Disney4me

Is 2025 the year of cruising for you? If so, we’re here for it and want to help you plan your vacation to be the best it can be. ©Disney While you may not realize it, there are better times to sail with Disney Cruise Line than others, but for different reasons! Some seasons have lower crowds, others have better weather, so how can you decide what’s best for you? We’ve broken down the absolute BEST times to sail and why below to help you plan your trip down to a T! Keep in mind that prices do change for Disney Cruise Line depending on what season you’re traveling, especially during the warmer months. We won’t be talking a ton about price in this breakdown otherwise, but just keep that in mind when you’re planning your trip. Disney Wonder Winter While winter may seem like the LAST choice for sailing on a cruise, the benefits often far outweigh the con of it being colder outside. However, keep in mind that many cruise destinations are on the southern hemisphere, meaning that while your port of call may be chilly, once you’re at your destination(s), things have warmed up, and it may actually be a more pleasant temperature than summer would be, as sometimes summer can be TOO hot. Worlds of Marvel on the Disney Wish Additionally, because of the chillier weather and needing to bring layers, winter cruises are often MUCH less crowded than spring and summer cruises. Folks are getting back to their jobs and classrooms following the holiday season in the winter, but Hawaii’s tourism season does tend to pick up around the beginning of the year, so if your cruise is taking you to the South Pacific, just prepare for slightly heavier crowds on land! Hyperspace Lounge on Disney Wish If you’re not into the colder season, don’t worry, there are other options! Summer While summer will be the busiest time for cruising, so not the best when it comes to cruising with fewer crowds, but you will find that there’s a LOT more availability when it comes to booking your cruise. For Disney Cruise Line, you’ll especially find more that travel to Disney’s private islands, Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay (and sometimes both!), but some of these cruises will also take you to far away places you’ve never thought to explore before! Disney Wish And if you’re looking for those 80-90 degree temperatures, this is certainly the time to travel! However, occasional rainfall is certainly still possible, especially in the Bahamas where many of these cruises travel to. Be sure to check out what port activities Disney Cruise Line is offering at your different ports of call so you don’t spend the whole day just wandering around (especially if you’re NOT at Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay) — really take advantage of these adventures in a safe and reliable way! Disney’s Private Island Castaway Cay However, hurricane Season for the Carribeans and Bahamas runs from June to November, with late August to early September usually being when you’re gonna see the PEAK of that hurricane activity, so this is also something to keep in mind. Now, worst comes to worst, you can’t participate in a port of call and you get a full refund from Disney (as long as you booked it through them!), or the cruise as a whole if a hurricane does happen, and then you can use that money towards another cruise or port of call in the future! Really Think About What Works Best For YOU What’s most important here is deciding what works best for YOU and your family, and remembering why you wanted to cruise in the first place. For example, if you’re really looking forward to tanning and swimming in cool water on a hot summer day, then cruising in the winter isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you’re wanting lower crowds to more comfortable enjoy the ship’s amenities or want to do more activities at your ports of call that are indoors, then winter may be a good fit. Mickey and Goofy at Castaway Cay It’s also important to keep in mind why you’re choosing a Disney Cruise over a Disney World vacation. Disney Cruise Line has so many offerings for kids, teens, and adults to safely do individually, it’s sometimes hard to all meet up before bedtime, whereas in Disney World it’s a lot easier to spend time all together (and often times actually harder to split up, though it is possible!). Do you want to travel with your family and make memories in new locations you may never have been to otherwise (or where you don’t have to do a ton of the planning yourself)? Then a Disney Cruise may be a fantastic fit! The Disney Dream It’s a big decision to decide if a Disney Cruise is best for you and your family, but that’s why we’re here — to tell you the pros and cons and help you decide if it’s a right fit for you! The answer will be different for each and every family, and that’s the beauty of individuality. If you would like help planning your Disney Cruise, why don’t you talk with our friends at Small World Vacations? They help thousands of families every year with their cruise vacations — and their services are free to you! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney Cruise Line and Disney vacation news! Hands Down, This Is the Most CONFUSING Part of Disney’s Private Island Do you prefer a Disney Cruise Line vacation or a Disney World vacation? Tell us in the comments! The post The Best Times To Go on a Disney Cruise in 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Dining at table service restaurants in Disney World can be fantastic, but worrying about getting reservations 60 days in advance of your trip and taking 1-2 hours out of your park day just to eat can be stressful, so it may not always be the best fit. Garden Grill Restaurant Sometimes, though, you want something a little more elevated than a quick-service meal, which leaves you at a bit of a loss. Fear not, though — there’s a middle ground that we absolutely love, and that’s Disney World lounges! Lounges are fantastic because you get the same elevated menu from table service restaurants without the time expectancy or the reservations. If you want to hit some lounges in 2025 but don’t want to spend an arm and leg for too small of plates, these are the top lounges we recommend! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (Disney Springs) Located in the heart of Disney’s shopping and dining district, you’ll find one of the most intricately themed lounges there is! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is not only home to some fantastic drinks (both alcoholic and a few non-alcoholic options) but there are some great bites to eat as well. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar There’s also almost always something new you notice in this area, thanks to its Indiana Jones theming. While you’re waiting for your drink, take a look around — we promise you’ll be entertained! REVIEW: We Literally LOL’d When This Disney World Restaurant Served Our Food Nomad Lounge (Disney’s Animal Kingdom) This is easily one of our favorite spots in Disney World as a whole, especially because the seating and vibes here are immaculate. The small plates here are some of our absolute favorites, and the drinks are fantastic, too! Nomad Lounge The real stars here are the churros, which are arguably the BEST you can get in all of Disney World, but we also really love the Tiffins Bread Service and the Bangkok Chicken Wings. This Is My FAVORITE Place in Disney World, and You Probably DON’T Go There! Territory Lounge (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) Disney’s Wilderness Lodge isn’t one of the most popular resorts out there, so Territory Lounge isn’t often very busy, leaving you with a quieter atmosphere to enjoy your time. It’s so warm and inviting, we could spend all day here if we had the time! Territory Lounge Some of the most well-known dishes here are the Artisanal Cheese and Charcuterie and Loaded Macaroni & Cheese, but there are plenty of other foods and drinks to explore as well. Enchanted Rose Lounge (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort) The Enchanted Rose Lounge is relatively new, opening in 2019 and taking the place of Mizner’s Lounge. We love the decor here and the way it subtly hints at the live-action Beauty and the Beast without being over the top. Enchanted Rose However, we don’t recommend visiting before 5PM because the dining options are very limited. After that, though, when the heartier options are available, we definitely say to give it a try! Our Honest Opinions on the Enchanted Rose Lounge in Disney World Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) One of our favorite spots in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the Hollywood Brown Derby, but if you don’t have time for that table service meal, the lounge will get you the majority of that same menu in a much shorter amount of time. Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge There isn’t a lot of seating here, we’ll be honest, but it’s totally worth it to us to not have to worry about getting a reservation weeks in advance and still get that iconic Our Famous Cobb Salad that we love so much. REVIEW: We Finally Found an Easy Way To Get the Best Meal in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Scat Cat’s Club (Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter) When you think of French Quarter, you likely think of beignets right away, and we GET IT! That’s only one of the reasons you’ll want to come straight to Scat Cat’s Club. Scat Cat’s Club Scat Cat’s Club offers up some truly amazing dishes to dine on, as well as drinks that will appease almost anybody. Not to mention that you can catch live music on many nights, which is amazing for really bringing the atmosphere to life. REVIEW: This Disney World Restaurant BETRAYED Us…But It Might Still Be Worth a Visit Tambu Lounge (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort) There are a lot of great dining options at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, but again, if you’re not looking for a sit-down meal, Tambu Lounge is the way to go since it’s attached to ‘Ohana! Tambu Lounge Now, the trick here is that some of the most iconic offerings from the ‘Ohana menu (the ‘Ohana Noodles and Bread Pudding) aren’t technically on the menu, but if you ask nicely, you MAY be able to snag them without the reservation needed for the restaurant! However, there are plenty of other dishes and drinks on the menu, too, that are totally worth it to try. We Still LOVE This ‘Ohana Hack at Disney World, Even Though It’s Kind of a Rip-off Steakhouse 71 Lounge (Disney’s Contemporary Resort) Lastly, we have the lounge attached to Steakhouse 71, one of the most popular Disney World hotel restaurants, which, similar to other lounges, serves a few items from the regular menu — including the fantastic Steakhouse 71 Burger! Steakhouse 71 Lounge Now, the lounge is almost hidden from sight behind the host’s stand, so it’s often not very busy at all! That also means there’s not a lot of seating, but hey, we’ll take it. It’s also open from noon to 11PM each night, meaning it’s a great place to go for a later meal after a long park day. This Is My Favorite Place to Eat at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Too Many People Don’t Even Know It’s There We’re always here to bring you the latest dining recommendations from Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB! REVIEW: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Is CROWDED Right Now, and This New Treat Explains Why 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 lounge is