In the mood for something new? Here’s your guide to all of the new TV shows and movies this week, spread across all networks, streamers, and a few nationwide theatrical releases. As always, this week kicks off with my personal top 5. Whatever you choose to watch, I hope you have a great week! Top […]
Greetings from a busy Friday night at the Universal Orlando Resort. We’re back for another night of Halloween Horror Nights, so let’s get going and see what’s happening tonight.
When you arrive for the night, keep an eye out for photographers who can take your photo in front of the arch at the entrance to Universal Studios Florida. Did you really go to HHN if you didn’t take a photo out here?
The temperature is perfect with a crisp, cool breeze. It almost feels like Florida fall weather tonight. No better place to be than the Nettlewoods Cemetery. Graveyard: Deadly Unrest has become our favorite scare zone this year.
This scare zone is always packed with a variety of different scareactors. From living statues to the undead, this zone has some great scares.
Scarecrow: Cursed Soil is starting to grow on us. The scares have improved a lot over the last couple of weeks, too.
The Cafe la Bamba area looks really nice at night.
We just have to take a minute to point out the skulls in the popcorn artwork on the machine at Cafe la Bamba. The spicy popcorn is delicious, too. Check out the light up popcorn bucket and our review of this booth in our post here.
Express Passes for the night were sold out around 6 PM, so we knew it was going to be a busy night.
Sweet Revenge is another awesome scare zone. We never get tired of walking through this one.
The scare zones look a little clear tonight. It just doesn’t seem very foggy.
Bugs: Eaten Alive had an 85 minute wait. This walk feels so long, even when the line is short.
Been craving a maggot covered cheese dog all week. The line is always long for these, so if you catch the booth with a short wait, take advantage of it.
For $12, you can have these bloody butcher knife earrings. We found this with the Michael Myers “Halloween” merchandise at the Universal Studios Store in CityWalk.
The banners have been completely replaced on the lift hill for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. With the weather predicted for this week, it feels like it was bad timing to put this back.
Forget Finnegan’s, the bars behind Lombard’s are the best kept secret here. There are three bars and lots of outdoor seating. It’s very quiet and hidden, so there’s almost never any lines, either.
We were really hoping wait times for haunted houses would drop towards the end of the night, but no such luck. This is our cue to get out of here.
Thanks for joining us today for a busy Friday night around the Universal Orlando Resort. We’ll be back again soon, so stay tuned for more updates.
Join us live tonight, Sunday, September 25th, now at 9:00 p.m. ET or watch ParksCenter anytime on our new home, WDWNT.TV.
As Disney announces their vision for a boundless future, Universal is hard at work expanding its offerings worldwide. What does this mean for the house of mouse?
Each week, we cover the top stories in Disney Parks news and discuss the topics that are top of mind for the Disney community. Welcome to ParksCenter on WDWNT.TV!
We’re back with more news and discussing the latest happenings in Disney Parks. Also, thanks for joining us live at our new time, 9pm ET!
First, we will catch up on all the latest Disney Parks news, including a look at the upcoming 40th celebration for EPCOT at Walt Disney World. What are the food and merch offerings and how will they honor this milestone? Also, Tropical Storm Ian has plans to visit Disney World as well.
Then, our team gives first-hand reviews of Halloween Horror Nights at both Universal Studios in Hollywood and in Orlando. What are the best of this year’s houses, scare zones, and shows? Come find out as spooky season switches into high gear!
Finally, in our Pressing Issues segment, Disney had laid their plans out for the next few years, but the folks down the street are making bigger moves like a Nintendo expansion in California and a new park in Florida. Is Disney doing enough to keep up? Do they even need to try? Our panel discusses and gives their opinions.
You won’t want to miss another jam-packed episode of ParksCenter!
Also, our WIGS members receive a 30-minute interactive post-show each week, exclusive to our Patreon program.
Check out another episode of the show below.
ParksCenter is broadcast live on YouTube every Sunday, now at 9:00 p.m. ET!
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The NEW store, Eudora’s Chic Boutique featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets, officially opened in Disneyland! The store is named for Princess Tiana’s mother and you can find it in New Orleans Square. Inside the store, the decor and merchandise are inspired by New Orleans and Princess and the Frog, and you can also shop a line of Tiana’s own spices and sauces.
Let’s revisit Eudora’s Chic Boutique to see some of the items available now! These items were part of the D23 Expo Collection, and the Tiana Suitcase Mini Handbag was there for $44.99.
