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Are you ready for 2024 in Disney World? Let’s find out! Are you prepared for the changes coming to Disney World? There are so many things coming by the end of this year and into the new one — things like returning fireworks shows, park transformations, and hotel makeovers just to name a few. There are also some big things that Disney World is doing for the FIRST time in 2024 — here’s our full list! 1. Disney Dining Plan Look, this is probably the BIGGEST change that you’re going to see on this list and the one we’ve been anticipating it greatly! The Disney Dining Plan will be returning on January 9th, 2024, and this will be the first time it is available at Disney World’s newest restaurants. For those who don’t know what the dining plan is (especially since it’s been missing from Disney World since early 2020), it’s a way for Disney World guests who book a vacation package through Disney to pre-pay for their dining costs. The Disney Dining Plan is returning! Two plans will be available: the Standard Dining Plan and the Quick Service Dining Plan — here are FULL details on what each plan will offer and here’s a list of all the Disney World restaurants participating in the plan. Which Disney Dining Plan is Right for You? 2. New Park Pass Reservation Rules Alright, next up, you know that all Disney World ticket holders must make a park pass reservation for each day they plan on being in the theme parks. That will change on January 9th, 2024 — park pass reservations will NOT be needed for those who purchase date-based tickets. This means that guests who buy theme park tickets tied to specific dates will not need to make a reservation. Park pass reservations are going away — sort of However, this change doesn’t affect those with tickets that are not based on specific dates. They will still need to make park pass reservations (i.e. Annual Passholders unless they’re visiting specific parks after 2PM, Cast Members, and other non-date-based ticket types). Read More About The Park Pass Reservations Change 3. Genie+ Changes Moving right along, there might be some good news for those who miss the days of grabbing FastPass+ reservations in advance of their Disney World trip. Disney recently shared that they’ve listened to guests who wanted to “plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit.” The company has expressed that is now “working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024.” Genie+ on the My Disney Experience app However, Disney has not yet revealed any further details on what this means for guests using Genie+, but more details should be released later. Disney did announce a new change to the pricing of Genie+, but we think there are more changes to come in 2024. Disney Genie+ Has Changed 9 Times — But We’re Still Waiting on ONE Big Update 4. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure A new ride is coming to Magic Kingdom. Splash Mountain closed in early 2023 to make way for a NEW ride themed to Disney’s animated film The Princess and the Frog. The new attraction is called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and is set to take visitors through the bayous of Louisiana to help Tiana with her new endeavor, Tiana’s Foods. New Concept Art This ride will pick up the moment after The Princess and The Frog ends and we will “join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.” Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Concept Art ©Disney So what actually happens after the film? Tiana opens Tiana’s Palace and requires the riders’ help finding a missing key ingredient for the Mardi Gras party she’s throwing for the people of New Orleans. We’re going to be seeing old and new characters, hearing familiar and new songs, and embarking on a whole new adventure with Tiana! It’s set to open in 2024. Read all about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure here! 5. Changes Coming to Country Bear Jamboree Disney has announced that a NEW SHOW is coming to Country Bear Jamboree in Magic Kingdom! In 2024, the beloved bears will be learning an all-new act — they’ll sing their usual songs in new styles like country, rockabilly, and bluegrass. ©Disney Country Bear Musical Jamboree will be a take on the classic variety shows found in Nashville, Tennessee, and Nashville musicians are involved in the new arrangements. For instance. we’ll be hearing a new version of “Bare Necessities” in a rockabilly style! A Disney Imagineer has shared, “The music is going to be amazing, and the show will still have the fun and friendly tone that we all love about the Country Bears.” 6. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is currently constructing some new Disney Vacation Club villas at the resort that are set to open sometime in 2024. This will give DVC members some new options for staying at the resort. The new rooms will feature waterfront views with most also offering balconies. ©Disney | Polynesian Village Resort concept art The new structure will also offer new dining and swimming options, as well as other recreation areas. Here’s Everything We Know About the New Hotel Rooms Coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 7. Disney’s BoardWalk Outside, on the BoardWalk itself, there’s a new restaurant in progress! The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers will be coming to Disney’s BoardWalk in early 2024 (a delay from its initially announced opening of 2023), and will serve more than just cakes. The table service restaurant is expected to also have savory items, and in the afternoons guests can enjoy a spot of tea. Concept art for The Cake Bake Shop According to The Cake Bake Shop’s website, the restaurant will feature “a whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk that guests know and love.” We’re personally waiting on the edge of our seats. We had the opportunity to interview the owner of The Cake Bake Shop and got some exclusive and insider details on the new location. Read the interview here! Cakes at the Cake Bake Shop in Indianapolis Stay tuned for updates. Click Here to Learn More About The Cake Bake Shop! These next few will have opened late in 2023, which will be perfect timing for your 2024 Disney World trip! Hatbox Ghost is Coming to Disney World Disneyland’s infamous Hatbox Ghost will finally be making the journey East to appear inside Disney World’s Haunted Mansion. Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, took to the stage at the D23 Expo in 2022 to make the announcement. ©Disney Hatbox Ghost is set to start haunting Haunted Mansion guests in late November 2023! Learn more about Hatbox Ghost Coming to Disney World Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana If you haven’t heard, EPCOT has been undergoing an EPIC transformation over the past few years, with much of it set to complete in December 2023. That means that EPCOT visitors will finally get to enjoy a new attraction, Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana. The walkthrough attraction will feature lots of shade, as well as a series of water features. Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana This attraction will open on October 16th, 2023! Recently, we were able to attend a Cast Member preview of the new attraction and we can now share a look inside — along with a FULL WALK-THROUGH — with you! Click here to GO INSIDE EPCOT’s Moana-Inspired Journey of Water Attraction! And find our FULL VIDEO WALK-THROUGH here! World Celebration Completion Most of the construction at EPCOT is happening at what is now the World Celebration section of the park. The good news is that those construction walls should all be down sometime in December 2023. That means that riders exiting Spaceship Earth will have a good look at Dreamers Point, which will feature a new statue of Walt Disney. Walt Statue in World Celebration The CommuniCore Plaza Festival Area and CommuniCore Hall should also be complete in December 2023. Communicore Plaza is an outdoor space for visitors to relax while enjoying festivals, although the space can also host concerts and performances. CommuniCore Hall is inside the plaza and will be the first structure built in EPCOT to support festival programming. Everything You Need To Know About The EPCOT Transformation New Nighttime Show EPCOT will also be debuting a new nighttime show in late 2023 as part of the Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary celebration, so make sure to experience it when you come in 2024. That’s right… a BRAND NEW nighttime spectacular will make its debut on December 5th, 2023 in honor of Disney 100 Years of Wonder: Luminous The Symphony Of Us! ©Disney Disney shares that the show is meant to “reflect the commonality in all of us,” and that the show invites “everyone to gather around World Showcase Lagoon for a show that will unite us through commonalities of the heart in a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music and light. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.” Until the new production makes its debut, guests can currently enjoy EPCOT Forever, the park’s interim nighttime spectacular. Click HERE to find out more about Luminous! So there you have it — 8 things that Disney World is doing for the first time in 2024 and some things to look forward to by the end of this year! We’ll be here to cover all of it and bring you the updates you need to know! Let’s plan some AMAZING Disney vacations together in 2024. Everything NEW Coming to Disney World in 2024 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What change are you most excited about in Disney World in 2024? Tell us in the comments! The post 7 Things Disney World is Doing for the First Time in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here's your first look at the 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Medals!View the full article

