Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress has modified its health the safety procedures. The classic Magic Kingdom attraction is now seating guests in every row. Outdoor queue procedures have also been changed. Physical distancing markers are still in place leading to and on the attraction’s ramps. Cast Members no longer direct parties to the numbered dots just outside the theater entrance. Unlike the markers outside the Magic Kingdom entrance, these remain in place. Once inside the Carousel of Progress theater, guests […]
As we confirmed May 28, vaccinated guests at Universal Orlando Resort no longer need to wear face masks indoors effective May 29. We visited Universal Orlando today to check out the mask guideline change. Guests are unmasked in indoor spaces for the first time in nearly a year. The mask policy change is first seen on the digital message board at the parking garage booths. The digital message informs guests that face coverings are optional for those who are vaccinated. […]
We’re back with another weekend Walt Disney World news roundup. This one covers the first commercial for the 50th Anniversary, Memorial Day travel stats, the latest–and potential future–face mask rule changes, and more park hours for August 2021. Let’s start with an update on new and extended park hours as Walt Disney World approaches the […]
The last few days have been busy for Disney World as they remove physical distancing markers from many new places around property. Physical Distancing While we may not be hearing “please fill in all available space” any time soon, Disney World is certainly not discouraging it. Ever since a study revealed that 6 feet of […]
In my humble opinion, the answer to the question above is a resounding yes. Although it’s hard to pick my favorite from the recipes that we’ve made thus far on Saturday Snacks (it’s like choosing your favorite kid, right?), when I look back at the recipes and consider how often I’ve remade them, Food and Wine Festival‘s Pao de Queijo rises to the surface. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to usher a bit of Disney magic into your kitchen this Memorial Day weekend, might I suggest that you head straight to the recipe for this amazing Brazilian cheese bread?
As I mentioned when I first made this recipe for Saturday Snacks back in October of last year, my route while traversing the World Showcase during the Food and Wine Festival would always have me either heading straight to the Brazil Global Marketplace or making a stop at the booth at some point for my beloved Pao de Queijo. I don’t know what it is about the Pao de Queijo, but this toasty and warm combination of bread and cheese is just heavenly. And, much to my surprise when I first made it, the Disney at-home version is even better than what you and I receive in the park. Hands down.
The recipe is gluten free, so if that’s a box that you need to check, consider it checked by this magical recipe. The recipe also uses just six ingredients. If you’re like me, you don’t necessarily want a weekend recipe that requires thirty-seven different ingredients.
And while the recipe calls for a food processor, the trusty run-of-the-mill blender that’s hanging out in your cabinet will work like a charm. Trust me.
If you haven’t already discovered the deliciousness that is queso fresco, let me tell you that you’re about to have a new BFF. Queso fresco is a semisoft, easy to crumble cheese that has a delightfully salty flavor and will literally make anything you put it on better. Bowl of chili? Crumble some of that glorious queso fresco on top and enjoy. Quick quesadilla using last night’s leftover pulled chicken and some shredded cheddar cheese? Sprinkle a bit of queso fresco into that quesadilla before you fold it, and you’ll be a very happy camper.
I find myself making Pao de Queijo at least once a month, and sometimes twice. That same bowl of chili? A Brazilian cheese bread or two on the side is a wonderful thing. A rainy Saturday afternoon? Pao de Queijo is the perfect spirit-lifting remedy for all of your rainy day blues.
If you’d like a play-by-play of me making the Pao de Queijo, click on the recipe’s name to head over to the article. You’ll find additional insight and tons of pictures that’ll help explain each step. You’ll also find a Disney Dining video at the bottom of this article of me making the snack. Virtually join me in my kitchen and find out how very easy it is to make Pao de Queijo.
One additional piece of advice? Don’t forget the required one teaspoon of salt. I’ve been there and done that, and it wasn’t good. AT ALL. That one teaspoon of plain table salt makes all the difference in the world.
I could easily have an Instagram feed filled solely with pictures of puffy, pillowy, warm Pao de Queijo. It’s just that good, and it’s just that easy to make. Best at-home Disney snack? In my book? Yes.
Ready to bake up some amazing, toasty, cheesy Disney goodness? The recipe for Pao de Queijo is below.
Pao de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Puffs)
Serves 8
1 large egg
1/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup milk
1 1/2 cups tapioca flour
1/2 cup grated queso fresco cheese
1 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffin tin.
Place all ingredients in food processor and pulse until smooth. Scrape down side so everything is well blended. (Dough will be runny.)
Pour equal amounts into muffin tin, filling each tin to about 2/3 full.
