Is Hollywood Studios the BEST Disney World park?

Hollywood Studios

We don’t know if we can answer that question in good conscience, but we DO know that there has been a LOT of excitement in the park recently! With popular attractions in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, plus new food, and lots of big changes coming soon, there’s so much news to check out. And today we’re sharing everything that’s NEW in Hollywood Studios from the past few days!

Hollywood Studios Construction Updates

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Over at the market in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Dianoga has been missing from the water fountain by the restroom for a few weeks. What’s a Dianoga, you may ask? Well, it’s the same creature that was in the trash compactor on the Death Star in Star Wars: A New Hope.

It’s still not here!

Typically, the little one-eyed creature will pop up in this window from time to time, but we haven’t seen it in a little while. We’ll keep watching for its return!

Toy Story Mania

At the exit of Toy Story Mania, the gift shop has been under construction for a few weeks. We’ve seen some progress in the area though, with sections of the walls getting replaced and repainted.

Progress is being made!

Now, the scrim is down, so things are starting to look a little more normal again. There’s a lot of construction to watch in Toy Story Land these days, so we’ll keep you updated!

Hollywood Studios Merchandise Updates

Legends of Hollywood

A bunch of new items arrived in Legends of Hollywood this week! First up, there’s a new Vera Bradley Throw Blanket that you can snag for $65. It looks SO soft!

Doesn’t it look cozy?

A bunch of Mickey & friends apparel dropped here as well. We spotted a new Mickey Mouse Tank for $36.99. It’s definitely a retro look with that mock turtleneck and stripe pattern.

What do you think of this shirt?

Donald and Daisy fans will probably want to check out this new bright yellow t-shirt for $36.99. The front has a knotted design, and the back features large prints of the characters. It’s nice to see these two getting their moment in the sun!

Disney’s other big couple!

Love the varsity jacket look? If so, there’s a new blue Mickey Mouse design available for $59.99. It’s made of that slippery shiny material with a heart on the front and a Mickey on the back. Probably not the best to keep you warm, but you’ll look fantastic!

We love this style!

And finally, check out the Mickey Mouse Denim Skirt! This one is definitely on-trend with the buttons down the front and fun patch details. Pick it up right now for $39.99.

More retro merchandise!

Wow, Disney is having a big moment with retro merch right now! Between this and the Vault Collection, you can definitely add some throwback pizazz into your Disney style.

Keystone Clothiers

Keystone Clothiers is home to tons of fun Marvel and Star Wars merchandise, so make sure to stop in here if you’re looking for souvenirs based on the latest shows and movies. And if you watched the hit Disney+ series Hawkeye, then you need to check out these new Funko Pops!

Yelena Funko Pop

We got four new character designs, including Yelena Belova, Clint Barton/Hawkeye, and Maya Lopez. They’re all dressed in their signature outfits from the show.

Hawkeye Funko Pop

If you want to pick one up, they’re available for $15.25 each.

Maya Lopez Funko Pop

And if you want the Kate Bishop design, she comes with a tiny figure of Lucky the Pizza Dog. How fun!

Kate Bishop Funko Pop

We’ve seen a lot of Funko Pop designs in this store in the past, and Disney tends to swap them out with each new show that’s released on Disney+. So if you want to grab the Hawkeye ones, hurry and snag yours!

Click Here to Check Out All the 50th Anniversary Merchandise Online!

That’s everything new in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for now! Stay tuned to DFB for more news and updates from around Disney World.

Click Here to See What’s New in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

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When is your next visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Tell us in the comments!

The post What’s New in Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Land Construction and a Vintage Mickey Collection first appeared on the disney food blog.

The whole cruise industry has experienced some ups and downs while navigating the pandemic and post-pandemic vacation atmosphere and changing protocols.

©Disney

Along with supply chain challenges and labor shortages, cruises have been under the additional pressure of navigating the complications of various international health and safety protocols, vaccination requirements, and capacity limits. But now, after a few years of sailing these turbulent waters, there are some silver linings!

Click Orlando released that Port Canaveral has officially begun construction on expanding this cruise port.

©Port Canaveral

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday, March 24th, 2022, on this $48 million expansion into the North Cargo Berth complex. And this expansion will provide more capacity to host ships which will particularly impact the cargo and shipping industry and may help alleviate some of the supply chain challenges that have impacted business worldwide.

©Port Canaveral

Florida State Senator, Tom Wright, said: “The improvements of the cargo berths will allow the port to address their growing needs, continue to help bring in additional funding for our state.” This project should be completed in a year and should allow the port to address the growing needs and provide some relief to some of the supply chain strains.

Disney Cruise Line Terminal

Port Canaveral is more recognized for its role in the cruise industry as the second-busiest American cruise port, and this additional capacity can benefit not just the shipping and cargo industry as the cruise industry gears up for a busy 2022 season. Even though the cruise industry is still recovering from the losses seen in 2020 and 2021, Port Canaveral CEO John Murray forecasted that 2022 is on track to beat the record for 2019, which saw $106 million in total revenue.

©Disney

If you’re setting sail with a cruise line soon, remember to check their current health and safety requirements before your trip. And keep checking back with DFB as we learn more about changes in the cruise industry and about the future of Disney Cruise Line.

