Have you been dreaming of sailing the seas with Disney Cruise Line?

Are you considering a voyage aboard a Disney ship? The enchantment of the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) is made possible by a fleet of five world-class ships: the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy, and the newest ship: the Disney Wish. (The Disney Treasure will join the fleet soon!) Right now, you can save BIG on select Disney cruises for 2023 and early 2024.

Disney Cruise Line offers some seriously cheap rates from time to time, but these rates come with a bit of a catch. These low rates are for restricted dates, meaning that you can only grab those rates for the extremely limited dates listed. Our friends over at Small World Vacations shared with us a few dates during which you can score some money off your stateroom, and now we’re here to share those with you! Check it out!

First up, you can save up to 25% on a 4-night Halloween on the High Seas cruise. You’ll leave New York heading to the Bahamas on the Disney Dream. You’ll set sail on October 31st and can join Mickey and Minnie for a spooky vacation.

Next, you can save 20% on a 7-night cruise on the Disney Fantasy. You’ll leave Port Canaveral on November 4th to spend 7 nights in the Caribbean. If you’re looking for dates in 2024, there are several sailing with this discount in early 2024. You’ll also be able to enjoy a Pixar Day at Sea with these sailings in 2024.

You can also save 25% off if you leave out of Galveston on the Disney Magic on January 12th. You’ll spend 5 nights in the Western Caribbean on this cruise. If you want to sail out of Fort Lauderdale, you can save 20% on 5-night sailings in January and February 2024. These cruises will head to the western Caribbean on the Disney Dream with a Marvel Day at Sea.

Our friends at Small World Vacations can help make your cruising dreams come true. Their services are completely FREE to use, so why not sit back, relax, and let them do all the planning? They will be able to help you book these last-minute Disney deals and can have you cruising in no time.

For more Disney deals and tips, be sure you’re following us at DFB.

Have you been on a Disney cruise before? Let us know in the comments. 

The post Pack Your Bags! You Could SAVE 25% on Select Disney Cruises first appeared on the disney food blog.

It seems that all sorts of changes are taking place on the West Coast!

Over at Disneyland, we’re SO CLOSE to welcoming the addition of Tiana’s Palace Restaurant, which opens to the public on September 6th. Plus, the Mint Julep Bar will return once Tiana’s Palace opens! As if there wasn’t already enough excitement taking place over at New Orleans Square, Disney just shared some exciting news.

Disney shared that NEW UPDATES would soon take place near New Orleans Square! Not only will the grounds of Haunted Mansion be expanded to house an all-new merchandise shop and garden themed to Madame Leota, but the plaza area next to Tiana’s Palace will also be enhanced as well.

“This area is one that holds a lot of memories and history,” Disney said. “A new, elegant, park-like setting will be a place to relax and enjoy the ambiance and live entertainment under the shade of new and historic trees.”

Wow! Based on the artist’s concept, we can already tell that the area will make for a beautiful new addition. Construction on both the Haunted Mansion expansion and the plaza enhancements next to Tiana’s Palace will begin in January 2024 — which is pretty soon!

We’ll continue to keep you updated with more news regarding the updates so that you’re always in the loop. As soon as construction starts, we’ll be there to check that out, too! Make sure to follow along for more so that you never miss a thing.

Looking for more information on even MORE Disneyland additions? Click here!

What do you think of Disney’s announcement regarding the expansion and updates? Let us know in the comments!

The post UPDATE Planned for Plaza Near Tiana’s Palace Restaurant in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog.

If you love the Haunted Mansion, we have some HUGE NEWS.

The Haunted Mansion in Disney World recently got some upgrades and it is set to get the addition of the Hatbox Ghost by the end of the year too. We’ve also seen amazing Haunted Mansion items released on Amazon, hints that the Haunted Mansion could be featured on Disney’s newest cruise ship, and more haunting news. But now it seems the Haunted Mansion area in Disneyland is going to get some MAJOR changes.

Disney has announced that the grounds of the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland will be EXPANDING in 2024.

According to Disney, these additions will “build on the story and lore of the Haunted Mansion.”

So what changes will take place? Well, first there will be an expanded outdoor queue “to immerse guests in enhanced theming.” Disney shares, “Local legend suggests the manor known today as the Haunted Mansion was first built by a prosperous sea captain. To this day, the mansion’s staff faithfully maintains the happy haunting grounds. The expanded queue will tie into these stories and more, including new gardens inspired by Master Gracey, Madame Leota and the one-eyed cat.”

Disney has also shared that “the objects found in Leota’s garden will be inspired by her incantation!”

There will be gardens in this space that’ll “feature unique elements ranging from a water fountain and gazebo to themed statuary and landscaping.” Guests will also get the chance to “see a new greenhouse where the groundskeepers for the Haunted Mansion grow their plants.”

And don’t worry — Disney has assured fans that “The pet cemetery and horse-drawn funeral hearse will continue to reside on the attraction’s grounds.”

