Are you ready for your trip to Disney World?

Now we love Disney World, all the parks, and the resorts, but let’s be honest, not everything there is all sunshine and rainbows. Talking about that, there’s this trend we’ve been noticing that’s really been curling all our collective stomachs and we wanted to pick your brains to find out how you felt about it! Well, we asked and you delivered!

We reached out to our followers on Facebook to ask: “Do you feel like Disney World is DIRTIER now than it was before?” We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments!

Now, let’s dive into some of your top responses!

The “Yes” Team

First up, we’ve got a solid group of you who think that Disney World is definitely dirtier now than it was before.

To this point, DFB reader Liann started off the conversation by sharing, “Unfortunately yes. I remember 2016,2017 and 2019, you wouldn’t even see a full garbage can. This trip I saw garbage on the ground, in the bushes in Epcot etc.” And he’s not alone. Tyler chimed with, “I remember they’d touch up paint after closing. Fresh and clean! Not so much anymore.”

Then we’ve got Nicole, who added, “It’s because people are disrespectful and expect cast members to be their maids. The amount of trash I see people just leave everywhere is astonishing. The last time I was at Fantasmic I was in shock at the trash everywhere because people can’t just take it and throw it away.”

The “No” Crew

Next up, there’s a sizeable group of you who think Disney World is doing just fine when it comes to the overall cleanliness.

First up, DFB reader Brooklyn shared, “Was there last September it was fine… I don’t ever remember it being dirty or not kept… I noticed in all the years it’s very rare people leave a mess… I think for the most part people are respectful.” Lisa added, “No, I was there today and it was perfectly clean.” Then Racer shared, “No, I don’t think so although I keep hearing about cockroaches. I’ve never seen them there and I hope I never do. They need to stop letting people bring in so much food from outside and keep groceries in the rooms.”

We have Jacquie wrapping this one up with, “I guess I’m lucky. I have visited so many times and it has always been clean. If anything, the restrooms are cleaner now. As far as trash on the grounds, perhaps some people are more careless.”

The “Hmm… It’s Complicated” Squad

Lastly, we have a bit more complicated feelings surrounding the cleanliness of Disney World.

For example, we had DFB reader Kim share, “bit less clean but still cleaner than other parks I’ve been to. I saw it mostly in the restrooms during my last visit.” Then Carolyn added, “Maybe. But it’s not the fault of the cast members. It’s the fault of rude guests.” Angela continued the conversation with, “It’s definitely different… also many of the customers don’t show a level of respect for the parks, resorts and restaurants. Sad.”

Those were just some of your thoughts on whether Disney World has become dirtier than it was before, and we want to hear more from you! Until then, keep it right here for all the latest Disney news! Also, follow us on Facebook to join in on the next discussion.

I’m Sorry, Are We Just Gonna IGNORE This ABANDONED Disney World Hotel Restaurant?

What are your thoughts on Disney World cleanliness? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 

The post Disney Fans Reveal the One DISGUSTING Change That’s Hit Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.

There is another festival that starts at Disney World this weekend, but it is not at EPCOT.

While the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival just started, another festival will be happening this weekend at Disney Springs! The Great Irish Hooley will be returning for Labor Day weekend at Ragland Road from August 30th to September 2nd. Of course, we have to talk about this FUN event, so let’s go!

This festival celebrates Irish song, dance, food, and drink. This boutique music festival offers both Irish and world music, all at Raglan Road! A Hooley is a Gaelic term for a lively party with music, entertainment, and fun!

The best part? There is no charge to attend the festival! All the fun officially began Friday afternoon on August 30th and will end late on Monday, which is Labor Day. The event is popular, so reservations are recommended. You can make advance dining reservations through the My Disney Experience app as well as OpenTable.

If you are interested in live music, this year’s line-up includes Bandits on the Run, Cassie and Maggie, The Byrne Brothers, Men of Aran, Northern Crossing, and The Connemara Ramblers.

A specialty Hooley cocktail is debuting this year, too, and you can get it as both an alcoholic drink or mocktail: The Wild Rosy is made with Glendalough Wild Rose Gin, Rockeys Botanical Liqueur, homemade rosemary syrup, lemon Pellegrino, and Fever Tree premium tonic, while the Not So Wild Rosy is made with Seedlip Garden 108 (non-alcoholic) spirit, homemade rosemary syrup, lemon Pelligrino, and Fever Tree premium tonic.

