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It’s Christmas weekend, and Disney World is celebrating in a HUGE way. Happy Holidays from Magic Kingdom Of course, the holiday decorations have been up since November. The holiday snacks have been around for a while, too. The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is in full swing. But this weekend, something EXTRA is coming to Magic Kingdom, and it’s something you can usually only see if you have a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. That’s right. If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom this weekend, Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade will be making its way through the park for the next few days DURING the day. Normally, you’d need a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to see this parade, but here’s your chance to see it without having to buy a party ticket. Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade According to the Magic Kingdom schedule, you’ll be able to catch this parade at 12PM and 3PM from December 23rd through December 31st. Note that the normal Magic Kingdom daytime parade, Festival of Fantasy, will not be showing during this time. ©Disney But that’s not all because Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, which is also usually a Christmas Party exclusive event, will also be available to ALL Magic Kingdom visitors from December 23rd through December 29th at 8PM. Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks The special New Year’s Eve fireworks show, Fantasy in the Sky, will be available on December 30th and 31st at 6:30PM and 11:50PM. Fantasy in the Sky We even spotted some Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party event maps out during the day! Check it out! Want some party-exclusive merchandise while you’re at it? Disney’s got you covered! We found Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party merchandise for sale in several stores around the park. Normally, this merchandise is reserved for party guests, but now anyone can shop the items! Shopping spree, anyone? Over in Tomorrowland, we spotted this sign that indicates The Collective 5ive group will have performances as early as 4PM! If you’re in the area, check them out. Who’s going? So, if you’re visiting Magic Kingdom through the holidays, be sure to mark these exclusive events on your calendar — you don’t want to miss them! We’ll keep you updated on more entertainment in Disney World — plus news, tips, tricks, resources, and more. So stay tuned to DFB! 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! This Disney Park Committed to LIVING Park Decor For the Holidays, and It’s BEAUTIFUL 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! Will you be in Disney World this weekend or through next week? Let us know what you’re looking forward to most in the comments! The post TONS of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Offerings Are Currently Available for EVERYONE in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Scrambling to get some last-minute shopping done? We can help! ©Shutterstock We just found six awesome Disney DEALS on Amazon, including a Loungefly wallet for 25% off, Disney-themed Amazon Fire Tablets for 30% off, a Disney jewelry organizer for 33% off, and more! Let’s check out these discounts! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Many of these items qualify for Amazon Prime, which means you could get faster, free shipping! In fact, with Amazon Prime, many of these items should arrive before Christmas. Not a Prime member? No worries — just click below to start your free trial! Now, let’s check out the deals. Get the Mickey Sweets Loungefly Wallet for 25% Off ©Amazon This Disney Loungefly wallet is covered in Mickey-themed treats. It’s faux leather and has a bifold snap closure design, with eight slots for cards and a zipped coin pouch. View on Amazon Get the Cinderella Castle Loungefly Backpack for 5% Off ©Amazon We found another Disney Loungefly on sale! The Cinderella Castle Loungefly Bag is 5% off and features the iconic princess’s pumpkin coach in front of the majestic castle. View on Amazon Get the Disney Jewelry Organizer for 33% Off ©Amazon This might be exactly what you need for your next Disney World trip. The faux leather jewelry organizer is covered in Disney designs and has a zip closure, multiple compartments, and elastic interior pockets. It can hold bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and more. View on Amazon Get the Disney100 Blanket ©Amazon December and January are some of the best months to stay indoors, cuddle up on the couch, and watch movies. This Disney100 blanket can help keep you cozy on those nights in! It’s 50″ by 60″ and features Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Lilo, Cheshire Cat, and others. View on Amazon Get the Thomas Kinkade Disney Puzzle Set for 16% Off ©Amazon Looking for a new hobby in 2024? Try puzzling! This set of Disney-themed puzzles by Thomas Kinkade comes with four 500-piece jigsaw puzzles. The scenes you’ll build feature Mickey and Minnie in locations around the world. View on Amazon Get the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet for 30% Off ©Amazon You can save BIG on Amazon Fire Kids Tablets right now! This one comes in Disney Princess and Mickey Mouse designs, too. The tablet has a 10″ display and comprehensive parental controls. View on Amazon Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest Disney deals! Shop more Disney essentials at our Amazon storefront!The post 6 Disney DEALS on Amazon, Including a Loungefly Wallet for 25% Off! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re all pretty used to hearing about Disney in the media. ©The Walt Disney Company Disney gets lots of attention due to it being a massive entertainment company and having multiple divisions that it controls. In the past year or so, Disney has been in the headlines over the lawsuits they’ve filed against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, claiming he has retaliated against them for speaking out against a bill he approved. DeSantis most notably dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District and appointed his own governing board– the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Now, Disney has filed a new lawsuit against this DeSantis-appointed district board. According to Click Orlando, late on Friday, December 22nd, Disney filed a new lawsuit against the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The new file claims that the board is failing to provide public records that the company had requested back in May of this year. Withholding public records is against Florida law and the state’s constitution, and Disney is suing. Cinderella Castle Also, in the claim is the accusation that CFTOD has been allowing its employees to use personal phones, personal email, and messaging to conduct government business, which has led to inefficient processing and the lack of public records being preserved or provided. Disney claims the district and administrator allow them to “self-select what documents they were willing to provide from personal devices including email and text messages– if those records had even been preserved in the first place.” ©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream Disney also claims that more than 50 employees have left the district since the DeSantis-appointed board took over. The report states, “Employees are exhausted.” It also adds that employees, “lack confidence in the new board and those it has hired, and wish they could return to the days before Reedy Creek became CFTOD.” ©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board The lawsuit states, “On the public records front, this has led to delays, inadequate preservation, storage and production of public records, and improper and unsupported claims of privilege and exemption from disclosure, in violation of the Florida Constitution and (Florida’s Public Record Act).” This is regarding employee retention and personal communication devices, email, and messaging use. Magic Kingdom Disney has requested an “immediate” hearing by an Orange County circuit court judge so they can receive the withheld public documents immediately from the district. We’ll be waiting for more information as the court makes its decision. Until then, keep following DFB for more Disney news. DeSantis’ Reedy Creek Board Accuses Disney of Bribery and “Egregious Corporate Cronyism” 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: Disney Files NEW Lawsuit Against DeSantis’ Reedy Creek District first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Before we say “so long” to 2023, let’s take a trip back in time to see how this year shaped the Disney parks — for better… or for worse. Luminous at EPCOT Come with us to recap 2023. It was a BUSY year for Disney — and there’s a lot to cover! Check out our video below: Why 2023 Was the BEST & WORST Year for Disney Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more Disney news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Did you go to Disney World this year? Let us know in the comments. The post DFB Video: Why 2023 Was the BEST & WORST Year for Disney first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Today, we’re here to talk about regrets. Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom And no, we don’t mean the kind like how you gave up your lifelong dream of becoming a race car driver or how you dated that one guy in college. We’re talking about Disney World regrets. Here’s the thing: Disney World is WAAYYYYY too expensive to be regrettin’ anything. We’re here to help you make sure that when you buy your ticket or Annual Pass, you’re getting the best bang for your buck and living your Disney life to the fullest. NO RAGRETS. (If you get that joke, we can be best friends.) Anyway, we’re here to talk about Magic Kingdom regrets in particular. Let’s go! So, these are things that we’ve done in the past at Magic Kingdom that we truly ended up regretting. Whether it was a bad last-minute choice, a bad day, or we went our whole lives avoiding something we ended up LOVING, we’re here to spill the tea on our biggest regrets so that you don’t have to make the same mistakes we did. We went on the wrong day and at the wrong time. So, Magic Kingdom, no matter how much you like it as an adult, technically is a children’s theme park. You’ll find more family-friendly rides and experiences here than any other Disney World park, and you’ll probably find more children and strollers here, too. Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Our regret was visiting Magic Kingdom on a weekend, when the little tykes are NOT in daycare or school like they would be during the week. Trust us, go on a weekday, and you’ll likely find much lower wait times. Oh, and the late-morning to early-evening is when those peak crowds will hit. Plan accordingly! We regret rope dropping Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Listen, folks. Rope dropping an attraction at a 60-minute wait is not much better than the 70 or 80-minute wait that you’ll face throughout the day. Plus, these wait times usually drop significantly toward the end of the night. Yep, including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Instead, go rope drop an attraction that has an actual low wait that will soar to be an hour or more throughout the day. Examples of attractions like these are Jungle Cruise, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, and even “it’s a small world.” We regret eating in the park for our meals. Listen, listen, listen. WHY would you subject yourself to basic theme park fare when you COULD be eating scrumpdiddlyumptious food at the Monorail resorts which are a walking distance (or quick Monorail trip) away from Magic Kingdom? Capt. Cook’s Y’all, go to the resorts and get some actual good food. Capt. Cook’s at the Polynesian is one of our favorites. Pulled Pork Nachos, anyone? We regret not stopping at Tony’s Town Square for a DELICIOUS snack. Hey, stop being so hard on our man Tony. Tony’s Town Square Restaurant has gotten a bad rap for YEARS, but it’s really not that bad. As a matter of fact, the last time we visited, we LOVED the giant mozzarella sticks that we got. They’re a foot long! They were crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside, and overall a GREAT time. Well, there you have it! We’ll continue to keep you updated with more Disney advice, so make sure to follow along for more so that you’re always in the loop and never miss a thing. Looking for more Disney World advice? Click here! What’s YOUR biggest Disney World regret? Let us know in the comments! The post My Biggest Regret About Going to Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You may not know this, but hidden behind Magic Kingdom Park is an unassuming warehouse with more than 50,000 different Walt Disney World holiday decorations. And today, one of our best decorating aficionados, William (Ed) Miles, (who knows every inch of the warehouse) is sharing a special look inside and some timeless tips on holiday […]View the full article

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Holidays in Magic Kingdom There’s holly and garland, Christmas trees and snow (ah, snoap), and there are lots and lots of people! Yep, you know that Christmas is just around the corner when Magic Kingdom is bustling with crowds. We’ve noticed everyone has started to make their way into the parks to celebrate the magic of the season in the Most Magical Place on Earth. And along with big crowds come record-breaking Genie+ prices! We rope-dropped Magic Kingdom first thing this morning (December 23rd) and noticed we were far from alone! And we know that with more people in the parks comes longer lines and wait times, but it also generally brings higher Genie+ prices. But we weren’t ready for these RECORD-BREAKING Genie+ prices still days from Christmas Day! Today’s prices are the highest we’ve seen in all of 2023. Genie+ We spotted the Multiple Parks and Magic Kingdom options up to $39, today. That’s $4 MORE than yesterday and on Thanksgiving Day! EPCOT is at $32, Hollywood Studios is at $35, and Animal Kingdom is up at $29. ©Disney Disney knows that these next few days will be good days to use Genie+. If you’re hoping to skip the lines over Christmas, you’ll need to be prepared to pay a hefty price. And always be ready to purchase Genie+ early because we’ve even seen it sold out this week! Genie+ Just a friendly reminder, that Genie+ is the virtual planning assistant on the Disney World app. Once you pay for it, you can make Lightning Lane selections to jump the line! It also gives you other benefits like access to all your ride photos on the days you paid for it. It can be a great tool, especially on busy days like these next few days. Remember, purchase it early in the day if you’re hoping to use it this weekend. Genie+ However, there are a few rides that are not covered in Genie+. A few rides have Individual Lightning Lanes that you can pay for without getting Genie+. And if you purchase Genie+, you’ll still have to purchase these Individual Lightning Lanes separately. And a couple of rides only have virtual queues that you can join at certain times of the day. It’s important to always refer to the Disney World app if you have questions! In the meantime, keep following DFB for more Disney news! Please Stop Skipping These Genie+ Hacks in Disney World (They Really Work!) All About Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection BIG Genie+ Changes Being Planned For Disney World FULL List of Rides Included With Genie+ in Disney World 3 Tips to OUTSMART Genie+ in Disney World Right Now Please Stop Skipping These Genie+ Hacks in Disney World (They Really Work!) Genie+ Tips for the Most Crowded Days in Disney World and Disneyland Click HERE to See More About Disney Genie Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Will you be in the parks for the holidays? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Genie+ Reaches NEW Record HIGH Price in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World has a lot planned for the new year. 2024 will be an exciting time! From new restaurants and new rides to the return of the Disney Dining Plan, 2024 is going to be a big one for Disney World. In January, five new rule changes will hit the parks…are you ready for them? All-Day Park Hopping Back in October, Disney announced that all-day park hopping would be returning! Entering the Park Beginning January 9th, 2024, anyone who has a park ticket with Park Hopper capabilities or an Annual Pass can visit another theme park at any time of day during park hours. Magic Kingdom entrance Currently, park hopping is limited to after 2PM each day, and it’s been that way since it returned in 2021. With the new rules, visitors will be able to have a more flexible park experience — and likely get more value out of a park hopper ticket! Park Pass Reservations In another exciting update this year, Disney announced that Park Pass reservations would be going away for most guests in 2024. Animal Kingdom entrance Starting January 9th, those who purchase date-based tickets will no longer need a reservation! While the rules are changing for these types of tickets, keep in mind that other types of ticket holders, like Annual Passholders, will still be required to make reservations on most days to enter the parks. “Good to Go” Days Although Park Pass reservations are not going away for Annual Passholders just yet, starting on January 11th, new “Good to Go” days will start to appear on the calendar. Annual Passholder Magnets Currently, Disney has Bonus Reservations for Passholders, which are reservations that they can make on top of their reservation limit. While they don’t count against their reservation limit, Passholders still have to make them to enter the park. Disney World Annual Pass With Good to Go days, that’s changing! On select days throughout the year, Passholders can simply enter the park without a reservation. Virtual Queues With all-day park hopping returning, another rule change will hit Virtual Queues. Starting on January 9th, guests who do not need a Park Pass reservation to enter the park will not need one to book a Virtual Queue at 7AM. TRON Virtual Queue board At