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It’s time to put on your shopping shoes, y’all! Wishing we were here right now! Or, your comfy pants… this is online shopping, after all. We’ve been doing some scrolling on Amazon today and found some Disney merch that we NEED. There is something here for everyone, so sit back, relax, and click “add to cart” (we know we did). DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. With Christmas right around the corner, there is no better time to check out what Amazon has to offer for last-minute gifts– for others and yourself! We’ve rounded up some adorable, fun, and practical items that it is almost impossible to say “no” to. Steamboat Willie Squishmallow ©Amazon We LOVE squishmallows here at DFB. Not only are they adorable, but they are so soft and… squishy (obviously). We’re obsessed with the black and white design of Steamboat Willie being brought to life in a way that we can bring home– and let’s be real, at this price… it can’t be beat. Check it out on Amazon! Disney Animated Strategy Game ©Amazon Looking for something to do with the whole family? We got you. This game is PERFECT for family game night. You can explore the history of Disney Animation Studios through the lens of five classic Disney films. It is even interactive— players are able to develop sound, ink & paint, and create background art to create those five classic films! Check it out on Amazon! Disney100 Squishmallows ©Amazon Couldn’t get enough of the squishmallows? Yeah, we couldn’t either. When we spotted this five-pack of platinum Disney100 squishmallows, we needed it. Whether you keep all five for yourself or decide to share them with four of your closest friends, it is time to tap “buy now with one click“. Lets be real, the only thing better than one squishmallow is five! Check it out on Amazon! Star Wars UNO ©Amazon Did someone say “UNO!”? We can’t let you win. Time to draw 4 cards! We love a fun game of UNO— who doesn’t? It is a true classic for family game night, and if you’re a Star Wars fan, it just got better. Now you can play your favorite game themed to your favorite movie— we know, we’re anxiously waiting outside our door for it to arrive, too. Check it out on Amazon! Snow White Mini Backpack ©Amazon Do you know someone who is obsessed with Snow White? We’re sure you do, and this loungefly could be the perfect gift for them. This bag shows off some classic scenes from the movie, and it is so heartwarming. We love being able to see all of the Seven Dwarves in one place– especially with Snow White! Check it out on Amazon! UP LEGO Set ©Amazon It is time to build your favorite house (complete with balloons) to fly away in! Complete with Carl, Russel and Dug– nothing can get better than this for an UP fan. Unleash your creative side by building this LEGO set, you know you want to (we know we did). Check it out on Amazon! Bluey Tumbler Set ©Amazon Do you have kids in your life who love Bluey? Do YOU love Bluey? Well, we have the perfect thing for you! These cups are leak-proof and showcase our favorite family of Blue Heelers. These cups come in packs of two, so there is plenty to go around! They’re even dishwasher safe, so it is a win-win for everyone. Check it out on Amazon! We know we just threw a lot at you, but we can’t help it. We love shopping and when we find cute Disney items we NEED to share them with someone (aka, you). We’re constantly finding new things to share with you, so keep checking back in with us at DFB to see what we find next! All the essentials for your next Disney World trip Which of these products are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments! The post It's Time to Treat Yourself! We Found 7 Disney Items on Amazon that you NEED first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news! EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Topiaries A brand new restaurant has opened in Disney World, we’ve got dates for EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival, one attraction had a tough time this week, and we found a dupe for one of your favorite Magic Kingdom snacks. All the latest Disney Parks news is coming up right now on DFB Guide. By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/subscribe.png So check out the video and then let us know: Which Disney news of the week are you the most excited about? The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: A Brand New Restaurant, Flower & Garden Dates, and More! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The holidays are here, and many of us have probably already bought all our holiday gifts (including a few for ourselves), advent calendars, and decor. Need a NEW Loungefly? So now we have to look forward to the next big holiday, which is…as you may have guessed, Valentine’s Day. Well, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Valentine’s Day merchandise is now starting to drop online, including some SUPER adorable Stitch Loungeflys that we are 100% obsessing over. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Did you know that Stitch has a girlfriend? Her name is Angel, and she made her debut in the Lilo & Stitch: The Series. In case you were wondering, yes, you can watch it on Disney+. But let’s get to this bag… Get the Stitch and Angel Valentine’s Day Loungefly Crossbody Purse ©Entertainment Earth The perfect crossbody purse doesn’t exis…oh, wait, here it is. This sweet purse is shaped like a heart and features Stitch and Angel on the front, nose to nose. There are even embroidered hearts around them. It comes with an adjustable pink strap. View on Entertainment Earth Buy the Stitch and Angel Valentine’s Day Bouquet Plush ©BoxLunch That’s not the only Stitch and Angel merchandise we found, though. There’s also this gorgeous plush, which has both Stitch and Angel in a Valentine’s Day Bouquet. This could be the PERFECT Valentine’s Day gift for that Stitch fan in your life. View on BoxLunch So be sure to start grabbing these Valentine’s Day gifts now before they’re gone! Check out our Amazon shopThe post Disney's NEW Stitch Loungefly Bag Just Released Online! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are a ton of restaurants in Disney World, and they’re not all built the same. Regal Eagle Smokehouse Some of them we absolutely love, and others we just wouldn’t recommend. EPCOT is home to lots of different restaurants of many different styles, and there’s one that we just CAN’T find anything wrong with! Regal Eagle Smokehouse is one of our favorite dining spots in Disney World for a few different reasons. Regal Eagle Location Regal Eagle Smokehouse is located in the middle of World Showcase in EPCOT, which means it’s a great halfway point during your exploration of EPCOT. ©Disney Plus, you can head in either direction and it’ll lead you through different pavilions, and from there to the front of the park. If you’re entering at the front of the park and heading straight here, it’s a bit of a walk, but if you enter at the International Gateway or World Showcase is just where you end up around lunch or dinner, it’s in a perfect spot. The Food We also love the food here for many different reasons, starting with the fact that it’s just plain GOOD! We love the portion sizes for the price you pay, and the quality of the food has been consistent each time we’ve visited, which certainly can’t be said for all Disney restaurants. Loaded Burnt End Fries Plus, you’re very likely to find something on the menu that everyone in your party will enjoy (also a rarity at some restaurants, especially around World Showcase). You can’t go wrong with ribs, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more! We especially enjoyed the Loaded Burnt End Fries, Smoked Pork Butt, the Baked Beans with Burnt Ends, and the S’mores Brownie on our last visit! Hello Beautiful Read our review of Regal Eagle Smokehouse here! Plenty of Space We love how BIG this restaurant is. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, which means you can choose to spend time in the AC, or enjoy the nice weather on a beautiful day without too much trouble. Regal Eagle Smokehouse Not to mention that this usually isn’t a restaurant you see packed to the brim full of people. Of course, on super busy days right at peak mealtimes, you may notice it’s a little too close for comfort, but the same can be said for most Disney World restaurants. Plus, this is a quick service spot, so no reservation is needed. Mobile Order! And don’t worry about waiting in line — you can mobile order your meal from your phone and pick it up when you arrive! Order and Mobile Order pickup windows This is a huge plus, because no one wants to wait in line while they’re hungry to ORDER their food, then wait AGAIN to wait for it to be ready. Yes, it’s true that mobile order is available at most quick service spots now, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still a massive perk you’ll want to take advantage of. Regal Eagle Meal We’re always here to bring you the latest Disney news, tips, and tricks, so stay tuned to DFB! These are the 14 best restaurants in Disney World for 2024! 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’s your favorite thing to order at Regal Eagle? Tell us below! The post We’re Struggling To Find Even One Thing Wrong With This Disney World Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

