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We are LOVING all of these holiday snack announcements! Holiday Mickey and Minnie rice crispy treats We truly can not get enough of all of these cute, festive, and delicious holiday snack offerings we’ve heard of and found throughout the Disney Parks and Disney Springs. We know we just told you about TONS of holiday eats at EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays— but get ready for more. We just heard of the newest holiday snack coming to Disney Springs and we can’t hold it in any longer. When it comes to Disney Springs, there are a ton of different food and drink offerings for you to enjoy. We have tons of favorites, but today we are focused on just one. Everglazed, located on the West Side of Disney Springs! Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew We love Everglazed for its wide array of donuts, cold brew, and its wide array of other menu offerings (hello, The Grilled Cheeeeeese ). They are SO creative with what they put on their menu, and their newest announcement did not disappoint. They took to Instagram and announced their newest holiday offerings… and our mouths are watering already. Everglazed Donut Case On December 1st, we will be able to get their NEW 6-pack of holiday donuts. That’s right y’all, Santa Claus is coming to town EARLY to give us these donuts. ©Everglazed These donuts are decorated to the nines, and we can’t wait to get our hands on them. They feature some bold colors and amazing designs (we’re looking at you, snowman) that feel like they could be too cute to eat– but we’re gonna eat them anyway. ©Everglazed Still not feeling festive enough for you? Weird, but okay. If that’s the case, make sure to grab a Peppermint Mocha Cold Brew to add to the holiday vibes and finish off your mid-day snack. ©Everglazed You can get these starting on December 1st through December 31st. Limited quantities are available, so make sure you get there early to get your hands on these. ©Everglazed We’re always on the lookout for new snacks at Disney World, so keep checking in with us at DFB to see what we find next! 15 Cheap But Filling Disney World Snacks For When You’re Ballin’ On a Budget 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 is your favorite snack at Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below! The post BRB, Planning Our Next Trip to Disney Springs for These NEW Treats! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This post is for those of you who love a good VILLAIN. Sometimes the evil ones are the most relatable Seriously, we think the Disney Villains deserve more hype. They’re evil, yes, but there’s always something about them that’s hilariously relatable. (Relatability is an important character trait for any good fairytale villain. Like, I can TOTALLY see why Mother Gothel wanted to stay young and hoard all of Punzie’s powers for her own wrinkle reduction. Retinol just doesn’t cut it sometimes.) Ugh, we got sidetracked. Anyway, if you’re like us and love the Disney Villains, we have some good news. Over at the Disneyland Hotel in Disneyland Paris, something NEW will pop up when the hotel reopens on January 25th. In the Royal Banquet Restaurant, folks will be able to check out portraits of beloved Disney royalty as well as their chefs. What’s better? The villains are getting some attention, too. ©Disney In the antechamber, you’ll be able to see familiar villainous faces! Yep, there will be portraits of characters like the Queen of Hearts, Prince John, and even King Magnifico! ©Disney Yep, the confident but spiraling king from Disney’s latest release, Wish, will be honored in the antechamber. How cool is this?! ©Disney We can’t wait to see it all come to life. What do you say? Should we go to PARIS?! We’ll continue to keep you all updated with more news, so make sure to follow along for more. Looking for more new royal additions to the Disney Parks? 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 What do you think of the King Magnifico portrait? Let us know in the comments! The post Something NEW (And Evil!) Is Coming To A Disney Hotel! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A LOT is going on with the Walt Disney Company right now. ©Disney The company, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary, is dealing with lower box office receipts with its most recent films, The Marvels and Wish. The company is also in the process of buying out the rest of Hulu, which will soon be merged with Disney+ into one app. However, Disney just recently pulled advertising from a popular social media website, and now we know why. Here’s a little background. Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly known as Twitter), endorsed a post with comments that were deemed anti-Semitic. As a result, Disney, along with Comcast/NBC Universal, Paramount Global, Warner Bros. Discovery, Apple, Lionsgate, and other companies pulled advertising from the site. ©Disney According to Deadline, Disney CEO Bob Iger commented that he did not know if or when Disney might resume advertising on the site. He said, “I have a lot of respect for Elon and what he’s accomplished. Not just you know, one business, but a few businesses. And we know Elon is larger than life in many respects, and that his name is very much tied to the companies he either founded or he owns, whether it’s Tesla or SpaceX, or now X. And by him taking the position that he took in quite a public manner, we just felt that the association with that position and Elon Musk and X was not necessarily a positive one for us. And we decided we would pull our advertising.” ©Disney Iger added that Disney-owned properties like ABC News and ESPN are still allowed to use X to communicate, but ONLY that. He also hasn’t decided how long Disney will keep advertising off the site. “I haven’t really addressed it since the decision was made,” he said. So if you were wondering why you no longer see advertising from Disney and the companies it owns on X, now you know. We’ll keep an eye out for more details and let you know if things change. Bob Iger Comments on Disney’s ‘Woke Agenda’ Says Creators Have ‘Lost Sight’ of Goals Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think of Iger’s reasoning to pull advertising from X? Let us know in the comments. The post Disney CEO Explains Why the Media Giant Pulled Its Advertising From X first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Planning a trip to Disney World can be expensive, but luckily there are a ton of deals and discounts to take advantage of if you know where to look. Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Whether you’re hoping to save money on your upcoming hotel stay or get into the parks at a discount, there are a lot of offers going on currently. If you had your heart set on a particular deal, however, you’ll want to act fast — 18 of them need to be booked by December! Disney World Hotel Deals Looking to stay near Disney World soon? Don’t miss the following discounts: Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Save up to 30% at Aulani — A Disney Resort & Spa through December 22nd (Disney Visa Cardmembers) Save up to 25% at Aulani — A Disney Resort & Spa through December 22nd Save up to 30% at select Disney World Hotels through December 25th Save up to 40% at select Disney World Hotels through December 25th (Annual Passholders) Save up to 35% at select Disney World Hotels through December 25th (Disney+ subscribers) Save up to 35% at select Disney World Hotels through December 25th (Florida residents) Save 10% at The Hilton Garden Inn Lake Buena Vista through December 31st (D23 Gold Members) Save up to 15% at the Holiday Inn – Orlando through December 31st (D23 Gold Members) Save up to 30% at select Disney World Hotels through March 24th (Canada residents) Save on select Disney World Hotels through December 15th (U.S. Military members) Disneyland Hotel Deals Disneyland Hotel U.S. Military members can save at hotels on the West Coast, too. Save on Disneyland hotels through December 15th (U.S. Military members) Aulani Hotel Deals You can also save on your upcoming trip to Hawaii! Aulani Resort Save up to 30% at Aulani — A Disney Resort & Spa through December 22nd (Disney Visa Cardmembers) Save up to 25% at Aulani — A Disney Resort & Spa through December 22nd Disney World Park Tickets EPCOT Don’t forget about the following Disney World ticket deals: Weekday Magic Disney Tickets starting at $59 per day through December 22nd (Florida residents) 4-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket starting at $349 through December 15th (U.S. Military members) 5-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket starting at $369 through December 15th (U.S. Military members) Water Park Tickets Let’s go to Blizzard Beach! Annual Passholders can also visit Blizzard Beach this month at a discount: 1-Day Water Park Tickets for $49 through December 31st (Annual Passholders) Disneyland Tickets Disney California Adventure U.S. Military members can visit Disneyland this month at a discount: 3-Day Park Hopper Ticket starting at $245 through December 15th (U.S. Military members) 4-Day Park Hopper Ticket starting at $280 through December 15th (U.S. Military members) Adventures by Disney Lastly, book in December to save with Adventures by Disney: ©Disney || Italy Save up to $350 per person on Select Land and Sea Adventures through March 2024 There you have it — 18 major deals you need to book soon! Make sure to take advantage of them before they go away, and as always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news. If You’re Super Stressed About Your Disney World Vacation — This One Tip Can Save You 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 trip planned soon? Let us know in the comments below! The post Don’t Wait! These 18 Disney Hotel and Ticket Deals Are Ending SOON! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Do you subscribe to Disney+? ©Disney Being a subscriber can get you a lot of perks BEYOND being able to stream all that awesome Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars content. You can also get exclusive merchandise and early access to merchandise, as well as discounts on Disney World trips, and more! Well, there’s a NEW Disney+ subscriber deal we HAVE to tell you about because it’s for Loungefly. So we know a lot of you love Loungefly (as we do), so this could be a chance to grab a cute holiday bag or even a gift for someone on your holiday shopping list. If you’re a Disney+ subscriber, you can now save 15% off on the Loungefly website. You can save on Loungeflys! This applies to ANY Loungefly product, including bags, ears, clothing, and more. You’ll need to enter code DISNEYFUNKO15 at checkout to get the deal, so be sure to check that out. ©Disney This isn’t the only deal you can get as a Disney+ subscriber, though! Be sure to check your email for a special message from Disney with a list of ALL kinds of discounts, including a Fandango discount to see Wish, a chance to enter to win a trip on the Disney Treasure, discounts on Disney games, and more! We’ll be keeping an eye out for more perks for Disney+ members, so stay tuned to DFB for more. When are you headed to Disney World next? Have you checked out our line of fun graphic tees to wear on your trip? We’ve designed some for the whole family – from infants to adults! Click here to check them out! FULL LIST of Everything Coming to Disney+ in December 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+ subscriber? Which perk are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments! The post How Disney+ Subscribers Can Save Big on Loungefly NOW first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Free stuff became expensive stuff, poop candy was discontinued, and space sporks are no more. Disney World What things did Disney have to stop doing in the past? Find out today, on DFB Guide. Check out our video below: 25 Shocking Things Disney Had to Stop Doing 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 Are you going to Disney World next year? Let us know in the comments. The post DFB Video: 25 Shocking Things Disney Had to Stop Doing first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Have you heard of this MAJOR EPCOT change? It’s so pretty at night EPCOT has had several different fireworks shows over the years, with EPCOT Forever (which was replaced by Harmonious in 2021 but then returned earlier this year for a limited time) being the current show. However, that’s about to change! EPCOT Forever is going to be replaced by a brand-NEW nighttime spectacular: Luminous — The Symphony of Us. The new production, which celebrates Disney’s 100th anniversary, kicks off next week, on December 5th, 2023. It’ll feature fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects, and lots of music. ©Disney Disney has said that viewers can “delight in a dramatic show designed to bring us all together. Marvel at a dazzling pageant of fireworks, fountains, music, and lights set to an original composition. New music, along with evocative selections from the Disney songbook, come together to remind us that we are more alike than we are different.” ©Disney Luminous will feature two original songs, as well as new arrangements of classic Disney songs. The show begins with voices from around the World Showcase welcoming you to the gathering, followed by the original song “Heartbeat Symphony.” Disney also shared a list of songs that will be featured in the show: “You’ll Be in My Heart” “Proud Corazón” “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” “Friend Like Me” “So Close” (from Enchanted) “When She Loved Me” “Remember Me” “Into the Unknown” “I See the Light” The show will conclude with another original number for the finale — “Beating of Our Hearts.” ©Disney Luminous will run nightly at 9:30PM for most of December. ©Disney On December 31st, it’ll be at 6:30PM. Then, starting on January 1st, it’ll take place at 9PM each evening. Be sure to check showtimes on the My Disney Experience app so that you know what time it’ll run during your trip. ©Disney EPCOT will have TWO dining packages available during the new fireworks show. Both Spice Road Table and Rose and Crown Dining Room will continue to offer dining packages that allow you to enjoy a meal as well as a spectacular view of the new show. Note that dining packages are available right now — those with reservations through December 4th will continue to enjoy EPCOT Forever, while those with reservations on and after December 5th will enjoy Luminous. Click here for more details on EPCOT fireworks dining packages! If you’re planning your Disney World trip now and want to make sure you don’t miss out on any new experiences, like Luminous, reach out to our friends over at Small World Vacations. They can help take the stress out of planning your vacation, and their services are absolutely free. We’ll be there on the opening night of Luminous, so stay tuned for full coverage of the new fireworks show! Click here to learn more about Disney’s 100th anniversary celebration. Learn More About Disney 100 Years of Wonder – The 100th Anniversary Celebration! More Details Revealed About the 100th Anniversary Celebration at Disney World ALL of the Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW! The New 100th Anniversary Disney Credit Card Design Is HERE 4 Unexpected Announcements for Disney’s 100th Anniversary Refillable Mugs Have CHANGED in Disney World Hotels! Get ALL of the Latest Updates on the 100th Anniversary Celebration Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox -- Click Here to Subscribe Are you going to watch the new fireworks show in EPCOT? Let us know in the comments! The post ALERT! A HUGE Change Is Coming to EPCOT Next Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We've crafted the most festive and magical Disney holiday-themed wallpapers and backgrounds that'll have your screens looking extra merry and bright.View the full article

