Halloween Minnie says hello!

It’s been a fun week at Disneyland Resort, and we’ve been checking out some new Halloween snacks, as well as the new holiday shop!

So let’s get to EVERYTHING that’s new at Disneyland right now!

Disneyland Food Updates

Royal Street Veranda

The Pumpkin Spiced Fritters have officially arrived at Royal Street Veranda, and they’re actually really tasty! We especially liked the Cream Cheese Dipping Sauce that came with them.

Pumpkin Spiced Fritters

Grab them for yourself for $5.99.

Read Our Full Review of the Pumpkin Spiced Fritters

French Market Restaurant

The Haunted Mansion Holiday Wreath Cookie has arrived and we can’t decide if it’s spooky or cute? Maybe both? This treat is a Sugar Cookie with Strawberry, White Chocolate, and a Mint Frosted Cereal Wreath.

The Wreath Cookie!

It is a VERY sweet treat, though, so only sweet tooths need apply. It’s available now for $7.49.

Read Our Full Review Of This Snack!

Disneyland Merchandise Updates

Plaza Point Holiday Shoppe

The Plaza Point Holiday Shoppe has officially opened. It’s full of beautiful holiday decor, and even has a cool story inspired by a Cast Member’s mother!

Plaza Point Windows

Be sure to check it out the next time you’re at Disneyland!

Come With Us Inside the NEW Year-Round Holiday Store in Disneyland!

Emporium

There are some fuzzy crewneck sweaters available now. There’s a Disneyland sweater…

SO cozy

…a Donald Duck sweater…

These sweaters are so soft!

…a Pluto sweater…

It’s Pluto!

…and a Star Wars Sweater. These sweaters are $64.99 each.

Perfect for winter weather!

There’s also a fuzzy Minnie Mouse Sweater for $59.99.

It’s Minnie!

We also saw the new Popcorn Spirit Jersey here for $74.99.

Popcorn is so iconic

We also found a fun Mickey Morning Face Mug for $14.99. Same, Mickey, same!

We feel you, Mickey

Pin lovers! There are some new Oliver and Company Mystery Pins available now! They’re $17.99 each.

Oliver and Company!

We also found some new Eternals Mystery Pins.

We can’t wait for this movie!

These pins are $19.99 each.

Here’s An UPDATE on Magic Key Park Pass Availability for Disneyland in 2021

20th Century Music Co.

Speaking of pins, we found a Dia de Los Muertos pin.

Dia de Los Muertos

This pin is $17.99.

Get a SNEAK PEEK at Holiday Merchandise Coming to Disneyland

Disney Showcase

We found two NEW Artist Series Mickey Shirts. There’s this black and white one…

Mickey

…and there’s a super colorful one with a pocket! These shirts are $39.99 each.

We’re getting 80s vibes from this shirt

Check out this cute Tie Dye Cheshire Cat Shirt we found for $44.99.

We’re all mad here

And we LOVE this Marie “Me First” Tie Dye Shirt for $39.99.

Marie is so sassy

It even has matching shorts!

Matching shorts

The shorts are $36.99.

Pioneer Mercantile

There’s a new Tie Dye Disneyland T-Shirt available at Pioneer Mercantile for $36.99.

Cute tee!

It also has matching sweats for $44.99.

Love the pastel colors

We found a fun new Kids Beanie for $16.99…

SO cute!

…as well as new red and black polka-dot Adult Beanies.

Minnie would approve

The adult beanies are $19.99 each.

PHOTOS: You Can See Props Used in ‘Muppets Haunted Mansion’ in Disneyland!

Disneyland Miscellaneous Updates

We popped into The Magic Key Starcade Experience, near Space Mountain in Tomorrowland, which is currently  functioning as the Magic Key holder lounge. There, we got to see a preview of Mickey and Minnie in their holiday outfits!

Heya, Mickey!

Both Mickey and Minnie will be available here for Magic key holders through October 30th. All Disneyland Resort guests will get to see Mickey and Minnie in their holiday outfits starting on November 12th.

Minnie Mouse!

But don’t worry — it’s still Halloween, so we also got to check out some photo ops in the Magic Key lounge. There’s one for Muppets Haunted Mansion…

Time for a photo?

…and one for the Haunted Mansion Holiday 20th Anniversary.

Happy 20th Birthday, Haunted Mansion Holiday!

So if you’re a Magic Key holder, you can pretty much celebrate two holidays at once in the lounge!

See More Photos of Holiday Mickey and Minnie

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Although it’s still technically Halloween season, the holiday snow is already on Sleeping Beauty Castle!

Snow

It is quite beautiful, though!

See More Photos of the Snowy Sleeping Beauty Castle

Monorail

Good news! The Disneyland Monorail is running again!

The Monorail is back up and running!

It’s great to have this transportation option back!

Disneyland Is Bringing Back a Shake COVERED In Halloween Candy! Find Out More Here!

Disney California Adventure Merchandise Updates

Elysian Arcade

We spotted a new Little Mermaid “Life Is The Bubbles” Pin.

Under da sea

This pin is $17.99.

RELEASE DATE for the Little Mermaid Live-Action Remake Announced! Find Out When Here!

