With opening day of the Major League Baseball season almost here, Walt Disney World is doing something very interesting to merge the world of the baseball diamond and some of the animals found over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They are using clay from the pitcher’s mound at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to build flamingo […]
The post Baseball Clay from ESPN Wide World of Sports Used to Create Flamingo Nests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
Hulu has released the new trailer and key art for their new original series, The Good Mothers, which will debut on the streaming platform next month. What’s Happening: Hulu has released the trailer and key art for their upcoming Hulu Original Series, The Good Mothers, which is set to debut on April 5th, exclusively on Hulu.The […]
The post Hulu Shares Trailer For “The Good Mothers” Set To Premiere Next Month appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration is coming to a close.
Spaceship Earth
Some of our favorite 50th anniversary snacks have already left the menu, some collectibles will be leaving soon, and even toy sets have been stripped of their 50th decorations. Now, one EPCOT gift shop that was a hub for 50th items has had its decorations removed!
Port of Entry, a gift shop at the entrance to EPCOT’s World Showcase, has recently said goodbye to its 5oth anniversary decor. Now, you’ll find the entrance to the store is dedicated to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
Port of Entry
Previously, the store featured an Orange Bird centerpiece commemorating the 50th anniversary Vault Collection as well as signage around the store advertising the collection. Mickey ears and a 50th banner also covered the globe in the center.
Orange Bird!
Now, typical world-themed posters have returned to the four corners of the shop, replacing the historical photos that were previously there.
Port of Entry
While the decor has been removed, many items from the Vault Collection are still available here, currently.
Vault Collection
For the time being, this collection is still for sale in this gift shop — but the 50th anniversary ends on March 31st, so hurry in if you’d still like to grab some of this celebratory merch. Changes are happening in the parks every day.
Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news.
Which 50th anniversary addition are you sad to see go? Let us know in the comments!
The post A Store in EPCOT Has CHANGED first appeared on the disney food blog.
If you’re planning to visit Disney World over the next few months, you need to pay close attention to the weather.
Rainy Day in Magic Kingdom
While summer in Florida might make you think of heat, sunshine, and some rain showers, severe weather — including hurricanes — can impact the Orlando area and sometimes even shut DOWN Disney World. Each hurricane season is unique though, and this year will be a little different than years past. Here’s what you need to know.
We’re just a little over 2 months away from the start of Hurricane season and some changes are coming. Here’s what will look different according to Spectrum News 13.
The hurricane season currently runs from June 1st through November 30th, but could those dates change? In the past, we’ve seen some talk about the potential to move the start date up to May 15th. For now, however, it looks that won’t change.
The crowd in Hollywood Studios before Tropical Storm Nicole
According to the National Hurricane Center, some previous findings held that changing the start date would “provide no substantial change to a hurricane season.” The team determined that only about 1% of additional tropical cyclone activity would happen within the 2 weeks proposed to be added to the season. That was too low of a percentage to move things around so the season will start on June 1st this year and for the foreseeable future.
Storm in Disney World
But May 15th is important for a slightly different reason. The National Hurricane Center starts issuing daily Tropical Weather Outlooks on May 15th. So that’s something you’ll want to look out for as you prepare for future trips.
At the end of each hurricane season, the past season is reviewed by the World Meteorological Organization (which is part of the United Nations). They see what storms were the most deadly, produced the most damage, etc. That helps them determine which names of storms, if any, should be retired. They can then decide what new names should join the list.
More people in Animal Kingdom
For the 2023 season, it seems the list of names that will be used is similar to the one that was last used in 2017. But during that year there were some major storms that impacted the United States (Harvey, Irma, and Maria). So some names have been retired and 4 new names are joining the list this year — Harold, Idalia, Margot, and Nigel.
Here’s a look at the Atlantic Tropical Names for the 2023 hurricane season.
©Spectrum News 13
In terms of names with a little bit of a Disney tie-in, Cindy can clearly be tied to Cinderella, while Nigel is the name of the pelican in Finding Nemo, and Philippe is the name of Belle and Maurice’s horse in Beauty and the Beast.
