Disney4me

DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom is officially reaching its final days. DinoLand, U.S.A. As sad as we are about that, we’re looking forward to seeing what the new Tropical Americas Pueblo Esperanza land will look like here! We got the confirmation that the first parts of DinoLand U.S.A. will begin closing in January 2025 to make way for this new land, and DinoRama, which includes Fossil Fun Games, will be included in those first closures. We previously heard that once the current souvenir prizes ran out, there would be no more coming in, and it appears that NEW prizes (that are technically old) have now taken the place of some of the sold-out prizes! Recently, we visited the Fossil Fun Games in Animal Kingdom, and we noticed that NEW plushes are now available as small prizes. Previously, the small prize was a Mickey or Minnie Plush with a shirt that read “The Dino Institute.” However, it appears that those, along with some of the smaller dinosaur plushes, are no longer available. The old Mickey and Minnie Plushes and smaller dinosaurs These new prizes, as it turns out, are actually from years prior! These tiny dinosaurs are not branded to be from DinoLand or The Dino Institute specifically, and we haven’t seen them in the parks since before the 2020 park closures. According to a Cast Member, the old prizes are returning now that some of the Disney-themed small prizes are running out. The new (but old) prizes Again, at this time, these dinosaurs are only being used as the smaller prizes — the other dinosaurs are still available as part of the larger prizes, but they’re harder to win! The spread of prizes We encourage you to head over to DinoLand U.S.A. ASAP to play these games — as we get closer to this area closing, more and more of these prizes may disappear for good. We spoke to one Cast Member who told us they expect to get another shipment of the Mickey and Minnie plushes in, but another Cast Member indicated they were gone for good, so it seems like the fate of these souvenirs is up in the air for now! Fossil Fun Games We’ll continue to keep you updated, so stay tuned to DFB! Disney World Ticket Price Increases Announced for 2025 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 How do you feel about these new prizes? Tell us in the comments! The post NEWS: NEW Disney Souvenir Returns to DinoLand U.S.A. Ahead of Permanent Closure first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Epic Universe will officially be opening for guests on May 22nd, 2025, and we’re just as excited as you are! ©Universal Tickets are going on sale soon as part of 2, 3, or 4 day vacation packages, but single tickets will be available for current Universal Passholders starting on October 24th. It’s expected that the park will be extremely popular upon opening, so we asked our readers on Facebook when they plan on heading to the new park to experience all it has to offer, in attempts to gauge when crowds may be busiest, and the answer may surprise you! When It Opens This one is a bit of a given, but a lot of our readers shared that they WON’T be going to Epic Universe when it opens in May because they already know it’ll be packed. One of our top Facebook fans, Kate, shared a sentiment we totally understand, saying, “Just thinking about the crowds makes my social anxiety quintuple!” Aerial overview of Epic Universe via bioreconstruct Despite Universal’s plans to mitigate opening day/weeks ticket sales by requiring a vacation package for 3, 4, or 5 night stays (and only one day can be spent at Epic Universe), it’s to be expected that the parks will be a madhouse for the first few weeks of operation. Other readers of ours shared they wouldn’t want to go at opening because they want to wait for the park to work out all its potential issues, which is another solid point! ©Universal Epic Universe will be an entirely new park with certain ride types Universal has never used before, and shows that will be opening for the first time, so it’s important to keep in mind that things may be more likely to close or go wrong the first few months. Fall 2025 However, you also may want to watch out for fall 2025, after the park has been open for a few months because a lot of our readers also shared that’s when they plan on visiting the park for the first time. Fall in Orlando can still be hot and humid, but nothing like the summer months, and it’ll have given the park a few months to sort everything out. Epic Universe ©Universal Specifically, a few readers mentioned heading to the park around the time Halloween Horror Nights starts up, to see what offerings may be included at the new park, and others shared they’ll go in November/December when it’s really started to cool off in temperature. So we’re not saying to NOT go in the latter part of 2025, but just be aware that crowds might still be high. 1-2 Years After Opening This may sound a little extreme, and it’s hard to tell how crowds will be at so long after the park opens, but we did have a lot of readers share with us they’re planning to visit the park in 2026 or 2027, once the park has been in full operation for quite some time. Dark Universe model This especially may be true around the summertime, as kids will be out of school and many families choose to take vacations during this time. While summer 2025 will likely be extremely busy for Epic Universe, it’s likely that Summer 2026 and Summer 2027 may be especially packed as well. Dark Universe Concept Art ©Universal We’ll keep an eye on the crowds trends when the park opens and as it continues operation to help you plan your vacations, so stay tuned to DFB! More Epic Universe News! “That Will Be a Mad House.” Fans Reveal the WORST Time to Go to Epic UniverseWill There Be a Villains Land HOTEL in Disney World?BREAKING: Universal Orlando Quietly Delays Opening of Epic Universe HotelNEWS: You Can Now Buy Single-Day Tickets to Epic Universe…But There’s a Catch!NEWS: Universal Announces Epic Universe Previews for Passholders Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Epic Universe news! OPENING DATE Announced for Epic Universe’s NEW Grand Helios 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 When are you planning to visit Epic Universe? Tell us in the comments! The post "That Will Be a Mad House." Fans Reveal the WORST Time to Go to Epic Universe first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You can NEVER have too many Loungeflys! Especially when you can pick up some for cheaper. Loungefly Wall at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom Loungeflys are perfect for the parks and with so many options, you can find the backpack that is perfect for you. We love wearing our Loungeflys in the parks and now you can grab some on Amazon for $50 or less. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. We are rounding up five Loungefly mini backpacks that you can get for $50 or less on Amazon RIGHT NOW. There is even one that can be yours for only $39! With that being said, let’s get to these backpacks. Get this Evil Queen Loungefly for only $39! ©Amazon You can get this Evil Queen Loungefly for ONLY $39! With that price, that means you can probably get at least two Loungeflys, right? This backpack features the Evil Queen herself sitting on her throne. On the back of the backpack, you will find Snow White appearing in the mirror. Get this Loungefly here! Grab this Little Mermaid Loungefly for less than $50! ©Amazon If you are more of a Little Mermaid fan, then you can pick up this Little Mermaid Loungefly Mini Backpack for less than $50. On the front you will spot Ariel, Prince Eric, King Triton, and Triton’s daughters. You can even spot Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle on the sides of the bag. Get this Loungefly here! Snag this Mickey Mouse Marching Band Loungefly! ©Amazon Or if you want to sport your love of Mickey Mouse, you can get this Mickey Mouse Marching Band Loungefly Backpack. This bag is full of fun and features Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy marching down the street playing their instruments. You may even find a surprise in the form of Pluto on the back! Get this Loungefly here! Pick up this A Bug’s Life Loungefly for less than $50! ©Amazon If you grew up watching A Bug’s Life, then this next Loungefly is perfect for you. This A Bug’s Life Mini Backpack is the perfect homage to this iconic movie. The front of the backpack features Heimlich and lots of your other favorite characters. including Dim, Manny, and Francis. You will also spot Flik dropping in on the back. Get this Loungefly here! Or, grab this Minnie Mouse Cosplay Loungefly Backpack! ©Amazon Finally, if you are a Minnie Mouse fan, then this Minnie Mouse Cosplay Loungefly is perfect for you! The bag features Minnie Mouse is her outfit from the 1938 short film called Brave Little Tailor. Whether you are a huge fan of the Mickey Mouse comics, or just want to sport your love for Minnie Mouse, you can grab this Loungefly for less than $50. Get this Loungefly here! Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for more Disney merchandise deals! Find even more of our favorite Disney essentials on our Amazon Storefront!The post You Can Grab 5 Disney Loungeflys for or Less RIGHT NOW! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You do know that Disney World isn’t just a theme park experience, right? It’s also a food lover’s paradise. Grand Floridian Resort Now, I know you already know about the classic park snacks (I see you Dole Whip), but did you know that some of the most unforgettable bites are hiding at Disney World’s hotels? They’ve got everything you could ever want — from mouthwatering sweets to savory bites. So let’s talk about a couple of iconic Disney World hotel snacks that we always go for. Ready to dive in? As we were saying, we’ve got a list of seven iconic Disney World hotel snacks that we just can’t pass up, and we’ve gotta tell you about them! Tie-Dye Cheesecake Where to find it: Pop Century Resort — Everything POP Food Court Ever wanted a dessert that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat? Enter the Tie-Dye Cheesecake at Pop Century Resort. This colorful, groovy cheesecake brings a psychedelic swirl of flavors with each layer. Tie-Dye Cheesecake On the bottom, you’ve got classic red velvet cake, and on top, a cheesecake blend that’s creamy and surprisingly light! Make sure to snap a pic before diving in. This retro-inspired treat is as iconic as it gets. Mickey Beignets Where to find them: Port Orleans French Quarter — Scat Cat’s Club Café What’s a visit to Disney World without having Mickey-shaped food? It’s unthinkable. Enter the Mickey Beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter. They really are the stuff of legend. We can’t resist a Mickey Beignet They’re freshly fried and dusted with powdered sugar. They’re crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. These Louisiana-inspired pastries melt in your mouth with every bite. Also, you have try them with a side of caramel, chocolate, or raspberry dipping sauce for the full Disney indulgent experience. Also, these comes in packs of 3 or 6. And the pack of 3 is a snack credit. This is hands down one of the best uses of a snack credit because not only are these babies DELISH but they are also super sharable! Zebra Domes Where to find them: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge — The Mara You’re going to want to take a break from all your Disney World adventures and pop by Animal Kingdom Lodge for Zebra Domes at The Mara. This bite-sized treat is perfect for adults looking for something a bit different. Zebra Domes Each dome is a rich mix of Amarula cream liqueur mousse, white and dark chocolate, and a bit of a chocolatey crunch. The stripes make them picture-perfect, and they’re just the right size for an indulgent, unique snack. Macaroni & Cheese Where to find it: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — Gasparilla Island Grill Nothing says comfort food quite like Macaroni & Cheese, and the Grand Floridian’s Gasparilla Island Grill serves up a version that’ll hit every spot. No really, you have to try this! It’s ultra-creamy with a golden layer of cheese on top. Honestly, this mac and cheese is everything you crave after a day of park-hopping. Also, if you’re a cheese lover, the extra melty goodness is worth the trek to Grand Floridian alone. Just be forewarned that you might need a nap afterward! Milkshake Where to find them: Disney’s Beach Club Resort — Beaches and Cream Soda Shop Whether you’re looking for a classic or something outlandishly topped, the milkshakes at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop honestly can’t be beat. Look at This Milkshake!! From the towering souvenir shakes to the simple but perfectly