Backlot Shop

We found a few new Her Universe items in the Backlot Shop, inlcuding a Black Widow Shirt for $36.99…

Representing Black Widow

…and Avengers Leggings for $39.99.

Avengers Leggings Assemble!

There’s also a new Marvel Spirit Jersey here.

Marvel spirit jersey

We’re here for all the new Marvel gear!

Pre-Order the NEW Marvel, Star Wars, And Orange Bird Little Golden Books NOW!

Disney California Adventure Other Updates

World of Color

World of Color is getting a refurbishment and it looks like Disney is still working on the equipment for the show.

World of Color is still under construction!

We’ll be sure to let you know when it’s set to return!

ALL Dates For Disneyland’s Merriest Nights Holiday Event Are Now SOLD OUT! Read More Here

Soarin’

Speaking of Christmas, the decorations have already been added in to the trees by Soarin.’

Christmas lights

It’s beginning to look a lot less like Halloween and more like Christmas!

HURRY! Get 12 Disney Toys That Amazon Predicts Will Be the MOST Popular This Holiday Season!

Downtown Disney Merchandise Updates

World of Disney

Speaking of which…World of Disney is now decorated for Christmas, too!

It’s Christmas everywhere

And holiday merch has arrived! We found a Santa Paws Hoodie here for $49.99…

LOVE those Disney dogs

…Disney Cats Holiday Pajama Pants for $49.99…

Love those Disney Cats, too!

…and Disney Dogs Holiday Pajama Pants for $49.99.

SO cute

There are ornaments, too, including a Haunted Mansion Ornament Set…

Welcome, foolish mortals

…and a Jungle Cruise Ornament Set.

The world famous Jungle Cruise

Each ornament set is $39.99.

Another Attraction is Reopening SOON at Disneyland! Find Out What It Here!

Wonderground Gallery

We found the two new Artist Series gear here, too, like this Mickey Baseball Cap for $29.99…

Oh, Boy!

…a black and white Artist Series Mickey Backpack…

Matching backpack

…and a colorful Artist Series Mickey Backpack.

SWEET colors

The backpacks are $49.99 each.

Festival of Holidays Is Coming BACK to Disneyland Resort! Get The Details Here!

The Dress Shop

There’s an Edna Mode Dress now available and don’t worry — it has NO CAPES.

This dress is DAHLING.

This dress is $128.

Hey Disney Worlders, Here Are Reasons to be WAY Jealous of the Holidays in Disneyland!

Downtown Disney Miscellaneous Updates

We mourn the loss of of The Void Virtual Reality experience that let us live out our wildest Star Wars dreams, but two new stores are coming to its space. A Pele Soccer Store…

Coming soon

…and Lovepop!

Also coming soon

We don’t have opening dates for these shops yet, but we’ll let you know when we get more details. Those are all the updates we have this time around, but we’ll be back with more soon, so stay tuned!

Festival of Holidays — and More! — Return for Disneyland Holidays Beginning November 9th. Get The Deets Here

What was your favorite update from our most recent visits to Disneyland Resort? Let us know in the comments!

The post What's New at Disneyland Resort: The Year-Round Holiday Shop Opens, A Pumpkin Spice Snack, and Snow...? first appeared on the disney food blog.

It’s the spooky season!

One way you can get in the spooky spirit is with wallpapers, and Disney’s got you covered!

Disney has shared a new collection of Halloween wallpapers, including this one based on Disneyland! These wallpapers are available for computers, phones, and smartwatches.

©Disney

There’s also one based on the iconic Halloween decorations that adorn Main Street, U.S.A. in Disney World!

©Disney

There are tons of great Disney Halloween wallpaper, including ones based on Disney’s signature apples, Mickey Mouse, the Haunted Mansion, and more!

Click here to see them all!

©Disney

We’re always keeping up with the latest Disney news, so stay tuned here for more!

Get Some DFB Exclusive Disney Wallpapers HERE! 

Halloween at Walt Disney World

• Get a Look at All of the New Halloween Merchandise in Disney World

• Learn All About Disney After Hours Boo Bash at Magic Kingdom

• See Every Date That is Sold Out for Boo Bash

• Check Out the Full List of Halloween Treats Coming to Disney World

• See Photos and Reviews of the Fall and Halloween Treats in Disney World

• Take a Look at the Halloween Decorations in Magic Kingdom

• See Disney World’s NEW Halloween Ears

Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe

What do you think about these Wallpapers? Let us know in the comments! 

The post Give Your Device A Disney Halloween Makeover With New Wallpapers! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Cinderella Pumpkins at Magic Kingdom

Recently, we found a new tutorial to make runDisney Jack-o-Lanterns!

Recently, runDisney released a tutorial to create two exercise-inspired Jack-o-Lanterns, one with the runDisney logo and another with a running shoe! Let’s take a look at how to make these spooky pumpkins.

