New Halloween Horror Nights 32 apparel features images from the this year’s haunted houses, including Dueling Dragons, “Stranger Things,” and “The Last of Us.” A Lil’ Boo backpack first released online has also arrived at Universal Orlando Resort, along with more general Halloween Horror Nights 32 merch. We found these items in All Hallows Eve Boutique at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
HHN 32 House T-Shirt – $33
The first of three house shirts has five tarot card-like images representing five of the 10 houses.
The cards are set against a circle of glowing zodiac symbols with blue-green fire, mountains, waves, and a face blowing wind, all in a golden border with “Halloween Horror Nights 2023” at the bottom.
The blood-stained cards are for The Darekst Deal, YETI: Campground Kills, Dr. Oddfellow’s Twisted Origins, Dueling Dragons, and Blood Moon: Dark Offerings.
They each feature an freaky figure. A giant demon stands in front of a man on The Darkest Deal card. A Yeti screams on the YETI: Campground Kills card.
Dr. Oddfellow, with a glowing sigil on his forehead, holds the world in his hands.
A figure in a black robe with a red crescent moon sigil is on the Blood Moon card, standing in front of the red moon.
HHN 32 House T-Shirt – $33
This shirt features characters from the other five houses in circles, set against celestial images, with an all-seeing eye and “Never Go Alone” at the top.
The houses represented are “The Last of Us,” “Stranger Things 4,” “Chucky,” Universal Monsters: Unmasked, and The Darkest Deal. “The Last of Us” circle features an Infected and the “Stranger Things 4” circle features Eleven with Vecna.
Chucky holds a blood-covered knife on the center of the shirt.
At the bottom, the Phantom of the Opera removes his mask and two people are tied up in front of a demon for The Darkest Deal. A planchette reads “Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2023.”
HHN 32 House Hoodie – $60
This zip-up hoodie has the planchette Halloween Horror Nights 32 logo in the left breast.
The planchette is red, blue, and gold, with white stars around it.
The back features the same artwork as the T-shirt above.
HHN 32 House T-Shirt – $33
The third house shirt is blacklight reactive and has a logo for “Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2023” on the front.
The logo uses carnival-inspired red and white font with stars and a bat around the words.
On the back is a hand with an all-seeing eye at the tips of the fingers.
A black cat is at the top, with phases of the moon, planchettes, and skulls. Across the hand are the logos for all 10 houses. At the bottom is a bat and two coffins reading “2023.”
Lil’ Boo Backpack – $75
Moving onto everyone’s favorite jack-o’-lantern: Lil’ Boo. The adorable carved pumpkin makes up the front pocket of this pleather backpack, set against a background of vines and trees, with a banner reading “Happy Halloween” — but “Happy” has been crossed out and replaced with “Scary.”
Tucked into Lil’ Boo is a zipper pouch featuring a black bird.
The bird holds a dangling eyeball in its mouth.
It stays attached to the backpack with a chain, although can be unclipped.
The chain connects to the side of the bag.
A sign for “Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights” is overrun with vines on the side.
A zipper pull for the main pocket is shaped like a bat.
A black rat is on the other side and vines grow over the top, behind the zipper.
Lil’ Boo Glass – $12
Another Lil’ Boo item is this glass. It has matching artwork to the backpack, with the bird perched on top of Lil’ Boo below the “Scary Halloween” banner. A full moon is behind the bird.
Around the sides of the glass are more jack-o’-lanterns, a black rat, and a black bat. There’s also a “Halloween Horror Nights 2023” banner.
Spiderwebs run throug the background of the artwork.
Lil’ Boo Wall Art – $45
Wooden wall art of the same Lil’ Boo artwork is also available.
Lil’ Boo and his creature friends are pieces placed against the background, giving the sign a 3-D effect.
Chucky Crop Top – $37
Dress as Chucky with this striped short-sleeved crop top. The red “Chucky” logo with blood dripping from the “y” is on the chest.
The stripes are blue, green, white, pink, and red.
Chucky Wall Art – $40
Another piece of wall art is a wooden depiction of the Good Guys doll box. It’s yellow, with a fake window showing Chucky inside. Cards of Good Guys accessories are pictured below the window, along with a Chucky version of the Halloween Horror Nights 2023 logo.
