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All you need is faith, trust and Mickey shaped pizza 🐭🍕#DisneylandParis #MickeyShaped #Pizza #ShortsView the full article

In honor of the families who have sailed 50 or more times with Disney Cruise Line, a commemorative display will be added to Disney Castaway Cay this fall. View the full article

STOP EVERYTHING. There are chicken-stuffed Mickey Waffles(!!) in Disney World and you NEED to know about them. Rix Bar and Grill Here at DFB, we’re constantly on the hunt for unique and delicious Disney food. We’ve seen lots of snacks, tried tons of menu items, and every now and then we’ll find something that truly blows our minds, even if it’s not due to the flavor. So when we saw that chicken-stuffed Mickey Waffles were available in Disney World, we just had to find out if these were worth it! YES! Chicken-stuffed Mickey waffles ON STICKS do exist. You’ll find them at Rix Sports Bar and Grill in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. These are called “Chicken-Stuffed Waffles” and are only on the breakfast menu. The order comes with 4 Mickey Waffles stuffed with chicken tenders and maple syrup (served with herb butter house potatoes) and they will cost you $18. Chicken Stuffed Mickey Waffles Now, to be clear, these aren’t brand “brand” new. They arrived on the menu here back in April of 2023 but we got the chance to try them recently and we just had to share them with you. We got some other menu items at Rix recently (including a CHURRO ICED LATTE!!!) so we’ll be sharing a more complete review soon, but we wanted to talk a bit about these waffles now in case you see ’em and run over to try them. They’re SO cute First, let’s talk about the good stuff. Obviously, the waffles are ADORABLE. They are your typical, tasty Mickey waffles — light, fluffy, and delicious. The chicken inside was good. It was tender and paired well with the waffles, but it didn’t really blow us away in terms of flavor. Really good fried chicken on top of a waffle may be better, flavor-wise, but we really loved the idea behind these and think they’re so creative. Plus, even though the waffles aren’t massive, they’re really filling, so it may be a great breakfast option before you head into the parks for the day. Yum! Will this be the best fried chicken and waffles you get in Disney World? Likely not (we’d probably recommend the one over at the Grand Floridian Cafe over this) but these are still a solid option (just not mind-blowing in terms of flavor). And these would be especially fun for kiddos! So if you’re looking for a unique new way to eat Mickey waffles, definitely head over to Rix Sports Bar and Grill to try them out. With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. Grab the DFB Guide! We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off! Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Check out this new limited-time special at The Polite Pig in Disney Springs! Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Best Disney Springs Restaurants The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What’s your favorite way to eat Mickey waffles? Tell us below! The post Chicken-Stuffed Mickey Waffles on a Stick Exist in Disney World. You’re Welcome. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Secret menu desserts, popular treats gone boozy, and seasonal savory items — Disney World is FULL of incredible snacks. Hello Beautiful But some Disney World snacks can be incredibly pricey. Which ones are worth the cost? And which should you skip? Don’t worry — we’re here to help! Check out our video below all about Disney World’s MOST Expensive Snacks That You Should Still Buy!  Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more Disney news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What expensive snack do YOU think is most worth it in Disney World? Tell us in the comments below. The post DFB Video: Disney World’s MOST Expensive Snacks, That You Should Still Buy first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hello? Yes. Those dinner plans you had? Cancel ’em — McDonald’s has NEW HAPPY MEAL TOYS people! McDonald’s We’ve seen a number of new Happy Meal toys hit this popular fast food spot in the past few months — from ones themed to The Marvels to more exclusive options. But now we’ve got some exciting news. They might not be Disney-themed, but we could see some kiddos (and adults) really having a ball with these new toys. The latest Happy Meal fun comes in the form of NERF toys! ©McDonald’s Did you have NERF blasters as a kid? If so, it seems McDonald’s is keying into your nostalgia for some more entertainment (or at least letting you join in on the fun now). There are a variety of different toys available, and each seems to come with its own unique challenge. ©McDonald’s For example, there’s one toy that you set up… ©McDonald’s …and then use it to try and aim the little circular piece into the holder. ©McDonald’s SCORE! ©McDonald’s Another comes with a full-on wheel-like object you assemble and targets to aim at. ©McDonald’s Okay, these are pretty epic. ©McDonald’s If you want to continue the fun, visit the McDonald’s Happy Meal website for some interactive play… ©McDonald’s …or download the NERF-themed coloring sheets. ©McDonald’s Be sure to check the McDonald’s app to see if your local stores already have these in stock (when ordering, you should see an option to select your Happy Meal toy and you can see if the NERF option appears), and stay tuned for more news! Click here to see what NEW McDonald’s meal has been released Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you a fan of these toys? Tell us in the comments! The post NEW Happy Meal Toys Are Now Available at McDonald's! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We just learned more about the future of The Walt Disney Company, but there were some topics that were mysteriously left OUT of the recent announcements. ©Disney The Walt Disney Company held its third-quarter earnings call for fiscal year 2023 on August 9th and released an earnings report as well. CEO Bob Iger talked about the Hollywood writer and actor strikes, the new ESPN betting service, and whether Disney would ever sell to Apple. But there are a few BIG things that he DIDN’T mention, and we’re left waiting for more details. Let’s talk about what Disney CEO Bob Iger DIDN’T say at the recent earnings call. Changes to the Genie+ System Disney announced a couple of months back that Genie+ will be CHANGING in 2024. However, they didn’t release any details, and since they made that announcement, we haven’t heard anything else about those upcoming changes. Genie+ We were hoping that Disney would share some specifics about the upcoming changes, but unfortunately, we’re still left guessing. Genie+ In case you missed the previous announcement, Disney acknowledged that they’ve heard guests saying they wish they could “plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit” and Disney shared that they’re “working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024.” Their goal is to “give you the opportunity to spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying your visit with friends and family.” Click here to learn more about Disney Genie+. Park Pass Reservation and Park Hopping Updates Another huge change that’s coming in 2024 is that Park Pass Reservations will no longer be required for most guests starting on January 9th. This change applies to all date-based tickets (date-based tickets are what Disney describes as the “standard” ticket option offered to guests). Magic Kingdom Entrance We knew about this change already, but we have a few questions that have yet to be answered, including one BIG one: Will Park Passes ever go away entirely? With the January 9th change, Annual Passholders, Cast Members, and other people who have non-date-based tickets will still have to make reservations. But how long will that rule stick around? EPCOT Don’t forget that Annual Passholders usually do NOT have to have a Park Pass Reservation if they’re visiting a Disney World park after 2PM (though some exceptions apply). Disney World Annual Pass Park Hopping is currently restricted to after 2PM, which was a change that happened once the parks reopened after the pandemic-related closures in 2020. The rule has not yet been reversed, and we’re still wondering whether it will ever change. Hollywood Studios Disney did not comment on this possibility during the recent earnings call. Learn more about Park Hopping here! The DeSantis Lawsuits Disney is in the midst of a few different lawsuits related to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (previously called the Reedy Creek Improvement District). Disney has sued Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (along with some members of the CFTOD board), claiming that the governor waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against Disney to punish the company for speaking out against certain legislation. Disney vs. DeSantis Gov. DeSantis has filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit, which were not successful. Bob Iger commented on the Reedy Creek issues during the last earnings call before this one, and he’s also shared his thoughts in other interviews. However, he did not comment on this situation during the third-quarter call. ©Reuters | Disney CEO Bob Iger Though no comments were shared during the call, the same warning that we saw in a previous quarterly report was present in this most recent one as well: “In Florida, steps directed at the Company (including the passage of legislation) have been taken and future actions have been threatened, which collectively could negatively impact (and may have already impacted) our ability to execute on our business strategy, our costs and the profitability of our operations in Florida.” Gov. Ron DeSantis recently said he has “moved on” from the conflict with Disney. What Disney DID Say Although Disney didn’t comment on those big questions, they did make several other announcements. Check out these posts to learn more: Bob Iger Was Asked If He’d Sell Disney to Apple. Here’s What He Said. NEWS on Disney CEO Bob Iger’s “Number One Priority” A NEW Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Is Coming Soon! DATE ANNOUNCED for Disney+ Price Increase Disney CEO Bob Iger Comments on New ESPN Sports Betting Service Be sure to check back with us on the latest Disney updates! Click here for a summary of the BIGGEST recent announcements from Disney. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of these topics being omitted from the meeting? Let us know in the comments. The post 3 Things That Were MISSING from Disney's Huge News Drop first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

On this month’s episode of the planDisney Podcast, we’re going beyond the theme parks! If you’re looking to kick things up a notch on your next Walt Disney World vacation, panelists Jason K. and Alyssa P. have you covered.View the full article

Beyond The Theme Parks at Walt Disney World | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 8View the full article

Explore The Disney Resorts Collection | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 8View the full article

