued to evolve to the point where we can’t comfortably say any park is a half-day park. 5. You Don’t Need Genie+ to Do Everything Tower of Terror can have a seriously LONG wait! We wish this wasn’t the case, but wait times at the Disney Parks can get LOOOOONG. Genie+ does save you time, even if it does hurt your wallet. Unfortunately nowadays, we don’t think you could do everything on your itinerary without it, unless you have a fair amount of time to kill or get lucky. 6. Adults Shouldn’t Go To Disney Without Children Entrance to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster The rule that adults can’t go to the Disney Parks without children is silly. The Disney Parks are meant to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. In fact, the parks encourage you to embrace your inner child while indulging in more activities, such as wine tasting and riding thrill rides. There is no shame visiting the parks to do exactly what you want to do without the limitations of taking along children. 7. You Can Make Dining Plans on the Fly Homecomin’ It doesn’t matter if you’re at Disneyland or Disney World, if you want to dine at a table-service restaurant at any point, you’ll need reservations. While Disneyland can be a bit more forgiving when it comes to the planning process than Disney World, both resorts still have restaurants reservations fill up fast and well in advance and unless you like scrambling to figure out where you’ll eat dinner since everything is booked, we suggest bucking the go-with-the-flow lifestyle when deciding when and where to eat. 8. Wait to Visit the Parks During the Offseason After Hours event in Hollywood Studios Here’s the truth: the Disney Parks are phasing out the offseason. Disneyland really only has two down periods throughout the year (January and February) but still fills those months will special events that cut regular park hours short, and Disney World is likely to be busy all throughout the year. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, your best bet is going midweek or when crowds are generally lower than usual (during the school year or before or after holidays and school breaks), but you’ll still likely come across long wait times and decent sized crowds. Disneyland and Disney World are amazing theme park resorts, and they will always draw no matter the occassion or season. 9. It’s Disney! Enjoy a Big and Expensive Breakfast to Start Your Day! Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s Does it taste good? Sure! Will it set you back a few extra bucks? You betcha. If you’re on a budget and looking to save time, it’s OK to grab a small bite at the parks, munch on a breakfast snack you brought, or run over to Starbucks to start your day. You don’t need all the bells and whistles to have a great Disney vacation. 10. You Don’t Need to Brings Snacks and Drinks — the Parks Have Plenty! Strawberry Green Tea Churro It’s true that the Disney Parks will sell you plenty of food and drinks, and not all of it is pricy. HOWEVER, guests are allowed to bring in outside food and nonalcoholic beverages to the Disney Parks, so if you want to save a few bucks, this is a totally acceptable way to prep for a park day. 11. Yell “Andy is Coming!” at Toy Story Characters Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios In the past, if you shouted “Andy’s coming!” at Toy Story characters, they might plop to ground and pretend to be lifeless toys. It was a really an insider trick that was very funny but also straining for the characters. Of course once the trick become more widely known, people started to abuse “Andy’s Coming!” to the point where Disney said, “No more!” and pulled it completely. Now if you say “Andy’s Coming!”, nothing will happen and you’ll be the one who looks silly. 12. Wait Until Your Kids Are Old Enough to Remember Before Taking Them to Disney Mando and Grogu in Disney World The idea that you should wait to bring your kiddos to Disney until they are old enough to remember is a longstanding one. We’d like to present a counter argument. Children ages 2 and younger get into the Disney Parks FOR FREE and, while they may not remember everything, they can still have a great time and can be easier to manage than toddlers and preschoolers. 13. You Gotta Stay at the Park from Open to Close to Have the BEST Experience Disneyland’s Space Mountain How you want to spend your time is up to you and if you feel guilted into spending an entire day at Disney…well…don’t. Some people can do park open to park close without breaking a sweat, and for others there’s nothing wrong with showing up after lunch and taking off before or after dinner. Go at your own pace and do a Disney day the way you want to. The goal is to be happy, not blitz through everything and causing yourself pain and fatigue in the process. 