As we noted above, starting May 15th, the National Hurricane Center starts issuing daily Tropical Weather Outlooks. But those outlooks will take on a different format this year.
First, what is a Tropical Weather Outlook? It’s a forecast that displays what areas the National Hurricane Center is focusing on for potential development of tropical weather.
©NOAA
The outlooks previously went out 5 days into the future. But that’ll soon be extended out to 7 days. So, starting May 15th, the National Hurricane Center will issue forecasts that “extend out a week in time.” These forecasts will showcase areas within the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea that could produce a storm in the next 7 days.
The World Meteorological Organization’s Hurricane Committee will meet for its 45th session from March 27th through 31st in San Jose, Costa Rica. It’s unclear if any changes will result from that meeting, but we’ll be on the lookout for updates.
All of the above information can help you prepare for your trip to Disney World if you’ll be visiting during hurricane season. Here are a few other things to keep in mind. Disney World can be impacted by hurricanes (no, not even Mickey can stop the rain). Sometimes severe weather has brought funnel clouds and flooding to the parks. Other times, a severe enough hurricane (or serious enough concern about an approaching hurricane or tropical storm) has led to the closure of the parks.
As a storm approaches, you may find Disney World hotel availability to be more limited. And if you already have your reservation and end up “riding out” the storm at a Disney World hotel, you’ll want to be prepared for some potential complications including mobile order spots quickly filling up.
Closed kiosk
Disney hotels may offer hurricane meal kits during this time, which are available for guests to pick up and take back to their hotel rooms. You may also find unique activities and character experiences available at the hotel, aimed at giving guests a magical experience despite the weather.
Wondering what the best hurricane-ready hotels are in Disney World? Click here. And you can click here to see DFB reader tips for riding out a storm in Disney.
Stormy winds
We’ll continue to look for updates and let you know what we find. Be sure to check out our video below for more tips on visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth during a less-than-magical weather time.
What are your best tips for being at Disney World during a hurricane? Tell us in the comments!
The post 3 Updates to Know About Before You Visit Disney World During Hurricane Season first appeared on the disney food blog.
So, you’re planning a trip to Disney World, and you’ve narrowed it down between two of the most ICONIC Disney resorts in existence (you lucky, lucky person!).
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
But how do you choose between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa? Well, let’s dive into the deets to see which one is right for you!
Choosing between the Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Floridian, is like choosing a favorite child, a favorite Disney cupcake, or between a Dole Whip or a Mickey Pretzel — there’s enough love to go around! But just like cupcakes and classic Disney snacks (and maybe your kids, too… only you know your family dynamic…
), there’s a certain flavor that might just hit the spot for what you’re looking for.
There’s no doubt that Disney vacations are expensive, and no one wants buyer’s remorse when it comes to what can usually be the most EXPENSIVE part of your Disney trip. We’re approaching this chaos-agent of a decision with as much logic as possible, so we’re breaking it down into five categories:
We’re putting each resort through these paces to see where they stand and which one may be speaking to you for your Disney trip.
Before we start down the rabbit hole into the Wonderland of their differences, let’s review the similarities of these resorts. These resorts are both Disney Deluxe Resorts, so they will be at a similar price point, with similar room sizes, and the same perks. They both have close proximity to the Magic Kingdom! And both offer Disney Vacation Club Villas as additional accommodations.
For the Wilderness Lodge, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $453 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $1,740 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. (Based on 2023 rates)
For the Grand Floridian, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $780 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $5,502 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit.
Wow. In the cheapest room, during the cheapest season, Wilderness Lodge is about 60% less than the Grand Floridian! And for those more expensive options, it’s about 70% less than the Grand Floridian! Let’s dig a little deeper to see what you can get for the money at these resorts!
