Disney is changing SEVERAL hotels currently, and it’s hard to keep up with everything going on!

Disneyland Hotel construction

At Disney World, there are updates coming to the BoardWalk Inn, as well as a brand-new building at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. But for today’s news, we’re heading out to the west coast! Disneyland Hotel is adding some Disney Vacation Club Villas to the property, and along with that change, we’ll be getting a very special addition.

On September 28th, the 12-story tower that’s home to the Villas at Disneyland Hotel will open its doors. And when you step inside, you’ll be able to check out a stunning new piece of artwork.

The Villas at Disneyland Resort construction

Lorelay Bové was an executive production designer on Encanto, and now has created a new mural for the upcoming hotel. This mural represents several different Disney animated films, including classics like Fantasia, fan-favorites like Frozen, and even new works like the upcoming movie Wish. In addition to the characters and nods to those films, you can find quite a few hidden Mickeys throughout the work.

©Disney

We can’t wait to check out this mural in person when the Villas officially open to the public. Bookings are already available for those new rooms, so go check out the availability if you’re interested in staying!

Stay tuned to DFB for the latest news and updates from Disneyland Resort as well as Walt Disney World. We’ll keep you in the loop!

Click Here for a Sneak Peek at the Villa Hotel Rooms!

Which movie represented in this mural is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!

The post A NEW Addition Is Coming to the Villas at Disneyland Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog.

Planning a trip to Disney can be stressful, but don’t worry, we have your back. My family traveled to Walt Disney World twice a year, and I was the designated planner. We’d get home from a trip, and I would start dreaming about the next one. I used to be the queen of scoring FastPasses and dining reservations. It was truly a talent. I also had a countdown for each trip and calendar reminders for when things had to get done. 

I am not as big of a planner now because I’m a local, but I still help my family plan their Disney trips. Before you start hardcore planning, it’s essential to ask your travel group what’s on their must-do list. This way, you know what attractions and experiences your group wants to see. For me, it’s beneficial to look at that. Also, be sure to take ages and heights into consideration while planning. 

Anyway, let’s jump into my top five tips. 

1. Download the My Disney Experience App

I know the technology at Disney World continues to change and can cause a lot of stress. I am still in charge of the app when we travel as a family because my family deems me to be the “tech-savvy” group member. In reality, it’s the only app I know how to use. 

After downloading the app, you must get everyone linked to your account to ensure everyone can do everything together. I am unfamiliar with Disney Genie+, but I can tell you that everyone has to be linked to use it successfully. I also know that you don’t need Disney Genie+ daily; use it for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since you must use your phone often, pack portable chargers or purchase a Fuel Rod in the parks.

Knowing how to use the app is really important, especially when it comes to dining. Guests can participate in mobile ordering meals, and they can also book dining reservations using the app.

2. Pack for Unexpected Weather 

The weather is so unpredictable here in Central Florida. It can be sunny one second, and it’s pouring rain the next. I highly recommend packing a small umbrella and a foldable poncho that fits in a small bag—no need to carry huge bags throughout the park unless you have little ones with you. During the summer, I always have my small umbrella, a rain jacket, and extra socks ready to go, just in case. 

During the winter months, when we experience some cold weather, wearing layers is essential. It can be 40 degrees in the morning and 70 degrees in the afternoon, then drop back down to the low 40s during the evening and into the night. I know removing layers and adding them back can get annoying, but it’s worth it. I always tell anyone who plans on visiting between December and March to pack a variety of clothing. Anything from shorts to thick sweaters because you never know.

3. Make Advance Dining Reservations

I am not one to eat at a table service restaurant each day of my trip, but I do think it’s nice to do it once a trip or even twice. It can be hard to book newer or fan-favorite restaurants, so be sure to set a calendar reminder for 60 days before your trip to try and score that dining reservation. 

Important note: If you’re staying at a Disney World resort, you can make reservations for your whole trip 60 days before the first day of your trip. If you’re staying off-property, you can make reservations 60 days before each day.

4. Plan a Rest Day or a Non-Park Day 

If your trip is longer than 3 or 4 days, scheduling a rest day is important. This day can consist of anything that your group classifies as “relaxing.” Most travelers choose this day to be poolside at the resort and enjoy its amenities. I love going to Disney Springs on my rest days, or if it’s summer, you’ll find me at Typhoon Lagoon. If you have a car with you, I suggest checking out some local areas like Lake Nona, Winter Garden, and Winter Park.

Disney Springs

If your family likes to be active, then check out the miniature golf courses on property or maybe go horseback riding at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. There’s so much more to do at Disney that’s not the theme parks. 

5. Rope Drop or Close the Park 

Last but not least, figure out if your travel party is a rope drop or park close type of group. Either option is great. Rope dropping is excellent for all the early risers. The parks tend to have lesser wait times at rope drop, and you’ll be able to witness a less crowded park. If your group is filled with night owls, it might be better to close the park.

In high school and college, I closed out the parks with my friends when we visited. We get into the park any time between noon and 2 p.m. and stay until the park closes. This always worked best at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios since the evenings are pretty chill at those parks. Magic Kingdom is definitely a park that you rope drop, even though the few hours after fireworks can be calm some days. Animal Kingdom is fantastic during the morning, but I have also experienced beautiful evenings with low crowd levels on days the park is open later.

These five tips have always helped me have fun and successful vacations. I know we all plan differently, but communicating with the entire travel group is the key to making the most magical vacation happen. Having everyone on the same page and ensuring that the My Disney Experience app has been adequately explored is the perfect first step. If you have any other helpful tips and tricks, please leave them in the comments section!

The post My Top 5 Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Tips  first appeared on DIS.

