Disney4me

The list of things we love about EPCOT is nearly endless. Spaceship Earth We say nearly because, despite what it may seem, there’s trouble afoot in this park. Yep, you read that correctly — a particular pavilion happens to be riddled with debauchery, crime, and general raucousness, and we’re back for another investigation. It’s time for CSI: Disney World. Welcome to EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion, where you’ll find a picturesque, seemingly idyllic model train village. But, things aren’t always what they appear to be at first glance — something we’ve come to know far too well. First, it was a debaucherous party that ended in despair, then it was the biochemical attack followed by rowdy crime sprees and more. And now, crime has struck Tiny Train Town yet again. EPCOT’s Train Village Kias and Hyundais aren’t the only vehicles getting vandalized for parts these days — tractors appear to be next on the chop shop block from what it looks like in the scene below. Two dudes appear to be picking up the pieces of some tires that have been pulled off, and something strange also appears to be happening in the background. Is that a shirtless man we see wearing blue jeans? Perhaps he’s trying to be like the man who had the worst day of his life at Disneyland recently? We’re pretty sure the wheels are supposed to be on the vehicle, but okay. Last time we checked in on our friends over here at the schoolhouse, the lady in the fancy dress out front was clearly not having a good experience. Luckily, she is now standing tall and appears to have escaped whatever disaster struck Tiny Train Town. Can the same be said for the rest of the citizens of the village? Our friend over here seems to be doing better. We’re not entirely sure what’s going on in this area, but it doesn’t look good. Three people appear to be using this small pond for their own personal gain. The person on the left is washing tools — perhaps to get rid of fingerprints or any evidence of being used in a nefarious deed?! The dude on the right is clearly stealing fish and other creatures to either eat or sell, and the guy in the middle looks like he’s dozed off allowing him to do it! What’s up over here? Mischief is afoot over in this area, where we’ve stumbled upon two others who are also stumbling. Our friend over on the right looks like he’s had a bit too much to drink and is about to lay down next to that pig — just like a familiar pirate we know. But, the guy on the left looks like he’s been caught coming out of an area he shouldn’t have been — maybe he has something to do with our friend being so intoxicated?! We didn’t see anything… And finally, we’ve stumbled upon the most chilling scene of all this time around. At the train station next to the smoke stack, we spotted something rather concerning. Do you see it??? Look closely — sitting just in front of the person on the platform… What is going on here? …what is that massive switch?! Is someone attempting to derail the trains in Tiny Train Town?! The person sitting nearby just appears to be watching — what do they know? Are they involved? Stay tuned to our next update to find out! WHAT IS THAT SWITCH?! That’s it for Tiny Train Town this time around! Check out past Tiny Train Town updates below: CRIME Has Befallen EPCOT’s Tiny Train Town! We’ve Uncovered a TERRIBLE SECRET in EPCOT’s Tiny Train Town Yikes! EPCOT’s Tiny Train Town Was CLOBBERED With Disasters EPCOT’s Tiny Train Town Is Rife With Crime Today! Things May Have Gotten a Little Rowdy in EPCOT’s German Train Town… Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World news and more! 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 checked out the model train village in the Germany Pavilion? Tell us in the comments. The post EPCOT's Tiny Train Town Is Riddled With NEFARIOUS MISDEEDS first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Springs has seen LOTS of changes lately! Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC sweets and treats Disney Springs has welcomed a few new restaurants recently like EET by Maneet Chauhan and Summer House on the Lake. But with so many stores closing there lately, too, how are the restaurants that have been around for a while? We took on the challenge to find out! If you’ve found yourself wandering The Landing at Disney Springs, you’ve probably passed right by this allergy-friendly, vegan bakery. It’s a fairly small quick-service restaurant that specializes in sweets and treats made to serve, “…the underserved people with gluten, dairy, egg and soy sensitivities, the heath-minded, and, most importantly, allergic kids who are often unable to indulge. Our goal is to make eating vegan and gluten-free fun and delicious.” Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC The restaurant is named after Erin McKenna, the founder of Babycakes NYC (a sister location outside of Disney Springs), and can be found near the neighboring Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company and The Boathouse. Most folks who are familiar with Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom and Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in EPCOT can easily find themselves venturing here to pick up a treat or two. Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC And of course that’s us, so we decided to pop in for a (few) quick bites to see how their options compare to our past reviews. Atmosphere This really is a quaint little bakery hidden in Disney Springs. While there’s not a lot of space on the inside, there is quite an extensive selection of pastries, bakery sweets, and a few savory options (we’ll come back to that later!) Look at all the sweets! So when you step into this space, you’ll really only have room enough to see the selections, order, and pay at the register to take your items “to-go” with you. We didn’t mind this as it gave us a chance to go elsewhere and find a quiet spot to sit and enjoy our treats! Menu Ah, you’re probably wondering what exactly is on the menu of a vegan-friendly bakery, and the short answer is, lots of things! The bakery menu offers everything from donuts to bagels… ©Disney … and even cakes and cupcakes! ©Disney There are even a few beverage options like tea, water, and coffee, with a few select merchandise items you can pick up as well. ©Disney After we had time to browse the menu selections, we made our final choices and then took them by the water to sit and review them. Eats Sorry to keep you in such suspense … you’re probably eager to find out everything we chose! We tried to play this fairly and have a mix of sweet and savory options so we grabbed the Brownie Bomb Cupcake, Vanilla Dipped Cookie Sandwich, Cinnamon Roll, and Veggie Bomb. The whole meal! First up, let’s talk about the Brownie Bomb Cupcake. We picked this up for $8.10. This sweet treat is made of a chocolate-flavored cupcake, with cream cheese icing as filling and topped with a brownie piece in caramel icing. The brownie piece on top of the cupcake was pretty moist. There wasn’t too much of a vegan or gluten-free flavor or texture to it that was noticeable, but the cupcake seemed to be made out of a similar batter, if not the same. This treat was made much better by the frosting which acted like a filling throughout the whole cupcake. Brownie Bomb Cupcake The frosting on top tasted like caramel, and the frosting in the center of the cupcake tasted like a vegan cream cheese. We have to give you a warning though because with all the different elements to this cupcake, it easily falls apart — which it did all over us. We didn’t mind, though, because it was delicious. We’re now convinced the entire cupcake is actually a brownie, and we liked it a lot!!! Inside of Brownie Bomb Cupcake Then we moved on to the Vanilla Dipped Cookie Sandwich, which cost us $14.30 and tasted AMAZING if you love insanely sweet treats (hi, that’s us — we’re sorry.) Vanilla Dipped Cookie Sandwich The cookie is undetectably vegan and gluten-free and honestly so is the frosting (which we don’t usually think about Erin McKenna frosting). We think there’s something about the way the chocolate dip, the chocolate chip cookie, and the frosting all work together to create a texture that really worked for it, and at the same time made it seem like a treat made with dairy and eggs, except it wasn’t. Cross section of the cookie sandwich This was another overwhelmingly sweet treat, so if you don’t like sweet things, it’s best to try something else. This one was sweeter than the cupcake we tried. If you like frosting cookie sandwiches and like a generous chewable chocolate coating on one side, you will love this. Up next on our list was the Cinnamon Roll we snagged for $9.70. We’re sad to report this was drier than we would’ve liked. We think it could have benefited from being heated up a little bit before serving it. Cinnamon Roll The icing is really delicious, and we don’t want to sound like a broken record again, but they seem to have really honed in on the recipes here because none of the treats we’ve tasted so far taste like they are both gluten-free and vegan. Cross section of the cinnamon roll This treat was shockingly close to a regular non-vegan, non-gluten-free cinnamon roll. It’s just a tad on the dry side, and we think our recommendation could have fixed that. But even as it is, we would totally buy a couple of these to take back to our hotel room for a quick breakfast on vacation. To round out our feast of sweets we opted for a savory selection. We picked up the Veggie Bomb which cost us $9.20. This Veggie Bomb was delicious, and we’re in love with it. This is a crave-worthy savory snack for sure! Veggie Bomb It is said to be like a biscuit, but we got total veggie pizza vibes and were instantly obsessed with it. It smells like pizza dough and tastes like pizza. It’s like a pizza in the shape of a biscuit; like something from a dream. Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?! The texture on the inside definitely looks a little weird, so we started getting the “vegan gluten-free vibe” from that texture initially. Pizza biscuit? The inside looks kind of almost like Play-Doh but when you bite into it, that texture doesn’t actually materialize physically in your mouth. This very easily was our favorite snack we tried today out of everything — with the cookie sandwich a close second. Overall In the past, we’ve had bad personal experiences getting sweets and treats here, and we weren’t really looking forward to giving it another go. We think they know how to make amazing things at Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC at other locations before, but maybe this location was lacking in that past experience and now they are popping off! Worth a return visit! While not everything totally knocked our socks off, the recipes that have been created to feel and taste like regular treats really left an impression on us. It appears that Erin McKenna’s has really stepped up their recipes and changed the game for alternative eats and we’re here for it. Nosh or Not? We recommend stopping by if… You’re looking for allergy-friendly eats. That’s literally this restaurant’s mission — to provide sweets and treats to those who need allergy-friendly options. You’re looking for vegan eats. If you’ve adopted a vegan lifestyle and feel like you’re having a hard time finding quality treats, give this restaurant a try — we don’t think you’ll be disappointed. We would recommend stopping by another sweet shop if… Your taste is sensitive to “normal” sugar snacks. The ingredients used in all of the recipes at this restaurant are going to be allergy-friendly so you might find them tasting a little “off” or lacking compared to other treats you typically taste. Your diet doesn’t allow for sweets. That’s the bulk of what’s served here. There are a few savory options you can choose from (like the Veggie Bomb) but it probably won’t be your first choice for super savory things. Be sure to follow us for all the latest Disney World news, updates, reviews, and more! REVIEW: Our FAVORITE Disney World Meal is BACK, but Is It as Good as We Remember? 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 picked up a treat from Erin McKenna’s Bakery at Disney Springs? Tell us what you got and what you thought of it down below! The post REVIEW: The Disney Springs Restaurant That Totally Changed Our Mind first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s almost time for cruise season! Captain Minnie on the Disney Magic! With all of this excitement going on, it might make you wonder what the best way is to get a good deal on a cruise. It may feel like summer is too far away to think about, but now is the best time to plan for those summer cruises! While we have already discussed when is the perfect time to book your cruise, we think now is a great time to discuss how to book it to get those best deals. While it might seem simple, you might not realize there is more than one way to book and a couple of different money-saving options to consider. And, believe us, you want to get ahead of the game, because cruise prices are on the rise and you’ll want to lock in the lowest rate possible to save yourself some dough on your trip! Disney Magic Atrium Book Your Cruise EARLY! Now, this may go against that conventional knowledge that you can get a better rate closer to cruise time, but bear with us. If you book your cruise as soon as those dates become available, then you can always go back to your travel agent or the cruise line to apply any discounts that might be released later. This ensures that no matter what, you have the lowest price on your cruise possible. Disney Cruise Line! What Is the Best Age for a Disney Cruise? Book 90 Days Out from Your Intended Cruise Dates Wait, didn’t we just say to book as soon as possible? No, we aren’t messing with you. If you decide on a cruise after those cruise dates have been around a while, it might be best. Most cruise lines require that the cruise fare be paid in full 90 days before departure. And that means that at that 90-day mark, some passengers cancel their reservations rather than pay the full amount. So, watch the website around 90 days out from a cruise, and you may see the cruise line dropping prices on those now unsold cabins. ©Disney Cruise Line One thing to keep in mind, though, is that those prime staterooms with luxurious verandas are super popular and book up fast! So, if you’re flexible with the room you want, this is the best bet for you to lock in that low price. But if luxury and the ideal stateroom are your vacation cruise goals, then you’ll want to lock those in as soon as you possibly can. PHOTOS: Tour an Oceanview Verandah Stateroom on the Disney Wish Cruise Ship With Us! Be Flexible with Your Cruise Port Now, this doesn’t apply to every cruise, but sometimes, having flexibility with your port means you can save yourself a ton on airfare! If your goal is a nice Caribbean cruise, you can experience many of the same relaxing vacation vibes whether you cruise out of Miami, Galveston, or Port Canaveral. ©Disney So, take a look at all of the port options for your desired cruise destinations and you might just find that flying into an airport in a different city can save you some big bucks! (But don’t forget to factor in transportation to and from the port!) The money you save could help you pay for another excursion, specialty dining, or a spa treatment! Cut Back on the Extras The ship is a destination in and of itself. There are so many things to do and see on the ship, not to mention plenty of food and snacks, pretty much around the clock. It can be easy to slip into that “but I’m on vacation” mindset when you’re tempted to spend some extra on a fancy ice cream sundae, or a spa treatment, or a port adventure, but you don’t have to spend extra to still have a magical cruise! Grab a cone from Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream! Skip those specialty sundaes, and indulge in the free soft-serve ice cream, instead! Explore the port shops on your own instead of booking a tour, or stay on the boat and get some of the typically busy amenities all to yourself while your cruise mates leave the ship! And if you want a quiet romantic dinner, don’t worry about spending extra at the specialty dining restaurants, order room service (just remember to tip)! Consider a Group Booking Group bookings can wrack up massive discounts because they secure so many rooms. Even if you don’t want to participate in all of the group events and activities, you can still book through them and lock in that discount. ©Disney Yes, even you introverts out there who are cringing at your screens as you imagine group pajama night at one of the trivia events. You can rest easy knowing that you’ve saved yourself some dough without all of that organized togetherness. But there are plenty of friends nearby should you venture out in your jammies for some late-night antics, you do you! Use A Travel Agent Finally, the last way — and probably the best way — to book your next cruise is through a travel agent! Travel Agents like our friends at Small World Vacations can be an amazing tool when planning. When you book your vacation with Small World Vacations, their experienced agents help watch for any areas where you can save. You can get started booking a cruise through Small World Vacations right here! They also compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, and plans. They even offer you some awesome tips and tricks that will help during your cruise. This option operates as the most hands-off option and can be a great way to start your vacation planning. Disney Magic All of these options offer different benefits for booking your cruise and saving some money. You can be as hands-on or hands-off as you want! We also have you covered here at DFB with all of our favorite cruise tips and tricks for you to check out. Check out our ultimate guide to the Disney Cruise Line in 2023 here! DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Will you be booking a cruise in 2024 or 2025? Tell us in the comments! The post Cruise Prices are SKYROCKETING – Here’s How to Still Get a Good Deal first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The holiday season is not only in full swing, but the ACTUAL holidays are finally upon us! The holidays have arrived! That means that things are getting pretty busy in Disney World. The crowds are arriving and Genie+ has already reached its highest price yet. But that’s not all. If you were planning on visiting Magic Kingdom this week and have not yet made a park pass reservation, well, we’ve got some bad news for you. Park pass reservations for Magic Kingdom are COMPLETELY gone for visitors with tickets and those staying at Disney World hotels on December 24th through 26th, and 28th. That means if you’re visiting next week, you need to grab park pass reservations for Magic Kingdom ASAP for December 27th, 29th, or 30th because that’s all that’s currently available (and those could go FAST, so get on that!). ©Disney But that’s not the only park sold out for next week. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is out of park pass reservations on the 27th through 29th. ©Disney For Annual Passholders, Magic Kingdom park pass reservations are completely gone for December 25th and 30th. ©Disney Keep in mind that as of January 9th, most visitors to Disney World will no longer need park pass reservations. This includes those with dated tickets to the parks. However, those without dated tickets, as well as Annual Passholders will still need to make those reservations. Note that Passholders will not need to make park pass reservations if they visit the parks after 2PM or if it’s on a “Good To Go” date. We’ll be keeping an eye on park pass reservations over the next few weeks, so stay tuned to DFB for more. We’ve got a great resource for you when you plan your NEXT Disney World trip – our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We wrote our ebook after decades of visiting Disney World, so that we could help you have a stress-free vacation! Click here and use code WDW2023 to get 25% off! 10 Big Changes Will Affect Disney World Ticket Holders 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 Will you be visiting Disney World over the next few weeks? Let us know in the comments! The post Magic Kingdom Is Almost COMPLETELY SOLD OUT This Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Christmas Eve has finally arrived in Disney World. Christmas is officially in Disney World! Of course, we’ve been celebrating the holidays since early November, way back when the first decorations started going up in the parks. We went to the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and we’ve been busy eating ALL the holiday snacks. But now, the day BEFORE the big day is finally here. Now, Christmas Eve is usually a very busy day in the parks, so let’s take a look at the crowds in Disney World. So let’s take a look at how busy things are in the parks in Disney World today. We got to Disney World early and so far the morning crowds have been pretty manageable. Not too shabby, for Christmas Eve! We couldn’t wait to kick things off in Magic Kingdom, and it looks like we weren’t the only ones! It’s a pretty mild day by Central Florida standards. Can’t