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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

When you’re in Disney World, it’s important to plan for the unexpected. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Transportation challenges can arise, weather can impact your experience, and rides can shut down without notice. Sometimes, when rides go down for technical difficulties, they can be back up and running in no time. Unfortunately, sometimes the problem isn’t quite so simple. Today, one of the most popular rides in Disney’s Hollywood Studios was having some unique challenges that prevented visitors from getting to ride. Earlier today, Tower of Terror was experiencing some “minor technical difficulties.” Two of the shafts were not operating, but fortunately, guests who were in line were still able to get on the ride using the two remaining shafts that were functional, but the wait time started to climb. Tower of Terror However, since the ride was only operating at half-capacity, the Cast Members closed the queue because the line was getting too long! Even those with Lightning Lanes were turned away. This is pretty unusual. We’ve seen Tower of Terror operate at half-capacity in the past, and Cast Members don’t generally shut down the line or turn away guests with Lightning Lanes. Guests who had had Lightning Lanes to this attraction were given multi-experience passes that could be used at a different time for a ride of their choice, with a few exceptions. Tower of Terror It’s important to be prepared for situations like this when you’re in Disney World. If there is a ride that’s an absolute must for you, you might want to ride it first thing in the morning just in case it breaks down and the problem isn’t solved by the end of the day! And, you always have the option to purchase Genie+ to give yourself some more breathing room in your schedule in case things don’t go according to plan. Lightning Lane at Tower of Terror As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Why People LOVE Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studios 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 is your must-do ride when you’re in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! The post WEIRD Things Are Happening at the Tower of Terror in Disney World Today first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Halloween has kicked off in Disney World. Halloween in Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom is full of Mickey pumpkin wreaths, scarecrows, and festive holiday decorations. The first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has happened with many parties to follow this Halloween season. If you are not going to the party on your visit, here’s why you should STILL go to Magic Kingdom that day. Throughout August until November 1st, Magic Kingdom will host the Halloween party on select nights. On days when the Halloween parties take place in this park, Magic Kingdom closes EARLY, at 6PM, for guests without a party ticket. Guests who aren’t attending the party may think it’s a BAD decision to go to Magic Kingdom on a party day because it closes early, but we’re here to argue the opposite. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party There’s a party happening tonight, August 15th, and when we got to Magic Kingdom this morning, we noticed that the crowds were VERY light. This is what the castle hub looked like at 10AM. Where’d all the people go?! Crowds were sparse this morning Here you can see there was hardly anyone around. Think of all the great photos you could grab with such few people there! No one around As far as wait times go, those were looking great as well. Around 12PM we saw multiple attractions’ wait times as low as 5 minutes including Dumbo and Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. Even the highest wait times weren’t nearly as bad as they usually are. For example, we saw Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at only a 60-minute wait — that is LOW for that ride, especially in the middle of the day. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train The Festival of Fantasy is a popular parade in this park and usually draws a large crowd. However, this was what the crowd situation was like in Frontierland at 12PM, right before the start of that parade. We don’t think you would have a hard time finding a great spot to watch the parade. Plenty of room You can get some Halloween treats in Magic Kingdom during the day as well. Of course, there are exclusive treats during the Halloween party. However, there are plenty of delicious snacks you can grab during the day, like the Apple Fritter Milkshake from Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies. Apple Fritter Milkshake There is a lot you could get done on days like these in Magic Kingdom. Just make sure you have a plan for what you’d like to do once Magic Kingdom closes at 6PM — You could either hop to another park (if you have a Park Hopper ticket), do a Disney World hotel crawl to check out some of the nearby resorts (and get lots of tasty snacks at the restaurants there), or head over to Disney Springs! Or, if you have little ones who are tired after a long day, 6PM might be the perfect time to head back to your own hotel, maybe hang out at the pool for a bit, grab dinner, and hit the hay. Disney Springs Of course, this hack is pretty controversial, mainly because it means you get LESS time in Magic Kingdom and you can’t see the Happily Ever After fireworks show. That fireworks problem might be a deal-breaker for some guests, and we totally get that. Happily Ever After But if fireworks aren’t a priority to you, we think you can accomplish a lot in the park before 6PM, maybe even more than you could on a normal day when it’s open a few extra hours. If you’re going to try out this hack, plan on getting to Magic Kingdom as soon as possible (right when it opens) so you have maximum time before the party. For more Disney tips and tricks, make sure you’re following Disney Food Blog. IT'S SPOOK-TACULAR! Get ready for the spookiest season of the year at Disney World! We are beyond thrilled to announce the arrival of our brand-new guide -- Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide! From the thrills of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party to the enchanting resort decorations that'll send shivers down your spine, our guide is packed with tips and tricks to help you squeeze every ounce of ghoulish fun out of your visit. Plus, we've got the inside scoop on all the limited-time-only bone-chilling activities happening across the parks! Get the Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide to make your frightfully delightful adventure even more magical! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Halloween at Walt Disney World EVERYTHING CONFIRMED for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World FULL LIST of Rides That Will Be Open at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World Get All of the Latest Updates on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Target Has NEW Halloween Inflatables Online Now! How To Get the CHEAPEST Tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World CHANGES Revealed for Disney World’s Halloween Parade in 2023 Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Are you going to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year? Let us know in the comments. The post The Controversial Hack for Visiting Magic Kingdom When It's WAY Less Crowded first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There is a lot happening in Disney World in 2023 that we can look forward to. Magic Kingdom This fall you can enjoy Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. You can head over to EPCOT until November 18th and grab all the snacks at the Food and Wine Festival. Right after comes the holiday season at the parks. We have two holiday parties to choose from — Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or the new Jollywood Nights party. With just a few months left in 2023, we have a lot to look forward to. But for some, they are waiting until 2024 or later to visit the parks again. We asked our readers, “Have you delayed your 2023 Disney World trip until 2024 or beyond? Why?” and here’s what we found. Cost This was a big one for our readers and probably the most popular answer. Steven said, “Postponed indefinitely. We went in October 2022. Had a wonderful trip. But spent almost 10 grand. I absolutely love Disney World. But I can no longer justify the cost”. The price of going to Disney has definitely seen an increase in the past few years. Between park ticket increases and the introduction of Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes, it can be expensive to take a Disney trip. Monorail in EPCOT Another reader said, “We used to be annual passholders but the cost of everything is a factor, but more than anything the amount of planning that has to take place prior to the trip has taken the fun out of going.”. Many readers felt like the cost to go was too high on top of all of the time you need to spend planning. Big Thunder Mountain Park Hopping and Park Reservations Park reservations were introduced in 2020 and are required to enter the park. Park hopping has been restricted since the reopening of the park in 2020. You now have to wait until 2 PM to enter your second park. This is a negative for many people as it can restrict their daily plans. Our reader Hollie said “Waiting for park reservations to be over with. Hoping park hopper goes back to normal.” We’re walking right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A. Renae said, “We don’t want to make park reservations, and we are hoping they will listen to their customers and get rid of Genie (lol wishful thinking).” In 2024, park passes will be changing for many guests allowing certain guests not to have to make them. This was a reason many of our readers had moved their trip to 2024. Dining Plan Finally, the Disney Dining Plan was the most popular answer among our readers as to why they have moved their Disney vacation. It was announced that the dining plan would be returning in 2024. Tiffany commented, “Yes!! For the dining plan!” in response to our question. Full Spread from Crockett’s Tavern Ruth simply said, “Dining plan!” The Disney Dining Plan will return to Disney World on January 9th, 2024! Disney shared that the Dining Plan is coming back for those with hotel stays with a start date of January 9th, and we could NOT be more excited. Bookings have already started. Chef Mickey’s According to Disney, the Quick Service and Standard Disney Dining Plans will be the only options to return for now, and they must be booked as part of a hotel package. Disney Dining Plans are pre-purchased and added onto a Disney Vacation Package (i.e. you must be staying on a Vacation Package at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel, and have purchased at least one ticket per person), so that all you have to do when you get to Disney World is head to a restaurant on the list, eat, and scan your card. Read More About the Dining Plan Returning Here Slinky Dog Dash These are all valid reasons to move your trip to 2024. Be sure to follow us at DFB for planning tips and tricks. 