Two new complimentary buttons celebrating milestones for couples are now available at Universal Studios Hollywood, featuring Shrek and Fiona and Homer and Marge Simpson.
New Complimentary Buttons
The buttons were first revealed in a post on the official Instagram for Universal Studios Hollywood, with the caption:
Celebrate your special day with us and don’t forget your button!
In the image, two hands hold up the two buttons. The “Just Married” button features an image of Shrek and Fiona standing together on the streets of Far, Far Away. A yellow banner reading “Just Married” hangs above them, and a yellow area sits below them where the couple can write their family name. “Universal Studios Hollywood” is present at the very bottom.
The “Happy Anniversary” button features Homer and Marge Simpson dancing together, with Homer dipping Marge in a romantic pose. The button itself is red, with the words in white. “Universal Studios Hollywood” is included at the bottom. While there’s no specific place to write names, you could likely fit each person’s name in the empty spaces by each character.
You can pick up either of these complimentary buttons at Guest Services.
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.
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Disneyland has revealed more details regarding the entertainment, characters and photo-ops that will be featured at the first-ever Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite. What’s Happening: Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite comes to life, highlighting themed offerings from favorite Disney Channel shows across various eras of programming with fantastic music, memorable characters, high-energy parties, unique photo […]
The traffic patterns have been changing near Floridian Way and Seven Seas Drive, but the roads are going to be closed for an entirely DIFFERENT reason soon. We are here to warn you so you can avoid any transportation issues during your visit to Disney World.
Disney World has a big event coming up the weekend of February 23rd through the 25th. This is when the runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is taking place.
One perk of running a runDisney race is the unique opportunity that racers have to run on property and through some of the Disney World theme parks. With this, Disney has to clear certain parts of the race course to allow runners to safely get by.
Princess Half Marathon 2023
The runDisney Princess Half Marathon course will cause certain roads near Polynesian Village Resort, the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary to be closed or restricted on February 24th and 25th.
Restrictions and closures will take place on February 24th from 3AM to 7:30AM to accommodate the Princess 10K. The following day, February 25th, they will take place from 3AM to 10AM to accommodate the Princess Half Marathon.
Disney bus
If you plan to head over to these resorts, Magic Kingdom, or the Transportation and Ticket Center, we suggest giving yourself extra time to travel. This way you will not be late to your destination.
Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest Disney news!
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!
Have you ever participated in a runDisney race? Let us know down below!
It’s super important to be comfortable on your Disney World vacation! You’ll be walking tens of thousands of steps through the parks, so having the right outfit on is essential.
Main Street
When we’re getting ready for a comfy day in the parks, we always find ourselves reaching for our Target leggings! If you practically live in leggings too, you’ll know what we mean. And if you’re on the hunt for your new favorite pair, we’re spilling our secrets here! These are our team’s FAVORITE Target leggings.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
Flare leggings are definitely making a comeback, so you’ll be comfy AND on-trend in these high-waisted flare leggings. They come in several different colors and sizes.
If you’re thinking about going on some water rides in Disney World, the quick-drying fabric of these leggings will come in handy! They have a high-rise waist and a hidden pocket, too.
For just a classic, staple pair of leggings, you can’t go wrong with these. They’re high-waisted, come in a few different colors and patterns, and are made of a soft, breathable fabric.
Here’s one more option for you! These Butterbliss leggings are made of recycled polyester and are super soft. They’re an extra-lightweight fabric made with spandex, so they’re perfect for wearing while you walk around all day.
It’s rapid but effective — we’re about to give you the EXPEDITED version of what you need to know about Magic Kingdom before you go. So buckle up, because we are going to be your efficiency DREAM COME TRUE today!
Hey there, Cinderella Castle!
We’ve got a really SHORT blog post for you today that’s gonna cover everything you need to know about Magic Kingdom in 600 words or less. (That way, you can easily read this one in one sitting — like during your lunch break or before you gotta go pick up your kiddos from school.)
If you’re someone who’s planning a Magic Kingdom trip but you only have so much time to REALLY study up on how to successfully pull off a substantial vacation like this, make sure to download our FREE Magic Kingdom quick guide by clicking the link below!
Disney Genie+ is a paid line-skipping service on your My Disney Experience app. We don’t always recommend purchasing Genie+, but we DO recommend it forMagic Kingdom because it has the MOST rides and thus the most Lightning Lanes.
