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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

It’s no secret that things are about to change a lot in Disney World in 2024. EPCOT We know that certain attractions are getting makeovers this coming year, and we have to admit that we’re nervous about some of them. However, there are tons of new additions we CANNOT WAIT to see, and we thought we’d do a quick recap to refresh your mind! Completed EPCOT Transformation EPCOT has been in the process of transforming for multiple years now, and we should finally see a complete transformation by the time 2024 hits. Updated Construction (November 2023) Disney’s current timeline has this process finishing in very late 2023, but we’re a little skeptical that it may dip over into 2024 a little bit. Regardless, we should see it finished well before 2024 is over. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Over in Magic Kingdom, we’re so excited for the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, happening sometime in 2024. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure We don’t have an opening timeline for this ride just yet, but we do know it’ll be in 2024. This ride will have the same ride system as Splash Mountain, which it’s taking the place of in Disney World and Disneyland. No More Park Passes A HUGE announcement for 2024 was that Park Passes will no longer be required for date-based tickets (which are the most common types of tickets Disney sells) starting on January 9th. Scanning into the theme park Most tickets are date-based, but a few exclusions include Annual Passholders, school trips, conventions, Cast Members, and a few other groups that do not have date-based tickets (essentially meaning your ticket does not have a date range when it can be used). In these cases, park passes are still needed. All Day Park Hopping Starting on January 9th as well, guests with park hopper tickets or Annual Passes will be able to park hop all day in the parks! You could park hop to EPCOT via the Monorail quickly from Magic Kingdom The only exception to this rule will be if the park you’re looking to hop to has already reached capacity. Disney Dining Plan January 9th is a HUGE day because this is also the date the Disney Dining Plan finally returns to Disney World. ©Disney The Disney Dining Plan is a great way for families to plan ahead of time what they’d like to spend on food for their whole trip, but we will warn you that it costs more than most families actually spend on dining while they’re in the parks. However, for families who just want to have the cost and planning already taken care of, it’s a great feature. Genie+ Change Genie+ changes very consistently, and it can be hard to keep up with (that’s what we’re here for). A massive change that many guests have been asking for is being added in 2024. Genie+ This new change, on its way sometime in 2024, will allow guests to plan some of their Genie+ selections ahead of time before they even enter the park, similar to how FastPass+ did. Disney hasn’t released many other details just yet, but we are excited about this change! New DVC Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort If you’re a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Member, you’re likely just as excited as we are about the new DVC Tower coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. DVC construction is ongoing This new tower replaced the previous location of the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, and is expected to open sometime in 2024. Remember, even if you’re not a DVC member, you can always rent points from DVC members and use them towards a stay. Cake Bake Shop The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers is coming to Disney’s BoardWalk in 2024, and we couldn’t be more excited! Construction This new restaurant will serve sweet and savory menu items for brunch, lunch, and dinner, as well as afternoon tea service. There will also be a bakery case where you can grab items to go! New Cabins at Fort Wilderness Over at Fort Wilderness Resort, new cabins will be debuting in 2024 as well! Fort Wilderness Cabin Concept Art ©Disney These 350 new cabins will be upgrades from the current offerings, and will also be part of the Disney Vacation Club offerings, but they will be open for all guests to book. They’ll sleep up to 6 adults and include a bedroom, bathroom, living room, full kitchen, and private patio. The New Country Bear Jamboree An iconic Magic Kingdom attraction is also getting a bit of an overhaul — Country Bear Jamboree will be getting a makeover in 2024. ©Disney The bears will be learning a new act that is inspired by variety shows down in Nashville, Tennessee, and while they’ll be singing all their old songs, they’ll be in new styles such as country, rockabilly, and bluegrass. Good To Go Days And lastly, we’re really looking forward to experiencing the new Good To Go days for Cast Members and Annual Passholders. We love Cast Members! Good to Go days are when Cast Members and Annual Passholders will be able to enter Disney parks without the need for a park pass reservation. While we don’t have a specific date for when these will begin, we do know they’ll begin in January 2024! Seven Dwarfs Mine Train See what we mean? There is SO much to look forward to in 2024, and we can’t wait to experience it all with you. Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Here’s why you won’t want to be in Magic Kingdom on January 29th, 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 Which one of these are you most looking forward to? Tell us in the comments! The post 11 Things We CAN’T WAIT to see in Disney World in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

