Disneyland is going through a lot of changes right now.

Disneyland Park

Mickey’s Toontown is closed until March 19th while Disney works on its “ambitious reimagining,” French Market Restaurant closed on February 17th to make way for the NEW Tiana’s Palace Restaurant, and Splash Mountain will eventually be closing to be transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Between this and regularly scheduled closures for refurbishment, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on Disney’s closure calendar to make you can plan around them for your trip. Recently, we found out that another major attraction will be closing soon.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closing for refurbishment fairly soon!

Big Thunder Mountain

While we don’t have a timeline for when it will reopen, the closure is scheduled to start on April 3rd based on what we can see on the Disneyland website. If you check the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad site, it shows “no times available” starting April 3rd as well. The calendar only goes through April 7th right now, but we’ll keep an eye out for updates.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

If this is one of your favorite rides — make sure to keep this in mind if you’re planning a springtime trip to Disneyland.  Sometimes these refurbishments can be lengthy, so we’ll keep you updated as soon as we know more.

Take a look at the reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown here!

Does this change your upcoming Disney plans? Let us know in the comments below.

The post This Major Disney Ride Will Be Closing For Refurbishment Soon first appeared on the disney food blog.

Every once in a while, Disney likes to give its rides a little enhancing “pizazz.”

Space Mountain

We’ve seen it when 4-D attractions get a little refurb and suddenly the screen is clearer, or when new animatronics get added in to make things fresher. Sometimes Disney will even completely change or update rides to fit more with the times and the current tech. But recently, they added a new little detail in a Magic Kingdom ride that doesn’t change much, but made our wait in line just a tad more interesting!

If you’ve waited in line for Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom, you know that the queue can be pretty, well…BORING. You’re either standing outside in the sun, waiting in one long hallway, or weaving back and forth between metal bars in the dark. Not much to see. However, it recently got a tiny upgrade!

The floor changed!

Disney recently changed out some of the flooring in the Space Mountain queue to match the theme. That is, the flooring is now covered in a galaxy of stars!

Very sparkly!

It’s a pretty noticeable difference because it shines and shimmers, even in the dark. And the blue lighting reflecting off of it makes it even cooler!

The queue inside Space Mountain is looking a little more sparkly! pic.twitter.com/X827SgE4WU

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) February 24, 2023

It’s not a massive change, but it certainly makes the queue prettier when you’re waiting. Space Mountain tends to be one of the park’s longer wait times, so any little difference helps slightly.

We’ll be on the lookout for any more changes in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest! We’re in the parks every day to bring you all the news.

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What do you think of this change? Tell us in the comments!

The post See What’s CHANGED at a Popular Magic Kingdom Ride first appeared on the disney food blog.

Disney characters are famous AROUND the world.

Goof!

That isn’t just in places like Disneyland Paris or Tokyo Disney Resort either. The fab five — Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald, are recognizable ALL over the world. That includes Brazil, where the airline Azul Linhas Aéreas just added a NEW Disney character-inspired plane to its fleet.

Disney just revealed that Azul Linhas Aéreas and Walt Disney World Resort held an event in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil to reveal the fifth plane in “The World’s Most Magical Fleet” inspired by Goofy! The event even included a performance by Brazilian singer Sanda and her husband, musician Lucas Lima.

©Disney

Azul Linheas Aéreas reunited its other four character-inspired planes for the first time in a maintenance hangar. All five planes were present, including those inspired by Mickey, Minnie…

©Disney

…Donald, and Daisy.

©Disney

You can see more from the event revealing the Goofy plane in the video below.

This makes Azul Linheas Aéreas the airline with the most Disney character-inspired planes in the world. How fun! Here in the U.S., Southwest Airlines did unveil a Disney World 50th anniversary plane in 2021, though.

©Southwest Airlines

Japan Airlines even announced a Walt Disney Company 100th anniversary plane!

©Japan Airlines

We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney-inspired planes and let you know about them, as well as keep you updated on ALL Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more!

You’re going to love our graphic tees for your next Disney World trip! Click here to see the whole collection!

The 9 Types of People You Hate on a Plane

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Have you ever flown on a Disney-themed plane? Let us know in the comments!

The post Find Out Which Disney Character Just Got Their Own Plane! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Disney World is set to have an EXCITING year!