Foolish mortals, the time has come! Haunted Mansion The Hatbox Ghost has finally materialized in the Haunted Mansion at Disney World, after being a highly-anticipated addition since it was announced at the D23 fan convention back in September. Previously, the Hatbox Ghost (Haunted Mansion fans love to call him Hattie) was located in the attic scene of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. Now, he resides next to the endless hallway scene of the Disney World attraction. While many folks are DYING over the new addition to the Mansion, a lot of fans feel that Hattie’s arrival causes some issues. Let’s talk about it! If you’re familiar with the Haunted Mansion and its storyline, then you know that the spooky house is home to “999 happy haunts.” Further, you won’t see any ghosts materialize until after the seance circle scene, where Madame Leota communicates with the spirits and asks them to join in on the spooky fun. Hattie kind of causes some plot holes, here. Haunted Mansion Firstly, the addition now makes it seem that there are now technically 1,000 happy haunts in the mansion. And you could be the 1,001st. Many folks are upset that the words don’t fit what you actually see in the Mansion now that Hattie is there. However, some Imagineers have confirmed that Hattie was originally supposed to be there, but between the technology that allowed him to perform, and the structure of the Mansion, it was virtually impossible to get him to work the way Imagineers intended. So, to Disneyland he went! Basically, Hattie was already counted as a happy haunt before he technically joined — or so they say. There he is! The next issue that Hattie causes is something that’s been weighing on Disney fans and Mansion Cast Members alike. Hattie now appears BEFORE the seance circle part of the ride, which fans say doesn’t really make sense. He’s now the only ghost you’ll see before the seance. This is the one issue that we kind of agree with. However, it makes sense that he would be put here because of the aforementioned issue with getting him inside the mansion in one piece based on structure and the working technology. Imagineers also confirmed that Hattie received new technology in 2015 to try to get him to work properly, but the area in the Disney World attic scene where he was supposed to go wasn’t strong enough to support how heavy the new technology is. SO, this is why he is near endless hallway. All in all, we’re just happy that he is at Disney World, where he was always meant to be. WOO! What do you think? We’ll continue to keep you updated with more Disney news, so make sure to follow along for more so that you’re always in the loop! Looking for more Disney World 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 What do you think of the Hatbox Ghost’s arrival to Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post 2 Big Problems Fans Have With the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom Today first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The time has finally come! The Haunted Mansion We’ve been hanging out with the same 999 grim-grinning ghosts at Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion for years, and now that one more has materialized, of course, we had to go check it out. Come with us to see the Hatbox Ghost at the Haunted Mansion! Disney announced that the Hatbox Ghost would arrive in Magic Kingdom in late November, and now that time has officially arrived! Haunted Mansion Disney noted, “The Hatbox Ghost will appear to guests as they pass the Endless Hallway, welcoming himself inside from the swinging wake in the cemetery and grinning at the Doom Buggies as they set off deeper in.” We had been keeping an eye out for signs of his arrival, so you know we had to go check him out for ourselves — and there he is!! There he is! Of course, we weren’t the only ones trying to see this new happy haunt materialize in the Haunted Mansion, but we hopped in line to see what we were in for — so make sure you pack your patience! WOO! Disney World is changing all the time and we’re keeping up with it all, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Disney World Dates You Need To Know for 2024 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be checking out the Hatbox Ghost? Tell us in the comments. The post BREAKING! The Hatbox Ghost Has Arrived at The Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Planning a trip to Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort? We have you covered with a complete guide to the first ever Zootopia land!View the full article

Ever since Florida Governor Ron DeSantis first attempted to take control of Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, there have been two very opposing sides. Disney vs. DeSantis DeSantis was eventually able to replace the Reedy Creek Improvement District with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, giving the area a new governing board. Since then, the board’s decisions have been controversial and not everyone has been pleased by the proceedings. Currently, some lawmakers are seeking to repeal DeSantis’s takeover…but there may be some obstacles in the way. The Orlando Sentinel reports that three Republican state lawmakers walked out of Orange County’s legislative delegation meeting on Wednesday, November 28th. Senators Jason Brodeur and Dennis Baxley, along with Rep. Doug Bankson, left the meeting just before a vote on restoring Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. Reedy Creek Because of their departure, the delegation lost its quorum. The lawmakers didn’t mention Disney’s bill before leaving, but did say they were upset with the delegation’s rules for picking leaders. The remaining Democrats voted 7-0 to advance the bill but later discovered they didn’t have enough members present, and the vote was rendered invalid. Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani chairs the delegation. “It’s disrespectful to the staff who spent hours preparing for this meeting and to the more than 100 members of the public who signed up to speak,” she said of the walkout. “I can only assume this was less about delegation rules and more about Republican lawmakers not wanting to take a vote on restoring Reedy Creek.” Reedy Creek Improvement District Brodeur noted that he was upset about a rule that requires the delegation’s leadership to have at least 50% of their district in Orange County. The rule makes elected officials without a majority of their district in Orange County ineligible to lead the delegation. “I don’t want to participate in a kangaroo court for whom the outcomes are already pre-determined,” he said. “This is silly. … It absolutely discriminates and limits minority access to leadership roles.” After the meeting, Baxley was reached by phone and said his departure had nothing to do with the Disney vote. “This whole idea that some people are not to be included is disturbing when you are duly elected,” Baxley said. “We are equal, but some are more equal than others. I don’t like that.” Cinderella Castle Senator Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, said the walkout won’t stop her from introducing a bill to undo the Reedy Creek takeover. She said the delegation plans to consider it again next week. “They haven’t discouraged me or derailed me yet,” Stewart said. “They can’t stop me.” However, even if such a bill is introduced, it faces difficult odds in Tallahassee. The GOP-dominated Legislature voted heavily in favor of overhauling the district previously. And if it passes the legislature, it could still be vetoed by Governor DeSantis. ©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream We’ll keep an eye on this situation and let you know if there are any updates. Stay tuned to DFB. Click Here to Learn More About the Possible Bill 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: Vote To Repeal DeSantis' Disney Bill Delayed After Republican Lawmaker Walkout first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We weren’t the only ones shocked in 2022 when Bob Chapek stepped down as CEO of the Walt Disney Company and Bob Iger, who had previously retired as Disney’s CEO, came back to the role. ©Disney Since then, Iger has had his work cut out for him, including focusing on streaming as his #1 priority, as well as turning things around for the parks and dealing with the whole Reedy Creek situation. However, Iger won’t be sticking around as CEO forever, and now we know that Iger will be stepping down in a few years. According to CNBC’s Alex Sherman, Iger was recently interviewed during the New York Times Dealbook Summit. During this interview, Iger commented that he will “definitely” step down as CEO of the Walt Disney Company in 2026 when his current contract expires. He also said that the process of succession (who will follow after him as CEO) is currently “robust.” ©Disney Another thing Iger discussed was about Disney’s legacy assets. There has been a lot of speculation about the company potentially selling the ABC Network, but Iger reiterated that it’s not for sale. He did suggest that Disney could sell off non-core assets, though. ©ABC Recently, Disney announced an $8.61 billion deal to acquire the rest of Hulu from Comcast. Iger mentioned that he put a “rigorous” process that helped the company make that decision. At the end of the year, Hulu and Disney+ will be merged into one single app. ©Hulu Iger discussed how high the bar is when it comes to getting people to leave their homes and streaming to see movies in theaters. He also spoke about how he feels the company has made too many sequels. Iger did say that the company would only greenlight sequels if they have the quality to be standalone movies. So it seems that he feels positive moving forward with the previously-announced Toy Story sequel, as well as the next two Frozen films. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more big Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB 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 What do you think of Iger’s statements? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney CEO Bob Iger Confirms 2026 Exit first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney has been recently criticized by fans for its “woke agenda” within the newest movies and shows. ©The Walt Disney Company Critics have said Disney has crossed boundaries when it comes to topics in movies and that the company has strayed from its original vision of creating classic and beloved stories. Since his return, CEO Bob Iger has had a few comments on these criticisms including a new statement at the New York Times Dealbook Conference. Many parents and fans have stated that Disney’s latest movies and TV shows have been pushing an “agenda” and discussing content they would prefer to stay out of their children’s movies. Oftentimes, Disney has been criticized for its messages on LGBTQIA+ and gender identity, along with other topics. ©Disney | Pixar These comments also stem back to the Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vs. Disney disputes when Disney stood against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill). Iger, who was not CEO when the drama began, backed the company stating, “A company has a right to freedom of speech just like individuals do.” Iger has also previously stated that “[He] want[s] parents to be able to trust the content that we’re creating for their children,” adding that Disney is ““committed to delivering age-appropriate content for family audiences while also telling stories that reflect the world around us and that foster greater understanding, greater perspective, greater acceptance of all people.” Asha from the new movie ‘Wish’ Now, according to Alex Sherman with CNBC, at the New York Times Dealbook Conference on November 29th, Iger shared more about any potential company agenda. He stated that the creators at Disney had “lost sight” of what their jobs should be — that it should be to “entertain first” and not be about “messages.” He said the messages that were being pushed got worse when he left as CEO. And, in a recent town hall meeting, he shared that since his return he has been busy “fixing” things around the company. Iger also shared at the town hall meeting that he is excited to “build again” and that “there are many more stories yet to tell.” He’s ready to share more original stories to entertain not “pushing an agenda.” We’ll see if this statement, which comes after an unsuccessful opening week for Wish, will make any changes in the future movies and shows we see from Disney. In the meantime, keep following DFB for more Disney news. CEO Bob Iger Comments on Upcoming CHANGES 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 are your thoughts on Bob Iger’s new statement? Let us know in the comments! The post Bob Iger Comments on Disney's "Woke Agenda," Says Creators Have "Lost Sight" of Goals first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The holiday season is officially upon us. It’s the holiday season! That means it’s CRUNCH TIME for holiday shopping! Not only do you have to snag all the hot ticket items that your friends and family want this year, but you also have to find the perfect stocking stuffers. If you’re looking for something mini and merry to include, we know just the stuff for you. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. LEGOs! Yep, these mini LEGO sets make great stocking stuffers as they’re easy to fit inside the stocking along with other goodies, can be taken anywhere for when boredom strikes, and let’s face it — no one is ever really too old for LEGO sets. Check them out! Grab the Elsa’s Castle Courtyard Set ©Amazon This mini set features Elsa and her castle courtyard! Grab it from Amazon Grab the Anna’s Castle Courtyard Set ©Amazon Just like the Elsa one, you can also get the Anna set! Grab it from Amazon Grab the Twirling Rapunzel Set ©Amazon This set features Rapunzel with a buildable stand that has a spinning top. Oh, and an adorable-looking Pascal figurine! Grab it from Amazon Grab the Mandalorian Microfighter ©Amazon This could be a great one if you have a Star Wars fan in your life. Grab it from Amazon Grab the Grogu and Mandalorian Set ©Amazon You can’t go wrong with a dynamic duo! This Brick Headz set features Grogu and Mandalorian. Grab it from Amazon Grab the Spider-Man Car and Doc Ock Set ©Target This set could be great for your little one who loves Spidey! It features a car, web and streetlight, and Doc Ock and Spidey. Grab it it from Target Grab the Boba Fett Microfighter Set ©Target This is a mini version of Boba Fett and his Microfighter! Grab it from Target Grab the Mini Spider-Man Set ©Target This mini set allows you to build a Spider-Man figurine that’s movable, so you’re able to play after! Grab it from Target Grab the Belle Ballroom Set ©Target Last but not least, you can grab this LEGO Duplo set for your little ones, and it’s themed to Beauty and the Beast! Grab it from Target What do you think? Will your stockings be stuffed with LEGOs this year? We’ll continue to keep you updated with more Disney and merchandise news, so make sure to follow along for more! Looking for more Disney merchandise we love? Click here to shop our Amazon Storefront! The post 9 Disney LEGO Sets from Amazon that Make Perfect Stocking Stuffers first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The holidays have taken over Disney World. Everything in the parks has been made merry and festive. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Holiday snacks are everywhere (and no, we’re not complaining). Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights have both kicked off. The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays has started. We also just learned about some more holiday fun at Disney World — the kind of fun that does NOT require a park ticket. These holiday happenings can be found at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts. This year, for the first time ever, you can visit an Elf Outpost. Santa’s elves have set up shop at the resorts and they’ll give you a tour, including a toy workshop with crafts and toys you can buy. There’s also a bakery where you can indulge in some free cookie decorating. ©Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Another new holiday experience will be available this year, too. During Tales From the North Pole, Santa’s elves will treat you to milk and cookies, as well as a special reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” You’ll even get your own book to take home. Note that this experience does cost an additional fee. The resorts will also be hosting Santa and Mrs. Claus Meet and Greets, but they’ll be wearing their Florida vacation clothes. They’ll be meeting in a special tiki hut on select nights in November and December. This is a unique photo op that includes reindeer, palm trees, flamingos, and more. ©Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin You’ll want to be sure to visit the lobby of the Swan Resort to check out the life-size chocolate holiday Santa scene. The display features Santa sitting in his chair, a 7-foot-tall chocolate nutcracker, a chocolate Christmas tree, and more. Note, though: don’t even THINK about eating the display because it’s 4 million calories (it’s also not available for eating). Chocolate Santa There will also be a dancing lights show that will transform the outdoor causeway every night into a holiday spectacle. The show will happen regularly from sunset through 10PM. Kids worried about how Santa might find them while they’re on vacation can pick up Magic Keys that they can hang on their room door from the concierge desk. These are available through December 24th. ©Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Finally, if you need to book a second room during your Disney World trip at the Swan and Dolphin, you can get up to 25 percent off with code SANTA. Stay tuned to DFB for more! The HUGE Mistake We See Tons of People Make During the Holidays 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! Will you be staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin during the holidays? Let us know in the comments! The post How To Enjoy the Holidays in Disney World WITHOUT a Park Ticket first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney has a way of bringing seemingly real magic to our experiences around the parks. Journey of Water–Inspired by Moana lets you interact with water in ways we didn’t know we could Through the use of new and innovative technology, Disney can have you waving goodbye to water, soaring through the galaxy, and riding on the back of a banshee on a different planet. All of this is made possible by Disney’s team of Imagineers. These creative geniuses design and create new ways of experiencing parks all the time. Five yet-to-come attraction designs have been patented that, if they were to come to the parks, we would shovel out all our money to experience them! Through patents, Disney brainstorms ideas and new ride or attraction concepts. These are just potential new experiences and are not guaranteed or announced. BUT, if we saw these patents come to life, we would be running to the parks immediately. An Interesting Boat Ride Back in July 2021, Disney filed a patent for a “Boat Motion Simulator”. The patent officially took effect on October 25th, 2022, and is described as a ““system configured specially to impart boat-type motions (e.g., roll, sway, heave, pitch, surge, and yaw) to a passenger boat.” The boat would float on water as usual, but it will also be able to ““display imagery and a soundtrack that are synchronized with the motions imparted upon the boat.” ©Disney What is really interesting about this patent is that in one image you can see Moana and Maui on the dome screen where a show would be projected. This makes us wonder if this patent was originally for a Moana attraction when a Moana-themed land had been proposed for the Dinoland expansion in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. ©Disney Now that the Animal Kingdom “blue sky” idea has changed to include Encanto or Indian Jones, we wonder what else could be in store for this ride idea. Instead of floating by scenes like Pirates of the Caribbean, the scenes are all around you like in Flight of Passage. It also seems there would be mechanics under the boat that make it move and react to what’s happening around you. ©Disney This ride system would be a huge upgrade to the classic boat ride systems we still see today. Moving Map Projections A newer Disney patent, dated March 14th, 2023, is for a piece of technology called “Relative Surface Traveling Map Projection Process.” As in, projecting onto surfaces near the traveling projector using projection mapping. This projector patent is looking to seamlessly project scenes onto buildings, screens, statues, rocks, or other things while MOVING. ©Disney We see projection-mapping all the time in Disney World. It’s how the shows fit so perfectly onto Cinderella Castle and the walls of Muppet Vision 3D. But now it appears Disney wants to be able to do that while the projector and/or the “screen” (whatever the object may be) is moving. Disney specifically mentions using it as part of something like a parade float, which you