Although Disney World has four theme parks, many of us think of Magic Kingdom first when we think of the resort.

Magic Kingdom is ICONIC

We can’t help it! Magic Kingdom is Disney World’s OG park, where you can find Cinderella Castle, be serenaded by the Dapper Dans while you stroll down Main Street, U.S.A., and ride some of Disney World’s most classic attractions. However, you should carefully consider WHEN you visit Magic Kingdom on your Disney World trip, and we’re going to tell you why.

This summer and fall, you might be surprised to learn that Magic Kingdom will close EARLY on certain nights. Sometimes these early closures are HOURS before the park usually closes, which means you’ll have less time there. Don’t worry, though — Disney World DOES list all of its hours for Magic Kingdom on its website, so be sure to check that before your trip.

Magic Kingdom sometimes closes early

But WHEN should you avoid Magic Kingdom when it closes early? Well, we’ll tell you!

Mickey’s Not-So Scary Halloween Party Nights

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place on select nights in Magic Kingdom from mid-August through the first of November. Magic Kingdom will close early on these nights at 6PM and will only be open after that to those with tickets to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Magic Kingdom closes at 6PM on party nights

The dates for the parties in 2023 have already been released, so these are the dates you’ll want to avoid in Magic Kingdom if you don’t want to have your day there shortened: August 11th, 15th, 18th, 22nd, 25th, and 29th; September 1st, 4th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 28th, and 29th; October 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 27th, 29th, and 31st; and November 1st.

Boo to You Halloween parade at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

So keep those dates in mind if you’ll be visiting Disney World during those months. Tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party are available now — so if you’re wanting to attend a party, be sure to get those ASAP because they do tend to sell out.

EVERYTHING CONFIRMED for the 2023 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Likewise, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place on select nights in late fall (last year’s first party was on November 8th) through the end of December. Magic Kingdom will also close at 6PM on the nights of the party, meaning that you’ll have less time in the parks that day if you do not have a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Disney has not yet released dates for the 2023 parties, but you’ll need to keep an eye out for those to avoid being in Magic Kingdom on a day it closes early.

Learn more about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Special Events

Magic Kingdom will also close early when there’s a special event that’s been booked there or if there’s a special Cast Member celebration or event scheduled. The only way to learn about these early closures is to keep an eye on the calendar on Disney World’s website or My Disney Experience app.

Magic Kingdom sometimes closes early

We’ve seen Magic Kingdom close as early as 4:30PM when these special events have been scheduled, which would greatly shorten your day if you’re visiting that park. So be sure to keep an eye out for those circumstances.

When Does Magic Kingdom Close in 2023?

Keep in mind that Disney World schedules change often, which is why it’s important to keep an eye on the calendar on the Disney World website and My Disney Experience app. Always check and double-check park hours as much as you can before your trip so you don’t end up with any surprises.

This is a lot to take in, right? We’ve got a little fun break for you now – check out all the new, fun Disney-themed graphic tees and more in our merch store by clicking here!

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Have you ever ended up in Magic Kingdom on a day when it closed early? What did you do? Let us know in the comments!

The post Why You Should AVOID Magic Kingdom on These 2023 Dates first appeared on the disney food blog.

Walking into the Magic Kingdom is such a magical feeling, especially since the first thing you see is Main Street, U.S.A., and, eventually, Cinderella Castle. There’s so much to see on this street, which can feel overwhelming due to how many people are funneling in. I want to make it a bit easier for you, so I created a list of the four things you should experience on Main Street, U.S.A.

Walt Disney World Railroad

The Walt Disney Railroad is visible from outside the park and lures you into the park. To enter the Magic Kingdom, you have to enter by walking under the train station, making it the true focal point of Main Street. In addition to Main Street, the trains stop at Frontierland and Fantasyland on their 1.5-mile grand circle tour around the park. This is a perfect way to escape the crowds and rest your feet. On this train ride, you will get many breathtaking views of the entire park that can be seen by walking.

I have so many childhood memories on this train, so I hold the attraction very close to my heart. Anytime that family or friends visit me, I make sure we ride the train at some point because, in my opinion, this is a must-do for every trip.

The Dapper Dans & All Other Entertainment

The entertainment that can be found on Main Street is excellent. Before the pandemic, it was phenomenal because there were more offerings. Right now, you can experience a handful of entertainment like the Dapper Dans, the Casey’s Corner Pianist, the Main Street Philharmonic, and Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. The Trolley Show is the one thing missing that could make this lineup phenomenal.