your favorite in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post Best Value Disney World Lounges for 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Plastic Cheese is basically liquid gold. Magic Kingdom Here at Disney Food Blog, we are passionate about all things Disney foods. We spend every day trying the best snacks, meals, and hacks to make sure what you spend your money on in the theme parks is truly worth it! One way we know we might be too obsessed? We just realized you can make one of our favorite snacks at home. Plastic Cheese is pretty much a staple here at DisneyFoodBlog. It’s a tried and true AJ favorite that our entire team will rally behind her over because it really does make everything so much better. REAL plastic cheese If you don’t know what we mean by plastic cheese, it’s the golden, plastic-looking cheese that you get with your corn dog nuggets and your Mickey pretzels. We like to test it on pretty much everything. Crunchy Corn Dog Nuggets with Cheesy Goodness This cheese has slowly made its way through Disney World and you can even find it at spots like Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios. As Disney dining tends to change, plastic cheese is one of the only things that has remained untouched. Well, we just discovered we can bring our love for plastic cheese home! Look at that golden sauce! If you’re anything like us, we’ve tried to melt cheese down before and it never looks quite as good as what Disney makes and we finally discovered why! We were missing a key ingredient of sodium citrate. I mean, how simple is that! Now that might sound a little scary but it’s just because it’s unfamiliar. You can make it at home or even buy it in stores. ©Amazon Sodium citrate is essentially just a food additive that you can find in a lot of different foods to help make it silky and melty. It’s even in Velveeta! The sodium citrate just helps prevent the cheese from becoming a solid which makes it nice and liquidy even as the cheese begins to heat up. Is liquidy even a word? Well, it is now. Plastic cheese, yum! What we love about this is we can bring some of our favorite Disney magic home with us and we learned a bit of science today, too! You can just call us EPCOT thanks to all of this edutainment. (Educational entertainment in case you’re a bit confused.) Corn dog nugget with lots of plastic cheese! Now that I know how to make creamy plastic cheese at home, I heard a rumor that AJ is coming over so I kinda need to go scrub my entire house while the cheese melts. Do you guys know how to make corn dog nuggets at home yet? We gotta figure that out ASAP! In the meantime, don’t forget to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for all of your Disney snack hacks. Find Our Favorite Disney Recipes 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 ever try this at home? Tell us in the comments! The post I Made Plastic Cheese At Home, and Now I'm Scrubbing My Baseboards Because AJ Is Coming to Visit first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Just because the holiday season is coming to an end doesn’t mean you can’t still shop for some killer deals on Disney essentials! We love Disney merch! Once again, we’ve rounded up some of the BEST Disney discounts you can find on Amazon from essentials to souvenirs and more. But, chances are these deals won’t last too long — so grab them while you can! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Score a free trial of Amazon Prime by clicking the button below! Get the JoyJolt Mickey Mouse squad tumblers on sale! These are so fun! How cute are these stemless wine glasses from JoyJolt?! The set comes with four different glasses — one with Mickey, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald printed onto them. Plus, you don’t even have to use them for wine — they would make pretty cute iced coffee glasses as well! Each glass holds 15oz of liquid. View on Amazon This Lion King shirt is perfect for the parks. ©Amazon Sometimes you just need to chill out — especially when you’re at the Disney World parks! We think this shirt sends the perfect message and would be a great option for Animal Kingdom. View on Amazon We love these MakeUp Erasers! ©Amazon Forget about packing makeup remover or wasteful wipes — these MakeUp Eraser pads are a game-changer! Just get the pad wet and it’ll remove even your most stubborn makeup. We love that each pad features a different Disney princess like Ariel, Tiana, Snow White, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Belle, and Jasmine. View on Amazon Or, you can grab this Mickey Mouse Loungefly! ©Amazon Looking for a new park bag in 2025? This Mickey Mouse Marching Band Loungefly backpack might be just perfect! It features an adorable retro Mickey marching band design on the front, plus a large main pocket with two smaller pockets on the sides. View on Amazon Don’t forget to grab this Villains puzzle on sale! ©Amazon Okay, how cool is this Villains & Their Pets puzzle from Ceaco?! It features Maleficent, Ursula, Jafar, Captain Hook, and more. There are 1,000 pieces in this puzzle, so little ones may need some help putting it together! View on Amazon And finally, grab this Inside Out shirt on sale. ©Amazon No matter how you’re feeling, this shirt is perfect for any day of the week! It features all the iconic emotions from Pixar’s Inside Out 2 like Sadness, Disgust, Anxiety, Joy, and a whole lot more. Grab it while it’s still on sale! View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! Shop for More Disney Essentials on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post Score MAJOR Savings on These Disney Essentials on Amazon -- But Hurry! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World’s FREE Dining Plan offer is officially BACK for 2025 and we couldn’t be more excited! What’s better than a Mickey pretzel and beer? In 2024, Disney reintroduced this special promotion to a small group of people, and the deal came with some caveats — meaning it wasn’t available to just anyone. But now, the FREE Disney Dining Plan offer is back and being offered to all guests and we’re breaking down the CHEAPEST DAYS to go to Disney World with FREE DINING in 2025. Let’s get into it! Before we get into the cheapest days to go to Disney World during this promotion, here’s a little breakdown of exactly what you need to qualify for the free dining plan: Must book a vacation package between January 2nd and February 10th Must purchase a non-discounted 3-night, 3-day (minimum) Disney vacation package Your package must include: A stay at a Disney World hotel At least one theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option The vacation must occur May 27th through June 26th or July 7th through August 6th, 2025 Full spread Essentially, when you book a new Disney World vacation package from January 2nd to February 10th, you can get a free Disney Dining Plan with the purchase of a non-discounted 3-night, 3-day (minimum) Disney vacation package. This must include a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and a ticket with a Park Hopper option. The deal will apply to vacations starting May 27th through June 26th and July 7th through August 6th, 2025. Brunch at Wine Bar George This is excellent news for folks who are planning to visit Disney World during the summer! As of now, these are the only dates the free dining plan is being offered — and we’ve rounded up which dates, in particular, are the cheapest so you can get the most bang for your buck! Let’s get into it. Full spread Keep in mind that these are just the starting prices for park tickets on these dates and that tickets vary in price based on the date. Since the free dining offer only applies to tickets with Park Hopper options, those are the prices reflected below of the “cheapest” dates: May 31st to June 5th — $234 per ticket June 16th to June 19th — $233 per ticket June 23rd to June 25th — $233 per ticket August 4th and 5th — $228 per ticket August 6th — $223 per ticket Full spread Keep in mind that while the free dining offer is appealing, it cannot be combined with any hotel room discounts — so it may be worth crunching the numbers to find out if you’d actually end up saving more with a room discount or with the free dining plan offer. And, if you still have questions, consider checking out our friends over at Small World Vacations! They’re Disney Travel Agents with years of experience who can help book your trip from start to finish and make sure you’re getting the absolute best deals you can! Disney Dining Plan Resources Full Disney Dining Plan FAQ — everything you need to know about the Disney Dining Plans. How to Maximize Your Disney Dining Plan Credits! Why You SHOULD Buy the Disney Dining Plan Why You Should NOT Buy the Disney Dining Plan In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. Disney Dining Plan at Walt Disney World Resort Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lanes Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe Will you be taking advantage of this deal? Tell us in the comments. The post The CHEAPEST DAYS To Go to Disney World With FREE DINING in 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is full of magic — that’s why it’s called The Most Magical Place on Earth! EPCOT It’s not uncommon to see some pretty astonishing things while you’re in the parks, especially if it’s your first visit, or you haven’t been in a while. Some of these things though even surprise us, and we’re in the parks every day! If you’re traveling to Disney World in 2025, you’ll want to prepare yourself to see these astonishing things while you’re in the parks. A Dead Phone by 12PM Many people don’t realize just how much you need to be on your phone in Disney World, but between taking photos and/or videos to remember your trip, using the My Disney Experience app for Lightning Lanes and/or mobile order, using the Play Disney Parks App or another game to pass time in line, and so much more, you’ll find that your phone dies WILDLY early in the parks. FuelRod The best way to solve this is to make sure that you have at LEAST one strong portable charger with you! We’re talking about either one charger that can hold at least two full charges, or two smaller portable chargers that each hold one full charge. You can purchase a FuelRod in the parks and then trade them out with a fresh one whenever yours dies, but they’re a little expensive for the initial purchase (we recommend buying them from Amazon online first instead!). Needing To Take A Break Trust us — even if you’re a theme park pro and you feel like taking breaks is for the weak, Disney World is a WHOLE new level. You’ll find yourself wanting/needing to take a break at least once a day, and if you don’t, your body will likely force you to take that break on day two or three of your trip. Disney’s Hollywood Studios We’ve all been there, we promise! Many of us thought we were pros and wouldn’t need to take breaks, but wow were we wrong. It’s best to build in at least an hour long break into each park day to make sure you can recharge, and if you need more time than that, it’s okay! It’s best to do what’s best for you and your group in the parks, and if that means more breaks to avoid everyone getting cranky (or worse, sick), then that’s what you do! Cast Member Magic Something that never fails to amaze us is how incredible Cast Members are! Cast Members truly do make the magic, and while we’re reminded of that nearly every time we get to chat with them, we also see them do some pretty astonishing things from time to time, and if