Mini Golf at Walt Disney World | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 8View the full article

Disney Water Parks Overview | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 8View the full article

Guide To Disney Springs | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 8View the full article

Meet The Panelists | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 8View the full article

Disney World has some pretty incredible hotel rooms, but there’s one that stands out above the rest. Magic Kingdom The incredibly exclusive Castle Suite, located INSIDE Cinderella Castle, is not even a room you can typically pay to book. In the past, people could win a stay by donating to a good cause or maybe catch a glimpse by paying for a pricey tour. Well, if you’ve always dreamed of staying inside this unique room, there’s a big update you need to know about! Give Kids the World Village has announced a pretty epic sweepstakes you will NOT want to miss out on. From now through October 16th, you can enter to WIN a “Magical Celebration Vacation Package” that includes a one-night stay within the oh-so-amazing Cinderella Castle Suite! Cinderella Castle Suite ©Disney The total prize is valued at $9,308(!!) and includes: A 1-night stay at the Cinderella Castle Suite in Magic Kingdom for up to 4 people Breakfast for up to 4 people at Cinderella’s Royal Table A 2-night resort stay in a standard room at a Deluxe Disney Resort hotel, for up to 4 people 3-day Theme Park Tickets with Park Hoppers for up to 4 people A $500 Disney Gift Card for the winner Domestic coach round-trip airfare for 4 people Jacuzzi in the Cinderella Castle Suite ©Disney There are two ways to enter this contest. One is by purchasing entries via the Give Kids the World website. All proceeds from those donations will go to help make wishes possible for ill children at Give Kids the World Village. For those unfamiliar with Give Kids the World Village, it is an 89-acre nonprofit resort in Kissimmee that provides “week-long, cost-free wish vacations to critically ill children and their families from around the world who want to visit Central Florida.” ©Give Kids The World Village You can pay $10 for one entry, or pay more to get more entries. ©Give Kids The World According to the official rules, you can also enter without making a purchase by doing the following: “On a 3” x 5” card, handwrite your full name, address, city, state, ZIP code, age, email address, and phone number and place in a standard size envelope with proper postage affixed to earn one (1) entry and mail to: Give Kids the World C/O Promotion Activators “Magical Celebration Vacation Package”, PO Box 595, Social Circle, GA 30025-0595. Mail-in entries must be postmarked by October 16, 2023 and received by October 20, 2023 to be eligible for the prize drawing. Each mail-in entry must be mailed separately.” Cinderella Castle Be sure to either mail in that entry or purchase your entries by October 16th to get the chance to win! GOOD LUCK! Click here to enter for your chance to win! We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney news and let you know what we find. Stay tuned for the latest updates.  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be trying to stay in the Castle Suite? Tell us in the comments! The post You Could Win a Stay in the EXCLUSIVE Cinderella Castle Suite at Disney World 😱 Here’s How! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We've picked the top 10 roller coaster thrill rides at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort that are sure to send your adrenaline levels through the roofView the full article

If you’ve been to EPCOT recently, you know that the park is in the middle of a MASSIVE transformation. EPCOT With all the construction walls in the middle of the park, you might be wondering when the work will FINALLY be finished! Well, it looks like one of the projects is getting closer to wrapping up — Disney just shared a first look at a NEW mural coming to CommuniCore Hall! On Disney World’s Cast and Community Facebook page, they shared a few different pictures of the new mural artwork that’s going to be part of the exterior of CommuniCore Hall when the space opens. ©Disney Disney said that the pavilion has “classic EPCOT pavilions, patterns, and shapes.” There’s even a little Figment! ©Disney Of course, there’s a Monorail running through the mural! ©Disney CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza in EPCOT’s World Celebration will bring EPCOT’s International Festivals “to the center of Walt Disney World.” Together, they make up the dedicated Festival area that will serve as the new “home base” for the seasonal festivals and live events. CommuniCore Plaza ©Disney CommuniCore Plaza is an outdoor space where guests can come to relax and experience all the festivals have to offer. There is also an area that can host large-scale concerts or an intimate performance that extends out into the gardens nearby. CommuniCore Hall is located within the plaza and will be able to host a wide variety of experiences with food, art, live music, and more. There will be a demonstration kitchen, a mixology bar, and exhibition and gallery space here. ©Disney You can see the Hall’s location better in the concept art below. The back of Spaceship Earth is in the front. Then, there are gardens in front of that. To the right are the buildings that house Connections Cafe, Connections Eatery, Club Cool, and Creations Shop. To the left, you can see the future home of CommuniCore Hall as well as some other spaces related to the changes being made in EPCOT. ©Disney We’ll continue to watch for more updates from Disney, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest news! Learn more about CommuniCore Hall here! Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana Has the Mary Poppins Project at Disney World Been Canceled? What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation? SNEAK PEEK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest EPCOT transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think about the new area? Let us know in the comments. The post Disney Shares FIRST LOOK at a NEW Addition Coming to EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Magic Kingdom is going through some big changes! Cinderella Castle Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is in the works, the Hatbox Ghost will be making his way to Haunted Mansion, and soon we’ll be getting new character meet-and-greets! Earlier this year, we learned that characters from the Madrigal family would be making their way to Magic Kingdom. Mirabel is set to take over Fairytale Garden, the old Merida meet-and-greet, and her Uncle Bruno would be popping up in the park as well. And now, we have details of when he will arrive! To celebrate Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, Disney has shared that Bruno would be joining the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade SOON! Bruno at Disneyland Starting on September 15th, 2023, Bruno will be joining his friends in the cavalcade — not just for Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month — but all year round! Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade Disney also shared that he will be joined by friends Miguel from Coco, Princess Elena of Avalor, and José Carioca. Jose In addition, Mirabel will be arriving at her new meet-and-greet location starting on September 15th. Mirabel We’ll keep bringing you all the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Breakfast Has CHANGED in 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which new character experience are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below! The post BREAKING: Bruno from ‘Encanto’ Is Coming to Magic Kingdom SOON first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Earlier this year, Tokyo Dining in the Japan Pavilion of EPCOT closed for good, and was replaced by Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya. Shiki-Sai The news regarding this restaurant has been a bit hectic to say the least. We found out that Shiki-Sai would be coming to the Japan Pavilion back in July, and then within the past week, we learned that it would open on August 30th, but then they changed it to August 28th, and then they also released the menu, and THENNNN they opened dining reservations. (The last three things all happened in the same day, BTW.) Oh, but then the biggest kicker of them all was that when we went to EPCOT we discovered that Shiki-Sai was open for walk-ins. Yeah, how’s that for a chaotic day? Of course, y’all already know we had to go in and check out the restaurant. Looking at the menu, we already knew what we were going to order. Menu Yep, the $300 Fune, which is an assortment of sushi and sashimi that feeds 4-6 people. When we first got the dish, we were pretty blown away by the presentation. Thanks, Chef! Oh, hi! This isn’t intimidating at all. Three of us were dining together and we were beginning to question whether we’d experience death by sushi. As in — how much delicious sushi can three people eat before they explode? Well, the menu did say that this was intended for 4-6 people. Let’s take a closer look! Fune Boat Here, you can get a better look at some of the sashimi options. These are going to be your raw options that aren’t part of a roll. Sashimi Here are a few more of the raw options — and some Tobiko. More sashimi Now, if sashimi isn’t your style, the Fune does come with a few sushi options — the rolls that you can see on the boat. This one was an avocado-based roll. Roll It also came with another roll on the end! Sushi On the other end, you’ll find this poor guy. Hey, he’s pretty tasty so we can’t feel too bad for him. The other side And of course, you can dine on these shrimp! Hi, fellas! Wow. What a gorgeous spread! We were so impressed by the presentation alone here. A LOT of food. We can’t wait to try more from this restaurant, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated when we do. Make sure to stay tuned to DFB and follow along for more so that you never miss a thing! Looking for more sushi to try at EPCOT? Click here! Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Best Disney Springs Restaurants The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Would you try this $300 Fune from Shiki-Sai? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: We Got the New 0 😳 SUSHI BOAT in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are lots of changes going on in Disney World right now. Cinderella Castle Construction is all over the place, and we know that more changes are coming to the parks next year. The truth is that things will stay changing at Disney World for a while to come. If you’re headed into Magic Kingdom soon, you need to know that a NEW meet and greet is coming and we officially know when! Disney announced that the Mirabel meet and greet in Magic Kingdom will officially open on September 15th! Disney announced this a few months back, and now it’s almost time finally time to meet her. Mirabel in the Adventure Friends Cavalcade You’ll want to head over to Fairytale Garden, where Merida used to meet guests. The area is in the process of being transformed to include decorations that represent the Madrigal family and mimic aspects of the film. Disney shared that she will be here just in time to celebrate Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month but that Mirabel will stay all year long! Fairytale Garden progress Not only that, but Mirabel’s uncle, Bruno, will be a new part of the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, also at Magic Kingdom starting September 15th! We finally can talk about Bruno, apparently. We Got to Chat With Bruno! There are so many meet and greets happening in Magic Kingdom every day, not to mention all the ones happening in all four parks! We’ve got a comprehensive list of all the meet and greets currently happening in the parks, and stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news. Check out these 4 BIG changes that are coming to Disney World this year! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited to meet Mirabel? Tell us in the comments! The post OPENING DATE Announced for Mirabel Meet and Greet in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A BRAND NEW restaurant has opened in EPCOT. What does it look like? What food does it offer? Don’t worry, we’re taking YOU inside this new spot with us! EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is the latest restaurant to join the Disney scene and it offers an experience unlike anything else you’ve had in Disney World. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the Japan pavilion in EPCOT, is a table service location, and offers a “festive dining experience in a sharable Izakaya-style” (according to Disney) complete with sushi, all kinds of small dishes to enjoy, and an ever-changing experience that’ll celebrate different Japanese festivals each month. Ready to take a look inside this new spot? Let’s GO! A Look Inside As we mentioned above, Shiki-Sai is located on the second floor of the Japan pavilion. To find it, you’ll head to the area near Teppan Edo and the former home of Tokyo Dining. Shiki-Sai has essentially taken over the Tokyo Dining space and transformed this area into a NEW dining experience. Shiki-Sai Inside the restaurant, you’ll find decor that is meant to change with the seasons as the restaurant adapts to celebrate different Japanese festivals. That might include hanging tanzaku (“thin strips of colored paper streamers,” often featured in the Tanabata Festival — according to Bokksu), or other unique items. Tanabata tree We were given one to personalize ourselves! The presentation was beautiful. Fune Boat It brings a lot of food, so come hungry! YUM After the Fune Boat, we got a few more items. MORE food! Next, we tried the Okonomiyaki for $28, which is a Japanese savory pancake filled with bacon. Okonomiyaki We also ordered the Vegetable Nabeyaki Udon for $24 — a hot pot-style udon soup with mushroom, yuba, and spinach. Vegetable Nabeyaki Udon Next up, we grabbed the Ishiyaki-Sukiyaki Rice for $28, which is served with grilled strips of beef in a hot stone bowl along with spinach and rice in a sweet garlic sauce. Ishiyaki-Sukiyaki Rice The Kids Bento Box for $20. This was a balanced meal set with a variety of proteins and sides. Kids Bento Box For dessert, we had to try the Ichigo Parfait for $18. Ichigo Parfait This is made with layers of luscious strawberries, cheesecake, and vanilla ice cream. Ichigo Parfait What a selection! More About Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya Again, one of the big things about Shiki-Sai is that it is meant to embrace Japan’s many festivals and change monthly as different festival celebrations take place. Based on Disney’s descriptions, those changes might come in the form of different decor or different menu items — like moon-viewing dumplings in September. A cultural representative will help guide you through these various celebrations. So, Shiki-Sai won’t be a restaurant you’ll just be able to visit once. If you want to make sure you don’t miss out on a thing here, it sounds like you’ll have to visit OVER and OVER again to see what each month brings in terms of different festival celebrations and offerings. ©Disney We’ll be sharing a FULL review with our complete thoughts on Shiki-Sai soon, so check back with us for that. With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. Grab the DFB Guide! We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off! Stay tuned for more Disney news!  REVIEW: Should This Food and Wine Festival Dish in EPCOT Come With a WARNING? Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Best Disney Springs Restaurants The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think of this new restaurant? Would you try it? Tell us in the comments. The post The Shiki-Sai Restaurant Has OPENED in EPCOT -- Go Inside With Us! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month celebrations begin Sept. 15 at Walt Disney World! From spotting Bruno in the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade to meet and greets with Mirabel, learn more about all the ways you can celebrate.View the full article

