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If you’re heading to Disney World in 2025, there’s a lot of preparing you need to do. Magic Kingdom You’ve gotta plan your dates, where you want to stay, what parks you’d like to visit on which days, and of course, what to pack. Picking the right bag can be harder than you think, which is why we’re here! If you’re deciding what to bring in 2025, we’ve got the perfect recommendation for you — and you’ll be seeing this bag or similar ones all over the parks in 2025! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. The Perfect Disney World Bag for 2025! Small Nylon Crescent Crossbody Purse If you’re looking for the perfect in between bag, the Small Nylon Crescent Crossbody Bag is calling your name! We got to try this bag ourselves, and as you can see, we stuffed a lot into it. We really felt it was worth the money, and we love that it’s compact and soft enough that it doesn’t give you a lot of bulk for just needing to carry around the essentials. It’s going to be reliable to hold the bare minimum, as well as maybe an extra item or two. If you’re someone who doesn’t like to carry a lot around with you, this could work perfectly, and it’s a great alternative to a belt bag! The Crescent Bag Our only complaint from our reporter, who is a frequent backpack wearer is that they found themselves trying to pull it up further over their shoulder more than they would have liked, but they also tried to pack it super full just to test it. The strap is adjustable so you could in theory treat it like a belt bag if you really needed to as you’re riding rides (especially helpful when visiting Universal Orlando), but we do wish it did have the capacity to hold more than just a large inside compartment and two small card slip pockets. A look inside However, this is perfect for someone looking to toss a few cards, keys, and light wallet into. It’s also a great option to carry with you around at EPCOT festivals because its large enough to fit those taller booklets. While it wasn’t our reporter’s favorite, we would totally take it out with us again. It’s a very casual companion that you could rely on to keep your items safe for you, while still being able to dress it up or down as an outfit accessory. Check it out! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World park essentials we suggest for your next trip! Check out our Amazon Storefront for more of our Disney World essential recommendations! What’s your favorite bag for the parks? Tell us in the comments! The post The Bag Everyone Will Be Wearing in Disney World in 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A Disney World food court has FINALLY completely reopened! World Premiere Food Court We’re so excited to share that World Premiere Food Court is completely done with its refurbishment. This was a multi-month long project that has come to an end with the reopening of Rialto, the coffee and ice cream shop inside the food court. However, while this food court’s refurbishment is over, we’re still waiting for another one to wrap up. Everything POP Shopping & Dining — Disney’s Pop Century Resort The Everything Pop Food Court continues its refurbishment for the time being. Everything Pop Shopping and Dining Since July 29th, Everything Pop has been getting some work done. The refurbishment was supposed to end on September 29th. However, it was extended to November 30th, and now it has been extended AGAIN until April 2025. The new extension only notes that the coffee shop is still closed. We recently visited the food court, and it’s looking great! There is far less construction, and almost everything is open and available again. This is a big improvement, and it’s great that people staying here have most dining shopping options available to them once again. Everything Pop entrance We’re keeping our eyes on this project and the other closures around Disney World. Keep reading to find out what will remain closed the week of December 28th through January 4th, 2025! Magic Kingdom Swiss Family Treehouse The Swiss Family Treehouse at Magic Kingdom is based on the classic movie Swiss Family Robinson and is a fun tree-climbing experience at the park. Swiss Family Treehouse construction This attraction has been undergoing a month-long refurbishment and was supposed to reopen on December 21st. However, it did NOT reopen. Scaffolding and screens still cover this attraction. The Disney World website shows hours for it starting on December 23rd, so you can likely expect it to open that day. If you and your kiddos are looking for a place to climb around for now, head over to Tom Sawyer Island instead. Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade We had to say goodbye to an opening day attraction on June 23rd. Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade The Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade was around for generations and provided simple fun to all who played. Now, the attraction has closed to make room for a new Disney Vacation Club lounge. This lounge will be the third in Disney World, joining one in EPCOT and one at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Disney has not yet announced when the new lounge will open. Magic Kingdom Is Already SOLD OUT for 3 Dates in 2025! Tomorrowland Terrace Tomorrowland Terrace is a quick-service restaurant that has been closed since the 2020 pandemic-related closures, but even before that, this spot was only occasionally open. Tomorrowland Terrace Once in a while, you’ll see the dining room open as a rest area (and it’s still being used for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties), but it’s usually all roped off and empty. Tons of shade and fans at Tomorrowland Terrace Disney hasn’t announced when this spot could finally reopen, but we’ll be watching for updates. If you’re looking for a nice spot to hang out in Disney World and sit down for a rest, this could be it! We’ve Got Some Bad News About This Magic Kingdom Restaurant EPCOT Test Track Test Track closed on June 17th, and Disney is giving this ride a BIG makeover! Test Track construction Disney has shared that the new version of Test Track will take inspiration from the old ride, World of Motion, that was originally there when the park opened in 1982. Disney shared more details at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience, and an updated opening timeline was just announced! We’ll be able to ride Test Track once again in late summer 2025. Disney Shares NEW LOOK at EPCOT’s Reimagined Test Track Attraction Restaurant Marrakesh Restaurant Marrakesh is currently closed as a dining location in the Morocco pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase, and there’s no word yet on when the restaurant could fully reopen. Restaurant Marrakesh Occasionally, we’ll see it open as a lounge or Kidcot Fun Stop. So, if you’re in the Morocco Pavilion, check it out to see if it’s open. We’re watching for updates on when the full restaurant could reopen! 5 Big Reasons EPCOT Will Be More Crowded in 2025 Hollywood Studios Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy The Cars-themed show featuring Lighting McQueen permanently closed on October 8th, 2024, to make way for a brand-new Villains show. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy The Cars show was previously housed in the Sunset Showcase building, but the last day for guests to enjoy it was October 7th. The new Villains show is supposed to debut in the summer of 2025. We’re always watching for more details about the new show, and we recently spotted a casting call for Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent! 4 Disney’s Hollywood Studios Restaurants Where We Promise Your Lunch Will Cost Less Than That $18 Viral Big Mac Meal Voyage of the Little Mermaid Voyage of the Little Mermaid is currently closed in Disney World. But we recently spotted some construction walls up at the building along with a new permit filed! Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney is going to introduce a new, updated show in this spot, though it will still be themed to the animated movie The Little Mermaid! The new show will be called “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure,” and it is now coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2025. The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure Disney still hasn’t announced an official opening date for the new show, but it has been postponed from its Fall 2024 opening timeline. It will be a “fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.” NEW LOOK at “The Little Mermaid” Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Typhoon Lagoon Blizzard Beach officially welcomed guests back on November 4th! That same day, Typhoon Lagoon closed its gates for the season. Typhoon Lagoon Typhoon Lagoon will likely be closed throughout the winter until sometime in the spring. Disney has been having one water park open at a time seasonally since 2020. In the meantime, you can enjoy the slopes at Blizzard Beach this winter! Click here to learn all about Blizzard Beach Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. Full List of Important Disney World Closures You Should Plan Around in 2025 Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lanes Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! The post We're STILL Waiting for This Insanely Long Disney World Restaurant Refurbishment to End first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort has been under refurbishment for several months. World Premiere Food Court Most recently, the food court was nearly finished getting refurbished, with only the coffee shop, Rialto, still being completed. We’ve been watching and waiting for this multi-month-long closure to finally come to an end, and now it officially has! Along with Rialto’s return also came some NEW snacks, so, of course, we had to go try them all. We would call this cookie a beautiful disaster. It’s tasty, like VERY yummy, but there’s a design flaw in having it in a wrapper. We love all the toppings on the 3/4 inch thick chocolate chip cookie, but it’s almost impossible to take out of the wrapper. You’re going to be clawing at it like an animal trying your hardest