you catch these, you’ll want to take a moment to admire them. PhotoPass Photographer For example, we love getting to see custodial Cast Members make incredible art on the group from ONLY water! How cool?! Cast Member water art We’ve also seen some hilarious Cast Member work around the parks as well, such as seeing them place name tags on snack carts around the parks — it never fails to make us laugh! Snack Cart Name Tag! Cast Members amaze us every day, and we hope they know how incredible they are! The Mickey Shadow That Appears ONCE A Year On Mickey’s birthday every year, which is November 18th, there’s a special hidden Mickey that appears in ONE place in Magic Kingdom for only a few minutes, thanks to some incredible Imagineering. It can be found in the queue of Under The Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid right around noon, and it looks like a hidden Mickey appears on the wall when the sun hits the ride just right. It’s almost happening! We’re always on the lookout for incredible and exciting things in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB! The Single BIGGEST Announcement Disney Made This Month 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 else would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments! The post 4 Astonishing Things You'd Never Expect to See in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Calling my fellow Millennials, we are here to take a trip down memory lane and you might want to grab your tissues. ©Disney If you went to Disney World in the 90s and early 2000s, you would know it was A LOT different than it is today. Grab your Hip Clips, your jelly shoes, and your scrunchies because we’re going way back! This one might really bring a few tears to your eyes — the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. If you were a kid during their existence, you were pumped to see this many Christmas lights in one place! They ended on January 6th, 2016 to make way for Galaxy’s Edge. Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights Okay, this one is a lot but literally Hollywood Studios, or as most of us still probably call it MGM, as a whole back then! You had the Backlot Tour, the Lights, Motor, Action show, Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground, and the Sorceror’s Hat in front of the Great Movie Ride. What a time to be alive! But, sadly these things have all been gone for years now. Truck Waterfall Scene The Electric Umbrella was the BEST quick service — was it actually? No, probably not. But in my 9-year-old mind, we HAD to eat here every single trip. It closed in February 2020 for the transformation of EPCOT. Electric Umbrella The word FastPass. That’s right, FastPasses are now a thing of the past. We first knew them as paper tickets you would send one person in your family to run to grab at rope drop. Then we had FastPass+ and we had touch kiosks, but all of that went away when Genie Plus came in, which is now Lightning Lane. Does anyone else miss the actual kiosks though? Just me? Moving on… Future World FastPass Kiosks Families riding in the front of the monorail car have been gone for a while. It was more of a magical moment that some got to experience during that time, but we have not heard or seen anyone be able to do it in a while now, most likely for safety reasons. Monorail These were EVERYTHING when they debuted — Pal Mickey. Disney sold the Pal Mickey in the early to mid-2000s. This interactive Mickey Plush wasn’t only a cuddly toy; it was also designed to provide location-based information and play interactive games while inside the parks. Evolving technology quickly outstripped the Pal Mickey hardware, and by the time smartphones were in every guest’s hand, Pal Mickey was a thing of the past. ©Disney/D23 Whew — It’s so fun to think about where Disney World has been. But we have a lot to look forward to and one day some big things that are popular now in the parks will be gone. For more Disney stories and news, follow us at DFB. 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 something from Disney World that you miss about the 90’s? Let us know below! The post Sorry, Millennials, But You'll Never See THIS in Disney World Again first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

CONGRATULATIONS! Magic Kingdom Just by deciding to watch today’s DFB video, you’ve ALREADY taken the BEST next step to making sure you get your money’s worth on your FOOD during your upcoming 2025 Disney World vacation! Check out our video below: The BEST Things to Eat in Disney World in 2025  Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more theme park news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your favorite Disney World snack of all time? Tell us in the comments. The post DFB Video: The BEST Things to Eat in Disney World in 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Happy New Year, friends! Tonight is the night we say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025! Whether you’re hanging out at home with family and friends or going to a big New Year’s Eve soirée, tonight is the night to celebrate with explosive big booms and beautiful colors that track across the night sky. 2025! Of course, the celebratory fireworks are HUGE in Disney World’s EPCOT and Magic Kingdom and this year is no exception. So come join us as we give you a FIRST LOOK at the special fireworks in Magic Kingdom that will help ring in 2025. Magic Kingdom’s New Year’s Eve fireworks show is called Fantasy in the Sky, and the only time you can see this special fireworks show is on two nights: December 30th and 31st at 6:30PM and 11:50PM each night. Of course, we had to check out this annual show for ourselves — and we’re asking you to come along for the ride. In fact, we decided to celebrate the New Year a little early — and let’s just say we weren’t the only ones. Pro tip: if you want a good spot for the fireworks, you’ll want to get there early! The calm Once we had our spot locked down, we watched crowds gather around us as we waited for the show to begin. The start of the storm The show launched into a trademark Disney fireworks display, channeling the best Fantasy in the Sky fireworks displays. New Year’s 2025 Fireworks There were massive pyrotechnic displays… New Year’s 2025 Fireworks … that took over the night sky above the Magic Kingdom! New Year’s 2025 Fireworks The lights were almost blinding in all the best ways as the “countdown” to New Year’s ticked down… New Year’s 2025 Fireworks … culminating in a MASSIVE grand finale. New Year’s 2025 Fireworks We can’t think of a better way to welcome 2025 than that! New Year’s 2025 Fireworks Following the end of the show, the crowds dispersed. New Year’s 2025 Fireworks crowds disperse. You’ll also be able to catch the New Year’s Eve fireworks in EPCOT, Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration, at 11:54PM on December 31st. So if you planned carefully, you could technically see BOTH Magic Kingdom and EPCOT’s special fireworks shows on different nights. Stay tuned to DFB for more. How To Catch Disney World’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks EARLY 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 you doing for New Year’s Eve this year? Let us know in the comments! The post Count Down to the New Year With Us With Fireworks in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World has changed their skip the line system a few times over the past few years. Magic Kingdom We saw it switch from the free services, FastPass and FastPass+, to Genie Plus, a paid version. Then Genie Plus changed to Lightning Lane, which is still a paid skip-the-line system. Universal Orlando has the Express Pass which is their version of this system and actually, some fans say it is better than Disney’s system. So let’s break these down and see which one comes out on top. Lightning Lane Multi Pass Disney Genie+ is now Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Individual Lightning Lanes are now Lightning Lane Single Pass. When purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can make up to 3 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections in a park in advance of your visit. Additionally, you can choose available times as you make your attraction selections, and can continue to hold up to 3 Lighting Lane Multi Pass selections at a time. Lightning Lane Those staying at a Disney World Resort hotel (and select other hotels*) can purchase and select their first 3 Lightning Lane Multi Passes up to seven days in advance of their check-in day for their entire stay (up to 14 days), with all other guests being able to purchase and select their first 3 Lightning Lane Multi Passes three days in advance. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Lightning Lane Disney has introduced a tiered system for ride selections. At Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, from your 3 advance selections, you may choose one experience from a higher-tiered group and two experiences (or all three) from a lower-tiered group. Disney’s Animal Kingdom does not have a tiered system. Be aware that the Tiers only apply to making selections in advance. Once you are in the parks, you may hold as many Tier 1 rides as are available to you. Lightning Lane Lightning Lane Multi Pass prices can be lower at one park than at another. For example, you might pay $27 at Magic Kingdom on a particular day, but Lightning Lane Multi Pass could be $18 at Animal Kingdom on that same day if there’s lower demand. Thus far, the highest price we have seen in Disney World for Lightning Lane Multi Pass is $39 per day, per ticket. Guests can find the pricing for the day (and for eligible advance purchase dates) on the My Disney Experience app. Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lanes Lightning Lane Premier Pass Lightning Lane Premier Pass allows you to use the Lightning Lanes to skip the lines at most attractions in any given Disney World park — without having to make reservations and schedule your Lightning Lanes throughout the day. With this pass, you just scan in at the Lightning Lane — no reservation needed. ©Disney Pricing for Premier Pass is high and varies based on the time of year and the park. Pricing is 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 It has a very high price jump from Lightning Lane Multi and Single Pass, and you still wait in the same Lightning Lane line and wait the same amount of time as someone who paid for Lightning Lane Multi or Single Pass. There is no extra “royal treatment” for this luxury service. It’s simply another way to skip the standby lines. ©Disney Honestly, this is not realistic for the average family, and it’s not meant to be. There are so many excellent strategies for getting the most out of the other two Lightning Lane options. This is a luxury option, and you do NOT need it to be successful in Disney World. Here’s a Full List of Rides Included with Lightning Lane Premier Pass! Universal Express Pass A common argument we’ve seen is that Universal Orlando’s Express Pass is comparable pricing, but it includes BOTH theme parks and you can purchase the Unlimited option, which offers access to the express queues as many times as you’d like. Disney’s Premier Pass is limited to one park per day and one Lightning Lane access per attraction. Universal Orlando Universal Orlando offers two variants of the Express Pass for their main theme parks, each of which is variably priced based on seasonal crowd levels. The Universal Express pass allows guests to “skip the lines” one time per participating ride and ranges from $89.99 to $349.99 per person. There’s also the Universal Express Unlimited option, which ranges from $99.99 to $379.99 per person and allows unlimited skips of the line at participating rides. However, another thing they do differently at Universal is if you are staying at their Premier Tier hotels (the Hard Rock Hotel, the Royal Pacific Resort, and the Portofino Bay Hotel), you are given the Express Pass complimentary with your stay. Universal Studios Because the Premier Pass and Express Pass Unlimited are roughly the same price, but you get almost double the value at Universal, we have to say that is a better deal. It’s a great perk to ride unlimited times and you can use it for BOTH parks. Disney just is not providing that much with the Premier Pass. Universal’s Islands of Adventure Be sure to follow us at DFB for more Disney news and tips! 