Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort now has its own Instagram account to share photos and news.
Downtown Disney District on Instagram
@DowntownDisney wrote in an introductory post, “Welcome to the official Instagram of @DowntownDisney! Come see where happy is happening at the amazing eateries, stores and more! And let us know in the comments your go-to place in #DowntownDisney!”
Downtown Disney District has been undergoing a transformation for the past few years. Dining venues Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita recently opened. Disney has been constructing Parkside Market including a new stage and grassy area. The new Chinese restaurant Din Tai Fung will open this summer.
The shopping and dining district first opened in 2001 with the Disneyland Resort expansion that also included Disney California Adventure and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. It was based on Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort, which is now named Disney Springs.
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Guests staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa in the summer of 2024 will be happy to hear the resort offers a pleasant front row seat for the new Disney Springs drone show.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Cast Members were among the first to experience the new attraction at Magic Kingdom with their own preview on Thursday morning. The preview also gave us a first look at the new Cast Member costumes.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Cast Member Costumes
We first saw two Cast Members waiting in the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure queue. We spotted them from the Walt Disney World Railroad. The base costume is similar to other Frontierland costumes, as seen below.
The Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Cast Members also wear light brown pants, brown boots, and blue patterned shirts.
From this angle, we also saw their yellow, purple, and green Mardi Gras-inspired ascots.
Soon after, we saw a group of Cast Members right after the splashdown at the end of the attraction. Along with the Mardi Gras ascots, the Cast Members are wearing yellow-gold flat caps (or “newsies” caps).
Some of the shirts have white detailing while some have darker blue details.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground probably isn’t what you think of when you think of a Disney World hotel, but this “resort” has quite the cult following, and those who make the trip find the time it takes to get there to be worthwhile. There are a few different options when it comes to staying here — you can rent one of the cabins (which are in the process of being refurbished) or stay at one of the many campsites!
Welcome to Fort Wilderness
Yep, you read that correctly — campsites. You’ll find premium, preferred, and standard full-hookup campsites. But, if you really want to save some dough, you can also opt for tent camping! Starting at an average rate of $115 per night, a Tent or Pop-up Campsite at Fort Wilderness includes room for a pop-up camper or a camper van-type vehicle, and up to 2 tents. It can also accommodate equipment on a concrete pad up to 10 feet by 25 feet.
On the flip side, the average nightly rate at a Value Resort like All-Star Movies is around $190 per night. So, is camping at Disney World worth the money you can save? We turned to the experts — Disney Adults — to find out.
Yes, It’s Worth It
Fort Wilderness has a fan club and they’re pretty darn passionate! Obviously, the biggest pro is the low cost of staying at a Disney World resort that comes with amenities like stellar dining, themed pools, and plenty of activities. The campsites come with access to restrooms with full showers that are quite private and roomy, too.
Fort Wilderness
Another advantage is that while the official check-in is 3PM just like other Disney hotels, housekeeping doesn’t have to come “clean up” the rooms or anything — other than placing a pinecone Mickey on the ground — so you can typically show up to your campsite and start setting up your tent even earlier.
And, if you happen to visit around Halloween or Christmas, you’ll get to check out the famous Fort Wilderness golf cart parades! Not to mention all the incredible decorations that other campers put up to celebrate the holidays. Some people really go all out.
AT-AT golf cart
The biggest downside is how hot it can be — so we recommended going during fall or winter for hopefully cooler temperatures and some serious excitement.
Nope, Absolutely Not
Speaking of those hot temperatures, plenty of folks would much rather shell out a little extra dough if it meant they got to sleep in an actual, you know, bed. Which, honestly, we can’t really blame them for. Florida certainly isn’t bug-free and you might even have to contend with a snake or two — it is the outdoors after all.
And, like we mentioned before — it gets HOT in Florida, and not just hot, but humid. Imagine waking up inside a tent that has basically turned into a greenhouse thanks to all that moisture in the air. Sure, you can bring an extension cord and plug in a fan, but most of the time we’re already sweaty and tired enough from a park day and don’t need to add a tent into the mix.
But, if you’re not an avid camper to begin with — of course you’re probably not going to be into camping at Disney World. Even if it is, you know, at Disney World.
It Depends!
It seems like the general consensus is camping at Disney World is totally worth it — if you like camping already and maybe aren’t planning on spending much (if any) time at the theme parks. If you do want to stay at Fort Wilderness and still go to the parks, consider renting an RV or booking one of the cabins instead!
Horses!