to get it out of that thing just so you can eat it. It’s almost impossible to take out of this wrapper! Using a fork and knife might work, but you’ll definitely be working for your snack! We had to work for our treat We found a surprise cookie at Rialto, as well, the Loaded Sugar Cookie! It’s a thick sugar cookie topped with vanilla buttercream, freeze-dried Skittles, and a strawberry glaze. This large cookie costs $5.29. Loaded Sugar Cookie While many people might be tired of seeing freeze-dried Skittles at Disney World, we thoroughly enjoyed this cookie! It was more like a sugar cookie bar, which we liked. It was very thick and not super, super sweet. The buttercream frosting wasn’t overdone, since it gave the cookie a bit more sweetness. It wasn’t overly sweet since the cookie itself wasn’t too sweet. So it was really a great combination of flavors and sweets. If you really don’t like freeze-dried Skittles, they are easy to pick off here and still enjoy your cookie! That’s a thick cookie! Finally, we tried the new Salted Caramel Churro Milkshake. We even got FRESH churros in our shake, so that was very exciting for us! This shake costs $7.99. Salted Caramel Churro Shake This was a standard vanilla milkshake with salted caramel sauce swirled around the cup, and then it was topped with bits of churros, a cherry, and two churros stuck into it. We didn’t mind waiting a little longer to get our shake for the fresh churros! Non-stale churros in Disney World are a bit of a delicacy, so we gladly waited to get fresh, hot ones in this shake. Toppings on the shake We really enjoyed this shake! It was simple, yet tasty. It is a little bit on the pricey side if you consider that you can get a literal bucket of ice cream to share between four people for $14, while this single-serve shake is $8. But we still liked it and would enjoy it again! Salted Caramel Churro Shake Overall, we’re happy Rialto has reopened since it has brought us these yummy treats! We enjoy them all, and we’re hoping the longer the stand is open they’ll all get even better. We tried them on opening day, so perhaps any design flaws will get improved as the Cast Members get better and better at making them. But if you’re looking for a good snack, we suggest stopping by Rialto at the World Premiere Food Court! For more Disney food news, keep following DFB! I’ve Been a Disney Fan for 20+ Years, and I’m ASTONISHED This Hotel Restaurant Isn’t More Popular Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants The Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants The Best Disney Springs Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which of these treats do you want to try? Let us know in the comments! The post Can It Be?! FRESH, NON-STALE CHURROS Exist in Disney World?! This NEW Dessert Was Worth the Wait first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve got great news for guests staying at Disney World’s All-Star Movies Resort soon! World Premiere Food Court Many of the Value Resorts around Disney World have been undergoing refurbishments over the past few months, specifically the All-Star Resorts. The World Premiere Food Court at All-Star Movies Resort began its refurbishment back in July, and it FINALLY just completed the final stage of its revamp! We headed over to the hotel to see what this completed revamp looks like, and we have to say…we’re impressed! The refurbishment was done in sections to avoid the entire food court being closed at one time (which would have been a major issue since it’s the only restaurant in the hotel!), and the final section was the Rialto Coffee and Ice Cream counter. It’s finally complete! This is the ice cream and coffee area of the food court, and we’re thrilled to see that it’s back open and looking great. It’s open! The whole food court now really screams “the movies,” which is perfect for the theming of this hotel. The lights, the fonts, the marquees — all the details bring the theming to life without being too overwhelming, which we feel is incredibly important. We love it! There’s also still plenty of seating available in the food court, which is perfect for how large the hotel is. Again, since it’s the only restaurant at the resort, it’s usually packed at peak meal times, so having enough seating for everyone is immensely important. Seating We also got try the new dining options available the Rialto, so stay tuned to DFB for our 100% honest review and all the latest Disney World news! 5 Things at Disney’s All-Star Movies Hotel That Haven’t Aged Well for Unexpected Reasons 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! How do you feel about the revamp? Tell us in the comments! The post CONFIRMED: A Months-Long Hotel Construction Project ENDS at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We can’t believe that it is almost 2025! Where did 2024 go? Disney’s Animal Kingdom We have a whole, new year ahead of us, and we can’t wait to see what it holds. Of course, we will be providing you with all your Disney World news and updates, including LOTS of food reviews. But, there have already been three updates announced for Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2025 that you need to know about! There are a couple of game-changing updates that you will want to be aware of if you are headed to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2025! The first round of closures for DinoLand U.S.A., begins January 12th, 2025. TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will close on this date. However, you will still have a bit longer to get a last ride in on Dinosaur or play around in the Boneyard! DinoLand U.S.A. Disney has not yet announced when the rest of DinoLand U.S.A. will be closing to make way for the new Tropical Americas-themed land, Pueblo Esperanza. However, they did make a statement about Dinosaur, saying that ““2025 is your year to visit before it goes extinct!” Dinosaur Along with the closure of a portion of DinoLand U.S.A., we will begin to see some construction beginning on Pueblo Esperanza. The first phase of closures and the beginning of construction likely won’t have a HUGE impact on your trip to Animal Kingdom. Since TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s are kind of in the corner of DinoLand U.S.A., you will likely only see construction walls if you are headed back to Dinosaur or other areas of DinoLand. However, we want to ensure you know of these closures and that you might see some construction in Animal Kingdom in 2025. We don’t want any of your kiddos to be really bummed out when they find out Fossil Fun Games is closed. Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures Pueblo Esperanza will be a brand-new land that will feature two major attractions and one of the largest quick-service restaurants in Disney World. One of the major attractions will be an Encanto-themed ride, and the other will be an Indiana Jones-themed ride. Currently, the land is anticipated to make its debut in 2027. Pueblo Esperanza Model Finally, we will also be seeing the closure of It’s Tough to Be a Bug in 2025. Disney has not announced the date for the show’s closure yet, but it is set to be replaced by a brand-new Zootopia show, called Zootopia: Better Zoogether! The Zootopia show is expected to debut in the winter of 2025, so we know that It’s Tough to Be a Bug will be closed sometime in 2025. We are continuing to watch for more news about the retheming of this show and will be sure to keep you updated. It’s Tough to be a Bug The new Zootopia: Better Zoogether! show will “take guests on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film” featuring Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and more. We are excited to watch this new show in winter 2025! ©Disney If you are heading to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2025, also make sure you check out our ULTIMATE guide to Animal Kingdom in 2025: Stay tuned to DFB For all your Disney World tips, tricks, and news! Read more about what to expect in Pueblo Esperanza! 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 have a Disney World trip planned for 2025? Let us know in the comments! The post 3 Game-Changing Updates Announced for Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World hotels can be a little confusing if we’re being honest. Saratoga Springs First of all, it’s difficult to decide where you’d like to stay, as Disney World has over 20 different hotels spanning three tiers (Value, Moderate, and Deluxe). If you decide to stay at Saratoga Springs Resort or Old Key West Resort, you may want to enjoy the walking trails around the resorts. However, we’re here to admit that one of these trails is VERY confusing if you’ve never traveled on it before. Walking trails at Disney World hotels are a great way to explore more of the resort, see what other hotels or amenities you’re close to, or just get some exercise while on vacation (if you’re into that). We headed over to the beautiful Saratoga Springs Resort to check out the walking path that will take you to Old Key West Resort (or vice versa)…and quickly found ourselves lost. Yes, even Disney experts can get turned around! Saratoga Springs When we looked at the pathway on our phone, it seemed relatively short and straightforward, but when we started following signage and began our walk, a Cast Member actually had to chase after us and tell us the way we were heading would take us THROUGH the golf course, which certainly wasn’t going to be safe. That definitely wasn’t our intention, so we turned ourselves around, checked the map again, and tried again. Saratoga Springs Walking Trail Bridge We took that beautiful bridge above…only to find out that it took us to the Treehouses instead of Old Key West! Again, we were following signage and the map on our phones, but it quickly became clear that this pathway wasn’t nearly as easy as others we’ve taken, like the path from Disney Springs to Saratoga Springs. …we think we’re in the wrong place If you’re ever confused about where to go in Disney World, you can always ask Cast Members nearby! They’ll be happy to assist you, but remember to always be aware of your surroundings — don’t be like us and almost walk into a golf course, even if it is unintentional. A Saratoga Springs Treehouse Villa Check out more Disney World hotel news below! More Disney World Hotel News! Beware This CONFUSING Hotel Shortcut in Disney WorldA New Closure, a New Food Booth, and a New Hotel? The Latest in Disney World News!The One Thing That Astonished Us About Disney World’s Newest HotelDisney World’s 6 NEWEST Hotel Room Changes Will Make Your Trip 10x BetterAre People Still Using Disney World Resort Hotel Refillable Mugs in 2025? Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World news! The Skyliner Complication You Should Expect in January 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! What’s your favorite Disney World hotel to stay at? Tell us in the comments! The post Beware This CONFUSING Hotel Shortcut in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Christmas is OVER, so that means it’s time to think about your Disney trip in 2025. 2025 Merchandise It’s going to be a big year for Disney World, so if you have a trip, you have a lot to look forward to new attractions, new lounges, and some big construction starting. If you are planning for your trip, we have two big tips for you to help you save money so keep reading. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Tip #1: Look Online First for Souvenirs We suggest looking online for souvenirs before heading to the parks at online stores like the Disney Store. You might find them on sale or with free shipping and then you can bring them with you for your entire Disney World trip instead of waiting to buy them there. One big thing to look for in Minnie Ears online as you could avoid having to hunt down the pair you really want in the parks. Red Sequined Minnie Mouse Ears ©DisneyStore These Minnie Mouse red sequined ears are the perfect example of something to grab online before coming to the parks. They have soft padded Minnie Mouse ears and they are the classic red and white polka dot sequins. View on the Disney Store Looking online for essentials and other items you know that you might buy in the parks can really help you save BIG. Sometimes, Disney Store will not only have sales but they will give away items for FREE when you spend a certain amount. I recently bought items online and got an item for free that I had almost spent $35 on in the parks. It really is worth looking before your trip or price comparing when you’re in the parks if it isn’t something you need right in that moment. You can always just quickly do a search online to see if the item you have your eyes on is cheaper online, then you don’t have to lug those items around the parks! WIN WIN!! Tip #2: Buy Items Ahead of Season Things are often on sale when they are out of season allowing you to save money. For example, look to buy swimsuits and summer clothes in the winter. You can even find Disney bathing suits online at Disney Store, so there’s no need to wait until you get to the resorts to purchase one. Disney Princess Swimsuit ©Disney Grab this adorable Disney Princess swimsuit for your daughter, niece, or little sister. Aurora, Tiana, and Rapunzel are among the royals featured in the allover print on this sparkling two-piece swimsuit. The long raglan sleeve top features a zip front while the coordinating bottoms have ruched side panels. View on the Disney Store For more Disney deals, be sure to check out our Amazon Storefront which we update daily with Disney essentials and our favorite products. View on Amazon Storefront Here The post My Advice to Anyone Shopping for Their 2025 Disney World Trip Right Now first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve planned a Disney World trip, you’ve probably figured out the basics: like what your budget is, where you’re staying, what tickets you need, and more. Orlando International Airport Of course, there’s also the matter of GETTING to Disney World, but for most of us, that means flying into Orlando International Airport. However, that is often easier said than done. Well, today is one of those easier-said-than-done days because there are a TON of delays affecting the airport right now — but it isn’t just the airport dealing with delays. Yep, travel in and around Orlando is COMPLICATED right now. We’ll keep an eye out for more travel delays, so stay tuned to DFB for more. 50 Things You Need To Know Before You Go To 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 experienced any travel delays recently? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Over 400 Flights Are DELAYED at Orlando International Airport first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you think the best deals are only available before Christmas, then boy do we have great news for you. We love a good sale The after-Christmas sales are just as good, if not better on Amazon, and so many of our favorite Disney World essentials are up for grabs at just a fraction of the price. 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 ultimate Rain Jacket is here to keep you nice and dry at the parks even when the weather isn’t! Frogg Toggs Poncho This Frogg Toggs poncho is 100% rainproof and incredibly lightweight, perfect for both storage and comfort. It also features an easy pull-on, deep hood with adjustable cord locks and comes with a handy sack to store it into! Shop on Amazon Avoid any charging woes in your hotel room with this Flat Plug Power Strip! Our Favorite Extension Cord for Disney World Phones are possibly your most used device while on a Disney Trip and if you’re traveling with family or friends, we know you’re probably fighting for that outlet closest to your nightstand. With this Flat Plug Power Strip, the need to start an all-out war for an outlet is no more thanks to its potential to charge SEVEN devices all at once. Convenient or what? Shop on Amazon Stay cool even on a hot park day with this Handheld Mini Fan! Jisulife Mini-fan A day at the parks means a day of extreme heat., but you don’t have to suffer through it thanks to this JISULIFE mini fan! Not only does it cool for 12-19 hours, but it also serves as a power bank to charge your device. And how adorable is the bear design? We love it when our essentials can be cute too. Shop on Amazon Need a quick charge while running around the parks? This INIU Portable Charger has got your back! INIU Portable Charger The INIU portable charger is thin enough to slip into any park bag without adding unnecessary bulk or weight. It has fast charging capabilities with 2 USB-A ports and 1 USB-C and can charge 3 devices at once. Shop on Amazon Not a fan of Disney paper straws? These Reusable Silicon Straws are the best alternative! We LOOOVE reusable straws! Bringing our own refillable straws is a total game changer because they don’t break down or have a strange taste! They also eliminate unnecessary waste. This reusable straw set comes with several silicone straws along with carrying cases and brushes for cleaning them. The best tool to bring when you’re drinking around the world or treating yourself to a Goofy Glacier! Shop on Amazon We’re always on the lookout for the best essentials to make your trip to Disney World as easy breezy as can be 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 Why We Shop for Disney World Essentials After Christmas first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

At this point, you’ve probably heard all about the changes that are coming to the Disney parks in 2025 and beyond. Muppet Courtyard Restrooms From all the new attractions to entire land re-themes, it feels like the parks are going to be in a constant state of transformation. But you know what? One of the things that we don’t really think about with all these changes are the bathrooms. We just recently came to grips with the fact that Disney confirmed that they will be permanently closing the Muppets Courtyard bathroom with the re-imagining of the area to the new Monsters, Inc. Land. And now, we’re starting to get a little concerned about another fan-favorite bathroom over in Animal Kingdom. Here’s why. As we were saying, if you’ve ever spent time in Hollywood Studios, chances are you’ve stopped by the Muppets Courtyard bathroom. It wasn’t just a place to take a break. It was a hidden gem. From its cheeky, Muppet-inspired signage to its quiet location tucked between Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo, this was more than just your average park potty. Muppet Courtyard Restrooms Sure, most people don’t think “bathroom” when listing the highlights of their Disney trips, but ask any seasoned Disney fan, and they’ll tell you that the bathrooms matter! The Muppets Courtyard bathroom delivered on all fronts with its air conditioning, prime location, and quirky theming. Muppet Courtyard Restrooms With the re-theme to Monsters, Inc. Land, these restrooms are likely getting a complete overhaul (or being replaced entirely). While we’re curious about what the Imagineers have planned, it’s tough to say goodbye to a space that’s been a part of so many park days. Now, About DinoLand U.S.A. Here’s where our concern kicks in. Over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, DinoLand U.S.A. will be undergoing its own major transformation. The area will soon be reimagined as the Tropical Americas — Pueblo Esperanza, featuring a lush new setting inspired by Central and South America. @Disney While this announcement is exciting (new lands always are!), it raises a big question: “What’s going to happen to the DinoLand bathroom by the gift shop?” ©Disney Much like the Muppets Courtyard restroom, the DinoLand bathroom is a fan favorite. Conveniently located and relatively quiet compared to other spots in the park, it’s a go-to for anyone exploring Animal Kingdom. Given the scope of the Tropical Americas project, we’re bracing ourselves for the possibility that this bathroom might also close permanently (or undergo a significant re-theme). Why the Bathroom Closures Matter At first glance, losing a couple of bathrooms might not seem like a big deal. After all, Disney parks are packed with restrooms. But these closures represent something bigger: the loss of the little details that make Disney so magical. Gonzo’s Royal Flush advertisement Disney Imagineering is known for its attention to detail, even in the unexpected places like restrooms. From themed signage to cleverly hidden jokes, these spaces aren’t just functional. They’re part of the storytelling. When a bathroom like the one in Muppets Courtyard closes, it’s a reminder that no part of the parks is immune to change. Muppet Courtyard Restroom Sign And while we’re excited to see what the future holds for Monsters, Inc. Land and the Tropical Americas, we can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the spaces that are being left behind. What’s Next? As we say goodbye to the Muppets Courtyard bathroom and prepare for possible changes in DinoLand, one thing is certain: Disney’s evolution is always bittersweet. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the Tropical Americas transformation to see what happens with the DinoLand restroom. Will it be re-themed? Relocated? Or will it be gone for good? Only time will tell. Until then, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. 4 VITAL Questions To Ask Yourself When Planning a 2025 Disney World Trip Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be visiting Disney World in 2025? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney Confirmed a Popular Bathroom Is Permanently Closing, and We're Starting to Worry About Another One first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We go to Disney World every day, so we’ve learned a lot of great hacks and tricks for getting around the parks. Monorail at Transportation and Ticket Center That’s why we’re always sharing things like our favorite bathrooms (yeah, that’s OUR THING — we have favorite bathrooms), favorite hacks for getting around Disney World, and our favorite secret paths to get around the parks faster. Well, we also have a favorite way to get to Magic Kingdom faster, BUT right now, that way is closed. BOO. Okay, so we recently told you about some secret stairs at the Transportation and Ticket Center that will help you get to Magic Kingdom quicker. Basically, you’ll want to head for the Monorail and go to the right side of the Monorail queue. You’ll walk all the way to the end to gate 12, and when you get on the Monorail, you’ll want to be as close to the door as possible. When the Monorail stops at Magic Kingdom and the doors open, you can take a sharp left to see a set of stairs that will bring you to the Magic Kingdom entrance faster than everyone else. Monorail Well, imagine our surprise today when we did this, and those secret stairs were…BLOCKED. They’re closed, y’all! Our secret fast way to Magic Kingdom has been FOILED! There’s currently a rope and wheelchair blocking the path to the stairs. No! Of course, we had to ask why, so we asked a Cast Member if it was permanently closed (and secretly prayed he would say “no.”). Apparently, there’s a tile missing there, so it’s a tripping hazard, and it will be reopened once that tile is replaced. But if you’re visiting Disney World over the next day or so, just know that those stairs might still be closed for a little while. Blocked off Stay tuned to DFB for more. I’m Not Calling You A Fake Disney Fan, But If You Don’t Know About This Shortcut…Well… Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you used these stairs before? Let us know in the comments! The post ALERT: Our Secret Monorail Shortcut Is CLOSED Right Now in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s a reason Disney Adults love going to EPCOT. This park has it all — one of the BEST thrill rides in Disney World, some of the BEST food, and the BEST character meet-and-greets. There’s something for everyone! EPCOT As a former EPCOT Cast Member, it’s safe to say I know a lot about that park. I know which water bottle refill stations to avoid (I still can’t get over that funky Florida water taste) and which characters tend to attract the longest lines. I also know how to pack the perfect park bag for a trip to EPCOT, and it’s time I share my theme park essentials! If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, you might want to bring these items to the parks. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Remember how I said EPCOT has the best meet-and-greets? Believe it or not, this park has one of the highest amounts of meet-and-greets out of all four parks! If you’re traveling with someone who LOVES Disney princesses, you might be able to meet MORE princesses in EPCOT than in Magic Kingdom. Yes, really! Belle in France When you’re packing a park bag for a day in EPCOT, I highly recommend bringing an autograph book to the park. Make sure to bring a nice, bold Sharpie or a pen, too! Here’s a hot tip from a former Character Attendant: nine times out of ten, pens don’t work. You’re better off giving characters a marker to sign their autograph — it’s easier for everyone, trust us. Disney Princess autograph set OK, the next item I’m recommending might seem a little random, but it has come in handy more times than I can count. Ever seen those reusable storage bags online or at the store? These are GREAT to keep in your park bag! ©Amazon EPCOT has so many great places to eat. I love the seasonal festival food booths, the pizza at Via Napoli, and the snacks around the World Showcase (looking at you, Karamell-Küche). If you’re like me, you probably want to sample a little bit of everything! But if you don’t want to waste your leftovers, you can pack them in your park bag and enjoy a little sweet treat back at your hotel. That’s where those reusable snack bags come in handy! Butter Bar Reusable storage bags are easy to pack (they weigh basically nothing) and come in all different sizes. Do yourself a favor and bring them to EPCOT; your future self will thank you. View on Amazon Time for a confession: I have a huge collection of Disney pins. And I can’t stop collecting more. EPCOT has a ton of great places to trade pins, and if you want to get into pin collecting, this is the place to start! Pin Trading Board Pack a handful of Disney pins in your park bag! That way, if you spot a pin you have to have, you can trade one of your pins without having to go pay for a pack of trading pins at the closest gift shop. We love pin trading! When I worked in EPCOT, I saw people “drinking around the world” every single day. People love a margarita from the Mexico Pavilion! If you plan to take on the challenge, bring some friends (and a couple hundred bucks; those drinks aren’t cheap) and a Drinking Around the World Passport from Amazon. ©Amazon This way, you can keep track of the drinks you try, and something like this helps when it comes to splitting the bill if you’re playing along with a group. View on Amazon As much as I love EPCOT, I have a bone to pick with this park. There is no SHADE! When you’re in the World Showcase, you’re basically 100% exposed to the sun. With that in mind, I highly recommend packing some good sunscreen. I like the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen! ©Amazon When looking for sunscreen, you might want to pick one that is water-resistant. Between the sweat and the various water rides you might encounter, you’re gonna need sunscreen that can stand up to a busy day in the theme parks. View on Amazon These are just a few of the must-haves I keep in my park bag! Let us know if you have any questions (or additions) in the comments! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. The One Frustrating Reason You Should SKIP Magic Kingdom in 2025 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you pack in your park bag? Let us know in the comments! The post A Former Cast Member's Guide to Packing a Loungefly for EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you planning on spending New Year’s Eve at Disney World? 2024 New Year’s Hat While New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest days at Disney World, it’s clearly popular for a reason. Tons of people enjoy ringing in the new year at the Most Magical Place on Earth, and we understand why! It’s a very special way to start the brand-new year, especially with the New Year events scheduled at many locations. Typically, we see fireworks and countdowns at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, but this year, you can celebrate the beginning of 2025 with a bang at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well! Magic Kingdom has a countdown and fireworks show every New Year, while EPCOT will also usually ring in the new year with a show of its own as well. However, Hollywood Studios may occasionally offer fireworks, but it’s not necessarily guaranteed every year. But this year, Disney has sent out an announcement on the My Disney Experience app saying that there will indeed be a fireworks show to ring in the new year at the Hollywood-themed park! ©Disney You can enjoy live entertainment and a DJ all night long, including the Pixar Dance Party at Hollywood Studios. There will be special character experiences around the park, and at 11:57 PM, don’t miss the New Year Countdown Fireworks! ©Disney You can also catch showings of Fantasmic! on New Year’s Eve at 8:00 and 9:30PM. This park is gonna be hoppin’ for the new year! Hollywood Studios Magic Kingdom will be offering its New Year’s Eve fireworks, “Fantasy in the Sky,” early on December 30th at 6:30PM and 11:50PM, and again at the same times on December 31st. Countdown at Magic Kingdom 2023 into 2024 At EPCOT, on December 31st, you can celebrate all night with dance parties around World Showcase and a showing of “Luminous The Symphony of Us” at 6:30PM. Then, at 11:54PM, countdown to the New Year during “Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration!” EPCOT on New Year’s Eve last year These three Disney World parks will have fun entertainment for you and your friends or family to enjoy while counting down the seconds until the new year! We can’t wait to see you all in the parks on December 31st and January 1st, 2025. Until then, don’t forget to grab your park reservations if you need them and if they’re still available! For more Disney news, keep following DFB! 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 How are you celebrating New Year’s Eve? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney's Hollywood Studios Announces New Year's Eve Fireworks Show first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Working out, getting in shape, eating healthy, and overall health and wellness are popular New Year’s resolutions every year. Lululemon athleisure store in Disney Springs When the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, 2025, will you be resolving to dedicate your new year to a new you? To help you get a jump start on your New Year’s resolution of wellness, Disney Springs is offering lots of fun, can’t-miss opportunities for Wellness Month! Wellness Month at Disney Springs is being presented by AdventHealth and will feature new and returning offerings. There will be fitness classes at lululemon, fitness classes offered by Cirque du Soleil performers, Family Zumba classes, a photo tour, and much more! ©Disney Through Wellness Itineraries, you’ll find lots to do around Disney Springs! There’s a Find Your Balance itinerary for you to enjoy that features a yoga class at lululemon, shopping at lululemon and getting a special gift with any purchase, 10% off at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, and 10% off your purchase at Everglazed. Life is all about balance, so enjoying a mix of health with indulgence can be a good thing, and this itinerary proves it! ©Disney You’ll also find a Girls’ Day Out, Guys’ Day Out, Date Night, Family Day Out, and other itineraries curated to enjoy a day of relaxation, health, and wellness. You’ll find complimentary (a.k.a. FREE) offerings included with each itinerary! ©Disney You can go to the Disney Springs website to learn more about each option and its offerings and to secure your spot on one of the available dates and time slots. Heads up, though, A LOT of time slots have filled up, especially for the first week of January; if you’re hoping to get in on one of these fun itineraries, be sure to schedule your event ASAP! ©Disney You can choose to take a friend with you or go by yourself to meet new people, either way, it’ll be a fun experience to kick-start your new year! We’re getting ready to countdown into 2025; will you be setting a New Year’s resolution? If so, check out Disney Springs Wellness Month offerings. For more Disney news, keep following DFB! Why Disney, WHY?! Disney World Refuses to Re-open This Disney Springs Favorite 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 will your New Year’s resolution be in 2025? Let us know in the comments! The post What Is Wellness Month at Disney World, and What Can I Get for FREE? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World’s pay-to-skip-the-line service has changed, and if you are looking for the best tips, we have you covered! Lightning Lane at Peter Pan’s Flight Last summer, Genie+ transitioned into Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and Individual Lightning Lane turned into Lightning Lane Single Pass. While both Multi and Single Pass help you spend less time waiting in line, the new service takes inspiration from its predecessor, FastPass+. As a little refresher, Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass (along with Lightning Lane Premier Pass) can now be booked in advance. Those staying at a Disney World hotel can book seven days in advance, while all others can book three days prior. You can purchase and book your initial selections through the My Disney Experience app. If you choose Multi Pass, you will start off with three selections from the different tiers, and then once you start to redeem each Lighting Lane on the actual day you visit the park, you will be able to make additional selections. Lightning Lane at Expedition Everest If you need some more help understanding the basics of this system, don’t stress! That is what we are here for! We have plenty of resources across our site as well as on our YouTube channel. Now on with our best secrets! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Lightning Lane 1. Update your My Disney Experience App It may seem simple, but you are going to want to make sure your phone has the latest version of the My Disney Experience app downloaded. Technology can be finicky, and if you want to secure the best Lightning Lane selections, you will want your app to run as quickly as possible. © Disney || My Disney Experience 2. Know Your Group’s Preferences Before your booking window rolls around, make sure to talk to your group to know what they want to do. While you may not be able to get everyone’s first selections for Lightning Lanes, it is a good idea to have a game plan of what rides you would like to try to snag instead of having everyone gather around during the day of booking. That way, you can breeze through the selection process since you already have an idea of which rides your group would like to prioritize. I personally like the make a list of three options for each selection that I know the group is good with. That way, if my first option is booked, I can move on down to the second option! Lightning Lane 3. Make Sure to Link Your Friends and Family When you purchase Lightning Lane Multi, Single, or Premier Pass, you must purchase it for each person in your party. It is super important that you check your Friends and Family list on your My Disney Experience app and make sure everyone is linked. When your booking window rolls around, you will have to choose each person you wish to purchase Lightning Lanes for, and they must already be linked on your account. If you aren’t linked, you could miss out on the lightning lane you want or you could miss someone in your party and they could be left in the dust without a Lightning Lane (It’s happened to me and it’s pretty sucky to deal with. Last thing you want to do on a Disney World trip is be stuck at Guest Relations.) ©Disney 4. Mark Your Calendars and Set Your Alarms As we mentioned above, unlike Genie+, Lightning Lane Multi, Single, and Premier Pass can all be bought before your trip. Disney World hotel guests gain a massive advantage for Lightning Lanes as they can book seven days in advance. All others can book three days in advance. ©Disney Disney World hotel guests can book seven days prior Regardless, make sure you mark your calendars, be ready to purchase, and make your initial selections at 7 AM EST, either seven (If you’re a Disney World hotel guest) or three days before your arrival date. ©Disney Non- Disney World hotel guests can book three days prior 5. Go Through the Pre-Selection Process The My Disney Experience app will actually let you go through the selection process before your booking window rolls around; you just cannot complete your purchase. This can help you familiarize yourself with the steps when it comes time for you actually to book. You can even do this a few minutes before your booking window opens to get an idea of what attractions will be available to book and to practice the process so you are ready to go when it’s actually time to book! Mad Tea Party Lightning Lane 6. Pay Attention to Ride Locations Getting Lighting Lane return times that are close together may seem like a blessing because that means that you get to book more Lightning Lanes as you redeem your initial ones. As a warning, watch where which rides you are booking. Sometimes it can be hard to make it to close return times when attractions are on opposite sides of the park. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Lightning Lane For example, book close return times for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Spaceship Earth, and Journey Imagination with Figment. It may be hard to make it to all your return times as you will be running to different parts of the park. Running around from ride to ride when they are spread out also eats up at so much of your day without you even realizing it. If you want to book return times with close windows, we recommend choosing attractions that are closer together. Lightning Lane at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT 7. Refresh, Refresh, Refresh One of our biggest tips for anything on the My Disney Experience app is to REFRESH. While it is not always guaranteed, in our experience, if we are looking for a better return time, we will refresh the app a few times, and new return times will populate. Lightning Lane Lightning Lane rules seem to be ever-changing, and we are always in the parks testing out new strategies to help bring you even more tips to make your vacations to Disney World even easier. To stay up to date on all the latest Disney news, make sure to continue to follow along with Disney Food Blog! I’ve Tried Every Lightning Lane Option in Disney World, and I’m Sharing 5 Ways To Avoid Paying for Any of Them 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 to purchase Lightning Lane when you visit Disney World? Let us know in the comments!The post You Wanted the Secrets for the BEST Lightning Lane Game Plan in Disney World, So You Got It first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World isn’t the only theme park resort making some huge changes in 2025. Universal Studios Florida Universal Orlando has a pretty big year ahead of it, too, especially with the opening of Epic Universe in May. However, some other big changes seem to be coming to Univeral Orlando, too, and we recently uncovered a permit suggesting that a classic roller coaster would be getting demolished soon. Well, Universal Orlando has now confirmed that this ride will be closing next year. The ride will be replaced with something new, but Universal Orlando hasn’t offered any details on what will be replacing it. However, we know a new Fast & Furious-themed coaster is under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood, so there’s a chance that the ride could make its way to the East Coast, too. Universal Orlando We’ll be keeping an eye out for more announcements regarding the new ride, so stay tuned to DFB for more. I’m an Orlando Local, and I’m Begging You To STOP Sleeping on Universal Orlando. Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> What do you think about this news? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: CLOSING DATE Revealed for Classic Universal Orlando Attraction first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We MADE it! I KNEW we would! Dinosaur We’ve now got another year in the BOOKS, my friends — but when it comes to Disney, the decisions that were made in 2024 are gonna make a HUGE impact in the parks from here on out…for better or for worse. Check out our video below: Why 2024 Was the BEST & WORST Year for Disney 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 Did you go to Disney World in 2024? Tell us in the comments. The post DFB Video: Why 2024 Was the BEST & WORST Year for Disney first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are a ton of fantastic restaurants on Disney World property. Gasparilla It’s our mission to try them all to tell you what is and isn’t worth your hard-earned money. One of our favorite spots is actually located at one of Disney World’s hotels, and we know we’re not the only ones who are shocked that this restaurant doesn’t get more love — especially because it’s at one of Disney’s most popular resorts! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is one of Disney’s most popular resorts. It’s on the Magic Kingdom Monorail loop, giving easy access to Magic Kingdom, and being part of the deluxe category resort, there are tons of exciting amenities to enjoy as well. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Gasparilla Island Grill is one of our favorite spots here for a multitude of different reasons, but namely because of the House-Made Macaroni & Cheese, which has been a favorite of ours for YEARS! It’s creamy, rich, and is perfectly cooked in our opinion. House-Made Mac ‘n Cheese However, there’s a new favorite of ours here that we’re extra shocked more people aren’t talking about and going to Gasparilla for, and that’s the Mickey Chocolate Choux for $6.79. This is a chocolate pâte à choux filled with chocolate Chantilly cream, and when we first saw it, we thought it would be way too rich, but we were thankfully mistaken! Mickey Chocolate Choux It’s full of milk chocolate flavor without being too overpowering. The choux was wonderfully fluffy and had a lovely crunchiness to it that reminded us of the edges of a fresh pan of fudge brownies. In fact, our only complaint about it was that it wasn’t bigger, because we wanted to keep eating it for much longer. So much filling goodness! We’re so happy to see this is still on the menu, and we’re hoping it’ll stick around for a while — we hope to enjoy it every time we get to visit! With two total standouts like this, it’s really shocking that more people aren’t stopping by for a quick snack at Gasparilla Island Grill, even if they aren’t standing there. This place has some real winners on the menu and is worth checking out, especially if you are a mac and cheese stan! More Recent Dining Reviews! I’ve Been a Disney Fan for 20+ Years, and I’m ASTONISHED This Hotel Restaurant Isn’t More PopularREVIEW: We Ate A 4-Course Italian Meal At Disney World — And We Were Shocked at What We Liked BestREVIEW: This EPCOT Restaurant Has a Flashy Location and a New Menu, But We Still Can’t Recommend ItREVIEW: There’s Only ONE Fault in Disney World’s Newest Menu ItemsREVIEW: We Waited Nearly 4 Hours for a Meal at This Ultra-Exclusive New Gideon’s Bakehouse Location and Found a Community of SUPERFANS Along the Way Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World news! Check out our Disney World restaurants guide right 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! What’s your favorite item at Gasparilla? Tell us in the comments! The post I’ve Been a Disney Fan for 20+ Years, and I’m ASTONISHED This Hotel Restaurant Isn’t More Popular first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A Nostalgic Look Back at Camp Minnie-Mickey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom My family and I first visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom in June 1998 just 6 weeks after it opened. Since then there have been huge changes in this park, and nowhere is this more evident than in the area that once housed Camp Mickey-Minnie. What […] The post Camp Minnie-Mickey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom appeared first on Military Disney Tips. View the full article

There are A LOT of changes coming to Disney World in the coming years! Many of these announcements have been the center of many discussions, including the new Cars attractions in Magic Kingdom or the retheme of DinoLand, U.S.A. to Pueblo Esperanza in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom However, amongst the multitude of announcements Disney has made, there are a few that haven’t been talked about as much. We want to make sure you know about these more under-the-radar announcements, as they could impact your next Disney World trip! We want to make sure you are prepared for your Disney World trip, and these changes won’t take you by surprise! For starters, while Test Track is currently closed for refurbishment, it is expected to reopen in late summer of 2025. When Test Track reopens, it will be the third version of this popular attraction. The redesign will feature a new storyline and inspiration from World of Motion, that ride that was originally there when the park opened in 1982. The ride will still be sponsored by Chevrolet, and we are curious to see what the redesign will look like. Test Track construction There will also be a couple of new shows debuting in 2025, including Villains: Unfairly Ever After in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Zootopia: Better Zoogether! in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. However, one show has gone a bit under the radar. “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” is also expected to debut in the summer of 2025. This new Little Mermaid show was initially expected to open in the fall of 2024 but was pushed back to the summer of 2025. If you are headed to Disney World around that time, you may want to add some time to watch this new show! Voyage of the Little Mermaid While some attractions are expected to be opening sometime in 2025, there are also some under-the-radar closures that you will want to be aware of if you are heading to Disney World soon. Gran Fiesta Tour featuring the Three Caballeros will be closed beginning January 6th. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Astro Orbiter will also be closing on January 6th. As well, the Hall of Presidents will be closed beginning January 20th. Kali River Rapids will be closing on January 6th. In addition to these under-the-radar closures, you also won’t want to forget about the closures of Tom Sawyer Island, Muppets Courtyard, and DinoLand, U.S.A., which will be coming to make way for new areas. Gran Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros As well, Stormalong Bay will be closing at the beginning of 2025. This is one of our favorite pools on Disney World property, and we don’t want you to be caught by surprise if you are staying at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club in 2025. The Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club will be temporarily closed beginning in January 2025. The closure is expected to last through June 2025. While Stormalong Bay is the largest pool at this resort, guests can use the Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove leisure pools during the closure. Stormalong Bay Another announcement that could have an impact on your Disney World trip wasn’t actually made by Disney. This under-the-radar announcement was made by the Orlando International Airport, and we are so excited about it! Beginning in mid-2025, the Orlando International Airport (MCO) will be adding more than 40 restaurants and stores. Amongst these new additions will be eight local Orlando restaurants. These additions will provide so many more options when we are flying through MCO to get to Disney World! Orlando International Airport Finally, if you are someone who REALLY likes to plan ahead. Disney has also announced a brand-new hotel that will be coming to Disney World in 2027. This announcement has flown a bit under-the-radar, likely because we are still a few years away from its opening. But if you are planning way ahead, this new hotel could impact your Disney World trip! The new hotel will be called Disney Lakeshore Lodge and will be located in the former home of Disney’s River Country water park near Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. This new hotel will be a Disney Vacation Club hotel. Disney Lakeshore Lodge ©Disney If you are feeling overwhelmed about planning your trip to Disney World, we are here to help! Not only do we have gorgeous, information-filled guides, but you can also find planning guides on our blog, and you can also check out our ultimate Disney World vacation planning video. We want to make sure you have all of our best tips for having the best Disney World vacation! Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World tips, tricks, and news! Check out some of the MAJOR changes coming to 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 When is your Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! The post 6 Under-the-Radar Announcements That Will Change Your Next Disney World Trip first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s no secret that the holiday season and holidays, in general, are among the busiest times in Disney World, which means crowds, crowds, CROWDS. Magic Kingdom entrance on Christmas Eve So here’s the thing: Believe it or not, Disney World’s theme parks do have capacity limits (although they aren’t quite as limited as what we saw after Disney World’s reopening in 2020). Now, we’ll have to tell you that the parks don’t reach that limit often (and yes, that means you’ll often be in the parks shoulder to shoulder with everyone else), but sometimes they do. Well, what happens when a park sells out? What’s that about? We’re going to tell you! Okay, first we need to explain the difference between sold out dates for non-dated tickets as opposed to sold out dates for everyone. So here’s the thing: in early 2024, Disney World got rid of its park pass reservation system for the majority of its guests — those with date-based tickets. That’s basically anyone who bought regular park multi-day tickets — these guests do NOT have to make park pass reservations to visit the parks. Disney World Theme Park Ticket Cards However, Annual Passholders and other people who don’t use date-based tickets are required to make park pass reservations before visiting any of Disney World’s four theme parks. They can do that through the Disney World website. So here’s the thing: Park pass reservations can “sell out” on busier days, meaning that those folks will be blocked out from visiting the parks that are “sold out.” Annual Pass Mostly, those of us who come from out of town with date-based tickets don’t have to worry about this — you can still get into those parks that no longer have park pass reservations available. However, there are certain days of the year, like the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve, when the parks can still reach capacity and you could be prevented from entering a park, regardless of the kind of ticket you hold. Yeah, we know, it’s shocking that Disney World would ever turn anyone away, but this means the parks are at their MAXIMUM capacity and they have to turn you away for safety reasons. 