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The 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts is underway, and there is SO much to see and do. There are TONS of artists showcasing their work. We’ve got chalk art to admire. We’ve got the Disney on Broadway concert series. We’ve even got a massive paint-by-numbers mural. 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts More importantly, though, we’ve got a LOT of food and drinks. We’ve already given you a full rundown of all the food booths, but we recently learned about a SECRET menu at one of those booths. So we’re headed there to see what’s up! So let’s head on over to El Artista Hambriento (aka The Hungry Artist) Festival of the Arts booth in the Mexico Pavilion. It’s no secret that we’re already BIG fans of this booth, and we’ve already been back to eat more of the Carne Asada and Tostada de Langosta. There are also some delicious drinks here, too. El Artista Hambriento Food Studio Well, there’s a SECRET menu item here, too. It’s the Art-garita made with festival smoky banana bliss margarita, with the addition of blue curaçao for $17.50. The banana puree in the drink is heavier, so it sits on the bottom, giving the drink a layered effect. You’re given a paintbrush to stir it all up — GENIUS, right? It’s served in a plastic stemless glass rimmed with sweet syrup and pinkish-red salt. This baby is SO colorful! Art-Garita Secret Menu Item 2024 If you don’t stir it, you’re going to taste a lot of that smoky mezcal right off the bat, but once it’s all mixed up, the banana mellows out the flavors. We LOVE a blue drink (y’all know that), and the curaçao adds a hint of citrus flavor. It is, however, pricier than many of the other drinks at the festival, but you’re paying extra for the colorful fun. Be sure to mix it up well! You can’t order this drink, though, unless you say the secret phrase. That phrase is “Dom Corona sent me.” You see, Dom Corona is an artist at this year’s festival who created the drink! Cool, right? So it’s a lot of fun to order, and when we spoke to Cast Members, they said it really is a secret item. It’s not listed on the menu, and there are no signs indicating that it’s available. Oh, and there’s ANOTHER fun element to this drink — you can unlock a secret filter on Instagram! Just look for the QR code at the food booth and scan it with your phone. Then, point your camera at your drink and enjoy the MAGIC! Make sure to scan the code! So if you’re feeling like something a little different at the festival, say the secret phrase and get a drink that might suddenly make you VERY popular in EPCOT (people will ask you where you got it, trust us!). Via @domcorona on Instagram Stay tuned to DFB for more! See ALL our EPCOT Festival of the Arts Food Booth Reviews MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FESTIVAL DAYS DFB's guide to the Festival of the Arts 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 colorful festival 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, artist meet-n-greets, festival exclusive merchandise, and more! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Festival of the Arts INFO! See the FULL LIST of Food Booths, Menus, and Photos from the 2023 Festival of the Arts Read ALL of Our Food Booth Reviews for the 2023 Festival See Our Review of the 2023 Food Challenge at the Festival Get a Full Look at the FIGMENT Merchandise That Was Available at the 2023 Festival Learn More About the Disney on Broadway Concert Series and Dining Packages Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the Festival of the Arts! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Festival of the Arts news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be ordering the secret drink? Let us know in the comments! The post There’s a NEW SECRET MENU in EPCOT! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

So…Universal has a lot coming in 2025. ©Universal And by a lot, we mean a whole new theme park complete with 5 lands and over 50 new experiences. We’ve just started to get more information on Epic Universe and the specifics around what it will introduce to Orlando, but we know it’s not set to open until 2025. That leaves us, and we’re sure you all, wondering — what does Disney have in store to combat Universal? Magic Kingdom The only thing we know for absolute certain is that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will still be relatively new in 2025. The new attraction is set to open in 2024, but we don’t have an exact date just yet. Rest assured though, we’ll be seeing crowds for this new attraction well into 2025. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — January 2024 We also know that Country Bear Jamboree will have had its new show for about half a year by the time 2025 begins. The attraction closed in late January to make way for a revised rendition of the show that’s set to open in Summer 2024. Country Bear Jamboree is CLOSED! And that’s all for Magic Kingdom’s confirmed projects, but Disney has confirmed that they do plan to open up a whole new area behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in coming years. Possible Land Expansion in Magic Kingdom ©Disney Ideas for these new lands have been lands themed to Coco, Encanto, and Disney Villains! However, we don’t know when this expansion could be finished by, or even begin. EPCOT Over in EPCOT, we’re still waiting for the final walls of the EPCOT Transformation to come down, which includes the completion of Communicore Hall and Communicore Plaza. Communicore Hall Construction We also know that Test Track is going to be getting a refurbishment sometime soon (no official timeline announced yet), which will take inspiration from the original ride, World of Motion. ©Disney In past years, mostly before the 2020 park closures, Disney also threw around ideas about refurbishing Spaceship Earth, adding a Mary Poppins dark ride in the UK Pavilion, adding a PLAY! Pavilion to replace the old Wonders of Life pavilion, and more as part of the EPCOT Transformation. At this time, none of these projects have been spoken about, so we’re assuming they’re out of the cards for now. But maybe Disney will bring them back to compete with Universal’s new park! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Right now, there’s not much on the way for Hollywood Studios, besides a new show replacing Voyage of the Little Mermaid, which has been sitting vacant for years. Voyage of the Little Mermaid This new show will be called The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and is expected to open in Fall 2024, meaning, just like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, it will still be very new in 2025. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Animal Kingdom has some massive projects on the horizon…but no one has any idea when they’re happening. Disney officially confirmed that DinoLand U.S.A. would be retired and replaced with a new land called The Tropical Americas. @Disney This means that all of DinoLand will be extinct, in addition to (most likely) the beloved Dinosaur ride in order to make room for Encanto and Indiana Jones details! Work is already being done to bring the Casitas into the land, and it’s expected that Indiana Jones, the ride available in Disneyland, will be replacing Dinosaur, since they have the same ride system. Dinosaur Additionally, Disney announced that a new Zootopia show would be arriving in Animal Kingdom inside the Tree of Life. Since that theater is currently taken up by It’s Tough To Be A Bug, it’s expected that It’s Tough To Be A Bug will also be retired soon. ©Disney However, as we mentioned, we have no announced timeline for some of these massive changes. If Disney is able to complete these refurbs by 2025, they’ll have multiple new attractions to bring guests into the parks, and visitors may choose to extend their trips to visit both Universal and Disney World on their 2025 trips. Slinky Dog Dash We’ll be sure to keep you updated with all the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB! Disneyland vs. Disney World — A Complete Breakdown to help you plan which is best for your next trip! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which of these changes are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments! The post Does Disney Have ANY Tricks Up Its Sleeve To Beat Universal in 2025? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When it comes to new theme park ride ideas, Disney has no shortage of places to find inspiration. Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom We’ve heard a LOT of ideas lately about some Disney movies that could be part of future park expansions, like Black Panther and Encanto. But a lot of folks tend to forget that Disney also owns a good portion of National Geographic, and believe it or not, there is a possibility of a National Geographic ride coming to the parks! Think about it. National Geographic has a lot of super thrilling shows that could make for fun theme park experiences. There’s even a show ABOUT Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There are TONS of Nat Geo shows about exploring nature, history, and more, so National Geographic has plenty of rich material that Imagineers could use to create a Disney ride. ©NatGeo According to Deadline, Tom McDonald, EVP, Global Factual and Unscripted, National Geographic, has thought about the idea of one of Nat Geo’s shows becoming a theme park attraction. He said: “I know this sounds outlandish but when I started, and I half meant it as a joke, one of the things I said was ‘Wouldn’t be great if one of our shows became a theme park ride at Disney World?’ There are some really interesting conversations happening right now within the system, with Parks and beyond about how we might bring some of our shows to life in the physical world, interesting types of experiences.” Disney+ Poster Of course, not EVERY show on National Geographic would make a good attraction, but this is a company that makes a LOT of shows about wild animals, so it wouldn’t be TOO far-fetched to see an attraction pop up in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, right? Or maybe we can get something with SHARKS over at EPCOT’s aquarium? Or perhaps a journey through a lost city or some ruins with Albert Lin (seriously, that guy is AWESOME)? The possibilities are endless! National Geographic Sharkfest Photo Op in Disneyland “We’re making a series about Jonestown Massacre [The Cult: One Day In America], we’re making a series about the Boxing Day tsunami [Tsunami], we are definitely not thinking about a theme park ride,” McDonald said. “However, I do think that the priority to us as we go forward is going to be how to bring these things to life in a bigger and broader way. I think that’s one of the things is unique about us, compared to Netflix or Apple for some of the other cable channels. I do think it is part of being part of the wider National Geographic and the wider Disney ecosystem and that feels like it’s not been wholly tapped into yet.” Limited edition National Geographic book So it does seem like those over at National Geographic are thinking about their future with theme park attractions, and it certainly is a natural fit with a lot of its programming. We’ll just have to see if Disney agrees. Stay tuned to DFB for more. I Go to Disney World Every Day. Here Are My Top 5 Comfort Rides. 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? Would you like to see a National Geographic ride at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Could a Nat Geo Ride Come to Disney World? Here’s a Clue! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s officially February, and with the start of the month comes all things sweet, heart-shaped, and PINK! Cinderella Castle Yes, some new snacks arrived at Disney World this week both for the start of Celebrate Soulfully (Disney’s Black History Month celebration) and Valentine’s Day. There were three treats this week that caught our eye, and we just had to share ’em. So… put on your stretchy pants, pack your sweet tooth, and let’s head to Disney World! We’ll start off with our two favorite treats, which are at Disney World for Celebrate Soulfully. The first one can be found at Magic Kingdom, and it’s kind of a big deal. Tiana’s Famous BEIGNETS (!!!) Yes, there are BEIGNETS at Magic Kingdom! At Golden Oak Outpost in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, you can get Tiana’s Famous Beignets from now until March 1st. They’re $6.99, and are croissant-style beignets, served with a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of strawberry sauce. Tiana’s Famous Beignets These beignets are very similar to the new ones that have popped up at Chef Mickey’s over at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. If we had to guess, we’d say they ARE the same ones, but these are better. Wanna know why? Tiana’s Famous Beignets Well, the strawberry sauce you get with Tiana’s Famous Beignets tastes exactly like the Strawberry Soup that you used to be able to grab at 1900 Park Fare. We really miss 1900 Park Fare, as it still hasn’t opened since the COVID-related closures. The Strawberry Soup was an absolute delicacy there, alright? Tiana’s Famous Beingets Paired with the warm, flaky croissant beignets with their dusting of powdered sugar, it takes a decent beignet snack and takes it to a 11/10 treat. Grab it before March 1st to try for yourself! Click here to see what else is new in Magic Kingdom Peach Cobbler Mini Cake You had us at peach cobbler. can be found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Dino-Bite Snacks in Dinoland U.S.A., right next door to Restaurantosaurus (the resident quick service restaurant for this land). The Peach Cobbler Mini Cake is available February 1st through 29th and was inspired by a recipe featured in What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking, the first cookbook by an African American author. Just what we’re looking for! It’s made of vanilla cake, cinnamon-caramel-peach filling, and oat streusel topping served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and can be yours for $8.79. Looks delicious! If you like traditional southern cobblers, you’ll DEFINITELY like this one. It has the same “crust” as a baked cobbler with that oat streusel topping, but you get all that baked goodness combined with sweet peaches and a buttery vanilla cake. The cake! The cake is truly the best part of this snack, and the vanilla ice cream on top just takes it to the next level. We truly wish this snack was available year-round. Click here to see what else is new at Disney’s Animal Kingdom As for the last snack, it’s time to get all lovey dovey! The Love Bug Marshmallow At Roaring Fork in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you can get the Love Bug Marshmallow for $6.59. It’s so CUTE, and it’s made with strawberry marshmallow, a ganache center, and a graham cracker cookie. HI THERE Well, it tastes about as fun as it looks! The marshmallow itself has a nice strawberry flavor, and it’s rather fluffy texture-wise. The chocolate coating doesn’t have much distinct flavor, but it helps hold the marshmallow in and provides a hard surface for the exterior decor. Inside the mallow It’s SUPER sweet, but that’s expected for a marshmallow-based dessert. (Also, we felt really guilty for eating this. The bug was just too cute.) Goodbye, friend We liked that the graham cracker gave this a bit of an extra crunch, too. It wasn’t just soft marshmallow! This will be available until February 29th. Click here to see what else is new at the Disney World hotels Of course, there are plenty of other things happening at Disney World, too. More snacks, more fun, more merch, more news! Click the links below to see what’s new in each of the Disney World parks. WHAT'S NEW AT DISNEY? Check out our daily updates on all the happenings around Disney World and Disneyland! Magic Kingdom EPCOT Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom Disney Hotels Disney Springs Disneyland We’ll be sure to keep you in the loop when it comes to more Disney News and updates, so make sure to follow along for more so that you never miss a thing. Click here to see some CLUES that Disney World gave us Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you try any of these treats? Let us know in the comments! The post 3 Disney World Snacks We Had This Week That Made February Our New Favorite Month first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You’ve probably seen them on the Disney World website, heard them at the end of a Disney phone call, or even chatted about them with a Cast Member. Yep, we’re talking about Disney surveys. Magic Kingdom These surveys may ask you questions about your most recent experience using the Disney World website, the My Disney Experience app, or even your most recent trip to Disney World. This gives the company valuable feedback about the kind of changes that might need to be made in the future at the parks and resorts. Well, we just got a new survey that asked us about our experiences in Magic Kingdom — is Disney considering big changes? The survey began by asking us where we live, followed up with a few more basic questions about our age (if we’re 18 or older, etc.) and when we last visited Magic Kingdom. ©Disney We were then asked to rate our overall experience at Magic Kingdom, so it looks like Disney could be looking at ways to make Magic Kingdom even better for visitors. ©Disney We were even asked about the positive and negative impacts of our recent day at Magic Kingdom. These are VERY specific questions about the guest experience at this park. Interesting, huh? ©Disney That was followed by questions about returning to Disney World and/or Magic Kingdom within the next five years (the answer is obviously “YES.”). We thought it was interesting when we were asked about the cleanliness at Magic Kingdom, so we wonder if this is a new concern. ©Disney Then, we were asked questions about crowds at Magic Kingdom. As this is Disney World’s most popular park, we have seen some sizable crowds, and we’re guessing some visitors have complained about it. In fact, it seems like Disney has been thinking about Magic Kingdom crowds recently. There was even a question about if we think crowds make it hard to navigate Magic Kingdom. ©Disney We were then asked to rate Cast Members at Magic Kingdom, followed by a question about our arrival and departure experiences. There were questions asking us to rate character experiences. We were even asked about atmosphere entertainment, which is interesting considering a lot of atmosphere entertainment has not returned to the parks since Disney World closed in 2020. For example, the Citizens of Main Street still have not returned to Magic Kingdom. Is Disney considering bringing them back? (PLEASE SAY YES!) ©Disney We were also asked about nighttime spectaculars, parades, and rides. One question even asked about ride closures affecting our experience in Magic Kingdom. We’ve seen a LOT of our readers complaining about ride closures recently, so it looks like Disney may be aware there’s a bit of a problem there. ©Disney Further questions asked about our experiences with food and beverages and shopping. Then we were asked about our experience with PhotoPass, technology, safety and security, if weather impacted our day in Magic Kingdom, the behavior of other guests (oof), and if our visit to Magic Kingdom allowed us to leave our worries behind. Here, Disney seems to be focusing on keeping guests feeling like Magic Kingdom is an escape from reality. ©Disney A follow-up question asked if our visit to Magic Kingdom was relatively hassle-free, followed by if our group got to do everything it wanted to in the park. We were also asked about what technology we used when we were in the park. So here’s where the Genie, Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lane questions come into play. ©Disney We were asked about how aware we were of what Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane purchases offer. We know that there still may be a lot of confusion about both, so perhaps Disney is aware of that, too. ©Disney Then, we were asked why we didn’t purchase an Individual Lightning Lane. At the moment, two rides in Magic Kingdom offer the Individual Lightning Lane Option: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle / Run. The TRON ride also offers a virtual queue, but that wasn’t mentioned in the survey. ©Disney We were asked about our experience with using Disney Genie (the free version), as well as the Tip Board in the app, and then asked why we didn’t purchase Genie+. Does this mean Disney is considering how visitors see the value of Genie+? ©Disney We were also asked how likely we would be to use