Of course, camping certainly isn’t for everyone — and if you’re planning to spend any significant amount of time in the parks, coming back to an actual bed and hotel room (or cabin!) probably sounds much better than camping in a tent with no air conditioning. But, hey, we’re not here to tell you how to party.
But, if camping in a cabin sounds more your speed, look out for over 350 refreshed cabins opening at Fort Wilderness soon. The new design features sleek,modern cabins, which Disney explained are “inspired by the resort’s idyllic setting, while also paying homage to the resort’s unique culture and heritage through the magic of Disney storytelling.” The cabins will sleep up to six adults and feature onebedroom, one bathroom, a living room, a full kitchen, and a private patio. Some cabins are also dog-friendly and you can check out our full tour of one of these cabins at the link below.
NEW Fort Wilderness Cabins!
We’re always on the hunt for the latest ways to help you save when you’re at Disney World — even if it means roughing it in a tent! Don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest travel tips, updates, and more news from Disney World.
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 tent-camped at Fort Wilderness? Tell us in the comments.
When you think of Disney World, what is the first thing that pops in your mind? For many, it may be the Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is home to lots of iconic rides including Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and “it’s a small world.”
Cinderella Castle
There is so much to explore and do inside of Magic Kingdom, and while we think it is a truly magical place, there are also some hard truths to know about this park.
We are exploring some hard truths about Magic Kingdom that may cause a bit of annoyance or frustration; however we are here to help and make sure your Magic Kingdom trip is as magical as possible!
The Transportation & Ticket Center Will Likely Annoy You
The Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC) will be a necessary evil if you are planning on parking at Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, there is no parking lot directly connected to Magic Kingdom, so your only option is to park and then take the monorail or ferry over to the park (or if you are feeling really adventurous, you can also walk!). However, whichever option you decide will add a decent chunk of time onto your commute into Magic Kingdom. As well, don’t forget you will also need to do the reverse when you are leaving Magic Kingdom. After a long day at Magic Kingdom, realizing you still have to get on the monorail or ferry BEFORE you can head to your car can be a bit rough.
Transportation and Ticket Center
The best way to overcome this hard truth is to be prepared. If you need to be at Magic Kingdom at a certain time, leave early so you aren’t rushing through trying to maneuver through the Transportation & Ticket Center. Also, know that the ferry and monorail will have long lines first thing in the morning and right after fireworks. Try to avoid these times if you can so you can make your way through the TTC as efficiently as possible.
This is true for anyone of the Disney World theme parks, but the ride you really want to ride may not be open. You can prepare for planned refurbishments ahead of time, and Disney World will announce when a ride is going down for a longer period of time. However, there are a lot of moving parts on the attractions and there is always a chance that the ride goes down for technical difficulties. Some rides may also close down due to weather.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
While it can be frustrating to realize the ride you were going to next is closed, there are plenty of other things to experience in Magic Kingdom. It can be especially annoying if you are rope dropping a ride only to find that it is not open. For example, we see Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed a fair amount in the morning. Both of these rides can be popular rope drop rides, so be prepared with a back-up plan if you original ride isn’t open. Be okay with plans changing sometimes, you never know what you might experience instead!
Early Entry Can Be a Blessing and a Curse
If you are staying at a select Disney World hotel, you are eligible to take advantage of Early Entry to the theme parks. This allows you to enter the park 30 minutes prior to non-resort guests. However, be aware that not everything is open during Early Entry. In Magic Kingdom, ONLY Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open for Early Entry. If you want to ride a ride that is in Adventureland or Frontierland, you will need to wait until the park opens for all guests. Don’t race all the way to Jungle Cruise to find out it won’t be open for another 30 minutes.
Tomorrowland
While Early Entry is a great perk for Disney World hotel guests, if you are not staying at a Disney World hotel you will want to keep Early Entry in mind. Since Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are both open during Early Entry, there will already be crowds in these areas if you are rope dropping Magic Kingdom. Your best option is to rope drop a ride that is not a part of Early Entry to take advantage of lower wait times.
