In case you missed the memo, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark turns 40 today! And in honor of that, Disney has released some brand new Indy merchandise on shopDisney!

©Disney

So while we’re not so patiently waiting for Indiana Jones 5, we can at least buy some stuff to celebrate one of the best adventure film franchises of all time.

Well, we can’t buy EVERYTHING — because one of these special items sold out in minutes flat! In Raiders of the Lost Ark, there’s a scene where Indy is trying to get his hands on a golden idol that requires him to counter its weight with a sandbag and triggers the infamous scene where a boulder chases him. And Disney put a replica of that Fertility Idol Figure online for pre-order.

©Disney

And although the site allows you to pre-order the figure for $130, you’ll get a message that it’s currently out of stock. Maybe this idol really is cursed!

©Disney

However, there are a few other NEW items on shopDisney that Indiana Jones fans can still get their hands on (and you don’t even need to balance a counterweight on a pedestal to get them). Disney released several new t-shirts, including this Raiders of the Lost Ark T-Shirt featuring a portrait of our favorite adventurer and explorer.

©Disney

This t-shirt is $24.99.

Click Here To Buy The Raiders of the Lost Ark T-Shirt

If you’re a fan of the other films, there’s also a Temple of Doom Sweatshirt available.

©Disney

This shirt is $44.99.

Click Here To Buy The Temple of Doom Sweatshirt

There are also a few shirts marking the 40th anniversary of the film franchise! There’s this white Raiders of the Lost Ark 40th Anniversary T-Shirt. The front features a 40th anniversary graphic on the front…

©Disney

…and a cool stylized movie poster on the back.

©Disney

This shirt is available for $29.99.

Click Here To Buy The Raiders of the Lost Ark 40th Anniversary T-Shirt

Finally, there’s a Customizable Raiders of the Lost Ark 40th Anniversary T-Shirt that lets you choose the shirt’s style and color!

©Disney

This shirt is $24.99.

Click Here To Buy The Customizable Raiders of the Lost Ark 40th Anniversary T-Shirt

So although you might not have gotten your hands on that coveted idol, there is still plenty of other fun merchandise you can get to celebrate Indy’s 40th anniversary! And we’ll let you know if we spot any other cool Indy gear!

Check Out This Cool Indy Hat We Found at Disney World!

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Did you manage to snag the idol pre-order this morning? Let us know in the comments!

The post Did You Get Your Hands On This Sold Out Disney Souvenir Today? first appeared on the disney food blog.

Alright, friends, we’re here today with another visit from a SUPER underrated (IMO) restaurant in Disney World. So, hop on that monorail and cruise on over for lunch with us!

Grand Floridian Cafe

We’re headed to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to visit a table-service option with some serious charm — Grand Floridian Cafe! This relaxing spot may not be as flashy as some of the other restaurants at this hotel like 1900 Park Fare and Citricos, but it does have yummy and moderately-priced (!!!) eats!

Grand Floridian Cafe serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. It’s not the most well-known spot so it’s typically possible to grab an Advance Dining Reservation on shorter notice.

Grand Floridian Cafe

We typically appreciate this restaurant for its peaceful vibes and convenient location (even if you’re not staying at Grand Floridian). Let’s see if our recent experience was more of the same!

Atmosphere

Head into that gorgeous lobby of the Grand Floridian and you’ll want to head straight back and to your left on the ground floor.

Grand Floridian Lobby

We always love a good stroll through the Grand Floridian.

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

In fact, one of the big perks of this spot is its location. Because it’s at the Grand Floridian, it’s only a quick monorail ride (or walk!) away from Magic Kingdom. 

Grand Floridian Cafe

As we’ve mentioned, the atmosphere at this table-service spot is calming, partially thanks to the lovely, light-handed Victorian theme in the restaurant. This spot perfectly encapsulates the vibes of this hotel with its creamy whites, florals, and warm lighting.

Grand Floridian Cafe

There are multiple dining areas with a big dining room…

Grand Floridian Cafe

…and some outside tables.