Disney is celebrating Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month in one of our favorite ways — with food! The Polite Pig We’ve already tried a delicious Passion Fruit Tres Leches and are still drooling over that Mango-Chamoy Funnel Cake we had last week, but now a new savory option in Disney Springs has caught our eye. The Polite Pig, a fast-casual spot that serves up some tasty barbecue, is participating in the celebration with a new entree. Come check it out! For Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, The Polite Pig is offering a new Chef Special: Smoked Half Chicken al Pastor. This offering is “infused with chipotle pepper and achiote marinade, glazed with guajillo chili, topped with pineapple pico de Gallo, and served on a bed of flavorful sofrito rice.” It sounds like it’s packed with flavor! © The Polite Pig via Instagram If you decide to grab this new dish in Disney Springs, check out some of the other Hispanic Heritage Month treats in the area. We recently had a fun Sweet Mojito Taco at Amorette’s Patisserie and Gideon’s Bakehouse has a limited-time Coconut and Guava Macaroon Tart on select days through October 15th. Sweet Mojito Taco We’ll continue bringing you all the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! REVIEW: Move Over, Texas Roadhouse. Disney’s NEW Cinnamon-Spiced Sweet Bread Just Entered the Arena 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 has been your favorite limited-time snack in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! The post HURRY! The NEW Menu Item at The Polite Pig in Disney Springs Is Only Here for a Limited Time first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Yes, we know, we’re in the middle of Halloween season right now…but we’ve got to talk about Christmas! Hollywood Studios Christmas tree The holiday season comes RIGHT after Halloween in Disney World, and this year, there will be not one, but TWO special events taking place. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is returning, but Hollywood Studios is also introducing an all-new event called Jollywood Nights. And today, Disney shared more details about the entertainment at this new party! As part of the entertainment offerings for Jollywood Nights, you can check out the new show Holiday Fiesta En La Calle. Disney says “Guests will head down Commissary Lane and discover a holiday street fair filled with lively energy.” ©Disney The show will feature musicians playing Latin songs amid “warm lighting and colorful decor” as the area celebrates Latin holiday traditions. In case you didn’t know, Commissary Lane is the area of the park that stretches from Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway down to BaseLine Tap House. (The area that passes ABC Commissary.) ABC Commissary in Hollywood Studios We can’t wait to check out this offering alongside the other entertainment that has already been announced for the event! If you want to snag a ticket, they’re available on the Disney World website currently. Holidays in Disney World Stay tuned to DFB for all the happenings from Jollywood Nights on the first evening of the event. We’ll make sure to share all the excitement with you! And, of course, we’ll bring you any more holiday season announcements from Disney World. Click Here to Get ALL the Details on Jollywood Nights! DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF HOLIDAY MAGIC The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2023 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 over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2023 Holiday Season 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 2023 DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays with code PEPPERMINT. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you going to Jollywood Nights for its premiere year? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: Disney Shares NEW LOOK at the Holiday Party Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Well, the past week has been an exciting one, especially for us Disney World fans! Pumpkin Spice Butter Bar We got some updates on some pretty MAJOR projects happening in the parks, including a revamped Country Bears Jamboree, more ideas for the Magic Kingdom expansion, and potential concepts for the reimagining of DinoLand, U.S.A. But that isn’t all that happened. While all THAT was going on, Disney World was changing up some restaurant menus, but it’s okay because we are on top of it! Magic Kingdom Sleepy Hollow Refreshments The Peanut Butter and Jelly Pop has been removed from the menu at Sleepy Hollow. Peanut Butter and Jelly Pop That is, though, the only change here. Here’s Our Review of the Pop Casey’s Corner The All-Beef Chicago-style Hot Dog is no longer available. Chicago Dog That’s the only change at Casey’s, though. REVIEW: We Ate EVERYTHING at Casey’s Corner in Disney World Disney’s Animal Kingdom Nomad Lounge The Tiffins Bread Service has changed from $14 to $16. Tiffin’s Bread Service Nomad Lounge only had this one change. We Ate 7 NEW Things in Disney World — 3 of Them Were NOT Worth It Restaurantosaurus You can now get a Cuban Sandwich, made with roasted pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, and pickles on buttery Cuban-style bread served with French fries. Restaurantosaurus in Animal Kingdom The sandwich is $11.99. Review: Proof That Disney World Food is Unpredictable Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Banana Cabana Under non-alcoholic drinks, Tropical Paradise was taken off the menu. Banana Cabana However, Bubbles of the Sea was added — this is a drink made with Gold Peak sweet tea, lemon juice, pineapple, and guava topped with boba pearls and a splash of shimmer for $6.99. Cheers! We’ve Got Updates on A Few NEW and Old Drinks of Disney World! Centertown Market Some Allergy-Friendly items have been removed from the menu at Centertown Market: Allergy-Friendly Crunchy Cookies – Chocolate Chip, Allergy-Friendly Soft-baked Cookies – Double Chocolate Chip, and Allergy-Friendly Fruity Gummy Bears. Strawberry Milk has also been removed from the menu. Centertown Market Finally, New Belgium Fat Tire beer is no longer available here. Disney Food Blog REVIEW: Disney World Turned A Popular Ice Cream Flavor Into CHEESECAKE Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort El Mercado de Coronado Breakfast has changed at El Mercado de Coronado: Frittata Mexicana changed from $12 to $13.50. There have also been some lunch and dinner changes. Here’s what was updated with Entrees: Nashville Chicken Sandwich changed from $15 to $16 ADDED: Chicken Tenders Basket — Served with French fries for $14 El Mercado de Coronado REMOVED: Cheese Flatbread The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Coronado Springs Disney’s Contemporary Resort Contempo Cafe There’s a new snack at Contempo Cafe: Cinnamon Coffee Cake for $4.29. Contempo Cafe That’s the only update here. Are NEW Menu Items at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Worth Leaving Magic Kingdom For? We Found Out! Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Shula’s Steak House Some changes have happened at Shula’s Steak House and Shula’s Lounge. The Starters menu had these changes: REMOVED: New Orleans Style Shrimp ADDED: Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp — horseradish, BBQ sauce, basil for $23 ADDED: Steak Tartare — diced tenderloin of beef, creme fraiche, cornichon, and toasted crostini for $23 ADDED: Pan Seared Sea Scallops — sweet corn succotash, brown butter vinaigrette for $22 Here’s how Soups and Salads have changed: Shula’s House Salad description changed from” Tomatoes, Bacon, Ricotta Salata, Carrots, Scallions, Apple Cider Vinaigrette” to “House Mix of Farmer’s Greens, Tomato, Bacon, Ricotta Salata, Carrots, Scallions and Apple Cider Vinaigrette” Traditional Caesar Salad description changed from “Little Gem Romaine Lettuce, Croutons, Parmesan Cheese, House-Made Caesar Dressing” to “Baby Romaine Lettuce, Croutons, Parmesan Cheese and House-Made Caesar Dressing” Caesar Salad There were a LOT of changes under Entrees: REMOVED: Roasted Brick Chicken ADDED: Roasted Half Chicken — sun-dried tomatoes and shallot jus for $40 ADDED: Grilled Half Rack of Domestic Lamb — minted English pea puree and warm cannellini bean salad for $52 Under Sauces, the description changed from “Béarnaise Sauce, Hollandaise Sauce, Horseradish Cream, Beurre Blanc” to Béarnaise Sauce, Hollandaise Sauce, Horseradish Cream, Beurre Blanc, Sauce Choron, Chimichurri or Au Poivre Sauce and price changed from $6 to $8. The following changed, as well: ADDED: Gorgonzola Dolce for $8 ADDED: Add Jumbo Scallops for $16 ADDED: Add Jumbo Grilled Shrimp for $14 10 oz. Filet with Bernaise Sauce, Jumbo Asparagus Spears, and Macaroni and Cheese The Sides menu changed, too: Broccoli is now Steamed Broccoli Crowns Spinach is now Creamed Spinach REMOVED: Caramelized Brussels Sprouts ADDED: Haricot Verts for $14 ADDED: Crispy Potato Wedges for $14 We Bet You’ve Never Eaten at This Disney World Steakhouse Disney’s Art of Animation The Drop Off Pool Bar At the Drop Off, the Big Blue Ocean description changed from “SVEDKA Vodka, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur, and Minute Maid Premium Lemonade with a souvenir Glow Cube” to “WÓDKA Vodka, Bacardí Superior Rum, Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur, and Minute Maid Premium Lemonade with a souvenir Glow Cube.” The Drop-Off That’s the only change, though. Disney World’s New Rum-Spiked POG Juice is Hiding in an Obscure Spot! Disney Springs The Front Porch Bar at House of Blues The Front Porch and Smokehouse at House of Blues have a few changes: ADDED: Jambalaya — chicken, andouille sausage, onion, bell pepper, celery, and Cajun rice for $15 ADDED: Classic Corn Dog — 1oo% beef for $12 ADDED: Street Corn Dog — chipotle aioli, cotija cheese, cilantro, crema, tajin, and 100% beef for $14 ADDED: Mac & Cheese for $11, Add BBQ brisket for $6, add pulled pork for $5 ADDED: BBQ Nacho Corn Dog — nacho cheese, tortilla crumble, pickled jalapeno, BBQ sauce, 100% beef for $14 REMOVED: Soft Pretzel Coleslaw changed from $2 to $4 The Front Porch Bar at House of Blues Baked Beans changed from $2 to $4 ADDED: Chips for $3 ADDED: Nacho Cheese Sauce for $2 ADDED: Chocolate Churro Sauce for $2 Assorted Candy changed from $2 to $3 Cookies changed from $2 to $3 Brownie changed from $2 to $3 Kids’ Hot Dog changed from $10 to $8 Also, Budweiser has been removed from the Beer menu. REVIEW: A Disney Springs Restaurant Is Bringing The Heat! Vivoli il Gelato You can now get Apple Sorbetto at Vivoli il Gelato. Other changes include: REMOVED: Brown Cow, Stuffed Pineapple, and Cannoli