Explore Poppy’s Playground, a new “Trolls”-inspired play area at DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida.

Poppy’s Playground

Poppy’s Playground is a small play area with a decent amount of shade, thanks to the massive mushroom towering over the area. It is ideal for smaller children, as it is made up of small bouncing and climbing structures. It’s in the courtyard outside the DreamWorks Imagination Celebration theater.

Guests must wear shoes at all times. Strollers are not allowed in the play area. No climbing on the outside of the play area, no running, and no horseplay is allowed. Children under 48″ must be accompanied by a supervising companion at all times and adults must be accompanied by a child.

The playground has bouncy flowers built into the ground, which is made of green rubber flooring.

Children can climb into floral buckets.

Vines come out of the buckets make them look like they’re hanging from the mushroom, but they are secure on the ground.

There are also giant caterpillars for kids to climb on.

A “Trolls” fountain is located nearby. Statues of Poppy and Branch are in the center.

Check out our full tour of DreamWorks Land and our Trolls Trollercoaster POV.

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 post PHOTOS: ‘Trolls’ Poppy’s Playground in DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida appeared first on WDW News Today.

Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs in Disney World has been open since 2019. Now, we know a lot of folks sleep on this hotel (and it does tend to attract the convention crowd), but we have to show off one of the rooms we recently stayed in because it might surprise you.

We got to spend some time in a Deluxe Club Suite room in the tower and let’s just say the experience was pretty amazing. These rooms are on the club level of the tower, meaning you get some perks like access to the exclusive concierge lounge, The Chronos Club. Now, we’ve previously told you all about The Chronos Club, so we’re going to give you a FULL room tour here instead.

The Deluxe Suite sleeps up to four adults and features a king-size bed, as well as a queen-size pull-out sofa. The theming isn’t very “in your face” Disney, but more in line with the theming of the Coronado Springs Resort. The rooms are subtly decorated with pops of orange and red.

There are shelves in the hallway with a few items you might need for your stay. You’ll also find a bin for recyclables. You can also see a nearby thermostat on the wall.

This is where you’ll find your ice bucket and cups…

…as well as a Keurig coffee machine, K-Cups, sweeteners, creamers, and other drink items.

Underneath is the mini-fridge.

The living area is comfortable, with plenty of seating, a pull-out sofa, a television, some small tables, and a bench.

Here’s a look at the seating here from another angle — note the entrance into the bedroom.

There’s a nook near the window with a table against the wall and a table and chairs beside it. And yes, that is a Hey, Disney! device along the wall. It’s like an Amazon Alexa device but with a little extra Disney magic.

There’s also a window: our view was just the parking lot.

You’ll find a phone on the table against the wall, along with some drawers for additional storage.

Here’s a closer look at our “Hey, Disney!” device on the other side of the desk, which acts as a personal voice assistant with lots of Disney knowledge.

The first bathroom is just a half bath (meaning there’s no shower), but features a pretty patterned wall, with a mirror, sink, under sink storage, a toilet, and a modern art piece on the wall. Disney fans may recognize that character — it is Dahlia from the 2003 animated short Destino. That short was made in collaboration with artist Salvador Dalí.

Let’s check out the bedroom, which features a queen-size bed. The TV is across from the bed.

You’ve got a door with a full-length mirror, as well as some shelves for storage. This is also where you’ll find the room safe.

Move the sliding door, and you’ll find the closet.

Inside, you’ll find an extra pillow and blanket, hangers, a robe…

…an ironing board, a luggage rack, and an iron.

The nightstand next to the bed has a phone, a lamp with outlets, and your TV remote. The nightstand also has drawers for storage.

You’ll get plenty of pillows on the bed.

You’ll find reading lights on each side of the bed. There’s also another nightstand on the left, near the window.

The windows have sheer curtains as well as heavier black-out curtains.

The main bathroom is huge. There’s a massive mirror in this room, too.

By massive, we mean MASSIVE. There are two sinks, a magnifying mirror, a box of tissues, and storage underneath the sinks, including a space for extra towels.

Amenities include a vanity set, a shower cap, mouthwash, lotion, and more.

Soap is also provided.

This room features towels, a trash can, a separate toilet, and a shower.

The toilet room has some pretty art in it. This is pretty much a good representation of the kind of artwork you’ll find on the walls.

Here’s a look at the shower, which has a static showerhead plus a handheld showerhead.

Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are in dispensers on the wall.

If you think a Deluxe Club Suite could be right for you, you’ll find a comfortable spacious room plus access to The Chronos Club (which will get you free snacks and drinks). A weeklong stay in June for two adults and one child is currently around $845.50 per night, but prices can change depending on the date and size of your group. 

