8 Things You Need to Plan Differently For On Your Next Disney World Vacation

Calling all Disney World trip planners! We know you’re typically prepared with schedules for booking reservations and detailed itineraries for the trip, so we’re here with some reminders about how Disney World trip planning might be a little different right now!!

Magic Kingdom Entrance

With all the changes coming to Disney World, staying up-to-date is so important so that you know how to plan for everything you want to do on your vacation! Here are 8 things you’ll need to plan a little differently this time around!

Even the most seasoned Disney World trip planners have been thrown for a loop with the changes happening in the parks! There are new policies for getting into the parks, a change to the dining reservation booking window, reopenings happening all the time…you get the idea! Here are some things to keep in mind as you plan for your next vacation!

1. You’ll Need Park Reservations

Is this one too obvious? It’s been a thing since Disney World reopened, but if you haven’t been into the parks in a while, it’s a biggie! Guests need a ticket to enter the parks, of course, but now you need reservations for the specific park you’ll be attending each day. Capacity is still limited (but increasing!), so reservations are also limited.

MagicBand Scanner at Magic Kingdom

In fact, we’re finding that park reservations disappear rather quickly! Park Pass Reservations are currently available for booking through January 14, 2023, so as soon as you have purchased your Disney World tickets, you can make your reservations. The sooner, the better!

Slinky Dog Dash

Park hopper IS still an option, but guests can only hop to a different park after 2PM. And the biggest note here is that you will NEED to scan into your first park before you are able to hop. But you do NOT need a park pass reservations for the parks you plan to hop to after 2PM each day!

Click Here to Learn More About Disney World’s Park Reservation System!

2. FastPass+ Has NOT Returned to Disney World

Disney has NOT brought back the FastPass+ system, so if you usually use FastPasses to get on those popular, long-wait rides, you’ll need a new plan! Keep in mind that capacity is increasing in all the parks, so there will likely be a lot of people wanting to get on the popular attractions.

Will FastPass return to Disney World soon?

Being at the parks early — right at rope-drop — is usually a safe bet to get onto popular rides before the wait times get crazy. Another option is to stay later, as the last couple hours in a park can sometimes have shorter ride wait times too! We have recently seen FastPass kiosks uncovered in Magic Kingdom and one was even on!

Fastpass Kiosk

We’re hoping we receive an update on FastPass+ soon.

Click Here to See Why FastPass+ Might Not Be Coming Back to Disney World as Soon as We Hope!

3. Dining Reservations are Made 60 Days Out

Like the park reservation system, this one has been a thing since Disney World re-opened, but it’s important to know! Before, guests could make restaurant reservations 180 days before the first day of their trip. Now, reservations will open 60 days before the first day of your trip!

Le Cellier

If you have some favorite sit-down places you can’t miss in Disney World, you’ll want to make sure you’re ready to make the reservations on the first day they open for your trip! Reservation availability for most Disney World restaurants typically begins at approximately 5:45 AM each day.

Click Here to See 7 DFB Videos You Should Watch Before Making Your Disney World Dining Reservations! 

4. A Lot of Restaurants Are Re-Opening!

We’re seeing lots of Disney World restaurants re-opening, so odds are good you’ll be able to hit some of your favorites! It’s a little tough to get reservations right now, though, so you need to book those as soon as you can (see the previous point about 60 days out!).

‘Ohana Will Be Reopening Soon!

As park capacity continues to increase, plan on those reservations going super fast! For some restaurants, you might be able to get dining reservations a little early! And if your favorite restaurant is scheduled to reopen soon, you might be able to grab reservations in time for your trip!!

Tusker House

If your day for dining reservations is coming up and your favorite restaurant isn’t open yet, we’d recommend grabbing some plan B reservations and then checking back closer to your trip to see if you can get the ones you want! Here are some tips for snagging hard to get Disney World reservations. 

Click Here to See Some Restaurants that Have Reopened in Disney World! 

