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We’ve got some exciting news from Disney World! It’s time! After Hours events are officially back for 2024 and Disney is kicking them off over at Hollywood Studios! These special events require a separate ticket and allow you to spend a few hours in the parks after closing time. There are many perks to doing an After Hours event (including super short wait times), but now we’re taking you through everything that’s included in the ticket price! Want to visit After Hours yourself? Ticket costs range from $155 to $175 depending on the date that you choose. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can get a discount with tickets ranging from $125 to $145. And that’s everything you can that’s open and available during Disney’s After Hours Event in Hollywood Studios! We will share the same details for the Magic Kingdom event when it kicks off on January 11th. Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Every Single Disney World After Hours Event 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 Would you ever do an After Hours event at Hollywood Studios? Tell us in the comments! The post EVERYTHING Included With Your Hollywood Studios After Hours Event Ticket first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Nothing lasts forever, so they say! Downtown Disney That applies to the Disney theme parks as things are constantly changing. Disneyland in particular is seeing some pretty significant changes with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and new construction around the Haunted Mansion. Now, we’ve got an update that lies just outside the parks over in Downtown Disney. Tortilla Jo’s at Downtown Disney has announced it will permanently close on March 31st, 2024. We confirmed the closure with a Disney Cast Member. Tortilla Jo’s Tortilla Jo’s is an upbeat restaurant in Downtown Disney that serves up classic Mexican cuisine. There is also a Taqueria attached for those who want a quick drink or bite, which is set to close on April 13th, 2024. Carne Asada Street Tacos Downtown Disney is currently under a massive refurbishment with new restaurants and shops coming soon. We’ve seen other spots permanently close to make way for these changes. What new places can you expect? In the restaurant world, Porto’s Bakery and Din Tai Fung are set to open in the shopping and dining district. Keep following DFB for more Disney restaurant updates. Why We’re AVOIDING Disneyland This Weekend Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Have you ever dined at Tortilla Jo’s? Let us know in the comments. The post PERMANENT CLOSURE Announced for Downtown Disney Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Disney Dining Plan is BACK, but if you’re going to use it, you need to be smart about it. Mickey Ice Cream Bar! Purchasing a Disney Dining Plan as part of a Disney World vacation package is essentially a way to pre-pay for your meals and snacks. When you buy a plan, you get a certain number of meal and snack credits (the number and type of credits depends on which plan you purchase), which you can use throughout your trip. You can use those snack credits to get lots of tasty eats around Disney World, but WATCH OUT: Some eats that count as snacks are actually a huge WASTE of a snack credit! Here’s a quick overview of the different kinds of Disney World Dining Plans and what you get with each one: Quick Service Dining Plan Inclusions Per Person in the travel party (ages 3 and up), Per Night: This plan includes counter service (i.e., fast food) meals and snacks at most quick service dining locations in the Walt Disney World Resort. Two quick service meals (entrée or combo meal at lunch and dinner and a beverage) One snack/nonalcoholic drink One Resort Refillable Resort drink mug per person, per package This Plan costs $57.01 per adult (ages 10 and up), per night and $23.83 per child (ages 3 to 9), per night. Casey’s Corner full spread Standard Disney Dining Plan Inclusions — Each person on the meal plan will receive credits for the following, per night: One table service entrée, dessert (lunch and dinner only), OR full buffet One quick service meal, including entrée + beverage OR combo meal One snack/nonalcoholic drink One resort refillable drink mug per person, per package This Plan costs $94.28 per adult (ages 10 and up), per night and $29.69 per child (ages 3 to 9), per night. Full spread at Plaza Restaurant Most restaurants inside the Disney World parks accept the Dining Plan meal credits as payment, though note that not ALL of them do. Check out our full list of qualifying restaurants below! View ALL the restaurants that participate in the Disney World Dining Plan here! But what can you get with those snack credits? To find out, look for the Disney Dining Plan symbol on restaurant and snack kiosk menus. It’ll look like this: Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit Logo Here’s a look at that symbol on a menu placard at Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom. Look for the purple “DDP Snack Credit logo” on price signage and menus! Here’s the thing: Not all snacks are created equal, and you can definitely WASTE those snack credits if you’re not careful! These are some of the WORST uses for your Dining Plan snack credits: A Bag of Lays Potato Chips You can use your snack credit to buy a bag of Lays Potato Chips…or you can buy a family-sized bag from Walmart for under $4. This one’s a double-whammy: The snack is too cheap to make it a good deal with the credit AND it’s something you can get at home, so don’t waste your credits or your money on it in Disney World! Lays in Magic Kingdom If you just can’t live without your Lays Potato Chips, we’d recommend putting in a grocery delivery order and having the chips sent to your hotel room. Then, you can bring them with you into the parks to save money and credits. A Single Piece of Fruit This one is a bad idea for the same reason that the Lays Chips were a bad idea. Really? You’re going to use your credit on a banana that costs $0.25 at Walmart? Whole Fruit Get your fruit delivered to your hotel from Walmart or Kroger, or you could even bring it with you from home. Save those snack credits for more interesting, pricey items! A Cup of Plastic Cheese or Side of Gravy To be honest, we’re not even sure why this is an option. Who’s spending an entire credit on just a side of gravy? Gravy The plastic cheese…that we can understand. Just get us a straw because we could drink that stuff plain. plastic cheese But still, it only costs a dollar to buy either of these on their own, so we’d recommend saving those snack credits. A Popcorn Bucket Refill If you buy a popcorn bucket in Disney World, you can get refills throughout your trip for just $2.25 each time! Popcorn Because it’s so cheap, we recommend using your snack credits on the pricier items and just paying for the popcorn out of pocket. Starbucks Cake Pops We’re bringing back the Lays Potato Chips argument here: Starbucks Cake Pops are cheap and you can get them at home, so don’t spend your money and credits on them in Disney World! Starbucks Cake Pops They cost just $2.99 at Disney World, so if you really want to get one, it’s not too much out of pocket. Small Drinks at Starbucks Please don’t use your snack credits to get small drinks at Starbucks in Disney World. Why? Because ALL Starbucks drink sizes cost one snack credit, so you could be getting a Grande, Venti, or even Trenta size instead for the same “cost”! Be sure to get the LARGEST drink If you don’t want a lot of your drink immediately, you can still get the bigger size and then save the rest for later. Bottled Water and Soda Bottled water and soda are pretty expensive in Disney World, so you might be tempted to use a Dining Plan snack credit to get them. But we have a better idea! Dasani Get free water cups from quick service restaurants and then get a soda with your meal instead of buying it bottled. Free Cups of Water Each quick service and table service Dining Plan meal credit gets you a drink along with your entrée, so it doesn’t cost any extra to grab that soda. Plain Bakery Items There are several places in Disney World where you can get a plain chocolate chip cookie or brownie, and they’re usually around $3 or $4. The treats usually aren’t super special, and since they’re so cheap, we think it’s a waste of a snack credit to spend on those. Bakery Case Instead, check out some of these much BETTER uses of Dining Plan snack credits to truly make the most of your credits. MUCH BETTER Uses of a Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit OK, so now you know what NOT to do. Let’s check out a few of the BEST items you can get with a snack credit! We’re talking most delicious, best bang-for-your-buck eats that only cost one snack credit with the Dining Plan: Funnel Cake at Epic Eats or Sleepy Hollow ($8.29 at Sleepy Hollow/$8.49 at Epic Eats) Pepper Jack Pretzel ($8.25) Rapunzel Sundae at Storybook Treats ($8.29) Brownie Sundae at Auntie Gravity’s ($8.29) Cream Cheese Pretzel at Lunching Pad ($7.79) The Plaza Ice Cream Sundae at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor ($8.79) Kyryll Pork Rinds at Ronto Roasters ($7.49) Tenoo Swirl Crunchies Cereal at Milk Stand ($9.99) Blue and Green Milk at Milk Stand ($8.99) Mickey Pretzel ($8.25) Large Drinks at Starbucks Funnel Cake Now you’re all set to really make the BEST use of those snack credits. Make sure to check out these posts before your trip to help you plan out your credits even more: Best Value Quick Service Restaurants for the Disney Dining Plan Best Value Snacks for the Disney Dining Plan Best Value Table Service Restaurants for the Disney Dining Plan 2 Disney World Restaurants We’d NEVER Use the Dining Plan For Stay tuned to DFB for more of the latest Disney food news! Click here for a list of participating Dining Plan restaurants in Disney World. Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Best Disney Springs Restaurants The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you going to use a Dining Plan on your next Disney World trip? Let us know in the comments! The post The WORST Ways To Use a Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, so we know a LOT of you out there appreciate Disney World’s Resort Refillable Mugs. Resort Refillable Mug Not only do they let you fill up on your favorite non-alcoholic beverages WHENEVER YOU WANT at your Disney World hotel (or at any OTHER Disney World hotel), but they also make great take-home souvenirs. Like who doesn’t need more Disney mugs, right? Well, there’s a pretty cool hack we know about refillable mugs that we wanted to share with you. So the first thing you might do when you reach your Disney World hotel is to hit up the quick service dining location and grab that mug ASAP, right? That way, you’ll have it from the very beginning of your trip to use for all your drinks. Well, what if you forget to buy it and then head out for the day? Yes, it’s SO easy to forget even your own name when you first arrive in Disney World because YOU’RE IN DISNEY WORLD (We call that Disney brain). Refillable mugs Well, you can actually buy a refillable mug at ANY Disney World hotel — you don’t have to be staying there. We picked up a refillable mug at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort no problem when we had hotel reservations at one of the All Star Resorts. So that’s a little hack that could come in handy if you head straight to the parks even before you get checked into your hotel. You can get those mugs wherever they are sold. The latest design Also, like we mentioned, you can refill that mug at any Disney World hotel, too. So if you plan on doing some resort hopping, be sure to bring your mug along! Pixar Pals Refillable Resort Mugs So should you get a refillable mug for your hotel stay? Well, the mugs currently cost $21.99 each, and you get unlimited refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and tea. If you drink a lot of those beverages on any given day, you’ll probably save money by purchasing the mugs. However, note that you cannot refill them in the theme parks — you can ONLY refill them at Disney World hotels. Close-up on the new mugs Stay tuned to DFB for more! Everything you wanted to know about Resort Refillable Mugs 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 buy Resort Refillable Mugs when you visit Disney World? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments! The post Everyone Forgets This Refillable Mug HACK in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Yeah, we keep up with a lot of McDonald’s stuff here on this blog. McDonald’s It’s no secret that we’re stopping at McDonald’s A LOT, and not just when those Disney100 toys came out with Happy Meals (although we did get a LOT of them). We recently learned that McDonald’s burgers are about to get bigger, but one, in particular, is about to DOUBLE in size. So one of the MOST popular things on the McDonald’s menu is probably the Big Mac. Well, we’ve got BIG news for you Big Mac lovers. That’s because McDonald’s is about to start offering the Double Big Mac. Yep, that’s TWICE the Big Mac. For reference, here’s a regular Big Mac: Big Mac The Double Big Mac comes with four (!!!) 100% all-beef patties, along with more Big Mac sauce (gotta’ have that, right?). It’s also topped with pickles, shredded lettuce, finely chopped onions, and a slice of American cheese, all sandwiched between a sesame seed bun. Whew — that is a LOT. So here’s what ALL that looks like: ©McDonald’s You’ll be able to order the Double Big Mac starting on January 24th, but it’s only going to be available for a limited time. So it’s probably best to get it before it’s gone! McDonald’s We’ll probably be making a trip to McDonald’s to grab one for ourselves. How can we resist? If you’re interested, we also visited McDonald’s NEW CosMc’s (which focuses more on beverages, as well as some small food items) — here’s our favorite thing we ate there. Let’s just say the concept is interesting, to say the least! Stay tuned to DFB for more. FULL REVIEW of the NEW McDonald’s Spin-Off Restaurant — CosMc’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 Will you be ordering a Double Big Mac? Let us know in the comments! The post McDonald's Announces NEW Version of the Big Mac Burger! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the most ICONIC figures in the history of The Walt Disney Company is Mickey Mouse. After all, it all started with a man and a mouse, right? Mickey Mouse But something interesting happened with that mouse recently. The first version of Mickey Mouse, as he appeared in the short film Steamboat Willie, officially entered the public domain this month. That means Disney’s copyright for that version of Mickey Mouse has expired (which happens after 100 years). Now, we’ve already seen what happens when an iconic character becomes public domain with Winnie the Pooh and the horror film that followed. So what’s happened with Mickey since Steamboat Willie entered public domain? Let’s just say, it didn’t take a LOT of time for new Mickey projects to pop up. The first thing we noticed was a new horror movie starring Steamboat Willie called Mickey’s Mouse Trap. Now, it seems that this film has been in the works for a while and was just announced as soon as Mickey became a public domain character. There’s even already a trailer for it!  The movie follows a young woman on her 21st birthday who works at an amusement park. After her friends show up to surprise her, things get pretty scary after someone in a scary Mickey Mouse suit starts hunting them. Yikes! But that’s not all, because there’s a horror Mickey video game coming out, too. Game developer Nightmare Forge Games has announced a game called Infestation: Origins, an episodic co-op survival horror game set in the late 80s.  In the game, you play as an exterminator who rids buildings of “twisted versions of classic characters and urban legends.” One of those characters is — of course — Mickey Mouse. The game is expected to be released later this year as an early access on Steam for PC players. But wait, there’s more! Because Adult Swim has jumped on the bandwagon. Of course, it has.  We’re pretty certain that this is only the TIP of the iceberg and more projects will follow. We do have to reiterate that this is just for the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse and all other versions of Mickey after that are still under copyright. Stay tuned to DFB for more. Is Disney “Retiring” Mickey Mouse? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of these projects? Let us know in the comments! The post All the Ways Public Domain Mickey Mouse Has Been DESECRATED in One Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Things have changed A LOT in Disney World. Mickey ice cream bar We’re visiting the parks without park pass reservations (well, those of us with date-based tickets, anyway). We’re park hopping when we feel like it. AND we’re using the Disney Dining Plan, which has finally returned after FOUR LONG YEARS OF DESOLATE OUT OF POCKET PAYMENTS. But we used the brand NEW Disney Dining Plan in the parks on debut day, and we learned a LOT. So we’re going to fill you in on some of those weird brand new Disney Dining Plan rules that are a little bit different from what you may be expecting…as well as some of the old rules that you might not remember! 1. You can’t use a snack credit for some Disney World snacks Okay, so you might think anything you consider a snack can be bought with a Dining Plan snack credit in Disney World. But…NOPE. For example, we found out that one of our favorite snacks at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom, the Tropical Serenade, is not on the Dining Plan. Everything else on the menu is good to go…just not this one little float. Weird. Usually items under $6 — including side items at quick-service restaurants — will count as a snack credit. But it’s not set in stone. Tropical Serenade Be sure to look for that DDP logo next to snacks or ask a Cast Member what your snack credits are good for. Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit Logo Everything That’s DIFFERENT About the Disney Dining Plan in 2024 2. A festival can change things up So here’s something that surprised us. If you get Poutine at The Refreshment Port in EPCOT, it’s normally a snack credit. But when that Poutine becomes a festival offering (it’s usually a different kind of Poutine), it’s a quick-service meal credit instead of a snack credit. Festival poutine is not a snack, but a meal So you’ll want to keep that in mind, at least for that specific location. TRICKY, Disney. You’ll also find that EPCOT Festival booth items are often buyable with a DDP snack credit — and at prices up to $10, they become the best bang for your buck in EPCOT during Festivals! So if you’re trying to maximize your Dining Plan benefit and a Festival starts tomorrow, save your credits and use them there! STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: How To Use the Disney Dining Plan in the Disney World App 3. You can get more bang for your buck at Starbucks Here’s a rule that could really benefit you. We talked to a Cast Member at Main Street Bakery, Magic Kingdom’s Starbucks location, and were told that ALL drink sizes count as one snack credit. So you can order the largest Trenta coffee to get more out of that snack credit. We were told the same thing at Trolley Car Cafe in Hollywood Studios. Be sure to get the LARGEST drink So get that biggest drink if you’re using a snack credit for that morning coffee or afternoon pick-me-up. We were also informed that this included any additional shots, foam, etc., you add to the drink. SCORE! FULL LIST of Table-Service Disney Dining Plan Restaurants Announced for Disney World 4. Not all Disney World restaurants participate in the DDP This is one that causes a TON of drama every year! Heads up — many restaurants owned by third parties do not participate in the Dining Plan. But, to make it even more confusing, some third party restaurants will eventually participate, but just aren’t doing so yet. That’s not confusing at all, right? We’ve already learned that restaurants like Space 220 in EPCOT, Eet by Maneet Chauhan, and Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs will not accept the Disney Dining Plan. This also goes for Gideon’s Bakehouse — read more on this sad news here. Summer House on the Lake And note that sometimes a third party restaurant will re-up on the Dining Plan in late January or February, once they’ve sorted out the implications for their business. So be sure to double-check if a place is part of the Plan before you head over there (you can usually check on the My Disney Experience app or Disney World website). OR, dive into our FULL LIST OF DINING PLAN RESTAURANTS that we have for you right here for absolute FREE! (Yep, this is why you read this blog. Free stuff that makes things easier for you.) Answering 8 BIG Questions about the Disney World Dining Plan 5. Larger shareable menu items could cost more We visited Via Napoli to ask about the largest pizzas there, which are generally shareable between four or five people. We were told that each pizza would cost four to five Dining Plan credits, with each person having to pay one credit. A huge pizza is going to cost a LOT of credits It’s a bit confusing how it was explained to us (and, honestly, it was ALWAYS confusing back in the day as well for this mezzo metro size), but we were told if a group were going to share a pizza, everyone in that group would have to pay one table service credit to do so. Does that mean that someone who wanted to buy and eat the giant pizza all by themselves would only have to pay one credit. Probably not, but we couldn’t get a super straight answer (remember this is all new to Cast Members, too). So plan to pay 4 or 5 credits even if you’re tackling this pizza challenge with a smaller group. FULL LIST of Table-Service Disney Dining Plan Restaurants Announced for Disney World 6. Lounge Rules So Disney World lounges now qualify for the Disney Dining Plan (YAY!) but they are essentially not a good value (BOO!). Here’s why. First, most