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Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has OFFICIALLY begun in Magic Kingdom for the fall season and with it, we’re seeing the “Boo to You” parade return, Jack Skellington narrating the Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular themed fireworks, and tons of rides still open for you to scream the night away. All of that sounds fun, but what we’re really interested in is the FOOD! Halloween balloons If you’re taking a quick break from trick or treating around the park and find yourself hungry for just a little bit more, there are some exclusive treats that are only available for purchase during the event (not during normal park hours). Come with us as we try out a few of those special treats! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a seasonal Magic Kingdom event requiring a separate ticket for entry. In 2023, the event will take place on select nights from August 11th through November 1st. Although there are some Halloween treats available all day long in Magic Kingdom, others only come out for the party. Click here to see ALL the Fall and Halloween Treats coming to Magic Kingdom. Right now, we’re heading to Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe to try out the Zombie Fingers, Terrifyin’ Twice Spiced Chicken Sandwich, Snarling Snub, and River Stix Elixir! Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe The Zombie Fingers are made of almond cookie fingers, key lime pie white chocolate ganache, salted caramel crisp pearls, and sugar eyes and cost $6.49. Zombie Fingers This tastes EXACTLY like key lime pie! It’s got the tartness of key lime pie, giving it a bit of a tang, and the “fingers” are like soft cookies, which we really enjoyed. Overall this is shareable and a great dessert to grab if you love key lime flavor. Look at those eyes The Terrifyin’ Twice Spiced Chicken Sandwich is made of a spicy fried chicken breast dipped in hot honey topped with pepper jack cheese, jalapeño poppers, and bacon and costs $12.99. Terrifyin’ Twice Spiced Chicken Sandwich We were SO impressed by this. We loved the jalapeño popper — it gives it such a unique flavor and pairs really well with the fried chicken. The only downfalls of this sandwich were that the bun was a little dry, and the bacon’s texture wasn’t great. We’d actually prefer it without the bacon and with another jalapeño popper. This is a super hearty meal though, so keep that in mind! Love that jalapeño popper The Snarling Snub is made of a meatball sub with spicy marinara, pesto, and pearl mozzarella teeth — all served on a black roll and costs $11.99. Snarling Snub This was our favorite overall, even though the bun was WAY too dry. We loved the meatballs (although they’re basic), and the marinara sauce has a red pepper heat that hits you on the back end, which we enjoyed. The pesto also adds an amazing element that brings it all together. We even thought it was better than a Subway sandwich, so yeah, pretty impressive for a theme park party sandwich! Yum! The River Stix Elixir is made with kiwi lemonade with luster dust and costs $5.49. River Stix Elixir While this drink definitely has an artificial flavor to it, it doesn’t taste like candy, which we appreciated — similar to the artificialness of Minute Maid lemonade! The kiwi flavor is pretty strong, but it’s quite refreshing and summery. We’d totally get it again! There’s more where that treat came from, though! Make sure to check out ALL of the treats available at the party before you go. Click here to see photos and reviews of ALL the Halloween treats in Disney World! Don’t want to pay extra for treats at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Don’t worry — you can skip the restaurants and just trick-or-treat around the park instead. The candy is your typical Halloween goodies, but hey — it’s all sugar, right? Click here for a FULL LIST of trick-or-treating stops! If you’re heading to the party soon, you might need a SPOOKY new t-shirt to wear! We’ve got just the thing at our online DFB store. Gather round all ye witches! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more coverage of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World! Learn more about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party by clicking here. 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 the Halloween party this year? Let us know in the comments. The post REVIEW: Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe DID NOT MISS at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is finally here for the fall season in Magic Kingdom, ushering in an exclusive “Boo to You” parade, frightening fireworks, and even rare character meet and greets to mark the occasion. All of that sounds like a blast right?, but what we’re really interested in is the FOOD! How cute are these?! If you need a break from trick-or-treating around the park during the Halloween party (which is free), there are also some exclusive snacks and treats that are only available for purchase during the event and won’t be sold any other time throughout the day. Come with us to try one of those special treats! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a seasonal Magic Kingdom event requiring a separate ticket for entry. In 2023, the event will take place on select nights from August 11th through November 1st. Although there are some Halloween treats available all day long in Magic Kingdom, others only come out for the party. Click here to see ALL the Fall and Halloween Treats coming to Magic Kingdom. Right now, we’re heading to Sunshine Tree Terrace to try out the Tropical Graveyard! Sunshine Tree Terrace The Tropical Graveyard is made with mango mousse and sour tropical gelatin topped with cookie crumbles, gummy worms, sprinkles, and a tombstone chocolate piece and costs $5.99. This was very fruity and really reminded us of summer! So if you’re NOT ready to let go of summertime and fully embrace spooky season, you should definitely get this treat. We loved these flavors since it is still so hot outside during the first few parties. Tropical Graveyard The cookie crumbs on the top and bottom gave it some nice texture and we appreciated the layering. The mango mousse is very light and just has a slight mango flavor, so if you are looking for a lot of strong mango flavor, it’s not here. Look at those layers The sour gelatin was the strongest flavor in this treat. It did have hints of passion fruit flavors as well. Our biggest complaint is that it is on the smaller side of treats for $6. Here’s a bite There’s more where that treat came from, though! Make sure to check out ALL of the treats available at the party before you go. Click here to see photos and reviews of ALL the Halloween treats in Disney World! Don’t want to pay extra for treats at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Don’t worry — you can skip the restaurants and just trick-or-treat around the park instead. The candy is your typical Halloween goodies, but hey — it’s all sugar, right? Click here for a FULL LIST of trick-or-treating stops! If you’re heading to the party soon, you might need a SPOOKY new t-shirt to wear! We’ve got just the thing at our online DFB store. Gather round all ye witches! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more coverage of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World! Learn more about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party by clicking here. 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 the Halloween party this year? Let us know in the comments. The post REVIEW: The Halloween Treat You Should Get in Disney World If You're Not Actually Ready for Halloween first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

August 11th marked the very first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of the year, and y’all already know that we had to show up to party. Halloween is here! We saw spooky costumes, exclusive merchandise, a new popcorn bucket, and even tried a few sweets. However, we ran into one more exclusive party souvenir that you can buy. Check it out! Look at these Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party balloons! You can get them from the Cast Members on Main Street U.S.A. and on the Hub. Look at the balloons! You can grab one for $22. If you feel bad about spending that much money on a balloon, just remember that they GLOW! See? Magical! Ta daaaa This year’s balloon design is white and features Mickey and some pumpkins on one side, and Mickey and Minnie with a pumpkin castle on the other! How cute are these?! If you have littles, the balloons could be a great way to easily find your stroller throughout the evening. Sometimes, Cast Members have to rearrange the strollers, so they might not be where ya left them. So cute! If you don’t feel like keeping up with the balloon after the night is over, consider gifting it to another family with a smaller child! It could be a great way to share the magic. Or, you could deflate it and save it as a souvenir! All the balloons We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more Halloween news as we have it, so make sure to follow along for more. Looking for Halloween merch you can get even if you’re NOT going to be in the parks this fall? Click here! 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 Do you make sure to grab a balloon during your Disney World trips? Let us know in the comments! The post The Disney World Souvenir You'll Only Use ONCE...but You Still Can't Resist first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve been trying lots of spooky snacks at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, but we’re not about to stop now. It’s time for DESSERT! Mickey! The Halloween party of the year has OFFICIALLY begun in Magic Kingdom, bringing an exclusive “Boo to You” parade, themed fireworks, and more to the park for the occasion. Come with us now to try a couple of exclusive desserts at Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a seasonal Magic Kingdom event requiring a separate ticket for entry. In 2023, the event will take place on select nights from August 11th through November 1st. Although there are some Halloween treats available all day long in Magic Kingdom, others only come out for the party. Click here to see ALL the Fall and Halloween Treats coming to Magic Kingdom. Right now, we’re heading to Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor to try out the Apple Fritter Sundae and Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich! Main Street Ice Cream Parlor The Apple Fritter Sundae features apple fritters topped with your choice of ice cream, whipped cream, and sprinkles and costs $8.29. We chose to get pumpkin ice cream as our flavor to stick with the fall theme of the treat. The ice cream was thick and creamy and had a nice pumpkin flavor. The apple fritters on top are a decent size and have a nice apple pie-spiced flavor to add to the treat. You get two huge scoops of ice cream on this sundae making it easily sharable. The caramel sauce on top was very sweet and we think it might be too sweet for some. Apple Fritter Sundae If you love apple flavor or are in a big group, this might be for you. It does melt fast in the Florida heat though so you’ll want to eat up fast. Dig in Next, we tried the Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich is two cookies topped with sprinkles with your choice of ice cream in the middle, and it costs $7.29. For this item, we chose cookies ‘n’ cream ice cream. Again, the ice cream was smooth and creamy and had a great flavor. Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich The downfall of this treat was the chocolate cookies. Unfortunately, these were HARD to bite and chew. They also were bland and only really help provide structure to the sandwich. We really recommend skipping this one and grabbing one of the other sweet treats at the party instead. Cookies were hard and dry There’s more where that treat came from, though! Make sure to check out ALL of the treats available at the party before you go. Click here to see photos and reviews of ALL the Halloween treats in Disney World! Don’t want to pay extra for treats at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Don’t worry — you can skip the restaurants and just trick-or-treat around the park instead. The candy is your typical Halloween goodies, but hey — it’s all sugar, right? Click here for a FULL LIST of trick-or-treating stops! If you’re heading to the party soon, you might need a SPOOKY new t-shirt to wear! We’ve got just the thing at our online DFB store. Gather round all ye witches! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more coverage of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World! Learn more about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party by clicking here. 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 the Halloween party this year? Let us know in the comments. The post REVIEW: Why You Should SKIP One of the Prettiest Treats at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s the first night of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. We’re here! We already got our trick-or-treat bags and scoped out all the exclusive party merchandise. The crowds aren’t scaring us away and we’re ready for a great night. We love that this party is an excuse to dress up in your favorite Disney Halloween costumes and there’s one set of costumes we’ve been WAITING to see! Ever since it was first announced that we would see Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle dressed up as the Sanderson Sisters at this year’s Halloween party, we’ve been counting down the hours to see them in person. Now, we have the FIRST LOOK at their outfits in person. Minnie is dressed as Winfred, Daisy is dressed as Sara, and Clarabelle is dressed up as Mary. They appeared at Oogie Boogie Bash in Disneyland and on Disney Cruise Line previously, after all. Well, OUR TIME HAS FINALLY COME. Daisy, Minnie, and Clarabelle as the Sanderson Sisters I think we can agree they are well worth the wait! These three will be running amuck, amuck, amuck at the Boo-To-You Parade during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World! You go girls! If you’re heading to the party, don’t forget to watch the parade for these gals to steal the show. For more on the Halloween party, be sure to follow along with us on social media at Disney Food Blog! See Mickey and Goofy in Their Halloween Costumes 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 Do you plan on attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year? Let us know in the comments. Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post This Is the Moment You've Been WAITING for at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you absolutely love candy, lean in close — there’s a secret Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tip you NEED to know about! Trick-or-Treating Part of the fun of this separately ticketed event is the ability to go trick-or-treating in Magic Kingdom all decked out in your very BEST Halloween costume. We’ve even got a full list of the trick-or-treat locations you’ll find in the park so you can make sure to maximize your candy collection. But if you’re looking for the GOOD STUFF, there’s one stop you can’t skip! Typically, the candy you’ll get throughout Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the smaller, “fun-sized” stuff. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that — it’s fun to pop a tiny little piece of candy in your mouth…and then another…and another…until you’ve hit a Disney-level sugar rush! Trick-or-Treating But, you know how some houses on your neighborhood block back home pass out the good stuff? We’re talking FULL-SIZE bags of candy!!! Well, we found “that” house at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and you won’t want to miss it! WOW When we visited Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on its opening night we found that Cast Members were handing out BIG BAGS of Fudge Brownie M&Ms at the very first trick-or-treat station, right when you grab your trick-or-treat bags and wristbands. You’ll be herded that way early in the party, so it’s very difficult to miss unless you’re entering the park later in the evening! We found this trick-or-treat station over on the side path off Main Street, U.S.A. (a path that’s only typically open for big crowds). Fudge Brownie M&Ms We spotted a full-sized candy distribution spot in 2022 too, so we were really happy to see it return this year. Keep in mind that this is what we encountered during our visit but it’s always possible that (1) the full-sized candy bag distribution location could change, and/or (2) Disney may not provide full-sized bags of candy at future parties. You never know how things can change, BUT if you do happen to attend a Halloween Party this year, it’s something you’ll definitely want to be on the lookout for! 2023 Reusable Treat Bag Disney has a partnership with Mars Wrigley and they are the signature sponsor of the Halloween Party, so it makes sense that Disney would offer some exciting and particularly tasty treats. Just note that you will NOT find full-sized candy at all of the trick-or-treat spots. Thus far, we only found it at this one location (and, again, that’s always subject to change). But it can be a GREAT thing to grab and snack on as you enjoy the rest of the spooky festivities! Wristband If you’re planning to visit Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year and don’t already have your tickets, be sure to buy those ASAP because several dates are already sold out or are close to selling out! And while the candy is free, there are some exclusive snacks you can buy while at the party — click here to read all about those. Stay tuned for more news about this spooky experience and check back with us for all the latest from Disney World. Click here to see the Disney Halloween inflatables online at Target 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 planning to go to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Tell us in the comments! The post Where To Get FULL-SIZE CANDY at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you wanna talk about fan-favorite souvenirs at Disney World, it probably comes as no surprise that popcorn buckets are pretty high up on that list! Strike up the band But what’s even better than a popcorn bucket in Disney World? An EXCLUSIVE popcorn bucket that only a select few can get, making it all the more unique! In 2023, those visiting Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive Halloween bucket, and these can often be VERY popular. In 2022, the exclusive Halloween popcorn bucket featured Zero, the ghost dog from The Nightmare Before Christmas. This year’s party-exclusive bucket? Well, you’ll just have to come along with us and find out! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs on select dates from August 11th through November 1st and is a separately ticketed event, meaning your regular Magic Kingdom ticket won’t be enough to get you in. You’ll need a separate ticket just for the event — and those are selling out so you’ll want to get yours FAST! At the party, you can check out new snacks, merchandise, and even new photo opportunities. But let’s focus on that popcorn bucket!! We were invited to a media event to check out all things spooky before the Halloween Party officially started. Here, we got to take a look at the all-new popcorn bucket! Main Street, U.S.A. decorated for Halloween! This year’s exclusive Not-So-Scary Halloween Party popcorn bucket is again themed to The Nightmare Before Christmas but it features the Mayor’s Car along with Lock, Shock, Barrel, and the Mayor himself! You’ll find it at select locations throughout the park, while supplies last. Note that there is a limit of 2 per guest for this item. It’s the Mayor’s Car! This popcorn bucket is cool for SO many reasons. The design is incredibly elaborate, featuring multiple characters, a well-designed car, and even that cat siren on the front! Hi, Mr. Mayor Here’s a look at the other side. It’s so cute! If you want more Halloween fun, you can pick up the Donald Duck Candy Corn Sipper too! This has been available in the past but has returned for spooky season with some minor color adjustments on Donald’s jack-o’-lantern candy bag. Hi, Donald! You’ll find this sipper at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at select locations. But he is set to “materialize” in other Disney parks throughout the Halloween season too (according to Disney). He’s so cute! We’ll continue to keep you updated with more Disney news and updates, Halloween news included! Make sure to follow along so that you don’t miss a thing. Looking for more from this year’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? Click here to see where you can get some TREATS! 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 What do you think about this year’s Halloween popcorn bucket? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post FIRST LOOK at the NEW Halloween Popcorn Bucket in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s Halloween at Disney World, whether you’re ready or not! Happy Halloween! The first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of the year kicked off on August 11th, and we’ve seen all sorts of spooky things already. This sold-out party featured some pretty dense crowds before the event even officially started, we checked out some merchandise, and we even tried some treats. Now though, it’s time to take a look at some costumes! We were invited to a media event to check out all things hip and happening at this year’s party — before the event officially started! One of our favorite things about the event was the opportunity to see some of our best pals in their Halloween costumes. First up, we saw Mickey — ready to party in his pumpkin-themed Halloween costume! We love his hat and his pumpkin lapels. Hi, Mickey! He was very excited to kick off the Halloween Party, as you can see! Next up, we saw none other than Goofy Goof — dressed up as a vampire! Vampire Goofy! We have to say, Vampire Goofy might be one of our favorite things. What do you think of their Halloween costumes? You’ll have to let us know in the comments! We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news — Halloween things included. Make sure to follow along for more! Hoping to check out some merchandise so that you can rock your own Halloween look? Click here! 