You can’t have a celebration without food. The Raglan Road all-day menu will be available during the event, featuring some of your Raglan Road favorites, like Braised Be Beef, Fish & Chips, OMG Burger, and more.

Some new food will also be debuting as of September 9th, including new brunch items, When Ireland Dates America (bacon and cabbage mac ‘n cheese bites, maple glazed Bakers bacon, carrot and cabbage slaw, and pickled red cabbage puree) and Steak Agus Eggs (steak and fried egg on a cheddar and buttermilk biscuit waffle, caramelized onion, sauteed wild mushrooms, chimichurri butter, and maple glaze).

The Shepherd Went Vegan will have a new recipe: three bean and lentil mild chili casserole with bulgur wheat, root vegetables, topped with olive oil mashed potatoes with a fire roasted pepper and cherry tomato gravy. Butternut Squash Gnocchi will make its menu debut later in September. It’s made with butternut squash gnocchi, white wine butter sauce, sauteed leeks, confit tomatoes, mushroom tempura, brown bread, and pumpkin seed granola.

There is even complimentary Celtic face painting!  If you are looking to catch an Irish dancing performance, the Raglan Road Irish Dancers will be performing throughout the event!

However, the Hooley isn’t the ONLY celebration happening at Raglan Road. Ireland will be meeting Germany for the new Oktoberfeis. This is Raglan Road’s Irish Oktoberfest event, which happens from September 9th through October 6th. Raglan Road is releasing a new Bavarian Irish-style pumpkin ale named “Octoberfeis” in collaboration with Crooked Can Brewing Co. just for the event!

A special new menu of Oktoberfeis foods will also be offered as an a la carte or three-course dining experience. That menu includes a Potato Pretzel with beer-braised caramelized onion and cheese sauce…

…and Pork Chop Schnitzel with crispy skin on fried potato wedges, mustard cream sauce, pear, and shallot relish with fine-grated Parmesan.

For a sweet ending, you’ll be able to order the Apple Strudel with vanilla custard and vanilla mascarpone with oat crumble.

Next door, at Cookes of Dublin will also be participating in Oktoberfeis, serving the Bavarian Irish Pumpkin Ale in a can and offering a Pork Schnitzel Sandwich with pickled slaw, pear chutney, wholegrain mustard mayonnaise, and crispy fried onions.

For a full schedule of all the fun going on at Raglan Road, you can check out the Raglan Road website here!

A NEW Bar Is Opening Soon in Disney Springs!

Will you be checking out The Great Irish Hooley Festival this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were sent press materials by Raglan Road from a media preview of The Great Irish Hooley. Note that when we attend events as media or are sent press materials, we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ

The post It’s BACK! Disney World Is Hosting a POPULAR Festival You Can Attend WITHOUT a Park Ticket first appeared on the disney food blog.

There’s a NEW place to get sweet treats in Disney World!

What better way to cap off an amazing day in Disney World than with a sweet treat?? We love having snack options available around the Disney World hotels so we don’t have to worry about traveling too far after walking around the parks all day. And now, a NEW dessert spot has popped up at one of our favorite places to stay!

Despite their name, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts are actually owned by Marriott, not Disney. But staying there still comes with a TON of great Disney park perks, including the ability to walk to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios from the hotel!

In addition to great views and close access to the parks, these hotels also have some incredible dining options, like Todd English’s bluezoo at the Dolphin Resort and Il Mulino New York Trattoria at the Swan Resort. But if you’re just looking for a sweet snack instead of a full, swanky meal like you’d find at those restaurants, a NEW option has popped up at the Swan & Dolphin Resorts!

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin announced that their new Storybook Treats pop-up snack truck can now be found near the boat dock between the Swan and Dolphin hotels.

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A post shared by Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin (@swandolphin)

The snack truck will offer a section of treats and beverages on Friday and Saturday evenings, weather permitting. We’re all for having as many snacking options nearby as possible, so we love the idea of a bonus treat truck!