Black Cat Purse – $60
This pleather purse is shaped like the face of a black cat. Details are embroidered in white and there are patches for the red eyes. Black crescent moon and star embellishments are on the cat’s forehead.
The other side of the purse reads “Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2023” in the carnival font with coffins, stars, a bat, and a planchette.
The zipper pull is also a white and red planchette.
The crossbody strap is black and decorated with red and white Halloween imagery like spiders, bags, moths, and crystal balls.
Halloween Horror Nights Knot Headband – $20
This knot headband is olive green and patterned with skeletons, crystal balls, hands with an eye on the palm, moths, crystal balls, and more.
“Never Go Alone” is also in the pattern.
It has black ends and exposed black stitching on the edges.
The fabric is knotted on the top.
“Never Go Alone” Sling Backpack – $55
This black pleather backpack has a skull with red shading and teal shadows on the front. “Never Go Alone” is embroidered in red above the front pocket, which is lined with metal studs.
A skeleton hand is one of the zipper pulls.
It has a sling strap that can be adjusted and unclipped to attach to your preferred side.
There are rings on both sides.
“Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2023” is printed on the back.
Halloween Horror Nights Ball Cap – $30
The ball cap is black with red stitching. The brim has some weathering on the edge. A patch on the front reading “Halloween Horror Nights” features the sun, moon, skull, skeleton hands, coffins, and a planchette.
The back half of the hat is plastic mesh.
A coffin-shaped patch has “2023” in red on the top.
A patch on the other side is of the black cat with red eyes.
Check out more Halloween Horror Nights 32 merchandise:
Halloween Horror Nights 32 begins on September 1, 2023.
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 End Credits Theme from Ahsoka is now available to stream on your favorite streaming platforms. What’s Happening: This morning, the end credits theme from Ahsoka, the newest Star Wars series on Disney+, debuted on streaming services such as Spotify. The theme, along with all music for the series, is composed by Kevin Kiner, who previously worked […]
Magic Kingdom’s least expensive table service restaurant is getting a nearly-complete menu overhaul, with over a dozen new items added as well as a few classic (and not-so-iconic) appetizers and entrees removed. Most notably, it’s getting several new milkshakes and desserts that look incredible. All of this is at the the Plaza Restaurant, located at […]
This restaurant is a signature dining experience in Disney Springs, and is the first Florida location for Jaleo. Chef José Andrés also has four other restaurants in the United States. Jaleo’s cuisine features an impressive menu of tapas that highlight traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine.
Atmosphere
Jaleo’s dining area is filled with bright warm colors and contemporary light fixtures that help evoke an intimate yet lively atmosphere.
Step inside
As you enter the front doors, you’re greeted by floor-to-ceiling windows letting in copious amounts of natural light and allowing for an opportunity to watch the crowds go by outside. Here you can sit at either curved booths or rectangular tables.
Lots of natural lighting
There is a small area of wine cups, bottles, and other merchandise for purchase.
Merchandise corner
As you keep walking you’ll find the host station where you can check in for your reservation or inquire about walk-up availability. There’s also a second floor to the dining room — both the upstairs and downstairs have a decent view overlooking the waterway that separates Disney Springs from Saratoga Springs resort.
Host station and staircase
As we walked to our table, we passed by the open kitchen where you can watch your food being prepared throughout the evening. This was really neat — you may want to request a table close to the kitchen if you enjoy watching the food be prepared.
Open kitchen
When we found our table, it was set with a single plate, cloth napkin, and accompanying fork and knife.
Table setting
Our server also filled our water glass as we were initially greeted.
Menu
As we were being seated, we were presented with a couple of menus. The first was specifically for drink options. Here’s a look at their extensive list of wines…
… but wine isn’t all they serve here. They also have several other spirited options including sangria, cocktails, gin & tonics, beer, and vermuts. And there were a few “mocktail” — or non-alcoholic cocktail — options to choose from like the Lotus, Apple & Safron, and Grapefruit and Honey.