©runDisney

What You’ll Need

• Pumpkin(s)
• Pumpkin Carving Kit
• Tape
• runDisney Pumpin Carving Templates
  • Running Mickey
  • Running Shoe

©runDisney

How To Make

• Download and print your favorite pumpkin carving design template- we have two fun runDisney inspired options for you to choose from, a Running Mickey Mouse or a running shoe.
• Next tape your template to your pumpkin in the area you want it to go.
• Score the design into the skin of the pumpkin by poking holes through the template with a plastic poking tool, available in most carving kits.
• Carve by starting at the center of the design, working outward – this avoids putting pressure on areas already carved. Begin with the innermost and smallest details. As each shape loosens up, gently push it out of the pumpkin with a finger or a dull pencil point.
  • Pumpkin Pro Tip: If you cut something you didn’t intend to, perform a pumpkin surgery: stick a toothpick through the flesh side of the piece and fit it back into place.
• Lastly, put your new jack-o’-lantern in a place of honor (away from flammables), and remember to blow out all candles before you go to sleep.

©runDisney

We hope you enjoy these DIY decorations! We’re always keeping up with the latest Disney news, so stay tuned here for more!

Source: runDisney.com

Click Here to See How to Make DIY Disney Candy Buckets

Halloween at Walt Disney World

• Get a Look at All of the New Halloween Merchandise in Disney World

• Learn All About Disney After Hours Boo Bash at Magic Kingdom

• See Every Date That is Sold Out for Boo Bash

• Check Out the Full List of Halloween Treats Coming to Disney World

• See Photos and Reviews of the Fall and Halloween Treats in Disney World

• Take a Look at the Halloween Decorations in Magic Kingdom

• See Disney World’s NEW Halloween Ears

Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe

What do you think about these pumpkins? Let us know in the comments! 

The post DIY ALERT: Disney Pumpkin Carving Templates! first appeared on the disney food blog.

We’ve got some bad news about the Mickey beignets…

Plus it’s also still the 50th Anniversary Celebration, meaning that we’re pretty much celebrating all three events at once! And while we’re snacking our way around the parks, we’re also trying to keep up with Disney World menu updates to keep you informed of what’s changing around the resort. And we’ll warn you now — one iconic snack is now missing!

So on with the updates!

Magic Kingdom

Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen

There is a small change on the Beers menu at Skipper Canteen: Tusker Lager has been removed.

Skipper Canteen

We also saw some changes on the Wines Menu:

• REMOVED:  Altos Las Hormigas Malbec, Bellingham Chenin Blanc, and Rust en Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon
• ADDED: Spice Route Chakalaka for $53 per bottle, $15 per glass
• ADDED: Black Pearl Oro Cabernet Sauvignon for $49 per bottle, $12 per glass

Read Our Review of Skipper Canteen

Plaza Restaurant

A few desserts have been changed at Plaza Restaurant: The Signature Chocolate Cake and Brownie Sundae have been removed from the menu.

Chocolate Cake

But the Original Banana Split is back! This is a ripe Banana and three scoops of Ice Cream (Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry) topped with Hot Fudge, Strawberry Sauce, Crushed Pineapple, Chopped Nuts, Whipped Cream, and a Cherry for $10.

Here’s Our Most Recent Review of Plaza Restaurant

EPCOT

Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room

If you’re looking to check out some flights at Rose and Crown Dining Room, you’ll need to know that the selections have changed and three flights have been removed: Single Malt Flight, Johnnie Walker Flight, and The Macallan Flight.

Single Malt Scotch Flight

These are the only changes here, though.

Read Our Most Recent Review of Rose And Crown

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Beaches and Cream

We’ve got more changes on the Wines part of the menu at Beaches and Cream. Benvoli Pinot Grigio and Columbia Crest H3 Merlot have both been removed.

Beaches and Cream

Three new wines have been added, though: Copa Di Vino Pinot Grigio, Copa Di Vino Chardonnay, and Copa Di Vino Cabernet Sauvignon.

Read Our Review of the Beaches and Cream 50th Anniversary Milkshake

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Narcoossee’s

At Narcoossee’s, the Seasonal vegetables that come with Surf & Turf and Filet Mignon are now Roasted Rainbow Vegetables.

Surf and Turf from Narcoossee’s

Also, Meeker FroZin was removed from the Wines list.

Read Our Most Recent Review of Narcoosse’s

Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

Port Orleans French Quarter reopens on October 28th, and ahead of that opening, we’ve seen a LOT of menu changes at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. On the breakfast menu, the Mickey-Shaped Beignets have been removed. Say what?!?!?!?! Don’t worry though. They are listed on the lunch and dinner menus!

Here’s what else has changed:

• The “Big Easy” Breakfast, French Toast, Western Omelet, Chocolate-Chip Pancakes, Mixed Berry Pancakes, House Made Vanilla Pancakes, Whole-Grain Croissant Breakfast Sandwich, and Biscuits & Gravy with Eggs
• ADDED: Continental Breakfast — Dannon Oikos Greek Blueberry Yogurt, Banana, and a Croissant for $7.49
• ADDED: Breakfast Bagel Sandwich — Eggs, Bacon, and American Cheese on a Bagel for $6.79
• ADDED: Egg and Cheese Bagel Sandwich — Eggs and American Cheese on a Bagel for $5.79