These are not your standard hotels. You can stay in the Victorian grandeur of the Grand Floridian or “rough it” in the woods of this Pacific Northwest-styled Wilderness Lodge. But whether your stay takes you into the Flagship Disney World resort or into the rustic ambiance of a national forest cabin, you’ll find that both of these options provide top-of-the-line Disney amenities.
Cross the threshold of Disney World’s flagship resort into the Victorian age of high tea, dressing for dinner, and gloved-hands with pinkies-out. The lobby and restaurants are grandiose and luxurious, almost to the point of making guests reflect on imposter syndrome rather than a welcoming presence. The meticulous grounds and pristine white buildings with their brilliant red-tiled roofs definitely provide that grand allure you’d expect from a flagship resort.
The Grand Floridian Lobby
And the lobby delivers on that jaw-dropping “oh wow” moment (especially around the holidays), but it seems like Disney blew the budget on the common areas, and then tightened the purse strings on the room sitch. There are some very nice, and perfectly adequate furnishings, but the rooms themselves just don’t scream lavish.
Grand Floridian Resort Room
The Grand Floridian standard rooms haven’t seen the TLC that the Contemporary and Polynesian rooms have. So, there’s hope out there that the Grand Floridian rooms will be up soon for the next room renovation, but in the meantime, the Grand Floridian rooms don’t quite deliver for the price tag assigned to them.
Welcome to the beauty and grandeur of the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Towering redwoods, pristine free-flowing creeks, artifacts, and monuments to American history and its inhabitants. The inspiration for this resort is pulled from various lodges and resorts of the national parks like Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park and Ahwahnee Hotel at Yosemite National Park. Guests feel nature’s full majesty once they enter the grand lobby, soaring ceilings, the massive 82-foot tall Grand Canyon-inspired fireplace, and 55-foot totem poles.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
And the lobby delivers on that jaw-dropping “oh wow” moment (especially around the holidays).
Headboards
The Wilderness Lodge standard rooms received a little facelift, like the Contemporary and Polynesian rooms have. So, when you stay here, you’ll get to experience a bit more streamlined and updated decor that is both modern and rustic.
Wilderness Lodge also has two different Disney Vacation Club accommodations, Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek, which include villas ranging from basic studio rooms all the way up to multi-room cabins overlooking Bay Lake.
Bathroom
Some of these cabins face the Contemporary Resort and may provide some obstructed views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
This could boil down to your preference. Are you looking for a luxurious resort that feels glamorous and Victorian? Or would you prefer to feel like you’re in the middle of the grand national parks? Both resorts deliver beautifully on their themes, but when it comes down to rooms, the Wilderness Lodge may have the edge for that fully immersive experience. Though you may enjoy some of the Mary Poppins touches that have been added to some of the Grand Floridian rooms.
Pools, splash pads, hot tubs, and lounge chairs, vacation just doesn’t feel completed without spending some time by the pool. Which of these resorts is the aquatic champion of water lounging? Only one way to find out…
The Grand Floridian is not to be outdone in the pool category; it hosts two pools as well: the Beach Pool and the Courtyard Pool. And though both pools are pretty, the most memorable experience might be at the Mad Hatter splash pad.
Alice’s Splash Zone
And because it’s the Grand Floridian, and sophisticated luxury is this resort’s brand, there are plenty of poolside lounge chairs and cabanas available to rent for the day as you relax by the pool and nosh on some peeled-grapes and sip on some sweet tea, like we’re sure Victorian-age vacationers did back in the day.
Relaxation — Grand Flo style!
The Wilderness Lodge brings its A-game to the pool smackdown; it hosts two pools as well: the Copper Creek Pool and the Boulder Ridge Pool. Both pools have the natural feel of swimming in a natural spring. Copper Creek is the main pool, complete with a water slide and the Copper Creek splash area.
Time to swim!