wait to hop on the monorail There was a good number of people entering the park, but overall, things didn’t look too chaotic just yet. Even with all of the eager people, it only took us about 30 minutes to get from the parking entrance, on a tram, on a monorail, and then through the Magic Kingdom tapstalls. All in all, even with everyone else, it’s not a bad theme park commute! Crowds at the Main Street Entrance The Magic Kingdom entrance had its usual congestion and photo-takers, but not too shabby if you know how to navigate clumps of people politely. Main Street, U.S.A. Main Street, U.S.A. started to get a bit more congested as we headed towards Cinderella Castle, but we often see this area get pretty packed. We stopped by Adventureland and spied only a 10-minute wait for Pirates of the Caribbean! We also peaked around Liberty Square, but it’s been a mellow start to the day! Liberty Square And over in Frontierland, we didn’t see too many people just yet. And since Big Thunder Mountain is the only big attraction on this side of the park until Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens later this year, folks might be focusing their attention on Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. Frontierland on Christmas Eve morning Like we said, this is a BUSY time in Disney World, and we expect it to stay that way through New Year’s Day. If you are here during this time, be sure to pack your patience. You might also want to consider purchasing Disney Genie+ to use those Lightning Lanes for rides. We’ll be keeping an eye on crowd levels, so stay tuned to DFB for more. See what Christmas Eve crowds looked like last year in Disney World DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF HOLIDAY MAGIC Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. It includes all the must-have information for navigating the holiday season at Disney World, including: The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! Save 20% on the Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide with code PEPPERMINT. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you visiting Disney World for the holidays? How do you deal with the crowds? Let us know in the comments! The post You Won't BELIEVE The Christmas Eve Crowds in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ever wish you could recreate Disney dishes at home? Holiday Mickey and Minnie rice crispy treats While we can’t transport entire Disney restaurants to our houses, we can use Disney’s own recipes to create some delicious park-inspired meals! So let’s have a look at some of the recipes they shared just in time for the holidays! It’s time for all of that holiday cooking and we’ve got some Disney recipes to share! They’re all apple-themed recipes, which is great because apples are the perfect ingredient for tasty recipes this season. Disney gave us recipes for desserts, apple butter, and even a refreshing cocktail! Let’s dive right in! Holiday Apple Tart from Tomorrowland Skyline Terrace at Disneyland Park ©Disney This Holiday Apple Tart is a recipe from Disneyland Park. These tarts are filled with a rich caramel cream sauce and topped with apple filling and streusel. You can use store-bought or your favorite tart recipe for the shells. Leftovers (if you have any) also pair well with a cup of coffee the next morning. HOLIDAY APPLE TART RECIPE Makes 12 Tarts Here are the ingredients you will need to grab: STREUSEL 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes APPLE FILLING 4 large apples 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/3 cup sugar 5 tablespoons water, divided 2 tablespoons cornstarch CARAMEL CREAM 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 6 tablespoons salted butter, cut into cubes 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon sea salt APPLE TARTS 6 (3-inch) vanilla tart shells Holiday sprinkles Now, let’s dive into the steps to make this dish! For Streusel: Combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Add cubed butter and use a pastry blender or two knives to cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse sand. Set aside until ready to assemble tarts. For Apple Filling: Peel, core, and chop apples into 1/2-inch cubes. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, 3 tablespoons of water, and chopped apples. Cook, stirring occasionally for 4-6 minutes, until apple begin to soften. Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Add to apple mixture and cook until liquid begins to boil. Boil for one minute, then remove from heat. Set aside to cool completely before assembling tarts. For Caramel Cream: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, swirling pan, but not stirring, occasionally until sugar is melted and is a light amber color. Carefully whisk in butter, one cube at a time. Remove pan from heat and slowly stir in heavy cream, whisking constantly until fully incorporated. Add salt and set aside to cool to room temperature. For Holiday Apple Tarts: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place tart shells on a baking sheet. Spoon 1 tablespoon of caramel cream into each tart shell. Add 1/4 cup cooled apple filling to each tart. Top with streusel, covering the top of the apples. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until topping is golden brown. Top with holiday sprinkles before serving. Cook’s Notes: Tart shells are available at many specialty grocery stores. You can also use your favorite homemade pie dough. Cut dough into 3 1/2- inch circles and place in the bottom of muffin tins. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, fill, and bake as directed in recipe. Warm Apple Butter Cake from The Disney Recipe Vault ©Disney The next recipe is a delicious Warm Apple Butter Cake. This at-home version of this buttery cake topped with caramelized apples makes individual cakes. If you do not have enough ramekins for this recipe, large muffin tins can be used. WARM APPLE BUTTER CAKE RECIPE From the Disney Recipe Vault Makes 15 individual cakes Here are the ingredients you will need to grab: CARAMELIZED APPLES 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon sugar BOURBON CARAMEL GLAZE 3/4 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1/2 tablespoon bourbon 1 cup heavy cream APPLE BUTTER CAKE 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 3/4 cups sugar 8 eggs 2 egg yolks 1 cup butter, melted 1 1/2 cups plus 1 teaspoon buttermilk 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract Vanilla ice cream, for serving Dried apple slices, for garnish (optional) Cranberries, for garnish Now, let’s dive into the steps to make this dish! For Caramelized Apples: Cut apples into thin slices. Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat; add apples and sugar. Cook apples until golden and softened. Set aside to cool. FOR BOURBON CARAMEL GLAZE: Combine brown sugar and butter in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves. Simmer over medium heat without stirring or touching the pan until the mixture is thick and dark amber in color, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Carefully whisk in bourbon and heavy cream. The mixture will bubble vigorously and release very hot steam. Pour caramel into a bowl to cool; set aside. FOR CAKE: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour fifteen (3/4-cup) ramekins; set aside. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together sugar, eggs, egg yolks, and melted butter in a separate large bowl until well combined. Combine buttermilk and almond extract in a small bowl; set aside. Fold a third of the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Stir in half of the buttermilk mixture. Fold in another third of the flour mixture, then add the remaining buttermilk mixture. Fold in the remaining flour mixture. Ladle 1/2 cupcake batter into each prepared ramekin. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. TO SERVE: While the cakes are warm, carefully remove them from the ramekins onto a serving plate. Divide caramelized apples among the tops of the cakes. Spoon bourbon caramel glaze over top of apples and cake. Serve with vanilla ice cream and garnish with dried apple slices and cranberries, if desired. Apple Tart Tatin from Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort ©Disney The talented culinary team at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera created this version of the Apple Tart Tatin. It’s a beautiful dessert to serve at any holiday gathering! The apples can be prepared up to two days in advance and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake them. APPLE TART TATIN RECIPE Serves 6 Here are the ingredients you will need to grab: APPLE TART 7 medium Honeycrisp apples 3/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons water 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 puff pastry sheets, thawed CHANTILLY 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/4 vanilla bean, cut in half and seeds scraped Pinch salt Now, let’s dive into the steps to make this dish! For Apple Tart: Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel and core apples, then cut each apple into 9 slices. Place sugar, water, vanilla extract, and lemon juice in a large sauté pan and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes until amber in color. Add room-temperature butter and stir after half of the butter is melted. Add apples and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender, but still firm. Remove from heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and place six 4-inch tart pans on the sheet. Evenly divide the apple mixture among the tart pans, making sure to add any syrup from the sauté pan to the tarts. Cut puff pastry to fit the tops of each tart pan and place on top of apples. Pierce each puff pastry 10 times with a fork. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the tarts and top with a sheet pan to press apples and puff pastry. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Remove the top baking sheet immediately. For Chantilly: Combine heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla bean, and salt in a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whip to soft peaks. Refrigerate until ready to serve. To Serve: Turn warm tarts onto a plate. Serve with Chantilly. Apple Butter from The Disney Recipe Vault ©Disney This recipe from the Disney recipe vault is easily doubled (or tripled) and makes a great gift for the holidays. APPLE BUTTER RECIPE From the Disney Recipe Vault Makes 1 Pint Here are the ingredients you will need to grab: 6 cups Fuji apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1 cup apple juice 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon ice wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 vanilla bean Now, let’s dive into the steps to make this dish! Place apples, juice, brown sugar, and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover and reduce heat to low. Continue simmering for 20 minutes, until the apples are soft. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice, vinegar, and cloves. Split vanilla bean in half, lengthwise, and scrape out seeds with a knife. Add seeds to the pan. Puree with a stick blender until smooth. Return the saucepan to the stove and simmer over low heat, stirring every 5 minutes, for 30 minutes, until a deep amber color forms and apple butter reaches the desired thickness. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove any excess liquid. Store in refrigerator for up to 7 days. Szarlotka (Apple Pie) Cocktail from the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ©Disney We’re ending this list with a refreshing cocktail from a past EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. This apple pie cocktail is easy to make and can easily be made in a larger batch for a holiday party. SZARLOTKA (APPLE PIE) COCKTAIL RECIPE Serves 1 Here are the ingredients you will need to grab: 1 ounce Polish bison grass vodka 6 ounces of apple cider Apple slice, for garnish Now, let’s dive into the steps to make this dish! Pour Vodka and apple cider into a shaker; fill with ice and vigorously shake for 30 seconds. Strain into chilled glass. Garnish with an apple slice. The holidays are extra cozy at Disney World! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney recipes! Check out MORE Disney recipes here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Did you make any of these recipes? Tell us your thoughts below! The post 5 Disney Apple-themed Recipes to Make for the Holidays first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Magic Kingdom Where else would we be spending the holidays other than the Most Magical Place on Earth? Yep, we’re at Disney World on Christmas Eve, and before we even got to the parks this morning, we knew it would be a pretty busy day! The holiday season brings in a lot of visitors no matter what day it is, and that has a tendency to drive up Genie+ prices. Here’s what you can expect on Christmas Eve! On Christmas Eve, the Genie+ prices reached $39 price. This is a new record-high price in Disney World which Genie+ originally reached on December 23rd, 2023. Before that, the record-high was $35 for multi-park and Magic Kingdom Genie+. Hollywood Studios crowds Here’s a full look at the prices in each park. As we said above, multi-park and Magic Kingdom cost $39. Additionally, EPCOT costs $32 per person, Disney’s Hollywood Studios costs $35 per person, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom costs $29 per person. Remember — even if the multi-park option sells out, there are usually other parks that will be available to book Genie+. ©Disney This reflects the crowds that we saw in the parks, as the parks were definitely pretty busy with folks celebrating the holidays. Keep following DFB for more updates! Looking for some holiday activities at Disney World? Click here! DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF HOLIDAY MAGIC Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. It includes all the must-have information for navigating the holiday season at Disney World, including: The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! Save 20% on the Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide with code PEPPERMINT. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you at Disney World for the holidays? Let us know in the comments! The post Genie+ Prices REVEALED for Christmas Eve in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you love the holiday season, we’ve got an idea for your trip of a lifetime! Learn more about Christmas market river cruises with Adventures by Disney and NatGeo Expeditions.View the full article

The Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discounts can offer great savings for your Disney Vacation! It is important to remember though that starting in 2018 these military room discounts became variable rather than a set percentage off as they were previously. Prior to 2018 the Disney Military room discounts were 30% off Value Resorts, 35% […] The post Always Compare Disney Military Room Discount to General Public Discounts! appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

Several attraction and restaurant closures will affect the Disney World parks and hotels next week. Cinderella Castle Occasionally, rides, attractions, hotels, and kiosks have to temporarily close down in Disney World as Cast Members update and refurbish them. Let’s check out everything that will be closed next week, from December 24th through the 30th! Magic Kingdom Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Splash Mountain closed on January 23rd for a long refurbishment. The ride is being re-themed to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, with a Princess and the Frog theme. ©Disney The new ride will reopen sometime in late 2024. We’ll be watching for more updates on the opening timeline. Construction on the ride If you miss Splash Mountain or want to celebrate the new ride, you should check out our DFB t-shirts! We have a Splash Mountain Farwell Tour shirt… DFB Exclusive! …and a Tiana tee as well! Check out our new Tiana-inspired merch! You can shop both tees (and lots of other Disney merch) at our online store. Click here to shop our DFB merchandise store. Barrel Bridge on Tom Sawyer’s Island The Barrel Bridge on Tom Sawyer’s Island is not only closed — it’s missing completely! Barrel Bridge is missing A Cast Member told us a few months ago that it was removed for repairs, and we haven’t seen it back since. We’ll be keeping an eye out for its return. Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant Tomorrowland Terrace is a quick service restaurant that’s remained closed since the 2020 pandemic-related closures, but even before that, this spot was only occasionally open. Tomorrowland Terrace during the day Once in a while, you’ll see the dining rooms open as a rest area, but usually it’s all roped off and empty. Disney hasn’t announced when this spot could finally reopen, but we’ll be watching for updates! A popular popcorn bucket has SOLD OUT in Magic Kingdom! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Voyage of the Little Mermaid Well, it’s official — Voyage of the Little Mermaid is permanently closed in Disney World. We had suspected this was the case for some time, but now it has finally been confirmed. Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney is going to introduce a NEW show in this spot, though it will still be themed to the animated movie The Little Mermaid! The new show will be called “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” and is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Fall 2024. It will be a “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.” Learn more about the new Hollywood Studios show here! EPCOT Restaurant Marrakesh Restaurant Marrakesh is still closed in the Morocco pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase, and there’s no word yet on when it might reopen. Florida Blue Medicare Lounge The restaurant is kind of open right now — it’s functioning as a lounge with just a couple of drink options. However, we’re still waiting for the full restaurant to reopen! The Land Cart The Land Cart is still closed in EPCOT’s World Nature. This cart is located just outside of the Land pavilion, and it usually serves soft pretzels and drinks. The Land Cart Disney’s website shows that this cart will be closed through mid-February at least, but that’s just as far as the calendar extends — the closure could last longer. We’ll be on the lookout for news! 23 Amazing Snacks Are Disappearing from EPCOT on December 30th! Disney World Hotels 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, 1900 Park Fare is a table service restaurant where you could meet characters like Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland at their Supercalifragilistic Breakfast and Cinderella and her Prince Charming during the Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner. Cinderella They also had a special event for younger children called the Wonderland Tea Party. It’s sad to see a spot closed that had so much character interaction! Disney hasn’t announced a permanent closure, so there is hope for 1900 Park Fare. With 1900 Park Fare closed…you’ll need this SECRET spot to get afternoon tea in Disney World! Disney World Water Parks Typhoon Lagoon Typhoon Lagoon is currently closed in Disney World, and the website does not yet list a reopening date. Typhoon Lagoon Disney World’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, however, is open! Click here to see the best rides at Blizzard Beach. Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. Click here to check out more upcoming closures and current construction projects at Disney World. Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments! The post 8 Attraction and Restaurant CLOSURES Will Affect Disney World Next Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Start checking the couch cushions for spare change — you’ll need every last penny to buy this dream home. Cinderella Castle Who hasn’t wanted to live in a castle, like something out of a fairytale? Living like royalty in a beautiful palace with your own happily ever after is the dream. Well, bucking the trend of our usual updates on ways to save money, we’re here to show you something truly lavish — a fairytale castle for sale! Per Mansion Global, a castle straight out of a Disney movie is being listed in Texas. Parsons Castle, in Clifton, Texas, is a prime wedding location due to its beauty, radiance, and uniqueness. The castle is accessed via a drawbridge — you read that correctly — that provides safe passage over heart-shaped moats. The castle is made of “snow-white stone and topped with a red-tile roof“. It is aptly perched atop cliffs that overlook Lake Whitney, which is roughly 90 minutes south of Dallas. Legendary Productions The property is massive, sitting on 2.3 acres of land. Built in 2018, the 11,134-square-foot castle is FIVE STORIES tall and has 10 bedrooms, 10 full bathrooms, and five half bathrooms. The penthouse floor is 3,000 square feet and a three-bedroom ranch-style guest house exists nearby on the property. This castle truly has enough space for ALL MEMBERS of your royal family! Legendary Productions Parsons Castle features a 3,000-square-foot ballroom with crystal chandeliers, an elaborately patterned tin ceiling, and a commercial kitchen (bar included). The castle even has an elevator and several balconies, including one that looks like a gazebo meant for outdoor receptions. Of course, the property also has a swimming pool and spa. How could it not? As we previously mentioned, this castle has been a hotspot for weddings and includes a bridal suite and a groom’s dressing room. Just imagine the kind of parties and events you could host! ©MANSION GLOBAL We hope you’ve been saving up because this mansion will set you back $5.5 million (not too bad, considering everything you get). All the listing information can be found here. As always, we’ll keep you posted, on all kinds of sensational finds that feed your inner Disney Princess/Prince, right here at DFB! We Asked AI To Build Castles for 12 Disney Princesses and the Results Do NOT Disappoint Travel Updates, Tips, and Tricks Complete Guide to Booking the CHEAPEST Flight to Disney World What to Do if Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Disney World From the Orlando Airport You’re SLEEPING on These Packing Hacks Air Travel Tips That’ll Change Your Life 8 Catastrophic Travel Mistakes and How to Solve Them The Airline with the MOST Flight Delays and Cancellations This Small Change Will Save You From Lost Luggage The Best Disney Luggage for 2023 21 Things a Former Flight Attendant Needs You To Know 7 Highest-Rated Travel Items on Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe What amenities are a MUST for your dream castle? Let us know! The post This Texas Castle Looks Like Something Straight Out of a Disney Movie -- And It's For Sale! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, we have to ask seriously: Why does Disneyland get all the BEST snacks? Sleeping Beauty Castle Now, don’t get us wrong, we’ve enjoyed a lot of the holiday treats at Disney World, but Disneyland just seems to go a little harder on the food pretty much year-round. Where else are you going to get a Waffle version of the Monte Cristo? Or a Cinnamon Roll Pretzel? Well, let’s just say we tried three NEW snacks in Disneyland, and well, Disneyland has done it again. Yep, we ate THREE new treats in Disneyland, starting with the Chocolate Chip Cookies 6-pack for $6.49, now available at Harbour Galley. They’re Fresh-baked Chocolate Chip Cookies, and yeah, you might be wondering why we think they’re so special. Chocolate Chip Cookies Well, these cookies taste like they just came right out of the oven. They were fresh, warm, and soft and filled with rich gooey chocolate chips. You know when you eat that first chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven? SO fresh It’s just like that. These also make a great sharable snack, and you can even get a 13-pack for $12.49. You can share…if you want We also tried the Wookiee Ookie (nope, that’s not a typo, so don’t confuse it with the Wookiee Cookie). This snack, from the Milk Stand in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is made with pecan chocolate shortbread and salted caramel. Wookie Ookie Now, this wasn’t as fresh as the cookies from Harbour Galley, so it didn’t taste like it came right out of the oven, but the cookie was still soft. The pecans added a sweet, buttery flavor to the treat, too. However, if you don’t like pecans, you might find there are WAY too many on this snack. Disney went a little overboard with the number of pecans on the bottom of it. Also, a warning, this baby can fall apart easily. Chocolate, pecans, and caramel Anyway, our favorite part of this was the middle (obviously) because it had a sweet, rich caramel center. LOOK at that. The caramel breaks up all the chocolate flavor and adds an extra depth, so it’s not OVERLY chocolatey. This is heaven. Ooey gooey caramel Okay, let’s trade all those sweet flavors for something savory. We headed over to Troubadour Tavern for the Celebration Potato for $10.49. This is a Baked Potato with Pulled Smoked Turkey, Whipped Cream Cheese, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy, and Fried Onions. If you ever wanted a potato that tastes like a holiday dinner, THIS IS IT. Celebration Potato All those ingredients might seem like a lot, but they work so well together. The smoked turkey had a touch of sweetness, which paired great with the smokiness. The cranberry sauce was fresh and added brightness to every bite. The gravy and stuffing really added those holiday flavors we love. It’s a holiday meal in a potato The fried onions added a nice crunch to the overall texture. We didn’t get much flavor from the whipped cream cheese, though. But we will say this is a filling meal that everyone might love if they’re looking for a fast holiday-themed meal. We LOVED it So that’s pretty much a 3 out of 3 for Disneyland. But are we really surprised? Disneyland is always upping its food game, and we are here for it. Stay tuned to DFB for more reviews. REVIEW: Disney Just Took One of Our Absolute FAVORITE Meals and Made It BETTER! 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 had a chance to try these snacks in Disneyland? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Move Over, Wookiee Cookie! A NEW Disney Treat Just Entered the Chat. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ll keep this short and sweet because we have big news to share. Target First of all, you can buy Disney park tickets at Target. It’s a little-known fact, but it’s a great way to save a little money (especially if you have a Target RedCard!). Second, if you watch for Target Circle deals, you can get FREE gift cards just by shopping the sales! Now, let’s combine all that information into one GREAT announcement: you can get a free Target gift card when you buy Disneyland Resort park tickets on the Target website! Let us show you. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. For a SUPER limited time, Target is offering a GREAT deal on Disneyland tickets. Target Circle has a deal where you can get a $20 Target gift card when you spend $100 on Disneyland Resort tickets. Let’s go shopping! The deal expires at midnight on December 23rd. So, what kind of tickets qualify under the deal? Let’s take a look! Disneyland 2-Day Park Hopper Ticket (Ages 10+) ©Target This ticket option allows you to hop back-and-forth between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park for two days! If you were considering a trip, you might as well pull the trigger now while there are free gift cards on the line! View on Target Disneyland 2-Day 1 Park per Day Ticket (Ages 10+ ) ©Target Target also has a one-park-per-day ticket option that will get you admission to either Disneyland® Park or Disney California Adventure Park for two days. View on Target Disneyland 2-Day 1 Park per Day Ticket with Genie+ Service (Ages 10+) ©Target Did you know you can tack on Genie+ to the cost of your park tickets? This option qualifies for Target’s gift card deal, too, and gets you admission to either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park for two days. View on Target Disneyland 3-Day 1 Park per Day Ticket (Ages 10+) ©Target With this ticket option, you will get admission to either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park for three days! Plus, get yourself some FREE Target gift cards while you’re at it. View on Target Disneyland 2-Day Park Hopper Ticket with Genie+ Service (Ages 10+) ©Target Take advantage of the Target RedCard savings AND the Target Circle deal when you buy this ticket option! It gets you back-and-forth admission to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park for two days. View on Target Disneyland 3-Day Park Hopper Ticket (Ages 3-9) ©Target The three-day park hopper ticket also qualifies for a free Target gift card! You can enjoy back-and-forth admission to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park for three days with this ticket option. View on Target Don’t forget — this deal won’t last long! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney deals, so stay tuned for more. Did you know we have a Disney-themed Amazon Storefront? Check it out! The post 🚨ALERT! You Can Get a FREE Gift Card When You Buy Disney Tickets at Target🚨 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve been talking about it for weeks, but the week before Christmas has arrived…and boy is it busy! Magic Kingdom crowds Park passes have been selling out for all ticket types, several Annual Passholders are now blocked out, the multi-park and Magic Kingdom Genie+ options sold out, and (we’re not gonna sugar-coat it) the parks have felt CROWDED. That’s why we’re always warning you about this time of year in the parks — although it’s a fun place to spend the holidays, you have to prepare for these kinds of things! But just how bad were the wait times during this hectic week? Let’s find out! Below, we’re going to show you the average wait times from every attraction in Disney World over the past week. Magic Kingdom Starting in Magic Kingdom, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had the longest average wait time of 73 minutes. Last week, the average wait time was 62 minutes so the average has increased since then. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Next, Jingle Cruise averaged 60 minutes, Peter Pan’s Flight averaged 61 minutes, Space Mountain averaged 54 minutes, and Haunted Mansion averaged 43 minutes. Average wait times held Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at 41 minutes, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at 35 minutes, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at 31 minutes, Pirates of the Caribbean at 30 minutes, Enchanted Tales with Belle at 29 minutes followed by Astro Orbiter at 26 minutes. Big Thunder After that, “it’s a small world” averaged 21 minutes, Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini averaged 19 minutes, Dumbo the Flying Elephant averaged 18 minutes, Tomorrowland Speedway averaged 17 minutes, Magic Carpets of Aladdin and Mickey’s PhilharMagic at 16 minutes, Mad Tea Party averaged 15 minutes, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover averaged 13 minutes, and Enchanted Tiki Room averaged 10 minutes. Mickey’s PhilharMagic Prince Charming Regal Carrousel averaged 12 minutes and other attractions like Hall of Presidents, Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, Carousel of Progress, and Liberty Square Riverboat all tied at 5-minute average wait times. Walt Disney bust in the Hall of Presidents The Country Bear Jamboree and Tom Sawyer Island were walk-ons this week. The ONE Thing You Must Try from EVERY SINGLE Restaurant in Magic Kingdom EPCOT Heading over to EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure took the top spot for the highest average wait time with 81 minutes, which was an increase from last week. Then, Frozen Ever After had an average wait time with 72 minutes. This is an increase from last week’s 64-minute average. EPCOT Next up is Test Track at 67 minutes, Soarin’ at 42 minutes, Mission: SPACE at 25 minutes, Spaceship Earth at 22 minutes, Living with the Land at 20 minutes, Turtle Talk with Crush at 16 minutes, The Seas with Nemo and Friends at 13 minutes, Journey into Imagination at 12 minutes, and Gran Fiesta Tour at 11 minutes. Test Track Awesome Planet, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. 