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 costumes do you like better? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post Mickey and Goofy Have NEW COSTUMES at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Trick or treat?! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Map Halloween has officially arrived in Disney World, and we’re here to check it ALL out! Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party runs throughout the season and we’re bringing you everything you need to know — including what this year’s FREE trick-or-treat bag looks like! One of our favorite parts about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is the trick-or-treating! Adults and kiddos alike are welcome to participate, and you don’t even need to worry about bringing a plastic pumpkin to store your goods, because Disney has free treat bags for you to use! Let’s take a look at this year’s version. Disney introduced these new, reusable treat bags at last year’s party and we’re happy to see them back this year. The black side of the bag features Mickey Mouse in his vampire Halloween costume. Let’s Boo This! On the other side, you’ll see the iconic Mickey pumpkin with “Trick or Treat” on it! Trick or Treat If you have allergies, you can ask for an allergy-friendly treat bag instead of the regular one. Allergy-friendly bag With this bag, Cast Members will know to give you a token instead of candy. At the end of the night, you can redeem your tokens for allergy-friendly treats! Token Remember, Disney has a partnership with Mars Wrigley, so you’ll get candy like Snickers, M&Ms, and Skittles. Whenever you first pick up your bag, you’ll get one full-sized bag of M&Ms! M&M’s Stay tuned to DFB for more coverage of the first. night of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! Click here to see ALL the trick-or-treat locations at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. 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 heading to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? Tell us in the comments. The post Check Out the NEW Reusable Treat Bags for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Trick-Or-Treat! Halloween is officially HERE at Disney World! It’s Halloween time at Disney World! Yep, tonight marks the very FIRST Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party of the year, and the excitement right now is real. Not only are we excited to get our hands on some spooky snacks and sips, but we’re also pretty stoked about out all the party-exclusive merchandise that’s available for party-goers to snag this Halloween season. Speaking of merchandise… What do you say we check it out? There are several different souvenir options for those headed to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year. We won’t keep ya waiting any longer. Without further ado, let’s go shopping! (Or excitedly plan what we’ll buy when it’s time for our own Halloween party.) First up, there’s the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Spirit Jersey. You can get it for $84.99. Spirit Jersey This spirit jersey features a web pattern on the back that we love. Similarly, you can grab the Hocus Pocus Spirit Jersey for $79.99. Hocus Pocus Spirit Jersey This one features some of our favorite witches! Similar to the spirit jersey is the Hocus Pocus Shirt, which is $39.99. Hocus Pocus Shirt Will you be repping the Sanderson Sisters this year? This Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Mug is $16.99 and could be great for those of you who are hoping to be “goblin” up some caffeine in the mornings. Perfect for goblin up some coffee! That was a bad joke, but this is not a bad choice if you’re looking for a mug. There’s also this Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tumbler for $29.99! Tumbler It has a green lid and features Vampire Mickey. Similar to the mug is the Hocus Pocus Corkcicle Tumbler for $39.99. Corkcicle Tumbler It features the party logo and an adorable Mickey Mouse! Next up, we have this Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Hat for $29.99. Hat This might just be one of the spookiest party hats around! Partying with some kiddos? Grab the Glow in the Dark Youth Halloween Shirt for $26.99. T-shirt It’s orange and features Vampire Mickey! Celebrate your two favorite holidays with this Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Ornament. It’s $19.99. Ornament Who doesn’t want a pumpkin on their tree? This Mickey Vampire Pin is $19.99. Mickey Vampire Pin We think Mickey is lookin’ extra cute here. Another MNSSHP Shirt! This one is grey and glows in the dark. You can get it for $34.99. Glow in the dark shirt You could be glowin’ all night long! There’s also this Hocus Pocus Pin for $17.99. Hocus Pocus Pin We’re always down to party with the Sanderson Sisters. Last but not least, we saw this Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Pin for $17.99. Pin! It features Mickey and Minnie in their costumes with a cauldron! Well, folks, there you have it! What do you think of this year’s Halloween Party merchandise? We’ll continue to keep you updated with more spooky news, so stay tuned and follow along for more! Looking to check out some Disney Halloween merchandise that you can buy ONLINE? Click here! 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 souvenirs is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post ALL of the Exclusive Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Merchandise in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You’ve been in Magic Kingdom all day, speed-walking between rides and trying your best to prevent any tantrums in your group. Now you’re at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which means a BUSY night filled with spooky activities. You’re hot and tired, but you don’t want to waste any time. What do you DO?? Halloween in Magic Kingdom Luckily for you, there are plenty of caffeinated drinks throughout the park, at Joffrey’s and Starbucks. But if you’re looking for a unique treat to boost your energy, we just found the perfect thing! You can now grab the Queen of Hearts Slushy over at the Cheshire Cafe in Fantasyland for $5.99. This is a frozen cherry slushy drizzled with black cherry purée and topped with whipped cream and a crown-shaped chocolate piece. It’s available all day in Magic Kingdom, not just during the after-hours Halloween party. Queen of Hearts Slushy If you love cherry, this is for you. It’s super cold and refreshing on a hot day, but you NEED to love cherry for this one. It’s certainly super photogenic, so be ready to pose! The biggest thing we noticed, though, was the SUGAR RUSH that this drink provided. WOW. We were ready to take on the day after this one. It’s SO red However, we don’t really think this treat tasted super special. The chocolate crown piece doesn’t taste all that great, and all the sugar could possibly give you a bit of a stomachache (which is NOT a good thing on any Disney day). If you want something a little more unique, or you want to avoid a major sugar rush, this one may be worth skipping. If you just need a quick pick-me-up, though, it’ll definitely do the trick! It’s cherry, on cherry, on cherry Looking for other Halloween treats to try while you’re in the parks? Check out more of our reviews below! Check Out More Halloween News Here! Where To Get FULL-SIZE CANDY at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2023Check Out the NEW Reusable Treat Bags for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2023ALL of the Exclusive Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Merchandise in Disney WorldREVIEW: The 9PM Pick-Me-Up You’ll Need at Magic KingdomREVIEW: There’s PUMPKIN ICE CREAM in Magic Kingdom Right Now! Today kicks off Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and we’re already in the park trying all the Halloween snacks that are now available all day while eagerly awaiting the party-specific treats. Don’t forget to follow along with us tonight as we experience all that this year’s party has to offer! Check out where you can get AMAZING pumpkin ice cream in Disney World right now! 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 Would you try this slushy? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: The 9PM Pick-Me-Up You'll Need at Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A popular Disney World restaurant recently reopened with some big changes! Trail’s End Trail’s End Restaurant was closed at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground for a little while to get a big refurbishment. When it reopened at the end of July, it was remade into a quick service spot with market-style service. I stopped by during the soft opening to check it out, and now I’m sharing my FULL review with you. Is Trail’s End worth your time? Let’s find out! Atmosphere You’ll find this restaurant at Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness, and you’ll know you’re in the right place thanks to the sign out front! (It’s directly next door to Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.) Stepping inside, you’re immediately met with the market-style food setup. On the left, there’s a pizza oven and hand-scooped ice cream, in the middle you’ll find prepackaged treats and baked goods, and on the right is the warm foods section. The first counter First up on the counter, I spotted pre-packaged s’mores kits for sale. You can buy these to use at your campsite, or you could take them to the nightly campfire! You can get s’mores! After that, you come to the pizza kitchen. The pizzas here are made fresh, and you can purchase by the slice or by the pie. Fresh out the oven! This counter space is also home to hand-scooped ice cream. Sounds delicious! They had quite a few flavors available when I stopped by. Lots of ice cream! After that, we come around to the refrigerated section. The left fridge is filled with a variety of bottled and canned drinks. Beverages The right fridge is home to the cold food items. Here I spotted everything from sandwiches to desserts to parfaits to salads. Entrees Moving along to the next wall, there’s a display case for hot foods. Here, you can pick up fried chicken, ribs, hot sides like mac and cheese, and other warm meal options. Hot foods Among the sides, I also spotted cowboy beans, chili, and mashed potatoes. One thing that really struck me over here is how much this setup reminded me of Costco. Ya know the section of the store where you can buy entire prepared meals, whole chickens, and containers of pre-made sides? That’s the vibe here. Everything is in family-sized prepackaged tubs that are probably too big for a single person to eat alone. Sides Finally, let’s stop at the table in the middle of the market setup. On one side, there are plenty of prepackaged snacks. You’ve got chips, crackers, cereal, and even some fruit. Snacks The other side of the table is home to the bakery case. Inside, I spotted several cookies, pastries, and even some cupcakes. Bakery case After you’ve selected your pre-made items, you can come to the checkout counter. Here you can pick up refillable mugs for the resort, pay for your meal, and place any orders from the made-to-order menu. (This is ALSO giving me Coscto vibes — it’s like the counter at the front of the store where you can order cheap meals after you shop!) Checkout Counter Near the checkout, you’ll also find other amenities like the drink station, as well as a microwave and toaster to warm up your pastries. Microwave and Toaster Now we’ve arrived at the seating area! There is plentiful seating on the upper level of this restaurant, with tables for parties of varying sizes. Admittedly, this section feels LESS like Costco. The main seating area You can also walk around the corner and find even more tables. These are a bit more private and tucked away from the rest. More seating around the corner The lower level of this restaurant is home to the seating for Crockett’s Tavern, the lounge at the resort. It reopened the same day as Trail’s End, but I was there earlier in the afternoon, so some people were using the Crockett’s Tavern seating for Trail’s End as well. I can’t guarantee that this will be an option every day, but it might be available if it’s before the open hours for the tavern. Crockett’s Tavern Now that we’ve taken a full tour of the restaurant, let’s talk about the menu. Menu Besides all the offerings that are pre-made, there’s an additional made-to-order menu that’s available at the counter. They have both a breakfast menu and a lunch and dinner menu. Lunch & Dinner For lunch and dinner, you can get classic fare that includes a Cheeseburger, a Vegetable Burger, a Pulled Pork Sandwich, and a Chicken Nuggets meal. All the options! They also have two “home-style meals” which are the Barbecued Ribs Half-Slab Meal and the Fried Chicken 2-Piece Meal. Besides that, you can order whole pizzas or a side of fries. Plenty of hot meals available You can also purchase a fountain drink to go with your meal, though it’s not listed on the menu. Who’s ready to order some food?! Food I ordered quite a few items to check out, starting with the 2-Piece Fried Chicken Meal from the made-to-order menu. This meal is $10.49 and comes with two pieces of chicken, cornbread, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a cup of coleslaw. Fried Chicken I confirmed with multiple Cast Members that this fried chicken is the same that’s served over at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue next door, but I wasn’t quite as impressed with the quick service portion, since the breading was on the chewy side. The chicken thigh meat was also a little underdone, but not alarmingly so. A piece of chicken The mashed potatoes were one of my absolute favorite things that I ate! They were delicious and lumpy, with lots of butter. They would be REALLY good if you ate them warm, but alas, I had to wait until I took all my photos first. The cornbread was also pretty impressive — light and buttery without being gritty. It tastes like the same cornbread that was here before. Mashed Potatoes I’m not even a coleslaw fan, but I enjoyed the one that comes on the side of this meal. It was very crunchy and not soggy, more on the salty side. It wasn’t too mayonnaise-forward like some other coleslaw I’ve had in the past, and it’s a HUGE portion. Overall, the chicken meal is a REALLY good deal. You get a lot of food for the price, and even though the chicken didn’t wow me substantially, I think that’s something that would vary depending on the day. That’s one big honkin’ cup right there! Next, let’s talk about the Pioneer Berry Salad for $9.29. This comes with mixed lettuce, pecans, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blue cheese. The dressing is a raspberry walnut vinaigrette. Pioneer Berry Salad First of all, this is one pretty salad! It’s very colorful and it made my mouth water just looking at it — which is an impressive feat for a salad I got out of the refrigerated foods section. The whole thing was very fresh and bright, and the dressing was sweet, a little on the sugary side. With dressing The candied pecans on top added a nice crunchy texture to the mix, and all the berries tasted fresh and sweet. I think this is a really good salad for the spring or summer, but you’ll want to be in the mood for sweet over savory. The only thing that wasn’t on the sweet spectrum was the blue cheese. It’s a really decent salad! Now it’s time for the thing I was most interested to try, the Macaroni and Cheese. I had to get this from the to-go section in a GIANT cup (that was the only option) for $9.49. We care a lot about mac and cheese here! This mac was thick and creamy, and in the rankings of quick service macaroni and cheese, I think it’s better than the typical options. (But not quite as good as the one we love from Gasparilla Island Grill!) It’s buttery, but you’ll want to eat it quickly because it sticks together after sitting for a little while. A heaping scoop! The next item on my list was a highly-anticipated one. This Chicken Wrap is $9.99 and made with a blueberry BBQ sauce. MULTIPLE Cast Members came up to me after I ordered this and raved about how much they liked it and how good that BBQ sauce is… Chicken Wrap …but sadly, I was left wondering if I’d missed something! My wrap was like 80% kale (which I don’t mind, but there was a LOT of it), and it took me a few bites to even get to the chicken. When I got to the chicken, there wasn’t very much of it, and it really just had a vaguely fruity taste. I couldn’t quite tell that the sauce was blueberry OR barbecue-flavored. For something that was absolutely raved about, I was hoping for a little more. Maybe I just got the one that was made with the last bit of sauce and chicken that morning? I’m not sure, but I don’t think this was worth the nearly $10 I paid for it. (I would pick the salad instead if you’ve got a hankering for greens!) It has blueberry barbecue sauce! And finally, my last entree was the Smokehouse Pizza. I got a BIG slice of it for $9.79, and it’s a really decent portion for a slice of pizza (though I wish it would come with a side dish for that price!). Of the entrees, this turned out to be my favorite. It’s topped with several meats, including pepperoni, ham, sausage, and pulled pork, and had a LOT of cheese. The sauce paired perfectly with the toppings and the whole thing was warm, savory, and comforting. I would love to order one of these as a whole pie and then take it back to my Fort Wilderness Cabin to eat with friends or family. That’s the ideal night! (And also, ordering the entire pizza would be wayyyy more cost-effective than the individual slice.) Smokehouse-style Pizza Okay…you can’t get full yet because we’ve still got dessert! Take a breath, and let’s trudge on! My first dessert was the Strawberry Shortcake for $5.99. Now THIS is a good portion for the price. Spoiler alert — it was also one of the best things I ate all meal. Strawberry Shortcake The cake is a teeny tiny bit dry, but the strawberry juice and the whipped cream balance it out. The cake is lightly sweetened and tastes like vanilla, which is the perfect complement to the sharp sweetness of the strawberries. I was told that this is a similar recipe to what’s made next door at Hoop-Dee-Doo, and I totally get why it’s so popular! This was a perfect, classic, southern dessert. YUM. This was my favorite dessert! And last but not least, let’s talk about the PB&J Cupcake for $5.79. I’m so sad to say it y’all, but I was REALLY let down with this cupcake. PB&J Cupcake First of all, it’s an absolute ridiculous amount of sugar! The frosting has a very strong peanut butter flavor, but is very sugary and coats your mouth in kind of a weird way. There wasn’t much flavor in the cake itself, but it was SO dry and pretty disappointing. The filling is where you’ll find the jelly, but it tasted like they just shoved some grape jelly out of a jar and into the middle of the cupcake. Once again, SUPER sugary. Inside the cupcake I really, really wanted to like this — I love PB&J. But this just wasn’t it. Disney cupcakes can’t all be winners, sadly! Overall Now that we’ve tasted everything, let’s get down to business! (To defeat the Huns? No! To talk about what we’d recommend from this restaurant!) The pizza and the strawberry shortcake were standouts for me, and I think the 2-piece chicken meal is a great choice for value if the chicken is on point that day. The mac and cheese is pretty good, and worth a try if you’re a fan of cheesy pasta. And that berry salad would be nice and refreshing after a day at the pool! NEW EATS at Trail’s End! The only REAL letdowns were the PB&J cupcake and the chicken wrap. I probably wouldn’t order those again on a return trip. And even though I loved that pizza, it’s very expensive for a single slice — I recommend ordering the whole pie and getting more bang for your buck! For those who love the Costco-esque atmosphere of buckets of sides, pre-packaged eats, and ordering entire roast chickens and racks of ribs, this might be your dream! Nosh or Not? Head to the Wilderness and get some grub if… You’re already staying at Fort Wilderness. There are only a few food options at this resort, and Trail’s End is probably the best one for grab-and-go or quick service eats. There’s indoor seating, lots of variety, and it has plenty of options you can take back to your campsite. You want to buy a whole meal and eat it elsewhere. If you’re planning a picnic or taking some eats back to your hotel room, camper, tent, or cabin, this would be a good option. You can buy entire chickens and whole pizzas, as well as tubs of sides to go. It’s a good deal! You want some Hoop-Dee-Doo faves without the reservation. If you’re a longtime Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue fan and you want to indulge in the fried chicken or the strawberry shortcake, you can stop here and get them for cheaper! Pitch your tent elsewhere if… Fort Wilderness isn’t already on your must-visit list. It’s not really worth going out of your way to get to this restaurant, since the menu is pretty simple. If you’re already going to be here, then it’s a great choice, but otherwise, you have to take a boat or bus to get here (and possibly an internal resort shuttle), and that can be a pain. You want something unique and special. Like I said, the food here is pretty standard — homestyle favorites. The environment is also nothing too over-the-top. So if you want unique eats or a special experience, this probably isn’t your meal. The decor is so home-y! That’s a wrap on my visit to Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort! Stay tuned to DFB for more restaurant reviews from around Disney World, and all the tips you need for your vacation. Click Here to See Our Review of Hoop-Dee-Doo Next Door! 