Disney World already has an interactive Haunted Mansion queue, complete with a mystery story to solve and everything. We’ll be very interested to see how this queue will compare.

There will also be a NEW retail shop next to the ride’s exit. Disney shares, “This carriage house of the mansion, belonging to Leota, will be a standalone shop that we are just ‘dying’ to tell you more about in the future.”

It sounds like this could be somewhat similar to the Memento Mori shop that exists in Disney World but we’ll be curious to see just how alike (or different!) these stores are.

Construction on these new additions in Disneyland is set to begin in January of 2024.

Plus, Disney has shared that they’ll be taking this opportunity to “improve the accessibility of these areas which includes a new elevator exit from the Haunted Mansion for guests with disabilities.”

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time some in recent years that changes have hit the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland. Back in 2021, enhancements were made to the ride’s mechanics, interiors, and exteriors. On the outside, freshly landscaped details arrived around the pet cemetery. Inside, new drapes, carpet, and wallpaper arrived. And one of the original portraits — April to December — returned to the Mansion.

Note that at the moment the Haunted Mansion is closed in Disneyland as it gets transformed into Haunted Mansion Holiday. It’ll open as Haunted Mansion Holiday on September 1st, 2023.

We’ll keep an eye out for more news on the 2024 update and let you know what we find!

Click here to see the Haunted Mansion Loungefly bags you WON’T be able to resist!

What do you think about these changes? Tell us in the comments!

The post BREAKING: Disney Announces Haunted Mansion Area EXPANSION first appeared on the disney food blog.

Don’t let Tuesday slip by without diving into these sales!

The start of the week has come and gone, but don’t worry! There are still so many deals on merch and other must-haves. And that’s what why we’re back with the latest from Amazon for you to see right now. Let’s go!

First, if you’re not an Amazon Prime member, you can start your free trial by clicking the link below and save some coin in the process!

Now, let’s take a look at the deals, shall we?

Shop this Neck Fan for 39% Off

While we’re still experiencing these hot summer days, this portable neck fan can keep you cool while you’re out and about.

View on Amazon

Grab These Cooling Towels for 40% Off

These are another great option to help you stay cool through these hot and humid summer days!

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Grab this Collapsible Water Bottle for 27% Off

You’ll have to stay hydrated while you’re out there and this Collapsible Water Bottle is a great option for that. It’s collapsible, fits in the bag easily, and can hold up to 20 oz.

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Grab this Portable Charger Power Bank 2 Pack for 33% Off

This 2 pack of battery chargers is slim and easy to carry with you while you’re out and about and will give you the peace of mind that you won’t be without power.

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Grab these Rain Poncho for Adults and Kids for 25% Off

Storms can pop up anytime in Florida, so make sure to have some ponchos in the bag.

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Grab these Workout Shorts for 43% Off

And if you’re running around the parks during the summertime, our pro tip is to wear a really comfy pair of shorts that will keep you cool like these ones.

View on Amazon

We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news and updates, so make sure to follow along for more.

Click here to view our Amazon Storefront

Will you be checking out any of these deals? Let us know in the comments!

The post 6 Disney World Must-Haves On Sale On Amazon NOW first appeared on the disney food blog.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has added Orlando (via Orange and Osceola counties) to his State of Emergency order ahead of Hurricane Idalia hitting the state this week, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Hurricane Idalia State of Emergency Declared for Orlando

While Orlando isn’t expected to bear the brunt of the storm’s effects, public schools in Orange County will be closed on Wednesday, and local governments have set up sandbag sites.

Hurricane Idalia formed this morning, and is forecast to grow into a Category 3 hurricane before it hits Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday morning, per the Orlando Sentinel.

Current forecasts show the hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, with its projected path heading inland between Gainesville and Tallahassee. Forecasters estimate peak sustained winds of 125 miles per hour, with gusts up to 155 miles per hour, and storm surge that could reach 15 feet by mid-morning on Wednesday.

The storm is expected to move quickly over Florida, but the state could still see rainfall of up to 4-8 inches, with some areas getting as much as 12 inches along Florida’s west coast and panhandle.

To assist in evacuation efforts, Florida’s Department of Transportation has removed tolls in portions of the state.

At this time, both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort are operating as normal, with both destinations closely monitoring the weather. Walt Disney World is waiving their change and cancellation fees through September 5, and offering 50% off hotel stays for Florida residents evacuating and first responders dealing with the storm.

Will you be in Florida when Hurricane Idalia hits? Are you getting prepared to ride out the storm, or will you be evacuating? Let us know in the comments.

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

The post Orlando Added to State of Emergency Order, Hurricane Idalia Expected to Reach Category 3 appeared first on WDW News Today.

With opening night of Halloween Horror Nights 32 just three days away at Universal Studios Florida, the entrance and exit signage for “The Last of Us” haunted house has gone up.

