Tag: disney world

Earth Day Eats That Disney Foodies Will Love at Disney World

Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened its gates, twenty years ago, allowing guests to experience the rare animals, world-class entertainment and the magic of nature. The park will be marking its 20th anniversary on April 22 — Earth Day — and Disney is celebrating with a Party for the Planet through May 5 with all of the Earth Day Eats that Disney Foodies will love!

This exciting party features enhanced interactions with animal care experts, family-friendly activities, character greetings, and themed merchandise. And of course, a proper celebration isn’t complete without the food! Party for the Planet will include a few new cupcakes, a mouthwatering burger, sliders, a special 3-course tasting menu at Tiffins, and the popular Tiffins Talks, a special 4-course dinner with one of the park’s conservation experts, offered on select nights.

What’s even MORE exciting is that we’re not just celebrating Earth Day at Animal Kingdom, but around the Walt Disney World Resort as well! And I know you’re eager to read about these exciting offerings, so here’s everything you need to know about all the Earth Day eats at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Starting with two celebratory cupcakes, a Tree of Life Cupcake will be available at Creature Comforts and Flame Tree Barbecue, and an Earth Day Cupcake will be available at Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus.

The Tree of Life Cupcake is a vanilla cupcake topped with buttercream and an edible chocolate piece; and the Earth Day Cupcake is a chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream, white chocolate crispy pearls, white chocolate mousse, and an edible chocolate piece.

On the savory side, there are delicious plant-based burger offerings at Nomad Lounge and Restaurantosaurus. Nomad Lounge will offer Impossible™ Burger Sliders with tomato chutney and smoked onion on a brioche bun and served with yucca fries. At Restaurantosaurus, you’ll find an Impossible™ Burger with avocado and tomato on a brioche bun.

Tiffins will offer a limited-time 20th Anniversary Chef’s Lunch Tasting Menu. Served daily from 11:30am to 3:30pm, this 3-course tasting menu celebrates the cuisines of Africa, Asia, and South America. Walk-ups are welcome!

All of these offerings will be available during Party for the Planet at Disney’s Animal Kingdom through May 5.

Around Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will have an Earth Day Cupcake April 19-22 at Roaring Fork. This yummy chocolate cupcake is filled with cookies and cream filling and topped with vanilla buttercream, cookies and cream crumble, chocolate rocks, and an edible garden.

At Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, you’ll find an Earth Day Cupcake April 19-22 at Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale & Compass. This one is a ‘dirt and worms’ chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate pudding and topped with chocolate buttercream, cookie crumbs, sugar flower, and jelly candy ‘worms.’

Disney’s Contemporary Resort will have an Earth Day Cupcake at Contempo Café only on April 22. This chocolate cupcake comes in an edible chocolate flowerpot is filled with chocolate pastry cream, chocolate buttercream, and chocolate cookie crumble and topped with a buttercream flower and a chocolate Earth Day sign.

Over at Disney Springs, Amorette’s Patisserie will be offering up a cute little cactus on a stick April 22-28! This Cactus Macaron Lollipop consists of three French macarons filled with pistachio ganache and topped with icing. It’s even served on a stick for on-the-go enjoyment!

Come on out and celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Earth Day. These treats are only available for a limited time, so get them while you can!

April 19, 2018
RUMOR: Possible Dates For Free Dining Offer Returning To Disney World For 2018
Every year people wait with anticipation to find out about free dining offers that are typically announced around this time of year for Walt Disney World. Dates and details have not been released to the public as of yet, but multiple sources are reporting that free dining offers will be returning to Disney World for 2018 and could be announced as early as April 23rd.

Free dining packages are typically offered with a Disney World Resort hotel and ticket package. Last year the offer came when guests purchased a 5-night/6-day Magic Your Way package with the Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus Option and the package had to be booked by July 7, 2017. You can look for a similar deal this year, but the amount of days required for the package could vary.

Last year the free dining offer included quick service for guests staying at Disney’s value resorts, moderate resorts, and the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness and regular free dining for guests staying at Disney’s deluxe resorts. The 2018 offer will also most likely be similar to last years options as well. It’s always subject to change, but you can bet it will be an attractive offer for guests looking to save some money on their trip.

Here are some possible expected dates:
- - August 2 – September 29, 2018
  - November 24 – 27, 2018
  - December 7 – 23, 2018
The news often breaks from international travel agents from non-US markets who often receive early indication of what the offer will be in their respective markets, so the dates are also subject to change, but they are usually a pretty good indicator for dates and offer details.

Well be sure to let you know as soon as Disney makes an official announcement.
April 18, 2018
All-New Interactive ‘Play Disney Parks’ App Launching This Summer

Today, Disney announced that they have created a new app which will allow guests to interact with their environment depending on where they are in the parks. With the all-new Play Disney Parks app guests can soon explore Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort in a whole new way.

