The maze of construction walls STRIKES AGAIN in EPCOT!

EPCOT has a reputation for being a confusing maze of temporary construction walls because Disney has been updating and refurbishing various parts of this park for YEARS now. We finally saw a big chunk of those construction walls come down when the World Celebration Gardens opened in late 2023. Now, however, NEW construction walls have gone up, and they’re blocking one of the most popular shortcuts in the park.

Today, we noticed that new construction walls have been put up in the World Nature section of EPCOT.

The walls are blocking the shortcut that runs from World Nature to World Showcase. Here’s a look at which shortcut is now blocked on a map (please enjoy our amazing artistic skills):

For reference, we’re looking at the zoomed-in part of the EPCOT map that’s close to the Imagination pavilion. Here’s a zoomed-out map of EPCOT — the section where the shortcut is closed is right next to the Imagination pavilion, in the middle/left part of the map.

So for now, if you find yourself in World Nature and you want to go to World Showcase, you’ll need to take an alternate route! The fastest way to get there is to cut through the World Celebration gardens. Here is our beautiful map showing you that redirected path:

Of course, that path has you going right at World Showcase, which we know is controversial. You can definitely choose to go left instead (starting at the Mexico pavilion) once you arrive at the crossroads.

Several shortcuts and pathways have been closed, reopened, and closed again in EPCOT recently. For a while, one of our favorite shortcuts to get from the entrance back to World Nature was closed, but luckily that one has reopened since then!

EPCOT’s massive transformation has been years in the making, but it’s nearing completion! The World Celebration Gardens (including the Walt the Dreamer statue) are now open…

…and the new CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza festival areas should open this year! We’re hoping that they’ll open in time to be used for the Food & Wine Festival later this summer.

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest Disney news!

Click here to read our full guide to EPCOT’s massive transformation.

What are some of your favorite shortcuts to use in Disney World? Let us know in the comments.

The post OH NO! An EPCOT Shortcut Is Now BLOCKED by Construction Walls! first appeared on the disney food blog.

We’re two months into 2024, and it’s already time to start planning those 2025 Disney World vacations!

Yep, 2025 Vacation bookings JUST opened, even though it’s only February. This came as quite a surprise to a lot of Disney fans, as booking typically doesn’t start until later in the spring. For example, 2024 bookings opened on May 31st, 2023. We aren’t complaining, though. This just means we have EXTRA time to get our ducks in a row for 2025. Overall, tickets saw price increases throughout the year. However, there are, of course, still CHEAPER times to go. Let’s talk about it!

Keep in mind that these prices are for dates from January 2025 through October 2025, as those are the only dates currently available on Disney’s website. The cheapest tickets for 2025 fall at $119 while the most expensive tickets fall at $169. In 2024, the cheapest tickets fell at $109 while the most expensive ones fell at $164.

So… When can we expect to see those cheaper tickets? Well, we don’t see any significant or consistent price decreases until later in the year — in August. This makes sense, as August typically marks the end of vacation season with a lot of Americans going back to school. Here’s a look at the calendar:

August is in second place for the months with the most dates with the lowest ticket prices of the year, which fall at $119. While there are more $119 days in 2025, they’re few and far between. August is the month that has these low prices the most consistently. Check it out!

• August 19th — $119
• August 20th — $119
• August 20th — $119
• August 21st — $119
• August 22nd — $119
• August 25th — $119
• August 26th — $119
• August 27th — $119
• August 28th — $119

September is the winner! September has the MOST dates at $119!

Here’s a list:

• September 2nd — $119
• September 3rd — $119
• September 4th — $119
• September 9th — $119
• September 10th — $119
• September 11th — $119
• September 15th — $119
• September 16th — $119
• September 17th — $119
• September 18th — $119
• September 23rd — $119
• September 24th — $119
• September 25th — $119

Still, the lowest price of 2025 which is a $10 increase from the lowest price of 2024: $109. $10 per ticket can really add up, especially for larger parties, so it’s honestly a great thing that Disney let us know off these changes SOONER. That means we have plenty of time to budget! Oh, and if you do decide to visit Disney World during August, be prepared for some HEAT. This is one of the HOTTEST months of the year in Central Florida, and you’ll want to make sure to plan some comfortable and breezy outfits as well as extra supplies to stay hydrated.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more Disney news here at DFB, so make sure to follow along so that you’re always in the loop. Oh, and if you need any help planning that 2025 Disney vacation, our friends at Small World Vacations will be with you every step of the way throughout that process. They’re experts when it comes to all things Disney, and they won’t let you down!