For the first time in 7 years an African elephant calf was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Under the expert care of our teams, she will soon join the rest of the herd.View the full article

Are you a collector of all things Disney? How about a fan of Starbucks mugs? You’ll want to keep reading if you answered yes to either of those questions! Starbucks We get excited anytime we learn there’s a new Disney x Starbucks tumbler or mug. These items can be SUPER popular. Just think about the Nightmare Before Christmas tumbler that had come out before Halloween. It sold out incredibly fast– even the second time after they restocked it! Now, we’ve heard that a new mug will be appearing on shopDisney in January, and we have a feeling it’s going to be so hard to get your hands on. Have you heard of the “Going Places” collection by Starbucks? It’s a fun collection of mugs that feature all the states, major cities, and landmarks around the country. But not only can you find a Florida mug in Orlando, but also Jakku, Wakanda, and Magic Kingdom mugs! Jakku mug Starbucks has created “Going Places” mugs for many of the fictional places from our favorite Disney stories as well as for each of the Disney parks. And now, according to mugs_of_disney on Instagram, we’ve learned that there will be a new mug coming to the collection. Arendelle is finally getting its own “Going Places” mug! Now that Arendelle has become a real place in the world, we can finally have this beautiful Frozen mug featuring our favorite sisters and snowman! The World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland has been open for nearly a month now and we’re all lovin’ the Frozen moment. The park is beautiful and magical, transporting you right into the heart of Arendelle. And now, you can get a mug to showcase you’ve been to Arendelle (or that you just really love Frozen). via mugs_of_disney on Instagram The blues and purples on this mug really give us the chilly winter vibes– which will go great with the warm beverage we have in it. But we’ll need to be fast, chances are this is probably going to sell out very quickly! We’ll be watching to see when it drops and you can be sure we’ll let you know so you can get to shopDisney as fast as you can to grab one. A few other products are coming to shopDisney in January including a new Loungefly and Munchlings, so keep following DFB to find out when you can get them! FULL List of Disney Starbucks Cups You Can Buy Online RIGHT NOW! 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 the Starbucks “Going Places” mugs? Let us know in the comments! The post SOUVENIR ALERT! Disney Announced a NEW Starbucks Mug Coming Soon! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

December 20th is a national holiday that we will DEFINITELY be spending at Disney World. Disney Springs What holiday, you ask? NATIONAL. SANGRIA. DAY. One whole day to celebrate our love for sangria. As a matter of fact, one Disney World restaurant is also joining in on the celebration in a big way! Here’s what you should know if you’re trying to get your sangria on. Jaleo in Disney Springs is one of our favorite places to grab drinks and some Spanish-inspired small bites. From 4PM to 6PM on December 20th, you can get specialty sangrias as well as tapas during Sangria Hour. Jaleo Over at Pepe, which is the adjoining dining location also by José Andrés, you’ll be able to grab half-price frozen or regular sangrias with the purchase of any Spanish-style sandwich on the menu from December 20th until December 30th. Rose Sangria Along with your sangria, you can grab Spanish-style sandwiches, salads, soups, sides, and desserts. Pepe YUM. We’ve liked everything we’ve gotten here, so we totally recommend visiting if you get the chance. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more Disney news, so make sure to follow along for more so that you never miss a thing and are always in the loop. Looking for more food we’re loving at Disney Springs? 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! Will you be headed to Jaleo for Sangria Hour? Let us know in the comments! The post Where To Get HALF-PRICE Sangrias in Disney World Next Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Get ready to grab your sailing caps, cause we’ve got a Disney Treasure update for you! ©Scott Gustin X Disney Cruise Line’s newly announced ship is set to join the rest of the feet in late 2024, and we’ve been counting down the days since its announcement. Disney announced a first-of-its-kind Haunted Mansion bar will be featured onboard the ship with an all-new character, which made us extra excited to hop aboard. Now, we’ve got another update that could tell us more about this ship’s timeline and WHEN we’ll finally be able to see it! Y’all — we’re THAT much closer to seeing the Disney Treasure! Disney Cruise Line has announced construction has been completed on the last block of the Disney Treasure. ©Disney With this construction milestone under their belt, this means that construction work can now begin on completing the interior of the ship. Could we see an update on that Haunted Mansion bar and Jungle Cruise lounge soon? We certainly hope so! This is good news for all of us, as the Disney Treasure’s maiden voyage is set for December 21st, 2024. That gives Disney just over a year to get the interior finished. ©Disney This ship will make the 6th ship of the Disney Cruise Line fleet between the Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream, Disney Wonder, and Disney Magic, but it’s just the 2nd in the Wish Class. The Disney Treasure will be themed to celebrate “Walt Disney’s lifelong love of adventure,” and will draw inspiration from Asia, Africa, and even Aladdin’s Agrabah. ©Disney With this new construction milestone complete, moving on to the interior of the ship could lead to even more exciting visual updates for Disney to share soon, so be sure you’re following us at Disney Food Blog for the latest in Disney Cruise Line updates and more! We’ve Gotta Share Some Good News About DOLE Whip on a Disney Cruise 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 be setting sail on the Disney Treasure? Give us your honest opinions on it in the comments below. The post The NEW Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Just Reached an Important Construction Milestone! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Choo choo! Who doesn’t love a relaxing ride around Magic Kingdom on the good old Walt Disney World Railroad? Walt Disney World Railroad A lot has changed since the first steam engines were invented. These days, travelers can zip from place to place in the blink of an eye, thanks to high-speed bullet trains all over the world. It’s pretty incredible if you stop and think about it. We’ve come a long way! Speaking of coming a long way, have you ever traveled in a bullet train? After reading this news, you might be tempted! The East Japan Railway Company, or JR East, announced a collaboration with Oriental Land (owners of Toyko Disneyland) in honor of Tokyo Disney Resort’s 40th Anniversary. To celebrate the park’s anniversary, JR East will run the special ‘Magical Dream Shinkansen’ starting December 22nd, 2023. “Shinkansen” is better known in English as a bullet train. Below, you can take a look at the new designs! ©Traicy The train carriages will be all decked out with our favorite Disney characters, and the onboard song will change to some Disney-themed tunes celebrating the 40th anniversary of Tokyo Disney Resort. How fun! Cinderella Castle in Tokyo Disneyland The 10-car train will run between Tokyo and Sendai stations on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. From Sendai, it is about a two-hour train ride to Tokyo Disneyland, and the first train, known as ‘Yamabiko 132,’ departs Sendai at 9:44AM and arrives in Tokyo at 11:48AM. Note that this special service is scheduled to run until the end of March 2024, so keep that in mind if you’re planning a trip. ©Google Maps Additionally, the Disney Resort Line (which is Tokyo Disney’s monorail system) provides transportation between JR Maihama Station, the closest station to Tokyo Disney Resort, and major destinations within the resort. You know the old saying — guests traveling to Tokyo Disney really can use planes, trains, and automobiles to get there! ©Disney If you can’t get enough of Tokyo’s unique transportation, be sure to ride the Resort Liner during your visit. It provides access to tons of places around the resort, plus it looks FUN! ©Disney Well, there you have it! A crash course on some of the MOST fun ways to travel around in Japan. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. Why This Southwest Airlines Policy Is Going Viral Right Now 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 ridden on a bullet train? Let us know in the comments! The post We Would Book a Trip JUST To Ride This Amazing, NEW Disney Train first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Few Disney World hotels have a hold on us like Pop Century. Disney’s Pop Century Resort We can’t explain it! This value resort is known for its quirky decor, fun pool bar, low prices compared to other resorts, and more. And, Pop Century recently celebrated a pretty big milestone — its 20th Anniversary! Disney partied in a major way, and we have to say — we’re a little jealous we didn’t get an invite. Disney’s Pop Century Resort hotel just celebrated its 20th anniversary! The hotel opened on December 14th, 2003, and quickly became an iconic value resort on property. But, get this — 20 of the opening day Cast Members still work at Pop Century today! It’s true, and those 20 Cast Members gathered to share stories as they reflected on their careers. ©Disney “I have lots of energy and passion for Disney’s Pop Century Resort,” said Claudia, who works in Guest Services. “I love being part of guests’ vacations … the past 20 years working here has been an incredibly rewarding experience.” “Pop Century helped me grow as a person and a cast member,” Terri, a Concierge Cast Member, said. “I learn from my fellow cast members every day; they are a second family to me.” ©Disney “Have you seen our resort?” Bob, a Front Desk Cast Member, said. “Look at the atmosphere, all of the fun theming and special Disney character touches everywhere. Oh, and the Disney Skyliner is here, my favorite! There’s a reason why families keep coming back to stay with us.” Skyliner Station at Disney Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort From the 1950s through the 1990s, various areas of the Resort represent the different decades. They’re characterized by larger-than-life icons from the periods. Connected to the lobby and main check-in area is Everything POP Shopping and Dining. This is the main dining and retail location for the Resort with plenty of merchandise, including unique-to-Pop Century items. You’ll find plenty of room options, including Standard Rooms, Standard Pool View Rooms, Preferred Rooms, or Preferred Pool View Rooms for their Pop Century stay. ©Disney 20 years of Pop Century and 20 Cast Members who have been there since the very beginning of it all! That’s definitely something worth celebrating. We’ll be on the hunt for more, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest news from around Disney World and more! EVERYTHING You Need To Know About Staying at Disney’s Pop Century Hotel Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels A Full List of Changes Announced for Disney World’s Hotels The BEST Disney World Hotels for 2023 The WORST Disney World Hotels for 2023 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What Items from Amazon Can You Have Delivered to Your Resort Hotel? We’ve Got the Details Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you stayed at Disney’s Pop Century hotel? Tell us in the comments! The post We're Having Serious FOMO Over This Party at Disney's Pop Century Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Could this drone company’s move to Orlando mean change is coming for Disney World’s nighttime shows? ©Dronosis BizJournal We’ve seen a BIG change with the new nighttime show Luminous: The Symphony of Us recently at EPCOT. Although it wasn’t initially a hit with some fans on its debut, that doesn’t mean more change isn’t on the horizon for nighttime shows at Disney World. If change is to come, and with a different direction, we could have just put together a major clue. A company’s new presence in Orlando has the entertainment enthusiasts all abuzz. Dronisos, a French-based light show company, has opened its first U.S. office just outside of Orlando. While their name might not ring a bell, we’re certain you’ve seen their previous work: This is the company responsible for the drone light shows at Disneyland Paris and Dollywood in Tennessee. ©Dollywood BizJournal According to an Orlando Economic Partnership news release, Dronisos intends to create 15 Orlando jobs over the next five years. Further details about those positions haven’t been provided yet, and Dronisos is staying pretty tight-lipped about them for now. Dronisos was established in 2016 and specializes in theme park entertainment. Disneyland Paris drones in action In a prepared statement, Dronisos CEO Laurent Perchais said that Orlando was a “natural choice for U.S. expansion” citing its multiple amusement parks as a supporting factor. Drone shows are coordinated with the help of unmanned quadcopters fitted with LED lights. The drones are orchestrated to light up the night sky in various shapes making pictures and designs that tell a story or even mimic fireworks. ©Disney With so many neighboring fireworks displays in Orlando releasing smoke and particles that could affect local air quality and even contaminate rivers, lakes, and drinking water, drone shows have increased in popularity as a safer alternative. Drones have already substituted for Independence Day and New Year’s Eve fireworks in places where fireworks had to be banned due to drought conditions and other factors. ©Disney This wouldn’t be the first time that Disney World has used drones for a nighttime show. Back in the holiday season of 2016 to early 2017, visitors at Disney Springs were treated to a limited-time experience where a drone show covered the night sky above the lake for a short performance. This year though, Dronosis has already partnered with the city of Orlando to offer a one-time 12-minute performance above the neighboring Lake Eola on December 23rd at 8PM. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see if Dronosis and Disney decide to partner again on another nighttime spectacle and if that will stay local to Orlando. We’ll be sure to bring you updates as they’re available, so be sure to stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog. 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! Would you be in favor of a drone show at Disney World? Leave us your thoughts down in the comments! The post Is Disney World Getting a DRONE SHOW? We Have One Major CLUE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

So Buc-ee’s is a BIG DEAL (at least in the Southern U.S.), and it’s become a BIG deal in Florida. Buc-ee’s Buc-ee’s is like the Disney World of gas stations/convenience stores, and yes, it even has a cartoon beaver mascot that can be found on LOADS of merchandise. What really sets it apart, though, is that the food is actually pretty good (and fresh), it has walls of snacks and drinks, and there are AMAZING bathrooms inside. Buc-ee’s is bringing its biggest location yet to Florida, but it’s also bringing another HUGE location, and this one is a car wash. According to Fox35, Buc-ee’s is building what will be Florida’s largest car wash in Daytona Beach. The location will feature all those iconic snacks and drinks PLUS a gas station, but you’ll also be able to get your car all cleaned up at the same time — now THAT’S what we call convenient. ©Buc-ee’s The car wash will be 235 feet long, meaning that a lot of cars will be able to get washed quickly. The location will also be convenient: in Daytona Beach, off Interstate 95 and LPGA Boulevard. Buc-ee’s already has construction permits, as well as “vacuum canopies, pay station canopies, and electrical.” So, yep, this is really happening. ©Buc-ee’s The car wash will be open from 7AM to 10PM every day and drivers can choose from a “regular” wash or a “works” wash — those who get the “works” wash will also get 20 cents off per gallon when they get gas there, too. You can expect to see the car wash open sometime in summer 2024. Buc-ee’s We’ll keep an eye out for an opening date and let you know! So stay tuned to DFB for more. 5 Laws You Need to Know Before You Travel to Florida 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 Have you ever been to a Buc-ee’s? Worth the hype or not? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Another Buc-ee's Location Is Coming to Florida! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Taking a Disney Cruise? Then, it’s time to learn about a super convenient option for dining aboard another magnificent ship – Disney Magic! The Disney Magic Courtesy of Room Service on a Disney cruise, you can dine or snack in your stateroom. When you need some extra relaxation from a busy day touring a port-of-call, or you’ve decided to sleep in late, Room Service is available 24 hours a day. And most menu items are INCLUDED in the price of your cruise. We love late-night snacks in our Disney cabin, so give it a try! While this is true of any ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, today we’re looking at the kind of eats you can enjoy from the comfort of your Disney Magic stateroom. You can access the Room Service menu from the free Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and the menu in your stateroom. Oh, and speaking of FREE, I’m going to say this again… the vast majority of items on the Room Service menu are included with your cruise! (Any item that is available for an extra charge will be designated as such on the menu.) Room Service Breakfast Yes, breakfast can be delivered to you! No standing in line at the buffet today. Instead, start your day with a relaxing bite to eat while watching the ocean waves from your balcony. Ready for breakfast on the verandah?! Yes, please! Whether you’ve slept in or have a fun Port Excursion planned, feel free to avoid the crowds in Cabanas. Isn’t this a perfect start to your Disney cruise day?! The Room Service breakfast menu is typically available from 7AM to 10AM. Room Service breakfast items consist primarily of continental breakfast style options such as juices, coffee and tea, pastries including muffins and donuts, toast, and cereals. Desk drawer The process for ordering Breakfast is a bit different than at other times of the day. You’ll find Room Service Request Cards in your stateroom (typically tucked in the drawer of the stateroom’s desk, as seen above). Fill out the Request Card with your desired items, then leave it outside your stateroom door BEFORE 3AM of the morning you would like your Room Service breakfast delivered. Additionally, you can order a continental breakfast by calling room service (the Room Service button is designated on your stateroom’s phone) between 7AM and 10AM. Lunch, Dinner, and Late Night Snacks… The Other 21 Hours Outside of the designated Breakfast hours of 7AM to 10AM, the lunch and dinner options are available for the rest of the day, evening, and night! Room Service on Disney Wish Up for grabs are items such as custom-made sandwiches, fresh salads and appetizers (like cheese plates!), burgers, and chicken tenders, and even pasta. Craving something sweet? Desserts include cookies and ice cream. Don’t forget the bubbly! Cheers to your Disney cruise! How to order? It’s easy-peasy! For Lunch and Dinner service, simply pick up your Stateroom phone and select the button for In Stateroom Dining. A friendly crew member will assist you with your order from there! Though it may not take the full time allotted, it’s good to allow 30 minutes for delivery. Follow Along as We Explore the Disney Wish! Room Service: Good To Know A few things to note before we say, “SEA you real soon…” First, remember that menu items can vary for your specific cruise. Room Service right to your stateroom. And here’s a tip for tips: Have a stash of singles at the ready for room service, as gratuities are welcome for your room service delivery. As mentioned above, the Disney Cruise Line website states: “Please note that an additional fee will be added to your stateroom for certain snacks, wines, beverages, and beverage packages.” You won’t see this on the menu, but DON’T FORGET THAT THIS IS A THING! Order Mickey Bars through Room Service YES! Mickey Ice Cream Bars can be delivered directly to your Stateroom! Just ask ! And it’s as simple as that! Ok, NOW we’ll say it… “SEA You Real Soon!!” Find our entire Disney Cruise Line Video Playlist 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 Are you planning a Disney Cruise? Please let us know with a comment! The post Disney Magic Room Service Menu -- Everything You Need to Know first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you don’t want to get kicked out of Disney World, there are a few rules you should probably know about before your trip. Hey there, Cinderella Castle! For example, you cannot dress up like a Disney character in the parks, and you can’t go into the “backstage” areas that are meant for Cast Members only. You also cannot pet the zebras on Kilimanjaro Safaris, no matter how much you might want to. But did you know that there are a couple of exceptions to some Disney World rules? Here are two surprising rules that you actually can BREAK at your Disney World hotel! Rule #1: You Cannot Bring Your Own Alcohol Alcoholic beverages are on the list of prohibited items at Disney World, which means you cannot bring your own alcohol into the parks. Jam Jar Sweet White Wine However, there is an exception to this rule for Disney World hotels! You can bring alcohol to the hotels or even have it delivered through a grocery service. Delivery! Note that you will have to show your ID to pick up the grocery order if it includes alcohol. You’ll need to meet the delivery person at bell services in order to do this. Groceries There’s one more exception to the alcohol rule: You can also bring your own drinks to some Disney Springs restaurants. Disney notes that the alcohol must be “consumed at select table service restaurants only, corkage fees apply.” Disney Springs If you want alcohol in the parks, however, you’ll need to purchase it there. Some of our favorite bars include BaseLine Tap House in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, La Cava del Tequila in EPCOT, and Nomad Lounge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Rule #2: No Riding Bikes If you brought your bicycle to Disney World, don’t expect to ride it into the parks to get around faster. In fact, there’s a whole list of “recreational devices” that are prohibited in the resort, including skateboards, scooters, inline skates, and shoes with built-in wheels. However, you can ride your bike in “designated Disney Resort areas.” Some hotels even have bikes that you can rent, like the Surrey Bike Rentals at Disney’s Boardwalk and Port Orleans Riverside. Surrey Bike at Disney’s BoardWalk Here’s a list of more hotels that have bike rentals: Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Disney’s website notes that renting a bike costs between $9 and $20, and “helmets and child seats are complimentary with all bike rentals.” Bike Rentals You can find a list of Disney World rules on the website, so make sure to take a look at those before you head out for your upcoming trip! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news. Click here to see five rules you must follow to avoid getting banned from 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 Did you know about these Disney World rule exceptions? Let us know in the comments! The post 2 Surprising Disney World Rules You Can ONLY Break at Your Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

2024 is right around the corner, and it’s bringing a lot of changes with it. Genie+ We know to expect new attractions in the new year, but there are also lots of changes that are coming, especially to Genie+. If you’re thinking of taking advantage of the paid skip-the-line service in 2024, here’s what you need to know. First things first — if terms like Genie+, Lightning Lanes and Individual Lightning Lanes sound like a foreign language to you, you’re going to want to grab our cheatsheet right here! Disney Genie+ has been controversial since its introduction in October 2021. It was the replacement for FastPass+, a free service. As you might imagine, charging for something similar to a service that was once free was not a popular decision for Disney World fans. But beyond the price, one of the biggest complaints about Genie+ has been the amount of time you have to spend on your phone scheduling Lightning Lanes during your day in the park. This is very different than FastPass+, which allowed you to book some of your rides before your vacation. ©Disney Right now, you have to buy Disney Genie+ and book your Lightning Lanes on the day of your visit. But in May 2023, Disney announced that it plans to make changes to the service in 2024. “We have heard from guests that they would like ways to plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit, and we want you to know we are working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024,” Disney said in a blog post. It’s important to note, though, that Disney still hasn’t revealed just yet when they’re planning to implement this change. Genie+ Keep in mind, too, that we don’t know the details of what Disney is planning. With FastPass+, you could make SOME of your plans in advance of your trip, but not all of them, so that could also be the case with this anticipated Genie+ change. Park Hopping Changes Another BIG Disney World change will also affect the way you use Disney Genie+ in 2024, and that is the change to park hopping rules. Starting January 9th, 2024, if you have a ticket that allows park hopping, you will be allowed to hop between Disney World parks at any time. Right now, you cannot park hop until 2PM, so being able to hop much earlier in the day could change the way you use Genie+ and buy Individual Lightning Lanes. Magic Kingdom As of now, you can buy Disney Genie+ on the morning of your park visit, and the price can vary based on the park you are buying it for, as well as by the day. Disney uses a “surge pricing” model, so on more crowded days and in more crowded parks, the price is higher. There is also a “multi-park” option for Genie+, and when the park hopping rules change, that option will become a lot more attractive. Because you will be able to hop at any time, you could potentially select Lightning Lanes at multiple parks and hit all your favorite rides in one day! Just keep in mind that you need to leave PLENTY of time to travel between