Popcorn bucket collectors, you REALLY need to hide your wallets, because you won’t be able to resist the newest addition.

Disneyland popcorn cart

The Walt Disney Company is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary, and we’ve seen lots of new merchandise and snacks come out for the occasion. Now, Disney has announced that a new popcorn bucket is on the way (yes, ANOTHER 100th anniversary popcorn bucket)!

The Disney100 Purple Mickey Mouse Balloon Bucket is coming to Disneyland on March 29th! This bucket will be available at popcorn carts in both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.

©Disney

We’ve already seen a silver version of this popcorn bucket, but now the purple edition will be available to match it.

Popcorn Bucket

For now, the bucket will only be available in Disneyland, but we’ve seen one 100th anniversary popcorn bucket in Walt Disney World, so we’re hoping that some of the other designs start to make the trip to the East Coast as well!

100th anniversary popcorn bucket

Disney noted that there is a limit of two popcorn buckets per person, per transaction for the new balloon bucket.

Sleeping Beauty Castle

We’ll be on the lookout for more news from Disney, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates!

Click here to see EVERY SINGLE popcorn bucket you can get in Disney World right now!

Learn More About Disney 100 Years of Wonder – The 100th Anniversary Celebration!

• When Disney’s 100 Year Anniversary Celebration Actually Starts

• Is the 100th Anniversary Coming to Disney World?

• A NEW 100th Anniversary Disney Credit Card Design Is Coming!

• PHOTOS: Sparkly NEW 100th Anniversary Minnie Ears Are Now Available in Disney World

• ALL of the Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW!

• Check Out the NEW 100th Anniversary Starbucks Tumbler

• Inside Look at NEW 100th Anniversary Disneyland Fireworks Show

• Sleeping Beauty Castle Will Get a NEW Look For Disney’s 100th Anniversary

• Get ALL of the Latest Updates on the 100th Anniversary Celebration

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

 Would you buy this new popcorn bucket? Let us know in the comments.

The post A NEW Popcorn Bucket Is Coming for Disney’s 100th Anniversary! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Even if you’re the kind of person who simply uses their hotel room for sleeping and wants to spend as much time as possible in the parks, it’s still important to put some thought into which resort you choose to book.

Bus pickup in front of All-Star Music Resort

Not only does the price vary, but your entire experience will be different depending on where you choose. That’s why we suggest doing a bit of research to compare your options and help you pick the best resort possible for you and your family!

• Common Ground
• Theme/Rooms
• Pools
• Food
• Transportation

We’re comparing All-Star Music and Pop Century to see which one will come out on top!

Common Ground

Both of these are Value Resorts at Disney World. That means they will both be at a comparable price point, with similar room sizes and amenities. Disney’s All-Star Resorts have strong theming that carries throughout the entire campus; this includes the huge statues you’ll see at each All-Star Resort as well as the theming for their rooms, pools, shops, and eateries. Pop Century also features vibrant architecture and decor, and despite not being an All-Star Resort there are many similarities.

Pop Century

At All-Star Music, room rates start at $132 per night, excluding tax, for Standard Rooms at the cheapest times of year — when the parks are least busy. The most expensive room rates here will run you about $574 per night — that’s for a Family Suite around Christmas, often the most popular time of year. A Standard Room sleeps 4 adults, while a Family Suite can accommodate up to 6 adults.

Pop Century has similar rates. Standard Rooms also start at $149 per night, and a Preferred Room for the same dates in December 2023 was just under $334 per night. Sometimes Disney offers special deals on hotels, usually during the off-season. This can bring the nightly rate down.

Theme/Rooms

Both of these spots have very different themes! However, both show off their theming through vibrant and larger-than-life decorations. 

All-Star Music

All-Star Music is the only All-Star resort that offers Family Suites. These have a common space with two Murphy beds as well as a separate bedroom with a double or Queen-sized bed. You can see these rooms feature fun Disney decor with a music-themed spin!

Murphy Beds in Family Suite

The separate bedroom has its own TV, storage, and seating. The rooms all have a similar interior, whereas outside each building has a different design based on the area of the resort you are staying in.

Bedroom area

Family suites also include a kitchenette. Standard Rooms come with a small mini-fridge, but the suits have a larger refrigerator as well as a microwave and sink. They also come with 2 full bathrooms, so that means more space and less time fighting over the shower!

Take a Photo Tour to see an All-Star Movies Standard Room here!