According to the post, the sweets truck only serves on Friday and Saturday evenings and the hours are subject to change. But if you happen to stop by when the snack truck isn’t serving, don’t worry — there are some other places to get sweets nearby! You could check out The Fountain for a decadent milkshake, or Fuel for a grab-and-go option.

We’ll continue to be on the lookout for more food news from around the Disney parks and resorts, so stay tuned to DFB for all of the latest updates!

12 Tricky NEW Disney World Hotel Hacks

What’s your favorite dessert spot in Disney World? Share with us in the comments!

The post Something NEW Is Coming to Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotel, and You’re Gonna LOVE It! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Planning a trip to Disney World can be quite the challenge when it comes to where you’re going to stay.

Let’s just say that you have plenty of options to choose from (there are more than 25 hotels). For sake of argument, let’s pretend that you’ve already booked your Disney World hotel. Now what? So glad you asked. We want to try and help you out by bringing you a whole list of Disney World hotel hacks for your viewing (and planning) pleasure!

Let’s get right into our 12 Disney World hotel hacks!

Find The BEST Hotel Rooms, Resort-Wide

Booking a Disney World hotel is a no-brainer especially if you’re after those perks like convenient transportation and being super close to the parks. But even at resorts that promise these perks, you might end up in a room that’s quite a hike away from actually being able to use them.

But don’t worry because we’ve got your back. We’ve done the legwork (literally) to find the most convenient rooms across all the Disney World resorts. We hit the ground running to locate the best rooms that maximize those perks, and I mean we counted the steps to these rooms so you don’t have to.

Skyliner Resorts

• Art of Animation: Nemo Buildings are where it’s at. Rooms 5514, 5513, 4540, and 4539 are about 127 steps from the Skyliner.
• Pop Century: The 60s buildings are prime. Specifically, rooms 5111, 5112, 4161, and 4162 are just 130 steps away.
• Caribbean Beach: Rooms 4104 and 4102 (Jamaica buildings) are 194 steps via the pathway, but cut through the grass, and rooms 4130 and 4131 are only 130 steps away. Aruba’s rooms 5509 and 5510 are 164 steps from the Riviera Skyliner.
• Riviera Resort: Rooms 5509 and 5510 are a quick 94 steps from the entrance to the Hollywood Studios side of the Skyliner.

If EPCOT is your main destination, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is practically on top of it (no Skyliner needed). The closest room, 1501, is just 245 steps from the International Gateway.

The Monorail Resorts

If you’re all about Magic Kingdom, the closest rooms are at Bay Lake Tower (part of the Contemporary Resort). Rooms 7111, 7109, 7132, and 7134 are about 1,006 steps from the gates, with 7132 and 7134 also being close to the main building and elevators. Also, they have an exterior exit door nearby that can give you access to the bus station walking path.

Get Party Tickets EARLY

As you know, Disney’s got a number of parties throughout the year. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is happening right now (on select nights from August 9th to October 31st, 2024) and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be coming on select nights from November 8th to December 20th, 2024.

Disney loves rewarding their resort guests with early access to party tickets. So, if you want first dibs, especially at lower prices, you’re going to want to book your Disney hotel stay before those early ticket release dates.

In addition to those staying a Disney Resort, those staying at the Swan, Dolphin, or Shades of Green also get early ticket access.

Find the CHEAPEST Food Options for Your Family

All of the Disney World resorts have a ton of dining options, but if you’re hunting for the cheapest eats  on the property that still taste great and feed the whole crew, we’ve got you covered.

The best bang for your buck at most Disney resort over the quick services are going to be the family-sized pizzas. They run about $20+ and can easily feed a family of four.

If you’re looking for something other than pizza, at Fort Wilderness, Trail’s End offers family meal deals like a full slab of BBQ ribs with sides for $32, or an 8-piece fried chicken meal for $29. These meals can stretch to feed 3-4 people, especially if you’ve got kiddos who zero in on the mac and cheese.

Also, Sebastian’s Bistro at Caribbean Beach has stepped up its game and now offers the cheapest all-you-can-eat meal on property for $38 per adult and $20 per child.

If you’re really looking to save, you might want to consider ordering food via delivery apps like Grubhub, Uber Eats, or DoorDash. They’ll bring your food straight to your resort, but remember to factor in delivery fees, service fees, and tips to see if it’s really a better deal.