5. Some Disney World Hotels are Scheduled to Reopen Soon

Like the restaurants, Disney World hotels are re-opening, with several scheduled to open in the next few months!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Lobby

If you’re a fan of the Polynesian Village Resort, BoardWalk Inn, or Animal Kingdom Lodge, those are all re-opening this summer! Some are already open for those staying in DVC rooms…so it’s like they’re opening twice!
Hotel availability has been looking pretty slim, so keep a close eye on those reservations and call if you need assistance. Since not all of the Disney World hotels are open at the moment, rooms in the available hotels are pretty limited.

Click Here See a Disney World Hotel that Fully Reopened Recently! 

6. Virtual Queues

You’ve probably heard by now of Disney’s new favorite queue system: the virtual queues. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance uses them, and so does Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure in Disneyland. To join, you’ll need the My Disney Experience app, and you’ll need to be right on time to hit “join queue” as soon as you can! Disney World’s Rise of the Resistance passes can be snagged outside of the parks at 7AM each day. And if you don’t get one at 7AM, you can try again at 1PM from anywhere on property, as long as you have tapped into Hollywood Studios that day.

Rise of the Resistance

Snagging Rise of the Resistance boarding passes can be a stressful and new experience. We have a few tips to help you snag those hard-to-get reservations.

Click Here to Learn More About How to Join the Virtual Queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance!

Another virtual queue to be aware of is in Disney Springs at Gideon’s Bakehouse, a bakery that sells HALF-POUND COOKIES. These cookies are amazing.

We’re Obsessed.

But there is a wait to get to them, and you’ll need to go to the bakehouse, join their virtual queue, and wait to be called back when it’s your time. The good news is that you can walk around the Springs or even go back to your resort to wait for your time to be called!

Click Here See What Disney’s CEO Said About the Future of Virtual Queues in Disney World!

7. Some Disney World Transportation Hasn’t Come Back Yet

If you depend on the EPCOT monorail line to get to the park, you will need a backup plan! The Resort Monorail line is running, but the EPCOT line has not returned. Minnie Vans are also not available right now, but you can still get Lyft and Uber in the parks.

Monorail passing through Disney World’s EPCOT

The Skyliner and buses are both running, but the buses are NOT going directly from Disney parks to Disney Springs. If you wanted to hit the Springs after one of the parks, you’ll need to grab Lyft or go to a resort to catch a Springs bus.

Click Here to Learn More About Disney Transportation vs. Bringing Your Own Car!

8. FIREWORKS ARE BACK

Fireworks are back, people! The only confirmed fireworks shows that are returning right now are in Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. So if you’re hoping to catch the magic, you’ll want to be in one of those two parks in the evenings! Magic Kingdom will have its Happily Ever After show back again, and EPCOT is returning with EPCOT Forever at least for now! Both parks will see a nighttime show update on October 1st as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration!

©Disney

Until October 1st, though, the original shows in Magic Kingdom and EPCOT will be running as usual! If you’re hoping to catch one of the shows, you could book a reservation for the park all day or grab park-hopper and go there any time after 2PM! There will probably be a lot of people there with you to see the fireworks return, and Disney has not confirmed if social distancing will be enforced. Those crowds could also make it hard to get back to your resort quickly, so plan for a lot of people trying to exit the park after the show!

©Disney

Or — if fireworks aren’t really your thing — plan on being in Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom at night to possibly enjoy some smaller crowds while everyone else goes to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT! Disney’s Animal Kingdom will get a new show on October 1st as part of all the 50th festivities, but it’s a daytime show rather than evening fireworks. So if you’re visiting between July and October 1st, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom might have some lighter crowds.

Click Here for a Complete Guide to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration! 

Good luck with all your Disney World vacation planning, and keep following DFB for updates to help you out!!

Click Here to Find Out About Disney World’s Current Mask Policy

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!

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

When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments!

The post 8 Things You Need to Plan Differently For On Your Next Disney World Vacation first appeared on the disney food blog.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Meet Spider-Man and Visit Instagram-Worthy Photo-Ops at Super Hero Station in Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel

spider-man-meet-and-greet-4406164

With the grand opening of Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel at the Disneyland Paris Resort, there is a ton for Guests to enjoy. One of those popular offerings is a photo opportunity with the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man at the Super Hero Station. With your hotel reservation linked in the Disneyland Paris app, you can reserve a time to meet Spider-Man at Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel. First, you will enter how many Guests are […]

The post PHOTOS, VIDEO: Meet Spider-Man and Visit Instagram-Worthy Photo-Ops at Super Hero Station in Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel appeared first on WDW News Today.

