Who’s ready for the summer in Disney World?!

There she is!

The coming months are going to be swelteringly hot and definitely humid, but we’re excited about some of the things that we can experience in the parks this summer. Plenty of changes are coming soon, along with special celebrations, so there’s going to be a lot to do. That’s why we’re sharing the 5 best things to do in Disney World in June!

After Hours Events Return to EPCOT

Let’s start out in EPCOT where After Hours events are finally returning! This was announced a while back and tickets have been on sale for a bit, but the first event will take place on June 1st. Dates are listed online for events on select nights in June, July, and August.

Spaceship Earth at Night

These After Hours events take place from 10PM to 1AM but guests with tickets can get in as early as 7PM. Throughout the night, several attractions will be available, and visitors will also get the chance to pick up complimentary popcorn, bottled drinks, and ice cream novelties.

Click Here to Learn More About EPCOT After Hours!

One Restaurant is Closing Temporarily

This summer, some restaurant changes are coming as well! Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk will be closing for a short refurbishment from June 11th through June 17th. Dinner will not be served at the restaurant during those dates.

Trattoria al Forno

However, breakfast will be available. Those with breakfast reservations will be directed to dine in the Flying Fish next door while the dining room at Trattoria receives updates. We’ll keep a lookout for any major changes!

Learn More About the Closure Here!

A Character Breakfast Returns to EPCOT

At EPCOT, another meal is returning soon — breakfast at Garden Grill in The Land Pavilion! This restaurant has been operating with just lunch and dinner service since it reopened a while back. Breakfast will return on June 14th, 2023.

Mickey Mouse at Garden Grill

We’ve already seen details on the pricing and the menu for this meal, and though Disney hasn’t officially confirmed whether or not characters will be present, the meal is called the “Chip ‘n’ Dale Harvest Feast” on the website. During lunch and dinner, you meet Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale here.

Click Here to See the Menu and Pricing!

Limited-Time Snacks Will Be Available

If you’re heading to Disney World in June, be prepared to EAT. There are several new menu items coming to restaurants around the resort, including Le Cellier Steakhouse. There will also be plenty of summer snacks and menu offerings at the Value Resort food courts and other resort quick service spots.

©Disney

On top of that, several snacks are arriving at Disney World for Pride Month. You’ll find limited-time rainbow treats at a number of spots, so be on the lookout.

Click Here to Learn More About New Menu Items!

The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Continues

And finally, we’re still celebrating the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival in June! This is the last full month of the festival, as it ends on July 5th. After it’s complete, the Food & Wine Festival kicks off on July 27th.

EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival

So if you’re interested in checking out the delicious eats, the topiaries, the Garden Rocks concert series, or the beautiful floral displays…you’ll want to hurry!

Click Here to See Our Picks for Best Eats This Year!

Those are all the big things happening in Disney World in June 2023! We’ll keep you in the loop if more celebrations or offerings are announced, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest advice, news, and tips ahead of your vacation.

5 Big Reasons You’ll See An Empty Disney World This Summer — Click Here!

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Are you heading to Disney World in June? Tell us in the comments!

The post The BEST Things Coming to Disney World in June! first appeared on the disney food blog.

We’re heading into the summer, and that means there’s a lot to celebrate!

Who’s ready for summer in Disney World?!

We’ve got summer vacation, Father’s Day, and 4th of July all in the next few months, and if you’re on the hunt for gifts for Dad and those perfect summer essentials…NOW is the time to do your shopping! It just so happens that shopDisney is currently offering 30% off gifts for Dad — but we spotted a little bit of something for everyone in this sale.

For example, you can snag the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Starbucks Tumbler in Black for 30% off the regular price right now! If you’re hoping to buy this one, you’ll want to hurry — they’re harder to snag now that the 50th Anniversary celebrations are over.

Matte black Starbucks tumbler

The matte black geometric design keeps your drinks cold and holds 24 ounces of liquid. It comes with a screw-on lid and a matching straw.

Shop the Matte Black Tumbler Here!

If you prefer your drinks served hot, then this Star Wars: The Mandalorian Stainless Steel Travel Mug is what you need. It comes with a clear press-on lid and has a sturdy handle attached to the side so it’s easier to carry.