MagicBand+ at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
At launch, the MagicBand+ will be able to be connected to your ticket or Magic Key pass in the Disneyland app, check into Lightning Lanes, and get PhotoPass pictures, and more features will be coming in the future.
If you were underwhelmed by the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary merchandise, inventory was limited during your trip, or you opted against visiting during the celebration, we have good news: there are 50th souvenirs for sale online. Even better news: they’re actually awesome! And finally, the odd part: they’re Amazon exclusives. After grousing about the EPCOT 40th Anniversary “Event” and […]
Come walk with us down this new walkway! We started over at the Polynesian and were guided out by a sign.
Let’s go!
We continued following the signs and got to walk over by the monorail…
Monorail!
…got a great view of the scrims blocking construction work…
Those classic scrims
…and took in some pretty scenery.
Worth the walk, honestly
Most areas had signs leading guests in both directions — towards Grand Floridian and the Polynesian.
Here’s an area where signs met!
Of course, not all areas were super interesting to look at…but we’re just happy to have a walkway.
Not as pretty as the water
And we made it to the Grand Floridian! If you need to head back over to the Polynesian, you’ll just follow their respective signs.
Going back!
Thanks for taking the walk with us! Be sure to try out this walkway the next time you need to jump between hotels. And, if you’re headed to Disney World soon, don’t forget to pack some of our fun t-shirts! Click here to see them all!
And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news!
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.
As Tropical Storm Ianapproaches Florida, preparations are being made in anticipation of the incoming hurricane threat.
Hurricane Skies in Disney World’s Epcot
Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, hasissued a state of emergency for the entire state. The Orlando International Airport has shifted operations due to the incoming storm. And now, Disney World is likely going through their own preparations to ensure guests are safe and taken care of during the storm.
While Disney hasn’t made any official statement regarding Tropical Storm Ian, they’re still preparing for it. Let’s take a look at the five ways Disney is gearing up for the storm.
Making Food Boxes
Hurricane Meal Kits are a commonly-seen item during hurricane season in Disney World. We’ve seen these pre-packaged meals and snacks at Disney Resort hotel food courts and dining locations.
These boxes usually have sandwiches, chips, and fruit. During Hurricane Elsa, these locations had Adult Breakfast Kits, Adult Lunch Kits, Adult Gluten/Wheat Allergy-Friendly Kits, Adult Vegetarian Lunch Kits, and similar meal kits for kids!
Since character meet-and-greets are usually sprinkled into the indoor activities for guests, it’s safe to say Disney is likely setting options for those appearances up now.
Hurricane Day in Disney
Is there a better way to ride out a storm than hanging out with some Disney characters?! We don’t think so.
Of course, when dangerous weather hits the resort, certain transportation offerings have to shut down. Already, we noticed that only Guard Boats were in the Marina at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Guard Boat only
And during a hurricane, the Skyliner gondolas are moved off the main lines to protect guests, Cast Members, and the gondolas. These shift hasn’t been made yet but we will let you know if and when the gondolas are moved.
Empty Gondola Station
In the past, these gondolas have been stored at one holding location — the Skyliner Station at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
A DFB reader, Hannah, sent us this posting at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds.
Thanks to Hannah for this picture!
They’re asking guests to “remove and stow” all outside items. Additionally, they’re offering to discuss “alternate options” for those camping in a tent. (Thanks for the pic, Hannah!)
In October, regular park hours are 9AM-11PM. However, on days that the park hosts Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the park is open to regular ticket guests from 8AM-6PM.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will take place on November 8th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, and 29th. On these nights, the park will be open to regular ticket guests from 9AM-6PM.
Extended Evening Hours also take place November 7th, 14th, and 21st from 9PM-11PM. On November 28th, the Extended Evening Hours are from 9:30PM-11:30PM.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
For the entire month of November, Hollywood Studios is open from 9AM-9PM.
On December 1st, 2nd, and 4th, Magic Kingdom is open to regular ticket guests from 9AM-6PM. That’s because Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is offered on these dates. On December 3rd and 5th, the park is open from 9AM-10PM
And those are all of the park hours so far! We’ll let you know when more dates are added. Are you headed to Disney World in 2022?! Have you checked out our line of fun graphic tees to wear on your trip? We’ve designed some for the whole family – from infants to adults! Click here to check them out!
And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news!
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.