both the free version of Disney Genie and Genie+ when we return to Disney World. We were also asked the same about using the Individual Lightning Lane option. ©Disney We were also asked about other digital features (Mobile Order, Car Locator, MagicMobile, My Disney Experience, etc.) we used during our recent trip, followed by questions about which features we’ve used previously. Then, we were asked about how aware we were of specific digital features, including the My Disney Experience app, the Play Disney Parks app, Mobile Order, and Merchandise Mobile Checkout. ©Disney We were also asked about our awareness of how MagicBand+ interacts with specific things in the parks. ©Disney We were even asked about which lands we experienced in Magic Kingdom during our most recent trip. ©Disney Then, we were asked specific questions about each land. Okay, this is getting interesting again. Disney seems pretty interested in the lands in Magic Kingdom. ©Disney There was also a very specific question about TRON Lightcycle / Run — now we weren’t asked any questions about other rides, so Disney could be reconsidering something with that ride, perhaps in relation to the virtual queue system? ©Disney We were even asked about how many times we’ve visited Disney World since it opened in 1971, when our most recent previous visit was, when we first visited, and some questions about what we’re fans of Avatar, Disney in general, Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel. ©Disney Considering that most of the survey was focused on Magic Kingdom, we can imagine that some changes could be in store for that park. We do know that a new attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, will be opening later this year. Another attraction, Country Bear Jamboree, is getting an update and will reopen in the summer. Disney has also confirmed that Magic Kingdom will be getting a HUGE expansion, although we don’t have a timeline on when that might happen. So, is even more in store for Disney World’s flagship theme park? We’ll just have to wait and see, but Disney is listening to our opinions, so if you get the survey, be sure to let the company know what you think! Stay tuned to DFB for more! Did Disney Drop a HINT About the HUGE Magic Kingdom Expansion Project? 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 kind of changes would you like to see in Magic Kingdom? Sound off in the comments! The post NEW Disney Survey Could Mean HUGE Changes for Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to do some pre-holiday shopping for someone special in your life. (Or you can treat yourself — no one knows you better, after all!) This year, we’ve got a SUPER creative gift idea for Disney fans. Sure, you can get a regular old bouquet of flowers for Valentine’s Day, but what about a Disney-themed bouquet that NEVER dies? Let’s use Rapunzel, the QUEEN of flowers, as our inspiration. Who doesn’t love this classic Disney princess? Calling all Tangled fans! As you may know, the beloved Disney movie is FILLED with flowers! There’s the iconic magic flower, but also plenty of colorful wildflowers in Rapunzel’s hair. What better way to pay homage to Rapunzel this Valentine’s Day than with a set of Tangled-inspired LEGOs? Let’s take a look at what’s available on Amazon NOW. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. First, we have to include LEGO Rapunzel’s Tower & The Snuggly Duckling set as a gift idea for little ones! ©Amazon Before we talk about the LEGO flowers, we have to point out that Disney has some actual Tangled-themed LEGO sets, like this one on Amazon! It comes with Rapunzel’s tower AND the Snuggly Duckling, plus plenty of characters (including Pascal!). View on Amazon The flowers in this LEGO Flower Bouquet Set look JUST like the ones in Rapunzel’s hair! ©Amazon OK, can we take a moment to appreciate that these are LEGOs?! They’re gorgeous! These flowers remind us of the wildflowers in Rapunzel’s hair — they’re bright, colorful, and cheerful, just like Rapunzel. We love them, and we think you will, too. View on Amazon This LEGO Roses Building Kit reminds us of ANOTHER Disney movie! ©Amazon If you know a Beauty and the Beast fan, you might want to buy this set of LEGO roses! It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, and these roses won’t drop ANY petals — we promise. View on Amazon The LEGO Icons Wildflower Bouquet looks like it came straight out of the forest in Tangled! ©Amazon Can you tell we are OBSESSED with all of the LEGO flowers? These wildflowers remind us of the ones in Tangled. The set comes with 16 individual stems. View on Amazon The flowers in this LEGO Sunflowers Building Kit remind us of the magic flower in Tangled! ©Amazon While these sunflowers aren’t an exact replica of the magic flower in Tangled, it’s a pretty close match! Either way, these sunny flowers are sure to brighten your day. The set comes with 191 pieces that create a gorgeous pair of flowers. View on Amazon In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney merchandise, so stay tuned for more. Check out our Amazon Storefront for more Disney items!!The post These Disney 'Tangled'-Inspired Lego Flower Sets on Amazon Are SUPER Popular Right Now! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This might just be the year of HUGE changes for Disney World. EPCOT In January alone, we saw the end of park pass reservations for most theme park visitors, the return of all-day park hopping, AND the return of the Disney Dining Plan. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open in Magic Kingdom in 2024. PLUS Country Bear Jamboree will be reopening with a brand NEW show in the summer. We’re also starting to see a lot of huge changes for EPCOT’s festivals. The first big festival change we’ve seen this year is that the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is considerably shorter this year. The 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is 36 days (!!!) shorter than it was in 2023. The festival will run from February 28th and May 27th. That’s SO early compared to what we’re used to. Figment Topiary at the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Arts We’re also thinking that this year’s EPCOT Food & Wine Festival might also be shorter. The 2023 Food and Wine Festival was shorter by 10 or more days than the previous three years. That suggests it will be shorter again this year. That could leave a lot of time between Flower and Garden and Food and Wine, which could even suggest that EPCOT might be getting a new summer festival (and we’re totally okay with that). These festivals are a huge draw for EPCOT, so we wouldn’t put it past Disney to add a fifth one to the calendar. 2023 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Passport There is another possibility, though. The 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival could be LONGER this year, meaning Disney plans on starting it earlier. Here’s the thing — there are a lot of activities, like the food demonstrations and seminars, that have been missing from the festival since 2019. Once Disney completes CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, two spaces that are being built specifically for festival use, we could see those activities return in a BIG way. Communicore Hall Construction You may not realize it, but before 2020, the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival had a LOT more going on than just food booths and Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Before that, the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival had those things PLUS informative food and beverage demonstrations, hands-on workshops, food and beverage pairing events, a character dance party, AND CELEBRITY CHEFS (like Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Norman Van Aken, Elizabeth Falkner, Buddy Valastro, and Jamie Deen). One of many workshops at the 2019 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival There was also the Party for the Senses, an event where a special host leads guests through food and beverages from multiple tasting stations (in the past, there were more than 50!). There were also Cheese Seminars, brunches with Celebrity Chefs, a special Parisian breakfast at Chefs de France, and much, much, MORE! Yeah, over the past few years, we’ve been getting slighted from the REAL EPCOT Food & Wine Festival experience. Party for the Senses Although Disney has not confirmed when CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza will be completed, we expect it to be done by this year, and it could even be completed before the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. Our hope is that Disney will bring the festival back to its previous glory with all the additional activities that came with it before 2020. The festival just hasn’t been the same without all those additional things to do. Cheese Seminar at Epcot Food and Wine Festival We guess we’ll just have to wait and see what Disney has planned for the rest of 2024 with its festivals, but this year things are certainly going to be different, and we hope that means EPCOT festivals will be even BETTER this year. Stay tuned to DFB for more. Could Disney Add a FIFTH Festival to EPCOT? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think will happen to EPCOT festivals this year? Let us know in the comments! The post We’re Already Seeing Serious Changes For EPCOT Festivals in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re thinking of staying at one of the three All-Star hotels in Disney World, here are some things you should know first! All-Star Resorts Disney’s All-Star Movies, Disney’s All-Star Music, and Disney’s All-Star Sports are three of the value hotel options in Disney World. These hotels do have some benefits that might make them a good fit for you (especially the value price tier, which is a MAJOR draw for families on a budget). But, before you book your stay at an All-Star hotel, here are four unfortunate occurrences we regularly experience that you should know about! Large Competition Crowds Disney World is home to several large annual athletic competitions, like The Cheerleading Worlds that are held at ESPN Wide World of Sports each spring. And The Cheerleading Worlds is just one example! Disney World also hosts competitions for other sports like dance, football, baseball, and more. ESPN Wide World of Sports Between competitors, coaches, chaperones, and extended families, these athletic competitions often bring thousands of people to Disney World — and the All-Star Resorts are one of the most popular places for them to stay. All-Star Movies If your stay at an All-Star hotel overlaps with one of these large competitions, you’ll probably run into some huge crowds at your hotel. And that can mean lots of extra noise, crowded common areas like pools and food courts, and long transportation lines. 