I know the week just started, but you can go another day without knowing about these sales! Prime Monday has come and gone and with it some of the best deals in merch and other must-haves. Now, we’re back with the latest from Amazon that you have to see right now. Let’s go! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. First, if you’re not an Amazon Prime member, you can start your free trial by clicking the link below and save some coin in the process! Now, let’s take a look at the deals, shall we? Shop this Loungefly Disney Mickey and Minnie Mouse Sweets Flap Wallet for 14% Off ©Amazon Need a new wallet or perhaps you’re looking for one that will match your outfit for your next park trip? How about this one? It looks so fun and tasty! View on Amazon Grab this Funko Pop! Disney Advent Calendar for 42% Off ©Amazon It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas and why not add this advent calendar to your decorations? View on Amazon Grab this 3 Pack of Large Metal Mouse Ears Claw Clips for 5% Off ©Amazon Looking for a new clip to accent that updo? View on Amazon Grab this Disney Classics 2000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for 26% Off ©Disney This 2,000-piece puzzle is a great option for those summer game nights and it contains images from all your favorite Disney stories. View on Amazon Shop this Mickey Mini Waffle Maker for 23% Off ©Amazon If you’re in the mood to make one waffle for breakfast or just a snack, this is the option for you! View on Amazon Shop this Tervis Traveler Disney100 Tumbler for 28% Off ©Amazon You did say that you were looking for a new tumbler, right? And this throwback one looks like it’ll fit the bill. View on Amazon Grab this Halloween Sweatshirt for 10% Off ©Amazon And if you’re heading out, say to the parks, and in need of a top that fits the seasonal vibes, I can’t think of a better option than this one. It could be your look for the Halloween party too! View on Amazon We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news and updates, so make sure to follow along for more. Click here to view our Amazon Storefront! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be checking out any of these deals? Let us know in the comments! The post 7 Disney Deals You Can Get On Amazon RIGHT NOW! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is full of changes. Magic Kingdom EPCOT is undergoing a huge transformation and will include Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana, Communicore Hall, The Dreamer’s Statue, and much more. Even small changes are happening like the Hatbox Ghost coming to the Haunted Mansion. If you are already planning your 2024 Disney World trip, you’ll want to know how staying at a Disney World hotel will be different next year. 1. Closed Pools There are a few Disney World Hotel pools closed at the beginning of the year and if you have a stay planned at one of the resorts, you’ll want to make note. First, over at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter, guests will be unable to access the Doubloon Lagoon Pool from January 2024 to April 2024. The pool will be undergoing routine maintenance during the closure. Instead, guests can still use the Ol’ Man Island Pool at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside. Port Orleans French Quarter Pool And over at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the Fuentes del Morro Pool will be undergoing routine maintenance as well, from January 2024 to April 2024. During this closure, guests can use any of the 5 leisure pools instead. There’s one in each village, and they provide a refreshing break from the heat. Caribbean Beach Resort And the last closure is the Fantasia Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. Again, this closure lasts from January 2024 to April 2024. While it’s closed, guests can swim in the Duck Pond Pool instead! 2. Ongoing Hotel Construction Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is currently constructing some new Disney Vacation Club villas at the resort that are set to open sometime in 2024. This will give DVC members some new options for staying at the resort. The new rooms will feature waterfront views with most, if not all, also offering balconies. New building construction Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will also see some construction. Disney Vacation Club has announced its plan to redesign the cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The proposal calls for more than 350 refreshed cabins to replace the existing cabins at the resort. The proposed cabins will be open for reservations to all guests, including those who are not Disney Vacation Club Members. These are set to open in 2024. 3. New Rooms All-Star Sports has undergone refurbishments that are still in progress, but should be completed sometime this year — which means all the new rooms should be open by 2024. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Disney’s Beach Club Resort is also updating guest rooms. The look and feel might be changing, but you won’t feel out of place. The hotel hopes to have the rest of the rooms at the resort upgraded by October 2023, meaning if you have a hotel stay here in 2024, you might be able to stay in a new room. Disney’s Beach Club Room — A refurbished Club Level Room in June 2023 Room changes are also coming to the Grand Floridian Resort. Disney announced that some of the rooms will be updated with new furniture and color schemes. We’ve already seen many of these updated rooms open up to guests. Lots of the DVC rooms have been updated already with a Mary Poppins Returns theme. Construction Finally, over at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, they are in the process of updating the hotel rooms with new furniture and decor. These new rooms will feature artwork that contains images of Mickey, Minnie, and other Disney pals strolling through the BoardWalk. You can expect to see a refreshed room if you are staying here next year. 4. Return of the Disney Dining Plan Look, this is probably the BIGGEST change that you’re going to see on this list and the one we’ve been anticipating greatly. The Disney Dining Plan will be returning on January 9th, 2024. For those who don’t know what the dining plan is (especially since it’s been missing from Disney World since 2020), it’s a way for Disney World guests who book a vacation package through Disney to pre-pay for their dining costs. Full Spread at Docking Bay 7 Two plans will be available: the Standard Dining Plan and the Quick Service Dining Plan — here are FULL details on what each plan will offer and here’s a list of all the Disney World restaurants participating in the plan. This perk is only available for guests staying in Disney World hotels. 