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EPCOT may not have as much construction going on as Disney World’s other three parks (because, well, EPCOT has been there, done that), but there are still some big updates happening in the park, especially in the France Pavilion. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Recently, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure got a massive update that saw its 3D elements removed to become a 2D ride (and those of us who get motion sickness are FOREVER grateful), but Disney also promised some other updates to the ride, including some new props and lighting elements. Well, now, Disney seems to have taken the first step in making those additional upgrades to the ride. Walt Disney Imagineering filed a permit on May 27th to “install set elements” at the address that corresponds with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. This could possibly relate to the new props Disney promised for the ride when it announced that the attraction would be getting an update. As we previously mentioned, the 3D projection for the ride was replaced with a 2D projection system, which meant 3D glasses were no longer needed for the ride. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure These new set elements could be part of making the new 2D ride feel a little more realistic, so that you have more of a feeling of immersion when riding it (which was our biggest complaint about the new version). We’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for changes and let you know when we spot them. In the meantime, you can read all about our thoughts on the new version of the ride here. And as always, stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news. 9 Things I Regret Impulse Buying 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! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of the new version of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure? Share your thoughts in the comments! View the full article

We just had the BEST night at EPCOT, and we’re about to spill all of the details! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Wanna know the secret to enjoying attractions, entertainment, and character greetings around EPCOT for three hours with little to no lines? Welcome to Disney After Hours at EPCOT, a separately-ticketed event running select nights through September 24th, 2026! We recently went to one of the After Hours events at EPCOT and were blown away by how much we were able to experience in just a few hours. Let’s dive into a recap of our incredible EPCOT After Hours night! Disney World’s After Hours events are a great way to experience a TON of rides and attractions with minimal lines. The events are hosted on select nights in Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, and capacity for each one is limited, which means you can breeze through the lines at even the most popular attractions! EPCOT After Hours Ticket prices for the After Hours events vary by park and date, with 2026 After Hours prices at EPCOT ranging from $155 to $179, plus tax. We recently went to an EPCOT After Hours event, and we thought it was TOTALLY worth the $179 ticket price we paid! EPCOT After Hours Disney After Hours at EPCOT officially begins at 9:30 PM and runs until 12:30 AM, so the event itself is three hours. However, guests with After Hours tickets can enter the park as early as 7 PM, which means you can get up to five and a half hours of park time, all without needing to purchase a regular ticket for the day! Guests are given a wristband when they check in, which helps Cast Members easily spot ticketed guests once the event begins. Check In We started our recent After Hours night in France, where we found a good viewing spot for the fireworks show Luminous The Symphony of Us. Remember that since you can get in as early as 7 PM, you’ll have plenty of time to scope out a place to watch the fireworks if that’s on your priority list, even though they happen before the event officially starts! EPCOT Fireworks After watching the fireworks, we headed right to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which we rode three times in a row with hardly any wait! We found it was super helpful to be right next to the attraction we wanted to start with as soon as After Hours began, so we definitely suggest arriving early and heading to whatever area of the park you’d like to start in so you can hit the ground running. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure When we had our fill of Remy, we started to make our way out of the World Showcase. But not before stopping in Canada for a snack! The After Hours events at each park include some complimentary snacks like ice cream treats, popcorn, and select bottled beverages. But one huge perk of EPCOT After Hours specifically is that you can get free MAPLE Popcorn in Canada, which is one of our favorite World Showcase snacks! Popcorn and water at EPCOT After Hours Since bottled water and soda are included with the ticket price, you can pack light. But we did still bring our park bag for storing bottled drinks when we were on rides or standing in line (even though the lines are light, they do still exist for the more popular attractions). EPCOT After Hours Another underrated part of After Hours that we absolutely loved was just soaking up the fact that there are almost NO crowds as you stroll through the park, and you’re getting an ultra-rare look at Disney World with hardly anyone else around! EPCOT After Hours Now, let’s make our way over to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! We’ll start out with an unfortunate reality: even during special events, things can break. The Cosmic Rewind preshow broke twice while we were there at the very end of the night. We were chatting with a Cast Member who said the preshow breaks fairly often, and it tends to happen more frequently towards the end of the night. With that in mind, if this is a MUST-DO ride for you, we’d suggest heading there at the beginning of the event for your best shot at getting the full experience. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Pre-Show Now, for the good news! We were still able to experience the actual ride; we just skipped the preshow and were led out a side door to the loading area. But if you’ve never ridden Cosmic Rewind before, the preshow adds a lot to the overall experience, so missing it can be a bummer. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Lines for Cosmic Rewind were WAY shorter than waits during normal park hours (it’s common to see wait times in the 90-120 minute range), but there was still a little bit of a line. Even so, we were able to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind FIVE times during After Hours! Guardians of the Galaxy Keep in mind, we did more than just this ride — we started with three straight rides on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, stopped for snacks in Canada, and then took our five rides on Cosmic Rewind, PLUS got one ride on Frozen Ever After to boot. And we did ALL of that in just three hours! That is a seriously impressive amount of rides to experience in such a short window on two of the park’s most popular attractions! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind during After Hours It was also fun to see how many of the ride’s five different songs we could collect during After Hours. We got three different songs over the course of five rides, and were thrilled to get the fan-favorite September twice! Pre-show of Cosmic Rewind Overall, between getting to experience nine total rides (three on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, five on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and one on Frozen Ever After), picking up free ice cream, maple popcorn, and bottled waters, and experiencing a nearly EPCOT, we’d say the price of the ticket was well worth it. Plus, you can get even more for your money if you get there right at 7 PM and take advantage of your bonus time in EPCOT! Mickey’s Ice Cream Bar If you’re looking for a way to knock out some of the most popular attractions without waiting in ultra-long lines or navigating through the crowds, the After Hours events can be a great way to level up your Disney World trip! FULL LIST of What’s Included in EPCOT After Hours Events Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to an After Hours event in Disney World? Share your experience in the comments! View the full article

A lot of BIG things are happening in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’re talking BIG. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets just opened (and it’s EPIC), while a Monsters, Inc. land is being built where Muppets Courtyard used to be. We’ve got even MORE details about this part of Hollywood Studios! Animation Courtyard is being reimagined as The Walt Disney Studios, and part of that area is even open now (and it’s ADORABLE). Well, that’s just the tip of the iceberg for that area because Disney just dropped some NEW details about more of what’s coming to that part of the park. The Walt Disney Studios will be home to the Magic of Disney Animation and will feature a brand new playground called Drawn to Wonderland. The playground is inspired by the original concept art of Alice in Wonderland by Mary Blair. Disney revealed that the playground will feature “the playful chaos of the Mad Tea Party and Mad Hatter’s House to the Queen of Hearts’ vibrant rose garden and the Cheshire Cat’s mysterious Tulgey Wood.” Well, now, Disney has dropped actual concept art showing what the new playground will look like. ©Disney The playground was designed with little ones in mind, but it looks like it will be fun for the whole family. We can’t wait to see it brought to life! Disney also dropped a complete map of what the entire new Magic of Disney Animation space will look like: ©Disney We see that Drawn to Wonderland will be to the back right of the area, with the Once Upon A Studio Theater in front of that, where guests can enjoy the Emmy Award-winning short film “Once Upon A Studio” with enhanced effects. Disney also revealed that characters may pop up within the artwork along the theater walls — just like they do in the short film. There’s also an enchanted art gallery to the right of the courtyard entrance, with art that has magically come to life. ©Disney Olaf Draws is right behind the gallery, where you can visit an audio-animatronic Olaf for a drawing lesson to learn to draw a Disney character. Drawing classes will include: Mickey Mouse, with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!) Minnie Mouse, with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog) Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2) Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules) Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2) Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon) Olaf, with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3) Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto) Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard, director (Zootopia, Zootopia 2) “Olaf Draws” Concept Art ©Disney The largest part of The Walt Disney Studios, though, is Off The Page, an area where you can meet some of your favorite characters “while celebrating the artistry behind every frame.” Some of the characters you can meet will include Mulan in Story, Rapunzel in Layout, Chip n’ Dale in Hand-Drawn Animation, Donald and Daisy in Computer Animation, Goofy in Lighting, and Stitch in Effects. Rapunzel All these new experiences are expected to open later this summer, but you can visit The Walt Disney Studios courtyard right now. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates, so stay tuned to DFB for more. A NEW Hollywood Studios Land Is Officially OPEN, and We Could Stay Here ALL Day Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this addition to Hollywood Studios? Share with us in the comments! View the full article