I love stopping to watch the Dapper Dans performing on Main Street, U.S.A. because they are so mesmerizing. They also give off the classic Disney feel; for many, it’s a tradition to watch this group while on vacation. For me, this is a must-do each time I visit Magic Kingdom. I also love watching Casey’s Corner Pianist, but I don’t stop to watch each visit, but I try my best. The one thing I can’t miss is Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. The show always gives me chills and makes me smile ear to ear.

The Main Street Confectionery

If you have a sweet tooth, a trip to The Main Street Confectionery is a must-do. I have found myself here more often ever since they rethemed it. I love how this space feels now and how the treats are in the middle of the store, being the main attraction. They don’t only serve chocolate-covered desserts. They also have cold refreshing slushies and a create-your-own popcorn section.

Not only are the treats delicious, but it smells so good in there, and it’s a great spot to walk through at the start and end of the day. Prepacked snacks are also sold there, so if you are looking to buy a sweet treat for the room or bring it home with you, you can.

Meet Mickey Mouse

This one, for me, is a no-brainer. Meeting Mickey Mouse on Main Street, U.S.A., is most definitely a must-do. He meets at the Town Square Theater in his cute magician outfit and has a few tricks up his sleeve. This meet-and-greet location does have a Lighting Lane, so if waiting in line isn’t your jam, you have that option.

Bonus: Fire Station

There’s so much to see and do on Main Street, and many things get overlooked because once guests enter the park, they have a game plan that’s being followed. If you have an extra five minutes on your next trip to Magic Kingdom, be sure to check out the fire station. They recently updated that area by adding new posters and Dalmatians from 101 Dalmatians. On the walls, they have patches on display that have been collected from heroes all around the world, which I think is so cool. Here guests can also see Fire Engine No. 71 on display.

Of course, there is so much more to experience on Main Street, U.S.A., but these are my top four things that I think are must-dos. Please share your list in the comments so we can compare!

The post Top 4 Things to Experience on Main Street, U.S.A., at Magic Kingdom first appeared on DIS.

The Disneyland Paris Union held a Cast Member strike this morning, disrupting the park’s operations and making a statement regarding the employees’ pay and working conditions.

Disneyland Paris Union Cast Member Strike

As part of the ongoing struggle for increased pay and improved working conditions, Disneyland Paris Cast Members participated in a strike earlier today. We have some photos of the event below, courtesy of DLP Report.

The morning began with non-striking Cast Members clearing the stage area for the strike to take place. According to DLP Report, 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.

Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant can be seen at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., in the photo above. This is the Parisian version of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Cast Members first arrived in Town Square to organize for their strike. While previous strikes have taken place behind the scenes, today’s demonstration was front and center.

The strike took place primarily on Main Street, U.S.A., while the park was open to the public. Guests were able to see the Cast Members demonstrating, cheering, and chanting for change.

One performance of the Dream… Shine Brighter Parade was canceled due to Cast Members demonstrating in this space. The parade was not able to traverse its usual route because of the Cast Members blocking the path. Disneyland Paris employees have been requesting an increase in wages and improved conditions for months. This is not the first time a parade performance has been canceled due to a strike.

Cast Members used the stage in Town Square to make their voices heard. So far, there have not been any improvements made to wages or working conditions despite multiple strikes in recent months.

The Cast Members exited the park after striking, allowing Disneyland Paris to return to normal operations. The next scheduled parade was able to perform without issue.

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 yet another Cast Member strike.

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” here.

Due to a pension reform bill that raises the pension age from 62 to 64, numerous protests and strikes have occurred in France over the past several weeks.

What do you think of the strike? We’d like to see your opinions in the comments below.

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

The post Another Parade Canceled as Disneyland Paris Union Held a Cast Member Strike Today on Main Street, U.S.A. appeared first on WDW News Today.

If we’re being brutally honest, there are times when you CANNOT TRUST Disney World.

Spicy sauce

One of those times is when a Disney World menu tells you that the food is “spicy.” We’ve been eating at Disney restaurants for long enough to know that “spicy” can mean something VERY different depending on which place you’re dining at. A spicy chicken sandwich in Magic Kingdom might have absolutely no spice to it at all. But head over to City Works in Disney Springs and take a chance on that hot chicken wrap and you just might be guzzling milk for days. The range is absolutely wild, so we’re here to help you sort out which spicy chicken is really SPICY and which is just…not. Here’s our official DFB ranking of spicy chicken in Disney World from “That’s NOTHING” to .

We’re all about Disney FOOD here at DFB. We even wrote the book on it! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining in an ebook format you can easily download to your tablet or smartphone.

Grab the DFB Guide!

Use code WDW2023 to save 25% on the cover price.

Now, on to the spicy (or not-so-spicy) chicken ranking!

That’s NOTHING

First up on our list of not-so-spicy chicken is the Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich from Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (this used to be called the Rocket Hot Chicken Sandwich). This is made with a crispy chicken breast, pickled slaw, and spicy aïoli on a brioche bun. It’s served with french fries for $12.59.