Be Prepared If You Want to Ride TRON Lightcycle / Run
TRON Lightcycle / Run is the newest attraction at Magic Kingdom, and if you are hoping to ride it during your trip to Magic Kingdom, you need to know a few things. First of all, you can only ride this ride by getting a virtual queue or purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane. There is not currently an option to stand in a stand-by line for this ride. You can join the virtual queue at 7AM and 1PM on the My Disney Experience App. It is also important to note that once you get a virtual queue, you will be assigned a boarding group number. You will only be able to ride once your group is called, and you will need to arrive within an hour of being called. There may be a slight bit of leeway on the hour, but TRON is very strict on return times so you will want to try your best to be there within the hour.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
That means that you won’t really be able to control when you ride TRON. If you are wanting to ride at night, you won’t be able to show up four hours after your group was called and expect to ride. As well, if the ride goes down they will pause calling back groups and you will need to wait longer to be able to return. Having a boarding group does not guarantee you will be able to ride, so keep that in the back of your mind as well. The key is being flexible and understanding that you won’t be able to choose exactly when you will ride TRON. If you get a boarding group at 7AM, you will most likely be called back by early afternoon, whereas if you get a boarding group at 1PM you will likely be called back late afternoon into evening.
The Fireworks are Great, But the Aftermath Is Rough
The Happily Ever After Fireworks in Magic Kingdom are lots of fun, but a hard truth is that it can be crazy around fireworks. People will often start grabbing spots way before the start of the show, and then there will be lots of people trying to leave at the end. You will be doing a lot of crowd maneuvering to see the fireworks, but we think it will be worth it. You don’t need to reserve a spot hours before the show, unless you want a really prime viewing location. As well, we recommend hanging around in the park after the fireworks if Magic Kingdom is still open.
Beautiful!
After the fireworks, walkways will be extra crowded and the lines for transportation will also be the longest. If the park is still open, get in one last ride or do some shopping (although we suggest avoiding the Emporium right after fireworks.) There are going to be lots of people trying to make their way out of viewing areas, so bring patience and don’t feel like you need to rush out of the park right away.
On a similar note, the Festival of Fantasy Parade is a fantastic parade, but it can also cause some inconveniences. As the parade moves through the park, walkways will be blocked off and you may find it hard to get places. If you find yourself stuck by the parade, you may as well stop and enjoy it! It has lots of our favorite Disney characters and we promise it will pass by soon enough.
Festival of Fantasy Parade
Additionally, we suggest avoiding the Walt Disney World Railroad around parade time as it will pause operations to let the parade through. It may seem like a great idea to get off your feet mid-afternoon, but you may find yourself enjoying a longer sitting time if you board as the parade is starting.
If you are an avid Space Mountain fan, we apologize in advance. However, Space Mountain has been showing its age and has been getting rougher and rougher. We are also getting older, so our backs are not what they once were, but we wanted to warn you ahead of time. We aren’t trying to say don’t ride Space Mountain but be prepared for a jerky and rough ride.
Space Mountain
It is hard to beat shooting through the stars in your rocket, but our backs have definitely been feeling it. We are all for riding Space Mountain for lots of nostalgic vibes, but if you are looking for a smoother ride we may suggest trying a different ride. Some of our suggestions include TRON Lightcycle / Run or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
If You Are Looking For Olaf, You Are Going to Be Disappointed
We want to send a warning out that you won’t be able to find EVERY character in Magic Kingdom.Not every character meets regularly in the theme parks, and some characters only meet in certain parks. We suggest checking out the My Disney Experience app under “Characters” and you can see a full list of characters that are meeting at Magic Kingdom.
You can find Olaf in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
We don’t want you all dressed up and hyped to meet Olaf, only to find out that you can’t meet him in Magic Kingdom. Although, you can sometimes find rare characters roaming or meeting in the parks, there is no guarantee you will see them if they don’t have a scheduled meet and greet.
These are just a few of the tips we have for your Magic Kingdom trip. We know there is a lot to know about planning a trip to Magic Kingdom, so make sure you check out our Ultimate Guide to Magic Kingdom for 2024:
We are in the parks every day to make sure you have the best Disney vacation. Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World tips, updates, and reviews!
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 is your must-do ride in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
Crêpes À Emporter by La Crêperie de Paris in the France Pavilion is a quick-service kiosk that specializes in crêpes, ice cream, wine, ciders, and, soon…milkshakes!
Give them all a try, and be sure to share your reviews with us! Per the post, L’Artisan des Glaces says the milkshakes are available NOW! And stay tuned for our full review.
As we previously mentioned, the Crêpes À Emporter kiosk is in the France Pavilion of the World Showcase in EPCOT. It is adjacent to La Creperie de Paris and fairly close to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Crêpes à Emporter
The France Pavilion has some of our ABSOLUTE favorite eats in all of Disney World, so we’re always looking for an excuse to head over to that corner of EPCOT and indulge in tasty delicacies. As for the rest of the restaurants in EPCOT’s World Showcase, we consider ourselves experts in that field as well and you can find more information on those by clicking the link below!