Mickey-Shaped Beignet

• ADDED: Bounty Platter — Scrambled Eggs, Mickey Waffle, Breakfast Potatoes, Bacon, Sausage, and Waffle for $11.29
• ADDED: American Platter — Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Potatoes, Bacon, and Sausage for $8.59
• ADDED: Glazed Doughnut for $1.99
• ADDED: Plant-based Mickey-shaped Waffles — Served with Roasted Breakfast Potatoes for $9.99
• ADDED: Overnight Oats — Oats, Chia Seeds, Agave Syrup, Coconut Milk, Blueberries, and Walnuts (Plant-based) for $5.29

Plant-Based Mickey Waffles

And the Kids’ Breakfast Menu is a little different now, too:

• REMOVED: Breakfast Platter, French Toast, and Pancakes
• ADDED: Scrambled Eggs — Served with Dannon Danimals Smoothie and Apple Slices with choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water. Meets Disney Nutrition Guidelines Complete Meals without substitutions for $6.49
• ADDED: Mickey-shaped Waffles — Served with Dannon Danimals Smoothie, Apple Slices, and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $6.49

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

And Breakfast Beverages have changed, too:

• REMOVED: Cappuccino, Espresso, Chicory Coffee, and Cafe Au Lait
• ADDED: French Vanilla Iced Coffee for $4.79
• ADDED: Mocha Iced Coffee for $4.79

We’re just going to say it — almost all of the more unique items, like the beignets, the chicory coffee, and the cafe au lait are no longer on the breakfast menu — we really hope they return soon.

See Yehaa Bob’s Return to Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside

Those are all the changes we’ve seen this week, but we’ll keep checking and keep you updated!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!

Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.

What do you think of these menu changes? Let us know in the comments!

The post 6 Disney World Restaurants Saw Big Menu Changes This Week! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Disney Springs

But, there’s something extra special event taking place at a fan-favorite restaurant next month! (And, you’re going to want to reserve a spot for yourself after you hear more!)

Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen & Chef Art Smith will host a meet and greet brunch, where you’ll have a chance to say hello to the authors of the Delicious Disney: Recipes & Stories From The Most Magical Place on Earth cookbook. Pam Brandon and Marcy Carriker Smothers will greet guests who attend the Disney Springs event on Wednesday, November 3rd from 9AM to 11AM.

Delicious Disney ©Disney

Participants will be able to enjoy a brunch, 2 mimosas, soft drinks, and a copy of the cookbook for $125 per person. Guests can book their reservations by calling 407-828-6094 or emailing JordanS@Splitsvillelanes.com.

Hush Puppy Benedict

Of course, we’ll keep you updated on even more fun events coming to Disney World soon! Stay tuned with DFB for the latest Disney entertainment and news!

You can only try Disney World’s new Halloween Donut for a limited time!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!

Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below!

The post A Special Meet-and-Greet Brunch Is Coming to Homecomin' in Disney Springs! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Magic Kingdom

From two new roller coasters to the EPCOT Transformation to removing things that have been in the park for a long time, there’s a lot of construction to keep track of. And, that’s why we’re bringing you a look at it all!

Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Last week, Mickey’s PhilharMagic closed in Magic Kingdom to undergo a refurbishment that includes adding a brand new scene inspired by Pixar’s Coco to the show. We had also noticed that the sign was getting some TLC in the meantime and this week the tarp that once covered “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” was removed to reveal…well…nothing really.

PhilharMagic Construction

We’ve seen Disney remove signage from attractions a few times this year for refurbishment, so it will likely be back by the time the attraction reopens on November 11th.

Click HERE to Learn More About the NEW ‘Coco’ Scene!

TRON: Lightcycle Run

We also took a ride on the PeopleMover to check in on the construction progress at TRON: LightCycle Run in Tomorrowland and, from high up above, the outdoor portion of the ride still looks like an active construction site. There’s lots of orange fencing, machinery, and dirt.

TRON Construction Update

Disney still hasn’t revealed an opening date (or even timeline) for the new roller coaster, but we’re keeping an eye out for updates so stay tuned!

EPCOT

Harmonious

EPCOT’s new fireworks show, Harmonious, debuted for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary on October 1st and has been showing every night since. But, it looks like its premiere didn’t mark the end of some construction work, as we noticed some cranes out in World Showcase Lagoon near the large circular centerpiece this week.

Construction on Harmonious Barges

The show has not been interrupted by any construction, so Disney is likely just making sure that everything is in working order for their brand new show.

VIDEO: Watch the NEW Harmonious Fireworks Show in EPCOT HERE!

Test Track

Over by the exit of Test Track, we spotted some new construction scrim up by the exit of the shop that all guests exit through…

Test Track Construction

…and the FastPass+ kiosks that once were outside of the ride are no longer there.

Test Track FastPass kiosks are gone

As a reminder, FastPass+ has been replaced with two new paid services — Disney Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection — and all of the purchases and reservations for access to “skip the line” through new Lightning Lanes (aka the old FastPass lanes) can be made through the My Disney Experience app.

Learn More About the New Services That Have Replaced FastPass+ HERE!

World Celebration

Earlier this month, EPCOT’s new “neighborhoods” debuted, turning Future World into three distinct areas — World Nature (which includes The Land and Journey Into Imagination With Figment), World Celebration (which is in the center and includes Spaceship Earth), and World Discovery (which includes Test Track, Mission: SPACE, and Space 220). World Celebration remains mostly closed currently, but we were able to get a birds-eye view of the construction on our ride over on the monorail.