At Disney World, new merchandise flies on and off the shop shelves like nobody’s business. Holiday Merchandise! We find most of the merchandise adorable. Some of it doesn’t really appeal to us, but we could see why other folks might like it. And then SOME merchandise just absolutely terrifies us. Like… sometimes we start to wonder who at Disney approved some of these designs… Anyway, we found a souvenir like that this week, and if we had to see it, so do y’all. Say hello to the Moana Tamatoa Ornament! It sure is something, and you can add it to your own Christmas tree if you’d like by heading over to Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom. Uhhhh… For only $26.99, you can be terrified all winter long. Why is he staring at us like that? He looks evil…but I guess he is, right? OF course, the Mickey ears that feature Moana and Maui are a nice touch, but why couldn’t that same aspect of the design be put on like, a Moana-themed sphere? Why does the base of the ornament have to be the evil crab? Why did they make the evil crab’s face look extra evil? Terror Anyway, this find really made our trip into the Christmas Shoppe feel like The Nightmare Before Christmas. We absolutely did not buy this, but you totally could if you’re looking to make your tree extra frightening this year. To each their own! We’ll continue to keep you updated with Disney news and scary merchandise, so make sure to follow along for more so that you never miss a thing and are always in the loop. Looking for more Disney merchandise? That we DO like? 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 this new Tamatoa ornament? Let us know in the comments! The post The Weird Christmas Jump Scare that GOT US in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We talk about cruising quite a bit here on DFB, although, granted, we’re usually talking about Disney Cruise Line. ©Royal Caribbean Disney Cruise Line certainly offers a little something for everyone, including fine dining, private islands, fun activities, and more. But Royal Caribbean just took ownership of a new ship, Icon of the Seas, and we’ll admit that as we learn more about it, it’s giving us some FOMO (aka fear of missing out). Royal Caribbean just welcomed its new ship, Icon of the Seas, in a celebration at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turki, Finland. Icon of the Seas is the result of 900 days of design and construction and will be the largest cruise ship in the world. During the celebration, representatives of Royal Caribbean signed all the necessary documents to take ownership of the new ship, which will set sail for the first time in January 2024 from Miami. ©Royal Caribbean The ship will feature the single largest glass and steel structure to ever be lifted onto a cruise ship, the AquaDome, as well as more water on board throughout the ship’s seven pools and six waterslides. The ship will now be sailing to Cadiz, Spain, where the finishing touches will be added before it heads to Miami. ©Royal Caribbean The ship includes eight neighborhoods, 40 restaurants and bars, four signature stages for shows, and 28 room types. Icon of the Seas is also Royal Caribbean’s first ship that can be powered by liquefied natural gas. It also has the first waste-to-energy plant at sea. ©Royal Caribbean “Welcoming Icon of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family is a remarkable accomplishment years in the making for thousands of innovators, engineers, architects and designers,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer; now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024.” ©Royal Caribbean You can now book cruises on the Icon of the Seas, so if you’re looking for something a little different, you might want to check it out. Stay tuned to DFB for more. FREE Is Too High a Price for This Cruise Line DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Will you be booking a cruise on this new ship? Let us know in the comments! The post The World's Largest Cruise Ship Is HERE and It’s Breaking RECORDS! 😱 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

After several long years of construction, the EPCOT transformation is nearly complete! EPCOT We’ve seen several new additions over the past few years, from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Space 220 to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Creations Shop. But soon, the World Celebration section of the park will be fully open again. And along with that reopening comes a brand-new feature! One of the most anticipated parts of the transformation is the unveiling of a NEW Walt Disney statue. The statue will reside in a new location behind Spaceship Earth called Dreamers Point. We’ve seen sneak peeks of the statue before… ©Disney …but now we can actually see it in its home location! During a ride on the Monorail, we spotted the Walt statue ready to greet guests once the construction walls come down. It’s there! It’s officially being unveiled on December 5th, the same day as the new nighttime show Luminous premieres at EPCOT. We can’t wait to see all the park’s changes! This area will be open soon! We’ll keep you in the loop as EPCOT finishes its transformation. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest! Every Single Change Since EPCOT’s Transformation — Click Here! Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana Has the Mary Poppins Project at Disney World Been Canceled? What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation? SNEAK PEEK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest EPCOT transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you heading to EPCOT after the transformation is complete? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: The New Statue of Walt Disney Arrived in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s no secret that getting into Magic Kingdom can be a PAIN. Magic Kingdom The Transportation & Ticket Center can be the bane of your existence if you’re in a hurry to get to the park for rope drop, and it gets even more complicated if you’re visiting on a day when things are particularly busy. But don’t worry — we’re here to help! If you’re heading to Magic Kingdom, we’ve got two big tips for how to get there FASTER! Ready to hear them? Let’s dive in. First up, if you’re new to visiting Disney World, you might not realize that the Magic Kingdom parking lot is actually more than a mile away from the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. That’s right — you’re actually parking at a location known at the Transportation and Ticket Center. After you park in the lot, you’ll walk or take a tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you’ll go through security and then have a choice of taking a monorail or ferry boat to the Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom Parking Lot Disney designed things this way so that the view of the vast parking lots needed for the park didn’t impact the sight lines and, well, magic of the Magic Kingdom. And that’s awesome, but it also means you have a bit more hassle arriving at the Magic Kingdom than you do at other Disney World parks. The Monorail Hack This first quick route is made for those particularly busy days, or the crowded times in the morning right before rope drop. If there’s a long line for the Express Monorail to the park that stretches out into an extended queue, you might be waiting through 3 or 4 rides before you get to board and make it to Magic Kingdom. Resort Monorail In that case, we often prefer to take the Resort Monorail instead! The ride isn’t as short as the Express line, but if you’re going to have to wait to board the Express anyway, you might actually make it to the park FASTER on the Resort line. On