Nachos Cannoli description changed from “Signature, Black Cherry Chip, Guava, Nutella, Orange Blossom Honey, Oreo, Pumpkin” to “Signature, Guava, Nutella, Oreo, Pumpkin” Bomboloni description changed from “Plain, Raspberry, Nutella, Guava, Pumpkin Cheesecake” to “Plain, Bavarian Cream, Nutella, Guava, Pumpkin Cheesecake” REMOVED: Biscotti ADDED: Tiramisu — traditional or tres leches for $10 ADDED: Zeppole for $10 ADDED: Chocolate Chip Cookie for $4 Pineapple filled with Gelato The following beverages have been removed: Sparkling Coffee, FROOT LOOPS Milk, If You See Me Walking Around With HALF a Pineapple in Disney World, Don’t Ask. If you have your heart set on a particular food in Disney World, you might want to keep an eye on menus because they do change often. You can do this on the Disney World website or through the My Disney Experience app. We’ll continue reporting on those menu changes, too, so stay tuned to DFB! Disney dining changes are a lot to keep up with! We’ve done all the research for you in writing our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! We’ve got details on EVERY dining location at Walt Disney World inside our eBook – and it’s easy to download to your tablet or smartphone to take with you on your next trip. Use our discount code for DFB readers – WDW2023 – for 25% off! The Worst Disney World Restaurants You Should Go to Anyway 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite Disney World restaurant? Let us know in the comments! The post Don't Get Caught By Surprise With These Disney World Restaurant Changes first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney is known for making some pretty bold announcements. Disney World Back in 2019, Disney announced a new hotel that would be coming to Disney World — Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge. Permits were filed, but Disney quietly stopped making any sort of references to this future hotel. And then… that was it — until now. We have an update on Reflections along with more permits that were recently filed in Disney World! We’re taking another look at recently filed permits for Disney World to get an idea of what sort of work may be going on around the property — here’s what we found this time around. Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge A permit extension requested by Disney back in June has been granted for work at the site of Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge. The Lodge was going to have more than 900 rooms and be a new Disney Vacation Club hotel. It was planned to be built in the former home of Disney’s River Country over by Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, and ultimately, we thought Disney had quietly scrapped this project. Reflections Concept Art © Disney But, Disney was recently granted an extension on a permit for work at Reflections. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Disney is going to actually do anything with Reflections or that it is moving forward, it just means they have a little bit of time to decide. Five years more, to be exact. The permit is for work on a specific spot that could ultimately be used as a staging area for construction at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Speaking of Fort Wilderness, we spotted a new permit for work on one of the cabins at this campground and resort. The description is listed as “general construction,” which means it could really be for just about anything. We do know that Disney has announced 350 refurbished cabins will replace existing ones, but we don’t think that’s what this permit is necessarily for. Cabin at Fort Wilderness Disney has shared that the cabins will be “inspired by the resort’s idyllic setting, while also paying homage to the resort’s unique culture and heritage through the magic of Disney storytelling.” They’ll sleep up to six adults and feature a bedroom, bathroom, living room, full kitchen, and private patio. Disney also noted further that a select number of cabins will be dog-friendly. We’ll keep an eye on this area for more changes! EPCOT It’s no secret that EPCOT is changing, but we found a new permit for work over at Mission: SPACE. This out-of-this-world ride is getting some “general construction” TLC from what we can tell. We recently saw the Earth removed from out front! Where’d Earth go? In fact, an additional permit was filed to “provide labor, material, and/or electrical for construction” at Mission: SPACE as well, so it’s possible that there is a bit more work to be done here than meets the eye. We have seen the entrance covered in construction bushes on and off lately, though it hasn’t affected the ride itself. If this construction causes any closures, we’ll be sure to update you. Hollywood Studios We’ve been worried about Hollywood Studios lately, with multiple rides being closed for extended periods of time and an entire area of the park seemingly abandoned — looking at you, Animation Courtyard. But, a new permit shows that work could be starting at Star Wars Launch Bay soon. Right now, it’s home to a few meet-and-greets and some Star Wars memorabilia, so we’re not sure what this could mean. Star Wars Launch Bay The permit is for “general construction,” so we’ll be on the lookout for any potential work that might be starting in this area of the park. We’ll keep an eye out for more permit updates that could indicate changes coming to Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more! 5 MAJOR Changes Coming to Disney World in October 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you stay at Reflections if it ever opened? Tell us in the comments. The post 5 NEW Permits Could Be Clues to MAJOR Disney World Changes first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, we don’t want to alarm you, but IT’S REALLY HAPPENING. Well, time to buy more Loungeflys. The holiday season isn’t THAT far away (yes, we realize it’s not even Halloween yet, but y’all know how the holidays always sneak up on you). We’ve already started to see Disney holiday merchandise pop up online, so we’re not TOO surprised that Loungefly’s new holiday collection is available for pre-order through Entertainment Earth. But wait until you see these bags. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. We’re just going to apologize now for all the money you’re about to spend. It’s okay, though. We’re right there with you. This might be Loungefly’s best holiday collection yet. Get the Mickey and Friends Gingerbread House Mini-Backpack ©Entertainment Earth This Loungefly is shaped like a gingerbread house and features gingerbread versions of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Pluto. It even has a front pocket as part of the “house.” Seriously, this bag almost looks good enough to eat. The inside lining has Mickey balloons and ear hats. You can pre-order this bag now, and it is expected to ship in October. View on Entertainment Earth Buy the Minnie Pastel Figural Snowman Mini-Backpack ©Entertainment Earth Minnie Mouse looks so charming on this bag where she’s envisioned as a pastel snowman. She’s got a beautiful festive shawl with a beautiful matching bow and pink buttons. The inside lining features a pattern of Mickey and Minnie snowmen. You can pre-order this bag now, and it is expected to ship in October. View on Entertainment Earth Get the Mickey and Minnie Pastel Snowman Ears Headband ©Entertainment Earth If you love the pastel snowman theme, you might also want to get the matching ears. They have Mickey on one side with a festive hat on and Minnie on the other with her pretty pink bow. A light blue bow sits in the center. You can pre-order these ears now, and they are expected to ship in October. View on Entertainment Earth Buy the Mickey Happy Hanukkah Menorah Glow-in-the-Dark Mini-Backpack ©Entertainment Earth If you celebrate Hanukkah, there’s a NEW Mickey backpack for you featuring a glow-in-the-dark Menorah. This bag is also covered in pretty blue sequins with an interior lining that has menorahs and Mickeys. You can pre-order this bag now, and it is expected to ship in October. View on Entertainment Earth That’s not all, though! There are TONS of new holiday-themed Disney Loungefly bags available for pre-order now! Check them out right HERE. View all the NEW holiday Loungefly bags coming soon! Happy early holidays! We’ll let you know if we spot any other Disney holiday merchandise online, so stay tuned to DFB for more. See Even More Disney Merchandise In Our Amazon ShopThe post Get Ready! TONS of New Disney Loungefly Bags Are COMING SOON! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Things are ALWAYS changing in Disney World, so much so that it’s often hard to keep up. Grand Floridian Resort Things seem to always be under construction (EPCOT, we’re looking at you); new restaurants are being built, new lands are being proposed, and more. Parking is another thing that has changed in Disney World, including how you park at a hotel where you have a dining reservation. If you have an advance dining reservation for any of the restaurants at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa (Narcoossee’s, Citricos, Grand Floridian Cafe, Victoria & Albert’s), you’ll want to pay attention: if you are driving to your reservation, the parking rules have CHANGED. Grand Floridian Cafe We spoke with a Cast Member at Grand Floridian Cafe who told us that parking for dining reservations is now “across the street,” but that there is a walkway. The Cast Member confirmed that this is typically the Cast Member parking lot, but the lot is also currently being used for guests with dining reservations. We didn’t get any indication of the reason behind this change (or how long it will last), but you’ll want to keep this in mind. It’s a bit of a hike to the main lobby! Citricos If you park in the Cast Member lot, you will have to cross the street, so plan to do some extra walking if you’re driving to the resort. If you want to save yourself the hassle of parking, though, you might be better off just taking Disney transportation: buses, boats, and the Monorail all go to the Grand Floridian. Keep in mind that you will need to have confirmation of a dining reservation, though, if you do want to park at the Grand Floridian (and any other Disney World hotel). Narcoossee’s We’ll let you know if we spot any other changes in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more. With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off! The Disney World Hotel Parking Rule That Could Seriously RUIN Your Plans 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you come across this issue parking at other Disney World hotels? Let us know in the comments! The post You Might NOT Want to Park at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Right Now… first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s an exciting week when you can celebrate new Disney World arrivals. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway That makes every week an exciting week! Yep, every week at Disney World, we try new foods, shop for new merchandise, and we check out attraction and park updates — like construction! This week was filled with changes big and small, but there were a few things that stood out to us. This week, we got to meet TWO new character friends in the Parks as well as try a few new snacks that arrived. LET’S GO! Figment Meet and Greet in EPCOT Last weekend, it was announced at the Destination D23 event that Figment would be joining the lineup of characters that you can meet in EPCOT. Figment Meet and Greet On September 10th, we hopped in line to meet Figment for ourselves on the opening day. After waiting in line for about two hours, we finally got to meet this purple dragon. We still have no comment on Figgy’s new look. Click here to see what else is new in EPCOT Mirabel Meet and Greet in Magic Kingdom On September 15th, Mirabel arrived to Magic Kingdom as an official resident of Fairytale Garden! Mirabel! The line was loooong, long, LONG, but it was all made worth it when we finally arrived to the meet and greet area and saw Mirabel for the first time, as well as all the decorations that served as little odes to Casita and the rest of the Madrigal family. Click here to see what else is new in Magic Kingdom NEW Treats for Hispanic Heritage Month September and October are an EXCITING time because we get to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Disney World. We celebrate best with FOOD, and we tried a few treats inspired by hispanic culture. COCO ! A favorite was the Coco Skeleton Bone Pastry from Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort! Click here to see what else is new at Disney World’s hotels! What do you think of these Disney World additions? There’s a lot more where that came from, and you can check out ALLLLL the new things by clicking the links below! WHAT'S NEW AT DISNEY? Check out our daily updates on all the happenings around Disney World and Disneyland! Magic Kingdom EPCOT Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom Disney Hotels Disney Springs Disneyland We’ll continue to keep you updated with more Disney news, so follow along for more! Looking for more BIG Disney 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of these Disney World updates? Let us know in the comments! The post THREE Exciting Disney World Additions Arrived This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT is home to many different kinds of restaurants and attractions, which means you should probably expect to wait in some lines. Mexico Sometimes, you know exactly where to expect the lines, like at popular rides such as Frozen Ever After. But we spotted a majorly long line recently in a place that you may not be expecting. During our walk around the World Showcase, we noticed a bit of commotion coming from one popular area. We headed inside the Mexico Pavilion and were met with a MASSIVE line. Now that’s a long line! A Cast Member informed us it was the line for La Cava del Tequila and that the estimated wait time was 45 minutes! Holy guacamole! Waiting for La Cava del Tequila La Cava del Tequila is home to over 200 different tequilas and is known for its tasty margaritas. It’s a bar located inside the building in the Mexico Pavilion, and there’s limited seating available. However, you can take your drinks to go. This was just the line to ORDER a drink. You’ll need to be patient if you want a drink from this spot! La Cava del Tequila If you’re planning on stopping by this popular spot, be prepared to see a bit of a line, especially when it’s closer to peak dining times or later in the evening. With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off! DFB Guide to Disney World Dining 2023 As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! We cannot stop thinking about this $5 meal in EPCOT! What’s your favorite drink to get at La Cava del Tequila? Tell us in the comments! The post The PROBLEM You May Encounter When Drinking Around the World in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re all glad Fantasmic! made a comeback in Disney World! Fantasmic! When Disney World reopened after the COVID shutdown, it took a while (like two years) for Fantasmic! to return. But now that it’s back, we want to keep you updated on when you’ll be able to see this nighttime spectacular! Recently, Fantasmic! has been showing daily at 8:30 PM in Hollywood Studios. Fantasmic! Now, there is about to be a change to when you can watch the show, and we wanted to remind you! For one day on September 19th, you’ll be able to catch the show at two times, 8:00 and 9:30 PM. Two Show Times on September 19th! ©Disney Then starting on September 20th, for the foreseeable future, the show returns to a single time slot at 9:30 PM each night. Don’t forget to check the My Disney Experience app for any other changes, updates, and park hours! ©Disney If you’re planning to be in Hollywood Studios these days or later, be sure you remember this change in Fantasmic’s! schedule. And be sure to check out our Hollywood Studios checklist to help you plan your best day ever! We’re always on the lookout for changes in Disney, so be sure to check back to Disney Food Blog for more updates! We noticed some hints at changes that might be coming to Disney! See them here! When are you going to be in Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments! The post ALERT! Fantasmic! Showtimes Are Changing Soon! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A LOT is happening in Disneyland right now. Sleeping Beauty Castle A new updated ToonTown opened earlier this year, with Disneyland’s own version of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Tarzan’s Treehouse is becoming Adventureland Treehouse. A new Tiana-themed restaurant has also opened and construction is still underway for the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride. But Disneyland has also been working with the City of Anaheim to loosen some restrictions that could mean an expansion for the resort. In 1993, the City of Anaheim and Disney made an agreement to establish five zones on Disneyland’s property. Those areas were given strict guidelines as to how they could be developed, depending on whether they were for theme parks, hotels, parking, expansions, and District A. These restrictions, however, meant that if Disneyland wanted to add certain things to the parks, they’d have to remove other things. For example, Avengers Campus meant that A Bug’s Land had to go. Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure However, DisneylandForward was created to work with the city of Anaheim, as well as the local community, to update those guidelines to allow Disney more flexibility for future building projects. Right now, the land isn’t properly zoned for the type of use needed for those projects. Uses and Approvals ©Disney Now, the city of Anaheim has released an environmental impact report, which is the next step in the process of looking at the proposed Disneyland expansion, bringing it closer to becoming a reality. According to the Orange County Register, the 17,000-page report shows that the highest impacts of the expansion would be with air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise. New Orleans Square in Disneyland Disney has already planned to limit noise by building temporary barriers that would buffer sound during construction, as well as barriers around property lines and expansion projects. The company would also prohibit fireworks in the proposed areas. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland The study also notes that Disneyland is a historic theme park and acknowledges that change has always been an important part of its history, meaning that the DisneylandForward project is historically appropriate. In fact, the Main Street Railroad Depot, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Hungry Bear Restaurant are listed on the California Register of Historic Places. Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean is officially a historic place However, Disney is still required to limit aesthetics that would affect nearby neighborhoods. The company is also prohibited from having unfinished backstage areas facing public streets or other public spaces. There are also building height guidelines to consider. ToonTown As far as possibilities go, if the city of Anaheim decides to change the guidelines, Disney has previously mentioned ideas like lands based on Frozen, Tangled, Toy Story, Zootopia, and more. However, both Disneyland and the city of Anaheim have a lot of things to work out before any projects come to fruition. But now, it does seem like the expansion has become more of a possibility for Disney’s West Coast resort. We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Everything You Need to Know About Disneyland’s Expansion Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe What would you like to see in Disneyland’s expansion? Let us know in the comments! The post We’ve Got a BIG Update on the Proposed Disneyland Expansion Project first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT has just been a buzz of excitement lately. EPCOT Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will open on October 16th, and it was announced that Moana would join the lineup of characters you can meet at EPCOT. However, that’s not the only new character meet and greet! Figment started greeting guests in the Imagination Pavilion of EPCOT on September 10th, and… we thought it would be fun to ask our readers over on Facebook what THEY thought of the new character experience. We asked our readers for their thoughts on Figgy, and while most of the comments were very positive, there was a common theme among the more negative ones. And they made us laugh. Figment Many of our readers are in agreement that the Figment character just looks WEIRD. Our readers feel that he is NOT the cute and cuddly dragon from our imagination. Someone even called him “nightmare fuel.” Figment I mean… He IS really tall… and a bit… thinner than we imagined. One reader referred to him as the “Wish version” of Figment while another called him “creepishly handsome.” Our favorite comment of all referred to him as “Figzilla.” Figzilla himself Commenters who loved EPCOT way back in the day said that Figment is supposed to be around three feet tall and… well, huggable. This Figment is 6 feet tall with a very slender neck and a rather small head. This made our readers feel creeped out by the character. A few folks mentioned that perhaps Disney would have been better off by bringing back the old puppet version of Figment that once graced EPCOT rather than putting a taller human in a costume. Figment Our readers really came through with this one and definitely made us laugh. Stay tuned for more opportunities to give us your opinion on all things Disney! Make sure to follow along for more Disney updates and news. Looking for more things coming soon to EPCOT? 