If you need groceries, try Kroger Delivery through their app. They’ve got a distribution center near Disney, which means that you can stock up without leaving your hotel. Just be sure to stay around the hotel when your order’s expected, or you can have it dropped off at the front desk (though Disney charges $6 for this service).

Stay at a Cheaper Resort but Take Advantage of the Deluxe Offers

For starters, you don’t need to drop $500+ a night to get a taste of the deluxe Disney experience. Even if you book a stay at a value or moderate resort, you can still hop over to one of the deluxe resorts during your trip. Disney’s got you covered with free transportation from their parks or Disney Springs, so you can easily check out the shops, restaurants, and activities at a deluxe resort. You won’t have access to their pools, gyms, or the extended evening hours in the parks, but that’s a small trade-off.

Want to channel your inner Hannah Montana and get the best of both worlds? You can totally experience that Disney deluxe life without the premium price tag by trying one of these three options:

Option 1: Book a room at Gran Destino at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (a moderate resort).

• Gran Destino brings all the deluxe vibes with its luxurious setup, including awesome pools, two gyms, and table-service dining galore. (Plus, there’s a rooftop fireworks-view lounge, Dahlia Lounge!) It’s also the only moderate resort on Disney property that offers Club-Level stays.
• What’s so great about Club-Level rooms? Along with personalized concierge service, you’ll also get complimentary food and drinks! Many guests even plan a meal or two in the lounge, which can help offset the cost of the upgrade.
• At Gran Destino’s Chronos Lounge, you’ll find continental breakfast in the morning, snacks and beverages in the afternoon, and tapas (aka small bites), wine, beer, and cocktails in the evenings.
  And the best part is that Gran Destino’s Club-Level rooms are often cheaper than a standard room at a deluxe resort.
• The only downside is that since Coronado Springs is still considered a moderate resort, you won’t get those Extended Evening Hours perks.

Option 2: Try a “split stay.”

• A split stay means that you book one Disney resort for the start of your trip and then transfer to another resort during the same vacation.
• This way, you can enjoy a deluxe resort room (and all the perks like Extended Evening Hours) for a day or two, then save money by staying at a more affordable value resort for the rest of your trip.
• The great thing about this is that you don’t have to worry about lugging your stuff around either as Disney will transfer your luggage to your next resort for you! (Just let Bell Services know you’re switching hotels, fill out a quick form, and they’ll handle the rest.)

Option 3: Snag a room at the Swan and Dolphin.

• The Swan and Dolphin hotels are owned by Marriott but partnered with Disney, so you’ll get similar perks to a Disney deluxe resort at a typically lower price.
• If you’re in the Marriott Bonvoy program, you’ll also earn rewards for your stay and can use points to book future stays, saving even more cash.
• Even though it’s not Disney-owned, you’ll still get Early Theme Park Entry (30 minutes before the park opens) and Extended Evening Hours.
• You’ll be staying in the heart of the EPCOT resort area, so you can easily walk to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and other nearby resorts, or take a Friendship Boat if you’re not feeling the walk.
• Plus, you’ve got access to some fantastic dining spots that a lot of Disney guests don’t even know about, like Rosa Mexicano, Todd English’s Bluezoo, The Fountain, and self-serve Dole Whip at Fuel.

Book a Hotel With Free Food

Just a heads up, this hack is going to take you outside the Disney bubble because, unfortunately, Disney World resorts don’t offer free breakfast. Whether you’re staying at a value, moderate, or deluxe hotel, you’ll have to shell out for your morning bacon and eggs. The only exception is staying Club Level, where breakfast is included with your private lounge access.

But if you’re not about that Club Level price tag and still want a complimentary breakfast, you can score one at some non-Disney hotels nearby. It might take a bit of research, but it’s worth it.

One of our absolute faves is the Drury Plaza Lake Buena Vista, located in the Disney Springs area. Not only do they serve up a free continental breakfast every morning (Mickey waffle station, anyone?), but there’s also more where that came from.

