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Figment will greet guests in the Imagination! pavilion at EPCOT starting Sept. 10!View the full article

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will open on Oct. 16, 2023! View the full article

The day we’ve been waiting for is finally here. Destination D23 is HAPPENING! Welcome t0 2023 Destination D23! Will Disney share any major breaking news? Could we walk away with a tote bag full of new Disney merchandise? Will we have access to some vintage Disney props? Let’s find out! If you’re unfamiliar, this isn’t just any old Disney event. It’s known as “Disney’s biggest fan event of the year.” Destination D23 is happening NOW in Disney World at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and we’re exploring everything there is to see and do during the expo. There’s all sorts of fun stuff happening! The event runs from September 8th to September 10th, and we’re hoping for some big news this year. Could we hear about the EPCOT transformation? Maybe a Figment character meet-and-greet update? Everyone, get out your D23 news bingo cards — ours has Josh D’Amaro’s face as the free space in the middle. Oh hey, Han Solo! Day 1 — September 8th, 2023 OK, let’s kick things off with a look at the merchandise. (Priorities, right?) There is a TON of exclusive merchandise available this year, including an entire line of items from this year’s D23 sponsor, Lug! Sadly, these mega bags were display items only, but there’s a whole lot more where that came from — check out our FULL post here! Lug is the sponsor this year! There was SO MUCH merchandise available! We saw lots of Walt Disney Company items… Here’s a peek at some items! …a Muppets Mayhem collection… Muppets Mayhem …a classic D23 collection… We see a Loungefly! ..and much more! Sunglasses! One of the COOLEST things we saw was this Disney100 train set from Lionel. WOW! Alright, now that that’s out of our system, let’s move on to some of the special D23 exhibits on display. All you animatronic fanatics are gonna LOVE this one — it’s called “The Plausible Impossible: 60 Years of Disney Audio-Animatronics Technology.” WHOA! We got a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes technology from some of Disney’s iconic animatronic figures. Recognize that head? There were a LOT of old theme park props and plenty of photos. It was so interesting to see all those familiar items! There’s so much to see! This was one of our FAVORITE parts — it’s the famous Hatbox Ghost from the Haunted Mansion! It’s the Hatbox Ghost! Disney showed some Hatbox Ghost models, too. Look at that spooky face! How cool! There was a LOT to take in at this exhibit; we could’ve spent all day looking around. Recognize that guy? If you’re a Disney fan, odds are you will enjoy this little collection of items. From animatronic clothing to Hatbox Ghost heads, there’s something for everyone. Oooh, costumes! We’ll be reporting LIVE from the Destination D23 event all weekend long, so look out for all the major news from the event. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. 3 CLUES That Could Point to a Major Disney World Overhaul 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 hoping Disney will talk about this year? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney to attend the Destination D23 event. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post We’re LIVE From the BIGGEST Disney Fan Event of the Year — Destination D23 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When planning a cruise that offers breathtaking natural vistas, Alaska often comes to mind! After all, taking in the sights of pristine glaciers is truly a sight to see! However, an Alaskan cruise does offer some planning challenges during the short April to September sailing season. Another concern is choosing a cruise line that sails to Alaska. Donald on a Disney Cruise to Alaska To protect the delicate balance of nature and animals by minimizing disturbances and pollution, Alaska has limitations on the number of ships and cruise lines that can sail their waters. View of the Alaskan Glacier from Disney Wonder To visit the majestic glaciers of Glacier Park, only two ships per day are permitted to carry passengers to this region in Alaska. This agreement is in effect until at least 2030. Currently, the cruise lines granted permission to sail here are: Carnival Cruise Line Holland America Princess Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line Royal Caribbean Seabourn Uncruise Adventures Viking Ocean Disney Cruise Line and a few others. Typically, you’ll be booking a cruise on a smaller ship when sailing to Alaska. Ships with a gross tonnage of 150,000 or greater are unable to dock at certain ports. And, certain fjords and passageways are completely inaccessible to some of the larger ships. Skagway as Seen from the Ship So, how do you choose a cruise line for your vacation to Alaska? Here are some suggestions! Most Popular Holland Princess Popular with Families with Teenagers Royal Caribbean Norwegian Disney Cruise vs. Royal Caribbean – We’re Helping You Decide Popular with Families with Small Children Disney Complete Guide: Disney’s Alaska Cruises for 2023, 2024 and Beyond ©Disney Best Budget-Friendly Cruise Lines Holland Celebrity Norwegian Royal Caribbean Best Small Ships Viking Oceania Best Luxury Cruises Regent Seven Seabourn Cruiseline Best Land and Sea Cruises Princess Lesser Known Cruise Lines Cunard Windstar Cruises When Is The Best Time To Cruise Alaska? A cruise to Alaska is a memorable vacation, however there are a lot of options to consider. We hope selecting the best cruise line for your family just got a bit easier! What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Explore Disney’s Mega Cruise Ship – The Wish A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise These Are the BEST Times to Book Your Disney Cruise The Best Ways to SAVE SPACE in Your Tiny Cruise Cabin 10 Things You NEED on Your Next Cruise (That You Won’t Think to Pack!) What It’s Like to Live on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Which cruise line will you book to Alaska?The post EVERY Cruise Line That Sails to Alaska first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you were planning to become a Magic Key Annual Passholder in Disneyland, you may have to wait a while longer. Disneyland Resort If you’re unfamiliar, Magic Key passes are Disneyland’s version of Disney World’s Annual Pass system. There are varying passes with different features, though these passes often sell out on short notice. Now, we’ve got an important update on Disneyland’s Magic Key availability. Earlier in 2023, Disney revealed that Magic Key passes would be available to purchase periodically throughout the year. Sales first opened in January, but some pass types sold out shortly after arriving online. Then, all four Disneyland Magic Key pass types were available to buy once again in April, though a few days later, the Inspire Key was the only pass type still available for new sales. All three other Magic Key types (Imagine, Enchant, and Believe) are still listed as renewals ONLY. Pirates of the Caribbean Now, Disney announced that ALL four Magic Key passes are unavailable for new purchases. The Disneyland website shows that the Imagine, Enchant, Believe, and Inspire passes are “Available for Renewal,” meaning only existing Magic Key holders can update their membership for now. ©Disney Here’s a look at the pass prices: Inspire Key — $1,599 Believe Key – $1,099 Enchant Key — $699 Imagine Key (Only available for Southern California Residents living in zip codes 90000 to 9359) — $449 ©Disney Note that Disney has not shared an update on when Magic Keys will be available to purchase again. ©Disney In the past, Disney has warned, “The quantity of passes and pass types available for renewal or purchase may be limited, and passes or a pass type may be unavailable from time to time or at any given time, or available only for renewals.” ©Disney We’ll be sure to keep our eyes out for additional updates, but for now, all Magic Key sales are on pause. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. Click here to learn more about the Magic Key system 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 Were you planning to buy a Magic Key Pass? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: Sales PAUSED for All Disney Magic Key Passes first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are many ways to get around Walt Disney World. Monorail in EPCOT You can take the Monorail or Skyliner, use Disney’s bus service, or drive your own vehicle. If you take your own vehicle, you can use the tram service to get from Disney’s HUGE parking lots to the entrance at the Transportation Ticket Center (at Magic Kingdom) and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. But for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, you still have to walk, as those parking lot trams haven’t returned yet. That’s changing soon, as Disney announced trams will be returning to all four parks, and now we’ve seen that we’re one step closer to having the trams back! When Disney re-opened after the COVID shutdown, the parking tram services in the parking lots of each park didn’t reopen. After a while, they finally returned to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) and Animal Kingdom, but not to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. Magic Kingdom Tram We recently heard that both of these trams will be returning sometime in September of this year, and it looks like we could be getting close! Today while we were on our way into the parks, we spotted some tram training going on over in EPCOT! Tram Training at EPCOT! That’s right! It looks like the Cast Members are out there getting things ready to be spun up again! This will alleviate having to walk from your vehicle to the main entrance at EPCOT, which can be quite a hike (depending on where you’re parked). When the tram reopens, you’ll just have to meet it at a designated spot near your vehicle and catch a ride right up to the front. They’re getting it ready! We hope this is a sign that the trams will be up and running shortly! Until then, we’ll be on the lookout for any more updates. Check back to DFB for more updates! Check out more EPCOT updates 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 form of transportation do you prefer to use in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: EPCOT Parking Lot Trams Are One Step Closer to Returning! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Have you ever just wanted to make a spontaneous trip to Disney World? You can fly to Disney World CHEAP We’re talking about just saying “Hey, I want to go to Disney World in a week” and you just book the hotel, get the tickets, and book the flight? Well, we’ve got a great excuse for you to do that right now. That’s because we just found flights to Orlando for just $19. No, REALLY! Frontier Airlines is having a MASSIVE fall sales with flights from MANY cities to Orlando starting at just $19 each way. Yes, that would equal about $40 round trip. $40 FLIGHTS TO DISNEY WORLD, Y’ALL. ©Frontier Airlines Here’s the even better news: a LOT of cities are part of this sale, with other cities having fares of $39-$59 each way (which is still a great deal, right?). Some cities that have $19 flights to/from Orlando include Harrisburg, PA; Chicago, IL; Memphis, TN; Milwaukee, WI; New Orleans, LA; and Raleigh, NC (among many others). ©Frontier Airlines So what’s the catch? Well, you’re only allowed one personal item (like a backpack or purse) on the plane with you, unless you’re willing to pay an additional fee for a carry-on bag. You’ll also have to pay for your checked bag, as well as seat selection. However, even if you add up all those fees, you’ll probably still save a ton of money with this sale. ©Frontier Airlines You also must book nonstop flights on Monday through Thursday, and Saturday, in select cities, for travel through November 15th. You must book your flight by September 11th, 2023. There are some blackout dates, too: October 5th-9th, 2023. Otherwise, that’s it — if you’re looking for a sign to take a fall trip to Disney World, this could be it. ©Frontier Airlines So what are you waiting for? Book the flight, take the trip, and bring some extra magic into your life. We’ll also keep an eye out for more Disney deals and discounts, so stay tuned to DFB for more. If you want to do some planning before your flight (or even on the plane!), check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We’ve compiled all of our BEST tips and tricks from years of Disney World travel into one eBook that you can download to your tablet or smartphone and take with you! We’re offering our readers 25% off with code WDW2023. Flying to Disney World is About To Get EASIER DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Will you be booking a fall flight to Disney World now? Let us know in the comments! The post QUICK! You Could Fly to Disney World for LESS THAN Each Way! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s an exciting weekend for Disney fans. ©D23 Destination D23 is happening right now, and we expect we’ll learn a lot more about future plans Disney has for the parks, movies, TV shows, and more! We’re certainly hoping we learn more about that Magic Kingdom expansion they teased last year, so fingers crossed! In the meantime, though, we just got a sneak peek at some new Disney merchandise coming soon, and we think we just found our next park bag! We were invited to attend a media event for Destination D23 and got a look at some new bags by Lug (who is the big sponsor of the event). Let us tell you now…you are going to want EVERY SINGLE ONE of these new bags. First, we got a look at a new runDisney collection. This includes a Water Bottle Bag that will retail for $45… runDisney Water Bottle bag …a Crossbody Bag for $55… runDisney Crossbody Bag …and a Backpack. We were told this collection should be out later this year. We love the Mickey ear pattern A new collection of crossbody bags is on the way, too. These will retail for $55. There’s an ‘Olu Mel Bag… ‘Olu Mel …an Orange Bird Bag… Hey, Orange Bird! …a Chip Bag… Just one of our favorite chipmunks …a Brave Little Tailor Mickey Bag… Mickey as the Brave Little Tailor …a Pooh Bag… Sweet Pooh …and a Mickey and Minnie Italy Bag. Minnie is on one side (her bow is the Italian flag). Minnie with an Italian flag bow Mickey is on the other side. Mickey! We also got our FIRST LOOK at some merchandise for the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts. It’s a Figment Bag. Figment! It’s got the Festival of the Arts logo on the back. EPCOT Festival of the Arts A new Winnie the Pooh Collection is coming, too. There’s a Satchel Bag… Room for ALL your stuff …and a Backpack. Pooh Backpack You can expect these bags to be released in early 2024 at the parks, Disney’s Aulani Resort, and more. We love them all! We’ll be covering EVERYTHING at Destination D23 this weekend, so stay tuned to DFB for more. The ONE Announcement We Really Want Disney To Make in September 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 bags? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney to attend their media preview for Destination D23. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post Stop Everything! We Just Found Your Next Disney Park Bag first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, is it more acceptable to talk about Halloween now since it’s September? We hope so because we have more news! Headless Horsemen statue Disney’s been releasing lots of new Halloween souvenirs and news, and their spooky celebrations are in full effect on both coasts. If you’ve been on the lookout for the perfect souvenir, we may have just found it! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Right now at Carthay Circle Restaurant, you can grab the Spooky Tree Flight Mugs for $89. Plus, each purchase includes an Appletini cocktail. @enchantedtikibar on Instagram The souvenir is inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and is limited to two per person. Plus, Club 33 members visiting 1901 can also purchase one in a variant glaze, but there’s a limit of 2 per membership. Carthay Circle Love this style but won’t be in Disneyland soon? Check out the Disney Poisoned Apple Sketchbook Ornament online to add to your tree this year! ©Amazon It’s a great way to represent the fairytale that started it all for Disney on your tree this year (yes, we know that’s another few months away, but it’s never too early)! Check it out on Amazon! Check Out More Disneyland News Here! NEWS: Disney Announces OPENING TIMELINE for Adventureland TreehouseFULL TOUR of Disney’s NEW Tiana’s Palace RestaurantCome With Us To Meet 9 RARE Disney VILLAINS!FIRST LOOK at Disney’s Exclusive Oogie Boogie Bash ParadeVIDEOS: See the TWO New Villains at Disney’s Oogie Boogie Bash As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news! Check out our Amazon Storefront here! What’s your favorite character from Snow White? Tell us in the comments! The post Everyone Go Home -- This New Disney Souvenir Just Won the Whole Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney just pulls at our heartstrings. Toy Story Whether it’s the parks or the movies, you probably have something that makes you feel like a kid again. As we grow up, sometimes that childlike magic can start to fade away. But, we think we just found something that will dust off the cobwebs of your childhood memories. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. You can get this Disney item faster with Amazon Prime one-day shipping. Don’t have Prime? Click the link below for a free trial! Warning: This item may transport you back in time and may give you all the 90s vibes. Grab the Moonlite Mini Projector Now for Your Little One ©Amazon This Moonlite Mini Projector might remind you of those awesome View Master toys of your childhood, but it has an updated twist. This is an interactive Storytelling System with Projector, Music, and Sparkling Sounds. Simply attach the projector to your smartphone flashlight, download the interactive app, and select your story to launch an unforgettable storytelling moment with your kids. ©Amazon You get 5 digital stories, 5 picture discs, and 1 Moonlite projector with your purchase. The stories include Toy Story, Cars, Monsters INC., Onward, and The Incredibles. You can make bedtime fun with this Moonlite Projector. They are currently 10% off as well on Amazon. View on Amazon For more Disney merchandise items, be sure to follow us at DFB. Shop Our Amazon Storefront NowThe post WARNING: This Disney Toy May Transport You Back To Your Childhood first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