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

Full Room Tour of the BEST Reviewed Disney World Hotel on Yelp

What do you think of these rooms? Would you want to stay here? Let us know in the comments!

The post FULL TOUR of a Deluxe Club Suite Room at Gran Destino Tower in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.

We know there is a Loungefly out there for nearly every Disney ride, but we spotted a few new designer bags that have us yelling “Take all our money!”

These may not be mini backpacks, but we are loving them all the same. A new ‘it’s a small world’ collection has landed on the Disney Store website, and our Mary Blaire hearts are swooning. So let’s check out the brand new Dooney & Bourke collection that you’re going to need if your favorite ride is ‘it’s a small world.’

 

Grab the ‘it’s a small world’ Wristlet

If you like to carry something small around with you instead of lugging a large purse, then this wristlet wallet might be perfect for you! On the flip side, if you just need an organized place to put your money and cards so you can add it to your larger bag, this has that covered too. Regardless, this new design is something Mary Blair would likely be proud of.

Get It Here!

Grab the ‘it’s a small world’ Crossbody

Take your organized wallet and put it in your new ‘it’s a small world’ crossbody so you’re sure not to lose it! Toss this over a shoulder or around your body, so you always know where it is.

Get It Here!

Grab the ‘it’s a small world’ Tote

If you’re looking for something even a bit bigger, you can opt to purchase the ‘it’s a small world’ tote bag! Toss your new wallet in it, and throw it quickly over your shoulder whenever you’re on the go. The zipper on top keeps everything secure throughout your busy day.

Get It Here!

We’re sorry if the song is stuck in your head for the rest of the day — it’s worth it with this adorable pattern! Keep following DFB for more Disney souvenirs!

Don’t miss out on more Disney souvenirs on our Amazon storefront!

The post 3 Designer Disney Bags You’ll LOVE if Your Favorite Ride Is ‘it’s a small world’ first appeared on the disney food blog.

Is there any bar more iconic than Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar?

We’ve been to pretty much every bar all over Disneyland, and although some remain popular, like Oga’s Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland, as well as the Carthay Circle Lounge and Lamplight Lounge in California Adventure, we’ll still go to Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel every chance we get. So when we learned that Trader Sam’s was getting a new menu (because, hey, the food is good here, too!), we jumped at the opportunity to revisit our favorite Disneyland bar.

Atmosphere

You’ll find Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel. As the name suggests, the theme is based on Trader Sam from the Jungle Cruise. You can make reservations, but they’re hard to get. But there’s also a Walk-up Waitlist (which is what we used). Note that the wait is usually a long one, though. When we visited, we were told the wait was 45 minutes to an hour, but it was actually only about 35 minutes when we received a text that our table was ready.

Inside the bar, you’ll find a theme that is a mix between The Enchanted Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise, with a few other additional Disney nods.

In fact, you’ll want to order drinks inside because not only do some drinks come in fun souvenir cups, but they also trigger certain Easter eggs inside the bar when ordered. For example, if you order the Uh-Oa drink, the Cast Members will start chanting and you’ll see storm effects in the bar. VERY cool. Note: it can get pretty noisy inside the bar.

However, the interior of Trader Sam’s isn’t huge, so you’ll find more seating outside surrounded by loads of greenery. This area is covered, so you’ll have plenty of shade. The noise level here is a lot lower than inside, so depending on what you’re in the mood for, ask for it. We sat outdoors for this particular visit.

Seating includes booths, as well as tables with chairs.

Seriously, this place is 10/10 on the theming. But what about the food?

Eats

The food here has a tropical vibe,…

…and the drinks are, well, they are ON POINT. We didn’t order anything this trip, but there are a lot of fun cocktails on the menu. As we previously mentioned, you can order some of these with a souvenir tiki mug.

We started with the Tempura-Battered Green Beans served with Togarashi Aïoli for $15. This is an appetizer that’s been around for a while, but they’ve changed! Instead of just regular fried beans, you now get beans that have been dipped in a tempura batter. This does mean you get a different kind of texture, though. We think the tempura doesn’t give an even enough coating, but it’s not a deal breaker.

The Togarashi Aïoli has not changed — it’s still tangy and delicious and acts as the perfect accompaniment to the green beans.

We also ordered the Swaying Palms Salad with Teriyaki Chicken. For $19, you get a salad made with Teriyaki Chicken, Spicy Mizuna & Mache Greens, Charred Hearts of Palm, Cucumber, Cashews, Julienne Peppers, Carrots, Snow Peas, and Puffed Rice Noodles, served with Sesame Vinaigrette. This salad is a sleeper hit! We loved all the toppings hidden under the puffed rice noodles.