EPCOT construction looks a lot different from up here

This area will one day include new attractions like Journey of Water — Inspired by MOANA and a new statue of Walt Disney at what will be called “Dreamer’s Point.” But, for now, it’s an active construction site with a new gaping hole in one area.

What’s going on here?

And, while we were up in the monorail, we noticed that the construction walls that were once up between World Celebration and World Showcase had been removed to reveal that Disney had taken out the splash pad that was once here.

No more walls!

The transformation of World Celebration is another project that doesn’t have an end date just yet.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Sunset & Hollywood Boulevard

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the FastPass+ kiosks were removed from the corner of Sunset and Hollywood Boulevard.

And, they’re gone!

The area may be clear of the machines now, but there are still some remnants of the kiosks for now — just look at the paint and the flooring!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Primeval Whirl

Lastly, we’ve been keeping track of the removal of Primeval Whirl in DinoLand, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently. And, while the entrance area still remains surrounded by construction walls…

Primeval Whirl

…that’s really all that’s left of it as the majority of the track has been completely demolished.

More is coming down!

Well, that’s a wrap on this week’s construction update! We’re always looking out for new construction walls, scaffolding, and big unveilings, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest!

Check Out Everything That’s CLOSED In Disney World This October HERE!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!

Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.

What Disney World construction project are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!

The post PHOTOS: See the Updates on TRON, the EPCOT Transformation, and MORE in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog.

It’s the weekend and you’ve earned a reward, so how about some Disney shopping?!

There’s plenty to shop in Disney World and online!

There are several new items online, from holiday collections to unique accessories and more! Today, we’re sharing the full list of all the items that arrived in the last week.

Special Collections

Several collections of merchandise dropped online this week, starting with Disney’s line of popcorn-scented items that we’ve seen in the parks! The Jungle Book Stitch Crashes Disney items also arrived on shopDisney, but the plush and the MagicBand have since sold out.

Stitch Has Arrived!

It seems to be the weekly tradition now that we get more holiday merchandise, and this week was no different — we got a new line of accessories that you’ll definitely want to check out.

And finally, another group of limited edition EPCOT matted prints arrived online.

©shopDisney

These include another limited edition poster!

Click Here to Shop the Limited Edition EPCOT Harmonious Poster!

Accessories

It wouldn’t be a merchandise update without some new accessories! First up, there’s a new Loungefly backpack inspired by The Emperor’s New Groove. It features Yzma as a cat in her scout uniform — that takes some serious movie knowledge to unravel!

©Disney, BoxLunch

Also, Disney dropped what we believe is the most beautiful piece of jewelry ever — it’s a bracelet with a Mickey Ice Cream Bar AND a Dole Whip! 

©Disney

So cute!

Check Out the Perfect Bracelet Here!

Plushes and Dolls

Finally, let’s head into the realm of plushes and dolls. There’s a new shoulder plush in town, and it’s none other than the rootin’ tootin’ Sheriff Woody from Toy Story!

©Disney

And if you’re a collector of Disney Princess dolls, then you’ll definitely want to add the new (and gorgeous!) Rapunzel Holiday Doll to your cart.

©Disney

She’s dressed up in wintery clothes and reminds us a bit of the Frozen ladies!

Click Here to Learn More About the Rapunzel Doll!

That’s everything new online this week, but stay tuned to DFB for more merchandise updates coming soon! We’ve got you covered with the latest Disney news!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!

Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.

Which item is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

The post Get a Head Start on Holiday Shopping With the Newest Online Disney Merch! first appeared on the disney food blog.

©Disney

We figured out how many rides you can do using Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection, how rider swap works now, and so much more. But, we thought we’d compile ALL of that information in one place for you, so here’s everything you need to know about Disney Genie!

Genie

Disney Genie is the free planning tool that is now a part of My Disney Experience. It will create a personalized itinerary for you to make your day run smoother in Disney World. After you link your theme park tickets to Genie, you can tell it your preferences — like your favorite rides, restaurants, and characters. Doing this allows Genie to give you better recommendations throughout the day. And, we definitely recommend doing this ahead of time so you can start your day off with good recommendations!

©Disney

Forecasted Wait Times

Genie has features like forecasted wait times, which tell you what the wait times for a certain ride look like for the rest of the day. And, it’s good about recommending you rides at their lower wait times for the day that also fit into your personal schedule.

©Disney

For example, Genie told us to go ride Space Mountain when it was a 30 minute wait because that was the lowest forecasted wait time for the rest of the day and we had a gap in our schedule.

See how smart Disney Genie is here! 

Park Hopping

You can also set parameters in Genie to tell it when and where you’re planning to park hop. By doing this, Genie will remind you when it’s time to park hop, and it won’t recommend you do things later in the day at your first park, since it knows you will have park hopped by then.

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Another useful setting you can enter is if you have any height restrictions for rides, so it won’t recommend rides your little ones aren’t tall enough to go on!

Read MORE about park hopping with Disney Genie here! 

Dining Information

One of the best features of Genie is how it displays dining information. Genie will show you all the dining options in one place. For quick service spots, Genie will tell you the next available mobile order window.

