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We LOVE learning secrets from Disney Imagineers — but sometimes it leaves us longing for what could have been. Imagineers in Disney World | Photo: Shared by Jeff Vahle via Instagram (@jeffvahle) Imagineers are the creative Disney engineers who bring the Disney Parks to life and they sometimes gift us insight into how beloved attractions have been and will be made. On rare occasions, however, an Imagineer will spill the details on attractions that almost were but never came to be. Recently, a former Disney Imagineer revealed details on a scrapped Star Wars attraction that promised to be another great Disney Park addition! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to some of the most immersive Star Wars experiences imaginable, including two great attractions. However, former Disney Imagineer Frank Mezzatesta confirmed A THIRD ATTRACTION at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was also supposed to be built in the land but was eventually scrapped for budgeting reasons. The attraction was supposedly similar to the Main Street vehicles in function, but with a huge twist — passengers would be carried by giant alien animals around Batuu. ©Disney/Lucasfilm Although the project was canned to save costs, the Imagineers were pretty far along according to Mezzatesta. In fact, fellow Imagineer Jim Shull doubled down on Mezzatesta’s confirmation, tweeting that the architecture is demonstrative of the attraction being implemented. “Arches connect buildings in several places at a height for the creature vehicles to cross underneath,” wrote Shull. Honestly, we’re pretty bummed hearing about how this cool attraction almost came to be but was ultimately discarded. Still, the foundation has been set so we’ll still hold out hope that maybe — just maybe — this attraction or something similar can see the light of day sometime in the future! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge We can’t wait to share all kinds of Disney secrets (even the ones that make us a little sad) so be sure to stay tuned for all the latest! Former Disney Imagineers Are Building a NEW Theme Park, and Now We Have MORE Details! Want MORE Details About Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge? Click HERE for All the News About Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — Including Our REVIEWS! See How to Build Your Own Droid at Droid Depot Dream of Building Your Own Custom Lightsaber? See How to Do It! Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance! Get Full Details About Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run See More About Oga’s Cantina and Check Out Our Reviews! Check Out Galaxy’s Edge Tips and SECRETS Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge news right in your inbox! Click Here to Subscribe! Do you think Galaxy’s Edge needs another attraction or is it fine the way it is? Share your thoughts in the comments below! The post Disney, We’re Begging You to Revamp This SCRAPPED Project in Hollywood Studios first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Walt Disney World is the place where dreams come true, royal couples live happily ever after, and elephants fly. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge It’s pretty common knowledge that Disney World and Disneyland are places where magic happen every day. And for the right amount of money, you can get married and have a pixie-dust infused wedding at several destinations in the Disney Parks and Resorts. But if you’re envisioning your magical day to take place in a galaxy far, far away… you may need to adjust your hyperspace trajectory. Lots of couples would love to wed in some of Disney’s most romantic locales — in front of Cinderella Castle, at the Wedding Pavilion in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, or even in the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT. But did you know there are tons of venues throughout the parks and resorts? If you have an adventurous spirit and want to wow your guests, you’re going to want to see the unique place where you can have your wedding in Disney World. ©Disney | Wedding Pavilion at the Grand Floridian Resort If your nuptials are on the adventurous side, you can have your wedding at the Harambe Train Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom — complete with themed linens, a catered buffet, and a contemporary Afropop band. Deep in the glowing heart of Pandora: World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Or even on the stage of the Indiana Jones EPIC Stunt Spectacular in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. ©Disney Usually, no matter how big your dreams might be, with the right amount of money, Disney can make almost any wedding wish happen. But there are some things even fairy godmothers can’t overcome, like sustaining enchantments past midnight and cutting through the legal red tape of trademarks, patents, and official legal copyrights. And even though Disney purchased the rights to Lucasfilm back in 2012, there are still some things that are sacred in this galactic franchise empire. Inside the Millennium Falcon Lucasfilm is well-known for consistently registering trademarks for all creations associated with the Star Wars franchise. They trademarked iconic character names like Princess Leia, Skywalker, Yoda, and Darth Vader, but even took it further with trademarking new fictional species this story introduced, like Wookiee and Ewok. These names and phrases were trademarked to help when the films first came out, and merchandising was such a large component of the revenue to support the then-young studio. Chewbacca wants to wish YOU a Happy Life day! George Lucas was legally proactive in protecting his intellectual property and making sure that no one could use his character names, or any concept introduced by the Star Wars universe without his studio receiving their due credit and financial cut. But those safeguards stretch to the present day and prevent the creation of this studio from being represented in a way that deviates from the story of the Star Wars universe. And this includes having modern wedding attire in Stars Wars Galaxy’s Edge locations of the Disney Parks and why you’ll never see “Christmas” decorations here, either. ©Disney So, what does all of this mean? It means that no matter how much money you have and how long you’ve admired Han Solo, you can’t get married in front of the Millennium Falcon. You can’t have your wedding reception in the Storm Trooper alley of Rise of the Resistance. You can’t have Mando as your Best Man, or BB-8 as your flower droid (no matter how adorable that would be!). BB-8! But just because you can’t get married IN Galaxy’s Edge, doesn’t mean you can’t have Star Wars incorporated into your wedding! And the Cast Members at Disney Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons are all too happy to help you brainstorm ways to bring the Force into your vows. Some things that we’ve loved seeing are the incorporation of lightsabers! Imagine walking down the aisle under a canopy of various colored lightsabers, or having a choreographic lightsaber duel, instead of a first dance. If you’re not getting married anytime soon, there are still many special offers in Disney that you may not know about! You can book behind-the-scenes tours in multiple parks, go on a fireworks cruise, and book your own private photo sessions. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! We bet you didn’t know you could do these 9 things in Disney World! Want MORE Details About Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge? Click HERE for All the News About Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — Including Our REVIEWS! See How to Build Your Own Droid at Droid Depot Dream of Building Your Own Custom Lightsaber? See How to Do It! Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance! Get Full Details About Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run See More About Oga’s Cantina and Check Out Our Reviews! Check Out Galaxy’s Edge Tips and SECRETS Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge news right in your inbox! Click Here to Subscribe! Are you planning a Disney wedding soon? Tell us all about in the comments below! The post You Can't Have Your Wedding in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disney World – Here’s Why first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This is not a drill readers! The stand we have been keeping an eye on for months had its walls come down yesterday and has officially opened today! Ice Cold Hydraulics When on a park walk at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one of our reporters officially confirmed that Ice Cold Hydraulics is OPEN TODAY and serving all of their tasty treats! This is big news ya’ll. The walls just came down less than 24 hours ago and now the location is open and ready for service. The menu was posted yesterday and some interestingly delicious treats are available at this location — which is situated right outside of MuppetVision 3D in Hollywood Studios! Our reporter confirmed that the location is open from park open to park close, with no special or adjusted hours! It’s open! This is what it looked like this morning! It appears to already have garnered some attention (and lines) and we are really excited to be able to grab a bite here. We’re still eating, but stay tuned to DFB for a review to see what this new location is all about! More Food Reviews Can Be Found 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 Are you excited to grab a bite at this new location in Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments below! The post BREAKING: Disney World's NEWEST Snack Spot Is Officially OPEN first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Many Disney Channel stars have moved on from their Disney days and ventured into the world of acting in different ways. Zach Efron has taken on more comedic, gritty movies, Selena Gomez is currently starring in a TV show, and Olivia Rodrigo is solely focusing on music! Spaceship Earth But we haven’t heard of any Disney Channel star doing tech and space like this one is! Former Disney Channel star Bridget Mendler, known for shows like Good Luck Charlie and Wizards of Waverly Place, has just become the CEO of space startup Northwood Space, based in El Segundo, California! ©Northwood Space CNBC reports Mendler’s vision is “a data highway between Earth and space.” Northwood’s aim is to build large quantities of ground stations, which are the big circular antenna devices that connect to satellites in space. Mendler’s startup has already attracted $6 million in initial funding from investors! Not necessarily this kind of space! One of the goals of Mendler’s Northwood Space company is to offer Space companies similar capabilities that those who rent servers from Amazon or Microsoft get! The startup is set to start connectivity testing later this year on their ground stations. Where’d Earth go? We’re really interested to see where this takes Bridget Mendler, as this company looks to be in incredible hands and on the road to success. Remember to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more news updates! We’ve Got News About THIS Space Related Ride Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Did you know this about Bridget Mendler? Let us know in the comments below! The post A Disney Celebrity Is Now...CEO of a Space Startup?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re constantly keeping an eye on the many construction projects in Disney World. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Whether it’s a big hotel refurbishment (like the upcoming DVC tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort) or a new ride coming to the park (like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom), we’re keeping our eyes peeled for updates. And today, we’re one step closer to the opening of a brand-new snack stand in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! A snack stand has been under construction in the Grand Avenue area of the park for quite some time, but recently, Disney finally painted the sign — say hello to Ice Cold Hydraulics! Ice Cold Hydraulics — Opening Soon! Shortly after that, Disney gave a sneak peek at the menu for the new spot, sharing that it would be home to Candy Painted Cinnamon Rolls, Bouncin’ Mini Churros, and Frozen Slushies. But at the time, no opening date was announced. ©Disney Now, as of Monday, February 19th, we have a big update — the construction walls are DOWN! We can finally see the new snack stand in all its glory. Ice Cold Hydraulics There are Coca-Cola details throughout, because many of the snacks here feature the popular beverage. Coca-Cola details There’s also a small courtyard off to the side with a new seating area! The tables have umbrellas. The new seating In addition to the walls being down, the menu is also posted for Ice Cold Hydraulics! There are a number of snacks, including the ones that Disney announced previously. You can also purchase popcorn, Mickey pretzels, cotton candy, and ice cream novelties here. We can see the menu You can order the frozen slushies with or without alcohol, depending on your preference. They serve beer and wine as well. Drinks And of course, you can purchase various Coke products like sodas and water. More drinks That’s all we’ve got for now, but you know we’ll be here as soon as it opens to bring you the full scoop and of course, a big review! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest. Click Here for the List of Best Snacks in Hollywood Studios! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited about this new snack stand? Tell us in the comments! The post Construction Walls Are DOWN at the NEW Snack Stand in Disney's Hollywood Studios first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Things are changing in Disney World! Slinky Dog Dash We’ve been keeping an eye on construction walls in the Grand Avenue section of Hollywood Studios, where Disney has been building a new snack stand. Then, we learned that Ice Cold Hydraulics would be opening soon. Disney gave us a sneak peek at the menu previously, but now that construction walls are down we have a full look at the menu with prices! The construction walls are DOWN at Ice Cold Hydraulics and the menus with pricing are UP! We already knew about some of these eats but now we’ve got a full look at what we can expect from this new space. It’s opening soon! You can check out the full menu with prices below! The full menu! We are extremely excited about the Candy Painted Cinnamon Rolls! These are mini cinnamon rolls topped with Coca-Cola-infused glaze and toasted nuts. ©Disney And, you can also order the Bouncin’ Mini Churros. These savory churros are topped with Coca-Cola and bourbon candied bacon, sriracha aïoli, and scallions. ©Disney We can’t wait to get our hands on the frozen slushes as well! They come in flavors like Fanta Blue Raspberry, Minute Maid Lemonade, or Coca-Cola. They’re also available with Jack Daniels Whiskey, Bacardi Superior Rum, or Stoli Vanil Vodka. ©Disney We spoke with a nearby Cast Member who said they couldn’t confirm an opening date, but that this spot would be opening “very soon” and to check back daily — so we will! Seating area Stay tuned to DFB as we bring you our first look at Ice Cold Hydraulics once it officially opens in Hollywood Studios, and keep checking back here for the latest Disney news! These Are the BEST Snacks in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Right Now 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! Will you be checking this new snack stand out? Tell