This new, free to download, interactive app allows guests to access exclusive experiences at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World through activities that interact with the surrounding environment. Coming this summer on iOS and Android, guests can play in the parks like never before using this soon-to-launch mobile app.

With the touch of a button, wait time turns into play time with family and friends at certain locations. And the more you explore in Disney parks, the more there is to discover on the app. This is just the latest way we are making a visit to our parks even more fun and memorable in new and innovative ways.

Since the launch of My Disney Experience at Walt Disney World Resort in 2013, we continue to reinvent digital offerings at our parks around the world. The My Disney Experience app, our guests’ go-to vacation companion, has continued to evolve – including the Get Directions feature, Online Check-In and the recently launched Digital Key.

Guests are also loving the Disneyland App, Disney MaxPass and soon mobile order at Disneyland Resort – currently available at Walt Disney World – and we’re excited to bring this latest innovation to the parks!

April 18, 2018
First Look at runDisney 2018 Star Wars Half Marathon Merchandise
May the course be with you! The 2018 Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side presented by OtterBox, returns to Walt Disney World Resort this weekend and if you’re running in it then you’re going to love the out of this galaxy commemorative merchandise available at the event this year! Get a first look at this weekend’s offerings:

In this year’s event merchandise collection, runners participating in the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon, Star Wars Dark Side 10K, Star Wars Dark Side 5K, and the runDisney Kids Races will find a performance apparel including short and long sleeved shirts, tank tops, jackets and accessories.

Also look for a variety of apparel and accessories for runners participating in the Star Wars First Order Challenge, celebrating their completion of 19.3 miles.

Other products to note include Star Wars lifestyle apparel, commemorative Stormtrooper and BB-8 figurines and specialty shoe ornaments inspired by the race weekend.

Look for these commemorative items and more during runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. All Guests are invited to attend during the following dates and times:
- Thursday, April 19, 2018: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday, April 20, 2018: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 21, 2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
April 18, 2018
New Monorail Fleet Could Be Headed To Walt Disney World Resort

Speculation about Disney upgrading the monorail fleet at Walt Disney World has been going on for sometime. There has been a series of recent mishaps with the current fleet and after a video of a monorail transporting guests with the door open made headlines, it seems that Disney may finally be making a move to purchase a new monorail fleet.

Internal sources are reporting that Disney has ordered a new fleet of monorails to replace the fleet currently in operation, according to a report from WDWNT .

The fleet currently in operation — known as Mark VI monorails — has been in use since 1989, when Disney started replacing the Mark IV. The final Mark IV monorails were finally replaced in 1991 after having been in operation for twenty years starting with the opening of the resort in 1971.

Bombardier of Canada — the same company that built the Mark VI trains for Walt Disney World —will be building the new fleet, according to the report. The mark VI cost the company about $3.5 million per train when they last replaced the fleet in 1989.

Bombardier’s current line of monorails is called the INNOVIA 300 series, but if Disney continues with the current numbering system the new monorail fleet would be the Mark VIII. Mark VII is currently the model used at Disneyland Resort in California which were put into operation in 2008.

The infamous open door incident on Monorail Red back in January may have been what sparked the decision, but the fleet has been under scrutiny since the automation system failed back in 2009 causing a crash that killed Monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg. That started a long list of problems that this fleet has weathered in recent years. Last summer a piece of Monorail Blue just fell of while it was in transit above the parking lot at Epcot. Also multiple breakdowns last summer plagued the fleet, at times leaving guests to have to find alternated transportation to their destinations.

With the current fleet approaching 30 years of usage it’s no wonder they’re in major need of replacement. They held up for quite some time, longer than any other Disney Parks monorail fleet, but it is definitely time for them to make their way into the history books.

April 16, 2018
20th Anniversary Merchandise at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will mark its 20th anniversary at Walt Disney World Resort this month and to this day it continues inspiring and educating guests of all ages today through the magic of nature. The park opened on April 22, 1998 as “a new species of theme park”. For Disney Parks Merchandise, this milestone occasion was the perfect opportunity for creating an unforgettable collection of merchandise inspired by the theme park’s iconic centerpiece.

“We mixed earth tone colors with images of animals and icons reminiscent of the beautifully sculpted animal carvings found on the breathtaking Tree of Life,” explained Cody Reynolds, Senior Creative Director with Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Creative Group.

From a banshee at Pandora – The World of Avatar to a Baobab tree from the Kilimanjaro Safaris attractions, artists drew more than 50 stylized animals, icons and graphics for an artwork style guide. Merchandise developers referenced this guide when creating items to ensure the overall assortment had a consistent look.

Artwork on a t-shirt and matching water bottle captures the park’s tremendous transformation during the past 20 years, and includes nods to attractions from opening day to the more recent other-worldly additions of Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage.