Experiment 626 is Taking Over Disney World With ANOTHER Stitch Cake

Today is June 26h, a day Stitch fans will know as the very special holiday, 626 Day! And Disney is celebrating with merchandise and plenty of treats!

Stitch Cake at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

This year has seen LOTS of Stitch merch already, especially with the coveted (and sometimes odd-looking) Stitch Crashes Disney collection! Now, Disney has unveiled a delicious new treat to celebrate everyone’s favorite blue alien!

Available at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs, the 626 Cake is an adorable little treat with zesty flavor. The cake features a lemon chiffon cake, blueberry mousse, and a lemon curd bomb!

The new 626 cake! ©Disney Springs

Just like the other Stitch Cake we’ve seen in Disney World, this one will only be available for a limited time, so if you’re looking to celebrate 626 Day you’ll want to pick it up now through June 28th at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs. This is just one of many surprises Disney has in store for 626 Day, so stay tuned to DFB for more!

Click here to read about the new Stitch Key for 626 Day!

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!

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

What do you think of the new 626 Day cake? Let us know in the comments!

The post Experiment 626 is Taking Over Disney World With ANOTHER Stitch Cake first appeared on the disney food blog.

DFB Video: Latest Disney News: NEW Disney World Fireworks, NEW Shows, NEW Hotel Rooms & MORE Disney Parks News!

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

Spaceship Earth

Two brand new fireworks shows, new character cavalcades, a new show in Animal Kingdom — Disney World is pulling out all the stops for their 50th Anniversary this October. We’ve got all the info on everything that’s coming to Disney World this fall, how rides are still changing in the parks, and the new food you’ve got to try.

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!

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So check out the video and then let us know: Which Disney news from this week are you the most excited about?

The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: NEW Disney World Fireworks, NEW Shows, NEW Hotel Rooms & MORE Disney Parks News! first appeared on the disney food blog.

HURRY! Disney’s New Stitch Key is Going to Go FAST

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Happy June 26th! For fans of Lilo and Stitch, you may know today has 626 Day!

Hi Stitch!

626, of course, is in honor of our favorite space alien, Stitch! In celebration of this unofficial holiday, shopDisney launched a new Collectible Disney Key just for the occasion!

If you’ve been collecting those Disney Keys, you’ll want to check out the latest installment — the Stitch and Scrump Collectible Key Set! The set features a small Scrump Key and a larger Stitch Key.

©Disney

And they come in a collectible window display box so you can show it off with the rest of your key collection! This key set is available NOW on shopDisney for $16.99.  Grab it while it’s hot!

Click Here To Buy The Stitch and Scrump Collectible Key Set

We’ll be on the lookout for more Disney Key releases in the coming weeks and months!

Click here to read our review of a limited edition Stitch cake in celebration of 626 Day!

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!

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

Are you a fan of all things Lilo and Stitch? Let us know in the comments!

The post HURRY! Disney’s New Stitch Key is Going to Go FAST first appeared on the disney food blog.

Am I Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table WRONG in Disney World?

Hear ye, hear ye! Lords and ladies of the Magic Kingdom! You are hereby most cordially invited to join us at Cinderella’s Royal Table!

A meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table is one of the most coveted dining experiences in Disney World. After all, you’re dining INSIDE the single most iconic landmark in all of Walt Disney World — Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle — in the presence of true Disney Royalty.

What could possibly go wrong?

Weeellll, as it turns out…a few things, actually. In fact, we asked our readers to tell us about some of theirahemnot-so-magical experiences dining in the Castle: AKA Cinderella’s Royal Table FAILS. And YOU had some stories to share!

We should start by saying that — for the purposes of this post – we’re discussing the traditional experience at Cinderella’s Royal Table as a Character Meal for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner featuring Disney Princesses. Keep in mind that Character Dining is NOT taking place at the Royal Table right now in keeping with current safety measures (though Cinderella does make physically-distanced appearances).