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 think is the better system? Let us know below! The post Why Does Everyone Say Universal's Express Pass Is BETTER Than Disney World's? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We are just TWO days away from being able to snag a FREE Disney Dining Plan when you book a 3-night, 3-day Disney World vacation package. Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom A free Disney Dining Plan can save you lots of money on your Disney World vacation, and we have all the details so you can take advantage of this offer. From January 2nd to February 10th, you can book a free Disney Dining Plan with the purchase of a non-discounted 3-night, 3-day (minimum) Disney World vacation package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and a ticket with a Park Hopper option. The deal will ONLY apply to vacations starting May 27th through June 26th and July 7th through August 6th, 2025. Bang Bang Calamari at Yak and Yeti Restaurant In just TWO days, you can begin booking your Disney World vacation to take advantage of this offer. But don’t worry if you aren’t quite ready to book your vacation yet; you have until February 10th to make your booking and still get a FREE Disney Dining Plan. Docking Bay 7 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios To help break this deal down a bit more for you, here is what you need to do to be able to qualify for the free dining plan: Must book a vacation package between January 2nd and February 10th Must purchase a non-discounted 3-night, 3-day (minimum) Disney vacation package Your package must include: A stay at a Disney World hotel At least one theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option The vacation must occur May 27th through June 26th or July 7th through August 6th, 2025 Pizza at Via Napoli There are a couple of things that differ from last year’s free Disney Dining Plan offer. This year, you only need to book a 3-night, 3-day Disney vacation package, while in 2024, you needed to book at least a 4-night, 4-day vacation package. Also, this year, you don’t have to be a Disney+ subscriber or a Disney Visa Cardholder. The deal is open to anyone as long as you meet the promotion requirements. That means it is WAY easier to get free dining this year. Grilled Beef & Chicken Bowl at Satu’li Canteen The Disney Dining Plan can be a bit confusing but don’t worry; we are here to help! We have a Disney Dining Plan primer that includes everything you need to know about a Disney Dining Plan. You can also check out the FULL list of Disney Park restaurants that qualify for the free dining deal, as well as a FULL list of Disney hotel restaurants that qualify for the free dining deal. Country Fried Steak at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Check out the FULL list of Disney Park restaurants that qualify for the NEW free dining deal! But that is not all! Our guidebooks also contain TONS of information about the Disney Dining Plan. These guidebooks are chock full of information, with beautiful photographs and ALL of our tips, so you have the best Disney World vacation. We have been going to Disney World for over 15 years, and we are in the parks every single day. These guidebooks contain all of our knowledge in one location, and we are constantly updating the information. If you want to learn more about the Disney Dining Plan and how it works, check out our video about what you need to know about the Disney Dining Plan! Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World food news! Read about EVERYTHING you need to know about the Disney Dining Plan! DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Are you going to take advantage of this free Disney Dining Plan offer? Let us know in the comments! The post HEADS UP! Just Two Days Until Disney World’s 2025 Free Dining Deal Goes Live! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The holiday season may be coming to a close at Disney World, but that doesn’t mean the crowds are expected to go anywhere anytime soon! Hollywood Studios We’ve seen wait times creep up and crowds have come out in full force to celebrate the festivities around the parks and more. But, over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it looks like preparations are underway for even more crowds to make their way into this park and we’ve got all the details. It looks like one Disney World park is preparing for an influx of crowds over the next few days! We noticed that on the calendar for Disney’s Hollywood Studios later this week, Fantasmic! — the nighttime fireworks show at this park — has not one, not two, but THREE different showtimes on multiple nights. Fantasmic! On Thursday, January 2nd, Fantasmic! will be shown at 6PM, 8PM, and 9:30PM. ©Disney And, the same is true for Fantasmic! on Friday, January 3rd as well. ©Disney Typically, Fantasmic! can be seen two times per night at 8PM and 9:30PM, so it’s the additional 6PM shows that are new here. On Saturday, January 4th, it looks like showtimes go back to normal with just two shows. ©Disney Disney hasn’t made any official announcements about why the additional performances have been added, but we’re certainly not complaining! If you’ll be at Hollywood Studios on January 2nd or 3rd, you’ll have even more chances to check out this phenomenal nighttime show. But, chances are this means that Disney is preparing for even more crowds to make their way to Hollywood Studios — and likely the rest of the parks too — so make sure you pack your patience if you’ll be in the parks this week! Fantasmic! In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for the latest news from Disney World and more. Don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for even more updates and announcements from Disney World! 3 Game-Changing Updates Announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios 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 Have you seen Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Tell us in the comments. The post Uh-Oh. Does This Mean More CROWDS Are Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s the simple things in life. Magic Kingdom We love Disney World so much. We spend our days daydreaming about the best restaurants in Disney, changes coming to the parks, and our favorite entertainment in each park. We know that it’s always at the forefront of our minds and we can tell our love goes pretty deep because of what we found in Magic Kingdom today. What was your first sign that you were a Disney Adult? We’re not sure we can pinpoint our very first sign but a pretty recent one was having big feelings over the brand new free Disney water cups. The new water cup design To clarify, free water in Disney World has always been a thing. You need to stay hydrated in those hot and humid theme parks and Disney’s free water is the way to do it. So no that hasn’t changed, the cup design has! Stay with us here, this is a niche interest but it’s important to us! Previously the design was inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s art. The previous design Mary Blair was the artist behind the Alice in Wonderland concept art, “it’s a small world”, murals at the Contemporary, and more iconic Disney pieces. We weirdly were obsessed with this design and it’s a homage to one of our favorite Disney artists. We were reluctant to embrace the new cup design but honestly? It’s super cute. Let’s take a closer look To start, the light blue cup is covered in different designs and nods to the parks. We spotted a train, Spaceship Earth, a Mickey balloon, Aurora’s crown, the Coca-Cola logo, and the Disney Parks logo. How cute! That wasn’t all though! Fans can also see a monorail, a castle, Mickey’s shorts, Minnie’s skirt, and so much more. The thing we loved the most is the “it’s a small world” clock which we are going to accept as a nod to Mary Blair. A little something for everyone! We could keep doing this for hours if we’re being honest. The EPCOT symbols, Tiki Room birds, pirates, and Space Mountain art will be on our minds for days. This is a new obsession So is caring this much about a free cup of water taking our love for Disney a little too far? We don’t think so at all! Love what you love and embrace hydration. Don’t forget to keep following DFB for your latest Disney news and updates. 9 Major Changes Coming to Disney World in January 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 Do you like this new design? Tell us in the comments! The post Please Tell Me I'm Not the Only One Who's OBSESSED With This Random (But Important) Change in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s never too early for sweets! Magic Kingdom The old cliche of breakfast being the most important meal of the day is especially true at Disney World, as having some food in your stomach and the energy it brings is important to making it through a full theme park day. However, it is still a vacation, so there’s nothing wrong with indulging your sweet tooth and having what essentially amounts to dessert for breakfast. Gaston’s Cinnamon Roll Gaston’s Tavern — Warm Cinnamon Roll Available at Gaston’s Tavern in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland, this massive pastry is smothered in enough icing to cover all of Gaston’s barge-sized biceps and will surely give enough a sugar rush to carry you through the first half of a Magic Kingdom day. If nothing else, it sure beats out five-dozen eggs. Waffles at Chef Mickey’s Mickey (and Minnie!) Waffles with Toppings So, you can find Mickey-shaped waffles at many locations on Disney World property, but there’s something especially deliciously decadent about indulging on Mickey waffles at the Contemporary Resort’s Check Mickey’s thanks to the buffet’s litany of toppings offerings including syrups, fruits, sweets, candy, marshmallows, and even ice cream. Tonga Toast Tonga Toast Available at the Polynesian Resort’s Kona Cafe, Tonga Toast is of our favorite – – and one of the most unique – – breakfast dishes in all of Walt Disney World. If you’re not familiar, it’s banana-stuffed sourdough French toast rolled in cinnamon-sugar, served with a strawberry compote, and it’s drool-inducing. Chocolate Croissant at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie Ordering counter EPCOT’s World Showcase is full of tantalizing culinary options, including these delicious chocolate croissants. Available at the France pavilion’s Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, these flaky pastries make an ideal on-the-go breakfast for walking World Showcase. School Bread from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe School Bread at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe On the other side of the World Showcase, we have the irroestiable school bread available in Norway’s School Bread from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe. This pastry concoction is a sweet roll, not too dissimilar from the texture of a cinnamon roll, filled with Custard and dipped in shredded coconut. Joffrey’s Donuts Joffrey’s Birthday Donut Rounding (in more ways than one) out our list, we have Joffrey’s donuts. Available at the coffee stands available around the resort, these MASSIVE treats have all the earmarks of the classic baked good. Usually, they’re available in variants with strawberry, chocolate, and strawberry frosting variants. However, there are often holiday and seasonal exclusives as well. Donut These are some of the dessert-like breakfast options at the Walt Disney World Resort, but certainly not the only ones. Did your favorite make our list? Stay tuned to DFB for more. REVIEW: We Ate Breakfast at Disney World’s NEWEST Restaurant and Our Favorite Item Might Surprise You! 