©Disney

And, for table service restaurants, Genie will show you if there are any reservations available (which you can then book through Genie) or if there is availability on the walk-up list, including how long the estimate wait is on the list.

Genie Flaws

Genie does have some flaws, though. It does not communicate very well with Genie+, so we did have instances where Genie would recommend us to go on a ride that we had already used Genie+ for. The only way you can get Genie to stop doing this is to physically remove these recommendations by telling Genie you don’t want to do them.

©Disney || We already rode that, Genie!

It’s also not ideal if you’re trying to ride as many rides as possible during your day, because it will recommend you do other things like watch entertainment or eat a meal instead of continuously recommending rides.

Genie+

Genie+ is the new program that has replaced FastPass+ in Disney World. It allows you to make reservations to use the Lightning Lane (old FastPass+ lane) for 46 rides across the parks, essentially letting you skip the standby line. It costs $15 per day, per person.

Buying Genie+

You can buy Genie+ before your trip by adding it to a ticket or a vacation package, but it has to be for the entire length of your stay. If you only want to buy Genie+ for select days, you can do it on the day of your park ticket beginning at midnight.

©Disney

Genie+ Reservations

With Genie+, you can make reservations to use the Lightning Lane for rides starting at 7AM on the day of your park ticket. You can only make a reservation for one ride at a time, however, there is an exception to that rule. If the first Lightning Lane you book isn’t until later in the day, then you are allowed to book another one before it, but within certain parameters. You cannot book another Lightning Lane unless it’s been 120 minutes since you’ve booked your first one.

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For example, say you want a Slinky Dog Dash Lightning Lane, but the only next time available is at 6PM. You can book that time starting at 7AM, and then you can book another Lightning Lane (for before 6PM) 2 hours after park opening. So, if Hollywood Studios opens at 9AM, you can make another Lightning Lane reservation starting at 11AM. Once you’ve scanned into that Lightning Lane, you can book another one, so you can potentially have 2 Lightning Lane reservations throughout the day.

Read MORE about the 120 minute rule HERE! 

©Disney || The message you’ll get if you try to book too early

This also applies if you book your first Lightning Lane after park open. Say you make your first Lightning Lane reservation at 1PM for a ride that isn’t available until 7PM, you can book another Lightning Lane starting at 3PM, 120 minutes after you booked the first one.

©Disney

Due to this rule, we think the most effective way to use Genie+ is to make your first Lightning Lane reservation for as early in the day as possible, because once you scan into the first ride you have a Lightning Lane for, you can book one for another ride. So, if you start early, you can just keep scanning and booking rides throughout the day.

Learn more about stacking lightning lane reservations HERE!

The One Time Rule

It’s also important to note that you can only get a Lightning Lane for each ride once. You can’t book Splash Mountain repeatedly throughout the day. If you want to ride it again, you’ll have to wait in the standby line.

Splash Mountain Lightning Lane

Selling Out/Filling Up

Also, with Genie+, rides can lose Lightning Lane availability throughout the day. On the first day of Genie, Slinky Dog Dash showed no Lightning Lane availability at one point, but then as the day went on, more availability was added — so, make sure to keep checking Genie throughout the day.

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What Happens When a Ride Goes Down?

If a ride is down during your scheduled time to use its Lightning Lane, you will be given a redemption pass.

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These passes do not count toward the “one ride at a time” rule, so you can go ahead and make another Lightning Lane and that pass will be there for you to use when the ride goes back up.

See what happened when the ride we PAID to ride went down THREE times!

Is It Worth It?!

After testing out Genie+ at all 4 Disney World parks, we came to the conclusion that currently, it’s most worth it in Magic Kingdom. The park has the most rides, and therefore had the most Lightning Lane availability throughout the day. As for the other parks — in Animal Kingdom, the wait times have been pretty low across the board, so we didn’t really feel like we needed to use the Lightning Lane for rides. Then, in Hollywood Studios, popular rides lost availability quickly and less popular rides all had low waits, so we didn’t feel like we got to use Genie+ to its full potential.

©Disney

We would definitely recommend Genie+ for Magic Kingdom, but we think it will have more value at the other parks during busier times, like the holidays or even on weekends! Also, note that buying Genie+ gives you access to new and interactive PhotoPass lenses and special Audio Tales you can listen to around the parks!

See the new PhotoPass lenses here!! 

Individual Attraction Selection

In each park, there are 2 high-demand rides that are not included in Genie+. These are rides that you have to pay individually for in order to use their Lightning Lanes. The prices for these rides are all different and will change based on demand, like surge pricing with Uber. Here’s a look at the list and the prices on the first day of Genie:

Individual attraction selection costs we’re seeing so far (reminder that these can vary)

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: $9
Runaway Railway: $8
Rise of the Resistance: $15
Space Mountain: $7
Seven Dwarves Mine Train: $10
Frozen Ever After: $9
Flight of Passage: $11
Everest: $7

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 19, 2021

And you can see the weekend pricing here!

Can I Cancel or Modify My Reservation?