Cinderella’s Royal Table

But, as more Character Dining returns to Disney World while restrictions continue to ease, we thought this could be a good time to talk about this exceptionally popular experience in case you’re doing some future Disney World vacation planning! Cinderella’s Royal Table is one of the hottest tickets in town, but should YOU plan to eat there?

Know Your WHY

There are three main aspects that make up the Cinderella’s Royal Table experience: the setting, the characters, and the food. And we’re adding one more: the specifics of YOUR dining party. Before you make a reservation, it’s wise to take some time to truly consider which aspect is most important to you. WHY, exactly, do you want to dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table?

Atmosphere

Make no bones about it: dining INSIDE Cinderella Castle is the MAIN DRAW for most guests. And there’s a reason for that…

Inside Cinderella’s Royal Table

it’s simply stunning. From the moment you set foot in the Grand Hall, the remarkable scene is set.

Cinderella’s Foyer

Climb the spiral staircase, and the anticipation builds for the BIG REVEAL.

Stained Glass in the Stairwell

Once upstairs, you’ll find that the Banquet Hall is truly fit for Royalty!

Cinderella’s Royal Table

The setting, in fact, is THE reason we continue to recommend that everyone dine here at least once to cross it off your Disney Bucket List. You’re eating IN THE CASTLE. That’s a pretty solid reason to want to eat here.

Take a Photo Tour of Cinderella’s Royal Table here!

So if dining inside the Castle is your goal, we still say…GO FOR IT.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

There really is nothing quite like it. (Just keep in mind… this isn’t the ONLY Castle in Magic Kingdom these days. We have the Beast to thank for that, with his castle providing the beautifully storied setting at Be Our Guest Restaurant!) As one reader said, it’s “Super cool eating in the castle…” and we totally agree! (This reader also had a little more to share, and we’ll touch on that as we move forward.)

Characters

Is your main goal hobnobbing with Disney Royalty? Here are some of the Princesses known to stop by Cinderella’s Royal Table! It starts with meeting the Princess behind the Castle herself, Cinderella, upon entry.

Cinderella

Though visiting Princesses may change, during the meal, we often encounter Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine, and Ariel.

Jasmine

That said, lesser-known Character Meals also feature Disney Princesses…but that doesn’t mean they are any less magical! In some cases we feel like you actually get more quality time with them at other Character Meals. For instance, several readers mentioned feeling rushed at Cinderella’s Royal Table: [Our] “Reservation was 7, we were done and out by 7:50.”

We STILL Love Meeting Ariel

And who can relate to this sentiment 😉 ? “Royalty showing up the second the food is set in front of us. Mickey Waffles > Princesses.” 

Royal Children’s Breakfast

We’ve had that experience ourselves. But, as AJ has shared, “Cinderella’s is a VERY POPULAR RESTAURANT, and service, as a result, is quite rushed so that they can fit in more table turnovers. It’s a very expensive meal, so if you’d like to relax and take your time, know that you CAN. You don’t have to rush just because you’re being rushed.”

Does the clock feel like it’s ticking during your visit?

That said, we’d like to present some alternate locations you might consider for your Princess Character Meal.Keep in mind, at this time, these options are still unavailable. Let’s start with Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT. Though it’s not THE Castle, you’re still dining in A castle, and a lovely one in the Norway pavilion in EPCOT, at that. And Princesses? Oh, they’ve got ’em! While the Royalty rotates 😉 , we’ve met Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, and Ariel here.

Belle at Akershus

We’re big fans of the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno on Dinsey’s BoardWalk, as well. Royal COUPLES are in the house here, featuring Rapunzel and FLYNN RIDER and Princess Ariel and Prince Eric.

Rapunzel and FLYYN RIDER. ALL CAPS!