Outdoor seating at the Grand Floridian Cafe

Plus, Grand Floridian Cafe is currently using overflow seating from 1900 Park Fare while that spot remains closed.

Outdoor Seating at the Grand Floridian Cafe

One especially fun detail is that this space sometimes houses culinary art creations, like the current Ratatouille Chocolate Sculpture on display.

Chocolate Sculpture

You’ll find that the seating is a mix of tables and chairs and booths.

The Grand Floridian Cafe is so pretty

And at your table, you’ll be greeted with a cloth napkin and utensils.

Table Setting

But enough about the atmosphere, let’s eat!

Eats

As is the case at most table-service restaurants in Disney World right now, your menu is available via QR Code on the table. The menu varies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our visit this time presented us with the lunch menu!

Grand Floridian Cafe Menu

You’ll notice that throughout the appetizers and entrees, there are several brunch-style options. That’s why we consider this spot a pretty killer brunch stop! That Lobster ‘Thermidor’ Burger is a fan-favorite. That glorious chicken and waffle is on the menu still (you’re welcome! We hacked this guy long before it was on the menu!).

Grand Floridian Cafe Menu

Kids have a nice variety as well with some brunch options (We see you, Mickey Waffles!) and the more lunch-geared Grilled Chicken Breast.

Grand Floridian Cafe Menu

There is no shortage of drink options at Grand Floridian Cafe. This portion of the menu is just dedicated to Non-Alcoholic Mocktails and Twinings of London Teas. Yep, a TEA menu. This makes more sense when you realize the location is a few steps away from the Garden View Tea Room!

Grand Floridian Cafe Menu

There are more standard Non-Alcoholic Specialties too plus coffee and smoothie options. And, a fairly extensive beer list is here too with over a dozen options.

Grand Floridian Cafe Menu

But the beer list is NOTHING compared to the wine list. Whether you’re into Sparkling Wines, White Wine…

Grand Floridian Cafe Menu

…Rosé Wines, Red Wines, or Sweet Wines; Grand Flo Cafe has you covered.

Grand Floridian Cafe Menu

And FINALLY, we’re getting to the equally extensive cocktail menu with Anytime Cocktails (AKA brunchy type drinks) and Signature Cocktails.

Grand Floridian Cafe Menu

Plus a LONG menu of Specialty Cocktails. 

Grand Floridian Cafe Menu

We opted to swing for a simple Iced Tea this time. Unsurprisingly, it was a pretty standard unsweet tea and we enjoyed it.

Iced Tea

For our appetizer, we went with the Heirloom Apple Salad for $12. This app is made with Organic Baby Lettuce, Heirloom Apples, Sharp Cheddar, Pecan Brittle, and Crispy Prosciutto with a Honey-Apple Vinaigrette.

Heirloom Apple Salad

This was a very tasty salad! It was light and that housemade dressing was the perfect accompaniment. The candied nuts had a great crunch and the crispy prosciutto added a good salty contrast to the sweetness from the apples.

Heirloom Apple Salad

We might call this the perfect starter! Now, it’s probably not enough to hold up as a meal, but our server let us know that you can add a protein like grilled chicken or shrimp. We thought one potential improvement could’ve been a stronger cheese like goat or gorgonzola. Regardless, this was a bright, fresh start to our meal we enjoyed. If you like a nice salad before your meal, you will likely enjoy this!

Heirloom Apple Salad

As for our entree, we went with the Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle for $24. We know we know…you’re shocked. This item is a LONG term DFB favorite and is made with Hand-breaded Chicken Breast and Malted Waffle with Sriracha-Honey Drizzle.

Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle

We love EVERYTHING about this dish. It’s a HUGE amount of perfectly-breaded chicken (breaded in CORNFLAKES, no less). We love that it’s a boneless piece to help with easier eating.

Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle

The Mickey Waffle is delicious and golden (obviously). We recommend asking for a little extra Sriracha-Honey Drizzle! It’s not too spicy but has a little bit of heat to it. Drizzle (or douse. You do you!) and you won’t be disappointed.

Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle

Don’t worry, you get syrup and butter too.

Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle

You’re looking at a HUGE portion. Most people would probably love this dish. It’s got an awesome contrast of sweet and savory flavors. Pluys that breading is flavorful and SO crispy! We have no complaints!

Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle

So now that we’re VERY full on our Grand Floridian brunch, we have some final thoughts!

Nosh or Not

You SHOULD eat at Grand Floridian Cafe if…

• You want to take a break from Magic Kingdom for lunch. Grand Floridian Cafe is right on the monorail line so it’s easy to get to and from the park!
• You’re a brunch fanatic. The breakfast and lunch menus at Grand Floridian Cafe have amazing brunch options and, of course, you can snag a mimosa or bloody mary.
• You’re staying on the monorail loop. If you’re in any of the three hotels on the monorail loop, you can have a delicious and moderately-priced meal VERY close to your resort.

You should SKIP Grand Floridian Cafe if…

• You’re looking for more basic flavors. If you’ve got a hankerin’ for chicken tenders and a regular ol’ burger, you might want to head elsewhere. This is approachable food but often with a twist to elevate it a bit. Gasparilla Island Grill is a great quick-service location at Grand Floridian!
• You’re on a tight budget. Grand Floridian Cafe is the most moderately-priced table-service option at Grand Floridian but it’s still not cheap compared to fast food options around. You can find less expensive options that still serve up quality food.
• You’re on a tight schedule. Table-service meals tend to take a little longer and if you’re taking the monorail over, you need to factor in travel time. If you’ve got limited time in Disney World, the trip over might not be worth it.

Overall

Grand Floridian Cafe is absolutely awesome! The atmosphere is charming and relaxing, the food is consistently good, and we tend to have great service. Plus, it’s hard to beat for a convenient location! After all our years talking this joint up, it still somehow manages to fly under the radar for most guests! The good part of that is it’s often so easy to snag a last-minute table.

Our server was fabulous as well. She was happy to provide recommendations from the menu and let us know our customization options for the dishes. She even brought us a to-go tea!

Again, Grand Floridian Cafe might not be for you if you’re budgeting time or money; but if you want delicious flavors (especially brunch ones!), we have to say that Grand Floridian Cafe can be a great respite from the hectic meal options of Magic Kingdom.

All in all, this restaurant remains a GREAT and underrated spot! As always, stay tuned to DFB for ALL the latest news and reviews from Disney World.

Click here for MORE reviews of Grand Floridian Cafe!

Last year, the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness, aka Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, at Magic Kingdom celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Yee-haw!

But the ride went down for a short refurbishment earlier this year to get it all spiffed up for Disney World’s big 50th anniversary celebration.

And although Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was scheduled for refurbishment THROUGH today, it’s up and running instead — a day earlier than anticipated! According to the official Disney World website, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be running today during Magic Kingdom’s regular operating hours: 8AM to 9PM.

©Disney

There is also a wait time listed in the My Disney Experience app!

Screenshot from My Disney Experience

So if you’re headed over to the Magic Kingdom, you can jump on the train and pay a visit to the goat. And stay tuned because we’ll keep you updated on all refurbishments at Disney World!

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news!

Spaceship Earth

Red alert! ‘Ohana is reopening and we’ve got EPCOT Food & Wine Festival news — it’s a big week for Disney food. We’re also taking a look at those newly renovated rooms at Wilderness Lodge and what’s going on with more social distancing rollbacks in Disney World.

All the Disney parks news from the week is coming up right now!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode!

So check out the video and then let us know: Which EPCOT Food & Wine Festival booth are you the most excited to try this year?

The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: Masks are Optional, ‘Ohana Reopening, EPCOT Food & Wine Fest News & MORE first appeared on the disney food blog.

A lot has been on pause in Disney World over the past year.

Cinderella Castle

It’s been a while since we’ve seen fireworks, used a FastPass, or hugged a character; but those aren’t the only offerings we’re missing. It’s been a year since Annual Passes for Disney World were on sale. So, what’s the deal?