You can only purchase 2 of these rides per day and you cannot modify/cancel them once they’ve been purchased. So, if you pay $15 for Rise of the Resistance then decide you want to switch it to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you can’t. It’s like buying a movie ticket — it’s non-refundable and has a set return time.

©Disney

Can Individual Attraction Selections Sell Out for the Day?

These rides CAN sell out for the day. The past few days, we’ve seen the Lightning Lane sell out for Rise of the Resistance, so if that ride is a high priority for you, make sure you buy its Lightning Lane as soon as possible. You can buy Individual Lightning Lanes starting at 7AM if you’re a Disney hotel guest. For all other guests, you can buy them starting at park open.

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Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Something interesting we found with these is that you can actually ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure twice in one day! We first booked a boarding pass with the virtual queue, then we paid for a Lightning Lane, so we had 2 times to ride Remy’s.

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Park Hopping Problems

One issue we did encounter though is with park hopping. Even if you tell Genie you will be in a different park after 2PM, it won’t give you recommendations for these particular rides in your second park, it will only show the ones in your first park. You have to go and search for the ride you’re looking for in order to buy its Individual Lightning Lane.

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Booking As A Hotel Guest

We also came to the conclusion that you might be able to around having to buy any of these Individual Lightning Lanes if you’re a Disney hotel guest. Since Disney hotel guests get Early Theme Park Entry at every park, you could go into the park 30 minutes before open and ride the two Individual Attraction Selection rides in the standby lines, since wait times are usually lower during this time.

The only park this might be tricky for is Hollywood Studios, since Rise of the Resistance still tends to have a longer line in the morning, so you probably wouldn’t also have time to go ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

©Disney

Redemption Passes

And, the same rule about redemption passes we explained with Genie+ also applies to these rides. If your Individual Attraction Selection ride is down during your time to ride it, you will be given a redemption pass for when it goes back up. This won’t count toward your 2 rides per day — you can go ahead and buy another Individual Lightning Lane even if you had already bought 2 for the day.

Rise of the Resistance went down yesterday

That’s everything you need to know about Disney Genie! We hope Genie is magical for you on your vacation, whether you use the free planning tool or the paid Lightning Lane options. Stay tuned to DFB for more news updates on Disney Genie!

Still have questions about Genie+? We’re answering ALL your questions HERE! 

Have any other Genie questions? Ask them in the comments!

The post Don't Want to Read 100 Different Articles About How to Use Disney Genie? Just Read This. first appeared on the disney food blog.

Haunted Mansion

Sound like a dream (or nightmare!) come true? Then, there’s a VERY special location you’ll want to check out!

Haunted Mansion fans: it’s time to make your way to California — Fullerton, California to be exact, to check out one of the most EPIC airbnb spots we’ve ever seen. This is the “Haunted Mansion-inspired Ghostly Retreat” hosted by Jeffrey/Sinister Pointe, and yes, it is as incredible as it looks!

Amazing!!!

A huge thank you to Heather Sievers (DininginDisney) who stayed at the airbnb and shared these photos with us. According to Heather, “photos do not do this home justice.”

There’s So Much to See!

According to the airbnb page, the home features 4 bedrooms, 5 beds, and 2 baths. It can accommodate up to 8 guests and is FULLY decked out in Haunted Mansion decor and theming literally everywhere you look!!

Check Out Those Portraits

In every corner of the house, you’ll find a hauntingly awesome reference to the ride — from those very familiar portraits to names over certain rooms that reference characters directly from the Mansion.

Anyone Want to Stay in The Raven’s Room

Seriously, folks, even the bathrooms are spooky looking…

Wall-to-Wall Creeps

…but in the best way possible!

You Gotta Love the Attention to Detail

Gotta clean up for that swinging wake!

The Bathroom

We’ll start on the outside of the home, where you’ll find a little pet cemetery.

©Airbnb | Jeffrey | Haunted Mansion Inspired Ghostly Retreat

Inside, there are wall-to-wall creeps…

The Floating Tambourine!

…and spaces that are delightfully unlivable (though we think you’ll find them quite live-able for your short stay).

The Leota Room

Perhaps most impressive is the airbnb’s version of the Stretching Room.

©Airbnb | Jeffrey | Haunted Mansion Inspired Ghostly Retreat

The space comes complete with the 4 portraits from that room, and a center table where you can hold a seance, or, you know, just chill.

Absolutely Incredible

Even the entrance to this space is heavily themed.

Walk Right In

The rooms themselves are heavily themed…

One of the Rooms is Themed to the Hatbox Ghost!

…and we love all of the elaborate pillows and comforters used to really give it that mansion-type feel.

A Peek at Another One of the Rooms

There are rooms themed to Madame Leota, Master Gracey, the Hatbox Ghost, and more.

A Look at the Door

Another favorite section is the part of the house that contains the artwork from the mansion that aren’t quite as they seem.

What Fantastic Artwork

You could spend your entire time here just walking around to check out all of the incredible details — there’s so much to look at!

There’s So Much to See

There are also some pretty awesome effects that pop up throughout the home.

Looks Like Just a Mirror Right?

An average mirror might just transform into a spot where you can find the Hitchhiking Ghosts!

Woah!

You just never know what you’ll find!

Gotta Keep Your Eyes Open!