Bake 18 to 22 minutes, or until lightly brown and puffy. Bread should have crispy outside and chewy inside.
Remove from oven and let cool on rack for a few minutes. Eat warm.
Physical distancing markers continue to be removed across the Walt Disney World Resort. The once ubiquitous markers have now been removed from the Magic Kingdom entrance. The line markers have been removed from the main entrance area. Cast Members wait to welcome guests to the Magic Kingdom. The missing physical distancing maker locations are easy to spot ahead of the turnstiles. This wide view shows how the markers lined up across the length of the entrance. When removed, the markers […]
It’s time to celebrate Father’s Day and we have just the gifts for the Disney-loving dad figure in your life. From books and gadgets to in-person experiences and everything else in between, all gifts are available now at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, shopDisney.com, Disney stores and retailers globally!
We gave you some tips for the perfect day at Disneyland Resort with your young family. But what if you’re cruising kid-free? We’ve got you covered there, too! There’s no better way to spend the day with your friends than by taking in the magic and thrills together at Disneyland Resort. So grab your crew and make it happen!
Disney vacations are already pretty pricey between the park tickets, hotel reservations, meals, and souvenirs. And, every once in a while Disney slaps a price increase, tacking on more costs to your vacation.
Cinderella Castle
We’ve already seen quite a few in 2021 — and we’re not just talking ticket increases — so we’re pulling them all together here so you know what to expect on your next Disney World vacation!
Spring Rolls
We’re starting off with one of our favorite snacks here at DFB — Spring Rolls. We were SO happy when we found that the Spring Roll Cart was back in action earlier this year in Magic Kingdom, but these little bundles of delicious joy are packing a bit more of a punch…to your wallet. The Spring Rolls used to cost $7.50 for two but when they reopened Disney tacked on an extra $2 to the price so they now cost $9.50. Why do you have to do this to us Disney?!
The next price increase is out of this world…well, the store that you can find it in is, at least! Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can explore the planet of Batuu in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and not only can you pilot the Millennium Falcon, but you can also fashion yourself your very own lightsaber! Savi’s Workshop is a secret little tucked away store (so that the First Order can’t find you) where you get to build your own lightsaber from scratch.
Savi’s Workshop
But making such a beloved battle weapon comes at a cost — the experience first opened with a flat rate of $199.99 and,on April 19th that price shot up even more to $219.99. And, if you’re willing pay the extra cost, just keep in mind that a reservation is required for this experience.
If you’re celebrating a special day at a Disney World restaurant, you might consider purchasing an extra special dessert for your meal — the Mickey Mouse Celebration Cakes. These Mickey-shaped cakes come in both chocolate and white chocolate and are meant to help you celebrate milestones (like birthdays, anniversaries, and more) so they serve 4-6 people.
The cakes have been available for pre-order for $35 since they were originally introduced back in 2017, but they recently got a price increase to $39, so you’ll be paying a few extra bucks if you want this dessert for your celebrations. Not a terrible price increase, all things considered (that’s the same bump as spring rolls and this is a whole cake!), but worth noting when planning.
Since reopening after temporarily closing at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney World has required that all guests wear face masks when they are in public areas at their resorts and when in the parks. And, of course, Disney introduced their own line of face masks so you could deck out in your favorite Disney characters and match that coveted pair of Minnie Ears you have.
Minnie Mouse knows the importance of a comfortable face-covering!
When face masks were first introduced in the summer of 2020, you could get 4 masks for $20. Shortly after, Disney stopped selling the masks as a set of four in the parks and transitioned to selling individual masks — and the price has only gone up. What started out as roughly $6 masks shot up to $9.99 each. Now there’s a new mask in town and it costs $14.99 for just ONE mask. But, this one isn’t your average Disney mask — it has a nose wire, is a bit bigger, and has a seam down the center of the mask for a nicer fit.
New Mickey Face Mask
Disney is still selling the cheaper(ish) masks for $9.99 and we did a whole comparison for you so you can decide if the extra money is really worth the splurge.
Ah, now we’re onto the saga of the Reusable Bags in Disney World. If you’ve been in a Disney World gift shop, you’ve likely been asked “wanna buy a reusable bag?” when checking out. We’ve been keeping track of the price of these low-cost (and helpful) souvenirs for a little while now and to say that it has been a journey would be an understatement. When Disney World reopened last summer we were excited to see that the cost had actually be cut down to only $1 per bag no matter which size you bought — what a steal! But, Disney turned the tables on us in April and hiked up the price so now it costs $2 for size small, $2.50 for medium, and $3 for large.