Mando mug

The design features scenes from the hit Disney+ series, including little prints of Din Djarin and Grogu. The mug holds 12 ounces and would be great for taking your favorite brew on the go.

Click Here to Get the Mandalorian Mug!

Need a new park bag? We’ve got you covered with this Disney Parks Chibi Loungefly Backpack. It’s also on sale for 30% off right now!

©Disney

The design has icons from all over the Disney parks, including favorite characters, nods to rides, and even classic snacks. It has multiple zip pockets and adjustable straps, so it’s the perfect accessory for a busy park day.

Shop the Loungely on Sale Here!

That’s a sneak peek at some of the things that are on sale for Father’s Day. We’ll keep you in the loop if Disney has more sales throughout the summer, so stay tuned to DFB.

While you’re in the shopping mood…have you checked our DFB exclusive graphic tees and merch? It’s super fun stuff to wear to the parks, or to rep your happy place at the grocery store! Click here to visit the DFB Merch Store!

Click Here to Shop the Entire 30% Off Sale Online

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

What are you hoping to score for 30% off on shopDisney? Tell us in the comments!

The post HURRY! Starbucks Cups and Disney Loungeflys Are 30% Off Online Now! first appeared on the disney food blog.

The new Disney Vacation Club tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is expanding every day as more concrete walls are added to the building.

Disney Vacation Club Tower Construction

While the main structure of the tower is ten stories tall, crews have been working on the foundation of another structure for weeks.

Construction is starting to go vertical on this section of the tower as walls are added to the center of the concrete foundation.

Diggers around the foundation are being used to clear dirt away. There’s a giant pile of dirt behind the foundation.

Though not very visible from this angle on the Monorail, crews have also been carving out a square near the edge of the lagoon, maybe for another building foundation or for the tower’s pool.

More concrete walls have been added to this end of the main structure, reaching up to about three stories right now.

On the sides of the tower, more short walls and floors have been added to create balconies around the window openings.

Some of the balconies currently include two windows, while some just include one. You’ll also notice there are a couple of spots with two-story openings on this side of the building.

The row of windows without balconies is between the elevator shafts, where vertical construction began.

A few days ago, the two current structures of the tower were connected.

The connecting section is currently two and three stories tall at different spots and is seven window openings across.

The second full structure is not yet as tall as the main center structure.

This marks the end of the tower, as seen with balconies and windows facing out.

Projected to open in late 2024, the proposed vacation ownership property would complement the existing resort and evoke the spirit of the Pacific Islands.

Above is the concept art for the Disney Vacation Club tower, although designs are always subject to change.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Resort underwent an extensive refurbishment recently. While the standard rooms received “Moana” theming, the Disney Vacation Club Studios got “soft goods” refurbishments, meaning just the upholstery, art, and such were updated.

The hotel received a new Monorail station and port-cochére. The entrance to the resort was redone as well to match the new structures. Kona Café recently reopened after an extensive refurbishment, with all new seating, decór, and more. The Kiki Tikis Splash Play Area and Lava Pool slide were also recently refurbished.

The rugs and most upholstery in the lobby of the Great Ceremonial House were recently replaced.

For more Disney Vacation Club accommodations at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, check out our video tour of the Bora Bora Bungalows.

Alongside the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort turned 50 in 2021. The resort opened on October 1, 1971 with Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds also celebrated its 50th anniversary, but it didn’t open until November 1971).

It’s also home to the fan-favorite tiki bar, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Guests don’t need a reservation at the hotel to visit the on-site bars and restaurants.

Are you looking forward to booking at stay at this Disney Vacation Club property? We’d love to see your plans in the comments below.

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Disneyland Paris Cast Members will be striking again on the morning of May 30, 2023, regarding pay and working conditions.

Disneyland Paris Cast Members Strike

UNSA (National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions), the Disneyland Paris Cast Member union, shared information about the strike on their Twitter account.

Roughly translated, the union wrote, “Our diversity is our shield!! Let’s join forces on this last straight line, let’s continue to mobilize all DLP Cast Members to demonstrate our determination!”

The strike will take place at 9:00 a.m. on May 30 outside the Imagination building, a backstage Cast Member building at Disneyland Paris.