Jaleo menu
The main menu consists of tapas-style plates like embutidos or cured meats, quesos or cheeses, buen porvecho or appetizers…
Food menu
…and sopas y ensaladas or soups and salads, veduras or vegetables, frituras or fried items, paella, carnes or meats, and postres or desserts. There are also a few kid’s meal options to try….
This would make for an ideal place if you’re really looking to get the most out of the nightlife Disney Springs has to offer! One note about the menu — it’s expansive, and we have found that the menu on the Disney World website doesn’t always include everything we find on the printed menu inside the restaurant.
Drinks
After a few minutes of browsing the menu, it was time to order! First, we opted for the Rosé Sangria.
Rose Sangria
This sangria is made of Lobetia Rosé, gin, vermouth, seasonal fruit, and citrus. We opted for the shareable half pitcher which cost $32. Our seasonal fruit added for this tasting was strawberries.
So fruity!
Although it may seem pricey, the half-pitcher option is a deal if you plan on splitting it. The half pitcher has 4-5 servings for about the price of two cocktails at Disney restaurants. We tasted the rosé in this drink, but the other ingredients in this sangria did not come through. Overall, we found this refreshing, but probably could have just ordered the wine instead.
We also tried the Salt Air Margarita, which is made of Milagro tequila, Torres Magdala, like, and salt air. This one cost $15.
Salt Air Margarita
This margarita really intrigued us and really gave us a texture we’re not sure we’ve had anywhere else. Our server shared a bit of the backstory in its origin. He said that Chef José Andres and his wife were walking the beach one day and took notice of how the sea foam rolled in with the waves and thought that would translate nicely to a margarita. He then worked to swap out a traditional salt rim in favor of salt-flavored bubbles that actually taste like salty sea air to top this margarita, and we applaud the switch!
Tiny bubbles
Not only was it interesting to look at, but it gave great salty coverage with each sip that you might find harder with traditional salt rims. The lime-flavored margarita itself was great but did seem on the weaker side in case you’re looking for a strong drink.
We decided to try one of the non-alcoholic cocktail options, too, so we ordered the Lotus!
Lotus
This mocktail is made of seedlip spice, London Essence White Peach, and Jasmine soda, with vanilla syrup. It costs $12, and we were pleased with the flavor and serving size. The Lotus drink is bubbly from the soda, with a strong peach flavor — you also get some vanilla at the end. We really enjoyed this!
Eats
Now that we had our beverages for the evening, it was time to dig into the eats! We had to try the dish that Jaleo is best known for — so paella was definitely at the top of our list. We opted to order the Arroz Con Pollo y Verduras paella.
Arroz con Pollo Paella
This dish is completely shareable for $140. The paella consists of seasoned and fried rice,chicken, vegetables, and mushrooms. Ours had bite-sized cauliflower, carrots, zuchhini, broccoli, and green beans sprinkled into it as it was cooked with the rice.
Serving the paella
A word of caution to ordering this one: This dish takes a while to cook because it’s so massive in size. From the time we ordered this dish to the time it was served took about 45 minutes, so if this is on your list to try, we highly recommend putting your order in for this shortly after being seated. When it’s served it’s brought out in a large pan with a coaster underneath it. A bell is rung and servers shout, “PAELLA”. From there our server portioned the paella out to our plates. Garlic aioli sauce is served along with it in a separate bowl.
Paella
The rice was well cooked, and the veggies mixed in were also tossed in the same seasoning — buttery, but a tad tangy, too. The sauteed chicken thighs were chewy, and the garlic aioli that accompanied the paella was exceptional. We appreciated that they brought out plenty of the aioli on the side to add to our liking.
Paella and veggies
The paella would be a great dish for a celebration — but it’s a bit much in both portion and price for 1-2 people. Our server suggested it could comfortably serve 4-5 people, but we honestly think this could be enjoyed by a table of 8 — especially if you plan to have some appetizers and desserts. Overall, this was a very filling dish and didn’t disappoint.
We also decided to try one of the dishes from the Buen Provecho (Enjoy! in English) section of the menu: the Cono de Atún “Gilda”.