Drury Plaza also offers a complimentary 5:30 PM “kickback” meal with snacks, cold drinks, beer, wine, mixed drinks, and more every night. While the menu changes daily, you can expect options like salad, soup, chili, pasta, baked potatoes, nachos, and sliders. It’s enough to count as a full dinner, meaning you’re saving serious cash on not just one meal, but two!

Find the 24 Hour Refill Stations

If you’re planning on getting a resort refill mug for your Disney World stay? Here’s a hack to make sure you get your money’s worth.

First, let’s break down the deal with Disney’s refillable mugs. These 16 oz. insulated mugs are sold at Disney hotels’ main counter service spots and come free if you add the Disney Dining Plan to your vacation package. Once you’ve got one, you can enjoy unlimited free refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and tea at participating beverage locations across Disney hotels for up to 14 days.

Keep in mind that this only applies to Disney hotels, not the parks. But feel free to bring your mug along as you explore different resorts because refill stations are scattered across all Disney hotels, so you can grab a drink wherever you are.

Here’s the real kicker, while many drink stations close early with the restaurants, some resort pool bars have refill stations that stay open 24/7. That means you can get your soda fix any time, day or night. A few 24-hour refill stations we’ve found recently include:

• Petals Pool Bar at Pop Century Resort
• Banana Cabana at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Drop Off Pool Bar at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Use one of these SECRET Hotel Discounts

And we’re back at the Swan and Dolphin because there are even more ways to save on your stay here. Let’s dive into these discounts!

• AAA/CAA Members can save up to 25% on the best available rate at booking. The same discount applies to Law Enforcement, Military Personnel, Government Employees, Teachers, School Support Staff, and senior citizens (62+).
• Healthcare Heroes like Nurses, Doctors, Firefighters, Paramedics, and Medical Personnel get a special appreciation rate, which changes depending on the time of year.
• Florida Residents and Disney World Annual Passholders can save up to 30% off regular rates.
• Anyone can save up to 20% by booking a pre-paid, non-refundable room in 2024. Also if you’re traveling with a crew and need more than one room, you can book a second guest room for up to 25% off a regular rate.

Remember that Disney’s resorts also regularly promote special offers and discounts on their website, so always check the site for deals before booking at full price!

See a Hotel Parade!

A parade at a Disney World resort? Say what? There are actually TWO resort parades you might be able to catch during your Disney stay, depending on when you visit.

The first is at Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter during their Mardi Gras celebrations.

• During Mardi Gras, these New Orleans-inspired resorts go all out with special events, including the Port Orleans Mardi Gras Pargo Parade.
  • This year, the parade started at 10 AM EST near Building 80 at Port Orleans Riverside and wound through the resort, ending in the French Quarter courtyard.
  • The parade is a blast, featuring jazz bands, character appearances (like Princess Tiana in a horse-drawn carriage), and golf carts decked out as parade floats (made by resort guests!). You can even vote for your favorite float after the parade. And yes, there are plenty of Mardi Gras beads to collect in a family-friendly way.

The second option is at Fort Wilderness, where you could see one of THREE seasonal golf cart parades: Fourth of July, Halloween, or Christmas.

• These parades are guest-led, meaning campground guests started them as a fun vacation tradition, and now they’re a Fort Wilderness staple.
• The parades usually kick off at the hitching area near the front entrance and follow the road through the Meadow section, passing by the judge’s tent where floats are scored based on creativity and theme.
• The top six floats are chosen by the judges, and campground guests vote for the overall winner.
• Want in on the fun? To participate, you have to be staying at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
  • A week before the parade, sign up at the Bike Barn to get your lineup spot and order number. After that, just follow Disney’s rules to ensure everyone’s safety.
• As for spectating, that’s trickier. This parade is super popular, so only guests staying at the campground can watch. No reservation, no parade-viewing for you.

Pack for SUCCESS

Listen, I get it. Keeping your hotel room organized might not be your top priority on a Disney World trip, but there are some super handy items that have made our stays way more convenient and organized by default.

Take compression packing cubes, for example. These things are game-changers! They work like vacuum sealers for your clothes. If you’ve got bulky items or just a ton of stuff to pack, these cubes help you squeeze everything into your suitcase without sacrificing your favorite outfits.