“Guests love merchandise that commemorates significant moments in time,” said Katie Thompson from Global Merchandise Strategy at Disney Parks Merchandise. “This new merchandise builds on the success of recent theme park anniversary collections, and offers something for everyone looking to celebrate at Animal Kingdom throughout the upcoming year.”

Designed to complement each other, merchandise offered includes a mix of apparel for adults and kids, home décor, accessories and other collectibles such as trading pins or jewelry by ALEX AND ANI.

On select products, the merchandise team added hidden surprises in the artwork. A closer examination of drinkware reveals images of tiny ants strategically placed for guests to discover.

Island Mercantile in Disney’s Animal Kingdom serves as the headquarters for the 20th anniversary assortment. Select products may also be found in shops throughout the park or via Shop Disney Parks.

The celebration kicks off on Earth Day, April 22.

April 16, 2018
Millennial Pink Treats Have Arrived at Walt Disney World Resort

Slow your roll Rose Gold, because Millennial Pink in the new kid on the block! Just like the rose gold merch and snacks, Millennial Pink has now gotten in on the action. In addition to those popular millennial pink Spirit Jerseys, Headbands, and MagicBands, this fab new pop color now has a variety of exciting sweet millennial pink treats available at Walt Disney World.

At Magic Kingdom Park, you’ll find a Millennial Pink Milkshake at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies. This strawberry milkshake comes topped with fluffy cotton candy and house-made Mickey-shaped marshmallows.

Right next door to Magic Kingdom Park, say “aloha” to this Millennial Pink Cupcake at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Found at Capt. Cook’s, this vanilla cupcake is filled with guava cream and topped with buttercream icing and fondant Minnie ears.

Epcot is serving up a Millennial Pink Cupcake at Fountain View. This fabulous vanilla cupcake is filled with strawberry pastry cream and topped with vanilla buttercream and fondant Minnie ears. It also goes perfectly with all of the beautiful flowers currently decorating the park for the International Flower & Garden Festival!

On the other side of International Gateway, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts are offering a Millennial Pink Raspberry Cream Puff. Found at The Market at Ale & Compass and Beach Club Marketplace, this delicious cream puff is filled with raspberry Bavarian cream and glazed with sugar icing and will be available starting April 12.

Just across the lake at Disney’s BoardWalk, you’ll find this super cute Millennial Pink Pop at the BoardWalk Bakery starting April 19. This crispy treat dome is dipped in white chocolate and topped with pink crispy pearls and millennial Minnie ears.

At Disney Springs, Amorette’s Patisserie is pouring a sweet sip beginning next week – the Millennial Pink Celebration Toast! Enjoy a tall glass of Fairy Tale Celebration Cuvee topped with adorable millennial pink chocolate ears.

The Ganachery at Disney Springs has a couple perfectly pink offerings, too! Here you’ll find a Millennial Pink Piñata, a dark chocolate dome filled with vanilla bean marshmallows and strawberry crispy pearls and topped with edible white chocolate ears. There’s also the Millennial Pink-Berry Ganache Square, with strawberry-lemon ganache covered in milk chocolate.

Then there’s the Millennial Pink Chocolate Cupcake with raspberry marshmallow filling and topped with raspberry buttercream. This cupcake can be found at a variety of locations, including Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, the food courts at Disney’s All-Star Resorts, Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, The Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

Finally, we have the Millennial Pink Raspberry Chocolate Cupcake at The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. This chocolate devil’s food cupcake is filled with raspberry mousse and topped with millennial pink buttercream, fondant ears, and edible glitter.

Not only are all of these snacks perfectly pink and delicious, but they make for the CUTEST photo ops with friends and with your millennial pink Disney merchandise, which may be found in merchandise locations across Walt Disney World Resort. So put on those Spirit Jerseys, headbands, and retail MagicBands and come on out to try one of these limited-time millennial pink treats!

April 13, 2018
Disney Parks Showing First Ten Minutes Of ‘Incredibles 2’ In Sneak Peek

There are so many “incredible” things happening at Disney Parks right now and this newest bit of info is just super! For a limited time, guests at Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will get to experience a sneak peek of Disney•Pixar’s “Incredibles 2.”

Disney Parks guests will be the first to enjoy an exclusive glimpse at the first ten minutes of the film during the sneak peek. Check out this special message from film star Samuel L. Jackson as he shares his excitement for the upcoming offering.

The sneak peek will arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure park on May 18. Guests can stop by the Walt Disney Presents theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Sunset Showcase Theater at Disney California Adventure park where this super sneak peek will be presented in stunning 3D with in-theater special effects.

In “Incredibles 2,” Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is called on to lead a campaign to bring Supers back, while Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) navigates the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell), Dash (voice of Huck Milner) and baby Jack-Jack—whose super powers are about to be discovered. Their mission is derailed, however, when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. But the Parrs don’t shy away from a challenge, especially with Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) by their side. That’s what makes this family so Incredible.