In another tweet, the union wrote, “We are all concerned!! We, DLP Cast Members, woman or man, former or not, executive or not, unionized or not, member or not, representative or not, are ALL UNITED, only one answer is necessary A GENERAL MOBILIZATION on Tuesday, May 30.”

Ongoing Cast Member Strikes

Disneyland Paris Cast Members have been trying to incite change in their pay and conditions for months. Just a few weeks ago, a performance of Disney Stars on Parade at Disneyland Paris was canceled at the last minute due to another Cast Member strike.

A week ago, the union held a strike on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park. Guests arriving at Disneyland Paris in the morning were directed to the arcades to reach their destinations, and some believed a show was about to start since the area was being kept clear. As the demonstration continued, guests were able to see the Cast Members chanting for change. One performance of the “Dream… Shine Brighter” Parade was canceled due to Cast Members demonstrating in this space.

Another similar situation occurred at Disneyland Paris back in February when protests against unequal pay caused one performance of “Dream…and Shine Brighter” to go on without any characters and another performance to be completely canceled.

You can watch a full performance of “Dream…and Shine Brighter” below.

Due to a pension reform bill that raises the pension age from 62 to 64, numerous protests and strikes have occurred across France recently, too.

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

The post Disneyland Paris Cast Members Planning Another Strike for May 30 appeared first on WDW News Today.

When you visit Tokyo Disney Resort, just across from the entrance to the Kingdom of Dreams and Magic you can find the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel. We had the chance to stay in a Standard Superior Alcove Room with Park View room. So join us for a tour of these newly-refurbished guest rooms!

Hotel Exterior & Gardens

For you Americans and others out there, Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is similar to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in architecture and style, taking inspiration from the early 20th-century Victorian style as an extension of World Bazaar across the street. It opened in 2008 as part of the resort’s 25th Anniversary celebration.

The exterior was just repainted over the course of two years, looking fresh as a daisy once more!

There are two entrances — one facing the city and highways for car and express bus access, and one facing the park and the Disney Resort Line for guests coming by public transit.

Character topiaries like Goofy flank the hotel entrance.

At night, the hotel, right behind Tokyo Disneyland Station, is lit up.

It’s such a natural architectural fit that you’d never know the station was added seven years before the hotel! This all used to be the parking lot for Tokyo Disneyland from 1983 to 2005.

As previously mentioned, the other side of the hotel is built for accommodating guests in vehicles. Cars and buses pull under the porte-cochère.

It’s surrounded by fountains and foliage. Like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the roof is lined with lights to highlight the hotel’s outline.

There is an “Alice in Wonderland”-themed garden, featuring these topiaries of playing card symbols.

Benches feature the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel logo in gold on their arms.

A large “Fantasia”-inspired fountain has a Sorcerer Mickey statue atop a spiral of rocks. Similar fountains exist at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris and at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Water shots into the fountain from all around, including from bucket-shaped spouts held by brooms.

Now let’s head inside.

Lobby & Halls

Around every entrance is a plaque bearing the hotel’s name along with silhouettes of Mickey and Minnie.

Statues of Mickey and Minnie in their Tokyo Disneyland Hotel-specific costumes flank the bus-side entrance.

In the lobby sits a very ornate Victorian dollhouse, which brings to mind “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends” if you ask me.

A peek through the windows reveals a few Disney friends!

Other references are visible throughout, from a bathing Ariel to the Magic Carpet from Aladdin, and even a replica of Jane and Michael’s room from “Mary Poppins!”

Dumbo tops the spire.

Disney and Victorian-themed art portraits line the walls.

Disney characters make some cameos, including Lady and the Tramp, and Scamp’s in there too.

Alice takes center stage in this beautiful mosaic.

Like the Grand Floridian, we also have a birdcage elevator — but it goes all the way up our hotel!

Every floor has a different character in the stained glass window pattern at the elevator bank. Ours had Goofy.

The elevator banks open up into this central vestibule, from which hallways branch out in all directions.

The walls feature printed decals of Disney animals.

Light fixtures in the halls have little Mickey Mouse heads on top.

The wall art continues up here, with the citizens of World Bazaar skating on the moat around Cinderella Castle during winter. If only it actually got cold enough for that in Tokyo!

Some prints also feature Belle and the Beast.