Looking for MORE on 2025 vacations? Click here! 

Even in the Most Magical Place on Earth, things can still sometimes go wrong.

You hope it won’t happen to you, but it’s best to be prepared no matter what ends up happening on your trip. From missed reservations to ride malfunctions and more, expecting the unexpected is always a good plan in Disney World. And, some folks at EPCOT today certainly experienced what we’d call unexpected.

The Land Pavilion was evacuated in EPCOT on February 27th around 12:30PM. Cast Members shared that fire alarms had gone off and the entire building was evacuated.

If you’re in EPCOT today, you might’ve noticed some commotion at the Land Pavilion — Cast Members let us know that fire alarms went off and the building was evacuated. pic.twitter.com/p7n6s1gi63

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) February 27, 2024

Cast Members were stationed out in front of the pavilion, answering guests’ questions and, ultimately, stopping them from going in. They shared that this wasn’t a drill, so the situation is being taken very seriously.

Anyone who had a Lightning Lane for a ride inside the pavilion during the evacuation was given an Experience Redemption (A.K.A. a “free” Lightning Lane pass) to use later in the day since they had to deal with the inconvenience.

The Cast Members didn’t share any more information, so if you’re thinking about heading to the Land Pavilion right now — don’t! We’re not sure how long it will be closed, but will keep you updated with the latest information.

Stay tuned to DFB as we continue to bring you updates on this situation and the latest news from Disney World.

What To Do If You If You Have an Embarrassing Emergency in Disney World

Have you ever been evacuated from anywhere in Disney World? Tell us in the comments.

The post BREAKING: EPCOT’s Land Pavilion Has Been Evacuated in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.

Spring Break is right around the corner — are you fully prepared for your Disney World trip yet?!

Whether you’ve been packed for weeks already or haven’t even booked your trip, chances are there might be something you’ve forgotten to put on your packing list. Have no fear, because we’ve rounded up some of our Disney park must-haves from Amazon!

Get this belt bag before your next trip!

Going hands-free is all the rage in Disney World these days, and we happen to think this belt bag is perfect for just that! It comes in several different colors, features a large zippered pocket along with a small one, and the strap is fully adjustable! This little baby fits way more than you think — we’re talking phone, wallet, keys, koozies, sunglasses, chapstick, hand sanitizer, and more.

View on Amazon

We love the Owala Water Bottle, too.

As crowds start to get more intense in Disney World — so do the temperatures! That Florida heat is no joke and we can’t stress enough how important it is to stay hydrated when you’re in the parks. We love tossing a water bottle like this Owala one into our bags so we can drink water on the go.

View on Amazon

You can get this pair of bike shorts on sale!

Looking for something cooling and comfortable to wear on your next park visit? We love wearing bike shorts under a dress or oversized t-shirt for a super comfy look. This criss-cross waistband is super flattering and pretty popular right about now. You know, if you’re into that sort of thing.

View on Amazon

Don’t forget to keep your phone charged.

You’ll likely need your phone quite a bit on your trip, so keeping it charged can be a challenge. Luckily, Disney has FuelRod stations throughout the parks and hotels that allow you to exchange rechargeable batteries. But, you can buy your own and bring it to the parks with you for whenever you might need it!

View on Amazon

And, there’s this comfy pair of Adidas Cloudfoam sneakers!

Wearing comfortable shoes is just as important as staying hydrated when you’re in the parks and we love this pair of Adidas Cloudfoam Sneakers for that very reason! They’re light, breathable, and slip on so you don’t have to worry about the laces coming untied 47 times as you’re walking around Disney World.

View on Amazon

Stay tuned to DFB for the latest deals on Disney merchandise and more!

Shop for More Disney Essentials by Clicking This Link

The post Get All Your Disney World Essentials On SALE On Amazon Now! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Are you ready for the 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival?! The popular event takes place from February 28th through May 27th and brings a LOT of exciting additions to EPCOT.