14. Try to Cram in Everything During One Trip Main Street at Disney World We don’t know if you need to hear this, but unless you allocate an unreasonable amount of time, you will not got to experience everything in a single Disney trip. While Disneyland’s compact nature makes this slightly more possible, Disney World is a whole other beast and can take MULTIPLE trips in order to experience everything. AND THAT’S OK! The Disney Parks will always be here, always growing, and always keep you wanting to come back for more! 15. Use Standby Lines for Rides with Fun Queues Flight of Passage Disney has really upped it’s game with amazingly interactive and engrossing ride queues, so we get being okay with waiting in standby lines to experience it all. With that said, time is money, and if you can save time bypassing the line (and its amazing queue) with Genie+ or a Lightning Lane you should. At the end of the day, you’ll be able to ride more rides, see more shows, and take your time with meals. Remember — the ride is the main attraction, not its line. 16. EPCOT isn’t as Kid-Friendly as the Other Parks Spaceship Earth EPCOT has a reputation as an adult park because it take more of emphasis on innovation and learning, all while letting you Drink Around the World. And while all of this is true, EPCOT does a great job of making the park inclusive for all guests while offering plenty of attractions, festivals, and shows EVERYONE will love. 17. Get PhotoPass to have Pictures Taken of You Around the Park PhotoPass Photographer We’ll keep this short and sweet — you actually don’t need to pay for PhotoPass to have PhotoPass photographers take pictures for you…just hand them your phone and they’ll be happy to help out! Disney Cast Members are super helpful and well-trained, and they’ll be happy to snap a photo on your phone for you if you politely ask! 18. Don’t Bother with the Hassle of a Stroller if Your Small Kiddo Can Walk Disney Strollers So your preschooler can walk and you don’t want to deal with a clunky stroller all day. If you plan on doing a full park day, this could wind up being a mistake. Take it from us, when your kiddo gets sleepy and you end up carrying them all day, your arms will wish you had a stroller handy. They also help when your child gets into one of those moods after a long day. You can bring one from home or rent one, but either way, better safe than sorry. 19. Disney is for Kids, So Always Do Kids Stuff Trader Sam’s While Disney’s target audience is children, the parks and resorts are for everyone, so go ahead and grab a drink at Trader Sam’s or do a child swap to ride that coaster you’ve been dying to get on! You’re supposed to have fun at Disneyland and Disney World, which means not limiting yourself to just the stuff your kids want to do. 20. Watching Parades and Fireworks is Quintessential Disney Magic Kingdom fireworks Don’t get us wrong, Disney fireworks spectaculars and parades are great! But they also take a huge chunk of time out of your itinerary. Instead of watching a show or parade, you could spend that time hopping on more rides or grabbing a bite to eat. It’s perfectly acceptable to skip the fireworks and parades if they aren’t your thing or you want to spend time on something else. And there you have it! Disney rules and advice are everchanging so stay tuned here at DFB for all the latest Disney Parks tips, tricks, and news! Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe What is some of the Disney advice YOU’VE heard that should be totally ignored? Let us know in the comments below! The post Disney Experts Share 20 Pieces of Advice You Should NOT Follow Anymore first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Travel is a BIG part of a Disney World trip. Southwest at Orlando International Airport We spend a LOT of time traveling. We’ve talked about packing hacks, the BEST tips for flying through Orlando International Airport, and even the BEST tips for flying through Orlando International Airport. Throughout our travels, we have also discovered the EASIEST airline to fly when it comes to Orlando International Airport. When it comes to different airlines, everybody has their preferences. There are SO many to choose from, and we support any decision you make when it comes to choosing your preferred airline. Even though you may have your favorites, depending on where you’re traveling to and from — it could be easier to travel on a different airline. Sunset on a Southwest plane If you’ve been traveling through Orlando International, it’s easy to see just how many airlines fly to and from the airport on a regular basis. Of course, you’ll have all the major ones — like Delta, American, and United, but you’ll also find a TON of budget and international airlines thrown into the mix. However, if you’re looking for the EASIEST airline to fly, look no further than Southwest. Mickey & Minnie Are Ready to Fly — Are You? When it comes to all of the airlines that we see travel through Orlando International on a daily basis, Southwest has reigned supreme when it comes to being the busiest airline at the airport. Not only that, but this summer, Southwest plans to make Orlando International their hub for international flights coming in and out of Florida! Orlando International Airport Not only is it the most popular airline at Orlando International, but it also has some flight practices that are pretty popular among its patrons — which can add to the ease of flying with them overall. Plus, their lower flight fares really add to the appeal overall. Orlando International Airport When you fly with Southwest, you have two checked bags per person included in your ticket already — so you don’t need to pay any outside fees for your checked luggage. This can be AMAZING for a family who is looking to save some serious cash. Orlando International Airport Along with that, they even load their planes in a different way! Instead of selecting your seat ahead of time, they take the “first come, first serve” approach and allow their customers