Well, HOWDY, Y’ALL! We’re in DOLLYWOOD today to show you all around! Fresh cinnamon bread, talking vultures, and festivals that compete with EPCOT?? Dollywood! THIS is Dollywood. And we’ve done it ALL so we can share it with YOU! Check out our new video: 50 Amazing Things in Dollywood Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more theme park news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What video do you want to see from DFB next? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Since its opening in March of 1997, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort has hit the ground running, growing into one of the most dynamic sports destinations in the country. Beginning as an ambitious Disney World expansion in the late 1990s, this 260+ acre multi-sports wonderland offers amateur, collegiate, and professional athletes the opportunity to compete among the very best. Set within the vibrant, shining backdrop of Central Florida, it’s supported by a dedicated team of cast members who keep the complex running in excellent shape. Over the decades, the complex has continually adapted to step up to the plate and meet the moment, hosting a wide range of events across baseball, basketball, cheer, football, soccer, long-distance running, and more. And just like an athletic centerfielder racking up MVP awards and batting titles, each chapter has added to an ongoing legacy defined by scale, flexibility, and the opportunity to always rise to the occasion. Now, this evolution continues as the complex prepares to welcome Banana Ball to Disney World for the very first time, adding a new chapter to a story that continues to expand with every game played. Ahead of the anticipated weekend series between the Party Animals and the Loco Beach Coconuts, I am excited to take you on a journey to learn more about the past 29 years of history at this Disney-infused sporting paradise – dust off your catcher’s mitt, lace up your cleats, and let’s get into it! ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Exploring The Stadium and Other Baseball Fun at ESPN Wide World of Sports Additional Venues and Facilities Across ESPN Wide World of Sports A Campus Built for Competition Historic Moments from Over the Years Banana Ball Prepares to Step into the Box at Disney World Exploring The Stadium and Other Baseball Fun at ESPN Wide World of Sports When Disney’s Wide World of Sports officially opened on March 28, 1997, baseball took center stage. A sellout crowd of more than 10,000 fans filled the stadium to watch the Cincinnati Reds face off against the Atlanta Braves, resulting in a high-scoring 9-7 Braves victory and marking the beginning of a long-standing connection between the venue and America’s pastime. This connection only grew stronger when the Atlanta Braves made the complex their official spring training home from 1998 through 2019. Across the main ballpark, practice fields, batting cages, and training facilities, the site became a hub for rising prospects and established stars, all preparing for a long Major League Baseball season ahead. Baseball: ESPN Wide World of Sports Fun Fact: Former Atlanta legend Fred McGriff recorded the first home run in this stadium’s history in the 1997 exhibition matchup between the Braves and Reds, while Cincinnati’s prime time superstar centerfielder Deion Sanders recorded the first hit, stolen base, and run in the same game. Over the years, engaged fans like myself could catch glimpses of some of baseball’s most recognizable names and marquee All-Stars, from Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward (two of my favorites known for big moments in a different shade of blue) to Greg Maddux and Chipper Jones (two dominant Atlanta Hall of Famers with a championship pedigree) to Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols (well-known All-Stars representing other organizations throughout the Grapefruit League). The Stadium also hosted international competition back in March of 2006 for the opening round games of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, featuring teams in Pool D from Australia, Dominican Republic, Italy, and Venezuela. Baseball: ESPN Wide World of Sports Fun Fact: The sports complex was home to the Tampa Bay Rays’ spring training in 2023, with the organization splitting time between Disney World and Tropicana Field. The Stadium hosted one game between the Rays and New York Yankees, featuring current major leaguers like Jonathan Aranda, Luke Raley, and Jeffrey Springs. The complex also hosted multiple three-game regular season series for the Rays, with the first coming in 2007 against the Texas Rangers. Today, the ballpark continues to evolve while honoring its roots. With approximately 9,500 seats, four luxury sky boxes, open-air suites and patios, and a large LED video board stretching beyond the outfield fences, it remains a dynamic venue for both players and fans alike to enjoy a ballgame. In fact, the ballpark is specifically laid out in a north-south orientation in order to minimize glare from the sun into the eyes of fans and players during afternoon games (regardless, I’m still thankful I don’t have to catch any high pop ups in the outfield while staring into the bright Florida skies). Additional Venues and Facilities Across ESPN Wide World of Sports Over the years, ESPN Wide World of Sports has continually evolved to support a range of sports and events, with venues designed to accommodate everything from youth tournaments to professional competition. Across the campus, several marquee facilities help bring this flexibility to life, including: AdventHealth Arena: A versatile indoor arena that can host events and competitions of various sizes, in particular cheerleading events. This venue features 8,000 seats, concessions, and can be configured into four separate competition spaces. Athletic Center: A multi-sport location that often supports basketball tournaments and cheerleading competitions, this venue features over 1,000 seats, locker rooms, and concessions. Baseball Quadraplex: This venue includes four professional-size fields, with two being equipped with stadium lights for nighttime play under the stars. One youth league baseball diamond is also located on-site. Sports Fields: Spanning over 50 acres, 17 multi-purpose outdoor fields can be fitted for football, soccer, field hockey, and more, all with pristine, pro-level natural grass. Softball Diamondplex: Home to slow-pitch softball, fast-pitch softball, and youth baseball, six full-sized softball diamonds with digital scoreboards and shaded dugouts are available for use with fences set at 305 feet. State Farm Field House: A 49,000 square-foot arena with over 5,000 seats, this venue can be fitted for basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, cheer, dance, and more. This location is also home to the televised ESPN Events Invitational and the WBCA Women’s Basketball Classic. Track and Field Complex: Nine running lanes, shaded bleachers, and a natural grass infield allow this training facility to host multiple meets and competitions. Throughout the complex, design elements help tie the venue together visually. A distinct green-and-yellow color palette reflects the “Florida Picturesque” architectural style, with tiled green roofs inspired by classic Florida design traditions. Subtle nods to iconic venues like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (an inspiring nod to my alma mater – Fight On!) are also sprinkled in and influence the look and feel of the space, blending timeless sports architecture with the surrounding Central Florida landscape. A Campus Built for Competition Meanwhile, even 29 years later, ESPN Wide World of Sports remains a strong cornerstone for amateur athletics. Each year, nearly 300,000 athletes and 800,000 spectators from around the world travel to Central Florida for baseball, basketball, cheer, dance, and other youth championship tournament competitions across more than 50 different events. And, as so many Disney World parkgoers like me can attest over the years, this consistent rhythm of these competitions has even become a defining part of the resort experience. This tradition dates back decades, including the first Pop Warner Super Bowl and Cheer & Dance national championships held on-site in December 1998. Since then, the complex has hosted a steady stream of competitions and tournaments across youth and amateur sports, reflecting scale, versatility, and an array of milestone moments in athletics. Sporting Milestones: ESPN Wide World of Sports Fun Fact: July 5-12, 1997: First AAU Boys Basketball National Championship. January 1998: Team USA trained at the complex in their preparation for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. June 19-27, 2012: AAU sets the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest volleyball tournament division. Together, these events continue to shape competitive opportunities for athletes at every youth level, while also creating shared experiences and team bonding moments that extend far beyond the diamond, pitch, court, and beyond. In between games, maybe a team battle aboard Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is next up in your tournament itinerary? Historic Moments from Over the Years Over the years, ESPN Wide World of Sports has played host to a number of defining moments across the sports landscape, welcoming top athletes and global events that have helped shape the legacy of the site. Most notably in 2020, the complex stepped onto the global stage as the host site for the NBA’s return-to-play “bubble” season. During this time, NBA teams competed at three venues across property: the AdventHealth Arena, the State Farm Field House, and the Athletic Center. AdventHealth Arena served as the primary location for the league’s biggest matchups, including that season’s NBA Finals matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. Basketball: ESPN Wide World of Sports Fun Fact: Long before the Luka Dončić trade to the Lakers broke the Internet, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in six games to capture their 17th NBA championship during the 2020 season, led by NBA Finals MVP LeBron James and star power forward Anthony Davis. Outside of pro basketball, the complex has also hosted impactful events that extend beyond competition. In 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Disney World as part of her “Let’s Move!” initiative, speaking to hundreds of children and their parents about the importance of healthy living. In 2016, the Invictus Games, led by Prince Harry, brought together more than 500 wounded, ill, and injured military personnel to compete across multiple sports, highlighting the power of resilience and community. The complex has also hosted the NFL’s Pro Bowl celebrations in recent years, welcoming many of the league’s top players for a reimagined series of skills competitions and fan-focused events that expanded the traditional experience beyond the field. Standout stars such as Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Kirk Cousins, and Patrick Surtain II have been among those to take part, bringing fans close to the action under the backdrop of The Most Magical Place On Earth. Before becoming a champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, running back Saquon Barkley trained at the Tom Shaw Performance Camp at Disney World in 2018! Before becoming a champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, running back Saquon Barkley trained at the Tom Shaw Performance Camp at Disney World in 2018! Before becoming a champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, running back Saquon Barkley trained at the Tom Shaw Performance Camp at Disney World in 2018! Legendary Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees posed with Mickey Mouse in 2013 during his inaugural Drew Brees Passing Academy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Legendary Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees posed with Mickey Mouse in 2013 during his inaugural Drew Brees Passing Academy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Legendary Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees posed with Mickey Mouse in 2013 during his inaugural Drew Brees Passing Academy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. While on vacation in 2010, legendary Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade made a special visit to ESPN Wide World of Sports during a 3-on-3 game with AAU girls basketball players from South Florida and Louisiana. While on vacation in 2010, legendary Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade made a special visit to ESPN Wide World of Sports during a 3-on-3 game with AAU girls basketball players from South Florida and Louisiana. While on vacation in 2010, legendary Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade made a special visit to ESPN Wide World of Sports during a 3-on-3 game with AAU girls basketball players from South Florida and Louisiana. Orlando City Soccer played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for their 2014 season. This was their final season in the USL Pro, before entering the MLS in 2015. Orlando City Soccer played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for their 2014 season. This was their final season in the USL Pro, before entering the MLS in 2015. Orlando City Soccer played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for their 2014 season. This was their final season in the USL Pro, before entering the MLS in 2015. Since the reimagining of the complex in 2010, countless superstar athletes (including hyper-athletic running backs and Hall of Fame shooting guards) have made appearances on-site. Take a look at a few memorable moments from those appearances above! Soccer: ESPN Wide World of Sports Fun Fact: From March 29 through September 6, 2014, Orlando City Soccer played their full regular season slate on Field 17 in the Sports Fields with an expanded fan capacity. In addition, the complex hosted the MLS is Back tournament in 2020, which was eventually won by the Portland Timbers. Banana Ball Prepares to Step into the Box at Disney World As Banana Ball prepares to arrive at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a new kind of baseball experience is set to take the field inside The Stadium. Known for its electrifying pace, creative gameplay, and a fan-focused approach, Banana Ball is ready to bring a fresh energy to the ballpark, highlighted by standout shenanigans on the field and in the dugout. Featuring the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Party Animals, Banana Ball introduces a pace and style that reimagines the traditional baseball experience under the lights of Disney World, blending competition and entertainment with a taste of Disney-inspired fun. For a complex that has hosted everything from MLB spring training to Pro Bowl activities to global moments on the professional stage, the arrival of Banana Ball marks the latest chapter in a history defined by evolution and adaptability. As players get ready to take batting practice and fans scoop up their concessions before heading to their seats, be sure to visit ESPNWWOS.com for all the latest events and details to help plan your visit. Play ball! Golf at Disney World: 18-Hole Courses, Mini Golfing, and More READ MORE Banana Ball Coming to Disney World in 2026: What to Know READ MORE Disney World Cast Members Maintain ESPN Wide World of Sports READ MORE The post Opening Day to Banana Ball: The Evolution of ESPN Wide World of Sports appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