Yes, ALWAYS ALL CAPS FOR FLYNN, thankyouverymuch. (What can I say? It’s that smolder…)

If it’s Cinderella you’d most love to meet, at 1900 Park Fare in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Her Royal Highness is joined by Prince Charming and Lady Tremaine along with Anastasia and Drizella at dinner (for breakfast you often find the likes of Alice and the Mad Hatter, Pooh and Tigger, and even Mary Poppins from time to time!). And the newest Character Meal on the scene featuring a Princess is Storybook Dining with Snow White at Artist Point in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Storybook Dining at Artist Point

True, there is just one Princess at Storybook Dining, but she’s a pretty big deal, seeing as she’s Walt’s original: Snow White! This enchanting experience also presents rarely seen characters like Dopey, Grumpy, and the Evil Queen. And the food? It’s impressive! Which brings us to our next topic… .

The Cuisine of the Castle

Are you looking for a great meal with your Character Dining experience? Of course you are… especially at top dollar! The current non-Character Meal at the Royal Table is a lesser price (though, for real, not by much). But the full experience with Characters costs $75 per adult for Lunch and Dinner, and $45 for children ages 3-9. Breakfast is $62 per adult and $37 for children. Oh, and the little dining princesses and princes receive a wand or sword and a Wishing Star.

Breakfast Pastries, Wand, and Wishing Star

But still… the food quality at Cinderella’s Royal Table probably garnered the MOST comments of all, including: “For the $$$ you would think it would be superb every time.”

One reader stated that the fail they experienced was: “The Charcuterie Board! It was like two pickles and tuna.” Yikes.

Charcuterie at Cinderella’s Royal Table

Frankly, your meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table likely won’t be the best of your life. It probably won’t even be the best of your vacation. Additional comments we received were: “The food is not worth the price! It’s such a fun experience, but the food isn’t great,” and “We’ve had better meals for cheaper at other Disney restaurants.”

Castle Salad

SHOULD you have to adjust your expectations? No. But DO you have to adjust your expectations? Unfortunately, that might be the case. “For the price, the food is subpar compared to other Magic Kingdom restaurants.”

This is not to say we haven’t enjoyed any of the food here. We recommend that you take some time, study the menu on the Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app ahead of your visit, and read previous reviews. Specifically, we’ve enjoyed the following dishes: among the “Entrees Royal” during Lunch and Dinner, for instance, we’ve liked the Roasted All-Natural Chicken Breast.

Roasted All-Natural Chicken Breast

Our favorite of the desserts (and a highlight of the meal, for us), was the Jaq & Gus, which is a deconstructed dish of whipped cheesecake with seasonal flavors and garnishes.

Jaq & Gus

It’s also worth mentioning that a reader said that the fail they experienced was: “Dinner! Breakfast is so much better!”

Baked Quiche for Breakfast

For the record, that’s been our experience as well, thanks to generous pastry plates and dishes like the Beef Tenderloin and Egg.

Beef Tenderloin and Egg for Breakfast

If it’s a great meal you’re after with your Character Dining, though, you might want to check out Storybook Dining with Snow White, as we mentioned above, or consider Breakfast a la Art with Mickey & Friends at Topolino’s Terrace at the Riviera Resort.

YOUR Dining Party

Now, in the excitement over the thought of dining in the Castle, it’s easy to imagine the picture-perfect, straight-from-the-brochure scene of the entire family having the Ultimate Magical Experience at Cinderella’s Royal Table, like this truly charming moment.

Magical Moments definitely DO happen here!

But we also encourage you to think about the specifics of YOUR particular dining party, especially with regards to age. One reader regrets “Being too young to remember it all  :sob: at the time.

If Disney World is a once-in-a-lifetime trip or you just so happen to have a wide range of ages and preferences in your group, we don’t think you’ll regret booking this experience. However, it could be a matter of waiting for the right time for everyone in your group, IF possible. (One reader mentioned: “My teenage brothers [were] TERRIFIED of the princesses talking to them.”)  Just something to consider, if your traveling plans allow for it.

OKAY! So, we’ve discussed knowing your WHY. And if you’ve decided that Cinderella’s Royal Table is still must-do dining, then let’s talk logistics!

Scoring a Reservation

One of the most common issues when it comes to Cinderella’s Royal Table? To begin with, it’s simply “Getting a table!”

How do you get a TABLE at the Royal Table?

