Recently I had the opportunity to dine at Citricos at the Grand Floridian with Panda and Pete. I had no idea what to expect because I had never been to this restaurant before. My family wasn’t the type to dine at the Grand Floridian except for 1900 Park Fare breakfast when I was a kid. Walking into this, I had no idea what to expect other than that I would see hints of Mary Poppins throughout the restaurant.

Before we get into the details, I want to say that this was the best meal I have ever had at Walt Disney World as of right now. This could change since there are still so many places I’ve never eaten at here. As much as I loved this experience, I know I wouldn’t go back unless it were for a special occasion like an anniversary due to the price tag attached. Now that we got that out of the way let’s jump into the meal.

Appetizers

I ordered the Wild Mushrooms Arancini ($14), a plant-based option for my appetizer. I ordered this for all of us to share because we were all intrigued by it. This dish comes with Truffle Aïoli, Watercress, and Champagne Vinaigrette. I was blown away when I took my first bite. The mushroom flavor pulls through, and adding the truffle aioli to it takes it to another level. Because of that vinaigrette, the watercress was better than I thought.

I wasn’t the only one that had that reaction. Panda and Pete were also taken aback by this dish. They enjoyed the flavors that came through, and we all agreed it was the perfect way to start the meal.

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Panda ordered the Sweet Corn Bisque ($15), and so did Pete. When Panda tasted his first spoonful, he audibly gasped due to how amazing it tasted. Pete absolutely loved the soup and noted that you really have to like the flavor of corn to enjoy this dish. The only thing they didn’t like about it was the pickled fennel.

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Pete ordered the Berkshire Pork Belly ($18). This was the only food item that was middle of the road. The standout in this dish was the Boniato and Plantain Croquette that came with it. He said that the Bacon & Eggs at Steakhouse 71, formerly known as The Wave, was way better than this.

Entrees

Of course, for my entree, I ordered the plant-based option, House Made Rigatoni ($36), but I was thinking about ordering the chicken dish; this just seemed more interesting to me. This came with Bolognese, Seasonal Vegetables, Roasted Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, and “Egg Yolk.” Yes, you read that right, vegan egg yolk. I asked our server what it was made of and found out they used yellow tomato to create it.

After my first bite, I knew this was the best dish I had ever had. The bolognese sauce was out of this world. Even Pete said it was the best red sauce on property. The seasonal vegetables were a mix of radishes, carrots, and zucchini. I could easily tell those were all fresh.

I know the word plant-based or vegan can scare many people, but I promise you, it’s phenomenal, and you should try it. This is also the most creative plant-based dish I have ever seen at Disney World. It felt like the culinary team took the time to develop this dish and make it so different from what we see at other restaurants.

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Pete ordered the Guava Barbecued Short Ribs ($52) and was in awe of this dish’s flavors. He even suggested they put the guava barbecue on the pork belly because it would make the dish much better. This came with Aged Cheddar Creamy Grits, Roasted Poblano, Curtido Slaw, and Brussels Sprouts. Apparently, the grits were off the wall amazing, and so was the entire dish.

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Panda ordered the Oak-grilled Filet Mignon ($56) and likes to order steak well done, no pink. When his dish arrived, you could tell it was cooked how he wanted. Panda said it tasted amazing, and Pete confirmed that it did. It’s great to see a steak still hold up when it’s cooked very well done. It takes a good chef and team to make that happen. The filet came with Potato Purée, Broccolini, Cipollini, Bordelaise. He mentioned that the potato puree was perfect and could stand on its own.

Dessert

We ordered all the desserts that were on the menu to see which ones were the best. We concluded that the Apple Rose ($13) and the Blackberry Tartelette($12) were the best. The other sweet treats offered are the Orange Blossom Flan ($13) and Chocolate Torte ($14). None of us at the table are fans of flan due to the texture, and the chocolate torte, according to Pete, was too much dark chocolate for his liking.

This was such a wonderful meal filled with fantastic food. Citricos is hands down the best dining experience I have ever had. I highly recommend checking this restaurant out if you are coming to Disney World for a special occasion. Now go and watch our full dining review below!

The post REVIEW: Is Citricos the Best Restaurant at Walt Disney World? first appeared on DIS.

It takes a lot to plan a Disney World vacation!

You have to book your hotel, get your park tickets and make reservations, decide where to eat, and then some. But, no matter how well you plan — things can still go awry. Going with the flow can make or break your trip, which is why we want you to know about this major Disney World problem.

Rides break down all the time in Disney World — that’s nothing new. Chances are you might have experienced this a time or two on one of your trips. A ride might go down here and there, while another that was previously closed reopens. But, what happens when several popular rides are closed in multiple parks?!