‘The Last of Us’ Haunted House Signs

The entrance to the house is located near Men in Black: Alien Attack.

Trusses are up, along with entrance and exit signs, and a small screen, presumably to display the wait time for the house.

A close-up look at the entrance sign shows the art of Joel and Ellie standing together, while a clicker looms behind. This same art is also featured on much of the merchandise for the haunted house.

Portals for the haunted houses arrived in the park last week. These stand nearby the entrances to haunted houses and other experiences, and will eventually display the house names, wait times, and warnings.

‘The Last of Us’ Haunted House

“The Last of Us” haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights 32 will be based upon Naughty Dog’s 2013 video game of the same name.

In the house, guests will “enter the world of Naughty Dog’s video game in real life, as [they] fight to survive and navigate [their] way through an abandoned Pittsburgh with Joel and Ellie.”

The PlayStation exclusive video game series follows Joel and Ellie, two survivors living in the United States America after an outbreak of a fungal infection drives the world into the apocalypse, called Cordyceps for short after the fungus the infection originated from. “The Last of Us: Part I,” on which the house is based, follows Joel Miller on a journey to take Ellie Williams, who is immune to the fungus, to a group who believe they can make a cure for cordyceps.

This year, the game was adapted into a live-action television series for HBO, starring Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie.

In the game, humans can be infected by breathing in spores from Infected. In the television series, the infection can only be spread by bite.

The house will be at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort.

Halloween Horror Nights 32 Details

Halloween Horror Nights 32 kicks off on September 1 and takes place on select nights through November 4, 2023. The 10 haunted houses are:

• Stranger Things 4
• The Exorcist: Believer
• The Last of Us
• Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count
• Universal Monsters: Unmasked
• Dr. Oddfellow’s Twisted Origins
• Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate
• YETI: Campground Kills
• The Darkest Deal
• Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings

Guests can visit some of the houses during the day for a lights-on tour with Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror.

There will be 5 scare zones, all connected to the icon Dr. Oddfellow:

• Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror
• Dark Zodiac
• Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror
• Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood
• Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged

While not a traditional scare zone, Death Eaters will appear in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley this Halloween season. A roaming M3GAN horde is also rumored to be at Halloween Horror Nights.

The Halloween Tribute Store will return to the New York section of the park and will be themed to a “mysterious NYC Comic Book Shop.” Guests will “experience the ‘Tribute to Terror’ by stepping into the pages of this original, terrifying, horror comic book.”

It’s rumored Mel’s Die-In will not be open during Halloween Horror Nights this year.

David S. Pumpkins will reportedly appear at Peacock’s Halloween Horror Bar.

In Universal’s Islands of Adventure, guests can visit All Hallows Eve Boutique, taken over by Dr. Oddfellow, for Halloween merchandise.

In CityWalk, guests will be able to hang out at “Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club,” a spooky overlay of the Red Coconut Club featuring Universal Monsters.

At Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, the Pumpkin Lord has taken over Swizzle Lounge and the Chucky’s Twisted Playground experience will open soon.

Is “The Last of Us” among your most-anticipated haunted houses for this year? What aspects of the video game are you hoping to see? Let us know in the comments.

For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.

The post PHOTOS: ‘The Last of Us’ Haunted House Signage Installed for Halloween Horror Nights 32 at Universal Studios Florida appeared first on WDW News Today.

Disneyland has announced that the grounds at the Haunted Mansion “will expand with a spirited metamorphosis” at Disneyland Resort in 2024. Disney says the “additions will build on the story and lore of the Haunted Mansion and include an expanded outdoor queue to immerse guests in enhanced theming, as well as a new retail shop adjacent to the attraction’s exit.”

Disneyland “will take the opportunity to help improve the accessibility of these areas, which includes a new elevator exit from the Haunted Mansion for guests with disabilities.”

“Local legend suggests the manor known today as the Haunted Mansion was first built by a prosperous sea captain.” The mansion’s staff still maintains the happy haunting grounds today. Disney says the expanded queue will tie into these stories, including new gardens inspired by Master Gracey, Madame Leota and the one-eyed cat.

Each of the gardens will feature unique elements ranging from a water fountain and gazebo to themed statuary and landscaping. In fact, guests will be able to see a new greenhouse where the groundskeepers for the Haunted Mansion grow their plants. The pet cemetery and horse-drawn funeral hearse will continue to reside on the attraction’s grounds.

Disney Parks Blog

A carriage house belonging to Madame Leota will become an all-new standalone retail shop. More details will be revealed in the future.

We also will make enhancements to the plaza adjacent to Tiana’s Palace. This area is one that holds a lot of memories and history, and a new, elegant park-like setting will be a place to relax and enjoy the ambiance and live entertainment under the shade of new and historic trees.

The post New Enhancements Announced for Haunted Mansion Grounds at Disneyland first appeared on DIS.