us in the comments. The post FULL MENU and PRICES for the NEW Snack Stand Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Attention all Swifties! We may have discovered something for all of you to sleuth out and uncover. ©TIME Rumors have been swirling that Taylor Swift may be appearing (or at least have a cameo) in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie from Marvel! And, an interesting social media post from Marvel’s international branches has us tossing out our best theories. Marvel’s Australian and New Zealand Facebook pages shared a new poster for the Deadpool & Wolverine and it may potentially address some rumors regarding Taylor Swift’s involvement in the film. The poster features three friendship bracelets, one for Deadpool, one for Wolverine, and one with the movie’s Australian release date, July 25th, 2024. ©Marvel The reason this sparked so many more rumors is that during Taylor’s Eras Tour, her fans were known to make and trade bracelets at her shows. This also comes amidst paparazzi spotting Taylor with the movie’s filmmaker, Shawn Levy. ©Marvel We’re not sure that this means Taylor Swift is in the movie, we are thinking it was just Marvel’s way of utilizing Taylor Swift’s presence in pop culture to further keep people talking about the movie. If you think about it, the theme for the movie has friendship vibes because the American poster uses the friendship necklace motif to promote the two characters. ©Marvel It has been heavily rumored since the second movie that Taylor Swift is to play Dazzler, one of the X-Men characters speculated to appear in the film. Only time will tell if Taylor Swift is actually set to appear in the movie or if Marvel is using her popularity to promote their film. We’ll keep you updated on any further news relating to Deadpool & Wolverine! See the Latest Trailer for ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ 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 think Taylor Swift will appear in this movie? Let us know below! The post Is This a CLUE That Taylor Swift Could Be in Marvel's 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Movie? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

These days, you never really know what sort of crowds you’re going to be dealing with in Disney World. Welcome to the Magic Kingdom! Sometimes we expect a totally empty park and are met with intense crowds, and other times it’s the opposite. Even though crowds can be unpredictable, so it’s good to prepare for the worst — and if you’re heading to Disney World this weekend, you might want to do just that. The runDisney 2024 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend will take place from February 22nd to February 26th, 2024! Registration has been full for a while now, but we wanted to remind you that there will likely be some pretty intense crowds in the parks and around the rest of Disney World this weekend. ©Disney One of the perks of running in a runDisney race is that you get to run through the theme parks and even backstage! Even though the races start early in the morning, longer races like the marathon can impact the parks. This means that it may take longer to get where you’re going, and you might have to deal with some pretty congested areas and long wait times. Race weekend crowds in 2022 If you’re planning on using Genie+, make sure you make those Lightning Lane selections as soon as you’re able to so you don’t miss out on the rides you’re most excited about! For folks staying at Disney World hotels, Early Entry might be a good idea — and those at Deluxe Resorts can take advantage of Extended Evening Hours on select nights as well. What a runDisney race morning could look like. There will also be an exclusive merchandise release as part of this event at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during the following dates and times: Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024: 10AM – 8PM Friday, Feb. 23, 2024: 11AM – 7PM Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024: 11AM – 3PM ©Disney Stay tuned to DFB as we continue to bring you more news about runDisney events! Check Out the EXCLUSIVE Souvenirs Coming to Disney World for the Princess Half Marathon Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW The post REMINDER: Expect Major Crowds in Disney World This Weekend! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re always looking for the perfect excuse to get our hands on the latest Disney souvenirs. Loungefly Backpacks A holiday? Check. New movie? Check. Random Tuesday? Heck yeah! Disney’s latest collection is coming soon and we think it’s arriving just in time for some fun in the sun this summer. Let’s check it out! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Loungefly has shared a FIRST LOOK at a new collection coming soon! Check it all out below. Grab the Neon Colorblock Loungefly backpack! ©Loungefly Y’all we cannot get over this new neon colorblock collection from Loungefly! The highlighter yellow, orange, pink, and green is transporting us straight back to school while also giving us some serious summer vibes. We love the classic Minnie bow and ears that are part of the backpack! SEE IT HERE Or, get your hands on the matching wallet. ©Loungefly Looking for a matching set? Look no further. This zippered wallet/wristlet combo can be tossed into your park bag or carried by itself thanks to the detachable wrist strap. This one is pretty roomy as well and can hold a good amount of cards and cash! SEE IT HERE It wouldn’t be a new collection without ears! ©Loungefly We are LOVING these neon pink, yellow, and green sequin ears that are part of this collection! The front features pink ears with a yellow bow, while the back is green on an orange velour headband! SEE IT HERE You can also snag this crossbody bag. ©Loungefly If backpacks aren’t your thing — no worries! There’s a matching Loungefly crossbody as part of this collection, too. It features a front flap closure along with a zipper to keep your items nice and secure. The bow and ears are part of this classic look, and it also comes with a handle and detachable, adjustable strap! SEE IT HERE We love this little card carrier, too! ©Loungefly Not looking for a bulky wallet? This little card carrier might be just the thing! We love the little bow and ear details. SEE IT HERE We’ll let you know when this collection is officially available to shop, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates and news about Disney merchandise and more! Shop for More Disney Souvenirs on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post FIRST LOOK at a New Neon Disney Loungefly Collection first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You might be familiar with the classic SNL skit parody of Blue Oyster Cult and Christopher Walken continuously insisting on “More Cowbell.” Well, at DFB, we are Christopher Walken continuously shouting into the universe for “More Muppets,” and the universe has finally answered back! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. We are a tight-knit group of writers and kindred spirits. We each have a special place in our hearts for our favorite nuggets of Disney memories, attractions, food (of course, we are DFB, after all), collectibles, and intellectual property. Some of us are die-hard Star Wars fans, some of us are classic Disney animated lovers, and we will often debate over who is the strongest Avenger or even have thought-provoking cross-universe conversations about Darth Vader vs. Thanos. We share fun internet finds with each other — and also with you, because we know you’ll love what we find, too! And yes, there are a few things that we can all put down our personal opinions about and debate strategies. Things like our love for plastic cheese, a great Target find or Amazon deal, our unending love of the Hall of Presidents, and yes, dear reader, The Muppets. Miss Piggy! We LOVE the Muppets! Ok, some of us more than others, but the love is there! And we’re always looking (and wishing, and hoping, and dreaming) for new and fun ways to have a little more Muppets in our days. And when we saw this new collection available for pre-order, the DFB staff might’ve just broken the internet when we all crashed the site with our pre-order mania. And take a look at these — can you blame us?! ©Disney This collection is three things we love in one! MUPPETS, Tiki mugs, and Collectibles! When you’re battin’ 3-for-3, you gotta go for it! This Muppet Tiki Mug collection has 5 pieces, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and Animal. And yes, you do have to order them all separately. You can get one of each for a full collection or just your favorite Muppet. But how can you choose?! Can you really pick between Fozzie or Gonzo? Or Kermit or Miss Piggy? They go together like peanut butter and jelly, plastic cheese and corn dog nuggets, Gaston’s cinnamon roll and extra icing! Kermit Tiki Mug ©EntertainmentEarth/Geeki Embrace a Tiki-themed day with your beloved green companion! We love that he’s holding a little ukelele and can just imagine him singing The Rainbow Connection with a tropical Tiki twist. Get Your Kermit Tiki Mug HERE Miss Piggy Tiki Mug ©EntertainmentEarth/Geeki Celebrate a Tiki-infused day with an iconic musical personality! We think Miss Piggy would approve of sippin’ a fabulous tropical cocktail or mocktail from this glamorous mug. Get Your Miss Piggy Tiki Mug HERE Fozzie Tiki Mug ©EntertainmentEarth/Geeki A straw hat, sunglasses, and a smiley face vacation shirt show that this bear knows how to find his Tiki side! Considering how banana peels are a staple in his comedy line-up, we’re pretty sure your beverage choice would be on point if you sipped some fun banana-flavored beverage from this mug! Get Your Fozzie Tiki Mug HERE Gonzo Tiki Mug ©EntertainmentEarth/Geeki This self-proclaimed weirdo is ready for vacation, and we’re loving his true blue tropical vibes. Is that a Lapu Lapu he’s holding from Tambu Lounge? Perhaps it is! Get Your Gonzo Tiki Mug HERE Animal Tiki Mug ©EntertainmentEarth/Geeki We are so looking forward to having our Animal Tiki Mug while we rewatch Muppet Mayhem on Disney+ for the thousandth time! Each mug holds 16 ounces and stands at around 7 3/4 inches tall x 4 inches wide. Please note that it is recommended for hand wash only and is not dishwasher safe. Get Your Animal Tiki Mug HERE Any of these mugs will make amazing additions to your Tiki mug collection or your Muppet merchandise collection. As always, stay tuned to DFB for more merchandise finds! And remember, with every Muppet-centric purchase, you’re helping to support Muppetkind and keeping Muppet culture at the forefront of our pop culture conscienceness. So, do the right thing. Don’t just buy a tiki mug (or 5) because they’re adorable. Buy them because it’s the patriotic thing to do, and we don’t want to make Sam the Eagle cry. See Our Favorite Merch Finds Here!The post Sorry Wallet, These NEW Disney Souvenirs Qualify as a Retail Emergency first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re always traveling to Disney World! Whether it’s a single park day or a week-long vacation, there is no doubting how often we step foot on Walt Disney World Property. MagicBand+ We have the ultimate item that we simply cannot forget every time we visit Disney World and you shouldn’t either! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Did you know that you now have to charge your MagicBand?! That can be tricky when you’re traveling with a group of people and a few bands need a charge. That’s why we recommend this $12 MagicBand+ charger. We Swear By This Multi-Purpose Charger! MultiCharger for MagicBand+ This MultiCharger has multiple ports that can be used to charge so many things! It connects to your portable charger and offers four ports to connect up to four devices and can be used to charge your MagicBand+, phone, or anything else you need! It is slim enough and doesn’t overheat, making it an amazing choice. Shop On Amazon We swear by this item because it takes the worry out of getting everything charged in the evenings when we are back at our hotel! Check Out More Of Our Favorite Finds Here!The post The Item You Can't Forget for Disney World This Year first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disneyland is no stranger to new and exclusive treats — and we’re no strangers to trying them all out! Sleeping Beauty Castle A rare holiday is being celebrated at Disney California Adventure soon, and it’s sure to bring exciting entertainment, souvenirs, and of course — snacks. We’ve already had a sneak peek at some of what we can expect from this event, but now we know about all the eats that are coming our way! Disney has just announced FOUR exclusive snacks that will be available in celebration of the Anaheim Ducks Days! From February 22nd and February 23rd at Disney California Adventure, you’ll be able to pick up four exclusive snacks. ©Disney Chocolate Mousse Cake at Schmoozies Chocolate Mousse Cake (Schmoozies! at Disney California Adventure Park) – chocolate cake filled with cookies and cream mousse and raspberry filling, topped with crushed cookie, chocolate pieces and chocolate decorations. (David Nguyen/Disneyland Resort) Chicken Fried Steak Burrito at Studio Catering Co. ©Disney “Fly Together” Cake Pop at Trolley Treats ©Disney Orange Cocktail at Hollywood Lounge ©Disney We are really excited about these limited-time treats and think that they’re a great way to celebrate Anaheim Ducks Days. Stay on the lookout if you’ll be in the park on February 22nd and 23rd. And, don’t miss the Legacy Celebration cavalcade on February 23rd, which will highlight select Anaheim Ducks alumni! Be on the lookout for Wild Wing, the Anaheim Ducks mascot, who will be making special appearances throughout Ducks Days in Hollywood Land. ©Kelvin Kuo We here at DFB will keep you updated with the latest and greatest Disneyland news — so keep checking back for more! Disneyland’s Resort Expansion Map Found Here! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Will you be picking up any of these limited time treats? Let us know in the comments below! The post You Only Have 48 Hours To Get These EXCLUSIVE Disney Snacks! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve never hunted for Hidden Mickeys on your Disney World trip, you have seriously been missing out. A Hidden Mickey! From tiny little Mickeys to giant ones and some that only appear once a year, there are plenty of Hidden Mickeys throughout Disney World. But, did you know there’s also a hidden Tinker Bell somewhere in Magic Kingdom? It’s true — and we’re spilling all the secrets! You’ve heard of Hidden Mickeys — but did you know Disney occasionally adds hidden nods to other characters throughout the parks? It’s true — you just need to know where to look (like this Hidden Donald in Animal Kingdom)! Over in Magic Kingdom, there’s a tribute to an underrated Disney character where you wouldn’t expect it — at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad After you make your way off the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness, pay close attention to the details in the rocks as you exit. There’s a Hidden Tinker Bell carved into some of the scenery! See her? Hidden Tink! She’s facing to the left with her wings high in the sky behind her — here’s a closer look. We love little details and hidden Easter eggs like this one that Disney adds throughout the parks. You never know when you’re going to find something you haven’t seen before! There she is Make sure you keep an eye out for this Hidden Tinker Bell the next time you’re getting ready for the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness! Stay tuned to DFB for all the hidden Disney facts, news, and more you need to know! You’ve Walked Past These Hidden Mickeys in Disney World DOZENS of Times Without Seeing Them 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 about this hidden Tinker Bell? Tell us in the comments. The post No One Knows This Secret About Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s almost time for the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival! 