Cono de Atun
This appetizer consists of a cone of tuna tartare, modern olive, Cantabrian anchovie and piparra pepper for $8. We LOVED this one! This tiny but mighty cone is packed to the brim with flavor and was so savory and light. The first bite was fairly fresh so we didn’t get any overly fishy flavors. There was also a heavy olive flavor which added a buttery flavor to the tuna as well. This one is a small bite, though, so you’re not getting a whole lot of cone to share (or enjoy all to yourself) for the price.
Then it was time to try the Chorizo Iberico de Bellota!
Chorizo Iberico de Bellota
This board is made of cured pork chorizo from the legendary free-range, acorn-fed, black-footed Ibérico pigs of Spain and will cost you $8. If we thought the cone was fabulous, this dish rivaled as an appetizer. Aside from the better portion size, this just might be the best Chorizo we’ve ever had at Disney World. We would go so far as to say it was … euphoric! We found it moist, with a deep, rich meaty flavor. Sliced super thin, it had a bit of spice and was a tad oily. The accompanying bread was crunchy, similar to a breadstick.
We also tried the Quesos Selection of 3 Cheeses.
Quesos selection of 3 cheeses
For this order, we decided to choose cow, goat, and sheep cheeses in the Murcia al Vino, Rey Silo Blanco, and Queso Manchego to compare the flavors. This dish cost us $24. The cheeses were accompanied by the same bread sticks as the chorizo.
So yummy
The manchego was sharp and bold, flavors we really enjoyed. It was paired with a moscatel compressed apple slice.
Queso Manchego
The Rey Silo Blanco was incredibly smooth and creamy with an almost fondue-like texture. It was served with honeycomb, and apricot marmelade.
Rey Silo Blanco
The Murcia al Vino is a great cheese for someone who isn’t sure they love goat cheese — red wine was the strongest flavor here, and it masked some of the earthiness typically associated with goat cheese.
Murcia al Vino
The Murcia al Vino was served with a honey, pine nut and rosemary shortbread cookie that was soft and crumbly, topped with a wine reduction that had dried fruit and caramel notes — almost fig-like in taste.
Shortbread cookie
Overall we were really pleased with our cheese selections and the accompaniments that rounded out this board.
Then it was time for something crunchy — the Endivias con Queso de Cabra y Naranja.
Endivias con Queso de Cabra y Naranja
This dish is a full plate of endive leaves with goat cheese, oranges, and almonds, priced at$12.
A closer look
We thought these were AMAZING! We found them to be so light and refreshing, like miniature salads. The flavors were very bright, with the cheese and mandarin oranges adding a savory and sweet element to the bitter endive.
We’re all about keeping the flavors coming, so the Coca de Escalivada con Boquerones were next to try! This is made of red bell pepper, eggplant, and onion with boquerones (fresh, unsalted anchovies). This dish is Josper roasted — a hybrid oven/grill cooking method that originated in Spain and is used to impart light smoke flavor. This one cost us $14.
Coca de Escalivada con Boquerones
This dish could surprise you with its somewhat aggressive anchovy presentation, but the anchovies were high quality and pleasantly meaty. The veggies tasted like ratatouille — heavy on the mild eggplant flavor. The cracker-like base was surprisingly crunchy even after sitting for a while under the vegetables.
Very eggplant-y
However, it wasn’t the most memorable thing that we ordered all night, and we’re not sure we would opt to get it again versus other things we tried. But for something different or if you love eggplant, we feel like it’s a solid choice.
Then it was time to tackle the Patatas Bravas! This dish cost $14 and is a Jaleo favorite made of fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and aioli.
Patatas Bravas
Now this dish is probably the most memorable of everything we had all night. The potatoes were cooked to perfection with a soft inside and light crunchy casing and were paired with great seasoning. The garlic aioli was the same as the one brought out with the paella, and we were happy to see it return to another dish so seamlessly.
One more dish really screamed at us to try it when we looked over the menu so we figured, why not! That’s how we ended up with the Mejillones a la Brasa con Mojo Verde! This dish is priced at $16 and is made of mussels cooked in the Josper and served with mojo verde (Canarian Green Sauce).
Mejillones a la Brasa con Mojo Verde
We immediately could taste why these are so revered. The mussels were savory and fresh, while the sauce was herbaceous and earthy. The mussels may have been a bit lacking in flavor, but the sauce turned up the taste, and they paired well together.