If you’re heading to Animal Kingdom this June, there are some major changes you need to be prepared for. ©Disney From special scheduling, new perks, a new ticket option, and BLUEY, Disney World’s newest theme park, has a lot going on next month. Bluey Has Arrived! As of May 26th, the Conservation Station is now home to Bluey’s Wild World, where guests can meet and play with Bluey and Bingo! Bluey! Due to the mega-popularity of Bluey — see the massive crowds the character is drawing on the West Coast at Disneyland — Bluey’s Wild World utilizes a virtual queue, and will for its initial opening period. In addition, the Wildlife Express Train, Jumping Junction, and the Animal Care experiences at Conservation Station will also be accessed via this virtual queue, which guests can request to join via the My Disney Experience app at one of two times: 7:00 AM or 10:00 AM. Bingo! Parents should also note that the Wildlife Express Train only allows foldable strollers onboard. Therefore, they’ll need to park their stroller at the station in Africa and take the train to Conversation Station, and pick up their stroller upon their return. Wildlife Express Train Have a Lovely Afternoon Also, as of May 26th, Disney has begun offering specially priced 2 or 3-day tickets that provide admission to one theme park each day, after 2:00 PM. The 2-day ticket must be used within 4 days of the selected start date; the 3-day ticket must be used within 5 days of the selected start date. The ticket can be used for any of Disney World’s 4 theme parks. These tickets can be especially useful in Animal Kingdom, as the park often empties out in the early morning since so much of it is currently closed for refurbishment. Disney’s Animal Kingdom V.I.Passholder Perks Extending through June, Disney is hosting V.I.Passholder Summer Days, which offers limited-time perks for Passholders! APs who visit Animal Kingdom can purchase new exclusive merchandise, including a Zip-Up Hoodie, a Tee, a Loungefly Crossbody Bag, a Baseball Hat, and even a Corkcicle Canteen at Discovery Trading Company. Corkcicle APs can also head over to Chakranadi for an exclusive Popcorn Bucket featuring a design from illustrator Ashley Taylor. Disney World Annual Passholder Popcorn Bucket Passholders can even save big on dining, with 40% off at both Tiffins Restaurant (dinner only) and Tusker House Restaurant (lunch and dinner), on Mondays to Thursdays from May 1st through July 31st. Tiffins in Animal Kingdom Construction Progress Finally, guests visiting in June can see the latest construction progress on the upcoming Tropical Americas land. Pueblo Esperanza construction The village of Pueblo Esperanza — and its headline attractions based on Indiana Jones and Encanto — are coming together quickly. ©bioreconstruct Guests heading to Walt Disney World in June will find a lot going on at Animal Kingdom. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World’s 2026 offerings. How to Guarantee a Perfect Day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Under Five Minutes Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you heading to the parks in June? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

There’s a NEW Universal park opening soon! ©Universal Universal Kids Resort is coming to Frisco, Texas, and it’s opening on July 1st. It’s going to be geared specifically towards younger audiences, and now, tickets are available online. How much is it going to cost you to visit? Currently, there are four different ticket options available on the Universal Kids Resort website. The first two options are regular tickets. For a 1-day General Admission Ticket, prices start at $54.99 per person. If you’re coming for multiple days, the 2-day General Admission Tickets start at $73.99 per person. Keep in mind that prices can vary depending on date. ©Universal However, there are also two new annual pass options to check out! The Silver Annual Pass offers 12 months of general admission and is $129.99 per person. Blockout dates and additional restrictions apply. If you want the cost of parking included in your pass, you can upgrade to the Silver Annual Pass with Parking for $164.99. ©Universal The park is going to be decked out with many of the Universal IPs your kids know and love. From Spongebob Squarepants and Shrek to Minions and Gabby’s Dollhouse, there’s so much to explore! The Universal Kids Resort Hotel on property will be a great space to stay during your visit as well. ©Universal We can’t wait to set foot inside this park and see what it has to offer. Stay tuned to DFB by subscribing to our newsletter for more updates! Get More Details on the Park Here! Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Are you going to this park when it opens? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

One of the most fun Disney World hotels is getting a bit of an update, and we’re significantly more excited than we thought we’d be. Art of Animation In summer 2027, Disney’s Art of Animation will be getting a refresh, and going under the sea is about to get even better. The resort will remain open and proceed through phases, with refurbishment of the guest rooms and family suites. Family Suite We got to see The Little Mermaid-themed rooms, and they’re still very much Ariel-themed, but they feel more immersive. There are under-the-sea prints and a Murphy bed, along with a seashell bed and chairs. The Little Mermaid Standard Room at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort They are working with Disney Imagineering and facilities to maintain the feeling of stepping into the movie. For kids (okay, and adults), it’s so magical to be able to stay in rooms themed to your favorite movies, including Cars, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, and more. Finding Nemo Family Suite We also love the outdoor areas, which have even more theming! Until Disney World has a Cars Land of our own, you’ll catch us hanging out at Radiator Springs at the Art of Animation. Art of Animation We’ll be keeping our eyes out for more details on the changes, so make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for the latest updates, along with all the tips and tricks you need to plan the best Disney World vacation yet. A DEFINITE RANKING OF EVERY DISNEY WORLD HOTEL Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited for these changes? Tell us your thoughts 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 World to attend their media panel. 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 View the full article

MAJOR changes are coming to the Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom — and it sounds like there will be a great, big, beautiful tomorrow on the way! Carousel of Progress While we already knew that a Walt Disney Animatronic would be coming to the ride, even more changes will be made to the iconic attraction—including an overhaul of the scenes to reflect new decades. To make way for these changes, the Carousel of Progress will close on July 6th, with July 5th as the last day to ride before the refurbishment. Magic Kingdom’s Carousel of Progress will be closing on July 6th to make way for MASSIVE changes — each scene is being redone to feature NEW decades! Disney shared that we’ll get to see what John, Sarah, and the rest of the family are up to as they navigate ever-changing technology in new decades. ©Disney One of Disney’s main goals for this update is to keep the attraction relatable for audiences of today by featuring eras that people have personal connections to. Imagineering has been revisiting the music, fashion, technology, and experiences that helped shape history as it’s reflected in this family’s story. Carousel of Progress Act 1 will feature the 1960s, which is when the Carousel of Progress first opened at the 1964 World’s Fair. The story looked back about 60 years, and now this new scene will mirror that idea — starting 60 years back from today, in the 1960s. In the summer of 1969, the Carousel family gathers around the television to witness the historic moon landing. The moment captures the “spirit of innovation and possibility that has always been — and always will be — at the heart of Carousel of Progress.” Carousel of Progress Act 2 takes us to the 1980s, where bigger is better. On Halloween night in 1985, Sarah will take center stage as she shares all about how the new appliances and gadgets are making life easier for the whole family. John is out on the porch handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, and poor Uncle Orville will still be in the bathroom with “no privacy at all around here!” Current Carousel of Progress Halloween scene In Act 3, we’ll travel to the new millennium as the 1990s draw to a close. The family is getting ready to ring in the new year on New Year’s Eve 1999. The Internet is bringing John, Sarah, Jimmy, and Patty closer together than ever before. Of course, Grandpa has already nodded off, so Grandma changes the TV over to wrestling when no one is looking. Carousel of Progress And finally, Act 4 features the possible future. The family is seen one last time in the distant future, in a home that’s out of this world. The off-planet scene features a helpful robot assisting with everyday tasks, along with space travel, and imagines a future where extraordinary innovation has become part of life. To help bring the new finale to life, Imagineers looked back at original concept sketches by Disney Legend John Hench, drawing inspiration from his imaginative vision of the future. What will the future bring? Carousel of Progress is expected to reopen sometime in 2027, and we can’t wait! These are some MAJOR changes, and we’re hopeful that the ride will still reflect everything we loved about the original. If you’re looking for a way to show off your love of the Carousel of Progress, make sure you check out DFB’s Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow shirt! It comes in multiple colors, styles, and sizes, and will hopefully make being without this ride for so long slightly less painful. Grab it here! ©DFB We’ll be on the lookout for even more Carousel of Progress updates you need to know about. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! Check out more Magic Kingdom news at the links below! BREAKING: CLOSING DATE Revealed for Carousel of Progress in Magic KingdomIf You Hate That Disney World Is CHANGING Carousel of Progress, This Might Make You Feel BetterBREAKING: Major Changes Just Announced for Carousel of Progress in Disney WorldSNEAK PEEK at Carousel of Progress Changes in Disney WorldREVIEW: Buzz Lightyear Needs MORE Snacks in Magic Kingdom, if They’re All Going To Be Like This Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of these changes? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