All-Star Music Family Suite Kitchen

Outside is much more bright and colorful! Each area at All-Star Music is themed after a different genre: Country, Broadway, Jazz, Rock and Calypso. The decorations are perfectly suited to the theme and include massive maracas, a giant xylophone, and so much more.

Giant instruments!

We’ve never seen instruments so big!

Jazz-themed area

Pop Century Resort

Pop Century has a similar interior style, with a modern hotel finish that includes Disney art. The images are done in a vibrant pop art style and feature classic Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Pluto.

Pull-Down Bed

Value Resorts have rooms that are often smaller than the rooms at Disney World’s Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. To save on space but still give guests the most amenities as possible, these resorts often use Murphy beds. These beds fold down at night for sleeping and fold back up during the day, revealing a table! Add two chairs and that’s some extra living space you didn’t have before.

When the bed is closed it turns into a table!

Just like other rooms, you’ll also have a TV, dresser, and bathroom. The bathrooms aren’t large but there is still a little bit of storage space for your products.

Full Room at Pop Century

The rooms are given a little extra personality thanks to the Disney art, like this pop art style mural of Mickey Mouse.

Take a Photo Tour to see ALL the details of a Pop Century Resort Standard Room here!

So fun!

Outside you’ll discover different areas themed to various decades throughout the 20th century. Starting in the 1950s and ending in the 1990s, each decade is represented here through larger than life building decor and themed amenities.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Over in the 1970s area, you can find an outdoor Twister board ready for playing! These resorts are so fun to explore; you never know what you’ll discover.

Wanna play Twister?

Results

When it comes to their theming these resorts are pretty evenly matched! Both have very strong theming that is expressed through statues and decorations that will delight guests of all ages, and their rooms are both modern, clean, and have similar amenities. In this category we’re going to have to give it to All-Star Music, purely because they do have the option of the Family Suites. For those traveling in larger groups this is a great budget option that gives you space for everyone without breaking the bank.

Pools

What’s a resort without a pool! We’re checking out the pools at both All-Star Music and Pop Century to see who stays afloat.

All-Star Music

All-Star Resorts have two pools each; one signature pool and a smaller pool, both in different areas of the resort. They also have smaller kiddie areas for younger children to splash and play in. At All-Star Music, the smaller pool is their Piano Pool. It’s shaped just like a piano and even includes a long row of keys to really complete the look!

Piano Pool

Their signature pool is the Calypso Pool. Lined with massive maracas, this pool is home to their Three Caballeros fountain! Donald and his pals are all included, and when you swim by you just might get splashed with a stream of water. This guitar-shaped pool holds 251,418-gallons of water and has plenty of space for you and your family to cool off.

Calypso Pool

Pop Century Resort

Over at Pop Century you’ll find the Hippy Dippy Pool! It’s located in the 1960s area and is totally groovy. One of the coolest things about this pool is their water jets — they’re shaped like flowers and shower you with a refreshing spray, perfect for hot days. Nearby you’ll find a kiddie pool area with a pop-jet water fountain.

Hippy Dippy Pool at Pop Century

The Bowling Pool is in the 1950s area of the resort and is a long lap pool shaped like a bowling pin.

Bowling Pool

Jump into the 1990s at the Computer Pool! It’s shaped like an old-school computer and even features a giant floppy disk and keypad, perfect for showing your kids exactly what it was like to access the internet and your favorite games when you were younger!

Computer Pool

Results

We have to say there is a clear winner here. Pop Century wins the pool category! Not only does it have an extra pool over All-Star Music, but its theming is just as exciting and offers something a little bit different at each location. All-Star Music does have fun pools, but when you’re staying at a Disney resort with hundreds of other guests an extra pool can go a long way to reduce crowding. 

Food

Value Resorts won’t have the same dining options you might have tried at Moderate and Deluxe Resorts, but you can still find places where you can grab a bite to eat that really hits the spot after a long day in the parks. Their food options are usually more basic which can be helpful when traveling with kids or other picky eaters!

All-Star Music

Every All-Star Resort has a food court, and the one at All-Star Music is called Intermission. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and most items are $15 and under. They even have Mickey Waffles at breakfast to start your day off right!

Intermission Food Court

You can dine on favorites like hot dogs, burgers, and chicken tenders, or choose from some of their fancier entrees like Braised Beef or Seared Salmon (apparently they like alliteration!). Intermission also has special items for different events, so if you’re dining here for a picky eater but would prefer something a little more exciting be sure to check online ahead of time for limited time offerings. A food court is a great choice for a variety of options that can suit almost any palette!