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do YOU think of Figment? Let us know in the comments! The post The ONE Thing EPCOT Fans Are Thinking But Don't Want To Admit About Figment first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT is home to many kinds of beautiful things from all over the world. EPCOT’s France Pavilion You can eat snacks from all around the world or even drink around the world if you desire. What’s more beautiful than a glass of bubbly from the France pavilion, right? Each World Showcase pavilion also has special merchandise from the country it represents. Did you know that there are genuine designer pieces hiding in the France Pavilion? No, we’re not kidding! At Librairie et Galerie in the France Pavilion, we spotted authentic vintage Chanel accessories and Christian Dior jewelry. Say WHAT?! Yep, it’s true! Designer Jewelry We found Dior earrings for $315 and $350 and necklaces between $398 and $400. Imagine coming home with a gold Dior necklace. Talk about an unexpected Disney World purchase! Jewelry But what until you see this beauty. We discovered a vintage Chanel bag that will cost you $4,500. (Think of it as an investment piece, right?) Designer Bag This vintage bag with a similar design is going for $7,150. That’s more than the cost of an entire Disney World vacation for some families! Designer Bag We’ve also spotted vintage Gucci accessories in the Italy Pavilion, so you’ve got plenty of classic designer brands to choose from right in EPCOT. Now, these items don’t have any Disney affiliation, so don’t be expecting to see Mickey Mouse on any of this jewelry. But you can say you have authentic designer merchandise from EPCOT, and that’s a SUPER rare claim to make! Get Your Designer Items Here! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. Here’s how to drink around the world in EPCOT for under $100! 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you ever consider buying a designer item at Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post Did You Know EPCOT Has a SECRET Stash of Rare Chanel Bags for Sale 😮 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s no secret that we have several favorite snacks in Disney World. Spring Roll Cart There are the classic snacks, like Dole Whip and Mickey Waffles. But newer snacks have won us over, too, including some that are no longer available (we miss you, Wendell Bear Claw). Well, one of our favorite snacks has now RETURNED to Disney World, and if you see us over here dancing with some spring rolls in front of Cinderella Castle — well, no you didn’t. Yes, we’re over by the Spring Roll Cart in Magic Kingdom because PEPPERONI AND CHEESE SPRING ROLLS ARE BACK. These have been gone for a little while, but they have returned, and we are doing our happy dance! For $9.50, you get two rolls filled with pepperoni, mozzarella, and Italian herbs & served with marinara. You get 2 These taste like a cross between a pepperoni pizza and an Italian sub. They are VERY cheesy (which is very important to us), with a lot of Italian herbs that make the flavor pop. The wrappers are thin and flaky and fried to a perfect level of crispiness. Perfectly crispy wrapper The marinara is both sweet and tangy and worked great with the herby flavors in the spring roll. Marinara Okay, here’s the thing. The pepperoni and cheese spring rolls are a LITTLE different than when we last had them. These are closer to the ones that debuted back in 2019, with whole pieces of pepperoni inside. A peek inside In a later iteration, the pepperoni was chopped up like this: Pepperoni Spring Roll in 2020 However, we think these spring rolls had more pepperoni back in 2019, and considering that the price has gone up for these, we’re a little disappointed. Here’s what they looked like in 2019. See all that meaty perfection? Pizza Spring Rolls in 2019 If we had to choose, we’d probably go for the Cheeseburger Spring Rolls over these. But if you’ve missed these spring rolls, be sure to head over to Magic Kingdom to grab them. WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Cheeseburger Spring Rolls — Disney World’s Most Popular 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite Spring Roll flavor from the cart? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Menu CHANGE Arrives at Magic Kingdom's Spring Roll Cart first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney loves theming things after the state they’re already in (we’re lookin’ at you, Disney California Adventure and the Grand Floridian Hotel). Grand Californian Hotel Craftsman Bar And, of course, there’s Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, located in Disneyland Resort. This hotel may not be as popular a choice as the Disneyland Hotel for folks planning trips, but its proximity to Downtown Disney and Disney California Adventure make it a sleeper hit — so we’re taking you on a full room tour! Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is located between Downtown Disney and Disney California Adventure, and its architecture was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement that swept California in the early 1900s. You’ll find lots of recognizable Craftsman features like exposed rafters, overhanging eaves, tapering columns, and decorative stone and woodwork. The hotel boasts 745 rooms and suites, restaurants, shopping, and exclusive access to Disney California Adventure. We recently stayed in a Downtown Disney view room, so that’s what we’re taking a tour of this time around! When you first walk in and close the door, you’ll notice all the natural wood tones in the room. Behind the door safety info You’ll find the closet on the left when you first walk in, with two full-length mirrors serving as the doors — something that is very welcome in a hotel room if you ask us! Closet Inside the closet is plenty of storage space, hangers, robes, a luggage rack, slippers, extra pillows, blankets, an ironing board, and more. Inside There’s also a safe for all your personal belongings you might want to stow away. Safe There are some dirty laundry bags along with a steam iron in case your clothes get a bit wrinkled. Slippers, steamer, and more Next to the door, there’s also a rack featuring a few hooks for bags, coats, and whatever else you might need it for. Coat hooks on the wall On the other side of the closet is the bathroom area! It features a large vanity with a well-lit mirror and two sinks. Vanity Under the vanity is plenty of storage, extra toilet paper, a stool, a basket, a trash can, and a hairdryer. Trash can, basket, hairdryer, storage space You can still find H2O products at the Grand Californian, along with other Grand Californian-branded products. H2O Products There’s a towel bar with towels and information about water conservation and housekeeping… Towels …and a magnified mirror that lights up in case you need a closer look! Mirror This bathroom features a large, walk-in shower with one waterfall shower head and another, detachable shower head. There’s plenty of storage inside the shower and a bench in case you need to take a seat after a long day in the parks. Shower Inside the shower, you’ll find Grand Californian shampoo, conditioner, and body wash affixed to the wall. Shower supplies When you exit the bathroom, you’ll be met by a desk area with a chair… Desk and mini-kitchen …and this is also where you’ll find a mini-kitchen area featuring glasses, an ice bucket… Mini kitchen area …coffee supplies… Coffee …a Keurig coffee maker… Coffee maker …and a miniature fridge. Fridge There’s a small drawer in the desk… Storage …and a lamp with some information about breakfast and room service. Lamp and info Here’s a look at the main living area, where you’ll find a dresser and television… Main area …next to this loveseat… Sofa …which is across from this chair — that doubles as a twin-pull out bed — and lamp! Chair The nightstand has a notepad, telephone, remote, and room service menu. Nightstand This room features a king-sized bed, and it’s flanked by two nightstands. You can see some of that Arts and Crafts inspired artwork reflected in the trees on either side of the bed that are extended onto the walls above. Bed It’s a decently sized room with plenty of seating and can sleep up to five guests between the bed, daybed or sleeper sofa, and sleeper chair. The whole room! Whew. We know that planning a Disney trip is A LOT – which is why we bring you posts like this so often. But we’ve also put together a complete guide in ebook format that gives you all of the info you need, all in one place! Use code WDW2023 for 25% off our DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We’ve got plenty of room tours for nearly every Disney hotel you can imagine, and you can check some more out at the link below! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest tips, tricks, and news that might help you plan your next Disney trip! Everything You Need To Know About Disneyland’s Hotel Suites Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Have you ever stayed at this hotel? Tell us in the comments. The post FULL TOUR of a Disney Hotel Room That Has TREES in It (Kind Of) first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve got more travel news for you if you’re flying in or out of the Orlando Airport soon! MCO Decorations We know flying is super expensive right now, and travel is tricky in general, so we keep our eyes peeled for all the latest and greatest flying deals and news you need to know. There’s a new nonstop addition coming soon that you need to know about! According to the Orlando Business Journal, Breeze Airways is adding a new nonstop flight to Orlando airport, heading to and from Plattsburgh, New York, starting on November 28th. ©Breeze Airways These flights will start at an introductory price of $59 one-way and will be available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. But that’s not all! Breeze Airways is adding 19 new routes to Florida starting this fall, including a flight from Portland, ME to Orlando (this started September 6th), and a flight from New Orleans to Orlando (starts September 22nd). ©Breeze Airways Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. Looking for more recent travel news? Check out our posts below! More Travel News! FULL TOUR of a Disney Hotel Room That Has TREES in It (Kind Of)A NEW Nonstop Flight Under $60 Is Coming to Orlando Airport!A NEW Disney Advent Calendar Is Available on Amazon (We CANNOT Resist!)HUGE Projects EPCOT Has To Finish in 3 MonthsPHOTOS: NEW Details Arrive at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disney World As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest travel news that could impact your Disney vacation! Here’s how you could save 25% on your next Disney cruise! Travel Updates, Tips, and Tricks Complete Guide to Booking the CHEAPEST Flight to Disney World What to Do if Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Disney World From the Orlando Airport You’re SLEEPING on These Packing Hacks Air Travel Tips That’ll Change Your Life 8 Catastrophic Travel Mistakes and How to Solve Them The Airline with the MOST Flight Delays and Cancellations This Small Change Will Save You From Lost Luggage The Best Disney Luggage for 2023 21 Things a Former Flight Attendant Needs You To Know 7 Highest-Rated Travel Items on Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe What’s your preferred airline to fly? Tell us in the comments! The post A NEW Nonstop Flight Under Is Coming to Orlando Airport! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Deck the halls! Yes, yes, we know it’s still Halloween season, but Disney is already trying to put us in the holiday spirit. Holiday Cavalcade in Hollywood Studios So we’re gearing up for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World. We’re ready for the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. We’ve already started to pick out our favorite holiday merchandise. Plus, we’ve already found so many great advent calendars for the festive season, including a new one that we bet you’ll want to throw your money at. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. First, we have to ask: are you an Amazon Prime member? Prime membership comes with a lot of great perks, including free shipping, as well as great exclusive deals for Prime members. If you want to try it out, you can sign up for a FREE trial Prime membership below. Get the LovePop Mickey and Friends Advent Calendar ©Amazon You might be familiar with LovePop, thanks to its adorable store in Disney World. It’s a company that makes the MOST fun pop-up greeting cards. Well, now, LovePop has partnered with Disney on this new Advent Calendar that features 50 pop-up pals and props. ©Amazon This daily advent calendar has 25 individual pouches that open in order. Each day will reveal more about a story about Mickey and his friends on an adventure to find the perfect Christmas tree. How CUTE is this?! Seriously, we just know that this is going to be a hot seller online. View on Amazon We’ll be keeping an eye out for more fun merchandise, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Take A Look At ALL of Amazon’s Disney Advent CalendarsThe post A NEW Disney Advent Calendar Is Available on Amazon (We CANNOT Resist!) first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT has been going through a MAJOR transformation. Construction walls in EPCOT So many new things have made their way to the innovative park like new rides, new experiences, and new characters (hi, Figment!). Disney informed us that all EPCOT projects will be completed by December 2023. If you’ve been keeping track like we have, you might realize that there’s a pretty long list of projects that still need to be completed by this timeline. Let’s take a look at everything that still needs to be wrapped up in EPCOT! We love visiting EPCOT! It’s certainly a favorite park for many. You can visit 11 different “countries” in one day, eat delicious food, and ride some awesome new rides! We know planning a day in EPCOT can be challenging especially with all the transformations happening, so we made a complete EPCOT checklist. You can check it out below to help you on your next trip! There are so many projects that are still incomplete or just not open yet. We are getting a little worried about them all being wrapped up and ready to go by December! That’s only three months! Here’s the list of projects still needing to be completed or opened. World Celebration Dreamers Point We are still waiting for the beautiful bronze statue of Walt himself. The statue, “Walt the Dreamer”, will celebrate Walt’s innate forward-thinking and how he always looked toward the future. “Walt the Dreamer” The statue was displayed the the 2022 D23 Expo, but we’re still waiting for it to make its debut in EPCOT. Once inside the park, the statue will be surrounded by gardens to “pique curiosity”, a wishing tree, and a story fountain. It is intended to be ready for viewing in EPCOT by December 2023. CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza A new “home base” for all EPCOT festivals is set to open by December as well. CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza will be the event centers for the seasonal festivities that go on in EPCOT. CommuniCore Plaza ©Disney CommuniCore Plaza is where people will be able to enjoy large-scale concerts or intimate performances. It will be an outdoor space to hang out in and gather during the different events. In late August- early September, we were still seeing work being done on the plaza. CommuniCore Plaza Construction CommuniCore Hall will be a festival hall where we will be able to see demonstrations and enjoy other experiences with food, art, music, and more. ©Disney There will be food demonstrations, a mixology bar, and exhibition and gallery space. But same as CommuniCore Plaza, we were still seeing a lot of construction in early September. Communicore Construction — Early September 2023 We really hope Disney can stay on their timeline and have these spaces done by December! We’re really looking forward to experiencing festivals in a bigger way! World Celebration Gardens The World Celebration hub will be divided into many different gardens. The center will have a planter that is based on the EPCOT logo and the gardens around it will evolve with the seasons. ©Disney They will also “take on a whole new life” according to Disney at night when lighting will create a whole new evening experience. This will also change throughout the seasons. ©Disney There will also be big artistic elements like topiaries and sculptures in the gardens that coordinate their lights with those on Spaceship Earth. This is also supposed to be done by December. We haven’t heard much for updates, though. Mickey and Friends Meet-and-Greet Once CommuniCore Hall opens, we should be seeing a new location for character meet-and-greets called “Mickey and Friends”. ©Disney We would expect this new meet-and-greet location to open around the same time that CommuniCore Hall does. So we’ll be on the lookout for it in the next three months! New Night Time Show Luminous: The Symphony of Us EPCOT has gone through its fair share of nighttime shows. Since 1999 we had Illuminations, then a brief stint with EPCOT Forever, then Harmonious (have we forgotten about the barges?), and then back to EPCOT Forever (currently showing nightly). Harmonious Now, we are getting another NEW nighttime show in EPCOT! It will be called Luminous: The Symphony of Us. Disney has said that this show invites “everyone to gather around World Showcase Lagoon for a show that will unite us through commonalities of the heart in a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music, and light. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.” ©Disney This new show is set to debut on December 5th, 2023. So mark your calendars and meet us there! Imagination Pavilion Ok, so we’ve been seeing a bit of new construction going on near the Imagination Pavilion, and honestly we have no idea what it could be. Construction Work We haven’t heard any announcements about this construction, we just started noticing it. Hopefully, we hear more about this soon if everything is supposed to be complete by December 2023! Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana So technically the new Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana attraction IS complete. We are just over here impatiently waiting for it to open! Journey of Water at Night It is set to open to all guests on October 16th, 2023! So we know this will certainly be open before December, but since it’s not YET open, we had to include it in this list. Journey of Water There you have it, all the HUGE projects Disney still needs to wrap up before December. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all of them! In the meantime, check back to the Disney Food Blog for other Disney updates! Want to learn more about each of these new experiences? 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! Do you think Disney will have everything complete by December 2023? Let us know in the comments! The post HUGE Projects EPCOT Has To Finish in 3 Months first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The wait for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to be completed feels like it’s taking FOREVER, y’all, and we’re getting impatient. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Water Tower Sure, Tiana would tell us to have patience because “fairy tales can come true.” But Disney has already stated that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure won’t open until late 2024. So, for now, we’re just checking in on the construction of the ride, hoping to spot something new, and well, we’ve got a NEW update to share with you. We headed over to Magic Kingdom today to see if anything new was going on with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The construction site looks much the same. Scaffolding, scaffolding, and more scaffolding. Current construction We also got a bit of a closer look around the side. Hey, look. More scaffolding! A peek at the queue However, when we looked even closer, we noticed some NEW artwork. A mural has been painted on part of the building by the queue. How exciting! A mural! From what we can see, the colors are bright and vibrant, and it looks like the character is playing an instrument. We’ve learned so much about the attraction so far, like what the queue will smell like (which is going to drive us OUT of our minds with hunger), how long the ride is, and what the story will be like, as it will pick up after the events of The Princess and the Frog animated movie. We’ve even seen a sneak peek at one of the ride’s new animatronics! Louis animatronic ©Disney The music will also be NEW and exciting — Disney announced that the ride will be “a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film.” And y’all, that soundtrack ROCKS. But we also know that the Grammy Award-Winning musician and keyboardist for Maroon 5 PJ Morton is writing a NEW original song for the ride. Grammy Award-winning musician and New Orleans native PJ Morton was tapped to write, arrange and produce an original song for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. ©Disney We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more changes over at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, so stay tuned to DFB for more. What the Heck Does Tabasco Have To Do With Tiana’s Bayou Adventure 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What are you most excited about when it comes to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: NEW Details Arrive at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Listen, we here are DFB love Disney food, but there are some restaurants that we don’t recommend. Takumi-Tei And we don’t mean because the food isn’t good (although that is the case sometimes), but some table service restaurants can take up a TON of your time in the parks, and if you’re visiting for a short amount of time, you don’t want to spend hours inside of one restaurant. Here are the restaurants we recommend avoiding in Disney World because they take up so much time! Takumi-Tei Takumi-Tei is one of the best restaurants we’ve eaten at in Disney World! However, it’s wildly expensive (but we do feel the meal is worth the price), and it takes up a ton of park time. Takumi-Tei This definitely isn’t a meal you want to rush through — you’ve spent a lot of money on this dining reservation and you want to take in the full experience. This does mean though that you’ll easily be spending at least an hour sitting down and eating, so if you’ve got lots of plans for the rest of the park…maybe sit this one out, or plan it for the end of your day. Cinderella’s Royal Table We promise we don’t hate Cinderella’s Royal Table, but it does end up on a lot of these lists. Dining Room at Cinderella’s Royal Table This meal also takes up a lot of time. It’s a prix-fixe meal, and you pay for it all ahead of time, so you’ll be sitting down for at least an hour waiting for all your courses. The Princesses will come around and say hello to you as well, and you don’t want to leave before you’ve seen them all! Once again, we recommend this for the end of your Magic Kingdom day, so you’re not wishing you were riding rides or watching shows instead. Be Our Guest Restaurant Also in Magic Kingdom and in Fantasyland is Be Our Guest Restaurant. This meal is also prix-fixe, so it falls in the same vein as Cinderella’s Royal Table. Be Our Guest Restaurant However, unlike Cinderella’s Royal Table, there aren’t characters coming around to say hello as you dine. The Beast walks out once and waves hello, and that’s about it. But you will still spend an hour or so waiting for all your courses to come out, so this is another one we recommend saving for an end-of-day meal if you plan to dine here. Monsieur Paul Also over in EPCOT is Monsieur Paul, another one of the most expensive restaurants in Disney World. This is a fancier restaurant with a prix-fixe menu that will cost you $195 a person. Monsieur Paul As you’re already likely thinking, you’ll really want to savor your meal for that price, so it’s not a quick meal. This one will take you an hour at MINIMUM, and will likely take you closer to an hour and a half. Being that it’s not a restaurant you can or want to dip in and out of fast, save it for the end of the day, or plan out a chunk of your day where you know you won’t get anything else done. Victoria & Albert’s Although this incredibly fancy and expensive restaurant is technically outside of the parks, it’s close enough to Magic Kingdom that we’re going to count it. Because if you think this meal will only take an hour out of your park day, you’re sorely mistaken. Queen Victoria’s Room at Victoria & Albert’s Victoria & Albert’s is a multi-course meal that will take up a LARGE chunk of your time. This is not a restaurant where you can hop on the monorail and sit down for a quick dinner reservation — no, you need to block out a whole section of your day for this meal. Not only for eating itself but also for the travel in and out of the parks. Victoria & Albert’s We also want to point out the importance of not wasting your time at a table service restaurant during an after-hours event such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Why? Well, you can enter the park before the party starts with your ticket, but if you spend your time at a table service restaurant reservation, you’re spending a ton of that limited time you have in the park already! The only time we suggest that this could be a good idea is if you’re going to be in the park all day, so you have both a normal park ticket AND an after-hours ticket. Halloween in Magic Kingdom As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news and tips! Get our guide to Disney World restaurants right here! Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Best Disney Springs Restaurants The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What table service meal would you say is worth the time in Disney World? Tell us below! The post 5 Restaurants That Will Waste Your Time in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve been eating our way around Disney World, just like we always do. Contempo Cafe! But this time, we’re checking out all the new snacks and foods Disney World has added for Hispanic and Latin Heritage Month. So far, we’ve dived into an Encanto Cupcake, indulged in a sweet taco, and enjoyed a Passion Fruit Tres Leches Cake. But we have MORE new food to try, so we’re heading over to Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. So, the first thing we have to note is that almost ALL of the snacks we’ve tried so far for Hispanic and Latin Heritage Month have looked AMAZING. Disney brought its “A” game with every single one of these Instagram-worthy treats. The Coco Sweet Bread looks just as good, y’all. For $5.29, you get Sweet Dough filled with Cinnamon-spiced Custard topped with Coco Décor. Coco Sweet Bread If you put your nose to that photo, you can probably almost SMELL the cinnamon in this thing, and we’re sorry, pumpkin spice, but you’ve had your day — cinnamon is the new fall flavor of choice. The cinnamon-spiced custard is so thick and creamy, but we love it for that cinnamon taste that’s almost like eating Red Hots. YES. If you love cinnamon… The bread itself isn’t very sweet, but it works because you get the sweetness from the custard. It is, however, soft and flakey, sort of like a cross between a croissant and a bun. The topping adds a nice crunch but, honestly, very little flavor. That icing, though, is pretty basic, and we’re not even sure this snack needs it. If you love the cinnamon butter at Texas Roadhouse, you NEED to check this new treat out. That cinnamon custard, though The only thing we can say is that if you hate cinnamon, you’ll hate this snack, but we’re going to stand up over here on our cinnamon-loving hill and declare our undying love for this sweet bread. If you want to try it out, you’ll have to get to Contempo Cafe quickly — this snack is gone after October 15th. We’ll be eating even MORE snacks in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more reviews. WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Here’s the full list of new snacks in Disney Parks! 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite fall flavor? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Move Over, Texas Roadhouse. Disney’s NEW Cinnamon-Spiced Sweet Bread Just Entered the Arena first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You’ve obsessively researched your next Disney World trip for the best tips and tricks for everything from what to pack to which are the best places to eat, but there’s one tip we HAVE to share with you, otherwise, its reality may hit you like a ton of bricks! Stormalong Bay Traveling with kids is hard, and making sure you’re appeasing them and each of their individual personalities while also trying to balance the right amount of being entertained versus being overwhelmed can be rough. We’re here to offer you one tip that might bring you just the right balance because we can almost guarantee you’ll hear about it during your vacation. It’s inevitable, but you know we’re right. When you come to Disney World for a vacation you’re probably wracking your brain over all of the rides, shows, parades, and fireworks you can pack into one vacation, but you’re missing something from your list already. Once you realize it, it’s going to seem so obvious, but chances are your kids only have one thing on their mind when they hear “vacation.” Crowds in Fantasyland If you’re traveling with kids the best tip we can possibly give you is to know going into this vacation they’re going to want a break… and not just any kind of break — pool time. That’s right… we just heard you facepalm yourself through the screen; we’ve been there too! Although you’re likely spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for your Disney vacation, any hotel stay for kids seems to boil down to just one thing– how much time they’re going to get at the pool. Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club If you really think about it though — and head them off by anticipating this — it could add value to your trip! You’ll all probably need time to recharge your batteries at some point during your vacation, and you know the folks you’re traveling with best. If you think they may need more frequent breaks, it’s okay to schedule that into your plans as frequently as you need. Pool time can make for a nice rejuvenating break during the hotter days, or as a way to wind down in the evenings. Oasis Pool cabanas If you plan on attending an after-hours event or special ticketed party night, consider building pool and resort time into your plans for earlier in the day so you’re able to take full advantage (and value) of that special event through the evening without your kids begging to leave and head straight for the pool. Caribbean Beach Resort Overall, you know your group best and if that means figuring out ahead of time when you can fit the inevitable pool time into your schedule, we think you’ll be ahead of the curve and the hero of your kids’ best trip ever! We share tips and tricks to help you live out your best moments together in a Disney World vacation all the time, so be sure to check back in with us at Disney Food Blog soon! 7 Disney World Survival Tips From Your…Mailman?!?! 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you already practiced this Disney tip to get through your vacation successfully? Tell us all about your experience with this in the comments below! The post This Disney World Tip is Going to Make You So Mad, But You Need to Do It Anyway first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A major change is coming to EPCOT… and this is your reminder that it’s happening soon! EPCOT With so many exciting changes hitting EPCOT, it’s hard to keep all of our timelines straight! Disney just introduced a Figment meet and greet in the Imagination Pavilion, cast member previews are happening at Journey of Water Inspired by Moana, and we’re anxiously awaiting the debut of EPCOT’s new nighttime show, Luminous The Symphony of Us. However, there’s one other important change we want to remind you of because it’s coming up quick! Soarin’ at EPCOT has been a pretty popular ride ever since it was first introduced to the park back in May of 2005. When the attraction first opened, we were introduced to a version of the ride called Soarin’ Over California that was brought over from the same attraction at Disney California Adventure. This high-flying adventure took you over notable landmarks from around the Golden State and featured the distinct smells that really helped put you right in the action of each place you were flying over (especially those orange groves!). Soarin’ Over California ©Disney Soarin’ Over California quickly won us over here on the East Coast and became a staple attraction to visit while you were in EPCOT however, that version of the attraction retired in Disney World in 2016 to make way for a new Soarin’ film experience — Soarin’ Around The World. The current version takes you around destinations across the globe and highlights some of the locations that are featured in Adventures By Disney tours. Soarin’ Around The World entrance However, it was announced recently at Destination D23 that the beloved Soarin’ Over California version will make a limited-time reappearance in EPCOT starting September 22nd, 2023. While we believe this will be a very popular move for Disney in changing Soarin’ back to its original form, they didn’t give us much to go on in HOW LONG we can expect it to run. If you’re looking to get a nostalgic ride in once that changeover happens, or maybe this will be your first time riding Soarin’ under its former version in Disney World. we encourage you to do so soon because it doesn’t sound like this change is meant to last for very long. As always, be sure to check back in with us at Disney Food Blog for the latest in Disney news and updates. 3 Clues About How Test Track Will CHANGE in EPCOT 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited about the changeover to Soarin’ Over California once again? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! The post DON'T FORGET! Soarin' Is CHANGING This Week In EPCOT! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Is your Disney World trip all planned and ready to go? You’ve got your top-priority rides mapped out? All those restaurant reservations set? Cinderella Castle Before you go, we have to make sure you know about a few ride and restaurant CLOSURES that might affect your vacation! Check out this list of temporary closures for the week of September 17th through the 23rd. Magic Kingdom Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Splash Mountain closed on January 23rd for a long refurbishment. The ride is being re-themed to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, with a Princess and the Frog theme. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure The new ride will reopen sometime in late 2024. We’ll be watching for more updates on the reopening timeline. The tree at the top of this ride has been removed as Disney continues construction, and several new rock structures have been built at the bottom of the drop. There’s a new water tower as well, which says “Tiana’s Foods” on the front and “Never, ever lose sight of what’s really important” on the back. It’s topped with Tiana’s crown, which has two stars on it to represent Ray and Evangeline. A barrier is up in the queue If you miss Splash Mountain or want to celebrate the new ride, you should check out our DFB t-shirts! We have a Splash Mountain Farwell Tour shirt… DFB Exclusive! …and a Tiana tee as well! Check out our new Tiana-inspired merch! You can shop both tees (and lots of other Disney merch) at our online store. Click here to shop our DFB merchandise store. Barrel Bridge on Tom Sawyer Island in Magic Kingdom Over on Tom Sawyer Island, the Barrel Bridge is currently missing. It’s GONE A Cast Member told us that it had been removed for maintenance, and they didn’t know when it might return. The rest of the island is still open to explore, though. The ONE Magic Kingdom Announcement Everyone Wanted Disney To Make…But They Didn’t EPCOT Traveler’s Cafe Traveler’s Cafe is the old Starbucks location, which closed when Connections Cafe opened in World Celebration. Lately, we’ve spotted some changes to this spot (including a new paint job), so we’re wondering if that could mean it will reopen soon! Traveler’s Cafe According to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival map, it looks like this spot will be the location for Swirled Showcase when it opens as a new festival marketplace booth. That should take place THIS WEEK, on September 22nd! Restaurant Marrakesh Almost all of the restaurants that were closed in EPCOT during the 2020 park closure have reopened — all but one, that is! Restaurant Marrakesh in the Morocco Pavilion is still closed with no word on when it will reopen. Restaurant Marrakesh Since closing, the empty restaurant has been used as a relaxation station, a lounge…pretty much everything but dining! Recently, we saw that the hedges that were previously in front of the entrance have been removed and the space is once again open as a lounge. We’re hoping the restaurant returns soon! Check out 3 CLUES about how Test Track will change in EPCOT. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Voyage of the Little Mermaid This Little Mermaid-themed stage show has been closed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a long time now. Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney hasn’t announced when or if the Voyage of the Little Mermaid will reopen. We learned some SHOCKING things while rope-dropping Hollywood Studios. Blizzard Beach Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park has officially reopened, but now the other water park, Blizzard Beach, has closed for refurbishment. Water Slides at Blizzard Beach Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for updates! The BEST Rides at Blizzard Beach, Ranked Disney World Hotels 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, 1900 Park Fare is a table service restaurant where you could meet characters like Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland at their Supercalifragilistic Breakfast and Cinderella and her Prince Charming during the Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner. 1900 Park Fare They also had a special event for younger children called the Wonderland Tea Party. It’s sad to see a spot closed that had so much character interaction! Disney hasn’t announced a permanent closure, so there is hope for 1900 Park Fare. With 1900 Park Fare closed…you’ll need this SECRET spot to get afternoon tea in Disney World! Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Narcoossee’s will be closed starting on September 17th. Disney expects the restaurant to reopen sometime in mid-October. Narcoossee’s The Disney webpage for Narcoossee’s states, “We recently introduced an enhanced interior and menu offerings at Narcoossee’s and will be making a few more equipment updates.” Click here to check out other restaurant options at the Grand Floridian. Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. Click here to check out more upcoming closures and current construction projects at Disney World. Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments! The post 4 Attraction CLOSURES Might CHANGE Your Disney World Plans first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article