2023 New Year’s Eve crowds at EPCOT Now, this usually only happens in Magic Kingdom, Disney World’s most popular park, and EPCOT (particularly on New Year’s Eve because a popular New Year’s Eve activity is drinking around the world). If it DOES happen, the capacity is usually reached in the morning. So you’ll want to get to the park as early as you can, either with Early Theme Park Entry (which is available to Disney World hotel guests) or at rope drop. Lots of folks ready to go at rope drop! Here’s the thing: Even if you’re just wanting to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the parks — you’ll need to get to the park early and stay there all day — if you leave, you might not be able to get back in. So you’ll need to be prepared to settle in for a long day at the park you choose. EPCOT New Year’s Eve Disney World will generally send out notifications through the My Disney Experience app when a park reaches capacity. However, if you want to check before you head to a park on one of these busy days, you can also call the park capacity hotline at (407) 560-5000. You’ll be able to find out quickly which parks have reached capacity and which ones are still available. It’s also a good idea to call this phone number if you want to park hop — because even if you are “in” at one park, when you get to your next one, you could be turned away if it reaches capacity. Capacity Message pop-up on My Disney Experience One thing to keep in mind, though, is that even if you can’t get into one park at the moment, you will still likely be able to visit another park while you’re waiting to see if your first park of choice has any capacity free up (and that does occasionally happen). So be sure to keep checking on all four parks before you just give up. Note, though, that your hotel and Disney Springs might also have some fun activities going on for any big celebratory days, if all else fails. You should be able to visit other parks Stay tuned to DFB for more. 4 Big Reasons Disney World Crowds Could Be Lower 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 ever seen a park at capacity during a Disney World trip? Let us know in the comments! The post What Does It Mean When a Disney World Park Sells Out, and What Can You Do About It? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Did you know that there is a special ceremony that happens each morning at Disney World? And it may not be where you would expect. World of Disney Opening Crowds You can stop by the World of Disney in Disney Springs each morning for a fun opening ceremony! It is a great way to start off your day, and we think it will leave a big smile on your face. When we arrived at World of Disney, we quickly realized we were not the only ones who were hoping to get some morning shopping in! Shortly before the opening, a Cast Member came out to organize us into a better line. Then we patiently waited to be let into the store. Getting ready for the Opening Ceremony Then, when World of Disney opened, we were welcomed into the store by a line of Cast Members who were clapping and shaking noise makers. They were also telling us “welcome in,” and not gonna lie, we kind of felt like royalty. We were even walking down a red carpet into the store! We are headed in! Not only did we get an amazing welcome into the store, but we could also shop around without the huge crowds. Another great perk is that Disney Springs often isn’t as crowded in the mornings, so after the opening ceremony at World of Disney, you can explore the rest of what Disney Springs has to offer, too! There is so much amazing shopping, as well as fantastic restaurants at Disney Springs. Some of our favorite restaurants include Wine Bar George, Homecomin’ by Chef Art Smith, and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg of great food at Disney Springs. Brunch at Wine Bar George If you are looking for some of our best tips for Disney Springs, make sure you check out our ultimate guide to Disney Springs in 2025: We had so much fun participating in the World of Disney Opening Ceremony! If you happen to be in Disney Springs in the morning, don’t miss out on it. Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World news! Check out our FAVORITE restaurants in Disney Springs! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to the opening ceremony at World of Disney? Let us know in the comments! The post CONFIRMED: There's a Secret Ceremony in Disney World You Can Only See Once Each Day first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Waiting in long lines at Disney World can be hard — we get it, we’ve been there plenty of times! Standby queue at TRON Oftentimes you turn to your phone to play a game, scroll through social media, or read a book, but if you want to make the most of your Disney World day, we highly recommend multitasking while you’re in a long line to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success for the rest of your day. It passes the time quickly, and you can step off the ride afterward knowing you’ve ticked off so many boxes for the remainder of your day. Mobile Order Your Meals We often recommend eating at off-peak times to avoid larger crowds on busier days in Disney World, and mobile order is a great way to make sure you don’t have to wait in a long line before waiting AGAIN to get your food. However, if you don’t mobile order your food well ahead of time on busy days, you may go to order your food when you’re starving at lunch time and realize that the next pickup window isn’t available for another 45 minutes. Mobile Order to avoid the line! While you’re waiting in a long line, plan your meals ahead of time and place your lunch and/or dinner orders well in advance! You can choose whatever time you’d like for later in the day, and the best part is, if you look at the time and realize you’re not hungry just yet, you can see if you can push your time a little later! Check Walk-Up Waitlists When you’re planning your Disney World vacation, you may choose not to do table service meals because you don’t want to spend the extra cash, or you don’t think it’ll be what you/your party wants to do. However, sometimes throughout the day, you realize you WOULD like to sit down and have a nice lunch or dinner. Don’t stress, you haven’t totally lost your chance — last minute reservations do become available! ©Disney You can join the walk-up list in the app as well! While you’re waiting in your long line, check the My Disney Experience App to check walk-up waitlists nearby and table service reservations available around the resort to see what may be available. It’s rare that you’ll find absolutely nothing available, unless you’ve got a very large party. Finding reservations for more popular restaurants may be difficult, but there are many hidden gems around the resort that you won’t want to miss out on! Check Other Wait Times If you’re trying to decide where to go next after you finish with your current attraction, you’ll want to use the My Disney Experience App to check for current wait times all around the park. ©Disney The app will give you real time updates to give you insight into what rides have jumped in wait times, which have dropped, and what attractions may be temporarily unavailable. It can all change in a moment, so be sure to check again right after you get off your current ride to make sure your next move is still a good idea! Review Showtimes Live entertainment is another very important part of any Disney World day, whether it be in the form of parades, stage shows, meet and greets, and more. However, this entertainment doesn’t happen all day, every day, so while you’re in line, take a look at what’s available and when so you’re not caught off guard. Festival of Fantasy Parade We can’t tell you how many times we’ve come across the heartbreaking scene where a family really wanted to meet a certain character, but they didn’t realize characters stopped meeting earlier than other attractions. Entertainment can also change on a dime due to Cast Member illness or injury, weather, and more, so be sure to check back often! Check Your PhotoPass Photos Whether you’ve purchased PhotoPass for your trip or not, you can see all the photos you’ve taken and tapped your MagicBand/phone for on your My Disney Experience App! Often, we find ourselves cracking up over some of our photos, and we download them immediately if we’ve purchased PhotoPass or have it as part of our Annual Pass. PhotoPass If you don’t have PhotoPass, you can also look through the photos and see if there are any you’d like to purchase! Some photos with family and friends can make great Christmas/holiday cards, you can frame them for the wall at home, or can be great memories for everyone to share on social media. What better time to look through them than waiting in a long line? Give A Cast Compliment Cast Members work so hard to make the magic in Disney World, and we love recognizing the Cast Members that go above and beyond for bringing Disney magic to a whole other level. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to let Disney know that these amazing people should be recognized for their hard word, and doing it while you’re waiting in line is super simple. ©Disney To leave a Cast Compliment, visit the My Disney Experience app and search “Cast Compliment.” From there, you can enter the reason for your compliment (you’ll select from a number of choices, you won’t be able to type one in), and the location, name, hometown, and date of your interaction. If you can’t remember the Cast Member’s hometown, that’s okay! It’s optional, but it does help Disney find the person easier. Book Your Next Lightning Lane Of course, one of the most beneficial things you can do in line while waiting is book your next Lightning Lane! You likely won’t have to wait long if you’re using Lightning Lane for the ride line you’re in, but you can also use standby lines while you wait for your next Lightning Lane to become available. If that’s the case, be sure to watch the time closely and book your next Lightning Lane as soon as you can! Lightning Lane Multi Pass pamphlet Remember that you can hold three Lightning Lane reservations at a time, and you can book another one immediately after using one up. However, there’s also a secret three hour rule you’ll want to know about too — while the app will tell you you have an hour to return to redeem your Lightning Lane, you actually have THREE! After the first hour passes though and it “disappears” from your app, you can book another return time, allowing you to stack Lightning Lanes. Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World news, tips, and tricks! I Was a Disney World Cast Member, and I’m Revealing the SECRETS I Have Stored in My Phone 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 How do you pass the time in long lines? Tell us in the comments! The post 7 Things To Do While Waiting in a Disney World Line That Will Save You Time Later first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here at DFB, we’re true to our name and adore trying all the new snacks that hit Disney World. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Whether it’s in the parks, the hotels, and beyond, it’s our job to go all around Disney World and try all the new snacks, drinks, and dining options that are released. This time, it looks like it’ll take us to Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort to try out THREE new snacks debuting tomorrow, and we couldn’t be more excited! Starting tomorrow, December 28th, at the Coffee and Ice Cream shop in the All-Star Movies World Premier Food Court, you can grab three new sweet treats we’re more than excited about. World Premiere Food Court First up we have the At the Movies Ice Cream Bucket which looks delectable. It’s made with caramel popcorn, TWIX cookie bar pieces, M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies, SNICKERS bar pieces, chocolate and caramel Sauces, whipped cream, cherries, and sprinkles. ©Disney This reminds us of the old massive ice cream sundae that used to be offered here a few years ago, which was called The Director’s Cup (but also rung up as the Golden Globe Sundae in the past) and was made with four scoops of ice cream, some brownie bites, chocolate chip cookies, strawberry sauce, hot fudge sauce, caramel, whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries. This appears to be its replacement, and we’re okay with that, because this new one looks incredible too! The Director’s Cup (2022) Also available at this location will be the Mickey Everything Chocolate Chip Cookie, which will be topped with M&M’S chocolate candies, TWIX cookie bar pieces, SNICKERS bar pieces, and caramel. We’re starting to see a pattern here — there’s a lot of caramel going on, but we’re not complaining! ©Disney The final treat available at this location tomorrow will be the Salted Caramel Churro Shake, which is exactly what it sounds like and we’re thrilled. ©Disney We’ll be grabbing these treats tomorrow as they’re available for the first time, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for our reviews! 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! Which of these treats looks the best to you? Tell us in the comments! The post We Are Counting Down The Hours Until We Can Try These NEW Sweet Treats in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

I’ve been flying to Disney World for…longer than I care to admit. Flying to Disney World Let’s just say that while I wasn’t around on opening day in 1971, my first trip to Disney World was not long after that. And my first flight to Disney World? Well, it was on TWA — an airline that hasn’t been around for about 25 years. I have flown into and out of the airports in Orlando hundreds of times — and I’m not exaggerating. For about 3 years, I flew into and out of Orlando 40 weeks a year for work, and I have flown dozens of other trips through the airports here, as well. As you might imagine, I have some pretty strong opinions about Orlando’s airports and the airlines that fly into them — and I’m gonna guess they aren’t what you’re expecting. (I also have some pretty strong opinions about the Auntie Anne’s pretzels sold at Orlando’s airports — and those ARE what you’re expecting, I’m sure.) Orlando International Airport So here’s the airline I would choose every time: Allegiant. Yes, it’s a budget airline. And yes, it flies into Orlando’s secondary airport — Orlando Sanford Airport. Does it seem terribly inconvenient to you? Sure, on first glance. But hear me out. ©Allegiant Airlines Allegiant is a budget airline that primarily flies out of secondary airports. That means, for example, that you won’t find an Allegiant flight out of, say, Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, but you can head 30 minutes away to Belleville, Illinois, and find Allegiant flights to Las Vegas, Orlando, Savannah, and other popular vacation spots. And that airport in Belleville? It’s tiny. You’ll never find an hourlong security line here — or a full parking garage. So while it may be a bit of a drive out of your city, you’re going to make up that time by not waiting in security lines or waiting for a parking shuttle. Allegiant at Sanford Airport And yes, you will not be flying into or out of Orlando’s main airport. You’ll again be another 30 minutes further away from Disney World. But you will get in an out of the Orlando Sanford Airport with no hassle, as well. If you’re renting a car, you’ll have a great advantage here, as well, because rates are usually quite a bit cheaper. As for Allegiant — yes, you do have to pay for your bags and for any extras, like many other budget airlines. But you will make up for those savings with the price of tickets. And that’s what I value — cheap tickets and an easy airport experience. Allegiant If you want to fly Allegiant, here are some things I’ve discovered over many years of flying with them: There is generally one flight a day to your destination, and Allegiant doesn’t fly every route, every day. So, you may want to see what days of the week you can fly before you make your hotel reservations. You can pack more in a personal bag than you think. If I am only traveling for 2-4 days, I can pack everything I need in my personal bag and not have to pay any airline baggage fees. Get creative and pack small! Pay close attention to the measurements of your bags. Allegiant can be strict at the gate and will charge you and check your bag if you’re trying to roll something too large on board. You don’t need to buy a seat. Now, if you’re picky about sitting at the front of the plane or sitting in an aisle seat or you must sit with your family, IGNORE ME. Please. But if the flight is short and you are on a budget, you can take your chances and be assigned a seat when you check in. The app will make you think you need to pay extra for your seat when you buy your ticket, but you can skip that part. Think about whether you really need that flight insurance. Yes, I believe wholeheartedly in travel insurance. But sometimes you want to take your chances. Do you need to pay $59 for the privilege to change your ticket if your ticket only cost $118? Sometimes, we weigh the risks and take our chances. Orlando Sanford International Airport Now, are there some downsides to flying my favorite airline to Disney World. Yes. Absolutely. Let’s look at them. Beware the luggage fees. If you must bring a lot of luggage, your fees may bring the price up to the price of flying Southwest, which includes checked bags. Be sure to do the calculations. Or let this be your challenge for packing lighter! Allegiant doesn’t always work for my schedule. As I said earlier, Allegiant doesn’t fly every route, every day. If you MUST fly to Orlando on a Wednesday and home on a Friday, you may not find the flights you need. When things go wrong, they can go very, very wrong. I will admit I have had a couple of very bad days with Allegiant. But then, everyone you know who flies regularly has had some very bad days. The biggest drawback to Allegiant for me is that if your plane needs maintenance, or there is bad weather, etc., you can be delayed a very long time. Several years ago, I was flying to Orlando from Owensboro, Kentucky, on December 20th. There was a problem with the plane and since it was the only flight out of Owensboro that day, there wasn’t another plane sitting around for them to switch to. We had to wait about 12 hours for Allegiant to have a break in the schedule to send another plane to Owensboro, and I missed a birthday party. Others missed holiday celebrations. It can and does happen. It also happens on other airlines, but the delays may not be as long if you’re flying a full-service carrier that has other planes in the vicinity. So, you’ll need to weigh the risks of that. Orlando Sanford Airport So there you have it. There are pros and cons of flying every airline but the prices and the smaller, simpler airports keep me flying Allegiant whenever it works with my schedule and destination. Have you flown Allegiant to Disney World? Let me know in the comments, and keep following us here at DFB for more travel news! Do You Know the Absolute Busiest Flight from Orlando? You Might Be On 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 The post I've Flown at Least 10 Airlines to Disney World -- This One Is My Favorite Every Time. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article