EPCOT

We’re starting out strong with the grand opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run and Roundup Rodeo BBQ this spring, and then we’ve got the completion of the EPCOT transformation before the end of the year. There’s plenty to look forward to — and now we’re adding a NEW event to that list!

Disney recently announced that After Hours events are coming to EPCOT! While the park has previously offered after-hours access for Deluxe Resort guests (Extended Evening Hours) and DVC members (Moonlight Magic events), this will be the first time that the general public can pay to attend an official Disney After Hours event at the park.

EPCOT at night

The event kicks off on June 1st and runs on select Wednesday and Thursday nights through August 24th. It takes place from 10PM to 1AM on those nights, but guests with an After Hours ticket can enter the park at 7PM. Prices for the event range from $129-$139 for adults (plus tax). But Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders can get specially priced tickets on certain dates.

©Disney

Sound intriguing? Like something you want to try? If so, then you might want to go ahead and book your hotel for one of those event nights! Tickets will go on sale for all guests starting March 3rd, but guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels will get early access starting February 28th. This applies to those staying at Disney Resort hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green.

Wilderness Lodge

If you want to attend the FIRST-ever EPCOT After Hours, then you’ll want to make a reservation for June 1st before February 28th rolls around. We can’t wait to see what it’s like!

Stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates from Disney World and all the news about special events that you can check out during your vacation. We’ve got the latest!

Click Here to Learn More About EPCOT After Hours!

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Would you consider attending this event? Tell us in the comments!

The post Why You’ll Want to Stay in a Disney World Hotel June 1st first appeared on the disney food blog.

Disney has some HUGE things coming up in the next few months and you need to be prepared!

Magic Kingdom

EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival is on its way (and FULL menus have arrived), the date has been revealed for an important Park Pass change, and we even got updates about a Big Hero 6-themed land coming to one Disney park. In other words, it’s been a busy week. But don’t worry — we’ve got all the information you need to know right here. So let’s dive into this week’s biggest news stories to get you caught up!

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival News

The Flower & Garden Festival starts on March 1st (and runs through July 5th) so it was about time that we got some updates and Disney delivered. Here is what you need to know:

Click HERE to learn about every single FOOD BOOTH coming to the Festival! If you want to learn specifically about the NEW booth coming to the Festival this year — Brunchcot — click here!

Brunchcot

The FULL MENUS have been released for all of the food booths at the festival — click here to see more about those! There is a lot to eat with some returning favorites (like the Coconut Tres Leches at La Isla Fresca) and tons of new eats and drinks.

Coconut Tres Leches

In fact, around 54 NEW menu items are coming this year, so bring those wallets and stretchy pants if you want to experience them! The new menu items include everything from Citrus Baked Brie (The Citrus Blossom) and Shrimp Scampi Poutine (Refreshment Port) to IMPOSSIBLE Lumpia (Trowel & Trellis) and a Banana Split Funnel Cake (Funnel Cake)!

©Disney

But wait…there’s MORE! You’ll want to make sure you’ve timed your trip to the Flower & Garden Festival carefully. Why? Well, while most menus stay the same throughout the various months of the Festival, one booth — EPCOT Farmers Feast — will actually have a menu that CHANGES at various points of the Festival. So if you want to eat everything this booth has to offer, you’ll have to make some return trips!

©Disney

If you want a full list of the gluten-free eats at the Festival, click here.

All about getting a PRIZE for eating? Then the Flower & Garden Festival’s Garden Graze experience is for you! With this offering, you’ll need to eat a certain amount of qualifying dishes and collect the stamps for these items.

2022 Garden Graze

Once you collect enough stamps, you’ll get a FREE prize (which, in the past, has been a souvenir cup filled with DOLE Whip — 2023’s prize has yet to be revealed).

Click here to see ALL of the qualifying food items for the 2023 Garden Graze challenge!

And finally, if you can’t leave the Festival without picking up a souvenir or two, check out this FIRST LOOK at the 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival merchandise!

©Disney

This year’s items will include an Orange Bird Munchling (this little friend could be very popular!), the classic Orange Bird Sipper, and even an Orange Bird Loungefly Backpack.

We’ll keep an eye out for these items and let you know what else we find!

Click here to see the FULL Flower & Garden Festival Menus

Park Pass News

Next, we move to some Park Pass news. Disney had previously announced that Annual Passholders would soon be able to enter the Disney World theme parks after 2PM without a Park Pass (the exception being Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays).