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 decadent breakfast options is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below. The post 6 Best Bets if You Want DESSERT FOR BREAKFAST in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Did another Disney Springs meal disappoint us? Full spread While we’ve had exceptional meals at Disney Springs and some that left us feeling it was a bit lacking, we knew there were more dining experiences to try. However, since we were interested in a BIG meal, we decided to hit up one of Disney World’s signature dining restaurants to see if it left a better impression on us than the last meal we ate here. Our latest review around Disney Springs lead us out to a unique kind of restaurant you won’t find anywhere else in Disney World. Paddlefish is a signature dining experience onboard a “stem-to-stern transformation” of the steamboat. If it looks vaguely familiar to you (but has been about a decade) you might have known it by its former name, Fulton’s Crab House. Paddlefish’s menu outside The menu here offers fresh seafood, chops, and steaks in a modern setting. Lots of visitors flock to this restaurant nightly to dine at its fine cuisine and take in the incredible views of Village Lake especially if they find themselves at the rooftop lounge. Atmosphere As you approach the restaurant, you’re immediately stopped in your tracks just outside of the restaurant’s entrance. Paddlefish is found within an esteemed riverboat docked on the water’s edge. It’s a multi-story restaurant built for dining indoor and outdoor based on your preference. Welcome to Paddlefish As you approach the check in host stand, there is a small outdoor seating area on plush patio furniture… Patio check-in seating …but there’s also a smaller indoor waiting area if you prefer to sit inside and wait until your table is ready. A host will escort you to your table and for this meal we were seated by the window overlooking the water as the sun began to set. It was a stunning view even though it just looked out over the water a bit and toward the neighboring Saratoga Springs Resort. Upstairs seating This wasn’t the only spot to dine, though. Other dining rooms exist inside with smaller booth seating… Booth seats …intimate tables and chairs built for smaller dining experiences… Dining room …as well as larger tables fit for parties looking to dine altogether. Seating for larger parties The walls are adorned with black and white photos reminiscent of a life by the sea. Pictures Once we were comfortably seated, our server handed over the menus and explained the various options that lie ahead. Menu At the table you’ll be presented with a menu outlining the starters, soup and salads, chilled and raw seafood, seafood boils, and from the port options… Top of the menu …as well as a few sides to share and options from the land. Bottom of the menu On the back side of the menu is where you’ll find libations and rocks, hops and barley, American crafted beers, imported and domestics, sunset, and vines and earth… Top of the drinks menu … in addition to mocktails and bourbon flights. Bottom of the drinks menu If you’re looking for other alcoholic beverage options, a full wine list is also provided to the table… Wines menu …which is a few pages long. Wines continued And the last page will also contain your options for desserts! Desserts are in the back There’s also a separate kid’s meal offerings, too! Starting with appetizers… ©Disney …entrees… ©Disney …and kid’s desserts. ©Disney We asked our server about dishes we were undecided about and then placed our order! Eats Almost as soon as we were seated, our server brought out the restaurant’s signature bread service. Bread service This is complimentary with your meal and served with several bread rolls clumped together and a side of butter spread. The rolls are white bread, but just your standard rolls. We kind of wish they had some sort of a butter or sweet drizzle over top of them but they were good for just standard bread. Soft rolls The butter was heavily salted, and we really enjoyed it with the bread. Buttered! Not too long after, our food started to arrive to the table. We started with a cup of New England Clam Chowder. You can order a cup for $8 or a bowl for $10 and since we knew we were ordering quite a bit to eat tonight, we decided the cup was the best route for this visit. New England Clam Chowder It’s made of bits of chewy bacon, cut potatoes and warm cream. This one came out to the table still steaming. There was also a pack of oyster crackers served with the cup. It was obviously warm, deliciously creamy and smooth, and the bits of potato and bacon were just right to complete the soup. So delicious Since we’d put our entire order in all at once (including dessert, but more on that later) this cup was closely followed by the Crab Topped Fries. This dish is made of skin-on french fries, blue crab, and Louie dressing for $19. Crab-topped Fries Now, $19 is a hefty price tag for some fancy fries but honestly these were really good! The fries weren’t soggy and gross even after sitting for a while through pictures, with the Louie dressing on top and the blue crab tasted great and had just the right chewy consistency. If this is an indication of how the rest of the meal was to turn out, we were in for a favorable visit. These were a winner We were most excited to try what came out to our table next! We started things off with the smaller plate of the two — the Salmon. This dish consists of miso vinaigrette, vegetable stir fry, wasabi mash, and crimini bacon which will cost you $35. Salmon This is where our meal started to take a downturn for us. The salmon was beautifully cooked and we could cut it apart with a fork but that was where its charms stopped for us. It was very straight-forward and didn’t have enough seasoning. So tender The wasabi mash is wasabi mixed into mashed potatoes and while admittedly not huge wasabi fans, as such it tasted very strange to us. In fairness, our server did ask if we minded the wasabi mash or if we would rather have it switched out for regular mashed potatoes, so they are able to make that adjustment if you prefer. The crimini bacon and vegetable stir fry were the best part of this meal but what bothered us about it was that they were meant to be sides to the meal and highlight the main course instead of outshine it. The sides were the best part of the meal Then we moved on to our other seafood dish of the night — the Peel and Eat Key West Pink Shrimp. Peel & Eat Key West Pink Shrimp This is served steaming to your table in a seafood boil bag filled with sweet corn on the cob, red potatoes, and cornbread. There was even a cup of melted butter all for $39. This already looked like a much better value than the Salmon we had just tried, but we needed to see how it measured up in taste! Inside the bag While the accompaniments to the shrimp were ok, they all felt middle of the road. The cornbread was drier than we had hoped… Cornbread …the corn on the cob was sweet but not memorable… Corn on the Cob …and the red potatoes were soft with minimal flavor. Red potatoes When we got our shrimp peeled, they also echoed the rest of the boil’s flavor as just existing and bland. Even when we dipped them in the melted butter, the salt within it wasn’t enough to make a difference. This dish really fell flat for us. Shrimp But, we still had one last course to get through — dessert! For our treat we ordered the Flan. Flan This little slice of heaven is made with rum infused caramel custard for $12 a slice. Once we cut through it, our mouths began to water a bit just looking at it! So much creamy caramel Honestly, this was probably the best thing we ate all night. Typically, flan at Disney World can be gritty and too sweet, but not this one. No, you could tell it was made differently and mimicked all of the same sweet caramel goodness of one that was homemade. It paired really nicely with the tart raspberry and blackberry served with it. When we were finished we were left satisfied. Overall Overall we’re sure there are other tastier options to choose when dining here, we just weren’t as impressed with the choices we made for this meal. Our whole meal While we did enjoy several parts of our meal including the New England Clam Chowder and Flan, we felt the Salmon and Peel and Eat Key West Pink Shrimp lacked flavor and didn’t leave a lasting impression on us. Nosh or Not? Spend an evening at Paddlefish if… You’re a seafood lover! If you’ve really got a craving for seafood, this may be just the place to hit the spot! A meal with a view is your calling. Disney World’s signature dining restaurants offer some of the most stunning views and restaurant decor. If you’re looking for a place that will really “wow”, this restaurant makes our short list. It’s more about the experience for your evening. Who doesn’t like the sound of dining on a rooftop lounge aboard a turn-key steamboat? Something about envisioning that just gives fancy vibes. We’d recommend another Disney World restaurant if… You’re getting acquainted with seafood. The seafood here didn’t provide us with the best experience — we found it lacking in flavor. If you’re branching out to eat more seafood, this might not be the place. You’re not looking to dress up for your meal. Disney World signature dining restaurants do carry a dress code. While it’s not a black tie affair at this restaurant, there will be a few restrictions to apply to dine here and sometimes that may require changing out of your theme park casual ‘fit. You’re big on seasoning. The seafood dishes we tried here weren’t seasoned to our liking for this visit. While that’s truly a personal choice, if your first instinct is to assume it’s smothered in cajun spices and creamy butter, you’ll want to be certain to talk over your choices and expectations of your meal’s flavor with your server before you order. We’re constantly eating our way around Disney World! Be sure to read through a few of our most recent reviews below and stay tuned with us for even more to come. REVIEW: We Ate A 4-Course Italian Meal At Disney World And We Were Shocked at What We Liked Best 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! What is your favorite dish to order at Paddlefish in Disney Springs? Leave it in the comments below! The post REVIEW: We Spent 0 At A Disney World Signature Restaurant, and We’d Only Go Back on 1 Condition first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Acclaimed actress Linda Lavin has passed