5. Hey, Disney! If we’re talking about changes at Disney World hotels, we also need to talk about a new piece of Disney tech — Hey Disney! This service works with Amazon Echo and Alexa devices and offers “custom voice assistance” to guests staying at Disney World resorts. Through Hey Disney, you can get assistance with room amenities, guest services, planning, weather info, and much more. Hey Disney! So far, the only hotels with Hey Disney! devices are Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans — French Quarter Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. But, we’ll keep an eye out for more potentially rolling them out soon! 6. Transportation When Disney’s Magical Express would take you from Orlando International Airport to your Disney hotel for free ended, many guests were upset. Recently, Mears Connect and the Sunshine Flyer announced that they entered into an agreement whereby the companies will MERGE their services into ONE combined service that’ll get guests from the Orlando International Airport to Disney World’s hotels. ©Mears | Sunshine Flyer The new service has been named Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. It will keep providing guests with transportation to and from the airport and the eligible hotels “with enhanced booking capabilities, guaranteed 24/7 service, greater operational efficiencies, and a hassle-free experience.” Guests can plan to use this transportation if they are flying to Disney World. 7. Park Pass Reservation System Alright, next up, you know that all Disney World ticket holders must make a park pass reservation for each day they plan on being in the theme parks. That will change on January 9th, 2024 — park pass reservations will NOT be needed for those who purchase date-based tickets. This means that guests who buy theme park tickets tied to specific dates will not need to make a reservation. Mickey However, this change doesn’t affect those with tickets that are not based on specific dates. They will still need to make park pass reservations (i.e. Annual Passholders unless they’re visiting specific parks after 2PM, Cast Members, and other non-date-based ticket types). 8. Genie+ Changes Moving right along, there might be some good news for those who miss the days of grabbing FastPass+ reservations in advance of their Disney World trip. Disney recently shared that they’ve listened to guests who wanted to “plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit.” The company has expressed that is now “working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024.” Big Thunder Mountain However, Disney has not yet revealed any further details on what this means for guests using Genie+, but more details should be released later. Disney did announce a new change to the pricing of Genie+, but we think there are more changes to come in 2024. 9. New Restaurants Opening We have several new restaurants that will be open in 2024 that are close to Disney hotels. First, a NEW restaurant is also coming to Disney Springs. Summer House on the Lake is set to open in late 2023. The restaurant will serve up pizzas, sandwiches, salads, pasta, wood-grilled dishes, and more. There will even be a weekend brunch. Concept Art ©Disney Another new restaurant set to open in 2023 is EET by Maneet Chauhan. The restaurant is a creation by James Beard Award-winning chef and Food Network star Maneet Chauhan together with hospitality entrepreneur Vivek Deora. The restaurant is set to open later in 2023 and could be an exciting NEW addition to Disney Springs. Disney Springs Next up for you corn dog lovers, the Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs stand is coming to Disney’s BoardWalk. They already run a stand at Downtown Disney in Disneyland Resort, but now they’ll be making their way to the east coast. An official opening date hasn’t been released yet but it is set to open in 2023, meaning by 2024 there could be a whole new world of corn dog creations for you to try! 10. Planning Ahead One way you can ensure your Disney hotel stay will be different is by booking with a travel agent. 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. Small World Vacations Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the lastest Disney World news, planning, tips, and more! Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe Are you staying at a Disney World hotel in 2024? Let us know in the comments which hotel! The post 10 Ways Your Disney World Hotel Stay Will Change in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s an exciting time in Central Florida right now as students start heading back to school. For some, this also means the return to FIRST Robotics – a program we are very passionate about here at Walt Disney Imagineering. While some teams meet over the summer, back-to-school really kicks off the preseason for many, including mentors […]View the full article

