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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

If there’s one thing we’re passionate about here at DFB, it’s food. We are Disney Food Blog, after all! Disney’s BoardWalk That’s why we’re always on the lookout for the latest and greatest eats that pop up around the Disney World parks and more. A long-awaited addition to Disney’s BoardWalk finally opened not too long ago, and now we’re headed back to try something NEW they just added to their menu! We headed over to Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs at Disney’s BoardWalk to try the NEW Giant Mozzarella Stick. When they say “giant,” they really mean it — which is good since this thing costs a whopping $15.50. Luckily, it comes with plenty of marinara sauce for dipping and a bag of Lay’s Potato Chips on the side. Ain’t she a beaut?! We seriously can’t stress enough how large this thing was — easily shareable between multiple people as a snack and potentially enough for one person to have for a meal, if you’re into that sort of thing. But, man, if you’re a lover of cheese or mozzarella sticks in general, you need to run and try this thing! It’s so, so, so deliciously cheesy and the breading was perfectly crispy. There was definitely some oregano, cheese, and other spices in the breading which held up against the heft of the cheese. CHEESE GALORE It’s reminiscent of traditional fair food, and we do love that it’s still served on a stick to make it easy to eat. The marinara sauce was a welcome addition that helped to add some acidity to the richness of the cheese and breading, and it had a good flavor — not too sweet. The sauce was on the chunkier side which did make it a bit hard to use as a dipping sauce, but that could have just been the batch we had. Overall, this was a great snack and one we will definitely be coming back to the BoardWalk to have again. Saucy! There’s no shortage of new snacks to try at Disney World these days, and we’re on a mission to eat them all. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest news, snack reviews, and more! We Tried the NEW Loaded Fries in Disney World — See Our Review Here! Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best 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! Would you eat this giant mozzarella stick?! Tell us in the comments. The post REVIEW: We Ate a GIANT Mozzarella Stick at Disney World. You Know, for Science. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Don’t travel to Disney World without being absolutely prepared! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort We do our best to help you win Disney every day, especially when it comes to the planning process. This critical stage can seriously make or break your Disney World vacation. Fortunately, we’ve been at for over 15 years and have become experts on how to best prepare for Disney World — especially its hotels! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The Disney hotels set you up pretty nicely, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring your own gadgets. We’ve come up with three gadgets found on Amazon that can really elevate your stay and maybe even save your trip! Never run out of power with this souvenir! Disney World has embraced the digital age with MagicBand+ and the My Disney Experience app, which means more power is required to enjoy your vacation. MultiCharger for MagicBand+ This MultiCharger that you can get on Amazon is compatible with all USB-A plugs and features MagicBand Protectors. This charger was specifically designed for MagicBand and works with both “kid-size” and “adult-size” MagicBands. Slender and ideal when traveling light, this charger won’t overheat when in use and can charge your other devices as well! Buy on Amazon Get some much-needed rest with this next gadget! Disney Vacations can often be “go, go, go” and can get tiring fast, which means you need to assure yourself a good night’s sleep! ©Amazon While your hotel comes with basic amenities such as alarm clocks, it’s tough to beat something you might be used to at home. We like the REACHER Wood Grain Sunrise Alarm Clock and Sound Machine Nightlight, especially for travel purposes. This alarm clock replaces the harsh tones of conventional alarm clocks with a more soothing approach. With this clock, 5-60 minutes before your alarm a sunrise analog light will gradually turn on from 1% brightness to 100%. Providing a much more natural way to wake up, including 26 different soothing sounds and eight different colors, a clock like this could start your day off on the right foot. View on Amazon Stay online with this gadget! The Disney hotels do have Wi-Fi options, but that doesn’t always mean you’ll have the strongest signal. ©Disney Whether you need to work or want to stream your favorite shows and movies, having a strong internet connection is key. The TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router sports a useful travel-sized design and can create a Wi-Fi network via the ethernet. This router supports high-definition streaming on all your devices and has a USB port that can supply power to some of your other devices! Buy on Amazon What kind of gadgets do YOU like to bring with you when you stay at a Disney World hotel? Let us know and continue to follow us here at DFB for more Disney World tips and tricks, as well as all kinds of merch updates! Looking for more Disney World essentials? Check out our Amazon storefront!The post 3 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We know traveling can be a little stressful, so we like to do our best to keep you in the know of all the latest updates on flights and airlines to alleviate some of that stress. This time we’re coming to you with an important reminder for those planning to travel to the Orlando International Airport (MCO) soon! Not flying today! Travelers from across the Atlantic can now fly nonstop to check out all the iconic experiences Central Florida has to offer, such as Walt Disney World, the Universal Orlando Resort, (plus the upcoming Epic Universe), and much more all thanks to a new route from one of the biggest airlines! Let’s check it out. Delta Airlines, in partnership with Virgin Atlantic, has introduced a new nonstop flight connecting Orlando and England. As reported by the Orlando Business Journal, this route will be Delta’s only direct flight from Florida to the U.K. and will link MCO with London Heathrow Airport. ©Getty Images This new route will debut on October 26th, with it scheduled to run through March 29th, 2025. And, with the upcoming Holiday season just around the corner, this service couldn’t come at a better time! European travelers looking to make the most of their holiday vacations can travel to Disney World with ease and participate in several magical celebrations, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom, Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios, and the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. It’s going to truly be a jolly good time! Tower of Terror projections With so much to see and do in Orlando, it’s nice that travelers coming from abroad can have an easy and smooth trip over to Central Florida. We’ll be on the lookout for any upcoming deals and updates for all other popular airlines, especially with the holidays approaching! Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest here on DFB. Flying to Disney World Is About To Get EASIER with NEW Budget Airline Routes! 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 thoughts on this new route from Delta Airlines? Let us know in the comments! The post A NEW Non-Stop Route at Orlando Airport Starts SOON for This Popular Airline first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Double the fun! Breakout! Earlier this month, Disney introduced the brand-new Lightning Lane Premier Pass to Disneyland. This new level of skip-the-line option allows one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane experience in both of the Disneyland Resort theme parks to enjoy at your leisure that day. While the Premier Pass technically only allows one ride on each Lightning Lane-eligible attraction, there is a major seasonal exception: Guardians of the Galaxy. Both Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout and Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark — the spooky Halloween overlay of the Marvel-based attraction that runs each night during the season — are eligible for Premier Pass rides. However, there is a slight catch. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout As the name would imply, Monsters After Dark only runs at night — specifically, according to Disney, the changeover happens “around twilight each day” — with the normal iteration of Mission Breakout during the early part of the day. So, if you want to use your Premier Pass to ride both versions, you’ll need to ride Mission Breakout before it shuts down for the day. You will NOT be able to wait until the changeover happens and then Monsters After Dark twice. ©Disney Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout opened in 2017 as the first major Marvel attraction at the Disneyland Resort. The attraction, a re-theme of the California Adventure version of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, follows Rocket Raccoon on a “thrilling mission to rescue the Guardians of the Galaxy from the Collector’s fortress.” ©Disney The Monsters After Dark version first debuted in 2017 as well. The Halloween overlay takes place chronologically after the events of the main version of the attraction and centers around Rocket needing to rescue Groot, who was “left behind” following the events of the initial ride, from a group of escaped monsters. Monsters After Dark runs each evening from August 23rd to October 31st in 2024. Monsters After Dark While Disneyland’s new Lightning Lane Premier Pass only allows one ride on each eligible attraction, there’s actually a way to ride one popular Disneyland Resort ride twice during spooky season. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney’s newest offerings. Is Disney’s $400 Lightning Lane Premier Pass Worth It? We Tested It Out So You Don’t Have To! 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 do you prefer, Mission Breakout or Monsters After Dark? Let us know in the comments below. The post This NEW HACK Lets You Use Lightning Lane Premier Pass on a Popular Disney Ride TWICE in One Day! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We found one of our favorite Disney treats in an unexpected place. Mickey Waffles! There are few Disney treats more popular than Mickey Mouse waffles. Shaped like the iconic mouse’s face, the treat has become so synonymous with Disney vacations that some make pilgrimages to certain Disney World restaurants to get them, while others buy waffle irons to make them at home. If you’ve ever been in the mood to have a single Mickey waffle — not a full plate, or a heavy dish with syrup and multiple waffles or etc. — while at Disney World, we’ve found the perfect offering for you. If you head over to the quick-service Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary Resort, you’ll find several Mickey waffle options on the menu, including the standard adult and kids offerings. However, you’’ also find another… You can order a SINGLE Mickey waffle as a side option for less than $3.00! Mickey waffle! In other words, if you’re simply in the mood for a single crispy Mickey waffle as a treat, you can get one without needing to waste any of your food or split your order with anyone else. Contempo Cafe The ability to pick up a single Mickey waffle at the Contempo Cafe is just one of many tiny Disney World dining hacks that you can use to truly make your next Disney trip the perfect culinary experience. Stay tuned to DFB for more of these tips! Wondering where else you can snag Mickey Waffles in Disney World? We have a full list for you here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Does the idea of picking up a single Mickey waffle appeal to you? Let us know in the comments below! The post I Just Realized You Can Get a Mickey Waffle in Disney World, and I'm Never Packing My Own Granola Bar for Breakfast Again first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Planning a trip to EPCOT soon? EPCOT Well, if your calendar is pointing toward November 29th this year, you might want to rethink that plan. As much as we love EPCOT, trust us when we say November 29th might not be the day you want to be there. Why? Let’s talk about it! As we were saying, November 29th this year at EPCOT is going to be chaos, absolute madness, and here’s why: It’s the opening day of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays! EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Here’s why you’ll want to avoid it and what you should do instead. The Opening Day Chaos is Real As much as we adore EPCOT’s festivals (seriously, they’re magical), opening day is quite a beast all its own and not in