All the mussels
The only thing we felt that could have made this a bit more enjoyable was if crackers or something crunchy were offered along with the dish.
The final savory option we tasted was the Croquetas de Pollo.
Croquetas de Pollo
These are traditional stuffed chicken fritters for $14.
So cheesy
They’re deep fried, stuffed to the brim with chicken and creamy cheese. These felt like comfort food to us — it was hard not to think about chicken pot pie when we took that first bite. We loved the fun presentation on a chicken plate, as well!
Desserts
If we weren’t full already, it was finally time to try some sweet desserts! We started with the Arroz con Leche.
Arroz con Leche
This dessert is made of rice, saffron espuma (foam), milk, and caramelized apples, and cost us $11. We thought the rice in this one was plump and soft as it should be when cooked with the milk to give it an exaggerated texture. The milk was light and didn’t feel too weighed down with sweetener or condensed milk.
Just a spoonful
However, we could have done without the saffron foam — it seemed too thick on top of this dish. If you have sensitivities or aversions to certain textures, you might not enjoy this.
Up next, we tried the Tarta de Queso Vasca!
Tarta de Queso Vasca
This one is very simple in its ingredients and presentation as it’s made of a “burnt” Basque goat cheesecake for $15.
Look at the cheesecake in this!
We found the cheesecake here to be very creamy, but it was hard to get past the intentionally burnt top, which added a chewy “lump” to every bite. This was heavy on the sharp cheese flavor and would be enjoyed by those who tend to opt for a cheese plate for dessert rather than a sweeter dish.The portion size was decent and could easily be shared.
Our server recommended the Sorbetes Caseros with the cheesecake, to add sweeter notes. The flavor of the day turned out to be a strawberry sorbet and sliced strawberries for $9.
Strawberry Sorbet
We found the sorbet to be creamy and smooth, and the fresh cut strawberries were a nice touch. We also discovered that a light citrus juice was squeezed over the strawberry slices giving it another dimension to the flavor.
Creamy
And our server was right! It was a winning combination when paired with the cheesecake!
Overall
Overall, we were very pleased with the taste, variety, and portions of food at Jaleo. There were a few bites that seemed a bit lacking, but overall we enjoyed the food, drinks, and atmosphere — and we felt very relaxed throughout our whole dining experience. We could easily see this as being an ideal dining spot to take in the sunset and unwind after a busy day traveling or in the Disney parks.
Desserts
Our server was fast, attentive, and displayed extensive knowledge about the menu at Jaleo. We appreciated the expert recommendations he gave us.
Nosh or Not
Stop into Jaleo if…
You’re looking for a relaxing atmosphere to unwind at Disney Springs. If you’re ready to take a step back from a busy day in the theme parks or just traveling in general, this is a great place to visit with a calming atmosphere.
You’re looking for a signature dining experience but also enjoy hearty portions of food. While signature dining restaurants are typically billed for smaller portions and classier cuisines, Jaleo has the opportunity to offer you top-notch flavor along with a bigger portion size on most of their menu offerings.
You’re looking for a great Spainsh-influenced meal. If you love Spanish food or have less experience with it and are looking for a food adventure, we think you could really enjoy your next meal here.
We’d recommend another option if…
You or your dining crew are pickier eaters. Again, heavy Spanish influence in the meal offerings here and while you’ll have great flavor there’s not a ton of spice built into most of the dishes we tried this visit.
You’re really trying to stretch your dining budget. We said earlier that a lot of these meals are big enough to share but they’re also meant to be served tapas style. This means that most of these will be smaller portions or several on a plate and with signature dining restaurant prices. If you’re really looking to stretch your dining budget, you may not fill up on one tapas dish alone.
Starter options
Disney World menus change frequently, and that’s why we’re constantly reviewing the food, drink, and snacks to help you make the best decisions on your next Disney trip. So for the latest in Disney food changes and reviews, stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Some of the most popular Disney souvenirs right now are the Disney Loungefly backpacks. We see them ALL over the parks!
Well, time to buy more Loungeflys.