Plus, at the end of your trip (when your stuff somehow magically expands), you can cram everything back into those cubes, avoiding the dreaded vacation Tetris as you try to repack.

Another pro tip? Bring a foldable hamper. It keeps all your dirty laundry in one spot, making packing to go home easier.

Also, you can use it to carry your clothes down to the laundry facilities available at every Disney World resort.

Speaking of laundry, one of the best parts about Disney’s laundry facilities is that you don’t have to babysit your clothes! Download the LaundryView app, which notifies you when your laundry is done. So, while your clothes are getting clean, you can go for a swim or grab a Dole Whip instead of watching your laundry spin.

Okay, let’s talk about your nightstand. One of the best ways we’ve found to avoid clutter is by investing in a 3-in-1 charging station, like the one we found on Amazon for Apple users.

This nifty gadget charges your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once, so no more tangled wires.

Also, you’ll want to consider packing a small, flat power strip with USB ports to plug in your charging station and your MagicBand+ if you’re using one.

This way, all your devices will be fully charged and ready for a day at the parks.

Prioritize Reservations for NEW Resort Restaurants

If you didn’t know, there are some fresh new restaurants popping up at Disney resorts, and even more on the way! In the “new and now open” category, we’ve got the reimagined character dining buffet at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian Resort.

Coming soon, there’s The Cake Bake Shop, expected to open at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn later this year. (Fingers crossed—it’s been delayed a few times, but we’re hopeful!) So, here’s the deal, “New” in Disney World terms means “popular,” and that means reservations are going to fill up fast. So, make sure you’re on top of booking those advance dining reservations as soon as you can.

Typically, you can start booking Disney dining reservations 60 days before your meal, but if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you get a little extra magic. You can book reservations up to 60 days in advance plus the length of your stay (up to 10 days). This means you could snag a table at 1900 Park Fare up to 70 days ahead of time if you’re staying at a Disney resort (again depending on how long your trip is). This gives you a better shot at grabbing those high-demand tables before they’re all gone.

Take a Fireworks Cruise

Some of the Disney World hotels offer a way to make the nighttime fireworks even more magical and private! Now, Fireworks cruises might not be brand new, but they’re a fresh way to see the show from a whole new perspective.

Here’s what you’re in for:

• You’ll board a 25-foot pontoon that comfortably fits up to 10 guests.
• Each cruise comes with a captain, snacks, drinks, piped-in music, and if you’re celebrating something special, you can request banners and balloons at no extra cost. Why not, right?

The fireworks you’ll see depend on where your cruise departs from.

• If your boat leaves from the Contemporary, Polynesian Village, Grand Floridian, Fort Wilderness, or Wilderness Lodge, you’ll catch the Happily Ever After show over Magic Kingdom.
• If you set sail from the Yacht and Beach Club marina, you’ll get to see EPCOT’s latest fireworks spectacular, Luminous: The Symphony of Us, which just debuted this past December as part of Disney’s 100th Anniversary celebration. Expect a mix of fireworks, fountains, lasers, and classic Disney tunes.

Prices for these cruises start at $449 plus tax and vary depending on the day. To book, call (407) 939-7529 before your trip.

Self-Serve Dole Whip

Did you know that the power to control how much Dole Whip you swirl into your bowl is now in your hands?! Can you handle that kind of responsibility?

Over at the Swan and Dolphin’s grab-and-go spot called Fuel (located on the Dolphin side), you’ll find sandwiches, specialty coffees, and other elevated snacks, and they’ve got a DIY froyo bar too.

There are tons of flavors to choose from like dulce de leche, New York Cheesecake, Strawberry and Mango Sunrise. But the real gem is that you can score that classic Pineapple Dole Whip straight from the self-serve machines. You can even mix it up with a Pineapple Dole Whip and Sweet Coconut swirl and then pile on whatever toppings your heart desires!

Dole Whip freedom never tasted so sweet, right? Just keep in mind that Fuel charges by the ounce (68 cents per ounce, to be exact), so if you get a little too swirl-happy, you might end up with quite a pricey treat!

If you want to learn all about the different Disney World hotels and their unique offerings, check out the link below!

Which Disney World Resort Hotel is Best for YOU?

Keep it right here at DFB for all things Disney World!