And now we know that this change will take place starting April 18th, 2023. Remember that Passholder blockout dates will still apply and again this is only for parks you want to visit after 2PM (except Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays).

How cute!

But wait, there’s MORE. Disney has also announced some new Annual Passholder perks. Starting March 20th, Passholders will get access to PhotoPass lenses, 1 FREE Cinderella Castle Mural of Memories experience, and the ability to create their own video slideshows with photos from their visit.

Click here to learn more about these perks!

Genie+ Changes & A Warning

Even MORE changes are on the way. Disney previously announced that attraction photos at Disney World would soon be included for those who buy the Genie+ service. Now we know that this change will take place on March 20th!

So, if you buy Genie+ on March 20th (or a date following that) you’ll be able to download your attraction photos (taken on the day you bought Genie+) for FREE. On-ride photos are available at places like Slinky Dog Dash, Space Mountain, and more.

On-ride Photo for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

But if you’re going during an upcoming busy period at Disney World, you’ll want to heed this warning — buy Genie+ EARLY in the day. During President’s Day weekend, we saw Genie+ SELL OUT entirely on 2 separate days.

If you wait too long to buy the service, you may run the risk of it selling out before you get the chance to snatch it up. Genie+ generally goes on sale around midnight of the day of your trip.

©Disney

Keep in mind that Genie+ can hit some high prices during busy/holiday periods as well. We saw the service hit its record-high $29 price around President’s Day weekend and expect more of the same could be on the way for upcoming holidays like Spring Break and the 4th of July.

Learn everything about Genie+ here!

After Hours Is Coming to EPCOT!

Next up, we have some HUGE news about After Hours events!

EPCOT

First up, After Hours events are coming soon to EPCOT! The events returned to Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom earlier this year, but now EPCOT will get some After Hours fun of its own. These are separately ticketed events that you do need to pay for.

If you buy an After Hours ticket, you’ll get to enter the park around 7PM, but once all of the guests have left for the day, you’ll get to experience the park (from 10PM to 1AM) with much fewer crowds and shorter wait times.

©Disney

EPCOT’s After Hours events will be available on select nights from June 1st through August 24th and tickets range from $129-$139 (though Passholders and DVC Members can get discounted tickets).

See the FULL LIST of ticket dates and prices for EPCOT After Hours here.

Spaceship Earth at Night

Wondering what rides stay open during the event? Some heavy hitters will be available including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Frozen Ever After, and Test Track. Click here for the complete list of rides that stay OPEN.

And finally, if you want a full look at what’s included with your After Hours ticket (including complimentary snacks!), click here.

Test Track

Guests with reservations at Disney-owned hotels, Shades of Green, and the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve hotels can start booking EPCOT After Hours tickets on February 28th. They’ll open to all other guests on March 3rd.

H2O Glow Nights and Typhoon Lagoon Reopening

But that’s not all. After Hours events are also coming back to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in the form of H2O Glow Nights. These are separately ticketed events that allow you to experience Typhoon Lagoon at night, enjoy select slacks, check out fun entertainment, and more.

H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon

These events will take place on select nights from May 20th through September 2nd, and tickets are $75 for adults and $70 for children (Passholders and DVC Members do get a discount). Like EPCOT After Hours, select hotel guests can start booking H2O Glow Nights on February 28th, and tickets open to the general public on March 3rd.

Jessie and Woody

But Typhoon Lagoon is currently CLOSED! So when will it open to allow for this experience and regular daytime guests to enjoy some water park fun? Well, Disney hasn’t shared an exact opening date yet but it has announced that Typhoon Lagoon will reopen this spring! We’ll be on the lookout for updates.

Hollywood Studios After Hours

And finally, though After Hours events already returned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios earlier in 2023, MORE dates have been added for Hollywood Studios’ After Hours events! That means you’ll have more chances to buy a ticket and experience the park with fewer guests.

Experience the Park With Shorter Waits!

These new dates run from May 3rd through June 28th, and tickets will go on sale on March 3rd!

Click here to see the booking dates for all 3 of these After Hours events!

Narcoossee’s News

Next, let’s get into some food news! Narcoossee’s has been closed at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for a while as it undergoes refurbishment, but now we have some exciting reopening news!

Disney has announced that Narcoossee’s will be reopening with a refreshed look on April 1st, 2023.