a good way. We’re talking about crowds — big, hungry, Disney-loving crowds. If you’ve ever tried to grab your favorite snack during one of these festivals on the first day, you probably know the drill — long lines and elbow-to-elbow foot traffic. Crowds in EPCOT Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine Disney fans from all over the country descending on EPCOT at once, all eager to try the brand-new holiday food and drinks. Then toss in the locals (who are also super excited to check out the festivities) packing the park for the entire weekend. Does that sound like a good time? Yeah…not so much. We Know the Struggle All Too Well We’re speaking from experience here. Our reporters have been in the trenches during the first day of EPCOT’s festivals for years, and believe us, it’s no walk in the park (pun intended). They’re are on a mission to taste-test everything so we can let you know what’s worth waiting for and what you can skip. Now, for us, it’s all in a day’s work, but for you? Well, let’s just say that it could be a frustrating, sweaty, and maybe even snack-less nightmare. World Showcase crowds As we were saying before, those big crowds show up because, just like us, they’re eager to experience the new and returning goodies. That means with all that excitement comes hefty wait times at the food booths and a lot of patience-testing moments. The last thing you want to do is spend most of your day just trying to get your hands on a single snack. Avoid the Opening Day So, when should you go instead? If your schedule is flexible, we highly recommend checking out the festival during the middle of the week and middle of the season. By then, the initial wave of Disney die-hards has chilled out, and the festival booths aren’t as swamped. That means you’ll be able to enjoy all the festive fun without having to fight the crowds. United Kingdom crowds You’ll also avoid the chaos of the festival’s final days, when everyone’s rushing to grab their last chance at seasonal favorites. Trust Us, You’ll Thank Us Later Listen, we get it. We know how exciting it is to experience something new at EPCOT, but if you’re hoping for a relaxing, magical Disney day, November 29th is not it. Skip the stress, avoid the crowds, and visit later in the season when things have calmed down. Your vacation will be much smoother and you’ll still get to enjoy all the holiday magic EPCOT has to offer. Festival of the Holidays Until then, keep following DFB for all the latest from Disney! FIRST LOOK at New SOUVENIRS Coming to the EPCOT 2024 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! Will you be heading to EPCOT for the Festival of the Holidays this year? Let us know in the comments! The post AVOID EPCOT on November 29th -- Here's Why first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You might be wondering if having a Disney Visa card is worth it, and we think it might be if you spend a lot of money on Disney trips and merchandise. ©Visa You can get $$$ for that next Disney vacation after all. Plus Disney Visa cardholders can get some pretty sweet discounts on select dining and merchandise at Disney Parks. Disney Visa also often releases other deals that could help you save money on Disney offerings. Now, Disney Visa has revealed two NEW deals you can grab right now. Okay, so if you’re planning a trip to Disneyland, you may want to get a Disney Visa if you don’t already have one. Why? Well, Disney is now offering a NEW deal for Disney Visa cardholders. Disney Visa cardholders can save up to 30% off select premium rooms for stays on Sundays through Thursdays from January 7th to March 20th, 2025 at a Disneyland Resort hotel. Disneyland Hotel That means you can save 30% off select rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel. You can book online on the Disneyland website here or call 1-877-553-4763 to book with your Disney Visa card. This deal is valid for bookings made through March 7th, 2025. Grand Californian Hotel room That’s not the only new deal we have to tell you about, though. There’s also a deal for Marvel Comics fans. Disney Visa cardholders can now save on a Marvel Unlimited subscription. If you don’t know, Marvel Unlimited gives you access to Marvel’s full library of comics spanning the history of Marvel Comics. Disney Visa Cardholders can sign up with the code DRVCMEMBER to save 20% off a subscription. ©Marvel Just in case you were wondering, that’s access to over 30,000 comic titles. You can use this offer through September 30th, 2025, so sign up now! We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney deals, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Full List of Exclusive Perks for Visa Cardmembers in Disney World 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 Are you a Disney Visa cardholder? Do you take advantage of these discounts often? Let us know in the comments! The post 2 NEW Disney Visa Cardmember Deals Announced! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

James Ford Murphy: For The Enduring Love of LAVA | Disney Files On DemandView the full article

It is no secret that you do a lot of walking when visiting Disney World. Walking through EPCOT While it is good to get those steps in, we like to take shortcuts around the parks to help us save a few steps and also take a break. If you are visiting EPCOT, it can be a long walk to get from Spaceship Earth to the World Showcase, especially if you are visiting a country in the middle like the American Adventure. There is actually a way that you can save some steps between World Showcase, and we feel that not many people realize that they can take this shortcut! Recently, we talked about the International Gateway Entrance, which is a great way to enter EPCOT and be closer to the World Showcase, but did you know that there is a way to cut down on your walking time between the World Showcase that is located inside of the park? EPCOT International Gateway Rather than walking around the entirety of the World Showcase, you can take a Friendship Boat across the World Showcase Lagoon! World Showcase Lagoon There are two launches: one in the Canada Pavilion, near the front of the World Showcase, and one in the Morrocco Pavilion, located in the back middle of the World Showcase. The Friendship Boats typically start running around 11 AM and stop running close to 7:15 PM to accommodate Luminous: The Symphony of Us. FriendShip Boat It is important to note that the boat will not run during bad weather, meaning you won’t be able to