What do you do in Disney World when your favorite ride is closed? Tomorrowland It happens often (especially if that ride is Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios or, most recently, Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom). Well, today, one of Disney World’s classic rides is having a rough week and is currently closed. Earlier this week, on September 6th, Space Mountain was closed for quite a while. At the time, we received a notification on the My Disney Experience app notifying us of the closure. ©Disney We walked by Space Mountain a few hours later to see that it was still down. It looked like it might be that way for a while, too, as Cast Members had put out alternative entertainment in the form of Corn Hole. Closed on Wednesday Then, we went back to Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom to check on Space Mountain AGAIN on September 7th. Guess what? Space Mountain was closed again. Closed on Thursday Well, fast forward to today, September 8th, and Space Mountain did not open with the park and was still closed well after Magic Kingdom opened. Cast Members did not have an ETA on when it would reopen but confirmed that the ride was down for technical issues. We were assured that other Cast Members were inside trying to fix things, but we didn’t notice any cars being tested. Closed on Friday So we decided to get on the PeopleMover to get a better look at the situation — the PeopleMover goes THROUGH Space Mountain. We got a good view of Space Mountain with the lights on, which is actually pretty cool, although we’re still sad that the ride is still down. However, by 1:30PM EST, Space Mountain was back up and running with a 30-minute wait time. We hope that whatever issue it’s been having this week has been fixed. Space Mountain We’ll be keeping an eye on the ride and let you know if we have any more updates, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Heads Up — 3 Restaurants and 3 Attractions Will Be CLOSED in Disney World Next Week 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 do when your favorite Disney World ride is closed? Let us know in the comments! The post An Iconic Ride Is SERIOUSLY Struggling in Magic Kingdom Right Now first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney food and stunning views go hand in hand. Mickey Bar by World Showcase A Mickey Premium Bar in front of Cinderella Castle or a funnel cake overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon has the power to make your trip truly magical. One of our favorite restaurants has a view that can’t be beaten, but you’ll have to leave the parks to see it! Over at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, you can dine on delicious African and Indian Cuisine at Sanaa — which translates to “Work of Art” in Swahili. But the best part? It overlooks the Sunset Savanna! We stopped by recently. Come check out our full review! Atmosphere Sanaa is a table service restaurant offering lunch and dinner, but it also serves a quick-service breakfast in the mornings. You can find it on the first floor of the Kidani Village — right by the savanna. Kidani Village We checked into the restaurant on the My Disney Experience app and enjoyed the views while we waited for our table to be called. There are all kinds of animals out here to spot, including gazelles, zebras, cranes, and ostriches. Savanna When our table was ready, we headed to the host stand, where you can see woven trays — and even a hidden Mickey! Sanaa host stand The restaurant is warm and inviting, and at the center of the room sits a sprawling acacia tree feature. From the painted details on the ceiling to the natural lampshades and warm light, this dining room is peaceful and welcoming. Dining room There was a mixture of tables and booths scattered throughout, and we were seated at a table by the window. Tables by the window We were promptly greeted by our server — and this crane! Hello! Our table setting included an appetizer plate, cloth napkin, and silverware. Table setting Let’s take a look at the menu! Menu Sanaa offers a unique fusion of Indian and African food, and the menu itself reflects the style of the restaurant. Menu You’ll find a selection of Specialty Cocktails — like the Malawi Mango Margarita, some Non-Alcoholic Specialties — like the Mango Lassi Smoothie, and a few draft beers. Drinks There are a few loose-leaf teas served in a teapot as well as a Freshly Brewed Joffrey’s Coffee Press Pot. Let’s not forget one of our favorite things on the menu — the Indian-style Bread Service. Bread Service! For appetizers, they have options such as the Samosas, Lamb Kefta, and Salad Sampler. For an entree, you could get one of the Potjie Inspired, where you choose a Journey (meat dish) and a Harvest (plant-based). Menu Otherwise, you could choose a Spice Route Favorite, like the Grilled New York Strip or the Samaki Wa Kapaka. Spice Road Favorites Let’s dig in! Drinks For a cocktail, we ordered the African Starr Mojito for $16.50. Mojito This was slightly sweet and refreshing and tasted really well done. While there wasn’t anything particularly unique about it, if you’re looking for something light and tasty this is a good option! Eats First, we had to start off with the Indian-style Bread Service for $21. It comes with five different breads and 9 accompaniments. Indian-style Bread Service For bread, there is Traditional Naan, Garlic-Ginger Naan, Spiced Naan, Onion Kulcha, and Paneer Paratha. Naan For the Accompaniments, there is a Cucumber Raita, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Mango Chutney, Tomato-Date Jam, Tamarind Chutney, Coriander Chutney, Garlic Pickle, Red Chile Sambal, and Spicy Jalapeño-Lime Pickle. Accompaniments The naans were all super buttery and warm, with a hint of garlic. Naan The Accompaniments are placed in order from spiciest to most mild, starting with the Red Chili Samba. This one is extremely spicy — not like Disney spicy — so be careful! The Spicy Jalapeño-Lime Pickle was really nice and not nearly as spicy. While it did have some heat, the pickle flavors cut it a bit. We really enjoyed the Mango Chutney — it was mild and almost pesto-like. Overall there was a great variety here and we really enjoyed it! So spicy! For our entrees, we ordered two of the Potjie Inspired dishes for $31 each. They come with one meat and one plant-based dish as well as a side of rice. For our first, we for the Butter Chicken and Chickpea Wat, and for the second we got the Braised Beef and Rajma Masala. Full spread The Butter Chicken is a comforting mix of chicken with a spiced tomato and butter-forward sauce. It was SO tender — it was creamy and bold, but the flavors weren’t so adventurous that picky eaters wouldn’t like it. Butter Chicken The Chickpea Wat was both flavorful and robust but still light and simple. The chickpeas were soft and tender and the flavors almost tasted fall-spiced. Chickpea Wat The Braised Beef melts in your mouth. It’s a tender, comforting meal with a touch of sweetness on the back end. While this did have a lot of bold flavor, it wasn’t anything too unique, so it was not just for super adventurous eaters. Braised Beef The Rajma Masala is similar to the Chickpea Wat in that it is very robust. It was paprika-forward with a nice tender texture and a touch of heat. If you love beans, this is a delicious choice! Rajma Masala For both of these, the rice was light and yet buttery — a great base for both of these meals and we really loved it! Rice For dessert, we ordered the Serradura for $9. This consists of Butterscotch Pudding, Almond Coffee Streusel, Pineapple, Mango, and Brenton Shortbread. This was incredibly unique! The pudding wasn’t overly sweet — it was full-bodied and had a faint hint of whisky. It had a bit of a grainy texture that really enhanced the flavors. Serradura The pineapple and mango were both super sweet, so it balanced it out really well. This isn’t something we would suggest for everyone, but if you are an adventurous eater you might really love this! Overall We have always really enjoyed this restaurant and think it’s a fun and unique spot to try, whether you’re staying at this resort or not! The food is delicious and the view can’t be beat. Savanna views at Sanaa The famous Indian-style Bread Service is worth a stop on its own! But, if you’re an adventurous eater, this place has a ton of options if you’re looking for something different that typical theme park fare. And. you’ll even get to see a few animals in the process. Nosh or Not Trek on over to Sanaa if… You love animals. Having dinner with a view of the savanna is a special experience. You want a unique table service meal. This is a great option if you’re looking for something memorable. You are staying at the resort. If you are already in the area, this is a delicious option! Skip Sanaa if… You’re not staying at the resort. This can be a bit out of the way if you’re not in the area. While we think it is worth the trek, if you have time restraints it might not be the best option for you. You have picky eaters in your group. There are a few basic options, but overall this location has a unique menu. You’re looking for something quick. There are a few quick-service restaurants at this resort that would be better suited for a time-sensitive meal. This is a peaceful little restaurant with some great selections! We’ll keep bringing you Disney food reviews, so stay tuned to DFB for more! 4 Essential Animal Kingdom Meals 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! Have you eaten at Sanaa? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! The post REVIEW: Yes, This Bread IS Worth Leaving The Parks For -- Trust Us! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Spectrum Cable TV subscribers have been faced with a “stressful” issue: several channels are currently unavailable as Spectrum’s parent company, Charter, battles with Disney over a contract dispute. ©Disney Although Disney has made references to potential changes coming to its linear TV networks and ESPN someday, this ongoing dispute has been impacting a large portion of subscribers during an important time of year for sports fans. Disney is currently in a contract battle with Charter Communications (the owner of the Spectrum TV service). The dispute has left millions of Spectrum TV subscribers without access to Disney-owned networks, including ESPN, ABC, ESPN, FX, and the Disney Channel. ©Disney Recently, Charter CEO Chris Winfrey stated that there has been little progress made in negotiations with Disney, according to Deadline. Winfrey previously explained that Charter is asking for a deal with Disney that would give customers “access to Disney’s ad-supported streaming services like Disney+ and ESPN+ at no additional cost,” per CNBC. ©Disney Recently, Disney fired back with a message of their own. The statement began, “As the US Open reaches the men’s and women’s finals, and fans gear up for a weekend of college football and the opening of the NFL season, it’s unfortunate that Charter decided to abandon their consumers by denying them access to Disney Entertainment’s great programming.” ©Disney “While they have stated their ‘indifference’ to the needs of millions of paying customers, Disney will not lose sight of what is most important—investing in the highest-quality stories, news and sports for our audience.” Disney wrote, “The question for Charter is clear: Do you care about your subscribers and what they’re telling you they want—or not? Disney stands ready to resolve this dispute and do what’s in the best interest of Charter’s customers.” ©ESPN Some analysts predict that Disney will eventually “concede” to some of Charter’s demands, stating, “We believe a permanent end to Charter’s distribution of Disney’s channels would be a more negative outcome for Disney than for Charter in that it would accelerate Disney’s linear revenue decline and make future distribution renewals even more challenging and critical (shifting leverage to distributors), while leaving the vast majority of Charter’s broadband business intact,” according to Deadline. ©Disney Charter was also recently hit with a class-action lawsuit in response to the situation. You can read more about the lawsuit here. ©Disney We’ll keep an eye on the situation and keep you updated, so stay tuned to DFB for more. The ONE Announcement We Really Want Disney To Make in September Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think of the dispute between Disney and Charter Communications? Let us know in the comments! The post "Do You Care About Your Subscribers?" Disney Fires Back In Cable Dispute With Charter/Spectrum first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Aaaaaattention, Foolish Mortals! Haunted Mansion Wow, I really missed saying that. And calling everyone I encounter a “foolish mortal.” You see, before I was part of the amazing team here at DFB, I was a resident of the Haunted Mansion at Disney World. Yep, I was one of the resident maids that haunted the halls — decked out in the dreadful green and black-striped costume, a bat perched atop my head. (Before anyone asks, my bat’s name was Beverly — named after the vile, bitter, and disgusting Italian Coke product that you can find in EPCOT’s Club Cool. You weren’t going to ask? Well, maybe I just miss telling everyone that bit of information, too.) Being a Mansion Maid was one of the BEST jobs I’ve ever had, but it was also the hardest job I’ve ever had. As a Cast Member, I dealt with scenarios I never thought I’d encounter — ones that might have been avoided if the Mansion visitors just… understood me and my fellow maids and butlers a little better, you know? Well, if you’re a fan of the Haunted Mansion, and you also love getting the inside scoop on Disney’s rides and attractions, then this post is for you! Here are 10 things that I need you to know about the Mansion and about the Cast Members that reside within. Hopefully, these things will help you understand why things happen the way they do inside the Mansion walls, and how the maids and butlers are just trying to help you — and everyone around you — have the BEST experience possible. Let’s go! The ride isn’t breaking down every time it stops. The ride stops a lot. It does. However, it’s not breaking down every time the ride stops. The amount of times I heard, “Ugh, don’t ride this ride. It’s always breaking down,” or, “I KNEW the ride would break down the second we got on,” is so disheartening! Cast Members take pride in the attraction at which they work, and so comments like these can be hard to hear. When Mickey signed my paychecks, I couldn’t really set anyone straight, but now I can. Haunted Mansion More often than not, the ride is stopping to assist those living with disabilities as they get seated in the ride comfortably. You don’t see these people get on because we assist those folks at the unload belt. The process is called a “Stop on 1.” We stop the ride when the first out of 160 doom buggies reaches the end of the unload belt. The 1st and 3rd buggies are built slightly differently so that folks can slide from wheelchairs directly onto the seat. A lot of these folks skip out on riding entirely because of comments they’ve heard in the past from other riders, and they don’t want to hinder anyone’s experience. If you’ve made these comments in the past, I’m not trying to guilt you, but please be more mindful of your words if you ever get stopped on the ride. We’re not being mean to you, we’re just in mourning. The whole storyline of the Haunted Mansion revolves around the fact that Master Gracey is now dead. Our employer has passed on. We’re SAD. We’re morose. We’re just playing the part! A lot of first-time Disney World visitors don’t really “get” the Mansion maids and butlers, because they’re so used to the chipper, outgoing demeanor of Cast Members throughout Magic Kingdom and Disney World in general. The folks outside might be a bit more chipper! Everything at Disney World is all about the “show.” So, within the Mansion, you probably won’t see too many smiling faces. If you ask a question, you might be met with a very short answer. It’s not our job to scare you or freak you out, that often just happens accidentally. However, it is our job to mourn the late Master Gracey. In training, they told us that the further away we are from the Mansion, the bigger our smiles can be! If you’re hoping for a super duper Magical Moment, you might wanna interact with the folks outside. (But don’t ask for a Magical Moment. That never works.) I’m sorry I slammed the Mansion doors in your face. We operate on a ghoulish timer. From the moment you walk through the doors of the mansion until you exit the stretch room, the Cast Member is listening for audio cues from Ghost Host. The stretch rooms can hold only a certain amount of people, and the Cast Members can tell when the room is reaching maximum capacity based on the flow of people coming inside as well as the words Ghost Host is speaking as folks are entering. Sorry I kicked you out! There are times that I upset some folks because I quickly had to slam the doors shut. Sorry! I’m sorry. I just had to make it back to the stretch room so that those automagic doors didn’t shut without me inside. I would have gotten in big trouble with Mickey for allowing scared folks into a room with automatic doors all by themselves. Oh, and I’m sorry about kicking you out of my stretch room when you were trying to hear the gargoyles. I just had to go let more people into the Mansion. Screaming in the stretch room affects more than you think. If you’ve been in the stretch room before, you probably know what I mean when I talk about the part where Mansion visitors tend to scream. Purposefully. Yes, there’s audio of a scream that plays at the same time. However, that audio is quieter. It comes from far away. It’s expected and it flows with the storyline. Please. Stop. Screaming. When you let out a bloodcurdling scream, you’re