‘Tis true… scoring an Advance Dining Reservation here remains a tough ticket to get. So, KNOW the steps for making a reservation ahead of time, mark your calendar for the first day of your reservation window (currently 60 days out from the day you’d like to dine), and set your alarm to be up and at ’em  on that date to make an online reservation when the clock strikes 6AM EST. (And, actually, we advise you start trying at 5:45AM and hit refresh as needed in case things open up a bit early.) If you don’t get a reservation, stalk (seriously) My Disney Experience or the Disney World website to check for openings as your trip approaches. Go over our list of HUGE tips for landing those hard-to-get reservations.

We’ve got GREAT TIPS for snagging hard-to-get reservations HERE!

And, when all else fails… have a Plan B with some of the options we’ve discussed above.

Your Arrival

Another common guest experience? Hurry up… and WAIT. We received comments such as: “They sat us close to 90 minutes past our reservation time,” and “We had to wait over an hour for our reservation.”

Cinderella’s Royal Table entrance

We mentioned readers feeling rushed while dining above, but that doesn’t always ring true as far as actually getting seated. While we can’t fix that problem, we do advise building in a BIG window of time for your experience.

Outside Waiting Area

It’s quite possible that the return of dining with the Princesses may coincide with other returning experiences in Disney World such as FastPass+ to reserve your time on park attractions and even the Happily Ever After evening fireworks spectacular returning VERY soon.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Alas, our advice doesn’t change the potential wait, but it may alleviate the stress of missing out on other experiences you had planned. (That said, seeing fireworks from inside the Castle can actually be pretty sweet, though loud.)

Meeting the Princesses

Alright, at last: You’re IN THE CASTLE! It’s TIME… they’re HERE — the DISNEY PRINCESSES!!!

Snow White!

SooooooNOW WHAT?

Character Interaction

Though anyone can get a little tongue-tied in the presence of Royalty, we’re going to focus on the little ones here. For instance, Once Upon a Time, as a reader’s story goes… “My cousin was in love with Aurora so much he panicked and barfed on the ground.”

“So This is Love…” and I’m TERRIFIED. (I know, Wrong Princess song, but you get my point.)

Yeah, it can happen. Even the most outgoing child can get a little star-struck. (It happens for me with FLYNN RIDER every time.) While a visit to Cinderella’s Royal Table can certainly start your trip with a bang, if you have little ones along, you might consider planning this meal for the latter part of your vacation.

Princess Fairytale Hall Meet and Greet location in Magic Kingdom

This will give your little prince or princess a chance to get used to being in the presence of characters before it’s FULL-ON PRINCESS TIME. Plan a visit to Character Meet and Greets at locations like Princess Fairytale Hall or EPCOT’s Sommerhus (featuring Anna and Elsa) ahead of your dining reservation. You might even help children think of some talking points, or encourage them to consider what they’d like to say to the Princesses in advance (referencing something from their movies is a favorite of ours!).

Photos and Autographs

Readers also expressed sentiments such as: “I kind of wish a photographer went around with the princesses at the tables.”

Have Your Own Picture Plan

Yep, as another reader shared, it was a bummer “Waiting forever to meet the princesses and there’s no one to take a picture of you with them!” As we’ve discussed previously, have a plan as to how your group will handle meeting the Princesses. For example, let them know that you’re going to take a picture with each child, or a picture with each camera, so they have some idea and can more easily help create your ideal experience.

A reader also mentioned this regret: “Not showing up with a Sharpie.”

Are YOU Here for the Autographs?

This is a great reminder: Don’t get caught without your pen and autograph book, here or at any Disney Character Meal! When autographs are happening, be sure to have that pen or marker open and ready with a blank page for an autograph. In the immortal words of Scar, “Be prepared!”

Magical Moments

Remember the first reader quote we shared? That reader went on to nicely sum up a thought similar to what we’ve shared in previous reviews: “Super cool eating in the castle but so expensive! 1 and done.” And we agree that dining in the Castle is a truly unique experience that most guests will treasure long after their trip is over, and should have at least once.

Because dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table with the VIPs (Very Important Princesses) truly can be a magical experience. After all, in addition to the comments we’ve shared above, we received THESE: “My family and I love the place and the food,” and “I’ve had a great experience both times I have eaten there.”