Every ingredient in the salad is fresh. The Sesame Vinaigrette is light, but full of flavor. We loved all the veggies on it, too. There was also plenty of chicken. We really liked the crunchy giant cashews — lots of great texture in this salad! There is also a plant-based version of this salad without the chicken that is available.

Then we dug into the Spiced Dry Rub Chicken Wings for $24. These are Shichimi-spiced Dry-rub Chicken Wings served with Togarashi Aïoli. There’s a nice coating of the rub on these, giving them a hint of spice, but we’d say they’re milder than a lot of wings we’ve had.

They are nice and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside (like falling off the bone). The sauce is that same Togarashi Aïoli you get with the green beans. We just need this to be bottled up and sold so we can take it home and dip ALL the things in it.

You know us, if something is called “poutine,” we’re going to order it, so it was a no-brainer to try out the new Kālua-style Pork Nacho Poutine for $25. It’s made with Sweet Potato Fries, Togarashi Aïoli, Cotija Cheese, Cheese Sauce, Pickled Red Onion, Lime Crema, and Cilantro. Sweet potato fries for poutine? Okay, Disney, you have our attention. Yes, the plate looks like a mess, but looks can be deceiving.

We’re happy to report this poutine lived up to the hype. You get a lot of EVERYTHING, including lots of tender pulled pork and TONS of toppings. The cheese sauce is so creamy. Also, for those who are concerned about cilantro: it’s not an overpowering flavor. It’s very light. So maybe this plate looks like a mess, but don’t let that stop you from trying it, because it’s delicious!

The Wagyu Hawaiian Cheeseburger is $26 and is stacked with Grilled Pineapple, Applewood-smoked Bacon, Havarti, and Sweet-and-Spicy Spread, it comes with a choice of Sweet Potato Fries or French Fries. We went with French Fries. This burger is GIGANTIC, and the patty is super thick and juicy.

All the produce on this burger is also really fresh and we loved the sweet pineapple with the salty bacon (which was cooked perfectly). The fries were a good choice because they are soft like steak fries on the inside, but crispy on the outside. YUM. Note you can also get this with an Impossible patty.

So all that’s left is dessert. We had to try the new Pineapple Bundt Cake for $15. It’s served with whipped cream and candied pineapple. We would literally come back here JUST for this alone — it’s even worth the wait of getting into the bar.

The cake is moist with a lovely creamy center and the lightness of the whipped cream really adds a nice element to it all. The candied pineapple just makes it that much more amazing.

If you love pineapple, this should be your new favorite treat. Currently, this is the only dessert option available here.

Nosh or Not

Head to Trader Sam’s if…

• You’re a sucker for good theming, especially if you love Jungle Cruise and The Enchanted Tiki Room
• You want fun drink options and souvenir cups
• You want good food away from the parks

Skip Trader Sam’s if…

• You can’t get an advance dining reservation and you don’t want to wait
• You want more dessert options
• You have kids in your party

Overall

Overall, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar has a great atmosphere, food, and drinks, but even if you don’t want to be in a noisy bar, there are options to sit outside away from the excitement. We may not have previously come here just for the food, but these new menu options could very well have us coming back for them. This menu has a lot of variety now, so there’s plenty to choose from. If anything, this is certainly a place to visit if you’ve never been there.

Stay tuned to DFB for more reviews!

REVIEW: This Disney Snack Reminds Us of Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza in the BEST Way

Have you ever been to Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar? What are some of your favorite items to get there? Let us know in the comments!

The post REVIEW: Is Disney’s Trader Sam’s Tiki Bar Still Worth The Hype? Let’s Find Out! first appeared on the disney food blog.

OK, you might have questions. WHY are people bringing an extension cord to Disney World? Don’t worry, we’ve got answers!

Packing for Disney World can be a complicated affair. The weather in Orlando is sometimes unpredictable, so packing layers and a raincoat (DEFINITELY a raincoat) is essential. You’ll also need ALL the sunscreen. And don’t forget the reusable straws so you don’t have to use those paper ones in the parks. While you’re at it, make sure you pack at least one extension cord. 

You can get this essential item from Amazon, and Prime members can get fast, FREE shipping! If you’re not a Prime member, you can sign up for a free trial now to get all the benefits! 

OK, time to explain this whole extension cord business.

Trust Us, You Need This Extension Cord (and It’s 31% Off!)