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 ever been to Trail’s End? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: Trail's End Just Reopened and Is Giving Serious Costco Vibes first appeared on the disney food blog. 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We are so excited to finally try SO many Halloween treats today! Ice cream pumpkins! Tonight is the first night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and while some treats aren’t available until the party begins, today is also the day other Halloween treats become available in the parks all day long. So imagine our surprise when we found out that THIS treat is available before it’s even listed on the menu! We headed over to the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street, U.S.A., in Magic Kingdom and found that, while it’s not on the menu yet, the Pumpkin Ice Cream IS available! We grabbed a scoop for $5.49. Pumpkin Ice Cream We LOVE this ice cream! The flavor has a hint of pumpkin spice to it but is overall a very authentic pumpkin flavor. Not to mention that it’s immensely thick and creamy. Delicious If you want an authentic pumpkin treat on a hot day in Disney World, this is a fantastic pick. However, it does melt VERY fast, and it was even partially melted when we received it, so be sure to grab some napkins — a mess will be made no matter what. Melted but still amazing Looking to catch up on the latest Halloween news before the party starts? Check out our links below! The Latest Halloween News! REVIEW: There’s PUMPKIN ICE CREAM in Magic Kingdom Right Now!What the 2023 Crowds Look Like at a Sold-Out Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in Disney WorldWe’re LIVE at the FIRST Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2023 — Come With Us!FIRST LOOK at the 2023 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party MAP in Disney World!REVIEW: Everyone’s Wondering If This Is a Chicken Nugget Milkshake in Disney World…Sadly, It Isn’t. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Halloween and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party news! Is this a Halloween chicken nugget milkshake in Magic Kingdom? Well… 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 What’s your favorite pumpkin treat during the fall? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: There's PUMPKIN ICE CREAM in Magic Kingdom Right Now! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s finally time for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Happy Halloween! We’ve been counting down to this day for MONTHS and can’t wait to ride all the rides, watch some of the most popular holiday entertainment in Disney World, and eat alllll the special snacks. We’re not the only ones excited for this event though — let’s see what crowds are looking like during this sold-out night! Outside The Park Outside the park, we noticed that crowds were looking pretty dense! This was our view from the monorail! Yep, definitely looks like a sold-out party for sure. Holy moly! Once we were ready to head inside, this was our view. People all around! Heading inside Inside The Park When we entered the park, it wasn’t party time just yet, so Magic Kingdom was full of both day guests and party guests — that’s a LOT of people! This was our view of everyone coming through the party entrance. Party Entrance Main Street, U.S.A. doesn’t look too bad, though. Check it out! Main Street So that’s what you can expect from a sold-out night at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! The party hasn’t officially started yet, but we’ll be updating this post throughout the evening with more photos and takes on the crowds. So far, it totally feels like a sold-out party as far as crowds go. Cast Members ready to give out allll the wrist bands! You’ll know if a party is sold out by seeing a sign at the entrance to Magic Kingdom, letting guests know that no tickets are being sold. We’re so excited to celebrate the Halloween season with Disney for the next few months, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! This is everything that’s CONFIRMED to return at this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! 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 What are you most excited to experience at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Tell us in the comments! The post What the 2023 Crowds Look Like at a Sold-Out Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Happy Halloween, everyone! Time for the party! Yes, it might only be mid-August, but Disney World is ready to celebrate spooky season. We’ve seen themed decorations and merchandise already, but now it’s time for the MAIN EVENT: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Follow along with us as we check out OPENING NIGHT of Disney World’s after-hours Halloween event! First, a little background — Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separately ticketed event that happens on select nights in Magic Kingdom from now through November 1st. It takes place after the park closes to regular guests for the day (the park closes early on party days, at 6PM) and requires you to buy a separate ticket to attend. Pumpkins You don’t have to have a regular Magic Kingdom ticket for the day — your ticket to the party will get you into the park — or a Park Pass Reservation, and you can get into the park three hours before the party starts! The parties officially start at 7PM, but you can get in at 4PM. Halloween Time Is HERE Tickets start at $109 and go up to $199, depending on the date you choose to buy tickets for. You can take a look at all of the dates and pricing right here! There are a lot of things returning to the party this year and some new stuff, so let’s get into it. Click here to see all of the DATES and PRICING for the Halloween Party Getting Started Like we said before, if you have a ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you can get into Magic Kingdom starting at 4PM on the day of the party without having any other kind of park ticket or a Park Pass Reservation. Heading inside Once you scan into the park, you will be given a wristband by a Cast Member. Wristband The Cast Members have on their special Halloween attire! Cast Members You need this wristband so Cast Members know you’re there for the party and can stay in the park once it closes to regular guests. There’s a party-exclusive hat, Spirit Jersey, pumpkin ornament, mug, and Corkcicle water bottle. Spirit Jersey We also spotted exclusive t-shirts… T-shirt …and pins! Pin! You can find these items at Star Traders and the Emporium. Costumes The fun thing about this Halloween party? Everyone is allowed to wear costumes! There are some costume guidelines in place that you should be aware of, though. Here’s a look at the costume guidelines provided by Disney: For visitors ages 13 and under: Costumes and some costume masks may be worn; masks must provide unobstructed peripheral vision at all times with openings that allow the eyes to be fully seen. For Guests 14 Years of Age or Older: Costumes may be worn according to these guidelines. Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from Disney parks, unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards: All Guests may dress as their favorite character, but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests. Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent. Costumes may not contain any props or accessories that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon. Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest. Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening. Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (for example, full-length Princess dresses) Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist. Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts and hats are acceptable. Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords and tutus. Costume headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face. Costume masks of any kind may not be worn. We’ll be on the lookout for some fun costumes at this year’s event! 33 Costume Ideas for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World Entertainment Fireworks Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular is BACK at this year’s party! It’s a Halloween-themed fireworks display that includes projections, special effects, special lighting, fireworks, and Disney characters. The fireworks display is actually hosted by Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The fireworks happen at 10:15PM each night. We’ll update this section once we’ve seen the fireworks! Now, on to the parade! Parade Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade is also making a return this year! The parade will be offered twice nightly, first at 9:15 and again at 11:15 (we’ve found that the second parade is usually less crowded than the first). We’ll update this section once we’ve seen the parade! Stage Show Get ready to have a spell put on you, because the Sanderson Sisters are returning to the spotlight for the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular! The trio of witches will call upon their fellow villains to create the ultimate Hocus Pocus Party Potion. The show happens three times each night, at 8:35PM, 10:45PM, and 12AM. We’ll update this section as the night continues! Dance Parties There will be several dance parties during the party! Over in Tomorrowland, you will find the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Dance Ball with Mike and Sulley! It goes on from 7PM to midnight — which is the length of the whole party. There is also the Disney Junior Jam happening over in Storybook Circus. When we went by, there weren’t many people dancing. There characters were also missing! Over at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café is the ZOM-BEATZ BASH Dance Party, and we think we found where everyone is! There are some characters from Disney Channel’s Z-O-M-B-I-E-S movies in here too! Other Entertainment The Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet is also at the party again. The Dapper Dans put on their spooky best to become the Cadaver Dans and sing up some spooktacular tunes. You can find them over in Frontierland. There is much more entertainment to come! Attractions There are special ride overlays at some of the attractions during the party. These special overlays are ONLY available during the party, so make sure to check them out! But other rides are open, too! Here’s the list of rides available during the party: Adventureland Jungle Cruise The Magic Carpets of Aladdin Pirates of the Caribbean Swiss Family Treehouse Frontierland Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Liberty Square Haunted Mansion Fantasyland Prince Charming Regal Carrousel “It’s a small world” Peter Pan’s Flight The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Mad Tea Party Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Storybook Circus Dumbo the Flying Elephant The Barnstormer Tomorrowland Astro Orbiter Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Space Mountain Tomorrowland Speedway Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise – Virtual Queue Access Only Disney notes that “an opportunity to request to join the virtual queue will be available at 6:00 PM for Guests attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Guests will need to use the My Disney Experience app to enter this attraction. A standby queue for this attraction will not be available during the event. Each Guest can request to enter this virtual queue no more than once per event.” TRON Lightcycle / Run Don’t forget to reserve your spot in that virtual queue if you’re hoping to ride TRON during the party. There is SO much Halloween fun to be had at this year’s party. We’ll continue to update this post as the night goes on! Stay tuned for more Halloween news! This simple list will make Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 10X easier! 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 Will you be going to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year? Tell us in the comments! The post We're LIVE at the FIRST Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2023 -- Come With Us! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s finally time! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is BACK in Magic Kingdom. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party We are so excited to experience all the entertainment this event has to offer, check out all the fun snacks, and of course, go trick-or-treating. But there’s one very important thing you need to grab at the beginning of your adventure to help you get around the parks — the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party map! This map will be your guide for finding everything around the party, and we really mean EVERYTHING. You’ll be able to grab these maps at the front entrance of the park. We saw Cast Members handing them out as you enter as well as in the normal map stands. Let’s break it down! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Map When you open the map, you’ll find all of the special details of the party. You can see which of your favorite rides have a Halloween twist, specialty food and beverage for the event, and all of the entertainment listed. There are multiple shows you’ll be able to see at this after-hours event, so you’ll want to look at these at the beginning of the party so you know how to plan out your evening. The Party Details When you fully open the map you’ll see the park map as well as icons to indicate where characters are meeting, where the trick-or-treating spots are, as well as other important indicators of where restrooms, first aid, and more are. On the right-hand side, you’ll see a legend to show you what each of these icons on the map means. Inside the map Here’s a closer look at the park map. You can see several park icons lit up in color including Cinderella’s Castle, Big Thunder Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, and more. The bat icons are character meet-and-greets and the orange pins are trick-or-treat locations. The park layout To the right, you’ll see locations of stores, rides, and restaurants throughout the park. As well as event highlights including Trick-or-Treat locations, Allergy-Friendly Centers, and more. The park details Finally, on the back of the map, you’ll see exclusive event merchandise will be found in Star Traders and Emporium. Event Merchandise We implore you not to underestimate the power of the map — it can really save you lots of time during your night. While it seems you have plenty of time when the night begins, it goes by quickly. Be sure to stay tuned throughout the night because we’ll be bringing you all the latest Not-So-Scary news as we experience the event! Read ALL about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party here! 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 What’s your favorite part of this after-hours event? Tell us in the comments! The post FIRST LOOK at the 2023 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party MAP in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s time to go back to school! Time to go shopping! We have rounded up a few inexpensive backpacks so your kiddos can add some Disney magic to their school days! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Before we dive right into our list, 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! Let’s dive right into it! Grab this Girls Bowknot Polka Dot Mini Backpack for 20% Off ©Amazon Don’t let its look fool you. This mini backpack has enough space to carry a 9.7″ iPad, so you’ll have plenty of room to carry any essentials. View on Amazon Grab this Disney100 Backpack ©Amazon Why not step up your kids’ backpack game with this one? View on Amazon Grab this Girls’ Encanto Family Magic Backpack ©Target Here’s an option for the Encanto fans in the family. View on Target Grab this Disney Kids’ Stitch Backpack ©Target Love Experiment 626? Then, you’ll want to check this one out! View on Target Shop this Spider-Man Backpack for 30% Off ©Disney Here’s the back: ©Disney This backpack is perfect for showing off your Spider-Man love! View on shopDisney It’s part of the Up to 30% Off Back to School Staples sale. ©Disney Take advantage of it before the deals are gone! View on shopDisney Shop The Mickey Mouse Club Backpack for $18 with any purchase ©Disney Join the jamboree and dive into the nostalgia with this backpack which features patterns of vintage The Mickey Mouse Club logos and icons. View on shopDisney For additional savings, there’s a code for free shipping on orders of $75 or more — just type in SHIPMAGIC at checkout in the promos section. ©Disney We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news and updates, so make sure to follow along for more. Shop MORE back to school Disney Amazon finds 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 Which backpack will you be picking up? Let us know down below! The post 6 Disney Backpacks Under first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If your travel plans include a trip to Disneyland Paris, the planDisney Panelists are here with their top seven tips for making the most of this magical vacation.View the full article

NEW snacks have arrived in Magic Kingdom for the fall season and we have to tell you about one of them. Halloween in Magic Kingdom In case you missed it, it’s fall in Disney World. Yup, we’re talking Halloween decorations in Magic Kingdom, the start of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and all kinds of spooky merchandise. But on top of that, special snacks have arrived for the season and one might just trick your eyes! Did Disney just create A CHICKEN NUGGET MILKSHAKE?! We hate to break this to you, but no. Sadly, while the Pickle Shake exists at EPCOT, Disney World did NOT make a chicken nugget milkshake for us to try, but your eyes might trick you into thinking that’s what this is! Is That…A Nugget?! In reality, this is the NEW Salted Caramel Milk Shake topped with Green Apple Whipped Cream and an Apple Fritter! It’s priced at $8.49 and is available at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies during regular park hours AND Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party from now through November 1st. Oh, That’s What It Is! Let’s start with the look. We kinda wish this was a chicken nugget milkshake now because that sounds EPIC, but moving on from that, we do like the presentation of this shake. It has a heavy amount of light green whipped cream on top with that one doughy apple fritter on top that makes it look really fun. Love the Look Now, let’s talk about the taste. In some ways, this tastes like biting into a traditional, dipped caramel apple — which is great! The apple fritter tastes like a thicker, doughier version of Entenmanns pop’ems donuts (and hey, there’s nothing wrong with that sometimes). The whipped cream has a strong green apple taste to it but is fairly balanced out when paired with the salted caramel part of the shake. All in all, the flavors reminded us of the beginning of fall in the best way possible. Sadly Not a Fried Chicken It has a very strong salted caramel flavor too. As a whole, it is a treat with some stronger flavors, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. We could see this being really great for a hot day in the parks or just as a way to celebrate the fall season. Just be warned — this is VERY sugary, so it might be a good one to share. Inside the Fritter What do you think? Would you try this or do you wish Disney had made a fried chicken nugget milkshake?! Tell us in the comments! Click here to see ALL the Fall and Halloween Treats coming to Magic Kingdom. If you’re heading to Disney World soon, you might need a SPOOKY new t-shirt to wear! We’ve got just the thing at our online DFB store. Gather round all ye witches! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more coverage of all things Halloween and fall in Disney World! Learn about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party by clicking here. 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 Would you try this shake? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: Everyone’s Wondering If This Is a Chicken Nugget Milkshake in Disney World...Sadly, It Isn’t. 