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 When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments below. The post The One Reason People Are Delaying Their Disney World Trips first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Deciding where to stay when you go on a Disney World vacation can be a challenge. Disney World Space, proximity to the parks, budget, and more are all things that you will probably consider when trying to narrow down your search. There are a lot of perks to staying at a Disney World hotel — extra theme park hours, free transportation, and tons of theming to name a few. But, did you know that there are accommodations off-property that might fit the needs of your group better — and they are full of theming? Vacation rentals are a great way to add some flexibility to your trip, and we found some that are full of character. Disclosure: This post was sponsored by TopVillas. The opinions expressed here are our own. TopVillas has some Orlando-based vacation rentals right around the corner from Disney World, and recently we had the chance to check out one of their highly-themed homes. This vacation rental in Kissimmee has a large pool, game room, home theater, and 8 bedrooms — each with its own unique personality. Let’s take a look! Top Villas home There are multiple rooms in the house with a lot of character, like this Toy Story-themed room full of oversized games and toys. There’s even a large game of Plinko! Toy Story bedroom The beds are surrounded by fun references to the film. Toy Story bedroom You can watch a movie on the Etch-a-Sketch television… Toy Story bedroom …and there’s even a human-sized Barbie box! Toy Story bedroom Down the hall, there is a Star Wars-themed bedroom. Star Wars theming You’ll feel like you have hopped right into a galaxy far far away… Star Wars bedroom … and it’s complete with a gaming area. Star Wars bedroom It doesn’t just have themed bedrooms, though. Down the hall is a recreation room, which is also Star Wars-themed, where you can find a dart board and dry bar… Rec room …a setup for karaoke… Rec room …and a Mandalorian pinball machine. Rec room There are tons of ways to keep yourself entertained. Pinball Through the recreation room, you’ll find a home theater, decked out in Harry Potter decor! Home theater The walls are covered with references to the four houses… Harry Potter home theater …and there’s even a fireplace topped with Hedwig and a Sirius Black poster. Home theater For those Harry Potter fans, you’ll find even more decor along the walls. I solemnly swear… Lastly, there is a game room where you’ll find options like Guitar Hero… Game room …as well as Pac-Man. Game room Downstairs, you’ll find a spacious kitchen where you could prepare your meals if you were hoping to avoid dining out every night. Kitchen There’s a dining area with room for plenty… Dining area …as well as a living area where your whole family could wind down after a day in the parks. Living room Near the living room is a wet bar where you can whip up a cocktail. Wet bar And don’t forget the pool! Pool There is an outdoor dining area, so your family can enjoy a meal by the pool. Outdoor Vacation rentals can be a great way to stay near Disney World but still get to keep some of the comforts of staying in a home like extra space and privacy and the ability to make your own meals. And with themed homes, you don’t have to miss out on the Disney character! Think this might be the right option for your group? Click here to find a vacation rental for your next trip to Orlando. Book your next vacation at a Top Villas rental here! We’ll keep bringing you all the latest Disney news, tips, and tricks, so stay tuned to DFB for more! 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 Where do you like to stay when you go to Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! The post You’re Going to Want to Rethink Staying at a Disney World Hotel When You See This! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Walt Disney Company has been dragged into the political campaign sphere despite not actually being able to hold public office. Disney vs. DeSantis In early 2023, Disney filed a federal lawsuit against DeSantis and members of the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, arguing that Disney’s constitutional rights had been violated. The company has alleged DeSantis waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against it to punish it for speaking out. But now, DeSantis seems to have “moved on” from the conflict overnight. In an interview with CNBC on August 15th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Disney CEO Bob Iger should drop the federal lawsuit filed that accuses the governor of political retaliation. DeSantis said on CNBC’s Last Call, “They’re suing the state of Florida. They’re going to lose that lawsuit.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline He went on to share that if he were to give Iger a call that day he would tell him to “drop the lawsuit” and that Florida “is a great place to do business.” DeSantis then cited Florida’s status as the top economy in a recent survey, referring to the state scoring eighth overall in CNBC’s ranking of America’s Top States for Business in 2023. “Your competitors all do very well here, Universal, SeaWorld. They have not had the same special privileges as you have,” DeSantis claimed he would say to Iger. Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream According to the Florida Governor, all he wants to do is “treat everybody the same” and “move forward,” continuing that he would be “totally fine with that.” But, DeSantis said he is not fine with giving “extraordinary privileges” to one “special company.” DeSantis is referring to the former Reedy Creek Improvement District, which he has since taken over and appointed his own members to the renamed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board. ©Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Back in June, DeSantis and the Board filed their own motions to dismiss the federal lawsuit. He claimed that sovereign immunity and legislative immunity prevented him from being held liable. The Board made some different arguments, including that the case should be stayed until the state court lawsuit that the Board filed against Disney is resolved. DeSantis claims that one of Disney’s arguments is “fatally imprecise.” Specifically, the Governor argued that he did not “strip Disney of any voting rights” within the District by “appointing anyone; the Legislature did that when it repealed” the Reedy Creek charter. A Disney spokesperson had previously stated, “We are fully confident Disney will prevail in both the federal and state cases.” ©Apple We’ll continue to keep an eye on the battle between Disney and DeSantis, so stay tuned to DFB for more. DeSantis Claims Disney Lawsuit Arguments Are “Fatally Imprecise” Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: Gov. DeSantis Says He Has "Moved On" from the Disney Conflict first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you thought we were done with new booths at the 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, we have an awesome surprise for you! Hawaii Booth Two MORE booths have just opened! On July 27th, the majority of the Food & Wine Festival booths opened, but two had a delayed opening, so today — August 15th — is their first day. Both of these booths were around last year as well, so they’re not brand-new, but we’re still excited to have them back. Come with us to check out the Hawaii booth! Menu Over at the Hawaii booth, you’ll find a variety of available items, though none of them are new in 2023. There are a couple of savory snacks and one sweet dessert. 