Copper Creek pool overlooks the serene Bay Lake and resort-iconic geyser, Fire Rock Geyser, which spouts off every hour on the hour between 7AM and 10PM. But they will turn it off for inclement weather or on particularly windy days. Boulder Ridge pool is a quieter pool closer to the Boulder Ridge section of the resort with rusticly themed cabanas and close proximity to the Geyser Point Bar & Grill. And don’t sleep on Geyser Point. It’s a destination-worthy eatery with amazing burgers, queso, and unique cocktails, all in a serene atmosphere.
Wilderness Lodge Geyser
There’s no real loser in this category if you’ve found relaxation and joy, but our heart leans towards the Wilderness Lodge because the theming is so picturesque, and the proximity to Geyser Point and its fare is so handy!
Because we are Disney FOOD Blog, we take food seriously. Very. Seriously. And we love it all. We love the cheap, comfort of plastic cheese, and we love the high-brow sophistication of a wine flight or a multi-course pre-fixe meal. We don’t discriminate; we are a lover of all foods. Since food is SO important, let’s see how these resorts stack up against each other in the restaurant category.
Beaches Pool Bar and Courtyard Pool Bar provide fixes for your hunger without ever leaving either of the Grand Floridian’s pools.
Grand Floridian is home to two Signature dining restaurants, Citricos and Narcoossee’s. Citricos is an upscale restaurant serving American dishes with Mediterranean influences. Reserve the Chef’s Domain for a private table and specially prepared menu. Narcoossee’s, another Signature Dining restaurant, specializes in seafood. This beautiful, Victorian-inspired building sits ashore on the Seven Seas Lagoon, offering dramatic views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
Citricos dining room
Enchanted Rose Bar and Lounge is inspired by the live-action Beauty and the Beast film. Guests can indulge in gourmet bites and crafted cocktails while enjoying any one of the four themed rooms.
Enchanted Rose lounge
Garden View Tea Room hasn’t yet reopened, but when it does, it offers Afternoon Tea with delicious finger sandwiches, pastries, cheese, and fruit. The beautiful view, elegant atmosphere, and fine china make this an exquisite experience.
Gasparilla Island Grill is a counter service restaurant with a standard food court menu, and it is open for guests 24-hours a day. Dine outdoors overlooking the Marina (with a view of Cinderella Castle) when the weather permits.
The more casual Table Service options at the Grand Floridian are 1900 Park Fare and Grand Floridian Cafe. 1900 Park Fare, when it reopens, provides popular character dining experiences! At breakfast, guests are entertained by Mary Poppins and friends while the young and young-at-heart feast on Mickey waffles. Dinner is a more stately affair hosted by Cinderella and Prince Charming. Grand Floridian Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an airy, casual setting. You’ll find American fare being served at your table overlooking the hotel’s elegant courtyard.
The Grand Floridian Cafe is so pretty
Victoria and Albert’s is a AAA Five Diamond Award winner offering an exclusive dining experience. This Signature Dining restaurant pampers guests with personalized menus, dedicated servers, and long-stemmed roses.
The Victoria & Albert’s Dining Room
A Chef’s Table is also available to those who’d like to experience the most exclusive dining experience in Disney World. Also, the Queen Victoria Room is available for a bit more privacy.
Wilderness Lodge has five dining spots for you to nibble and nosh your way through the wilderness.
Geyser Point Bar & Grill is located near the Copper Creek Springs Pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge — it’s a unique space in that it offers two different kinds of service for guests… all in one cozy and lovely setting.
Geyser Point Bar & Grill
It blends two different dining styles (a Table Service lounge and a Quick Service walk-up counter) and two different menus. The Featured Cocktail list at the lounge boasts beverages unique to Geyser Point, featuring spirits from Northwest distilleries in keeping with the theme of the Resort. Hearty appetizers can be ordered from the lounge as well, while full entrees are available at the connected Counter Service.
Bison Cheeseburger
The open-air restaurant offers gorgeous waterfront views and a fireplace for cool evenings.
Formerly a signature restaurant, Artist Point’s setting and menu have been entirely transformed with a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs theme for a different experience. Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White is a Character Meal at Disney World’s beautiful Wilderness Lodge! Guests enjoy a prix-fixe meal and can look forward to Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy stopping by throughout the dinner. And The Evil Queen is even present for a unique photo opportunity.