Rocket Hot Chicken Sandwich

Don’t let this sandwich’s name fool you: It’s anything but spicy. We were expecting a good kick from this meal, but it wasn’t hot or spicy at all. Seriously, do NOT worry if you or someone in your group is spice-averse — you can definitely handle this sandwich.

Plenty of chicken!

That being said, when we tried it out we found that the chicken was cooked really well, the slaw was delicious, and the flavors were great. It’s certainly not spicy, but it’s still tasty!

Read our review of the Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich here.

Another very non-spicy chicken option is the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich from D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs. This sandwich is made with a fried chicken breast topped with buffalo-ranch sauce, blue cheese crumbles, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. You can get it for $12.99.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Like the Cosmic Ray’s sandwich, this one was super tasty, just not spicy at all. When we tried it, the chicken was fried to perfection, the flavors all came together really well and balanced each other out, and the portion was generous. However, we could’ve used a bit more buffalo sauce in order to provide more spice. As it was, the blue cheese and ranch sauce just overpowered any spice that could’ve come through.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

This sandwich is a great option for people who like the flavor of buffalo sauce and blue cheese (that blue cheese was STRONG) but don’t necessarily want all the heat that can sometimes accompany those flavors.

Click here to read our full review of this sandwich.

The last member of our “That’s NOTHING” category as far as spicy chicken goes is the Buffalo Chicken Chips from Trilo-Bites in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These are house-made Chips served with Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese Dressing topped with Tomato and Celery Relish. You can get them for $9.59.

Buffalo Chicken Chips

We’ve really enjoyed these chips in the past (the portion size is generous enough to make them more of a meal than a snack), but they don’t bring the heat when it comes to spice. Instead, they have a pretty classic buffalo flavor, and the blue cheese dressing mellows out that kick.

Disney World might be a very expensive place to visit, but there are still some free things in the parks and at the hotels that you may not know about.

Sir Mickey’s

Some of those free things include getting celebration buttons, taking part in the Wilderness Explorer program at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and tasting sodas from around the world in EPCOT. Another of those things is getting pixie dusted! This can only happen at a few places in Disney World, so here’s where you can get pixie dusted in Magic Kingdom.

First things first: what exactly IS pixie dusting? Pixie dusting is where a Cast Member asks you to close your eyes, make a wish, and then they us a magic wand to sprinkle you with pixie dust while wishing that all your dreams come true. Over at Sir Mickey’s gift shop in Fantasyland (just behind Cinderella Castle), this experience has been offered for quite some time.

Sir Mickey’s

But now there’s ANOTHER option for pixie dusting! The other store that recently began offering pixie dusting is Bonjour Village Gifts, which is also located in Fantasyland (near Gaston’s Tavern).

Bonjour! Village Gifts

To get pixie dusted at either of these stores, all you have to do is head inside and ask a Cast Member to pixie dust you. Keep in mind, this will get glitter in your hair, meaning you’ll probably be seeing it for the next few days!

Hey Tink!

Want more tips on how to spend your day in Magic Kingdom? Check out our FREE Magic Kingdom checklist! Just click below, enter your email, and we’ll send the list straight to your inbox.

As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney tips and tricks!

Here are 52 secret things to do in Disney World!

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What’s your favorite free thing to do in Disney World? Tell us in the comments!

The post The SECRET (and FREE) Experience You Don’t Want To Miss in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.

Get ready to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Finding Nemo in STYLE!

CRUSH!

When it comes to Disney accessories, Dooney & Bourke has just about every corner of the fandom covered. We’ve seen collections that rep Disney characters, attractions, and even some deep cuts from Disney history! And if you’re a Pixar fan, you’ve GOTTA see the latest Dooney & Bourke collection that just dropped online.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Finding Nemo (hold up — Finding Nemo came out 20 years ago?! We officially feel old) a BRAND NEW Dooney & Bourke collection is now available online at shopDisney! Let’s take a look at all of the new accessories that you can snag to help you take on the big blue world.

You can get these bags online, but we also spotted them in Disney World, at the Creations Shop in EPCOT.

©shopDisney

The first bag is the Finding Nemo 20th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Tote Bag.

Tote Bag

This is the largest and most expensive of the bunch, and it features some of your favorite characters under the sea, with the iconic pelicans sitting on top of the water.

Buy the Finding Nemo 20th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Tote Bag here!

Or you can grab the medium-sized bag, the Finding Nemo 20th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Satchel Bag.

Satchel Bag

This has the same design as the others but in a smaller form. If you don’t need as much room to carry your necessities, this may be the best fit for you.