present, Disney World offers Virtual Queues for two rides: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and TRON Lightcycle / Run. The two standard Virtual Queue drops are at 7AM and 1PM. Currently, in order to get a Virtual Queue at 7AM, you must have a Park Pass reservation for that ride’s park. Cosmic Rewind With this rule change, however, those with date-based tickets will be able to book a Virtual Queue without reservation. Keep in mind that you will only be able to book one Virtual Queue at a time, however, so you’ll have to choose either Guardians of the Galaxy or TRON for the 7AM booking. Lightning Lanes Lastly, Lighting Lane rules will be changing as well. Currently, if you want to book a Lightning Lane for a ride at a park you are planning on hopping to, the 2PM park-hopping rule currently limits your selections. This applies to both Genie+ selections and Individual Lightning Lane selections. You can find Lightning Lanes at many attractions within the parks! Since you can’t park hop until 2PM at the moment, you can’t make a Lightning Lane selection for a ride in your second park until all of the Lighting Lanes leading up to 2PM have been booked. Lightning Lane at Peter Pan’s Flight Once all-day park hopping returns, however, you’ll be able to book Lighting Lanes for whichever times are available! Tower of Terror Lightning Lane sign There you have it — 5 rules that are changing in 2024. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! EVERYTHING We Know About the 2024 Rock & Roller Coaster EXTENDED CLOSURE Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which rule change are you most looking forward to in 2024? Let us know in the comments below! The post Disney Is About to Hit Us With 5 (!!!) IMPORTANT Rule Changes! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is full of some fantastic dining experiences, and checking them out is something we do a lot of here. We are Disney Food Blog, after all. Morimoto Asia While there are plenty of meals we will sing about from the rooftops, there are some that we just can’t recommend. We know your time and money are precious in Disney World, so here are some meals you might want to avoid to have the best experience possible. Lengthy Sit-Down Meals Hear us out, we love some of Disney’s signature dining options. From Morimoto Asia to Le Cellier, there are some table service restaurants that we can’t get enough of. However, they might not be the best option for you if you’re on a tight schedule! Le Cellier This is particularly true when it comes to restaurants inside specific parks. Sure, if you are dedicating a whole day to Disney Springs, then spending a few hours at a meal there might be reasonable. For days that you’re in the park, however, enjoying a sit-down meal can take up a big chunk of your schedule. As expensive as park tickets are, it might make more sense to skip these types of meals so that you can get more done. Fune Boat at Shiki-Sai — Beautiful! If you aren’t on a tight schedule or budget, and dining experiences are important to you, then by all means — book the reservation! There are some great options. Takumi Tei and Le Cellier are worth checking out in EPCOT, and Tiffins is a fun option in Disney’s Animal Kingdom to name a few. Tiffins If not, there are a lot of quicker options that we really love throughout the parks. Especially in EPCOT, there are tons of great options to try during any of their festivals — sometimes you can even find options from restaurants like Le Cellier at the food booths! Puffy Pizza Puffy pizza has a reputation in Disney World. Pizza from PizzeRizzo Many of the parks’ quick service options sell this style of pizza, and while it is great for picky eaters, it’s just not everyone’s favorite. Pizzafari If you’re looking for some quality pizza around the parks, we highly recommend Via Napoli in EPCOT. We’ve even had some impressive slices at Terra Treats from time to time! Basic Theme Park Burgers Unfortunately, many of us here at DFB have been personally victimized by a tasteless, hockey puck of a burger in Disney World. We get it, burgers are a theme park staple — but why do so many of them have to be so mediocre? Bacon cheeseburger with fries at Restaurantosaurus Burgers at places like Restaurantosaurus and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe are quick and easy, but you likely won’t be blown away by the quality. Like with puffy pizza, these might be a reasonable option for you if you have some picky eaters among your group, but there are much better burger options to spend your money on. Mickey Monster Mash Burger at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe From budget options like D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs to the fun options in Sci-Fi Drive-in Theater Restaurant, we recommend finding a better burger than the standard quick service options provide. Buffets Buffets can be a great option if you’ve got people in your group with big appetites. Many of Disney’s buffets are also character dining options, so they can be a great way to get a lot of bang for your buck. Tusker House Restaurant But they are also quite expensive and can take up a fair amount of time. On top of that, you are paying extra for the all-you-care-to-enjoy nature of them, so if you aren’t a big eater, it can be hard to justify the price! Chef Mickey’s If you’re on a tight budget or schedule and don’t have a big appetite, you might want to avoid these dining experiences. Signature Dining Experiences Lastly, Disney has some seriously impressive restaurants — some that are even recognized by the Michelin Guide. Morimoto Asia While we love trying some of Disney’s more elevated restaurants, there are plenty of delicious options that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. If you’re on a tight budget, you don’t have to stretch yourself thin just to try that expensive spot that everybody told you was a must. Victoria & Albert’s Find the right place that makes sense for your group. Flame Tree Barbecue, Chicken Guy!, Regal Eagle Smokehouse, and Woody’s Lunch Box are just some of the great quick-service options that we really enjoy. We even rounded up a list of some of the best value spots in the park. Burnt Ends Fries at Regal Eagle While there is a time and place for all of these types of meals, it’s a good idea to figure out which ones make the most sense for your family and which ones you should avoid. We’ll keep bringing you all the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! You Could Pay to Save 20% off Food in Disney World. What Happened to That Perk? 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! What meals do you avoid when you’re in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! The post Do Yourself a Favor and Avoid These Disney World Meals first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Walt Disney Company is issuing shareholders cash dividends for the first time in three years. ©Disney Disney suspended the dividend in May 2020 when it was priced at $0.88 per share. Before COVID, Disney declared dividends semi-annually. The $0.30 per share dividend will be “payable January 10, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 11, 2023,” and now, we’ve got a bit more information. Disney is sending emails out to shareholders to advise them of their options for dividend disbursement — so keep an eye on your inbox if you’re a shareholder! Disney’s Animal Kingdom On January 10th, 2024, shareholders will receive payment as follows: Dividend Checks: Checks will be mailed on January 10th, 2024. Please allow the post office at least 10 mailing days to deliver your check. Direct Deposit: Funds will be credited on January 10th, 2024. Dividend Reimbursement: The reinvestment of your dividend will be completed within five business days of the payable date. A statement showing the reinvestment will be delivered to you after the reinvestment is complete. Shareholders can opt for a check, direct deposit, or have the dividends reinvested into Disney stock depending on what you’ve elected. Cinderella Castle The dividend is likely welcome news, as Disney stock has not been performing at its best. Back in October, prices were trading at their lowest point in nearly 10 years — since October 2014. During the most recent company earnings call, we learned that revenues for Q4 of fiscal year 2023 grew 5% and 7% compared to the prior year-quarter and prior year, respectively. EPCOT So, if you’re a Disney shareholder, keep an eye out for that cash dividend payment — and if you’re not, well, maybe now is a good time to take the leap! Tower of Terror Stay tuned to DFB for the latest news from The Walt Disney Company and more! Why Wall Street Won’t Let Bob Iger Spend Money on the Disney Parks 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 Are you a Disney shareholder? Tell us in the comments. The post Disney Releases Cash Dividend Information to Shareholders Via Email first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re headed to Disney World, you might have researched the benefits of stocking up on some Disney gift cards for your trip. Magic Kingdom Not only can gift cards help you stay on budget, but they can also save you some money! You can buy them at places like Target and Sam’s Club at a discount, and if you use them to buy your park tickets, the savings can add up! Unfortunately, there’s one big problem you have to look out for if you want to do that. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. According to TikTok user Andi.ink, her family planned a trip to Disney World for the holiday season but ran into a big problem along the way. With 16 family members going, her parents purchased $10,000 worth of gift cards to save some money, but had trouble using them for the intended park tickets and reservations. It turns out, that her parents didn’t buy Disney gift cards, they bought Disney+ gift cards. Unfortunately, Disney+ gift cards aren’t interchangeable with Disney gift cards, so they were left scrambling for a solution while park passes were selling out and restaurant reservations were booking up. Disney gift cards To those who don’t know the difference between gift cards, this can be a simple mistake! In the case of the TikTok family, her parents are 78 years old and don’t use streaming services, so they didn’t realize the difference. Unfortunately, since they had already scratched the numbers off of the back of each card, they couldn’t be returned. Disney+ Gift Card Luckily after a lot of stress looking for a solution, Bill Hambrook, the manager of gift cards at Disney, was able to convert the $10,000 in Disney+ gift cards into $10,000 in Disney gift cards. BJ’s Disney gift cards Are you looking to save some money by buying gift cards ahead of your trip? You can buy them at Sam’s Club, occasionally on sale! ©Disney View at Sam’s Club As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest. STOP Paying Full Price for Disney Gift Cards Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever made a similar mistake buying gift cards? Let us know in the comments below! The post Don't Make This DISASTROUS Disney Gift Card Mistake first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you fly a lot, you might be part of a frequent flyer program. Air travel Joining a loyalty program is a popular way to get perks for prioritizing one airline over another when you fly. The more you fly with one airline, the more frequent flyer miles you can get. But, it might not be as easy as you think. A new report states that some major U.S. airlines are being investigated for potential deceptive practices in their loyalty programs. According to Reuters, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is looking into the frequent flyer and loyalty programs of major U.S. airlines after “troubling reports” of unfair and deceptive practices came to light. Orlando International Airport Following some concerns raised in Congress, the USDOT has been meeting with passenger airlines to discuss these programs, including “transparency practices when booking award tickets, transferability of miles and notice given before making changes.” Traveling soon? The department is also looking into the devaluation of frequent flyer miles over time, which makes it harder for customers to book award tickets. According to Senate Judiciary Committee chair Durbin and Republican Senator Roger Marshal, “airlines are changing point systems in ways that are unfair to consumers, including by devaluing points, meaning it takes more points than initially marketed to achieve the promised rewards.” Orlando International Airport Dubin and Marshall co-sponsored a bill this year that would address “outrageous” fees charged by Visa and Mastercard and ensure that large credit card-issuing banks offer a choice of networks over which a transaction may be processed. Major airlines heavily lobbied against the legislation, saying it would threaten their ability to offer rewards credit cards altogether. Southwest Airlines at the Orlando Airport This all comes at a time when frequent flyer programs are booming. Delta, which had more than 100 million frequent flyer members in 2020, added a record 8.5 million members in 2022. Airplane We’ll keep an eye out for any updates on the matter, so stay tuned to DFB for more! I Was Today Years Old When I Learned What Airlines Do With LOST Luggage Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you a part of a frequent flyer program? Let us know in the comments below! The post “Troubling Reports” Lead US Dept. of Transportation To Look into Major US Airlines’ Frequent Flyer Programs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Picture this: You’re going absolutely wild on Whack-a-Mole after having downed at least a gallon of Hawaiin Punch, just raking in those tickets. It’s 1998 and life is good. ©Chuck E. Cheese And then, you hear the call — it’s time to eat pizza and sing Happy Birthday to your friend at their Chuck. E. Cheese party. Does it get any better than this? In fact, it does, and we have Chuck E. Cheese’s NEW adult menu to thank for that. If you’re looking for us, we may or may not be found at our local Chuck E. Cheese trying their new Grown-Up Menu! The entertainment center is expanding its offering to a more mature palate in the form of pizzas, wings, and more. ©Chuck E. Cheese The new menu is introducing exclusive pizza, meatballs, and upgraded wing flavors “crafted to tantalize the mature palate.” There will be four new pizzas, baked to order, and you can check those flavors out below: Signature Meatball: Marinara, shredded mozzarella cheese; topped with all-beef meatballs and fresh spinach. Homestyle BBQ Chicken: BBQ sauce, shredded mozzarella & cheddar cheeses; topped with chicken, red onions, and green peppers. Spicy Hawaiian: Sweet Chili sauce, shredded mozzarella & cheddar cheeses; topped with ham, pineapple, and jalapeños. Spicy BBQ Piggy: Spicy Korean BBQ sauce, shredded mozzarella & cheddar cheeses; topped with ham, bacon, sausage, jalapeños, and red onions. The NEW Grown-Up menu at Chuck E. Cheese introduces exclusive pizza, saucy meatballs, and wing flavors crafted to tantalize the mature palate. Three new wing sauces and two new rubs include Buffalo BBQ, Spicy Korean BBQ, Louisiana Honey Hot, Lemon Pepper, and Chili Lime. You’ll also be able to enjoy “Mouthwatering Meatballs” in Sweet Chili, Spicy Korean BBQ, and Buffalo BBQ flavors. For dessert, celebrity chef Buddy Valastro has teamed up with well-known restaurant mogul Charles Entertainment Cheese to create three new flavors of cake, served by the slice: Confetti, Vanilla Rainbow, and Chocolate Fudge. The NEW Grown-Up menu at Chuck E. Cheese introduces exclusive pizza, saucy meatballs, and wing flavors crafted to tantalize the mature palate. So, yeah, if you’re looking for us — you know where to find us. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest food news from Disney World and more! ALL the Fast Food Restaurants Within 5 Miles of Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be trying the new menu? Tell us in the comments! The post Chuck E. Cheese Has a NEW 'Grown-up' Menu and We're Irrationally Excited About It first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A BIG event is coming up soon in Disney World! ©Disney The 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend takes place from January 3rd through the 7th, 2024. Now, we have a FIRST LOOK at some of the merchandise coming to the resort for the races! You might think that we run the Disney World marathon because we’re all super into fitness. Actually, we do it for the merchandise and the BLING. ©Disney Participants in the 2024 Disney World Marathon Weekend races get shirts and medals for free (they’re included in the cost of the race), but there are some more race-themed souvenirs available at Disney World if you want to buy extra mementos of your accomplishment! runDisney statue The 2024 race weekend merchandise has the logos for the races on many of the items, and there’s also a collection of “I Did It!” items for sale. You can grab a jacket with the Marathon Weekend logo on the back… ©Disney …t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, and jackets with various race logos on the back… ©Disney …a Marathon Weekend Corkcicle bottle, Spirit Jersey, or Lug bag… ©Disney …or even Marathon Weekend Mickey ears! ©Disney One of our favorite items in the collection is this Marathon Weekend Loungefly backpack. ©Disney These items will be sold at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Expo is open at these times: Wednesday, January 3rd: 10AM – 8PM Thursday, January 4th: 12PM – 7PM Friday, January 5th: 12PM – 7PM Saturday, January 6th: 11AM – 3PM Runners can join the virtual queue to get access to shop this new merchandise on the first day of the Expo. The virtual queue will definitely be used on the first day, and then it will be used on other days as needed. Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest Disney news! Click here to learn more about runDisney races! 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 running in any of these races? Let us know in the comments! The post First Look at NEW Marathon Weekend Souvenirs Coming to Disney World, Including a Loungefly Backpack! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Target is offering a complete, 4-person holiday meal for UNDER $25 total! Super Target You can find the holiday meal online or in stores — check out all the details here. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. According to PR Newswire, this deal is available now through Christmas Day, both online and in-store. The meal comes with enough food to feed four people. Target Rick Gomez, chief food and beverage officer at Target, said, “Our guests turn to Target during special seasonal moments for that combination of value and joy that sets us apart. We saw that again over Thanksgiving, so we’re building on that success by delivering even more of what they love: a delicious holiday meal for under $25. And when you add in our free curbside pickup service, and Same-Day Delivery via Shipt, we’re making it easier than ever for our guests to get their shopping done so they can spend more time celebrating with loved ones.” Check Out Target’s Holiday Meal Under $25 ©Target The Holiday Meal under $25 includes potatoes, corn, demi French bread, smoked bone-in ham, cream of mushroom soup, green beans, and holiday peppermint sandwich cookies. ©Target Target offered some ideas to add additional ingredients and plus-up the meal: Make creamed corn & top with caramelized red onion Garnish your ham with citrus, cherries & herbs Cut your potatoes Hasselback-style, then add butter & fresh herbs Brush the demi French bread with butter & herbs Add crispy onions to top your green bean casserole The final price of the meal depends on the weight of the ham, but the approximate price of all the ingredients is $23.35. View at Target.com Stay tuned to DFB for more of the latest news. Shop Disney essentials online at our Amazon storefront!The post Target Is Offering Holiday Meals for 4 People UNDER TOTAL Online Now! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Watch out! Some days are coming up when you may want to avoid EPCOT in Disney World. EPCOT A day spent in a crowded Disney World park is still usually better than just any old day at home, but if you can avoid the crowds, that’s even better. We’ve created a list of about 20 upcoming dates that are historically very crowded in EPCOT, based on our experience of visiting the theme parks every day for several years. If at all possible, try to avoid EPCOT on these days! First, we have to share a disclaimer: Crowds in Disney World can sometimes be very unpredictable. We’ve occasionally been shocked by how busy the theme parks are on random days or how empty they are on days we expected to be popular. Crowds in EPCOT However, some pretty reliable crowd trends have emerged over the last few years. This list is meant to help you prepare as much as possible for your upcoming vacation, but you should keep in mind that the park isn’t guaranteed to be busy on these days or empty on other days. Crowds heading into EPCOT Here are the days when you should AVOID EPCOT: December 31st — New Year’s Eve — Park Pass Reservations are already completely sold out, so we know this day is going to be crowded! January 1st — New Year’s Day — Park Passes haven’t sold out for this holiday, but we usually see pretty heavy crowds on any holiday weekend. January 6th and 7th — runDisney Marathon Weekend — The half marathon (January 6th) and full marathon (January 7th) both finish in EPCOT, so the park is generally very crowded in the mornings with runners finishing the race and spectators cheering them on. January 12th — First day of the Festival of the Arts — The first day of any EPCOT festival tends to be crowded since many people want to try all the new eats ASAP! January 13th-15th — Weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day — Some schools and workplaces will get this day off, which means that the parks will be busier than usual this weekend. February 17th-19th – Weekend of President’s Day — EPCOT will likely be busy for the holiday weekend! February 28th — First day of the Flower and Garden Festival EPCOT also hosts Extended Evening Hours, which are times when guests staying at Disney World deluxe hotels get to stay a little later than everyone else. On days when Extended Evening Hours are happening in EPCOT, we expect crowds to be a little bigger, as more people head to the park to take advantage of this perk. EPCOT at night Here’s when Extended Evening Hours are scheduled for EPCOT in early 2024: January 1st January 8th January 15th January 22nd January 29th February 5th February 12th February 19th EPCOT won’t close early for Extended Evening Hours the way some parks do for after hours parties and events, so you won’t lose any park time by visiting on an Extended Evening Hours day, but the park just might be a bit more crowded than usual. Journey of Water at Night If you’ve already planned to be in EPCOT on one of these days, don’t worry! Crowds might be totally fine, and even if it is super busy, you’ve got several options to help you cope with the crowds. EPCOT First, you could buy Genie+, which allows you to reserve Lightning Lanes for certain rides and attractions, meaning you get to SKIP the standby line and save lots of time. We don’t usually recommend buying Genie+ for EPCOT (since EPCOT has fewer rides than some of the other parks, which means you get less bang for your buck than you would at, say, Magic Kingdom), but it might be worth it on a busier day. Genie+ Don’t forget to utilize Rope Drop, too! Rope Drop just means you arrive at EPCOT well before the park opens so that you’re one of the first people in line for the most popular rides. We usually recommend being at the park entrance at least a half hour before opening time. EPCOT entrance If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you can get inside the park a half hour early, too! Extended Evening Hours are just for guests at deluxe hotels, but Early Theme Park Entry is for guests at ANY Disney World hotel. This extra half hour can be super valuable, as you can get in a couple of popular rides before most of the crowds arrive. Early Entry Early Theme Park Entry applies to every theme park every day, so it’s a great perk that you can use throughout your trip. Combine Rope Drop and Early Entry by being at the park’s entrance a full hour before the park opens to other guests (which is a half hour before Early Entry starts). Early Entry We also tend to see ride wait times drop later in the evening, just before closing time. As long as you’re in a ride queue before the park officially closes, you’ll be allowed to stay in and ride the ride. Test Track Some of the most popular rides in EPCOT that you’ll want to visit first thing in the morning (or later at night once the crowds start to mellow out a bit) include Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Test Track, and Frozen Ever After. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Possibly the MOST exciting ride in EPCOT is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This roller coaster does NOT have a standby line, so you’ll need to either join the virtual queue (for free) or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane (which typically costs between $14 and $17 per person). Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind You can join the virtual queue starting at 7AM, and if you miss that one, you can try again at 1PM. You must be inside EPCOT to join the 1PM virtual queue, but it’s not required for the 7AM virtual queue. Click here for our complete guide to using virtual queues in Disney World. Finally, don’t sleep on those less-popular attractions that have low wait times! You’ll definitely want to make a plan to get on the coasters and popular rides, but in between all that, don’t forget to check out rides like Living With the Land, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, Gran Fiesta Tour, and The Seas with Nemo and Friends, all of which tend to have shorter wait times but are still super fun to experience. Living With the Land Soarin’ is something of a mixed bag — it’s a very popular ride, but you can sometimes catch it with a low wait time. We wouldn’t recommend rope-dropping this attraction (save that for Remy’s, Frozen Ever After, or Test Track), but keep an eye on wait times and head over to The Land pavilion to ride it once the wait time drops. Soarin’ We’ll continue to update this post as Disney releases more event dates that could affect crowds in EPCOT, so stay tuned to DFB! Click here to check out our complete guide to EPCOT! Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana Has the Mary Poppins Project at Disney World Been Canceled? What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation? SNEAK PEEK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest EPCOT transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you going to EPCOT in 2024? Let us know in the comments. The post AVOID EPCOT on These 20 Upcoming Dates first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Gear up to make every mile worth your while with a first look at the 2024 event weekend merchandise coming to the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo!View the full article