Snow White
Shhh…..don’t tell anyone our secret. Territory Lounge is one of our favorite hidden gems at Disney World! If your idea of a good lounge is one with cozy seating, specialty cocktails (as well as beer and even wine flights), and some of the best lounge eats on Walt Disney World property, then Territory Lounge is your place.
Territory Lounge snacks
Boasting its own unique menu of lounge noshes, the Disney Food Blog gives it a hearty thumbs-up. You’ll enjoy items like Artisanal Cheese and Charcuterie, Oregon Chardonnay Fondue, and even a Cobbler if you’re in the mood for dessert. The Territory Lounge is a great place to grab a light dinner and drinks with friends in an atmosphere that’s warm and inviting.
Hearty comfort food in a warm, rustic setting…. Welcome to Roaring Fork! Roaring Fork offers a variety of stick-to-your-ribs entrees and counter service basics (along with grab-and-go options) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a serene atmosphere, with seating both indoors and out.
Bear Mousse Cake
Guests will even find specialty coffee drinks available, and fans of Disney cupcakes will often find some really fun and unique options here that change with the seasons.
The other Table Service option at the Wilderness Lodge is Whispering Canyon. Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge is one of Disney World’s “funnest” restaurants 
! With a crew of wayward servers with their minds made up to make you laugh and all-you-can-eat down home grub served skillet-style (guests may also choose from a la carte selections), this restaurant is a great one to book for a casual good time — especially if you’re with a group!
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Whispering Canyon is renowned for its raucous hijinks like wooden pony races, massive straw drops, and tables overloaded with ketchup bottles. It is one of Disney’s dining options that put the fun front-and-center, and also provides some consistently tasty eats.
It’s so hard to designate a clear winner for food — because we love it all! If you’re in the market for fine dining, then the Grand Floridian is for you with Citricos, Narcoossee’s (when it reopens), and the poshest of posh at Victoria & Albert’s.
Grand Floridian edges out Wilderness Lodge in the food category. Grand Floridian is the ultimate act in cuisine versatility from that epic mac and cheese at Gasparilla Island Grill to a multi-course culinary extravaganza at Victoria & Alberts. Now, you won’t regret any meals at Wilderness Lodge, either. But in this culinary showdown, the Grand Flo takes home the title.
Do these deluxe resorts offer anything different when it comes to transportation? Let’s see!!
The Grand Floridian is also on the Monorail loop. It’s the second stop after the Polynesian on the way to the Magic Kingdom. If Magic Kingdom is your destination, there is also a boat option to sail across Seven Seas Lagoon to the front steps of the Magic Kingdom. You can also get your steps in by strolling the walkway over to Magic Kingdom. Though this resort is closer to the Magic Kingdom than the Polynesian, that walk is still about 15-20 minutes.
Grand Floridian and Monorail
If Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs is your destination, then you can board one of Disney’s busses to transport you over to these parks.
Boat transportation available!
If EPCOT is your park for the day, the easiest option is to board a Disney bus and head over. If you want to take the Monorail, you can but you’d have to walk through the Polynesian resort, over to the Transportation & Ticketing Center to catch that Monorail, resulting in a 15-20 minute walk, and that doesn’t include waiting for the monorail. Or you can hop on the Monorail at the Grand Floridian and ride it past Magic Kingdom, past the Contemporary, and then transfer to the EPCOT Loop Monorail once you get to the Transportation and Ticketing Center, but that does add more time and complication to your already busy morning.
The Wilderness Lodge is not on the Monorail loop. If Magic Kingdom is your destination, there is boat transportation that sails through Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon to the front steps of the Magic Kingdom. There is also a bus option at peak times or when the weather doesn’t permit boat travel.
Boat Dock at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
If EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs is your destination, then you can board one of Disney’s busses to transport you over to these parks.
Catch a bus at Wilderness Lodge!