The Great Hall Cart at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa has returned to serve up some limited-time Halloween treats. The cart is open through October 31, 2024.

The Apple Crumble Loaf Cake ($15) and Halloween Cookie Box ($25) were not available on our visit.

Gingerbread Pumpkin Cookie – $10

We received this cookie during the media event. It looks great and tastes pretty good too. It’s soft, with more gingerbread flavor than pumpkin.

Rating out of 7: 5

Poison Apple Cookie – $10

This is a sugar cookie decorated to look like the red apple with green poison from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

Macarons – $30

The macarons are also poison apple-inspired.

Spooky Pretzel Sticks – $16

The pretzel sticks are dipped in chocolate and coated in toppings. They aren’t themed to anything Disney-related, though two of them have Halloween sprinkles.

Halloween Crisped Rice Treat – $9

This treat features orange sugar and an image of the old hag holding a jack-o’-lantern.

Caramel Apple Cookie – $10

The caramel apple cookie is colored green and topped with green sugar sprinkles plus an edible medallion featuring the Evil Queen.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Shot – $10 with Milk or $18 with Liqueur

The cookie shots are made from chocolate chip cookie dough and formed into a cup. The interior is coated in chocolate to keep the liquid from turning the cup into a soggy mess. They’re topped with sprinkles.

Guests can choose milk for a non-alcoholic option, or they can choose from the following liqueurs: Absolut Vodka, Amaretto Liqueur, Baileys LIqueur, Frangelico Liqueur, RumChata Liqueur, Jameson Irish Whiskey, or Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey.

For an additional charge, guests can also choose Clase Azul Ultra Anejo or Louis XIII Cognac. The prices are listed simply as “Inquire.”

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

The post Gingerbread Pumpkin Cookie and More Halloween Treats at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel appeared first on WDW News Today.

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news!

The 2024 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival has officially kicked off, we know when construction will begin on the Avengers Campus EXPANSION in Disney California Adventure, a beloved missing Disney snack is BACK and so much more.

All the latest Disney Parks news is coming up right now on DFB Guide.

By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode!

So check out the video and then let us know: Which Disney news of the week are you the most excited about?

The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival & MORE! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Sunshine Seasons in EPCOT‘s The Land Pavilion has joined in the Food & Wine Festival fun this year with a special drink!

Sunshine Seasons is one of the of the permanent EPCOT locations that also join in on the festival fun with exclusive, limited-time snacks. Come with us to check out this year’s Food & Wine Festival addition!

Menu

Over at Sunshine Seasons, you’ll find a special festival-edition shake — the Caramel Apple Milk Shake for $10.99 made with Artisanal gelato, pâte brisée, whipped cream, candy apple cake, and caramel drizzle.

 

Drinks

It was a very nice reprieve to step inside the beautiful air conditioning of The Land Pavilion to grab this milkshake, which, right off the bat, LOOKED amazing!

The cake pop on top genuinely looked like a caramel apple, which we thought was so cute!

We will admit though that it fell off the stick before we could cut it to get a photo, so beware!

And the pastry ring underneath the cake pop was impressive, too! It really brought the whole treat together.

So it looked great, but how did it taste? Well, we’re sorry to say that our reporter’s exact words called this treat “sad,” and they recommend skipping it and getting an Apple Chai drink from Starbucks instead. 

OVERALL

Ouch! That’s not what we wanted to hear. In this case, we didn’t get a ton of apple or caramel flavor, so it was a pretty bland shake. Even the cool design of the cake pop and pastry ring couldn’t save it because we weren’t impressed with those either.

That’s it for the festival offerings at Sunshine Seasons, but there’s a LOT more where that came from!

Trying to plan the PERFECT trip to the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival? We’ll be keeping you updated on all of the latest. Click our links below for the information you need to know:

• Learn about the Eat to the Beat Concert Series and Dining Packages
• Check out ALL of the 2024 Food & Wine Booth Menus
• One HUGE Change Is Coming to the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival!

Click here to see FULL reviews of EVERY. SINGLE. BOOTH. at the Food & Wine Festival!

And don’t forget to pick up our 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival e-book! See more details about the book below.

Would you try this festival treat? Tell us in the comments!