park and make your Lightning Lane reservation time. We recommend at least an hour — and that’s if you are already at the front of the park. Think about it — if you’re at the American Adventure Pavilion at the back of EPCOT, it could take you 15 to 20 minutes to walk to the front of the park, then you could wait 20 minutes for a bus to Animal Kingdom, that bus ride could take an additional 20 minutes, and then you may need another 15 to 20 minutes to get into your second park and walk to Expedition Everest for that Lightning Lane. That all could go faster, but it could be an 80-minute trip, so leave yourself time! Expedition Everest Virtual Queue Changes Another change to how you get on rides in the new year could come via virtual queues. Right now, you can join a virtual queue for two rides — TRON: Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT. There are two virtual queue drops per day — at 7AM and 1PM. And typically, you can only join the 1PM Virtual Queue for a ride if you are inside of the park. So, if you’re at Hollywood Studios, and you plan to hop to Magic Kingdom, right now you probably won’t get a virtual queue for TRON because you can’t enter Magic Kingdom and therefore get a VQ until 2PM — and if they are released at 1PM there’s usually enough demand for them to be gone by 2. Once the park hopping rules change, if Disney keeps these same virtual queue times, you could hop before 1PM and have a better chance of getting a virtual queue for these rides — rather than needing to shell out more cash for an Individual Lightning Lane time to ride them. TRON Lightcycle / Run It’s important to note that Disney has not officially given us an update or detail for Disney Genie+ changes, and we don’t yet know how virtual queues could change with the park hopping change on January 9th. But what you can be sure of is that DFB will be in the parks in 2024, testing out all of the strategies and keeping you updated on any changes! These are 10 big changes that will affect Disney World ticket holders in 2024 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 planning to use Genie+ on your vacation? Tell us in the comments! The post Don't Forget that Genie+ Is CHANGING in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When it comes to deciding where you want to eat on your Disney World trip — how are you supposed to choose?! Cinderella Castle With so many options between the parks, hotels, and Disney Springs, making that choice can be one of the hardest things you do when planning. We’ve eaten at every restaurant in Disney World, so trust us when we tell you that this is the ONE thing you must try from every single restaurant in Magic Kingdom! Magic Kingdom isn’t known for being the best Disney World park when it comes to food — but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still great options to choose at every single spot. Let’s check out the ONE thing you need to order from every Magic Kingdom table service and counter service restaurant! Table Service Be Our Guest Restaurant — Grilled Filet Mignon Filet Mignon at Be Our Guest Cinderella’s Royal Table — Caramel Apple-stuffed French Toast Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast The Crystal Palace — Churro Mickey Waffles Churro Waffle! Liberty Tree Tavern— Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen — Pao de Quejo (note: this is a secret menu item, so check with your server to see if it’s available on your next visit) Pao de Queijo The Plaza Restaurant — Plaza Loaded Fries or The Plaza Restaurant Sundae Plaza Loaded Fries! Tony’s Town Square Restaurant — Tony’s Garlic Bread for the Table YUMMM Quick Service Casey’s Corner — Corn Dog Nuggets Corn Dog Nuggets Columbia Harbour House — Hush Puppies Hush puppies! Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe — Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich Friar’s Nook — Creamy Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Tots Bacon Mac & Cheese Tater Tots Gaston’s Tavern — Warm Cinnamon Roll Is this the best cinnamon roll in Disney World? Golden Oak Outpost — Loaded Chicken Strips Loaded Chicken Strips The Lunching Pad — Cream Cheese Warm Stuffed Pretzel Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel Main Street Bakery — Your Favorite Starbucks Drink Starbucks Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe — Nachos (Beef, Chicken, or Pork Carnitas) Beef Nachos Pinocchio Village Haus — Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Sleepy Hollow — Waffle Sandwich (Fresh Fruit Nutella or Spicy Chicken) Chicken Waffle Sandwich Keep these eats in mind the next time you’re in Magic Kingdom, and stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news about Disney World food and more! The ONE Thing You Must Get From EVERY Disney World Restaurant 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’s your favorite Magic Kingdom restaurant? Tell us in the comments! The post The ONE Thing You Must Try from EVERY SINGLE Restaurant in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Did you know that Disney World has a COOKIE BAR now?! Cookiessssss Summer House on the Lake is a new restaurant in Disney Springs, and it opened with its own walk-up Cookie Bar on December 14th, 2023. You don’t need a reservation at the restaurant to check out The Cookie Bar, and if you’re in the mood for sweets, you’ll be happy to know that they have more than 15 different options! We stopped by on the first day it was open to try out some treats — and here’s how they ranked. Atmosphere To visit the cookie bar, there’s a separate entrance to the left of the main entrance for the restaurant. You can also walk over from any of the dining rooms in the restaurant. Entrance to The Cookie Bar from the restaurant If you’re just stopping by, The Cookie Bar is available as a walk-up. There wasn’t a queue on opening day, so you likely won’t have long waits to get in here like they do over at Gideon’s Bakehouse. If you’re dining in the restaurant, you can order cookies from The Cookie Bar and have them brought to your table. The Cookie Bar When I was waiting outside the restaurant on opening day, an employee was handing out menu cards with a QR code — using the code, you’ll be directed to a webpage where you can see the flavors available on any given day. On the first day, there were more than 15 treats on the menu. The Cookie Bar card The webpage from the QR code also has the option to “order online” but the system hasn’t been up and running so far. We’ll keep you updated if mobile ordering becomes available! ©Summer House on the Lake Inside The Cookie Bar, there’s a display case with rows upon rows of cookies, lined up with prices and flavors listed on small signs. SO MANY TREATS Behind the cookies, you’ll find various bars and desserts stacked on trays. More cookies We opted to try out six of the available treats. So how did they fare? Ranking the Treats 6. Birthday Cake Cookie Last-ranked on our list goes to the Birthday Cake Cookie. When I saw this one in the case, I was intrigued by the name and the bright-colored sprinkles, but it turned out to be a pretty simple sugar cookie. It’s not much better than the sprinkle-covered sugar cookies you find in the bakery section of any grocery store. Birthday Cake It wasn’t very soft, and the cookie itself mostly just tastes like vanilla. This one was a bit of a letdown, and I likely wouldn’t order it again. 5. Fudge Bomb Cookie Only slightly better than the last is the Fudge Bomb Cookie. This one is also a plain sugar cookie, but this time topped with fudge icing. The icing firms up on top of the cookie like a piece of fudge. Fudge Bomb The icing definitely had a fudge-like taste, and it actually wasn’t bad. It was very rich though, and you probably wouldn’t be able to stand more than a couple bites. However, the cookie itself was still not very exciting — it was at least softer than the Birthday Cake Cookie. 4. Pinky Cookie The Pinky comes in our ranking next! This is a sugar cookie topped with sprinkles and strawberry frosting. It’s pretty messy to eat because of all that frosting. Pinky This one wasn’t bad — I once again wasn’t terribly impressed with the cookie itself, but the strawberry was an interesting element. The frosting definitely has an artificial strawberry flavor, but it’s bright and fruity. 3. Crispy Rice Chocolate Chip Cookie Now we’re getting into the good stuff! The first item in our top three is the Crispy Rice Chocolate Chip Cookie. It’s their classic chocolate chip topped with their brown butter Rice Krispy treats. It certainly looks fun! It’s chunky! And honestly, this one was pretty good! The Rice Krispy treats make it VERY sweet, but there’s a fun textural element from the cereal. The chocolate chip cookie is soft and has big chunks of chocolate in the middle. 2. Lemon Cookie However, the BEST of the cookies is actually the Lemon! This is a classic lemon cookie covered with a thin layer of icing. It doesn’t look like much, but looks can be deceiving! Lemonnnn This one was tart, fresh, and fruity with a strong lemon flavor. The icing adds a little bit of sweetness to top it off. And of the cookies I tried, this was for sure the softest! 