HUGE changes are coming to the Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom — and we know diehard fans might not be sure how they feel about it (it’s us, we’re the diehard fans). Carousel of Progress is closing! Disney had previously announced that a Walt Disney Animatronic would be coming to the ride, but they shared that even more updates are on the way for this iconic ride. Each scene will be completely overhauled to feature new decades, and if you’re worried about what this means for the original, we might be able to ease your mind! One of Disney’s main goals for this update is to keep the attraction relatable for audiences of today by featuring eras that people have personal connections to. Imagineering has been revisiting the music, fashion, technology, and experiences that helped shape history as it’s reflected in this family’s story. ©Disney We have some MAJOR feelings about these changes. While we do appreciate that the attraction is being updated, this complete overhaul will essentially erase everything we know and love about the iconic ride. When we spoke with Disney about the changes, they echoed much of the same sentiment. Carousel of Progress The Imagineers in charge of this project also shared that they have mixed feelings about it — but that they really care about the ride and won’t let us down. They said, “Rest assured, know that when we talk about a classic like this…our Imagineers take the utmost care in how we approach that.” Imagineers also talked about how, when making changes to an attraction like this, their goal is to “leave it better than they found it,” which gives us hope that these updates will be made with care and love. Carousel of Progress Oh, and don’t worry — “Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” isn’t going ANYWHERE! Not only that, but to help bring the new finale to life, Imagineers looked back at original concept sketches by Disney Legend John Hench, drawing inspiration from his imaginative vision of the future. Carousel of Progress Act 1 will feature the 1960s, which is when the Carousel of Progress first opened at the 1964 World’s Fair. The story looked back about 60 years, and now this new scene will mirror that idea — starting 60 years back from today, in the 1960s. In the summer of 1969, the Carousel family gathers around the television to witness the historic moon landing. The moment captures the “spirit of innovation and possibility that has always been — and always will be — at the heart of Carousel of Progress.” Carousel of Progress Act 2 takes us to the 1980s, where bigger is better. On Halloween night in 1985, Sarah will take center stage as she shares all about how the new appliances and gadgets are making life easier for the whole family. John is out on the porch handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, and poor Uncle Orville will still be in the bathroom with “no privacy at all around here!” Carousel of Progress In Act 3, we’ll travel to the new millennium as the 1990s draw to a close. The family is getting ready to ring in the new year on New Year’s Eve 1999. The Internet is bringing John, Sarah, Jimmy, and Patty closer together than ever before. Of course, Grandpa has already nodded off, so Grandma changes the TV over to wrestling when no one is looking. Carousel of Progress And finally, Act 4 features the possible future. The family is seen one last time in the distant future, in a home that’s out of this world. The off-planet scene features a helpful robot assisting with everyday tasks, along with space travel, and imagines a future where extraordinary innovation has become part of life. Carousel of Progress Disney shared that Carousel of Progress will close on July 6th and is expected to reopen sometime in 2027. These are some MAJOR changes, and we’re hopeful that the ride will still reflect everything we loved about the original. If you’re looking for a way to show off your love of the Carousel of Progress, make sure you check out DFB’s Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow shirt! It comes in multiple colors, styles, and sizes, and will hopefully make being without this ride for so long slightly less painful. Grab it here! ©DFB We’ll be on the lookout for even more Carousel of Progress updates you need to know about. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! Check out more Magic Kingdom news at the links below! BREAKING: CLOSING DATE Revealed for Carousel of Progress in Magic KingdomIf You Hate That Disney World Is CHANGING Carousel of Progress, This Might Make You Feel BetterBREAKING: Major Changes Just Announced for Carousel of Progress in Disney WorldSNEAK PEEK at Carousel of Progress Changes in Disney WorldREVIEW: Buzz Lightyear Needs MORE Snacks in Magic Kingdom, if They’re All Going To Be Like This Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of these changes? Let us know in the comments below. 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 World to attend their media panel on upcoming changes to the parks and beyond. 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 View the full article