If you thought you had seen everything the 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival has to offer — you would be WRONG! Noodles Exchange The festival kicked off back in July, but Disney is keeping us on our toes by opening up some food booths LATE! Throughout the festival, there are plenty of food booths, merchandise items, and concerts too. But now we’re heading to one spot in particular — the Noodle Exchange — to let you know if it’s worth your time and money! Menu Over at the Noodle Exchange, you’ll find a variety of available items — and three of them are new! You’ll find — you guessed it — different noodle-based dishes at this spot. 2023 Booth Menu Now that we’ve taken a look at the menu, let’s dive into the food itself! Eats Let’s dig in! We started with the new Shaved Beef Ramen with shiitake mushrooms, pickled carrots, and daikon radish, shaved peppers, and a soy egg in citrus-sesame broth for $6. Shaved Beef Ramen with shiitake mushrooms, pickled carrots and daikon radish, shaved peppers, and a soy egg in citrus-sesame broth This was the star of the show for us. It had the perfect amount of soy flavor, balancing the ingredients together well. The beef was cooked medium-well and had a nice chew to it. The noodles, although not cooked perfectly, were easy to eat and still delicious. We think this would be the crowd pleaser. Shaved Beef Ramen with shiitake mushrooms, pickled carrots and daikon radish, shaved peppers, and a soy egg in citrus-sesame broth Next, we had the IMPOSSIBLE Pork Ramen with shiitake mushrooms, pickled carrots and daikon radish, baby bok choy, and a soy egg in savory chicken broth. This will run ya $5.75 at the fest. Impossible Pork Ramen We really enjoyed this one. The noodles were cooked perfectly, making them a good texture. The broth was savory and had a lot of flavor. The egg had a soy flavor, and the ingredients all worked together really nicely. We would definitely pick this one up again. IMPOSSIBLE Pork Ramen Returning this year is the Thai Shrimp with rice noodles, shiitake mushrooms, and basil in coconut-curry broth, which we got for $6.50. When we had this last year, we thought it had just the right amount of heat, but that coconut cut through the spiciness with a good amount of sweetness. Thai Shrimp This year, we think this dish should probably come with a WARNING! Why? Well, the shrimp were not peeled or deveined, so it’d be pretty uncomfortable to bite into one without first taking care of that. Once they’re peeled, though, the shrimp were tasty! We found this to be the one with the most spice to it, but it is still very manageable (especially once you let the dish cool down a bit). The noodles were softer and a little mushy. Thai Shrimp And finally, the Tofu Ramen with shiitake mushrooms, pickled carrots and daikon radish, shaved peppers, and baby bok choy in citrus-sesame broth is another new-ish dish for $5.75 — last year it was Tofu Pho instead, but the ingredients appear to be the same. Tofu Ramen This was not our favorite. The large chunks of tofu had a soft and almost mushy texture to it. It was crumbly and bitter in taste. The broth was very heavy on the salt. Tofu What are we washing it all down with?! Drinks If you’re thirsty, pick up the Parish Brewing Strawberry Mochi Berliner Weisse! A 6oz pour is $5.50 and a 12oz pour is $9.50. But if wine is more your thing, you can grab the Pacific Rim Old Vines Riesling for $8 instead. Noodles Exchange So, was the Noodle Exchange worth the wait?! Overall Make sure you stop by the Noodle Exchange booth if you’re looking for a variety of different Asian-inspired noodle dishes. We especially loved the Shaved Beef Ramen, but the IMPOSSIBLE Pork Ramen and Thai Shrimp with rice noodles were great, too! The only one we’d for sure skip in the future is the Tofu Ramen. Full Spread 2023 That’s it for this booth, but there’s a LOT more where that came from! Click here to see FULL reviews of EVERY. SINGLE. BOOTH. at the Food & Wine Festival! Trying to plan the PERFECT trip to the 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival? We’ll be keeping you updated on all of the latest. Click our links below for the information you need to know: Learn about the Eat to the Beat Concert Series and Dining Packages Check out ALL of the 2023 Food & Wine Booth Menus See what eats you’ll need to try to get a PRIZE at the Festival! And don’t forget to pick up our 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival e-book! See more details about the book below. IT'S WINE & DINE TIME! Food & Wine Festival can be a bummer. You stand in line waiting for what looks like the perfect treat, and it's a bust. But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE EPCOT Food & Wine Festival experience. If you're planning a day or a week at the festival, we've got every performance, activity, and tasty nosh detailed out so you can make the most of your time and money. Listen, it's a tough job eating and documenting the nearly 200 bites and sips, but we do it all for YOU! Save 20% on the 2023 DFB Guide to EPCOT's International Food & Wine Festival with code CHEFS. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Learn More About the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival! Insider Tips for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival What to Pack in Your Park Bag for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Updates EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon Food and Wine Festival 101 Get More Updates, Tips, and Tricks to Help You Conquer the Food & Wine Festival Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What items from this booth would you most want to try? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: Should This Food and Wine Festival Dish in EPCOT Come With a WARNING? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article