not only startling me, but you’re also startling children who just worked up the courage to ride. You’re startling neurodivergent folks who are triggered by sudden, loud noises. You’re startling veterans and folks living with trauma. Don’t scream. You’re the only one who thinks it’s funny, I PROMISE. There are few things that anger a Mansion Cast Member more than this. Drag your bodies AWAY from the walls. I MEAN IT. The cool thing about the doors of the stretch room is that they won’t open if you’re standing too close to them. At the beginning of the stretch room, the Cast Member will ask you to kindly drag your bodies away from the walls and into the dead center of the room. This isn’t just a punny way of greeting folks. Away from the walls! The doors literally will not open and let you out unless you are standing a certain distance away from them. Drag your bodies away, please! It’s just a giant treadmill. I’m okay! People love to check on the Maids and Butlers as we’re walking on the load and unload belts. You know, the moving walkways. I frequently heard concerned comments like, “Do they make you walk backwards all day?” People were always concerned that we were all spending our entire shifts on the moving walkways, and folks even thought that we were walking backwards. Haunted Mansion Let me assure you, it’s just a giant, slow-moving treadmill! It isn’t that bad. Also, the Cast Members are only at a location for about 45 minutes at a time. No cause for concern, here! Please stop trying to scare me! Just like some people scream in the stretch room, people try to scare the Cast Members to try to get them to break character. I lost count of people that let out bloodcurdling screams in my face or right in my ear. Haunted Mansion graveyard Well, it definitely did always scare me. We’re all trying to do our jobs, and if we’re near or on the moving walkways, we’re concentrated on keeping everyone safe. We’re counting, watching for potential concern, trying not to trip, and also potentially communicating with other Cast Members, even if it looks like we’re just standing there and walking. Screaming at us to try to scare us throws us seriously off kilter! Your flash or bright phone screen ruins the experience of others. I know it’s dark in the mansion! Especially after you just escaped the bright, Florida sun. However, turning on your flash or keeping your phone screen really bright, especially in the stretch room, is super distracting. It prevents other guests from being able to see what’s taking place on the ceiling. A Cast Member will likely tell you to “kill” the light Oh, and definitely don’t turn on your flash in the ride. That’s even worse! Some folks are just trying to enjoy the show. No, the stretch room is not an elevator. Disney World’s stretch rooms aren’t elevators, but the stretch rooms at Disneyland are! Many folks refer to the stretch rooms as elevators, and the maids and butlers just roll with it most of the time. Not an elevator. Sorry! I’m sorry to crush your Disney World stretch room dreams! If you visited during the pandemic days, then you probably got to walk straight through the stretch room with both of the doors open. It’s pretty cool! Walking through The Stretching Room However, it’s definitely cooler to experience the pre-show. DON’T lay your loved ones to rest here. When I first started working at the Mansion, I quickly learned what a Code A was. A stands for ashes, and it’s when people dump the ashes of loved ones throughout the ride. We do ride walkthroughs in the mornings and at night, and so we find the ashes later, or we find them as soon as they happen because sometimes the ashes land partially on the doom buggy or the safety plate underneath. We make sure it’s a true Code A by using a black light. The ashes have a pinkish glow underneath the light. Sorry, your loved ones are unfortunately not welcome after they are no longer in their corruptible mortal state. When this happens, we sometimes have to close the ride so that a team in these suits that look like Ghostbusters uniforms can come in and clean up the biohazard. YES. BIOHAZARD. Pleeeeeease don’t sprinkle ashes in the ride. the Haunted Mansion Hopefully, you learned a few cool things about the Haunted Mansion and the Cast Members that work there. I think the Haunted Mansion is the COOLEST place ever, and the only thing that could make it cooler is if everyone could understand these 10 things. If you love learning more about Disney World’s parks, attractions, and Cast Members, make sure to follow along here at DFB so that you never miss a thing. See you next time, Mortals! Hoping to learn more about Disney World and its Cast Members? 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 Do you love the Haunted Mansion? Let us know in the comments! The post I Was a Haunted Mansion Cast Member -- Here Are 10 Things I Need You To Know first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney PhotoPass Service is excited to share our top 5 locations for Capture Your Moment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!View the full article

Fantasmic! might be Disneyland’s most popular nighttime show, but right now, it’s on hiatus. Fantasmic! at Disneyland Resort The show was put on a hiatus earlier this year when the Maleficent dragon caught fire. Disneyland has indicated that the show will return in spring 2024. In the meantime, Disney announced that a new show will take its place while Fantasmic! is gone. The new show is called “The Heartbeat of New Orleans — A Living Mural.” The show, which debuts on September 29th, is “set to a dynamic jazz score” and will feature projections on the Rivers of America following the story of a “mischievous little frog from the bayou that leaps into the lively heartbeat of New Orleans when he is lured by the jazzy sounds he hears in the distance.” Rivers of America The show will feature original animated artwork by Disney Live Entertainment graphic designer Marcella “Marci” Swett, who has also done some fabulous chalk art in Downtown Disney during the resort’s Celebrate Soulfully event. This nighttime show, along with the previously announced Queenie and the Jambalaya Jazz Band, will both appear on the Rivers of America on select nights throughout the fall. Both shows will also run during the holiday season. ©Disney So, if you’re headed to Disneyland this fall and winter, be sure to check out the new entertainment. Don’t forget that Disneyland’s newest restaurant, Tiana’s Palace, has just opened, too, if you want to keep the New Orleans vibe rolling. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is also under construction in Critter Country — the new attraction is set to open in late 2024. We’ll also be keeping an eye out for a reopening date for Fantasmic! Stay tuned to DFB for more! Why 2028 Could Be the WORST Year To Go to Disneyland 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 Will you be visiting Disneyland soon? Let us know in the comments! The post Disneyland Announces Opening DATE for a NEW Nighttime Show first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Destination D23 2023 has begun! ©D23 Destination D23 is the ultimate Disney fan’s dream convention, where you hear from some of the top leaders in the company. It’s a three-day-long celebration of Disney, and there are usually some pretty big announcements made. Now we’ve heard some exciting news for all you huge Disney fans! If you love Disney, you’ve probably heard of Disney’s ultimate fan club, D23. D23 stands for “Disney,” and 1923 was the year the company was founded. The cover of the summer edition of the D23 publication ©D23 D23 offers two membership types: a free basic membership and a Gold membership that is paid for annually. If you pay for the Gold membership, you can get in on exclusive membership discounts and offers at several participating locations, usually in or around a Disney Park. Ghiradelli has a special offer for D23 Gold members! And if you’re a D23 Gold Member, you’re probably a fan of Disney merchandise. Well, for a limited time, D23 Gold Members can receive 20% off purchases of $75 or more on shopDisney! ©Disney To receive the code for the discount, log in to d23.com to the Discounts and Offers page and click “Access Promo Code.” Then, just follow the directions on the page for how to use the code on shopDisney! But remember, you must be a D23 Gold Member to receive the promo code. You can get some pretty fun items online now, like new earrings, Loungefly bags, and more! So be sure to use your limited-time discount! It’s only useable through September 10th, 2023 (the last day of Destination D23)! Be sure to check back to Disney Food Blog for all your Destination D23 updates! We’ll be following along all weekend and updating our social media ( Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X and TikTok). Click here for what we are expecting to hear at Destination D23!’ 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 will you buy with this celebratory discount? Let us know in the comments! The post Do YOU Qualify for This Exclusive New Disney Souvenir Discount? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Calling all Ahsoka fans! Ahsoka banners at Hollywood Studios We have some BIG news for you! There are some new character updates in Star Wars Galaxy Edge in Disneyland! Check out who’s coming to Black Spire Outpost. For those unfamiliar, Ahsoka is a new Disney+ show following the character Ahsoka Tano after the Empire falls. Ashoka Tano is a character primarily seen in the animated Clone War series. She was Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan and has become a fan-favorite Star Wars character. ©Disney Those who watch the show will know that Hera Syndulla is a general who fought for the Rebels. She is a strong-willed character who is willing to do whatever it takes to defend the galaxy. Now, for a limited time, General Syndulla is coming to Star Wars Galaxy Edge! ©Disney General Sydulla and her trusty droid, Chopper, will be at Black Spire Outpost starting NOW! They will only be there for a limited time, so hurry to catch them! ©Disney You can watch the video released by Disney on Instagram below! We are so excited to meet General Syndulla! Disney has not revealed how long they’ll be there, so get to Disneyland soon. Stay updated on all things Disney with Disney Food Blog! We’re excited about all the Disney announcements that could be coming this weekend! 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 Will you go see General Hera Syndulla in Disneyland? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: 2 NEW Characters Are Coming to Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A NEW restaurant is now open in Disneyland! WOW! Tiana’s Palace opened on September 7th in New Orleans Square in Disneyland Park. This spot is themed after Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, with a menu inspired by classic eats of New Orleans. Lots of folks are super excited to try out the new food, but there’s ONE question that EVERYONE keeps asking us, so we’re here to clear things up. Is Tiana’s Palace a Table Service Restaurant? The short answer? No! Disney has two kinds of restaurants: quick service and table service. Table service is where you’re seated by a host and then a waiter comes to take your order and bring you your food. Quick service is like fast food — you order at a counter and then take your food to a nearby table. Guests will find a blue skylight inside Tiana’s Palace ©Disney Many people seem to think that Tiana’s Palace is a table service restaurant. However, that’s not the case. Tiana’s Palace is a quick service restaurant, meaning you’ll order your food at the counter and then take it to one of the tables to eat. Beef Po-Boy with Red Beans and Rice Mobile Order is available (via the Disneyland App), so you can use that to skip the line and get your food faster! ©Disneyland App There is an expanded dining area outside with more patio seating than was previously available at the French Market Restaurant. Will There Be Characters? Because the restaurant is themed to Disney’s The Princess and the Frog movie, many people think they’ll be able to meet characters like Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, and Louis the alligator there. But it’s important to note that Tiana’s Palace is NOT a character dining location. Princess Tiana Unfortunately, you won’t be able to meet characters inside the restaurant, but you may still have the opportunity to meet Tiana elsewhere in New Orleans Square! Other Important Things To Know There are a few other things you should know about Tiana’s Palace! First, there are NO Mickey beignets inside this restaurant. If you’re looking for those iconic treats, you’ll need to head outside to the adjoining Mint Julep Bar. Mickey Beignet However, you’ll be able to get some House Filled Beignets in Tiana’s Palace. These treats have a lemon ice box pie filling and are topped with a lemon glaze. (We tried them already and we LOVED them! They’re a great mix of tart and sweet, with a classic donut texture.) Beignet at Tiana’s Palace Also note that Tiana’s Palace will offer the following discounts: 10% off (excluding alcohol) for Disney Visa Cardholders Imagine, Enchant, and Believe Magic Key Holders receive 10% discounts Dream and Inspire Magic Key Holders receive 15% discounts House Gumbo Looking for more information about Tiana’s Palace? Check out these posts: Everybody’s Freaking Out About This Tiana’s Palace “Problem”…But It’s All Gonna Be OK PRICING ANNOUNCED for Disney’s NEW Restaurant — Tiana’s Palace FIRST LOOK Inside Disney’s NEW Restaurant — Tiana’s Palace NEW Disney Cast Member Costumes Revealed for Tiana’s Palace Restaurant Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! Check out our FULL REVIEW of Tiana’s Palace here! 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 Are you going to try Tiana’s Palace Restaurant when it opens in Disneyland? Let us know in the comments! The post Everybody Keeps Asking Us This Question About Tiana’s Palace Restaurant, and It’s Important first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The newest Disney Cruise Line Ship, the Disney Treasure, will be joining the fleet soon. The Disney Treasure The Disney Treasure, which will take its Maiden Voyage with passengers on December 21, 2024, will be the sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. The Disney Treasure will celebrate “Walt Disney’s lifelong love of adventure,” as announced in September 2022 by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro. We recently got a closer look at the staterooms, restaurants and lounges, and the destinations for the new ship. Planning a Disney Cruise? We’re here to help! From packing tips to insider secrets, we know ALL the secrets to help you have a successful vacation. DVC Members can be among the first to set sail aboard to newest cruise ship. The 2025 Member-Exclusive Voyage will happen January 4th-11th. Members will depart from Port Canaveral and sail to Tortola, Saint Thomas, and Castaway Cay. You can see the full itinerary below. ©Disney This voyage is not a Member Cruise but is part of the Disney Collection exchange and also part of Disney Vacation Club “First Wave” Member Experiences, allowing Members to be among the first to sail on the Disney Treasure. A nonrefundable $95 transaction fee applies per confirmed Disney Cruise Line reservation for this Member-Exclusive voyage. Look out for some adventurous friends onboard! DVC members can book reservations for the 2025 Member-Exclusive Voyage through Member Services, which will be open from 10 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time on October 14, 2023. You can call Member Services at (800) 800-9800 or (407) 566-3800 after the booking window opens. ©Disney For more news on the Disney Treasure and other Disney Cruise Line sailings, be sure to follow us at Disney Food Blog. What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Explore Disney’s Mega Cruise Ship – The Wish A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise These Are the BEST Times to Book Your Disney Cruise The Best Ways to SAVE SPACE in Your Tiny Cruise Cabin 10 Things You NEED on Your Next Cruise (That You Won’t Think to Pack!) What It’s Like to Live on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Will you be setting sail on this new Disney ship? Let us know below. The post EXCLUSIVE Cruises Announced for Disney’s Newest Ship – The Treasure first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The new Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana attraction will be opening soon in EPCOT! Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana The walkthrough experience is in the middle of Cast Member previews and Annual Passholder previews have also been announced ahead of the attraction’s fall 2023 opening to the general public. We’ve taken you on a full walkthrough of the experience and shared an important HACK but now we’re highlighting one other important thing you’ll want to consider when visiting this new experience. Journey of Water is a walkthrough attraction (meaning no ride vehicles). Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana As you explore the space, you’ll get to interact with unique water features… Group water element …search for hidden characters… Hei Hei! …snap some EPIC photos… Journey of Water …and learn all about the natural water cycle. Off to the River! This spot is certainly gorgeous during the day and the daytime is a good time to visit since you’ll get a clear view in the sunlight of all the water features. Plus, that splashing water can be a great way to cool down on a hot Florida day. BUT you may want to consider visiting at another time too. Moana While this attraction can be beautiful during the daytime, it is STUNNING at night. GORGEOUS Nighttime is especially gorgeous here because of how Disney has carefully lit the experience. Beautiful There are differently colored and positioned lights throughout that make certain things really stand out in unique ways. The Lighting Is So Great You might see things you never even would have noticed during the daytime because of how the lights are positioned. You Might Notice Little Details Just look at that lighting on Te Fiti and the surrounding area — this is a dream for capturing beautiful photos. Te Fiti Combine that with the view of Spaceship Earth you get from within, the playful water effects glowing in the lights, AND Spaceship Earth’s nighttime light display and you’ve got one EPIC experience. How Fun Is That? So if you’re planning to visit this new attraction, consider timing your visit to be later in the evening/at night to see those beautiful lighting effects mixed with the water. Passholder previews will be taking place from September 24th to September 29th, 2023, and October 1st to October 4th, 2023, and Park Passes are already starting to sell out so act quickly. And if you’re a Disney Vacation Club member, previews will be available on September 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and October 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. You can learn more here. Journey of Water at Night For more information about the experience in general, click here for our walkthrough or check out our video below. And stay tuned for all the latest updates!  