New B1 Battle Droid Now Available at Droid Depot in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Roger roger. Star Wars fans can now pick up the the B1 Series Battle Droid at the Droid Depot in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new droid figure features: Retractable antennas A removable head And interchangeable C-3PO head Removable arms A push button for sounds A blaster Removable legs The figure also articulate […]

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What’s New in EPCOT: Insanely Good Carrots (?!) and Mickey Pretzel Ears

Welcome back to the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow! (That’s what EPCOT stands for, in case you didn’t know 😉.)

Spaceship Earth

We’re bringing you all the latest updates from EPCOT, including brand new menu items at a popular restaurant and an update on the construction progress at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. There’s so much to see and do at this futuristic-meets-familiar Disney park, so let’s dive in!

EPCOT Food Updates

Space 220

We stopped by one of EPCOT’s newest table service restaurants to check out some of the NEW menu offerings. While we were there, the manager came over to let us know that the new menu items were meant to represent fresh, springtime flavors. We tried the new Steak Salad

Steak Salad

…and these Roasted Carrots that instantly captured our hearts! Who knew veggies could taste so good? We didn’t expect to be so impressed with this side, and we would totally buy them again, even though they’re an extra $10 (in addition to the prix fixe cost of the meal).

YUM.

We also tried the new Steak Frites, which COMPLETELY blew our minds. These are made with a coffee spice rub and served with a Chimichurri that was so flavorful!

Yes, please.

There was also a new pasta option on the menu. The Spaceghetti & Shrimp (okay, Disney, we see you) is made with sauteed shrimp, spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, and a garlic beurre blanc.

Spaceghetti and Shrimp

And for our plant-based friends, the Quinoa Burger is a fresh, new addition to the menu as well.

Quinoa Burger

The Coconut Panna Cotta ($14) is what dreams are made of. Each element of this dessert is amazing, but when you get a bite with all of them?! Chef’s kiss, man.

Coconut Panna Cotta

We tried the new Short Cake as well, made with matcha air cake, mascarpone mousse, and strawberries for $14.

It’s so fancy.

Of course, we can’t forget the springtime cocktails! We tried the Stratosphere Strawberry Lemonade ($17)…

Stratosphere Strawberry Lemonade

the Orion Old Fashioned ($17)

Orion Old Fashioned

…and the Lunar Eclipse ($14), which is made table-side with Maker’s Mark-infused whipped cream and a double shot of espresso.

Lunar Eclipse

All the meals at Space 220 are prix fixe, but the desserts and alcoholic drinks will cost you extra! You’ll need reservations for lunch or dinner, and reservations are also recommended for the Lounge. But you can walk up to try to get on the list for the Lounge even without reservations — just be sure to get there early! Full meals are available if you’re eating at the Lounge too.

Click here to read our FULL review of the NEW Space 220 menu items.

EPCOT Merchandise Updates

Creations Shop

Calling all plant ladies! We spotted this adorable yellow planter that features flowers in the shape of a Mickey head for $14.99.

Hi, it’s us. We’re the plant ladies.

Stay hydrated during your Disney trip while taking a small step to be more eco-friendly with the Figment reusable cup and straw for $24.99

One little spark!

…or the “Make it pink, make it blue” cup we found as a nod to Sleeping Beauty. You can get this one for $19.99.

With this cup, you don’t have to choose!

There’s also a new Marvel earring set that will add a little superhero flair to any outfit! It’s available for $29.99.

Marvel earring set

Superheroes can wear earrings too, right?!

Port of Entry

There’s a new addition to the 50th Anniversary Vault Collectionthe Disney World Pop Socket Wallet!

Carry all your important things in style.

You can get it for $29.99.

Germany Pavilion

The new Mickey Pretzel Minnie Ears have arrived in the Germany Pavilion! These snack-themed ears smell a little like a Mickey pretzel, but DON’T attempt to eat them. They probably don’t taste like a Mickey pretzel.

Pretzel ears in Germany

Get them for $39.99.

Click here to learn more about the Mickey Pretzel Minnie Ears.

EPCOT Construction Updates

Connections Café and Eatery

The walkway is now open over in World Celebration East, giving us an excellent and up-close view of the Connections Café sign and entrance!

Connections Cafe

We’re getting closer to being able to visit this new location, which is going to house a Starbucks as well! It’s scheduled to open in spring 2022.

Click here to learn more about this new restaurant!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

The sign is up over at Treasures of Xandar in the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion. This is the gift shop that will accompany EPCOT’s newest thrill ride. 

©Zach Riddley via Instagram (@thezachriddley)

Guests can expect to find specially curated items selected by The Broker himself along with familiar Terran treasures as well.

Click here to see our most recent construction update on this coaster!

There you have it — all the updates we have from EPCOT for now. Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney parks news and more!

Click here to find out when the Cultural Representative Program is coming back to EPCOT!


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 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2022 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 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2022 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. 🙂

 

Will you be heading over to EPCOT to check out any of these new items? Let us know in the comments!

The post What’s New in EPCOT: Insanely Good Carrots (?!) and Mickey Pretzel Ears first appeared on the disney food blog.