don’t offer dessert, so all you can really get for your table-service credit at a lounge is an appetizer-sized item and a drink. Dining at Nomad Lounge Second, that drink can’t be any kind of specialty cocktail. You’re limited to standard beer, wine, and simple cocktails (like vodka and soda). So, yeah, unless you have leftover credits and you don’t care about making your money back on them, skip using them at lounges! Disney World Lounges Now Accept the Disney Dining Plan – Here’s How That Works 7. Shareables at table service restaurants aren’t eligible for the Dining Plan If you eat at a Table Service restaurant like Yak & Yeti in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, don’t try to order shareable items like the Ahi Tuna Nachos with your Dining Plan credit. A table-service credit only covers an entree, dessert, and a drink, so until some policy changes happen, they won’t be able to use your one table-service credit to get the shareable items. Ahi Tuna Nachos If you wanted to order an appetizer as your meal, you’ll have to pay for it out of pocket, rather than use the Disney Dining Plan. (Now, that said, this could be one of those places where your mileage varies — FYI, that terminology will come in REAL handy with the Dining Plan, since restaurants can sometimes make up their own rules with this stuff — but please don’t make your server uncomfortable by demanding something that they’re not supposed to give you.) CONFIRMED: These 24 Magic Kingdom Treats Count as Disney Dining Plan Snacks 8. Adult quick-service credits and kids’ quick-service credits MAY not be interchangeable anymore OK, so this is one of those we’re-not-completely-sure-yet-but-here’s-what-we-think ones (or maybe I’m just not ready to accept that this awesome perk of the Dining Plan isn’t around anymore). Remember how you used to be able to use an adult meal credit on the kids’ quick-service meal or vice versa? Cause the cast members didn’t have a button to differentiate? Welp, that might be over. Turkey kid’s pack According to a cast member we asked, they can now differentiate on their cash registers; so if you are an adult who likes to order kids’ meals, this could mean you can’t get that kids’ meal on the Dining Plan. You’d need to choose something from the adult section of the menu. Same goes for if your child wants to order an adult meal — you’d need to use a credit from an adult’s Dining Plan for that. I’m not happy with this development and would love to prove it otherwise, so if you’re getting different outcomes, please let me know! We Think You’ll LOVE This Disney Dining Plan UPDATE in the Disney World App We hope this clears up some of the confusion about the Dining Plan. We know it’s a LOT to figure out, especially since it has changed since the last time we used it way back in early 2020. If you have any questions, though, throw them down in the comments and we’ll see if we can help! Stay tuned to DFB for more. Why You’ll Be Disappointed by Disney’s New Dining Plan Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be using the Dining Plan during your next Disney World trip? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments! The post 8 Game-Changing Rules You Should Know Before You Buy the Disney Dining Plan first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Working at Disney World is an unforgettable experience filled with MANY highs. However, like with any job, you can experience some lows and regrets. Cinderella Castle Being a Cast Member at Disney World can truly open you up to a world of Disney most people never get to see. From knowing all the ride secrets to filling our brains with an endless amount of Disney Parks know-how, Cast Members have a wealth of Disney knowledge that goes unmatched. With that said, like everyone else, Disney World Cast Members are still susceptible to having regrets once leaving the most Magical Place on Earth. Don’t get us wrong, being a Cast Member at Disney World is a truly remarkable experience! It’s when we don’t appreciate the uniqueness and plethora of opportunity that regret can set in. In fact, seven regrets especially stand out when reminiscing about the days of yore as a cast member. Not Networking More and Building Relationships With Other Cast Members While Cast Members have a lot of daily interaction with park guests, what you don’t see too often is our interactions with one another. A big regret we have is not networking more and building these relationships. Cast Members From not strengthening our working relationships with our leaders to not spending more time with fellow Cast Members during off hours, sometimes we wish we did more to create stronger work bonds and friendships. Working at Disney World is extra special in that it allows the opportunity to really connect with amazing people. This is also the best and easiest way to make important connections if you are looking to move up in the company. Disney even hosts a few networking events so that College Program Cast Members have the opportunity to meet and interact with other people throughout the company. Not Taking More Photos in Costume Ok, truth time — Cast Member costumes aren’t always the most comfortable or aesthetically pleasing. It’s safe to say not all Cast Member costumes are created equal, as some are preferable to others. Cast Members are the best! With that said, we wish we had taken more photos in the costumes for the sake of memory. The opportunity to wear a Disney World costume is super rare and it should be appreciated in the long run — even if we couldn’t wait to change once our shifts ended! Not Taking Advantage of Discounts To quote Andy Bernard from NBC’s The Office, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” Let’s go shopping! At least that’s what our bank accounts told us after we left our Disney jobs. Being a Disney World Cast Member comes with discount perks and we wish we would’ve used them more. Making purchases at Disney World and getting merchandise seems much more financially daunting than it did when we worked at the parks, and, in hindsight, it may have been more beneficial to use that Disney discount much more frequently. Not Doing More Disney Staycations and Experiences Tying into our regret about not using discounts, we wish we had done more staycations and Disney experiences. Working at Disney World gave us more access to the parks than literally anyone else in the world and being a Cast Member allowed for some exclusive backstage experiences like WALKING the Haunted Mansion before the parks opened. Back Stage Pass Ornament Seriously, how cool is it that Disney World Cast Members can just go to Disney World on an off day without the hassle of booking a vacation? After leaving Disney and seeing how expensive everything can get, we can’t help but long for just one extra day of park access or a cheaper and easier way to do some of those special Disney World experiences. Cast Members also get discounted hotel stays, so we will we would have stayed at a few more resorts during our time! Not Taking Advantage of Different Cast Member Offerings and Programs Sometimes a job is more than “just a job”. At Disney World, Cast Members are offered special programs like Disney VoluntEARS and special Disney themed classes for College Program Cast Members. @Disney We regret not fully taking advantage of some of these Disney programs while lending our time and talents to other aspects of the company. Expanding your horizons is always a benefit and we recommend seizing opportunity when it is presented. Not Enjoying the Experience More Cast Members GET TO WORK AT DISNEY WORLD! It’s actually really incredible when you stop and think about it. We wish we had given into the experience more, enjoying all the “magic” Disney World has to offer. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Whether it be enjoying the parks before and after shifts, eating at new restaurants, or simply exploring the area, there is so much to do at Disney World when you’re off the clock. Trust us, we still spent plenty of time in the parks during our off hours but we could’ve always done more. Fortunately, since we cover Disney World we still get to experience everything the Disney World Resort has to offer, so this regret isn’t a backbreaker and has allowed us to appreciate just how unique and incredible Disney World can be. Not Going to the Parks Alone It may seem strange to suggest going to the Disney Parks alone, but that’s exactly what we wish we did more of! As Disney World reporters now, we’ve gotten used to going to the parks alone and it can actually be a very relaxing experience. Single rider line is back at Soarin’! When you live nearby, going to Disney World doesn’t have to be a whole “big thing” and going alone also makes it easier to jump into single rider lines. There are actually A TON of reasons why going to Disney World alone is a great idea, and you can read about some of those reasons below! 11 Reasons It’s Not WEIRD to Go to Disney World ALONE There you have it! Luckily our regrets haven’t stalled our passion for Disney World and we’ll continue to share that passion with you EVERY SINGLE DAY. Be sure to follow us for all things Disney World right here at DFB! This Disney World Cast Member Story Will Melt Your Heart. We Promise. 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 a former Disney World Cast Member with regrets? Share your experiences with us below in the comments!The post I Was a Disney World Cast Member. Here Are 7 of My Biggest REGRETS. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here is a look at some of the creature comforts you can look forward to when you stay at Disney Sequoia Lodge!View the full article