2023 Hawai’i Booth Menu To drink, there’s an IPA, a sparkling pineapple wine, and a cocktail. Now that we’ve taken a look at the menu, let’s dive into the food itself! We ordered the Kalua Pork Sliders for $5.75, the SPAM Sushi for $6, and the Passion Fruit Cheesecake for $4.75. Everything looks absolutely delicious this year, so let’s find out how it tastes! Hawaii Booth Full Spread Kalua Pork Slider First, we started with the Kalua Pork Slider. This slider features sweet-and-sour DOLE pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise. The most prominent flavor in this dish is of course the pork, but we also got a lot of the sweet pineapple flavor, too. We remember it being pretty sweet in the past, so we were glad to see that this one hasn’t changed — because it’s yummy! Kalua Pork Roll It has a bit of a spicy kick at the end — but not too much. Even picky eaters might be able to handle it. Our only problem with this dish was that our bun was LOADED with pork and sauce to the point that the bottom of the bun was soggy, which did nothing to help the dish. If this was on a bigger bun we would have enjoyed it a LOT more. This is an issue that we also saw last year, so hopefully someday they will give us more CARBS. They loaded it up! SPAM Sushi Next up, we tried the SPAM Sushi, which features sushi rice, teriyaki-glazed SPAM, spicy mayonnaise, eel sauce, and nori. We were super intrigued by this dish! When we took a bite, the dominating flavor is the spicy mayonnaise. However, by taking smaller bites we found that we were able to taste some of the SPAM. SPAM Sushi The rice was perfectly sticky — just how it should be! We really enjoyed this dish! Last year, we were able to taste a bit more of the meat, so we were slightly disappointed that we didn’t get a lot of that flavor this year. We did, however, taste the sweet teriyaki glaze, so that’s a plus! This one is also picky eater-approved. Passion Fruit Cheesecake For our dessert, we grabbed the Passion Fruit Cheesecake, which is served with toasted Macadamia nuts. This one was very thick and creamy. The Passion Fruit curd on top melted a bit, but that’s okay! We noticed that this dish was not as tart as what we’ve had in the past, and it was definitely more on the sweeter side. Passion Fruit Cheesecake Just like last year, this dish was perfectly creamy and had that signature texture of good cheesecake. It’s a light dessert, and combined with the macadamia nuts, there are some great textures going on. Passion Fruit Cheesecake We were glad to see that the food lived up to previous reviews, and we’re happy to announce that the Hawaii booth is still a winner in our book! Overall If you’re looking for some interesting takes on classic dishes like BBQ and sushi, then this is the booth for you. Everything is sweet yet smoky — loaded with flavor. The Kalua Pork Slider and the SPAM Sushi were both a bit spicy, but not so spicy that we think picky eaters won’t enjoy it. However, if you KNOW you won’t like spice at all — skip this one. Yum! We’d recommend this booth to anyone, really. We think that kiddos will like the Passion Fruit Cheesecake and potentially the slider. They might also enjoy the sushi if they have an adventurous palette and know there’s no fish! 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: The ONE Booth We'll NEVER Skip at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are crowd levels DOWN in Disney World this summer? Magic Kingdom Summer Crowds in August 2022 While the parks haven’t truly been empty, they’re also not seeming to be as packed as they have been in past summer travel seasons. Many fans have noticed this and speculate as to the reasons why. Some claim that Disney World has finally “priced out” the average guest — but is that the REAL reason the parks aren’t as packed as usual? We’re diving in to find out. Recently Disney CEO Bob Iger addressed the lower crowd levels at the parks during The Walt Disney Company’s Q3 earnings call. There has been a decline in demand for the parks in recent quarters, particularly at Disney World. So what’s going on? Crowds at Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Mainly, there seem to be two reasons for this decrease in attendance. The first has to do with a phrase that was popular in the past — “revenge travel.” You see, as pandemic restrictions lifted around the country in 2021 and 2022, tourists began to start booking their “revenge” trips — AKA, the trips that were canceled in the early part of the pandemic due to travel restrictions and safety. EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Crowds Because of “revenge travel” there was a huge vacation boom as things began to return to normal. But now, we’re on a downward decline for those numbers. Iger said in the earnings call, “We saw softer performance at Walt Disney World from the prior year, coming off our highly successful 50th Anniversary celebration. Also as post-COVID pent-up demand continues to level off in Florida, local tax data shows evidence of some softening in several major Florida tourism markets.” Crowds in Dinoland, USA The other main reason that Disney attributes