rich chocolate and vanilla options, this old-fashioned soda shop gives you a bit of nostalgia in every sip. Now, if you can’t decide on a flavor, you could always go for the “Kitchen Sink” if you dare. Just be warned — it’s a massive sundae served in a literal sink! ‘Ohana Noodles Where to find them: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort — ‘Ohana and Tambu Lounge I’m just going to come out and say it. These noodles are legendary! You can find them served at both ‘Ohana and Tambu Lounge, and they’re savory, sweet, and just the right amount of chewy. ‘Ohana Noodles These noodles have practically become a Disney celebrity in their own right, and once you try them, you’ll get why. Just be ready to crave them for weeks after. Bread Pudding Where to find it: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort — ‘Ohana and Tambu Lounge While you’re at the Polynesian, you have to try their Bread Pudding too. It’s served warm with a decadent caramel sauce and a side of ice cream. It’s a dessert you won’t soon forget. ‘Ohana Bread Pudding! With a texture that’s soft and gooey but with a hint of crispiness on the edges, this bread pudding is the ultimate Disney comfort food. Honestly, it’s one of the best desserts in all of Disney World. Don’t miss out. ‘Ohana Bread Pudding and Noodles at Tambu Lounge! Stay tuned to DFB for more snack recommendations and tips on where to eat during your Disney World vacation — we’ve got you covered! This Secret Hotel Snack in Disney World Went Viral on Our Instagram Account 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 are your favorite Disney World hotel snacks? Tell us in the comments! The post 7 Iconic Disney World Hotel Snacks Experts ALWAYS Buy first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve seen a LOT of changes happening in Disney Springs over the past few years. Disney Springs First, we got a brand new restaurant, Summer House on the Lake, and we’re still revisiting the Cookie Bar there. We also feel like the new eet by Maneet Chauhan restaurant is COMPLETELY UNDERRATED (seriously, go there). We’ve also seen several shops close, while new shops have opened. Well, we recently did a quick walkthrough through Disney Springs and noticed another shop seems to have closed its doors. Okay, so this could be bad news for you Star Wars fans. We walked by the Star Wars Trading Post in Disney Springs and we noticed it was closed. It’s closed In fact, it’s so closed that even its main sign is gone. Main sign has been removed This was a shop where you could get Star Wars merchandise like clothing, accessories, toys, home decor, and more. This location also was one of the few that carried the Legacy Lightsabers outside of the parks. There’s a sign on the shop’s main door that suggests visiting Once Upon A Toy instead for Star Wars merchandise. Sending us to Once Upon A Toy We checked Disney World’s website for Star Wars Trading post hours, and it’s listed as closed through January 1st, 2025 (as far out as the calendar goes). So it looks like this could be a permanent closure. Perhaps Disney has plans for something else in its space? ©Disney Anyway, we walked over to Once Upon A Toy as the sign suggested, and let’s just say the Star Wars merchandise there was pretty limited. There were some lightsabers… Lightsabers at Once Upon A Toy …as well as a few merchandise items that we’d previously seen at Star Wars Trading Post. Other Star Wars items The Build-Your-Own Lightsaber experience is here, too. Lightsaber Building Station However, there IS another Star Wars store in Disney Springs, Star Wars Galactic Outpost. You’ll find it on the West side of Disney Springs. There, you’ll find clothes, accessories, home decor, drinkware, lightsabers, pins, wall art, and more. Star Wars Galactic Outpost It’s kind of interesting that the sign on the old Star Wars Trading Post refers folks to a toy store, rather than the OTHER Star Wars store in Disney Springs, though. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more information about the store’s closure and what may end up in its space, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Why This Strange Disney Souvenir Trend Refuses to Die Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think? Let us know in the comments! The post CONFIRMED: ANOTHER Store Has Closed Indefinitely in Disney Springs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Trying to decide what to wear for your Disney trip? Magic Kingdom We visit the Disney World parks every day, and we’ve gotten pretty good at crafting a theme park outfit. On top of that, we have a DFB Store with a variety of products designed just for theme park fans. That’s why when we launched our newest design, we knew you guys needed to be the first to know! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Introducing our new collection inspired by The Emperor’s New Groove, AKA the most underrated Disney film of all time! No Touchy Sweatshirt New sweatshirt! We’re kicking things off with the No Touchy Sweatshirt, the perfect apparel for when you’re trying to get all cozy on the couch at home, or for when you’re heading to the parks during the few months of the year when it’s actually cold! SNAG THE SWEATSHIRT ONLINE HERE! No Touchy T-Shirt Snag the t-shirt! If you like the design but want a more versatile look, you can order the No Touchy T-Shirt. This one has the same llama-inspired pattern, but it comes with short sleeves and a thinner, breathable fabric. Wear it all year round! CLICK HERE FOR THE T-SHIRT! No Touchy Onesie For your baby! If you want our most adorable design, check out the No Touchy Baby Onesie! This is a great reminder for people to keep their hands to themselves during cold and flu season. SNAG THE ONESIE FROM OUR STORE HERE! No Touchy Long-Sleeve Tee Long sleeve shirt! If the sweatshirt is too warm but the t-shirt isn’t warm enough, we’ve got a compromise with the No Touchy Long Sleeve Shirt. Each of these designs comes in a variety of colors and sizes for you to choose from! SHOP THE SHIRT HERE! No Touchy Youth Tee The youth tee! And finally, we’ve got a No Touchy Youth Tee. Seriously, we’re prepared for you to do matching shirts with the whole family. Don’t disappoint us! GET IT HERE! That’s a peek at our new collection! Make sure to check it out on the DFB Store, and stay tuned to DFB for more great picks of things to wear in the Disney parks. Click Here to Shop Disney Merch on Amazon!The post Not to Be Dramatic, But No Other Shirt Will Compare to This NEW Disney Tee first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We love Disney World. We love the rides. We love the entertainment. We love the FOOD. We love the sights. The SMELLS. It’s a great time! Main Street, U.S.A. But what if we told you that you could smell like Disney World? Not the weird smells, of course. We’re talking about the fresh-baked scent of the Main Street Bakery or the sweet, floral scent of Pandora in Flight of Passage. Well, after a little research, we found some perfumes that will remind you of all the BEST parts of Disney World! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Cologne ©Amazon OK, the internet was totally on to something here. This perfume smells like the Flight of Passage ride in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Yes, really. It’s got top notes of bluebell and cloves and base notes of white amber and musk. It’s a light, slightly floral scent, and it transports us right to Pandora. Who doesn’t want that?! View on Amazon Maison Tahité Vanilla² ©Maison Tahité Does anyone else take a deep inhale every time they walk down Main Street, U.S.A.? If you love the sweet scent of the Main Street Confectionery, you will totally love this perfume. It’s a true gourmand perfume with a sweet vanilla scent. The fragrance also has notes of sweet praline and powdery talcum. Trust us — this is lovely! View Online In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney merchandise, so stay tuned for more. Check out our Amazon Storefront for more Disney items!! The post 2 Perfumes That Smell Just Like Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disneyland’s reimagined Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree is finally open so you know we had to head over and grab a bite or several! Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree Disneyland is turning its Critter Country land into Bayou Country, which will conclude with the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in November. A major piece of Bayou Country will be the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree — formerly known as the Hungry Bear Restaurant. After several months of refurbishment and retheming, we headed over to the NOW-OPEN Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree to try its new menu and check out the changes! History The Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree originally opened at Disneyland in 1972 as the Golden Bear Lodge before becoming the Hungry Bear Restaurant in 1977, the name it had until July 2024 when it closed for its reimaging into the Hungry Bear Jamboree. Hungry Bear Restaurant The new theming is based around the defunct Country Bear Jamboree attraction at Disneyland, as well as the newly reimaged Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Magic Kingdom. Big Al The restaurant had a soft opening on October 24th, 2024, but its official opening happened on October 25th, 2024. Atmosphere The reimaging of the Hungry Bear wasn’t necessarily its layout — which has remained largely the same with its outdoor seating, ample table options, and woodsy vibes. Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree The big change here — aside from the menu — is the theming. You’ll find plenty of references to the lovable Country Bears all over the restaurant, including on the walls! The Bears are back in town! The official “Grr-ill Master” Ursus H. Bear also makes an appearance! Ursus H. Bear Loving this theming! Additionally, you’ll hear some popular tunes of the Country Bears while you dine, further enhancing the atmosphere. Menu Perhaps the biggest change coming to the restaurant is the menu! Fixin’s sign at the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree The menu has been revamped to be all about barbecue. You’ll find plenty of pulled pork, burgers, baked beans, coleslaw, and beef brisket, as well as theme park classics like chicken tenders. Part of the new Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree menu Also featuring specialty non-alcoholic beverages and fun desserts, it’s hard to look at this menu and not think it’s an upgrade over the previously generic, yet reliable Hungry Bear Restaurant menu. Eats With plenty of new items to choose from, we opted to try the Smoked BBQ Combo Platter, Beer-battered Fries, Funnel Cake Fries, and Banana Pudding. The full spread First up we tried the Smoked BBQ Combo Platter for $21.49! This meal comes with a little taste of everything. With it, you get a selection of house-smoked meats, with baked beans, coleslaw, white bread, and pickled vegetables. You also get a choice of two of pork spareribs, pulled pork, sausage link, or beef brisket. For our tasting we went with pulled pork and a sausage link. It’s a LOT of food. Smoked BBQ Combo Platter Let’s talk about the BBQ sauces first. The Golden BBQ Sauce has a mustard hickory taste to it and goes great with the sausage. The Hot Smokey BBQ sauce is HOT and smokey (the name says it all) and also goes great with the sausage. The Classic is delicious, smokey, and sweet — it goes best with the pulled pork. BBQ Sauces The pulled pork is SO good. It was juicy and flavorful and seasoned well. As we said, we loved it with the classic sauce. Our reporter used the bread and made a little sandwich. Fact: white bread is often served with barbecue in the South — the tradition goes back to the early days of barbecue when mass-produced bread was cheap and readily available. That’s just a little bit of authenticity that we appreciate. We made an impromptu BBQ sandwich The sausage had a nice crunch with a smokey peppery taste. It was also super moist and because it came pre-sliced, it was easy to eat! So easy to eat! The baked beans had a sweet and classic barbecue flavor with just the right amount of kick. They don’t photograph well, but they are TASTY! Baked beans The coleslaw almost steals the show of this combo. If you love pickled slaw, this is for you! It’s got excellent crunch, the right amount of tartness, and a hint of sweetness. We want more of this coleslaw! You also get a side of pickles, and excuse us, THEY WERE sweet, but they were also SPICY. We love a good spicy pickle. Pickled onions are also served on the side and offer a nice sour and spicy kick. Next, we went with the Beer-battered