To stay on property at Disney World or not. That is the question. @Bposhtels Orlando Florida Mall When planning a trip to Disney World, whether you stay on property or not often is a debate between you and your budget. We won’t lie. Disney World hotels come at a premium, so if you’re looking for an ultra-affordable option, preferably for a single person, you have another option available to you, and stays there are under $30! As we mentioned, if you are looking to stay in the Orlando area on the cheap, it doesn’t get much more affordable than the Bposhtels Orlando Florida Mall. @Bposhtels Orlando Florida Mall If you’re not familiar with what a hostel is, they are a budget accommodation option, typically with dormitory-style rooms with bunk or single beds. In addition to shared sleeping arrangements, hostels often offer shared bathrooms, common areas, and communal kitchen facilities. @Bposhtels Orlando Florida Mall They tend to be popular among budget-conscious travelers, such as backpackers, students, and those looking for a more social/communal experience. We’ve seen they have rates as low as $24 per night. @Bposhtels Orlando Florida Mall Bposhtels has the following amenities: Free Breakfast Free Parking Free Wi-Fi Free Package Storage 24-hour Reception desk @Bposhtels Orlando Florida Mall It’s also only a stone’s throw away from the Florida Mall and all it has to offer as far as shopping and restaurants. Also, if you do decide to venture to the Walt Disney World, it’s only about a 20-minute drive to the Transportation and Ticket Center to catch the Monorail to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT. EPCOT Monorail at Transportation and Ticket Center Now, we do want to caution you that staying at a hostel generally works best if you’re traveling alone or with friends, as you’re usually sharing bathrooms and even bedrooms with other travelers. The few reviews we could find for this hotel online were quite mixed — from “less than I’d hoped” to “worst ever.” But if you’re truly looking for a budget accommodation and you’re flexible, it could be worth giving this a try! For more Disney news, keep following DFB! Do Yourself a Favor and AVOID These Disney World Hotels Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels A Full List of Changes Announced for Disney World’s Hotels The BEST Disney World Hotels for 2023 The WORST Disney World Hotels for 2023 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What Items from Amazon Can You Have Delivered to Your Resort Hotel? We’ve Got the Details Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Would you stay at this hostel? Let us know in the comments! The post We Found Hotel Rooms in Orlando! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Discover Magic in Hawai‘i | AULANI ResortView the full article

We know you might be saving fresh off the heels of the holiday season, but we can’t help but show you these awesome Disney finds! Cinderella Castle Although the holiday season is behind us, another big holiday is on the horizon with Valentine’s Day in February. If you’re looking for that great gift for a special someone, shopDisney may have just the thing for you! If your significant other is a big Disney fan or you’re looking to treat yourself this Valentine’s Day, check out Disney’s latest designer bag offerings! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Dooney & Bourke is a popular designer brand of bags and accessories and it is currently offering two NEW Disney items on shopDisney! While not the cheapest options around, this tote bag and wallet are both very stylish and each comes with a $50 Sketch Cosmetic Case when purchased on shopDisney. Mickey Mouse and Friends Love Dooney & Bourke Tote Bag ©Disney The Mickey Mouse and Friends Love Tote Bag from Dooney & Bourke is a great way to celebrate romance and Valentine’s Day with some of our favorite Disney characters! Featuring an allover pattern of Mickey with Minnie, Donald with Daisy, Chip with Dale and Clarice, and hearts, this leather tote bag comes equipped with a ton of pockets, an interior key hook, leather handles, and the Dooney & Bourke signature metal label on the front. Super spacious with an adorable design, this tote bag would serve you or a loved one well on Valentine’s Day and beyond! Buy on shopDisney Mickey Mouse and Friends Love Dooney & Bourke Wristlet Wallet ©Disney If you’re looking for something a little smaller but just as cute, the Mickey Mouse and Friends Love Wristlet Wallet from Dooney & Bourke has you covered! Featuring the same pattern and character couples as the tote bag, this wristlet wallet is more than $100 cheaper than the bag. The leather wallet comes with an interior zip compartment, two billfold compartments, 12 card pockets, an accordion fold interior, a detachable wrist strap, and the Dooney & Bourke metal logo on the front. If you’ve been looking to spruce up or upgrade your wallet, this could be the one for you! Buy on shopDisney We’re always on the hunt for great Disney merchandise and as we near Valentine’s Day, we’ll be sure to share with you all of our fantastic finds, especially ones that celebrate the holiday. Stay tuned here at DFB for all the latest! Looking for more Disney gifts? Check out our Amazon storefront!The post Hurry! Disney Just Released 2 NEW Designer Bags ONLINE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

THIS IS NOT A DRILL — new desserts have made their way to Disney World! Amorette’s Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs is a hotspot for classic and contemporary pastries, along with champagne, specialty hot chocolates, Disney character-themed petit cakes, and even wine slushies! Their long list of offerings is about to get larger, as they recently announced the addition of several new desserts to celebrate the new year! Via their Instagram account, Disney Springs announced six new and reimagined desserts that are being added to Amorette’s menu. Let’s take a look! The new desserts are: Coffee and Chocolate Crème Brûlée ©Disney Springs Sunset on Mile Marker Zero — A key lime tart with chantilly cream ©Disney Springs NEW Éclair — An éclair with vanilla custard, dark 65% chocolate, and salted caramel sauce ©Disney Springs Lemon Blueberry Cream Puff — A cream puff stuffed with lemon cream and blueberry curd ©Disney Springs Chocolate Covered Strawberries ©Disney Springs Strawberry Cheesecake — A New York cheesecake dipped in strawberry chocolate and topped with strawberry whipped cream and fresh strawberries ©Disney Springs The Instagram post features pictures of each new dessert but does not state whether or not these new items are seasonal or will become long-term mainstays. Amorette’s Patisserie As always, we’ll keep you posted on all the latest coming out of Disney Springs and Disney World, so stay tuned right here at DFB! 2024 Cake Decorating SCHEDULE Released for a POPULAR Disney World Bakery 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 new dessert sounds/looks the tastiest? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! The post 6 NEW Desserts Have Arrived at Disney Springs! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, Disneyland fans…this one is for you. Disney We’re sure you were excited when we told you that Magic Key Passes would soon go on sale again for Disneyland. New passes haven’t been available since September! Well, they are available again — as of today! So join us as we check out what the process of getting a Magic Key pass is like. We’ll continue to keep an eye on the situation and keep you updated, so stay tuned to DFB for more. UPDATE: There’s a NEW Addition at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disneyland! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you trying to buy a Magic Key today? What’s your experience been like? The post Disney Magic Key Passes Are ON SALE NOW, but People Are Running Into One Huge PROBLEM first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s never a bad time to visit a Disney theme park, right? Well…actually there might be. Disneyland You could say there are “good, better, and best” times to visit the parks, and we always try to go during the best times. One of the biggest factors to look at when deciding when to go to a Disney park is the CROWDS. Big events and holidays tend to draw more crowds, so when those are happening, you can expect longer wait times at the rides and attractions. There’s a major event coming up SOON at Disneyland, and it’s gonna bring tons of people to the parks! The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend is happening from January 11th through the 14th, 2024! ©Disney This event is returning in 2024 after a hiatus, so we’re expecting BIG crowds. In fact, all of the races happening at the parks are completely SOLD OUT. (Note that virtual races are still available.) ©Disney The weekend consists of a 5K race, 10K, and Half Marathon. Some runners are also participating in the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge, so they’ll run both the 10K and the Half Marathon. ©Disney The Half Marathon Weekend is a particularly big deal because it means that the popular Coast to Coast Challenge is back, where runners compete in runDisney races at both Disneyland AND Disney World. To participate in the Coast to Coast Challenge, you must complete any runDisney race of 10 miles or more at both Disney World and Disneyland in 2024. ©runDisney There aren’t many races at Disneyland, so we’re expecting this weekend to be packed. runDisney If you wanted to participate in the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend races but didn’t get signed up before they sold out, you can plan for next year! The events will return from January 30th through February 2nd, 2025. Disneyland Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news. Click here to see the full schedule of runDisney races. Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you running the Disneyland Half Marathon this weekend? Let us know in the comments! The post Why We're AVOIDING Disneyland This Weekend first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World at night (and after regular park hours) can be a GAMECHANGER! After Hours at EPCOT With the cost of Genie+ rising, massive crowds during certain times of the year, and staving off the heat on top of all of that during the summer months it’s easy to see why so many people would opt to do an after-hours event at Disney World instead. Lucky for you we’re naming off every single one! We get it– spending a full day at Disney World can be challenging. Maybe you’re not someone who enjoys the higher temps and the heat, doing a full rope drop to close through the day to see all that the park has to offer, or maybe you just prefer a later start to get it all in. Maybe you’re looking for something just a little different than the regular day-to-day with limited crowds. If this is you, there are a few kinds of options available for those who want a different kind of experience in the Disney World parks without missing out on most of the daytime offering Follow the signs! Disney World offers several after-hours exclusive offerings throughout the year to help you get a different perspective in the parks. Let’s take a look at EVERY option that’s available to you! Disney After Hours Disney World is currently selling tickets for several Disney After Hours events held in the EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom parks. Each of these special ticketed events allows you 3 extra hours to extend your park day (or just get a later start to the park) to take advantage of the rides and attractions throughout the park. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Since there’s a limited number of tickets sold for these events, if you’re attending you can expect lower crowds and lower wait times than the regular park day. In addition to the lower wait times, attending one of these events will include snacks with your admission like popcorn, ice cream, and bottled drinks. Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich You’ll be able to snag those at select snack carts throughout the park during the event. These events are held on select nights from January 10th- April 10th, 2024 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with prices ranging from $155 to $175, January 11th – April 8th, 2024 at Magic Kingdom with prices ranging from $155- $175, and at EPCOT February 2nd- April 4th, 2024 with prices ranging from $149-$159. Exclusive groups like Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members are eligible for discounted ticket pricing for these events. H2O Glow Nights at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Disney’s H2O Glow Nights is the ultimate summer fest! This event is held at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park and packs in all the sand, water, and laughs there is to be had. There’s also a TON of entertainment around the park including multiple DJs and dance room and exclusive characters available for meet and greets. H2O Glow After Hours Event A few snack items are included with your event admission like packs of fruit, ice cream, and fountain soda beverages but there are a few party-exclusive snacks that can be purchased from the quick-service restaurants during the event. ©Disney We’re still waiting on more information for 2024, but this event is typically held on select nights through the summer months and can sell out quickly. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party This special ticketed event is Disney World’s exclusive Halloween party to scream over! Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party brings the frights, chills, and thrills to your evening! This is Halloween Here you’ll enjoy full roam of Magic Kingdom at night once the party starts with fewer crowds, party exclusive snack offerings to purchase, rare characters and a few familiar friends meeting in their Halloween costumes, party-themed perimeter fireworks, dance parties, an immersive stage shows with Disney villains, and of course the iconic Mickey’s Boo To You Parade. Mickey’s Boo To You Parade There’s even exclusive party merchandise for sale that usually sells out quickly for popular items like event shirts, spirit jerseys, and special edition pins. Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular Spirit Jersey If that wasn’t enough to thrill you for the night complimentary candy stations are scattered throughout the park and you’ll be able to trick or treat until you’re ready to drop! Just be sure you know how to get all that candy back home with you afterward. Trick or Treat! We’re still waiting on this year’s schedule for dates and pricing but this is an event that usually sells out pretty quickly so you’ll want to snag those tickets early to secure your preferred party date. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Celebrate with the holliest and jolliest at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom. Arguably the most popular after-hours event held at Disney World this party really knows how to make your holiday season merry and bright. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! There’s so much to do outside of the regular park rides and attractions like the Cookie and beverage stops for special party-exclusive treats like eggnog, hot cocoa, and apple cider, the merriest stage show in front of Cinderella Castle, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks, snoap that “snows” down Main Street U.S.A., and catch a glimpse of Santa and a few of your favorite Disney friends in Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade! Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade This is another party offering that we’re waiting to get more information on for 2024 dates and pricing but it’s one of our favorites so we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as we do when these parties are planned and tickets go on sale. Disney Jollywood Nights The newest holiday offering to hit the scene was at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this past year for Disney Jollywood Nights. In its debut year party attendees were treated to all the rides and attractions around the park along with exclusive party treats and snacks that were available for purchase during the event. Jollywood Nights While it’s a family-friendly event admittedly it felt like it was a more mature after-hours event that adults tended to appreciate more with rare characters like Phineas and Ferb, Duffy, and Pinocchio, 2 showstopping entertainment offerings with Holidays in Hollywood and What’s This: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Singalong, colorful laser projections for Sunset Seasons Greetings on the Hollywood Tower Hotel, the swanky Twilight Soiree, and more. Rachel and the Alley Cats Band Best of all though we saw the return of the beloved Jingle Bell Jingle BAM to conclude the night’s event offerings and we couldn’t have been happier to see it make its appearance back at Disney World. This party opened to mixed reviews but certainly made for a splendid night if the old Hollywood glam at Christmas vibe calls to you! It’s Phineas and Ferb! We’re not sure yet if Disney plans to bring this event back next year, but we’ll keep you posted once we learn more about when it will be offered next. DVC Moonlight Magic Events If you’re really big into exclusivity these are some of the HARDEST after-hours parties to secure simply because they’re not available to everyone to get in. These complimentary Moonlight Magic after-hours events are offered to Disney Vacation Club members and their visiting friends and family only. EPCOT Moonlight Magic While you don’t have to be staying at a Disney World hotel to attend, it will allow you the first chance to get into the FREE event… yes, free. If you’re not staying at a Disney World hotel during the dates these parties are offered, no worries, Disney offers a second sign-up that allows you to vie for your spot. The only catch to this is you need to be an eligible Disney Vacation Club member, which is basically Disney’s version of a timeshare, or one of their family/friends registered to attend with them. They look stressed out Not only are they in such high demand due to the exclusivity, but they’re some of the best opportunities to meet very rare characters like Tarzan and Jane, Flick and Atta from A Bug’s Life, and so many more. You’ll still have the opportunity to enjoy the park’s rides and attractions during the event with the help of a few DJ dance parties, complimentary snack vouchers, and sometimes even some party-exclusive gifts like DVC-themed popcorn buckets. Moonlight Magic popcorn bucket We’ve even seen EPCOT highlight a DVC exclusive fireworks show for last year’s event which was an especially cool offering! The price as we mentioned is free but you’ll need to make sure your DVC membership qualifies for membership extras and that you’re fast enough to secure a spot once the registration windows open. The catch here is each membership is only eligible for 1 party date per park so you won’t be able to sign up for a party for the same park during the same year more than once. For 2024 DVC has announced Moonlight Magic parties for Disney’s Animal Kingdom on February 27th and April 3rd, EPCOT on January 25th and March 1st, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon on June 4th and July 11th, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 27th, 2024. As you can see there are so many ways to do Disney World at night and different offerings to fit your preferences. Be sure to stay tuned with us for the latest updates when we learn more about these after-hours event dates and tickets! CONFIRMED: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s Extended Closure Will Last Several MONTHS 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 planning on attending a Disney after-hours event this year? Tell us which ones you’re looking forward to most in the comments below! The post Every Single Disney World After Hours Event in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re really sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Gideon’s Bakehouse We’ve got a not-so-great update about Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney World, and it has to do with the return of the Disney Dining Plan. The Disney Dining Plan is BACK, and we’ve noticed lots of changes and updates. It hasn’t been around since before the 2020 pandemic-related closures, so we’re helping you get caught up on everything that’s new in 2024. One of the biggest changes is that there are several NEW restaurants in Disney World now that weren’t around the last time the Disney Dining Plan was available. We’ve been checking at each spot to see whether they’ll accept the Dining Plan, and we’re sorry to say that we’ve got some bad news for Gideon’s Bakehouse fans. Gideon’s Bakehouse Cookie Gideon’s Bakehouse opened in Disney Springs in late 2020, so it wasn’t around when the Dining Plan was available before. When we reached out to ask them whether we could use our Disney Dining Plan snack credits to buy those delicious cookies and cake slices, we learned that they do NOT accept Dining Plan credits. We love Gideon’s Bakehouse However, they reminded us that they DO take Disney gift cards, so if you’re using gift cards to budget for your trip, you can still use them at Gideon’s. Disney gift cards Gideon’s Bakehouse is a third-party vendor (meaning the shop is NOT owned by Disney), so it’s not a complete surprise that they don’t accept Dining Plan credits. It’s possible that their policy could change in the future, but for now, no snack credits. Inside Gideon’s Bakehouse We’re checking on all the third-party restaurants that have opened since the Dining Plan was suspended. We learned that Space 220 (both the restaurant and lounge) in EPCOT does not accept Dining Plan credits, and neither does Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs. Summer House on the Lake EET by Maneet Chauhan doesn’t accept Dining Plan credits either, but a Cast Member there told our reporter that they’re hoping to accept credits “eventually.” Eet by Maneet Chauhan Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney food news! Click here to see a FULL LIST of Disney World restaurants that are participating in the Dining Plan. 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 using the Disney Dining Plan on your next trip? Let us know in the comments. The post You're Not Gonna Like This Gideon's Bakehouse Update in Disney World 😬 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Overwhelmed by all the different Disney World resorts there are to choose from? Art of Animation We’re laying ALL your options out on the table in one, easy-to-digest, DFB video — where we rank EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, from worst… to BEST! Check out our video below: Ranking EVERY Disney World Hotel  Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more Disney news! Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels A Full List of Changes Announced for Disney World’s Hotels The BEST Disney World Hotels for 2023 The WORST Disney World Hotels for 2023 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What Items from Amazon Can You Have Delivered to Your Resort Hotel? We’ve Got the Details Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What’s your favorite Disney World hotel? Let us know in the comments. The post DFB Video: Ranking EVERY Disney World Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