There’s a great big, beautiful tomorrow on the way for Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. For the last 60 years, this passion project of Walt himself has served as a powerful reflection of optimism, innovation, and family over time. Yet while the themes have always stayed the same, the most performed stage show in the history of American theater has taken several forms over the years. So, before we talk about what’s next for this beloved attraction, let’s take a look back at its evolution. The Evolution of Carousel of Progress To understand the full history of Carousel of Progress, you have to go all the way back to the 1950s. As Walt Disney set his sights on expanding Disneyland, he envisioned an extension of Main Street, U.S.A. called Edison Square. The square would be anchored by Harnessing the Lightning, a walkthrough drama exploring how electricity and technology transformed the lifestyle of the American family. While Edison Square was never built, the groundwork was laid for a show centered on a powerful idea: technology would continue to evolve, but people would stay the same. When work began on the Disney shows for the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair, Walt and his team of Imagineers reworked the Harnessing the Lightning concept into the smash hit of the Progressland pavilion — Carousel of Progress. The fair marked the debut of the attraction’s iconic rotating theater system, as well as its equally iconic anthem by songwriters and Disney Legends Robert B. and Richard M. Sherman. It was an enormous success and a project deeply personal to Walt. It captured his overarching spirit of optimism while reflecting his hands-on creative direction, down to details as specific as how Uncle Orville’s toes should wiggle in the bathtub. Following its run at the fair, Walt brought the show to Disneyland, where it opened in 1967 with several updates, including a refreshed finale scene (now set in Progress City, a community of tomorrow based on Walt’s vision for EPCOT). At the time, no one could have known that this finale would become a sign of things to come, as Carousel of Progress made its way to Walt Disney World in 1975. In its time at Magic Kingdom, the attraction has continued to evolve, through new scripts, voice actors, time periods, and even full scene updates. The attraction even featured a new theme song, “The Best Time of Your Life,” which stood in for “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” for the attraction’s first two decades of operation in Florida. You can still hear the tune playing as background music throughout Tomorrowland today. The attraction’s last major update was back in 1994, which included an updated finale scene and the return of the original Sherman Brothers’ song. Keeping Walt’s Vision Alive As you can see, Carousel of Progress was designed to celebrate change, not to stand still. As Imagineers, we now have the great responsibility of keeping Walt’s ideas of innovation and forward-looking spirit alive as we continue building the attraction’s future together. So where are we heading? You may remember that last year we announced that guests will soon be able to see Walt Disney himself in the attraction, made possible through the magic of Audio-Animatronics technology. Walt is in a scene inspired by the 1964 special “Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair,” which is where he first introduced the idea of Carousel of Progress and shared his enduring belief in the power of progress to shape a better tomorrow. The team is having a lot of fun sourcing and replicating many of the props seen in that special, like the prototype Tiki bird, the Tower of the Four Winds model, a doll from “it’s a small world,” and so much more. This once unimaginable opening moment will set the stage for the next era of storytelling for our American family and their lovable dog. New Decades Coming to Carousel of Progress In addition to adding Walt Disney to the very attraction that bears his name, Imagineers will also be updating all the scenes to new time periods, where we’ll get to see what John, Sarah, and the rest of the family are up to as they navigate ever-changing technology in new decades. One of our main goals for this update was to keep the attraction relatable for today’s audiences by featuring eras in which our guests have personal connections. That includes the iconic “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” which will continue to play as guests transition between scenes. The Imagineers working on this refresh grew up during these decades, so it’s been a real trip down memory lane to revisit the music, fashion, technology, and experiences that helped shape our history all reflected in this family’s story. One thing that I think makes the Carousel of Progress so special is that physical props, painted backdrops, and practical effects everywhere. And the team is working tirelessly to make sure things like appliances and artwork are true to that decade. Act 1 – the 1960s When the show first opened at the World’s Fair, its story began by looking back about 60 years to the dawn of the new century. Now more than six decades later, this new iteration mirrors that idea, starting 60 years back from today in the 1960s. In the summer of 1969, our Carousel family, along with millions around the world, gather around the television to witness one of humanity’s greatest achievements: the historic moon landing. Filled with awe, the moment captures the spirit of innovation and possibility that has always been — and always will be — at the heart of Carousel of Progress. Act 2 – the 1980s It’s the ‘80s, where everything bigger is better, and things keep on getting bigger! We pick up with the family on Halloween Night of 1985, and for the first time ever, Sarah is taking center stage. She’ll share how all the new appliances and gadgets are making life easier for the whole family. Speaking of John, we’ll find him out on the porch handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, and poor Uncle Orville can be found in the bathroom with “no privacy around here!” Act 3 – The New Millennium With the ‘90s drawing to a close, our Carousel family is preparing to ring in the new millennium on New Year’s Eve 1999. Amid the excitement of the countdown to 2000, a new thing called the Internet is bringing John, Sarah, Jimmy and Patty – and the world – closer together than ever before. And if you’re anything like my family, not everyone is making it to midnight. Grandpa has already nodded off before the big countdown, while Grandma sneaks the TV over to wrestling when no one’s looking. Act 4 – The Possible Future As we reach the end of our show, we see the family one last time in the distant future, in an out-of-this-world home. From a helpful robot assisting with everyday tasks to space travel, the scene imagines a future where extraordinary innovation has become part of life and proves that a beautiful tomorrow is just a dream away. To help bring this new finale to life, Imagineers looked back at original concept sketches by Disney Legend John Hench, drawing inspiration from his imaginative vision of the future. First Look at New Attraction Poster I’m also excited to share a first look at our new attraction poster that pays homage to the original Carousel of Progress poster created for its Disneyland debut. Just like the attraction itself, the design reflects both where we’ve been and where we’re going. When Will These Changes Happen? To prepare for the next version of this ever-progressing attraction, the Carousel of Progress will be temporarily unavailable beginning July 6, 2026. We expect the attraction to reopen in 2027. I can’t wait to share more of the incredible work the team is doing in the coming months as we carry on Walt’s vision, introducing the show to an entirely new generation of fans while honoring its history and heart. I could not be more optimistic about the beautiful tomorrow on the way! New Updates Coming to the Carousel of Progress READ MORE New Magic Arrives at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad READ MORE Disney World Expands Historic Ferry Fleet with New Addition READ MORE The post A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow: The Ever-Changing Carousel of Progress appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Disney just announced some HUGE changes for the Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom — the entire ride is changing! Carousel of Progress We already knew that a Walt Disney Animatronic would be coming to the ride, but Disney shared that even more updates are on the way for this iconic ride. Each scene will be completely overhauled to feature new decades — and we’ll even get a glimpse into the future! We’re sharing everything we know so far. Disney shared that we’ll get to see what John, Sarah, and the rest of the family are up to as they navigate ever-changing technology in new decades. Carousel of Progress will be closing on July 6th to make way for these massive changes. ©Disney One of Disney’s main goals for this update is to keep the attraction relatable for audiences of today by featuring eras that people have personal connections to. Imagineering has been revisiting the music, fashion, technology, and experiences that helped shape history as it’s reflected in this family’s story. Carousel of Progress Act 1 will feature the 1960s, which is when the Carousel of Progress first opened at the 1964 World’s Fair. The story looked back about 60 years, and now this new scene will mirror that idea — starting 60 years back from today, in the 1960s. In the summer of 1969, the Carousel family gathers around the television to witness the historic moon landing. The moment captures the “spirit of innovation and possibility that has always been — and always will be — at the heart of Carousel of Progress.” Carousel of Progress Act 2 takes us to the 1980s, where bigger is better. On Halloween night in 1985, Sarah will take center stage as she shares all about how the new appliances and gadgets are making life easier for the whole family. John is out on the porch handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, and poor Uncle Orville will still be in the bathroom with “no privacy at all around here!” Carousel of Progress In Act 3, we’ll travel to the new millennium as the 1990s draw to a close. The family is getting ready to ring in the new year on New Year’s Eve 1999. The Internet is bringing John, Sarah, Jimmy, and Patty closer together than ever before. Of course, Grandpa has already nodded off, so Grandma changes the TV over to wrestling when no one is looking. Carousel of Progress And finally, Act 4 features the possible future. The family is seen one last time in the distant future, in a home that’s out of this world. The off-planet scene features a helpful robot assisting with everyday tasks, along with space travel, and imagines a future where extraordinary innovation has become part of life. To help bring the new finale to life, Imagineers looked back at original concept sketches by Disney Legend John Hench, drawing inspiration from his imaginative vision of the future. What will the future bring? Disney shared that Carousel of Progress is expected to reopen sometime in 2027, and we can’t wait! These are some MAJOR changes, and we’re hopeful that the ride will still reflect everything we loved about the original. If you’re looking for a way to show off your love of the Carousel of Progress, make sure you check out DFB’s Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow shirt! It comes in multiple colors, styles, and sizes, and will hopefully make being without this ride for so long slightly less painful. Grab it here! ©DFB We’ll be on the lookout for even more Carousel of Progress updates you need to know about. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! Check out more Magic Kingdom news at the links below! BREAKING: CLOSING DATE Revealed for Carousel of Progress in Magic KingdomIf You Hate That Disney World Is CHANGING Carousel of Progress, This Might Make You Feel BetterBREAKING: Major Changes Just Announced for Carousel of Progress in Disney WorldSNEAK PEEK at Carousel of Progress Changes in Disney WorldREVIEW: Buzz Lightyear Needs MORE Snacks in Magic Kingdom, if They’re All Going To Be Like This Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of these changes? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

Disney’s BoardWalk Resort is home to some of our favorite spots on Disney World property — even if it’s looking a little bit rougher than normal right now. Disney’s BoardWalk There are currently multiple vacancies on the BoardWalk, and we’ve been waiting on the edges of our seats to find out exactly what will be replacing the former locations. Up until now, Disney has remained pretty quiet on what they have planned for these spaces, but it sounds like that could all be changing soon! During a recent panel featuring Disney World executives and Imagineers, it was revealed that Disney is almost ready to share news about what exactly is coming to the BoardWalk! Three locations have been empty for a while now, and now we officially know that new details will be coming soon. While we don’t exactly know when or how, we’re hopeful that we’ll hear something within the next couple of months — possibly at D23 in August, but we’re hoping it’s even sooner! BoardWalk Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar that opened on the BoardWalk in 1996, suddenly closed in April 2025. Disney finally started working on the building recently, and while we can tell that the entire thing has been gutted, we’re still wondering what exactly will be replacing it. Jellyrolls Officials for Jellyrolls confirmed that the dueling piano bar has secured a new location less than 10 minutes from its former home on the BoardWalk, so if you miss this iconic spot, you won’t have to go far to experience it once again! A grand opening celebration is planned for late summer or early fall 2026, and we will keep you posted as more information is revealed. Current state of Jellyrolls Another storefront on the BoardWalk, Promenade Fine Art Gallery, permanently closed in October 2025. When this news was announced, Disney shared that the gallery would be moving to a new location, but they weren’t able to share when or where that might be happening — and whether or not it would remain on Disney World property. Promenade Fine Art Gallery As far as what might be replacing the Promenade Fine Art Gallery, Disney hasn’t made any sort of announcements or hints just yet. We’re hoping we’ll find out what might be coming to this spot within the next few months as well. Promenade Fine Art Gallery Finally, the location formerly home to Big River Grille & Brewing Works on the BoardWalk has been sitting abandoned since January 2024. The space had remained entirely empty with no sign in front, no construction visible, and nothing to replace Big River Grille for quite a while. Big River Grille & Brewing Works Recently, construction has started on this space, but still — no announcements or mention of what might be coming to replace it. That’s a whopping THREE places on the BoardWalk that are just sitting empty, though at least it looks like Disney has started to make progress on two of them. Big River Grille We’re not sure when the announcements will be made, or what exactly they will entail, but we’ll make sure to let you know when we do! We’ll be on the lookout for more updates and changes coming to Disney’s BoardWalk! In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! Check out more Disney World hotel news here! Disney World Will Drop Some MAJOR Hotel News Soon6 NEW Perks Hit Disney World HotelsWhy Disney Experts Book This Disney World Hotel in NovemberA Popular Disney World Hotel Perk Just Got Even BETTER8 Big Changes Are About to Hit Disney World Hotels in June Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you want to see at Disney’s BoardWalk? Let us know in the comments below. 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 World to attend their media panel on upcoming changes to the parks and beyond. 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 View the full article

You didn’t forget about these attraction changes coming to Magic Kingdom, did you? Carousel of Progress The Carousel of Progress at Disney World is getting an update, including an introductory scene featuring Walt Disney himself. Disney has finally released new details about the ride that will include the 1960s, 1980s, the new millennium, and a possible future. They also released a new poster for the ride, and we can’t wait to see it for ourselves. Let’s take a look at the new poster! ©Disney We think it perfectly encapsulates the changes coming to the attraction. New decades, including the 1960s, are being added, so the poster needed a refresh to showcase the progress (haha, get it?). ©Disney On top, it says “from the good old days…to the possible future.” It also shows John, Sarah, and Rover. The whole poster has great Tomorrowland vibes, and it’s going to fit right in. Carousel of Progress The ride will close on July 6th, 2026, and reopen sometime in 2027, so make sure you get your last rides in with the current version before it goes away. While the changes include the representation of new decades, they stay true to the original story and the ride’s original idea. CHECK OUT ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT THE CHANGES HERE! Carousel of Progress There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow coming to Magic Kingdom (and don’t worry, the original Sherman Brothers’ song will be staying), and we’re so excited to see what’s happening. From new scenes like the moon landing to iconic moments like Uncle Orville in the bathroom, it seems to be a great combination of original and new. Uncle Orville If you love the Carousel of Progress as much as we do, you can grab our Carousel of Progress shirt for when the ride reopens. “Shining at the end of every day” We’ll be keeping track of all the details and changes here at Disney Food Blog, and don’t forget to ride the current vision before July 6th. Keep following DFB for more! 4 MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO DISNEY WORLD IN 2027 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of all of the changes coming to the attraction? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. View the full article