Fries for $4.79! These are the PERFECT steak fries. They’re crunchy on the outside, but soft on the inside. You don’t get a beer-battered kind of taste, but they are delicious. We ended up adding a little more salt because we can’t ever be salty enough. Beer Battered Fries Craving some dessert fries? Check out the Funnel Cake Fries! The fries cost $6.49 and are dusted with powdered sugar. You can’t go wrong with these. They’re shareable, although we think we’re keeping them for ourselves. They’re served piping hot and are delicious. Think mini bites of funnel cake. SO good. Funnel cake fries We paired them with the optional Banana Caramel Dipping Sauce for $1.49. It’s Banana Custard with caramel sauce. Pro tip: mix it up really good to get the banana taste. We though the custard made the texture a clumpy, but it does help if you mix it. It’s interesting paired with the Funnel Cake fries, but you need to love banana to appreciate it. Funnel cake fries with the dipping sauce The change from the old Hungry Bear menu is night and day, but how did we feel about our experience overall? Overall We have to say that we were surprised by the barbecue we had here — it’s a nice homage to Southern barbecue (right down to the white bread) and we like the ability to add additional sauces to our meals, too. The Country Bear vibe is also a big hit for us and it’s nice to see the Country Bears represented in Disneyland again. The full spread Nosh or Not? Stroll on down the Rivers of America to the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree if… You like Southern-style barbecue. The barbecue here is focused on a Southern style, so if that’s something you like, you will appreciate these flavors. You’re on a budget. The prices here are pretty reasonable, even considering it’s a Disney restaurant. You want funnel cake flavors in an easier to eat form. Funnel cake fries are legitimately the best way to eat funnel cake! Grab grub elsewhere if… You don’t like barbecue. Not everyone loves barbecue — if that’s you, you’ll want to skip it. You want a fancier sitdown meal. This is a quick-service location, so if you’re’ wanting a fancier table service meal, this isn’t for you. You’re in Disney California Adventure. Although the food here is good, we don’t think it’s worth traipsing all over Disneyland Resort to get to. We’ll continue to keep you posted on the latest Disneyland news, tips, and reviews, so stay tuned right here at the Disney Food Blog! Is Disney’s $400 Lightning Lane Premier Pass Worth It? We Tested It Out So You Don’t Have To! 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 Heading over to the newly reimagined Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree soon? Let us know in the comments! The post I Spent On A Disney Lunch, And It Was 110% Worth It first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are always new things coming to Disney World and old things being refurbished! Disney World is constantly changing, and that is part of what makes it magical, but it isn’t so magical when you don’t realize something is scheduled to be closed. Test Track is undergoing refurbishment If you are heading to Disney World this week, there are a few closures you will want to know about. We don’t want to be caught by surprise when something you wanted to visit isn’t open. For example, we don’t want you rope dropping Test Track in EPCOT only to find out that it is currently closed for refurbishment. That is why we are here with the nine closures that are happening in Disney World this week! EPCOT Test Track Test Track closed on June 17th, and Disney is giving this ride a BIG makeover! Test Track under construction Disney has shared that the new version of Test Track will take inspiration from the old ride, World of Motion, that was originally there when the park opened in 1982. Disney recently shared more details at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience, including an opening timeline! We’ll be able to ride Test Track once again in 2025. Disney World Files NEW Permit for Test Track Re-Theme Restaurant Marrakesh Restaurant Marrakesh is currently closed as a dining location in the Morocco pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase, and there’s no word yet on when the restaurant could fully reopen. Restaurant Marrakesh However, it is currently open as the Florida Blue Lounge during the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. So, if you’re in the Morocco Pavilion, check it out to see if it’s open. We’re watching for updates on when the full restaurant could reopen! HOLD UP. Did You Know About This EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Secret? For other closures around Disney World from October 26th through November 2nd, keep reading below! Magic Kingdom Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade We had to say goodbye to an opening day attraction on June 23rd. Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade is behind walls now The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade was around for generations and provided simple fun to all who played. Now, the attraction has closed to make room for a new Disney Vacation Club lounge. This lounge will be the third in Disney World, joining one in EPCOT and one at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Disney has not yet announced when the new lounge will open. Three BIG Updates Confirm That Frontierland in Magic Kingdom Is About to CHANGE Tomorrowland Terrace Tomorrowland Terrace is a quick-service restaurant that has been closed since the 2020 pandemic-related closures, but even before that, this spot was only occasionally open. Tomorrowland Terrace Once in a while, you’ll see the dining room open as a rest area (and it’s still being used for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties), but it’s usually all roped off and empty. Beautiful view from Tomorrowland Terrace Disney hasn’t announced when this spot could finally reopen, but we’ll be watching for updates. If you’re looking for a nice spot to hang out in Disney World and sit down for a rest, this could be it! Hollywood Studios Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy The Cars-themed show featuring Lighting McQueen permanently closed on October 8th, 2024, to make way for a brand-new Villains show. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy The show was previously housed in the Sunset Showcase building, but the last day for guests to enjoy it was October 7th. The new Villains show is supposed to debut in the summer of 2025! We’re watching for more details about the new show. Read about the NEW Villains show coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Voyage of the Little Mermaid Voyage of the Little Mermaid is currently closed in Disney World. But we recently spotted some construction walls up at the building along with a new permit filed! Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney is going to introduce a new, updated show in this spot, though it will still be themed to the animated movie The Little Mermaid! The new show will be called “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure,” and it is now coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2025. Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney still hasn’t announced an official opening date for the new show, but it has been postponed from its Fall 2024 opening timeline. It will be a “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.” NEW LOOK at “The Little Mermaid” Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Blizzard Beach Blizzard Beach closed for refurbishment on March 17th. Blizzard Beach While Blizzard Beach is closed, Typhoon Lagoon is currently open. The two water parks often rotate off and on for being open. And recently, Disney announced that Blizzard Beach will be reopening on November 4th, when Typhoon Lagoon will close! Click here to learn all about Blizzard Beach Disney World Hotels Everything POP Shopping & Dining — Disney’s Pop Century Resort The Everything Pop Food Court will continue its refurbishment for the time being. Everything Pop — main entrance is currently closed Since July 29th, Everything Pop has been getting some work done. The refurbishment was supposed to end on September 29th. However, Disney updated the refurbishment timeline to extend it to November. This means the food court should have been back to full and normal operation, but that’s not the case. However, we did stop by and noticed a few updates — it’s looking really good so far! Guests can grab food at several counters and on mobile order, as well as use the limited seating while work is being done. See the BIG CHANGES Just Revealed At Disney World’s Pop Century Resort! World Premiere Food Court — Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort The World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort has been undergoing refurbishment since July. World Premiere Food Court This food court closed for refurbishment on July 1st and was set to reopen on July 31st. However, a change on the Disney World website and speaking with Cast Members has indicated that did not happen. Disney updated the website to say it won’t open until mid-October. Currently, the Disney World website lists the Rialto coffee shop as being closed for refurbishment until the end of November 2024. While it has been getting a face-lift, guests have been able to mobile order from a limited menu on the Disney World app, and seating in the food court is still available. The Disney World Hotel Mistake You’ll Make in 2025 Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. Full List of Important Disney World Closures You Should Plan Around in 2025 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 When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! The post Don’t Let These 9 Disney World Closures Catch You by Surprise This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Between Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights, and of course, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, there’s just so much to see and do! But, if you’re planning to visit the Festival of the Holidays this year, we’ve got some bad news to share with you. The 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays runs from November 29th through December 30th and is full of holiday entertainment, merchandise, and of course — food! This is one of our favorite festivals of the year (okay, we kind of say that about all of them BUT STILL!) and we look forward to it every year. This year, though, there are a few things we need to warn you about! Candlelight Processional Woes The Candlelight Processional takes place nightly during the festival at the America Gardens Theatre and features a Cast Member choir, an orchestra, and a celebrity narrator who tells the nativity story. It’s a festival tradition and quite popular — but you can guarantee a decent seat with a Candlelight Dinner Package. Candlelight Processional The standby queue can get quite long for those who don’t have reservations, and Disney has been known to cut off the standby line when the theater gets full. This year, it may be even harder to get a seat as the list of dining package-eligible restaurants has doubled in comparison to last year! Candlelight Processional sign Essentially, this is BAD news for people who would rather wait in the standby line for the shows and don’t want to shell out for a dining package. The more seats in the theater taken up by people with dining packages, the fewer seats for those in the standby line. FULL SCHEDULE of Celebrity Narrators for This Year’s Candlelight Processional CommuniCore Hall Gripes Alright, now that we’ve officially experienced the first EPCOT festival since CommuniCore Hall has been open with Food & Wine, we must say we’re a little…disappointed. Based on the concept art, we were expecting something grandiose and breathtaking instead of a space that ultimately just reminds us of a high school cafeteria. What is happening here? There’s the possibility that Disney could have something impressive planned for this space during the Festival of the Holidays, but there’s an even higher possibility that we’re just going to be disappointed again. It’s SHORT The Festival of the Holidays is barely a month long this year — which isn’t really different from past years, but when you compare the length of this festival to other holiday events at Disney World, it does seem short. This might be bad news if you’re planning an early November holiday trip to the parks and are hoping to experience this festival! Spaceship Earth show from festival Luckily, there’s always Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights that start earlier in November if you’re still looking to experience that holiday cheer! Holiday storytellers In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for the latest announcements about this year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, so make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more news! EVERYTHING We Know About the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays 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 the Festival of the Holidays this year? Tell us in the comments. The post We've Gotta Share Some Bad News About the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The 2024 holiday season hasn’t even begun, but yes it’s true — it’s already time to start planning your 2025 Christmas trip to Disney World! Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade 2023 The holiday season is one of the busiest times in Disney World. With lots of families heading to the resort to celebrate the season, things tend to book up super quickly. And that means you need to be on the ball when it comes to planning your trip, even if it is still over a year out! If you’re looking forward to a holiday trip to Disney World in 2025, heads up — vacation packages for November and December of 2025 are now available to be booked! Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas Parade Guests can now book hotel stays and vacation packages including hotel and tickets for dates through December 2025. The holiday season is regularly the busiest time of the year in Disney World, which can mean sold-out hotels and theme parks, so it’s important to start planning as early as possible! Candlelight Processional There are tons of festive offerings in Disney World, which helps explain why it’s such a longstanding holiday tradition for many families to plan their trips for this time of year! From holiday parties like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney’s Jollywood Nights to the unique entertainment and food at the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, Disney World really gets into the spirit of the season! EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Even if you just prefer to soak up the atmosphere of the parks and hotels while they’re all decked out in their Christmas-y best, there’s definitely something extra special about visiting Disney World during the holidays. Grand Floridian during Christmas time If you want to get in on the action next year, be sure to start planning your 2025 Christmas vacation ASAP before your first choices start booking up! Christmas in Hollywood Studios We’ll report back with more updates about holiday vacation planning, so stay tuned to DFB for all of the info you need to know for your next trip! How Much It Costs to Do Christmas in Disney World in 2024 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! What’s your favorite time of year to visit Disney World? Share with us in the comments! The post Why You Should Start Planning Your 2025 Disney World Christmas Trip Now first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are some extras in Disney World that many visitors always think are worth paying extra for. Refillable mugs That includes Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass, as well as upgrades to preferred rooms at some Disney World hotels, the Disney Dining Plan, and more. One of the most popular paid perk, though, could be the hotel refillable mugs that let you pay one price and get unlimited refills on drinks like soda, coffee, and tea throughout your hotel stay. Well, that perk just got a bit more expensive. If you’re not familiar with Disney World’s refillable mugs, we’ll give you a rundown of how it works. For one price, you buy a refillable mug from any Disney World resort. You can then use that mug for free refills of soda, coffee, tea, and several other beverages at Disney World hotels (and it’s ONLY at Disney World hotels) for the entirety of your stay. You can fill the mugs up at any Disney World hotel, too. Refillable mug and drink Station at Drop Off Pool Bar at Disney’s Pop Century Previously, the cost of a refillable mug at Disney World was $21.99. However, that price has gone up by $1 and you’ll now pay $22.99 for a refillable mug. Depending on how many fountain drinks, coffee, and tea you drink, though, this could still be a great way to save money. Plus many Disney World visitors just find it convenient if they’re drinking a lot of beverages from hotels. Refillable mugs are now $22.99 This is just one of MANY price increases we’ve recently seen at Disney World that also includes price increases on 2025 theme park tickets, Annual Passes, food, and more. This is the time of year we often see price increases, so we’re not too surprised. However, we wanted to let you know about this particular change in case it’s part of your Disney World trip budget. Stay tuned to DFB for more. CONFIRMED: Over 120 Restaurants Increased Prices 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 What do you think? Are the refillable mugs worth it? Let us know in the comments! The post WARNING: Resort Refillable Mugs Hit With Price INCREASE in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, so we already know a lot of changes are coming to Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom In 2025, Magic Kingdom will finally get a nighttime parade again (and we can’t wait). But there’s also a huge expansion coming to the park, which will include a new Cars area with TWO rides in Frontierland PLUS an all-new Villains-themed land. However, one BIG change is coming even sooner than that — NEXT WEEK. And well, we have to say, We ARE READY. Back in August, Halloween came to Magic Kingdom DURING a hurricane, just in time for the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on August 9th. Some of our favorite spooky decor made a return to the park, including the Mickey pumpkin wreaths on Main Street. The weather might not FEEL like fall in Disney World, but it certainly LOOKS like it. Mickey pumpkin wreath in Magic Kingdom We also got to attend the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and did our trick-or-treating, enjoyed some fun entertainment that included a special parade and fireworks, and had some fun character interactions. However, those good times will soon come to an end. Maleficent at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Once October 31st (the REAL Halloween) ends and Magic Kingdom will undergo a complete transformation — overnight. The orange and black decor will make way for red and green while the Mickey pumpkin wreaths will be replaced with Christmas wreaths. Yes, brace yourself, the holidays are coming to Disney World on November 1st! Christmas is coming! Of course, we’ll also be seeing Christmas decor in the other parks, too, but the most drastic transformation happens in Magic Kingdom. Want to see how Disney does it in one night? We posted some photos of that overnight transformation here. However, Disney Parks also posted a video of how it’s done:  We’ll never not be impressed with the Halloween to Christmas transition! So prepare yourself because Magic Kingdom is getting a whole new look next week. Stay tuned to DFB for more. JUST ANNOUNCED! NEW Holiday Offerings Are Coming to Disney World 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! Will you be visiting Disney World for the holiday season? What are your favorite holiday decorations in the parks? Let us know in the comments! The post In Just ONE WEEK We'll See a HUGE Change at Magic Kingdom! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Could an innovative Disney World hotel take the resort to a whole new level? ©Disney Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe has been making waves since it announced an opening date of May 22nd, 2025. The new theme park will feature several themed lands and a brand-new hotel — Universal Helios Grand Hotel — INSIDE the park. It’s been a popular practice to compare the future of Universal Orlando to Disney World’s future, which begs the question: will Disney World try its hand at putting a hotel inside one of its parks? Disney World has some MASSIVE expansion plans of its own. For starters, its planned Villains Land in Magic Kingdom just might be the most anticipated future project among fans. Located beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, this expansion will feature “two major attractions, plus dining and shopping. Walt Disney Imagineering is pushing creative boundaries to dark and mysterious levels to bring this new, first-of-its-kind land to life,” according to Disney. However, it also may be the perfect spot to add an in-park hotel. Villains Land Concept Art ©Disney Disney World currently does not have a hotel within a park, and as Universal Orlando continues to positively push the quality of competition between the two resorts, now might be the perfect time to add one. ©Disney An in-park hotel, especially one themed after popular Disney villains, could be a major draw and really help Magic Kingdom take a huge step forward in the current theme park landscape. Additionally, Disney World is huge , and navigating the resort can be tedious. Building a hotel smack dab in the middle of a theme park would revolutionize the way some guests do Disney. ©Disney That said, we’ve already seen a themed hotel experience fail quite recently with Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Its niche offerings, mixed with a high booking price, ultimately led to a quick permanent closure after being open for only a little over a year. Perhaps Disney has been completely turned off to new themed hotels after the disaster that was the Galactic Starcruiser. Maybe the incentive is not there considering profitably, as made evident by the Star Wars hotel, is not guaranteed. It’s one thing to have a failure of a hotel adjacent to a Disney Park. Having a hotel bomb financially inside a theme park would be absolutely disastrous. Galactic Starcruiser Ultimately, at this point in time, there’s no reason to assume a hotel will be featured inside the new Villains Land. Disney has given us some breadcrumbs on what to expect, but no mention of an in-park hotel. However, we’ve seen concept art change more times than not, and it’s not like Disney World has never shifted plans around before. The Evil Queen is EXCITED (or some other less happy emotion) about VILLAINS LAND! It’s fun to speculate what may or may not come to the new Villains Land! Do you think we’ll finally see an in-park hotel? Let us know, and continue to follow us here at DFB for all the latest Disney World updates! Um…Excuse Me — Is Villains Land in Disney World Getting A CAVERN COASTER? Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels The “I’m So Tired; Just Tell Me What To Do” Guide To Choosing the Perfect Disney World Hotel 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What's New at the Disney World Hotels All About Disney World's Resort Hotel Refillable Mugs Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Would you be in favor of the Villains Land including a villains-themed hotel? Does Disney World even need in-park hotels? Share your thoughts in the comments below! The post Will There Be a Villains Land HOTEL in Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news! The Cake Bake Shop We’ve got thoughts from the first day of Lightning Lane Premier Pass in Disneyland; Epic Universe tickets are on sale NOW, and are the giant cake slices at The Cake Bake Shop worth the hefty price tag? We’ve got the tea (or should I say pink hot cocoa?) All the latest Disney Parks news is coming up right now on DFB Guide. By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/subscribe.png So check out the video and then let us know: Which Disney news of the week are you the most excited about? The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: Premier Pass is Here, Epic Universe Tickets on Sale & Cake Bake Shop is OPEN first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You ever think back to those magical moments you had at Disney World? I know I do! Happily Ever After I’m talking about those times when you were zipping about on your favorite rides, eating the most delicious of foods, and, of course, watching the fireworks light up the skies above Cinderella Castle. Now, we all typically like to bring back some kind of souvenir as a reminder, memento, of the incredible time we had a Disney World. Speaking of those souvenirs, I try not to have any regrets, however, there’s this one Magic Kingdom souvenir I had to leave behind and I still think about it to this day! Alright, it’s confession time. So, I’m that person at Disney World who gets emotional during literally every firework show. (It’s not just me, right?) There’s just something about watching those glittering lights burst above Cinderella castle while the “Happily Ever After” soundtrack swells. It just gets me every time. It’s the childlike wonder, the nostalgia, and the pure magic of it all that puts tears in my eyes. Happily Ever After So, you can imagine the excitement I felt when, one fateful night, I walked away from the Magic Kingdom with a totally unique and explosive (pun intended) souvenir. I’m talking about a piece of firework debris! Yes, you read that right. While it was the coolest thing I’ve ever accidentally picked up, I regret having to leave it behind to this day. The Night It All Went Down Okay. Let me set the stage. It was a perfect Disney World evening. You know, the kind where the weather’s just right, the lines aren’t too long, and every ride you go on is just better than the last. That evening, my friends and I were stationed at Pinocchio Village Haus, enjoying some snacks and staking out a solid view for the Happily Ever After fireworks. It’s a pretty good spot that’s just far enough from the castle that you don’t feel crushed by the crowd, but close enough to still be fully immersed in the magic. Magic Kingdom at night As the first firework exploded, that familiar surge of emotions bubbled up inside, but then something unusual happened. It’s never happened to me before or since. As I’m watching those glittering pyrotechnics light up the sky, I felt something hit the ground near me with a little thud. My first thought was that maybe someone dropped their popcorn or Mickey pretzel, some treat like that. Beautiful! To my complete surprise, when I looked down, there was a small, charred piece of a firework casing just chilling by my foot. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Is that safe?” Honestly, I had no clue, but it was the coolest, most unexpected souvenir I could’ve ever asked for. It was like literal magic falling at my feet. The Souvenir I Shouldn’t Have Taken (But Totally Did) Now, let’s pause for a second. Any “normal” person might have just kicked it aside and moved on with their Disney World evening. But I guess I’m not normal. Remember, I am the type of person who loves Disney so much that I cry during the fireworks. I am also a bit of a nerd, so you can understand when I say that at that moment, my inner geek was geeking out HARD. I mean, I knew this wasn’t exactly an “official” souvenir, but how many people can say they have a piece of an actual Disney firework? Not many, I bet. Happily Ever After Naturally, I did what any self-respecting Disney superfan would do. I picked it up, admired it, and then tucked it into my bag like it was a piece of pirate treasure. Now, I couldn’t stop thinking about it all night. I was already imagining how I’d display it at home. Maybe put it in a display, surrounded by photos of that trip, or even pair it with one of my Disney pins. It was going to be epic. The Airport Realization Okay, so fast-forward to the end of our trip. I was packing up, mentally going through my checklist, and mourning the fact that my time in Disney World was over. That’s when it hit me — there was no way I could take a charred piece of firework casing on a plane. I mean, it’s literally debris from an explosion. The TSA would not be having it. My dreams of turning this explosive keepsake into a permanent memento came crashing down. We LOVE Happily Ever After! Here’s the moment when you cue the sad Disney music. I had to leave it behind. There was no dramatic goodbye. I had to chuck it into the trash in my hotel room like it was just another piece of garbage, and honestly, I still feel a little heartbroken. The Regret is Real It’s been a while since that trip, but I still think about that little piece of firework. I still regret leaving it behind. Imagine being able to tell your friends, “Oh, this? It’s just a piece of Disney firework that literally fell from the sky in front of me.” Instead, all I have is the memory of it. Now, every time I go back to Disney and watch the fireworks, I can’t help but glance down at my feet, hoping for another little piece of magic to fall from the sky. But so far, no luck. Maybe it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but it still doesn’t stop me from wishing I had that charred little memento, tucked safely in a display box. Happily Ever After! So, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, here’s my advice: Take the photo, capture the moment, and don’t try to bring the explosives home. Even if you’re as much of a nerd as I am. Until then, keep following DFB for all the latest from Disney! 4 Things I Regret Impulse EATING 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 What souvenirs do you wish you had of your trip to Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post I STILL Regret Leaving This EXPLOSIVE Magic Kingdom Souvenir Behind first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Christmas Eve is just 60 days away!! I repeat Christmas Eve is just 60 days away! Santa Claus is coming in 60 days, y’all!!! When I realized just how close Christmas Eve is, I will admit, I got a bit of anxiety about all of the shopping that I need to do and all of the money I’m about to spend. But then I remembered that Disney will slash prices on souvenirs if you shop early. So, we rounded up a few of the best sales happening on Disney souvenirs on Amazon right now. So turn on that Christmas music, poor yourself a hot cocoa, and let’s go shopping!! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Disney Princess Dot It for Less Than $20 ©Disney If you have littles who are working on their fine motor skills, these Dot It! kits are so much fun. Not only do they get to do a fun activity but they can play with stickers and learn their colors at the same time. VIEW ON AMAZON Interchangeable Disney Home Sign for Less Than $15 Door sign This door sign has 17 interchangeable Mickeys, and there of course, is a little Christmas Mickey that you can put in place of the o. This is such a cute gift or perfect for your own front door! VIEW ON AMAZON 30% Off a Disney Advent Calendar ©Amazon Being 60 days away from Christmas means we’re only a month away from advent calendar time! Stock up on yours while they are still on sale. VIEW ON AMAZON 2024 Space Mountain Ornament for Less Than $20 ©Amazon It’s nearly time to decorate the tree! Hallmark has come out with some seriously adorable ornaments this year and this Space Mountain one happens to be on sale right now. VIEW ON AMAZON 41% Off a Dress That’s Perfect for Christmas ©Disney Looking for the perfect Disney dress for Christmas? We’ve found it and it’s 41% off right now! We love all the lights and the characters on this but our favorite part is the big festive bow. There are a few different prints to choose from, so check em out! VIEW ON AMAZON A 1,000 Piece Disney Puzzle for $10 ©Disney A 1,000 Disney puzzle for less than $10?! Yes, please. This is a perfect present for Christmas that won’t bread the bank. We love the stained glass look here. VIEW ON AMAZON Are you looking for more Disney finds? Check out our storefront here!The post We Got Severe Shopping Anxiety When We Realized This Fact first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Cake Bake Shop is officially OPEN! The Cake Bake Shop We have been waiting for this new Disney World restaurant to open for a LONG time. When the restaurant was originally announced in March 2022, it was expected to open in 2023. Well, we are now in October 2024, but the time has finally come! Of course, we had to stop by to check it out and see how the food is! The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers is located at Disney’s BoardWalk. The restaurant serves a menu that features both savory and sweet options. The original location of this restaurant is in Indiana, and they are well-known for their tiered cake slices. We stopped by to try out some of the breakfast options, and we are taking you all with us! The Cake Bake Shop First up, we know there have been some concerns about the pricing here, but this is 100% an elevated dining experience. The atmosphere, the service, and, yes, even the food — it’s all made with a lot of love and care. Now that does mean we think this is more of a special occasion kind of spot, but we think it deserves every accolade from Oprah or Rachel Ray or whoever. Also, EVERYTHING here glitters. It’s like Tinker Bell just flew over the restaurant and pixie-dusted everything. Inside The Cake Bake Shop We started with coffee because, well, COFFEE. We ordered the Pumpkin Spice Latte with Almond Milk made with Two shots of Illy espresso with pumpkin pie syrup and steamed milk sprinkled with pumpkin spice for $7.99. It was good. It was glittery. It also had a cute presentation with the cinnamon and it came with a cinnamon sugar donut hole. Pumpkin Spice Latte BUT it just tastes like a pumpkin spice latte you can get from anywhere and it costs about the same as a PSL at Starbucks. If you love pumpkin spice, go for it, but we think we’d just order regular black coffee, which we’ve also had — and it is delicious. A+ for presentation The Banana Orange Nut Bread is homemade banana bread studded with chopped walnuts and fresh orange zest topped with our signature cream cheese frosting for $8.99. First, it’s glittery. Second, it is SO delicious. It’s freshly baked and moist, not too sweet, and has a wonderful flavor and texture. Banana Orange Nut Bread The orange zest is what makes it, though. It just adds a nice zing, especially with the sweetness of the light frosting. DELISH Yes, we do love Mickey Waffles, but the Chocolate Chip Belgian Waffle is a chocoholic’s dream. It’s made with Cellebaut Belgian chocolate chips and topped with chocolate syrup and powdered sugar and served with a side of Vermont maple syrup, pink vanilla buttercream, and fresh raspberries for $17.99. Chocolate Chip Belgian Waffle This waffle was fluffy, delicious, and airy, and the batter was perfect. You also get the perfect amount of chocolate chips, which are made with that GOOD chocolate. It isn’t overpowering, though, that chocolate flavor, especially when you add in the syrup and frosting (which was…yes…glittery). You do only get the one normal-sized Belgian waffle, so you might want to order a side to go with it. PERFECT waffle Finally, let’s try something savory. The Croque Madame for $28.99 is made with country bread, French ham, Gruyère cheese, and Maille Dijon mustard topped with béchamel sauce, and a farm fresh sunny side up fried egg and served with an arugula salade dressed with homemade lemon vinaigrette and topped with Parmesan cheese. We’ll just tell you this is one the best breakfast sandwiches we’ve had. Croque Madame Once you burst that egg on top open, it runs down the side of the bread and then you have the bechamel and Gruyère working together to make a creamy and decadent topping. There’s also a TON of ham inside this baby. The Dijon also adds complexity to the flavors, in a good way. This is something we WILL come back for when we want breakfast in Disney World. Our new favorite breakfast We also HAD to get the Eggs Any Style, which had a lot of people talking about because of the $16.99 price point. You get two eggs, your choice of smoked bacon or pork sausage, oven roasted fingerling potatoes, and toast served with homemade Raspberry Pixie Jam. It’s also Served with an arugula salade dressed with homemade lemon vinaigrette and topped with cherry tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Eggs Any Style So a lot of folks think the price is outrageous, but when you see the plate, you get it. We chose over easy for our eggs and they were perfectly cooked. They burst open and were just deliciously runny, just like we like. Perfectly cooked You also get four pieces of toast with that special raspberry pixie jam, plus the arugula salad. We opted for bacon over sausage — it’s not fried (probably baked) and is just delicious and has some nice crispy bits. Seriously, if you’ve ever had good oven-baked bacon, you’ll never go back to fried. GREAT bacon The potatoes, though…y’all, we will have dreams about these potatoes. They’re so soft and delicious, but they’ve got a bit of crispiness and caramelization on the outside. Drag a bite of potato through that runny egg and it’s CHEF’s KISS. Overall, this is an outstanding breakfast plate. We also have to be honest: it’s not THAT expensive as a breakfast meal (and it IS a meal). It’s pretty much on par with many of Disney’s other signature restaurants. Plus we’ve paid more for worse food in Disney World. Can we just get a big bowl of these potatoes? Okay, back to sweets. We also ordered the Cinnamon Toast Brioche Bites which cost $24. These guys were one of our FAVORITE things we tried. They can easily be shared and they come with a delicious icing for dipping. Cinnamon Toast Brioche Bites We also tried the Challah Orange