While the Parr family captivates audiences on the big screen, Guests at Disney Parks will enjoy incredible new offerings this summer. The Incredicoaster opens with Pixar Pier on June 23 and will bring the Parr family racing alongside you in an attempt to catch baby Jack-Jack!   Walt Disney World will kick-off Incredible Summer on May 25 with exclusive summer offerings including an Incredible Tomrrowland Expo. Guests can celebrate “all things super,” alongside Mr. Incredible, Frozone and, for the first time ever, Edna Mode with a “SUPER” dance party on the Rocket Tower Stage.

Before you head over to Disney Parks to enjoy the sneak peek and new summer offerings, be sure to watch the brand-new trailer for the film. “Incredibles 2” bursts into theaters on June 15.

April 13, 2018
Details About ‘Memory Maker One Day’ PhotoPass At Disney World

Over the last few years, Disney PhotoPass Service’s Memory Maker One Day product has undergone quite an expansion at Walt Disney World Resort! Here is the latest information on just how the Memory Maker One Day works at Walt Disney World.

When first introduced a few years ago, Memory Maker One Day was only available for purchase in one location and only during special events. Thanks to its popularity, today it’s available for purchase every day of the year and in a variety of locations!

Memory Maker One Day provides you with many of the same benefits as Memory Maker, just for one day of PhotoPass photos taken at Walt Disney World Resort. That means for one day of your choice, you’ll get digital downloads of all your Disney PhotoPass photos linked to your account that were taken on that day. Every smile and thrill! You’ll be surprised how many you can capture in a single day.

You’ll have 45 days to link and download all of your photos from the day of your choice.

Memory Maker One Day is available for $69 in the My Disney Experience mobile app once you’ve linked at least one Disney PhotoPass photo to your account from the day to which you plan to apply the entitlement. You’ll also find Memory Maker One Day at Walt Disney World Resort theme park ticket windows and Disney PhotoPass Centers.

Trying to decide between Memory Maker and Memory Maker One Day? It’s really rather simple! Memory Maker costs $169 or $199, depending on when you purchase it and allows you to take home all of your PhotoPass photos taken during your vacation. So according to my calculator, Memory Maker is a good option for you if you’re visiting Walt Disney World Resort for three or more days. If you’ll be visiting for one or two days (or only attending a special event such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party), purchasing $69 Memory Maker One Day for each day of your visit is the better option for you.

April 12, 2018
What Do I Need To Bring When Packing For Disney World?

You are headed to the most magical place on earth. Resort reservations are made. Dining reservations are made, and every FastPass+ is secured. But what in the world should you bring when you’re packing for Disney World?

The Disney Parks Moms Panelists have been there and done that and recently shared some of their best advice on what you need to bring for your magical vacation. Here are some great packing tips for your next Disney vacation.

“I only pack 4-days worth of outfits for our family’s week-long Walt Disney World Resort vacations,” Ashley explained. “Mid-week, I use the laundry facilities at our resort hotel to get everyone’s laundry done, so those outfits can be worn again at the end of the week. The best part? The laundry room sends me a text when my laundry is finished, so I can be relaxing by the pool instead of waiting by a washing machine!”

Don’t want to do laundry while on vacation? Then take the tip that several of the moms suggested, bring a pop-up laundry hamper or mesh laundry bag.

“Bring a mesh laundry bag!” said Jacqui. “It’s such a hassle to keep dirty laundry tidy on vacation, much less have to determine what’s been worn and what hasn’t been when you’re all getting ready for the day. The easy to pack mesh bag keeps all the dirty clothes tidy. At the end of the trip, just toss the bag in your checked luggage!”

Florida is known for warm temperatures and the occasional afternoon shower – which is why the panelists, including Lindsey P. – can’t stress the importance of sunscreen and rain gear enough.

“Don’t forget to pack those ponchos! Clear, reusable Mickey Mouse ponchos can roll up into a backpack, pulling out handily when a Florida popup shower rains overhead. The ponchos can also double as a protector from the mighty waters of Splash Mountain so you can go about your day in dry shorts. You can pick new ponchos up at any merchandise register and use them all summer long!”

And don’t forget the Ziploc bags, one of the most popular tips from the moms!

“If you’re traveling with little ones, bring a box of gallon-size zipper lock bags. They are great for packing diapers, underwear, and toiletries, but they are also awesome to have with you during your trip! You can use them to bring snacks with you during your theme park day and to hold wet swimsuits after a trip to the pool or water park,” Crystal explained.

Other top tips included portable cell phone chargers, coordinating t-shirts, your favorite Mickey ears, hand wipes and even pennies and quarters to be pressed!

April 10, 2018