Universal is opening a new theme park this year! Universal Kids Resort is located in Frisco, a suburb north of Dallas, Texas. It’s aimed at families with young children, but it’s fun for both kids and kids-at-heart! Universal Kids Resort Universal Kids Resort will have seven lands themed after Shrek, SpongeBob, Minions, Trolls, and Jurassic World. The theme park has had an unspecified “opening in late 2026” for months, but now Universal has just announced the opening date — mark your calendars for July 1st, 2026! Universal Kids Resort will officially open on July 1st, 2026! This includes all of the Universal Kids Resort theme park lands and the attached hotel. Universal Kids Resort hotel When Universal Kids Resort opens, it will be the first theme park with a SpongeBob SquarePants land! Hop on Jellyfish Fields Jamboree, where you’ll ride your own jelly angler and go jellyfishing with SpongeBob. Or, visit Mrs. Puff’s Boating School, where you swerve, spin, and even go backwards on her driving course. Once you’re done with rides, you can meet SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, and Sandy. Bikini Bottom will also have Goofy Goober’s restaurant that serves the iconic Goofy Goober Sundaes from the show! ©Universal There will also be two separate Shrek-themed lands! Shrek’s Swamp features Shrek and Fiona’s Happily Ogre After, a family-friendly ride that takes guests through the love story of an ogre and a princess. You can also head to Shrek’s Swamp Splash and Smash, a water play area built for Shrek’s triplets, featuring two separate play zones designed for younger kids. Shrek and Fiona’s Happily Ogre After ©Universal The second Shrek land is themed after the spin-off film series Puss in Boots. Puss in Boots Del Mar features a swing ride called Swings Over Del Mar, which carries guests high above a festive kitty adoption day celebration alongside Puss in Boots, Perrito, and Mama Luna. Or, you can watch Mama Luna’s Adopt a Kitty Day!, a live show with puppet performances and some Spanish-language moments worked into the fun. And of course, you can meet the cat himself, Puss in Boots! ©Universal We’re so excited to visit Universal Kids Resort when it opens. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more theme park news! Why Universal Orlando Could Be Empty in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you going to Universal Kids Resort? Comment below! View the full article

We are only a few weeks away from Toy Story 5 releasing in theaters! ©Disney Toy Story 5 officially comes out on June 19th, and every Disney adult and kiddo is excited for the next movie in the beloved franchise. To get ready for the big release, three movie theater companies are dropping exclusive Toy Story 5 merchandise, including brand-new popcorn buckets (and you know how we feel about our popcorn buckets)! Tons of Toy Story 5 merchandise will be available at select theaters, and we got a look at what’s to come. Let’s start with the six exclusive items coming to Cinemark, including: Popcorn Tin + ICEE Cup Popcorn Tin + Souvenir Cup Tumbler with Dome Lid Woody Hat Popcorn Tin Super Snack Pack Cup and Tub Toy Story 5 Blanket @cinemark via Instagram Over at Regal theaters, you can grab the Toy Story 5 Collectible Combo that includes a popcorn tin and a choice of one character cup. The character cups available feature either Woody, Jessie, or Buzz Lightyear. ©Regal Regal also has the Snack Pack Combo, which comes with popcorn, fruit snacks, and a 160z cup. You get to choose one of five character toppers to put on the cup. The characters available are Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and two new characters, Lily Pad and Smarty Pants. ©Regal The most popular item at Regal theaters will probably be this Buzz Lightyear Collectible Popcorn and Drink Container. ©Regal Over at AMC, you’ll be able to grab this Lorcana collectible Buzz Lightyear trading card. It will be available from June 18th through June 21st, and it’s for the Dolby Cinema at AMC. ©AMC AMC also has items available at the concession, including: Pixar Blind Ball Combo: includes a small popcorn and drink, one mystery pin, and one mystery topper. Buzz Lightyear Popcorn Bucket ©AMC We can’t wait to get our hands on these items and enjoy Toy Story 5 when it drops in theaters. The movie follows the beloved characters on a new adventure as they take on technology. Could this be the end of the franchise that started Pixar? Only time will tell. ©Pixar For all the latest Disney news and updates, make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog! This is the Most Unexpected ‘Toy Story 5’ Collab…But We’re Here For It! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you looking forward to the new movie? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Is there any bar or lounge more iconic than Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland Hotel? We think not! This bar is known for its fun drinks, food, and shenanigans, and it’s always a treat when we get to see the volcano effect happen when someone orders a special drink. New food alert! Well, we recently returned to Trader Sam’s after we got word that the bar was celebrating its 15th anniversary with some new food. So we had to check it out. Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar…is just that, a tiki bar owned by the infamous Trader Sam, who has created a bar to display many of the artifacts he’s found during his worldwide adventures. These artifacts are generally Disney references, puns, and even a bit of history. The bartenders here are sassy and fun, and the drinks are punny and delicious. Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar The menu features some small bites like Gyoza, Tempura-Battered Green Beans (a personal favorite of ours), Shrimp Tempura, and more. If you want to eat something green, a few salads are also available. If you’re hungry, several entrees are also available, including a flatbread, ramen, a Hawaiian cheeseburger, a Poke Bowl, and more. There’s even a small plant-based menu. Of course, specialty drinks are what really bring folks in, including drinks inspired by Disney puns and references. Outdoor seating However, we’re here to check out the new eats that were added to the menu to celebrate Trader Sam’s 15th anniversary, starting with the Furikake Fries, which are Beer-battered French Fries, Furikake, Green Onions, and Gochujang Aïoli for $12. The fries are good, yes, but what really makes them great is the Gochujang Aïoli! That sauce is EVERYTHING. It’s creamy and has a slight spicy tang. If we had to pick our favorite new thing we tried here, this would be it. Furikake Fries The BBQ Chicken Flatbread is made with Teriyaki chicken, red onions, mozzarella cheese, micro herbs, Fresno chilies, green onions, and pineapple (option to add Kälua pork) for $24. We OBVIOUSLY added the Kälua pork, which just went SO WELL with the chicken and the rest of the toppings. All the flavors combined so perfectly that we can’t imagine it WITHOUT the pork, which is flavorful and juicy. But…there was one big FAIL with this. Our flatbread was doughy and undercooked, and the cheese wasn’t even melted. The flavors were still there, but that threw us off. BBQ Chicken Flatbread The Chicken Katsu Curry is also new. It’s made with Crispy Chicken Cutlet, Japanese Curry, Jasmine Rice, Soy-marinated Egg, and Pickled Ginger for $24. There is such a wonderful variety of flavors in this baby, and the chicken katsu is perfectly fried with moist chicken and crunchy breading. The curry is mild, but still flavorful. It also comes with pickled ginger, which adds a sweetness to each bite when combined with the rest of the bowl. However, there is more rice than anything, so be sure to mix everything up so you at least get some of that flavor infused into the ride. Chicken Katsu Curry Of course, we had to order a drink to go with this meal, so we ordered a secret menu item, the DOLE Whip Cocktail. It’s a DOLE Whip with rum. We went with a light coconut rum. What can we say? It’s our favorite Disneyland treat as a grown-up beverage, which makes it PERFECT. It’s delicious, it’s refreshing, it’s the DOLE Whip flavor you already love. DOLE Whip Cocktail We’ll be back with even more food reviews, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Why Disneyland First Timers Keep Booking the Wrong Hotel 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 What’s your go-to order at Trader Sam’s? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Pride Month is just around the corner, which means that Disney Springs will have so many fun limited-time Pride Month offerings in June. When we saw that the creators of our favorite Bee’s Harvest Margarita for Earth Month are making three new drinks for Pride Month, we had to spread the word! ©Patina Group The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, and Enzo’s Hideaway are partnering with Dos Hombres Tequila for three drinks available throughout Pride Month. Get ready to celebrate Pride, enjoy thoughtfully crafted libations, and give back to the community with every sip! These three Pride Month cocktails are exclusively available at The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, and Enzo’s Hideaway at Disney Springs for June. A portion of the proceeds for these cocktails will benefit The Trevor Project, a nationwide lifeline supporting at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante and Enzo’s Hideaway But what’s on the new menu? First up, the Cranstonian is a bold red cocktail crafted with Dos Hombres Mezcal, cranberry juice, fresh lime, and Aperol, finished with a chili salt rim. ©Patina Group The Passionfruit Margarita is an inviting yellow blend of Dos Hombres Tequila, triple sec, Chinola passionfruit liqueur, and fresh lime juice, served with a Tajín-dipped ice cube. ©Patina Group The Honeydew Smash is an iconic green cocktail featuring Midori Melon Liqueur, Dos Hombres Mezcal and Tequila, fresh lime juice, agave, and honeydew chunks, rimmed with chili salt and garnished with fresh honeydew. ©Patina Group If you want to try them, these three drinks will be available at The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, and Enzo’s Hideaway for the entire month of June. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney Springs restaurant updates! The Ultimate Guide to Disney Springs Restaurants Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite drink at Disney Springs? Comment below! View the full article