Narcoosee’s

The spot will also have a revamped menu which will have some returning favorites as well as certain NEW dishes like an Ocean-Inspired Charcuterie Board, a new Beef and Ricotta Tortelloni appetizer, a new Blackened Redfish entree, and some new desserts! Click here to see the FULL new menu (with prices!) for Narcoossee’s.

©Disney

Reservations for Narcoossee’s will become available on March 1st, so be sure to mark down that date!

Big Hero 6 Land News

Our next bit of news takes us to the west coast — specifically to Disney California Adventure Park at Disneyland Resort! Disney previously announced that the Pacific Wharf area of this resort would be re-themed to be a Big Hero 6 land, and this week they shared MORE details!

©Disney

The re-themed land is expected to be completed and open up later this summer! The land will feature the San Fransokyo Gate Bridge, new Asian-inspired dining selections, a Baymax meet-and-greet, and more!

©Disney

While many of the dining locations fans know and love will remain open, a retheme of an existing space has been announced! Disney announced that the land will have a NEW spot (really a re-themed spot) called “Port of San Fransokyo Cervecería.” It looks to be a retheme of the beer garden space next to Cocina Cucamonga.

©Disney

Click here to see everything we know about this rethemed area, and check back for more details!

More News and Important Reminders!

And finally, we have some more news and important reminders. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has CLOSED for a lengthy refurbishment and won’t reopen until this summer.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Also, this week reservations opened for Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. AND PRICES have been revealed for the family-style meal. It’ll cost around $45 for adults and $25 for kids.

A preview of the Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu ©Disney

And if you’re heading to Disney World this weekend, be warned! The runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend will be taking place from February 23rd through February 26th and will bring some temporary road closures and likely bigger crowds to the parks, so be prepared!

©Disney

For more news, see our stories below:

• Your Jaw Will DROP at Disney’s Latest Announcement! 
• Disney Employees Fight Back Against Bob Iger’s New Rule
• An EPCOT Attraction Has FINALLY Reopened After Three Years
• Why April 16th Could Be a MAJOR Day for This Disney World Restaurant

©Disney

• Disney CHANGES Haunted Mansion Movie Release Date
• A Popular Attraction Is BACK in Magic Kingdom!
• NEWS: Breakfast Has CHANGED at Topolino’s Terrace in Disney World
• OPENING TIMELINE Announced for NEW Rooms at the Disneyland Hotel
• FIRST LOOK at NEW DVC Villas Coming to the Disneyland Hotel
• Reservations Open SOON for the NEWEST Disney Hotel Rooms

Enchanted Tales with Belle

• An Iconic Snack Has DISAPPEARED from Disney World
• Super Nintendo World has opened at Universal Hollywood — see our post full of details here

Hold up for a sec! Before you plan your next trip to Disney World, check out our DFB Guide Everything Bundle here.

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You will get ALL of our best-selling eBooks with details on Disney World Dining, EPCOT Festivals, the BEST snacks in each park, and soooooo many tips and tricks we’ve learned over decades of visiting our happy place. 

Click here to get the bundle!

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• 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip

• The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023

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• The Ultimate Disney World Packing List

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What news from this week are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments!

The post Stop Scrolling! You Missed Some HUGE Disney News and We’ve Got It All Right Here first appeared on the disney food blog.

The latest pin in the Black Spire Outpost locations series for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios features Toydarian Toymaker. We found the pin, however, at Frontier Trading Post in Magic Kingdom.

Toydarian Toymaker Black Spire Outpost Pin – $19.99

The pin has a brassy finish, and the shop’s logo is in the center. Aurbesh lettering spells out Toydarian above the emblem and Toymaker below.

Like the others in the series, the Black Spire Outpost symbol is debossed on the interior of the cover. The other side features a depiction of the shop’s interior.

Zabaka is the Toydarian of Toydarian Toymaker, and can be seen as a silhouette through the window into her workshop (as pictured on the pin). The walls above the shelving are filled with products in development.

Vi Moradi declined to recruit Zabaka to the Resistance’s causes due to the Toydarian’s loyalty to Oga Garra.

This pin is part of a series featuring different locations around Black Spire Outpost. The other pins in the series so far include:

• Ohnaka Transport Solutions (Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run)
• Droid Depot, Oga’s Cantina, and Ronto Roasters
• Kat Saka’s Kettle

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The post Newest Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Pin at Walt Disney World Features Toydarian Toymaker appeared first on WDW News Today.