There are tons of tasty eats and drinks to try as you visit the festival booths, a Garden Graze food crawl, the Garden Rocks concert series at the America Gardens Theater, lots of entertainment, character topiaries, a scavenger hunt, and so much more. To help you navigate it all, we have a FREE DFB-exclusive festival MAP and printable list of all the food booths and menu items!

Our FREE map of the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival will show you where to find EVERY food booth around the festival. The printable checklist lists all the food booths and menus, so you can check off your must-get items as you go! All you have to do is click on the image below to sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll send you the free map and printable.

We’re visiting EVERY booth at the festival and trying TONS of new items, so make sure to check out our full coverage!

Click here to see all the BOOTHS, MENUS, and FOOD PHOTOS at the Flower & Garden Festival.

We’ve got another great resource for you when you plan your EPCOT festival trip – our DFB Guide to the 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival. It’s got everything you need to know about the festival!

One more thing you might need before you visit the Flower & Garden Festival: Our DFB-exclusive Flower and Garden T-SHIRT!

You can get this awesome tee in several different colors and sizes, and we have the same design on sweatshirts, tank tops, and mugs, too!

Shop the Flower & Garden Tee here!

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from the 2024 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival!

Click here to learn more about the 2024 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival.

Are you visiting the 2024 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival? Which eats are on your must-try list? Let us know in the comments!

The post The DFB-Exclusive 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival MAP Is HERE! first appeared on the disney food blog.

When 1900 Park Fare reopens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in April, it will have a mix of new and returning menu items. Disney previewed some of those items, including the new Tiana’s Gumbo and So Many Wishes beverage.

1900 Park Fare Updated Menu

One of the new dishes is Tiana’s Gumbo and Rice. Tiana will also debut her new outfit when she meets guests at the restaurant, which will later be seen on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure when it opens this summer at Magic Kingdom.

The So Many Wishes drink is also joining the menu. It’s unknown whether it will be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

Disney also previewed desserts, like these cupcakes with star sprinkles.

Breakfast will also be available including Mickey waffles and Eggs Benedict.

The full menus are not available at this time.

Reservations will open on March 5, and the restaurant will open on April 10.

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

The post 1900 Park Fare to Feature Tiana’s Gumbo and More New Menu Items appeared first on WDW News Today.

The Haunted Mansion Parlor aboard Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming Disney Treasure ship will feature a bust of Disney Legend Rolly Crump.

Rolly Crump Bust

Concept art of the bust depicts the bust as melting like candle wax, inspired by one of Crump’s own Museum of the Weird characters that never saw the light of day. The plaque reads “BROTHER ROLAND – FOREVER REVERED FOR EMBRACING THE WEIRD.” Disney Parks Blog states the bust is being crafted at a dedicated Walt Disney Imagineering workshop at Walt Disney World. They announced the bust on Crump’s birthday, February 27. He passed away last March.

Nicknamed “Rolly” by Walt Disney himself, ­ during the early days of the company and played an integral role in designing the original Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Resort. Six decades later, the Haunted Mansion Parlor will unlock the next chapter of the Haunted Mansion saga for Disney Cruise Line guests. The venue will be imbued with Crump’s unique brand of humor and is a proud continuation of his legacy, celebrating the weird and the fantastical.

When they announced the Haunted Mansion Parlor, Disney described it as the “next chapter” in the Haunted Mansion lore. It will tell the story of a captain “who entered the ghostly realm” following a dinner with his fiancée that, presumably, did not end well. The bar will pull “aesthetic theming” from the Disneyland version of The Haunted Mansion, which opened in 1969, including the ride’s purple wallpaper and “Donald Duck” chair. Shruti Kumar is composing a musical arrangement for the bar inspired by the ride.

Exclusive Haunted Mansion-themed drinks will be available at the bar and the Disney Treasure will have Haunted Mansion Parlor merchandise.

The Disney Treasure sets sail this December.

Disney also recently paid tribute to Rolly Crump by adding his Candleman to The Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom.

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

The post Rolly Crump ‘Museum of the Weird’ Bust Coming to Disney Treasure’s Haunted Mansion Bar appeared first on WDW News Today.