May 26th was a big day for Disney World – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, Soarin’ Across America, Jessie’s Roundup, and an entire new land, The Walt Disney Studios, opened all in one day! Space Ranger Float But here at Disney Food Blog, we think that Disney food might just be better than the rides. So when we heard that Disney quietly released four new snacks at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Magic Kingdom for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER, we had to try them! The Space Ranger Float is $7.49 at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies. This is DOLE Whip Lime and Vanilla Soft-serve Swirl with Sprite, Green Apple Pearls, Sprinkles, and a Chocolate Piece. The lime DOLE Whip in this was overwhelmingly tart, but the creamy vanilla swirl balanced the lime. The creaminess of the soft-serve made this a float that’s best when everything’s mixed in, especially so you can get the sweet green apple boba pearls at the bottom with every sip. Space Ranger Float The Zurg Overload Shake is $9.29. This is a Vanilla Shake with Cherry Coating, Marshmallow Whipped Cream, Sprinkles, and a Chocolate Piece. The vanilla shake is the same sweet, classic flavor as their plain vanilla milkshake. The coating didn’t crack enough to combine with the shake, and when we had a bite, it was mostly flavorless. The marshmallow whipped cream was the star of the show – it was flavorful and fun. Zurg Overload Shake The Cherry Limeade Float is $6.79. It’s DOLE Whip Lime with Sprite, Grenadine, and a Cherry. This is a Shirley Temple as an ice cream float, and we’re here for it. The DOLE Whip Lime tasted really tart in the Space Ranger Float, but in this float, it’s the perfect fit. The lime helped keep the cherry from being overly sweet by adding a tartness, and they paired well. This was very refreshing, and a great pick if you’re looking for a more fruity, complex flavor! Cherry Limeade Float Last up is the Churro Shake for $9.29. It’s a Vanilla Shake topped with Whipped Cream, Salted Caramel Sauce, and Churro Pieces. The shake is a classic vanilla shake with a sweet vanilla flavor, and the toppings added lots of depth. Tons of caramel sauce is mixed in, and the churros on top are your standard Disney churros, which made for a great snack! Churro Shake We loved trying these new sweet treats at Aunty Gravity’s. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World food reviews! A NEW Character Experience Is Officially Open at Magic Kingdom Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which treat do you want to try first? Comment below! View the full article

Air travel can be tricky, but this essential item certainly helps! Anti-Loss Luggage Tag Losing your luggage at the airport or on a flight can be a real concern — especially when you’re transferring planes. While it’s likely your luggage will make it to its destination as intended, it’s hard to shake that uneasiness. When it comes to travel, having that sense of control is important, and this Amazon essential gives you just that! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Keep track of your luggage with this device The Anti-Loss Luggage Tag (AKA a “smart” luggage tag) comes with a built-in location feature and is PERFECT for anyone with travel anxiety. Luggage Tag Tracker This device connects to the Find My iPhone app in a couple of quick steps, beeps from the click of a button on your phone, charges with a wireless charger (not included), and has a long battery life that is billed as lasting four months on one charge. ©Amazon We like that we don’t have to worry about a physical AirTag falling out of our bags accidentally, and the convenience of connecting to an app that’s already automatically equipped in every iPhone is super handy. We also like how it comes with an ID card that goes inside the holder, but isn’t on display for the world to see. Anti-Loss Luggage Tag Knowing where your luggage is at any time is a massive boon for even the most anxious of travelers, and we think that — while pricey — it’s certainly worth it, especially if you travel a lot. BUY ON AMAZON We’ll continue to find and test out all sorts of travel tools, so make sure you keep it posted right here at DFB for the latest updates! View the full article

Jessie’s Roundup opened just yesterday in Magic Kingdom. This brand-new musical revue starring Jessie, Woody, and Bullseye singing and dancing to classic western and Toy Story songs. Bullseye! The former Diamond Horseshoe Restaurant is now decked out in cowboy decor, full of cactuses, tumbleweeds, and country critters. But we noticed that these little animals look familiar! Jessie’s Roundup is full of cartoon critters lining the stage and balcony. There are armadillos, deer, beavers, cats, eagles, and bluebirds all there to sing along with Jessie and Woody! But we noticed that these little guys look really familiar. Jessie’s Roundup! In Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll shoot at targets with your Toy Story pals, like Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bullseye, Rex, Hamm, and Mr. Potato Head. At the end of the ride, you’ll get your score, and each tier corresponds with an animal. These are the same animals in Jessie’s Roundup! Our high score! Jessie’s Roundup is a limited-time experience for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER from May 26th through September 8th, 2026. Jessie’s Roundup has two alternating shows with no set showtimes. In the first show, you’ll hear Jessie and her friends sing about how she’s the yodeling cowgirl — Woody comes out to join her, too, which is lots of fun. The other show features Bullseye and his friend Dusty Strings. They dance around with the kids in the crowd and even teach everyone in attendance the Horseshoe Stomp, which is also loads of fun. Woody and Jessie! In addition to the show, the venue has dozens of games and interactive activities. There are big blocks for kids to play with, as well as a maze game for them to trace the way out with their finger, a small cornhole-style game, a ring around the horseshoe game, and a spot the difference picture game! Everyone is also given a deputy star sticker when they enter, and you can either choose to put your name on it, or you can check out the adorable board available, where you can make your own deputy name based on your favorite Toy Story character. We had so much fun playing these games! We loved seeing this hidden detail at Jessie’s Roundup. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World news! A NEW Character Experience Is Officially Open at Magic Kingdom Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your high score on Toy Story Mania? Comment below! View the full article

Amazon is doing that thing again, where a bunch of Disney items quietly go on sale, and nobody sends up the official “please hide my wallet” flare. So consider this the flare. ©Amazon We found a handful of Disney items discounted on Amazon right now, and they’re exactly the sort of things that make your Disney trip, your park bag, your carry-on, or your “I’m just browsing” cart a little more dangerous. We’re talking Loungefly bags, travel organizers, Disney plush, a pocket-sized recipe book, and even a Vera Bradley Disney bag that feels like it should come with a tiny personal assistant who says, “You deserve this.” DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Disney Mickey & Friends All-Over Print Mini Backpack The Disney Mickey & Friends All-Over Print Mini Backpack is one of those park bags that does the job without looking like you surrendered to a backpack you found in the garage. It’s cute, structured, and covered in Mickey and friends, which means it hits that sweet spot between practical and “I am one caramel apple away from vibrating into another plane of existence.” ©Amazon This Loungefly bag has adjustable shoulder straps, a sturdy top handle, and applique, debossed, molded metal rivet, and printed details. It measures about 9 inches wide by 10 inches high by 4.5 inches deep, which is very much in that “mini backpack but still useful” zone. This is the kind of bag we like for Disney because it keeps your hands free, looks cute in photos, and gives you enough room for the park essentials without encouraging you to pack like you’re hiking the Oregon Trail. view ON AMAZON Disney Munchlings Snack Pack Plush Fresh & Hot Popcorn Collectible Munchlings Plush We regret to inform you that Disney made popcorn plushies, and they are extremely cute. The Disney Munchlings Snack Pack Plush Fresh & Hot Popcorn set is basically what would happen if Main Street popcorn got squishy, collectible, and emotionally manipulative. It includes four mini plush toys in a resealable snack-style bag, which means this is not just a toy. It is a tiny plush popcorn situation with packaging commitment. ©Amazon This collectible Munchlings plush item for ages 2 and up, with the current listing showing strong reviews and recent purchase activity. This is a great pick for a kid’s Easter basket, a Disney trip reveal, a park bag surprise, or the adult Disney fan who said they were done buying plush and then immediately folded because the plush looked like popcorn. It happens. No courtroom would convict. view ON AMAZON A Taste of Disney: Snacks: Bite-Size Recipes in a Snack-Size Book This one is dangerous because it looks small and harmless, and then suddenly you’re convincing yourself that making Disney snacks at home is a personality upgrade. A Taste of Disney: Snacks: Bite-Size Recipes in a Snack-Size Book is a pocket-sized Disney cookbook packed with snack recipes inspired by Disney films. It includes recipes like White Rabbit’s Garden Crudité from Alice in Wonderland, Merida Cranachan from Brave, Bare Necessities Banana Muffins from The Jungle Book, Mug of Meat from The Emperor’s New Groove, and Icicle Cookies from Frozen. Amazon This makes a fun gift for a Disney fan, but honestly, it’s also a good “buy it for yourself and call it research” item. We support culinary scholarship, especially when snacks are involved. And yes, if Disney ever gives us a full Key Lime Pie on a Stick cookbook, I will not be calm about it. I will become a public nuisance with citrus opinions. view ON AMAZON MINISO Disney Stitch Compression Packing Cubes for Travel 2 Pack Packing cubes are one of those things that sound boring until you actually use them, and then suddenly you become the person explaining packing cubes to strangers with the intensity of a prospector describing buried treasure. The MINISO Disney Stitch Compression Packing Cubes are designed to help organize clothes in your suitcase or carry-on, and these are lightweight, waterproof space saver storage bags for travel. ©Amazon These are especially helpful for Disney trips because Disney packing is not normal packing. Normal packing is “I need shirts and socks.” Disney packing is “I need park clothes, backup park clothes, swim stuff, ears, ponchos, cooling towels, portable fans, pajamas, a nicer dinner outfit, blister supplies, and somehow I still forgot deodorant.” Stitch being on the packing cubes makes the chaos cuter. That may not solve the problem, but it improves morale. view ON AMAZON Vera Bradley Women’s Disney Premium Cotton Post Shoulder Bag, 101 Dalmatians A Disney Vera Bradley bag on Amazon? That little sentence just opened a portal. The Vera Bradley Women’s Disney Premium Cotton Post Shoulder Bag in the 101 Dalmatians design is for the Disney fan who wants something themed but not screaming “I have seven popcorn buckets at home and no regrets.” It’s still Disney. It’s still fun. But it has a softer, more everyday feel than a full character cosplay bag. ©Amazon This is a good option if you like Disney accessories you can use outside the parks without feeling like you accidentally dressed for rope drop at the grocery store. It could work for travel days, errands, casual outfits, or as your park bag if you prefer a shoulder bag over a backpack. Also, 101 Dalmatians merch does not get enough attention. There. That is today’s small, unnecessary hill. view ON AMAZON Loungefly Disney Zootopia 2 Cell Phone Crossbody Bag with Coin Bag The Loungefly Disney Zootopia 2 Cell Phone Crossbody Bag with Coin Bag is compact, cute, and built for the essentials. It’s made with faux leather, has an adjustable crossbody strap, includes a detachable coin bag, and features applique, embroidered, printed details, and coordinating interior lining. Translation: this is not the bag for your rain jacket, water bottle, emergency pretzels, sunscreen, and the emotional support granola bar you forgot about in February. ©Amazon But it IS great for your phone, cardholder, lip balm, and maybe a tiny hand sanitizer. Think fireworks night. Think quick errand. Think “I am not hauling a backpack into this lounge because I have evolved.” It’s also a timely find if you’re already excited about Zootopia 2 merch. Judy and Nick have entered the chat, and apparently they brought accessories. view ON AMAZON Amazon deals are famously wiggly. Prices change. Discounts vanish. Items sell out. Something that was a great deal over coffee can become full price by the time you circle back after lunch. So if one of these Disney finds has been sitting on your wishlist, now is a good time to check the price and see if the deal is worth grabbing. ©iStock Because the only thing more painful than paying full price is knowing you could have paid less yesterday. That’s not budgeting, it’s trauma with sales tax. Keep checking back with us for more Disney deals, Amazon finds, park essentials, and the occasional item we absolutely did not need but somehow bought in the name of journalism. View the full article