We keep up with wait times and closures, and we recently noticed that at one point, multiple top-tier attractions were all closed at the same time. Take a look for yourself — Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the PeopleMover, and TRON Lightcycle / Run were all temporarily down or unavailable.

It’s not often that we see this many attractions (and popular ones at that) closed at the same time, and that can really put a wrench in your plans! Even if you weren’t planning on checking out a closed ride, this many closures mean people aren’t as spread out in the parks which can make things feel even more crowded and congested.

Not only that, but if you were planning on heading to a ride that is unexpectedly closed — it can be super disappointing. Most of the time a ride won’t be down for too long, but that still might mean you need to alter your plans a bit. Keeping an eye on the My Disney Experience app for the latest wait times and closure information can help you get back on track if a ride does reopen. Pro tip: you can often find shorter waits right after a recently closed ride is open again.

Luckily, these rides didn’t remain closed for long and were open pretty quickly after we checked My Disney Experience. This is something to keep in mind when you’re planning your trip. Being flexible and preparing yourself for situations that may not go according to plan can make your vacation that much better.

We’ll be keeping up with the latest wait times and ride closures, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news!

Shocking Disney World Ride Malfunctions

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Have you been on a ride when it’s closed? Let us know in the comments.

The post This Ride CLOSURE Problem Could Affect Your Next Disney Trip first appeared on the disney food blog.

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

What could be better than shopping for Disney merch? Shopping a Disney sale! 

There has been some cute Disney merch that has popped up online like these Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway items and some items from Disney’s 100th Anniversary. It’s always great to see items from in the park go online because sometimes, you just can’t get to a Disney Park fast enough!

shopDisney.com has some great items on sale right now, some we’ve even seen in the parks. Let’s take a look at what you might want to add to your cart!

Figment fans, we know you love the tiny purple dragon. We haven’t forgotten about the popcorn bucket craze! You can add this adorable Figment Big Feet Plush to your collection!

He is so cute, from his yellow eyes to those famous orange wings. Look at those feet! 

Click Here to Order Figment Plush!

If you had your eye on getting a lightsaber, you’re going to want to see this. The Plo Koon Legacy Lightsaber Hilt comes directly from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This lightsaber is a recreation of the one Jedi Master Plo Koon once had.

It has unique sound effects and shines a bright blue when you attach a Lightsaber Blade to it. It also comes in a display case so you can showcase it in your home or office!

Click Here to Order a Plo Koon Lightsaber!

This Marvel’s Spider-Man 60th Anniversary Pin Set was a D-23 Exclusive! It comes with 9 pins that highlight Spider-Man over the past 6 decades.

There were only 1,200 made so you can own this limited edition set for 50% off, so swing by shopDisney now to see!

Click Here for Spider-Man 60th Anniversary Pin Set

Next, these Cinderella Castle Fireworks Ears from the Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction are beautiful. They are a limited-release product so grab yours before they are gone!

These ears feature Cinderella’s Castle in the center in gold with big fireworks on the ears. On the back of the ears, you can see the 50th Anniversary Celebration logo. If you had your eye on these, they are currently on sale.

Click Here to Add These Ears to Your Collection!

Next, this Snow White and Seven Dwarfs Dooney and Bourke Satchel from the 85th Anniversary is on sale. Its red leather trim and gold hardware complement the unique design of the bag. It also features an 85th Anniversary red apple tag as well.

On the pattern, you can see an outline of Snow White, The Evil Queen, and many of the dwarfs! Of course, they also included a red apple. This satchel is over 30% off currently!

Click Here to See the Snow White and Seven Dwarfs Dooney & Burke Satchel

As the 50th Anniversary is coming to an end, we’re seeing more merchandise be discounted before it goes away! This Orange Bird Tray was part of the 50th Anniversary merchandise.

This tin tray features Orange Bird and was created especially for Disney World. While there is a lot of Orange Bird merchandise to choose from, you should check out the price on this one!

Check Out the Discounted Price on this Orange Bird Tray!

Finally, another park-exclusive item! This Walt Disney World Swirl Spirit Jersey had been seen in the parks, and you can now it get at shopDisney.com for a discounted price.

The spirit jersey comes in XS to XXL and says Walt Disney World across the back. There are even a few hidden Mickeys — can you spot them?

Click Here to See the Swirl Spirit Jersey!

For more Disney merchandise news, follow DFB! 

Check out These Rare Characters on NEW Loungefly Bags ONLINE!

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Which of these items would you love to have? Let us know in the comments! 

The post 7 of the Best Disney Items You Can Get On Sale Online Right Now! first appeared on the disney food blog.

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

When it comes to Disney bags, there are so many to choose from!