So here’s the thing. Disney World hotel rooms do have a few outlets in each room, usually including one on either side of each bed. However, those outlets may not have enough plug spots for all of the electronics you need to charge, especially if your hotel room is full to capacity and multiple people have multiple devices to charge.

If you need to charge your phone, MagicBand+, headphones, laptop, and smart watch, you’re going to need a LOT more outlet spaces. That’s why we recommend bringing this power strip with you!

This power strip has seven ports, including three outlets, two USB-A spots, and two USB-C spots, so you can charge lots of devices at once.

One of its coolest features, though, is the flat plug! Whether you need to access a hard-to-get-to outlet in Disney World or want to use this power strip at home but not have it stick out too far and waste space, that flat plug could come in handy (and it’s much more aesthetically pleasing than a normal plug).

Most people don’t think to toss an extension cord into their suitcase when they’re packing for Disney World, but trust us when we say you’ll be glad if you do! You can get this fancy power strip for 31% off on Amazon right now, so hurry to grab one before the deal ends!

View the extension cord on Amazon

Stay tuned to DFB for more tips and advice as you plan your upcoming trip!

Click here to see more of our favorite Disney essentials at our DFB Amazon storefront!

The post Why Everyone Is Buying This Extension Cord for Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.

We LOVE summer. While we don’t necessarily love the heat…we do love all that extra daylight and time by the pool. Know what else we love? A cold drink on a hot day!

See that ice-cold beverage by Olaf? He knows how to enjoy a summer day! Well, if you’re getting ready for summer and want to do it in STYLE, you’ve come to the right place. We found a NEW collection of Stanley tumblers available on the Target website! They might sell out QUICKLY, so head to Target ASAP if you’re interested.

Check out the NEW Cobalt Stanley Flowstate Quencher Tumbler

New color alert! This 30 oz. Stainless Steel tumbler will keep your icy drinks cold for HOURS. We love that bright blue color, too! It is perfect for summer.

View on Target

We LOVE this new Sunshine Stanley Flowstate Quencher Tumbler

View on Target

Target also has a NEW Poppy Stanley Flowstate Quencher Tumbler

Ugh, we are obsessed with this Stanley tumbler. That poppy color is so fun and unique! We love the contrasting pink Stanley logo, too — it adds a nice pop of color.

View on Target

Peep the new Aquamarine Stanley Flowstate Quencher Tumbler

Here’s another summery teal Stanley that fans will LOVE! This new Target tumbler is 30 oz, so it’s nice a BIG and can keep your favorite drink nice and safe in the summer heat.

View on Target

The new Amethyst Stanley Flowstate Quencher Tumbler will be popular!

Finally, we saved the best for last. Stanley fans tend to LOVE any and every new PINK tumbler, and this Amethyst-colored cup is sure to be a hit. We LOVE this soft shade that is a little pink and a little purple. It’s got a contrasting Stanley logo in the center, too. Get it ASAP if you’re interested!

View on Target

In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Target essentials, so stay tuned for more.

Check out our Amazon Storefront for more Disney items!!

The post A NEW Summer Stanley Collection Just Dropped at Target! first appeared on the disney food blog.

We toured the all-new Kung Fu Training Camp and saw “Po Live!” at DreamWorks Land in Universal Studios Florida.

Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp

Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp, themed to the “Kung Fu Panda” film series, is a play area designed to look like Panda Village. Signage outside warns that guests may get wet, though the area has both wet and dry play areas.

There is a height requirement for playing alone. The measuring stick near the entrance is painted with the heights of various panda characters. The spot where kids stand features a pair of panda footprints.

Once inside, the first thing guests are met with is a large interactive gong — the Gong of Resounding Resonance. Unfortunately, it wasn’t working during our preview.

To the left is the Pond of Perpetual Wetness, a splash pad area.

Staying to the left, you’ll find Mr. Ping’s Noodle Kaboodle. Mr. Ping hovers in a window above, talking to guests. This is a dry play area, with giant merry-go-round style noodle bowls to play in.

There are two noodle bowls. They have curvy exteriors and a circular railing on the inside.

Moving to the right, there is a laundry-themed water section with dump buckets, water cannons, and giant fans.

Pieces of laundry hang overhead for guests to wash and dry.

Po Live!

Po Live!, an interactive experience, can be found at the back of the area. This experience is similar to Turtle Talk with Crush at EPCOT. Po appears on a screen and responds directly to guests.

Watch our full video of Po Live! below:

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 post PHOTOS, VIDEO: ‘Po Live’ in Kung Fu Training Camp at New DreamWorks Land appeared first on WDW News Today.