Guests staying at the Wilderness Lodge will have to rely primarily on bus transportation for the free option to navigate around Disney property, though ride share, taxis, and Minnie Vans are also available at an extra cost in case you find yourself in a hurry.
These Magic Kingdom area resorts are both deluxe and some of the best of what Disney has to offer in terms of luxury and amenities. The Grand Floridian is the winner of the Food and Transportation categories, and interestingly winning both categories by the number of options and how iconic those options are.
And Wilderness Lodge has taken home the categories of the Theme and Pools. The Wilderness Lodge is a triumph of Imagineering and Disney storytelling, stepping into this resort transports guests to a rustic lodge of the classic national parks and relaxing by natural springs, lakes, and creeks.
Magic Kingdom Entrance
But do beauty and storytelling beat out food variety and convenience? And when it comes to price (the unspoken comparison), the Wilderness Lodge is significantly cheaper! So, which one is the clear winner?
So, who is the ultimate winner in the Grand Floridian vs. Wilderness Lodge battle? We hate to say it, but it depends! The Grand Floridian may seem like a clear choice because of its iconic Disney experiences and convenient transportation, but that price tag can be daunting when compared to Wilderness Lodge. If you’re looking for that serene escape from the stimulation of Disney parks while staying in the magic and being immersed in the tranquility of nature, the Wilderness Lodge might be the oasis you seek.
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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!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 
What do you think? Is the Grand Floridian or Wilderness Lodge better? Let us know in the comments!
The post Grand Floridian vs. Wilderness Lodge Disney World Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is set to direct Disney’s live-action hybrid remake of “The Aristocats,” Deadline reports.
Questlove will also act as an executive producer and oversee the film’s music. Tarik Trotter, Shawn Gee, and Zarah Zohlman will executive produce on behalf of Two One Five Entertainment. Will Gluck and Keith Bunin are writing the script. Gluck will produce with his company Olive Bridge.
Questlove is a founding member of The Roots and recently directed the documentary “Summer of Soul,” which won the Academy Award for best documentary. Questlove voiced Curly in “Soul” and consulted on the film’s music.
Disney’s original animated “The Aristocats” was released in 1970, directed by Wolfgang Reitherman. It takes place in Paris, where a kind and eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to Duchess, her high-society cat, and her three little kittens. Laughs and adventure ensue as the greedy, bumbling butler pulls off the ultimate catnap caper. It’s then up to the rough-and-tumble alley cat, Thomas O’Malley, and his band of swingin’ jazz cats to save the day.
The live-action “The Aristocats” may have a similar look to the live-action “Lady and the Tramp” film that debuted on Disney+ in 2019.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The post Questlove Set to Direct Live-Action ‘The Aristocats’ Remake for Disney appeared first on WDW News Today.
Springtime in Disney World means new treats, fun activities, and warmer weather. But you can celebrate the season Disney-style even if you won’t be in the parks this year!
Gorgeous flowers!
We’ve already spotted some spring-themed merchandise online at shopDisney, but you can also get Disney merch for the season at other stores as well! Come with us to check out one item at Target, which is only available online.
Fans of The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda won’t be able to resist this 18” Inflatable Baby Yoda Decoration.
©Target
This little guy is just big enough to set next to your spring flowers on the kitchen countertop or even outside in your yard to greet guests as they visit your home for the holiday.
©Target
With Din Djarin’s helmet on the front of this lavender egg, Grogu is ready to go Easter egg hunting and may possibly catch a few frogs for lunch, too. You can get this inflatable decoration for $33.99. Batteries are not included.
Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news!
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!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.
Would you buy this Baby Yoda Easter decoration? Let us know in the comments.
The post There’s a NEW Disney Inflatable from Target Online Now! first appeared on the disney food blog.
Back in February of 2023, current Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that there would be 7,000 job cuts at Disney.
©Disney
We’ve since gotten some updates about what Disney Cast Members may (or may not) be impacted by these job cuts, and in early March we shared that some of these layoffs and job cuts could begin next month. Now we’ve got a huge update on what’s happening at Disney.