“No fails — went there once on my first trip on my 5th birthday :blue_heart: pure magic…”

And when this reader considered Cinderella’s Royal Table FAILS? “Nothing it was perfect!”

And THAT’S our wish for all of you, no matter where you dine in Disney World! We hope this helps as you plan YOUR Cinderella’s Royal Table experience. And we thank our readers for contributing to this post! It’s a team effort when it comes to dining in Disney World, and we appreciate you!

See all of your options for Character Dining RIGHT NOW in Disney World!

Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table is a big deal for many guests. Check out our DFB YouTube Video to watch us break it all down!

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!

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

Have you ever dined at Cinderella’s Royal Table? Please let us know about your experience with a comment below!

The post Am I Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table WRONG in Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog.

PHOTOS: Most 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival Merchandise Now Discounted

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The 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden wraps up on July 5. With less than two weeks left, Disney has launched a promotion for select items from the Flower & Garden Festival collection. We stopped into the Port of Entry in World Showcase store to take a look. For Annual Passholders and DVC Members, you can take advantage of your normal discounts on top of this 25% off sale for additional savings. The Orange Bird Spirit Jersey items […]

The post PHOTOS: Most 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival Merchandise Now Discounted appeared first on WDW News Today.

Disney World News: Magical Express Change, Off-Season Hours, Fireworks Testing & Permits

We’re back with another weekend Walt Disney World news & rumor roundup. This one covers more changes/cuts to Disney’s Magical Express, fireworks testing and permits filed for Magic Kingdom, an overpriced gift basket, and more. As always, we’ll start with the latest release of new and extended off-season operating hours. All four theme parks have […]

The post Disney World News: Magical Express Change, Off-Season Hours, Fireworks Testing & Permits appeared first on Disney Tourist Blog.

Fans of ‘The Little Mermaid’ Will LOVE Disney’s Newest Castle Collection!

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

If you’re the ultimate Disney Princess fan, then you may already be well aware of the Disney Castle Collection!

©Disney

Several Disney Princesses have been represented thus far in the collection, and the latest collection about all things The Little Mermaid!

That’s right, The Littler Mermaid Disney Castle Collection has now dropped online!

There are plenty of options for Ariel fans to choose from, like the Ariel Castle Puzzle by Ravensburger.

©shopDisney

You can grab the puzzle for $24.99.

Click here to buy the Ariel Castle Puzzle!

Or, head under the sea with the Ariel Castle Pin. This super-detailed pin hinges open to give you a peek INSIDE King Triton’s castle!

©shopDisney

The pin is available for $29.99.

Click here to buy the Ariel Castle Pin!

Keep track of all of your gadgets and gizmos with the Ariel Castle Journal, complete with gorgeous artwork inspired by the movie.

©shopDisney

You can add the journal to your collection for $24.99.

Click here to buy the Ariel Castle Journal!

And for the ultimate fans of The Little Mermaid, there’s the Ariel Castle Light-Up Figurine, which is authentic to the design seen in the movie.

©shopDisney

You can make the figurine part of your world for $149.99.

Click here to buy the Ariel Castle Figurine!

We’ll be on the lookout for the remaining series from the Disney Castle Collections on shopDisney!

Click here to shop for the full Ariel Castle Collection!

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!

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

Have you been collecting merchandise from the Disney Castle Collection? Let us know in the comments!

The post Fans of ‘The Little Mermaid’ Will LOVE Disney’s Newest Castle Collection! first appeared on the disney food blog.

PHOTOS: Max Reno Band Chindinkalu Flute Now Available at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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A new toy is available in Toydarian Toymaker at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Fans may recognize this instrument from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Chindinkalu Flute – $24.99 The chindinkalu flute is played by Droopy McCool in the Max Rebo Band at Jabba’s Palace. This toy version has buttons and musical sound effects. The Max Rebo Band performs in the background at Jabba’s Palace while Luke, Leia, and Lando attempt to rescue Han Solo.

The post PHOTOS: Max Reno Band Chindinkalu Flute Now Available at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios appeared first on WDW News Today.