average, we find that the Resort ride (with stops at the Polynesian Village Resort and Grand Floridian Resort) takes about 14 minutes to get to Magic Kingdom. The Monorail This plan doesn’t always work, and we don’t recommend it if the line for the Express Monorail is short, but it can be a nice time saver on particularly busy days. Give it a try the next time you want to avoid the wait! The Hidden Staircase Our other trick for beating the crowds is one that you’ll use when the Monorail (either the Resort OR Express) arrives at the Magic Kingdom station. As you disembark, most people will be heading for the large ramp in the middle of the station to exit, but you can avoid those crowds by taking the “secret” stairs! Magic Kingdom Monorail Station On either side of the ramp is a staircase that cuts off part of the pathway. It deposits you about halfway down the ramp, and if you’re a fast walker, you might be able to get out in front of the crowd and make it to the entrance before all the families with strollers do. Monorail These staircases work best if you’re in the Monorail cars that unload closest to them, but they’re available for anyone to use. We’re big fans of a shortcut! Those are two of our little tricks for getting to Magic Kingdom faster! Stay tuned to DFB for more tips on how to navigate the parks on your next vacation. 23 Tips That Make Your Disney World Trip Easier — 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 Have you ever used these tips? Tell us in the comments! The post Two Secret Ways To Get Into Magic Kingdom FASTER first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is CHANGING — meaning the way you PREPARE for Disney World is gonna change along with it. Magic Kingdom So let’s figure out what YOU’RE gonna need in your Disney Utility Belt for 2024, here on DFB Guide. Check out our video below: DON’T Visit Disney World in 2024 Without THIS 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: DON’T Visit Disney World in 2024 Without THIS first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Mickey and Minnie are busy baking at the BoardWalk Deli gingerbread display! Mickey and Minnie are baking for us! And the real chefs at the BoardWalk Deli are baking up some delectable wintry pastries as well! We stopped by Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort to try a sweet treat– the Frosted Croissant Roll. We stopped by the BoardWalk Deli over at the BoardWalk Inn where they are serving up a couple of festive pastries. Here you can find the Frosted Croissant Roll for $6.99 and the Peppermint Brownie Cheesecake for $5.49. BoardWalk Deli Holiday Treats We decided to go for the beautifully blue Frosted Croissant Roll. We REALLY liked this treat! The croissant was soft and flakey, just as you would like a croissant to be. Inside the rolls, you’ll find bits of doughy layers making it a very yummy pastry. The outside reminded us a lot of a sticky and crispy cinnamon roll. Frosted Croissant Roll The filling is luxurious like you are eating something from a very fancy bakery or specialty chocolate shop. The chocolate is rich and a bit on the darker side. It’s more like a sauce in the way that it’s not too thick. The marshmallow filling was creamy, sweet, and thicker than the chocolate sauce which made them a great pair. Delicious inside and out! This is more on the sweet side with the chocolate and marshmallow filling. We’ve had other croissants here before with fruit filling that were a lot less sweet, but this is still amazing. And if you are a hot chocolate and marshmallow fan, you would definitely enjoy it. We would recommend trying it or any version of it if they have one while you’re here! It’s very yummy! Make sure you’re on the lookout for all the holiday treats around Disney World! And stop by the BoardWalk Deli if you’re looking for a tasty pastry. In the meantime, keep following DFB for more Disney food news! 15 Cheap But Filling Disney World Snacks For When You’re Ballin’ On a Budget Would you enjoy this holiday croissant roll? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: We're Pretty Sure This NEW Hot Chocolate Croissant Roll in Disney World Is What Dreams Are Made Of first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World has so many hotels to choose from. Grand Floridian Hotel & Spa Some hotels offer fun theming and are great for the kids. Other hotels are more upscale, offering larger rooms. If you are currently planning your Disney vacation for 2024 and are planning on staying at a Disney World hotel, you’ll want to read this first. There are a few hotels that you might want to avoid this upcoming year. Fort Wilderness If you’re looking for an outdoorsy camping experience, Fort Wilderness is known for its camp sites and cabins. Well in 2024, the cabins at Fort Wilderness are getting an UPDATE! Disney Vacation Club had announced its plan to redesign the cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The proposal calls for more than 350 refreshed cabins to replace the existing cabins at the resort. Fort Wilderness The cabins will sleep up to six adults and feature a bedroom, bathroom, living room, full kitchen, and private patio. Disney noted that a select number of cabins will be dog-friendly. These are set to open sometime in 2024. There are a few reasons you might want to shy away from trying to book at Fort Wilderness. With no official opening date, if you are hoping to get one of the new cabins and book now, there is a chance they might not be ready yet. These cabins will also likely see a price increase. New Fort Wilderness DVC Cabins ©Disney The Polynesian Village Resort Fort Wilderness isn’t the only hotel getting something new in 2024. The Polynesian Village Resort will make you feel as if you are on an island. With such great food options and the beaches, why wouldn’t you want to stay here in 2024? Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney Vacation Club has announced that new villas will be coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. They are projected to open in late 2024. With construction well underway, you might want to skip staying here for now. We have seen things impacted here like the walkway to the Grand Floridian Resort. When it does open, that will also mean even more foot traffic at the Polynesian resort and more people at restaurants and the pools, causing it to be crowded. ©Disney Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Caribbean Beach Resort is a large, moderate hotel with several buildings and pools. However, they are known for their largest pool, the Fuentes del Morro pool. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort The Fuentes del Morro pool is located right in the main hotel lobby and is themed like an old stone fort. This is a hit for kids and adults both. However, if you are hoping to swim here from January to April of next year, you won’t be able to. The pool will actually be closed during those months for refurbishment. Fuentes del Morro pool Port Orleans: French Quarter Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter hotel is known for its beignets and fun theming. With boat transportation to Disney Springs, guests enjoy staying at this hotel. Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort However, the Doubloon Lagoon pool will be closed from January to April next year. Guests will be allowed to use the pool at its sister resort, Port Orleans Riverside. However, they could become inconvenient if you are planning on using the pool often during your stay. Doubloon Lagoon Art of Animation, Pop Century, Riviera Art of Animation, Pop Century, Disney’s Riviera, and Caribbean Beach all have the unique amenity of having the Skyliner as a form of transportation to and from 2 Disney parks — EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is a quick and convenient way to travel to these parks, not to mention it makes resort hopping easy! Disney’s Riveria Resort However, from January 16th to the 21st, the Skyliner will be closed for refurbishment. Of course, they will have buses running to the parks from these resorts. However, if you were hoping to ride the Skyliner straight from your hotel during that time, you might want to shift your trip or choose another hotel to stay at. Disney Skyliner Keep following DFB for more Disney World tips for your 2024 vacation. 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! Which Disney resort are you hoping to stay at in 2024? Tell us in the comments below. The post Why You Should Be Careful Staying at These Disney World Hotels in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s just something about the wintertime and holiday season that makes us want to curl up with a cozy drink and simply relax. The holidays are extra cozy at Disney World! What’s even BETTER is when we get to do that at Disney World! We’ve seen the cozy holiday decor and some festive treats pop up in the parks, but now a cozy new addition has been added to a Disney World hotel. Let’s check it out! Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, there’s an all-new HOLIDAY BAR that popped up over the weekend! There’s a new holiday bar! Here, you can snag a variety of festive sips, from hot chocolate to some… stronger beverages. Yep, you can get boozy (holiday-style) in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Here’s a peek at the menu. Pop-Up Bar Menu We had our eye on one thing, though… Holiday Fruitcake Mule The Holiday Fruitcake Mule was so interesting that we just had to grab it. Look how pretty! It was also DELICIOUS, but if you don’t like ginger beer, you probably won’t like this. The ginger beer and cranberry is what we taste the most when we sip it. Holiday Fruitcake Mule Of course, there are a couple of snacks and sweet treats available, too, like the Ginger-affe Cookie and the Mickey Santa Hat Tart. The Ginger-affe was an adorable giraffe-shaped gingerbread cookie sandwich that was nice and chewy, and overall made for the perfect holiday treat. Ginger-affe cookie The Mickey Santa Hat Tart is a vanilla tart with pistachio cake, chai mousse, and caramel ganache. All the flavors worked together perfectly, and we enjoyed it! Plus, it’s easy to share. Mickey Santa Hat Tart What do you think? Will you be headed over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to snag some sweets and sips this holiday season? 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 more holiday snacks to try this year? 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 Which of these snacks do you want to try? Let us know in the comments! The post Did You Know About This NEW Bar In Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

‘Tis the season for some good deals! Disney Springs We’re all about saving money when it comes to Disney World. Who doesn’t love to put a little bit of money back into their pockets? Now YOU CAN with gift card deals at select Disney Springs restaurants! This holiday season, 12 Disney Springs restaurants are rewarding gift card purchases with additional gift cards, absolutely free! Whether you’re buying gift cards for someone else or for yourself, there’s never been a better time to purchase these cards. Let’s take a look at these promotions and their details! Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Homecomin’ Located in The Landing at Disney Springs, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is the place to be if you’re in search of great Southern comfort food. With a menu inspired by local Florida agriculture and Chef Art Smith’s recipes (who is also a native Floridian), this is one of the most popular restaurants in Disney Springs. Wine Bar George is offering a $10 gift card for every $100 spent on the purchase of a gift card now through December 31st, 2023 for in-restaurant purchases. Patina Restaurant Group Morimoto Asia The Patina Restaurant Group operates five Disney Springs restaurants. They are as follows: The Edison, a 1920s-period power plant and “Industrial Gothic”-style restaurant, bar, and nighttime destination Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar and Restaurant, a Roman-inspired speakeasy that serves Roman dishes and Prohibition-era cocktails Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, a Sicilian restaurant set in a 1930s abandoned airline terminal with a dining room that features 50-foot ceilings showcasing views of Lake Buena Vista Morimoto Asia, a Pan-Asian restaurant by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto that serves Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisines on the waterfront Pizza Ponte, a casual restaurant that serves Sicilian pizza by the slice as well as Italian sandwiches and pastries PATINA® These restaurants’ promotion is a bonus $35 e-card when purchasing a $100 e-gift card now through January 2nd, 2024. Levy Restaurants Paddlefish Levy Restaurants include Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian in Disney Springs. Paddlefish is a seafood restaurant and steakhouse inside a steamboat that offers breathtaking views of the water and Disney Springs. Terralina Crafted Italian features a menu inspired by James Beard Award winner Chef Tony Mantuano and serves fine dining Italian cuisine. Terralina Crafted Italian Both restaurants offer a promotion where you can get a $25 bonus gift card with the purchase of a $100 gift card now through December 31st, 2023. City Works Eatery & Pour House City Works Eatery and Pour House Found on the West Side of Disney