the decline in demand to is the current inflation situation. Iger credited the “strong dollar” as a hindrance for international visitors currently. With everyday expenses costing more for average Americans (everything from groceries to gas to rent), it’s likely that travel isn’t as much of a priority for some domestic visitors as well. Crowds in Disney Springs Iger did go on to say in the earnings call, “However, Walt Disney World is still performing well above pre-COVID levels, 21% higher in revenue and 29% higher in operating income compared to fiscal 2019, adjusting for Starcruiser accelerated depreciation. And following a number of recent changes we’ve implemented, we continue to see positive guest experience ratings in our theme parks, including Walt Disney World, and positive indicators for guests looking to book future visits. This includes strong demand for our newly returned annual passes.” Hollywood Studios So despite the effects of travel decline and inflation, it seems that Walt Disney World is still on track to make decent revenue. There have been a number of price increases and bonus expenses added for guests since 2019 (like Genie+ and MagicBand+), so it would make sense that Disney is bringing in more money. Genie+ We’ll keep an eye on the financial situation for Disney and keep you updated as we learn more. In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates you need to know before your Disney World vacation! Disney World Crowds Aren’t Moving the Way You Think They Should — Click Here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to Disney World this summer? Tell us in the comments! The post 2 BIG Reasons Why Crowds Could Continue to Be Down at Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is changing all the time — but you probably knew that already. Disney’s Contemporary Resort No two days are alike, and just when you think you may have found a new favorite Disney snack, they go and change the menu up on you! Now we’ve got a warning for folks fond of a certain Disney World hotel restaurant — Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Let’s dig into the details. Disney has announced that NEW menu items are coming to Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort starting August 16th! Contempo Cafe has long been a favorite for better-than-average entree options. It’s even better known for its outstanding dessert offerings, so, what will these new changes bring? Check them out! Contempo Cafe First up, there will be a NEW Monorail S’more Brownie, which will feature a Fudgy Brownie with a Graham Cracker Crust topped with Marshmallow Crème and Chocolate Décor. (The restaurant has been home to a Monorail Cupcake for some time, so we’re excited to see a Monorail BROWNIE dessert now!) ©Disney Other new items will include: Minnie Cinnamon Roll ©Disney Spicy Chicken Sandwich — Crispy chicken breast topped with pepper jack, chipotle rémoulade, arugula, seasoned tomato, and dill pickle chips served on a brioche bun ©Disney Breakfast Flatbread Four-Cheese Grilled Cheese & Tomato Basil Soup (not new but updated!) Signature Rice Bowls — A perfect combination of cilantro-lime rice, black beans, street corn, avocado, pico de gallo, carrot, and pickled red onion. Then they are topped with a protein of your choice – grilled shrimp, braised beef, grilled chicken, or plant-based crispy tofu. ©Disney 5-Legged Goat Fruit Tart ©Disney Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums Cupcake — chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate chip cookie dough mousse is inspired by The Incredibles and their presence throughout Disney’s Contemporary Resort Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar ©Disney Signature Deluxe Cookies — a Chocolate Chunk Cookie with peanut butter buttercream, a Churro Cookie with cinnamon buttercream, and Kitchen Sink Cookie, a chocolate chip cookie with salted caramel, Mickey chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch, and walnuts Strawberry Lemonade Sugar Cookie — Available August 16th to September 30th ©Disney What do you think? Will you be trying these new items out? We’ll keep an eye out for more menu updates and let you know what we find. 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! The Best and Worst Disney World Hotel 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be trying the new menu? Tell us in the comments. The post NEW Menu Items Announced for Contempo Cafe in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Check out the new bites coming to Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort!View the full article

Disney has made another quiet decision about a new experience opening at Disney World and this time, we’re LOVING it! ©Disney We’ve been anxiously anticipating the grand opening of Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya since it was announced as taking over the Tokyo Dining space in EPCOT. We THOUGHT we had an opening date already set but it looks like we’ll be able to dine here sooner than we expected! Disney previously announced that their newest restaurant in EPCOT, Shiki-Sai Sushi Izakaya, would be opening on August 30th, 2023, now, that date seems to have CHANGED! In an Instagram post, the restaurant announced that the doors are open starting TODAY! Shiki-Sai They said, “Join us on the second floor of the Japan Pavilion at Walt Disney World EPCOT for a taste of authentic sushi, Izakaya-style dishes, and refreshing beverages among enchanting scenes from Japan’s four seasons.” It’s open from 12PM to 9PM for walk-in guests only. You can make reservations now for dates starting on August 28th. Shiki-Sai While browsing reservation options on the website earlier this morning, we noticed availability popped up for August 28th, 2023, which is a couple of days earlier than Disney previously announced. At first, we thought it may have been a fluke as Shiki-Sai had posted hours in the app and website a few days prior which turned out to be for a private event hosted over a few days. Then the restaurant returned to its regular closed status and we were told by cast members working the restaurant events that they would be opening later this month. Private Event hosted by Shiki-Sai Sushi Izakaya After a few minutes of clicking around a reservation button popped up on us and we were able to successfully see bookable dining times that could be reserved for lunch… ©Disney … and dinner on August 28th, 2023. ©Disney While we’re not sure why the decision was made to open the restaurant a few days than previously scheduled, we’re excited to see that it will be opening even sooner than anticipated and can’t wait to get out and try their new menu items. Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more updates and be on the lookout for a full review of the new restaurant and menu soon! BREAKING: MENU and PRICES Announced for the NEW Shiki-Sai Restaurant in EPCOT Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you going to try this new restaurant in EPCOT? Let us know in the comments. The post BREAKING: The New Shiki-Sai Restaurant Is Officially OPEN in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Calling all Disney fans and cruise fanatics! Disney Wish Disney Cruise Line‘s newest ship, the Disney Treasure, is set to debut on the seas in 2025. We know many of you have been anxiously awaiting more details regarding the ship. We’ve been pretty excited to learn more, too! Finally, we know when we can expect more details regarding the newest ship in the fleet. Disney shared that on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023, fans can tune in at 11AM EST to the Disney Parks Blog website to catch the grand virtual reveal of the Disney Treasure, titled “Unlocking the Disney Treasure: Adventure Awaits Onboard Disney’s Newest Ship.” ©Disney Disney said that we can expect the video to show us never-before-released details regarding the ship, including dining options, family entertainment, and the unique spaces that make up the sixth ship in the Disney fleet. Disney Treasure ©Disney We already know that the ship’s design is inspired by Walt Disney’s love for exploration — themed to all things adventure. Elements have been drawn from Asia, Africa, and even Agrabah from Disney’s Aladdin! ©Disney We’re so excited to catch all the details regarding this new ship. Make sure to follow along for more Disney news and updates — Disney Cruise Line included! Heading on a Disney Cruise soon? Click here for our advice! What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Explore Disney’s Mega Cruise Ship – The Wish A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise These Are the BEST Times to Book Your Disney Cruise The Best Ways to SAVE SPACE in Your Tiny Cruise Cabin 10 Things You NEED on Your Next Cruise (That You Won’t Think to Pack!) What It’s Like to Live on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Will you be tuning in to the virtual reveal of the Disney Treasure? Let us know in the comments! The post DATE ANNOUNCED for the Grand Reveal of Disney's NEW Cruise Ship first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A NEW restaurant is coming to Disney World! Japan pavilion Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is now OPEN at EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion, but just for walk-ins. Reservations are available for dates starting on August 28th, 2023 and we couldn’t be more excited to check it out. And now, we are one step closer to trying this new table service spot — dining reservations are open! Reservations for Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya have officially opened. We were able to search for available times on the website today. ©Disney But that’s not all — you can now check out the whole menu with prices as well! This will be a new table-service restaurant featuring a “festive dining experience in a sharable Izakaya-style.” The menu will feature items like sushi and teppan, as well as an open sushi bar and grill. Sushi lovers will be able to enjoy Kobore Sushi, Tokyo Negi Roll, Funamori, and more in an atmosphere that has a casual pub-style feel with an emphasis on drinks and conversation with friends. ©Disney And, here’s the thing — the menu at Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya will change…MONTHLY. Yep, this restaurant will offer new dishes for you to try EVERY SINGLE MONTH. ©Disney 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! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World dining news and more! See How We Ranked EVERY Restaurant in EPCOT 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! Will you be trying this new EPCOT restaurant? Tell us in the comments. The post NEWS: Reservations Are Now OPEN for the New Shiki-Sai Restaurant in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are plenty of unavoidable “evils” that Disney has to cope with. Cinderella Castle Sometimes big storms in Orlando mean that rides inside the Disney World theme parks have to shut down for a while. Inflation on merchandise materials and food products may hurt their profits (although the trend of price increases we’ve seen likely helps to alleviate the impact on the company). But there’s one thing in particular that Disney just CAN’T escape, no matter how much they may want to: social media. Disney’s Relationship with Social Media: “It’s Complicated” You might think that Disney’s relationship with social media is unproblematic. The company has several accounts on many different platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and more. There are accounts for the Cruise Line, the theme parks, and Imagineers. They use those accounts all the time to promote events and products, which spreads awareness and advertisements to millions of people every day. But the relationship isn’t always positive. ©Disney account on Instagram One of the biggest problems Disney runs into with social media is that the Company no longer has control over the broader message. Disney isn’t the only source for Disney information anymore. Influencers, content creators, and pretty