2024 is shaping up to be a great year if news like this keeps on comin’! Disney’s Animal Kingdom We’ve already seen the Disney Dining Plan return, Park Pass Reservations disappear for some ticket types, and Park Hopping ditch its 2PM restriction, so how could this week possibly get any better? Hey, guess what? IT JUST DID. One of our all-time favorite snacks at Disney’s Animal Kingdom just made its glorious return after going MISSING for several months! You’ve probably heard us rave about the Mango Pie at Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes. The Local Food Cafes is a quick service restaurant in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom, and it’s basically the fast food version of the nearby Yak & Yeti Restaurant. We go there for the Pork Egg Rolls, Chicken Fried Rice, and — you guessed it — Mini Mango Pie. Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes This beloved dessert went MISSING in March 2023, with Cast Members saying they didn’t know whether it would return at all. It hasn’t been back since…that is, until NOW! On January 9th, 2024, it was BACK! It’s back! Of course we had to buy one just to make sure it tasted the same. Great news: it does. It’s silky smooth, fruity, and delicious. so. good. The Local Food Cafes still doesn’t have it listed on its online menu, but don’t let that fool you — you should be able to order it as long as they don’t run out! The pie is listed on the physical menus at the restaurant, and it costs $8.49. Note that we didn’t see the Chocolate Pie on the menu, so that one may still be missing. Menu The other dessert options are still available, too, including the Banana Pudding Parfaits, Cookies & Cream Parfaits, and Frozen Lemonade Cups. Cookies and Cream Parfait Even if you can’t make it to Animal Kingdom, you can still enjoy this incredible treat! The pies are distributed by Kenny’s, and the company sells them at Kroger and Publix. Full Kenny’s Pies Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney food news! Click here to check out more of our favorite food in Animal Kingdom. 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 tried the Mini Mango Pie before? Let us know in the comments! The post HUGE SNACK NEWS: One of Our Favorite Treats Is BACK in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Raise a glass! The Disney Dining Plan is finally BACK. We’ve been counting down the days for MONTHS, researching the pros and cons, and answering your biggest questions. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, you need some context. Full Spread at Yak and Yeti The Disney Dining Plan is an optional vacation add-on that essentially allows Disney World hotel guests to pre-pay for their meals in exchange for Dining Plan credits. Then, once you’re in Disney World, all you have to do is enjoy your meal and apply those Dining Plan credits to your meal (as long as the restaurant accepts the Disney Dining Plan, that is). This option was unavailable for several years, but as of January 9th, 2024, it’s finally BACK, with a few changes. Upon its return, there are two Dining Plan options available — the Standard Disney Dining Plan and the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan. If the Disney Dining Plan is new to you, or you aren’t sure which (if any) option is best for you, we’re here to help! Woody’s Lunch Box Full Spread According to Disney, under the Standard Disney Dining Plan, everyone in the travel party will receive: 1 Table-Service meal per night 1 Quick-Service meal per night 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay 1 Resort-refillable drink mug Beverages are included with each meal Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine, and cocktails Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay, and the Standard Disney Dining Plan is $94.28 per adult per night (ages 10 and up) and $29.69 per child per night (ages 3 to 9). According to the Disney World website, under the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan, everyone in the travel party will receive: 2 Quick-Service meals per night 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night 1 Resort-refillable drink mug Beverages are included with each meal Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine, and cocktails Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay, and the cost for the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan is $57.01 per adult per day and $23.83 per child (ages 3 to 9) per day. Docking Bay 7 Full Spread Now, remember how we told you the Dining Plan is returning with some changes? You can now use Dining Plan credits at Disney World bars and lounges. Note that you will have to use table service credits at bars and lounges. Considering most bars and lounges offer small plates and appetizers, it might be a little confusing trying to determine how those credits can be used. But we’re here to clear things up! Enchanted Rose Lounge Eats and Drinks Not EVERY Disney World restaurant and lounge accepts the dining plan. For example, neither the Space 220 Restaurant nor the Space 220 Lounge in EPCOT participates in the Disney Dining Plan, so you can’t use dining plan credits there. View our list of participating restaurants to see which ones accept Dining Plan credits. Space 220 in EPCOT Meanwhile, the Enchanted Rose at the Grand Floridian has “Snacks” like House-made Beef Jerky and Warm Marinated Olives, but also “Appetizers,” like Seasonal Flatbread, House-made Truffle Fries, or Charcuterie. If you want to use your dining plan credits here, you must use a Table Service credit. With that credit, you could get an appetizer and a drink, but since this lounge doesn’t offer any desserts, you may not be using those table service credits to their full potential. Enchanted Rose We spoke with a Cast Member who told us basically the same thing. You can get an appetizer as an entree with an alcoholic beverage (for guests ages 21+), but you cannot get the specialty beverages on the dining plan. You’ll only be able to order generic beer, wine, or a simple cocktail like a vodka soda. We asked if this were the case for all lounges, and the Cast Member told us that it was assumed so. Island Rose So while you can use your Dining Plan credits at lounges, it seems like that’s not the best plan, since you’re not getting the best bang for your buck. The small plates and appetizers require a table service credit, so you could be getting a much bigger meal for the same “price” (one credit) at a regular table service restaurant. Nomad Lounge Eats If you really want to make the most of your Dining Plan, we recommend visiting a regular restaurant and then paying for any lounge bites or drinks out of pocket instead! Geyser Point food In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. Answering 8 BIG Questions about the Disney World Dining Plan Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Best Disney Springs Restaurants The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you ever used the Disney Dining Plan? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World Lounges Now Accept the Disney Dining Plan – Here’s How That Works first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Did you know certain items are banned from Disney World? Magic Kingdom Yes, there are more obvious banned things like weapons, attire with offensive language, and bringing alcohol into the parks, but there are some unusual items as well that you may have no idea about. Here are three items that are banned from Disney World, and what you can bring instead! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Glass Containers While bringing food into the Disney parks is absolutely okay, you cannot bring it in glass containers. The only exception to this rule is glass baby food containers and glass baby bottles. Otherwise, no glass containers are allowed due to safety reasons. So what should you bring instead? We suggest Foldable Silicone Food Storage Containers! ©Amazon Not only are these great because the come in a pack of 4, but since they’re collapsible, you can either bring them full, and collapse them to make more room in your bag after you eat, or you can bring them empty and carry out leftovers from a restaurant (yes, that is allowed)! Add them to your cart now! Plastic Straws While no Disney security guard will come after you if they see you with a plastic straw (unless you’re in Animal Kingdom, then you may want to watch out), you won’t see them anywhere in Disney World. This is because Disney is committed to being a greener park. If you’re not a fan of the paper straws they have (which we totally get), you can put some Reusable Silicone Straws in your bag instead. ©Amazon This pack comes with 12 straws of various colors (you can match them to your outfit, HELLO FASHION!) as well as four different carrying cases for them. If you don’t need all of them in the parks, you can bring one in your park bag, keep one in your purse, another at the hotel, and one in your car so you’re never without them! Grab yourself a pack! Large Coolers While you can bring food into the parks with you, any suitcases, bags, coolers, or backpacks, with or without wheels, larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high are not allowed in the Disney parks. But what if you’ve got things that need to stay cold? Then grab yourself the SPARTER Backpack Cooler! ©Amazon This bag is small enough to be brought into the parks, is waterproof, has 20 hours of retention time, and has two insulated compartments and multiple pockets. Not only can it carry your food, but it can hold your water bottle too, which is VERY important. Add it to your cart! Tripods Yes, even though you’ve seen so many videos from Disney World, tripods are not allowed in the parks. Full size ones, that is. You are allowed to bring small ones like the TONEOF 60″ Cell Phone Selfie Stick Tripod. ©Amazon This thing is actually super cool and handy. Yes, it can hold your phone steady while you film, but it also comes with a bluetooth remote that allows you to control when you start and stop filming without having to leave your spot. We love adaptive technology! Grab it here! We’re always here to bring you the latest and greatest gadgets to help ease your Disney World trip, so stay tuned to DFB! Check out our Amazon Storefront for more Disney World essentials! What item did you have to learn the hard way was banned in Disney? Tell us in the comments! The post 4 Items That Are Forbidden From Disney World and What to Bring Instead first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When we rode up to Magic Kingdom on the Monorail this morning, we noticed that something looked very DIFFERENT! Monorail to Magic Kingdom The Disney World parks change frequently, with seasonal decorations, new merchandise, and even sometimes new rides and attractions. We visit every single day to make sure that we spot all the changes and let you know about them so that you’re prepared before your next trip. If you’re going to Magic Kingdom soon, be prepared for this subtle but important change! This change comes right around the same time that the rest of Magic Kingdom’s holiday decorations were taken down, on January 9th. Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom only had a few 100th decorations — most of the party is happening over in EPCOT! EPCOT is the host of the 100th anniversary celebration in Disney World, with a new fireworks show, a 100th-themed Mickey and Minnie meet-and-greet, a platinum Mickey sculpture, and the return of EPCOT’s original Soarin’ attraction, Soarin’ Over California. Disney100 at EPCOT We’ll be watching to see when the 100th celebration ends in EPCOT, but so far all of those changes are still going strong. Even Soarin’ is celebrating! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! Click here to learn more about Disney’s 100th anniversary! Learn More About Disney 100 Years of Wonder – The 100th Anniversary Celebration! More Details Revealed About the 100th Anniversary Celebration at Disney World ALL of the Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW! The New 100th Anniversary Disney Credit Card Design Is HERE 4 Unexpected Announcements for Disney’s 100th Anniversary Refillable Mugs Have CHANGED in Disney World Hotels! Get ALL of the Latest Updates on the 100th Anniversary Celebration Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox -- Click Here to Subscribe How have you celebrated Disney’s 100th anniversary? Let us know in the comments! The post The Entrance to Magic Kingdom Looks DIFFERENT Today! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you ready to book your next Disney vacation? It’s a BRAND NEW YEAR filled with so many fun things and you don’t want to miss a minute of it! The 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts kicks off this Friday, January 12th, and even more fun is coming soon! Cinderella Castle Right now, there are some awesome hotel discounts for the winter season and beyond, which might mean that you can save big and free up some room in your budget! A lot of these are major hotel discounts (we’re talking in the 40% off range for some groups), so the money you save could even be put towards adding on a couple more nights to your vacation. Are you in? We’re in. Let’s go! Today our friends at Small World Vacations have compiled all of the current Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, and Adventures by Disney discounts for DFB readers. Balloons! The agents at Small World Vacations know how to save money on your Disney Vacation! When you book your trip with Small World Vacations, their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings. They also compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. Current Walt Disney World Deals and Discounts Disney+ FREE DINING Promo Disney+ subscribers can get the Disney Dining Plan for FREE when they purchase a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package. This package must include a room at a select Disney hotel and Park Hopper theme park ticket. Eats at Citricos This new deal is available for trips most nights from July 1st to September 30th, 2024. Click here for more details on this free dining promo! Kids Play and Dine Promo Children’s theme park tickets and Dining Plans will be 50% off with the purchase of a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney World package. Wilderness Lodge The package must include a hotel stay, theme park tickets, and a Dining Plan. It will be valid for most stays from March 3rd through June 30th, 2024. Click here for more details on this new promotion. Disney Dining Card Promo This updated Dining Promo Card promotion is available for guests who are buying room-and-ticket packages for trips in late 2023 and early 2024. It’s valid for trips that take place most nights through March 5th, 2024. All the eats! This is a popular offer, so be sure to check it out soon! Click here to read more about this discount! Summer/Fall 2024 Room Offer A new Disney World hotel offer is available NOW, and the new deal could save you up to 35% at select Disney World hotels for stays five nights or longer OR up to 30% on shorter stays. The offer is valid for visits most nights from July 8th to October 3rd, 2024. Keep your eyes peeled — Disney revealed that other savings may be available for stays from March 25th to July 7th, 2024. Disney’s Pop Century Resort The stay must be between one and 14 nights, and the deal only applies to consecutive-night stays. Additionally, you cannot combine this deal with any other discounts or promotions. Click here to read more about this summer/fall room offer! Disney Visa Offer Disney World has announced a new deal for Disney Visa cardholders for 2024 vacations. You can save up to 35% on stays most nights from January 9th, 2024 to March 24th, 2024. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge In addition, you can save up to 20% on stays most Friday and Saturday nights from January 12th to February 24th. Click here to check out ALL the details for this offer. Florida Resident Offers Florida residents can save up to 30% on stays most Sunday through Thursday nights from January 1st, 2024, through February 22nd, 2024; and most nights from February 25th, 2024, through March 24th, 2024. You can save up to 20% on stays most Friday and Saturday nights January 5th, 2024, through February 24th, 2024. BoardWalk Inn Click here to see details of this 2024 offer! Florida residents can also save up to 30% off of their hotel stay at a Disney World resort, available most nights from May 1st-July 10th, 2023. Click here to see details of this offer! Annual Passholder Offer Disney has just announced an exclusive hotel discount for those looking to stay at select Disney World hotels in early 2024. Annual Passholder Card Passholders must present a valid Disney World Annual Pass at check-in to keep the discounted rate. This offer is valid on select nights starting January 1st through March 24th, 2024, at select Disney World hotels. You could save up to 35% on stays most Sunday through Thursday nights from January 1st through February 22nd, 2024, and most nights from February 25th through March 24th, 2024. Click here to get the details of this offer! There’s another Passholder discount too: Disney World Annual Passholders can save up to 30% on select Disney World hotel rooms during the window of May 1st to July 10th, 2024. Click here for details on this offer! 2024 Military Offers Disney has announced its 2024 military offer. Those eligible can purchase park admission for 4, 5, or 6 days of multi-day tickets that will be valid for visits starting January 1st through December 20th, 2024. EPCOT These promotional tickets are subject to blockout dates on March 24th through April 6th, 2024, and November 24th through November 30th, 2024. Click Here for More Details on the 2024 Military Offers US military members can also save on room reservations in 2024. Contact our friends at Small World Vacations for additional details! Disneyland Offers Check out the latest deals for your next Disneyland vacation! Sleeping Beauty Castle Winter Room Offer Disneyland guests can save up to 20% on rooms at select Disneyland hotels from January 15, 2024 through March 7, 2024. Rooms must be booked by March 7, 2024. Contact Small World Vacations for more details. Disney Visa Offers Disney Visa Cardmembers can save up to 25% on select stays of four nights or longer at the Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel, or the Villas at Disneyland Hotel between January 15th and March 7th, 2024. Grand Californian Just make sure to book between now and March 4th, and your travel must be completed before March 8th. This discount will only work for four or more CONSECUTIVE nights! Click here for details on this offer! Disneyland Military Offers U.S. Military members can also save on hotels over at Disneyland Resort! The deal is available on most nights through December 14th, 2024 and you can book the deal from now until December 10th, 2024. Contact Small World Vacations for more details. Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, and Adventures by Disney Discounts Our friends at Small World Vacations can also help you plan your next Disney Cruise Line sailing, a trip to Aulani, or even an Adventures by Disney vacation! Check out these deals. Restricted Rates You can save up to 30% on Disney Cruises! Disney Wish at Castaway Cay Sail the Caribbean, Europe, the Mediterranean, and more without paying full price! Click here for more details on this deal! 50% Off Deposit Deal for 2024-25 Cruises Disney has announced that when you book a cruise, you can get 50% off your deposit at the time of booking! View from the Disney Wish This deal is good for cruises sailing between June 17th, 2024 through May 31st, 2025. But you must book your cruise by February 16th, 2024. Aulani Deals Guests can also save 20% on select rooms at Aulani Resort when you add a pre-stay or post-stay to your Disney Cruise Line vacation. Contact Small World Vacations for more details! Click here to read more about these deals! Disney Visa Cardmembers can save 30% on select rooms with a stay of 5 nights or more. Travel dates must be between January 6th, 2024 and March 24, 2024. Contact Small World Vacations for more details. @DisneyAulani Interested in a Standard Island Garden and Poolside Garden View Room? You can save 25% for stays of 5 or more nights from January 6th, 2024, through January 16th, 2024, and February 8th, 2024, through March 14th, 2024. Plan to travel from January 17th, 2024, through February 7th, 2024, or March 15th, 2024, through March 24th, 2024, and save 20% for stays of 5 or more nights. Click here to read more about these deals! And, there’s a special offer for Hawaii sailings. Save 20% on select rooms at Aulani Resort when you add a pre-stay or post-stay to your Disney Cruise Line vacation. This is for March 2024 sailings. Contact Small World Vacations for more details. Contact Small World Vacations for a no-obligation quote before these offers expire. Cinderella Castle Let the agents at Small World Vacations compare discounts to find the best possible savings for YOU! When you feel ready to start planning your next Disney Vacation, Small World Vacation is happy to assist you with pricing and guidance. And there is no charge for their expertise and firsthand knowledge. You have questions…they have answers! Small World Vacations agents have been to Walt Disney World over 2,500 times! The agents at Small World Vacations know what you need to know before you go. Small World Vacations is happy to help with your Walt Disney World Vacation. Learn below what they can do for you! Small World Vacations is proud to be the preferred travel agency of the Disney Food Blog. http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Small-World-Square-Banner.png Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. (Why should you use a travel agent when you go to Disney? See what we think here! Or click here for a no obligation price quote today! And tell them DFB Sent You! Exclusive Small World Vacations Limited Time Offer Considering booking a Disney World trip? If you want to save time and money, you definitely want to book with a Small