The attraction sign for Journey of Water Inspired by ‘Moana’ has been revealed at EPCOT, ahead of the next round of Cast Member previews.

Journey of Water Attraction Sign

The sign is partially obscured by rolling planters, but we can see most of the sign over them. A graphic behind the attraction’s logo appears to illustrate the water cycle.

Here’s another angle of the sign, where you can more clearly see the illustration.

You can also see the movie logo for “Moana” included.

The back of the sign features a red symbol on it, though from this distance, we couldn’t quite confirm what it is. It appears to be the spiral shape from the Heart of Te Fiti.

During our visit, it looked as though media filming at the new attraction was taking place.

Journey of Water Stroller Parking

The stroller parking sign has returned to its original spot after being removed, though the sign looks different.

It is now blue and white instead of gray and green.

More Construction Walls Down

Construction walls by the stroller parking area overlooking the attraction have also come down since yesterday’s update.

Green scrim-covered construction walls previously blocked off the view of Journey of Water from this area.

This attraction is set to go into Cast Member previews starting September 1. A previous Cast Member preview was held in July, but was more limited.

Journey of Water Inspired by “Moana” is scheduled to open in “late 2023.”

Journey of Water Inspired by ‘Moana’

Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” is a “self-guided outdoor trail where you can play with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again.”

“Along with Moana as a steward of water conservation, Te Fiti is a symbol of how we should protect and nurture water wherever we find it,” Reid Ekman, Lead Concept Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, said of the giant Te Fiti figure at the attraction. “This is an important theme in Journey of Water, where guests will learn more about how water travels from our skies to the ocean, and back again. This story will unfold along a lush trail inspired by the environments and art style of the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film.”

Read more details about Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana.”

Are you excited to experience Journey of Water when it opens in World Nature at EPCOT later this year? Let us know in the comments below.

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

The post PHOTOS: Journey of Water Inspired by ‘Moana’ Attraction Sign Revealed at EPCOT, More Construction Walls Down appeared first on WDW News Today.

Smokejumpers Grill at Disney California Adventure is offering several new and returning Halloween treats, including Oogie Boogie Apple Lemonade, the Ghostly Double Cheeseburger, and Haunted Forest Ice Cream Parfait.

Smokejumpers Grill

Smokejumpers Grill is in Grizzly Peak near Soarin’.

Halloween Menu

• Ghostly Double Cheeseburger – $15.99
• Haunted Forest Ice Cream Parfait – $9.29
• Oogie Boogie Apple Lemonade – $5.99
• Ghoulish Fizz – $17

*NEW* Ghostly Double Cheeseburger – $15.99

Double Beef and Soy Chorizo Burger with Provolone, Ghost Pepper Black Bean Spread, Avocado Crema, Cabbage and Pico de Gallo, served with Crinkle-cut Fries

There is quite a bit going on with this burger. There’s a lot of creativity on display, and while this dish certainly does try to toe the line between American and Mexican cuisines, it doesn’t really do so effectively.

The burger does live up to its name, as there is some spice to it. The ghost pepper from the black bean spread does come through, and while the overall burger isn’t ridiculously spicy, it may be best to sit this one out if spice isn’t usually your thing. The flavor itself is where the burger is lacking; the soy chorizo is an odd pairing with the beef, adding confusion to the dish. It tastes like it wants to be a taco… but it’s not. The burger would have been far better had it simply contained beef.

The burger isn’t rounded out by the cabbage and Pico de Gallo, as it’s just one soft, odd texture throughout. The ghost pepper black bean spread further muddies the dish. It’s overall a strange burger that attempts to mesh two cuisines that do often complement each other, but it ends up doing neither justice. We’d only recommend this dish if you love spicy foods.

*NEW* Haunted Forest Ice Cream Parfait – $9.29

Cherry Shake with Chocolate Sauce, Brownie Crumble, Cherry Topping and Whipped Cream

This is a simple cherry shake, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The ice cream itself is relatively light and not very thick (the shake almost matches the consistency of In-N-Out milkshakes, for those familiar). The chocolate sauce is reminiscent of black forest cake in flavor.

The brownie and cherry pieces add further flavor and texture to the dessert (though they do sink to the bottom, so you may want to grab a spoon). It’s overall a well-balanced, not-abrasively sweet way to cool off on a warm day, and we’d definitely recommend it if you like the combination of cherry and chocolate flavors.

Oogie Boogie Apple Lemonade – $5.99

Green Apple Lemonade with Cherry-flavored Popping Spheres and Raspberry Sauce

The lemonade isn’t overly sweet, so the additional flavorings don’t make this super syrupy like we expected. The sour green apple syrup complemented the lemonade flavor very well but wasn’t noticeably apple-flavored. The raspberry syrup creates a dripping blood effect that lasts for quite a while. Unfortunately, that means you don’t get any raspberry flavor unless you vigorously stir the drink. The boba balls were plentiful in our beverage, so we had one with almost every sip. The cherry boba balls paired well with the sour lemonade. We enjoyed this refreshing beverage.

*NEW* Ghoulish Fizz – $17

Gin and Blood Orange Syrup with Lime & Orange Juices

The Ghoulish Fizz was delicious. We’re not usually fond of gin, but it’s effectively disguised by the citrus juices and blood orange syrup. There’s enough gin present to let you know that there’s alcohol there, but it in no way overpowers the drink.

The drink is cohesive and tastes like an elevated version of the Screwdriver cocktail. It’s cold and refreshing, and if you’re a fan of orange juice, you should definitely give this a try.

Halloween offerings at Disneyland will be available through November 9.

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The post REVIEW: Haunted Forest Ice Cream Parfait, Ghostly Double Cheeseburger, and More on the Halloween Menu at Smokejumpers Grill in Disney California Adventure appeared first on WDW News Today.