Tokyo Disneyland Hotel — Standard Superior Alcove Room with Park View

These rooms were newly refurbished in 2020 to help modernize the hotel, with new wallpaper and carpeting installed as well as some equipment upgrades.

The transom above the bathroom features subtle Mickey silhouettes.

Across from the bathroom is a vanity with an incredibly large mirror.

The hotel’s insignia is atop the mirror.

On the desk itself is a very ornate pattern with a Mickey silhouette at the very center.

Like many Japanese hotels, the restrooms at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel separate the toilet from the shower and bath area. The sink is located directly between the two.

The traditional Japanese way to clean oneself is to shower and scrub the dirt off yourself before relaxing in a bath, already clean. Thus the shower is separated from the bathtub.

Japanese bathtubs are quite deep as a result of this tradition, making it a perfect place to soak after a long day at the park.

Soap, shampoo, and conditioner are kept in separate and reusable bottles.

The towels are also embossed with the hotel insignia.

An opaque window looks out into the bedroom area.

There is both a handheld shower attachment and an overhead waterfall-style shower head.

The shower room door is opaque.

The sink is stuffed with amenities.

The mirror is less ornate than that of the vanity across the hall.

Four glasses sit on coasters to the left.

To the right is a tray full of disposable hotel-specific amenities, including four toothbrush kits, a plastic cup for rinsing, and an “amenity kit.”

Some kids’ toothbrushes and a box of tissues sit in one drawer.

Below the sink is a small wheeled cart with even more space for storing your care products.

There’s also a little step stool for kids.

Hand towels out here also bear the resort’s insignia.

The toilet comes equipped with a bidet.

The controls are written only in Japanese, but are fairly intuitive.

Next to the vanity in the hall sits a small closet.

The green, white, and red rose and bird carpet pattern was installed in 2020 to make guests feel as if they were sleeping in a garden.

The closet contains an extra pillow and blanket, a paper bag for the hotel, a shoe horn, and four sets of disposable slippers.

The slippers have special Tokyo Disneyland Hotel designs. Two adult sets feature the straw hat Mickey from “The Nifty Nineties”, while the smaller children’s sized orange set bears the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel logo.

A small dry bar is in place between the closet and the bedroom for making tea.

A kettle and an ice bucket are included, as well as tea cups and some provided tea.

On the walls hangs sketches that bring to mind the humanoid characters from the 2017 “Beauty and the Beast” live-action remake.

More glasses wait in the drawer below.

There’s also a small mini-fridge with complimentary bottles of water.

Mirrors, mirrors everywhere! A third mirror sits across from the dry bar.

Here is the bedroom area. According to the hotel website, these beds are “twin” size beds. Although they are definitely larger than an American twin bed, it would surely be a tight squeeze for two adults.

Above the bed is some lovely artwork depicting Mickey and Minnie having a “turn of the century” picnic, along with Pluto, Chip & Dale, and various greenery.

An end table stands between the beds, with a phone and clock sitting on top.

The notepad is kept in a leather case embossed with the hotel’s insignia. A generic red pen is included.

Inside we have a hotel directory and a notepad.

Each Cast Member who prepares the room leaves behind a small card with their name on it.

The rather outdated-looking clock can also control the lights in the room. Labels for this are in English.

Complimentary postcards themed to the hotel as well as Duffy & Friends are included in the drawer.

This recessed alcove is the star of the show in this room. It provides an additional bed that allows this room type to accommodate up to four guests without additional charge.

Underneath the alcove bed, there are two drawers for storage, and there is some extra bedding as well.

If you look closely, you’ll find a hidden Mickey in the wallpaper design.

Near the window, there is a sitting area with two chairs and a table. Atop the table are two reuseable bags you can keep as a gift.

The artwork on one side of the bag shows Mickey and Minnie in front of the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, while the reverse side has the hotel logo.

Park View

One of the perks of this room is the view.

While Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta may be part of the park itself, the views out of the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel are just about as stunning.

Outside the window is a vista of the resort’s icons. We can see the entrance of the park, of course, as well as Cinderella Castle, the spires of Tomorrowland, Space Mountain, the Beast’s Castle, Big Thunder Mountain, and Splash Mountain.

Check out our room tour video below.

Would you stay at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel? Let us know in the comments below!

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

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