😆 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you don’t want to get blindsided by the hidden costs in Disney World, you’re in the right place! Let’s look at how much you need to save to go to Disney World. Magic Kingdom for 4th of July One of the most stressful parts about planning any kind of Disney trip is figuring out how much you’ll need to save to feel like you can do everything you set out to accomplish during your big vacation. And that’s EXACTLY what we’re gonna help you achieve today. We’re gonna break down some different price points for different budgets so YOU can pick and choose how little or how much you will need for your trip. Remember that many of the prices we’ll be discussing today are subject to change (which is why several will be discussed based on a RANGE rather than a specific price point). This is ESPECIALLY true when it comes to the travel section of the post (which — not to tease ya or anything — but that section is completely shocking. And, more than likely, it’s gonna shock you too). But before we talk about TRAVEL, let’s ensure you know where you’re traveling TO. Hotels The hotel price ranges you’re gonna find around Disney property are VERY different. (Drastically different, really.) So it’s all gonna come down to what YOU want to prioritize. Do you plan on making your resort part of the vacation… or just a place to crash each night? Finding Nemo Room at Art of Animation We looked into price ranges for ALL the Disney World Resort types — including values, moderates, deluxe, and villas — as well as some of the Good Neighbor hotels too (which work alongside Disney to give guests a cheaper price point for their rooms, while still providing similar benefits that you’d receive if you were staying at a Disney-owned resort instead). Drury Room layout Now, dates vary depending on when you stay. If you pick a date around back-to-school season (like August-September), room prices will be knocked down by a couple hundred bucks. BUT if you pick a date around the holiday season (like November-December), the exact OPPOSITE happens, and you’ll see room prices go up by a couple hundred bucks. So for this example, we’re trying to land somewhere in the middle-ish, and we’ll be booking rooms for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids around a season that’s starting to pick up in numbers (AKA: the start of summer vacation, from June 5th- June 11th — a weeklong vacation). A Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel is Undergoing a $35 Million Renovation! Value Resorts — The Most Affordable Option Disney’s value resorts are…well…they’re actually pretty self-explanatory. They’re going to be your more affordable option when it comes to choosing a Disney Resort. For the most part. All-Star Movies The absolute CHEAPEST room option you’re gonna find across ALL the Disney World resorts will be over at Disney’s All-Star Sports. A standard room here will cost ya around $185 per night. Yup. That’s the CHEAPEST priced room right there. Again, if you book a room during Disney’s down season, this price WILL drop. But no matter when you book this room, rest assured that just because you’re paying less for it than you would any other Disney room, AND you’ll still have access to the Disney resort guest benefit Early Theme Park Entry — which allows you to enter any of the parks on any day 30 minutes before they open for everyone else. All-Star Resorts The other All-Star Resorts (Movies and Music) tend to be around the same price point, EXCEPT if you choose the All-Star Music Family Suite instead. Not only is this suite-type the CHEAPEST suite on property, BUT it’s also got SO MUCH SPACE to spread out! We’re talking a living room with two Murphy beds, two full bathrooms, a kitchen space, AND a master bedroom — all for around $408 per night. Disney’s Art of Animation also has family suites — with different Disney animated movie themes featuring Cars, The Lion King, and Finding Nemo. But these suites are more expensive than the All-Star Music ones. A Lion King family suite, which can comfortably sleep up to six guests, will cost around $565 per night. Art of Animation also has standard Little Mermaid-themed room options, too, priced around $272 per night. But that cut cost will also cut a LOT of that roominess you’ll receive over at the suites. Art of Animation Resort One of the best reasons to stay at Art of Animation is that it sits directly on the Skyliner Route — which will give you an easy-going, sky gondola trip over to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the other Skyliner-area resorts (like Disney’s Riviera and Disney’s Caribbean Beach). But the CHEAPEST resort on the Skyliner route is actually over at Disney’s Pop Century. You can get a preferred room here— which will put you much closer to the Skyliner station OR the resort’s lobby— for around $245 per night. All-Star Movies vs. Pop Century Disney World Resort Guide 2023 Moderates Resorts at Disney World Moderate Resorts offer mid-level amenities at mid-level prices (sort of like the “Goldilocks” of Disney World hotels). But don’t let the “moderate” title fool you — moderate resorts can provide some of the BEST Disney hotel experiences at a much more affordable price than deluxe resorts can offer. Caribbean Beach Resort Some of the cheapest moderate resort rooms can be found at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside — just a boat ride away from the Disney Springs shopping district. A standard French Quarter room will cost around $291 per night. (That’s right — a STANDARD room here is only a little bit MORE than a standard room at Art of Animation! And you’ll be within walking distance to BEIGNETS when you stay here!). If you wanna get a little *fancy* and embrace your inner prince or princess, the Riverside resort has Royal Guest Rooms available for you to book. Royal guest rooms are Disney-royalty themed — with photos of Disney princesses on the wall and touches from their movies scattered throughout the room’s decor. One of our favorite touches? The headboards light up with fireworks! (Now, how’s THAT for a cherry on top?) Royal Guest Rooms are priced around $370 per night, which, when you look at some of the OTHER highly-themed rooms on Disney World property, really isn’t too terrible of a price for Disney standards. You’ll see what I mean soon enough. Port Orleans Resort — Riverside Jumping back over to the Skyliner Resorts again, Disney’s Caribbean Beach has standard rooms — with an added 5th sleeper Murphy bed — for around $309. AND later in 2023, you’ll ALSO get to book a rLittle Mermaid room here! But this isn’t the same type of Little Mermaid room you’ll find at Art of Animation. These rooms replaced the former Pirate-themed rooms in the resort, and will add touches of new under-the-sea artwork, brighter decor, pastel colors, and a 5th sleeper bed that will allow each room to accommodate more guests. No price ranges out for this new-styled room YET, but we’ll let you know just as soon as we hear about a future price point. ©Disney The Little Mermaid-themed rooms are coming to Caribbean Beach Resort. If you’re looking for a LOT of room for your group and some extra privacy away from other resort guests, you can always choose to book a cabin at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The cabins will help you “rough it” in the great outdoors (without really roughin’ it). You’ll have an outdoor deck, a picnic table with a charcoal grill, a bedroom with a queen bed and bunk beds, a full bathroom with a tub/shower, a full kitchen, a living area with a pull-out sleeper sofa, and a dining table that seats up to six family members — all for around $478 per night. Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Now let’s look at a moderate resorts with some major DELUXE features. Disney’s Coronado Springs houses the Gran Destino Tower — with upscale food options, rooftop views, and elegant rooms and suites. Other amenities include the building’s state-of-the-art fitness center, conference spaces, and connections to other areas of the Resort. For a standard room here (with a view out across the water), prices average around $394. BUT Gran Destino is the ONLY moderate resort that offers a deluxe suite stay with club-level access. This means that guests staying in these rooms have access to the resort’s Chronos Club — which is an exclusive, relaxing space that serves complimentary refreshments like breakfast, snacks, drinks, and desserts all throughout the day. But just because Gran Destino is a moderate resort doesn’t mean the Club Level rooms are gonna be a steal of a deal or anything. You’ll still have to pay around $815 per night to stay in ‘em. Coronado Springs Lobby If you want a MUCH cheaper Coronado Springs room option, step outside the tower and check out the casitas around the older section of the resort. A preferred room in this area will cost you about $356 per night. Caribbean Beach vs. Coronado Springs Disney World Resort Guide 2023 Deluxe Resorts at Disney World Deluxe hotels offer top-tier amenities for top-tier prices. They also offer perks such as awesome pools, top-rated dining, and easy access to the parks. Not to mention, these are the only Disney World resorts that’ll give you the Extended Evening Hours benefit — which will let you stay in select parks on select nights up to two hours after they close for everyone else. Boardwalk Inn Resort Typically, you’ll find extending evening hours for EPCOT on Mondays, Magic Kingdom on Wednesdays, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Thursdays. Now, we’re not gonna go over EVERY deluxe resort on property (because there are a LOT of ‘em), but we will cover the vast majority so you can get a good idea of how pricey deluxe resorts can truly be. Some of these price ranges may surprise you. A few of them on this list ACTUALLY have some cheaper price points than some of the moderate options! BUT let’s start with the bougiest resort of the bunch — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Grand Floridian has some of the most expensive room options on property, not just because of its Victorian-style atmosphere. Grand Floridian is located on the monorail loop — meaning you can easily get to other monorail resorts (like Disney’s Polynesian Village and Disney’s Contemporary Resort), as well as Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. If you book a standard garden room here, expect to pay around $776 per night. But if you wanna make your stay just a little more grand — and have a view of the Magic Kingdom right outside your window (so you can watch the fireworks go off over Cinderella Castle each evening) — then you’re looking at paying $945 per night instead. Grand Floridian Resort DVC Studio Keep in mind that Grand Floridian is currently working on updating their rooms and lobby to take on a subtle-yet-classy Mary Poppins theming. This is how they remodeled the Big Pine Key last year when transforming the rooms into Disney Vacation Club studios, which tend to range in price between $700-$1200+ per night. Speaking of DVC studios, you can find MORE DVC studio rooms over at Disney’s Riviera — which is the most EXPENSIVE resort along the Skyliner route. A deluxe studio with a standard view here will cost you around $681 per night. Riviera Resort Okay, let’s look at some of the CHEAPER deluxe resort options now. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can get a standard room for around $482 per night! That’s nearly $300 less per night than what you’ll get for a standard room at Grand Floridian! And, if you request a partial savanna room during your check-in, you might also be able to see over 30 species of African wildlife — including zebras, giraffes, and gazelles flamingos. Seriously — there’s a LOT to see here. If you wanna guarantee a full savanna view room, you can always specifically book one of those instead for around $679. You pay top dollar for those animals, yo. Animal Kingdom Lodge Fun fact: Did you know getting a CHEAPER club-level room at a deluxe resort is possible versus what you can get at Gran Destino Tower? Over at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you can get a standard-level club-level room for around $745 per night — which will grant you access to the private Old Faithful Club. However, if you just want a standard room at this resort, your price will drop down to around $490 per night instead. And NOW for the most EXPENSIVE deluxe resort stay of them all — Disney’s Galactic STARCRUISER! Inside the cabins Okay, granted, it’s technically NOT a deluxe resort. Rather, Disney describes it as “part live immersive theater, part themed environment, part culinary extravaganza, part real-life role-playing game—and so much more.” So basically, you’re gonna be thrown into one big Star Wars choose-your-own-adventure over a 2-day, 2-night stay, complete with a “port-of-call” to the planet of Batuu — aka: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios. But this interactive experience is gonna cost ya the big bucks. Expect to fork over around $6,000 for this one. Now, this price IS similar to what you’d see for a Disney Cruise. In the same vein as a cruise, Starcruiser even has meals and meal vouchers included with that price tag. You’ll also receive a Halcyon pin as your one-way ticket for skipping over the massive lines for Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Galactic Starcruiser BUT if you choose to go the Starcruiser route, those two days WILL be packed with Starcruiser activities and Starcruiser activities alone. So if you want to use this time to explore the parks, this may not be the route you want to take. Learn More About Disney’s Star Wars Hotel Disney World Deluxe Villas What’s the difference between a Disney hotel room and a villa? Villa is the term that Disney uses for its timeshare (Disney Vacation Club – DVC) properties. Deluxe villas give you furnishings that are generally a little bit more on the higher end. You’ll also get larger square footage in some of these rooms when compared to standard hotel rooms. PLUS, special amenities can make your trip easier and more convenient. In DVC villas with 1-2 bedrooms, you’ll find full kitchens, in-room laundry appliances, a large living room, and a dining area. All of these can be huge assets for a larger family. Breakfast nook and eating area Most DVC rental prices that you book directly through the Disney website will cost between $780-$2000 per night, depending on where you stay and what time of year you’re staying. But you don’t have to be a member to stay in these accommodations. Non-DVC members can book rooms straight through Disney (like you’d book a standard hotel room), or you can rent points from a DVC member to save a little money. When we decide to go this route, we always use David’s DVC Rental site. That way, there’s a professional, 3rd party middleman between the renter and the rentee to ensure that both sides of the deal can benefit from the purchase, with no takesie-backsies. One-Bedroom Villa at Disney’s Riviera Resort Over at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, you’ll be able to find a 1-bedroom villa with a garden/pool view for around $786 per night. We also found similar price tags for villas over at Disney’s Beach Club! That means you can get a HUGE DVC room at these EPCOT-area resorts for only a few dollars more than you’d pay for a STANDARD room at Grand Floridian! See — told you Grand Floridian was the bougiest of the bunch. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Much like the Grand Floridian, the BoardWalk Inn is also experiencing some major renovations and refurbishments throughout 2023. We’ve already seen the quick-service BoardWalk Deli added to the BoardWalk strip and the brand-new Carousel Coffee added to the resort lobby. Expect to see future additions here, like the table service Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, as well as freshened-up room and lobby decor. When you head back to the monorail resorts, you’ll find that the price for DVC rooms immediately increases again. Disney’s Bay Lake Tower, which is a part of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, has 1-bedroom villas (with a theme park view) priced at around $1,090 per night. If you pay for a 6-night stay here, you’ll pay MORE than you would for the entire Galactic Starcruiser immersive experience. But this isn’t an abnormal price range for DVC villas. The Contemporary If you jump back over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and book a 2-bedroom villa (with, of course, a savanna view), expect to pay around $1,648 per night. For a slightly-cheaper 2-bedroom villa option, you can check out Disney’s Wilderness Lodge’s Copper Creek villas, priced around $1,391 per night. Contemporary vs. Wilderness Lodge Disney World Resort Guide 2023 Good Neighbor Hotels near Disney World Whew! That was quite the pricey endeavor, wasn’t it? Good thing Disney has partnered with some nearby Good Neighbor Hotels to give you some potentially cheaper places to stay and other extra Disney benefits — like complimentary transportation to the parks and, in some cases, Early Theme Park Entry. Holiday Inn Orlando — Disney Springs Area A variety of hotel amenities including: Standard rooms, Suites, and Villas Transportation to-and-from the parks (though, in some cases, a fee may apply) Many locations provide complimentary breakfast each morning. There are well over 40 different Good Neighbor Hotels that you can choose from — and each is listed on the Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels website. But let’s give you a sample price range for a few of the more popular options available. Drury Plaza Hotel For example…at the BRAND NEW Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando — which is also in the Disney Springs Area — you can get a 2-bedroom suite (that’s right, a SUITE) for around $216 per night! And the Holiday Inn Orlando-Disney Springs Area has a 2 Queen Bedroom — with (get this) a Fireworks View from the room’s personal balcony — for around $173! So if you want a much, much, MUCH cheaper option of seeing the Disney fireworks out your window each night, this very well could be the alternative you’re looking for. Swan and Dolphin Over at Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Hotels (and the Swan Reserve), you’ve got some major DELUXE perks at a moderate price point. These Marriott Bonvoy-owned rooms will not only give you Early Theme Park Entry, but ALSO Extended Evening Benefits, too! You’ll also be within walking distance from two of the four parks — EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Dolphin side of the hotel has room prices ranging between $530-$1,030 The Swan side has prices between $560-$1,060 And the Swan Reserve between $300-$1,000 If you see prices are running higher than you’d like them to be for any of these rooms during your upcoming stay, you can always knock down those price tags by using your Marriott Reward Points to save major bucks if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member. The Walt Disney World Swan WOW. That hotel section was MONSTROUS. Let’s move on to a much smaller (but equally-as-important) topic: TICKET PRICES. Tour a Room at the Swan Reserve Hotel in Disney World With Us! Park Tickets Much like Disney Resorts, park ticket prices ride a wave of changes throughout the year. Although you can check out the specifics for yourself on the ticket price calendar located on the Disney World website, we’ve done a chunk of the research for you already. What can I say except, “You’re Welcome!” The ticket price ranges that we’ll be looking at today are based around a 4-day, single-park ticket for ages 10 and up. If you plan to go fewer days during your trip, this range will increase, but if you plan to go more days, this range will decrease. Disney likes to reward its guests who wanna stay in the parks for a LONGER amount of time. Disney World Theme Park Ticket Cards Suppose you’re planning on only purchasing a one-day, one-park ticket for your upcoming trip because you’re planning on prioritizing other parts of Orlando instead of staying in the Disney bubble alone. In that case, pricing will look a little bit different for you. If you book 2 or more park tickets, the price range you’ll see on the calendar will apply to every park. So if we see a certain day that’s priced at $142, know that — no matter what park you make park pass reservations for — it’s gonna be the same cost across the board. (Wait — you don’t know about Park Pass reservations? Yeah, you need tickets AND reservations to go to Disney World’s theme parks — more on that here.) However, if you book a 1 day, 1 park ticket, the prices will all be park-based. That means you could be paying more for, say, a visit to Magic Kingdom than you would for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Tiana Okay — moving on from the disclaimer now! Let’s look into those 4-day, single-park ticket prices! If you’re planning a trip early in the year, price ranges for January and February will be around $132-$146 per ticket. The $146 tickets pop up around the week of Valentine’s Day— because what’s more romantic than Cinderella Castle and a Mickey Premium Ice Cream bar?? When you enter into spring territory (March-May), prices range between $135-$142. Typically, prices start to drop back to the $130s again once May rolls around, but will peak once more for Memorial Day weekend. Chewbacca Disney World Card Once summer vacation rolls around (June-August), prices range between $114-$142. Now THAT’S a bit more drastic! The $114 tickets that you see here are the CHEAPEST Disney World park tickets tend to get, and you’ll find them once school’s back in session, around mid-to-late August. The $142 prices, however, are what you can expect around the 4th of July. Fall prices (between September-November) also have drastically-different ranges around $117-$155. You’ll find several days in September with the $117 price point, but once Thanksgiving week is here — prices shoot up to that peak of $155 per ticket. Scanning in to the parks And then there’s the holiday season — December — which sees the HIGHEST ticket prices of the year. On Christmas Day, ticket prices are currently marked at $159. If you want to see the parks all lit up and twinkling for the holidays but you wanna try to cut down on those surge prices too, try aiming to visit toward the beginning of December (when tickets get as low as $144). If you plan to upgrade your ticket to a park hopper (which will allow you to visit multiple parks, starting after 2PM each day), park hopper prices start at $65 extra per ticket. But, park hoppers now also