Listen. Vacation should be a time to SPLURGE. If you want to indulge in sweet treats for breakfast for a week straight, there will be absolutely no judgment from us. Welcome to Contempo Cafe! We typically go into our Disney World vacations with that mindset. A few days into the trip, however, we realize that our stomachs aren’t made of steel. IYKYK. Sometimes you have to opt for the meal with nutritional value, ya know? There are all SORTS of nutritional meals at Disney World that are still super yummy. Whether you’re remedying your past mistakes of sugar splurges, have an allergy or dietary restriction, or simply showed up with a heck ton of self discipline to begin with, we think you’ll love the meal we’re headed to grab. It’s over at Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Let’s go! Contempo Cafe’s Breakfast Tofu Bowl is $9.29 and is a vegan-friendly option that consists of plant-based egg, plant-based sausage crumbles, shredded carrots, a few broccoli pieces, tater tots, and cubes of tofu. ©Disney When we received the bowl, it definitely looked hearty and filling. It looked delicious! But… looks can be deceiving, especially when it comes to eating plant-based. So… how will it taste? It looks yummy! Let’s start with the tofu. The cubes of tofu could have used a bit more salt, but they were coated in an acidic marinade, so they weren’t entirely tasteless. When we tried a bite with all the ingredients rather than just the tofu, though, the lack of salt on the tofu itself made sense. The sausage was heavily-seasoned, and so the acidity of the tofu complimented the rest of the ingredients nicely. The acidity of the tofu combined with the savory flavor of the sausage and brightness of the vegetables works REALLY well. Up close and personal Another thing we noticed about this dish was texture. It has all the textures you desire from a typical breakfast skillet, but it also has the crunch and freshness of those veggies, which we LOVED. Seriously, our only complaint is that the tofu is a bit bland if you eat it by itself, but combined with the other ingredients, it’s really good. We definitely recommend it! We will absolutely get this again, but should YOU? Well, if you’re looking for a vegan or nutritional option that’s going to leave you feeling full and satisfied, we absolutely recommend this. However, if you’re not a fan of tofu or aren’t used to plant-based meals, then you might not enjoy it as much. We totally think it’s worth a try, though, and it’s a good option if you’re new to eating plant-based at Disney World. We’ll continue to keep you updated with more Disney food news, so make sure to follow along for more so that you’re always in the loop. Looking for MORE plant-based options at Disney World? Click here! 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! Would you try this vegan breakfast bowl? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: This Breakfast Bowl SURPRISED US at Disney's Contemporary Resort! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Walt Disney Company is no stranger to lawsuits. Cinderella Castle We’ve seen cases over salaries, broken promises to passholders, First Amendment violations, and more. Back in 2017, Disney was hit with a suit over using another company’s motion-capture technology to make a film, and now, a jury has made a decision in the case. A jury has found that Disney should pay nearly $600,000 in damages for using motion-capture technology stolen from another company to make the 2017 live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, according to Reuters. ©Disney On Thursday, December 21st, an Oakland jury found Disney used Rearden LLC’s MOVA Countour software without permission to render the Beast’s face in the film. Rearden was awarded more than $250,000 in actual damages and recommended Disney pay the company more than $345,000 of the profits from the film. Disney said the company was “gratified that the jury properly rejected Rearden’s request for $38 million in profits,” according to a spokesperson. Beauty and the Beast at Hollywood Studios Rearden was founded by former Apple scientist Steve Perlman, and the company first filed the lawsuit in 2017, claiming that a “rogue” Rearden employee stole the Contour technology and took it to Digital Domain, 3.0 — another company. The suit argued that Disney infringed Reardon’s copyright in the Contour facial-capture software by having Digital Domain use the tech in Beauty and the Beast. Walt Disney Studios All other films that used Contour — Tron: Legacy and The Avengers — did so with Rearden’s permission and because of that, the suit argued, Disney knew better. Disney has denied the allegations, stating that Rearden didn’t own the copyright when it was working on the movie and that it could not be held liable for copyright infringement based on Digital Domain’s use of the software. Rearden has brought additional allegations against Marvel over the use of its technology in Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Age of Ultron, but those claims are currently on hold. Cinderella Castle Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more. Why Bob Iger Can’t Spend Money on the Disney Parks 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 What do you think of this verdict? Tell us in the comments. The post NEWS: Disney Ordered to Pay 0,000 in Damages Over 'Beauty and the Beast' Lawsuit first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We hope you’re ready for big changes in the new year because Disney World will look a LOT different in 2024. Magic Kingdom In January alone, the Disney Dining Plan is returning, all-day park hopping is coming back, and Park Pass reservations are going away for most guests. With park hopping and Park Pass rules changing, how you book Virtual Queues, Individual Lightning Lane selections, and Genie+ selections is going to look a little different as well. Here’s what you need to know. First, let’s talk about how exactly the rules are changing for each of these services. Virtual Queue Currently, Disney World offers Virtual Queues (VQ) for two rides in its parks: TRON Lightcycle / Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Virtual Queues are a free service that allows you to book a spot in a virtual line for a later time in the day. TRON Lightcycle / Run You can book a VQ at 7AM and 1PM, but to book one at 7AM, you must have a Park Pass reservation for that particular attraction’s park. Starting on January 9th, 2024, however, guests who no longer need a reservation will be able to book a VQ without one. TRON Virtual Queue board Keep in mind that this applies to guests with date-based tickets, and other types of ticket-holders will still need a reservation in order to book. Additionally, you’ll only be able to book one VQ at a time, so you’ll have to choose either Guardians of the Galaxy or TRON for the 7AM drop. Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Selections Genie+ is a paid service that allows visitors to bypass standby lines at select rides throughout the day. After paying a base price, you’ll be able to book Lightning Lanes at these select rides as they become available. Individual Lightning Lane selections, alternatively, are pay-per-ride options for Disney World’s more popular rides. Cosmic Rewind If you are planning on park hopping on a day you would like to use either of these services, however, some time restrictions affect how you book your selections. If you’re booking a Lightning Lane for the park you’re hopping to later, you’ll have to wait until the next earliest available window is 2PM or later. TRON Lightcycle / Run This means that if you’re hoping to book a ride in a park other than the one you are starting at, you’ll have to wait until all of the Lightning Lanes for that ride have been booked through 2PM to get one. Starting January 9th, however, this restriction won’t apply, and you’ll be able to book a selection at a time as early as is available. What That Means for Your Trip With the policy changing, it might seem like there is less to worry about — fewer rules, right? While this change does add a layer of flexibility to your plans, there is something you might want to watch out for when this change goes into effect. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Because more people will be able to book a VQ or Lightning Lane selection with fewer restrictions, you might start to notice that they sell out a bit easier! Previously, only those with a Park Pass reservation would be able to join a Virtual Queue, and now that anyone can — you might have to be that much quicker when joining the queue bright and early at 7AM. TRON interior With Lightning Lane selections, you might not have been too concerned previously about booking your second park selections early in the day, because they weren’t available as early anyways. Now, you might have to be more aware of what’s available sooner. Cosmic Rewind Virtual Queue If you’re still not completely comfortable with the rules of Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes, make sure to check out our cheatsheet right here! In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news. NEWS: Genie+ Hits HIGHEST PRICE of the YEAR in Disney World All About Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection BIG Genie+ Changes Being Planned For Disney World FULL List of Rides Included With Genie+ in Disney World 3 Tips to OUTSMART Genie+ in Disney World Right Now Please Stop Skipping These Genie+ Hacks in Disney World (They Really Work!) Genie+ Tips for the Most Crowded Days in Disney World and Disneyland Click HERE to See More About Disney Genie Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you looking forward to the changes happening in January 2024? Let us know in the comments below! The post BEWARE: You'll Face a NEW Problem with Virtual Queues and Individual Lightning Lanes in Disney World in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Do you know which Disney World restaurant has TWO locations? Animal Kingdom Yep, that’s right — Rainforest Cafe! The chain restaurant has spots in both Disney Springs and at Animal Kingdom Theme Park. But despite having multiple locations in Disney World and around the globe, Rainforest Cafe doesn’t exactly have the best reputation when it comes to the eats. Is it really as bad as people make it seem? I stopped by recently to try out some menu items and bring you a full review! Atmosphere For this particular review, I’m taking you along with me to the Animal Kingdom location of Rainforest Cafe! This location is just outside the park entrance, so you can dine here without a park ticket. Let’s head in! However, if you have a ticket, Rainforest Cafe offers a private entrance in and out of the park. I visited Animal Kingdom before my lunch here, so I came in through the in-park entrance. They’ve got a separate tapstile and everything! Near the back of the restaurant In the courtyard behind the restaurant, there’s an outdoor bar, as well as plenty of seats where you can wait for your table to be called. You can wait out here But the real draw? The gift shop! Not every Disney World restaurant comes with a gift shop, and this one is pretty spectacular. It’s decorated to look like you’re in the rainforest, and they sell all kinda of wild merchandise. The gift shop is pretty wild! Seriously, you may want to plan a little extra cushion time around your meal just to do some shopping! SO much merchandise Once my name was called (over the intercom, no less), I was escorted to my table. They really go hard on the rainforest vibes in here, with vines hanging from the ceiling and animatronic jungle animals all over the place. In the dining area During my visit, they were decorated for the holiday season — check out the little Santa hats! He’s wearing a Santa hat! There are multiple dining rooms, and a LOT of seating in here. They have a pretty large capacity compared to some other restaurants in the parks. There’s an aquarium! Now let’s decide what to eat! Menu The Rainforest Cafe menu is pretty similar to other locations around the world, serving Americanized versions of popular dishes. Their appetizer menu is made up of things like flatbreads, mozzarella sticks, nachos, and spinach dip. To start your meal, you could also try out one of the soups or salads. Appetizers and Entrees The entree options land all over the place. They’ve got seafood, burgers, sandwiches, beef, pork, chicken, and pasta — really something for any kind of taste. You can go with the classics (like the Rainforest Burger), or try something more adventurous (like the Pastalaya or Korean Spicy Stir-Fry Chicken). SO many choices They also serve a number of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. You won’t go thirsty! ©Disney | Some of the non-alcoholic drink options And of course, we can’t forget about dessert. There are only a few options, and they’re pretty standard. Dessert Menu So what did I order? Eats To start out, you’ve gotta hydrate! I opted to get the Rainforest Ricky to drink, which is made with apple, pineapple, orange, strawberry, and grapefruit juices served over ice. It was definitely fruity and very sweet, but pretty delicious as well. Rainforest Ricky One of the cool things about this drink is that it comes in a souvenir cup with a projector on the bottom — as you hold it away from the table, it projects the Rainforest Cafe logo. The further away you move the cup, the better you can see it. As far as food goes, I wanted to get a fair sampling of what Rainforest Cafe has to offer, so I grabbed an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert! Full Spread First up, we’ve got the Shrimp Scampi Flatbread for $16.49. It’s topped with alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, red onions, red pepper flakes, and green onions. Honestly, the description alone had my mouth watering a little bit! Shrimp Scampi Flatbread Of the food items I ate during my visit, this was my personal favorite! The sauce was creamy and very cheesy, and the shrimp had a great chew and were nice and tender. The onions add a little punch of flavor, but some of the bites were a tad overwhelming with garlic and red pepper. Even so, I still really liked it and would probably order it again! It was surprisingly good! For entrees, one of my choices was the Pulled Pork Burger for $21.99. It’s a burger patty topped with BBQ pulled pork, coleslaw, and crispy-fried onions served with a side of Safari Fries (which are essentially just seasoned fries). The meal This one was pretty difficult to eat due to the sheer amount of things on top of the burger. However, the pulled pork was tender and there was a decent portion of it. The sauce is mostly sweet with a hint of smokiness. The slaw added a nice crunch, but there was way too much of it overall and it made things pretty messy. On top of the burger The burger itself was cooked exactly to my specifications — I asked for it to be done medium. However, the meat definitely needed to be seasoned more. It was pretty plain. Significantly better than Disney World’s quick service burgers, but not nearly as delicious as some of the table service burgers I’ve had around here. And the fries? Well, they were fairly basic. The ones that were seasoned well were pretty good, but not all of them got thoroughly seasoned. They were pretty soft — no crispiness to be found here. We needed more seasoning! The burger was alright, but from there, things took a sharp dive downhill! The next thing I tried was the Creole Mac and Cheese for $22.99. It’s penne pasta topped with shrimp, andouille sausage, peppers, red onion, cheese sauce, and chili butter bread crumbs. Creole Mac and Cheese I’m going to be honest with you guys…this was one of the least enjoyable things I’d eaten in a while. The only flavor of the pasta is spice — a strong, blazing heat that rips through on the first bite and refuses to go away. There was no cheesiness or creaminess, and I couldn’t even really taste the shrimp or the sausage underneath. WHY so spicy?! The veggies weren’t cooked nearly long enough, as they were still quite chewy and didn’t add any flavor to the dish. And there were SO many toppings overall that it felt like they just shoved the whole kitchen in a bowl. The bread that comes on the side was very garlicky, but also quite stale. The only thing I actually enjoyed about this was the breadcrumbs — they added a nice texture to the dish. But boy, I would have a very hard time recommending this to anyone. It’s a no from me, dawg After that small disaster, I was ready to move on to dessert…and what’s more enticing than something called the Sparkling Volcano?! It’s a pretty basic treat made with chocolate sauce, brownies, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream, but it looks pretty cool! Sparkling Volcano The brownies were thick and fudgey with caramel in the middle, and nice and sweet. They’re not the best brownies on the planet, but they pair well with the vanilla ice cream. Really, there’s nothing particularly standout about this except for the looks, but I think kiddos would enjoy it! It’s a basic treat but not bad So how does Rainforest Cafe land for me overall? Overall Y’all, I’ve done quite a few restaurant reviews in my time working here, and I think this one might be one of the most underwhelming table service spots, food-wise. The prices here are too high for the eats to be as mediocre as they are — especially when you can get stellar food inside Animal Kingdom at Tusker House, Tiffins, Nomad Lounge, and Yak & Yeti. Menu The flatbread is probably the only thing I would eat again, but it’s not quite enough to save Rainforest Cafe for me. However, there’s still an audience for this restaurant! I think probably the best things to order here are the basics: regular burgers, normal kinds of pasta, chicken dishes, and maybe salads. Don’t go for anything too bizarre or inventive. If you’ve got picky eaters in your party, it might not be a bad meal for you, especially if you’re enthralled by the rainforest vibe and the fun animatronics. Sign outside The atmosphere is definitely cool — I mean, where else do the lights flicker and rainstorms happen every quarter hour or so? But there are also plenty of other Disney World restaurants with really cool vibes and much better food. Nosh or Not? Take a trek into the rainforest if… You have really picky eaters and you’re visiting Animal