French Toast which costs $26. We could taste the orange flavor in this French toast, but it wasn’t an overpowering flavor either. We thought the Challah Orange French Toast was good, but nothing that really impressed us. We probably wouldn’t order it again, but it was still tasty. Challah Orange French Toast Next up is the Broccoli Quiche which costs $28. We were super impressed with this quiche, and it is something we would order again. This quiche was SUPER creamy and light. It was so light that it was almost airy! The crust for the quiche has vodka in it which was fantastic. Broccoli Quiche Finally, we also tried the Classic Eggs Benedict which you can get for $34. The eggs benedict was very good. They are served on a buttery croissant with a generous portion of ham. The slices of ham were a great thickness, not too thick but not super thin. The hollandaise sauce was delicious and creamy. There wasn’t salt and pepper on the table, but we thought this dish didn’t even need any more seasoning. The arugula salad was refreshing and light. It was tossed in a citrus dressing and had a few cherry tomatoes on top and some Parmesan cheese. The dressing is very light, so you mostly taste the arugula. Classic Eggs Benedict Overall, we enjoyed all the breakfast dishes we tried at The Cake Bake Shop, and we know the prices are steep. You do get decent portion sizes, but they aren’t huge by any means. We know the prices have been a bit controversial since the menus were first revealed. However, we feel like you’re paying for a dining experience as well as food, and both are excellent here. We will also be trying out some of the lunch and dinner options so we can get a full taste of their menu! The Cake Bake Shop sign Nosh or Not Head straight to The Cake Bake Shop if… You’re celebrating a special occasion. This is the perfect spot to celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries or other milestones. You don’t mind paying more for an experience. Yes, the Cake Bake Shop is pricey, but you are not just paying for excellent food that is made with a lot of love and care but also for impeccable service and atmosphere. You have a sweet tooth. If you love sweets, this is OBVIOUSLY a must-do, even if you just pop into the bakery and grab a slice of cake. Skip The Cake Bake Shop if… You’re on a budget. This is not somewhere you’ll want to visit if you’re on a budget because, well, we’ve ALL seen those menu prices. You don’t have a lot of time. Granted, you can grab a lot of sweet treats at the bakery, but if you want a meal, you’ll need to spend a little time here to really enjoy it. You’re not staying in the EPCOT area. The Cake Bake Shop is located on the Boardwalk and if you’re not in the area, it just might not make sense to make a trip all the way over there just for a meal. We have eaten everywhere in Disney World, and we aren’t stopping there. We are constantly trying out new food and re-reviewing dining locations across Disney World. We want to make sure that you know where to get the best food in Disney World. If you want to know what our must-eats are while you are at Disney World, make sure you stay tuned to DFB and check out our video that covers the 30 ESSENTIAL Disney World restaurants: Make sure you stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World food news! Check out the BEST Disney World restaurants! Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants The Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants The Best Disney Springs Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you planning to stop by The Cake Bake Shop soon? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Did We Just Find the BEST New Breakfast in Disney World?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Chances are, we’ve all been there. You’re bobbing along a Disney World dark ride, still dreaming about the hand-dipped corn dog you just demolished for lunch (or breakfast, I don’t judge) when out of nowhere — BAM! This foot is NOT sanctioned by me An eerie face stares back at you from the darkness. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but something about this face just isn’t right. Sure, logically you know it’s just an animatronic robot designed by the best Imagineers around — yet you can’t shake the feeling that those eyes are staring directly into your soul. You aren’t alone in this feeling, either, because there are definitely some Disney World animatronics that I’m pretty sure are possessed. First, let me just say that I do not consider myself to be an expert in demonic possessions, but I am an expert at knowing when things creep me out. And, why else would an inanimate (okay, robotically animated) object creep me out lest it not be because the said object is possessed by a demon? There are certainly no logical reasons here, so I’m left with these totally normal and not-at-all-concerning thoughts about Disney World animatronics. No one needs to see Abraham Lincoln like this… You’re still with me? Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you about the stream of consciousness you’re about to read. Basically Everyone on Carousel of Progress Please don’t come for me in the comments on this one because the Carousel of Progress is truly one of my favorite attractions in all of Disney World. But, it’s hard to deny that some of the animatronics are just a little…off. I’m sure she’s a very nice lady and all, but in the finale of this ride when Grandma is wearing her VR goggles, have you ever noticed her eyes look a little…empty? Lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eyes… You can’t tell me she doesn’t look shady. And, honestly, don’t even get me started on Uncle Orville. Sure, there’s nothing inherently wrong with a grown man taking a bath while smoking a cigar, but the Uncle Orville animatronic itself is what nightmares are made of. Hey Uncle Orville! Even John (the father character) looks a little worse for wear in some of the scenes on the ride — like he’s haunted by wartorn scenes of his past. It’s 2024, John! We go to therapy now! The Pirates Who’ve Had WAY Too Much To Drink Another fan-favorite attraction (it’s me, I’m the fan and this is one of my favorites) is fraught with creepy robots, though that’s probably the point since pirates have historically been pretty creepy characters. Pirates of the Caribbean is full of animatronics — some of the oldest in Disney World, actually — that look like they’ve had just a bit too much to drink. No thanks, I’m good. I can’t argue that it adds to the overall debauchery of the ride, but you never know when you’re going to be face-to-face with a guy who looks like your creepy uncle after one too many brewskis during football season. The Na’vi River Shaman Two things can be true: the Na’vi River Journey Shaman animatronic is one of the most impressive feats of Imagineering we’ve seen lately — and it’s also an utterly terrifying piece of ride equipment that makes me question all reality. It’s just SO mesmerizing and massive, it’s hard to not be intimidated by it. Na’vi River Journey Shaman That, combined with the fact that it’s a literal Na’vi Shaman with mystical powers beyond what my silly little bean of a human brain can comprehend means I don’t ever want to get on their bad side. Ariel When She’s “Under the Sea” Okay, I know Ariel is Under the Sea a lot, but in Magic Kingdom’s Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid, there’s one scene, in particular, that is just deeply unsettling. During the “Under the Sea” scene, the Ariel animatronic’s facial expression looks like she has personally seen a ghost — or maybe the ghost has possessed her!!! “Under the Sea” Either way, Ariel, girl, you good? I know it’s probably traumatic to go from fish to feet and all that jazz, but methinks you could use a little rest and relaxation for a bit. The “small world” Dolls Pour one out for the absolute icon, Mary Blair. Her contributions to both the Walt Disney Company and the art world in general are inspirational, and I’m a huge fan of her design style — I even have a Mary Blair-inspired tattoo! But, I can’t be the only one freaked out by those tiny little dolls with beady eyes on “It’s a small world,” right? They just stare directly into my soul. Um… And, rumor has it that when the ride isn’t running — the dolls are still moving and can’t be turned off. It’s giving me flashbacks to 1998 when my Furby came alive at night despite there not being any batteries in it and I’d like to repress that memory, thank you very much! No, thank you! Again, I’m no expert on demonic possessions but there’s just something about these animatronics that does not vibe and I know I’m not alone. In any case, make sure you keep an eye out for any potential hitchhiking ghosts or entities if you encounter these animatronics — and stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! I’ve Got To Tell You About The Embarrassing Breakfast Mistake I Just Made at Disney’s Grand Floridian 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 Which Disney World animatronic do you think is creepiest? Tell us in the comments. The post 5 Disney World Animatronics That I’m Pretty Sure Are Possessed first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re finally getting a chance to eat at The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers at Disney’s BoardWalk! The Cake Bake Shop This new spot was originally set to open in late 2023, but was pushed back to Fall 2024, which means now is the time to finally try out items from the menu and see if the wild price tags we’ve seen are really worth the experience. We tried some of the bakery options already, but now it’s time to grab some items off of the dinner menu! The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers is located at Disney’s BoardWalk. The outside of the building is gorgeous, and after many, many months, we were so excited to finally step inside! Atmosphere We are happy to report that the inside is just as gorgeous, if not even prettier. The whole restaurant is adorned with beautiful white detailing and lots of silver and gold accents. From the moment you step inside you feel like you are royalty. Not only are the employees incredibly warm and welcoming, but the opulence of the restaurant shines through. The Cake Bake Shop There are five dining rooms in the restaurant, and each one has its own charm and details. They all follow a similar style of being covered in white with exquisite detailing. The main dining area is called the Rose Crown Ring, and there is also a room called the Garden View Room, The Lavender Room, and the Champagne Room. The Cake Bake Shop One of the details in the restaurant that is hard to miss are the chandeliers. There are actually 14 (!) Swarovski crystal embellished chandeliers throughout the restaurant, and Gwendolyn herself actually embellished them over about two weeks. Each one is breath-taking, and it definitely elevates the already elegant experience. The chandeliers There is a wide variety of seating options throughout the restaurant, including tables, booths, bar seats, and even large tables that can accommodate large groups. No matter where you are sitting, you are sure to feel like you just stepped into another world. Seating We were also told about a really cool detail located inside the restaurant. Over by the restrooms, you will find a gold star. This star is actually from the original ESPN Club, which we were so excited to see. We love that there is something inside the new restaurant that pays homage to what has come before. ESPN Club Star The restaurant will also be decorated based on the season. We saw lots of pumpkin decorations and garland around the restaurant. Some of the pumpkin decorations are actually from Gwendolyn’s home and she brought them into the restaurant to bring a personal touch. Seasonal decorations Another really fun detail can be found on the seats at the bar. Some of the seats have a small nametag on the back with the name of someone significant to Disney. Each name also has a food item such as Carrot Cake on it, as the person ordered that item frequently. Fun detail at the bar seating Overall, the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous, and we love all the details that can be found throughout. We ended up sitting in the room with the bar in it, so let’s take a seat and get to the food! Let’s take a seat! Menu The menu at The Cake Bake Shop is pretty extensive! When you are dining in the restaurant you will get both a restaurant menu, as well as a menu for the items from the bakery. There is no shortage of options, and anyone in your group will probably be able to find something to get here. Let’s take a look at the menu! The Cake Bake Shop Menu There are a variety of Hors D’Oeuvres to choose from including Pesto