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 would you prefer — Journey of Water at night or during the day? Tell us in the comments! The post This Might Be the BEST Way to See EPCOT’s New Moana Attraction first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Have you heard of POG juice? Oh, POG Juice, how we love thee. POG (passion fruit, orange, guava) juice has been making quite a splash in Disney World lately. You can find it in many locations all over Disney World, including Animal Kingdom, the Polynesian Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Hollywood Studios as a sorbet! Now, there’s ANOTHER spot where you can locate a variation of this delicious fruity juice. A little while back, we spotted a POG juice-flavored treat in Hollywood Studios. They were selling POG sorbet at a gelato cart in the Muppets Courtyard. Muppets Plaza Gelato stand This same sorbet was being offered in Disney Springs at the Vivoli il Gelato cart. Gelato Cart in Disney Springs In addition to that cute little snack cart, Vivoli il Gelato is also a gelato and treat shop located in Disney Springs. It serves gelato, sorbetto, bakery items, and assorted beverages. Pineapple filled with Gelato Well, we just learned that they are now serving another twist on the iconic POG juice. It’s called POGalicious, and according to Vivoli il Gelato, it’s “the perfect blend of Schofferhofer grapefruit bee and POG sorbetto!” POGalicious ©Vivoli il Gelato via X If you’re a fan of grapefruit beer and you enjoy the refreshing tropical tastes of POG juice or sorbet, we think you would love this! It sounds so refreshing and tropical! Be sure to check it out next time you’re down in Disney Springs! And check back to Disney Food Blog for all your Disney treat updates! Try these new snacks in Disney World soon! 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 Will you try this new POGalicious? Let us know in the comments! The post There’s a NEW POG Treat in Disney World!😮 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Do you have a Disney World ride you just don’t want to ride anymore? Slinky Dog Dash We know we all have our favorites and we’ve seen some of the longest lines for many of those, like Flight of Passage in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But do you have a ride that maybe you enjoy, but you’ve just had to give up on it for various reasons — because we do! Yep, while we may LOVE some of the rides in Disney World, there are some we have just stopped riding. Hey, it happens. Mission: SPACE A lot of folks might not realize it, but Mission: SPACE in EPCOT might be the most thrilling ride in all of Disney World. This ride literally puts you on a centrifuge (a spinny thing) just like the ones used to train NASA astronauts that simulate what it’s like to go into space, with G-forces and all. Y’all, that is EXTREME. But hey, we all think we’re going to be thrill seekers and do it, right? Mission: SPACE Of course, we often regret it immediately after (this could be the MOST nauseating ride in all of Disney World, too). We are NOT astronauts, and we recognize that. So we just skip Mission: SPACE Orange and if we must, we’ll hop in the much tamer non-spinning Mission: SPACE Green version of the ride. Here’s A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! Space Mountain Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom is a classic and it’s one of those rides we always WANT to ride, but is it just us or has this ride become more uncomfortable as the years have passed? Okay, maybe we’re just getting older, but this ride feels a lot more rickety than it did when we were kids. Space Mountain The last time we rode Space Mountain, it felt like every bone in our body was shaking, and once we got out of the ride vehicle, we vowed never to do it again. It was fun while it lasted… We much prefer the other mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Now, don’t get us wrong, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a LOT of fun and we love how the vehicles rock back and forth on the track while you’re riding it. But what we don’t like is that the line for this ride is ALWAYS long (sometimes more than an hour) and the ride itself is less than three minutes. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train The queue isn’t THAT great either (and maybe Disney missed an opportunity there) to make that long wait worth it for such a short ride. However, with that being said, if you really want to ride it, buy that Individual Lightning Lane for a shorter wait. Us? Well, we’re not going to rope drop Magic Kingdom for that ride — instead, we’ll rope drop Gaston’s Tavern, grab a cinnamon roll, and NOT wait in that line. Does Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Have a Drop? Is It Scary? So, we know, we know, never say never, but we do tend to avoid these rides when we’re in the parks. We’re not saying you should, too, but we’re warning you that not EVERYTHING about these rides is great and you might find other rides that suit you and your party better. We’ll continue to cover EVERYTHING in Disney World, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more. 4 Rides That Are a Total WASTE of TIME 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 Which rides will you never ride again in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Why We Stopped Riding These 3 Disney World Attractions first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Some MAJOR changes could be coming to Disney World soon. Concept Art During the D23 Expo in 2022, Disney hinted at a potential expansion in Magic Kingdom that could house lands themed to Coco, Encanto, and even the Disney Villains. But Disney also teased the idea of retheming DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park into a space all about Moana or Zootopia. We’ve since broken down Disney’s concept art in detail and looked at how likely it would be for them to actually be built. Now we’re taking another look at these teased spaces to see what technology could be pointing toward their eventual creation! Important Disclaimer It’s important to note that while Disney has teased these expansions/rethemes for Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, nothing is set in stone. These are “Blue Sky” ideas. That means they’re still in the early stages of development and have only been teased (not fully confirmed). In the past, Disney has described these as “early concept explorations for Dinoland U.S.A.,” “potential expansion opportunities…at Magic Kingdom Park,” and “creative ‘what if’ ideas.” ©Disney Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro has said that they’re not just daydreaming though. He indicated that the ideas are “very real” and that Disney is having “very serious discussions” about them. Still, Disney really hasn’t expanded upon these ideas much since their original announcements at the D23 Expo and they may never see the light of day or may come to life in a very different form. So those are important things to keep in mind! Still, we have found some interesting patents and technology that could indicate where these ideas might be heading. So let’s take a look at them! 1 — An Interesting Patent One of the things that appeared in the concept art for the overhaul of DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom appeared to be a Moana-inspired boat ride. In the image below, you can see what might be a platform leading from the walkway toward the giant sail with Moana’s symbol on it. It looks like there is a boat coming in to potentially unload guests near the platform, and another boat heading off toward a break in the waterfall in the distance. And is that a drop we see on the left-hand side?! DinoLand U.S.A. Expansion Well, one patent might point to a greater possibility of this boat ride happening. Disney filed a patent for a “Boat Motion Simulator” in July 2021 (patent #US 11,478,718), with the official date of the patent being October 25th, 2022. The patent describes a system that is designed specifically to “impart boat-type motions (e.g., roll, sway, heave, pitch, surge, and yaw) to a passenger boat.” It talks about how the boat “floats naturally