A new “Big Hero 6” autumn pin, “A Goofy Movie” arcade pin, and Mickey Halloween pin have arrived at Walt Disney World Resort. We found these at Fantasia in Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Limited Release “Big Hero 6” 2023 Autumn Pin – $17.99

Hiro is giving Baymax a fist bump on this pin, which honors the fall season. Beside them, Hiro’s cat Mochi is dressed as Stitch.

Around them is a border of orange, yellow, and red leaves. “2023 Autumn” is across the bottom with a pumpkin.

Limited Edition “A Goofy Movie” Arcade Pin – $19.99

The latest pin in the Disney Arcade pin series honors “A Goofy Movie.” Goofy and Powerline are doing the “perfect cast” on the screen of a retro arcade cabinet, while Max and Roxanne are pictured on the front. The film’s logo is on the top of the pin.

Limited Edition Mickey “Happy Halloween” Pin – $19.99

Mickey, dressed in a suit and top hat, is biting his nails with fear next to a spooky jack-o’-lantern on this pin. Set against the yellow background are silhouettes of Pluto, Donald, Minnie, Goofy, and Cinderella Castle. “Walt Disney World” is in orange lettering at the bottom.

Check out more Halloween 2023 pins and other merchandise.

Will you be adding any of these pins to your collection? 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 New ‘Big Hero 6’ Autumn, ‘A Goofy Movie’ Arcade, and Mickey Halloween Pins at Walt Disney World appeared first on WDW News Today.

I’ve talked many times over the years about the importance of incorporating a non-park or resort-only day into your Walt Disney World vacation and how much it helped our family when our kids were younger. I know it’s a tough sell sometimes because you’ve spent a lot of money to be at Disney and your kids want to play in the pool – something isn’t adding up here, but let’s talk about it. Today, I thought we’d briefly revisit that and talk about some of the lesser-known activities that take place at some of the Disney resorts that are not always advertised anywhere except physically at the location, so no matter how much prior research you do, you’ll want to keep an eye out at the resort once you arrive.

Our general rule of thumb when we’d fly into Florida for our Disney World vacation was only to do two park days in a row and then take a full-day break from the parks. We’d typically spend that off day at the resort’s pool. The day would start with sleeping in, which everyone loved; then we’d have a late breakfast, sometimes brunch even. Depending on where we were staying, we’d do our own cooking in the kitchen, or we’d make a late-morning dining reservation. As a side note, having groceries delivered with Instacart or Amazon was not a thing when our kids were little, but it sure is a thing now and it’s easier than ever to have all of your must-haves delivered without the need to rent a vehicle. One year, my husband walked from Old Key West to a gas station at Disney Springs to get half and half for coffee. It took a long time, and now with Uber or Lyft, it can be super easy to make your own grocery run too.

The pool was always our go-to, but nowadays, the resorts offer so much more to do. This week at Saratoga Springs, we spotted a cast member canoe decorating contest display where guests could vote on their favorite designs. How fun!

Be sure to stop by the front desk at some point during your check-in day and ask about any additional activities that might be planned during your stay. The Midsummer Jubilee taking place on Saturday night is new this year and sounds like a whole lot of fun for a night in with the family.

If you’ve got kiddos with you who are a little bit older and you don’t mind them wandering off on their own throughout the resort, take a look at this scavenger hunt. Of course, it’s themed for Saratoga Race Week and has you searching for hidden horshoes!

Many Disney resorts offer a Movie Under the Stars where they have an outdoor screen set up near the pool area and guests can pull up a chair and watch some of their favorite films. One of my all-time favorite resort activities is a complimentary tour that’s offered at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge where a cast member takes you around and teaches you about the hotel. They also have a fantastic scavenger hunt – be sure to ask about it!

Over the years, we’ve seen painting classes offered and so much more. What kinds of activities have you seen at the Walt Disney World resort hotels?

The post What Activities Do Disney Resorts Offer Besides the Pool? first appeared on DIS.

WATCH OUT for a schedule change happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios soon!

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is a great park for entertainment, with shows like Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. One of the most popular shows in this park is Fantasmic!, which takes place every evening. Showtimes for Fantasmic! are CHANGING soon — make sure you know about this update so that you don’t miss the show during your next trip.

Unlike the daytime shows in Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic! only takes place ONCE each day. Currently, the show begins at 9:30PM. Starting on August 27th, that will change. Fantasmic! will begin at 8:30PM each night from August 27th through September 18th.

Fantasmic!

From now through August 26th, the show will begin at 9:30PM. Note that this show’s schedule has changed a few times already — previously, it began at 9PM.

Fantasmic!

To make extra sure that you’re on time for Fantasmic!, check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit to confirm the start time.

©Disney

Starting on September 19th, Fantasmic! will go back to a 9:30PM start time and will remain that way for the foreseeable future (as far as Disney’s calendar currently shows).

‘Frozen’ segment in Fantasmic!

Although the show is starting earlier, note that Hollywood Studios’ park hours are remaining about the same, with a closing time at 9PM.