You can find Loungeflys in all shapes and designs, so whichever Disney character or movie is your favorite, there’s probably a Loungefly to represent that. We just found four new backpacks from Hot Topic that may or may not already be in our online cart… Someone needs to stop us from adding even MORE to our collection!
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
The bags we found are online at Hot Topic. There’s a Halloween bag, a Disney Princess CAKE bag, and an Aristocats Marie cupcake bag…but that glow-in-the-dark Ratatouille one might be our absolute favorite.
This Halloween-themed backpack is covered in a black and orange plaid design and has Mickey-shaped decorations all over it! There’s a Mickey pumpkin, ghost, and lollipops, plus an assortment of other candy.
If you’re a fan of the Aristocats, you need this Marie cupcake backpack! There’s a large main pocket that’s shaped like a cupcake top, while the lower half resembles a cupcake wrap and is its own, separate pocket.
We’re pretty sure we saved the best for last! This Ratatouille Loungefly backpack has Linguini on the front with his tall chef’s hat. But wait — just like in the movie, that hat is hiding a surprise!
When you turn out the lights, the hat glows in the dark, revealing a Remy-shaped silhouette! There’s also a hidden pocket behind Linguini’s hair that has a cheese-shaped zipper pull. We’re sold.
Calling all Canadians! Okay, calling all Canadians who live in Ottawa and Toronto — you now have another nonstop flight option to Orlando International Airport. Porter Airlines has announced daily, nonstop service beginning on November 21st, 2023.
It’s officially a part-eh! Canada is one of our largest international destinations, and we’re so excited to announce that our new partners @porterairlines will offer nonstop, daily service to/from Ottawa & Toronto starting November 21st! Details: https://t.co/d8WiPTGcWnpic.twitter.com/96CveL1N8N
Service includes flights from MCO to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Ottawa International Airport (YOW). There will be one daily, roundtrip flight for each destination.
Sounds like it’ll be even easier for our Canadian friends to get to Disney World with more nonstop flight options.
“Orlando International Airport is pleased to welcome Porter Airlines as it opens more markets to one of our largest international destinations, Canada. Additional service to Toronto and Ottawa only helps to strengthen the bonds between these vibrant and exciting destinations,” said Kevin Thibault, CEO, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
Orlando International Airport
We’ll keep looking for the latest nonstop flights and deals to make your trip easier. For the latest travel and Disney news, stay tuned to DFB!
If you want to do some planning before your flight (or even on the plane!), check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We’ve compiled all of our BEST tips and tricks from years of Disney World travel into one eBook that you can download to your tablet or smartphone and take with you! We’re offering our readers 25% off with code WDW2023.
So, you finally make it to Magic Kingdom after months of planning and head straight to your favorite restaurant to pick up that iconic Disney snack.
Mickey Waffle
Mickey Waffles, Corn Dog Nugs — we don’t judge! No matter your go-to, you might run into a big snag that can seriously affect your experience. Want to keep those hot fries hot and ice cream frozen? Listen up, because we have a crucial tip to making your meal better.
There are so many classic Disney restaurants to choose from when you head to Magic Kingdom. Casey’s Corner, Sleepy Hollow — many of them have one big problem! Lack of good seating. There’s nothing worse than grabbing a tray full of food and then circling around the dining area hoping for someone to leave before your food gets cold. So, we’re spilling the tea on where to actually go to find good seats.
We’ve all been there. You’ve got a tray full of Corn Dog Nuggets but nowhere to sit. There are a few inside tables, but they fill up fast! Outside, there are a few tables with chairs and a fair amount of standing tables. Sure, you could hover and hope one opens up, or stand around one of the taller tables outside — but what if your feet are killing you from walking around the parks all day?
There are a few tables inside at Casey’s Corner.
Head to Tomorrowland Terrace! This spot has been closed for a while now, but there are tons of tables and chairs over there to snag and they’re in the shade.
Tomorrowland Terrace during the day
Occasionally, this area might be reserved for certain special events, so make sure to check that out before you order your food and head over there. But even if you swing and you miss — the tables outside of The Plaza Restaurant (right by Tomorrowland Terrace) are fair game too.
