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We’ve stayed at a LOT of Disney World hotels, and we’ve noticed one common problem: it’s not easy to charge multiple devices at once. Disney just doesn’t offer a lot of plugs and outlets! Luckily, we’ve also tested a LOT of products, and we’ve found a few that work super well when you’re on vacation. MultiCharger for MagicBand+ The good news is that all the items we love are under $50, so you can charge your devices efficiently, AND you won’t blow your budget. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Anker Magnetic Portable Charger ©Amazon OK, we’ll start with one of our favorite brands when it comes to phone chargers: Anker. Their products never let us down! We love this magnetic phone charger, complete with Anker’s new MiniCell technology that delivers ideal charging performance with a smaller profile. It’s slim, lightweight, and reliable. View on Amazon FuelRod 2-Pack FuelRod We have a secret weapon when we go to Disney World: FuelRods. Why? Disney has special FuelRod stations all over the parks and resorts where you can swap your portable charger for a fully-charged FuelRod! This set of two on Amazon comes with fully charged portable chargers that can be instantly swapped at any FuelRod Kiosk nationwide. How handy! View on Amazon MultiCharger for MagicBand+ MultiCharger for MagicBand+ OK, this might be one of the most POPULAR items on our list. This thing is perfect for your Disney vacation; plug it in at your Disney hotel, and you can charge WAY more items at once, including your MagicBand+! This item is easy to pack and, at under $12, it’s a great deal! View on Amazon In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney souvenirs, so stay tuned for more. Check out our Amazon Storefront for more Disney items!! The post We Will Never Charge Our Phone in Disney World the Same Thanks to This Upgrade first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Tiger Tuesday Live! Watch Bakso & Mom’s First Week at Disney’s Animal KingdomView the full article

It’s the most wonderful, holly, jolly time of the year! Christmas Tree We spent last weekend partying it UP in Disney World, holiday-style. We went to both Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season, and we had a blast. Two nights filled with sweet treats, exclusive entertainment, rare characters, and staying up WAY past our bedtimes. And you know what happens when you stay up late all weekend? Silly little things you spot in the parks start to seem a lot funnier. If you’re heading to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year, make sure to stop by Storybook Circus in the back corner of Magic Kingdom. Why? Because there’s a very special guest back there! Santa’s Christmas Carnival Yep, Santa Claus has temporarily left the North Pole to station himself in Storybook Circus (he can’t spend ALL his free time freezing his tootsies off up north!). But if you head over to visit Santa, you’ll also pass some of Magic Kingdom’s most iconic new additions…the Smellephants on Parade. SMELLEPHANTS!!! And apparently, Disney decided the Smellephants needed a little bit of holiday spirit, because they decided to accent the cotton candy one with its own personal snoap machine. But not any of the other statues…just this one. He’s special, clearly! Why is this one Smellephant so special? We have no clue — cotton candy isn’t even a holiday scent! All we know is that we could’ve stood here for an hour rocking out with this horn-playing, snow-blowing festive king. Is this the new highlight of the holiday season? They should add it to the party map. 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Map There are only a select few places in Disney World where you can experience snoap during the holiday season, and now we can add one Smellephant to that exclusive club. We’re picturing midnight raves with the elephants — who’s in? Maybe Disney should add him to Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade — he deserves his own float for sure. BLOW THAT HORN BUDDY So if you’re visiting Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and you want a snoap machine all to yourself, make sure to stop by Smellephants on Parade, the clear winner and highlight of the night! ELEPHANT RAVE! Click Here for All the Details on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you heading to Magic Kingdom this holiday season? Let us know in the comments! The post The Super Weird Holiday Exclusive That’s Not on the Map in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re down to just 40 some days until Christmas! But who’s counting? Happy Holidays from Magic Kingdom! Well, that’s why we love advent calendars — especially Disney ones. They make the holidays even more special and it gives us something to look forward to leading up to Christmas. So we found 6 of our favorite advent calendars to share with you! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Have you been wanting to try Amazon Prime? Try our FREE Amazon Prime Trial below! Bluey Book Bundle Advent Calendar ©Amazon Now this one has already sold out once so get it while you can! This advent calendar has 24 mini-books, including a special Christmas story for Christmas Eve. It includes stories such as The Beach, Grannies, Butterflies, coloring books, and more surprises. Right now they are 27% off so grab it quick! View on Amazon Disney Advent Calendar ©Amazon Join your favorite Disney and Pixar characters on a 24-book adventure, packed with enchanting stories and engaging activities. Inside this advent calendar, you’ll discover storybooks, quizzes, mazes, Odd One Out, and Spot the Differences. This advent calendar will keep your kids busy while they count down to Christmas. View on Amazon Disney100 12 Days of Christmas Mini Puzzles ©Amazon Mickey’s 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar contains one 300-piece Christmas tree-shaped puzzle and eleven 100-piece ornament-shaped puzzles. It features our favorite Disney characters. We love how engaging this advent calendar is. View on Amazon Disney100 Storybook Advent Calendar Disney 100 Storybook Advent Calendar Every day in December leading up to Christmas, you can unwrap one Disney paperback storybook, each of which is 24 pages long. There are both classic stories and holiday-themed ones, and they feature Disney and Pixar characters. Disney100 Advent Calendar You can read stories featuring Disney characters like Nemo, Mirabel, and Woody. Kids will be excited to open a new book every day. View on Amazon Funko! Pop Advent Calendar ©Amazon With this Pixar Advent Calendar, you’ll get 24 of your favorite characters. They are 2″ tall and each day you’ll find a new surprise. You can collect characters like Walle, Sully, and more. Hurry because you can get this one for 44% off! View on Amazon Disney Munchlings Advent Calendar ©Amazon This Advent calendar is super sweet– literally! This imaginative set is packed full of 16 sweetly scented toy figures, plus tongs, plates, and icing bags. Munchlings in this calendar are scented with chocolate, strawberry, cinnamon, and more. Disney foodies, this is for you! View on Amazon Check out Our Amazon Storefront for More The post 6 Disney Advent Calendars It's Totally Okay To Open Before Christmas first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you are heading to Magic Kingdom in the next few days, we have some important news about one of its iconic attractions! Magic Kingdom One of Magic Kingdom’s attractions is suddenly closed down and we have the details for you about when it will be reopening. The Liberty Square Riverboat was closed when we walked by earlier and it had a sign that said it is “currently being refitted.” When we spoke with Cast Members, they let us know that it will be temporarily closed until at least Wednesday, November 13th. Liberty Square Riverboat is currently closed The Disney World website reflects a similar story, but the Liberty Square Riverboat IS currently showing hours for Wednesday, November 13th. While you won’t be able to ride the boat for the next two days, hopefully it will be back up and running by Wednesday. Liberty Square Riverboat It is not uncommon for us to see the Liberty Square Riverboat closed temporarily. Back in August, the attraction was also closed for three days from August 20th through August 22nd, and we have seen similar closures over the years. Usually, the closures are for routine maintenance, and it seems like this closure is likely for some sort of maintenance as well. Liberty Square Riverboat If you are a huge fan of the Liberty Sqaure Riverboat, you will want to get your last few rides in as soon as possible! Brand-new Cars attractions will be making their way to Magic Kingdom, and they will be taking the place of the Rivers of America (which is where the Liberty Square Riverboat is located.) Work is expected to begin in early 2025 so you will want to stop by soon once the attraction reopens on November 13th. ‘Cars’ area in Magic Kingdom ©Disney While we wait for the Liberty Square Riverboat to reopen, there is still plenty of things to do in Magic Kingdom. Make sure you check out our video for the 25 things you should ALWAYS do in Magic Kingdom: Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World news! Check out the BEST snacks in Magic Kingdom! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Is the Liberty Square Riverboat a must-do attraction for you in Magic Kingdom? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The post An Iconic Magic Kingdom Attraction Has Suddenly CLOSED first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You won’t believe who gave us a tour of The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers! This new restaurant is located at Disney’s BoardWalk and while we have dined there when it opened, we just got the most incredible tour. The Cake Bake Shop Gwendolyn Rogers herself took us around her restaurant and pointed out some of her favorite hidden details. We are still in shock, and we can’t wait to share it all with you! The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers recently opened at Disney’s Boardwalk. While the restaurant has seen some scrutiny for its higher prices, when we dined there for breakfast and dinner, we were impressed by the atmosphere inside and the quality of the food. It is gorgeous on the inside, and we were so excited to get a tour of the restaurant! Dinner at The Cake Bake Shop We were recently stopping by The Cake Bake Shop and Gwendolyn Rogers herself was there. We also saw her at the restaurant on opening day, but this time she also gave us a TOUR of her restaurant! We were freaking out a bit and we knew we had to share some of the hidden details in the restaurant with you all. Gwendolyn Rogers on Opening Day First of all, EVERY single piece of crystal on EVERY single chandelier in the ENTIRE restaurant was hung by Gwendolyn. Yep, she personally designed and created every chandelier that hangs inside The Cake Bake Shop, and there are A LOT of them. She hung ALL these herself The chandeliers throughout the restaurant are gorgeous and definitely add so much to the ambiance inside. She even hid a rose in one of the chandeliers! There is not a single piece of crystal hanging inside The Cake Bake Shop that wasn’t hung by Gwendolyn. Look at the rose! It is hard not to be impressed by all of that work that she put into the restaurant! We can’t even imagine how many hours she must have spent working on them. So pretty! But we learned even more about the restaurant too! Gwendolyn brought us to the most popular table in the restaurant which is called The Crown. On top of the table is a turntable that can hold up to 15 tons and she has been working on a Christmas decoration to put on top for YEARS. The Crown Table She has been having a Christmas tree built along with a slightly animatronic Santa Claus that has been rigged from an existing decoration she loved. Plus, the decoration will have a reindeer too! The decoration will take 30 minutes to rotate around on the turntable. She is hoping it will be on top in the next week or so pending Disney approval. We can’t wait to see the decoration on top! She also told us about a hidden detail in the music loop inside the restaurant. She had the sound of birds chirping applied on top of all the music, so you can hear birds chirping all over the building! The Cake Bake Shop She also brought us to this framed star which we already knew was a tribute to the old ESPN Club. However, Gwendolyn also told us that she rescued it from the trash and brought it home with her to have it restored and framed. She hung it in the restaurant as a tribute to the ESPN Club and she told us how grateful she is that the ESPN Club existed. It was really important to her to restore this star and have it be a part of the restaurant. Tribute to the ESPN Club As well, the ENTIRE dining room has been built with electrical wiring for projectors which she is hoping she will be able to install in the restaurant soon. She said that she is inspired by the projection transformations at Dior’s flagship store in Paris and she would love to periodically transform the dining room in a similar way. The Cake Bake Shop She also mentioned that all of these lights twinkle with the push of a button. Gwendolyn is still trying to figure out how to integrate it into the restaurant, but we are sure it will look so pretty once she does! All of these lights can twinkle We also found out that she has relocated to Orlando, so it is likely you could catch her when you stop by The Cake Bake Shop! Gwendolyn let us know that hidden details and secret magical things are really important to her. She wants to evoke memories of a simpler and more beautiful time in general. We want to say a HUGE thank you to Gwendolyn for giving us a tour of your restaurant! The Cake Bake Shop Want to learn even more about The Cake Bake Shop? We have a full video review of this brand-new restaurant, so make sure you check it out: Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all of your Disney World food news! Check out our review of dinner at The Cake Bake Shop! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to The Cake Bake Shop yet? Let us know about your experience in the comments! The post You Won’t Believe Who Gave Us a Tour of Disney World's Newest Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Let’s go dining at Disneyland! Naples Ristorante The Disneyland Resort is known to have some really amazing dining options and the Downtown Disney District is home to several. One of our favorites, Naples Ristorante E Bar, recently changed up its menu so we headed over to try out some new offerings and see if this location is still worth visiting! Atmosphere Naples Ristorante can be found in Downtown Disney not far from the parking lot tram dropoff area near the Disneyland Esplanade. Its location makes it a great location if you want to leave the parks for lunch but don’t want to wander to far, as you’ll be only minutes from both gates. Naples Ristorante The restaurant features plenty of seating with an indoor portion attached to a visible kitchen, an upstairs area, and a pretty sizable outdoor patio area. Naples outdoor seating area Inside, you’ll find plenty of art and a laid-back vibe that is very welcoming after a long day at the parks. Naples Ristorante Vibrant and contemporary, this restaurant offers plenty of seating but we still recommend making reservations just to be safe. Naples Ristorante The vibes here are more upscale than most restaurants you’ll find in the parks but still laid back enough that almost everyone you see will still be in park attire. Of course, you’ll also get some Neapolitan theming to match the menu. Menu Naples offers southern Italy and Neapolitan cuisine at a moderate price. Naples Menu There are tons of options to choose from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert menus. The restaurant offers several different pizzas in 10″ and 20″ options. You’ll also find several entrées like prime steak and a solid selection of pastas. Pizza, pasta, and entrées menu Can’t forget the wide variety of cocktails, appetizers like calamari and fried mozzarella, and salads! Naples menu Naples also suggests drink pairings to take your meal to the next level. Drink Menu And, of course, feel free to finish off your meal with a dessert like zeppole or New York-style cheesecake! Dessert menu We tried quite a bit from the menu and we can’t wait to tell you how it all tasted! Drinks For our beverage, we tried the Blue Galaxy for $18. This drink is concocted with Empress, blue curacao, Chambord, pomegranate & lemon juice, and simple syrup. Blue Galaxy Our drink was really smooth and was almost like a subtle Bomb Pop popsicle with its mix of flavors. Not overly sweet, the drink toed the line really well from being too sugary to being just right. The curacao stood out as did the tartness of the pomegranate, but everything came together quite nicely. The black cherry garnishes were also a nice touch and quite tasty. This refreshing cocktail is ideal for a hot Southern California day and looks great year-round. Blue Galaxy We also grabbed some food of course! Eats For our meal, we tried the House-Made Bread, Shrimp Penne Alla Vodka, Pesto Genevese Pizza, and Cheesecake. Naples Spread First up, we tried the House-Made Bread for $7! This starter is plant-based and made with focaccia and arrabbiata dipping sauce. House-Made Bread The bread was nice, fluffy, and surprisingly filling. This a starter that you would need multiple of if dining with a large group, but it probably serves two, maybe three people just fine. Ours had a nice crunch and tasted fresh. The sauce, however, is gonna divide diners. Arrabbiata is generally made with garlic, tomatoes, and dried red chili peppers cooked in olive oil to make a spicy marinara. It’s safe to say the sauce lived up to the billing, as ours had a kick. If you have trouble with spice, don’t lather the bread in the sauce. You could also opt for butter instead. While the sauce won’t be for everyone, the bread itself is pretty good, even if $7 is slightly steep. The sauce has a kick Next, we tried the Shrimp Penne Alla Vodka. This $28 dish is made with shrimp, tomato sauce, Calabrian chili peppers, garlic, and cream. Shrimp Penne Alla Vodka Have you ever ordered a pasta dish that comes with chili peppers and it’s just too hot because the peppers were applied too liberally? We’re happy to say that wasn’t a problem with this pasta dish! The flavor here was top-notch, blending tons of different components seamlessly. The vodka sauce was creamy and delicious while the peppers added a subtle kick that contributed to the flavor instead of overpowering it. The texture of our pasta was also perfect and this was a very satisfying meal. The shrimp is very meaty, which gives you some bang for your buck. Be advised though that you will get that seawater smell and flavors with this dish, so if that’s not your thing, you might want to go with something more veggie or land-based. Also, this plate is just slightly overpriced at nearly $30. Don’t get us wrong, it was tasty and filling but just be warned before you order it. The shrimp are a good size Pizza time! Next up we have the “speciale” Pesto Genevese Pizza! We got the 10″ smaller-sized pie for $25 but the larger 20″ will set you back $42. This vegetarian pizza is topped with pesto, mozzarella, diced tomato, and basil. Pesto Genevese If you’re looking for a light and healthy pizza, this is your guy. The pesto and cheese were real standouts while the arugula provided a nice fresh flavor. The crust had a really great texture as well and we were overall very happy with the taste of this pizza. A healthier pizza option There are a couple of downsides here. The smaller size isn’t really shareable unless you don’t have an appetite or you get several different items. Our pizza also had a slightly burnt undercarriage that charred our fingers. Fortunately, flavor wasn’t affected and this is more of a minor grievance. All in all, howver, flavor is king here and we think this pizza was very delicious. Pizza undercarriage Naples offers different types of seasonal desserts but we tried one of the more constant offerings: the Cheesecake for $13. This cheesecake features New York-style cheesecake with strawberry sauce. Cheesecake This dessert was so good that we devoured it in a matter of seconds! YUM! The cheesecake was rich and creamy, leaving us with no real complaints. The added whip was generously applied and had a great sweet vanilla offset that, when mixed with the strawberry sauce, created an amazing blend. The quality of the dessert matched the quality of our dishes and might’ve even been our favorite item of the day. We recommend giving it a try if you like strawberries and/or cheesecake! Joy in every bite And that’s everything we tried! Obviously, we have some thoughts overall… Overall Naples isn’t the fanciest restaurant you’ll find at the Disneyland resort, nor is it the best, but it remains a solid choice when visiting. If you’re craving good Italian food with good service, this is your spot. ©Disney The prices are a little high and it’s easy to rack up a bill, but if you’re searching for quality dining outside of the parks, this is a very good spot for diners of all ages. Nosh or Not? Head over to Naples Ristorante E Bar if… You want a quality restaurant close to the Disney Parks. Naples is a short walk from both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, making it a good choice if the plan is to settle down immediately after a long day or hop right back over to the theme parks. You want good southern Italian food. We were pleased with the variety of food we ordered here, and the menu offers a little something for everyone so even picky eaters should be able to find something they’d like. You’re looking for good drinks and shareable food. While you won’t save a buck on drinks, the larger pizzas become really good value when shared. The restaurant also features a happy hour with curated food and drink specials every Monday through Friday. Avoid Naples if… You’re on a budget. Pastas setting you back nearly $30 and pizza in the $20 range is a recipe for disaster unless you’ve planned for it. If you’re looking for a much cheaper alternative close by, head on over to Earl of Sandwich! You want something fast and easy. Naples is close to the parks but it isn’t in the park. It’s also a table-service restaurant, so be prepared to spend some time here. If the goal is to grab and go, we recommend dining at one of the many quick-service restaurants in the parks. Next door, you’ll also find Napolini Pizzeria, which serves the restaurant’s “famous wood-fired pizzas, freshly prepared boxed salads, and sandwiches for hearty meals when you’re short on time.” You want a broader menu. Italian food has a wide appeal, but if you’re with super picky eaters, the menu is restricted to one type of cuisine. Because it’s a sit-down restaurant, you can’t bounce between restaurants to get what everyone wants. If that’s something you’d be interested in, you’re better off visiting several different quick-service locations in the parks. Napolini We’ll continue to keep you posted on all things Disneyland, so stay tuned right here at the Disney Food Blog for all the latest news, tips, reviews, and more! I Spent $22 On A Disney Lunch, And It Was 110% Worth It Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Have you eaten at Naples Ristorante E Bar? Share your review in the comments below! The post REVIEW: We're Revealing Where to Find Disney Italian Food That's ACTUALLY Good first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Some new eats are making their way down the bayou to Tiana’s Palace just in time for the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disneyland Park! Tiana’s Palace Disney just announced some new eats and an adorable souvenir straw clip that will be available to celebrate the opening of the rethemed ride on the West coast. In celebration of the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Tiana’s Palace will be adding THREE new menu items. These food items will be available beginning November 15th, which is the opening day of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Park! Tiana’s Palace First up is a new dish, the Catfish Po’boy! This po’boy features southern-style dusted catfish filet with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayonnaise on toasted New Orleans French Bread with remoulade sauce served with red beans, rice, and house-made pickles. ©Disney Next up is another new dish, Jambalaya. The Jambalaya is made with chicken, andouille sausage, heritage rice, and creole sauce. ©Disney As well a new beignet option will be joining the menu on November 15th. The Classic Beignets are two fresh beignets dusted with powdered sugar and honey drizzle. These beignets aren’t sticking around for too long though, they will only be available from November 15th through November 17, while supplies last. ©Disney As well, Disney also highlighted the House-filled Beignet which is strawberry cream filling topped with strawberry glaze. The beignet definitely looks scrumptious, and it is already available at Tiana’s Palace! Currently, you can grab it under the name Strawberry Pie-filled Beignet. As well, you can also get a beignet filled with lemon ice box pie filling. ©Disney In addition to these food options, you can also stop by Tiana’s Palace to pick up an adorable souvenir! Beginning November 15th, the Raymond Firefly Straw Clip will be available for purchase. He is adorable! ©Disney We are excited about these new options arriving soon at Tiana’s Palace and we can’t wait for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to be open as well! Want to see what else you should try while you are feasting on the new menu items at Tiana’s Palace? We’ve got you covered as we have an entire video dedicated to the best Disneyland snacks in 2024: Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disneyland food news! Check out our FULL review of Tiana’s Palace! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Will you be trying any of the new dishes at Tiana’s Palace? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING BEIGNET NEWS: Disney Just Announced 3 NEW Menu Items! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve been paying attention to Disney news over the past few years, you’ve probably heard the name Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID). This now-transformed and newly named special district essentially functions as its own government and has done so since 1967, when it was first created. Cinderella Castle The RCID has undergone some significant changes over the years including being renamed to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) and falling under the control of Florida’s governor. But, just how did Disney end up creating its own government? In May 1967, the Reedy Creek Improvement Act was signed into law — establishing the area surrounding Disney World as its own governmental authority. This law granted Disney the same authority and responsibility as a county government. And from there, chaos ensued. Nah, not really — not yet anyway. That wouldn’t come until years later, when the act was challenged — but I’ll get to that shortly. Reedy Creek Improvement District When Disney’s “Florida Project” (the name Imagineers called Disney World before it was officially named) was underway, much of Orange and Osceola Counties — where Disney World is located — were underdeveloped and lacked the ability to provide power and water to the property. ©D23 So, Disney worked with the Florida Legislature to create a special district that could govern Its own properties and levy additional taxes on top of what local governments charge, in order to pay for various services on Disney property. Essentially, Disney wanted to ensure that Florida taxpayers wouldn’t have to take on the cost of providing and maintaining essential public services and infrastructure required to build and later operate Disney World. With the Reedy Creek Improvement Act, Disney was able to pay for the water, power, etc. that would normally fall to taxpayers in a normal district or county. ©D23 Not only that, but since Disney World spans two counties, having the Reedy Creek Improvement District allowed a unified governing body to make decisions, which gave legislative flexibility when it came to Disney’s innovative construction techniques and more. A board of supervisors was to be chosen by landowners inside the district, who would in turn make decisions on behalf of Reedy Creek, and thus Disney. Reedy Creek Trash Cans The status of the district has been challenged more than once in the past. In 1968, the Supreme Court of Florida ruled that the law did not violate Florida’s Constitution, and in the 1980s, Orange County officials threatened legal action against Disney over the RCID charter. More recently, in April 2022, the Florida Legislature passed a law to disestablish the RCID that was supposed to take effect in June 2023, with lawmakers and Governor Ron DeSantis arguing that the Orange County government should be in charge. via Twitter After it became unclear what would happen to the $1 billion in bond liabilities the RCID had if the district were dissolved, lawmakers voted to revert most of the changes — but replaced the board with five members appointed by the Governor. Additionally, some of the district’s powers were stripped — such as the ability to construct a nuclear power plant, airport, and stadium — and the name was changed to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. ©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream While the future of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District seems secure for now, we’ll be keeping an eye out for any potential changes that may come to Disney’s special tax district. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog so you don’t miss the latest Disney news and more! This Is the Hotel Where President Nixon Gave His “I’m Not a Crook” Speech in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW When are you visiting Disney World next? Tell us in the comments. The post Wait, How DID Disney World Create Its Own Government? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s almost time to decorate! ©Home Depot Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away, and in turn, it’s nearly time to start decorating for the Christmas season for those who celebrate. If you’re looking for some Disney-themed Holiday display options, get on over to Home Depot ASAP. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Mickey as Santa! ©Home Depot Of course, we have to start with the Big Cheese himself: Mickey Mouse. This 4 ft. animated Mickey has three types of motion (head, body, and right arm), and can recite a poem and sing a song. It’s basically like your own Disney animatronic! SHOP HERE Donald the Elf ©Home Depot Donald, likely much to his chagrin, serves as Mickey’s right-hand man… er duck… dressed in an elf-like costume. Like Mickey, Donald comes in at 4 ft. tall. He has 2 movements (head and right arm) and can sing 2 songs. SHOP HERE Ms. Claus Minnie! ©Home Depot The perfect companion piece to Mickey, this Minnie matches him and Donald at 4 ft. tall, features two movements (head and body), and can sing two festive songs. SHOP HERE Darth Vader ©Home Depot If you’re more in the mood for a Holiday from a galaxy far, far away. This 7 ft. tall Darth Vader features three movements (head, arm, and lightsaber), speaks 3 different phrases with sound effects, and features an illuminated chest panel and lightsaber. What makes him Christmas? His candy cane-striped Lightsaber, and Death Star ornament. SHOP HERE Stormtrooper ©Home Depot Pair Darth Vader with this 6ft. Stormtrooper, which features posable arms & animated head, speaks 3 different phrases and wields a candy cane blaster. The figure also comes with an interchangeable Death Star candy bucket for decorative use during Halloween. SHOP HERE Head over to Home Depot NOW if you’re planning to decorate Disney-style for the Holiday season. Stay tuned to DFB for more Holiday offerings! Looking for More Disney Essentials? Head Over to Our Amazon Storefront.The post NO WAY. You Can Have Your Own Disney Animatronic at Home for Just 0 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Cruise Line is a great vacation option if you’re looking for a way to relax while getting a taste of Disney fun. ©Disney The cruise line offers a variety of sailings and itineraries to various locations around the globe, all complete with Disney characters, creative dining options, fun onboard activities, and Broadway-style entertainment. It’s a blast! But for one group of people, a Disney cruise was recently a REAL lifesaver. According to ABC News, a Disney Cruise Line ship recently rescued four people from a sinking catamaran in Bermuda. The 50-foot boat, called Serenity, was about 230 miles off the coast of Bermuda when it had a gasket failure in the escape hatch. ©Disney The passengers called for help and the Coast Guard issued a broadcast to vessels nearby, alerting the Disney Treasure, which was 80 miles away. The Disney Treasure launched one of its small boats and was able to rescue the Serenity’s four passengers. All four people were safely recovered and no injuries were reported. ©Disney “We are pleased that the Disney Treasure was able to provide aid to the boat passengers in peril. Our crew members worked together on the rescue, skillfully demonstrating their training and commitment to safety,” Disney Treasure Captain Marco Nogara said in a statement to ABC News. At the time of the rescue on Sunday, the Disney Treasure had been traveling from the Netherlands to Port Canaveral, Florida. ©Disney The Treasure’s rescue was even shared by Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger on Instagram. He posted a photo of the passengers being pulled from the Serenity. via @robertiger on Instagram The Disney Treasure is taking its maiden voyage in December 2024, so it will be arriving in Florida soon. The ship is designed to celebrate Walt Disney’s love of adventure and features design elements inspired by Africa, Asia, and Aladdin‘s Agrabah. The ship will offer new dining options, new entertainment, and new activities. Concierge Suite ©Disney We’ll make sure to keep you in the loop with any more Disney Treasure news, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest. Click Here to Learn More About the Disney Treasure What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Explore Disney’s Mega Cruise Ship – The Wish A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise These Are the BEST Times to Book Your Disney Cruise The Best Ways to SAVE SPACE in Your Tiny Cruise Cabin 10 Things You NEED on Your Next Cruise (That You Won’t Think to Pack!) What It’s Like to Live on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe The post The Disney Treasure Just Rescued 4 People From a Sinking Boat in Bermuda first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We had a BLAST at the first 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on November 8th! 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party There is lots to do at this annual holiday party in Magic Kingdom! You can enjoy exclusive entertainment, free cookies and hot cocoa, shorter wait times for attractions, and, of course, the famous snoap on Main Street, U.S.A. There are also fun holiday character meet and greets to enjoy, but there’s one we recommend skipping, and the reason why is a SECRET we’re going to share with you! You’ll see characters all around the park during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! There are several dance parties where you can jam out to your favorite holiday songs with your favorite characters, such as at Club Tinsel in Tomorrowland. Club Tinsel You’ll also find Storybook Circus transformed into Santa’s Christmas Carnival! Here, you’ll see the entire area turned into the North Pole with fun holiday decorations, lots of Christmas cheer, and friends from the North Pole, including Santa Claus! Santa’s Christmas Carnival You might think this is the perfect place to take your kiddos to meet Santa. It’s at the Most Magical Place on Earth, decorated to the nines with holiday spirit. What could be a better place than this to visit the Big Guy?! But trust us, we know of a much better spot at Disney World to share your Christmas wishes with Santa Claus! Santa!! At the party, you’ll likely find that Santa Claus has a very long standby line. He’s a very popular guy at a party themed for Christmas, after all. So, if you want to skip the line and have more time for all the other exclusive things to do at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, we suggest meeting Santa over at Disney Springs! Meet at Santa at Disney Springs! Santa is meeting daily from now until December 24th (after that, he’ll be a bit busy…) from 10AM to 10PM at the Marketplace near Disney Pin Traders in Disney Springs! The meet and greet location is in the area that used to be Star Wars Trading Outpost until it recently closed. ©Disney There is no standby line for this meet-and-greet experience. You’ll log onto the My Disney Experience app to grab a spot in the virtual queue. Once you’ve arrived in Disney Springs, you’ll use the app to enter a virtual queue to meet Santa. You’ll be able to grab a virtual queue spot at multiple times throughout the day: 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM, and 6PM. You’ll receive a notification when it’s time to get in line. When you arrive, you’ll see signs that say where to enter the line. Visit Santa in the Disney Springs Marketplace Since this meet and greet uses a virtual queue, your wait in the actual line will likely be much shorter than it would be at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, so you’ll save time for other activities at the party instead! And while you’re waiting to be called for your virtual queue, you can get some shopping and dining done around Disney Springs. It’s a win-win scenario! The wait will likely be MUCH shorter here! We want you to have the BEST time at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, so use your time for those exclusive attractions you can’t experience during regular park hours. This includes things like the exclusive holiday stage shows, exclusive fireworks, and hitting the rides with much lower wait times! Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Don’t miss out on all the exclusive holiday offerings happening now at Disney World! For more Disney news, keep following DFB! I Cried at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and You’ll Never Guess Why DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF HOLIDAY MAGIC Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. It includes all the must-have information for navigating the holiday season at Disney World, including: The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! Save 20% on the Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide with code PEPPERMINT. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Get All the Details About Disney Jollywood Nights Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year? Let us know in the comments! The post If This Secret Gets Out, Nobody Will Go To This Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Perk first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It was a BIG weekend for Disney fans. Not only was it the opening nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney World, but the D23 Brazil expo was also happening all weekend long in São Paulo. ©Disney Disney fans were treated to a weekend full of fun, including some exciting announcements about what is coming soon for Disney fans! We are rounding up the big announcements that were made during D23 Brazil which took place from November 8th through November 10th in São Paulo, Brazil. The event included announcements about parks and experiences, as well as a look at upcoming movies and TV shows. Let’s take a look at what was announced! Parks and Experiences Villains Land Disney also provided a first look at the villains that are inspiring this new land that will be built in Magic Kingdom. ©omelete Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern Disney shared some new concept art for the Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern that will be coming to Magic Kingdom in 2025. ©Disney Disney Starlight Nighttime Parade We got a look at MORE concept art for the new nighttime parade that will be coming to Magic Kingdom. ©Disney Movies and TV Shows Ice Age 6 Ice Age 6 is officially in production! Disney also released a trailer for this new movie. Mufasa Disney released a new trailer for the movie that is coming to theaters on December 20th, 2024. Live-Action Lilo & Stitch We got a new look at Stitch from the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie that will be in theaters on May 23rd, 2025. ©Disney Zootopia 2 It was confirmed that Shakira will be back as Gazelle in Zootopia 2, which will be in theaters in November 2025. Shakira Dream Productions Disney gave the audience a sneak peek at this new series which is an Inside Out spin-off. Dream Productions Win or Lose The D23 audience also got a sneak peek at the new Disney+ series, Win or Lose. ©Pixar Read more about these movie announcements from Disney! Avatar: Fire & Ash Disney released NEW concept art for the upcoming movie. It is expected to be released in theaters on December 19th, 2025. ©Disney Andor Season 2 They announced the release date for season 2 of Andor! We will be able to watch the new season on Disney+ on April 22nd, 2025. ©Disney Daredevil Born Again A sneak peek for Daredevil Born Again was also released for the new television series that will debut on March 4th, 2025. ©Disney Captain America: Brave New World A brand-new trailer was also released for Captain America: Brave New World. The movie is expected to debut in theaters on February 14th, 2025. Thunderbolts The audience was also presented with a special look at the new Thunderbolts movie which will be in theaters on May 2nd, 2025. Fantastic Four: First Steps The audience was introduced to Fantastic Four: First Steps and given a sneak peek of the movie that is expected to be in theaters on July 25th, 2025. ©Disney Marvel Animation Brad Winderbaum presented a reel of upcoming shows from Marvel Animation, including What If..? Season 3 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. ©Disney The Amateur Remi Malek shared more details about this upcoming movie and shared a special look with the audience. This new movie is expected to debut in theaters on April 11th, 2025. ©Disney See more about the announcements for upcoming movies and TV shows! Skeleton Crew A special look was presented to the audience. The first two episodes of the new series will be streaming on Disney+ on December 3rd, 2024. ©Disney The Mandalorian and Grogu A special sneak peek of the upcoming movie was also shared with the audience. This upcoming Stars Wars film will be in theaters on May 22nd, 2026. The Mandalorian and Grogu Toy Story 5 Disney shared a NEW piece of concept art for the upcoming film, Toy Story 5. ©Disney Elio The audience was shown a sneak peek for this new movie that will be in theaters on June 13th, 2025. ©Pixar Moana 2 Fans were also given a sneak peek of the new film and watched a video from Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. ©Disney Percy Jackson Season 2 It was also announced that Andrea Day has been cast as Athena for season 2 of Percy Jackson. ©Disney Light Shop A trailer was shown for a new Korean drama that will be coming to Disney+ in December called Light Shop. There was a lot of upcoming projects covered at the D23 Expo in Brazil, and we can’t wait to see the new movies, TV shows, and enjoy the new park experiences. Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney news! See ALL the big announcements about the parks that came out of the D23 Expo in Anaheim this year! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What announcement are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments! The post Every Single BIG Announcement Disney Made This Weekend first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World has some pretty amazing rides, don’t you think? Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind I mean, you’ve got the classics like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, the thrill rides like TRON Lightcycle/Run and Tower of Terror, and then everything in between. And for some of those rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, you can’t just rock up to the entrance and wait in line. You’ve got to get a Virtual Queue if you want to ride. Thinking about that and the fact that it’s been using the Virtual Queue system since it opened, we were wondering if you thought it was time for a change, so we reached out to you to get your thoughts. Well, we asked and you delivered! We reached out to our followers on Instagram to ask: “We’re thinking about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and we wanna know…Should Disney get rid of the Virtual Queue?” We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments! What do you think? Now, you were divided into one of two camps: “Yes! It really doesn’t need one anymore” and “No! I actually like the Virtual Queue here!” Did you imagine the results would be that close? So let’s dive into your thoughts! Why Some Fans Want the Virtual Queue Gone Let’s face it, Virtual Queue can feel a bit stressful. Imagine you’re getting ready for your Disney World day, your fingers are ready at 7AM, and…you don’t get a spot. Sure you can hoping for another chance at 1PM, but the reality of it is that you might not get to ride that day at all. Virtual Queue For the 48% of you who voted to do away with it, it sounds like your main reasons boil down to flexibility and simplicity. Without the Virtual Queue, you would have the option of hopping in line whenever it suits you. You don’t have to worry about 7AM alarms, or 1PM rechecks. You’d basically have none of that pressure. Instead, you’d have the old-school, stand-in-line system that we all grew up with. You really can’t knock the ease of it. Virtual Queue Plus, some of you feel that Cosmic Rewind has been around long enough, meaning that the initial demand must have cooled down a bit. So maybe it’s time to let it operate like other popular attractions where guests simply wait their turn. Why Other Fans Still Love the Virtual Queue On the other side, we’ve got the 52% of you who actually like the Virtual Queue for Cosmic Rewind. For you, the Virtual Queue is a way to avoid physically waiting in a long line, which frees up your time to enjoy other parts of the park. You’d rather snag a virtual spot and use that waiting period to explore, grab a bite, or even hop on more attractions. Cosmic Rewind There’s also the element of reduced crowding. With the Virtual Queue in place, Cosmic Rewind avoids the kind of massive, snaking lines that we’ve all seen (and dreaded) at some of the other popular rides. For you, the Virtual Queue is Disney’s way of keeping things organized and giving everyone a fair shot at riding without devoting a huge chunk of their day to standing in line. What Does This Mean for 2025? I think the fact that 48% of you want the Virtual Queue gone is pretty significant. Disney has made changes based on guest feedback before, and this nearly 50-50 split might just be enough to get Disney to rethink its approach. Whether Disney sticks with Virtual Queues or leans back toward traditional standby lines, it’s clear that we as fans want our voices heard. So, with 2025 practically on top of us, who know what changes Disney might have in store for us? We’ll have to keep our eyes peeled! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Those were just some of your thoughts on if Disney should get rid of the Virtual Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and now we want to hear even more from you! Until then, keep it right here for all the latest Disney news! Also, follow us on Instagram to join in on the next discussion. 7 Things Disney Experts Say Are 100% Worth Buying, No Matter the Cost Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Should Disney get rid of the Virtual Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Let us know in the comments below! The post 48% of Disney World Fans Want to See This HUGE Virtual Queue Change in 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As long as Disney’s Animal Kingdom has existed, the savanna has been at the heart of this park and home to over 100 animals, including some pretty majestic savanna royalty – African lions. A symbol of strength, nobility and power, Disney’s lions have always been one of the most iconic stops on Kilimanjaro Safaris. For the last decade, two special lions, Dakari and Kamari, have stood tall atop the highest point of the savanna, creating lasting memories for millions of guests who have visited the park and admired their beauty or heard their mighty roar. It is with heartfelt emotions that we share the news of Dakari and Kamari’s retirement to a conservation haven in Florida accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). As they enter the next phase in their lives, we made this major decision with a continued focus on their wellbeing, happiness and health in mind. Kamari and Dakari have received world-class care from the animal keepers, veterinarians and the entire animal care team for many years and will be greatly missed. Their presence has left a long-lasting and larger-than-life legacy to those who have cared for them over the years. Not only have they created memories for our guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but they also helped bring stories to life on the big screen. In 2019, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures released a live action version of “The Lion King.” Years in the making, the ability to create photo-real animals was no easy feat. Luckily, Dakari and Kamari leaped into place and served as inspiration. Crews visited the savanna to watch and film them. This footage was woven together to create 3D models that could be used to create the animals featured in the film. This ensured the most realistic retelling of the beloved story. As we prepare to say farewell and send them off with well wishes for their retirement, we will always remember them as ambassadors for African lions around the world. Their time on the savanna has allowed for our cast members to tell endless stories of how to protect their wild counterparts and contribute to the conservation of this majestic species. Shortly after Dakari and Kamari settle into their new home, we will welcome a group of young lions including one male and two females. Our animal care team is eager to welcome these new lions and work diligently to make them feel comfortable in their new home. During the first few weeks after their arrival, the pride will spend time backstage, getting acclimated to our keepers and their new space. It won’t be necessary to make introductions because these three lions are already littermates, brother and sisters. We hope that sibling dynamic will shine through as guests make their way to them on Kilimanjaro Safaris. We look forward to sharing details of their arrival and when guests can visit them soon. For the latest updates on the new arrivals and all the animals at Walt Disney World Resort, follow Dr. Mark on Instagram and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page. The post Disney’s Iconic Lions: A Legacy Worth Celebrating appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Disney World is so much more than just its theme parks! Magic Kingdom There is so much to see, do, and experience around the hotels you’d need to plan an entire trip just to get through it all. But, exploring some Disney World hotels isn’t quite as easy — or cheap — as it is to visit others. Three Disney World hotels operate a bit differently than the rest — and that’s true when it comes to parking, too. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, and the new Swan Reserve Hotel, are owned by Marriott and because of that — staying there is a bit different than at an official Disney World hotel. Luckily, though, you get lots of the same perks as Disney’s Deluxe Resorts at Moderate Resort pricing, which is just one of the reasons why we love this hotel so much! Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin But, unlike Disney World owned-and-operated hotels, where parking is free, you’ll have to pay to park at the Swan and Dolphin hotels — even if you’re not staying overnight and are just there to visit for the day. The Swan Reserve Here’s a look at the pricing for parking at the Swan and Dolphin hotels: Non-registered guests: $36 self-parking per exit / $44 valet per exit Registered guests: $36 self-parking plus tax per day / $44 valet plus tax per day A non-registered guest is someone who is visiting the hotels to use the facilities — like go to dinner — while a registered guest is someone staying at the hotel overnight. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Keep in mind that you can walk to the Swan and Dolphin from EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and other EPCOT resort area hotels like the BoardWalk Inn, and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club hotels if you want to check out all this resort has to offer without having to worry about parking fees. Or, you can always opt to use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. The Swan and Dolphin also have a free shuttle that takes hotel guests to and from Disney World parks, plus water taxis to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and the BoardWalk. This is a benefit provided for hotel guests staying at the Swan and Dolphin! Swan and Dolphin Hotel walkway to parks A BIG update was recently announced for the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and the Swan Reserve. The 3-hotel complex will be getting new convention center space, technological updates, and newly renovated rooms! The room renovations are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024, so you might get lucky with a brand-new room if you’re planning a stay for 2025 or the future. ©Marriott We love the vibes of the Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve hotels and can’t wait to officially check out the brand new renovations once they’re finally open! In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest updates on Disney World hotels and more. SEE INSIDE the Newly Renovated Rooms at This Popular Disney World Hotel Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you stayed at the Swan and Dolphin? Tell us in the comments. The post 3 Disney World Hotels Cracking Down on Parking first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney just announced THREE Disney World hotels will be under construction beginning next year! Wilderness Lodge The good news is that these hotels will be getting some renovated rooms, but what does this mean for you if you have a trip planned in 2025? We have all the details so keep reading! Disney World just announced refurbishments for THREE hotels in 2025! Each hotel will be getting a months-long refurbishment, and we have all the details for you. The three hotels that will be under construction are Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside, and Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside Resort At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will be undergoing refurbishment from mid-May 2025 through September 2025. During this time all resort amenities will still be available, but guests may notice ongoing construction during daytime hours. It’s unclear what kind of changes could come from this refurbishment, but we’ll lookout for any additional announcements from Disney. Wilderness Lodge Lobby Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside will be refurbishing the guest rooms in the Magnolia Bend area of the resort from early April 2025 through January 2026. While the refurbishment is happening, guests might hear and see construction work during daytime hours. Magnolia Bend Finally, over at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, they will be refurbishing guest rooms as well. The construction will be happening from late March 2025 through mid-February 2026. All of the resort amenities will be available during this time, but guests may see and hear the construction during daytime hours. Pop Century Based on what Disney has announced, it doesn’t seem like these refurbishments will have much impact on the hotel experience at these resorts beyond the possibility of seeing and hearing the work being done during daytime hours. The good news is that Disney does a great job of minimizing the impacts of construction, and they only work on the renovations during daytime hours. However, if you have a Disney World trip planned in 2025, it is good to be aware of these construction projects. Pop Century Resort Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World news! Check out our ultimate guide to planning your 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! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your favorite Disney World hotel? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: 2 Disney World Hotels Announce NEW Rooms, Construction Begins Next Year first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s TIME for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Christmas Parade Stay tuned for all the tips, tricks, and whether or not YOU should spend the cash to attend this exclusive Magic Kingdom event. Check out our video below: The ULTIMATE Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party  Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more theme park news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas this year? Tell us in the comments. The post DFB Video: The ULTIMATE Guide to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is the Most Magical Place on Earth, but sometimes some not-so-magical things happen. Welcome to the Most Magical Place on Earth! Sometimes, things go wrong during your vacation, but that is why Disney World has trained its Guest Relations Cast Members to help you out when something goes wrong. All of the parks have a dedicated area where you can speak to Cast Members about any issues, questions, or concerns. Guest Relations Cast Members really do want to help you, but sometimes they hear complaints that they just can’t control or hear over and over again. Of course, they would never tell you because they are too nice. You can spot Guest Relations Cast Members in iconic plaid costumes and blue shirts under the blue umbrellas around the park. They are happy to answer any questions or listen to and try to resolve complaints. While they will always try their best to resolve an issue, these are four things they wish they could tell guests, but they can’t. Visiting Guest Relations can be super helpful! Not Everyone is Guaranteed to Join a Virtual Queue Disney uses a Virtual Queue system for some of its most popular and newest rides. Currently, both Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT use the Virtual Queue system. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is included with EPCOT’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass Each day, the Virtual Queue opens at 7 AM, and you can choose to join one of the attractions’ queues. If you miss the 7 AM or want to snag a Virtual Queue for another attraction, you can do so again at 1 PM. The catch is you need to be in the park at 1 PM, and you cannot already have an existing Virtual Queue. Basically, you can only hold one Virtual Queue at a time, and you can only join the Virtual Queue for each attraction once a day. ©Disney While Virtual Queue has been around at Disney World for years now, it is totally understandable that it can be confusing, especially since Virtual Queue fills up fast every morning and afternoon. Countless times, people complain to Guest Relations that they were not able to get a Virtual Queue, and while it is okay to be frustrated, Virtual Queues are not guaranteed. Even if you are able to snag a Virtual Queue, you may not even be guaranteed to ride the attraction. So, just keep this in mind if you go to Guest Relations to ask to be granted a Virtual Queue, as there are two opportunities to join, and it is not guaranteed. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Lightning Land and Virtual Queue line You Had Up to Two Hours Prior to Cancel Your Dining Reservation Disney World relaxed its dining reservation cancellation policy about two years ago. Before, you had to cancel your reservation 24 hours in advance to avoid a per-person charge. Now, you can cancel your dining reservation up to two hours before without a penalty. It is important to note that this is the case at most restaurants, but some have different cancelation policies, so make sure to double-check when booking. WATCH OUT for These Sneaky Restaurant Cancelation Costs in Disney World San Angel Inn Restaurante Things can get hectic and unpredictable at Disney World. You may get stuck in traffic, or a ride might break down while you are riding, causing you to miss your dining reservation. In most cases, if it is close enough to your reservation, the restaurant’s Cast Members will try to accommodate you or mark your reservation down so you won’t be charged the no-show fee. ‘Ohana If you do have any questions, you can always go to Guest Relations, and they will try their best to accommodate your request. Still, it is clearly stated when you book a reservation that you have to put down a credit card to hold your reservation, and the cancelation policy is stated. Narcoossee’s They Can’t Control the Weather It is hot in Central Florida, and it can rain quite a bit, especially during the summer months. While there are tall tales that Disney World can control the weather, they can’t. Rainy Day at Hollywood Studios In most cases of extreme weather like hurricanes, Disney will waive cancelation fees. Still, if you are going to complain to a Guest Relations Cast Member about attractions being closed due to the rain, they can’t do anything about it. Our Tips and Tricks for Conquering Rainy Days in Disney World Rainy Day in Magic Kingdom They Don’t Control When Rides Close From time to time, Disney World attractions need a little extra TLC, and they close for refurbishment. The Disney World website and the My Disney Experience app list these closures in advance. Before you plan your trip, it is always a good idea to see what rides will be closed. If your favorite attraction is closed during your scheduled dates, it may be a good idea to adjust your trip or just know in advance to avoid any disappointment. Full List of Important Disney World Closures You Should Plan Around in 2025 Peter Pan’s Flight closed for refurbishment over the summer. It has since reopened. Sometimes, rides have technical issues or, as mentioned above, close due to the weather. Cast Members at the attraction and at Guest Relations cannot control this. Sometimes, they can issue a Multiple Experience Pass for the inconvenience, but this is not always guaranteed. Rides sometimes close due to weather It is never ideal to have something go wrong on your vacation, and Guest Relations Cast Members want to help you get your vacation back on track. So remember that kindness can go a long way! For all the latest Disney news and tips, make sure to continue to follow along with Disney Food Blog! The HORROR! What To Do When EVERYTHING GOES WRONG On Your 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! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever had to speak to Guest Relations at Disney World? Tell us about your experience in the comments!The post 4 Things Disney World Guest Relations Cast Members Want To Tell You But Won’t Cause They’re Too Nice first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you excited to see the new Moana movie? ©Disney Moana 2 comes to theaters Thanksgiving weekend, so our new adventure with the wayfinder is coming soon! We can’t wait to see where this new adventure takes Moana, Maui, Pua, and any new characters joining them along the way. And while we patiently wait for the new movie to come out, Disney has made another exciting Moana announcement! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Moana has been meeting at several Disney parks for some time now.She started visiting EPCOT along her wayfinding adventures on October 16th, 2023, and it was a very big day indeed! Previously, she could be found at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Moana meet and greet opening day She showed up in her adorable, traditional outfit, and we were so excited to meet and talk to her. But now, Disney has shared that when you start meeting her later in November, she’ll be sporting her brand-new look from Moana 2! ©Disney Starting on November 24th in Disney California Adventure and EPCOT, and on November 29th in Hong Kong Disneyland, you’ll start seeing Moana in her new white top and red skirt from the new movie! We love the new look and have been seeing it on all the new dolls and figures for the new movie. Now, we’ll get to see her in it! Moana in her original outfit Your kiddos can also sport her new outfit if you grab it from Target! While Halloween is over, it’s always fun to wear your favorite character’s outfit at home or to the parks on your next Disney vacation (just be sure to adhere to Disney’s age limitations when wearing costumes). ©Target When you and your kids meet Moana in her new outfit, they can match and have something adorable to talk about with the voyageur! It’ll be lots of fun for the whole family. Pick It Up Here We hope you’re ready for the new movie coming to theaters on November 27th and for Moana’s new outfit in Disney World and Disney California Adventure on November 24th! For more Disney news, keep following DFB! Disney Releases NEW ‘Moana 2’ Trailer Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you looking forward to seeing the new Moana movie? Let us know in the comments! The post A Moana Meet and Greet CHANGE Is Coming SOON to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The holiday season has arrived at Disney World, and we are bringing you full coverage of the first night of this year’s Disney Jollywood Nights! Jollywood Nights The streets were decked out in festive decor, and our reporters got in the holiday spirit. We tried out everything that Jollywood Nights has to offer to help you decide if the event is worth the price tag. Disney Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed event that happens on select nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The holiday event features a variety of entertainment offerings, specialty food and drink items, low waits for select attractions, special character meet and greets, and more! However, the million-dollar question is: is it worth the price tag? Jollywood Nights! Jollywood Nights is taking place on thirteen nights from November 9th through December 21st, 2024. Tickets range in price from $159 to $179, depending on the date. In comparison, tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom cost between $169 and $219, depending on the night. And one-day tickets for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, cost between $169 and $184 during the dates of Jollywood Nights. Jollywood Nights The event itself takes place from 7:30PM until 12:30AM; however, with a Jollywood Nights ticket, you can enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios as early as 6PM. So, if you arrive as soon as you can enter, you are getting 6 1/2 hours inside of the park. Once the clock strikes 7:30PM, you can start to take advantage of the exclusive party offerings. Tower of Terror Pojections To start, Jollywood Nights features LOTS of exclusive entertainment offerings. You can watch international champion skaters in Glisten — A Skating Spectacular and enjoy a variety show hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy called Holidays in Hollywood. Additionally, you can sing along during the What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along and watch the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! fireworks spectacular. Holidays in Hollywood We really enjoyed the new Glisten! show, and while it is on the shorter side at only 15 minutes, we liked that you could easily show up and watch without having to stake out a spot ahead of time. The dancers were SO talented, and we think that ice skating is such a fun Christmas show. We are huge suckers for Holidays in Hollywood and this show continues to be one of our favorite seasonal shows. Glisten! There is even more live entertainment including the Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club, a dance party in Pixar Plaza, and the Holiday Fiesta en la Calle. We loved the ambiance at the Tip Top Club, and we could have easily spent a while there sipping on cocktails and enjoying the jazz band. The dance party provided the opportunity to meet a bunch of Pixar characters and let loose a bit! Tip Top Club See what we thought about ALL the entertainment at Jollywood Nights! There are also lots of opportunities to meet rare characters such as Phineas and Ferb, Max Goof as Powerline, Santa Stitch, Santa Duffy, and many more. There are more than 20 characters you can meet during the night. We even spotted Doctor Strange walking around Grand Avenue and you can find The Mandalorian and Grogu in Stars Wars Galaxy’s Edge. If you like characters, Jollywood Nights has PLENTY of opportunities for meeting some rare characters. The Mandalorian and Grogu See the characters you can meet at Jollywood Nights! The event also features a variety of themed food and drinks that you can purchase. We always love trying out all the new themed food and drink and this year we tried over 15 new items! There are so many options, and you could likely spend all evening just trying out food. You can also make reservations for Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby which is a sit-down experience that features live jazz music. Duffy Brownie See our reviews of all the treats at Jollywood Nights! As well, you can shop a variety of event-exclusive merchandise. This merchandise is only available for Jollywood Nights attendees. Ollie the Gingerbread Man is being featured front and center on lots of the merchandise this year including a spirit jersey, Lug bag, t-shirt, and more! Lug Bag Take a look at ALL the event exclusive merchandise! You can also take advantage of low wait times for select attractions in the park. Some of these attractions include Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, Rock N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. For the most part, wait times for attractions were less than 15 minutes most of the night. Slinky Dog Dash and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance had some of the longer waits, but the highest Slinky Dog Dash got was 60 minutes and the highest Stars Wars: Rise of the Resistance got was 35 minutes. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance See what the wait times look like during Jollywood Nights! There are also some awesome special experiences and photo-ops. You can have your own GlamBOT moment with a backdrop inspired by Muppets Christmas Carol, and get a photo in a multi-camera photo op. Plus, photo downloads are included with your party ticket so you can take ALL the photos and download them for free! Muppets Christmas Carol Photo Op Check out some of the unique photo ops at Jollywood Nights! There is definitely a lot to discover at Jollywood Nights, but is it worth spending up to $179 for? While we wish we could provide you a definite yes or no answer, the true answer is that it really depends. It depends on what you and your family want to experience, as well as how much you are willing to spend. You probably won’t be able to get everything that is offered at Jollywood Nights done during the event, but are the things that you could get done worth it for you? Holidays in Hollywood There are some unique offerings, and the event is a festive way to celebrate the season in style. There are lots and lots of entertainment offerings, and they are all offerings you would not be able to see during normal hours. You can also meet rare characters, try out new foods, and pick up exclusive merchandise. As well, wait times for the attractions were low so you would be able to ride your favorites. While we enjoyed our time at Jollywood Nights, the event isn’t going to be for everyone. Consider the offerings and decide whether you think this event is best for your family! Santa Duffy We definitely enjoyed our time at Jollywood Nights, and we thought the event has improved since last year. Last year’s event was a bit controversial and overwhelmed by crowds. There seemed to be long lines for almost everything and many people questioned whether it was worth the price tag. This year had less lines for special offerings and Disney also added more entertainment and character meet and greets. The event time was also extended by an hour from last year. We love the atmosphere and how much there is to do. From special entertainment to character meet and greets, to photo opportunities and themed treats, you will be having a jolly time all evening long. Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Stay tuned to DFB for full coverage of the holiday season and all your Disney World news! Find EVERYTHING you need to know about Jollywood Nights right here! DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF HOLIDAY MAGIC Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. It includes all the must-have information for navigating the holiday season at Disney World, including: The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! Save 20% on the Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide with code PEPPERMINT. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Get All the Details About Disney Jollywood Nights Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you been to Jollywood Nights? Let us know your thoughts about the event and if it is worth the price tag in the comments! The post Is Disney World’s Newest Holiday Party Worth the 9 Price Tag? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As we celebrate Veterans Day today, we salute all those who have bravely served in the U.S. military. Our admiration of those who serve in uniform and their families has been enduring since the founding of our company more than 100 years ago including our founders Walt and Roy O. Disney who served their country during the First World War. We have been fortunate to welcome thousands of veterans to The Walt Disney Company since launching the Heroes Work Here program in 2012. Today, we are honored to showcase a few of the military heroes who now help make magic across our Disney Experiences businesses. Veteran Cast Members Honored: Senior Airman Monique Morales, U.S. Airforce Machinist at Disneyland Resort Hometown: Chino Hills, California Monique served six years in the U.S. Air Force as a fuel maintenance journeyman, working on F-16 Fighting Falcon jet aircrafts. Toward the end of her service, Monique had the opportunity to join the Disneyland Resort team through the DOD SkillBridge program which allows U.S. servicemembers to gain valuable civilian work experience as they are transitioning from their military service. The program allowed Monique to build meaningful connections at Disneyland Resort, eventually leading to her current role in Facilities, where she helps maintain the attractions in Fantasyland. Sergeant First Class Mack Wright, U.S. Army Custodial Utility at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort Hometown: Early Branch, South Carolina From an early age, Mack Wright knew he wanted to be in the U.S. Army where he served for 22 years before retiring. He has now worked at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina for ten years working in utilities. Mack maintains a high standard in taking care of the resort from the pools to the rooms, ensuring guests have a safe and magical stay at the resort. Senior Chief Dennis Depre, U.S. Navy Sr. Recruiter at Disney Cruise Line Hometown: Mantua, New Jersey Dennis joined the U.S. Navy straight out of high school and during his time in service, he served as an Operational Specialist on two different Naval vessels working in the Combat Information Center before transitioning to a recruiting role. Dennis retired from active-duty service in 2022, but prior to retiring Dennis joined the Disney Cruise Line recruitment team on a fellowship through the DOD SkillBridge program. Currently, Dennis supports shipboard and shoreside recruitment needs for Disney Cruise Line, making dreams come true. Technical Sergeant Kalob Hinners, U.S. Air Force T Manager Facilities & Operations at Walt Disney Imagineering Hometown: Elk Horn, Iowa Kalob Hinners enlisted in the Air Force in June 2002. During his 16 years of service, Tech. Sgt. Hinners would go on to receive a Purple Heart medal, for serving his nation bravely. Kalob now works with Walt Disney Imagineering and when asked what his favorite part about the role was, he responded, “being part of such a unique part of our company’s history, culture, and future.” He continued, “I’ve always admired how we consistently push boundaries and limits to provide a great experience for our guests.” Sergeant Jon Schellhammer, U.S. Marine Corps Product Development Manager at Disney Experiences Hometown: Johnstown, Pennsylvania Jon served in the U.S. Marine Corps with two deployments overseas including serving with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) supporting operations in Northern Iraq in 2003. In 2004, he returned to Iraq and was involved in operations in Fallujah. As a Disney cast member, Jon now works as a Product Development Manager at Disney Central. Disney Central is a contact center that helps plan vacations to Walt Disney World Resort. Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Mulvey, U.S. Coast Guard Security Manager at Walt Disney World Resort Hometown: Orlando, Florida Lauren was a machinery technician for the U.S. Coast Guard, serving 6 years, both on active duty and in the reserves. Most of her missions centered around maritime safety, security, and environmental protections. She has been making magic with Disney for nearly 19 years and currently serves as the Emergency Manager for Walt Disney World Resort. Specialist Derrick Lehua, U.S. Army IT Tech Support at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa Hometown: Ewa Beach, Hawaii Derrick joined the U.S. Army out of high school, having never traveled outside of his home state of Hawai’i. He said the Army changed his life for the better, teaching him discipline, accountability, and the value of teamwork. Derrick brought the work ethic he learned from the Army to his current role at Aulani Resort in IT Tech Support. He is a highly-respected Aulani cast member who was Aulani Resort’s 2022 Cast Member of the Year. Master Sergeant Rosa Bates, U.S. Air Force Construction Planner at Walt Disney World Resort Hometown: Ukiah, California Rosa served 23 years before retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sgt. working as a military police officer. Rosa now works with the EPCOT team as a construction planner. “I am very proud to be a part of a company that honors veterans and military families both inside and out. I enjoy having the opportunity to contribute to providing magic to those families.” Corporal Christopher J Williams, U.S. Marine Corps Associate Product Development Manager for Marvel Games at Disney Consumer Products Hometown: Oakland, CA Christopher served in the U.S. Marine Corps with one overseas deployment, including service with the 7th Communications Battalion, based in Okinawa, Japan, also known as “The Tip of the Spear.” Christopher achieved most ranks meritoriously, starting with private first class directly out of boot camp. He was recognized multiple times as Marine of the Quarter, setting the bar and leading by example as one of the youngest noncommissioned officers in his platoon. As a Disney cast member, Chris now works as an associate product development manager for Marvel Games at Disney Consumer Products, assisting game partners in delivering the best Marvel Games experience. He focuses on great content, storytelling, and striking visuals to bring Marvel characters to life. USO Care Kit Assembly at Disneyland Resort As we continue to recognize National Veterans and Military Families Month, we were honored to continue helping our friends at the USO create care kits for deployed service members among the many ways we salute those who serve in uniform. During a Disney VoluntEARS event at Disneyland Resort, cast members including several from the SALUTE veterans employee resource group packed an impressive 2,000 USO care kits to send to deployed service members around the globe. To date, Disney has assembled more than 21,000 care kits this year. In addition, Disney VoluntEARS and SALUTE members in Glendale will assemble 500 care packages filled with Disney home goods and other essentials for Blue Star Families to help welcome military families that transition into new communities. Many of the care packages will be sent to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida to help families impacted by the recent hurricanes. Thank you to all who ever wore the uniform and for those who continue to stand watch around the world. Thank you for your service this Veterans Day and every day. The post Disney Reflects on Service and Sacrifice this Veterans Day appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Happy Holidays from DFB. The holiday season is officially in FULL swing at Disney World now that the holiday decorations are up, the hotel gingerbread displays are ready, and the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom has happened. Mickey Linzer cookie We’ve been busy checking out all the holiday snacks around Disney World, too. BUT we’re doing our weekly thing where we take a look at Disney World restaurant menus to see what’s changed — and we’ve got some updates to share with you this week. Here’s how Disney World restaurant menus changed this week: Resort-wide Starbucks Oh, Happy Day! Starbucks’ holiday menu is here and we are HERE for it! So here’s what’s changed at the Starbucks locations in Disney World, including the two Disney Springs Starbucks locations, Creature Comforts in Animal Kingdom, Trolley Car Cafe in Hollywood Studios, Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom, and Connections Cafe in EPCOT: REMOVED: Pumpkin Spice Latte – Grande, Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso – Grande, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte – Grande, and Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai – Grande ADDED: Blood Orange Cranberry Refresher Lemonade – Grande for $5.95 ADDED: Peppermint Mocha – Grande for $6.75 Trolley Car Cafe ADDED: Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai – Grande for $6.75 ADDED: Chestnut Praline Latte – Grande for $6.75 ADDED: Peppermint Hot Chocolate – Grande for $5.45 ADDED: Hot Chocolate – Grande for $4.29 “Hm. That’s a Little Off-Putting.” Starbucks Just Released a NEW Drink in Disney World, and We Have Thoughts Magic Kingdom Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe One of the newer desserts, the Mexican Chocolate and Horchata Verrine, is no longer on the menu. Mexican Chocolate and Horchata Verrine Under Create-Your-Own, the following items were removed: Steamed Tamale with No Protein, Nacho Bowl with No Protein, Southwest Caesar Salad with No Protein, and Rice Bowl with No Protein. REVIEW: A Popular Magic Kingdom Restaurant Just Got a Menu OVERHAUL Casey’s Corner The Baseball Brownie is no longer on the menu. Baseball Brownie That’s the only update we’re seeing at Casey’s Corner, though. REVIEW: Uh Disney, When We Said We Liked CORN Dog Nuggets This Wasn’t Exactly What We Meant Pinocchio Village Haus Nonfat Greek Yogurt has been removed from the menu. Pinocchio Village Haus That’s the only update, though! REVIEW: Did We Just Find Good PIZZA in Magic Kingdom?! Cheshire Cafe We’ve got some beverage changes to tell you about: REMOVED: Queen of Hearts Slushy Queen of Hearts Slushy ADDED: Cherry Cordial Cold Brew — Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew topped with Cherry Whipped Cream, Chocolate Drizzle, and Chocolate Curls for $5.29 REVIEW: This Magic Kingdom Restaurant NEVER Lets Us Down Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe The Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich has been removed from the menu. Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich It’s been replaced with Grilled Chicken Sandwich — Grilled Chicken with Bacon, Cheddar Spread, Crispy Onions, and Coca-Cola® Cherry- Barbecue Sauce on a Brioche Bun Served with French Fries for $13.19. I Love Cosmic Ray’s at Disney World, and I Don’t Care Who Knows It Storybook Treats The Rapunzel Sundae is now off the menu. Rapunzel Sundae Nothing else has changed here. REVIEW: Hands Down, This Is the BEST NEW Dole Whip Snack Hack in Disney World! Plaza Restaurant The Triple Decker Turkey Club Sandwich changed from $19 to $20. The Plaza Restaurant That’s the only update here. REVIEW: We’re Trying NEW Sandwiches at The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom Cinderella’s Royal Table The Castle Flight is no longer available. Cinderella’s Royal Table Heineken 0.0 has been removed from the menu. Review: I Ordered the Most Expensive Meal in Magic Kingdom — Here’s What I Loved About It EPCOT Canada Popcorn Cart You can now get La Fin du Monde Draft for $14 at the Canada Popcorn Cart. Canada Popcorn Cart That’s the only change here. Another Boba Drink Arrived in EPCOT…But It’s DEFINITELY Not Where You’d Expect Le Cellier Mission Hill Reserve Riesling Icewine is no longer available as a dessert wine. Le Cellier Trois Pistoles has been removed from the Beer menu. Le Cellier Has a NEW Menu in Disney World — Come Try it With Us! San Angel Inn Under Soups and Appetizers, Chilaquiles Con Pato was removed from the menu. Chilauiles con pato That’s the only change at San Angel Inn. Come Eat $30 Tacos in EPCOT With Us and See If They’re Worth It La Hacienda de San Angel Under Starters, Tlayuda changed from $16 to $17. Tlayuda Crema de Elot was added — Roasted corn bisque with queso fresco and chile powder for $13. REVIEW: A NEW Menu Debuted at This Underrated EPCOT Restaurant Refreshment Outpost The beverage price increases have made it to Refreshment Outpost: Assorted Fountain Beverage – Regular changed from $4.75 to $5 Assorted Fountain Beverage – Large changed from $5.25 to $6 DASANI Bottled Water changed from $3.75 to $4 Refreshment Outpost Here’s how Alcoholic Beverages changed: Bud Light Lager Draft changed from $10 to $10.25 Seasonal Draft Beer changed from $12 to $13 REMOVED: Mango Starr ADDED: Seasonal Cocktail for $12 REVIEW: Did Disney Just Create the PERFECT Dole Whip Treat in EPCOT? Coral Reef Restaurant Shrimp Scampi has been removed from the menu. Coral Reef Fettuccine Shrimp has been added — Fettuccine, Garlic, Lemon, White Wine, Butter, Parsley for $35. REVIEW: Does This EPCOT Restaurant Really Deserve Its Poor Reputation? We Found Out! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Hollywood Brown Derby and Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge Appetizers changed like this: Creamy Tomato Soup, Stone Fruit Burrata, and Chorizo Spice Mushroom Croquettes ADDED: Creamy Fennel-Potato Soup — Saffron Potato, Sunchoke Chip, Cognac-Pear Gastrique for $13 ADDED: Honey-Pear Burrata — Red Oak Lettuce, Frisée, Endive, Caramelized Cognac Pear, Spiced Pine Nuts, Lemon Vinaigrette for $14 ADDED: Prosciutto Croquettes — Pickled Onion, Herbs Gel, Ají Amarillo Aïoli for $15 Creamy Tomato Soup Here’s how Entrees changed: Filet Mignon description changed from “Mushroom Risotto, Roasted Asparagus, Black Garlic Butter, Madeira Sauce” to “Cheddar au Gratin, Shaved Brussels Sprout, Pumpkin Purée, Black Garlic Butter, Madeira Demi” Chorizo-stuffed Free-Range Chicken description changed from “Seared Gnocchi, English Peas, Confit Onions, Pea Nage” to “Seared Gnocchi, Piquillo Pepper, Confit Onion, Crisp Apple Hard Cider Demi” Lamb Shank description changed from “Saffron Couscous, Pickled Harissa Mix, Nasturtium Chermoula” to “Port-braised Lamb, Butternut Squash, Roasted Carrots, Charred Pearl Onion, Mint Yogurt” Under Enhancements, Spoon Bread was removed and Sweet Potato Soufflé was added — Roasted Pecan, Fluffed Butter for $13. REVIEW: If You Think You’ve Seen All That This Disney World Restaurant Has to Offer, Think Again Backlot Express Allergy-friendly Cookies changed from $4.29 to $6.99. Backlot Express That’s the only update here. REVIEW: The Saga Continues in Our Toxic Relationship With This Disney World Snack Disney’s Animal Kingdom Creature Comforts The Turkey and Mozzarella on Focaccia Sandwich has been removed from the menu. Creature Comforts It’s been replaced with the Turkey and Mozzarella Wrap for $9.29. REVIEW: We Only Recommend Buying ONE of Disney World’s 3 New Limited-Time Treats Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Landscape of Flavors Desserts and Snacks have changed: REMOVED: Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake, Strawberry Cereal Bar, Allergy-Friendly Dark Chocolate Bar, Banana Pudding Cheesecake, Cinnamon Roll, Seasonal Sugar Cookie with Sprinkles, Glazed Doughnut and Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake M&M’S Sugar Cookie changed from $3.99 to $4.29 Landscape of Flavors The beverage menu also had changes, with the following items removed: AHA Sparkling Water – Blueberry & Pomegranate and AHA Sparkling Water – Lime & Watermelon. Under Specialty Cocktails, Siponey Royale Whiskey Spritz and Blue Marble Mojito were removed. Coors Light Lager is no longer available under Beer. The Deterioration of Landscape of Flavors Food Court From Awesome To Awful Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Centertown Market Desserts and Snacks had changes here, too: Allergy-Friendly Double-Chocolate Brownie changed from $4.29 to $5.29 REMOVED: Cuties Mandarin 3-pack Allergy-friendly Cookies changed from $7.59 to $7.29 Under Beverages, the following were removed: Strawberry, Coconut, and Passion Fruit Tea and Vegetable Juice. Centertown Market Under Beer, here are the updates: REMOVED: Red Stripe Lager Bud Light Lager Bud Light changed from $10 to $9.50 ADDED: Goose Island IPA – Chicago, IL for $11.50 Cutwater Gin & Tonic was removed from the Cocktails menu. REVIEW: One Thing SAVED This Limited-Time Mini Cake in Disney World Spyglass Grill Vegetable Juice was removed from the menu here. Spyglass Grill Under alcoholic beverages, New Belgium Fat Tire and Cutwater Gin & Tonic have been removed. REVIEW: Do NEW Menu Items Make Spyglass Grill in Disney World a Must-Visit Spot? Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Paddock Grill Copa di Vino and Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon have been removed from the menu. The Paddock Grill Those are the only changes here. REVIEW: When You’re Super Hungry, This Disney World Lounge Won’t Let You Down Turf Club Lounge The Turf Club Burger changed from $22 to $23. Under Non-Alcoholic Drinks, the following changed: Pink London Spritzer changed from $11 to $12.50. Agave Garden changed from 12 to $12.50 Pomegranate Lemonade changed from $5.99 to $6.29 Watermelon Lemonade changed from $5.99 to $6.29 Turf Club Burger Cocktails also changed: Blood Orange Margarita changed from $16 to $16.50 Spicy Poblano Margarita changed from $17 to $17.50 Millionaire’s Margarita changed from $16 to $16.50 Rum Swizzle changed from $15 to $15.50 Raspberry Mojito changed from $15 to $15.50 Cold Brew Martini changed from $16 to $16.50 Walk the Plank changed from $17 to $17.50 Smoked Turkey changed from $17 to $17.50 Turf Club Lounge Sparkling Hibiscus changed from $17 to $17.50 Indigo Hibiscus changed from $16 to $16.50 Whiskey Breeze changed from $16 to $16.50 Bahama Mama changed from $15 to $15.50 Piña CoLava changed from $16 to $16.50 Piña Colada changed from $17 to $17.50 Captain’s Mai Tai changed from $15 to $15.50 Chocolate Martini changed from $16 to $16.50 Disney Food Blog Review: The BEST Burger We’ve Had In a LONG Time is HIDING in Disney World Disney’s Old Key West Resort Gurgling Suitcase Under Beer, Athletic Brewing Co. Upside Dawn Golden (Non-Alcoholic) has been added to the menu for $8.25. Gurgling Suitcase Here’s how wine changed: ADDED: RAMONA Blood Orange Wine Spritz for $11.50 ADDED: Kim Crawford ‘Illuminate’ Sparkling for $11 ADDED: Kendall-Jackson Low Calorie Chardonnay for $11 ADDED: MacMurray Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir for $17 REVIEW: Come for the Hush Puppies Stay for the View — Why We Love This Underrated Disney World Lounge Olivia’s Cafe Under Wine, Meiomi Rosé has been removed. Olivia’s Cafe Kids’ Allergy-Friendly Elbow Pasta with Marinara Sauce has also been removed from the menu. REVIEW: SPAM Biscuits and Banana Bread Pudding — See What Brunch is Like at Olivia’s Cafe in Disney World Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Citricos Clam Chowder has been removed from the First Course portion of the menu. Clam Chowder That’s the only change here. REVIEW: We’re Spilling the Tea on the Best Kept Signature Dining Secret in Disney World Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Sanaa For lunch and dinner, Pork Shank has been removed from the menu. Sanaa Some beverage changes have also happened at Sanaa: Double Cappuccino changed from $5.99 to $5.59 REMOVED: Minute Maid Premium Lemonade and Mega-Berry Smoothie ADDED: Watermelon Lemonade — Minute Maid Premium Lemonade with Watermelon for $5.29 REVIEW: 5 Things That Are Required Eating at Sanaa in Disney World BOMA There are a few changes on the Breakfast buffet over at BOMA: REMOVED: Breakfast Muffins and Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Pudding ADDED: Assorted Pastries ADDED: Seasonal Bread Pudding ADDED: Ancient Grain Berry Salad ADDED: Oven-roasted Turkey ADDED: Fresh Fruit ADDED: Oak-grilled Asparagus Boma Dinner has some updates, too: REMOVED: Lamb Bobotie and Oak Roast Pork Ribs ADDED: Lamb and Beef Bobotie ADDED: Tamarind BBQ Pork Ribs ADDED: Oak-grilled Tomatoes Disney Food Blog REVIEW: Have We Entered Zebra Dome HEAVEN in Disney World? Disney’s Contemporary Resort California Grill Under Market Inspirations, the Farmer’s Market Salad description changed from “Heirloom Tomatoes, Baby Gem Lettuce, Stracciatella, Everything Bagel Crostini, Balsamic Pearls” to “Roasted Baby Beets, Chocolate Biscotti, Vanilla “Pudding,” Petit Greens, Poached Pears, Pear Gel, Citrus Vinaigrette.” Here’s how Chef’s Journey changed: REMOVED: Herb-crusted Oregon Lamb, Corn and Summer Squash Mezzaluna, and AAA Ahi Tuna Cast Iron-grilled Pork Tenderloin changed from “Goat Cheese Polenta, Mixed Mushrooms, Grilled Asparagus, Mustard Greens, Zinfandel Glaze” to “Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Goat Cheese-Polenta Cake, Roasted Pork Belly, Stewed Greens, Zinfandel Glaze, Heirloom Apples” Plancha-seared Sea Scallops description changed from “Carnival Cauliflower, Cauliflower Purée, Frisée Salad, Marcona Almond Vinaigrette” to “White Soy-Miso-marinated Scallops, Braised Bok Choy, Glazed Daikon, Black Garlic Brussels Sprouts, Edamame Purée, Matsutake-White Soy-Shoyu Beurre Blanc” California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort ADDED: Venison Strip Loin — Pan-seared Venison Strip Loin, Parsnip-Celeriac Purée, Roasted Root Vegetables, Baby Brussels Sprouts, Radishes, Juniper-Cranberry-Cabernet Demi, Parsnip Chips ADDED: Squash Gnocchi — Squash Gnocchi, Pecan “Velouté,” Roasted Honeynut Squash, Baby Brussels Sprouts, Pomegranate Gel, Pomegranate-Pink Peppercorn Vinaigrette, Toasted Pecans ADDED: Halibut — Seared Halibut, Bourbon-Brown Butter Risotto, Fondant Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Purée, Kale, Cranberry Vinaigrette, Toasted Pecans, Sweet Potato Leaves Sweet Creations also changed: REMOVED: Cherry and Dark Chocolate Mille- Feuille and Chocolate and Orange Crémeux ADDED: Caramel Mousse and Apple Spiced Cake — Seasonal Apples, Caramel Sauce, Chantilly Cream, Caramel Tuile ADDED: Chocolate-Hazelnut Tart — Chocolate-Hazelnut Praline Crémeux, Chocolate Shortbread Cookie, Candied Hazelnuts, Espresso Crème Anglaise The 2 BEST Things on the Menu at California Grill in Disney World Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Tambu Lounge ACE Pineapple Hard Cider is no longer available. Tambu Lounge It’s also no longer available at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. We Still LOVE This ‘Ohana Hack at Disney World, Even Though It’s Kind of a Rip-off Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Storybook Dining at Artist Point Here’s how the dinner menu has changed under Entrees: Bashful’s Fish of the Day description changed from “Seasonal Risotto, Kale Pesto” to Seasonal White Wine Risotto, Gremolata, Kale Pesto” Snow White Sorceress Spell of “Tricken” Chicken description changed from “Cauliflower Puree, Roasted Vegetables, Vegetabble Jus (Plant-based)” to “Cauliflower Purée, Roasted Vegetables, Chimichurri, Vegetable Jus (Plant-based)” REVIEW: I Left Magic Kingdom for This Disney World DELUXE Hotel Restaurant – and I Have NO Regrets Disney Springs Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC Here’s how the menu has changed at Erin McKenna’s: REMOVED: Vanilla Crumb Cake, Marble Tea Cake, Cinnamon Sugar Donut, French Toastie Cupcake, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Tres Leches Cake Bar, and Caramel Apple Donut ADDED: Gingerbread Cupcake — Gingerbread Cupcake with Vanilla Buttercream, sprinkled with cinnamon and top & a gingerbread man placed on top for $8.10 ADDED: Apple Pie Cupcake — Apple Toastie Cupcake with Caramel Buttercream filled with Apple Jam and caramel drizzle for $9.75 ADDED: Apple Crumb Cake — Apple Toastie Cake with cinnamon crumb topping and vanilla donut dip drizzle for $11.35 ADDED: Pumpkin Crumb Cake — Vanilla Cake with cinnamon crumb topping, drizzled in vanilla donut dip for $11.90 Erin McKenna’s Bakery ADDED: Apple Toastie Cranberry Tea Cake — Apple Toastie Cranberry Tea Cake with cinnamon sugar on top for $8.10 ADDED: 6 inch Carrot Cake Slice for $13 ADDED: Gingerbread Donuts — Gingerbread donut, tossed in cinnamon sugar for $5.95 ADDED: Donut Holes — Vanilla Donut with strawberry filling tossed in sugar for $3 ADDED: Thin Mint Cookie Sandwich for $6.50 ADDED: Churro Cookie Sandwich for $15.15 ADDED: Gingerbread Cookies for $7.25 REVIEW: The Disney Springs Restaurant That Totally Changed Our Mind D-Luxe Burger White Claw Black Cherry Hard Seltzer is now available on the menu for $11.25. D-Luxe Burger You can also now order White Claw Mango Hard Seltzer for $11.25. FULL REVIEW: We Just Ate SO. MANY. New Disney World Treats, and It Was Truly a Rollercoaster Ride Wine Bar George One Big Profiterole and Apple Strudel are no longer available for brunch. Florida Frojito has been removed from the cocktails menu. One Big Priterole Beer and cider had these changes: REMOVED: 81 Bay Brewing Irish Red Ale and Civil Society NEIPA ADDED: Von Trapp Dunkel for $12 ADDED: Brewdog West Coast IPA for $12 REVIEW: There’s a Reason We Keep Coming Back to This Disney Springs Restaurant Amorette’s Patisserie Here’s what’s changed at Amorette’s: Mickey Mousse changed from $9.25 to $10 ADDED: Petite Minnie Mouse Dome — Raspberry Mousse, White Chocolate Filling, Vanilla Chiffon for $10 ADDED: Petite Goofy Dome — Milk Chocolate Mousse, Peanut Butter Filling, Vanilla Chiffo for $10 ADDED: Petite Donald Dome — White Chocolate Mousse, Lemon Filling, Vanilla Chiffon for $10 Mickey Mousse ADDED: Petite Daisy Dome — White Chocolate Mousse, Lemon Filling, Vanilla Chiffon for $10 ADDED: Petite Pluto Dome — Dark Chocolate Mousse, Banana Filling, Vanilla Chiffon for $10 REVIEW: We’re in Chocolate and Nutella Heaven with This NEW Disney World Treat The Daily Poutine Under Alcoholic Beverages, the Sunshine Stroll Orange Pilsner changed from 11.25 to $11.50. Daily Poutine That’s the only change here. Review: Poutine Just Got a “PREMIUM” Upgrade in Disney World — What Changed? Blizzard Beach Lottawatta Lodge A Peppermint Milkshake has been added to the menu. It’s a Vanilla and Chocolate Shake Mix with Peppermint, Whipped Cream, a Brownie made with M&M’S® Milk Chocolate Minis, and topped with a Cherry for $7.49. ©Disney Kids’ Rice Noodle Allergy-Friendly Macaroni & Cheese has been added — Served with choice of two Sides and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $7.29. Review: We’re Trying 2 NEW Eats at a Reopened Disney World Restaurant Blizzard Beach officially reopened this week, so we’re seeing a few menu changes at the water park. Remember that Disney World restaurant menus change ALL the time. You’ll want to keep an eye on the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app to catch updates. We’ll also keep you updated when we find changes, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Disney dining changes are a lot to keep up with! We’ve done all the research for you in writing our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! We’ve got details on EVERY dining location at Walt Disney World inside our eBook – and it’s easy to download to your tablet or smartphone to take with you on your next trip. I’ve Eaten at Over 150 Disney World Restaurants — Here Are My Spiciest Takes Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be visiting Disney World for the holiday season? Do you have any plans for holiday snacks or meals? Let us know in the comments! The post Boma, California Grill, and 41 OTHER Restaurants Changed in Disney World This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s been about 2.5 years since the release of MagicBand+ in Disney World (we know, it feels like it hasn’t been that long, right?), and it’s been accepted pretty well. MagicBand+ MagicBands aren’t required for your vacation in the slightest, and neither is a MagicBand+, but they can make things easier and add a little extra magic. The difference between MagicBand and MagicBand+ is that while both will hold your information and allow you to make purchases, tap into Lightning Lanes, and unlock your hotel room, MagicBand+ needs to be charged regularly so it can interact with the golden statues and other aspects of the Disney World parks. However, Disney recently added some new features to MagicBand+ bands that you won’t want to miss out on! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Over in Hollywood Studios, your MagicBand+ will now interact with several of the park’s shows! At the Frozen Sing-Along, your MagicBand+ will now light up blue whenever Elsa uses her ice powers, and it will also vibrate to prompt you to sing along with the music! Frozen Sing Along Over at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, our MagicBand+ tended to light up orange or red any time there were explosions or fire and vibrated at the larger explosions! It’s red! And over at the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, our MagicBand+ seemed to have more random vibrations and light flashes, and we specifically noticed it appeared to glow purple when Belle was having a strong emotional reaction, but other than that it was a little hard to track. Beauty and the Beast Sing Along We’re planning to go back and test it again in a few weeks when it has time to settle in! Animal Kingdom In a similar fashion, your MagicBand+ will now interact with lights and vibrations when you go to see Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! MagicBand+ We’re planning to test out these changes ourselves very soon, but we’re hoping we’ll continue to see more additions made in this park in the near future. Disney Springs If you’re visiting the Christmas Tree Stroll this holiday season and you have a MagicBand+, you may notice “a little more magic” as you approach the trees! Your MagicBand+ will interact with the trees in a NEW way. Christmas tree in Disney Springs These fun Disney-themed trees just went up on November 8th and will be available through December 30th this year. Even if you don’t have a MagicBand+, we highly recommend going to see this exciting offering! Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll 2023 Looking for more recent holiday news? Check out our posts below! More Recent Holiday Disney World News! REVIEW: Is Jazzy Holidays Really Worth The Time at Jollywood Nights? We Found Out!We’re Trying Over 15 EXCLUSIVE New Snacks in Disney World: Here Are The Treats Worth Your $$Will I Be Able To Use Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?Tickets Are on Sale NOW for Breakfast With a POPULAR Character in Disney Springs!Magic Kingdom Is Completely SOLD OUT on an Important Day This Week Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World news! NEWS: Disney Reveals NEW THEME for Hotel Gingerbread Carousel at Beach Club Resort Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lanes Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe Do you use MagicBand or MagicBand+ in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney World’s 6 NEWEST MagicBand+ Changes Will Make Your Trip 10x Better first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Christmas will be here before you know it, and if you’re trying to stick to a budget this year — we’ve got you covered! It’s that time of year! We know buying gifts can add up quickly, and it can be easy to blow your budget if you’re not paying close enough attention. But you also don’t want to waste your money on something that looks cheap. Fear not! We’ve found over 30 cheap Disney Christmas gifts that actually look expensive! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. All of the items on this list can be found online for under $50! And, if you’re looking to do a ton of your holiday shopping online, you can score a free trial of Amazon Prime by clicking the button below! Get this personalized Disney font necklace! ©Amazon This customizable Disney-themed gift is SO fun! It’s made with 925 sterling silver, so the necklace will be durable and high-quality. There are five lengths available to choose from, too! View on Amazon This Disney Princess play set is adorable. ©Amazon Spa day, anyone? How CUTE is this mini princess-themed playset?! The toy vanity features a working sink and some play skincare tools, along with a play facial steamer and two pretend face masks, a spa headband, a pretend cleanser bottle, a washcloth, and more! View on Amazon We love this Mickey cutting board for entertaining! ©Disney This would make SUCH a great gift for Disney fans! The board is made with solid ash wood and features that iconic Mickey silhouette. Get it before the holidays as a gift or to use for an upcoming Christmas party! View on Disney Store Or, you can grab this Mickey fleece sweater. ©Amazon This Disney-themed quarter zip comes in four different colors and features a classic fit with a little Disney detail. From the warm fleece material to the zippered hand pockets, this is a great option for the holidays. View on Amazon Don’t forget about a new park bag! ©Disney Disney’s exclusive satchel bag is SO colorful and fun! The allover pattern features posters from classic Mickey animated shorts, like The Band Concert (1935), Wild Waves (1929), Building a Building (1933), Ye Olden Days (1933), and Barnyard Olympics (1932). At under $50, this is such a great deal! View on Disney Store Get this Minnie Mouse necklace and earring set. ©Amazon OK, this is such a fun gift! The set includes a pendant necklace (with an 18” chain) and stud earrings. The necklace and earrings feature sparkly clear crystals and plated pink bows. We have a feeling this is going to be a popular present this year! View on Amazon This Disney Bitzee interactive toy is fun! ©Amazon This little toy allows you to play with Stitch in a NEW digital way! The game responds to swipes, tilts, and taps with and includes 3 AA batteries. You can even unlock more characters, like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and more. View on Amazon We love this Minnie Mouse fleece jacket. ©Disney This is the perfect jacket for the holiday season! The fleece has a fun heart pattern and an embroidered Minnie Mouse design. View on Disney Store Or, you can grab this set of two Disney polo shirts. ©Amazon Going to Disney World? These shirts are just what you need for a Florida vacation! This set of two shirts is made with 100% cotton, and the material is tightly knit for durability and comfort. View on Amazon Don’t forget about this woven tapestry blanket! ©Amazon This blanket is SO big and cozy! At 48″ by 60,” the throw is perfect for cuddling up at night. And that Mickey Mouse print is so classic and timeless — it will match any room! View on Amazon Get the Moonlite Storytime Projector. ©Amazon This is SUCH a great gift! You can tell stories with your little one in a whole new way with this set. To use it, attach the projector to your phone’s flashlight, download a special app, and select your story to launch a special storytelling moment. Check it out on Amazon! View on Amazon This Mickey ViewMaster is amazing! ©Amazon Talk about a throwback! This Disney ViewMaster set is such a nostalgic gift; it comes with three reels and 21 images of Mickey Mouse themed throughout the years. You can see Mickey as Steamboat Willie, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and more! View on Amazon We love the BaubleBar Mickey pavé bracelet! ©BaubleBar You can’t go wrong with some new Disney jewelry this holiday season! We love that this Mickey Mouse Disney Pavé Pull-Tie Bracelet features sparkly Mickey Mouse charms and uses a pull-tie closure. That way, you can adjust the fit to the perfect size! View on BaubleBar Or, you can grab this Disney Princess dress-up trunk. ©Amazon This trunk has it all! The set comes with four Disney princess dresses, and the dresses fit sizes 4 – 6x. We just KNOW little ones will love this gift! View on Amazon Don’t forget to grab this new train set! ©Walmart Celebrate the holidays with this FUN train set! The train features a 3-D Mickey figure in a colorful train car and 12 pieces, like a locomotive, train car, caboose, and nine feet of track. View at Walmart This rug can be used indoors or outdoors! ©Amazon Calling all Disney fans! We love this rug — it’s durable, fade-resistant, and can be used indoors or outdoors. Plus, it’s pet-friendly. View on Amazon We love the Mickey & Minnie BaubleBar bracelet. ©BaubleBar This bracelet is just what you need to add a little sparkle to your outfit! It’s made with glass stones and gold-plated brass. The design is so charming! View on BaubleBar Or, you can grab this Mickey Mouse neon light! ©Amazon Add a fun Disney touch to any room wit this special light! The lamp is made with a transparent Mickey panel that creates an amazing 3D effect. This is perfect for kids or adults! View on Amazon Don’t forget these Minnie Mouse slides! ©Amazon From pool shoes to comfy sandals to wear this summer, these slides are super versatile! They come in two different colors and feature a fun Minnie Mouse design. View on Amazon Get this set of Joy Jolt Disney character mugs! We love these glasses! These glasses are ADORABLE! We own this set of four and use them all the time. They’re great for everything from iced coffee to cocktails! View on Amazon This Mickey Mouse Charm Bracelet and Pouch Set is so cute! ©Disney The set includes a bracelet, three clip-on charms, and a pouch. Check it out this holiday season! View on Disney Store We love the Amazon Echo Pop for Kids! ©Amazon Disney fans, this is for YOU! The smart speaker uses Alexa and features the iconic Disney Princesses. You can stream kid-friendly songs from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and others. View on Amazon Or, you can grab a Mickey Mouse and Friends Holiday Stainless Steel Starbucks Water Bottle! ©Disney Starbucks tumblers are SUPER popular, and for good reason! This one has a festive Mickey and his friends design, complete with Minnie, Goofy, and Daisy Duck. It’s a stainless steel tumbler that will keep your drinks nice and cold. View on Disney Store Don’t forget about the Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Feather Knit Fluffy Throw Blanket! ©Amazon This might be the coziest Disney blanket we’ve ever seen! It measures 50×60 inches and is made with a lightweight yet soft, fuzzy material. Check it out on Amazon! View on Amazon Get the Disney Mickey Mouse Face Car Coaster Set online! ©BoxLunch This set of two car coasters is made with durable silicone that can be trimmed to fit any car! This is a great gift for Disney fans — it’s a simple way to add a little Disney magic to your car. View on BoxLunch This Disney Mickey Mouse Cork Board is SUPER versatile! This is so cute! You can use this cork board in so many ways! You can hang pictures, notes, and Disney pins! We love that iconic Mickey silhouette, plus this item comes with free pins. View on BoxLunch We love this collectible Jim Shore Mini Mickey Mouse figure! ©Amazon The Disney Traditions collection by Jim Shore is SUPER popular! This classic Mickey Mouse figure would make such a special gift. From the carved flowers to the unique design on Mickey’s ears and shoes, this isn’t your average Mickey decoration. It’s extra special! View on Amazon Or, you can grab a Disney Lite Brite kit! ©Amazon This is a GREAT gift for nostalgic Disney fans. It comes with 12 Disney Designs, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Dumbo, Cinderella, Goofy, Donald Duck, Toy Story’s Woody and Buzz, The Little Mermaid, Pluto, Simba, Tinkerbell, and the classic VHS Disney logo. View on Amazon Don’t forget the popular Bluey Tea Party Set ©Amazon Every little Bluey fan is gonna love this toy! It comes with 18 wooden pieces, including a tray, teapot with lid, tea cups, sugar pot with lid, milk jug, coasters, teaspoons, tea bags, biscuit box, and more. You also get a notepad and pencils to take orders. How fun! View on Amazon Get the Disney Mickey and Stitch Tote bag on Amazon! ©Amazon Deal alert! You won’t believe the deal that’s happening on Amazon right now. This tote bag is adorable, durable, and perfect for Disney fans. View on Amazon This Mickey & Friends Collector Golf Ball 5-Pack is adorable! ©Amazon Shopping for a golfer? These Disney golf balls are so fun and colorful! The set includes golf balls with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Goofy. View on Amazon Don’t forget the Disney Cinderella Horse and Carriage Play Set! ©Target Finally, we found a fun Cinderella playset for kids! This one includes a Cinderella figure, two clip-on dresses, a carriage, and two horses. View on Target We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! Shop for More Disney Essentials on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post 32 Cheap Disney Christmas Gifts That Actually Look Really Expensive first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article