The Current Situation

Let’s rewind and talk about the current situation. With the 2020 park closures due to the global health crisis, Disney had to make a number of changes to the way the business was running. One of those changes meant that Disney World paused the sale of Annual Passes when the parks reopened in July of 2020.

Spaceship Earth

Since then, there have been severe limits as to who can purchase a new Annual Pass. At this time, existing Passholders have been able to renew their Annual Passes and those who canceled during the 2020 closure have been able to buy new Passes if they reach out to Disney directly. The only other group that is able to buy Annual Passes at this time is children who recently turned three that have a parent who currently has an Annual Pass.

Toy Story Land

For everyone else, Annual Passes have been completely unavailable at this time. So what is Disney waiting for? And why aren’t Annual Passes on sale in the first place?

Click here to learn more about who can buy an Annual Pass!

Why Annual Passes Aren’t on Sale

Annual Passes may not be on sale for a number of reasons. One could be because they want to manage the number of Passholders who are visiting the park. In an earnings call last August, Disney executives noted that locals (who are often Passholders) were accounting for 50% of park attendance. Imagine what the percentages could potentially be if they started selling more Passes; the balance could significantly skew. 

We LOVE this big ball!

It’s true that in the time since last August, more non-local visitors have likely started to go to Disney World once more. However, Annual Passholders are still not the more profitable guests.

While Passholders are among Disney’s most loyal customers and they DO shell out a LOT of dough to buy that pass initially, they do not necessarily spend the most money while there.

Annual Passholders can save at select restaurants!

For one, many Annual Passholders are Florida Residents and may not need to book a night in a Disney hotel, opting instead to drive and stay at home. Passholders also have a tendency to spend less on food and souvenirs when in the parks because they are there more often. The profitability of non-Passholders might be a big reason that Disney is not encouraging new Passholders at this time. 

Magic Kingdom

Plus, it’s very possible that Disney hasn’t figured everything out yet when it comes to park modifications and the Annual Pass program. Until they do, sales may remain paused. Remember, there have been a lot of question marks for Disney over the past year and the company may be waiting for more long-term certainty.

Want to learn more about the Passholder mix in Disney World? Click here!

What’s the Future of Annual Passes?

So, what’s the future of Disney World Annual Passes? Well, we can look to Disneyland which got rid of its Annual Passholder program completely during its closure.  Disneyland is in the process of developing an entirely new program but they used the closures as an opportunity to revamp from scratch.

Galaxy’s Edge

Disney World could potentially follow the same path, but it’s also possible that Disney was already looking to rework the Disneyland Passholder program and seized the opportunity that the closures provided. With Disney World having been reopened for so long and no news of Annual Pass program cancellations, the program may return to what it was before the closures.

EPCOT

Keep in mind though, Passholders are some of Disney World’s most devoted guests. Take away their ability to have an Annual Pass and many would likely still be willing to shell out big bucks for a ticket (similar to what’s going on right now if former Disneyland Passholders want to visit reopened Disneyland). So Disney eliminating the current program doesn’t seem completely far-fetched.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

As for the current statement from Disney, it remains unchanged. Cast members are still saying to keep an eye on the Walt Disney World website for any updates about the return Annual Pass sales. At the time of writing, if you do go to the Annual Pass page on the website, it redirects you to the Experience Updates page that speaks to all of the different experience changes as a result of the global health crisis. 

©Disney

Overall, it’s entirely possible that Annual Passes will return as the capacity and demand levels return to normal in Disney World. With the recent health updates,  such as masks no longer being required in outdoor spaces and fewer limitations when it comes to social distancing, we may be getting closer to that point.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Of course, we’ll keep you updated with all of the Disney World Annual Pass updates right here on DFB, so stay tuned.

To learn more about updated health measures in Disney World, click here!

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

Are you hoping to be able to buy an Annual Pass soon? Tell us in the comments.

The post What’s Going on With Disney World Annual Passes? first appeared on the disney food blog.