away unexpectedly at the age of age of 87. ©Netflix Lavin, best known for her starring role on the classic sitcom Alice – – for which she was nominated for an Emmy and two Golden Globes – – passed “unexpectedly due to complications from recently discovered lung cancer” according to what one of her PR representatives told Deadline. Beyond Alice, Lavin had a long and successful stage career. After beginning her Broadway career with a role in the comic book musical It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman, Lavin earned acclaim for roles in the plays Little Murders and Last of the Red Hot Lovers, the latter of which earned her the first of her respective three Drama Desk Award and six Tony Award nominations. She would eventually win a Tony for Broadway Bound in 1987 and was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2010. Lavin also found great success in television and film. Beyond her aforementioned title role on Alice, she had a recurring role on Barney Miller in the 1970s, and worked steadily since, including appearing on CBS’s Elsbeth and Netflix’s No Good Deed just this year. ©CBS At the time of her death, Lavin was in the midst of production of Mid-Century Modern, a Hulu series that costarred Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer and Nathan Lee Graham. According to Deadline, the series had filmed 7 of its 10-episode order before the holiday break. According to the outlet, it’s “unclear how the show will proceed without one of its leads.” Hulu and 20th Television, the studio behind Mid-Century Modern, issued a joint statement following Lavin’s passing, which read in part, “Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go to Linda Lavin’s family and loved ones,” the companies said. “She was a legend in our industry, bringing her tremendous talent to audiences for over seven decades. She will be forever missed by her Mid-Century Modern family, as we mourn this incredible loss together.” ©Hulu In addition to Hulu and 20th Television, numerous celebrities and Hollywood figures have begun sharing condolences for Lavin on social media. For example, No Good Deed creator Liz Feldman posted a lengthy statement on Instagram, which read “Getting to work with you once was an honor and a joy. I loved writing for you on 9JKL all those years ago. I just loved YOU. Being around you. In your magnetic orbit. That we got to collaborate again on No Good Deed was simply a gift. You were, as always, incredibly gracious, totally hilarious and pitch perfect. Ready to play and full of life. Your warmth and kindness was unparalleled. I just loved you. We all did. I’m so glad I got to see you a few weeks ago at the premiere and introduce you to my parents. They were thrilled to meet you. And my father made it very clear to me that you were his favorite part of No Good Deed. He wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Thank you for letting me into your stunning orbit. And for allowing me to spin with you for a while.” Our thoughts are with Linda Lavin’s loved ones at this time. The post Acclaimed Actress Linda Lavin has Passed Away at 87 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Swan Reserve Hotel are located right on the Disney World Resort near both Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Swan & Dolphin The three hotels offer several perks that are the same as Disney World Deluxe hotels, but you’ll often pay a lower price for your stay. They offer free transportation to the parks and are within walking distance to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT (or you can catch a boat to these parks!). Inside the hotels are also some great places to grab some delicious food, such as Shula’s Steakhouse, The Fountain, Amare, and more. Recently, one signature dining location at the Swan just won an exciting award! Kimonos is a top-rated sushi restaurant located at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. You’ll dine on traditional hors d’oeuvres, gyoza, octopus, shrimp, tempura platters, and Kobe beef satay. Kimonos Inside the restaurant, you’ll find an intimate Japanese-influenced atmosphere with colorful kimonos. It’s a decadent experience that many people from Orlando and international locations enjoy. And now, it has won another award to add to its list. Kimonos OpenTable has named Kimonos the awardee of the Diners’ Choice Award for 2024! This award is based on verified feedback on OpenTable from diners for restaurants they have been seated on through OpenTable. According to OpenTable, “Diners provide star ratings and can select from a list of characteristics to describe their restaurant experience.” via Swan & Dolphin on Instagram The OpenTable website states, “Restaurants must meet a minimum threshold of reviews to be eligible for a Diners’ Choice Award. An overall rating of 4 or more stars is also required for the National lists and 3 or more stars for the Metro and Regional lists.” Along with the overall rating, the restaurants must meet the following minimum criteria: Star Rating Categories: Restaurants are ranked based on their average star rating within each category. Categories include Best Overall, Best Service, Best Ambiance, Best Food, and Best Value. Cuisine Categories: Restaurants are ranked based on their average food rating. For instance, for the Best Italian category, all Italian restaurants that meet the eligibility thresholds are ranked based on their average rating for food. Example categories include Best Italian, Best Chinese, Best Seafood, and Best International Food. Diner Feedback Form Categories: Rewards are given based on the feedback that diners select when leaving a review of their reservation. Category examples include Romantic, Great for outdoor dining, and Great for brunch. Geographic Categories – National Diners’ Choice lists are based on the last 365 days of reviews. Metro and Regional Diners’ Choice lists are based on the last 120 days of reviews, and Most Booked Diners’ Choice lists are based on the last 30 days of reviews. Most Booked Categories: Restaurants are ranked based on the highest number of reservations made, including reservations that are Pending, Seated, Assumed Seated, and Seated Disputed. The date the reservation is created is used to determine the number of reservations. via Swan & Dolphin on Instagram It’s an exciting honor for Kimonos to have won this award! If you’re looking for some great sushi, you won’t want to miss stopping at the Swan to try Kimonos. You’ll also find several other great dining options at the three Swan & Dolphin hotels. Plus, if you’re considering a stay at one of these hotels, remember that they are Marriott hotels, so you can use and earn Marriott Bonvoy Reward points with your stay. These are great places to consider when planning your next trip. For more Disney news, keep following DFB! 3 Reasons Why We Stay at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel Again and Again in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you eaten at Kimonos? Tell us about your experience below! The post A Top-Rated Disney World Hotel Restaurant Just Won ANOTHER Award first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As 2024 comes to an end, we can’t help but reflect on everything that happened in Disney World this year. Mickey Pretzel Okay, what we really can’t help reflecting on are all the delicious eats and drinks we tried in Disney World this year! We discovered new restaurants, and new snacks, and even said goodbye to some of our favorites. But, 2024 isn’t over quite yet which means we’ve got one final snack to try as we usher in the New Year! We headed on over to Pizzafari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to grab the New Year’s 2025 Cupcake for $6.29! This is a chocolate cupcake with cherry filling, almond frosting, chocolate crispy pearls, and a chocolate 2025 decoration on top. If this cupcake looks familiar to you, you’d be correct! Disney releases a version of this cupcake every year, and we try it… every year! New Year’s 2025 Cupcake We’re not kidding — here’s the 2024 version… New Year’s 2024 Cupcake …the 2023 version… New Year’s 2023 Cupcake …the 2022 version… New Year’s 2022 Cupcake …and the 2021 version. We think you get the idea! New Year’s 2021 Cupcake But, how does the 2025 version of the cupcake taste?! We can definitely see why this cupcake has still stood the test of time. It’s a very moist, chocolate cupcake, which really isn’t anything to write home about. What we really love about it is that cherry filling — you’ve got the cherry pieces along with that pie-like glaze, so it’s almost like a black cherry feel when paired with the chocolate. Cherry filling inside the cupcake The whipped topping is really supposed to be like an almond flavor, but it kind of gets lost in all the cherry and chocolatey flavors, though the crisp pearls are a fun addition. They’re coated in colored chocolate so they may stain your fingers if you handle them too much, but overall this is just a nice fun treat. It tastes great thanks to the chocolate and cherry, and there’s a reason we get it again and again! YUM One thing is for sure, we can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for Disney World and we’ll be keeping an eye out for the latest news and more! Don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog so you don’t miss any important Disney World announcements. FULL LIST of What’s OPENING in Disney World 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 Are you heading to Disney World in 2025? Tell us in the comments. The post We Buy This Exact Same Disney World Cupcake Every Year… And Here It Is Again! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

I need to talk about something I just learned that has totally rocked my world — Rogue waves. Yup, you heard that right. ©Royal Caribbean I go on a lot of cruises — some for work (like a recent trip on the brand new Disney Treasure cruise ship), and some for pleasure. But now, I discovered that these enormous, freak waves can occur out of nowhere, and I’m wondering if I should second-guess my entire vacation. Let me back up a bit. My family takes an annual holiday cruise. And by my family, I’m talking 20+ people, three generations, 10 cabins. If you ask me, it’s one of the smartest things we’ve ever done. We buy ZERO holiday presents. We wrap nothing. We don’t buy a bunch of stuff no one needs. This year’s cruise has been on the books for months. But after reading a *really* unsettling article about rogue waves—thanks to a recent incident that made headlines—I’ve had family members asking if we should rethink the whole thing. The Royal Caribbean Rogue Wave Incident: What Happened? So here’s the deal. Recently, a Royal Caribbean ship, the Anthem of the Seas, was hit by a rogue wave in the North Atlantic, and the damage was extensive. Passengers aboard the ship reported feeling the ship tilt dramatically as the massive wave rocked the vessel. The 30-foot waves caused windows to break, balconies to be damaged, and some of the ship’s upper-level areas to sustain serious harm. Thankfully, there were no reported fatalities, but the incident definitely had people questioning what exactly happened. ©Royal Caribbean Now, before you start panicking, let me just say: Rogue waves are very, very rare. They’re not something you’ll encounter on every cruise, but when they do occur, they can be intense and dangerous. These waves are so large that they can seemingly appear out of nowhere, often much larger than surrounding waves. And no, they’re not the same as the regular big waves we might expect during rough seas—rogue waves are significantly more dangerous and unpredictable. Okay, But Are Rogue Waves Really That Common? Here’s the good news: Rogue waves are extremely rare. According to experts, there’s only about a 1 in 100 chance of encountering one on any given cruise. And modern ships are designed to handle tough weather conditions and rough seas. So while it’s something to be aware of, it’s also something that’s very unlikely to happen on your average cruise. Still, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s hard to shake the thought once you’ve heard about it! What Can You Do to Stay Safe on a Cruise? Here are some safety tips that can help put your mind at ease and ensure a safer cruise vacation for everyone. 