Burrata and Truffle Pommes Frites. You can also choose from four different soups, including a soup of the day. ©Disney The menu includes two different quiches as well as two options for salads. You can also opt for a choose two meal where you can choose two items from a variety of sandwiches, salads, and soups. ©Disney The Cake Bake Shop also features seven Signature Dishes including a New Orleans Shrimp Po’boy, Crab Cakes, and a Three Cheese Cavatappi with Basil Breadcrumbs. ©Disney There are also a variety of sides that you can choose from. ©Disney As well as six different sandwiches including a Croque-Monsieur and a Croque-Madame. ©Disney The restaurant also has a Children’s Menu for the kiddos that includes meals such as Grilled Cheese and Buttered Noodles. ©Disney You can also choose from a HUGE selection of desserts. The Cake Bake Shop is known for its desserts, and you will likely have a hard time choosing which one to get. ©Disney Yep, there are still some more! ©Disney And even a few more! We don’t even know which one sounds best at this point. ©Disney There are also a variety of drinks to choose from including Petunia Punch and Sparkling Lavender Lemonade. ©Disney You can grab some hot chocolate or opt for a Unicorn Hot Chocolate. ©Disney There is also coffee, espresso, and tea drinks to choose from including Cafe Latte and Chai Tea Latte. ©Disney Or you can get a pot of tea. ©Disney The restaurant also offers a variety of alcoholic beverages including Champagne Cocktails and Signature Cocktails. ©Disney There is also a menu section with Classic Cocktails and New Orleans Inspired. ©Disney Additionally, you can choose from a selection of beers, wine, and champagne to go with your meal too! Now that we have covered what the menu offers, let’s take a look at what we decided to order. Eats We got a couple of different food items including a slice of cake, as well as Gwen’s Famous Cosmo. Let’s dive in! Full Spread We started off with Gwen’s Famous Cosmo which costs $20.99. This drink is Gwendolyn’s personal recipe and contains Ketel One vodka, Cointreau, fresh lime, cranberry, orange oil, and is garnished with an orange peel. Gwen’s Famous Cosmo We thought this drink was wonderful. It included some impeccable ingredients, and we loved that it was her own personal recipe. The drink really shines with the smooth Ketel One vodka and the fresh citrus flavor of the orange oil and orange peel. The longer the drink sat, the more the orange peel infused into the drink and elevated the amount of orange flavor. Gwen’s Famous Cosmo Next up, we got the French Ham & Brie Sandwich with Lemon Caesar Salad Choose Two which costs $26.99. This menu option allows you to choose two items from the list. The first option we chose was the French Ham & Brie Sandwich which is sliced French ham and Brie cheese served warm on a toasted French baguette with a Maille Dijon mustard and mayonnaise sauce. The second option we chose was the Lemon Caesar Salad which is freshly cut romaine lettuce tossed in a homemade creamy Caesar dressing made with anchovies, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and lemon. The salad is topped with Parmesan cheese and homemade croutons. French Ham & Brie Sandwich w/ Lemon Caesar Salad Choose Two The sandwich was great. The brie was nice and fresh, fluffy on the inside but held its form on the outside. The homemade sauce was exactly what you would expect. The sauce was creamy but not super sharp where we felt it had too much of a bite. We thought the ratios of meat to cheese to sauce to bread were great, and all the elements worked together nicely. French Ham & Brie Sandwich We thought the salad was just okay. It wasn’t anything special, but we did think it had the perfect amount of parmesan cheese on top and we loved the homemade croutons. Overall, it definitely wasn’t our favorite part of the meal, and we would likely opt for something else the next time. We thought the portions of the choose two were good though. Lemon Caesar Salad We also tried the Three Cheese Cavatappi w/ Basil Breadcrumbs which costs $23.99. The dish blends Gruyère, Vermont sharp cheddar, and a touch of bleu cheese which is melted in a homemade cream sauce with applewood smoked bacon folded into cavatappi pasta. It is topped with toasted basil breadcrumbs and baked to perfection. The cavatappi is served with a freshly toasted half French baguette and salted European butter. Three Cheese Cavatappi w/ Basil Breadcrumbs This was by far our FAVORITE dish! It was soooo yummy, we are pretty sure we may have had a few tears in our eyes! The blend of the three cheeses was fabulous and the crispy breadcrumbs on top were perfection. Three Cheese Cavatappi w/ Basil Breadcrumbs We thought it tasted like the combination of a deviled egg and your favorite, creamiest mac and cheese. The applewood smoked bacon could be tasted in each bite and we were so sad when we got to the bottom of this dish. We are so impressed by this dish, and this is something we would get again and again (and again and again…) Three Cheese Cavatappi w/ Basil Breadcrumbs The cavatappi was also served with a piece of French baguette and salted European butter. The butter was very creamy, and we could taste a hint of saltiness to it. The bread itself was pretty standard, but it was a nice side for the cavatappi. French baguette and salted European butter Finally, we got the Raspberry Champagne Cake which costs $22.99. The cake is three layers of fluffy vanilla cake brushed with a French champagne simple syrup, filled with our Raspberry Pixie Jam, and fresh raspberries. It is then frosted with a champagne vanilla buttercream and topped with fresh raspberries. Raspberry Champagne Cake First of all, can we talk about how it literally glistens!?! We can’t get over the beautiful glitter on this piece of cake. If you saw us rotating the cake just to see catch the glisten of the glitter, no you didn’t. Alright, glitter aside though, how does the cake actually taste? The cake was super light and the buttercream melts easily and doesn’t leave the fatty, lardy coating in the top of your mouth. Raspberry Champagne Cake This cake is just delicious though. The layers were so moist, and the raspberries are beautiful. We were told that the raspberries were hand-picked and hand-placed so only the best berries are included in the cake. You can tell that there was a lot of time put into this cake, and we loved the balance of tartness and sweetness in this cake. Raspberry Champagne Cake Since The Cake Bake Shop is known for its desserts, we also tried out a few others! There are SO many desserts at this location, as it does have a whole bakery section in addition to what you can get at the restaurant. We grabbed three other desserts, and the first one we took a bite out of was a slice of the Key Lime Pie for $14.99. This had the best crust on a key lime pie we’ve EVER had! We absolutely loved it; however, our one complaint was that there was just a little bit too much whipped cream for us. It completely overtook the flavor of the key lime, so we do wish there was a much thinner layer of it. However, the key lime itself was extremely light and was clearly a whipped pie filling. Key Lime Pie Next up, we took a bite of the Millionaire Cake, which will cost you $22.99 per slice. If you like chocolate, you’ll LOVE this cake! What really brought it to the next level was that there are other elements besides chocolate that break up the flavor profile — buttercream, salted caramel, ganache, and shortbread cookies to be specific. While it is a PRICEY piece of cake, it’s also MASSIVE and can easily be shared between 3-4 people! Millionaire Cake Lastly, we took a bite of the Magic Bar, which you can get for $13.99. This was very rich and delicious with a very strong coconut flavor, but we don’t think it’s necessarily the choice to make when faced with all the other options. Perhaps if you’re just taking something to go, this may be a better option, but if you’re sitting in the restaurant, we think other options are better! Magic Bar Overall Overall, we really loved our meal at The Cake Bake Shop. The atmosphere feels so elevated, and the restaurant is beautiful. From the moment you step through the front doors you feel so well taken care of. Everyone was warm and welcoming, and you really did feel like royalty. The prices are definitely on the expensive side, but the experience you get at this restaurant is exceptional. We think this could be a great option for a special occasion as it is a really elevated experience but is still more affordable than places like Victoria & Albert’s. The Cake Bake Shop We did want to note that The Cake Bake Shop automatically adds a 20% gratuity to the bill, just so you are aware. Right now, the restaurant only accepts a Disney Visa discount, but we spoke with a leader that said they are working on bringing in a DVC discount as well. We enjoyed our food, especially that Three Cheese Cavatappi which we are STILL thinking about. The restaurant boasts a huge menu and a wonderful atmosphere. What a great experience! Nosh or Not? You might want to stop by The Cake Bake Shop if… You are looking for an elevated experience to celebrate a special occasion. The Cake Bake Shop makes you feel like royalty, but that also comes with a more expensive price. We think this restaurant would be perfect for a special occasion as it offers delicious food with an impressive atmosphere. You want to eat somewhere with lots of options and aren’t worried about the price. The menu at The Cake Bake Shop offers a lot of variety! Not to mention the number of desserts you can choose from. The portions are a good size and we really enjoyed the food we had. You want delicious food in an opulent atmosphere with great service. If you are looking for a wonderful overall experience, The Cake Bake Shop might be perfect for you. We were so impressed from the moment we walked through the door at how welcomed we felt. The service was wonderful and we left feeling satisfied with our meal. You might want to skip The Cake Bake Shop if… You are budget-conscious and don’t want to spend a lot on a meal. There has been a lot of criticism of the prices at The Cake Bake Shop. They are definitely on the more expesnsive side, so if you are wanting a cheap meal, you will want to head elsewhere. You are looking for a quick meal or are short on time. The experience at The Cake Bake Shop is fantastic, but it is not a good choice if you need to be in and out quickly. We think this restaurant is best enjoyed when you have plenty of time to savor the whole experience. You want the best meal your money can get. While we really enjoyed our dinner at The Cake Bake Shop, if you are really looking to go all out for a meal, we think there are still better options in Disney World. Victoria & Albert’s is the crème de la crème of dining experiences at Disney World and you may want to choose it if you are looking for the best luxury dining experience. Full Spread There are a lot of great options here for everyone, that’s for sure, but you do have to keep these prices in mind. We’re looking forward to continuing to try some of the other options here, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB! “Is that croissant gold dipped?” Disney Fans Have a LOT To Say About the Menu at This New Hotel Restaurant Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which of these items would you get? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: Is Dinner at The Cake Bake Shop in Disney World WORTH The Price Tag? We Found Out! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Let’s be honest. We all have that one guilty pleasure, right? Ba Da Ba Ba Bah… What’s mine? McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets. You heard me. Whether it’s 10AM, after a long night out, or just a quick stop between errands, there’s just something about those crispy golden nuggets that always hits the spot. But the other day, I stumbled across some information that honestly, I wish I hadn’t, and now I can’t look at my beloved nuggets the same way again. As I was saying, it all started when I was mindlessly scrolling through the internet and ended up on McDonald’s corporate website. Don’t ask me why (I was probably hungry). While I was there I found out something about Chicken McNuggets that I did not need to know. Chicken McNuggets You see, I always thought there was a little magic behind each nugget. Maybe I’m just naive, but I kind of assumed they were cut from some real chicken shape, you know? Well, I was sorely mistaken. Now, brace yourselves, because this is the part where my whole nugget-loving world was shattered. Apparently, McNuggets only come in four specific shapes. Yup, you heard that right. Just four shapes. I know. I know. You’re probably thinking, “Wait, what?” Trust me, I had the same reaction. Chicken Nuggets Chicken McNuggetsHere’s the actual quote that set me down this dark path of nugget knowledge: “Yes, they really do come in four distinct shapes. There’s the Bone or the Bow Tie, the Ball, the Bell, and – our personal favorite – the Boot. Which one are you reaching for first?” First of all, they named the shapes?? And second of all, how come no one has ever mentioned this before? Maybe I’m just late to the party, but I honestly thought each nugget was a unique little creation, not a carbon copy from a mold. I don’t know why I feel so betrayed, but I do. Chicken McNuggets I get it. McDonald’s is a fast food giant and uniformity is key for efficiency, but did they really have to go and tell us this? I was perfectly content in my nugget ignorance, happily munching away without a care in the world. But now, with every bite I’m trying to figure out if I’m about to eat a Bone or a Bow Tie, and honestly, that just takes away the fun. ©McDonald’s So, here’s my advice: If you love McNuggets, maybe don’t dig too deep into how they’re made. Some things are better left a mystery. Will I still eat them? Yeah, probably, but from now on, I’ll definitely be eyeing that Boot a little differently. Until then, stay tuned to DFB for more McDonald’s news and all the latest from Disney! This McDonald’s in Disney World Is Practically Perfect…but We Have One Tiny Complaint Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants The Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants The Best Disney Springs Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Do you love Chicken McNuggets? Tell us in the comments! The post I Was Happier Before I Knew This About McDonald's Chicken Nuggets first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Lightning Lane Premier Pass has officially landed in Disneyland Resort. Disneyland We tested it out on its first day in Disneyland, and learned some VALUABLE lessons that mean we won’t make these same mistakes again! The new version of Lightning Lane works alongside Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, but allows you to skip the line without any sort of reservation — you can just arrive at the attraction and immediately enter the Lightning Lane. With Lightning Lane Premier Pass, you will be able to use the pass to skip the line at each participating attraction once per day. At Disneyland Resort, purchasing Lightning Lane Premier Pass allows you to access each available Lightning Lane experience in both of the Disneyland Resort theme parks for one price. Astro Blaster Lightning Lane We tested out this new service at Disneyland Resort and we made two major mistakes. However, we are also learning from our mistakes as we prepare for the debut of Lightning Lane Premier Pass in Disney World on October 30th, 2024. Let’s take a look at the mistakes we made with Lightning Lane Premier Pass in Disneyland. Waiting to Ride a Must-Do Attraction Take it from us, if there is a ride that you REALLY want to do, we recommend stopping by sooner rather than later. For us, one of our must-do attractions in Disneyland was Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure Park. We started our day of trying to ride every ride in Disneyland Park, so we ended up getting over to Disney California Adventure later in the day. Unfortunately, once we got to the ride it broke down and it wasn’t open again by the time we left. Radiator Springs Racers It was definitely disappointing, but we also learned our lesson. If there is a ride that will make us extremely sad to not be able to ride, we will prioritize it first. There are still no guarantees that we will be able to ride specific attractions as rides do have technical difficulties and need to close down. However, if we see that the ride is open and it is a must-do for us, we will make sure to stop by as soon as possible! If we purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass again in Disneyland, you know we will be beelining it to Radiator Springs Racers. Not Taking Breaks We know, we know, it is something we preach about all the time in our posts. We always talk about making sure you are taking breaks, but we also know that is sometimes easier said than done. We were on a quest to get every ride included with Lightning Lane Premier pass completed in a single day, and we definitely let that challenge get the best of us. We quickly realized we were indeed not Superman or Superwoman, and that we needed to take breaks. Soarin’ Around the World We were definitely feeling it! It can be especially hard when you are trying to make the most of $400 to convince yourself to take breaks. It can be tempting to just go, go, go, and try to fit in as much as possible. And while some people may be able to make it, it is definitely WAY more enjoyable if you take time for a few breaks and make sure you are getting enough food and water. We may or may not have gone 5 hours straight without a break or grabbing a bite to eat…oops. Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! With Lightning Lane Premier Pass, it is super easy to go from ride to ride and forget about your body’s needs. We will definitely be working in a few more breaks once this service debuts in Disney World. And if you are planning on taking advantage of this service, we highly recommend you plan for breaks throughout the day! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway We loved the complete lack of restrictions that we had with Lightning Lane Premier Pass, but we still made the mistakes of not taking breaks and waiting to ride our must-do attraction. However, we also learned A LOT about this new service. We learned about a hack that lets you ride one attraction TWICE in one day, and there were some things that shocked us about this service. WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure Lightning Lane Premier Pass will be $400 per person, per day in Disneyland throughout the rest of this year, and then be available between $300-$400 per person, per day in 2025 and beyond. Over in Disney World, prices are as follows: Magic Kingdom: $329-$449 plus tax Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $129-$199 plus tax EPCOT: $169-$249 plus tax Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $269-$349 plus tax Haunted Mansion Lightning Lane in Disney World The service debuted at Disneyland Resort on October 23rd, 2024, and will be debuting at Disney World for Deluxe Resort hotel guests on October 30th, 2023. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Lightning Lane Premier Pass news, so stay tuned to DFB! The Bad News About Disney World’s New Lightning Lane Premier Pass Skip-The-Line System 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 How are you feeling about Lightning Lane Premier Pass? Tell us in the comments below! The post 2 MAJOR MISTAKES We Made with Lightning Lane Premier Pass – Watch Out For These in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Deck the halls! Hollywood Studios during the holiday season Believe it or not, the holiday season is almost upon us, and you know what that means: It’s almost time to decorate! And this year, here at DFB, we have something really special for the season! Ornaments! Christmas Ornaments! That’s right, for the first time, our Holiday collection will feature ornaments that will be right at home with your decorations. Our Merry Menagerie ornaments are “inspired by the beloved Animal Kingdom puppets” and are “the perfect way to bring that ‘if you know, you know’ festive fun to your season!” We have them available in several designs, including reindeer, wolf, penguin, polar bear, owl. Polar Bear! In addition to the ornaments themselves, there’s a FULL Holiday Collection available including clothing… Dress jolly … and accessories. SHOP HERE Our NEW ornament collection is sure to bring a pop of joy to your Holiday decorating this season! Stay tuned to DFB for MORE merchandise updates! 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! How do you like our new ornaments? Let us know in the comments below! The post Deck the Halls With NEW Disney Christmas Ornaments! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

See how some of your favorite celebrities spent their time visiting the Parks as they created wickedly wonderful memories. From frightfully, delicious treats to spooky merchandise and trick-filled transformations, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the festive, spellbinding thrills that await during Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, happening through October 31, 2024! Heidi Klum Heidi Klum, the Queen of Halloween, embraced her inner villain by kicking off the season with Maleficent in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle where the haunting atmosphere culminates in the evening with the nighttime spectacular, “Halloween Screams.” Kathryn Hahn It’s been Agatha all along! Kathryn Hahn, the star of “Agatha All Along,” enjoyed the Main Street Pumpkin Festival and crossed an item off of her bucket list when she received a surprise ear headband inspired by the notorious Agatha Harkness. Charlize Theron Charlize Theron started the spooky season at Disneyland Resort by riding Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween in Radiator Screams with her family and enjoying some of their favorite specialty treats. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. What’s this? Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. stopped by Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” to get in the Halloween spirit. Sarah even sported a Jack Skellington-inspired ear headband! David Henrie and Janice LeAnn Brown David Henrie spent the day at Disneyland Resort with his “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” co-star, Janice LeAnn Brown, exploring the spooky Halloween Time offerings such as Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree in Radiator Screams! Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, the creators of “Phineas and Ferb,” surprised cast members at the Cast Member Preview of the sold out, separate-ticket event Oogie Boogie Bash—A Disney Halloween Party. This after-hours event was complete with everything from Halloween costumes to photo opportunities with beloved characters! Ella Purnell Ella Purnell celebrated her birthday at Disneyland Resort by fitting in some of her favorite stops: the Mickey and Friends Halloween Cavalcade, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and even a group photo in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle! The post SPOTTED: Celebrities Celebrating Halloween at Disneyland Resort! appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

We’ve been getting hyped about the grand opening of Universal Orlando’s NEW theme park, Epic Universe. ©Universal We’ve learned a lot about the park’s five themed lands, as well as got details on when tickets went on sale (it’s now, people — TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW). We also learned about a special perk Universal Orlando Annual Passholders will be getting when it comes to Epic Universe. We’ve even learned details about the three new Epic Universe hotels, including opening dates. However, we just recently discovered that ONE of those hotels’ opening dates just got pushed back. Although we had a reservation for Universal Terra Luna Resort on its opening day on February 25th, 2025, we recently were informed that the opening date for that hotel has now been pushed back to March 25th, 2025 — by a whole month. That information has also been updated on the hotel’s official website. ©Universal We were told that Terra Luna’s sister resort, Universal Stella Nova Resort would still be opening on time on January 21st, 2025. We were given the choice to either move our reservation to that hotel or have our reservation moved for Terra Luna to the new opening date, March 25th, 2025. ©Universal So if you had booked a reservation for earlier than March 25th, 2025, for Universal Terra Luna Hotel, you may be notified soon that you’ll have to change that reservation. Note that Universal Helios Grand Hotel is not scheduled to open until May 22nd, 2025, which is also when Epic Universe opens. That hotel is actually IN the park. As of now, reservations are currently available for that date and beyond. ©Universal We’ll keep an eye out for more Epic Universe news, so stay tuned to DFB for more. FULL LIST of Ticket Prices for Universal’s NEW Epic Universe Park Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Did you have a reservation affected by this delay? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: Universal Orlando Quietly Delays Opening of Epic Universe Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article