Springs, City Works Eatery & Pour House offers craft brews and classic American eats with some fun twists. Perhaps most importantly, it also features plenty of high-def TVs (including a 165-inch screen), which are great for live sporting events. Here you will find rare brews and good pub grub. ©City Works Eatery & Pour House City Works’ promo is a $20 bonus card if buy a $100 Bottleneck gift card and runs until New Year’s Eve 2023. Planet Hollywood Planet Hollywood Planet Hollywood is styled after an old-fashioned observatory in the old Florida town of Disney Springs and features a lot of movie memorabilia inside. It has an expansive menu of standard American fare but does have some wild items such as a specialty sandwich menu by celebrity Chef Guy Fieri. ©Planet Hollywood International Planet Hollywood is currently offering a $10 reward card with the purchase of a $50 gift card now through December 31st, 2023. STK Orlando STK Orlando A premier Disney Springs steakhouse, STK Orlando is a modern twist on the traditional American steakhouse, featuring sleek lounges with a DJ as well as rooftop dining. The Orlando location is also one of the largest STK locations in the United States. THE ONE GROUP, LLC For this promotion, for every $50 worth of gift cards purchased, the purchaser receives $10 Dining Dollars. For every $100 worth of gift cards purchased, the purchaser receives $25 Dining Dollars. The STK promotion is in effect now through January 1st, 2024. Disney Springs There you have it! If you plan to get gift cards or use gift cards at any of these restaurants early next year, we recommend checking out these promotions. Be sure to follow us here at DFB for all the latest Disney Springs and Disney World news! Disney Springs Has 68 Restaurants, but You Only Need To Know About 6 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 restaurants is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post 12 Disney Springs Restaurants Are GIVING AWAY Gift Cards first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Over 200 cast members were recently invited to a cast-exclusive fashion show in Zootopia for a big reveal of the new cast costumes debuting Dec. 20.View the full article

The holidays have arrived in Disney World, and it’s no secret that one of our favorite parts about the season is trying all of the new festive treats. Disney’s All-Star Music Resort We’ve tried all kinds of new snacks, from a Peppermint Éclair to a Red Velvet Whoopie Pie, not to mention all of the fun party exclusives we had at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. If you think all of the good treats to be had are inside the theme parks, though, think again! We’ve found some of our favorite holiday eats at hotels around Disney World, so I stopped by Disney’s All-Star Resorts to check out one of their new holiday desserts. Over at Intermission Food Court in Disney’s All-Star Music, we picked up the Minnie Gingerbread Bundt Cake for $5.99. Minnie Bundt Cake This is a Gingerbread Bundt Cake with cream cheese icing in the middle, and it’s topped with Christmas lights decor, green frosting, and Minnie Mouse white chocolate decor. Minnie Bundt Cake I thought this was soft and had great Christmas flavors. The gingerbread was “spicy” without being over the top and the cream cheese icing was creamy and rich with a fair amount of cream cheese tanginess. Minnie Bundt Cake I also really liked the sugar Christmas lights decor — they reminded me of the embellishments I used to get on my birthday cake as a kid. They were quite crunchy, however, so they might not be for everyone! For the price, I thought this was a great treat for someone who loves gingerbread. However, with all of the icing and frosting, it is on the sweet side so keep that in mind if you’re looking for something a little bit lighter. Minnie Bundt Cake We’ll keep bringing you all the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Don’t Waste Your Money on These 15 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Snacks 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 travel to Disney’s All-Star Resorts for this new treat? Let us know in the comments below! The post REVIEW: Disney World's NEW Treat Made Me Feel Like a Kid Again first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This Giving “Toys” Day, the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive honored Disney’s more than 75 years of collaboration with Toys for Tots with a donation that will help deliver an additional 75,000 toys to kids in need!View the full article

We are nearing the end of the EPCOT transformation! EPCOT Disney announced the EPCOT transformation will be complete in December of this year. The new show, Luminous The Symphony of Us, is set to debut on December 5th and now Disney has just announced the date of another large milestone! The Walt the Dreamer statue is officially set to open to guests in EPCOT on December 5th, 2023–in celebration of Walt’s birthday. The statue features Walt sitting, “dreaming up the overall Florida Project and the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, EPCOT.” “Walt the Dreamer” Walt will sit in the new World Celebration Gardens, at Dreamer’s Point, overlooking all that he dreamed up as it sits today. Four gardens will be found in the center of World Celebration, including Dreamer’s Point, and will connect together at a central planter that is based on the EPCOT logo. The area will evolve with the seasons and include lighting elements that will “take on a whole new life” at night. Walt Statue in World Celebration According to Disney, “Dreamers Point is named not only for the dreamer that has and continues to inspire us but also for all of us who visit EPCOT every day to celebrate the endless potential and possibility of our world.” We can’t wait to visit this special place on the very special day commemorating Walt’s birthday. Until then, keep following DFB for more Disney news! HUGE Projects EPCOT Has To Finish in 3 Months Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana Has the Mary Poppins Project at Disney World Been Canceled? What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation? SNEAK PEEK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest EPCOT transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you excited to see this new statue of Walt Disney? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: Opening DATE Announced for NEW Area of EPCOT! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney’s relationship with the state of Florida has been a whirlwind, to say the least. Reedy Creek Improvement District Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have been in a battle for control over the former Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District since a bill was introduced (and later signed into law) to dissolve the district and its special tax status. Since then, DeSatis and his appointed board have been in control over the district. Florida Democratic state senator Linda Stewart stated that the law that would dissolve Reedy Creek “is a tax increase” and that she didn’t “think [DeSantis] understood how badly this could go for the state of Florida and the counties and the cities.” Now, we’re hearing more from Stewart. According to News6WKMG reporter Landon McReynolds, Sen. Linda Stewart is preparing to file a bill that could TERMINATE the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District… as it existed before February 23rd, 2023, when DeSantis’s board officially took over. Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream Yes, this means that the Reedy Creek Improvement District could make a comeback. Reedy Creek Improvement District Section 3 of the bill currently states, “The offices and terms of all members of the Board of Supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District existing as of the effective date of this act shall end as of the effective date of this act, but such members may continue to serve until a successor in office is appointed and qualified.” Whew! This is BIG news! Will the months-long battle for control over the district between Disney and DeSantis finally come to an end? We’ll have to wait and see! Reedy Creek We’ll continue to keep you all updated with more Disney news, so make sure to follow along for more so that you’re always in the loop. Looking for more on the DeSantis and Disney battle? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think of the prepared bill? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: A Senator Is Preparing a Bill That Could REPEAL Gov. DeSantis' Takeover of Disney World's Reedy Creek District first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Imagine alongside Walt Disney in the new World Celebration neighborhood and “Walt the Dreamer” statue opening Dec. 5 at EPCOT! View the full article

Disney’s new movie, Wish, has officially hit theaters, and we are still talking about all of the fun easter eggs we spotted in the film. AMC Theaters at Disney Springs On top of all of the nostalgic nods to Disney’s past films, the movie had two characters we couldn’t get enough of. First, Star — the iconic, well, star, with a heart-shaped face inspired by Mickey Mouse. While his lovable antics played a fun, iconic part in the film, one character brought a different kind of comedic relief — Asha’s sidekick, Valentino — a cute little goat who gets a surprisingly deep voice early on in the story. If you loved this character as much as we did, you’re going to want to head to Disney Springs ASAP for the new souvenir inspired by this little guy. At snack and drink carts around Disney Springs, you can find the new Wish Valentino Bucket, complete with the goat’s signature expression. The bucket costs $22 and includes popcorn at the time of purchase. Valentino Popcorn Bucket You’ll even find cute illustrations of Valentino along the strap. ‘Wish’ strap There is a limit of two per person, while supplies last, so head to Disney Springs soon if you want to pick up this bucket — it’s the only place we’ve seen it for sale so far! In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news. Disney’s ‘Wish’ Director Talks About What It Took to Get to Where She Is 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 seen this new movie yet? Let us know in the comments below! The post There's a NEW Popcorn Bucket in Disney World Now! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s a great time to be a Disney fan and food-lover. EET There are lots of great new eats coming to Disney Parks within the next few months, and one of those is EET by Maneet Chauhan. This new eatery will be located in the Marketplace section of Disney Springs, and will serve up a variety of “traditional flavor with modern flair.” Examples of what you can find on the menu include a bread service and DIY Pani Puri along with Tandoori Chicken Poutine. You can order an array of different naan options or opt for a Chicken Tikka Naan Pizza on the Pizza & Breads menu. If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, then you might enjoy the option to BYOB or build your own bowl! You can see the full menu here. There’s something we’re particularly excited about that will be available on the menu, though, and we’re here to hype it up! We’re especially excited about the Tandoori Chicken Poutine! YUM! via eet by Maneet Chauhan on Instagram For $14, you can get this dish of chaat masala fries, tandoori chicken, white cheddar curds, and rich tomato butter sauce. Now, Disney World is no stranger to delicious poutines. This one will be joining an already impressive lineup of poutines we’ve tried in the past, including a Cheeseburger Poutine, an Italian Sausage and Pepper Poutine, and even the Canadian Poutine in EPCOT. Canadian Poutine But when we heard Maneet Chauhan was opening a restaurant in Disney World, we traveled to Nashville, TN, to try her restaurant there — Chauhan Ale and Masala House. And guess what the BEST thing we tried there was? TANDOORI CHICKEN POUTINE. Tandoori Chicken Poutine at Chauhan Ale and Masala House It’s safe to say we are obsessed with this poutine, and we cannot wait — CANNOT WAIT — to eat it again. If you’re looking forward to trying this new dish, the restaurant is set to open at the end of the year, which is SOON. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more news on the eatery as we have it. Follow along for more so that you never miss a thing! Looking for more Disney World restaurants that you can enjoy RIGHT NOW? 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 Will you be headed to EET to try this new poutine? Let us know in the comments! The post Have You Heard About the NEW Poutine Coming to Disney World?