1. Blondie And the #1 spot goes to…the one treat I tried that wasn’t actually a cookie! By FAR the best thing I ate at The Cookie Bar was the Blondie. It’s soft and sweet with a toffee-like flavor, topped with powdered sugar. Three cheers for the blondie! It had a bit of gooeyness that made it all the more enjoyable, and the flavor was rich and sweet without being overwhelming. SO GOOD. YUM x 10 So honestly, if you’re looking for the best thing to eat at The Cookie Bar…it’s not even a cookie! I had mixed opinions on the cookies in general — the ones that were sugar cookie-based are probably not ones I’d order again, but the chocolate chip and lemon definitely have the potential to be popular. But if I go back again? I’m getting that Blondie 9 times out of 10. I’m READY One more thing — how does The Cookie Bar stack up against other Disney Springs dessert spots? Well, currently I think I would still choose Salt & Straw, Everglazed, or Gideon’s Bakehouse over this spot. I’d want a little more consistency with the quality of the treats. But if you’re a cookie fan and you just want a big, cheap snack (without a multi-hour wait), this could be a great spot! That’s my full ranking of the cookies and treats at The Cookie Bar in Disney Springs! If you’re heading to the area soon, make sure to check it out for yourself and tell us your thoughts. Click Here for a First Look Inside Summer House on the Lake! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you planning a visit to The Cookie Bar? Tell us in the comments! The post Ranking Everything We Ate at the NEW Cookie Bar in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve got great news if you’re going to Disney World this month or January 2024! 2024! Disney World just extended the hours for three of the four theme parks, which means you get MORE time in the parks! Here’s a breakdown of each park’s hours and what’s recently changed: Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom will now open at 8AM most days in December. The exceptions are December 20th and 23rd, when it will open at 9AM. On the days when it opens at 8AM, Early Entry will take place at 7:30AM. On days when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place in this park, it will close to guests without a party ticket at 6PM. This includes December 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd. Magic Kingdom From December 24th through the 30th, Magic Kingdom will be open until 12AM. On New Year’s Eve, it’ll be open until 1AM. ©Disney Magic Kingdom will be open from 9AM to 11PM from January 1st through the 3rd. From January 4th through the 6th, it’ll open early, at 8AM. From January 7th through the 13th, the park will be open from 9AM to 9PM. ©Disney Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park hours were also extended in Animal Kingdom, and now it will stay open until 8PM on more days in December. Tree of Life The exceptions to this are December 15th, 16th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th when the park will close at 7PM. ©Disney Animal Kingdom will be open from 8AM to 7PM from January 1st through the 3rd, 8AM to 8PM from January 4th through the 6th, and 8AM to 6PM from January 7th through the 20th. ©Disney Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park hours have been extended a bit at Hollywood Studios, too. Hollywood Studios The park will be open for an extra half hour in the morning of December 31st — It will be open from 8:30AM to 12AM. It will also open a half hour early from December 24th through the 30th. On these days, it will be open from 8:30AM to 9PM. Don’t forget that the park is closing a little early on December 16th and 18th, at 8PM instead of 9PM. ©Disney In January, Hollywood Studios will be open from 8:30AM to 9PM from January 1st through the 6th before switching to 9AM to 9PM for the rest of the month. ©Disney EPCOT Park hours at EPCOT have not changed. The park will be open from 9AM to 9:30PM for most of December, with special hours of 9AM to 1AM on New Year’s Eve. EPCOT In January, EPCOT will be open from 9AM to 9PM every day except for January 7th, when it will open at 10AM instead. ©Disney We’ll keep watching for more updates from Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB! The Disney World App CHANED How You See Park Pass Reservations! 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 Disney World this month? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Park Hours Have Been EXTENDED for Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Deciding on what to see at the movie theaters in 2024 could have just become HARDER! AMC Theater 2024 may be the year you finally get out to the theater, grab your popcorn and snacks, and settle down to see a movie you feel like you’ve waited years to see. But the question you may ask yourself is, which one first? Fandango recently surveyed moviegoers about their most anticipated films released over the next year and the answers they uncovered may surprise you. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The popular movie brand took to surveying 8,000 moviegoers recently about films set to release in 2024 that they’re most excited to see and received quite an array of answers. This also allowed Fandango to gauge the mood they should anticipate from visitors about the upcoming titles and if they’re strong enough to drive folks to the silver screens for the 2024 year. Close to 81% of people who participated in the survey said they are more excited about films releasing in 2024 than they were going into theaters this year, with 88% of them setting intention to see multiple films. ©Marvel Fandango used this survey as an opportunity to delve inside the mindset of a moviegoer since alternatives offered on streaming services were made available during the pandemic. The interest in seeing movies through these booming streaming providers had shaken the confidence of more traditional movie-going methods. While profits for theatrical releases have since been on the upswing, film studios are anticipated to release fewer film titles next year partly due to the recently subsided strikes. As for the Top 10 spots, those surveyed cited the upcoming Deadpool, Beetlejuice, and Ghostbusters franchise installments as their top 3 picks. These were followed by Dune: Part Two, Venom 3, Despicable Me 4, Inside Out 2, Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim, Gladiator 2, and A Quiet Place: Day One. ©Fandango The survey also showed that Hollywood has learned to lean into content with familiar IPs (intellectual properties). Seeing as how Disney could use a big Marvel win at the box office, titles set to release like Deadpool 3 could see a hefty anticipation to make it happen. Deadpool 3 is the overall top anticipated film of 2024 ©Marvel While we don’t know much about the film yet, you can bet that MARVEL’s sarcastic superhero’s name and the antics of the first 2 Deadpool franchise installments carry enough weight to get folks out to the movie theaters and buying those tickets as soon as they’re on sale. Get Deadpool ticket alerts here Inside Out 2 also ranked in the top 10! ©Disney The upcoming Disney Pixar film also ranked 2nd on the survey for the most anticipated family movies and came in 7th for 2024’s most anticipated wide-release films. Get Inside Out 2 ticket alerts here Be sure to stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog for the latest in movie news and more! Check out our Amazon Storefront for more great Disney deals!The post New Study Reveals the Most Anticipated Movies of 2024 -- Which 2 Disney Films Made the Cut? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Download new Disney pirate wallpapers for your iPhones, computers, watches, and more to celebrate the Pirates of the Caribbean 50th Anniversary at Walt Disney World.View the full article