According to CNBC, Bob Iger has sent out a memo to Disney employees about the impending job cuts. These are part of Disney’s overall goal to reduce spending by $5.5 billion.
©D23
In the memo, Iger noted that senior leaders have been working with HR over the past few months regarding these job cuts and some of the cuts will actually begin very soon. Iger shared that this week they will start to notify some employees whose jobs are being impacted by the job cuts.
Leaders will communicate this news directly to the first group that’ll be impacted by the job cuts over the next 4 days. This is just the initial round of job cuts though.
©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters
The second round of notifications for the job cuts will go out in April. This is expected to result in a larger number of job cuts, “with several thousand more staff reductions.”
The final round of notifications is expected to go out before the start of the summer. That’ll get Disney to its target of 7,000 job cuts.
Walt Disney Company Headquarters ©LA Times
Iger shared, “The difficult reality of many colleagues and friends leaving Disney is not something we take lightly. This company is home to the most talented and dedicated employees in the world, and so many of you bring a lifelong passion for Disney to your work here.” He offered his thanks to those who will be departing the Company.
To those who will be staying, Iger said “I want to acknowledge that there will no doubt be challenges ahead as we continue building the structures and functions that will enable us to be successful moving forward. I ask for your continued understanding and collaboration during this time.”
©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
Toward the end of his memo, Iger shared, “In tough moments, we must always do what is required to ensure Disney can continue delivering exceptional entertainment to audiences and guests around the world – now, and long into the future…I want to thank each of you again for all your many achievements here at The Walt Disney Company.”
According to CNBC, the layoffs will impact various departments at Disney, including media and distribution, parks and resorts, and ESPN. Previously, however, Josh D’Amaro (Chairman of Parks, Experiences, and Products) indicated that Disney anticipated those working hourly frontline roles in operations would NOT be impacted.
Disney World
With Disney’s annual shareholder meeting just a few days away (on April 3rd), we expect more Disney news could be released soon. We’ll be on the lookout for future updates.
Check out Iger’s full menu below:
Dear Fellow Employees,
As I shared with you in February, we have made the difficult decision to reduce our overall workforce by approximately 7,000 jobs as part of a strategic realignment of the company, including important cost-saving measures necessary for creating a more effective, coordinated and streamlined approach to our business. Over the past few months, senior leaders have been working closely with HR to assess their operational needs, and I want to give you an update on those efforts.
This week, we begin notifying employees whose positions are impacted by the company’s workforce reductions. Leaders will be communicating the news directly to the first group of impacted employees over the next four days. A second, larger round of notifications will happen in April with several thousand more staff reductions, and we expect to commence the final round of notifications before the beginning of the summer to reach our 7,000-job target.
The difficult reality of many colleagues and friends leaving Disney is not something we take lightly. This company is home to the most talented and dedicated employees in the world, and so many of you bring a lifelong passion for Disney to your work here. That’s part of what makes working at Disney so special. It also makes it all the more difficult to say goodbye to wonderful people we care about. I want to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to every departing employee for your numerous contributions and your devotion to this beloved company.
For our employees who aren’t impacted, I want to acknowledge that there will no doubt be challenges ahead as we continue building the structures and functions that will enable us to be successful moving forward. I ask for your continued understanding and collaboration during this time.
In tough moments, we must always do what is required to ensure Disney can continue delivering exceptional entertainment to audiences and guests around the world – now, and long into the future. Please know that our HR partners and leaders are committed to creating a supportive and smooth process every step of the way.
I want to thank each of you again for all your many achievements here at The Walt Disney Company.
Sincerely,
Bob
The post “There Will No Doubt Be Challenges Ahead” — Disney CEO Bob Iger Gives Huge UPDATE on Job Cuts first appeared on the disney food blog.
EW has provided a first look at “The Muppets Mayhem,” a new Disney+ series focusing on Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.