Hours Extended at all Four Walt Disney World Theme Parks in Mid-April

Spaceship-earth-2272022

Hours have been extended from April 10 through April 16 at all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom will continue to open at 9:00 a.m. It will now close at 11:00 p.m.

EPCOT

EPCOT will now be opening at 8:30 a.m. instead of 10:00 a.m. Early entry will begin at 8:00 a.m. The park will still close at 9:00 p.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will now open at 8:00 a.m. instead of 9:00 a.m. Early entry will begin at 7:30 a.m. The park will still close at 9:00 p.m.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will now open at 7:30 a.m. instead of 9:00 a.m. Early entry will begin at 7:00 a.m. The park will now close at 8:30 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

The post Hours Extended at all Four Walt Disney World Theme Parks in Mid-April appeared first on WDW News Today.

New Disneyland Paris 30th Anniversary Starbucks Mug and Bottle

Disneyland Paris has a new Starbucks mug and bottle that celebrate the park’s 30th anniversary.

DLP Report shared photos of the mug and bottle on Twitter. They both feature the park’s Mickey-shaped 30th anniversary logo and park icons, including Sleeping Beauty Castle, in shades of pink, blue, and orange. They are part of the “You Are Here” Starbucks collection.

30th Anniversary Mug – €19,90

Source: DLP Report
Source: DLP Report

In addition to the castle, the mug features Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, Autopia, “it’s a small world,” Phantom Manor, Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups, Orbitron, Casey Jr., and the Pirate Galleon.

30th Anniversary Bottle – €21,90

Source: DLP Report

The same attractions are featured on the bottle.

Both can be found in the Disney Village Starbucks.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

The post New Disneyland Paris 30th Anniversary Starbucks Mug and Bottle appeared first on WDW News Today.

The 6 BEST Money-Saving Tips According to Disney World Guests!

We’re allllll about saving money at Disney World. After all, it’s an EXPENSIVE trip.

Disney World

We know a LOT about saving money in Disney World — from sneaky ways to save money to NEW ways for 2022! This time, though, we thought we’d turn to YOU for the tips and tricks. We asked our Instagram followers about their BEST money-saving tips for Disney World and here are SIX great tricks!

1. Hunt Down Discounts!

First up, our followers recommend you hunt down discounts! One mentioned, “Get Visa discounts and Target gift card discounts,” and another said, “Get a gift card from Sam’s Club or Costco!”

Disney Gift Card

These readers are talking about a GREAT tip. Many stores like Target, Sam’s Club, and Costco sometimes offer discounted tickets or discounted Disney Gift Cards. It’s definitely worth checking to see if you have access to these deals to really help stretch your money further.

©Disney

But you should look for regular Disney discounts as well! Disney tends to drop discounts for slower times of the year on both tickets and hotels. Make sure you check for discounts when you book and keep an eye out for new ones to pop up! If a new discount applies to your already-booked trip, you can call and get it applied! Disney World even has a discount PAGE on the website and we cover every Disney World discount here in detail. So subscribe to our DFB newsletter to stay up to date.

While you’re at Target shop for these essentials you need in your Disney bag!

2. Don’t Buy Water or Generic Snacks!

Another tip that a lot of our followers wanted to share was to skip buying water and generic snacks. Instead, you can bring a reusable water bottle (or get FREE ice water from most quick-service spots in the park) and your own (much cheaper) snacks.

FREE water at the Hub!

One reader noted, “No one should EVER pay over $1 for a bottle that gets hot too quickly!” When it comes to packing, another person said, “Pack your own water and snacks!”

Click here to see where you can find FREE water in Disney World!

3. Shop Smart.

Next up, our readers shared a number of ways that you can shop smart. A few spoke to bringing your rain gear so you don’t have to buy it and buying souvenirs before you arrive. One said, “Bring rain ponchos!” and another noted, “Head to the Disney outlets off-property for your souvenirs.”

All poncho’d up

There were also a bunch of tips to help with your spending mindset so you stick to your budget a bit better. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • “Ask yourself how much you’ll use the item you want to buy!”
  • “Limit yourself to one souvenir.”
  • “Put your spending money on a gift card so you don’t blow your budget.”

Want to see spending traps you need to AVOID in Disney World? Click here!

4. Opt For Less-Expensive Experiences.

One reader pointed out that Disney World park tickets and restaurants are VERY expensive, but there are ways to opt for less-expensive fun. Their recommendation? “Get a pizza on the BoardWalk and have a picnic in the grass. Our kids had the best time playing!”

Disney’s BoardWalk

We love this tip! After all, you don’t need to be in the theme parks or a nice restaurant to have a good time at Disney World. Disney Springs, for instance, can make for a great day — even without spending much money!

To see things that are still FREE in Disney World, click here!

5. Don’t Over-Order At Restaurants.

If you DO head to a restaurant, our readers think it’s important you know how NOT to over order. There are a few tips for doing this. If you’ve got lighter eaters you can make like one of our readers, “I order kids’ meals for myself at quick-service locations. It’s less money and more room in my belly for snacks.” Another puts it simply, “Share meals.”