World Vacations travel agent. And now is a perfect time! Small World Vacations has an exciting offer for DFB readers in JANUARY! Book a new Walt Disney World Vacation Package (at any on-site, Walt Disney World hotel) valued at $3800 or more and get one $25 DFB Store Gift Card emailed to you after final payment. The perfect time to stock up on DFB-exclusive gear and guides! Offer valid on bookings with code DFB0124 made with Small World Vacations between January 10 – January 31, 2024. Check-in between February 1 and June 30, 2024 to qualify. Previously booked reservations are not eligible. Substitutions may be necessary. No cash value. Cannot be transferred. If reservation is canceled, or price of Walt Disney World vacation reservation falls below $3800 or dates are modified to non-qualifying dates, offer is no longer valid. *DFB Store Gift Card is a digital card and will be emailed to guest at approximately 2 weeks prior to arrival. Small World Vacations is not responsible for lost or deleted e-Gift Card. Get a quote for your Walt Disney World Vacation and let your agent know that DFB sent you. Include code DFB 1123. Contact Small World Vacations for a no-obligation quote before these offers expire. If you are ready to begin planning your Walt Disney World vacation, simply fill out Small World Vacations’ no-obligation quote form! Small World Vacations is happy to share over 23 years of Disney expertise and extensive experience with My Disney Experience, discounts, dining and reservations so you can sit back, relax and enjoy some Disney Magic! Small World Vacations is happy to help with your Walt Disney World Vacation. Learn below what they can do for you! Maximize the Dining Plan! If you book a Walt Disney World Vacation Package you will receive one FREE digital e-Book, the Disney Food Blog Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World valued at $19.95. This guide helps you to get the most out of your Disney Dining Experience! Small World Vacations is proud to be the preferred travel agency of the Disney Food Blog. http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Small-World-Square-Banner.png Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. (Why should you use a travel agent when you go to Disney? See what we think here! Or click here for a no obligation price quote today! And tell them DFB Sent You! Small World Vacations agents have been to Walt Disney World over 2,500 times! We know what you need to know before you go. We’re Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planners (that’s the highest level, ranked by Disney!) who have been there, done that, and are going back. Learn how we can help you and what our guests are saying about us: “I am a very hands-on type of person and I’ve always planned our vacations. I decided this time to give Small World Vacations a try. Best thing I could have done. My agent was able to handle the booking part, which is the tedious part of the planning. Then she was able to get me free dining for my trip, which saved me a ton of money. She answered all my questions very promptly as well.” Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you — they’ve literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They’re DFB’s recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Are you planning to visit Disney World soon? Let us know in the comments below! The post 16 (!!) Disney Discounts To Help You SAVE on Your Next Vacation first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disneyland’s newest attraction just got a major update! Critter Country While Disneyland is undergoing several refurbishments and closures at the moment, one new attraction is progressing full steam ahead! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure just got a massive new installation that’s hard to miss! The new ride, slated to open later this year, has mostly been covered in scaffolding and other construction equipment up to this point, but today we noticed a VERY big change. The water tower has finally been installed on the exterior of the ride! The new water tower looks great! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is replacing Splash Mountain at both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. Disneyland’s Splash Mountain closed several months after Magic Kingdom’s and has lagged behind Disney World’s progress as a result, but this new installation is a huge step towards completion. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure construction at Disneyland The new tower features Tiana’s crown as well as a logo for Tiana’s Foods. The tower is a major piece of an attraction that will take riders on a musical adventure inspired by The Princess and the Frog (2009) that picks up where the film left off. Guests “will join Princess Tiana, Naveen, and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure through the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome,” per Disney. The ride will include several drops, including “the big one”, just the same as its predecessor. Model of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at the D23 Expo We’ll keep you updated on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as we get closer to opening day, and be sure to stay tuned right here at DFB for all the latest Disneyland news! ALERT! Disney Magic Key Passes Go on Sale TOMORROW! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Do you plan to be at Disneyland for the grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or will you wait awhile for hype to die down? Let us know your preference in the comments below! The post UPDATE: There's a NEW Addition at Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Disneyland! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s happened! What we’ve all been waiting for for YEARS has finally happened — park passes are no longer required for most tickets to Disney World. Animal Kingdom To be clear, all date-based tickets no longer require park pass reservations in Disney World, but Annual Passholders and other non-date-based tickets do still require park passes for the time being. So how has Disney World changed since park passes are no longer required? Let’s break it down. Crowds Before park passes went away, Disney World crowds were still very intense the week between Christmas and New Year’s, which was to be expected. January has historically been a low-crowd month for Disney World (with the exception of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon Weekend), so we were curious to see how this change would affect crowd levels. Magic Kingdom Crowds on New Year’s Day While in the parks on January 9th, we noticed very low crowds. We visited all four parks and each them we much slower than the previous weeks. Not too many people in Hollywood Studios EPCOT and Magic Kingdom also had lower amounts of people following the busy marathon week. Almost no one here! We were pleasantly surprised to see these lower amounts of visitors and with that some lower wait times. Perhaps people were able to be more spread out now that they could park hop all throughout the day. Fantasyland Genie+ Genie+ reservations can also sell out on super popular days in Disney World. Not only that, but park pass reservations could help you feel out how busy a day was going to be in a Disney park (if it’s sold out, get ready for a wild day), but the price of Genie+ per park can do that too. The higher the price, the more crowded it is. But how is Genie+ now? Genie+ Genie+ was on the lower priced side today. We were up right at 7AM to get some virtual queues for TRON Lightcycle / Run and Guardians of the Galaxy and noticed the prices weren’t too bad. Multiple Parks — $23 Magic Kingdom — $23 EPCOT — $17 Hollywood Studios — $21 Animal Kingdom — $15 Screenshot My Disney Experience App We did notice getting Lightning Lanes for Annual Passholders was a little more complicated than normal. Even though the park hopping rules have changed, we could not select a Lightning Lane or Individual Lightning Lane before 2PM outside of the current park we were in. My Disney Experience app Otherwise, Genie+ seemed to be operating as normal even without needing park pass reservations. Park Hopping Rules Have CHANGED … But There’s Already a Problem in Disney World Park Hopping Not only have park passes gone away for most guests, but park hopping has now returned to normal as well! Yes, you can park hop from park to park whenever you’d like as long as you have a Park Hopper ticket. Previously, you couldn’t park hop until 2PM and you only had to have a park pass reservation for your first park, BUT you had to tap into that first park before you could park hop to any other. But has the removal of park passes affected park hopping at all? Heading into Magic Kingdom! When we park hopped on January 9th, we had no issues getting into any of the parks. As we said, the crowds were low, so none of the parks were too busy to let us in right away. But this may not always be the case. On busier days, the parks could fill up — though this is only common on a few days a year. Magic Kingdom The only issue we had with park hopping was the Lightning Lane problem we shared above. We were able to park hop all 4 parks in 63 minutes, so that was a highlight of our day! All 4 parks by 9:30AM! Planning Ahead One of the main complaints with park passes was that it made it difficult for spontaneous trips to a Disney World park. This was especially the case for Orlando locals with annual passes, and while they will still need park passes (since annual passes aren’t date-based tickets), it also affected those coming in for a weekend. You had to plan out which park you were going to first, and then make sure you tapped in there before park hopping anywhere. Animal Kingdom While you now don’t have to plan what park you need to be in at any specific time, you will want to keep in mind during busy seasons that the parks still can fill up! That means if you bought your park hopper ticket, you may have trouble getting into a park if it’s totally full. Hollywood Studios The exception to the rule that Annual Passholders still need to make reservations are the “good to go” days. These are random days that Disney will have on the calendar during which you won’t need a reservation, you can simply show up! There are several important details to know about these “good to go” days that you can read about here! Annual Passholder magnets If you’re planning a 2024 Disney World trip, we’re here to help you with your trip planning! However, you can also reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations to get a quote for your trip, and help with booking your tickets, hotels, dining plan, and more. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Here are NEW problems you’ll face in Disney World in 2024, and how you can solve them! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How do you feel about the removal of park passes? Tell us in the comments! The post 4 Disney World CHANGES Now that Park Passes Are Mostly GONE first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article