Four new Mickey ear hat ornaments inspired by “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “The Princess and the Frog,” Mr. Toad, and Orange Bird are now available at Walt Disney World. They can be found at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, the year-round holiday store in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom.

Light-Up “Raya and the Last Dragon” Ear Hat Ornament – $24.99

All of these ornaments are shaped like Mickey Mouse ear hats, with a central dome and two circular ears. The dome of this ornament is transparent and swirly, like the waves of water, with Sisu the dragon sitting on top.

Raya is pictured on the right ear, with a green border around her.

The ornament has a detachable teal ribbon.

On the other ear are Dyan, Pan, and Uka, the trio of Ongis who join Raya’s team.

Sisu’s tail drapes over the back of the dome.

Boun is on the back of one of the ears.

Tuk Tuk, Raya’s pet/friend who is a mix of an armadillo and pill bug, is on the back of the other ear.

The dome lights up white-blue beneath Sisu.

“The Princess and the Frog” Ear Hat Ornament – $24.99

The center of this ornament is a Princess Tiana figure, with the two ears sticking out of her skirt. She’s wearing her iconic green wedding dress and tiara. The ornament’s detachable green ribbon clips onto the back of her head.

The ears are rimmed with blue gems. Prince Naveen (in human form) is on the front of one ear and Louis the alligator is playing his trumpet on the other ear.

Dr. Facilier and Ray the firefly are on the backs of the ears.

Facilier holds up a group of tarot cards.

Check out our most recent construction update about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a new “Princess and the Frog” attraction coming soon to Magic Kingdom.

Mr. Toad Ear Hat Ornament – $24.99

The dome of this ear hat ornament resembles Mr. Toad’s famous red car, complete with headlights, wheels, and windshield. Mr. Toad sits in the black seat of his car, happily steering it to and fro. The red detachable ribbon connects to the back of Mr. Toad’s head.

Mr. Toad’s friends, Mr. Rat and Mr. Mole, are pictured on the fronts of the ears, which stick out from the side doors of the car.

Mr. Toad was introduced in “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad,” a 1949 Disney film. The Mr. Toad section is based on “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame. Mr. Toad has solidified himself as an iconic Disney character through Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, a Disneyland attraction.

On the backs of the ears are the prosecutor and Angus MacBadger.

The backgrounds of the ears are light blue with gold-brown borders.

Orange Bird Ear Hat Ornament – $24.99

Finally, this ear hat ornament is inspired by Orange Bird, a mascot created by Disney for the Florida Citrus Commission, which sponsored the Enchanted Tiki Room and Sunshine Tree Terrace at Magic Kingdom. Orange Bird has since evolved into a more general Walt Disney World mascot, often appearing on merchandise and at EPCOT festivals.

The dome of the ear hat ornament resembles an orange with a yellow edge. The ears look like orange slices.

An Orange Bird figure sits on top. The green detachable ribbon connects to his head.

On the backs of the orange slices are two Orange Bird faces.

One is smiling with a wide open beak and big eyes.

The other is wearing white sunglasses.

The bottom of the ornament also looks like the inside of a sliced orange.

These Sketchbook ornaments were all designed by artist Costa Alavezos. They are also available on shopDisney, along with a “Luca” ear hat ornament.

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

The post New Raya & the Last Dragon, Princess & the Frog, Mr. Toad, and Orange Bird Ear Hat Ornaments at Walt Disney World appeared first on WDW News Today.

Disney is making a TON of live-action remakes of its animated films.

©Disney

Peter Pan and Wendy just arrived on Disney+, and Disney has recently announced live-action remakes for both Lilo and Stitch and Moana. Although many Moana fans might have expected her voice actress, Auli’i Cravalho, to reprise the role in the live-action film, we’ve since learned that will not be the case.

Cravalho, who will be an executive producer on the film, took to Instagram to explain why she won’t step back into the iconic Moana role for the live-action movie. She said, “I believe it is absolutely vital for casting that accurately represents the characters and stories we want to tell. So, as an executive producer on the film, I cannot wait to find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit, and emotional strength.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Auli’i Cravalho (@auliicravalho)

“I’m truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent, to honor our incredible Pacific people’s cultures and communities that help inspire her story, and I look forward to all the beautiful Pacific representation to come,” she added.

Although Cravalho won’t be returning to her Moana role, Dwayne Johnson — who voiced Maui in the animated movie — does have plans to reprise his role as Maui in the live-action film. He said that much of the animated movie takes inspiration from his family and that the character of Maui was inspired by his late grandfather.

©Disney

The film will be produced by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions, and executive producers include Cravalho. E. Jared Bush, who wrote the screenplay for the animated film, will also be involved.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on the Moana live-action movie, as well as other Disney movies and TV shows, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

Waterfalls and SO MUCH SHADE! See the Latest on the NEW Moana Attraction in Disney World 

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Are you disappointed that the live-action Moana is casting a new lead in the title role? Let us know in the comments!

The post Celebrity Shares HUGE Live-Action ‘Moana’ Movie Casting Update first appeared on the disney food blog.

Popcorn buckets are a BIG deal in Disney World.