Backlot Express Kids’ Meal

Speaking of snacks, another reader notes that snacks tend to be surprisingly filling and CHEAPER than restaurant meals, “Skip table-service and quick-service and get snacks instead.”

Fresh Fruit Sandwich

For those of us who are more food-inclined, one follower suggests, “Make a list of food items you want so you don’t accidentally get more than you planned.” DFB can help with that 😉. And, you can skip the spend on breakfast with another reader’s recommended method, “Don’t get breakfast at the parks. Have breakfast groceries delivered to your hotel!

Click here to see 9 snacks for under $10 at Disney Springs! 

6. Don’t Stay At A Disney Hotel.

And, there are ways to save on hotels as well. One reader simply said, “Stay off-site,” and another elaborated, “Either go when the hotels are cheaper or stay off property.”

Riviera Resort

It’s true, Disney hotels come at a bit of a premium and you can often stay off-site for cheaper. Don’t want to miss out on Disney perks? Consider a Disney World Good Neighbor hotel. You’ll still get some of the perks and proximity, without as big a spend.

Want to learn more about Good Neighbor hotels? Click here!

Wow! These sure are some great tips from our followers. If you want to keep up with the Disney news AND share your own Disney knowledge, make sure to follow us on Instagram! And, keep an eye on DFB so you don’t miss a Disney beat!

To see MORE money-saving Disney tips, watch our video!

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 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2022 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 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2022 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 tips do YOU have? Share them in the comments! 

The post The 6 BEST Money-Saving Tips According to Disney World Guests! first appeared on the disney food blog.

PHOTOS & VIDEO: A Highly-Anticipated ‘Star Wars’ Souvenir Is FINALLY at Disney World!

Okay, Star Wars fans, the day has finally arrived!

Hey Dok!

No, we’re not talking about Life Day or May the 4th or even the premiere of Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+ (although these are things we’re excited about!). We’re talking about the arrival of a Star Wars souvenir that’s been YEARS in the making.

Over two years ago, Star Wars fans got a chance to vote on the next Legacy Lightsaber Hilt they would like to see at Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at both Disneyland and Disney World. The fan-favorite turned out to be the lightsaber wielded by Cal Kestis from the video game Star Wars: Fallen Jedi

©EA

It took a while, but it was only a few days ago that Disney announced that the Cal Kestis Legacy Lightsaber Hilt would soon be available at the parks! Even better? Disney posted a photo of actor Cameron Monaghan, the guy who actually played Cal Kestis in the game, HOLDING THE LIGHTSABER. Yes, our Star Wars-loving heads exploded a little bit. 🤯 (We also now want a live-action Cal Kestis, thank you very much).

©Disney

Well, TODAY IS THE DAY. Get this — we have finally seen  the Cal Kestis Legacy Lightsaber Hilt WITH OUR OWN EYES.

There it is!

In the game, Cal’s lightsaber is damaged on one end after he gets it from his Master — and that damage has been replicated here.

The hilt

However, the lightsaber hilt comes with an adaptor that will let you make it dual-bladed, restoring it to how it looked when Cal’s Master had it!

If you’d like to wield this lightsaber for yourself, it will cost you $159.99. You’ll have to hurry, though — fans have been waiting for this lightsaber for a LONG time, so it’s going to probably sell out quickly!

We’ll let you know about other Star Wars merchandise at the parks, so stay tuned to DFB for more!

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 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2022 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 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2022 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. 🙂

Will you be grabbing this lightsaber? Let us know in the comments!

 

The post PHOTOS & VIDEO: A Highly-Anticipated ‘Star Wars’ Souvenir Is FINALLY at Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Cultural Representatives to Return To EPCOT Starting This August

In a phased reintroduction, EPCOT’s world famous cultural representative program is set to return to the Walt Disney World Resort, with Cast Members from around the world coming to work at the park once again starting this August. What’s Happening: New participants of the Disney Cultural Representative Program, which sees participants from around the globe come […]

The post Cultural Representatives to Return To EPCOT Starting This August appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.

Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” Returns for Season 2 June 28

You favorite podcast is coming back soon! Hulu’s hit mystery comedy series Only Murders in the Building will be returning for season two on June 28. Hulu shared a date announcement videos featuring series stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez. Following the shocking death of Arconia Board President Bunny Folger, Charles, Oliver & Mabel […]

The post Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” Returns for Season 2 June 28 appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.

High Rock Spring Pool and Bar at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Closing for Refurbishment in Early 2023

The High Rock Spring Pool and On The Rocks Pool Bar at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will close in January 2023 and remain closed into late March 2023 for refurbishment.

The resort’s other pools, including the Paddock Pool, will remain open during this time.

Guests may see or hear construction during this refurbishment period, but should not hear noise from guest rooms between dusk and 9:00 a.m.

The Grandstand Pool, one of the resort’s smaller leisure pools, was recently closed for refurbishment.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

The post High Rock Spring Pool and Bar at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Closing for Refurbishment in Early 2023 appeared first on WDW News Today.