Lightning Lane at Peter Pan’s Flight
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle / Run have Individual Lightning Lanes, meaning you pay for those Lightning Lanes a la carte.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
You should also use Mobile Order and Mobile Checkout at the restaurants and gift shops that use those services — it can save you lots of time waiting in line!
Magic Kingdom has lots of shows. The BIG ones — Happily Ever After fireworks and the Festival of Fantasy parade — only happen at SELECT times each day.
Festival of Fantasy
These times are known to change, so check the Disney app at the start of the day.
The food here is pretty straightforward. Many quick service restaurants have options like burgers, tacos, hotdogs, etc. It’s not super exciting, but you can find something for your group to enjoy.
Casey’s Corner full spread
This park has some fun character restaurants! People love to meet the characters at Cinderella’s Royal Table, Crystal Palace, and Be Our Guest.
Dining Room at Cinderella’s Royal Table
We’ve got TONS of food recommendations featured in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, which you can find RIGHT NOW on the DFBstore website. This guide goes WAY more in-depth with what’s available at each location throughout not just Magic Kingdom, but ALL of Disney World property.
The Transportation And Ticket Center Can Be Brutal…
When driving to Magic Kingdom, you’ll park at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). Then, you can ride the Monorail or the ferry to Magic Kingdom.
TTC
The only way to arrive directly at the gates of Magic Kingdom is to take a Disney bus; stay at one of the Magic Kingdom hotels and use the Monorail, boat, or walking path; or book a Minnie Van (Disney’s rideshare service).
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom transportation CROWDS at the start and end of the day are NO JOKE. Hang back in the park a bit longer after it officially closes to wait out the crowds. Rides won’t be open, but the Main Street shops stay open.
Some of the most well-known spots for character meets and greets include Mickey at Town Square Theater, Princesses at Fairytale Hall, and Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Thotful Spot. But there are LOTS more!
Hey, Mickey!
Don’t forget about character meals, which will help you bypass the queues and bring the characters straight to YOU!
Aurora at Cinderella’s Royal Table
And THAT was Magic Kingdom for you… at LIGHT SPEED. Remember, there’s a LOT of other extra stuff you should know about this park before you go, so be sure to check out our other (more in-depth) Magic Kingdom posts when you get the chance — and don’t forget to download our Magic Kingdom quick guide for even MORE rapid-fire tips, tricks, and itineraries, too!
Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest Disney news!
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!
What’s your favorite thing to do in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
Disney World is home to restaurants owned by celebrity chefs, a Master Sommelier, and chefs who have been working with the company for YEARS. So when a Disney chef strikes out on their own, well, we’re paying attention. Now, we just learned that a former Disney chef has opened his own restaurant.
Chef Heberto Segura was the executive chef at Raglan Road in Disney Springs for 10 years. According to the Orlando Business Journal, Segura has now, along with Pastry Chef Rona Segura, opened his new restaurant The Drake Kitchen + Bar in downtown Orlando.
The restaurant is an extension of the food truck owned by the pair, Duck & Drake Kitchen, which can still be found at 1215 Edgewater Drive in Orlando. The cuisine at the new restaurant is “humble, innovative, and personal while keeping traditions close to heart.” The menu features international and Caribbean-inspired foods that showcase local and regional ingredients while being sustainable when possible.
The menu includes dishes such as a Broken Egg, made with Duck Egg, Papas Bravas, Garlic Aioli, Lady Edison Ham;Madeira Beach Red Fish with West Indies Coconut-Tomato Curry and Plantains; Prime Steak Frites;Fire RoastedChicken;Fungi Jon Mushrooms Risotto; and more. Desserts include the Chocolate Budino, made with Double Chocolate Cream, Hot Coffee Caramel, and Sesame Tuille.
The restaurant also delivers food orders in the Orlando area — you can check that out on their website. We noticed that delivery to Disney World isn’t available (well, we tried!). You can also place orders to pick up.
So if you’re looking for somewhere new to eat in Orlando, be sure to stop by The Drake Kitchen + Bar for a meal at 361 N. Rosalind Ave. Suite 1, Orlando.
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!
Will you be checking out The Drake Kitchen + Bar? Let us know in the comments!
By now, you know that we really love a good deal (especially when it comes to Disney). For that reason, lots of people on our team have really grown an affinity for big-box stores like Costco, which often have great deals not only on food and merchandise but also on travel, gift cards, and other vacation essentials.