Grab the Finding Nemo 20th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Satchel Bag right here!

Lastly, you can grab the Finding Nemo 20th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Crossbody Bag.

Crossbody Bag

This is the smallest bag in the collection, also making it the most affordable. If you’re looking for something casual to bring to events, or just as your small everyday bag, this may be for you.

Buy the Finding Nemo 20th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Crossbody Bag here!

If you’ve gotta have one of these bags for your collection, be sure to head to shopDisney and grab one soon, because limited-edition merch can sell out fast! And if you’ve got an upcoming trip to the parks planned here are some ways you can get your Finding Nemo fix in both Disney World and Disneyland to celebrate the movie’s big milestone.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in Disneyland

We’ll continue to be on the lookout for more new Disney merch collections, so stay tuned to DFB for more updates!

This Is One of the BEST Disney Loungefly Bags We’ve Seen and It’s 30% OFF RIGHT NOW

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What’s your favorite Dooney & Bourke collection? Let us know in the comments!

The post PSST! You’re Gonna Want To See These NEW Disney Bags first appeared on the disney food blog.

If you were thinking about booking a last-minute trip to Disney World this summer, this is your sign. GO FOR IT. Why? Because Disney’s NEW ticket deal is officially OPEN for booking!

Main Street, U.S.A

Disney has announced some pretty good deals recently, including one for tickets, one for Florida residents, and even a few hotel discounts. We’ve got all the details you need to know in order to take advantage of their 4-Park Magic Ticket deal!

Disney World’s special 4-Park Magic Ticket is NOW available for purchase. With this ticket, you can get a 4-day, 4-park Magic Ticket for just $99 per day (plus tax). The total comes to $396, plus tax, for all four days. (With tax, the total came to $421.74.) The deal is open to everyone — it’s not exclusive to a certain group.

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

Basically, you get one day of admission to each of the four Disney World theme parks. The deal does NOT include Park Hopper — so you can only go to one park per day.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If you buy these tickets, you do not need to make Park Pass Reservations! Yep, you read that right — no park reservations required.

The tickets will be valid for use from June 1st through September 29th, but there are some blockout dates: July 1st – July 4th and September 1st – September 4th.

Animal Kingdom

The ticket expires within seven days of its first use or on September 29th, 2023, whichever takes place first. The tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable.

EPCOT

Ready to book your stay? Click here to buy your tickets with this offer.

If you want help booking your dream Disney World trip, contact our friends over at Small World Vacations. They can help you save tons of money on your upcoming vacation.

For more about what to expect this summer in Disney World, click here to see what we’re DREADING about Disney World this summer, or check out what NEW restaurant will be opening this summer. Also, find out why Disney World might be EMPTY this summer! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news.

Check out ALL of the available Disney World deals and discounts HERE!

Did you know you can bring pixie dust HOME with you?

Cinderella Castle!

Sometimes your Disney World trip is less than perfect, from rainy weather to long ride closures. However, Disney World is still constantly giving us “pixie dust moments” that make our trips all worth it. This week, we found a way that you can now bring some of that pixie dust home with you — literally!

Over in Magic Kingdom, while we were checking out Main Street, U.S.A., we spotted a little something new inside the Crystal Arts gift shop! Crystal Arts offers tons of beautiful crystal artwork pieces, and sometimes you can even see live glassblowing happening inside. Recently, we were excited to see they created a way for us to take some pixie dust home — and the most important part? It’s mess free!

Main Street USA!

Some of the souvenirs at this spot have the option to be engraved with personalizations like names and dates. We learned that you can add pixie dust to almost any item you’re getting engraved at Crystal Arts. According to the Cast Members, the upgrade is called Decoration Pixie Dust, and you can add it for just $5! You can see an example of the pixie dust on this crystal mug.

Decoration Pixie Dust

Crystal Arts creates a wide selection of pieces that guests can have personalized and engraved, and now for just a few dollars more, you can add a touch of magic. We spotted the crystal mug being engraved, which could be the perfect addition to your morning coffees when you’re away from the parks. With the pixie dust, it adds a special touch to something personalized to you.

Crystal Arts

Out of all of the souvenirs you can get in Disney World, this one has arguably the best upgrade possible. Do you think Tink has pixie dust on her coffee mugs?

Tink!

There are tons of other exciting things happening over on Main Street, U.S.A., so we’ll be sure to keep you updated on what we find next! Don’t forget to keep following DFB for all of your Magic Kingdom news and updates.

We Are NOT Responsible For You Spending $125 On This Disney 100 Souvenir

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Do you love this as much as we do? Tell us in the comments! 

The post You’re Doing Disney Souvenirs WRONG Without This Upgrade first appeared on the disney food blog.