Interior

Over at the Calypso Pool is Singing Spirits Pool Bar. Here you can choose from specialty cocktails, draft beers, sangria and wine to spice up your pool relaxation time. They also serve snacks, so if you’re feeling a little peckish you won’t have to head all the way back inside!

Find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at All-Star Music Resort HERE

Singing Spirits Pool Bar

Pop Century Resort

Everything POP is your place to go for dining (and shopping!) at Pop Century. Here you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a colorful and vibrant atmosphere.

Everything POP

Similar to All-Star Music, their food options are priced around $14.99 and under. They have pretty standard breakfast fare including breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, and omelets. For lunch and dinner you can choose from classic burgers and chicken sandwiches or homestyle plates like buttermilk chicken or shrimp and grits!

Everything POP food court area

This is also a food court so you can select your own seats. When you’re finished dining, head over to the retail area to get your shopping on!

Food court

Pop Century also has a pool bar. Petals can be found at the Hippy Dippy Pool and is equally as bright and bohemian. Choose from bar standards like wine, sangria, and beer or opt for one of their house specialties, like the tropical Banana Cabana cocktail! Petals also has non-alcoholic drinks as well as small bites for refueling in between laps.

Find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at Disney’s Pop Century Resort HERE. 

Petals Pool Bar

Results

This category was a tough call. After careful consideration … we’re just going to have to call this one a tie! Both resorts have very similar dining options and include both a food court as well as a pool bar. They also have a wide variety of dishes and snacks that will appeal to lots of different guests no matter their food preferences. We suggest taking a look at each of the menus and seeing which has items that really speak to you!

Transportation

When it comes to Disney transportation, not all resorts will have the same options. Whether it be by bus, boat, Monorail, or Skyliner, you may (or may not!) have a selection of choices to travel to and from your resort. Let’s take a look and see what these two have!

All-Star Music

All three of the All-Star Resorts can ONLY be accessed by bus. This is kind of a bummer to many guests, especially at the end of an exhausting day in the parks when all you want is to crawl into bed. Lines for Disney buses can get quite long, and it isn’t the fastest trip in the world either. Often you’ll need to be patient and wait for the bus to stop at a variety of resorts (and sometimes even multiple stops within a single resort) before it reaches your final destination.

The Bus Area

Pop Century Resort

Pop Century is unique in that it is one of only 4 Disney resorts that has a Skyliner station! This gondola system travels high in the sky to take guests around Walt Disney World. Besides Pop Century, the Skyliner also stops at  Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort as well as EPCOT’s International Gateway and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Skyliner is a fun way to get around the resort and a great option if other forms of transportation are busy. Pop Century also has a bus stop and is part of the Disney World bus transportation system, so likewise if the Skyliner is too busy (or you aren’t a fan of heights!) you can opt for that choice too.

Disney Skyliner at Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts

Results

Pop Century clearly wins here thanks to its Skyliner stop! Besides being a more exciting form of transportation, it’s helpful to have more than one option to avoid crowding. Keep in mind the Skyliner does get crowded too, and you may end up waiting in some pretty long lines to get on a gondola, especially when leaving a park around closing time. We recommend budgeting about 40 minutes to an hour for any form of Disney transportation to help scheduling and ensure you don’t miss any reservations!

Overall

Now that we’ve reviewed every category, it’s time to announce the winner! The resort who came out on top is … well, it’s your decision! Both resorts have similar, strong theming and fairly equal amenities, so ultimately the choice really comes down to specific attributes that are important to you. Do you love the theming of All-Star Music and love the idea of staying in a newly renovated room? Or is it important to you to have multiple transportation options and you’d rather use the Skyliner? The good news is, if you can’t find availability at one resort for your chosen dates (or can’t bear to pick between the two) you know you’ll be getting a similar experience.

Interested to see how some of the other resorts have matched up? Check out the post below:

All-Star Movies vs All-Star Sports Disney World Resort Guide 2023

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Comment below your favorite Disney resort to stay in!

The post All-Star Music vs. Pop Century Disney World Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog.

Just like the Disney World theme parks, the Disney World hotels are changing all the time. Some major changes are coming to certain hotels soon, but we’ve also noticed lots of smaller updates as we visit the resorts on property.

Grand Floridian

Come along with us to lots of Disney World hotels to see everything that’s NEW since our last visit!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Food Updates

Contempo Cafe

We recently tried a few new treats that arrived just in time for spring! We had the Peanut Butter Egg for $5.29…

Peanut Butter Egg

…and the Spring Bunny Tart for $5.49.

Spring Bunny Tart

You can check out our full review of these treats here.