While we might not all do our everyday shopping here, these wholesale memberships come in quite handy for Disney deals and gift card offers that could save us TONS. But, we’re not the only ones that have a love for Costco! Let’s take a deeper dive into why people are obsessed with this retailer.
With prices rising for nearly everything nationwide, it’s nice to have the comfort of one retail outlet that remains steady. For decades, Costco has maintained loyal customers, employees, and shareholders with its seemingly basic business model. So what really keeps everyone coming back to Costco year after year?
For starters, it’s important to know the scale of the store that we’re talking about. According to an article in The Economist, “Costco is the world’s third-biggest retailer, behind Walmart and Amazon.” The article also goes on to point out that Costco’s sales are “less than half of Walmart’s” but Costco’s “return on capital, at nearly 20%, is more than twice as high.”
Costco has even been referred to by famed investors who’ve personally served on its board as a perfectly run company. Richard Galanti served as the finance boss for Costco until he retired earlier this month and said the retailer knows how to hook shoppers simply by offering high-quality products at the lowest price possible.
Costco achieves this by keeping markups on their products low and making up the difference by charging an annual membership fee to those who shop in their stores. In 2023, Costco netted more than half its operating profits solely through its annual fees charged to over 129 million members.
This membership works in an almost symbiotic relationship, according to finance analysts, where customers are encouraged to continue shopping at Costco rather than shopping around, and in return the massive retailer is able to count on incoming memberships to better their relationships with suppliers delivering products that consumers really want.
Food at Costco
Costco also focuses on stocking fewer products in its inventory. This gives the retail giant more bargaining power when they go to buy more quantities of a product from supplies (which keeps those suppliers happy too by the way)! Costco’s own brand, Kirkland Signature, also accounts for over a quarter of its total sales which shows that customers have learned to lean into the brand that they’ve established trust with.
Costco has reported an 8% employee turnover rate which is very impressive considering the national average is 20%. But Costco also pays its employees well. Employee pay at Costco is higher than the industry average, and combining that with opportunity for growth within their careers, generous medical insurance, and retirement coverage, it’s easy to see why many employees have continued to stay working with Costco for over a decade. Most of Costco’s executive team has come from internal promotion and long-term tenure with the company, too!
When you take a deeper look inside, it’s really not hard to see why so many people have so many fond feelings and associations with the Costco name and brand.
We’re always looking at great places for deals and savings, so be sure to stay tuned with us for more deals as we spot them!
The new DreamWorks Land under construction at Universal Studios Florida will let guests step into the worlds of Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda. Universal has not officially confirmed much for this new land yet, but construction seems to be moving along nicely. One of the first things guests see as they look toward this new area is Shrek’s Swamp.
DreamWorks Land
Scaffolding was being removed from the base of the tree trunk in our last update. With all of the scaffolding removed now, it’s much easier to see all the detailing on the tree, like the fuzzy green moss that runs up and down it.
Just behind the tree trunk, close to the entrance to E.T. Adventure, we can see a bridge has started to take shape in the play area. We’ve seen railings installed recently and now a rope bridge has been added.
This building is expected to be Mama Luna’s, who is a minor character from the film “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” The top of the building is domed and has a silver cat and fish bone weathervane. This domed piece was added to the roof in our last update, but it was still wrapped in black plastic. The plastic has been removed, revealing a beige tower underneath.
At the front of the new area, right behind the DreamWorks Land sign, new awnings have popped up in front of the “go away green” colored building.
There are pink and blue poles with grey and blue awnings. These are right up against the green building.
Under one of the awnings, we could see part of an image. We’re not sure what these are, but they almost look like cat ears. One is dark with a rainbow and one is white.
A little further back towards the Trolls area, we can see the top of a bright pink and red dome. In our last update, we could see a red and black pole that was installed. Over the last week, we’ve seen this domed shape installed over the beam.
There’s a lot more happening behind the walls that we can’t see, but hopefully, Universal Destinations and Experiences will make some announcements soon. The new DreamWorks Land is scheduled to open sometime this year, so stay tuned for more updates.
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.
Following an intensive refurbishment, the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea-themed walkthrough, Les Mystères du Nautilus, reopened last summer at Disneyland Paris. We were recently at Disneyland Paris and got our first opportunity to tour the depths of Captain Nemo’s submarine. You can’t talk about Les Mystères du Nautilus without mentioning the imposing structure that is […]
And if you’re on the hunt for your new favorite pair, we’re spilling our secrets here! These are our team’s FAVORITE Target leggings.