Hollywood Studios

We’ll keep watching for more updates and changes at Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news!

Click here to see our definitive ranking of EVERY fast food restaurant in Hollywood Studios.

 Are you a fan of Fantasmic! in Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments.

The post Fantasmic! Showtimes Are CHANGING Soon! first appeared on the disney food blog.

It’s no secret that EPCOT is full of a LOT of drink choices.

EPCOT

There might be a festival happening that offers a bunch of limited-time drink options, like The Food and Wine Festival. There are special lounges like Space 220, which offers unique cocktails, or you can grab a pint from the Rose and Crown Pub.

Before we get into the NEW drink that’s coming to EPCOT, be sure to download our FREE EPCOT checklist for your next Disney World visit. It is a downloadable checklist to help you not miss anything there is to see and do at EPCOT — trust us, there’s a lot.

There is a small bar, but a VERY popular one, right inside of the Mexico pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase. La Cava del Tequila can be found in the “outdoor” market space, just to the right once you enter the pyramid. This bar has become famous for its delicious margaritas and tequila flights.

La Cava del Tequila Entrance

There is a new drink coming to the tequila bar soon! La Cava teased a video of a new drink on their Instagram. The drink is called Chica de Humo which means “Smoke Girl.”

©La Cava del Tequila

You can see the drink is a dark drink, topped with lemon and surrounded by smoke.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by La Cava Del tequila (@lacavadeltequila)

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen smoke used in a drink at this bar. In 2022, they introduced The Lily in honor of Lily Aldridge. It was a margarita made exclusively for the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Arts, but it ended up being so popular that it stuck around for a while.

The Lily

There’s no word yet on when this drink will make its debut in EPCOT, but we’ll keep our eyes out for it. For more, be sure to follow DFB.

See The New Joffrey’s Drink You Can Find at EPCOT

Are you wanting to try this new drink? Let us know below. 

The post A NEW Cocktail Is Coming to La Cava del Tequila in EPCOT! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Let’s face it, your cup collection has been feeling a bit neglected lately.

Corkcicle in Disney Springs

While we’re all starting to prepare for cooler temps as the fall season approaches, you might be looking to switch out your summer water bottles in favor of something that’s capable of keeping your favorite beverages hot or cold. We’ve just found some NEW Disney Corkcicle cups, and those super popular bags are back in stock as well! Hurry and grab these before they sell out!

While browsing some tumblers, cups, and canteens to spruce up our mugs and cup collections at home we found a few new Corkcicle items that we think you should also consider adding to your own home collection. Let’s take a look at a few that caught our attention!

The Mickey Mouse D100 Sling Bag by Corkcicle is BACK!

The Disney100 Mickey Sling!

We’ve spotted this sling bag before in Disney Springs at the Corkcicle kiosk but in case you’re not able to get out there fast enough, you can now order one to your home! This creative sling bag can be your best accessory. It’s designed to keep your pockets light, it’s hands-free, and the Disney style is on point. The prismatic color was chosen to celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary in this sleek iridescent crossbody. It even sports a pair of Mickey Mouse ears!

Click here to see the Mickey Mouse D100 Sling Bag

If you’re looking for a more subtle color, try the Mickey Mouse Sling Bag by Corkcicle in black!

©Corkcicle

This sling bag is designed to carry it all! It’s also sporting a set of 3D Mickey ears, features an adjustable logo strap, and has an exterior cinch pocket that fits a 16 – 40 oz. canteen or tumbler. There’s also a padded interior pocket to hold all of your belongings in one spot so you can pack as lightly as possible.

Click here to see the Mickey Mouse Sling Bag in black

You’ve just got to see this Minnie Mouse Polka Dot Stainless Steel Kids Cup by Corkcicle!

©Corkcicle

Corkcicle is showing off Minnie Mouse’s signature polka dot style in this stainless steel cup made for kids. It’s specially designed for even the tiniest tots with its easy-sip spout lid and convenient carrying handle and the triple-insulated design will keep beverages cold for up to 18 hours.

Click here to see the Minnie Mouse Kid’s Cup

Show off your latest treasure find in The Little Mermaid Stainless Steel Canteen by Corkcicle!

©Corkcicle

This stainless steel canteen features an allover pattern of some of the most familiar The Little Mermaid characters like Ariel, King Triton, Sebastian, Flounder, and Ursula. As a bonus to how adorable this canteen is, the triple-insulated design keeps its contents cold for 25 hours or hot for 12 hours so you’ll stay refreshed no matter the season.

Click here to see The Little Mermaid Corkcicle Canteen

Reel in the chaos with the Stitch Stainless Steel Stemless Tumbler by Corkcicle!

©Corkcicle

What could be more fitting than this adorable Stitch Corkcicle stainless steel tumbler? This adorable design features Stitch’s curious grin and removable silicone ears making it quite a conversation piece too! This stemless tumbler can keep your beverages cold for 9+ hours or hot for 3 hours.