In the dining room, you’ll find a decently sized table, great for sharing a spooky meal with friends.

The Dining Room

During Heather’s stay, they had a special meal catered…

Time to Eat!

…with all kinds of awesome Haunted Mansion details (from the ride and movie).

Anyone Need to Sell a Spooky Home? We Know Who You Should Talk To

This could be the perfect spot for a spooky but fun fall-themed adventure.

So Much Fun

We just can’t get over how many details there are throughout the space. You might even find a hidden Mickey or two!

We Love All of the Little Details

It seems everywhere you look, there’s something else to see.

Tomb Sweet Tomb

Check out Heather’s post below with some videos inside the home showing off some of this spot’s amazing effects! While the photos show some of the awesome details, the sound effects make them even better.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Heather Sievers (@diningindisney)

Even the outside of the house has some spooktacular details, with a few gravestones in the lawn.

Oh My!

If you’re jumping at the chance to do the closest thing to staying in the Haunted Mansion itself, you can check to see what this airbnb’s availability is like. Just be aware that a trip to visit this ghostly retreat ain’t cheap!

Check Out that Wallpaper

A 1-night stay is priced at about $722! And note that there is an additional fee for the 7th and 8th guests if you decide to bring that many.

Split between 6 guests, $722 breaks down to just over $120 each.

More Details

If you’re a huge Haunted Mansion fan, this could be an awesome way to treat yourself or an epic place to stay for a birthday present or to celebrate any kind of big occasion.

Another Detail

Bookings for this place are pretty full though, so if you want to stay there, be sure to check the available dates and get booking!

Would You Stay Here?

We’ll keep an eye out for more amazing Disney-themed spots you could stay at and we’ll let you know what we find!

Click here to check out these awesome Haunted Mansion cutting boards!

Heather Sievers is DisneyFoodBlog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist! Check out more of her adventures at @DininginDisney on Instagram!

What do you think about this Haunted Mansion airbnb? Tell us in the comments!

The post PHOTOS: The Closest You'll EVER Get to Staying the Night INSIDE Disney's Haunted Mansion first appeared on the disney food blog.

The 50th Anniversary brought some big changes!

And when Disney rolls out several new offerings at once, not all of them are going to be well-received. While some of the new attractions, like the Disney Enchantment fireworks show at Magic Kingdom, have gotten mixed reviews, there’s one big thing in Disney World that is bringing joy to all of us — Disney KiteTails.

Disney KiteTails is the new daytime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. It features music, Cast Members with puppets, and large 30-ft kites pulled by jet skis through the Discovery River. You can watch it multiple times a day at the Discovery River Amphitheater, catching either The Lion King or The Jungle Book versions of the show.

Original concept art for KiteTails ©Disney

And on a whole, watching this show is, well…an EXPERIENCE.

Look at Simba fly!

Don’t know what we mean? Well, the performers and the music are both phenomenal, but sometimes the kites tend to have a mind of their own, “dropping dead” in the middle of the show or landing in the trees. It’s spectacularly entertaining to watch the show and see what happens because you simply never know what might come next!

“Hup, two, three, four! Keep it up, two, three, four!”

When it first premiered, many guests were confused watching the show because the large kites must “crash” into the theater (in unoccupied seats, don’t worry!) in order to land properly. Because of this, Disney has adapted the show slightly to have the kite handlers waving and clapping after the successful landing — to let guests know that everything went according to plan.

They have an interesting landing method.

It’s possible that Disney could add more steps like that into the show to let the guests know that things are progressing as they’re supposed to. It’s likely that they wouldn’t want guests to walk away from the show thinking that they saw a “messed up” version of the performance.

This is NOT supposed to happen.

But even with funny mishaps, the show is genuinely fun! It features some classic Disney songs that you’ll love singing along to, the performers do a great job at getting the audience involved, and it’s not some shockingly high-budget production where Disney is trying to flex new technology. Your kids will love it and you’ll be surprised at how beautiful the kites and special effects are. 

This show is so colorful!

Plus, the show is only about 10 minutes long, so it doesn’t take up too much time in the middle of your day. It’s easy to pop in and out, and it’s a much-needed addition to a park that’s lacking in entertainment options right now (with the acrobats missing from Africa and Finding Nemo The Musical still closed).

Turtle Parade with all the kiddos!

All in all, we don’t really see any downside to Disney KiteTails. It’s fun, entertaining, and if you catch it at the right time, it just might make you laugh! Definitely give it a try on your next visit to the park.

Don’t skip on KiteTails!

Want a glimpse of the kind of top-drawer entertainment you can expect from Disney KiteTails? Check out our TikTok!

@disneyfoodblog

First look at the new #KiteTails show coming to #AnimalKingdom on Oct 1st! #disney #disneyparks #disneyworld #disneyworld #kite #kiteflying

♬ Breaking Free – From “High School Musical”/Soundtrack Version – Troy & Gabriella

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news and updates, along with all the details you need for watching the new entertainment offerings in the parks!

Click Here to Check Out All the 50th Anniversary Snacks in Animal Kingdom!

Have you seen KiteTails yet in Disney World? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

The post Disney World's Got 99 Problems, But THIS Isn't One! first appeared on the disney food blog.