in a volume of water,” and Disney would be able to use the technology from the patent to “display imagery and a soundtrack that are synchronized with the motions imparted upon the boat.” It could all be used to create a “realistic boat simulator or boat ride experience for passengers in the boat.” ©Disney So why does this point to a potential Moana attraction? Well, one of the images included in the patent appears to feature a dome-like screen for projected images, and who is depicted there?! Why it’s Moana and Maui on a separate boat! In the patent, Disney mentioned how this technology could be used in a water ride with simulated battles, and the boat could be “pitching and rolling the waves, shuttering with the cannon fire, and listing to one side when it starts sinking.” ©Disney We’re getting some Kakamora battle vibes here! ©Disney Disney suggested within the patent that there could be an active experience or a passive experience for rides that use this technology. The passive experience would have restrained guests more focused on watching the action, while the active experience would have unrestrained guests actually performing tasks. There could be more than one ride vehicle sharing the same space, and guests might even be able to decide what side to join (like a pirate or a traveler). ©Disney Just because this patent features an image showing Moana and Maui doesn’t necessarily mean it would be used for a Moana-themed ride. The technology could be implemented for a whole bunch of different rides in the future with different themes, but it is still interesting to see Moana and Maui featured specifically in the image especially when seen in the light of the later tease of a Moana-themed space at DinoLand U.S.A. Click here to see more about the Moana boat patent! 2 — A Judy Hopps ROBOT Another thing Disney has teased is a potential Zootopia-themed area taking over DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom. The concept art seemed to show part of the Zootopia downtown skyline in the distance. The concept art makes it seem like there could be a central path that connects the Moana space to the Zootopia one, with a building (the train station?) in the center. It also looks like there are some massive trees to the sides of the downtown, potentially representing the rainforest district? We’re not sure if it’s just our eyes playing tricks on us, but we sort of see a giant green creature or structure in the central pathway leading to Zootopia too. There It Is! If a Zootopia land gets built in Animal Kingdom, it seems like that could bring a meet-and-greet to the space. And while we’ve already seen Judy Hopps in a more human-sized form…what if we could see or meet her in more of her true, smaller size? There are some interesting things that Disney has filed or showcased recently that could point to that! Judy Hopps First, we’ve got a patent that we saw filed several years ago for a “Legged High-dexterity Self-balancing Capable Robot Actor.” The technology is for a robot that’s capable of standing on its own and moving in a similar fashion to a human without any help from support structures. The movements of the robot could be programmed by an animator and the robot could reproduce them in a way that looks fluid and realistic. The patent even noted this could be done with non-humanoid creatures like this rabbit silhouette. ©Disney Who does that rabbit look like? Sure looks like Zootopia‘s Judy Hopps to us! The patent notes that “The robot can provide characters with an illusion of life and, in many cases, in correct proportion and scale.” Another image in the patent showed a more square-headed creature. ©Disney We later saw what could be this technology come to life with Project Kiwi! Robot Groot If you haven’t heard of this, it’s basically a WALKING true-to-size Baby Groot ROBOT that Disney has showcased in the past and yes, it is as incredible as it sounds. The robot they showcased was only attached by a thin cable for live programming but was generally able to walk around freely. The goal of Project Kiwi as a whole is to move characters into spaces with guests while keeping them at a proper scale so they still are genuine. Robot Baby Groot has expressive eyes and more that make him TOTALLY believable, all while still being kid-sized! ©Walt Disney Imagineering R&D Inc. Now, keep in mind that from what we’ve heard Project Kiwi is still a work in progress, and in 2021 it was reported that Imagineering didn’t yet have immediate plans to put in the park. But that could change… Could we one day see a Judy Hopps version of this robot brought into a Zootopia land in Animal Kingdom where she could interact with guests but still be a more true-to-character size? It’s possible! See more about this amazing robot here! We later saw another piece of technology that could point to a different type of Judy Hopps robot — one that does some serious STUNTS! At the SXSW conference in 2023, Disney showcased a robot that sure looked like Judy Hopps! Is that … Judy Hopps we see? ©Disney This is a “dynamic” robot. While showing off the robot onstage, one of the Disney Imagineers said, “This is the chance to try some of the crazy stuff that the characters in our films do.” WOW The tiny robot can climb out of a box, fall down, get back up, and move around on roller skates. How Cool Is That?! Check out the video below to see one of her big tricks! Again, there’s no guarantee that this technology will ever actually appear in the parks or that it’ll appear in a Judy Hopps form, but it is another thing that’s interesting to see in light of the patent filed for that Legged High-dexterity Self-balancing Capable Robot Actor and Disney’s talk of a potential Zootopia makeover in part Animal Kingdom. Click here to check out some of the SECRET projects Disney has been working on 3 — Tech That’ll Change Meet-and-Greets Forever Finally, we’ve also seen Disney talking quite a bit about special technology that is part of something called Project EXO. This is something we’ve seen showcased since around 2021. Basically, Disney has been working on some technology that could bring oversized characters to life. Think about the possibilities! There is pneumatic assist at key joint areas, and the weight of the exoskeleton goes to the legs so the performer doesn’t have to bear all of the weight on their own shoulders or backs. Disney has even noted how they’ve been working on 3D printing muscles to make for some really realistic character encounters. Another Peek We’ve already seen Disney bring some HUGE characters to life — like the Hulk! But could something like this be used for some of the future expansions/rethemes Disney has teased for Disney World? Hulk in Avengers Campus, Disney California Adventure Would there be a potential to use this for a Maui meet-and-greet in a way that would really make him seem like a larger-than-life demigod? That could be great for the Moana area teased for Animal Kingdom. What about a meet-and-greet with some of the bigger characters from Zootopia also in the teased rethemed area in Animal Kingdom? Nice to meet you, sir Could there be a HUGE Disney villain brought to life with this technology, like Chernabog? That might fit right in with the villains-themed land teased for Magic Kingdom. Chernabog? There are a LOT of possibilities! Click here to learn more about Project EXO And that’s a look at 3 clues that could point to some major changes coming to Disney World in the future — if those “Blue Sky” ideas really do come true. What do you think? How would YOU want to see Disney use this technology in future expansions? Tell us in the comments! Destination D23 — Disney’s largest fan event of 2023 — is coming soon so we could learn more about the teased Disney World expansions/rethemes there. It’s scheduled to take place from September 8th-10th, 2023, with a livestream available on September 9th. Destination D23 2021 One of the big panels at the event is called “A Celebration of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” It’ll be hosted by Josh D’Amaro and special guests and will give a look into “the future of Disney parks, featuring updates from around the world and some fun surprises along the way.” This panel could give us some updates about the technology mentioned above, the Blue Sky ideas teased for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, or a number of other things. We will be bringing you updates all throughout that event with the latest news so be sure to follow us on social media to get all the big info. Follow us on Twitter/X Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Josh D’Amaro with a lightsaber at Destination D23 in 2021 And stay tuned for all the latest Disney updates!  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 would you want to see in a Moana or Zootopia-themed land in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post 3 CLUES That Could Point to a Major Disney World Overhaul first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Join us Sept. 9 at 9:15 a.m. ET/6:15 a.m. PT as we share more about the future of Disney Parks, featuring updates from around the world at Destination D23! View the full article