You could go with a high-end Dooney and Bourke bag like these Little Mermaid ones. You might want to carry around a bag shaped like your favorite Disney snack, like this Dole Whip Loungefly. There are all kinds of new Disney bags coming out all the time, but sometimes the ones you’ll find in the parks (like Dooney and Bourke or Loungefly) can be pretty expensive. So what bags should you buy instead? We think we may have found the solution.

We found seven Disney-themed bags that you can buy online at Target right now! These bags feature popular Disney characters, and we think you might want to add them to your Disney bag collection. Let’s take a look!

First, we have this adorable Winnie the Pooh Wristlet Bag. It is just 5.5″x7″ so perfect to carry just the essentials.

It comes with adjustable straps as well as a wrist strap on the back. Look how cute Pooh looks holding that pot of honey!

Click Here to Buy the Pooh Wristlet

Up next, it’s everyone’s favorite flying elephant. This Dumbo Crossbody Bag is a great option for the parks. It is made from vegan leather and has a front button pocket on it.  It does have an adjustable strap as well.

You can see Dumbo flying high waving his flag on this teal-blue bag. The main compartment has two zippers.

Click Here to Buy the Dumbo Crossbody Bag

This next bag is for all the Experiment 626 fans! This Stitch Plush Backpack is just adorable. He comes with adjustable straps and a small zipper pocket on his back.

If you’re looking for an easy way to carry Stitch around with you all day, this is a great option. He is also currently 22% off at Target.

Click Here to Buy the Stitch Plush Backpack

This Cinderella Mini Backpack and Wallet Set looks very similar to the popular Loungelfy backpacks that we see all over Disney World. This mini backpack features Cinderella’s castle with a gold carriage decal, and it comes with a removable clock wallet.

The bag has multiple compartments inside and adjustable backpack straps.

Click Here to Order the Cinderella Mini Backpack

Next, we found this Gold Minnie Mouse Mini Handbag. This would be a great option for going to a nice dinner at Disney or dressing up for your trip to the parks. The gold bag features Minnie’s iconic bow and ears.

The mini handbag measures 11″ L x 8.5″ H x 4″ D. It is small but can really make a statement! It is currently 25% off at Target.

Buy the Minnie Mouse Mini Purse Here

Don’t worry Mickey fans, we got you covered! This Mickey Mouse Mini Backpack Purse is just the thing for you. The black bag features gold hardware including a classic Mickey head as well as a zipper that unzips to reveal Mickey’s hand.

The bag has adjustable backpack straps and expanded zipper pockets that reveal hidden Mickey details. This bag is spacious and could hold a lot of items.

Click Here to Buy The Mickey Backpack

Finally, this Mickey Mouse White & Gold Backpack at Target is a great option for park days! The bag features a gold Mickey head on the front with a Mickey sketch pattern all over.

There is a front zipper pocket and it has adjustable straps for the bag. There are multiple compartments inside to hold your park essentials.

Click Here to Buy the Mickey Mouse Backpack

Whichever one you chose, we think these are great bag options to add to your collection. We love that instead of waiting for your next Disney trip to get a new bag, you can get it shipped right to your house from Target. For more Disney merch, follow us at DFB!

Check Out these TWO Disney Bags with Rare Characters on them!

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Which of these bags is your new favorite? Let us know in the comments!

The post Target Has Your Next Disney Parks Bag Online NOW! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Earth Day is on April 22nd, and Disney is marking the occasion with a new celebration – Wonder of Our Planet! Disney has brought together the best in flora, fauna, and everything in between concerning our natural world. We’ve got some merch to show you, along with the details of the new National Geographic programs and adventures that will be available soon. Let’s start with a few items you can purchase all in the Wonder of Our Planet theme!

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What’s Going On In the Parks?

Around the Disney theme parks, some fun photo opportunities will be available!

To promote the Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Season 2 on Disney+, a photo spot will be available at the entrance of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. On the West Coast, there will be an elephant-themed photo spot in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland by the Star Wars Trading Post promoting Secrets of the Elephants, the new National Geographic four-part series. We can’t wait to see your photos to celebrate the Wonder of Our Planet!

Also in California, Restaurants at the End of the World star Kristen Kish will be hosting cooking demos over Earth Day weekend at the Food & Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure–get ready for a tasting experience that will make your taste buds go wild!

To continue the Wonder of Our Planet celebrations, we’ve also pulled together highlights of some of our favorite experiences across the globe. 

Disney Parks Blog

Looking for a sweet treat to enjoy the celebration in the parks? Have a look at the Bites and Sips Guide here.

Ready to See The World?

If you are looking for ways to explore a bit more of the natural world, have a look at some of the Adventures by Disney itineraries offering unique opportunities for curious travelers ages 5 and up to explore the beauty of all seven continents. Another option to satisfy your inner explorer is National Geographic Expeditions for an unparalleled travel experience to 80 destinations around the world — on every continent. 