have the ability to fluctuate in price depending on what time of year you visit. So if you think you’re gonna want to park hop, because you only have a limited time in the parks as is, try factoring in at least an extra $70-$90 per daily ticket price, just in case. Alright, You Want to Buy a Disney World Annual Pass. We’re Here to Help You Decide If It’s Worth It. Travel Alright — we can’t wait any longer. We’ve GOTTA talk about these travel prices you’ll gonna run into. Travel prices can vary quite a bit — and there are a lot of factors to consider when looking at transportation to and from Disney World. So let’s look at the difference between traveling to Disney World by car versus by plane. Where are you traveling this year? Getting to Disney World By Car Depending on where you live, it can be cheaper to drive to Disney World than it would cost to fly — especially if you have a larger family you’re toting along with ya. That being said, gas prices, which are averaging around the $3 per gallon range in Florida right now, and nights spent in a hotel along the way (which can be $100-$200 per night) may end up canceling out those savings. Disney’s Hollywood Studios parking entrance Not to mention, you also need to factor in the $25 to $50 parking costs at Disney’s parks if you don’t stay at a Disney World hotel, and any parking fees for the hotel or resort you’re staying at. Driving in Florida In order to determine whether putting in the miles will pay off in the long run, it might help to think about how long it’ll take you to drive to and from Disney World from where you live. Spending more time in the car than in the parks may not be the best use of your vacation time (and funds). Why Driving to Disney World Is a Gamble Right Now By Plane Here’s where things get WILD. Flying to Disney World can be cheaper and more convenient for your group. Usually, it’ll get you there faster, and you’ll be able to skip over the extra cost of hotel stays during your travels. Unless, of course, there’s some sort of flight delay or cancellation. Which COULD happen, especially around busier— and stormier— times of the year. ©Delta But, in other instances, flights can actually be more expensive than you bargained for. We looked up a few specific examples for different roundtrip flights flying into the Orlando International Airport — heading out of Los Angeles’ LAX airport and Atlanta’s ATL airport — around the same travel time frame we were looking at for hotels — with a departing flight on June 5th and a return flight on June 11th. Before we jump into these prices, keep in mind that: A) flight prices change daily, and B) there are way more flights and airlines out there than what we’ll be giving you today. So it’s always a good idea to do your own research, compare different airlines and airport prices that are at least within a 100-mile radius of your home, and book your flights about 60 days in advance. So, not TOO late but not TOO early, either. You’ll see why here in just a second. Boarding Let’s start with Delta flights. At LAX, we found a nonstop flight to MCO for around $458. But then we found a much cheaper nonstop flight out of ATL for $288. This price dip is to be expected — since Atlanta, Georgia, is 440 miles from Orlando, while LA is a whopping 2,500 miles. For American Airlines, prices were fairly similar. You can get a flight from ATL for $371, but that does include one stop at CLT in Charlotte, North Carolina. LAX, however, has a nonstop flight for $488. Again — not a huge difference in price between Delta and American. But you never know! That could change in an instant. ©American Airlines Frontier Airlines don’t appear at every airport, but when they DO show up, they can provide cheaper price points. If you use Frontier to fly out of ATL, you can book a nonstop flight for as low as $176! Unfortunately, you’re not gonna find Frontier planes around LAX — but you WILL find them in the San Francisco airport (SFO). But don’t get too excited YET. The Frontier flights out of SFO are significantly higher than you’ll find out of ATL — currently marked at $507. This flight includes one stop in Denver, and takes about 12 hours to finally get you to your destination. Alright. Now here’s the BIG price shocker. Let’s look at… Spirit Airlines. Let’s set the scene here. Let’s say instead of a June flight, we wanna book a flight for May 5-11th instead. Okay. Cool. So a flight out of LAX is gonna range around $148, while a flight out of ATL will be around $48. Yup, you heard that right. $48. Not too shabby! This is more of the price ranges you EXPECT to see from a budget airline. Sometimes taking a budget airline is worth the savings! ©Spirit Airlines But here’s where it gets wild. Jump ahead back to June 5th-11th. If we get a flight with Spirit out of ATL, then I’ll be paying — brace yourself — $814 for a nonstop flight. $814!!!!! And it gets even worse at LAX! A Spirit flight with one stop in Houston will cost a whopping $1,013! Um… did my computer glitch out on me? Are these prices for REAL? We are seeing those MAJOR jumps happening around busier travel seasons. Does that mean these prices are set in stone? Not at all. Prices around these times could see a major dip for not just Spirit, but for ANY airlines. So here are some ways you can potentially save money on your future flights: Stay Vigilant: Once you book your flights, keep an eye on airfare. If it goes down, you can sometimes call the airline or rebook online to apply for that new deal. Use Your Toolbox: Find an online airline search tool that will do that hard work for you. There are many out there that can help you track flight prices and notify you when prices are low, or give you predictions on when flight costs could go down. Some of our favorites include Hopper, Google Flights, and Skyscanner. Review the Point System: If you’re a frequent flyer with a certain airline — or you have a major airline credit card — check to see if you have any points you can redeem for free flights. Every little bit helps! Minimize Your Baggage: Those fees can add up! For example, some airlines allow each passenger to bring one free personal item and one free carry-on bag — so if you can fit everything in the carry-on and personal item, you won’t have to pay extra for luggage! Check out our 50 Simple Tricks That Make Travel So Much Easier video on our YouTube channel for more travel-saving tips and specific travel hacks that’ll help your journey go much smoother. Orlando International Airport Hold on. We’re not done with MCO just yet. Now that you’ve landed, how do you get to your resort from the airport? The most expensive option is the rental car route: A car rental through Alamo — for a standard SUV that can hold a family of 5 — is priced around $454 weekly. While a car rental through Hertz — for a Large Sedan that can ALSO hold a family of 5 — is priced around $400 weekly. Rental Car parking lots filled up when things shut down. Granted, investing in a rental car will give your family the freedom to drive around property whenever you want, wherever you want — instead of relying solely on the schedules of Disney’s complimentary transportation services. But a rental car isn’t your only option. Instead, you can reserve a seat on one of the airport shuttle services — the Sunshine Flyer OR the Mears Connect — that run regularly from the airport to Disney World. Mears Connect Bus Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine costs $39.90 per adult and $28.35 per child for a standard roundtrip. You’ll need to book your seat on one of these shuttles after figuring out your resort stay and your flight by going to the Mears Connect. You can sometimes find sales, so keep following us here at DFB for more info on that. Or let us come straight to your inbox with Disney deals and discounts — sign up for our newsletter here! And then there’s the rideshare option, where you can pay for an Uber or a Lyft to pick you up for a more private (and potentially quicker) ride to your resort. Rideshare Sign Whether a rideshare is gonna be cheaper than a ride aboard the Mears Connect is about as predictable as the flip of a coin. Rideshares from the MCO and on into the Disney Bubble can be as low as $35, BUT if you time your pickup around lunch or rush hour, those prices could hike up to $75+. The CHEAPEST Way to Get To Disney World From the Orlando Airport Okay. Now, we’re done talking about flights and airports. Let’s move onto our FAVORITE topic of them all… Food Who’s HUNGRY? Talking about an average price range for a family to eat around Disney World is pretty tricky to pin down. And that’s because prices for each of the restaurants are really, REALLY different from one another. Good thing we can break them down into multiple categories! Thanksgiving eats from Liberty Tree Tavern Quick and Counter Service dining (AKA: the fast food of Disney World) will be your cheapest meal option. Usually, prices for meals here (for adults) range around $20 or less. Sometimes WAY less, even. A few unique quick service options that you’ll be able to find around the parks includes: Satuli Canteen in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Docking Bay 7 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Crepes A Emporter in EPCOT Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Magic Kingdom Plus, many more. Many, MANY more. Sleepy Hollow Refreshment options Then you’ve got your sit-down, Table Service restaurants. The price ranges for these types of restaurants can vary SIGNIFICANTLY. On the one hand, you might be able to pay for items a la carte like you can at Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom or Sci-Fi Dine-In at Hollywood Studios. Or you might have to pay a prix-fixe menu price — which means you’ll pay for a multi-course meal (traditionally an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert) sold at one fixed price. Skipper Canteen Sometimes, prix-fixe prices can give you a pretty sweet deal. However, SOME prix-fixe meals will cost ya a pretty penny. At Space 220 in EPCOT, a prix-fixe dinner consists of one appetizer, entree, and dessert for a grand total of $79 per adult. To be fair, you’re really paying more for the atmosphere here than anything else, but you can find a cheaper prix-fixe menu for lunch at $55 per adult — or you can book the Space 220 Lounge instead, and purchase cocktails and appetizers a la carte for a potentially even cheaper dining option during your space adventures. Space 220 Next, you’ve got Character Dining — which are dining experiences where Disney characters get to meet and greet with guests throughout the restaurant. If you book a character dining experience for dinner at a restaurant like Chef Mickey’s in the Contemporary Resort or Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, expect to pay around $59 per adult. However, if you go the breakfast character dining route instead for either of these restaurants, the price drops down to $45. Heya, Mickey! This will give you a different assortment of food, BUT if your group is more concerned about meeting the Fab Five rather than what food’s gonna wind up on your plate, then breakfast might be a better way to go. And now for the most EXPENSIVE dining venture of the bunch — Signature Dining. Signature dining can be boiled down to high-quality dining at a high price. Some signature dining, like the regular table services around property, have a la carte options that can help you cut costs — like Le Cellier Steakhouse in EPCOT and Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Hollywood Brown Derby But if you run across a prix-fixe signature dining experience, expect to be paying the big bucks. This is ESPECIALLY true if you go the ultra-fancy dining experience route — for restaurants like Monsieur Paul and Takumi Tei in EPCOT. Monsieur Paul, located in the France Pavilion of World Showcase, costs $195 per person, while Takumi Tei, located in the Japan pavilion, starts at $150 per person. Beef Tenderloin at Monsieur Paul Victoria and Alberts, over in Disney’s Grand Floridian, REALLY takes the cake when it comes to fancy-pants dining. You have three dining options at Victoria and Albert’s. You can choose the main dining room — which features the Chef’s Tasting Menu and allows guests to choose anywhere between eight and 12 courses for a base price of $235 per guest. You can choose the Queen Victoria Room — a slightly more secluded option that only accommodates up to eight guests at a time, spread out over four tables of two — for a base price of $375 per guest. Or you can choose the Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table — an ultra-exclusive 3-hour dining experience where your party is seated in the kitchen. But this one’s gonna cost ya a base price of $425 per guest. Notice how we’re saying “base price.” You can further ENHANCE these already-enhanced dining experiences with extras like wine pairings (around $150-$200 extra, depending on your dining room experience), zero-proof cocktail pairings (priced at $110), extra courses/other enhancements that can range between $35-$200+ extra. Victoria & Albert’s The way you dine in Disney World — and the amount you decide you wanna budget back for food — is all up to you. But, if you plan on being around property for the week, you’ll likely want to make 80-90% of your meals quick service-specific. You might even wanna go the extra mile and make all of them quick services to help save money. Or you can save even MORE money by packing your own food and skipping the extra fast food price tag. Several guests like to pack easy-to-carry (and easy-to-preserve) lunch and dinner options in their park bags, such as: sandwiches, mixed veggies, trail mix, protein bars, and anything else that A) doesn’t need heated in a microwave, B) Doesn’t need to be kept frozen, and C) Isn’t being carried in a glass container. Grocery Delivery You can either bring these foods from home if you pre-gamed with some grocery shopping before your big trip, or you can use a grocery delivery app, like Instacart, to deliver groceries to your resort when you arrive. Even with those grocery app delivery fees, ordering groceries for the week of your trip can be a much cheaper alternative to buying quick-service food daily for every single meal. Make sure — if you order any perishable items — that the hotel room you choose has a full-sized fridge. Mini-Fridge With all that being said, we still recommend booking maybe 2-3 table services, just to try out some of the more elevated dining options in Disney, or if food is more than fuel to you —and you truly wanna experience the crème de la crème of Disney dining — a Signature restaurant could be the perfect way to celebrate a big occasion like an anniversary, engagement, graduation, honeymoon, or other celebration-worthy life event. Best Disney World Snacks for Every Budget How much you spend on food is truly up to you, but I wouldn’t go into it without a plan. And THAT’S why we wrote the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Get the DFB Guide! How Much Does the Food REALLY Cost in Disney World? Extras Who’s ready to tack on a little extra PIZZAZZ? Much like you can add *enhancements* to your signature dining meal to make the experience all the more extravagant, you can also add extra activities or premium planning options to sprinkle some extra spice (and convenience) onto your already-magical trip. Halloween is HERE! At Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, After Hours Events have returned to the parks for select nights, giving guests who feel like the parks are just WAY too crowded during the day the chance to experience them at night with much lower crowd levels and much shorter ride lines. After Hours Events range between $129-$159 per person. You can always double up and pay for both a regular single-day ticket and an After Hours ticket, but — since After Hours will still get you into the parks as early as 7PM, and the events themselves last from 12:30-1AM, you may JUST wanna go the After Hours route and skip the regular park ticket entirely (if you don’t mind NOT getting your picture in front of Cinderella Castle while the sun’s still up). After Hours Event Ever since Disney Genie+ was introduced to the park scene in 2021, we’ve gone all-Hamlet in deciding whether this premium planning tool is worth it in the long run: “To Genie+… or not to Genie+… THAT is the question.” Disney Genie+ is a PAID service, starting at $15 per person, per day, that lets you make 1 Lightning Lane selection at a time. Lightning Lanes give you a return time that allows you to SKIP a ride’s standby line. You can continue to select more return times, one at a time, throughout the day. But if you don’t find a Lightning Lane for the ride you want to skip the line for listed under the Genie+ options, you may be able to find it in the Individual Lightning Lane options instead. Lightning Lane Individual Lightning Lanes are reserved for the especially popular rides at Disney World. With this Pay-Per-Ride feature, you can pay to skip the standby line at ONE individual ride. Now, there are a LOT of different Disney Genie + and Individual Lightning Lane tips you can use to maximize your time and money (which you can check out on our Ultimate Genie+ Guide video). But, for now, let’s breakdown the questions you’re gonna want to ask yourself BEFORE investing in either (or both) of these My Disney Experience planning tools: 1. How busy will it be during your visit? Suppose you’re planning on traveling during historically non-busy seasons for Disney. In that case, Lightning Lanes may not be as necessary as they would be if you were planning on traveling during a historically jam-packed season (like Christmas or Labor Day weekend or one of the runDisney race events). That being said, since both Genie + and ILLs have a surge price system, both services will cost LESS if you purchase them during non-peak times, and way MORE if you purchase them at super-peak times. At their highest, we’ve seen Genie + cost $35 per day, per person, around the holiday seasons. The week of Christmas is often the very busiest in Disney World! 2. Do you need BOTH services, or just one? If you wanna buy Genie+, you do NOT have to pay for Individual Lightning Lanes — and vice-versa. For example, let’s say you’re visiting EPCOT, and you wanna prioritize getting on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This backward-launch coaster is listed as an ILL. So you can choose to get up around 7AM the day of your EPCOT visit and purchase an ILL for Cosmic Rewind and ONLY Cosmic Rewind — then choose to wait in the main lines for the other rides without forking over an extra $15-$29 per person for Genie+ access. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind However, you’re more than welcome to purchase both, if you’d prefer to cut down your wait times for pretty much ALL the rides as much as you possibly can. 3. Which parks will you be visiting? There’s a reason Disney hosts After Hours events — these are the BUSIEST Disney World parks, by far. But if you don’t wanna spend a good chunk of your park days waiting in line after line — and you really DO wanna see these parks during the day instead of just at night (when the shows won’t be going on), Genie + and Individual Lightning Lanes can be a major life/timesaver. Genie But — for the most part — using Genie+ for EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom may not be AS worth the cost. Unless you’re planning on visiting Disney World RIGHT after Christmas, when almost every ride line across all the parks can be a 60-180 minute wait. Which definitely isn’t the norm. Much like how you can pick and choose if you wanna pay for Genie+, or Individual Lightning Lanes, or BOTH — you can also choose how many days you wanna purchase Genie+ for. Even on a weeklong vacation, you can choose ONE day of Genie+ just to test the waters, and — if you decide it’s not your cup of tea — you can choose to NOT pay for it for the rest of your vacation. 4. Will you take the time to study up on this service before your trip? Simply put — if you don’t want to invest the extra time in learning how to get the most out of this premium service, it could feel like a giant waste of money. That’s why we’ve got so many posts about all the different, constantly updated Lightning Lane tips and tricks — so you can make sure you’re ready to maximize this purchase and know how to work it before you get to the parks. OH BOY There are so many different Enhanced Extras for you to add-on to your trip — ranging from unique tours, to dessert parties, to culinary classes, to recreational activities… the list goes on, and you can find ‘em all — along with their price ranges — on the Enchanting Extras Collection webpage on the Disney World website. Some extras won’t break the bank for ya — like EPCOT’s Behind the Seeds Tour, that starts at $35 per person. But some will take a little more saving — like the Amorette’s Patisserie Cake Decorating Experience at Disney Springs that starts at $199. Your Cake Could Be Just Like This! Again — you don’t have to add any of these extras to your trip, but if you find one that tickles your fancy, you won’t wanna forget to make reservations and budget room for these tours or classes. 