avoid those pesky Florida storms during your walk to the World Showcase. FriendShip Boat Dock Regardless, we feel that not many people know about this option. It can be a great way to save some time and enjoy the scenic views of the World Showcase. Plus, this option can be a great way to make it over to the America Gardens Theatre if you plan on seeing the nightly festival entertainment or if you booked a dining package and want to digest it before heading to your reserved seats. Take the FriendShip Boat! This can also be a great option if you are looking to make it over to the International Gateway entrance/exit to get back to your EPCOT area hotel or to catch a ride on the Skyliner to a Skyliner hotel or Hollywood Studios. EPCOT Disney Skyliner Station The next time you are in EPCOT and looking for something new to do or want to take a break from the walking crowds, head over to one of the boat launches located in either the Canada Pavilion or the Morocco Pavilion. FriendShip Boat For more Disney tips like this one, along with all the latest Disney news, make sure to continue to follow along with Disney Food Blog! I’m Not Calling You A Fake Disney Fan, But If You Don’t Know About This Shortcut…Well… Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever taken the World Showcase FriendShip Boat? Let us know in the comments!The post I'm 99% Sure You're Not Using This Perk in EPCOT As Much As You Should Be first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you are a Sam’s Club member, you should be marking your calendar for November 1st RIGHT NOW! Sams Club store @AARP Sam’s Club could help you SAVE money on your next Disney trip, but the offer is only available while supplies last. We have all the details for you, so keep reading! Beginning November 1st, Sam’s Club members can purchase $200 Disney Gift Cards for only $180! That is like getting $20 free. Gift cards are only available for purchase online, and there is a limit of 4 gift cards. However, if you snag all four gift cards, you are getting $80 of Disney spending money for free. Think about all the Dole Whips or Mickey Pretzels you can get for $80! Gift Cards are on sale soon! The gift cards are available while supplies last and will be delivered via email. Purchasing Disney gift cards at a discount is a great way to save some money on your Disney World trip. These gift cards can be used for SO many things including booking hotels, purchasing tickets, buying merchandise, paying for meals, and even shopping online at the Disney Store. Hollywood Studios If you aren’t a Sam’s Club member, you can also find discounted gift cards at Costco at certain times and you can save 5% on Disney gift cards at Target with a Target Red Card. We know that Disney World vacations are expensive, but there are lots of ways to save money on your trip! Make sure to check out our video for new ways to save on your Disney World trip. Stay tuned to DFB for more money saving tips and all your Disney World news! Find out how much a Disney World trip will cost in 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 What is your favorite money saving tip for Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post BIG Sam's Club Disney Gift Card Deals Coming NEXT WEEK first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

With hundreds of snacks in Disney World, how do you CHOOSE? Magic Kingdom We’ve spent years asking this question, and we’ve tried thousands of treats during our 15 years of curating Disney Food Blog. Over the course of all that snacking, some offerings stand out more than others, and some are simply irresistible! So when we heard that Disney World was introducing several new types of loaded french fries, we knew we had to check them out. On October 23rd, Disney World released seven new types of loaded french fries in restaurants around the parks and resorts, and we set out to try some of the most interesting ones on the list. Want to know what we thought? Here’s our full review! BBQ Fries from Regal Eagle Smokehouse We started out by heading to Regal Eagle Smokehouse in EPCOT to grab the BBQ Fries. These are seasoned french fries topped with coleslaw, sweet BBQ sauce, and ketchup aioli for $6.49. First up on our list! The description wasn’t too promising compared to some of the other loaded fries on this list, but we wanted to give them a chance. Ultimately though, they were a bit of a letdown! The fries themselves tasted stale, like they’d been reheated. The coleslaw kind of threw off the whole balance, making everything a little soggy and gross. BBQ Fries We really liked the BBQ sauce, which was sweet and tangy, as well as the ketchup aioli, which just tasted like a mix of ketchup and mayo. If they served these seasoned french fries with those two sauces on the side for dipping, they would be SO good! (As long as they used fresh fries.) A little soggy But alas, that coleslaw didn’t add a fun crunchy element, it just served to make it all a little mushy. And if there’s one word we don’t want to use to describe french fries, it’s “wet.” Black Garlic, Truffle, and Parmesan Fries from Connections Eatery But after that, things took a serious turn for the better — we headed to Connections Eatery to grab the Black Garlic, Truffle, and Parmesan Fries for $6.49. You can also snag these in Magic Kingdom at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, and Columbia Harbour House. They’re topped with black garlic-truffle aioli and parmesan cheese. Next up! Already, the flavors sound more sophisticated than the BBQ Fries, but how were they really? Let me tell you, these did NOT disappoint! That black garlic-truffle sauce was creamy and had a rich, earthy garlic flavor. The truffle was light and not too overwhelming, but the cheese really set everything off. These look GOOD The combination of the cheesy flavor with the earthy flavors was heavenly and the fries underneath were fresh and crispy. If you’re open to these flavors, we think you would really enjoy this snack! Loaded up with that sauce So that’s a win for EPCOT on the second set of fries! Now, let’s head to Animal Kingdom. Strawberry Chocolate Fries from Mr. Kamal’s Mr. Kamal’s is known for its seasoned fries, but now they’ve got a new addition — the Strawberry Chocolate Fries for $6.99. They’re cinnamon-sugar french fries topped with chocolate ganache, strawberries, and honey cream cheese. These are also available at Primo Piatto at Disney’s Riviera Resort. New on the menu! Unfortunately, when we stopped by, their