“The Muppets Mayhem” is co-created by Bill Barretta, Jeff Yorkes, and Adam F. Goldberg. It stars Lilly Singh as Nora, an aspiring record producer who is helping Electric Mayhem record their first album. Nora has help from her social media influencer sister, Hannah (Saara Chaudry), and Electric Mayhem fan, Gary “Moog” Moogowski (Tahj Mowry).
“To us, this is an IP that’s as big as Star Wars or Marvel,” Goldberg told EW. “I mean, they have Kermit.”
Barretta cited his inspiration for the series as the 2016 Outside Lands music festival when Electric Mayhem played a set.
“It was unbelievable,” he said. “It was … one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had with the Muppets. There was something like 30,000 people that came to the park. I thought, ‘Well, there’s something there.’ What if this band went on the road? What if the band went on tour? And so, I started developing an idea for a show about the band because we don’t know that much about them.”
Coincidentally, Goldberg and Yorkes had already been thinking about an Electric Mayhem-focused series for eight years.
“Jeff conceived the whole thing,” Goldberg said. “He’s an editor, so he cut a whole sizzle reel to convince me to get on board. And then that was the sizzle we used to actually sell this thing.”
The team wanted to delve deeper into Muppets characters that we don’t know as much about.
“This is just about the band specifically,” Goldberg said. “We don’t have that deep bench of characters like when you do ‘The Wizard of Oz’ or ‘Treasure Island’ or ‘A Christmas Carol.’ You could tell this giant story with the hundreds of characters that they have. We’re telling a very small story about this band and where they’ve been and where they’re going. It is about the band and not the tone of a variety show.”
Yorkes added, “We have the freedom to go anywhere with these characters — they’re not as well known as the core characters. People recognize them, but we have the freedom to fill out their backstory and do whatever we want.”
Yorkes said of the band and their story, “They get along better than Fleetwood Mac. But they’re definitely from a different era. The conceit of the show is bringing this old-school band to the modern age and way of making music. That’s the comedy of it. They’re a group of characters that have no real goals or ambitions. Whatever you want to do, they roll with it. So, when you have a character that’s really determined to get them to do something, that’s also the comedy of the show. It’s Type A wrestling with Type, I would even say, C.”
“They want to remain true to themselves, but they don’t want to leave anybody out,” Barretta said. “How do you find that balance? That’s every musician or artist’s struggle — they would love everybody to love them. What’s fun about this band is we like to take the creative approach that they can play just about anything. That allows us to dip ourselves into different types of music and be silly and have fun with it.”
The series will have ten episodes and be packed full of music. According to Goldberg, the first five episodes will mostly feature covers of classic rock, but the band will eventually debut original songs.
EW notes that while there will be lots of cameos, other Muppets may not appear.
“We are telling a regular story in the real world with Muppets,” Goldberg said. “So we tried to ground everything and keep it realistic as opposed to all of a sudden there’s talking fruit in your fridge.”
“We’ve found a real balance,” Barreta said. “It’s not Muppet-heavy and it’s not human-heavy, which is a difficult thing to do with the Muppets. You want to keep everybody interested. The Muppets have fun little beats and punchlines and good comedy and sight gags, but the storytelling [is key]. What’s really helped is to have some humans who are truly connected and have real conflict with them — conflicts that they experience together and separately and with each other.”
Regarding her casting as one of the few people of color to star alongside the Muppets, Singh said, “Everyone has a memory of seeing the Muppets for the first time. Everyone has a love story with the Muppets. I had never seen myself in those stories. I know other people probably don’t see themselves. I really wanted this role so that it could look different.”
The relationship between Singh’s Nora and Chaudry’s Hannah is a “key ingredient” to “The Muppets Mayhem,” Chaudry said. “Nora and Hannah go through a lot together. They grow as people, but as sisters as well.”
A release date for “The Muppets Mayhem” has not been announced.
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The post FIRST LOOK: ‘The Muppets Mayhem’ Coming Soon to Disney+ appeared first on WDW News Today.