The post Wonder of Our Planet: New Merch & Adventure For Earth Day first appeared on DIS.

Do you consider yourself a whiskey aficionado? Then we’ve got just the event for you!

The Edison at Disney Springs is offering an exclusive mixology event for whiskey enthusiasts but you’ll need to act fast because these tickets are selling out quick.

The Edison at Disney Springs is hosting its exclusive whiskey tasting event. This year’s Whiskey & Wonder will take place on Saturday, April 15th starting at 12PM ET. General admission tickets start at $85. There’s also a VIP experience ticket option for $125 which will include early admission at 11:30AM ET along with exclusive bourbon tastings. It’s also important to note that this event is only open to people ages 21 and older.

You might come for the bourbon, but you’ll stay for the pairings! According to The Edision’s website, the event will also host “a number of activation stations that include beverage demonstrations to coincide with your tasting experience.” Advanced tickets are currently on sale and in limited quantities.

Some of the pairings that The Edison has teased include the following:

Click here to grab your tickets to Whiskey & Wonder at The Edison

Are you picking up tickets for this event? Tell us in the comments below!

The post HURRY! An Exclusive Event at Disney Springs Is Selling Out FAST! first appeared on the disney food blog.

We’re heading over to Disney Springs because there’s a NEW offering you need to see.

We keep an eye on all the latest Disney Springs food news, menu changes, and of course, new merchandise. If you’re a fan of tumblers, you’ll want to stop by one very popular Disney Springs restaurant!

Wine Bar George is one of Disney Springs’ most popular restaurants. Along with delicious appetizer-style eats and an extensive wine menu, they occasionally offer unique souvenir tumblers. If you stop by soon, you can grab one of their new Wine Barrel Tumblers! So technically, you can drink wine by the barrel with these…they’re just very small wine barrels .

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A post shared by George Miliotes (@winebargeorge)

The best part? You can get a complimentary frozen drink when you purchase the tumbler! Wine Bar George didn’t release a price for this new tumbler, so check with an employee when you get there to find out how much it costs.

In other Disney Springs news, don’t miss the new everyday menu item at Everglazed and the newest dessert at The Polite Pig! As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news.

Learn all about Disney Springs here!

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Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 900 pages, the 2023 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!

You’ll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! 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 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 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!

Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Disney Springs? Tell us in the comments below!

The post You Can Drink Wine by the BARREL at Disney Springs…Sort Of first appeared on the disney food blog.

When the battle for Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (now called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) began, few could have predicted that the king of England would get involved.

The new, governor-appointed board members of the District have held a few meetings, and it appears as though they’re not ready to give up the fight just yet. Before Governor DeSantis signed the bill putting Reedy Creek in the hands of a new board, Disney stripped the District of its powers by getting King Charles III involved.

On February 8th, before Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill that changed key aspects of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the board’s previous members and Disney struck up a development agreement that stripped Reedy Creek of all its power.

Now, the new board is considering challenging these agreements that were approved before the takeover. The developer agreement “set in stone” Disney’s rights over the next 30 years, regardless of what the new board says or does.

The new board has hired multiple law firms to look into “potential legal challenges for matters involving the District that occurred under the prior board of supervisors and that may involve the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiary and related entities.”

Legal counsel hired by the new board indicated they only recently found out about these agreements, despite them being approved in public meetings. Counsel continued by calling the agreements “unusual,” “suspect,” and “unlawful.”

Disney later shared a statement that read:

“All agreements signed between Disney and the District were appropriate, and were discussed and approved in open, noticed public forums in compliance with Florida’s Government in the Sunshine law.”

Florida’s Sunshine Law states all meetings of a municipal agency board or commission must be public along with the records for such meetings.

The agreements made between Disney and the former board include a clause that declares them valid until “21 years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III, king of England,” but why?

Many states, including Florida, have the Rule Against Perpetuities. It states that no person can put terms in a deed or will that would affect ownership of private property after the person has died. It’s designed to prevent a landowner from having control of private property “in perpetuity” or forever.

In Florida, the Rule Against Perpetuities only allows contingencies to be put on ownership for “life plus twenty-one years.” But, Disney has gotten around this rule by adding a royal lives clause to the agreement. In this case, the agreement will be valid until 21 years after King Charles’ last remaining descendant dies.

While the fight may be far from over, we’ll be keeping an eye on updates from Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District — so stay tuned to DFB for more.

New Reedy Creek Board Discusses Potential Lawsuit Against Disney

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What do you think will happen with the District? Let us know in the comments.

The post Why Disney Dragged King Charles Into Its Battle with DeSantis first appeared on the disney food blog.