chocolate ganache dispenser wasn’t working properly, and they had to serve the chocolate to us in a cup on the side. So here’s a glimpse at the fries WITHOUT that sauce. Where’s the chocolate? But even with dipping the fries in the chocolate ganache, these weren’t our favorite. There wasn’t very much cinnamon sugar on the fries, and then the strawberries were mushy and soft without much flavor to them — they lacked that tart, fresh strawberry taste. Not very appetizing The honey cream cheese was so light that we couldn’t taste it. Alas, we had higher hopes for these fries, but maybe they’ll be better when the chocolate ganache dispenser is working and they can serve them properly? Strawberry fries Don’t worry, we’ve got more to try! A-Maize-ing Magic Munch Fries from Flame Tree Barbecue Around the corner at Flame Tree Barbecue, you can get the A-Maize-ing Magic Munch Fries for $6.49. These are french fries topped with sweet corn, chipotle mayonnaise, chili-lime-spiced cotija cheese, and popcorn. These are also available at Restaurantosaurus. New menu addition! These were shockingly delicious! The chipotle mayo and the chili-lime spiced cotija add a fair bit of spice, making these a little bit hotter than “mild” to us. However, the sweet corn and lime help balance those flavors out a little bit. Topped with popcorn! The fries themselves were fresh, as was the popcorn, which was a huge improvement from the Strawberry Chocolate Fries. We definitely recommend squeezing that lime on top to get the perfect amount of citrusy freshness before you eat. What’d we think? If you’re a fan of a little bit of spice and street corn flavors, you’ll probably like these! Buffalo Fries from Rosie’s All-American Cafe At Rosie’s All-American Cafe, as well as Backlot Express and ABC Commissary, you can find the Buffalo Fries for $6.49. These are ranch-seasoned french fries drizzled with buffalo-ranch Sauce and blue cheese dressing. Buffalo Fries These fries were nice and crispy, and the ranch flavor was strong and tangy. The buffalo sauce was not really spicy at all, but you’ll probably like it if you mostly just enjoy the buffalo flavor over the buffalo heat. The chives add a little brightness to it all. The fries! Our one complaint with these is that we couldn’t really taste the blue cheese at all. So if you’re looking for that flavor, you may be disappointed. Those are all the fries we’ve tried so far, but we’ll keep you in the loop with any more snack reviews from Disney World! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest. 24 Snacks You Need in Disney World in 2024 — Click Here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which of these fries would you want to try? Tell us in the comments! The post We Got the NEW Loaded Fries at Disney's Animal Kingdom...But There's a BIG Problem first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

That moment when dreams come true! 5,000+ high schoolers from 120 schools in Florida and even more from across the country just attended the HBCU Week Foundation College Fair at Walt Disney World. Many received on-the-spot college admissions and scholarships were also awarded by some of the nation’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Here’s a look at all the extra special magic and happy moments that went down, including an iconic performance from Drum Major Mickey Mouse thanks to our friends at Disney on the Yard. What is the HBCU Week Foundation College Fair? The HBCU Week Foundation College Fair offers a chance for students to meet with representatives from 30+ HBCUs and picture what’s possible for their futures. The mission is to encourage high schoolers to enroll in HBCUs, provide scholarship dollars and create a pipeline from campus to career. This is the second time that Disney on the Yard and the HBCU Week Foundation have teamed up for this event at Walt Disney World, and it was one of the foundation’s largest college fairs to date with most attendees coming from counties and communities here in Central Florida. Remember when I said Drum Major Mickey Mouse stopped by? Well, he wasn’t alone. He was joined by Florida A&M University Drum Major Jonathan Boyce and Bethune-Cookman University Drum Major Jared Adkins. Meet the Orlando Student who Received a Scholarship to Bethune-Cookman Among the many attendees was one superstar standout, Beth Elia. Beth came to the college fair with an impressive 4.3 GPA and a dream to become the first in her family to attend college. I’m ecstatic to share that her dream is coming true! She is one of the many students who were surprised with a scholarship at the event, receiving a $50,000 scholarship to one of her top schools of choice, Bethune-Cookman University. “I’m so excited! My mom heard about my acceptance, and she’s so proud of me. She texted me right after,” Beth said. “I don’t know who taught her how to send GIFs, but she’s been sending them back-to-back since!” On top of being a star scholar at Evans High School in Orange County, Beth is also a student Ambassador at ELEVATE Orlando, a Florida nonprofit we work closely with to help local students build their talents and become who they imagine they can be. Once in college, Beth plans to study criminology with the hopes of one day becoming an FBI agent. She also hopes that her story can inspire others in her community, including her fellow ELEVATE classmates and younger siblings. What is Disney on the Yard? Disney on the Yard was started as a way to create a space of fellowship for cast members who resonated with Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It has grown and evolved beyond our cast and HBCU campuses to the Divine Nine Black Greek fraternities and sororities and other professional organizations, institutions and events like this college fair. These events help to provide students with access to the education they need to achieve their dreams. I certainly had a blast, and I can’t wait to see the students from this year’s HBCU Week Foundation College Fair step to the beat of their own drum as they march into their bright futures! The post College Dreams Come True at Disney World appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Disneyland surprised everyone by opening a restaurant EARLY! Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree sign Despite having an official opening date of October 25th, 2024, the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree soft-opened a day early in Bayou Country and we stopped by to check it out! Once called the Hungry Bear Restaurant, the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree had been closed for refurbishment as it came up with a new menu and theming to reflect the defunct Country Bear Jamboree attraction at Disneyland and the newly rethemed Country Bear Musical Jamboree show at Magic Kingdom. ©Disney The restaurant was rethemed as part of Critter Country’s evolution into Bayou Country in anticipation of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure joining the land. While the Hungry Bear’s soft reopening on October 24th wasn’t advertised, we stopped by anyway to check it out and see what the newly rethemed restaurant has to offer! Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree Immediately, you’ll get a strong sense of that Country Bear theming. According to Disney, the decor is supposed to help tell the story of the Country Bears taking a break from their world tour. The Bears are back in town! You’ll find plenty of familiar faces and even hear some Country Bear tunes while you dine! Ursus H. Bear We also got a good look at the menu… Part of the new Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree menu And, of course, you know we had to try some of the new offerings! Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree spread First, we tried the Loaded Fries for $14.99. These fries are made with smoked pulled pork, queso sauce, pickled red onions, pickled jalapeños, cilantro, and scallions. Loaded Fries Our dish was pretty good! The smoked pulled pork didn’t have much of a smoked flavor, but we still thought it was very tasty! The meat was tender and coated with a sauce akin to a brown sugar barbecue sauce flavor. The fries weren’t special, but their purpose was to soak up the cheese and barbecue sauces, so they worked just fine for us. Speaking of the sauces, the queso sauce had a creamy texture and flavor that worked so well with the sweet barbecue pork and jalapeños. Overall, we were happy with this new offering and recommend giving it a try if you’re looking for a Southwestern snack. Fixin’s sign at the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree Next, we tried the Sparkling Strawberry-Pickle Lemonade​ for $7.49. This drink is made with Simply Lemonade, Minute Maid Strawberry Smoothie, flavors of lime, Sprite, pickle juice, and a pickle spear. Sparkling Strawberry-Pickle Lemonade Right off the bat, our reporter told us they aren’t the biggest fans of pickle and/or dill flavors. That’s why it was so surprising that they liked this a lot! It was sweet, refreshing, and tangy, delivering the sweet and refreshing strawberry lemonade flavors at first before throwing in a tangy pickle aftertaste. The lime was thoroughly blended in with the lemonade and Sprite, so it didn’t really stand out, which was also the case with the strawberry smoothie aspect. If you’re expecting a smoothie texture, this doesn’t really provide that but what you WILL get is that delicious strawberry flavor, which tasted surprisingly fresh. We recommend this when you just want to sit and relax on a hot Southern California day! Cute Hungry Bear goodbye sign Are you excited to visit the newly reimagined Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree? Let us know and continue to follow us here at the Disney Food Blog for all the latest Disneyland news, tips, reviews, and more! PRICING and FULL MENU Announced for Disney’s NEW Country Bear-Themed Restaurant 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 do you feel about the new Hungry Bear theming and menu? Share your thoughts in the comments below! The post SURPRISE! Disney's NEW Country Bear-Themed Restaurant Opened a Day EARLY! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney CEO Bob Iger is set to retire at the end of 2026. ©Disney Iger was previously CEO of the company for 15 years before handing over the reins to Bob Chapek in 2020. Chapek lasted until 2022, when he was ousted from the role, and his job was given back to Iger. Now, Iger’s second term as CEO includes one major goal — to find a suitable successor. For the past two years, people have debated heavily about who might replace Bob Iger when his contract ends. It was recently announced that Iger’s successor will be revealed in early 2026 — Iger’s contract ends with that calendar year. But who will it be? Well, we’ve got a possible update on the contenders. ©Disney The Wrap has shared an update on the Bob Iger succession battle, noting which candidates are now in the lead for the position. The race as it currently stands seems to be honing in on an executive in Disney’s creative divisions, meaning that Dana Walden and Alan Bergman have the early lead. Iger has frequently noted that his successor would need to be someone immersed in Disney’s foundation of storytelling. The Walt Disney Company headquarters in California Of the two frontrunners, Walden seems to be the more likely choice. She would be the first female CEO in Disney’s 101-year history, and she has worked on a variety of projects that brought major returns for Disney, including a number of awards nominations and extensive revenue. Currently, Walden is the Co-Chairman of Entertainment for the company. ©Disney The downside to choosing Walden would be that she doesn’t have experience in the Parks & Resorts aspect of the company. Walden is also more connected to the TV side of Disney than the filmmaking. However, these problems could be mitigated with the right team of executives behind her. ©ABC The other top candidate is Walden’s Co-Chairman of Entertainment, Alan Bergman. Bergman works heavily in the film section of Entertainment, and since he started in 2005, dozens of Disney films have reached $1 billion at the box office. While Bergman was not directly involved in any of the major acquisitions (like Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars), he has successfully overseen these studios since they joined the Disney umbrella. ©Disney The argument against choosing Bergman, however, is that the success of those studios and franchises comes more from the people directly overseeing them — creative minds like Kevin Feige and Pete Docter. This makes Bergman less of a “creative” candidate for the position than Walden. Like Walden, he doesn’t have much experience in Parks & Resorts, and conversely, he lacks experience in the TV aspect of the company. ©Disney But what about the other executives who were noted to be in the running? Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro may be a fan-favorite for the role, but he lacks the background in creativity that Iger so heavily values. However, he does have the wealth of Parks experience that the other candidates lack. It just may not be what Iger’s looking for in his successor. Josh D’Amaro at Destination D23, 2023 ©Disney The other name mentioned heavily was Jimmy Pitaro, who runs ESPN. Pitaro has a more diversified experience working with Disney than the other candidates, having previously held the role of Chairman of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. However, Pitaro hasn’t worked very much on the scripted entertainment side of things. And as Yahoo puts it, “Pitaro may suffer from an affliction far too common in corporate America — he’s too good at his current job.” His role would likely be harder to fill than Walden or Bergman’s. ©ESPN Ultimately, we’ll have to wait and see who officially wins the CEO race — we’ve got a little over a year left before we find out! Until then, we’ll make sure to keep you in the loop with all the updates. Click Here to Learn More About Bob Iger’s Successor Options! 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 person do you think will win the spot of CEO? Tell us in the comments! The post New Report Reveals TWO Frontrunners for Disney's Next CEO first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A BIG day for a brand new Disney World restaurant has finally arrived and there’s one burning question on everyone’s mind — “Is it worth the hefty price tag?” The Cake Bake Shop Bakery is OPEN! We’ve been waiting forever for one of Disney World’s newest restaurants to finally allow us to step inside. While we’ve patiently awaited its completed construction, seen a neighboring restaurant open up well before it, and even made a price adjustment BEFORE welcoming in its first visitors, today was the day we finally got our first chance to step inside — and we are surprised to be saying this — but it may have been worth the wait! As Disney World food experts, you know we try every new restaurant, snack stand, and everything in between. So we made our way over to Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort (before sunrise!) to check on a possible soft opening of The Cake Bake Shop. Is it happening?! This restaurant has had quite the journey as far as its opening date, and while we still don’t have an official one, this soft opening is huge step in the right direction. It was originally scheduled to open about a year ago, but kept getting pushed back. A stunning view The Cake Bake Shop’s Bakery officially opened its glass doors to the public at 7AM on October 24th. The Cake Bake Shop Bakery When we arrived, the restaurant had quite literally pulled out the pink ropes to form lines to get a peek inside the bakery and tour its many treats and sweets. As we stepped inside, we were greeted by several Cast Members and even by The Cake Bake Shop’s owner, Gwendolyn Rogers! Hi, Gwen! We made our way around the bakery filled with ornate chandeliers and surrounded by merchandise, plush figures (with full backstories and characters to each), cake decor to take home. And then our eyes zeroed in on the prize for our visit — the bakery cases towards the back of the store. The bakery cases With so many delicious-looking treats and sweets, we knew we had to try a few right away (for science, right?!). So, after talking over the menu options with the friendly Cast Members behind the counters and taking their favorites into consideration, we came out with a whole bag of goodies to devour! Ultimately we decided on the Millionaire Cake slice, Magic Bar, Marie Antoinette, Chocolate Truffle, and the Unicorn Hot Chocolate to wash it all down. Seriously, this is a breakfast of epic proportions (at least of sugar) and we couldn’t wait to dig in! These prices have been pretty controversial since they were revealed on the menu boards outside earlier this month, so much so that the restaurant actually lowered prices earlier this week. So, it’s time to find out if that price tag is justified! Looks like “breakfast” to us We had to start things off right with our drink of choice. The beautiful Unicorn Hot Chocolate we picked up was a small (however, they do also offer a large of the same drink) and it cost us $11.99. Unicorn Hot Chocolate The base of the hot chocolate is made with strawberry milk and wasn’t served excessively hot. The top of the drink is brought together with some pastel pink icing swirl, colorful sprinkles, and tiny marshmallows to accompany your toasty beverage. This “unicorn” drink is obviously going to appeal to children — but I suspect many adults will want to order this “super fancy” drink, as well. Those toppings though This DEFINITELY feels like a splurge — $12 for a cup of hot cocoa. But it is fun, and we have paid nearly that much for a fancy coffee before. We found the strawberry flavor in the hot chocolate to be just the right amount without being overbearing, and the toppings helped it feel lighter and fun to sip. For our array of treats, we kicked things off by digging into the Chocolate Truffle first (because what’s a better breakfast than milk chocolate first thing in the morning, right?). This little guy cost us $6 and was made of milk chocolate, peanut butter, and raspberry. It’s a tiny little thing but just wait ’till you see what’s inside! Chocolate Truffle Yep — this guy’s filled with chocolate raspberry-flavored ganache! The filling has more of a resistance to it even after setting for a while, kind of the same consistency as a nougat-filled chocolate candy. Our only complaint with this one is that we didn’t really taste much of the peanut butter in it, but what surprised us about it was how well-balanced the raspberry and chocolate flavors worked together. Inside look! Overall, we felt this was tiny but one of the more affordable options of treats to try out here so if you find yourself on the fence about splurging too much, this is a solid treat to start with! Next, we turned our attention to the Magic Bar! Ah, just looking at this one makes our mouths water almost immediately. This bar will cost you $11.99, but this is a fairly hefty snack. Magic Bar When we cut it open, we could see layers of cookie batter topped with huge chunks of chocolate chips, pecans that snap when you bite down on them, an icing glaze, bits of carrots, and all brought together with coconut and edible glitter. Half of the bar We likened this one to a grown-up version of a cookie cake! If you ever wanted more out of a bland cookie cake this is the answer. There are so many flavors and textures blending together to create a bar that wants to almost be a coconut-carrot cake-cookie square. There’s a lot going on here but it does work well together. This is a large bar that could be shared. The Marie Antoinette had waited long enough to be chosen next! This beautiful dessert is two pieces of almond-flour pastry similar to a macaron with alternating buttercream icing, raspberries, and a raspberry filling sandwiched inside for $14.99. Marie Antoinette While a heftier price tag than the previous items, this was delicious. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to taste the flavor of a rose, you’ll find it in each of the soft pastel pink cookie pieces that crumble as you bite into it. The buttercream was soft and fluffy but didn’t coat the roof of your mouth, and the raspberries provided a sharp burst of flavor. Now, whether to shell out $15 to this little guy when Les Halles is so close by with similar treats a fraction of the price — that’s up to you. Inside of the treat The real surprise here was the raspberry filling found at the very center of the treat. This star was more consistent with a raspberry jam with seeds and all. And for you gluten-free eaters, this one is a gluten-free treat. And last but certainly not least the ONE treat that’s on EVERYONE’S mind — the cake. After browsing the expansive selection of cakes available at the bakery we knew exactly which one was screaming the loudest for us to try. When we saw the Millionaire Cake, we decided it would be the first cake slice we tried here. It will cost you $22.99 and it’s made of multiple layers of moist chocolate cake with inserts of chocolate ganache, buttercream icing, creamy caramel, and shortbread crumbs. This thing is heavenly! Millionaire’s Cake If you’re a fan of a good Millionaire’s Shortbread (which, hello, that’s us), you’re going to fall in love all over again with this version of a classic treat. The entire cake was so soft and melted in your mouth, and it’s encased on the sides and top in a layer of milk chocolate topped with more caramel drizzle and shortbread crumbs. Delicious! It’s truly a winner in our book and as much as we really would have preferred a cheaper price tag, it’s something we’d get again solely due to the taste and quality — albeit, most likely for special occasions and not every visit we make to The Cake Bake Shop. Overall, we went into our experience a bit guarded because of the divisive pricing that debuted before the bakery’s official opening, but we don’t regret picking up any single one of our choices. If you find yourself still on the fence about trying a treat or two from The Cake Bake Shop’s Bakery, we’d recommend starting with a smaller treat and working your way up to those heftier cake slices, unless you’ve got a few more helping hands around! We’ll be reviewing all of the meals at The Cake Bake Shop soon so stay tuned for even more sweet treats and delicious plates! REVIEW: Listen Up, You Only Want To Go to LUNCH at This EPCOT Restaurant 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! Which of The Cake Bake Shop Bakery treats is calling your name? Tell us in the comments below! The post REVIEW: We Tried the Controversial Cake Slices at Disney World's Brand New Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Losing your luggage can be a real bummer, especially at the start of your vacation. Suitcases at Disney World We love to put AirTags in our luggage when we travel because it is a good way to ensure that our bags make it onto the plane and to our final destination, but did you know that there are other ways to use AirTags to help you on your vacation. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. AirTags can be a helpful tool for tracking luggage, and they are also great for use at Disney World! Magic Kingdom First things first, in order to use all of our AirTag tricks, you need to make sure you get your AirTags first. We like this pack because it comes with four, making it perfect to use for multiple bags. ©Amazon Not only are AirTags great for tracking your bags in the airport, but they are also great for tracking your bags at Disney World. If you arrive at your resort early, you can leave your bags with Bell Services, and having an AirTag in your bag can give you peace of mind knowing where your luggage is. You can also put them in your park day bag in case you accidentally leave your bag at a table or at an attraction. Shop Here AirTags are quite small, and they can easily get tossed in your bag. ©Amazon We like to put a case on ours because it makes it easier to remember which AirTag is which, and they are waterproof! Get Yours Here AirTags can also be used as an added safety measure for children. Disney World is big and crowded, and because of this, children can sometimes get separated from their families. Placing an AirTag on your child can give you peace of mind, knowing you will be able to figure out where they are in the park. ©Amazon We like these necklaces because they fit an AirTag and are fun for children to wear. They are waterproof and come in a four-pack that includes Minnie, Mickey, Angel, and Stitch. Shop Here If necklaces are not your child’s thing, then there is a bracelet version that is also waterproof. One band features Elsa, and the other has Anna. ©Amazon Get them Here Another option is to place an AirTag on your child’s shoelaces. You can get a Minnie and Mickey shoelace AirTag case, which adds a fun Disney flair to your child’s shoes and safely keep the AirTag on them. Plus, the case is waterproof! ©Amazon Shop Here Sometimes strollers look the same at Disney World, especially when they are parked in a tight space; in addition to marking your stroller, it is a good idea to place an AirTag on it in case it decides to “run away.” Or, sometimes, a Cast Member will move it, and having an AirTag can make it easier to find. Put an AirTag on your stroller We like this pack because it is a keychain that can attach to a part of your stroller, so you do not have to worry about it falling out. ©Amazon Get Yours Here AirTags are a great tool for traveling through the airport, but they can also be beneficial at Disney World! Make sure to order yours before your next visit, as they have become an essential trip for us. Shop Our Amazon Storefront!The post You’re Not Using AirTags Properly in Disney World, So I’m Here To Show You How It’s Done first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article