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival This year’s festival starts earlier than normal on February 28th and runs until May 27th. You’ll get three months of delicious eats, beautiful floral displays, and stellar entertainment if you’re visiting EPCOT this spring! And part of the entertainment you can catch is the Garden Rocks Concert Series — this year, some BIG artists are coming to town. If you’re planning to watch the Garden Rocks Concert Series during your visit, you might want to check out the lineup online to see who’s performing. There are dozens of artists this year, but some of them are really popular! We’ve gathered up a list of the most popular artists lined up for 2024, so you know when to prepare for the crowds. 2023 Garden Rocks Concert Here are the most popular artists appearing this year: Richard Marx — March 3rd and 4th Berlin — March 8th and 9th Rick Springfield — March 10th and 11th Commodores — March 17th and 18th The Pointer Sisters — March 31st and April 1st Jo Dee Messina — April 12th and 13th A Flock of Seagulls — April 14th and 15th Plain White T’s — April 19th-22nd Starship featuring Mickey Thomas — April 26th and 27th Fonesca — May 6th Simple Plan — May 10th-13th The Spinners — May 17th and 18th Lit — May 24th and 25th Casting Crowns — May 26th and 27th Berlin at Garden Rocks in 2023 If you’re planning to visit on any of those days and want to secure your spot at one of the Garden Rocks shows, we’ve got a solution for you! You can book a Garden Rocks Dining Package to ensure you have a seat for the evening’s concert, along with a meal at one of EPCOT’s table service restaurants. Garden Rocks Concert Series For 2024, the following restaurants are available for Garden Rocks Dining Packages: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Breakfast: $66 for adults; $42 for kids Dinner: $74 for adults; $50 for kids Biergarten Restaurant Lunch and Dinner: $60 for adults; $34 for kids Coral Reef Restaurant Lunch and Dinner: $79 for adults; $29 for kids The Garden Grill Restaurant Breakfast: $58 for adults; $37 for kids Lunch and Dinner: $58 for adults; $37 for kids Le Cellier Lunch and Dinner: $99 for adults; $39 for kids Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room Lunch and Dinner: $61 for adults; $26 for kids Spice Road Table Lunch and Dinner: $50 for adults; $21 for kids The Disney Dining Plan can be used for all of these restaurants except Spice Road Table. Both Le Cellier and lunch/dinner at Akershus cost two Dining Plan credits. The others are all one-credit locations. Spice Road Table To snag a dining package, you’ll need to select “EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival — Garden Rocks Dining Packages” when making your reservation. You’ll select a showtime, then choose a restaurant. Reservations have already opened, and there is limited availability. Choose Showtime First, then Participating Restaurant Times will populate If you don’t want to go through the process of a dining reservation and a long table service meal, there is ONE quick service restaurant that offers a day-of dining package for the shows. At Regal Eagle Smokehouse in The American Adventure pavilion, the package includes a guaranteed seat at the show, an entree, non-alcoholic beverage, and dessert for $36. It’s limited availability, so you’ll want to stop by to see if they have any open spots for the day first thing. Regal Eagle Smokehouse eats So for those heading to the Garden Rocks concerts this year, you’re now prepared! We can’t wait to check out all that the Flower & Garden Festival has to offer in 2024. Click Here to See All the Menus for This Year’s Festival! MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FESTIVAL DAYS DFB's Guide to the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival details everything you need to know to maximize your time, budget and stomach space! Know what's worth it and what to skip with our full-photo menus of each booth, complete with DFB's Best of the Fest. It includes all the must-have information for navigating this one of the most BEAUTIFUL festivals at Disney World, including: Booth & food photos, maps, and crawls with DFB's exclusive recommendations! The COMPLETE schedule of events (so you don't have to go hunting for all the dates!) All the details on special events, topiaries, festival exclusive merchandise, and more! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Flower & Garden Festival INFO! See the FULL LIST of Food Booths, Menus, and Photos from the Festival Learn About the Garden Rocks Concert Series and Dining Packages Secret Tips for the Flower & Garden Festival CONFIRMED: These 6 Things Will RETURN to the 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2 Things We ALWAYS Bring to the Festival Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the Festival! Which concert are you planning to see? Tell us in the comments! The post Heads Up! These Will Be the Hardest Garden Rocks Concert Series To Get Into at the 2024 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hey Disney Visa Cardmembers!! ©Disney We know that you love exclusive discounts and exclusive souvenirs, so we wanted to share that a new souvenir just for you has been released. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Disney just released a new 2024 Disney Visa Cardmember Dumbo Pin! ©Disney Store The train features Dumbo, Timothy Mouse, and Casey Jr. It also comes on a Disney Rewards 2024 card. ©Disney Store If you’re looking to snag this pin, head over the DisneyStore.com and simply use your Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card at check out. GET THE DUMBO PIN HERE! Shop more Disney must-haves by visiting our Amazon storefront.The post New EXCLUSIVE Souvenir Released for Disney Visa Cardmembers first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

WHOA…did we just reveal Indiana Jones Adventure secrets? 👀🪨 #Disney #Disneyland #IndianaJonesView the full article

We go to Disney World every day and partake in rides, food, merchandise, character interactions, and just about everything that Disney World has to offer. Cinderella Castle But, we know that going to Disney World isn’t always a walk in the park — especially if it’s your first time. That, combined with the fact that Disney World isn’t exactly cheap, might be why the House of Mouse has just been awarded a rather unfortunate title. According to a survey of 5,000 people created by the team at Casino.org based on Tripadvisor’s top 10 US attractions, roughly 60% of all surveyed feel that Disney World is America’s biggest rip-off. Disney World The article details that at $109 a ticket per person for simply the most basic of tickets, it is understandable that Disney World ranks number one as the biggest tourist attraction rip-off. Not only that, it is noted that Disney World is Florida’s number one biggest rip-off! Hollywood Studios We aren’t sure how we feel about this knowledge but we understand the results. That’s why we here at Disney Food Blog are all about offering you tips and tricks to make your vacation as enjoyable as it can be while finding you ways to save money! Slinky Dog Dash! If you go to Disney World as often as we do, think about investing in an annual pass, as it’ll save you money on tickets, visits, merchandise, and food in the long run. We also like the Disney Dining Plan when it comes to saving money on food! Annual Pass Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog as we keep on the lookout for all the latest tips, tricks, and deals to make your vacation the best it can possibly be! Read About This Latest Disney Discount! 