Kingdom. The eats at the other table service spots in Animal Kingdom are a bit more adventurous than they are at Rainforest Cafe. If you’ll just be getting burgers and chicken tenders, you might not be as bothered by the food here because the basics aren’t bad. You (or your kiddos) love the rainforest vibe. The intermittent rainstorms, animal animatronics, and dark, jungly atmosphere make for a very unique meal. You can’t help but be impressed with the setup! Run far, far away if… You’re a foodie. Love good food? This probably doesn’t need to be the first, second, third, or even tenth spot on your list. There are SO many places in Disney World with really amazing cuisine that this is an easy one to recommend you skip. You’re on a budget. This meal definitely isn’t cheap! It was pricier than other table service spots in the park that I’ve been to. And Animal Kingdom has pretty good quick service options as well! You have a Rainforest Cafe near you. This restaurant is a chain, so if you’ve got one closer to home, there’s no need to dine here while you’re in Disney World! Save it for another time and try something exclusive to the resort. Rainforest Cafe That’s a wrap on my trip to Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom! Stay tuned to DFB for more restaurant reviews and all the updates you need to know from the parks. Click Here for Our Ranking of Animal Kingdom Restaurants! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever been to Rainforest Cafe? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: Go to This Disney World Restaurant for the Vibes, Not the Food first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve already seen LOTS of new treats in Disney World for the holiday season, but now four MORE are coming to celebrate! We’re getting ready to ring in 2024 Starting this week, you’ll be able to find some special New Year’s treats at the Disney World parks and hotels. Disney announced on Instagram today that four New Year’s treats are coming to the parks and hotels! First up, there’s the New Year’s Float, which we’ve seen in years past. This is a DOLE Whip Pineapple Float with passion fruit, orange, and guava juice and boba pearls topped with popping candy. ©Disney It’s available at Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort from December 30th through January 1st. 2023 version of this treat Up next, you can grab the New Year’s Cake Bar from Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This is made with strawberry mousse, champagne gel, vanilla cake, mirror glaze, and chocolate décor and will be around for two days only: December 31st and January 1st. ©Disney The New Year’s Eve 2024 Cupcake is this season’s version of a cupcake that we’ve seen many times in the past. The chocolate cupcake has a cherry filling, almond frosting, and chocolate crispy pearl sprinkles. ©Disney It’s topped with a 2024 decoration. You can get it at Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom from December 29th through January 2nd. 2023 New Year’s Cupcake Finally, you can grab the Mickey Brownie — topped with dark chocolate ganache and sprinkles — from BoardWalk Deli at Disney’s BoardWalk. This treat will be available from December 27th through January 2nd. This one is also returning from last year. ©Disney We’ll keep watching for more updates from Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news! Click here to see more limited-time treats 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! Which of these treats looks the best to you? Let us know in the comments. The post NEWS: 4 Limited-Time Treats Are Coming to Disney World SOON! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You’ve heard us rave about it before, and you’ll hear us rave about it again — Mobile Ordering in Disney World. Mobile Order sign in EPCOT Sure, the My Disney Experience app has its flaws (quite a few of them actually), but one of our favorite features that it offers is Mobile Order! No need to wait in long lines at quick service restaurants when you order ahead. Sometimes Mobile Order can be frustrating when the parks are particularly busy and it gets backed up, but this week, we ran into an entirely different problem. We stopped by Contempo Cafe to order some breakfast earlier this week, and Mobile Ordering wasn’t available at the restaurant! When we tried to place our order through the app, we were given a “temporarily unavailable” message. It wasn’t working! We got in line to order at the counter instead, and when we spoke to a Cast Member, they told us that Contempo Cafe had been closing Mobile Orders in the mornings during the busy season of the year. This prevents anyone from parking at the Contemporary Resort with the excuse of a Mobile Order for breakfast. Parking becomes particularly valuable during the holiday season with so many guests at the hotel. Disney’s Contemporary Resort So if you’re staying at the resort or hotel hopping around Disney World, you may find Mobile Order unavailable from time to time. When we’ve checked, it seems to be working as usual during lunch and dinner hours, but that’s not guaranteed. Contempo Cafe Keep in mind that parking will likely be limited at the Disney Resorts during the next few weeks. They’ll need to prioritize spaces for those with resort reservations and dining reservations, so if you’re just stopping by for a visit, it’s best to take transportation over from one of the theme parks or Disney Springs. Bus Transportation We’ll keep you in the loop if there are any other crowd-based changes in Disney World over the coming days and weeks. Stay tuned to DFB! Click Here for Our Review of the Updated Menu at Contempo Cafe! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you visiting Disney World this holiday season? Tell us in the comments! The post The Mobile Order Hack You Can't Use Right Now in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney releases some super popular items from time to time. Who doesn’t love a good merchandise collection? From Disney Lorcana cards to viral Mickey Gingerbread decor, there are some things Disney fans just can’t resist adding to our carts. One thing always makes this a little bit easier, however: a sale! Sitewide savings have hit shopDisney today, so make sure you take advantage before it’s over. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Currently, you can save 30% off on orders of $150 or more, and 20% off on orders of $100 or more and get free shipping on ordes over $75 with code SAVEMORE. Here are some of our favorites on the site right now. Get the Winnie the Pooh Pullover Sweatshirt Pooh Sweatshirt The 90s have returned in full force with this adorable Winnie the Pooh Pullover Sweatshirt. The heavy-duty fleece-lined sweatshirt features an embroidered Winnie the Pooh appliqué and text; dropped shoulders; and striped rib crew neck, cuffs, and hem. View on shopDisney Buy the View-Master 3D Disney100 Collector Set Disney100 Mickey View-Master 3D This View-Master 3D Disney Collector Set is another item perfect for nostalgic Disney fans. It comes with 9 reels, each with 7 scenes from either Cinderella, Peter Pan, or Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. You’ll also get a sculpted Mickey Mouse viewer and vintage reel packet reproductions. View on shopDisney Get the Mickey Mouse and Friends Play in the Park Loungefly Mini Backpack @Disney We are a little obsessed with the new Play in the Park collection, and this Mickey Mouse and Friends Loungefly Mini Backpack is no exception. It features an allover Play in the Park print with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Chip, and Dale around some of our favorite park icons and attractions. View on shopDisney Buy a Disney Gift Card ©Disney Lastly, if you’re looking for a super last-minute gift idea for the Disney fan in your life, don’t forget you can pick up an eGift Card to make your life easier and allow them to get whatever they like! View on shopDisney Take advantage of this sale while it lasts, and as always — stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Click here to see some of our favorite Disney items on AmazonThe post FREE Shipping and 30% Off on Souvenirs Online? Say Less, Disney first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Anaheim Police officers responded to reports of an active shooter at the Disneyland Hotel on the evening of Thursday, December 21st, 2024. Disneyland Hotel Officials reported the call was a false alarm, and determined it was a hoax played by young people or teenagers. Sgt. Jon McClintock told the Orange County Register, that the Anaheim Police Department responded with guns drawn and a “significant police response” at 6:10PM at the Disneyland Hotel. The official Anaheim Police X (Twitter) account shared, “Responding officers quickly determined the report was a hoax.” We’re happy to report that this was just a hoax, but we’ll keep an eye on the story as it develops. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for the latest breaking Disney news. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: Police Respond to Active Shooter Hoax at Disneyland Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article