1. Stay Informed: When booking your cruise, be sure to keep up with weather reports and any warnings issued by your cruise line. If you’re sailing through regions known for rough seas, it’s a good idea to stay updated on the forecast. Cruise ships are equipped with the latest weather technology, so they’ll know if things are getting dicey. 2. Know the Ship’s Safety Features: Cruise ships are designed with safety in mind, and crew members are highly trained to handle situations like extreme weather. Familiarize yourself with the safety drills and evacuation procedures before you embark. Knowing what to do in case of an emergency can give you peace of mind, especially with a big group like my family. 3. Choose Your Ship and Itinerary Wisely: Some cruise ships are built for rough seas, and these tend to be better equipped to deal with rough weather conditions. If you’re worried about rogue waves, consider booking a cruise on a larger ship or one that follows calmer routes. Luckily, our Caribbean cruise will likely avoid the rougher North Atlantic, so we’re good to go! 4. Stay Inside During Rough Seas: If you’re cruising through areas that might experience choppy waters or bad weather, stay inside the ship during storms. Don’t go out on deck during rough seas unless it’s absolutely necessary. The crew will usually advise passengers of any precautions you should take during extreme weather. 5. Follow the Crew’s Instructions: Above all, listen to the crew! In the event of a sudden weather change, they will guide you through the safest actions. Follow all their instructions carefully—they are there to keep everyone safe. Final Thoughts: Is A Rogue Wave Really a Dealbreaker? Ultimately, I’m still excited about my upcoming Caribbean cruise with my family, and I’m not letting the fear of rogue waves ruin my New Year’s plans. The truth is, cruises are very safe, and rogue waves are so rare that I can still look forward to all the fun that comes with it—the food, the entertainment, the family time, and of course, the sunny Caribbean destinations. After all, every vacation comes with a small risk, but it’s all part of the adventure. So, if you’re like me and just found out about rogue waves, don’t panic. Stay informed, and listen to the crew. And keep following Disney Food Blog for the latest travel news! The Cleanest (and Dirtiest) Disney Cruise Ships Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post I Just Found Out ROGUE WAVES Are a Thing On Cruises, and Now I'm Rethinking My New Year's Plans first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We love our fair share of Disney merch, but if there’s one thing we truly can’t stop buying, it’s definitely a new Loungefly bag! Loungefly bags make great holiday gifts! With so many designs and styles to choose from, we can’t help adding to our ever-growing collection. This is why we’re always on the lookout for the newest Loungefly bags available online and this time we spotted some incredible finds on Amazon. Let’s check them out! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The best part about shopping on Amazon is the free shipping you can get on any order with an Amazon Prime Membership. Don’t have one? Click below to start your free trial today! The perfect bag for a chic Disney look! ©Amazon This black and white Loungefly Bag has a checkered all-over pattern that includes Minnie Mouse. Black sequins add some glam to the bag, including a fabulous bow to top it off. We love how perfectly this would go with any park outfit! Shop on Amazon This whimsical Minnie Mouse Loungefly Bag is perfect for the spring! ©Amazon Another Minnie Mouse Classic Loungefly, this bag showcases the iconic bow and ears, as well as embroidered florals. The flower zipper and pink and purple color palette have us dreaming of upcoming spring park days. Shop on Amazon And with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, look no further than this Winnie The Pooh Loungefly Bag! ©Amazon Our favorite bear from the Hundred Acre Woods looks adorable in this Loungefly backpack. This plush bag showcases Pooh holding an envelope that, when opened, reveals cute little Piglet! ©Amazon A cute bag that we can’t wait to wear out for the Valentine’s Day season! Shop on Amazon Speaking of Valentine’s Day, celebrate a classic Disney couple with this Lady and The Tramp Loungefly Bag! ©Amazon A bella bag to honor a bella notte, we love how this Loungefly backpack showcases such an iconic scene from the movie. We’re already dreaming about dining at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant just so we can snap the ultimate pic with this bag (and also munch on that delicious garlic bread!) Shop on Amazon We are absolutely GIDDY about this Oliver and Company Loungefly Bag! ©Amazon Oliver and Company fans unite! This Loungefly backpack also honors an iconic scene, with Jenny and Oliver sharing an ice cream cone at the park, and we love the addition of the ice cream zipper. Is this cute or what?! Shop on Amazon Another great bag for Valentine’s Day is this Nightmare Before Christmas Loungefly! ©Amazon Starring Zero, this Loungefly bag shows off the Valentine’s Day door in the woods like in the film. We love how this bag combines Halloween with Valentine’s Day! Shop on Amazon And because we can’t enough of Zero, we also love this Nightmare Before Christmas bag as well! ©Amazon We love how Loungefly understands how lovable Zero is with another backpack designed after him. This adorable ghostly pooch shows off a whimsical design along a graveyard background. Spooky and cutie, we’ll take two, please! Shop on Amazon Winter is still in full swing and this Mickey Mouse Snowman Loungefly is too adorable to pass up! ©Amazon This Mickey Mouse Crossbody bag is serving winter magic thanks to its iridescent base. The snowy pastel color palette and charming pom poms and buttons make this bag come to life and we wouldn’t even judge if it was worn all year long! Shop on Amazon We’re always on the lookout for the best Disney merch finds so stay tuned with us here on DFB! Like what you see? Check out more of our Disney must-haves on our Amazon Storefront!The post 8 New Disney Loungefly Bags Just Dropped Online first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re all about Disney FOOD here at DFB. It’s in our name, after all. Full spread We keep track of the latest and greatest eats, drinks, restaurant news, menu changes, and a whole lot more. So, when a seasonal restaurant shows signs that it might reopen soon, well, we get pretty darn excited. We recently spotted something that made us think Tortuga Tavern would reopen soon in Magic Kingdom, but then again, maybe we didn’t… Disney, please quit playing games with our hearts — we can’t take it anymore. Tortuga Tavern is located in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, and it’s a quick-service restaurant that’s open seasonally — typically when the parks get REALLY busy. Tortuga Tavern was recently moonlighting as Tortuga Treasures — a temporary gift shop location. Tortuga Treasures However, that didn’t last too long, and soon after, Tortuga Treasures was back — sort of. The sign was back to normal, anyway. Tortuga Tavern Still, the restaurant didn’t show signs of opening anytime soon, until one morning when we noticed an update on the Disney World website that showed hours for the restaurant beginning on January 1st and going through late February… ©Disney …however, that was short-lived. By the time we checked the website again, no hours were showing for Tortuga Tavern at all! What gives, Disney?! Will we get to dine on these delicious eats in a few short days, or no?! ©Disney We can’t wait to see what Tortuga Tavern brings to Magic Kingdom this time around — if it does actually open anytime soon. You know we’ll be checking it out once the restaurant officially opens, so stay tuned for our full review. In the meantime, don’t forget to keep checking back here at Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and updates! See Our Most Recent Review of Tortuga Tavern at Magic Kingdom 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 Have you ever eaten at Tortuga Tavern? Tell us in the comments. The post Okay, Disney. WHAT Is Going on with this Magic Kingdom Restaurant?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s time to visit our favorite town of mischief and nonsense! Tiny train town! That’s right, I’m taking you on a trip to EPCOT’s tiny train town, otherwise known as a hive of scum and villainy. This itty bitty city has had QUITE the year in 2024, with a variety of crimes and scandals that I’ve uncovered during my tenure as its mayor. But just because we’re wrapping up the year, doesn’t mean we’re wrapping up the shenanigans! First of all, I’m taking you on a stop to see our town’s infamous jug band! If you recall, there was a scandal earlier this year when the band had a falling out and some of the members had to be taken to the hospital. Nowadays, the new members of the band seem to be getting along well, and they’ve even gathered some livestock friends. However, they haven’t booked any gigs in town in recent months due to their violent reputation! That’s what you get for CRIME. Hmmmm During my most recent visit, I did notice that the residential areas of town seemed to be pretty quiet, with only one or two citizens at home. It seems like even our tiniest citizens travel for the holidays — where do you think they go? My guess is they’re vacationing at the Yacht Club’s tiny Christmas village. Tiny Train Town And even though I thought we apprehended the culprit earlier this year, it looks like the mayor’s office will be starting a new investigation in 2025. Doors have once again gone missing from some residents’ houses! We previously thought this was a prank pulled by local high school students…but perhaps it’s something more nefarious. What’s going on here? And for those who want an update on the social lives of our residents — young love seems to be flourishing just in time for the New Year! I had reported previously that train stations became the new meeting spot for young singles, and as the number of people hanging out at the train stations has decreased, I can only surmise that the residents have been to couple off. Good for them — Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! We’re watching out for love! As I draw this last report of 2024 to a close, I’d like to thank our loyal readers for your dedication to tiny train town! We’ll be back with more news from the village in 2025. I will personally be taking a break in the first part of the year (Madam Mayor is getting her own tiny addition!), but I will leave you in the capable hands of my assistant mayor, Robin, while I’m gone. Robin will continue the reports on all the antics, and I’ll see you again in the spring! Stay tuned to DFB for more news from the tiny train town, as well as other, actual news reports from Disney World. *The anarchy within is mostly created by natural occurrences, like giant squirrels, wind, rain, and relatively godzilla-sized lizards who frequent the town; but we find it fun and entertaining to make up fictional stories about what COULD be happening. We are grateful to the folks who create and maintain this Tiny Train Town for Disney World, as it’s one of our favorite parts of EPCOT and always has been. Click Here to See My Last Update From Tiny Town! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you planning to visit the tiny train town in 2025? Tell us about your EPCOT plans in the comments! The post Thought EPCOT’s Tiny Train Town Would Pause Criminal Activity for the Holidays? WRONG. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We love Disney Springs! Disney Springs Disney’s shopping and dining district is one of our favorite places to spend time in Disney World without paying for a park ticket. From the incredible restaurants to the fun entertainment and special shopping, there is so much to do. We’ve even found some of our favorite Disney snacks and we might have just found a new favorite. Disney Springs is home to so many of our favorite dining options like The Polite Pig, Jaleo, and more. One spot that’s typically overlooked is Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC. Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC This small quick service bakery focuses on gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg and soy-sensitivity-minded desserts and treats. We have been impressed with some bites here in the past but overall find ourselves going to other spots in Disney Springs, until now! Erin McKenna’s Bakery The bakery offers cupcakes, brownies, brittle, cinnamon rolls, and so much more. The star of today’s review? The Churro Cookie Sandwich! This cookie sandwich was incredible. The Churro Cookie Sandwich The cookie itself was loaded with cinnamon sugar flavor and the filling added to that even more. This treat was moist and chewy with a rich buttercream to bring it all together. Look at that filling! It reminded us of the most indulgent churro we’ve ever had, plant-based or not! We can honestly say we have never had a cookie quite like this in Disney World and we won’t be surprised if vegans and non-vegans fall in love with this. You can try this sandwich for $17.45 which we do think is a bit steep for the size. Delicious! While this spot has been a hit or miss for us, we can easily say this cookie is a hit! If you’re a churro fan, we think this is a must-try. Don’t forget to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for all of your Disney food reviews and updates. Check Out Our Ultimate Guide To Disney Springs Restaurants 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 Have you ever tried this bakery before? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: We Just Paid .45 for a COOKIE in Disney World -- And Honestly, We Have No Regrets first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Looks like Disney World’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass is getting a pixie-dusted price hike soon! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Lightning Lane Multi Pass is Disney World’s skip-the-line service, replacing Genie+ on July 24th, 2024. We’ve been keeping an eye on daily prices for this system, and we spotted a spike in pricing fairly soon. So if you’re heading over to Disney World in the next few weeks, here’s all you need to know! Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows you to select individual Lightning Lanes for eligible attractions so you can skip the regular standby line. Here’s how it works: you pay a base price for your first park of the day and can pre-book up to three attractions in advance. Guests staying at Disney World resort hotels or select partner hotels can make their bookings up to seven days before check-in, while all other guests can book three days in advance. Lightning Lane at Peter Pan’s Flight A tier system is used for the first selection of attractions for all parks except Animal Kingdom. With the tiered approach, you’re able to reserve one attraction from the top-tier options, while the rest of your selections will come from the lower-tier lineup. Although the Lightning Lane Multi Pass covers many attractions, some of the most in-demand rides require separate bookings through the Lightning Lane Single Pass system. For a deeper dive into how both systems work and to make the most of your visit, check out our complete guide to Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Lightning Lane Lightning Lane Multi Pass is no stranger to price fluctuations, which is why we keep a close eye on it. And starting on January 19th, 2025, Lightning Lane Multi Pass is going up in price. Lightning Lane at Expedition Everest On January 19th, Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Magic Kingdom will be priced at $29. Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Multi Pass for EPCOT is priced at $28. Lightning Lane Multi Pass for EPCOT Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Hollywood Studios is priced at $29. Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Hollywood Studios Meanwhile, Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Animal Kingdom stays at an average price of $15. Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Multi Pass always sees price increases at this time of year due to the holiday season being one of the busiest times for Disney World. We’re always keeping our eyes on Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lighting Lane Single Pass prices so stay tuned to us here at DFB for more updates! You Wanted the Secrets for the BEST Lightning Lane Game Plan in Disney World, So You Got It 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 Lightning Lane Multi Pass? Have you used it before? Let us know in the comments! The post Prices Will INCREASE for Disney World’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass – Here’s When! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We love a Disney World hotel! Grand Floridian Resort When it comes to planning your ultimate trip to Disney World, your resort can make a huge difference! There have been lots of updates and changes like the opening of Island Tower, hotel room improvements, and new dining options. All of the changes have been great but we are still waiting for Disney Resorts to slash this one rule! Disney Resort Hotels are some of our favorite places on Earth. It’s like a secret side to Disney World that so many people don’t know about! You can find amazing dining options, fun activities, and you might even find a firework viewing spot at some resorts. While we love them, we won’t lie to you and say they’re perfect. Disney’s Contemporary Hotel One of our biggest issues with Disney hotels? The parking! Parking at Disney resorts can be a wonky topic. The clear-cut rule is you can park at a Disney resort if you have a hotel reservation or a dining reservation. Without one of those two things, you aren’t able to park… technically. The Polynesian Resort Parking Lot There have been times when security has been kind enough to let us park at places like The Boardwalk, Coronado Springs, and even the All-Star Resorts. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Parking at these resorts has been a hit or miss depending on how busy Disney World is so we don’t recommend expecting to always park where you want to and that is the rule we are ready to see go away! There are so many delicious lounges and quick services around the Disney Resorts that we want to be able to park easily at the resorts, even if we aren’t a guest there. Steakhouse 71 Lounge Lounges and quick services don’t require a reservation which prevents us from being able to park at the resorts but, ironically, it’s also one of our favorite things about eating at those spots. It makes it convenient, easy, and flexible with your busy vacation schedule. We love that we don’t need reservations for those spots but it still leaves us with the parking issue so we’ve been cooking up some solutions we think could work. Three Bridges is another favorite without reservations Our first thought is that Disney could potentially implement a charge that is erased by a receipt from a lounge or quick service. Like a validation situation! This would ensure that Disney is only letting people park for dining and not to avoid paying those hefty theme park parking fees. Magic Kingdom parking lot Over at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts and the new Swan Reserve hotel, they offer parking validation. These resorts are not owned by Disney so that’s why you’ll find a few operational differences. When you’re eating at these resorts’ signature dining restaurants, they will provide validation so you don’t have to pay to park. This seems like a system Disney could also utilize in a similar way so guests can park closer to lounges and quick services. Swan and Dolphin Hotels A second idea we have is you could potentially show that you’ve joined a waitlist through the MyDisneyExperience app before parking. Many of the lounges and quick services are a first come, first served situation with a few exceptions. We think once you get close to parking, if you can join the walkup waitlist and park at that resort it would be a nice easy way to let guests dine without too much hassle. Topolino’s Terrace Lounge While both of these are just ideas we’ve been workshopping, we think there could be some real promise in them. In the past, to try and “hack” parking, people started to mobile order coffee from Contempo Cafe so they could park at the Contemporary Resort and then walk to Magic Kingdom without paying the parking fees. Contempo Cafe Disney cracked down on who could mobile order from certain spots and stopped allowing guests to park for mobile orders due to this abuse of the system so we might just be wishing on stars for now when it comes to parking changes. All hope isn’t lost though! If you’re really wanting to head to a lounge or quick service without worrying about the parking, you can always head over to Disney Springs and hop on a bus. Westside Bus Loop Disney Springs offers free parking and from there, you can hop on a bus to any Disney resort to dine on your favorite snacks. Sure, it might take double the time to get there but it cuts the stress of being turned away in half and it’s a guaranteed way to get to the resorts each time. It’s a simple hack that we have used time and time again. Disney Bus For now, we’ll cross our fingers and keep hoping that Disney will take our ideas so we can get a Stack Burger from Steakhouse 71 without the parking stress. Don’t forget to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for all of your Disney food hacks and secrets. Find Out Which 3 Disney World Hotels Cracked Down on Parking Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels The “I’m So Tired; Just Tell Me What To Do” Guide To Choosing the Perfect Disney World Hotel 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What's New at the Disney World Hotels All About Disney World's Resort Hotel Refillable Mugs Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Is this an issue you’ve run into in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post The One Rule We Wish Disney World Hotels Would Finally Slash first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article