much anyone who wants to share their opinion can publish their thoughts, good or bad. And while Disney can’t stop people from posting negative things about the Company, they also greatly benefit when people post positive things, which is essentially free advertising. As we said, it’s a complicated relationship. Cupcake On social media platforms, news travels FAST. Disney may not even have time to address an issue before millions of people are made aware that it exists. Whether that issue is as simple as a ride breaking down or some funky snack ingredients, or as complex as insensitive comments made by a Company Executive or a problematic performance that took place inside the park, Disney has to be on their toes when it comes to keeping track of what news is going around about them. For example, in March of 2022, the Port Neches-Grove High School marching band and dancers performed in Magic Kingdom with a drill team routine made up of dancers who called themselves the “Indianettes.” Videos of the performance spread quickly online, and the event immediately drew heavy criticism. ©Port Neches-Grove Tara Houska, who is Ojibwe from Couchiching First Nation and is an attorney, tweeted about the incident, stating “Cuz a bunch of kids in fringe chanting ‘scalp ’em Indians, scalp ’em’ is honor, right? And any Natives who attend @pngisd should prolly just accept their classmates dehumanizing them cuz “tradition”, right? Shame on @DisneyParks hosting this. Nostalgic racism is RACISM.” Disney responded to the incident, stating, “The live performance in our park did not reflect our core values, and we regret it took place. It was not consistent with the audition tape the school provided and we have immediately put measures in place so this is not repeated.” You can learn more about this incident here. More recently, Bob Iger made some comments about the actors’ strike in Hollywood that caught the attention of social media as well. Many Disney fans, executives, and celebrities communicated strong approval of Iger’s return to the company back in 2022 and have applauded the recent changes he’s made to the parks and company. However, all of Iger’s popularity didn’t shield him from intense criticism regarding a statement he made in a recent interview. ©D23 Shortly before the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike was called, Bob Iger commented on the possibility, stating that the industry is still trying to recover after COVID-19 shut down many productions. He said, “This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption.” He also claimed that the writers’ and actors’ expectations were “just not realistic.” Iger’s words spread quickly through social media and were turned against him multiple times by many actors on the strike lines and beyond. Things really started with Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA President, who spoke up against Iger saying “If I were that company, I would lock him behind doors.” She also said that Iger’s comments were “repugnant,” “out of touch,” and “tone-deaf.” ©The Rolling Stone Several other celebrities spoke out against Iger’s statements. Actor Sean Gunn — who worked on Guardians of the Galaxy — chimed in saying, “I think when Bob Iger talks about, ‘What a shame it is,’ he needs to remember that in 1980, CEOs like him made 30 times what their lowest worker was making…Now Bob Iger makes 400 times what his lowest worker is…and I think that’s a [] shame, Bob.” Although Iger was hugely popular just a short time ago, it only took one insensitive statement from a single interview to turn him into a villain in less than 72 hours. Find out more about how Bob Iger went from hero to villain in 72 hours. Iger seems to have taken some of those comments to heart. During the company’s third-quarter earnings call, he again commented on the Hollywood strikes again, this time using a much more diplomatic approach. The CEO started his comments by saying, “Nothing is more important to this company than its relationships with the creative community.” He went on to say, “I have deep respect for all those who are vital to the creative engine.” ©Disney Iger ended his short remarks during the earnings call by saying, “It is my fervent hope that we quickly find solutions. I am personally committed to working to achieve this result.” His change in tone from the CNBC interview to the earnings call shows how he had to respond to the criticisms leveled on social media. Those are some more extreme examples of how Disney can be hurt by social media and the lightning-fast spread of information online. But on the other hand, good news about Disney also travels quickly. People might see a picture of a snack inside the theme parks and then decide to go buy it themselves. Whenever a new ride or restaurant opens, the Company can get that news out and instantly access a huge audience. TRON Lightcycle / Run Just how huge is that audience really? Check out the numbers of social media followers on just a few of Disney’s accounts: Disney Instagram: 38.1 million Disney Parks Instagram: 2.5 million Walt Disney World Instagram: 9.1 million Disney TikTok: 4.3 million Disney Parks TikTok: 5.7 million Disney Facebook: 54 million Disney Parks Facebook: 1.3 million Disney Threads: 2.1 million Disney Parks Threads: 289,000 Walt Disney World Threads: 405,000 We can assume that there is some overlap in followers between the various accounts and social media platforms, but if you add up all of the followers for all of the main Disney accounts (not counting their additional accounts for the parks, cruise line, etc.) on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Facebook, that’s an audience of 98.5 MILLION followers. That means Disney can access almost 100 million people within seconds of posting news. Learn more about Disney’s complicated relationship with social media here. Complicated or Not, Disney Doesn’t Have a Choice But whether they like it or not, this new world of brand management that’s constantly affected by outside influences is here to stay. A study