Click here to read our full review of these treats!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Construction Updates

If you’re visiting this hotel, make sure you stop by the fourth floor to check out the Easter egg display!

Contemporary Resort Easter Egg Display

There are lots of incredible designs here — it’s definitely worth a visit.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Merchandise Updates

Bay View Gifts

At this gift shop, we spotted a Maps of the Disney Parks book for $40…

Maps Book

…an Alice in Wonderland pet toy set for $24.99…

Dog Toys

…a Rabbit collection pet collar and leash set for $34.99…

Pet Collar Set

…and a Mickey Beach Basket.

Beach Basket

The beach basket was $14.95.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Food Updates

Capt. Cook’s

We recently stopped by Capt. Cook’s to try out a few items on the menu (read our full review here!), and while we were there we spotted the Pineapple Cupcake for $6.49.

Pineapple Cupcake

This treat was added to the bakery lineup recently to replace the 50th Celebration Cupcake (quite a few 50th anniversary items have gone missing from Disney World lately!).

Pineapple Cupcake

The cupcake is a Vanilla Cupcake with a DOLE Whip® Pineapple Cheesecake center, Pineapple Buttercream, and White Chocolate Décor.

Read our full review of the Pineapple Cupcake here.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Construction Updates

Disney Vacation Club Tower

There’s a new building coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort just for DVC members. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the construction, and a lot of progress has been made!

DVC Tower Construction

The new DVC villas are expected to open in late 2024.

Temporary Walkway

There’s a temporary walkway at the Polynesian Village Resort in order to accommodate some of the construction going on here.

Signs

We noticed a few new signs added to this walkway during our last visit.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Merchandise Updates

Boutiki

At Boutiki, we found a Moana throw blanket for $59.99…

Moana Blanket

…and a Tommy Bahama Minnie shirt.

Minnie Tee

The shirt was $69.50.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Food Updates

Gasparilla Island Grill

There were a few seasonal treats at Gasparilla Island Grill, including a Vanilla Bean Cupcake Sampler for $16…

Cupcakes

…and a Cream Cheese Carrot Coffee Cake.

Carrot Coffee Cake

The Coffee Cake was $9.50.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Construction Updates

We also spotted some construction going on around this hotel, including scaffolding surrounding a few of the buildings.

Grand Floridian Construction

You may see construction if you stay at this hotel soon!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Merchandise Updates

Basin

At Basin, we found several new Flower Power Bath Bombs.

Flower Power Bath Bomb

The new bath bombs are $5.99 each, or you can get three for $14.

M.Mouse Mercantile

Here, we found a Little Mermaid shell hat for $29.99…

Ariel Hat

…and a t-shirt that says “Believe in Magic.”

Believe in Magic Tee

The shirt was $39.99.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Merchandise Updates

Settlement Trading Post

There were several new items at this shop, including a Fort Wilderness Corkcicle bottle for $49.99…

Corkcicle

…a Teacher’s Day Yoda pin for $17.99…

Teachers Day Pen

…a Bambi “Cute by Nature” t-shirt for $19.99…

Bambi Shirt

…a Baby Yoda cat collar for $17.99…

Star Wars Collar

…a Mandalorian pen for $17.99…

Star Wars Pen

…and a Disney 100th anniversary dog collar.

100th anniversary collar

The dog collar was $19.99.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Merchandise Updates

Ink & Paint Shop

This gift shop had a Lion King mystery pin set for $17.99…

Lion King Pins

…and a Disney villains pin set for $29.99.

Villains Pins

We also spotted a Little Mermaid backpack.

Little Mermaid Backpack

The backpack was $29.99.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort Merchandise Updates

Everything POP Shopping & Dining

Pop Century had some new Walt Disney World postcards for sale.

Postcards

You could buy the set for $19.99.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Food Updates

Screen Door General Store

At the General Store, we spotted some character-inspired Rice Krispy Treats.

Mickey Treats

The Mickey s’mores Rice Krispy was $5.99.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Construction Updates

The Cake Bake Shop

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers is a new restaurant coming to Disney World’s BoardWalk in 2023. We stopped by the construction site to see how progress is coming!

Construction

This table service spot will serve items for brunch, lunch, and dinner featuring both sweet and savory menus. Afternoon tea service will be offered as well. Disney notes that the new eatery will present a “whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk that guests know and love.”

We’ve already written a FULL REVIEW of another Cake Bake Shop location — read it here!

Funnel Cake Stand

The Funnel Cake Stand at Disney’s Boardwalk has been empty for a while now, so we stopped by to see if anything has changed.