The post REVIEW: This EPCOT Restaurant’s Food and Wine Dessert Just Broke Our Hearts a Little first appeared on the disney food blog.

If you’ve ever been strolling around World Showcase during the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival and came across a very, very, VERY long line surrounding one of the Festival Marketplace Food Booths…

… then it’s quite possible that you’re already familiar with the Canada Booth! This fan-favorite booth celebrating the cuisine of our neighbors to the North is a popular destination for just about every guest at the 2024 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. And since we are reviewing every single Food Booth at the Festival, we’re just as excited as you probably are to see if this beloved Booth lives up to the hype (as evidenced by those long lines) once again this year.

Menu

For all the excitement surrounding the Canada Booth, there are only two food items on the menu again this year, and both are returning favorites: the Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup and the Filet Mignon.

To accompany the dishes are a beer and a wine option: Collective Arts Brewing Audio/Visual Lager and Château des Charmes Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The question, of course, is whether these items stand up once again to their already stellar reputation…

Eats

The fragrance wafting from the Canada Booth is enough to draw in many guests, and that’s thanks in no small part to the Filet Mignon. It’s plated with mushrooms and Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs mashed potatoes (a new addition to the dish as of last year), and is finished with Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs butter.

Year after year, the Filet Mignon stands out as one of the best dishes at the Festival. That said, it’s typically one of the Festival’s pricier dishes, coming in at $9.75. However, if you have the Disney Dining Plan, this is a great use of a snack credit!

One thing we discovered at that the filet was served a little differently this year. This time around, there is no sauce on the steak like we’ve had in the past. Last year, the butter was served on the steak, but this year, it was served on the side.  As a result, the steak was dry this year, rather than juicy. It was also pretty well done. Yes, the steak was a big downgrade this year. Also, it didn’t really deliver in the flavor department either.

However, the mashed potatoes are smooth and garlicky, and we really liked those, but you only get a tiny little scoop. A happy accident is that with the butter being served right next to the potatoes, it melts and gets all up in them and makes them even better. But that’s not enough to justify paying almost $10 for this item this year — the steak is just not great.

Grab a spoon, because next we’re digging into the Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup which comes with a pretzel roll! (This also happens to be one of the eligible items for those who plan to partake in Emile’s Fromage Montage Cheese Crawl.)

It’s up for grabs for $6, and many find it to be an affordable way to enjoy one of the famous dishes from Le Cellier Steakhouse (the Canada Pavilion’s signature restaurant) — no Advance Dining Reservation needed! Now, this is usually a big hit with us (it’s cheese soup, so OF COURSE, we love it). As always, it’s creamy and cheesy with that hint of bacon flavor. This one is a MUST if you love cheese — we get it every year for a reason.

We’ll admit we didn’t get to taste the pretzel roll because it got soaked in one of those infamous Florida rainstorms, so thanks for nothing, Florida weather.

Drinks

You can choose the Collective Arts Brewing Audio/Visual Lager to go with your dishes. The cost is $5.75 for 6 ounces or $9.75 for 12 ounces.

You can also opt for a pour of Château des Charmes Cabernet Sauvignon for $7.50.

OVERALL

We’ll admit we were a bit disappointed with the steak option at the booth this year, although it’s been a favorite in the past. We would recommend skipping that, especially at its price point. However, we will NEVER not recommend the cheese soup as it’s consistently a favorite of ours every single festival.

Oh, Canada! Good to see you again!

Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup served with a pretzel roll
Filet Mignon with mushrooms
Collective Arts Brewing Audio/Visual Lager pic.twitter.com/yARot2y2XV

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 30, 2024

Trying to plan the PERFECT trip to the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival? We’ll be keeping you updated on all of the latest. Click our links below for the information you need to know:

• Learn about the Eat to the Beat Concert Series and Dining Packages
• Check out ALL of the 2024 Food & Wine Booth Menus
• Find ALL of our EPCOT Food and Wine Festival REVIEWS right here!

And don’t forget to pick up our 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival e-book! See more details about the book below.

What items from this booth would you most want to try? Tell us in the comments!

The post REVIEW: If You Have To Spend in EPCOT, Don’t Spend It On THIS. first appeared on the disney food blog.