Have you ever been on a Disney cruise?

Disney Magic

Sailing with Disney Cruise Line is very different from a vacation in a Disney theme park. We keep an eye on all the latest cruise line news to keep you updated, and you’ve GOT to see this sneak peek at the new Disney Cruise Line merchandise!

The 25th Anniversary of Disney Cruise Line is right around the corner, and that means a new merchandise collection is on its way! The Shimmering Seas Collection will be available starting in May 2023 only on Disney Cruise Line ships, so if you want to grab the latest items you’ll have to book a cruise (well, if you insist…).

Disney Wish docked at Castaway Cay

You’ll be able to grab a new Loungefly and a set of Minnie Ears that match!

©Disney

You can also grab a new blue and white spirit jersey that has the DCL logo on the back.

©Disney

There will also be multiple new pieces of jewelry available! There will be new Pandora charms, necklaces by Rebecca Hook, and an elegant earring and bracelet set by Crislu.

©Disney

On board, you’ll also be able to find a “Silver Anniversary at Sea” ornament, a trading pin, and a collectible ship replica.

©Disney

Wondering if a Disney cruise is right for you? We’ve got guides to help you figure out the best age for a Disney Cruise, learn why you’ll want to book a 2024 cruise, and keep you updated on all the latest DCL news. So as always, stay tuned to DFB!

Check out all the latest deals and discounts for Disney Cruises so you get the best deal!

What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line

• Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships

• Follow Along As We Explore Disney’s NEW Mega Cruise Ship – The Wish

• Learn ALL the Secrets of the Disney Wish

• We Ate EVERYTHING on Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship — The Disney Wish

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

• Disney Wish COVID-19 Testing Mishaps to Avoid

• A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise

• These Are the BEST Times to Book Your Disney Cruise

• The Best Ways to SAVE SPACE in Your Tiny Cruise Cabin

• 10 Things You NEED on Your Next Cruise (That You Won’t Think to Pack!)

• A Look at the COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Policies For EVERY Major Cruise Line

• What It’s Like to Live on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months

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

What’s your favorite part of this new collection? Tell us in the comments!

The post There’s Only ONE Way To Get Disney’s NEWEST Merchandise first appeared on the disney food blog.

If you’re hoping to go on the ever-popular Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios today, pack your patience.

Join the Resistance

Rise of the Resistance has a lot of moving parts with complex technical aspects which can cause some complications if things go wrong. It’s not all that unusual to see the ride temporarily close suddenly, but today’s issue doesn’t strictly have to do with a ride closure. It has to do with a ridiculously long wait time.

When we checked the My Disney Experience app on the morning of February 22nd (around 9:30AM ET), Rise of the Resistance was showing a 305-minute wait.

©Disney

No, that is not a joke — 305 minutes people!!! That breaks down to just over 5 HOURS. Just a few minutes later, however, that wait time dropped to 295 minutes — well over 4 hours and nearing 5.

Considering the fact that the park opened at 8:30AM on the 22nd, it means that the wait swelled only about 1 hour after “regular” park guests were allowed in. Keep in mind though that Disney World hotel guests would have been allowed to enter the park 30 minutes early thanks to the Early Theme Park Entry perk.

Rise of the Resistance

Now, to be clear, this is not the first time we’ve seen Rise of the Resistance hit a wait time this high. In 2022, we saw Rise of the Resistance hit wait times at, near, or just past 5 hours in early/mid-January and in July as well. It also got close with about a 4-and-a-half-hour wait in December, and it strangely posted a 7-hour wait in October. We also saw the ride hit a 4-hour wait in December of 2021.

So while this has happened before, it’s not exactly an everyday occurrence (thank goodness!).

Inside Rise of the Resistance

A few things could be factoring into this long wait time. The ride may have experienced some issues limiting its capacity, causing longer waits. Also, President’s Day took place this past Monday and the runDisney Princess Half Marathon race weekend starts tomorrow (February 23rd). So that combination of holidays/special events could be causing a high influx of crowds, leading to a longer wait time there.

Additionally, at Hollywood Studios, one of its other popular rides — Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster — has closed for an extended refurbishment. That ride won’t reopen until the summer of 2023. When a big, popular ride in a park closes for a long time, it forces crowds that would have normally been in line for that ride to spread to the park’s other rides, potentially leading to higher wait times.

Rise of the Resistance

We’ll continue to keep an eye out for updates on this situation and let you know what we find.

Want to skip the long wait times in Disney World? Consider buying Genie+ or (for special rides like Rise of the Resistance) buying an Individual Lightning Lane as needed. These tools can help you skip the standby lines.