23 Amazing Snacks Are DISAPPEARING from EPCOT on December 30th! Hollywood Studios Slinky Dog Dash increased this week from a 73-minute average to an 89-minute average. Rise of the Resistance is next in this park with 80 minutes which is down quite a bit from 92 minutes last week. Tower of Terror Other wait times in the park increased this week including Tower of Terror at 76 minutes, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at 71 minutes, Toy Story Mania at 62 minutes, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at 61 minutes, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at 56 minutes. Hollywood Studios After that, Alien Swirling Saucers averaged 34 minutes, Star Tours — The Adventure Continues averaged 17 minutes, Walt Disney Presents averaged 15 minutes, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy averaged 14 minutes, Muppet*Vision 3D averaged 10 minutes. BREAKING: A NEW Show Is Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2024 Animal Kingdom Now, let’s head over to Animal Kingdom! After decreasing to a 65-minute average last week, Avatar Flight of Passage is up to a 101-minute average this week. Expedition Everest Following that, Na’vi River Journey at 64 minutes, Kilimanjaro Safaris at 46 minutes, Expedition Everest at 38 minutes, DINOSAUR at 27 minutes, and Kali River Rapids at 6 minutes. TriceraTop Spin It’s Tough to Be a Bug averaged 11 minutes and TriceraTop Spin averaged 11 minutes. Both The Boneyard and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail were walk-ons. Whatever You Do, Do NOT Walk All the Way to This Disney Safari Ride Any Time After 4:45PM Overall, wait times increased at most attractions as expected during this busy week. There are still a few rides that have decent wait times so with a bit of strategy, you can do just about everything you want to do. Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World! Disneyland Confirms 3 Rides Are CLOSING for Refurbishment In Early 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 Have you been to Disney World during this holiday season? Let us know in the comments! The post What Do Disney World Wait Times Look Like During the Week Before Christmas? You May Be Surprised! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When you go to Disney World, how do you get there? Southwest Airplane Although we know some of you drive, others might take the Brightline train (at least those who live in Florida). Mostly, though, we’d guess that many of you fly, and we’ve heard that a lot of DFB readers fly on Southwest Airlines. Well, if you’re a Southwest customer, you need to check your email. If you’re a member of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program, you might have a special treat in your email inbox. That’s because the airline is sending out emails to MILLIONS of its Rapid Rewards Members recapping their year of travel. So, if you want to see your own personal travel stats, check your email ASAP. So it’s basically like your Spotify Wrapped list, but with travel instead of music. Pretty cool, right? You’ll find out what your top city was, when you joined Rapid Rewards, how many times you flew, and more! Southwest at Orlando International Airport We’ll keep an eye out for Southwest deals, too, and share any we might find for Orlando. We’ll also keep you updated on any new flights coming to Orlando, so stay tuned to DFB for more! If you want to do some planning before your next Disney World flight (or even on the plane!), check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We’ve compiled all of our BEST tips and tricks from years of Disney World travel into one eBook that you can download to your tablet or smartphone and take with you! We’re offering our readers 25% off with code WDW2023. This BIG Change Could Affect the Future of Airport Security in the U.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 Have you received your Southwest recap yet? Let us know in the comments! The post Southwest Airlines Customers Need To Check Their Emails RIGHT NOW! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Words can’t express how excited we are to experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in 2024. @Disney This new ride will be in both Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, but Disneyland also has Tiana’s Palace, the new quick-service restaurant that opened up earlier this year. This begs the question — will Disney World be getting a Tiana-inspired restaurant, as well? We want to be clear and state right off the bat that Disney has not announced any new Tiana-themed restaurant to be coming to Disney World, but there’s no harm in speculating, right? Tiana’s Palace Tiana’s Palace opened in Disneyland in September 2023, and it’s been a big hit with park goers. Both fans of the film and casual fans of Disney itself enjoy the restaurant and what it offers. 7 Greens Gumbo with chicken and andouille sausage at Tiana’s Palace Its popularity in one park is one of the big reasons we think it could also do very well in Disney World. Plus, Disney has already talked about confirmed expansion plans for Magic Kingdom. While a Tiana-themed restaurant isn’t in those plans right now, it does mean that there IS room for growth in the park for a future restaurant. Possible Land Expansion in Magic Kingdom So where does that leave us? We know that there’s the room and the demand for a Tiana restaurant in Magic Kingdom, but we’ll have to wait and see if Disney announces one. In the meantime, we’re keeping up with all the latest Tiana’s Bayou Adventure news in the park, so stay tuned to DFB! Check out our first look inside Tiana’s Bayou Adventure here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Where would you like a Tiana restaurant to go in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post The HUGE Disney World Restaurant Announcement Everyone Is Waiting For first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

For a place that’s called the Most Magical Place on Earth, it sure does break our hearts a lot. Cinderella Castle Call us dramatic if you want, but it’s truly so disheartening when one of our favorite snacks disappears off a menu, a merchandise item we’ve been wanting sells out, or when one of our favorite rides closes. Disney World broke our hearts three times this week, and if our hearts had to be broken, so does yours. (Sorry. I don’t make the rules.) So, without further ado, here are the three biggest heartbreaks from this week. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is CLOSING in January. No, not permanently. Don’t cue up the water works just yet. On January 8th, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will close indefinitely for refurbishments. If you’re wondering, “Why? It closed for three months earlier this year?” — That’s a darn good question. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Cast Members told us that the coaster hasn’t undergone a complete refurbishment since the parks re-opened in 2020. So, this closure might be a continuation of the work done over the summer. Click here to see what else is new in Hollywood Studios The most stunningly gorgeous popcorn bucket ever sold out. The Gold Musical Rotating Tin Popcorn Bucket sold out this week. Yes, this is the one that played music and has rotating pictures. Holiday Musical Popcorn Tin It’s beautiful, and it’s gone. And probably will stay gone, based on what Cast Members told us. Gone, but never forgotten. Click here to see what else is new in Magic Kingdom Disney confirmed Voyage of the Little Mermaid is permanently closed. Voyage of the Little Mermaid is a stage show in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that closed in 2020 due to the pandemic. It was one of the few things that never re-opened. Voyage of the Little Mermaid A new show will arrive in Fall 2024 to take its place: “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure.” We’re excited about the new show but also sad to officially say goodbye, even though we saw it coming. Click here to see what else is new in Hollywood Studios Of course, there are EXCITING things happening in the parks all the time, which you can check out by scrolling through the links below! WHAT'S NEW AT DISNEY? Check out our daily updates on all the happenings around Disney World and Disneyland! Magic Kingdom EPCOT Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom Disney Hotels Disney Springs Disneyland And there you have it! We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more Disney news, so make sure to follow along for more so that you’re always in the loop. Looking for more BIG Disney annoucements? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you just as heartbroken about this Disney news? Let us know in the comments! The post 3 Super Sad Announcements From Disney World This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney is bringing bigger meaning to the words “immersive” and “living land.” ©Disney Disney’s World of Frozen in Hong Kong brought us a whole new experience of interacting with the villagers inside Arendelle, creating a “living land.” Now, the brand new Zootopia land has opened at Shanghai Disney Resort and is giving us a glimpse into what it might be like to live in the mammalian city. And it turns out you can experience the citizens who live here, too! In the new Zootopia land, you can ride the new ride Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, grab snacks at Jumbeaux’s Cafe, and buy merchandise at Fashions by Fru Fru! The land just opened on December 20th, and it looks amazing. It feels like you stepped right into the movie. ©Disney But there’s another all-new, one-of-a-kind experience in Zootopia that you won’t see anywhere else. A new show has premiered in the city, but it’s unlike any other show you’ve ever seen. Unlike normal shows that have a set schedule and some form of theater, “Disney Zootopia Comes Alive” brings the characters to life along Mane Street at seemingly random times throughout the day. ©Disney At the Zootopia Park Apartments, the Hopps family, Fru Fru and her father Mr. Big, Koslov the polar bear, Flash the sloth, Yax the yak, Duke Weaselton, and more peak out on balconies and in windows of their homes and workplaces chatting with each other and people passing by. Jeff Conover, Creative Director with Disney Live Entertainment, has been working on the project for over four years. He shared, “The idea is that as we walk into the land, we come across the characters living their daily lives. Our guests will be able to see the characters, and each time they show up, it may be a bit of a different story.” ©Disney Multiple storylines are brought together to create an immersive experience that occurs spontaneously throughout the day. Disney Live Entertainment Production Manager Michelle Tritt stated, “What’s unique about this show is that it isn’t necessarily a show, it’s a living embodiment of the land. We’ve brought together various disciplines, from audio designers and lighting designers to creative specialists and production people, to work on the project, integrating the show into the land and creating a highly natural feel for the characters there.” ©Disney Regarding the land as a whole, Jeff also shared, “We want to give guests that firsthand emotional experience of being in Zootopia, in the middle of this vibrant community. There are so many little surprises. You could probably spend four hours in that land just walking around and looking at all the little details.” ©Disney We can’t wait to explore this new interactive and “vibrant community.” It’s amazing how immersed in the movie you become. Seeing Judy Hopps is going to be the best day ever! (But, honestly, we just want to use these new bathrooms!) Until then, keep following DFB for more Disney news! PHOTOS: Disney’s Brand-New Zootopia Land Is Officially OPEN! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you going to visit the new Zootopia land in Shanghai? Let us know in the comments! The post We Were NOT Expecting a Polar Bear To Talk to Us in This NEW Disney Show! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, we’ll say it…Happy Meals from McDonald’s make us HAPPY. Ba Da Ba Ba Bah… Yes, that’s corny, we know. But there’s something nostalgic about opening up that box, smelling that amazing food (it’s chicken nuggies for us), and seeing what toy we got (especially when it’s a collectible Disney toy). Well, the new Happy Meals will have Squishmallows in them, but that’s not all! In fact, we bet you didn’t even know about the OTHER thing you’ll get with your Happy Meal. Yes, that’s right, Squishmallows Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s on December 26th. This will be the FIRST time you’ll be able to get a Squishmallow plush in a Happy Meal, and you can get small plushes of some of the most iconic characters, including Cam and Fifi PLUS a Grimace Squishmallow (yes, we need it). There will even be a surprise MYSTERY character that some might get (ooh, we need to know more). ©McDonald’s BUT there’s more because you’ll also get something else with the Squishmallows Happy Meal. Each character will have its own UNIQUE musical playlist, courtesy of Universal Music Group. This is also the first time this has been done with a Happy Meal. Each Happy Meal box will have a QR code that you can scan to access that playlist. Each playlist has been “carefully curated based off their unique and fun personalities.” Um…now we need to know all about Grimace’s playlist! Happy Meal So when you go pick up your Squishmallows Happy Meal (and we KNOW these are going to be VERY popular), be sure to look at the box for that QR code for a little something extra. McDonald’s We’ll keep an eye out for more interesting McDonald’s news, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Have you checked out the latest Disney-themed t-shirts in our store? Click here – you’ll want to pick some up before your next Disney trip! STOP EVERYTHING! We Just Got a SUPER RARE McDonald’s Happy Meal Toy! 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 grabbing a Squishmallows Happy Meal? Let us know in the comments! The post Look Carefully! Your NEW McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys Will Come With a Special BONUS! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The holiday season in Orlando theme parks usually starts pretty early (like a day or two after Halloween). Holidays in Disney World The holiday decorations are usually up before Halloween is even over. (Yes, really.) The holiday snacks come out, and the holiday parties begin shortly after Halloween. But do you know when the holidays actually END at Orlando theme parks? Well, we’re warning you that it’s SOON. According to The Orlando Sentinel, holiday events are ending soon at the Orlando theme parks. Let’s take a look! Disney World The last Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom happened on December 22nd. However, you’ll get to experience the party’s exclusive parade and fireworks through December 29th. Frozen Holiday Surprise, the castle lighting show, will keep going through December 31st. Jingle Cruise, the holiday overlay for Jungle Cruise, will be available through January 8th. Jingle Cruise Likewise, the last Jollywood Nights party in Disney’s Hollywood Studios was on December 20th. However, the nighttime holiday projects on Tower of Terror last through December 31st. Tower of Terror projections The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays officially ends on December 30th. This is also the last day you can experience the Living with the Land holiday overlay, the Storytellers in World Showcase, and Voices of Liberty in their Dickensian Caroler costumes. Voices of Liberty The Santa Flotilla at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will float down the Discovery River for the last time on December 24th. However, you’ll still be able to enjoy the Discovery Island Drummers Festive Flotilla through January 1st. Santa has a flotilla! In Disney Springs, the Christmas Tree Stroll is scheduled to stay around through December 30th. However, last year, it was still around in mid-January. Street entertainment in Disney Springs lasts through December 24th, while specialty foods stick around through December 31st at Amorette’s Patisserie and January 1st and 2nd everywhere else. Everything you need to know about the holiday season in Disney World Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando The holidays officially end in Universal Orlando on December 31st, including Grinchmas and the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s balloons. Holidays at Universal At SeaWorld, you can celebrate the holidays through January 2nd. What It’s Really Like Staying at Universal’s Most Expensive Hotel Other Theme Parks Other holiday celebrations will end at other theme parks in the Orlando area, too. Here’s the rundown: Legoland Florida will celebrate New Year’s Eve from December 26th-31st. Fun Spot celebrates the holidays through January 2nd with fireworks on December 31st. Island H20 Water Park’s Holiday Nights runs through December 31st. Snowman at Legoland Most holiday activities in the area run through December 31st, but you can check those calendars for exact dates. AVOID EPCOT on These 20 Upcoming Dates We’ll keep an eye out for what’s to come AFTER the holidays (like the EPCOT Festival of the Arts), so stay tuned to DFB for more! The Days When Disney Genie+ Will Be the Most Expensive in 2024 DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF HOLIDAY MAGIC Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. It includes all the must-have information for navigating the holiday season at Disney World, including: The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! Save 20% on the Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide with code PEPPERMINT. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Where will you be spending the holiday season this year? Let us know in the comments! The post FULL LIST of Dates When Disney World Is ENDING Its Holiday Events first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Sometimes creating movies and TV shows can be dangerous for the actors involved. ©Disney Fighting scenes and stunts can cause special safety hazards to those involved. While stunt doubles may be used, often actors will still have to engage in the more dangerous scenes. That is exactly what caused an accident in 2021 that now has a British actor suing Disney over an injury. According to Deadline, during the filming of a fight scene against a nine-foot-tall ogre on the set of the show Willow, British actor, Ralph Ineson, sustained injuries during a fall that he is now suing Disney for. ©Disney The claim describes that Ineson was dressed as a knight while battling the ogre called, The Scourge, when he awkwardly fell and dislocated his shoulder. This has caused permanent shoulder damage which prevents him from filming other fight scenes, horse-riding, and other physical roles. ©Lucasfilm The lawsuit adds fault to Disney due to added pressures to complete filming by a deadline and lack of cleaning of the steps where Ineson fell. He is suing Disney for £150,000 or $190,500. We’ll be checking for updates as the lawsuit moves forward. In the meantime, keep following DFB for more Disney news. CEO Bob Iger Responds to One of Disney’s Biggest Criticisms Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW The post NEWS: British Actor Sues Disney Over Injury Sustained While Filming 'Willow' first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The holiday season in Disney World is — yes, we’re going to say it — magical. Magic Kingdom during the holidays The holiday decorations are AMAZING, the holiday snacks are DELICIOUS, and the holiday parties are so much fun. We’re sure you’ve made a list of everything to do in Disney World for the holidays if you’re visiting during this time, but there’s one thing probably missing from that list because it’s kind of a SECRET. Okay, maybe it’s not so much a secret as it is unknown, but still, we stumbled upon it, and we had NO IDEA. If you visit Bonjour! Village Gifts in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom, there’s a free holiday activity you can participate in. Bonjour Village Gifts You can decorate a Christmas “cookie” and make a wish. It’s a coloring activity that you can do on these little paper cookies available in the store. It’s totally free and a fun way to add even a little more holiday magic to your holiday Disney World trip. Decorate a “cookie” You have a selection of “cookies” to choose from, including a snowman, a Christmas tree, a dreidel, a menorah, and more. So, whatever you celebrate, there’s a “cookie” for you to color. We think this could be a fun thing for kids to do while parents shop. Of course, over the next few weeks, you’ll also be able to do a few other unique holiday things in Magic Kingdom. You can see Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime parade, as well as Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks. On New Year’s Eve, don’t miss the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks! Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade Stay tuned to DFB for more! When are you headed to Disney World next? Have you checked out our line of fun graphic tees to wear on your trip? We’ve designed some for the whole family – from infants to adults! Click here to check them out! I’m Here to Show You the TRUTH About Disney World Wait Times Around the Holidays DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF HOLIDAY MAGIC Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. It includes all the must-have information for navigating the holiday season at Disney World, including: The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! Save 20% on the Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide with code PEPPERMINT. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What’s your favorite holiday activity in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post We Found a SECRET Free Activity in Disney World 😮 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Some merchandise sold at Disney Parks are highly valued as collector’s items. Signs in the lobby We STILL remember the chaos surrounding the Figment Popcorn Bucket in 2022, after all. Popcorn buckets, in general, tend to be highly popular with collectors. Of course, we can’t forget about pins, either. But one of the most coveted collectibles could be the Trader Sam’s Tiki Mugs. We’re going to take a look at the Tiki Mugs Disney released in 2023 and show off some of the BEST! So here’s the deal: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto in Disney World and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar in Disneyland get special souvenir Tiki Mugs, but the Disneyland location seems to get more specialty mugs. So, we’re looking at mugs from both locations. Ursula Tiki Mug Who doesn’t love villain merchandise? TONS of poeple had no problem waiting in line to get their hands on the Ursula Tiki Mug in Disneyland and Disney World. Only a few poor, unfortunate souls managed to get their hands on it, though. It was pretty popular! ©Disney This mug is so creepy and ominous — we love it. See more photos of this mug HERE! Hatbox Ghost Tiki Mug Hatbox Ghost is VERY popular right now, thanks to the addition of the animatronic in Disney World’s Haunted Mansion AND his appearance in the Haunted Mansion movie. So, the Hatbox Ghost Tiki Mug OBVIOUSLY made the top of our list this year. It was released exclusively in Disneyland. ©Disney This tiki mug is a ghostly light green color with a black glaze. We have a feeling this one was super popular (we didn’t manage to get our hands on one, sadly). See more details about this mug right HERE! Haunted Mansion Gargoyle Tiki Mug Haunted Mansion Tiki Mugs will probably ALWAYS be super popular among collectors, so we weren’t surprised at how long we had to stand in line to grab the Gargoyle Tiki Mug in Disney World. When we finally got our hands on it, we knew it was a VERY impressive mug. It looks just like the gargoyle candelabra inside the Haunted Mansion, but with a little Trader Sam’s twist. There it is! We did notice this mug felt a little fragile, so this is a mug we won’t be drinking out of often. This one goes up on the shelf to show off. Here are more photos of this mug! Holiday Tiki Mug The Holiday Tiki Mug from Disneyland has us asking, “Why is the rum gone?” thanks to that fun barrel shape. But this isn’t any old barrel — it’s a special holiday barrel done up all in red. Holiday Tiki Mug This is another one that sold out pretty fast. A lot of these mugs are only available for one day, after all. See more photos of this mug! José Tiki Mug Of course, you can always see José, the singing bird, in The Enchanted Tiki Room, but Disney also turned him into a Tiki Mug that looks JUST like him. The mug was released to celebrate the attraction’s 60th anniversary. WOW. ©Disney A similar mug was previously released in Disney World in 2022, but this new one was released in Disneyland in 2023, so we had to include it on the list. We love José! Read more about this Tiki Mug Tiki mugs are so much fun to collect — if you can get your hands on them. We’ll keep an eye out for more tiki mug releases, so stay tuned to DFB for more. The 11 Best Disney Popcorn Buckets of 2023 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 collect Tiki Mugs? Let us know how many you have in your collection. The post The 5 Best Trader Sam’s Tiki Mugs Disney Released in 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Can you imagine a world where Mickey Mouse isn’t a Disney character? We may or may not see this happen. Hey, Mickey! In all seriousness, Mickey has been the face of the Walt Disney Company for well over 90 years, since 1928, but come January 1st, 2024, Disney will be facing something that they’ve never faced before — Mickey Mouse will be entering the public domain. Before we go off into the deep end, let’s be clear, not all versions of Mickey will be going to the public domain. So, let’s break it all down. January 1st, 2024 (Mickey will belong to you and me) Let’s rip off the Band-Aid and just say it plainly. Mickey Mouse, the version as seen in Steamboat Willie, will be entering into the public domain on January 1st, 2024. What we’re talking about has to do with copyright laws and just so we’re on the same page, know that copyright law provides individuals (or companies) with exclusive rights over creative works — this includes fictional characters that are original and fixed in a tangible medium. As long as the copyright protection lasts, the owner has the exclusive ability to use and distribute their work. Once the copyright expires, the work goes into the public domain. At that point, anyone can use that work however they want to. All of this means that you and I will “kind of” become owners of Mickey Mouse on January 1st. Steamboat Willie ©Disney That date is, understandably, a day that many Disney fans are scared about. You have to be thinking of questions like, “Will Disney be retiring Mickey?” Don’t worry. Mickey’s not going anywhere. Disney will NOT be retiring Mickey Mouse in 2024. There is no credible information to suggest that Disney will be doing anything of the sort, and all the rumors suggesting it are fake. ©Disney Again, only “Steamboat Willie, “The Barn Dance,” and the original design of Mickey Mouse will move into the public domain in terms of copyright law. (As each year passes, more films starring Mickey will enter the public domain.) Once 2024 comes, Disney won’t have any copyright protection for those original films and Mickey’s original version, but will still own later designs and trademarks. In fact, Disney went on to say, “We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright.” Disney’s statement also said it “will work to safeguard against consumer confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey and our other iconic characters.” ©AP So, while you might be able to create a Mickey toy (featuring that original version of Mickey) on your own without any approval or authorization from Disney in 2024 when Mickey hits the public domain, your toy couldn’t feature Mickey’s signature white gloves until 2025. But rest easy knowing that Modern Mickey looks very different from Steamboat Mickey. Mickey Isn’t Going Anywhere As we said, Mickey Mouse has been the face of Disney for nearly a century, so while the copyright for the original “Steamboat Willie” version might change in 2024, it doesn’t threaten Mickey’s existence. Disney owns the rights to multiple versions of Mickey, each with its unique characteristics and stories, and these versions are still under copyright protection. From the cheerful and animated mouse we all know today, to his early black-and-white incarnation, they all contribute to the rich Disney history. ©Disney We can rest assured knowing that Mickey isn’t going anywhere. It sure will be interesting to see how Disney plans to navigate “public domain Mickey.” We’ll definitely be following along with the situation as we get closer to Disney not owning — at least partially — Mickey Mouse anymore. Stay tuned to stay in the loop on what happens. 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 this situation that Disney is finding themselves in? Tell us in the comments! The post January 1st Might Be a SCARY Day for Disney Fans first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You know we’re on top of finding ALL the limited-time Christmas foods! Gideon’s Bakehouse We’re on the lookout for all the sweets and treats this weekend. To celebrate the upcoming holiday, our favorite cookie spot in Disney Springs is offering up a limited-release Christmas goodie, and we’re totally here for it! Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs is known for their delectable cookies and cakes. And this weekend, December 23rd and 24th, you can get a specialty holiday dessert– Krampus Snack Cakes! Krampus Snack Cakes ©Gideon’s Bakehouse You can get the sweet flavors of Christmas in a chocolate and mint cake covered in dark chocolate. According to Gideon’s, they’re the “perfect balance of luscious chocolate and mint!” They’re only available for two days, while supplies last, and there’s a limit of 2 per person. They are also offering a limited-release batch of Pumpkin Bread Chocolate Crumb Cookie Bites! There are six pumpkin-spiced treats dipped in dark chocolate in each bag. The bags will be around for purchase for about a week and are also limited to two per person. So be sure to hurry in, to get your holiday treats. ©Gideon’s Bakehouse Gideon’s is always a favorite of ours to stop at while in Disney Springs. We know we’ll find delicious treats that won’t disappoint! Be sure to stop by this weekend for the holidays. Keep following DFB for more Disney news! The Definitive List of the BEST Desserts in Disney Springs! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite holiday dessert in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Gideon's Bakehouse Announces NEW Limited-time Holiday Treats in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article