can see in the images. ©Disney This would take viewing entertainment to another level and dimension. Suddenly Dropping Park Ride In 2022, we found a patent for a “Park Ride with Drop Swing Propulsion” The ride looks as exciting and scary as it sounds! This ride would be a normal ride with “a track defining a ride path for a passenger vehicle” that is configured “with two or four or more wheels, to roll upon and engage the track.” ©Disney But then it takes a turn (or should we say drop) for something entirely new and never seen before –it “includes a drop swing propulsion system that is adapted to drop a section of track upon which the passenger vehicle is supported from a first elevation to a second elevation that is lower than the first elevation.” ©Disney This ride would drop the track with the ride vehicle to a lower track, and then the force from the drop would propel the vehicle forward. With the new 360-degree ride vehicle roller-coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and now this, nobody can say Disney isn’t getting into thrill rides! ©Disney The patent describes, ““The new park ride design is particularly well suited for use in roller coasters, water rides, and the like in which vehicles are configured to ride or roll, at least a portion of the time, upon a track.” And it was created for the “need for a new way to surprise people when they experience a park ride or attraction they think they know such as a roller coaster, a water ride, and so on.” To say we would be utterly surprised if we started dropping from a track on a roller coaster would be an understatement. But we would pay big money to do it! Character Robots Several years ago, Disney filed a patent for a “Legged High-dexterity Self-balancing Capable Robot Actor.” The pictures from the patent looked very similar to the police rabbit we all know – Judy Hopps. ©Disney We also saw a robot at a D23 event that also looked very similar to Judy Hopps doing some sick tricks! ©Disney Then we saw a WALKING true-to-size Baby Groot robot with Project Kiwi! Robot Groot And most recently, we saw droids roaming around Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland! All of this to say, if Disney started having true-to-size robotic characters in the parks, we would be there in a flash! Interactive Toy You have heard of interactive toys before, but possibly not like this. This toy, patented as an “Interactive Toy”, is not just interactive with you, but with an entire ride, you are on! Essentially, the toy and the ride could communicate to add to the attraction experience through specific reactions on either (or both) the toy and/or ride. ©Disney This could mean that an action figure you’re holding on the ride could have a reaction to the ride itself, or vice versa. It could even change the story of the ride. Whether a guest has the toy or not could, hypothetically, completely change how the ride progresses. The possibilities with this patent are truly endless and it is an amazing piece of tech that we would pay a lot of money to experience. ©Disney But, as of now, none of these have made their way (fully) into the parks. They are all still “blue sky” ideas or in their developmental and testing phases. We will have to keep waiting to experience them ourselves! Until then, keep following DFB for more Disney news! ALL of the Disney World Rides That Interact With MagicBand+ Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which of these experiences are you most looking forward to if they become reality? Let us know in the comments! The post If These Disney Patents Come To Life In The Parks They Can Take ALL My Money first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We have been highly anticipating several new restaurants coming to Disney World! Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs One popular snack stand at Downtown Disney in Disneyland is headed to Disney World. But now we just got some sad news about when it will be opening! Previously, we had been told by Disney that Blue Ribbon Corndogs, the anything-but-normal corndog stand, would be making its debut at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn “later this year.” We had even hoped for it to open this month, November! Soon to be the home of Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs Hedges had gone up and we had even started hearing the construction. But now, Disney just announced on Instagram, that we won’t be seeing this fun corn dog stand until next year, 2024! We did get confirmation that our favorites, the Pickle Dog and Mexican Street Corn Dog, will be at the stand when it opens! So at least there was SOME good news. You’ll also be able to get Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, and Fresh Spun Cotton Candy. Blue Ribbon’s Pickle Dog Disney did not give any other information about when in 2024 we can expect to see this stand open, but it does appear construction has begun so hopefully it won’t be too late into the year! We’ll be on the lookout for more updates, so keep following DFB! Disney Announced 10 NEW 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 Are you looking forward to this corn dog stand opening? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Opening Date for NEW Disney World Snack Spot DELAYED to 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Most Disney World fans know just how often we need to be prepared for change — especially these days! Magic Kingdom Nearly everywhere you look something new or refurbished is on the way — from hotels to restaurants, attractions, and more. It’s exciting but it’s also a lot to keep up with, which is why we take care of the hard work for you. We take a look at permits recently filed by Disney to get an idea of what might be in store for the parks and more, and here’s what we found this time around. Magic Kingdom Changes could soon come to Be Our Guest restaurant in Magic Kingdom according to a new permit we found! From what we can tell, it’s for “general construction” which means it could be major updates or minor updates going on here soon. We’ll let you know of any changes that could impact your visit. Be Our Guest Restaurant A few different Monorail hubs will be getting some electrical upgrades soon according to several permits we found. It’s unclear whether or not this will impact the Monorail, but for now we haven’t seen any closures listed on the Disney World website. Holiday lights on the monorail! We’ll let you know if that changes. EPCOT Over in EPCOT, a new permit has been filed for work in the China Pavilion. The description is for “general construction” so we’ll be on the lookout for any updates in this area. China Pavilion in EPCOT Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is getting some attention to “remove pull stations, update firmware” and more minor updates. It’s possible that there won’t be any downtime for the ride, though, as there are no closures currently listed on the Disney World website. Cosmic Rewind We’ll let you know if that changes! Disney World Hotels Quite a few of the Saratoga Springs Treehouses will be under construction according to a handful of permits we found. The treehouses with numbers 7035, 7039, 7058, and 7060 have had permits filed for general construction. Treehouse Villas Stay tuned to DFB for more news from around Disney World! Check Out MORE Changes on the Way in Disney World Right Here Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe When are you heading to Disney World next? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney World Files Permits for Work at a Deluxe Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Happy Holidays, everyone! Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar Yes, the holidays are in full swing in Disney World. We’ve shown you a lot of the holiday decorations in the parks. We’ve visited ALL the gingerbread displays at the hotels. We’ve gone on a Christmas Tree stroll in Disney Springs. Well, now we’ve headed back to Disney Springs to check out a holiday bar Every year, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, which is inspired by the Indiana Jones movies, transforms into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, which means the entire space gets a holiday transformation. However, more importantly, the menu at Jock Lindsey’s gets some new holiday-inspired items. This year brings a few new things, like the O’ Ham N’ Cheese Trees, made with Puff Pastry, Pitt Ham, Cheddar, Garlic Herb Butter, and Sugar Plum Jam for $15. LOOK at that presentation! As you can see, these little trees win major points just for presentation alone. But looks ain’t everything, folks. But when we tasted these little heavenly trees, we were blown away. The puff pastry is crunchy, the ham is sweet and savory, and there’s a hint of spice (don’t worry — they’re not spicy HOT, though). Ham and cheese? Yes! We could also really taste the garlic butter, as well as the cheese…and well, anything with that kind of melted cheddar all over it is a winner in our books. The sugar plum also adds a nice sweetness that combines with everything else. 10 out of 10, y’all. SO cheesy We also had to try the Hot Chocolate Grail Flight for $26, which includes Spiced Caramel with Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Cookies ‘n Cream with White Chocolate and Stoli Vanil Vodka, Peppermint with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Bols Crème de Menthe White Liqueur. Um…oh, yeah!!! Hot Chocolate Grail Flight We knew when we tasted the Spiced Caramel, we had a favorite. It’s got the perfect balance of caramel to balance out the rich chocolate flavor. The rum, though, kinda’ goes unnoticed, but we weren’t mad about that. Spiced Caramel The Cookies and Cream tasted like a hot Oreo shake, and we mean that in a good way. There’s a strong vanilla flavor to it, but we also thought it was very sugary and syrupy. The cookie crumbs on top add a nice texture, but we would have loved some of that mixed into the chocolate as well. Overall, this was our least favorite of the flight. However, we’d still say this was tasty. Cookies and Cream Finally, the Peppermint had a very light minty flavor, while the Bailey’s and White Liqueurs added just enough of a subtle boozey taste. We really liked this because it felt so festive. One thing we liked about all three drinks is that although they DO have alcohol in them, the alcohol isn’t the primary taste you get. Peppermint Overall, we think this flight is the perfect combination of alcohol and hot chocolate. Each drink was smooth, rich, and delicious. We’d say 9 out of 10 for this. Stay tuned to DFB for more reviews! REVIEW: We’re Pretty Sure This NEW Hot Chocolate Croissant Roll in Disney World Is What Dreams Are Made Of 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! Have you ever visited Jock Lindsay’s Holiday Bar? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Skipping Disney World's Hidden Holiday Bar Would Be a Big MISTAKE. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

According to Variety, Marc Thorpe, the visual effects artist who worked on the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films has passed away. ©Megan Feffer Thorpe’s death was announced by his daughter on social media. Thorpe had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 30 years ago. Thrope was already a model-maker and puppet engineer when he joined Industrial Light and Magic in 1979. He went on to help create special effects for the last two Star Wars original trilogy movies, as well as three of the Indiana Jones movies. ©Disney Other movies he worked on include Poltergeist, Dragonslayer, Howard the Duck, and The Hunt for Red October. Thorpe also developed the concept for what eventually became Robot Wars. In 1994, he left ILM and launched the first Robot Wars competition. A tribute was posted on his website which read: “Marc had quite a remarkable life. At various points, he raised pet alligators, trained dolphins, built major portions of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones universes (and many others), created amazing art pieces, designed toys, worked on custom industrial design projects, engaged in unique performance art and perhaps most significantly invented the entire sport of robotic combat.” Thorpe will be greatly missed by many. Our thoughts are with his family. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: 'Star Wars' Visual Effects Artist Marc Thorpe Has Passed Away first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s been a year since Bob Iger returned to the Walt Disney Company to serve as CEO once more. ©Disney His return followed a downward spiral on multiple fronts: revenue, park attendance, and creativity within the studios and production sites. Even two years after pandemic-related shut downs, the Company continued to suffer. Enter Iger. Disney fans and stakeholders alike hoped that the former CEO could turn this downward spiral into something hopeful. The final earnings call of fiscal 2023 shared the ways in which the company has changed and grown in the year that Iger has been back aboard. The question is… Was Iger successful in making the massive changes it would take to turn things around financially for the company? Well, to an extent… yes. There were two major changes that Iger made in the past year as CEO, and they seem to be working out, based on the earnings report. Let’s talk about it! Mass Restructuring Throughout the Company At the first earnings call of 2023, Iger shared that Disney would soon undergo a company-wide “mass restructuring” in order to sort of switch gears and put focus on Iger’s new priority: streaming. Throughout the spring, THOUSANDS of jobs were cut to reallocate finances to the growth of streaming and Disney+, where Iger believes the future of the Walt Disney Company lies. ©MasterClass So… based on the job cuts, we’re going to say that he did pull through with that promise of a company-wide restructuring. As hard as it is to hear of those cuts and reallocations of funds, based on the final earnings call of the year, something seems to have worked. Disney+ was able to grow by 7 million subscribers domestically, and overall, revenue is up per subscriber. With a beta version of a combined Disney+ and Hulu app rolling out in December 2023, and more content becoming available to stream, Iger said Disney+ should start to profit by the end of 2024. Trajectory of In-Park and Disney Cruise Line Experiences With pandemic-related closures, Disney saw a loss in revenue and park attendance that continued over the course of the next couple years. Throughout the past year that Iger has been back as CEO, it’s evident that an emphasis has been placed on updating the parks and cruise line experiences, with the announcements of more new rides, re-themes, and even a whole new cruise ship: the Disney Treasure, which will feature never-before-seen entertainment options. ©Disney According to the earnings report, park attendance and revenue from in-person experiences is UP, and Iger said that we can expect to see the trend continue in 2024. With all new attractions like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure set to open, we’re interested to see how attendance and revenue will turn out. We’ll continue 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 even more Walt Disney Company 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 What do you think of these changes? Let us know in the comments! The post Bob Iger Has Made Two Massive Changes at Disney first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