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 the pricing at Disney World? Let us know in the comments down below! The post Disney World Ranked the 'Biggest Rip-off' in the US, According to New Survey first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Listen, y’all. There’s an awesome perk in Disney World that it feels like NO ONE is using, so we want to make sure you know about it so that you can utilize it on your next trip! Dining at Jiko — The Cooking Place Seriously, this thing can save your vacation and help you get some of the BEST food in the parks. One of the worst feelings in the world is when you wake up early, 60 days before your vacation starts, to make those dining reservations for your upcoming trip, only to discover that the reservations for all your favorite restaurants are GONE. Is hope completely LOST? Do you just have to give up and eat bad theme park burgers the whole time?! Cheeseburger at Cosmic Ray’s Don’t worry! There’s actually a super cool and easy-to-use way to get into some awesome Disney World restaurants, and it’s called the walk-up waitlist. What Are Walk-Up Waitlists? Most table service restaurants at Disney World require advanced reservations, which you can start to make 60 days before your trip. If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you can make reservations for your whole trip 60 days out; however, for other hotels, you will need to make reservations for each day 60 days before that day. (We know it’s kinda confusing — check out our FULL GUIDE to advanced dining reservations for more details!) ©Disney For the most popular restaurants, you really need to be QUICK to book your spot, as reservations fill up fast! If you miss your chance and don’t get reservations for a certain restaurant, you might still be able to dine there if the restaurant has a walk-up waitlist. Le Cellier Steakhouse in EPCOT Not ALL restaurants have a walk-up waitlist, but a LOT of them do! If you don’t have a reservation, you can join the walk-up waitlist on the My Disney Experience app. You just join the list, and then Disney lets you know when it’s your turn to go inside. Easy peasy, no advanced planning necessary. How Do You Use Walk-Up Waitlists in Disney World? Here’s a step-by-step guide to using walk-up waitlists in Disney World: First, check for restaurant availability on the My Disney Experience app. Even if a restaurant has a walk-up waitlist, it might be full for the day, so you still need to make sure that there are openings. If you’re already at the restaurant, there might be a sign with a QR code that you can scan to see that particular restaurant’s availability. Look for this Walk-Up Waitlist sign! To check for a specific restaurant’s availability, you can use the search feature in the app, type in a restaurant’s name, click on the name, and then locate the “Join Walk-Up List” option. ©Disney Click that button, enter your party size, and join the list (note that you might have to move closer to the restaurant to be able to join the list — you can’t join if you’re too far away). Disney will let you know how long your wait will likely be. ©Disney You can check for overall walk-up availability by clicking the little “+” button in the menu at the bottom of the screen, clicking “Check Dining Availability,” and entering your party size and date. ©Disney Once you’ve entered that information, select “Now” for the time. Your options will pop up with estimated wait times, and you can select the one you want and join the list. But wait, there’s more! (At this point, we feel like infomercials for walk-up waitlists, and we’re kinda here for it.) You can also check walk-up waitlist availability using the Tip Board. First, go to the three stacked horizontal lines in the bottom menu. Select “Tip Board” at the top. ©Disney From there, toggle over to “Dining” instead of “Attractions & Shows” (this option is towards the top of the screen, just under the park name and Genie+ notification). This page will show the restaurants in the park with information on walk-up waitlist availability. Just join the list of whichever restaurant you want to visit! This page also shows Mobile Order availability for the quick service restaurants if you’d rather go to one of those. ©Disney Make sure the correct park is selected at the top so that you’re seeing restaurants in the park you’re visiting and not in a different one. Even if you’re in the right park, you still might be prompted to move closer to the restaurant if you’re a little too far away. ©Disney Once you’ve joined the list, you just need to wait! You will be notified via the app and through text when your table is ready. WHERE Should You Use Walk-Up Waitlists? There are some awesome restaurants — including SUPER popular ones — that have a walk-up waitlist and very possibly could have availability during your next trip. Garden Grill Here’s a list of some of our favorite places to eat that do have walk-up waitlists: The Garden Grill in EPCOT Le Cellier Steakhouse in EPCOT Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort Oga’s Cantina at Disney’s Hollywood Studios 50s Prime Time Café at Hollywood Studios Yak & Yeti Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom Story Book Dining at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Those aren’t all the options in Disney World — just some of our favorites. Here’s a full list! Click here to see a FULL LIST of restaurants that have walk-up waitlists. With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. DFB Guide Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest news and best tips about Disney World! If counting on walk-up waitlists sounds stressful, click here to learn about advanced dining reservations in Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you used walk-up waitlists in Disney World? Tell us about your experience in the comments! The post You've Never Used This Perk in Disney World -- Here's Why You Need To Start! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is going through a serious transformation that will bring new rides, restaurants, hotel rooms, and experiences to the park and beyond. Welcome to the Magic Kingdom! Between the construction in EPCOT, the work on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom, and even the new Polynesian Resort building, it’s a lot to keep up with. And, we just spotted a new permit that’s a pretty major indicator that some HUGE construction changes are coming soon to Disney Springs! A new permit has been filed for work at the former NBA Experience in Disney Springs! Previously the NBA Experience This expansive space was previously the home of DisneyQuest, a four-story video gaming extravaganza, and it was later turned into the NBA Experience. After the pandemic, this attraction never re-opened with Disney confirming it was officially closed for good in 2021. The space was briefly home to a virtual Star Wars experience, but other than that has mostly remained empty. NBA Experience But, a whopping four years later, it looks like Disney is finally deciding to do something with the NBA Experience. And, with this being such a large space, the opportunities could be nearly endless. The permit is specifically for “general construction/demo,” so we know at least part if not all of the building will undergo some form of demolition. What comes next for the space is anyone’s (okay maybe not Disney’s) guess! NBA Experience We do know that Disney recently announced a partnership with Fortnite — could we see a new video game experience in this space? Of course, with Disney Springs being a shopping and dining destination, we could also see something along those lines put into this space. Either way, we’ll be keeping an eye out for udpates. NBA Experience Shop Stay tuned to DFB for the latest news from Disney World and more! Check Out MORE Recently Filed Disney World Permits Here! 