Ahhh, Minnie ears. We own so many of them, but we can never seem to have enough, because more and more adorable designs keep getting released! We love Minnie ears! Some of our favorite ears, though they’re often the most expensive, are the ones that Disney and Loungefly collaborate on, and we know a lot of you feel the same way. While we love seeing them at the stores in the Disney parks, or checking them out on the Disney Store website, BoxLunch is often where it’s at to snag the latest ears. If you want them all in one place, we’ve got you covered — here are all the Loungefly ears you can snag on the BoxLunch website right now! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Who Doesn’t Love Polka Dots? ©BoxLunch The Minnie Mouse Polka Dot Bows White Ears are truly some of the cutest we’ve seen in recent history, because just LOOK at all the different types of bows embossed inside the ears themselves! The pretty pink bow in the middle with the white polka dots really brings it all together, too, which we love. Grab them here! Make It Pink! ©BoxLunch Love the design, but don’t want the main color of the ears to be white? Then the Minnie Mouse Polka Dot Pink Ears are perfect for you! The ears themselves are a beautiful light pink; there are still lots of different types of bows all over the ears themselves, and the bow in the middle is white with pink polka dots. Grab them here! Don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated on all the latest Loungefly ears that hit the site, so stay tuned to DFB! View the full article

Disneyland just dropped a great deal for those who renew their Disneyland Magic Key pass! ©Disney Disneyland Magic Key holders can now receive a dining card worth up to $100 when they renew their pass. You do have to renew within a certain window, and there are different dining card values based on the Magic Key tier. Let’s take a look at all of the info! This awesome Disneyland offer will officially begin on May 27th. You have a lot of time to take advantage of the offer, as it runs for a full year, ending on May 26th, 2027. Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland The dollar amount of the dining card depends on the type of pass renewed. Take a look at the different offers: Inspire Key – $100 Believe Key – $75 Explore Key – $50 Imagine Key – $25 We loved the Mickey pizza! Once you renew your pass, the dining card will be emailed to you within 72 hours. It will be sent to the email that was used at checkout for the renewal. If you’re renewing multiple passes, you’ll get a separate email and a dining card for each renewal. Disney California Adventure In order to redeem the dining card at the Disneyland Resort, you can show the barcode to a Cast Member or enter the account number in the Disneyland App for mobile orders. You can also add the card to the Google and Apple Wallets. Our Dessert Spread You’ll definitely want to make sure you take advantage of this offer. If you were already planning on renewing your Magic Key Holder pass, this is just an extra freebie! Nobody can say no to that. It doesn’t look like this offer is for anyone who is buying a Magic Key for the first time. It looks like it is for renewals only. Disneyland Main Entrance The agents at Small World Vacations know how to save money on your Disney Vacation! When you book your trip with Small World Vacations, their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings. They also 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. We’re always on top of all the latest Disney news and updates, so make sure to follow us at the Disney Food Blog! A Popular Experience Is Returning to Disneyland This Summer — And It’s FREE Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be renewing your pass? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Yesterday was a very big day in Disney World. So many new rides, shows, and experiences opened up across all four parks. Magic Kingdom But if you missed out on anything that opened yesterday, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here’s everything new in Disney World, and all the changes you can expect if you visit over the summer. #1 Soarin’ Across America Yesterday, in EPCOT, an all-new version of Soarin’ officially debuted. In celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States, Soarin’ Across America takes guests across the entire country, showcasing the incredible nature and beauty of America. Soarin’ Across America We really enjoyed this attraction; it is a little bit more low-key than its two predecessors, relying more on highlighting the lovely nature than on some of those shocking moments and scene transitions(we’re looking at you, golf ball). We found this new version to be beautiful and relaxing, and we are so excited for everyone to experience it this summer! We are in love! #2 Jessie’s Roundup Heading over to Magic Kingdom, Jessie’s Roundup, an interactive dance party with crafts and games, officially opened for the summer inside the Diamond Horseshoe. Woody and Jessie! This experience will be open May 26th through September 8th, as a part of Cool Kid Summer, and gives guests a chance to beat the heat and hang with Jessie and some of your favorite Toy Story pals. There are games and crafts, and then throughout the day Jessie, Woody, and Bullseye come on stage to perform several songs and dances that the crowd can participate in! It’s Bullseye! #3 GoofyCore Another fun Cool Kid Summer experience also opened with GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall in EPCOT. This is another opportunity for guests to enjoy some air conditioning while kids get to run around and get out some of that energy with some favorite characters. GoofyCore This experience includes a DJ Dance Party with Goofy! This is a fan favorite spot, and we are so happy it’s back again this summer. Goofy! #4 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! A new show has opened over in Hollywood Studios. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is a show that originally debuted in Disneyland that takes guests into the world of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Mickey and Minnie! It features Mickey and the gang and has a bunch of new songs that allow kids to get up and dance and play with their favorite characters. This show is so adorable and a great addition to Hollywood Studios! Mickey’s friends! #5 Walt Disney Studios The old Animation Courtyard has been officially completely re-themed to Walt Disney Studios. This new experience is meant to transport guests to the real-life studio in Burbank, California, and immerse them inside the extremely popular Once Upon A Studio short Walt Disney Studios — Animation Building When you are walking around outside, it truly feels like you are in California at the real studio, and if you look carefully, you can spot lots of hidden characters all around, and some characters wandering around as well. Then inside, you can find an Alice in Wonderland playground, the Olaf Draws Animation experience, and so many fun details! Mulan! # 6 Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets We are so excited that the Muppet’s have officially settled into their brand new Hollywood Studios home, and we have to say we LOVED this attraction. It’s time to visit G Force Records again, except this time you’re here for Electric Mayhem on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets The details in the queue, pre-show, and actual attraction are phenomenal and really immerse you into the silliness and fun of the Muppet’s world. Then the actual attraction, while still the same track system, really does feel new and exciting. We love all of the Muppets seen throughout the ride and in that classic Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster black light aesthetic. The preshow! Overall, this really is an incredible re-theme that kept the integrity and spirit of the original attraction while seamlessly blending in new characters and story in a way that feels authentic and fun. If you haven’t checked out this ride yet, it should definitely be at the top of your Hollywood Studios list next time you visit! This is a job for a SUPER STRETCH Limo… #7 Bluey’s Wild World Everyone’s favorite Australian pup has made her Disney World debut. In Animal Kingdom, guests can board the Wildlife Express Train, now narrated by Robert Irwin and the Bluey gang, and take a ride over to Bluey’s Wild World. Here, guests can meet Bluey and Bingo, play games themed to the show, and visit Jumping Junction, an animal area with all Australian Animals. Bluey’s Wild World This area is so adorable and fun; however, be aware that access to this new area is currently operating under a virtual queue system, so if you want to visit Bluey, you’ll need to snag a virtual queue spot. Bluey’s Wild World There are so many new experiences to try out this Summer in Disney World, and we will make sure to always keep you posted on any Disney news, so stay tuned to Disney Food Blog so you never miss anything! Watch Out! The #1 Disney World Hotel Pool is About to be Dethroned! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which of these new experiences are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments! View the full article