published on Statista shows why Disney has to stay in this complicated relationship. When looking at the sources that influence people’s choices on where to vacation, social media was definitely at the top. 75% of respondents say they are influenced by social media when they’re deciding where to travel next, and it outranked TV, news, movies, family, and friends in this study. ©Statista As a travel destination, Disney — and other vacation destinations — can’t ignore the power of social media as an advertising tool. They may not like all the potential problems that come with it, but losing that kind of influence would be devastating for the Company’s theme park destinations. This Is All Good News for You! This whole conundrum might be a pain for Disney to handle, but it’s actually great news for Disney fans like you! Because of social media, you can follow honest, independent creators (like Disney Food Blog!!), whom you can trust to share a realistic look at the Disney World restaurants, rides, and hotels. We’re not on Disney’s payroll, which means we’re free to share the good AND the bad of the parks. Hollywood Studios We’ve had some super tasty snacks and meals in Disney World, and we’re always glad to tell you about those. We’ve also encountered various problems, bad treats, and overpriced souvenirs, and we do our best to warn you whenever we encounter one of those. Oh Jeez, There He Goes Having so many independent creators covering Disney creates a system of checks and balances that naturally prevents large companies like Disney from sweeping things under the rug. Historically, newspapers have served that purpose, and now the expanding relevance of social media is continuing that tradition. Sometimes Disney even takes feedback from creators like DFB and makes changes in the parks. In general, Disney has embraced the dominance of social media — they really don’t have a choice. To compete in the travel industry, you have to be present where everyone is scrolling. Keep following DFB for more news and updates from Disney World. Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe The post The Necessary Evil Disney Can't Escape first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Who does food better — Disney World or Disneyland? Who has better quick services? Who has better fancy meals? Who has better character dining experiences? Ready to learn the truth? Because that’s what we’re serving up TODAY on DFB Guide! Check out our video below: Disney World vs Disneyland Restaurants  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 Who do you think has better food? Tell us in the comments below. The post DFB Video: Disney World vs Disneyland Restaurants first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. It’s never a bad day to shop for some Disney merch! We LOVE to shop! It feels like we are scrolling through shopDisney every day — checking out all the available merchandise and seeing if there are any deals. Well, we came across a great deal today, and we decided not to gatekeep it and share it with all of you! After all, who couldn’t use a little extra magic in their day? Today only, shopDisney is offering FREE SHIPPING for all orders using the code ‘FREESHIP’. This could be a great way to save a few extra dollars while still stocking up on your favorite merch. The best part? Halloween merchandise is already online, so you can stock up early! Vera Bradley Mickey and Minnie Cosmetic Case ©Disney Vera Bradley doesn’t deserve to be left in middle school. We love this cosmetic case that features Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Figaro! View on ShopDisney Starbucks Halloween Tumbler Mickey Pumpkin Halloween Starbucks Tumbler Get ready for Halloween with this Starbucks tumbler! We’ve actually seen this one in the parks already, and it’s just as cute in person. View on ShopDisney Mickey Pumpkin Ear Headband Mickey Pumpkin Ear Headband We’ve seen these Halloween ears in the parks as well, and these could be a great option to wear to the parks throughout the Halloween season — and even to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! You can grab them now just in case they sell out in the parks — we have a feeling they’ll be popular! View on ShopDisney Well folks, there you have it! Make sure to place your order FAST while you can still get free shipping. We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news — merchandise included. Make sure to follow along for more! Click here to check out ALL of the Halloween merchandise we’ve seen online! IT'S SPOOK-TACULAR! Get ready for the spookiest season of the year at Disney World! We are beyond thrilled to announce the arrival of our brand-new guide -- Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide! From the thrills of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party to the enchanting resort decorations that'll send shivers down your spine, our guide is packed with tips and tricks to help you squeeze every ounce of ghoulish fun out of your visit. Plus, we've got the inside scoop on all the limited-time-only bone-chilling activities happening across the parks! Get the Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide to make your frightfully delightful adventure even more magical! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Halloween at Walt Disney World EVERYTHING CONFIRMED for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World FULL LIST of Rides That Will Be Open at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World Get All of the Latest Updates on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Target Has NEW Halloween Inflatables Online Now! How To Get the CHEAPEST Tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World CHANGES Revealed for Disney World’s Halloween Parade in 2023 Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Which of these items is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post You Need This Secret CODE to Save BIG on Disney Merch Online! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article