Reusable bag display at La Boutique
And, this isn’t the first time that we’ve seen Disney’s reusable bags fluctuate in price. Back in 2018, the bags were priced at $1 for a small or medium bag and $2 for a large. Then, in 2019 they got the increase to $2 for size small, $2.50 for medium, and $3 for large. Then we saw the prices plummet to $1 for any size bag, and now we’re back here…at the high price point. We can’t say for sure when the prices fluctuate, but just know that they do and have quite often!
Alright, now we’re onto some MAJOR menu updates…but not the tasty ones. We’ve seen quite a few restaurants in Disney World receive a whole list of price increases and we’re starting off our tour at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie located in the France Pavilion at EPCOT. Almost the ENTIRE menu got a price increase including drinks, desserts, soups and sandwiches, and Chefs specials so you can expect your lunch/dinner/snack break to cost a little more overall the next time you visit.
Les Halles Boulangerie Food Options
Two of the most noteworthy price increase include the Mimosa made with Champagne and Orange Juice (which increased from $7.95 to $8.95) and the Bisque de Homard (aka Lobster Bisque) which increased from $5.75 to $5.95. And, the real kicker on the Lobster Bisque is that it no longer comes in a bread bowl so you’re paying more and getting less.
Located in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Territory Lounge is a great place to go if you’re looking for some specialty cocktails and cozy seating. But, if you’re headed here for a glass of wine, you’ll be shelling out some extra cash. Five of the wine options featured in the lounge got a price increaseback in January including:
Evolution Lucky No. 9 White Blend went from $29 to $39 per bottle and $10 to $12 per glass
L’Ecole 41 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley went from $39 to $59 per bottle and $10 to $15 per glass
Argyle Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley went from $39 to $59 per bottle and $10 per to $15 per glass
Boomtown Merlot, Washington State went from $39 to $49 per bottle and $10 to $12 per glass
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley went from $39 to $49 per bottle and $10 to $12 per glass
Territory Lounge
Take a close look there, folks, that’s up to $5 more per glass, and some of the bottles got an extra $20 tacked on. At that price, we have some pretty high expectations for the wine!
One of our favorite places to stop for an afternoon margarita in EPCOT got a little pricier too. La Cava del Tequila can be found tucked inside the Mexico Pavilion and it’s a pretty popular place to visit. It’s not uncommon to have to wait in a line that extends outside of the pavilion to get your hands on the selection of unique margaritas and over 200 tequilas.
La Cava del Tequila
But now two menu items will cost you a little bit more. Back in January the price of the Pina Loca (which is made with Ginger pineapple juice, Ilegal brand mezcal, Ancho Reyes chile liquor, and black ant salt rim) and the Blood Orange Margarita (made with Ambhar blanco tequila, orange liqueur, a sweet-tart mix of blood orange, a hint of rum and vanilla, and Tajín chile-lime powder rim) both increased from $15.50 to $16. Not a huge bump, but considering these drinks were pricey to begin with, they stand out when they increase even more!
EPCOT has certainly been home to quite a few costly increases and we’re sticking around for the next one. Chefs de France is located in the France Pavilion and serves up authentic French eats, including escargot for those who are willing to add some adventure to their meal. And, almost the ENTIRE menu got some extra bucks tacked on, including the kids’ menu.
Chefs de France
From salads to Boeuf Bourguignon to dessert, it all got a price increase. And, the most significant is the Menu Francais which increased from $49.50 to $54.90.
Our last stop on our tour of price increases in Disney World is Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park. The park had been closed for almost a full year, but reopened back in March to welcome guests to the ski resort turned splash zone which meant that a lot of the prices were stuck back in March 2019.
But, nothing can get past Disney, so we saw a price increase to quite a few classic Disney snacks at both the Cooling Hut and I.C. Expeditions including:
Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich increased from $5.39 to $5.69
Mickey Ice Cream Bar increased from $5.39 to $5.69
Strawberry Fruit Bar increased from $4.99 to $5.19
Olaf Frozen Lemonade increased from $5.19 to $5.39
Cooling Hut
And, I.C. Expeditionshad one additional change on the Fanta Orange Float and Barq’s Root Beer Float, which increased from $4.99 to $5.49.
I.C. Expeditions
Now the price of the precious Mickey Premium Bar and other Disney ice cream snacks that you can find at many locations around the resort is the same across the board.
Disney may have dropped the price increase bomb on all these items, but there are still PLENTY of ways to save on your Disney World vacation. Check out our video below for all the tips!
By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our youtube channel and never miss a single episode!So check out the video and then let us know: Did any of your favorite Disney items get a price increase this year?
Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
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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.