Tables outside of The Plaza Restaurant
You’ll often be able to find a seat easier on that side of Main Street.
Sleepy Hollow is another restaurant with notoriously slim seating options. But if you can’t find a table outside of this quick-service spot, don’t fret!
Sleepy Hollow seating area
There is a collection of picnic tables behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe that are much less frequented.
Columbia Harbour House can get packed around lunchtime. The seating area downstairs is full of charm — but that can all fade away when you are trying to prevent your soda from falling off your tray while looking for a table.
Downstairs!
That’s why we head upstairs. There is often ample seating up there — and you can people-watch from the windows!
Upstairs dining room
If you choose your seat right and get there at the right time of day, you might even catch the parade as it passes through Liberty Square.
Pinocchio Village Haus is another restaurant that can feel very busy at certain times of the day.
Stromboli Room
But just like Columbia Harbour House, there’s an upstairs!
Upstairs at Pinocchios
It’s not quite as big of a space, but there is a nice area near the balcony that can feel quite a bit quieter so you can find some peace while you eat.
Lastly, Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is big and it can get crowded! While there is plenty of seating downstairs, it can feel very packed around lunchtime, and some of the seating is outdoors.
Main Dining Room
Occasionally, the upstairs area is open here and offers another quieter area to dine. If it’s not open on your trip, you can head around the corner and find more seating a few feet away from Tortuga Tavern.
Dining Area at Tortuga Tavern
Wandering around looking for a table with a tray full of food when you’re hungry and tired can be painful, so make sure you have a game plan to eat in peace! In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news, tips, and tricks.
Have you planned for everything that could happen on your trip to Disney World?
EPCOT
What if you’re in a crowded place and lose something at Disney World? Or what if there’s such bad weather, the kind that could even close the parks? We’ve experienced a couple of worst-case scenarios here too, so let’s talk about the ways you can handle them.
There are a lot of different “worst case” scenarios that could happen on your trip to Disney World, so let’s break down some of them. Let’s start right off with one of the most panic-inducing cases.
To start, the best thing you can do is to already be mentally prepared for the possibility of your child getting lost in Disney World. It’s not a matter of “if” but “when,” as it happens to many parents every single day.
Now, if your child gets separated from you, the first and most important thing to do is to remain calm and not panic. We know it’s a completely unnerving experience, but Disney World’s Cast Members know what they are doing. They are well-trained and have experience in reuniting families. They handle these kinds of situations regularly and they’re more than ready to help.
Let’s go over a couple things you can do to help the situation.
1 – Stay Put
When a kid gets lost, it’s easy to slip into that mindset of “I’ve got to go find them.” But when you first notice your kid is no longer walking next to you, don’t run off to find them. It often happens that your kid will still be somewhere nearby.
If there happens to be another adult with you, divide and conquer, meaning, you stay put and have them go search for the missing child, or vice-versa.
Crowds
2 – Wave down a Cast Member
Next, wave down a Cast Member. They are usually not too far from where you are.
Cast Members
Calmly explain the situation to the cast member. They’ll be ready to take action immediately. They will notify their supervisor and security ASAP. They’ll ask you for a recent picture and to list off some defining characteristics (ie: height, age, what they’re wearing, hair color, etc.). As soon as you give them enough details to go off of, the cast member will report the missing kid’s description to the central communication center so all cast members can be on the lookout.
Cast Member
When a Cast Member finds a child, they’ll escort them to the park’s Baby Care Center.
Forgot to Get Park Passes and Parks are Sold Out:
Park Pass availability can change fast! You’ll find that Park Passes for popular dates or even purely random dates will sell out. But don’t let that scare you off. Sometimes, later the same day they may become available again.
There are different availability calendars for those with theme park tickets, those staying at select resort hotels, and Annual Passholders. (Note that the number of Park Passes a Passholder can hold at any one point varies on pass type.)
We definitely recommend making your Park Pass Reservations ASAP. (You can always modify them later). Also, check for changes in availability constantly because you never know when Park Passes for a previously sold-out park may reopen!