Read about the updated DCL Cruise Line terminal here!

What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line

• Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships

• Check Out Lots of Details About Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship — the Disney Wish (Including More About the Star Wars Bar and First Attraction at Sea Coming to the Wish)

• See the Latest on Disney Cruise Line’s Mask Policy

• Learn About Disney Cruise Line’s COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Policies

• Check Out 10 Things That’ll Be Different About Your Next Disney Cruise

• See More About the Virtual Queues and Other Changes Made on Disney Cruises

• Check Out How Much It’ll Cost to Sail on Disney’s Newest Cruise

Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe

Are you going on a cruise soon? Tell us in the comments!

The post NEWS: Port Canaveral Begins Multi-Million Dollar Expansion first appeared on the disney food blog.

Is it just us, or do things TASTE better when they come from a “secret” menu? Whether it’s “Animal Style” fries from In-N-Out, the Pink Drink from Starbucks, or a Wawa Rainbow Bagel, it seems it’s just human nature to want to be in on the secret.

SHHHH… Secret Menu

Disney World is also full of secrets, right? There are Hidden Mickeys everywhere, references to key Disney figures in the windows on Main Street, U.S.A., and inside jokes on the signage adorning Animal Kingdom buildings. And there are, of course, secret menu items!

If you want to be in on the secret, we’re sharing where to look for some of these not-on-the-menu foods from our 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. And this is just one of the many unique ways of enjoying the World that we cover in the guide. There’s a chapter for everything, so be sure to check it out!

DFB Guide

And if you find this information helpful, then be sure to pick up your copy of the Guide today for $5 off using code “Donald5” right here!

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe 

Cosmic Ray’s is a classic counter-service restaurant in Tomorrowland that serves up a solid menu of burgers, fries, salads, and one of our fave treats, the Cheshire Cat Tail!

But when you mobile order through the My Disney Experience app, keep an eye out for secret menu items! These Galaxy Loaded Fries (topped with bacon, pico relish, cheese sauce, garlic ranch sauce, and Flaming Hot Cheese Dust) appear on the secret menu from time to time.

Galaxy Loaded Fries (shhhh!)

And we’ve also seen a Pork Belly Burger (with smoked gouda, sriracha aioli, and pork rinds!).

Spring Roll Wagon

We LOVE the Cheeseburger and Pepperoni Pizza Spring Rolls at this kiosk, now located near the entrance to Adventureland. You can get two spring rolls for less than $10 here, and beyond the staple flavors, you might find some surprises! And right now, they are even serving up a 50th Anniversary Spring Roll!

50th Anni Spring rolls

Be sure to ask about any secret menu items at the spring roll cart. On previous visits, we have been offered an aioli-style dipping sauce (which we enjoyed with the cheeseburger spring roll!), and you can sometimes find other spring roll choices, like Buffalo Chicken, Cuban, or Philly Cheesesteak.

Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen

Any restaurant with a “once-hidden secret room” should have its own secret menu, and that’s what the Skipper Canteen delivers!

Pao de Queijo

Be sure to ask your server about secret menu items at Skipper Canteen. You could wind up with something super delicious like the Pao de Queijo — little balls of cheeeesy bread with with (gulp!) poblano cream cheese and chimichurri sauce. Yes, we said poblano cream cheese. Not.On.The.Menu, friends.

Ready for All of Our Best Tips?

We’ve got TONS of Disney World Dining Tips — including more more places to find secret menu items — in our big, bold, 750-page DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2022 — and the guide is your ticket to planning your best Disney trip yet!

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2022 is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ 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 sample dining itineraries, plus our “Disney Dining at a Glance” section, featuring “Where Can I Find?” options, you’ll have everything you need to plan the best vacation yet. Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2022 E-book — and use code Donald5 for an extra $5 discount for a limited time!

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

Have you ever had a secret menu item at Walt Disney World? Share YOUR tips in the comments!

The post Tips From the DFB Guide: SECRET Menu Items in the Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog.

Sometimes, a Disney World vacation isn’t just about the theme parks (though those are pretty great too!). It’s also about what you do outside of the parks, as well. And if you’re staying at a Disney hotel, you’ll have a lot of options for things to do back at the hotel, like movies under the stars, crafts, and other activities. Right now, guests at Saratoga Springs Resort can even perform nest checks on bird nests on Wednesday mornings!

Saratoga Springs Resort

One great amenity to take advantage of is the pool at your hotel! Disney recently announced a pool closure that may affect your upcoming trip.

Beginning in January 2023 and heading into late March 2023, the High Rock Spring Pool at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be closed for refurbishment. The On The Rocks Pool Bar will also be closed during that time.

One of the Saratoga Springs Resort pools will be closed temporarily.

The High Rock Spring Pool is one of two “feature” pools at the hotel, but the other feature pool, the Paddock Pool as well as three other “leisure” pools will remain open during this temporary closure.

On the Rocks Pool Bar will be closed temporarily early next year

Of course, these refurbishments are subject to change, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates!

Click here to see how a new guest survey could mean big changes are coming to Disney World!

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

Will these pool closures affect your Disney vacation? Let us know in the comments!

The post Another Hotel Pool Closure Was Announced in Disney World. Will It Impact Your Trip?! first appeared on the disney food blog.