4 New Clues About Changes Coming to the Star Wars Hotel in Disney World Transportation Issues The only form of free Disney transportation available at the All-Star hotels is bus service. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort With only one way to get to and from the parks, it seems like each time we stay here, we inevitably either just miss a bus as it’s driving away or have to wait for what seems like forever for one to show up! Disney Bus Transportation to Hollywood Studios Plus, keep in mind that if there are big crowds at the hotel while you’re staying there, that can also mean long bus lines, so you might have to wait for a few to come and go before it’s your turn to ride. 41% of Fans Say This Is the BEST Disney World Transportation Method Mediocre Food You won’t find many dining options at the All-Star hotels. Each one has its own food court and pool bar, but there are no table service dining locations in any of them. You’ll find standard fare at the All-Star Resorts food courts. That doesn’t mean you won’t find anything you enjoy at one of the All-Star food courts, especially if you prefer some “standard theme park food” options. But in our experience, the food at the All-Star hotels is hit or miss, and we’re often underwhelmed by what we get. Sweet Summertime Favorites Cookies If dining is a big part of your Disney World experience, be prepared to do lots of eating away from your Resort if you book an All-Star hotel! FULL TOUR: The Hidden Disney World Hotel Suites That’ll Make Your Jaw DROP Crowded Pools Circling back to the big crowds around the All-Star hotels, when we stay here we regularly find that the pools can get SUPER crowded, especially during peak times of the day. All-Star Movies Pool That can make it especially tough to find a spot to relax since the crowds also mean extra noise. Calypso Pool If you’re big on lounging in the sun and soaking up some peace and quiet during your vacation, the All-Star pools might not be for you! 2 Disney World Pools That Will CHANGE Your Hotel Plans For some people, the more affordable prices (by Disney standards, that is) and super family-friendly vibe of the All-Star hotels make them a great choice. But these hotels do have some drawbacks as well! Be sure to consider these unfortunate things we’ve experienced there when deciding if an All-Star hotel is right for you! TONS of Easter Eggs Are HIDING in Disney’s NEW Pixar Place Hotel Rooms! 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 stayed in one of the All-Star hotels? Share your experience with us in the comments! The post 4 Unfortunate Things That Happen Every Time We Stay at Disney's All-Star Hotels first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Y’all, we are SO excited to welcome the Disney Treasure to the Disney Cruise Line Fleet. ©Disney The ship is set to take to the seas on her Maiden Voyage on December 21st, 2024. Aboard the Treasure, you’ll find never-before-seen entertainment options, Disney’s first-ever Marvel dining experience, and more. One thing we’re extra excited about, though, is the addition of the first-ever Haunted Mansion LOUNGE aboard the Treasure. Disney announced that the Haunted Mansion Parlor will materialize when the Treasure sets sail in December. Disney provided us with all sorts of information pertaining to the lounge, but y’all don’t realize how exciting some of these things are! We noticed a few little details that we think are going to make the Haunted Mansion Parlor a GREAT immersive experience. Let’s talk about it! A NEW Character Disney said that the design of the Haunted Mansion Parlor will resemble a first-class drawing room of a classic cruise liner from the golden age, invoking inspiration from the original Haunted Mansion with a nautical twist. Haunted Mansion Parlor concept art The nautical twist includes a new character: The Captain. Disney tells us that the Parlor takes us along the next chapter of the Haunted Mansion, which is focused on the story of a “jovial captain who entered the ghostly realm after a disastrous dinner with his beloved fiancee.” Well, we sure can’t wait to meet him. A NEW Soundtrack When Disney shared one of the cool souvenirs that you’ll be able to snag from the Parlor, there was a hidden detail. Music Box The Haunted Mansion Parlor Music Box will be a keepsake inspired by the eerie music box that will play a melodic soundtrack inside the Haunted Mansion Parlor. A SPECIAL SOUNDTRACK! As the rumors go, this mysterious box belonged to the captain’s bride-to-be and only opens in the presence of malevolent spirits. Haunted Mansion Parlor The soundtrack is inspired by the iconic Haunted Mansion music, and is composed by Shruti Kumar. We can’t wait to hear it for ourselves! Star Characters From the Mansion Don’t worry, though. Disney isn’t completely re-writing this tale. There will be plenty of familiar faces, as Disney tells us that we can expect to see some familiar purple wallpaper and some familiar faces from the original attraction. And the arm chair! We’re currently wondering if The Captain’s mentioned fiancee is Constance, but we also think that we could see familiar friends like the Hitchhiking Ghosts, Madame Leota, and the Ghost Host. We can’t wait to find out! ©Disney Ready to book your trip on the Disney Treasure? Our friends over at Small World Vacations can get you the best rates and take care of the entire planning process at no cost to you! Click here to learn more! We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more Disney news, so make sure to follow along so that you never miss a thing! Looking for more to do aboard the Disney Treasure? Click here! 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 What do you think of the Haunted Mansion Parlor so far? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. We were invited by Disney Cruise Line to attend a media event that focused on the Disney Treasure. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post Three BIG SURPRISES Coming To Disney’s New Haunted Mansion Lounge first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the most important things you need to think about when it comes to planning a Disney World trip is your feet. The shoes you wear to Disney World matter Yep, your feet are VERY important because you will walk miles and MILES at Disney World without even realizing it. That means your feet (and legs…and hips) are going to take a beating unless you’ve packed the right shoes for your trip. We know a lot of you swear by Adidas shoes, so here are the best ones you can grab for your next trip to Disney World. Oh, and they’re all available right on Amazon! 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, did you know you could sign up for a free trial? Yep, you can do that below! We’ve picked shoes for men and women, so we tried to make this list as exhaustive as possible! Buy the Adidas Women’s Ultraboost Personal Best Running Shoe ©Amazon These Adidas shoes have a near-perfect rating on Amazon. More importantly, they’re comfortable AND stylish and will look great with your Disney World outfits. Buy on Amazon Buy the Adidas Men’s Ultraboost 21 Running Shoe ©Amazon You can get Ultraboost sneakers for men, too. These shoes are meant to keep your feet and legs energized throughout the day, which makes them perfect for walking all over Disney World. Buy on Amazon Buy the Adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 Shoe ©Amazon So we know a lot of you swear by the Adidas Cloudfoam shoes, so here’s one for women that has that super soft cushioning inside. You can also get it in a variety of colors! Buy on Amazon Get the Adidas Women’s Puremotion Adapt ©Amazon The Puremotion Adapt shoes are nice and light with a textile upper and a minimalist look. They also have that cushiony cloudfoam insole that will keep your feet nice and comfortable even after walking miles around Disney World. Buy on Amazon Get the Adidas Women’s Defiant Speed Tennis Shoes ©Amazon These sneakers are comfy AND stylish and would pair well with your Disneybounds because you can get them in a variety of colors. Buy on Amazon Buy the Adidas Swift Run Men’s Shoes ©Amazon These lightweight shoes won’t weigh you down after a day of walking around EPCOT’s World Showcase (trust us, that is a LOOOONNNG walk). Buy on Amazon Get the Men’s Racer Tr23 Sneaker ©Amazon These shoes are also highly rated, with customers saying they love the fit, quality, and appearance of these shoes. Many also mention how well the shoes hold up — and you’ll need that at Disney World! Buy on Amazon So be sure to pick the PERFECT pair of shoes for your trip! You can see more of our Amazon shop below! Shop our Amazon StorefrontThe post The Best Adidas Shoes To Wear to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Many items are essential when going to Disney World. Disney’s Hollywood Studios And no, we don’t just mean you’ll be bummed if you don’t have them. We mean that when WE have forgotten these items in the park, we panic and it’s all hands on deck to try and fix it. So don’t be like us — grab these items online right now before your trip while they’re on sale! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Never Go Without a Portable Charger ©Amazon You’ll be using your phone a TON in Disney World, and even if you just got your phone and the battery is as healthy as can be, you’re still going to need a portable charger, and we recommend the Anker Magnetic Portable Charger. If you have Genie+, you’ll be using your phone all day to grab Lightning Lanes and scan into them, not to mention all the photos and videos you’ll be taking to capture your magical moments. Trust us, don’t go into the parks without one of these! Check it out here for 33% OFF! Never Go Without a Bag or Backpack ©Amazon You’re going to be carrying a lot around the parks — your phone, portable charger, wallet, necessary medication, and hair ties just to name a few — so you need a quality bag to hold it all. We love Loungefly bags, especially ones themed to Disney like the Disney Stickers All Over Loungefly Backpack. This bag has stickers highlighting tons of different characters, so you don’t even have to choose a favorite. Grab it online for less than $50! Never Go Without a Comfy Pair of Shoes ©Amazon You know when you walk around a lot around town one day and your feet are sore? Imagine that times about 10, because you’ll often walk 8-10 miles OR MORE a day in Disney World. That’s why it’s SO important to have good, comfortable shoes, like the HOKA ONE Women’s Running Shoes. Now, we need to add a disclaimer here — DO NOT break your shoes in while you’re at Disney World! Break them in a week or two weeks in advance at home, that way they’re moulded to your foot when you arrive in the parks. Add it to your cart on SALE NOW! We here at DFB are always here to bring you the latest Disney news and help you prepare for your upcoming vacations, so stay tuned to our website and YouTube channel! Our Amazon Storefront has even more Disney essentials you can grab before your trip! What are the essentials you need on every Disney trip? Tell us in the comments! The post 3 Items We Never Go to Disney World Without Are On Sale On Amazon Today 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! Disney’s Hollywood Studios All 5 lands and a few rides have been confirmed for Universal Epic Universe, we’ve got an update on Disney’s $1.9 billion expansion in Disneyland, a new hotel has opened, and we found a bunch of new tasty snacks. 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: Epic Universe Lands CONFIRMED, A New Hotel & SO MANY Snacks first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s probably no big secret by now. Cast Members! I was a Disney World Cast Member, and a lot of other folks on the DFB team also had their time of making magic! We all love to reminisce together and share experiences, inside jokes, and helpful information that we learned and gathered throughout our time working for the Mouse. Oh, and we love to share that information with you all! Now, we’re here with some things that our time as a Cast Member taught us were… not the best move. Let’s talk about it! While working in the parks, you quickly face situations and actions from park visitors that make your job a lot harder. That’s just how things go — in any job or role in the world! Some of these situations were actually things we did before we were Cast Members. It’s safe to say we don’t do those things anymore! A Disney World Cast Member There are also things we did before we were Cast Members that we realized were impacting our park experiences in a negative way. After working at Disney World, we realized there are better ways of doing things. 5 lies everyone believes about Disney World Cast Members. Here are some things that we never do in the parks after working at Disney World. Leave the line for character meet and greets. One of our team members was a character attendant at Disney World, while another one worked in entertainment. They learned a lot about the ins and outs of character meet and greets, and they have some advice to share! Don’t leave the line! If you’re ever waiting in line to meet a character and they go back inside, don’t fret! And DEFINITELY don’t leave the line. The characters typically come back out after about 5 minutes, ready to meet you again! I was a Disney World Cast Member, and I’m letting you in on a character secret. Ask to be let in early for a Lightning Lane. After working in attractions, some of us have a better understanding of the Lightning Lane system than we did previously. The timing of Lightning Lanes matters. The timing is based on line ratios, efficiency equations, and stuff that my brain will never understand. Lightning Lane What I do know is this: When people showed up early or late for their Lightning Lanes, things were thrown off BIG TIME when I was a Cast Member. The Lightning Lane line got super long, and since we had to prioritize that line, the standby line got even longer. Cast Members in every position at the ride were overwhelmed, and it’s not fun. Try your best to show up on time! I used to work at Disney World’s Haunted Mansion. Here’s What I NEED you to know. Not acknowledge the Cast Members. It’s a really sad and boring shift when you spend 8 hours standing around a ride or merchandise shop and not a single person acknowledges you or your greetings! Cast Members are the best! Please, y’all, respond to the Cast Members and acknowledge when they speak to you. They’re not robots, and there’s a great chance that they’ll share a bit of extra magic or some fun facts with you if you listen to what they have to say. I was a Disney World Cast Member. Here are 7 of my biggest regrets. Not be extra mindful in the gift shops. The gift shops at Disney World are extra magical, and they can also be extra overwhelming. If you need help finding some merchandise or are curious as to when some might be in stock, just be mindful of the way you ask a Cast Member for that information! We’ve seen a lot of visitors be a bit pushy with the Cast Members, which is never a good scenario. Welcome to the Emporium! Oh, and if you decide you don’t want something, please put it back where you got it! Don’t make a Cast Member’s job harder. The SECRET place you’re not shopping for souvenirs at Disney World And there you have it! If you do any of these things, it’s totally not a big deal. The Cast Members probably are not at all mad at you and probably forgot about it right after it happened. However, if you wanna earn brownie points with the Cast Members or want to improve your experience, we’d recommend sticking to these rules! We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more Disney news and advice, so make sure to follow along so that you never miss a thing. Looking for more Cast Member advice? 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 Have you ever worked at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post I Was a Disney World Cast Member. These Are the Things I NEVER Do in the Parks. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ever wanted to go inside a Disney World theme park after it’s CLOSED?! That’s exactly what it’s like to be at Disney World’s After Hours events! After Hours event sign At these events, you get to check out the park’s rides, attractions, and character meet-and-greets with much fewer people around and lower wait times. But that’s not all — You also get some FREEBIES included with your event ticket! We’re at the FIRST 2024 EPCOT After Hours event tonight, and we’re taking you with us to check everything out. We’ve been enjoying the low crowds and walking onto some of our favorite rides with hardly a line at all. Now we’re hungry, though, so let’s go grab a FREE snack! Free Snacks Some treats and snacks are included with your After Hours ticket, so you can grab as many as you’d like during the event! You can snag ice cream treats like the iconic Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar or an Ice Cream Sandwich… FREE ICE CREAM! …grab some popcorn… Look at all that FREE popcorn! …and also get a bottled beverage, like soda. Sprite These free snacks are available throughout the park, like at the Mission: SPACE Cart, the Imagination Cart, the Connections Cart, and the Fountain Popcorn Cart. Check your event guide for a full list of locations. More Event Details Dates and Prices The EPCOT After Hours events in 2024 take place from 10PM to 1AM. However, with your ticket, you can get in as early as 7PM! That gives you more time to check out the normal day offerings in EPCOT. Be sure to grab something to eat early — most restaurants will not remain open during the After Hours events, and festival food booths usually don’t stay open, either. Let’s DO this! Here’s a look at the dates and prices for this year’s events: Friday, February 2nd — $149 Thursday, February 8th — $149 Thursday, February 15th — $159 Thursday, March 7th — $159 Thursday, March 28th — $159 Thursday, April 4th — $159 Thursday, April 25th — $159 Thursday, May 9th — $159 Thursday, May 23rd — $159 Thursday, May 30th — $159 Thursday, June 6th — $149 Thursday, June 20th — $149 Thursday, July 18th — $149 Discounts Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can buy their tickets at a discount! Here’s a look at pricing for those people: Friday, February 2nd — $119 Thursday, February 8th — $119 Thursday, February 15th — $129 Thursday, March 7th — $129 Thursday, March 28th — $129 Thursday, April 4th — $129 Thursday, April 25th — $129 Thursday, May 9th — $129 Thursday, May 23th — $129 Thursday, May 30th — $129 Thursday, June 6th — $119 Thursday, June 20th — $119 Thursday, July 18th — $119 There’s even a DANCE PARTY with Chip and Dale! Rides Open During After Hours Not all the EPCOT rides and attractions stay open for the event. Here’s a list of the participating rides: Frozen Ever After Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Living with the Land Mission: SPACE Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure The Seas with Nemo & Friends Soarin’ (located in The Land Pavilion) Spaceship Earth Test Track Presented by Chevrolet® Here’s a peek at what’s open during the event! You can also meet some CHARACTERS! We said hello to Mickey AND Pluto (with no line!). Hi there, MICKEY! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! Click here to check out more After Hours events 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 Are you going to an EPCOT After Hours event this year? Let us know in the comments! The post Everything You Can Get for FREE at the EPCOT After Hours Events first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re coming at you LIVE from an exclusive Disney World event! EPCOT at night EPCOT After Hours is back and we’re bringing you along as we experience all this separately ticketed event has to offer. If you’re a fan of all things attractions, free snacks, and rare character sightings, well — After Hours might be for you. But, one of the best parts about these events is the low crowd levels, so let’s see how busy EPCOT is tonight! Disney World After Hours events are BACK in EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios! These hard-ticketed events take place on select nights from January through July and allow guests to enter the parks at 7PM. Who’s EXCITED?! At EPCOT, the event officially kicks off at 10PM and ends at 1AM, meaning for four hours, you’ll have the park to yourself — well, you and all the other After Hours folks, anyway. Ticket prices range from $149 to $159 plus tax, but Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can get discounted tickets. As far as crowds go, we saw low crowds all over the place! We even met Mickey Mouse with a SUPER short line. Everyone say, “HI MICKEY!” MICKEY! Over at Test Track, the line was, well, NONEXISTENT! WHOA! Crowd check! As you can see, the park was nice and empty. NO ONE is here! Even over at the World Showcase, there were no crowds to be seen. There’s no one here, either! Stay tuned to DFB as we bring you the latest news about Disney World After Hours events and more! Click Here for the Details on After Hours in EPCOT! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to a Disney World After Hours event? Tell us in the comments. The post You Won’t Believe How EMPTY EPCOT Is During Disney World After Hours! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You don’t see this every day in EPCOT! Cosmic Rewind Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a new-ish roller coaster in EPCOT. The coaster opened in May 2022, and it’s been SUPER popular ever since. In fact, there’s almost never a standby line available for this ride — You have to either join the virtual queue or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane. However, that rule goes out the window during EPCOT After Hours events! We’re at the FIRST EPCOT After Hours event in 2024 tonight, and we’re taking you with us to check everything out. This year, EPCOT has After Hours events on select nights from February 2nd through July 18th. EPCOT After Hours are BACK for 2024! One of the best parts about these events is that you can get on some popular rides with little to no wait! Since the events have a limited capacity, wait times are super low. Test Track Cosmic Rewind is usually only accessible via the virtual queue or with the purchase of an Individual Lightning Lane, but tonight, when we got to this ride, we saw that it had a standby line instead! Standby line When we got there at 11PM, the line was SUPER short. The sign said “20 minutes,” but we walked all the way through to the preshow in 8 minutes. EIGHT. MINUTES. Cosmic Rewind queue We normally have to wait a LOT longer, so this is a HUGE perk to the EPCOT After Hours event! If you’re interested in attending an EPCOT After Hours event, check out more details below. More Event Details Dates and Prices The EPCOT After Hours events in 2024 take place from 10PM to 1AM. However, with your ticket, you can get in as early as 7PM! Here’s a full list of the dates and prices for the EPCOT After Hours events in 2024: Friday, February 2nd — $149 Thursday, February 8th — $149 Thursday, February 15th — $159 Thursday, March 7th — $159 Thursday, March 28th — $159 Thursday, April 4th — $159 Thursday, April 25th — $159 Thursday, May 9th — $159 Thursday, May 23rd — $159 Thursday, May 30th — $159 Thursday, June 6th — $149 Thursday, June 20th — $149 Thursday, July 18th — $149 Discounts Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members get discounts on After Hours tickets. You can check out the discounted ticket prices below: Friday, February 2nd — $119 Thursday, February 8th — $119 Thursday, February 15th — $129 Thursday, March 7th — $129 Thursday, March 28th — $129 Thursday, April 4th — $129 Thursday, April 25th — $129 Thursday, May 9th — $129 Thursday, May 23th — $129 Thursday, May 30th — $129 Thursday, June 6th — $119 Thursday, June 20th — $119 Thursday, July 18th — $119 Rides Open During After Hours Not all the EPCOT rides and attractions stay open for the event. Here’s a list of the participating rides: Frozen Ever After Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Living with the Land Mission: SPACE Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure The Seas with Nemo & Friends Soarin’ Spaceship Earth Test Track Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! Click here to check out more After Hours events 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 Are you going to an EPCOT After Hours event this year? Let us know in the comments! The post This Is One of the RARE Times When Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Has a Standby Line in EPCOT! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT After Hours is back, baby! We’re live from the first event of 2024. Hello from EPCOT! These events are perfect for fans of LOW wait times at classic attractions, meeting characters, and FREE SNACKS! Of course, these things are well and good, but if you ask us — it’s the low wait times that really make these events worth it. So, what sort of wait times are we working with tonight? Disney World After Hours events are BACK in EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios! These hard-ticketed events take place on select nights from January through July and allow guests to enter the parks at 7PM. Let’s DO this! At EPCOT, the event officially kicks off at 10PM and ends at 1AM, meaning for four hours, you’ll have the park to yourself — well, you and all the other After Hours folks, anyway. Ticket prices range from $149 to $159 plus tax, but Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can get discounted tickets. EPCOT After Hours are BACK for 2024! We love the characters and free snacks, but being able to walk right onto some of the most popular rides in EPCOT is a game-changer! Let’s take a look at some of the wait times…BEFORE the party got started. Here’s a look at the wait times at around 6PM (when the park was open to day guests). ©Disney At 7PM, we headed into EPCOT! Here’s a look at the wait times at around 7. We’re hoping that the 45-minute wait for Soarin’ drops WAY lower at 10PM when the event begins. 7PM wait times check-in! Even at 8PM, the wait times were still pretty high for some of EPCOT’s popular attractions, like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Test Track. ©Disney Finally, the After Hours event began! And just like that, the wait for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure dropped to 25 minutes. WOOHOO! By 10:30PM, the waits were all nice and low. That’s what we like to see! ©Disney Oh, and here’s a tip. Even though the sign may say 25-minute standby wait, we noticed people walking straight on to Frozen Ever After. So, 25 minutes may even be an OVERestimate. The Frozen Ever After wait is NEVER this low! Stay tuned to DFB as we bring you the latest news about Disney World After Hours events and more! Click Here for the Details on After Hours in EPCOT! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to EPCOT After Hours? Tell us in the comments. The post Just How LOW Are EPCOT Wait Times During After Hours Events in Disney World?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Popcorn buckets are a pretty popular souvenir in Disney World, and we can’t deny that some of them are just plain epic. Refillable Popcorn Bucket Sure, you can just carry a normal cardboard popcorn box around the parks, but if you really want to get into the Disney spirit, popcorn buckets are the way to go. Plus, you get refills for just $2.25 during your vacation (if you love popcorn, that’s a GREAT deal). While we’ve always been somewhat impressed by Disney’s popcorn buckets, we must admit that these recent ones have blown us ALL away. Don’t believe us? Let’s just look through a few to convince you, starting with one that looks EXACTLY like Valentino from Disney’s new film, Wish! Look at that face. Sassy! We’re obsessed Isn’t he ADORABLE? Seriously, that expression is priceless. Disney, take all of our money — we won’t even complain. He is our son and we love him Now, this next popcorn bucket we’re super jealous of because it only landed over in Hong Kong Disneyland, but we had to include it because it’s GROOT! Yes, the entire popcorn bucket is baby Groot sitting in his pot (the bucket also has the “I Am Groot” Marvel Studios logo). Groot is even jamming out to music on his headphones. We need this in the U.S. parks ASAP. ©Disney Back in Disney World, we also spotted this amazingly detailed popcorn bucket that looks like Mickey’s hand/glove holding a picnic basket. Not only do we love the design, but it also looks like it holds a good amount of popcorn as well. Perfect Picnic Popcorn Bucket Of course we can’t forget about EPCOT’s recent star, which is the Imagination Pavilion Popcorn Bucket for EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts that looks just like the real pavilion! 2024 Figment Popcorn Bucket Not to mention that Figment can be seen INSIDE the popcorn bucket too! Figment is in there too! We’re gonna throw it back really quickly to the holidays with this last popcorn bucket, which is the beloved Toy Story Holiday Popcorn Bucket. The words “Happy Holidays” are spelled out in blocks, thanks to Woody and Buzz, who are putting the final touches on the popcorn bucket. Happy Holidays Toy Story Popcorn Bucket And those are just some of our favorites we’ve seen in the past few months! There are so many popcorn buckets to see in the Disney parks, and we make sure to let you know every time we see a new one, or let you know when Disney gives us the heads up one is on the way. WHAT'S NEW AT DISNEY? Check out our daily updates on all the happenings around Disney World and Disneyland! Magic Kingdom EPCOT Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom Disney Hotels Disney Springs Disneyland As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! These new Disney snacks are going to be divisive in 2024 — here’s what to expect! 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 popcorn bucket you’ve ever seen? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney’s Brand New Popcorn Buckets Have Ended All Other Popcorn Buckets first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Well, it’s time to head BACK to McDonald’s. McDonald’s Hey, don’t judge us. Yes, we go to McDonald’s a lot. Um, we HAD to try that Double Big Mac, for…well…for SCIENCE. We also had to try to collect all the Disney100 Happy Meal toys when they came out (sadly, our collection will forever be incomplete). Now, we have to go get one of our favorite shakes EVER because the Shamrock Shake is returning to McDonald’s. Yes, this is not a drill. The Shamrock Shake will return to McDonald’s around the nation this year. If you’ve never tried it, it’s made with creamy vanilla soft serve, blended with mint syrup, and topped with a sweet, whipped topping. If you love sweet, minty flavors, YOU NEED to try it. Shamrock Shake!! You’ll also be able to get the OREO Shamrock McFlurry, which comes blended with crushed OREO cookies. Again, we can’t fault that snack AT ALL. ©McDonald’s So when can you get your hands on these minty goodies? Well, they’ll both be hitting McDonald’s menus on February 5th (granted, the shake machine at your local McDonald’s isn’t broken again). They’re only available for a limited time (usually through St. Patrick’s Day in March), so if you want to get your hands on either treat, you’ll need to head to McDonald’s pretty quickly. McDonald’s Also, we’ll just warn you now: stay away from the Double Big Mac — we decided it should be illegal. Just grab some fries to dip in your shake (yes, we do that), and you’ll be all good. This is… a lot. Stay tuned to DFB for more! WHY Does McDonald’s Coke Just Taste BETTER? The Fast Food Giant Finally Spilled Their Secret. 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 on team Shamrock Shake or Oreo Shamrock McFlurry? Let us know in the comments! The post 🚨A Dearly Beloved McDonald’s Treat Is Returning SOON🚨 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Let us set the scene. You have exactly five minutes before your Lightning Lane for TRON Lightcycle / Run expires, and you’re still on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. Uh-oh! Time to hustle. Welcome to the Magic Kingdom! Of course, you can’t actually RUN through the park, so instead, you pick up the pace into fast-walk-foot-shuffle mode, a.k.a. “I need to get to TRON, but there’s a sea of people in my way, and it’s not socially acceptable to run through Magic Kingdom.” You know the move — we’ve all been there. Luckily, there is one handy dandy shortcut that never fails to SAVE the day. We’re talking about the Tomorrowland Terrace shortcut! This breezeway is the unofficial “bridge” from Main Street, U.S.A. to Tomorrowland, and also acts as the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party location at night. It serves many purposes, but not the ACTUAL purpose it was originally designed for many, many years ago. This spot used to be a quick-service restaurant! Tomorrowland Terrace Nowadays, we use it as a shortcut to Tomorrowland and a place to sit and relax away from the crowds. It’s pretty handy! But what if it were to go away? Hear us out. Tomorrowland Terrace during the day As we mentioned, this spot hasn’t acted as a quick-service location in YEARS. But the kitchen still exists (as far as we can tell), and the tables and seating never left. So, the possibility exists for Disney to turn this spot BACK into a restaurant. Or, who knows? Maybe they’ll completely TRANSFORM the space someday! Disney World Turned a Popular Fast Food Restaurant Into a Total Ghost Town And while we love to daydream about Magic Kingdom changes and updates, there’s only one problem. When things disappear for refurbishment, something else appears in its place: construction walls. Just look at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (and a good portion of EPCOT), and you’ll see what we mean. There’s a lot of construction in Frontierland right now… Now, let’s take you back to the Tomorrowland Terrace. If it were to close for refurbishment someday, our precious shortcut would also CLOSE! If you’ve ever been to Magic Kingdom, you know that shortcuts from land to land are few and far between, so we covet all those little paths and breezeways around the park. Don’t take away our favorite path to Tomorrowland, Disney! We love shortcuts! Luckily, Disney hasn’t shared any plans to overhaul Tomorrowland Terrace, so for now, we’re safe. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. 5 Necessary Evils of Planning a Disney World Trip 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 shortcut? Let us know in the comments! The post We’re Terrified That Disney Is About To Take Away Our Favorite Shortcut in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is known for being the Most Magical Place on Earth — but it isn’t all magic, all the time. Welcome to the Magic Kingdom! Sure, we do our best to go with the flow and not make a big deal out of things, but sometimes we just can’t help feeling awkward during certain Disney interactions. And, since we’re friends, we’re letting you in on the top awkward moments that we cringe at — every single time. Character Cringe Look, we love characters as much as the next person, but sometimes interacting with them as adults can be a little…uncomfortable. Hey, Pluto! We try to come up with something topical to chat with them about, but for non-face characters (aka the ones that don’t speak) you’re basically just standing there talking to yourself. The character attendant will likely chime in at some point to help ease the tension, but sometimes a brief interaction is best. The Scan-dal We can’t be the only ones who have been duped by the latest technology. When scanning into the park or even a Lightning Lane, sometimes our MagicBand or MagicMobile app straight-up won’t scan. Scanning in We know it’s not our fault, but we can’t help but feel awkward as we fumble around trying to pull out our physical ticket to scan with a whole line of people waiting behind us. Cast Members are incredibly helpful when this happens, but it can still feel uncomfortable! Overly Enthusiastic Cast Members Don’t get us wrong — we LOVE Disney Cast Members! But, sometimes they are very committed to their jobs. We’re talking about those Rise of the Resistance and Tower of Terror Cast Members who just love messing with people waiting in line! Rise of the Resistance We get that they’re doing their jobs and it’s all part of the experience, but those Imperial Soldiers giving us marching orders can sometimes lead to an awkward interaction! Sharing the Skyliner We won’t say we miss COVID-era Disney World, but there was something nice about not having to share a Skyliner gondola with another family. Skyliner Although you’re all probably lovely people, sharing an enclosed, quiet space with total strangers is a bit too close for our comfort. These days, Cast Members will stick multiple families in the same gondola — provided they can all fit safely. Table Vultures We get it — Disney World during meal times is chaotic and trying to find a table at a quick-service restaurant should be an Olympic sport. Full spread from Primo Piatto But, we see you awkwardly hovering close to our table with your tray like a vulture waiting to dive and it doesn’t exactly make for a pleasant eating experience. While we will gladly give up our table when we’re done eating, we’d like to actually finish our food before feeling like someone is going to steal our chair out from under us! Being the Chosen One If you’ve never experienced Enchanted Tales with Belle in Magic Kingdom, it’s an attraction where guests of all ages can volunteer to be part of the retelling of Beauty and the Beast. And, sometimes, that makes for an awkward story. Enchanted Tales with Belle It’s essentially an improv skit comprised of people who have no idea what they’re doing. It can be fun and it’s great for kids, but you won’t see us rushing to be part of this tale as old as time! Main Street Train Station While these interactions may be awkward, they’re still part of the experience and we don’t take that for granted! Stay tuned to DFB as we bring you the latest tips, tricks, and news from Disney World. 10 Disgusting Things That Happen in Disney World Every Single Day 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 most awkward Disney World interaction? Tell us in the comments. The post 6 Disney Interactions That Feel SO Awkward Every. Single. Time first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When planning your Disney World vacation, it’s so important that you plan for all sorts of weather. Rain on Main Street While most of the year is pretty warm (okay, scorching) and sunny at Disney World, you can almost always plan on running into rain at some point throughout your vacation. That’s just Central Florida for ya! Due to the parks’ proximity to the ocean, weather systems pass through the area pretty frequently. There’s one coming through this weekend, so here’s what you need to know to be prepared. According to Fox35 Orlando, there’s a “southern soaker” headed straight for Orlando this weekend (February 3rd and 4th), and Disney World will very likely be impacted. ©Fox35 Orlando Meteorologists said that a “southern soaker” low-pressure system will “barrel through the region this weekend, bringing 1″-2″ of rain on Sunday. This will have an impact on any outdoor activities.” They also said that as of right now, the threat is still very low, as the temperature and moisture look too low on Sunday to pose a storm threat. However, expect LOTS of rain. Animal Kingdom There are areas throughout the parks that are prone to flooding, so we wouldn’t whip out your nicest sneakers on Sunday. Wearing some water-resistant, open-toed shoes is probably your best bet. Make sure to go ahead and be prepared with all of your rain gear, too! Storming in Hollywood Studios Unless the rain is just tremendously strong or lightning is in the area, outdoor rides will still be open. Of course, indoor rides should be open as well. There’s probably no reason to call it quits on your park day, unless you feel unsafe driving in the rain. Don’t do anything you feel uncomfortable with. Stormy weather in Disney World We’re here to keep you updated on all things Disney news, as well as provide you with the best advice so that you can be as relaxed and safe as possible. Make sure to follow along so that you never miss a thing. Looking for more of our best rainy day tips? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you headed to Disney World on Sunday? Let us know in the comments! The post "Southern Soaker" Rain Storm Headed Straight for Disney World This Weekend first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Disney-DeSantis feud is far from over. Disney vs. DeSantis After a federal judge dismissed Disney’s case accusing the governor and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District of political retaliation, Disney filed an appeal to the decision. It seems we haven’t heard the last of this lawsuit, though DeSantis might wish we had. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at a news conference in Jacksonville, Florida on February 1st, and shared his thoughts on Disney’s appeal. “They should move on,” said DeSantis. He continued, “This company took control of the local government, which is not good government.” Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream The notice of appeal was filed on February 1st, just one day after the judge’s decision came down. US District Court Judge Allen Winsor said that Disney’s free-speech suit against DeSantis “lacked merit and standing.” He continued that while Disney did appear to be harmed by the changes, it could not prove the harm “was a direct result of any actions by the state or governor.” ©Governor Ron DeSantis Website Richard Foglesong, a Rollins College professor emeritus who penned Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando, told Fortune, “Maybe Disney should go back to lobbying and writing checks. “As the judge’s ruling shows, they erred in using the courts to resolve a political question,” he continued. “Everyone knows the Legislature’s act was retaliatory toward Disney. It just wasn’t provable by legal standards.” Cinderella Castle Disney shared a statement following their appeal: “This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here. If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give license to states to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with. We are determined to press forward with our case.” ©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters We’ll continue to keep an eye on this situation as it continues to unfold — be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest! 5 Big Changes Bob Iger Has To Make in 2024 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you think Disney will win the appeal? Tell us in the comments. The post "They Should Move On" -- DeSantis Comments on Disney's Federal Lawsuit Appeal first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We know that planning a Disney World trip isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Spaceship Earth You have to decide when to go, where to stay, what to eat, which rides to go on, and a whole lot more. It’s not easy, and if you’re new to the process it can seem incredibly daunting. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth time, these are the necessary evils of planning a Disney World trip. We’re not gonna sugarcoat it — there are some hard pills you have to swallow when planning a Disney World trip. When it comes to visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth, these are some necessary evils you have to deal with. Waking Up Early Whether it’s to snag a hard-to-get dining reservation or to get in a virtual line for annual passes, sometimes waking up early is just part of the Disney trip-planning experience. For dining, you can make reservations 60 days in advance (plus the length of your trip if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel) and the reservations open daily at 6AM. So, if there are specific restaurants you’re trying to get reservations for that are on the popular side, you’ll have to be up with the roosters for the best chance. Hollywood Studios We’ve also seen similar situations happen with things like annual pass sales and runDisney events. Though Disney World Annual Passes are currently available, when they first returned Disney implemented an online virtual queue system that required folks to hop in line at a certain time. Registering for runDisney events can be a similar process. Everyone tends to head for the BIG rides at rope drop. And, of course, even after the planning process ends and you’re actually on your vacation you might still need to wake up early! Rope dropping the parks means getting there as soon as they open, and if you’re using Genie+ you’ll need to make your first selection at 7AM to get a good start to the day. The 14 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2024 Learning a New Vocabulary If you’re visiting Disney World for the first time, you’re probably a bit confused by all of the different vocabulary you need to learn. Most of the terms are self-explanatory, but for the uninitiated, it can likely feel pretty overwhelming. Even if you know what the various terms and acronyms stand for, you might have a hard time figuring out just what exactly they mean. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Luckily, we know all the ins and outs of what these complicated (okay, they’re not really that complicated when you get down to it) phrases mean and can help you decipher what exactly you need to know! For some of the most common phrases, check out the link below. 9 Words You NEED to Know Before Your Disney World Trip! Setting Up Your Disney World App The My Disney Experience app (MDE) in and of itself is a necessary evil, but you’re going to want to make sure it’s all set up before you even step foot on Disney World property. MDE is essentially a planning tool and is where you’ll make dining reservations, book Lightning Lanes, check ride wait times, unlock your hotel room door, and more. ©Shutterstock So, what’s the evil part? Well, there are a lot of things you need to do before you get to Disney World to make sure your app is all set up and ready to go. Not only that, but you’ll want to Create and CONNECT your Family & Friends list so you can make and share plans with your traveling group. Essentially, linking ensures that your entire group has access to the same dining reservations, Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections, and more. Learn More Tips and Tricks About the Disney World App Here Spending a Lot of Money So you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip… though we have plenty of tips on how you can get the most value out of your money and stick to your budget, you’re probably going to need to just accept the fact that Disney World ain’t cheap. You’re going to spend a good chunk of change to have this experience — but it’s worth it! Riviera Resort This is especially true if you want to shell out for Genie+ and other extras that can help your trip run a bit more smoothly. Of course, they’re not necessary and it’s still totally possible to have a good trip without one, but spending money in Disney World is about as easy as breathing. How Disney World Is Getting Better in 2024 Being Glued To Your Phone Remember earlier when we mentioned the My Disney Experience app? Well, as helpful as the app is, it’s also a necessary evil of having to be glued to your phone throughout the planning process and even on your trip. Want to check wait times? Phone. Want to book another Lightning Lane? Phone. Want to Mobile Order some food? Phone. Using Genie+ We won’t lie — it is incredibly convenient. But we know that some folks can get irked by having to use your phone for nearly every aspect of your trip. There are still ways to put the phone down and really unplug, but you’ll likely find yourself reaching for your phone more on your Disney World vacation than you might on a different one. Cinderella Castle All that is to say that while planning a Disney World trip may not be easy, it doesn’t have to be overly complicated! Whether you’re looking for first-time planning info or are just trying to brush up on the latest news, we’ll be here to help along the way. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World news, planning tips, tricks, and more! This Is the BEST Time To Go to Disney World in 2024 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW When are you heading to Disney World next? Tell us in the comments. The post 5 Necessary Evils of Planning a Disney World Trip first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, February has brought a TON of new snacks to Disney World — and no, we are NOT complaining. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge First, we’ve got all kinds of new treats for Celebrate Soulfully, which is Disney’s way of celebrating Black History Month. But we’ve also got Valentine’s Day coming up, and that means Disney has also started to release Valentine’s Day snacks. So it’s like double the snacks this month, and we are here for it. Speaking of which, we’re heading over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to try one of those Valentine’s Day treats, and we’ve got a heads-up for you Zebra Dome fans! Over at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s counter service restaurant, The Mara, you can now get a Zebra Mousse Cake for $6.99. It’s a cake made with Amarula mousse and chocolate sponge inspired by the iconic Zebra Dome. We bet that got your attention, right? All we can say is if you are a fan of Zebra Domes, you need this cake in your life. Also, look at how pretty it is! Zebra Mousse Cake The cake itself is a moist sponge cake with a nice chocolate flavor. But we do have to warn you about that red gel on this cake — although it adds a hint of sweetness and is mostly for looks, it is rather messy. So this is something you want to sit down to enjoy and AVOID if you’re trying to eat on the go. That red is going to stain EVERYTHING But let’s talk about the mousse because it makes up about 80 percent of this dessert. It’s WONDERFUL. It’s got that Amarula Cream in it that makes Zebra Domes so delicious. Amarula Cream is a South African liqueur made with the fruit of the amarula tree, cream, and sugar. The flavor is sort of like caramel. The mousse here is thick and rich, meaning this could be shareable. We’ll tell you now, though: you may not want to share, and that’s your decision. ALLLLL that delicious mousse We’d say that makes this snack a good value, too. For under $7, you’re getting a rich, decadent dessert that is both pretty AND delicious. Plus, it qualifies as a snack with the Disney Dining Plan! It’s only available through February 14th, though, so you’ll have to get over to Animal Kingdom Lodge quickly to grab it. Stay tuned to DFB for more reviews! REVIEW: Somebody Call Gwen Stefani. This NEW Disney Treat Is B-A-N-A-N-A-S! 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 Zebra Domes? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: If You Love Zebra Domes, Listen Up. Disney World Debuted Something Even BETTER first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article