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 When are you heading to Disney World next? Tell us in the comments! The post NEWS: Permit Filed for DEMOLITION of EMPTY Disney Springs Attraction first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Walt Disney Company has never shied away from ambitious projects. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Disneyland and Disney World, after all, have been building ambitious projects since the very beginning! Disney is also always at the forefront of technology, especially when it comes to ways to use that new technology for entertainment. Disney doesn’t always meet success with its massive undertakings, though. Take the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, which was one of the most unique experiences in the world, but also a project that ultimately failed. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was a two-day highly immersive experience set in the Star Wars universe. The experience was also a grand roleplaying adventure, allowing guests on the Halcyon (the fictional cruise ship the Starcruiser experience took place on) to become part of their own Star Wars story that could change based on their choices. Although roleplaying isn’t a new concept, nothing at the scale Disney had in mind had ever been done before. Atrium of the Halcyon However, Disney decided to close the Galactic Starcruiser, after it failed to perform in the way the company had hoped. In the end, the entire project seemed like a failed experiment, but one that the company did say it hoped to learn from for future projects. So the Galactic Starcruiser closed for good, and there’s a chance something like it may never exist again. Here’s why. Price One of the biggest things that kept people from booking a trip on the Galactic Starcruiser was the price. When the price was initially announced, a lot of folks were shocked at just how high it was: the CHEAPEST option was $4,800 for two guests. Granted, that price included a trip to Batuu (aka Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) and all food and some drinks, as well as all the interactive experiences and entertainment. However, that’s still a LOT of moolah. Gaya performs on Night 1 at the Crown of Corellia Dining Room The opening of the Galactic Starcruiser also came at a time when the economy was suffering and many people just couldn’t justify that much to live out their Star Wars fantasies. The price was just too prohibitive for many to enjoy the experience. The Star Wars Hotel and Disney World’s NEW Fort Wilderness Cabins Hotel Have One BIG Thing in Common! The cost for running the experience was too high Although Disney never released how much it cost to run the experience onboard the Galactic Starcruiser, it had to be high. There were highly technological elements like lightsaber training and ship piloting. Then there’s the cost of keeping the highly-trained Cast Members around, who were basically actors getting paid to improvise…a lot. Window inside cabin There were all sorts of special effects, too, like windows that showed the ship traveling through “space,” as well as holograms, “real” lightsabers, and more. All of these elements had to be costly to run every day and night. Your Jaw Will DROP When You See Disney’s BRAND-NEW Robot Technology The cruise experience was off-putting At first, a cruise in space might sound like fun, but this went beyond a cruise. Not only did Disney have set times for things like meals and entertainment, but you could only embark and disembark at certain times. You could only visit Batuu with an organized group at a specific time. Everything had a schedule, so there was no room for spontaneity. Chewbacca in the engineering room The roleplaying, for those who participated (and honestly, why would anyone go on this “cruise” without the interaction?), was almost non-stop. We spent a lot of late nights working jobs for the Resistance when we were onboard. It’s…a lot. Guests were trapped on the Halcyon for two days with very little freedom to do anything other than what Disney wanted them to do. 7 Cringey Things Disney Could Do With the Star Wars Hotel Building It was too niche We’ve mentioned that this was an experience that only hardcore Star Wars fans would want to do. We’re talking those fans who eat, sleep, and breathe Star Wars (which is pretty much what the Halcyon required). Starcruiser Cast Members But it’s only a subset of that group that could actually AFFORD to spend money on this experience, as it was quite expensive. So Disney seriously narrowed down how many people would be interested in the experience, to begin with. 5 Ways the Star Wars Hotel Completely Shocked Disney Fans It was a one-and-done experience So the entirety of the Halcyon experience was a very specific storyline that Cast Members had rehearsed, with some improvisation added based on the kinds of decisions guests made. However, in the end, there was only one story with a few branching plot points, that culminated in an ending that was written by Disney. The Captain If the experience is basically the same, that pretty much keeps people from booking a second or third trip on the Galactic Starcruiser. Once that small subset of the population we previously mentioned had already experienced the Starcruiser, no one was left to book the experience. If Disney ever had plans of changing the experience occasionally, though, we’ll never know. What’s Going to Happen to All the Stuff in the Star Wars Hotel? We will say this, though: the Cast Members onboard the Halcyon were AMAZING and did an incredible job of making the experience as immersive as possible when we had a chance to take a cruise on the Galactic Starcruiser. The experience itself was unique and SO immersive, and we hope that Disney really does plan to use some of these ideas in other ways in its parks. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens next. Stay tuned to DFB for more. 6 Things Disney World Could Do With the CLOSED Star Wars Hotel Building 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 did you think of the ideas behind the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser? How would like to see those implemented in the future? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney’s Star Wars Hotel Was a First of Its Kind. Was It Also a LAST of Its Kind? first appeared on the disney food blog. 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There is nothing quite like the quiet, serene nature that Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort offers its visitors. From waterfront dining to a beautifully decorated bar, Wilderness Lodge has something for everyone and is one of our favorite resorts! Wilderness Lodge To honor one of our favorite, “home away from home,” we have compiled a list of Loungefly bags you’ll love if Wilderness Lodge is your favorite resort, too. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Snag The Cutest Bambi Bag! ©Amazon This gingham bag featured everyone’s favorite woodland friends! Bambi and Thumper are front and center, with Flower adorning the smaller front pocket. The mint green gingham pattern is the perfect feature that compliments the soft pink accents. View On Amazon Grab This Amazing Snow White Bag! ©Amazon This Loungefly features Snow White with her woodland friends against the backdrop of the castle. The watercolor painting feel of this bag brings a whimsical magic that you can feel while wearing it! View On Amazon Add This Beautifully Evil Bag To Your Collection! ©Amazon The Evil Queen is here and ready to make her debut in the parks on your bag! Snow White can be seen in the lenticular apple and it is a gorgeous touch to this amazing bag! Reminiscent of Wilderness Lodge’s Storybook Dining, adorn this bag on your next stay! View On Amazon Round Up This Western Minnie Bag! ©Amazon This adorably western Minnie Mouse bag makes the perfect Cowgirl addition to your collection! The embroidered floral touches on the smooth leather fringes make a super cute accent to this fantastic bag. View On Amazon Any of these bags make amazing additions to your collection and represent everything we love about the offerings at Wilderness Lodge. As always, stay tuned to AllEars for more merchandise finds! See Our Favorite Merch Finds Here!The post 4 Loungefly Bags You'll Love If Your Favorite Hotel Is Disney's Wilderness Lodge first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Do we spend more money in Disney World than maybe we intend? Well, yes, guilty as charged. Snack Money Pouch We can’t help it. When we buy Disney stuff, it feels like little treats for ourselves, and shopping for Disney souvenirs just hits differently. So maybe that’s how we ended up with a ton of Loungefly bags, a collection of Disney popcorn buckets, and other random souvenirs we couldn’t resist. We also go to Disney Parks…a lot. We get it…when it comes to spending money on Disney things, it doesn’t feel like we’re spending REAL money. We already know that the Internet loves hating on Disney adults, and folks can get very judgmental about how much money Disney fans spend on Disney vacations and souvenirs. But there’s a reason why we can’t stop spending that money. Let’s take a look at souvenirs, for example, at Disney World, Disney does everything to trick us into buying more stuff, whether we need it or not. Disney home collection For starters, there’s a gift shop EVERYWHERE, including at the end of rides. This is smart because once you’ve come off a ride, you’re on a ride high, and that shop has all kinds of merchandise dedicated to that ride. You’ll want to buy something to keep riding that high for a while longer. When you get off Space Mountain, you might be more likely to buy Space Mountain merchandise Then there are the limited merchandise collections. Disney knows how to use FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) to get you to buy something you don’t need for fear you’re missing out on something HUGE. Stitch Display Disney is also good at making you feel like you’re spending your money on needs. If you don’t want to wait in long lines, you’ll buy Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes. You might feel you need a MagicBand or MagicBand+, the Disney Dining Plan, Memory Maker, etc.. All these things cost money, but if you’re spending your money on what you perceive as a need, it doesn’t feel real, right? TRON Lighting Lane Then there’s the PRICE of a Disney vacation. For many of us, we don’t even blink when we’re planning. We just book it and go. It doesn’t even feel like we’ve spent real money on the trip (at least until later after we get home and see how much we spent). There’s a high that comes with booking the trip, and then while you’re on the trip, all bets are off, and you’re suddenly Scrooge McDuck swimming in a pile of money. Scrooge McDuck But yeah, we get it, a lot of folks aren’t going to understand why we spend so much money on Disney. But it also may not understand why some families will save up for a year or longer, making sacrifices in their budget, just to have that perfect Disney vacation. Once we start using that savings for the trip, it doesn’t feel like real money because it’s already become DISNEY money. You know what? That’s okay. We’re not saying you should go into debt for Disney (although many people do), but we do say TREAT YOSELF. Stay tuned to DFB for more. Sneaky Ways You Can Save Money in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think? Do you see Disney money in a different way? Let us know in the comments! The post Fans Say “Disney Money” Doesn’t Feel Real, and the Internet Has a LOT to Say. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Using Disney Genie+ can be incredibly helpful during your Disney World vacation, but it can also be a PAIN. Genie+ Learning how to navigate the app, not knowing the price for Genie+ in advance, and trying to snag Lightning Lanes for the popular rides that book up FAST can be pretty overwhelming. There’s just so much to take in! And on top of that, sometimes the My Disney Experience app just has random glitches that cause issues. On the morning of February 19th, we went to check on Genie+ prices for the day and noticed something unusual. The app notes that the Multiple Parks Genie+ option is sold out for the day, even though all the individual parks are still available! This is a rare one! Typically, the Multiple Parks Genie+ option will “sell out” once one or more of the individual parks’ Genie+ sell out. However, on rare occasions, we’ve seen the Multiple Parks option sell out first — it’s usually a good indicator of a pretty busy day. Today is Presidents’ Day, so you can expect heavy crowds in the parks with all the kids out of school for the holiday. Scanning into a Lightning Lane (Disney World) If you’re heading into Disney World today, be prepared to battle some crowds, and know that Lightning Lane availability is going to book up quickly! As soon as you use one Lightning Lane, make sure to go ahead and book your next one so you get the most value possible. If you’re locked into the 120-minute rule and you have to wait a while to book your next selection, set an alarm on your phone so you know exactly when to book! Lightning Lane at Peter Pan’s Flight We wish you the best of luck navigating the parks today! We’ll be here to bring you more news from Disney World, so stay tuned. Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Using Genie+! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you visiting Disney World for Presidents’ Day? Let us know in the comments! The post The Weird Genie+ Problem That Tells Us It’s Going to Be CROWDED in 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. Check out our video below: Everything You Need To Know About Magic Kingdom in 15 Minutes  Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more Disney news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite thing to do in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments. The post DFB Video: Everything You Need To Know About Magic Kingdom in 15 Minutes first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is officially opening in Disney World this SUMMER! ©Disney While we don’t have an official date just yet, we have been keeping up with all the latest updates on the ride’s progress and we’re getting pretty darn excited about it. And, progress just took a major leap forward over on the bayou — let’s check it out! The story of the attraction picks up during New Orleans’ Carnival season, and Tiana is hosting a Mardi Gras Party for the people of New Orleans — the community that has supported her successful restaurant. But Tiana realizes that the party is “missing a key ingredient” and she needs help finding it — which is where you come in! We’ve got water! This vehicle testing means we’re that much closer to being able to experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! The ride is projected to open in summer 2024 in Disney World and late 2024 in Disneyland. Of course, we’ll be keeping up with all the latest announcements from Disney, so stay tuned to DFB for even more news about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! EVERYTHING We Know About Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be checking Tiana’s out when it opens? Tell us in the comments. The post CONFIRMED: RIDE VEHICLE TESTING Has Started at Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article