to choose where they sit as they are boarding the plane. People have mixed feelings about this policy, but it can save guests a lot of money that they’d be spending to select their seats otherwise. Orlando International Airport signage All of these factors are really working in Southwest’s favor when it comes to being one of the easiest airlines to travel. We’re always looking for more info to make your travels easier, so keep checking in with us to see what we find next! The CHEAPEST Way to Get To Disney World From the Orlando Airport Travel Updates, Tips, and Tricks Complete Guide to Booking the CHEAPEST Flight to Disney World What to Do if Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Disney World From the Orlando Airport You’re SLEEPING on These Packing Hacks Air Travel Tips That’ll Change Your Life 8 Catastrophic Travel Mistakes and How to Solve Them The Airline with the MOST Flight Delays and Cancellations This Small Change Will Save You From Lost Luggage The Best Disney Luggage for 2023 21 Things a Former Flight Attendant Needs You To Know 7 Highest-Rated Travel Items on Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe What is your preferred airline? Let us know in the comments below! The post How Southwest Airlines Makes Flying to Disney World EASIER first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney fans are a passionate bunch (it’s us, we’re “Disney fans”). Haunted Mansion So, take that Disney fandom even and make it even more niche with Haunted Mansion fans. And then, combine Haunted Mansion fans with die-hard Tiki aficionados and, well — it’s a match made in heaven. Which is why we just knew we had to tell you as soon as we saw these new Haunted Mansion Tiki Mugs online! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. These Hitchhiking Ghosts are definitely coming home with you ©Geeki Tiki Gus, Ezra, and Phineas are ready to come home with you thanks to this Hitchhiking Ghosts Geeki Tiki Mug! We love their iconic poses and ectoplasm-green coloring. This ceramic mug would look perfect in your collection. Not a Tiki collector? It’s never too late to start! This one holds 38 ounces — Scorpion Bowl for two, perhaps? GET IT HERE Get your hands on the Grandfather Clock mug ©Geeki Tiki Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. Time is running out for you to get your hands on the Grandfather Clock Tiki Mug. This one is slightly smaller and holds 14 ounces, so mix up a Mai Tai and get to sippin’. GET IT HERE Madame Leota can see that this mug is also coming home with you ©Geeki Tiki Enter regions beyond by sipping your Zombie cocktail in this Madame Leota Tiki Mug. She hold 14 ounces as well — just enough to get you thinking you can also talk to spirits. GET IT HERE Or, get the Opera Singer mug if that’s your fancy ©Geeki Tiki We love seeing Opera Singer representation in this set. This mug holds 13 ounces, so if you feel like bursting out into song, well — we’d blame the rum! These mugs could sell out soon, so get them while you can. GET IT HERE Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney souvenirs and everything you need to know before your Disney World trip! Shop for More Disney Must-Haves on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post A NEW Haunted Mansion Collection Is Online and We Think It's Gonna SELL OUT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You are on vacation! The last thing you want to think about is rules when you are trying to relax. Disney’s Contemporary Resort Trust us though, this is ONE rule that every Disney World hotel guest does NOT want to be broken. There are so many perks to staying on property at Disney World. From free transportation options to extra time in the parks, staying on the property has its benefits! There is one rule for when you stay at a Disney World hotel that should always be followed. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort You just got back from a long day at the parks, you have walked an insane amount of steps, and now all you want to do is rest up to do it all again the next day. Resort TV is on and you are ready to get some sleep when all of the sudden you hear people yelling down the hallway. Old Key West Resort | Deluxe Studio Room Disney has a hotel rule to try and limit loud noise in the hallways. From 11 PM to 7 AM each day, Disney World Hotels have quiet hours. Trust us, every Disney World hotel guest wants this rule to be followed. People are on different schedules and might have a different definition of vacation than you do. Stormalong Bay And there you have it, the one rule that should always be followed when staying on property. Remember to be respectful and limit your noise from 11 PM to 7 AM out of respect for other hotel guests. Click Here to See Our Ranking of the Best Disney World Hotels! Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels A Full List of Changes Announced for Disney World’s Hotels The BEST Disney World Hotels for 2023 The WORST Disney World Hotels for 2023 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What Items from Amazon Can You Have Delivered to Your Resort Hotel? We’ve Got the Details Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What is your favorite hotel to stay at on property? Let us know in the comments! The post Every Disney World Hotel Guest is BEGGING You Not to Break This ONE Rule first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article