52 “Secret” Things To Do At Disney World And since we’ve entered the Disney Springs scene, let’s talk SOUVENIRS! It’s hard to go to Disney without leaving your luggage feeling just a bit heavier than it did when you got there. But how much do some of the more popular souvenirs of Disney World cost? nuiMO Plushes Right now, the 100 Years of Wonder Merch, celebrating the Walt Disney Company’s 100-year anniversary, is all-the-rage. You’ve got: The Mickey Mouse and Friends Disney100 Spirit Jersey for $84.99 The Minnie Mouse Disney100 Loungefly Mini Backpack for $78 The Minnie Mouse Disney100 Ear Headband for $39.99 The Disney100 Donald and Daisy Duck Pin for $14.99 And SO MUCH MORE! 100th Anniversary merchandise in Disney World It’s all pretty pricey. Some of these items can be just as expensive as those Enhanced Extra experiences (if not more so). But you may be able to find Disney park-specific souvenirs (including Disney100 merch) before your trip on the shopDisney website for a discounted price — if one of their many, MANY online sales is going on while you’re browsing the online store. The Walt Disney Company is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary OR if you want a more affordable (and more unique) Disney tee or sweatshirt to wear around the parks, you can always check out the DFBStore website for our designs — which highlight favorite Disney rides, snacks, lands, and holidays, and WON’T ever cost you up to $90 per swagger. So many shirts! Click here to check out exclusive Disney-inspired souvenirs! Miscellaneous Costs And it feels weird to mention it, but budget for what’s not in your budget. Depending on your travel arrangements, there are some costs you’ll want to factor into that final bottom line. Here are some things to consider: Valet Price Tipping. You’ll need to plan to tip for any table service restaurants you experience, luggage attendants, housekeeping, and other odds and ends that may require a tip. Parking Fees. If you’re going to have a car while in Orlando, you may have to pay to park at Disney World theme parks if you are staying at a non-Disney resort (and the resort could have a parking fee, too, so check on that!). Tolls. Again, if you have a car, Orlando has several toll roads on the route from the airport to Disney World, and you’ll have to consider that, or use non-toll navigation options while you get around Orlando. Ride Shares. Even if you’re going to use Disney’s free transportation, you may find yourself just too tired, or too hot, or running late for that dining reservation — and find yourself scrolling through the Uber or Lyft apps. Just be prepared and budget for at least 2 ride shares during your stay, just in case. The Best Disney World Souvenirs For Every Budget Average Cost for a Disney World Trip So, let’s answer the question that’s more than likely been burnin’ a hole in your brain — how much, in total, should you be planning on saving back for your 2023 Disney World vacation? Yikes. Kinda hard to pin that one down, since there are SO many variables at play here. And if you don’t believe us… scroll back up to the top and read through it again. But let’s see what we can conjure up for ya, just to give you the roughest of rough estimates. Aurora Borealis on Spaceship Earth Let’s jump back to the month of June. For a family of four traveling in June 2023 for a weeklong Disney World getaway… a vacation package — including a value resort and single-day theme park tickets for all four parks — is gonna cost ya around $3,900. If you decide to fly instead of drive, airfare could cost around $1,010 for a roundtrip flight, depending on where you’re flying out of, — with a standard Mears Connect round trip ride to and from your resort costing an extra $130 or so. For food, you could plan on around $1,210 if you’re wanting to do mostly quick-service meals and maybe 2 table service options thrown in the mix. And if you decide to invest in Genie+ for all four park days, you’re looking at an estimated $240 extra for Lightning Lane access. And THAT makes our rough grand total come out to be…….. Around $6,478. Expedition Everest Now, again, so many factors could decrease or increase this price exponentially. You could travel during a slower time of year and see value resort prices drop. Or you could decide to drive instead of fly. You could pack lunches for your park days or splurge on a rather gourmet meal. And you could decide to throw Genie+ out completely and rely, instead, on using Early Theme Park Entry to help get you in line for your favorite rides early on and (hopefully) skipping the bulk of the waiting using that method instead. Every trip budget is gonna look way different than someone else’s. That being said, we can help you save money where it counts! So let’s look into some new ways to save in 2023 now! Ways to Save 1.) Look for discounts There are room discount offers for many dates during the summer season this year. We write posts about every Disney World discount that is released, and we keep all the current ones on our Disney Deals and Discounts page. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios The best way to keep up with available discounts is to subscribe to our newsletter — you’ll get all of the latest deals directly in your inbox. Subscribe to the DFB Newsletter! 2.) Reach Out To a Travel Agent Tracking down discounts to make sure you’re ALWAYS getting the best deals on your vacation can be exhausting. But, you don’t have to take on all that responsibility yourself! Our travel agent friends over at Small World Vacations will actively seek out Disney World discounts for you and work alongside you to develop a budget that’ll work best for you and your group. And their services are completely FREE to use! We’ll even make it easy for you — just CLICK HERE to get a FREE quote from them, no commitment required! Small World Vacations 3.) Travel on Weekdays Instead of Weekends This strategy isn’t always foolproof, but it can be a great way to find major surge-price decreases without strictly having to travel during a specific non-peak season that isn’t meshing with your schedule. Prices for hotels, tickets, Genie+, and even certain flights can dip during the weekdays. But, because weekends tend to be an easier time for people to get out there and vacation, the parks are the most crowded AND the most expensive. Lighter crowds during the week. Tuesday-Thursday pricing are normally cheaper than what you’ll find on Fridays-Sundays. And Monday’s kinda an oddball day. Prices can be cheaper, but they can also spike for airfare — since the start of the work week is a more popular time for business travelers to book flights. Best and Worst Days To Visit Each Disney World Park 4.) Join Membership Programs Disney Springs is all about the food and experience savings! Since many of the businesses in the shopping district are owned and operated by a third party, they’re able to use membership and rewards programs to help save you money on dining and activities. We have all the different Disney Springs savings listed on our 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining if you’re looking for a complete list, but here’s a little teaser of savings to hold ya over for now: If you’re an AMC Stubs Member, their Discount Tuesdays are available every week for discounts on movie tickets! You can join the Earl of Sandwich loyalty program for rewards, a Birthday Brownie, and other potential discounts throughout the year. Patina Restaurant Group’s subscribers receive offers and deals and $30-50 offers for your birthday. Patina Restaurant Group includes locations such as Morimoto Asia, The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante in Disney Springs, and — get this — Via Napoli and Tutto Italia in EPCOT! Disney Springs Nice, right? Again, we’ve got the complete list of savings and membership in our 2023 dining guide. 5.) Stay Home Um, excuse me? What kinda saving tip is THIS? Honestly… the ULTIMATE savings tip. If those Disney World price tags will have you freaking out during the entire vacation, then every little blip and blunder that pops up during your trip will be 10 times more stressful. No vacation is perfect — and if you think it should be, judging by the thousands of dollars you’re shoveling into it — then you may wanna hold off on this hefty investment. Wilderness Lodge Lobby Now, your trip can still be amazing. You can still invest in a vacation of the lifetime — hiccups and all — and still have the best time ever. But it’s not worth the extra worry if you’re already losing sleep over all those dollar signs. Take as much time as you need to save so that you can feel comfortable with an investment like this later on — even if that means holding off for a year or two before you hit up the “most Magical place on Earth.” In the meantime, you can always plan to take some vacations that aren’t thousand-dollar investments — like mountain hikes, beach days, and little Airbnb getaways near a hustling-and-bustling city. You can rent Surrey Bikes at Port Orleans Riverside! Whether you want to travel on a budget or live in the lap of luxury during your upcoming Disney World vacation, both trip styles can still provide you with a ton of fun. Keep checking back with us as we continue to find NEW ways to save and uncover new enchanting extras that you may want to squeeze into your future itineraries. The ULTIMATE Guide to Planning A Walt Disney World Vacation Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you have any money-saving tips to share? Let us know in the comments below! The post How Much Should You Save for Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, everyone stay calm. IT’S REALLY HAPPENING! Happy Halloween! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is starting in Disney World, spooky decor is up in Magic Kingdom, and even pumpkin coffee has returned to the Most Magical Place on Earth. On top of all of that, we’re ready to eat ALL the Halloween things because some fall snacks have arrived in Magic Kingdom. Speaking of eating all the things… Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a special ticketed Magic Kingdom event that takes place on select nights from August 11th through November 1st. Although you’ll find that some Halloween treats are exclusive to those attending the party, others are available during regular park hours. One particular snack that we had some high hopes for is available during regular park hours, so let’s go check it out and see if it’s worth it! Halloween in Magic Kingdom To sample this NEW snack, we went to Liberty Square Market to try the Black Velvet Whoopie Pie for $5.79. Black Velvet Whoopie Pie This is a spooky take on the classic whoopie pie (which we’re already big fans of) and is made with a black velvet cookie with buttercream, sprinkles, and a sugar spider. Just look at that spider! Ordinarily we wouldn’t want to find a spider on our food, but this one is far too adorable to be upset with. Hello, Mr. Spider Let’s start with the good news — this is such a fun Halloween treat. The black, green, and purple coloring, along with the spider, gives it big points in terms of spooky vibes. And we think that thanks to the design, kids are going to LOVE this. The portion size is also good, making it a good snack for sharing. Spooky! Now, let’s get to the not-so-great news. We’ve had some AMAZING whoopie pies in Disney World. The Carrot Cake Cookie (now called a Whoopie Pie) is a must in Hollywood Studios, and the Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie in EPCOT at Sunshine Seasons totally BLEW US AWAY. So we were really crossing our fingers for a win here too. Yes, it’s just black velvet and buttercream but still — it could be our new favorite whoopie pie right? It had potential! But unfortunately, this one didn’t totally blow us away. This is SUPER sugary (again, we think kids will love it). The cake is black velvet but we really didn’t get any taste from it except…well…sugar. The buttercream filling was fine but it also just tasted like…you guessed it — sugar. We’re going to need to get our dentist on speed dial over here. Looks good! Now, there’s nothing wrong with a basic, sugary treat and if that is what you’re looking for, then you might LOVE this. But we do wish it had hit us with some other kind of flavor than just sugar. We also think this isn’t necessarily the best snack for a hot day. A nice ice cream cone would probably be a better option to cool you down. It’s quite messy too, so watch out. Overall, we love the design of this treat, so if you’re looking for something super sweet and spooky (and kid-friendly) this is a good pick. But if you want something with a punch of flavor (other than sugar) or something to cool you down, this might be a skip. There’s more where that came from, though! Make sure to check out ALL of the treats available at the party before you go and stay tuned for our reviews! Click here to see photos and reviews of ALL the Halloween treats in Disney World! Don’t want to pay extra for treats at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Don’t worry — you can skip the restaurants and just trick-or-treat around the park instead to get some candy. Click here for a FULL LIST of trick-or-treating stops! If you’re heading to the party soon, you might need a SPOOKY new T-shirt to wear! We’ve got just the thing at our online DFB store. Gather round all ye witches! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more coverage of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World! Learn more about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party by clicking here. 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 the Halloween party this year? Let us know in the comments. The post REVIEW: We Had So Much Hope for This NEW Halloween Snack in Disney World... first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve been looking for some delicious Disney snacks, you’ll want to hurry to grab these! Key Lime Chocolate Chip Cookie We love reviewing Disney snacks for our readers. We hope it helps provide you with the information to know if it’s something you should grab or skip on your next trip. We just had to remind you that there are over 60 snacks that will soon disappear from Disney World. At Disney Springs, the Flavors of Florida event has been happening this summer. During the event, tons of Disney Springs restaurants offer special items that you can only grab for a limited time. The event ends August 13th — so there’s not much time left to grab these treats! Disney Springs Flavors of Florida We tried 12 of the limited-time snacks. If you’re looking to grab something sweet, try this Orange Bird Sundae at Swirls on the Water. This is made with DOLE Whip Orange in a vanilla waffle bowl with whipped cream, green sprinkles, and an Orange Bird chocolate decoration. It only costs $6.49. The dole whip was light, bright, and tart, and since it was a tad icy rather than creamy, the whipped cream went really well with it. The waffle bowl was tasty, as well. Orange Bird Nest for Flavors of Florida One of our favorites was this Orange Cream Puff from Amorette’s Patisserie. This is a choux pastry with orange craquelin filled with orange curd and honey orange gel for $8. We loved this treat! It doesn’t have an overly strong orange flavor despite having so much of it mentioned in the description, and the orange curd was light and packed with flavor. Orange Cream Puff If you’re looking for a drink, try this Orange Mocha Nitro Cold Brew from Gideon’s Bakehouse. This is dessert coffee made with locally roasted beans, maple syrup, rich dark chocolate, and delicious Florida oranges for $6.The chocolate flavor is also VERY prominent, so if you love the flavor combination of chocolate and orange, you’ll likely really enjoy this. Orange Mocha Nitro Cold Brew If you’re wanting to try these items, be sure to head to Springs before August 13th. For more Disney food news, be sure to follow us at DFB. See More of Our Flavors of Florida Reviews 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! Which items would you like to try? Let us know in the comments below. The post Hurry! Over 60 Disney World Snacks Will Disappear Next Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

FALL IS HERE FOLKS. Throw out the summer bathing suits and light those spooky candles because the Halloween season has begun…in Disney World, at least! You’ll Want to Order a Coffee in Disney World for One Specific Reason! Halloween decorations are up in Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks off August 11th, and Halloween merchandise has appeared. But now the return of one thing has truly solidified the start of “fall” in Disney. According to a post shared via Twitter/X, starting August 11th, 2023, the Pumpkin Pie Latte and Pumpkin Creme Brûlée Game Changer drinks are BACK at Joffrey’s Coffee locations throughout Walt Disney World. Iced Pumpkin Pie Latte in Hollywood Studios 2020 You heard that right friends, it is time for PUMPKIN COFFEE in Disney World! We stopped by a Joffrey’s Coffee location in Hollywood Studios and found signage regarding the return of these seasonal drinks. The Pumpkin Pie Latte has pumpkin pie syrup, milk, and espresso. It can be made hot or iced and is $6.09. When we’ve had it in the past, we’ve sometimes felt like it’s not quite as sweet as Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte. But it’s still plenty sweet and creamy so if you like Starbucks’ version, we think you’ll enjoy this too. This drink is totally enjoyable and has a lovely autumn spice flavor — so we are HERE for it. Pumpkin Pie Latte 2020 The Pumpkin Game Changer is made with pumpkin creme brulee cold brew, a shot of espresso, pumpkin pie syrup, and light cream, topped with cold foam. It’s priced at $6.49. And you can “make it spirited” by adding Irish Cream, Grey Goose Vodka, or a Coffee Liqueur. When we’ve tried this one in the past, we’ve found it to be very sweet. In fact, it probably doesn’t need that added syrup, but the shot of espresso is a nice touch. Pumpkin Game Changer 2021 So if you’re in the mood to really make it feel like fall, stop by the Joffrey’s Coffee locations in Disney World to pick up these drinks! And stay tuned for more Disney news. Click here for a FULL LIST of the Halloween treats in Magic Kingdom 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 a fan of pumpkin drinks? Tell us in the comments! The post Pumpkin Coffee Is BACK in Disney World and All Is Well With the Universe first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The first night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has finally arrived and Disney has dropped some news about a special party-exclusive item you’ll want to snag ASAP! Happy Halloween! With the Halloween season rolling in we’ve seen lots of great merchandise collections, exclusive treats and snacks, and an incredible lineup of new PhotoPass Magic Shots for partygoers but this new item is worthy of making the Pumpkin King himself shriek with excitement! A frightfully fun exclusive popcorn bucket will be available starting August 11th, 2023 at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Treat yourself to the new boo-tiful novelty popcorn bucket featuring a few familiar faces from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. ©Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Mayor’s Car Bucket features the mayor toting around Boogie’s Boys — Lock, Shock, and Barrel — dressed for a spooky night out. The design of the bucket features callbacks to the Mayor’s hearse-like automobile with the likes of a screeching cat design on the front, and his black and white megaphone overhead. This is Halloween! This popcorn bucket will be available at select locations throughout Magic Kingdom (while supplies last) EXCLUSIVELY at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. There’s a limit of two per guest. Disney has also shared that the Glow-in-the-Dark Donald Duck Candy Corn Sipper will also be BACK this year at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year with a small change. (We saw him pop up earlier in the year as part of the Halfway to Halloween celebration as well.) Candy Corn Donald Duck Sipper (Earlier Version) The main change appears to be with the eyes and candy colors on Donald’s jack-o’-lantern trick-or-treat bag. The eyes now appear to be green and the candy is sort of purple. He’ll be available at the Magic Kingdom party but is also set to “materialize” at other Disney parks during the Halloween Season. ©Disney Eats via Instagram (Updated Version) We’ll keep an eye out for more Halloween news. As always, stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney updates! FIRST LOOK at the EXCLUSIVE PhotoPass Magic Shots You Can Get at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World 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 What do you think of this spooky popcorn bucket? Tell us in the comments! The post JUST ANNOUNCED! An Exclusive NEW Popcorn Bucket Is Coming to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Oookay, friends… You may have joined us as we’ve ranked the rides in each of Disney World’s theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But today, we’re tackling one of our biggest challenges yet: We’re talking about ALL of the BEST Disney World Rides and how YOU should rank them. Should YOU take on the Tower of Terror??? What do we mean by that? Well, it means we’ll be sharing a few special considerations (kind of like pros and cons) of each ride to help you decide which ones will best suit your traveling crew and should be added to your MUST-RIDE list. Before we get started, let’s go over a few quick things: First: Remember that our rankings below are completely subjective. What might work for us won’t necessarily work for you or your traveling group, and vice-versa. (That’s what the noted “Potential Concerns” are for – to see BOTH angles from a more balanced perspective! It’s like taking a walk – or better yet, a RIDE – in someone else’s shoes.) Second: We’re breaking things down into three categories: Thrill Rides, Nostalgic Rides, and Kid-Friendly Rides. There could be some overlapping among the categories, but we’ll only review each attraction once. Third: We’re focusing on traditional rides, NOT shows, so you won’t find mention of a few favorites such as Animal Kingdom’s Festival of the Lion King or EPCOT’s Turtle Talk with Crush here. And now, we’re off! Please keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the post at all times… and ENJOY THE RIDE! The Best Disney World Thrill Rides Ready for some THRILLS? Well then, we’ve got some good news for you… with the recent additions of TRON Lightcycle / Run to Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to EPCOT, every single one of Disney World’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — has at least one major thrill ride these days. Let’s rank ’em! 1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a new attraction, having opened in EPCOT’s World Discovery in May of 2022. And in addition to being EPCOT’s very first roller coaster, there are other factors that make this ride truly unique. The attraction — which is one of the longest indoor roller coasters ever built — takes YOU on an intergalactic adventure with the Guardians of the Galaxy! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Cosmic Rewind is a family-friendly Omnicoaster, which means that the ride vehicles — the Starjumpers — spin a full 360 degrees on the track while reaching speeds up to 55 miles per hour. Cosmic Rewind also features the first ever reverse launch on a Disney coaster! The attraction also uses screen technology to project MCU characters around the ride. And we want to be sure to mention that because, even though this ride is unbelievably smooth, it DOES make a handful of guests queasy because of the rotating motions – PLUS the screen action – going on around them. Oh, did I mention it’s all set to an AWESOME MIX? The Guardians! DON’T MISS IF: You’re looking for a family-friendly coaster that’s both thrilling AND smooth-as-butter; It’s also got a hilarious script, a fantastic soundtrack, and it’s the first-ever Disney World Marvel ride! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: This ride can be rough on those who get motion sickness easily, so we talk about that more in-depth here and provide tips for those concerned here. Also, getting the required Boarding Pass to ride can be tricky on busy park days. Make sure to prepare ahead of time by clicking here. Find out MUCH MORE about Cosmic Rewind HERE! 2. Tron Lightcyle/Run The newest thrill to hit the scene is TRON Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland! This coaster, based on the TRON films, just opened on April 4th, 2023 (it’s just new enough to still have that “new ride” smell ). Riders board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles and launch into THE GRID reaching speeds up to 59 miles per hour! (To give you an idea of the speed… although this is faster than Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, it doesn’t quite out-speed Test Track’s 65-mile per hour maximum.) TRON Lightcycle / Run Though it’s a short ride (lasting just over a minute) without any inversions or huge drops, it packs a punch thanks to an EPIC launch and owing to the fact that it offers a DIFFERENT experience from day to night with help from the ride’s GIGANTIC canopy! TRON Lightcycle / Run DON’T MISS IF: You love a speedy, zippy, winding, smooth, quick rush of a ride! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Not every guests is physically comfortable in the ride vehicles (known as Lightcycles), which put the rider in an extreme forward lean. Fortunately, there are test seats in front of the attraction that allow you to try it out ahead of time. And if you find they aren’t comfortable for you, you can request adaptive seating for your ride. Also, getting the required Boarding Pass to ride this one can also be tricky. Make sure to prepare ahead of time by clicking here. Click HERE for EVERYTHING You Need to Know About TRON Lightcycle / Run 3. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror “One stormy night long ago, five people stepped through the door of an elevator and into a nightmare…” And so begins your chilling ride on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on Sunset Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! After you learn the story of the ill-fated five, you’re invited to board the still-functioning service elevator through the boiler room for a one way trip straight to the Twilight Zone. Checking In… or DROPPING out??? The Tower of Terror is actually a combination of two different ride systems – an accelerated drop tower (to the tune of 13 stories) and a dark ride. Additionally, the ride sequences are random, so you never know if you’ll start the ride by shooting UP the elevator shaft or dropping down, down, DOWN into its depths. (You also don’t know how many times you’ll wind up dropping in total, so some ride experiences might be more intense than others.) Tower of Terror DON’T MISS IF: You love the THRILL of the CHILL! This ride delivers on the eerie and ominous tones that you begin to pick up on in the queue to enter this long-forgotten hotel. And if you love that free-falling feeling, this one’s for you, too. (The reason the drop feels so dramatic is that it actually has cables to pull the ride vehicle slightly faster than a normal free-fall would be — up to a max speed of 39 mph!) POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Do you fear the freefall? I do. I sincerely love this ride because it’s SO immersive and amazingly well-executed… and yet I can still only deal with the drop about once a year. (I’m not kidding — it takes me that long to gather my courage again.) It’s also not the best for kiddos (or adults) who don’t want to experience the dark and creepy side of Disney. LOVE the Tower of Terror? Find out EVERYTHING you want to know about it HERE! 4. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith “Love in a ROLLER COASTER!” It’s Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith! This ride is also located on Sunset Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, just steps away from the Tower of Terror. Rock ‘n’ Roller is a high-speed indoor coaster where YOU’RE on your way to party backstage at an Aerosmith concert. Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith This coaster launches you from 0-60 mph into the dark — and STRAIGHT into a LOOP — with only neon signs lighting your way and hit tunes from Aerosmith providing your soundtrack. (My personal favorite? Sweet Emotion. What’s yours?) This one is a true blast for thrill ride enthusiasts, thanks to loops, corkscrews, and surprising sharp turns that can’t be anticipated in the darkness. However, where TRON and Cosmic Rewind are surprisingly smooth, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is ANYTHING BUT. You WILL experience jostling on this rather rough ride. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster entrance DON’T MISS IF: You’re a thrill ride enthusiast who loves a coaster loop and the idea of a 0-60 LAUNCH! Believe me, you’ll FEEL IT. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: It’s not traditional motion sickness that’s the concern with this one (though it may be for you, if you can’t handle inversions) so much as the bit of jarring on the corkscrews and (at least for me) at the end. Members of our team have shared the need to take a Tylenol after taking on the ride. It’s also not recommended as a first-time roller coaster. 5. Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain There’s no mistaking it when you see it looming large in the distance in Animal Kingdom’s Asia… it’s EVEREST. More specifically , it’s Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain! Expedition Everest And there’s a LOT more to it than that HUGE HILL on this high-speed roller coaster you see in the photo above. Brace yourself for intense turns, steep hills, and speeding around the track in complete darkness… while riding BACKWARDS. Oh, and there’s the not-so-small matter that a YETI is chasing your train down the whole time. And I’m here to tell you: He’s NOT this cute and cuddly on the ride… Yeti Weighted Plush DON’T MISS IF: You love a good thrill ride with unique and fantastic theming! The backwards movement packs an extra punch. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Well, we’re back to that whole “backwards” thing, which might not be a fit for those with motion sickness concerns or those who don’t like the feeling of not being able to see what’s coming. The darkness certainly adds an ominous air to the experience that can frighten younger ones. And just a note that there are some flashing lights at moments for anyone who may be sensitive. 6. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Next up: Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Okay, I’m guessing you might be thinking, “Wait a minute… why is possibly the single most popular ride in Disney World ranked as just sixth this list?” Well, it’s because Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, while certainly exciting, isn’t your typical thrill ride. It’s not your typical ride, period. We’re not talking about loop-dee-loops or huge drops (though there IS a bit of a surprising drop that’s short and smooth). Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Disney has stated that Rise of the Resistance is “one of the most advanced and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney Imagineering.” The attraction is a 20+ minute experience featuring multiple levels, 4+ ride systems, and over 300 animatronic figures. Perhaps the most thrilling aspect is the tension you feel due to the unbelievable level of immersive details as YOU face-off Kylo Ren… and he’s NOT backing down easy! This is it: You are IN STAR WARS. Kylo Ren in Rise of the Resistance DON’T MISS IF: You can’t resist the lure of Star Wars and/or experiencing a truly one-of-a-kind ride that uses multiple ride systems to pull the whole story off. Oh, and the story doesn’t just take place on the ride – it happens in the queue, too! It’s Disney at its best. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Honestly? The biggest concerns with this one are 1. long wait times due to its immense popularity; 2. the potential for the ride breaking down during your visit due to the complexity of the attraction; and 3. the potential to do some budget damage. You see, Rise of the Resistance does offer a traditional — and free — Standby Line. But you can purchase an Individual Lightning Lane (pay-per-ride) via the Disney Genie to the tune of $15.00 – $25.00 (GULP!) PER PERSON in your traveling group. (Prices vary based on date.) While this obviously helps you avoid those waits in the Standby Line, it can cost a pretty penny indeed. Click HERE for MUCH MORE about Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance! 7. Avatar Flight of Passage In the same vein as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Avatar Flight of Passage in Animal’s Kingdom’s Pandora – The World of Avatar does not classify as your typical thrill ride. It’s NOT a roller coaster, and again, it’s safe to say it’s also unlike any other ride in Disney World (though the ride does share some similarities with EPCOT’s Soarin’ Around the World; however, as opposed to a chair, guests board seats similar to a bike, and the experience is presented in 3-D). Flight of Passage in Pandora Though the ride doesn’t technically go upside down, there is a moment where you sure do feel like it does. Cast Members inform guests that they will be restrained at a height above the ground and that the floor will move in case fear of heights or motion sickness is a concern. Flight of Passage ride vehicles Essentially, Avatar Flight of Passage places you on the back of your own banshee to glide over Pandora alongside the Navi. As Dr. Jackie Ogden explains while you’re in the queue, “You’ll experience the breathtaking beauty of Pandora, but you might also face some of its greatest challenges. Some of this flight might be intense. But trust your guide and be brave. As the Na’vi say during this important rite of passage, ‘Sivako.’ Rise to the challenge.” And if you do rise to challenge, you’ll discover a ride that is simply stunning. DON’T MISS IF: You want to experience the feeling of flying (I mean, not that I’d know personally, but it sure feels like it’s pretty darn close!) and you don’t want to miss some truly amazing ride technology, sensations, and immersive storytelling. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: It’s not best for those who get motion sickness easily OR have an intense fear of heights; Additionally, the ride itself begins with intense flashing lights which we want to mention for those who are sensitive. For more on Avatar Flight of Passage, click HERE! 8. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad They don’t call it “The WILDEST RIDE IN THE WILDERNESS” for nothin’! It’s none other than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland! This family-friendly roller coaster twists and turns through a haunted gold mine by way of an abandoned train that runs itself! Beware the ghostly town of Tumbleweed, unless “U.B. Bold…” Big Thunder Mountain This coaster takes some sudden turns through a ghost town (and a couple of caves, too)! But for those who get a little shaken by giant ride drops or upside down loops, no need to fear! This coaster might be thrilling (and a little bit rough at times), but it’s a pretty accessible one for all riders over 40 inches tall. Big Thunder Mountain DON’T MISS IF: You want a classic wooden roller coaster experience with terrific theming. This one is especially great for those who like thrills, but might get easily motion sick on coasters with loops and big drops. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: The back seat of this attraction offers a faster — and bumpier — experience. Just a heads up that it might be too rough for some kiddos (and even adults). If this causes concern, you may request a seat closer to the front from the Cast Member assigning rows. (Typically, special requests for the back are more popular, so it should be less of a challenge to score a seat closer to the front.) Mosey on over to Frontierland with us HERE! 9. Test Track In the same neighborhood as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — EPCOT’s World Discovery — you’ll encounter another thrill: Test Track. Here, your vehicle is put through a pretty intense performance test with VERY sudden stops and sharp turns, all culminating in a speed text of 60+ miles per hour outside. Test Track A heads up: because the final zooming stretch takes place outside, this ride is EXTREMELY sensitive when it comes to stormy weather. It’s a good idea to check your weather app BEFORE you get in line to make sure your wait time isn’t going to be interrupted by inclement weather. DON’T MISS IF: You have a NEED for SPEED! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Again, the vehicle brakes are “tested” with VERY sudden stops that can be quite jarring. 10. Space Mountain Before TRON came along, Space Mountain was Tomorrowland’s solo thrill. Another one of Magic Kingdom’s famous MOUNTAINS, Space Mountain will launch you on a roller coaster… in the DARK! The twists, turns, and drops you’ll encounter can’t be seen ahead of time, making this star-filled space adventure all the more thrilling! Ready to Ride Space Mountain? Due to the darkness of this ride, you’ll likely feel as though you’re going a LOT faster than you actually are – but, in reality, you’re only reaching speeds up to 35 mph. There are sudden small drops and a few jolt-worthy turns, but no inversions. “Welcome Space Travelers” DON’T MISS IF: You want to experience an iconic Disney coaster that zips through space IN THE DARK! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Take a little more time with your decision to ride if you’re uncomfortable not seeing what’s in front of you and therefore not knowing what to expect next. Also, the much newer Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has a lot of the same vibes, so you might prefer it’s smooth-sailing over Space Mountain’s undeniably rougher tracks. Space Mountain in Disneyland vs. Disney World The BEST Disney World Nostalgic Rides Want to feel like a kid again? Or maybe bring your own Mini Me for their first ride on those attractions you loved the most when you were a child (and that still hold a special place in your heart)? That’s what this list is all about: the BEST Disney World rides for a rush of nostalgia! 1. Peter Pan’s Flight “Think of the happiest things, it’s the same as having wings…” Yes, YOU CAN FLY over London (and even into Neverland and Pirate’s Cove) on one of Disney World’s most popular attractions: Peter Pan’s Flight in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland! Peter Pan’s Flight is a timeless dark ride with a rather unique omnimover system. Instead of your ride vehicle being pulled along via track on the floor, you’ll soar through the air thanks to the track up above. Peter Pan’s Flight Fair warning: Despite being one of the oldest rides in the park, Peter Pan’s Flight racks up sky-high wait times starting early in the morning and rarely dwindling throughout the day. A few years ago, the ride’s queue was enhanced with interactive elements, which provide some fun while you wait. Take flight with Peter Pan! All you need is a little pixie dust! (And patience to wait in line…) DON’T MISS IF: You love that quintessential Disney charm… it simply oozes out of Peter Pan’s Flight! This ride gets extra fun points for its immersive indoor queue. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Though the queue is indeed fun, it is really tough to be distracted through the entirety of what can be a VERY lengthy wait for what is ultimately a VERY short ride. Should you choose to purchase Disney Genie+ for your visit to Magic Kingdom, Peter Pan’s Flight is included and is a great use of Genie+ for its Lightning Lane access. 2. Jungle Cruise Welcome to the World Famous Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland! Your dedicated Jungle Cruise Skipper will guide you through a gentle boat ride along exotic rivers across Asia, Africa and South America. Here, you’ll see (audio animatronic) elephants, tigers, hippos, and more in the wild, along with unforgettable sites such as the Eighth Wonder of the World… the BACKSIDE OF WATER! Jungle Cruise Yes, it’s all more than a little punny. And if you don’t believe me, then you’re in the river of… DE-NILE. You see, what REALLY makes this ride stand out are the Cast Members — here known as Jungle Cruise Skippers — leading you along the way with jokes, wisecracks, and puns (and more puns and then a few more puns) for a humor-filled adventure! Jungle Cruise DON’T MISS IF: You appreciate Disney humor, corny jokes, and wonderful Disney Cast Members combined with an easy-going boat ride and fun audio animatronics! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: If you’re looking for REAL animals, you won’t find ’em here. (We’ll chat a little bit later about Kilimanjaro Safaris for that.) And though Skipper jokes can indeed vary (and the ride receives an overlay and becomes the Jingle Cruise for the holiday season!), they can also become familiar after a few ride throughs. One more note: because the boats are slow-loading, the waits can become quite lengthy! Tackle this one early in the day (or later at night for some extra mystique!) or use Disney Genie+ for its Lightning Lane access if you purchase it. 3. Haunted Mansion 999 Happy Haunts dwell inside the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square (and you can learn ALL about them here). Climb into a Doom Buggy for a dark (yet family-friendly and whimsical!) ride through these chilling chambers, guided by your Ghost Host. But, BEWARE… Visit the Haunted Mansion, if you dare! … “A GHOST MAY FOLLOW YOU HOME!” BUT, don’t you fret all that much… though the Mansion indeed appears ominous as you approach (and the tone continues through the indoor portion of the queue), the Happy Haunts are more charming than frightening, and are completely appropriate for all ages. It is possible that little ones may be scared by the darkness along with the haunting presences lurking around every corner. But — just sharing a personal experience — my four-year-old niece was somewhat hesitant to ride Haunted Mansion, then had completely fallen in love with it by the time a Hitchhiking Ghost “appeared” in her Doom Buggy. DON’T MISS IF: You love classic Disney served up with a side SPOOKS! This ride is so beloved — and with good reason — that it even has its own dedicated merchandise location SOLELY dedicated to the ride. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Might not be the best if your little one scares easily. Click HERE to read 25 seriously cool facts and secrets about the Haunted Mansion! P.S. Another Ghost will soon be taking up residence in the Mansion… FIND OUT MORE HERE! 4. Spaceship Earth Not only does Spaceship Earth in EPCOT’s World Celebration serves as the park’s signature icon… it’s also an attraction! (Perhaps you’re feeling so very nostalgic right now that you’re thinking to yourself, “Huh? What’s World Celebration??” Well, it’s one of three neighbrhoods — along with World Discovery and World Nature — that now comprise the area previously known as Future World.) Spaceship Earth explores the history of human communication as you travel through time by way of an Omnimover-style ride vehicle. And as the 16-minute ride concludes, you may get a glimpse into your own FUTURE! EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth This ride is both charming and educational, but it’s definitely in need of some TLC. In fact, back in 2019, Disney announced that Spaceship Earth would be undergoing MAJOR renovations – “featuring great moments of human history along with a focus on storytelling rather than inventions and technology” — that would require a lengthy closure of the ride to accomplish! However, after the temporary closure of Disney World in 2020, these plans were postponed indefinitely. (But we’ll certainly keep you posted if the status changes!) Inside Spaceship Earth DON’T MISS IF: You want to experience classic retro-EPCOT! In the midst of the HUGE transformation of EPCOT, Spaceship Earth remains in its OG form (not counting changes in narration and a few other aspects over the years) as the park’s flagship attraction. Plus, this ride is PACKED with animatronics in detailed scenes, so there’s something new to see even with multiple re-rides. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Regarding our little “TLC” note above, technical difficulties can cause this ride to have a few “hiccups.” 5. Living with the Land We need to give you a FAIR WARNING about Living with the Land in EPCOT’s World Nature: You may become so relaxed by this gentle 14-minute boat ride that you won’t even realize the education you’re receiving as you pass through EPCOT’s own greenhouses and hydroponic gardens! This ride will teach you all about Disney’s innovative growing methods and fish farming techniques, all while exploring the history of human impact on our planet while using different cultivating practices. Living with the Land Adults might be ready to paint their thumbs green after this ride, but Living the Land may get a bit tedious for younger riders wondering where their favorite Disney characters might be hiding out. (SPOILER ALERT: Save for a few really fun Hidden Mickeys, they aren’t in there.) Living with the Land P.S. You can enjoy produce directly from this attraction when you dine in Sunshine Seasons or Garden Grill Restaurant! DON’T MISS IF: You’re beyond ready for some rest and relaxation in a truly peaceful atmosphere. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Do you have a squirmy little one who gets bored easily? Maybe save this one for when you feel naptime approaching. There’s no thrills here, and no real storyline, either… it’s just good ol’ agriculture. (That said, I think many folks are surprised to find how much they truly do enjoy this classic EPCOT attraction.) Explore EPCOT’s World Nature HERE 6. “it’s a small world” Take a relaxing voyage by boat on “The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed!” “it’s a small world” is a truly quintessential Magic Kingdom Opening Day attraction that should not be missed… no matter what I say in the “concerns” below! It should absolutely be ridden AT LEAST once. “it’s a small world” You’ll sail through the seven continents surrounded by dancing dolls dressed in beautiful costumes representing various counties and cultures as you take in the distinctive design work of artist Mary Blair and the attraction’s signature song composed by the Sherman Brothers. It’s another one of those iconic Disney rides that Walt Disney himself played a major hand in creating. “it’s a small world” DON’T MISS IF: You want to experience ALL the classic Disney World rides! (Plus, I’ve already shared my opinion that this colorful, cute attraction should not be missed by anyone. Even if the song gets on your nerves after hearing it over and over and over throughout the ride, it’s still a beautiful sentiment and when you really take it the detailed design, it’s actually quite a stunner.) POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Really, just a few notes more than “concerns”: Yes, you may get the song stuck in your head for the rest of the day. And heads up that the Disney World version does not feature any Disney characters (as the ride in Disneyland does). 7. Journey into Imagination with Figment “From head to tail, he’s royal purple pigment, and there — Voila! — you’ve got a Figment!” And this Figment of Imagination will lead you on a whimsical and musical journey (with help from Dr. Nigel Channing) through the five senses on Journey into Imagination with Figment in EPCOT’s World Celebration! Imagination Pavilion During the course of this easy-going ride, Dr. Nigel Channing is trying to take you through his Sensory Lab inside the Imagination Institute, but his little purple dragon companion – Figment – has OTHER ideas on how this tour should go. The ride features mind tricks, illusions, and stinky smellitizers. Kiddos are either going to go absolutely bonkers for this ride… or be slightly terrified of it. Expect loud noises, sudden rushes of air blown into your face, and a lil’ Eau de SKUNK. FIGMENT! DON’T MISS IF: You’re looking for a colorful, kooky, and great ride for kiddos… and if you want to know what all the FIGMENT FUSS is about! OR if you want to see Figment in his attraction BEFORE you meet him when he arrives at EPCOT at his own Meet-and-Greet soon! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: I repeat: Eau de SKUNK. (And, seriously, there are some moments that can really take little ones by surprise… and not necessarily in a good way.) It’s not the best for older kids or teens who might find the different gimmicks and the “Imagination” song *cringe-y*. 8. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover Relax and take in the views of Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland (and beyond) by way of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover! (And if the first thing that just popped into your mind is “WEDWAY,” then WELCOME TO THE NOSTALGIA CLUB, my friend!!) Let’s take a ride! This slow-moving tram takes you around the perimeter of Tomorrowland AND behind-the-scenes of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, and the Star Traders gift shop. (It’s sort of like a kitschy touristy tour through a futuristic realm.) Sit back and breeze through Space Mountain and get a GREAT look at TRON Lightcyle / Run while enjoying terrific overhead views of the land. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover FUN FACT! While riding the PeopleMover, you’ll get a glance at the model for the original vision for EPCOT called Progress City. This original model was intended to be a living community, which is very different than the EPCOT we have today! This is the real-deal actual model, restored over the years and moved to Disney World for guests to view. DON’T MISS IF: You need to be part of the PeopleMover’s cult following. (WE WELCOME YOU!) It’s also a fun, relaxing, and cool way (like, literally cool, since you can get a little A/C) to experience seeing Space Mountain. It’s a simple attraction that also quite enjoyable. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: There are no action-packed thrills here. Plus, this classic attraction breaks down more than your average ride. (I’ve been evacuated off of it at least twice, and once sat still on it for a half-hour while waiting for said evac.) The BEST Disney World Kid-Friendly Rides Our final list features Kid-Friendly rides, but the vast majority are FUN for the whole family! 1. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure In Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, riders “shrink” to rat-size and embark on a journey across Chef Gusteau’s restaurant kitchen in Paris. The ride bombards guests with the sights, sounds, and smells of the kitchen as they’re chased through it on their way to safety in this trackless dark ride! Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Complete with 4-D effects like water, wind, and even fragrances adding to the experience, you will STEP IN to Ratatouille like never before! These add to the 3-D effects from the screens presenting the story (with help from 3-D glasses, of course) in addition to HUGE props that really make you feel… well, rat-sized. Being set in Paris, naturally this ride is found in EPCOT’s France pavilion. DON’T MISS IF: You’re looking for a great family-friendly attraction. While this is certainly kid-friendly, there are enough thrills and effects that all ages can find it enjoyable and memorable. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: The WAIT TIMES! Even though Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is EPCOT’s newer attraction (it opened in May 2022, while Remy opened on October 1st, 2021), Remy keeps on racking up the Wait Times pretty consistently. Disney World Resort hotel guests can tackle it during Early Theme Park Entry, and those purchasing Disney Genie+ should consider prioritizing a Lightning Lane for this attraction. Read more about Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure HERE! 2. Frozen Ever After If you have any little Frozen fans in your group, you CAN’T MISS Frozen Ever After in EPCOT’s Norway pavilion! This ride features audio animatronics of all the most beloved characters and songs from the first film. (Which means that, YES, you can belt out “Let It Go” with Elsa herself!). Frozen Ever After There are even a few unexpected small thrills here (like the tiny drop at the end of the ride after you come face-to-face with Marshmallow the Snow Monster). And because this is a water ride, you may even get a bit wet (though not soaked). Frozen Ever After DON’T MISS IF: You don’t need me to tell you.. the minute your kiddo sees the word “FROZEN,” they’ll probably be begging you to go on this one. Additionally, this ride features some pretty cool audio animatronic technology that you won’t see in many other spots, making it a fun ride for all ages. (And don’t try to tell me you don’t want to sing along with Elsa, too!) POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Again, there is a bit of a drop, but not so big that this kid-friendly ride should be avoided. But it might be worth giving your kiddo a heads up, or simply placing your arm around them when you see Marshmallow. And yep, you’ll surely encounter LINES, so once again, those purchasing Disney Genie+ should consider prioritizing a Lightning Lane for this attraction. 3. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway — which is the first ride-through attraction starring Mickey Mouse himself — features an original storyline and an original song. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway utilizes what Disney calls 2½D (as opposed to 2D or 3D) technology that brings the ride’s two-dimensional cartoons to life in a brand new way. So not only do you follow Mickey and Minnie into the zany cartoon world, but you truly become immersed and feel like part of the cartoon yourself! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Seriously, through the power of projection mapping, screen technology, and audio animatronics, this trackless dark ride will make you feel like YOU’VE been dropped directly into one of those Mickey Mouse animated shorts that you can find on Disney+! Oh, and you can find the RIDE on Hollywood Boulevard, front and center in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Join the gang in Runaway Railway! DON’T MISS IF: You’re looking for a great family-friendly attraction. This is another one! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: You’ll spin through a windy tornado scene that can easily knock any lose Minnie Mouse Ears or hat off your head if you don’t remove them first! (That’s been my experience, anyhoo… not the losing part, thankfully, but I always keep an extra grip on my Ears, just in case!) And, as one of the newest rides in Hollywood Studios (and due to its prime real estate in the park), the lines stay fairly consistent throughout the day. They’re not HUGE, but it’s not unusual to see an hour wait. Disney World Resort hotel guests can tackle it during Early Theme Park Entry, and those purchasing Disney Genie+ should consider prioritizing a Lightning Lane for this attraction. 4. Toy Story Mania! You’ll find Toy Story Mania! in Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This 4D ride simulates classic carnival shootin’ gallery games complete with Toy Story friends and themes! Take a spin while you take on your friends and family in 5 different games: Hamm & Eggs, Rex & Trixie’s Dino Darts, Green Army Men Shoot Camp, Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers, and Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery! Toy Story Mania! This ride-meets-larger-than-life video game uses 3D glasses. So if you’re already wearing glasses, you should STILL be okay, buuuut they could make things a little more difficult. Toy Story Mania! DON’T MISS IF: You’re excited about a fantastically fun ride with the Toy Story pals and don’t mind a little friendly competition among the fam! The queue features so many awesome nods to toys from childhood (well, my Gen X childhood, in any case) that we might have opted to include this in the Nostalgic Rides category for the queue alone! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: This ride isn’t the greatest for those who aren’t fans of the 3D glasses-based rides. Oh, and you may feel the burn in your arm from the attraction’s spring-loaded shooter if you’re the competitive sort… but don’t let that stop you! Take a tour of Toy Story Land HERE! 5. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin “To Infinity… and BEYOND!” Buzz Lightyear has recruited YOU to help him stop the Evil Emporer Zurg on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland! And spin you will as you ride an XP-37 star cruiser through the Gamma Quadrant and aim at glowing targets throughout the attraction with an infrared laser cannon. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin P.S. Up for a little more friendly competition? Hit those targets (the “Z”s you see in the photo below), and you’ll earn POINTS to see which recruit in your group has helped Buzz the most! Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin DON’T MISS IF: You’re excited about ANOTHER ride with Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story and OODLES of the Little Green Men! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: There is 360-spinning action, BUT you can control how much you spin on this ride, if that’s a concern. And simply speaking frankly, it’s not as good as of a shooting gallery ride when compared to Toy Story Mania!, as discussed above. If you’d like to experience both, consider spinning with Buzz first to save the best for next. 6. Dumbo the Flying Elephant Earlier in this post, we FLEW with Peter Pan in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland, and now it’s time to SOAR with Dumbo the Flying Elephant! Use the levers in your flying pal to move up and down, and be sure to take in the magical views when you’re in the sky on this aerial carousel. Dumbo The Flying Elephant Dumbo the Flying Elephant was an original Magic Kingdom Opening Day attraction. But even elephants might crave some change from time to time. These days, there is a DUO of Dumbo rides to accommodate more guests, and everyone can also enjoy some air-conditioning thanks to the addition of a nearby circus-tent-meets-play-area as they await their chance to ride! DON’T MISS IF: You plan to hit up all the classic Disney attractions during your trip. Whether you’re a fan of ariel carousels or not, Dumbo is ICONIC. It’s truly one of those “rite of passage” Magic Kingdom experiences. Plus the interactive play area is air conditioned for adults while the kiddos can burn off some of that extra energy! WIN-WIN! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: This simple ride is short and can also get monotonous. Fortunately, Duo Dumbo can welcome more guests these days, which has brought weight times down significantly, so you won’t likely wait a long time for potentially little payoff. 7. Kilimanjaro Safaris Animal Kingdom’s Africa hosts its very own SAFARI: Kilimanjaro Safaris feels much longer that its 18-minute ride length… but I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s because it packs such a full experience into that time. During the course of this safari tour, you’ll get to see up to (and possibly over) 34 species of live animals on Disney’s very own African savanna – featuring wildlife such as giraffes, hippos, lions, elephants, rhinos, flamingos… (Seriously, I could keep going, but I think you get the idea. There’s a LOT to see here.) Kilimanjaro Safaris And because this is a ride-through featuring real animals, you’ll have a truly different experience every time! It’s simply amazing, and a must-do. HOWDY, HUNGRY HIPPO! DON’T MISS IF: You don’t want to miss Animal Kingdom’s centerpiece. It’s a relaxing Jeep tour that’s great for everyone. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: The savanna is the animal’s home. And while that’s the BEST aspect of this attraction, it’s good to know that animals — just like us — can get tired in the height of the midday heat. If you hit this ride up when it’s TOO hot, you may not get to see as many animals as you would when temps are cooler. Riding first thing in the morning is a great touring strategy for this one. 8. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros The Mexico Pavilion is the ONLY country in EPCOT’s World Showcase where most of the action’s happening INSIDE an Aztec Pyramid, in order to reflect the nighttime energy of a festive Mexican marketplace underneath a starlit sky no matter the time of day. You’ll find shops, restaurants, and a looming smoking volcano in the distance – and you’ll ALSO find the Gran Fiesta Tour – Starring The Three Caballeros. This gentle boat ride drifts past the San Angel Inn Restaurante before taking you inside the show building, where you’ll meet Jose Carioca, Panchito, and… Gran Fiesta Tour WAIT. Where’s Donald? Turns out, he’s off on his own adventures around Mexico. Meaning it’s up to YOU and the other two Caballeros to track him down! Fiesta Hoy! DON’T MISS IF: You’re looking for relaxation and some vintage charm. Basically, you’re not gonna work too terribly hard tracking down Donald. You’re main job is to float along and enjoy. Plus you can often hop in line WHENEVER and get on with little-to-no wait. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: This one might feel a bit dated to some. 9. Under the Sea — Journey of The Little Mermaid Is Sebastian the crab correct? Is life truly “THE BUBBLES Under the Sea?” Well, we know one way you can find out… by boarding your very own clamshell and winding through the Journey of The Little Mermaid in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland! See friends like Ariel, Prince Eric, Scuttle, Flounder, and many, MANY more nautical pals and become part of their world through songs and sea creatures depicting scenes from the beloved film in this dark omnimover ride. Journey of the Little Mermaid P.S. If you’re little one LOVES this attraction and/or The Little Mermaid, don’t forget that they can also meet Ariel herself in TWO different locations! Right in Magic Kingdom, you’ll find Ariel from the animated version of the film at Ariel’s Grotto. And in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can meet Ariel from the new live-action film! Check out the NEW Ariel Meet-and-Greet HERE! DON’T MISS IF: You or your own little mermaids or princes would LOVE to relive a thorough recap of The Little Mermaid movie in a colorful and musical journey! POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Just a heads up for wee ones that Ursula, the film’s Villain, does make an appearance… and she’s not so much a “LIFE IS THE BUBBLES!” kinda gal. 10. The Seas with Nemo and Friends The Seas with Nemo and Friends in EPCOT’S World Nature is an omnimover dark ride where you’ll be along to help Marlin, Dory, and the rest of the big blue friends find Nemo. (Again!) And it’s certainly cute. Plus the lovable Crush is one of the “Friends” that makes an appearance! The Seas with Nemo and Friends But, in my opinion, the coolest part is when Nemo and the crew come together at the end swimming side by side along REAL sea creatures straight from the large aquarium in the pavilion’s SeaBase Alpha! (And you can get a CLOSER look at these fish AFTER the ride, since it’ll exit you out into the SeaBase area to learn more about the sharks, rays, anemones, and other aquatic creatures living within the facility.) Outside of The Seas with Nemo and Friends DON’T MISS IF: You want to sing along with “BIG BLUE WORLD!” And you’d like to get a glimpse at some of many the REAL creatures who call The Seas pavilion their home in a ride-along fashion. POTENTIAL CONCERNS: Older kids and teens might be looking for something more exciting. 11. “it’s a small world” I’ve said it before (under “Nostalgic Rides” above), and I’ll say it again… “it’s a small world” DON’T MISS “it’s a small world”! I believe I’ve made my point. 12. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Hop in a Hunny Pot and bounce-bounce-bounce your way through The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland! Friends from Hundred Acre Wood will join you in this slow dark ride adventure including Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, Roo, Eeyore, Piglet… aaaand, let’s see… who am I forgetting? The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Oh, that’s right… TIGGER, TOO! This feel-good ride brings you right alongside Pooh and pals during their most well-known journeys. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh DON’T MISS IF: You enjoy the idea of a gentle dark ride through the Hundred Acre Woods, with a few mechanics adding some extra fun to the whimsy. (Remember… I mentioned bounce-bounce-bouncing earlier, didn’t I? But don’t worry — it’s nothing rattling — it’s just fun!) POTENTIAL CONCERNS: As is the case with Nemo and Friends above, older kids and teens might be looking for a different or more exciting tone. (But who doesn’t love the Heffalumps and Woozles??) We hope this helps you make your list of Must-Rides for your Disney World vacation! And if you’re looking for more planning help, we’ve got plenty for you RIGHT HERE! Click HERE for the ULTIMATE Guide to Planning A Walt Disney World Vacation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Ranking the BEST Disney World Rides for 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article