Popcorn buckets

There was a RUCKUS when Disney World first released the Figment Popcorn Bucket in EPCOT. The Pumbaa Popcorn Bucket was also quite popular over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Right now, the most popular popcorn bucket seems to be the new Disney100 Cinderella Coach Premium Popcorn Bucket, which is currently completely sold out.

This popcorn bucket has only been available at Magic Kingdom. We had a feeling it would go quickly, so when we asked a Cast Member about it, it was confirmed that it has completely sold out just FOUR DAYS after it originally went on sale.

Cinderella Coach Premium Bucket

However, we were also told that more would be coming in, but Cast Members said it would most likely be in June or July. Our best advice is to keep checking if you’ve been looking to get your hands on one.

We have also spotted this popcorn bucket in Disneyland, so if you’re on the West Coast, you might want to check there!

Cinderella Premium Popcorn Bucket in Disneyland

We’ll continue to keep an eye out for when the popcorn bucket is back in stock, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more.

If you’re headed to Disney World soon, don’t forget to pack some of our fun t-shirts! Click here to see them all!

STOP THE PRESSES — Disney World Just Released Probably the Best Popcorn Bucket Ever

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Did you manage to get your hands on this popcorn bucket? Let us know in the comments!

The post New 100th Anniversary Popcorn Bucket SOLD OUT in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.

If you’re looking for Mexican food in Disney World, you have options.

Mexico Pavilion at Night

Rosa Mexicano opened recently near EPCOT, Frontera Cocina is a fun choice if you’re headed to Disney Springs, and there’s a whole Mexico pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase. But, there’s another Mexican restaurant in Disney World that you might not have ever heard of before. In Disney’s Coronado Resort, Maya Grill offers a “Nuevo Latino” dinner. They recently got a whole new menu, and we checked it out — come see how it went!

Atmosphere

The restaurant has a unique backstory that is reflected in its design. According to the tale, villagers in Mexico embarked on a journey to find a new place to call home. The Mayan people landed in Lago Dorado, an area known for its beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Sun Temple

In order to pay tribute to their heritage, the people erected four temples. The Sun and Moon temples honored the deities responsible for bountiful harvests and peaceful living…

Moon Temple

and the Fire and Water temples honored the gods who were responsible for providing warmth and nourishment to the villagers.

Fire Temple

The restaurant has high ceilings, Spanish tiles, and a warm glow that transports you to a different place.

Water Temple

When I arrived, there was a guitarist playing Latin music while I waited for my table.

Waiting area with musician

The restaurant had a mix of seating options. There were a variety of tables…

Table setting

…as well as a few half tables/ half booths.

Table setting

Let’s take a look at the menu!

Menu

I was given a new menu, which had a full description of the story of the restaurant.

the Maya Grill story

There was also a section for starters, which features items like House Guacamole, Chicken Tinga Flautas, and Mexican Shrimp Cocktail. In the Family Style section, they offered a Fiesta Salad, Maya Grill Parrillada, and Cowboy Steak. There were also Fajitas and a selection of Mains, like Enchiladas, Baja Fish Tacos, and Ossobucco Al Pastor. For sides, there are choices from Cilantro Rice, Sauteed Broccolini, Brussell Sprouts, and Fried Plantains.

Menu

On the back of the menu was a collection of drink options as well as desserts. This restaurant has a list of tequilas, a tequila flight, and a nice selection of margaritas. You also have plenty of craft cocktails to choose from, like the Golden Zama and the B’ak’tun’s Old Fashioned, as well as a few spirit-free choices  and a wine list.

Drink Menu

For desserts, they had a few options like Fried Churro Ice Cream, Mexican Mocha Lava Cake, and Cafe de Olla.

Desserts

Time to dig in!

Eats

First, I tried the Queso Fundido for $12. This is melted Chihuahua & Oaxaca cheese, pico de gallo, and cilantro served with three flour tortillas. You also have the option to add Chorizo or Esquites. Queso Fundido is traditionally thicker and gooier than the queso you often see in the US. It’s a bold mix of flavors that is usually served with tortillas rather than chips — chips wouldn’t hold up well to the weight of it anyways.

Queso Fundido

I thought this dish had a ton of flavor. The bottom had a delicious crispy texture where it met the skillet, and the brightness from the tomato, onion, and cilantro complimented it well.

Queso Fundido

However, while it was served sizzling hot, it didn’t take long for it to start separating. After the oil started separating from the cheese solids, the textures got a little strange — almost eggy and a bit greasy. You really want to start eating this fast in order to take advantage of the hot gooey texture. If you don’t, the textures in this appetizer won’t hold up well.

The oil started separating…

Also, keep in mind that this is heavy on cilantro, so it’s not for everyone!

Next, I had the Birria Lamb Enchiladas for $34. These are Birria Lamb rolled in our home-made corn tortillas, salsa verde, Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheeses, topped with sour cream, Cotija cheese, & crispy onions served with sweet plantains.