There’s a mantra that we’d recommend keeping in mind: “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” Know that if you do choose to travel to Disney World during a hurricane, your plans could be seriously impacted. The parks could close, which would mean that you will be stuck at the hotel with your group. Bring plenty of things to do, just in case, and make sure those laptops and phones are charged with apps, games, and streaming services. You could even bring some board games if you’ve got the room in your luggage!
It’s also a good idea to stock up on snacks. (Also, many hotel restaurants will offer Hurricane Meal Kits or pre-packaged meals and snacks from dining locations.)
If the parks do remain open, be ready for pretty bad weather. Bring all that rain gear like ponchos and umbrellas.
Be Prepared To Cancel Or Reschedule Your Trip
Let’s say you’re headed to Disney World and a hurricane is confirmed to be headed that way, Disney World generally relaxes its cancellation policy. The Disney World website says: “If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room-only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.”
With dining, each Disney World restaurant has its own cancellation policy, although that will likely change during hurricanes. The current cancellation policy for most restaurants allows you to cancel up to two hours in advance of your reservation.
Food Allergy Reaction in the Par
If you start to feel sick while you’re in the theme parks, head straight to First Aid. There are nurses there equipped to help monitor you, and you can even get free over-the-counter medicine for minor ailments.
First Aid Station
If you’re sick at your resort, you can find over-the-counter medication from the hotel’s gift shop. If you make it back to your Disney World resort late at night after the gift shop has closed and you need some medicine, contact the front desk, and a Cast Member will usually be able to sell you what you need.
If you lose anything anywhere in the parks, you should always start by immediately going back to the place where you think you lost the item. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, head STRAIGHT back to see if the item is still there. Often, Cast Members in the area will hold on to lost items for a while before sending them on to Guest Relations or Lost and Found, and this is the easiest time to get your item back.
If it’s been a couple of hours or if the Cast Members haven’t seen your lost item, find the nearest Guest Experience Team location (they usually have a blue umbrella over them) or visit the entrance of any park to find the main Guest Relations location.
Guest Relations
When one of our reporters lost her wallet, a Cast Member told her to visit the Guest Experiences desk ASAP. It had already been lost for about 4 hours, but the Cast Members at that location still had her wallet and were able to return it to her before they sent it on to Lost and Found.
Overall, it’s entirely possible that something will go wrong on your Disney vacation. While it’s not what anyone wants to plan for, Disney has tons of ways to help handle your worst-case scenarios so they can help solve any issues on your trip. Don’t forget to keep following DFB for all of your Disney vacation tips and tricks!
A new sweatshirt that showcases the iconic wallpaper design from the Haunted Mansion is now available at Memento Mori in Magic Kingdom.
Haunted Mansion Wallpaper Sweatshirt — $49.99
This gray crewneck sweatshirt features the pattern that can be found on the wallpaper inside the Haunted Mansion.
Under the collar on the back of the sweatshirt, the “The Haunted Mansion” logo can be spotted in black.
The Haunted Mansion
The original Haunted Mansion opened in 1969 as part of the New Orleans Square expansion in Disneyland. Two years later, it was an opening day attraction in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom. It was also an opening day attraction at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983.
Phantom Manor is a version of the Haunted Mansion with its own original backstory at Disneyland Paris.
In Hong Kong Disneyland, guests can enjoy Mystic Manor. This ride is inspired by Haunted Mansion but is ultimately a completely different attraction that avoids references to the afterlife out of respect to Chinese traditions.
New ‘Haunted Mansion’ Movie
Jared Leto portrays the Hatbox Ghost in the new “Haunted Mansion” film. The cast also includes LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Dawson portrays Gabbie, who moves into the Haunted Mansion with her son, Travis (Chase Dillon). They call in Owen Wilson’s priest, Kent, who contacts LaKeith Stanfield’s Ben to help take care of the ghost problem.
“Haunted Mansion” is directed by Justin Simien from a screenplay by Katie Dippold. It’s produced by Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich.
This is the second attempt to adapt the classic ride into a film, following the poorly received 2003 “The Haunted Mansion” directed by Rob Minkoff and starring Eddie Murphy.
Someone needs to stop us from adding even MORE to our collection!
Canada is one of our largest international destinations, and we’re so excited to announce that our new partners 