Disney World food — there’s a LOT of it and a lot of different restaurants to get food from. Some are popular. Some are not. Some have incredible food. Others might not impress you. WHERE DO YOU GO?! It’s enough to truly make you dizzy!
To be clear, eating at Cinderella’s Royal Table, which is located INSIDE Cinderella Castle is an experience we think everyone should probably have once. It’s one of those “you gotta do it to say you did it” type things. But you might want to SKIP this experience…at least for now.
Previously, Cinderella’s Royal Table was a full-on character experience where the princesses made the rounds to say “hello” to all of the royal guests in the restaurant. But things have changed. Following the COVID-19 pandemic closures, Cinderella’s Royal Table became a more modified character dining experience.
Views from Cinderella’s Royal Table
If you visit right now, you’ll only get to meet with Cinderella briefly before your meal begins in a designated area prior to your arrival in the main dining room. That’s it. No other princesses, no other interactions.
Now, if you’re not a character meal fan, that might actually make this a better situation for you. If so, go for it! But if you want the “full” character experience, you may want to skip it for now. Disney has not indicated when (or if) Cinderella’s Royal Table might return to its “normal” character dining offering, so we’re on the lookout for details. But for now, you’ll be paying a pretty hefty amount for a less-than-full experience.
This is another one of those “you gotta do it once” experiences because you get to eat inside of an iconic castle — this time, the Beast’s from Beauty and the Beast. The decor here is incredible and you’ll truly feel like you’ve been transported into the movie. But there are some reasons why you might want to skip this spot for now.
There used to be a quick service meal offered at breakfast and lunch. A less expensive meal + the ability to check out the theming = a great deal. But lunch was changed to a table service meal after the COVID-19 pandemic closures and a true breakfast service has not yet returned to this spot. Disney has not yet made any indication of changing that.
Also, this spot used to feature a meet-and-greet with the Beast at the end of dinner. Now, you’ll instead see the Beast walk through the room during lunch and dinner (a bonus for those going at lunch), but he moves through the room fairly quickly, offering again a more modified character experience.
The Beast
Go here instead: Just as we noted above, for a more “complete” character dining experience you visit The Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom to see Pooh and his friends. If you’re serious about getting some DELICIOUS eats, stop by Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom. If you are craving a Beauty and the Beast-inspired dining spot, you can stop by Gaston’s Tavern to take in that movie environment for less. Grab the cinnamon roll with EXTRA icing and a LeFou’s Brew as you take in the theming!
There’s no denying that California Grill offers some spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks along with tasty eats, but you might want to skip out on a visit to this spot for now. As part of the 50th Anniversary celebration for Disney World, California Grill is ONLY offering a prix fixe menu and it is NOT cheap.
California Grill
You’ll have to be ready to shell out a whopping $89 per adult and $39 per child to eat here. No, that’s not a joke. Your meal does include an appetizer, entree, and dessert, and some of the food is delicious (particularly if you opt for some of the plant-based dishes), but that is still quite the amount of cash coming out of your pocket.
Space 220 is another spot that ONLY servers up a prix fixe menu. At lunch, it’ll cost you $55 per adult to eat here, while dinner is $79. That’s pretty pricey, and in large part what you’re paying for is the experience. Now, don’t get us wrong, the experience is undeniably VERY cool and probably one of those things you’ll want to do at least once.
Go here instead: You can experience Space 220 without paying the full prix fixe price by checking out the Space 220 Lounge! The lounge does require reservations now (though there are some walk-up spots available at the bar). Still, grabbing a reservation for the lounge gives you the chance to check out the environment, ride the space elevator, etc. and order off of a unique and cheaper menu of flight bites. You could also stop by one of EPCOT’s MANY other restaurants (particularly those around World Showcase) that are filled with incredible food often at cheaper prices. And if an EPCOT festival is going on (as often is the case) you may want to save up that money to grab more unique bites at the food booths.
Tiffins is a signature dining spot in Animal Kingdom that features some incredibly unique menu items and beautifully detailed theming. The food is high quality, the service is typically excellent, and the atmosphere is among the best in all of Disney World.
Gorgeous
BUT…it all comes at a high price. The main courses at Tiffins can set you back anywhere between $30 to $65. Add an appetizer, dessert, and/or drinks onto that and you’ve got one expensive meal. Plus, the menu items here can be adventurous, which can be a bit more difficult to manage with a picky eater in the group. You won’t find any chicken nuggets on the menu here.