WOAH

You could also take advantage of things like Early Theme Park Entry to get access to the parks before the “regular” guests — this perk is reserved for Disney World hotel guests and those at select other qualifying hotels.

Or you could buy a ticket for a special event, like After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, that’ll let you enjoy the park with far fewer crowds.

Stay tuned for more tips!

Would you wait for 5 hours+ for a Disney World ride? Tell us in the comments.

The post The Disney World Wait Time That’ll SHOCK You 😱 first appeared on the disney food blog.

What does your dream Disney vacation look like?

Disneyland Hotel

If your answer involves a trip to Disneyland, you might just be in luck — new hotel deals have popped up for guests looking to save. We’ve got all the details on these deals and who can take advantage of them!

Heading to Disneyland this year? There are THREE new hotel deals available for guests depending on what you might qualify for — we’ve got all the details.

Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland

First up, Disney Visa Cardholders can save up to 25% on premium rooms at select Disneyland Resort hotels on select nights from March 12th to June 8th, 2023. Trips can be booked anytime between now and June 5th. You’ll also need to use your Disney Visa Card to check in.

©Disney

Here’s a look at those savings:

• Save 25% at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
• Save 25% at the Disneyland Hotel
• Save 20% at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

See the Full Disney Visa Deal Here

And, we spotted two more special offers — Magic Key Holders can save up to 20% on select stays at Disneyland Resort hotels. The deal is valid select nights from March 12th through June 8th, 2023. Stays must be booked by June 5th.

©Disney

Finally, anyone can save up to 15% on select stays at Disneyland hotels this spring. Trips must be booked by June 5th, and the deal is valid for stays Sunday to Thursday nights from March 12th to June 8th.

Paradise Pier Hotel

That’s three new ways to save on your next trip to Disneyland! We’re always on the hunt for ways to help you save on your Disney trip, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest news!

See the NEW 100th Anniversary Disney Visa Card Designs Here

Are you a Disney Visa Cardholder? Let us know in the comments!

The post 3 NEW Disney Hotel Deals Can Help You Save BIG first appeared on the disney food blog.

It’s almost time for a new EPCOT event!

Spaceship Earth at Night

It was recently announced that EPCOT would begin to have after-hours events this year, and if it’s anything like we’ve seen from the other after-hours events in Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we know it could be well worth the cost. But what IS the cost, and when can you experience this event? We’ve got the answers right here!

The prices for the EPCOT after-hours events range from $129 to $139, depending on the date. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can purchase tickets at a discount, with the price of $99.

Japan in EPCOT’s World Showcase

Most of the events take place on Thursday evenings, with one exception on a Wednesday. Here’s a complete list of the dates and prices:

• Thursday, June 1st — $139 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Thursday, June 15th — $129 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Thursday, June 22nd — $129 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Thursday, June 29th — $139 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Thursday, July 6th — $139 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Wednesday, July 12th — $139 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Thursday, July 20th — $139 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Thursday, July 27th — $129 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Thursday, August 3rd — $139 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Thursday, August 10th — $129 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Thursday, August 17th — $129 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)
• Thursday, August 24th — $129 (Annual Passholders and DVC Members: $99)

These after-hours events will take place on dates from June 1st through August 24th. Tickets will go on sale on March 3rd for all guests, but guests staying at Disney Resort hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, and Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort will get early access to tickets, starting on February 28th.

EPCOT

Lots of EPCOT’s biggest attractions will remain open for this event, including Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. You can check out a full list of which rides will be open for the after hours events right here.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news!

What’s the difference between holiday parties and after-hours events? We’ve got the answers here!

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Which date are you planning to attend? Tell us in the comments below!

The post FULL LIST of Ticket Dates and Prices for EPCOT After Hours Events first appeared on the disney food blog.

Cast Members can now get a discount on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyages as demand for the experience wanes.

Cast Members can get approximately 50% off a standard cabin on select Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyages from March through June. The Cast Member or retiree must book and stay in the room. They can bring up to three guests in one cabin. They must present their company-issued ID at check-in and have the ID on them throughout the voyage.

We reported last year that demand for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was down and Disney was giving away more stays for free. They are sometimes offering just one dinner service, as well as cutting Cast Member hours, because some voyages are only at 25% occupancy. Disney has even canceled some Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyages this year and re-scheduled guests for other dates.

Meanwhile, Disney is offering Cast Members more discounts, including a 50% merchandise discount, in the midst of wage negotiations rather than paying them a living wage. This is despite Disney’s constant “Cast Members are the magic” messaging. Even Senator Bernie Sanders is urging Disney to pay Cast Members more.

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The post Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Offering Discount to Cast Members appeared first on WDW News Today.