Birria Lamb Enchiladas

This dish was a little salty, but the flavors were good. I really enjoyed the homemade corn tortillas — they tasted fresh and had a nice crunch. Inside, the lamb was really tender and well-seasoned. I expected there to be more cheese, but the blend that was on top had good flavor. It was more of a thick cheese blend, similar to the Queso Fundido, than a meltier cheese like I would have expected.

Birria Lamb Enchiladas

The crispy fried onions on top had a nice crunch and added a surprising sweetness that really liked. They complimented the savory enchiladas well and added a nice texture to the dish. On the side were three pieces of plantain — just enough to accompany the dish. They were sweet, tender, a little tangy, and had beautiful crispy edges.  I would order these as a side on their own — they were really delicious.

Plantains

Overall, I expected this to be a lot saucier and cheesier. But instead, the lamb was the star. If you are looking for something that highlights the meat of a dish, this is a great option. But if you’re looking for saucy enchiladas that have a bold tangy flavor from the salsa verde and are extra cheesy, this might not be for you. I personally would have preferred to have more salsa verde, but the flavors were good — especially the homemade tortillas.

Lamb

For my second entree, I had the Chicken Mole for $32. This is a pan-seared marinated airline chicken and Oaxaca mole, served with roasted tricolor cauliflower and sautéed broccolini.

Chicken Mole

This was extremely tender. The chicken was juicy and had a generous portion of mole on top. The sauce was smoky and a little spicy. It tasted like an earthy barbecue sauce with a bite that creeps up on you.

Chicken Mole

The veggies were very fresh. The broccolini and cauliflower had a nice crunch and a sweet, mildly earthy flavor. The pickled onions were also crunchy but added a tangy, bright flavor to the mix. Honestly, they were one of my favorite things that I had here.

Chicken Mole

Overall, this is a unique dish to try. If you’ve never had mole but like barbecue chicken and want to try something new, this might be a great place to start, especially if you like complex flavors. Between the earthy, smoky chicken and the bright, crunchy veggies, this entree had a good balance of flavors and didn’t feel heavy or like it weighed me down.

Chicken Mole with Veggies

For dessert, I had the Fried Churro Ice Cream for $12. This had two scoops of vanilla ice cream coated in churro crunch resting on a bed of Oreo cookie crumbles, drizzled with chocolate syrup. While not in the description, mine also had caramel and strawberry sauce.

Fried Churro Ice Cream

The ice cream was creamy but held its shape pretty well.  It’s coated in crushed-up fried churros, which didn’t really have a strong flavor. Compared to everything else going on, the churros just added a crunchy texture. The chocolate from the Oreos overpowered it.

Fried Churro Ice Cream

Personally, I would have liked a more churro-centered ice cream dessert (hello, Churro Sundae from La Cantina de San Angel :heart_eyes:). However, this would be a good kid-friendly option.

Fried Churro Ice Cream

The presentation was fun for a kid, and the flavors were simple enough that picky eaters should enjoy it.

Overall

Overall, this restaurant had some solid options for those looking for Mexican food, but the choices are a little unique in a way that probably won’t fit everyone’s preference. The atmosphere was a bit moody and warm, emulating the colors of a Mexican sunset with the backdrop of live music from a Latin guitar player. This feels to me more of a spot for a date night, but if you’re looking for a brighter, more upbeat experience and are in the mood for Mexican food — Rosa Mexicana might be a better fit. The food had a similar feel to it — more earthy and maybe a little rustic.

Dinner entrees

Also, in my experience, the service was a little on the slow side. This might be good if you are looking for a romantic evening and don’t want to feel rushed, but if you are looking for a quick meal, this might be a sticking point. However, much of the staff was very interactive and friendly — from the host who shared an in-depth, fun narrative of the restaurant, to the manager who made sure to stop by frequently.

Nosh or Not

Make your way over to Maya Grill if…

• You want an authentic Mexican experience. The food here is unlike what you will see in a lot of American Mexican restaurants, so it might be a good spot if you’re looking for something unique.
• You are looking for a slow, romantic meal. The restaurant is a little darker and has a bit of a romantic feel, and I didn’t feel rushed.
• You are staying at Coronado Springs and want a Mexican Dinner. If you are staying at this resort and already know you love Mexican food — this might be a great choice for you!

Skip Maya Grill if…

• You are not staying at Coronado Springs and you have a tight schedule. This restaurant is a bit out of the way, so it might not make sense to dine here unless you have the time and are really excited about this style of cuisine. There are plenty of Mexican restaurants across Disney World to choose from.
• You have picky eaters in your group. The food here is a bit unique and some might have a hard time finding something they really enjoy.
• You have a tight budget. The food here was not exorbitantly priced, especially for Disney standards, but it was definitely not cheap!

Whether or not this restaurant is the right choice for you depends on your party’s preferences. We have had some good experiences here, but ultimately only you can decide if this is the perfect fit for your group.

Maya Grill

We’ll continue to bring you reviews of Disney dining experiences, so stay tuned to DFB for more!

Click here to read our last review of Maya Grill

Have you ever eaten at Maya Grill? Let us know your thought in the comments below!

The post We Tried the NEW MENU at a Disney World Mexican Restaurant. Is It a Hit or a Miss? first appeared on the disney food blog.