Short rib
Go here instead: For a cheaper and more informal experience, hop over to Nomad Lounge (the lounge attached to Tiffins) to enjoy some delicious small plates with incredible flavors. Nomad Lounge is one of our favorite spots in all of Disney World, and it might just become a favorite of yours too. Sit inside or outside, grab an order of churros and Tiffins Bread Service, and take a deep breath — you’ve found a Disney paradise.
We can hear some of you YELLING at us through the screen. We know, we know. For many, Chef Mickey’s represents a true rite of passage — a quintessential character meal with Mickey and friends in fun outfits. The environment is adorable here, there’s no denying that.
While it might be a fun choice for your family, we do think there are other character meals out there that provide you with a better value and a better experience.
Go here instead:Garden Grill Restaurant in EPCOT offers some consistently tasty food in a less busy environment, which can sometimes give you longer (and more personal) character interactions since there are fewer people. Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort will also be welcoming back characters at breakfast soon and that can often be a less busy spot, offering longer character interactions. Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera also offers a character breakfast with some delicious eats, unique character outfits, and a slightly more relaxed environment since Disney’s Riviera Resort is a bit further out of the way.
7 — T-Rex or Rainforest Cafe, Disney Springs (Rainforest Cafe Also at Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex have some very fun and elaborate environments, which can be incredibly entertaining for little ones. If you’ve got a fan of animals or dinosaurs in your group, these could be worth a visit once. But the food at these spots is generally just alright (we’ve referred to T-Rex as essentially the Chili’s of Disney World) and they can both be incredibly noisy.
T-Rex Atmosphere
Go here instead: If you’re in Disney Springs and looking for great food, there are so many other options that’ll give you a more unique (and delicious) dining experience. Stop by Raglan Road for some great food and entertainment (though it can still be very noisy). You can also check out The BOATHOUSE, Wine Bar George, and Homecomin’ for some fantastic eats. Or you could opt for quick but delicious meals at The Polite Pig and Chicken Guy!
And that’s a look at the restaurants you might want to skip in Disney World. What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips.
Take the DFB Guide Wherever You Go
We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too!
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Autumn in Disney World starts creeping in around August when some kiddos around the country start heading back to school. Though the weather in Orlando still feels a bit…summery.
Eventually, we all start to fill a bit of a fall chill in the air (even if it’s just the air conditioning!) so we found some fun ways to keep you cozy all through the night!
Hanna Andersson has super cozy pajama sets for everyone in the family, including some selections inspired by your Disney favorites! Below is just a tasting of what they have to offer. Dress up your kiddos (or yourself!) for your very own snuggly night in!
Boys and girls of every age, wouldn’t you like to see something strange? Get into the Halloween spirit with this adorable pajama set! Jack Skellington’s ghostly pup, Zero, is ready to guide you into sweet, spooky dreams with his glowing Jack-O-Lantern nose.
These jammies come in men, women, and youth fits and a variety of sizes, so you’re sure to find something that works well for you. You can also choose from Zero or Jack Skellington himself, to complete the family look!
Star Wars may not be the images that come to mind when you think of Halloween pajamas, but is there a greater villain than Darth Vader? If your little one favors the Sith side of the Force, these jammies might just be what he or she needs to stay cozy at night after practicing their lightsaber skills.
Perhaps your youngster isn’t a full-blown Sith lord yet, but they still like to race around the house with their laser blaster (*pew, pew, pew*). Then these Stormtrooper PJs will fit those tykes just fine!
These jammies are particularly spooky as Grogu’s little carrier is decorated like a Jack-o’-lantern. Grogu is ready to trick-or-treat, and with these cozy jammies, so is your kiddo!
Or do you need a throwback to one of the original Star Wars heroes? If you prefer the OG Star Wars movies, then these Yoda PJs might just be what you’re looking for!
Maybe The Nightmare Before Christmasand Star Wars characters aren’t really the Disney vibe you’re going for this season, well, we found some other spooky PJs that should be cozy for anyone! For example, this Pumpkin Pajama set can be worn all the way through to Thanksgiving!
We’re spilling all of the beans….er, candy corn, on all of the clothes, decorations, and treats you need to check out for Halloween. So stay tuned to DFB for all of the spooky news! If you’re looking for even MORE (because you probably are, right?), here’s a full list of all the Disney Halloween merchandise you can currently get online.