Funnel Cake Stand

So far, there’s been no change or update at this spot, but we’ll keep watching!

Lobby Construction

The Boardwalk Inn lobby is going through a pretty major refurbishment, and right now the bathrooms in this area are still under construction.

Bathrooms still closed

Several parts of this hotel are being affected by updates and refurbishments — click below to learn more.

Read about more changes coming to the Boardwalk Inn here.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Merchandise Updates

Kidani Village — Johari Treasures

We spotted a few new Lion Kin pins here, including a Rafiki pin for $11.99…

Rafiki Pin

…a Scar and Zazu pin set for $17.99…

Scar Pin

…and a Hakuna Matata pin.

Lion King Pin

The Hakuna Matata pin was $14.99.

Jambo House — Zawadi Marketplace

This gift shop had a new Disney pin for $14.99.

Disney Pin

We also found a 100th anniversary coloring book for $15.99.

Disney100 Coloring Book

There were some new Lion King jewelry sets, including some BaubleBar earrings for $50…

Lion King Earrings

…and some BaubleBar bracelets.

Lion King Bracelets

The bracelets were also $50.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Construction Updates

At Coronado Springs, we saw that Bus Stop #2 was under construction.

Bus Stop

The bus driver advised us to use Bus Stop #3 for the time being, as the internal shuttle and other buses will not be stopping at the 2nd one for now. This mainly affects Casitas buildings three through five.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Merchandise Updates

Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries

We found a new Villa Del Lago hat for $29.99…

Cap

…a Coronado Springs Tommy Bahama polo for $110…

New Shirt

…and a Nike polo for $80.

Nike Polo

There was also some new jewelry here, including a Disney treats bracelet for $24.99…

Disney Snacks Bracelets

…a Disney treats necklace for $24.99…

Disney Snacks Necklace

…a set of earrings for $19.99…

Earrings

…a set of necklaces for $29.99…

Necklaces

…and some iridescent bracelets.

Bracelets

This set was $24.99.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Merchandise Updates

Calypso Trading Post

At the Calypso Trading Post, we spotted a new Caribbean Beach Corkcicle bottle.

Corkcicle

The bottle was $44.99.

Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Construction Updates

At the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, there was some construction going on at the pool.

Pool Construction

We also spotted scaffolding on the side of a building located near the pool.

Scaffolding

Watch out for these areas if you plan to visit this hotel soon!

Click here to check out the NEWEST restaurant at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel.

Those were all the updates we found on our last visit. We’re always looking out for new things when we visit the Disney World parks and hotels, including merchandise, construction changes, and (of course) snacks and treats! Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news.

Check out our definitive ranking of Disney World hotels here.

Walt Disney World has announced monthly themes for their own version of the 100th anniversary celebration, which will begin when the 50th anniversary ends this month.

According to the Disney Rewards site, “Monthly spotlights on some Disney favorite franchises like Pixar, Mickey & Friends, and Disney Princess will help Guests fully enjoy and immerse themselves in the many Disney stories they love.”

“Guests will see and can celebrate these stories and lovable Characters in existing experiences such as Character caravans, parades, photo opportunities, merchandise, attractions, experiences and more. In addition, the Disney Resort Hotels will offer movies under the stars and poolside parties with themed activities for more ways to celebrate these stories.”

The celebrations will begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in April for Earth Day and the 25th anniversary of the park, spotlighting Disney’s conservation efforts. Moana will have a meet and greet in Animal Kingdom beginning on Earth Day, April 22.

To coincide with May the 4th, the next month will focus on “Star Wars.” Disney already announced a 30% discount on Galactic Starcruiser for Annual Passholders.

June will celebrate Pixar characters. Read our review of Roundup Rodeo BBQ, which just opened in Toy Story Land.

Mickey, Minnie, and their friends will provide “swell fun” for guests in July.

Disney Princesses and “Frozen” characters will “take the throne” in August.

And September will be all about superheroes.

As previously announced, Disney100 will be celebrated at EPCOT with Mickey and Minnie in their platinum outfits, platinum sculptures, and a new Spectacle of Light show on Spaceship Earth. Mirabel will have a meet and greet beginning “this fall.”

Journey of Water, CommuniCore Hall, World Celebration Garden, and Dreamers Point are all scheduled to open in late 2023 at EPCOT. The new 100th anniversary nighttime spectacular will also debut in late 2023.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post Walt Disney World Announces Monthly Themes for 100th Anniversary Celebration appeared first on WDW News Today.