World of Disney is a massive “every Disney souvenir you can think of” store in Disney Springs. World of Disney It’s the best place to go when you forget to buy something in the parks or you don’t want to use a park ticket to get your favorite Disney souvenir. It’s basically shopDisney in physical form. But it can also be a bit chaotic to browse around in. That’s why this new addition to the store is much appreciated! We were in World of Disney doing a bit of shopping the other day when we noticed a new sign. But it wasn’t just any old sign, it was a MAP of the huge store! World of Disney map This can be very helpful when navigating this massive Disney store. There are so many Disney items in it that finding something specific can sometimes be a monumental task. But having these new maps up will be very useful! You can pick out each area based on the new map! Things do get moved around frequently in World of Disney for new displays and merchandise, but the maps can help find general locations and items you might expect to be in those areas. New maps! We’re happy for the additions to the large store to make our shopping experience a little easier! Be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news. How You Should Spend Your Money in Disney Springs Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you like shopping at World of Disney? Let us know in the comments! The post 🚨Shopping in Disney World Just Got EASIER!🚨 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

2023 has been a big year for McDonald’s! Ba Da Ba Ba Bah… From the viral Grimace Shake to the popular Disney100 toys to the fan-favorite Halloween Happy Meal Boo Buckets, we’ve found ourselves in the drive-thru at the fast food giant more times than we’d care to admit. But it looks like we’ll all be planning another visit soon…because McDonald’s just announced its next big offering! Mickey D’s is bringing back some mascots that we haven’t seen for more than 25 years — the McNugget Buddies! The mega fast food brand announced the news in a press release on Wednesday, November 29th. McDonald’s Starting on December 11th in the U.S. and select international markets, McDonald’s is releasing the Kerwin Frost Box. It includes the choice of 10-piece Chicken McNuggets or a Big Mac, french fries, a soft drink, and a special McNugget Buddy collectible. This is the first time the McNugget Buddies have made an appearance in over 25 years, and they’ve been designed in partnership with artist Kerwin Frost. McDonald’s Here are the buddies that you might find in your Kerwin Frost Box, according to McDonald’s: Kerwin Frost – The Mayor of Frost Way is a true champion of the Buddies and encourages them to be themselves. In his free time, catch him adding art to his collection or fixing things around the neighborhood. Don Bernice – The Wise Stylist, an experienced fashion designer who creates all the outfits for the Buddies in Frost Way, while also offering stern advice (that’s always nice!). After all, she is “don” – the very best! Uptown Moe – The Neighborhood Hero, the no-nonsense, street-smart, supportive guy from around the block in Frost Way everyone knows and loves. He also gives the best motivational speeches on a whim. Waffutu – The Curious Optimist, who grew up in Frost Way and was raised by the whole neighborhood. She spreads positivity wherever she goes and can turn any frown upside down with the wave of a wand and tilt of a crown. BRRRICK – The Cool Guy, the most adventurous Buddy in Frost Way who speaks in puns, loves trying new things and techno music. He’s lowkey nervous, but always cool under pressure. Darla – The Dreamer, a soft-spoken yet peacefully confident singer who moved to Frost Way to pursue her dream of becoming a superstar as the lead singer of “The Frostettos.” When she’s not on stage, she’s running the local McDonald’s in Frost Way – where she’s employee of the month every month! ©McDonald’s “With last year’s Cactus Plant Flea Market Box, we unlocked the childlike joy of opening a Happy Meal box for fans of all ages,” said Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s USA Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer. “Fans told us they wanted to celebrate that quintessential childhood experience again. So, we’re excited to team up with Kerwin on this next take, as he brings his own childhood McDonald’s memories to life through reimagined McDonald’s characters, immersing our fans in the world of Frost Way.” McDonalds Adult Happy Meal The McNugget Buddies were first introduced back in 1988 with 10 different designs. They were known for their “wacky adventures and personalities, wild imaginations and interchangeable outfits.” We can’t wait to check out this new offering, so stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the McDonald’s addition! The Internet Is Obsessed With McDonald’s New Happy Meal Toys and We Get it Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you buy the adult Happy Meal? Tell us in the comments! The post THIS IS NOT A DRILL! New McDonald's Happy Meal Toys Are Coming Soon first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Becoming a Disney World Annual Passholder is an expensive commitment, but it’s a little more bearable for Florida residents. Annual Pass Florida residents have multiple options for Annual Passes, whereas out-of-state visitors can only purchase the most expensive tier. Florida residents also have the choice to either pay in full at time of purchase or to do a payment plan. But if you’re a Passholder on the payment plan, you may have noticed a problem this month! Due to issues with a third-party vendor, there was a delay in processing Annual Passholder payments in the month of November, specifically for those whose payments were due the 18th-27th. This means that your payment may not have been charged to your account like usual. Oswald Passholder Magnet However, there’s some good news. Disney shared a statement saying that the issue is now resolved, and the payments will resume soon. They will be charging the payment cards that were supposed to have payments during the affected dates, but the charge could take up to 5 business days to appear in your account. Annual Pass card This problem will not affect anyone who paid their annual pass in full, and after this month, scheduled payments will resume on their typical dates. We’ll keep you updated if there are any other Annual Passholder problems you need to know about, so stay tuned to DFB! Click Here to Learn More About Annual Passes in Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you a Disney World Annual Passholder? Tell us in the comments! The post UPDATE: Disney World Fixes Annual Pass Payment Problem first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article