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Change is a big part of the Walt Disney Company. EPCOT Transformation construction Recently, in a town hall meeting with Disney employees and Cast Members, the Walt Disney CEO and other Disney executives gathered together to discuss the past, present, and future of the Walt Disney Company. Iger set the stage by stating, “Building is a lot more fun than fixing.” And building is just what we can expect from the Disney company going forward. Near the beginning of the meeting, Iger mentioned that, over the past year, he has spent a lot of his time “fixing a lot of broken things that needed attention.” But now he is in the season of building – building the company, building the parks, and building the studios. ©Disney Iger focused on a lot of positive changes that we will be seeing coming in the near and distant future. He’s a “believer in creating and maintaining a strong corporate culture” and the upcoming changes are expected to do just that. So what changes can expect from the Disney company? Let’s dive into what Iger and his team were excited about. $60 Billion Expansions Back in September, Disney announced its plans to double their investments in the parks, experiences, and products sector by increasing their spending from $30 billion over the previous decade to $60 billion in the next 10 years. In the town hall meeting, Iger mentioned, “We don’t have an endless amount of capital to invest,” but went on to add, “With the IP [intellectual property] that we have, it seems like a no-brainer to put our money where it can do us the most good.” Cinderella Castle In a different interview, Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman, stated about the future expansions that “we have Imagineers running very quickly in the background.” It was also mentioned that Disneyland has enough room to build another entire theme park. With this optimism, it sounds like the additions coming to the park will be significant. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more specific details as we move forward! Arendelle Castle We’re already seeing the amazing effects of Disney expansions in places like World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland and the soon-to-open Zootopia land in Shanghai Disney. It would seem the possibilities and ideas are endless (but currently still in the “blue sky” phase). The parks have done so well, so it just makes sense that we would see changes and updates here. ESPN In terms of their ESPN content, it sounds like we could see some changes here, too! Disney intends to offer their primary sports broadcasting channels a la carte no later than 2025. This would meet their goal of serving their sports fans anytime and anywhere. ©ESPN They’re also looking for ways to enhance their products, mentioning ways for more interactivity and how to be more social. James Pitaro, ESPN Chairman, mentioned that they are in the market right now looking for potential partners. Neither he nor Iger would comment on who those potential partners may be; however, they mentioned they’re looking to get “maximum exposure” and find ways to “enhance their content”– particularly in the sports realm. We have seen this already with the new ESPN BET app for sports betting. ©ESPN Streaming Also mentioned at the meeting was the topic of streaming and the changes we will be seeing in places like Disney+ and Hulu. They mentioned that the median age of viewers on linear networks like ABC is the mid-60s, and the median age on Hulu is the late 30s. The goal of the company is to be able to cater to both of these audiences by continuing live broadcasting for the “notion of that communal event still exists on linear content,” commented Dana Walden, Co-chairman of Disney Entertainment. They want to meet their viewers where they are. ©ABC One way of doing this is to continue the live airing of shows on ABC and then have them up on Hulu very quickly to reach the other demographic of the audience. This will also benefit from the merging of Disney+ and Hulu into a one-app streaming service. This single app of Disney+ featuring Hulu will demo this December and be fully launched in March of 2024. Movies A main theme of the meeting that kept resurfacing was “quality over quantity.” Iger mentioned, “Quantity, in many ways, can destroy quality.” Nearly sounding like the great Walt Disney, Iger reiterated the importance of the story, “Almost everything we do as a company begins with an important and great story.” He also mentioned, “A number of great stories told are endless.” So does that mean we will continue to see new sequels being made? World of Color — Season of Light He continued to emphasize the importance of “the creativity that exists in peoples’ minds” He said, “The one thing that AI won’t replace…is creativity.” He added that, even if something sounds crazy when a story is pitched, there is always a MAYBE, and “that maybe is so important.” So many new movies are on the way and it seems that this is one of the most important aspects for the company. “Storytelling is the most important thing to do,” stated Iger, “When we get it right, it ripples through the entire company.” Asha from the new movie ‘Wish’ “When it comes to creating a perception of a company, nothing is as important as movies,” explained Iger. It seems we have a lot to be optimistic about in the coming future at Disney. Iger shared what he wants “the investor community to know about us is we’re open-minded about our future and are optimistic about our present.” His closing thoughts were that there is “example after example…of what this company is capable of.” We look forward to seeing all it has on its horizon. Until then, keep following DFB for more Disney news! 10 Controversial Things Bob Iger Has Said About Disney’s Alleged ‘Woke Agenda’ 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 about these changes coming to Disney? Let us know in the comments! The post "I Am a Huge Believer in the Need to Constantly Innovate" -- Disney CEO Bob Iger Comments on Upcoming CHANGES first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are some exciting new restaurants on the horizon for Disney World. Disney Springs Soon, Disney’s BoardWalk will be getting two new spots — The Cake Bake Shop and Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs. Over at Disney Springs, another restaurant is coming together — Summer House on the Lake. This new location will serve up a West Coast-inspired menu, offer a Cali-Mex Brunch, and feature a dessert bar called The Cookie Jar. It’s all set to open sometime this year, and today we noticed a big clue that it will be opening soon! Recently, we noticed that the walls had come down around this new restaurant and it had started to take shape. Summer House on the Lake Construction Today, things are even further along! We noticed a few things that might mean it will open soon. There is a menu board out front, so we could see a menu any day now. Menu board The outside patio area is also looking very cozy with various tables and chairs. Outside patio While the front of the restaurant is still blocked off, it’s all starting to look pretty complete! It’s projected to open this year, and with all of these finishing touches complete, we imagine it will be serving guests before you know it. Summer House on the Lake We had a chance to visit the Summer House location in Chicago and loved it! You can read about our experience here. Summer House Santa Monica Chicago Location We’ll keep an eye out for any updates, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Disney Springs Has 68 Restaurants, but You Only Need To Know About 6 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 Disney Springs restaurant is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! The post A NEW Disney World Restaurant Is One Step Closer to Opening! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The newest Disney movie, Wish, officially released the other day, and we loved it. ©Disney It was an endearing story that made us feel a little nostalgic for some older Disney films in the best way. It made us feel a little emotional at times as well, which seems to be a theme with our favorite Disney movies. We recently saw an interview that was done with the director, Fawn Veerasunthorn, and it hit us in our feels — just like the movie. The director of this Wish, Fawn Veerasunthorn, sat down with The New York Times and told her story about how she was a medical student in Thailand and eventually became a director at the Walt Disney Company. ©The New York Times Veerasunthorn was born in a small town in Thailand. While growing up, she recalled that there wasn’t much animation around her as a kid. She spent time watching Dumbo over and over with her siblings and felt that the story resonated with her. Eventually, at age 15, she left her hometown and went to high school in Bangkok, where she studied computer science. When she graduated in 2000, she enrolled in medical school. ‘Wish’ Preview Poster She got accepted and became a medical student in Thailand. During her studies, she decided to mail a letter to Paitoon Ratanasirintrawoot, someone whom she had seen at a guest lecture at her high school a few years prior. Ratanasirintrawoot happened to be a visual effects animator at the Walt Disney Company, the company that Veerasunthorn decided she wanted to work for. ©Disney Letters turned into emails, and Ratanasirintrawoot was answering any question that Veerasunthorn had. Eventually, with support from her parents, she decided to drop out of medical school to pursue her dreams of working in animation. So, she moved to the United States and enrolled in art school. ©Disney While in art school, Veerasunthorn worked for Disney’s animation studio in Florida, but they eventually closed their doors. After that, she tried to change it up and applied to Pixar, where she was faced with a rejection. So, she applied for jobs at Disney’s California offices and was rejected again and again. ©The New York Times Throughout this time, Veerasunthorn was pursuing animation elsewhere — contributing to Illumination films like Dr. Suess’ The Lorax. Eventually, she applied to Disney again and got the job in 2011. Dr. Seuss characters at Universal! Since then, she has worked on notable Disney films like Zootopia, Moana, and Frozen — just to name a few. She joined the team of Wish in 2020, two years after development began. ©Disney Now, the movie has officially been released and Veerasunthorn is celebrating her work on the film. She even relates herself to the plot of the film, stating, “The journey that a person takes toward a goal, that is what this movie is about, It took me a few tries to get here. If I were to be discouraged the very first time, this would never have happened.” Wish Preview at Walt Disney Presents Knowing the backstory behind the director and seeing how much she relates to this film is nothing short of heartwarming and encouraging. We loved this film, and we can’t wait to see what Veerasunthorn does next — it is sure to be big. ‘Wish’ tree at Disney Springs! Keep checking in with us at DFB for more updates on Disney films, news, and more! The 32(!!) Remakes, Reboots, and Sequel Movies in the Works at Disney Right Now Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What did you think of Wish? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney's 'Wish' Director Talks About What It Took to Get to Where She Is Now first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s been nearly two months since the Star Wars Hotel, the Galactic Starcruiser, permanently closed. Galactic Starcruiser Room This hotel, the first of its kind, closed after the costs to run the hotel were too much compared to the amount of money it was bringing in (yes, despite the massive cost). Many people were upset by this closure, as it was only open for about a year and a half. But here’s OUR question: What the heck is going to happen to all that stuff INSIDE the hotel? It Could Be Reused Disney hasn’t announced any plans to reuse the building and its interior for anything specific, even though it’s all immaculately themed down to each detail. However, it’s possible that Disney may keep it intact for now if they are planning to reuse the building and its theme one day. Sublight Lounge It’s a shame to see such an amazing area go to waste, so we personally are hoping that Disney will choose to reopen the area as…something, so more people get a chance to see it. We do recognize though that this is the most unlikely scenario. Sold Off One of the more likely scenarios is that, in one way or another, Disney will sell off most of the furniture and items inside the Galactic Starcruiser. This could be through auctions, private sales, or another method of transaction. Sabacc Table Disney may also choose to go the Property Control route, which is where Cast Members can buy things like old hotel decorations, overstock merchandise, and more at a special outlet store. So we wouldn’t be surprised if smaller items like lamps and mattress toppers end up at this store. We say this is more likely because this way, Disney can make some more money off of the project before it’s officially all gone. Assimilated into Galaxy’s Edge While not all of it would, it is possible that Disney could choose to incorporate some of the aspects of the hotel into Galaxy’s Edge. Lightsaber Training Now, this may take quite some time, because it would potentially mean some of Galaxy’s Edge would have to be closed for a bit, but we’d love to see aspects of the experience, specifically the Lightsaber Training, come to Galaxy’s Edge for guests to enjoy. Again, this is another more unlikely scenario, but we’re still holding out hope! Star Wars Hotel We’ll be sure to keep you updated on everything that’s happening with this now-closed experience if and when we hear about it, so stay tuned to DFB! Read more about why the Galactic Starcruiser closed right 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 will happen to everything inside the Galactic Starcruiser? Tell us in the comments! The post What's Going to Happen to All the Stuff in the Star Wars Hotel? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article