According to The Walt Disney Company, the future is bright. Disney plans to invest a LOT into the Parks, Experiences, and Products division over the next decade (though by the time the proposed MEGA Magic Kingdom expansion is set to begin, CEO Bob Iger will no longer be in charge). Fans are hungry for new additions and large-scale expansions, but they may have to be patient. Disney World Disney is talking a big game. We’re expecting a TON of (expensive-sounding) changes, like a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge, an Animal Kingdom overhaul, a Test Track ride update, and a Magic Kingdom expansion rivaling the scale of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge addition in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But before we all get too excited, it’s worth noting that Bob Iger has a different priority, at least for now. Investors and analysts alike seem to agree that Disney+ needs to be profitable — and soon. In early 2023, Iger stated that Disney+ is expected to be profitable by the end of fiscal year 2024. ©Disney More recently, though, despite the fact that Disney+ subscriber growth beat estimates, Disney+ is not profitable yet, and that’s a problem for investors. Disney+ by the Numbers According to the Q4 earnings report, Disney+ revenue saw an overall increase of 3% from Q3, growing from $7.31 billion to $7.5 billion. (The report shared that this was due to higher advertising revenue.) ©Reuters | Disney CEO Bob Iger During the fourth quarter earnings call, Iger reaffirmed his earlier sentiment that the “streaming business is the future and has been growing,” and despite Disney’s recent shortcomings at the box office, Disney+’s subscriber count increased in Q4. In fact, there was a big increase in Disney+ subscribers in 2023 as a whole. The last quarter of the year brought in 7 million core Disney+ subscribers and the addition of content like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Elemental, and The Little Mermaid. As long as the trend continues, Disney may be able to reach its goals for 2024. Ariel meet-and-greet in Disney’s Hollywood Studios In terms of Disney+’s ad-supported streaming tiers, Iger said that he believed advertiser-supported streaming services would be important growth initiatives for the company. Disney+ has even implemented some advertiser-targeting tools, and the company recently discussed the idea of introducing shopping and gaming experiences to the streaming platform. ©MasterClass So, what does Disney have planned for 2024? Iger stated that Disney’s first priority for 2024 is achieving significant profit streaming. During the Q4 earnings call, Iger said, “Our recent performance solidifies that we are on that path.” As we approach Q1, we’ll have to wait and see if Disney is any closer to reaching its goal. Click here to learn more about Disney’s FOUR big priorities in 2024 Hulu on Disney+ Now that Hulu is completely Disney-owned, streaming service-related changes are happening FAST. During Disney’s Q3 earnings call earlier this year, we learned that Disney planned to start offering a “one-app experience,” bringing Hulu content to the Disney+ app. All your Hulu titles are available within Disney+ now On November 8th, Disney announced that a beta version of Disney+ and Hulu bundled into one app would launch in December, with an official launch planned for early spring/March 2024. That beta testing has officially started. It is located at the top of the Disney+ home screen next to the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic tiles. It’s finally here! Disney is hoping that bundling Hulu and Disney together will create more engagement that will not only appeal to advertisers but is also expected to reduce the cost of customer acquisition and “decrease churn.” Click here to see the Disney+ CHANGES What This Means for Disney Parks CEO Bob Iger laid out four key priorities for 2024: Achieving significant and sustained profitability in our streaming business Building ESPN into the preeminent digital sports platform Improving the output and economics of Disney film studios Turbocharging growth in the Experiences business ©Disney While “Turbocharging growth in the Experiences business” is listed as one of the company’s goals, the company has a lot of work to do with Disney+ first. With investors keeping a close watch on Disney’s every move, Iger must remain disciplined with his financial decisions over the next year. So that might mean Disney fans will have to wait for any major park-related changes. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. Bob Iger Has Made Two Massive Changes at Disney 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 have a Disney+ subscription? Let us know in the comments! The post Why Wall Street Won’t Let Bob Iger Spend Money on the Disney Parks in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It hasn’t been the best year for The Walt Disney Company. Magic Kingdom Disney CEO Bob Iger has been in the news for comments on Disney’s “woke agenda” and the proxy battle that has just been launched against his leadership. But, with 2023 coming to a close, we’re learning more about just how Iger feels about himself. Bob Iger’s 2019 self-evaluation has recently come to light as part of a legal battle over pay equity, and it reveals quite a bit about the CEO’s opinion of himself. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Iger touted Disney’s stellar year for approval of a bonus and his 2020 base salary. The document was unsealed as part of a class action lawsuit against Disney, where 9,000 women are claiming pay discrimination based on gender. ©Disney Iger told the board that he “executed a highly-anticipated Investor Day providing an extensive overview of all of our direct-to-consumer offerings” and “launched an unprecedented company-wide marketing effort.” He also mentions the acquisition of 21st Century Fox into Disney’s portfolio, along with gaining operating control of Hulu from Comcast — which Disney now fully owns. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is also noted as a success — having opened in both Disney World and Disneyland during that fiscal year — along with a host of other parks projects. Iger noted the studio’s $10 billion in global box office sales as another win. ©MasterClass The self-evaluation was passed on to a “committee” that determined Iger’s recommended compensation, which was then reviewed with the full Disney Board of Directors. The board approved a $47.5 million compensation package for Iger’s work, continuing his position as one of the highest-paid executives in the United States. You can read the full evaluation below: via The Hollywood Reporter This year, though, Iger’s self-evaluation may not have as much to show for itself. The second-time Disney CEO has been recently criticized for his leadership of the company in the face of political controversy and less-than-stellar financial results. A proxy battle is on the horizon for seats on Disney’s Board of Directors thanks to Nelson Peltz, who feels Iger and “the Disney Board’s lack of focus, alignment, and accountability has resulted in chronic underperformance at one of the world’s most iconic companies.” ©Getty Images Disney stock prices also plummeted to their lowest price in nearly 10 years — something that shareholders like Peltz aren’t too thrilled about. ©Disney And, although we saw a LOT of big Disney movies released this year, from Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny to The Marvels to Wish and more, the box office returns for those movies have come in under expectations. Iger’s defense of Disney’s 2023 box office failures has also come into question recently, with the CEO blaming the lack of success on the studio’s creators, saying they had “lost sight” of what their jobs should be — that it should be to “entertain first” and not be about “messages.” ©Disney Stay tuned to DFB as we continue to bring you news on Bob Iger and The Walt Disney Company. Does CEO Bob Iger Have the WRONG Idea About Disney Movies With “Woke Agendas?” 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 Bob Iger’s performance review? Tell us in the comments. The post NEWS: Disney CEO Bob Iger's 2019 Self-Evaluation REVEALED first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When it comes to pretty much any question we have for anything, including our vacation and Disney World plans, Google is our go-to. Disney World Yep, when traveling pretty much anywhere, we’re just like you all and consult Google for airfare, hotels, and even general knowledge about the area. We have a pretty good guess that you guys are the same! Not only do we like to search on Google, we also love to see what OTHERS are searching on Google. We got curious — what are the MOST Googled vacation destinations? And where does Orlando fall on that list? Condé Nast Traveller compiled a list of the most-searched vacation destinations on Google in 2023, divided into countries and cities. In a ranking of the most-searched vacation cities in the entire WORLD, Orlando made #2! Cinderella Castle While we do love Orlando, we were a little surprised that the city surpassed even places such as Tel Aviv, Sicily, and Amsterdam. The central-Florida city was surpassed only by Rhodes. Animal Kingdom Condé Nast Traveller said, “An unexpected entry at number 2, but this American city certainly pulls its weight when it comes to tourism. In 2022, Orlando had nearly 5 million international visitors, with the UK providing the second-largest number of travellers heading to the city (according to Travel Weekly). Beyond classic Disneyland wonders, this Florida favourite is home to a startingly impressive array of restaurants, from excellent omakase to zesty mezcalerias.” Disney World Road Signs Margaritas and Disney World, y’all. Margaritas and Disney World. Hollywood Studios We’ll continue to keep you all updated when it comes to Disney and travel news, so make sure to follow along for more so that you’re always in the loop. Looking for more Orlando travel news? 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 When is your next Orlando vacation? Let us know in the comments! The post You'll Be Shocked by Where Orlando Falls on This List of "Most Googled Travel Destinations of 2023"! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A couple of huge changes have hit Disney+ recently, so if you haven’t been keeping up with all the news, these updates might take you by surprise! ©Disney The streaming service has been a hot topic with Disney executives and investors, so it makes sense that we’re seeing so many changes as Disney pushes to make it profitable by the end of next year. A lot is going on behind the scenes to get the service going in the right direction for profitability, and some of those updates are affecting subscribers’ experiences with the app. Ever since Bob Iger returned as the Walt Disney Company CEO, he’s been focusing on Disney+ and the rest of the company’s TV assets. He’s even gone so far as to call this his “number one priority.” ©Disney In the first quarter earnings call of 2023, Iger said, “Streaming business is the future and has been growing.” He said that Disney must focus on core franchises and get “better at curating the Disney and the Pixar and the Marvel and the Star Wars of it all.” ©Disney In the same call, Iger introduced a few big ideas to keep Disney+ growing: (1) Seeking loyal subscribers for the long term, (2) Reviewing pricing and making sure services are priced correctly, and (3) Rebalancing marketing on the platform versus marketing of the programs. We’ve seen a big update with the second point, as Disney+ and Hulu both saw price increases in 2023. Disney has also thrown out a few innovative ideas for advertising and marketing on the platform. ©Disney So what’s happening now? Right now, it’s crunch time for Disney+. Since its debut in 2019, the streaming service has never been profitable. That might sound a little extreme, but it’s actually close to what Disney expected when they first introduced Disney+. For a long time, Disney has pointed to 2024 as the year when the streaming service will finally hit profitability. With the start of 2024 just a couple of weeks away, Disney is likely in the home stretch of their plan to boost Disney+ to profitability. A couple of recent changes may have been part of that plan! Beta Launch of Hulu on Disney+ One of Disney’s strategies to boost Disney+ profitability is to combine Hulu and Disney+ into one app. The beta launch for this feature officially happened on December 6th in the United States and Canada. ©Hulu If you’re in the U.S. or Canada, you should be able to see a Hulu button when you open up your Disney+ app (near the top, by the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic buttons). The idea is that this will make it easier for people to switch back and forth between these platforms to access their favorite shows on each one. It’s finally here! Note that not ALL Hulu titles are available through Disney+. Until the official launch of this feature in March 2024, bundle subscribers can only access a limited number of Hulu titles through Disney+. Disney wants to “better understand the consumer’s needs and wants when it comes to Hulu on Disney+ before it officially launches in the spring.” All your Hulu titles are available within Disney+ now Most importantly, Disney is giving parents time to set up controls and filters to make sure that everyone in the family only has access to content that’s age-appropriate. Hulu has more adult content than Disney+, so the two-step launch is meant to give parents time to set up appropriate controls. Groupwatch Feature Removed You might have forgotten about the Groupwatch feature that was part of Disney+ for a long time before it was removed just a couple of months ago. ©Disney This feature allowed subscribers to sync to each other’s devices and watch shows and movies at the same time. It was a way to watch content “together” without actually being physically together. Groupwatch was removed from Disney+ in September 2023, and there’s been no word on whether it will come back. ©Disney We’ll likely see even more changes to Disney+ and the rest of Disney’s streaming and TV platforms throughout 2024. Stay tuned to DFB, and we’ll be sure to let you know about all the updates! Click here to learn more about Disney+. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How do you feel about these Disney+ changes? Let us know in the comments. The post Disney+ Has CHANGED in 2 HUGE Ways first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve been following us for a while, you probably know that Disney’s Animal Kingdom has some of our favorite food in Disney World. Animal Kingdom Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a table service meal, there are a ton of delicious options to choose from. Recently, I stopped by The Smiling Crocodile for lunch. Keep reading for my full review! Atmosphere The Smiling Crocodile, which was once called the Gardens Kiosk, is located on Discovery Island. The Smiling Crocodile You can find this small stand near Flame Tree Barbecue, which is beneficial because you can take advantage of its expansive seating area by the water. Flame Tree Barbecue seating It’s a small kiosk with an even smaller menu — come take a look! Menu In the past, this spot had a frequently changing menu with some unique items like the Pulled Pork Jelly Doughnut Sandwich. In recent years, it has consistently served various tacos. The Pulled Pork Jelly Doughnut Sandwich has moved down to Eight Spoon Cafe. The Menu Now, you can find three styles of tacos, chips and salsa, and a selection of drinks. Eats I decided to order the Pulled Pork Street Tacos for $9.99, the Street Corn Tacos for $9.99, and the Guava Limeade for $5.49. Full spread The Street Corn Tacos came with two tacos filled with black beans, roasted corn, poblano peppers, red onion, pico de gallo, lime crema, and cotija cheese. They were also served with chips and salsa. Street Corn Tacos These were a bit spicy! I really loved the flavors on this — the sweet corn, tangy tomatoes, and bright onions paired really well with the creamy cotija cheese, which was soft and a little sharp-tasting. The cheese helped balance the spices and made the tacos taste a little more complex. Street Corn Tacos I thought the lime wedge also really brightened these up and added another nice tangy component. YUM Overall these were good, but the tortillas were not the best corn tortillas I’ve had. They were a tad on the dry side, which is typical of corn tortillas, but they didn’t have enough flavor to make up for it and it didn’t seem like they had been warmed or steamed. Not the best tortillas, unfortunately The chips and salsa on the side, however, were great! The chips seemed fresh and were well-salted. Chips and salsa The salsa was tangy and bright and reminded me of a salsa verde. It was a tad spicy but nothing too overwhelming. Salsa Next, the Pulled Pork Street Tacos came with two pulled pork tacos tossed in a house-made sauce and topped with lime crema, cotija cheese, cabbage, and pickled onion. They were served chips and salsa. Pulled Pork Street Tacos I loved these! The pork was tender, savory, and salty in a good way. They had a little bit of spice but not a ton. Pulled Pork Street Tacos The pickled onions and peppers added a deliciously bright, vinegary, and slightly sweet flavor that went so well with the pork and added some spice. There was also a lot of fun texture between the crunchy cabbage and the creamy cotija cheese and crema. The tacos themselves were savory and actually really filling — there was a good amount of pork in them so I thought these were a great deal! A LOT of pork Lastly, I had the Guava Limeade for $5.59. At first sip, I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. The guava flavor was really strong which I thought was overpowering, but once the ice started to melt it mellowed out a ton. Guava Limeade Once the ice softened the flavors, I thought this was a really refreshing drink. It was tart, sweet, and very lime-forward with a sweet fruity kick at the end. Overall If you’re looking for a quick snack in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it can be tough to narrow it down. There are so many great options! Full spread Overall, I thought this location was a worthwhile stop, especially if you’re in the mood for tacos. While the tortillas weren’t the best ones I’ve ever had, overall the flavors were great and I’d order them both again. If you’re looking for a quick and affordable snack, you could order the chips and salsa for $4.99, which is a great option! Nosh or Not Check out The Smiling Crocodile if… You want something quick and easy You love tacos You’re on a budget Skip this spot if… You have picky eaters in your group You want a more elevated dining experience You don’t love corn tortillas We’ll continue bringing you all the latest Disney news and food reviews, so stay tuned to DFB for more! REVIEW: We’re Trying an Underrated Snack in EPCOT’s World Showcase! 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! Which park in Disney World do you think has the best food? Let us know in the comments below! The post REVIEW: We Found a DELICIOUS and FILLING Lunch in Disney’s Animal Kingdom for UNDER first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article