Click here to see the Stitch Stemless Tumbler

We’re always excited to see what Corkcicle and Disney can dream up next and we’re thrilled to see the sling bags available once again. Be sure to check back in with us at Disney Food Blog for the latest in Disney news.

Check out more Disney merch online at our Amazon storefront!

The post HURRY! These Disney Souvenirs Sell Out FAST — and They’re ONLINE NOW! first appeared on the disney food blog.

A LOT of things are changing in the Disney parks these days, and while some of the changes might seem to be “bad” at first, that is not always the case.

Disneyland on a sunny day

In fact, Disney has made a few changes recently that have made certain systems EASIER to use. Now, we’re going to tackle a change that has been announced for one Disneyland policy that might not sound all that great at first but does have a unique silver lining.

Early Admission Rule Change

What we’re talking about is the important Early Admission Option rule change Disneyland announced on August 24th.

Under the current policy, if you stay at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels, you can enter Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park (whatever park you choose) 30 minutes before the park opens to everyone else. (Essentially it’s similar to the Early Theme Park Entry option at Disney World.)

Disneyland Hotel

A valid theme park ticket AND park reservation for the same park on the same date are required. But this early access provides a nice perk for those paying to stay at the Disneyland hotels.

So what’s changing? Well, Disneyland has announced that starting January 20th, 2024 the early entry benefit will only be available for ONE of the 2 Disneyland theme parks on any given day (not both).

Disneyland Hotel Room

Starting in early 2024 Disneyland will designate ONE park that will be open early to hotel guests each day (either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park). You’ll have to check which park has been designated as the early-entry one for that day — it’ll be posted on the theme park calendar.

Then, you’ll be able to enter that specifically designated park early if you’re a Disneyland Resort hotel guest (and if you have the appropriate ticket and park reservation required).

The Not-So-Good

For many, this change might NOT sound like a good thing. Those staying at Disneyland Resort hotels (and paying decent money to do so) will no longer be able to get early access to whichever Disneyland Resort park they want every morning.

Instead, they’ll have to see what park Disneyland has designated to open early to hotel guests that morning and then make sure their park plans fit around that (if they want to take advantage of the early access time).

Cars Land

Of course, you could only enter one park early anyway, but currently, the perk lets YOU pick which park to enter early. Once the change is implemented in early 2024, Disney will be making that choice for you by designating which park will open early. That might not be all that great if you had planned to visit Disneyland Park on a particular day and were hoping to get in early but instead Disney has specified that on that day Disney California Adventure Park will be the one opening early.

But, there IS a good side to this.

The Good

Disneyland doesn’t have very many of its own resort hotels. There are only three — the Disneyland Hotel (where new Disney Vacation Club rooms are being built), Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel (which is undergoing a massive transformation to become the Pixar Pier hotel), and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Grand Californian Hotel

But there are LOTS of hotels surrounding the Disneyland theme parks owned by third parties. Many of these are incredibly popular with those visiting Disneyland, especially because they can often be much cheaper than the Disneyland Resort hotels.

Plus, many of them are within easy walking distance of the parks and can have great benefits of their own. Some even have fireworks and park views.

©Westin Anaheim Resort

If you, like many others, aren’t planning to stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel (or are at least considering opting for a non-Disney-owned hotel for your next Disneyland trip) this early theme park access change is actually a GREAT thing.

Why? Well, it means that instead of being 30 minutes behind Disneyland Resort hotel guests at BOTH parks each day, you’ll only be at a disadvantage for the one park Disneyland designates as available for early access that day.

Avengers Campus

So, if Disneyland says that on January 20th, 2024, Disneyland Resort hotel guests can enter Disneyland Park 30 minutes early, guests staying at outside hotels will be at a bit of a disadvantage in Disneyland Park on that morning. That’s because the Disneyland Resort hotel guests will have been able to enter the park early and already start filling up those ride lines.

BUT everyone will be on equal footing when it comes to Disney California Adventure Park since that should open at the same time to all guests on that date (in our example) (no early access just for Disneyland Hotel guests since it wasn’t the designated park for the day).

Alice in Wonderland

Similarly, the change in this perk could benefit locals who are not staying on property at all and would never stay on property since they live close to the parks. It puts them on a more level playing field with Disneyland hotel guests for at least 1 park each day.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Now, that’s not to say that staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel doesn’t come with a bunch of benefits aside from early park access that might encourage you to stay at them. But, if you will be staying off-property (or are a local), this change might be a good thing for your overall park plans.

What do you think about this? Would you recommend that guests stay in a Disneyland Resort hotel or stay off-property when visiting in 2023, 2024, or beyond? Tell us in the comments!

©Disney

To see some of our thoughts on why you might NOT want to stay in a Disneyland Resort hotel at all, click here.

Need help booking your next Disneyland trip? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.

Stay tuned for more news!

What do you think about this change? Tell us in the comments.

The post The Controversial Disney Hotel CHANGE That’s Dividing Fans first appeared on the disney food blog.