Today is Magic Kingdom day! I found new exciting merchandise, took in the beauty of Magic Kingdom, and finished the day at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Magic Kingdom

Nothing is more magical than a morning at the Magic Kingdom before the Halloween Party in the evening. Crowds are lower and the weather wasn’t too hot today. I started my day by taking the Resort Monorail Green from the Transportation and Ticket Center.

As a reporter, it’s customary to check the shops before I run to see the castle show. Uptown Jewelers is usually where I like to start my shopping sprees. I begin with the high price tags and work my way down toward a popcorn budget.

Today, Harvey’s released Hocus Pocus-inspired bags! Fair warning, though, the supply at this shop is limited, and when I left the park today they only had a few of the backpacks left. The tote is $228 and the backpack costs $188.

The Muppets Pandora Charms also were released today. The three charms must be purchased as a set, and cannot be purchased separately. The front of the charms features Miss Piggy, Kermit, and Animal. On the back of their respective charms is each character’s autograph.

It is amazing to me that these charms are hand-painted. The charm set costs $250.

Over at the Emporium on the opposite side of Main Street, U.S.A., I found this cute Fall shirt featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Chip ‘n Dale. They are fully caffeinated with three giant-size fall beverages in the illustration.

This adult shirt costs $24.99 when you buy two or $29.99 for one.

I also spotted this fun new Princess Pin set. This set includes Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip, Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder, Ariel and Prince Eric, and the last pin in the set features Princess Jasmine and Aladdin. The set costs $34.99.

Just as I was about to run out of the Emporium to catch the castle show, I saw three new pet playsets, and I just had to get a closer look to satisfy my inner child. These sets are something that I would have obsessed over as a toddler, and let’s be honest, maybe a little now, too. Each set comes with 13 total pieces!

There is Pegasus from “Hercules” standing adorably in his pen. Raja from “Aladdin” looks purr-fectly precious on his Arabian-themed bedding. The last one I saw available in the Emporium was Max from “The Little Mermaid” looking a bit out of control in his bathtub as any other charming pup would. Each set costs $34.99.

I noticed in Adventureland that the themed pavement has expanded since our last update. I am enjoying this change as it makes the whole area feel more immersive.

Over at the Jungle Cruise, all is very quiet. Right now, the attraction is currently closed for refurbishment. I did notice that they took out the penny machine that was near the exit of this ride. You can see the boats parked almost on top of each other.

There were no major updates to the Pirates of the Caribbean refurbishment and construction, but rest assured I eagerly await the pirate tavern and will keep everyone posted on any progress. I do wonder if Disney will try to play a “kid-friendly” card, a la Gaston’s Tavern, where no alcohol will be served. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure did not open with the park this morning, which has been typical of this ride for a while now. Honestly, even at the end of Splash Mountain’s run, it was difficult to keep the ride running for guests.

The Christmas Shoppe closed two of its entrance points, so of course I had to investigate further. It turns out they are doing some floor refurb just behind the wall in that one section of the store.

For all you Liberty Belle and Tom Sawyer Island folks, here’s your check-in today. I didn’t notice any changes or movement at either yet, but it is coming eventually to make way for Disney Villains and Cars-themed lands.

Ghouls rejoice! The Haunted Mansion mini waffle maker has been restocked in Mento Mori. If you can’t make it to the parks, it is also available online from the Disney Store for the same price.

I also spotted Wendy Darling (who also appeared to have spotted me) and Peter Pan meeting with guests before the Festival of Fantasy Parade.

The halfway point of the park has such a nice view of Cinderella Castle. Is it just me, or does it look bigger from this angle? Bibbidi Bobbodi Boutique was open for walk-in appointments this morning, if that is any indication of the crowd levels today.

Seriously, no one comes to Magic Kingdom on party nights. I cannot stress the ease I felt walking and just looking around instead of dodging strollers or walls of large groups.

Let’s break this down together: Disney used to sell hand sanitizer in holders that looked either exactly like Minnie and the Pizza Planet keychain or similar. Today, I found these with no hand sanitizer bottle — just the holder. If you have bought one in the past you probably have already figured out that other sanitizer bottles (*cough cough* Bath and Body Works) don’t fit in the Disney holders.

That would mean you need the Disney sanitizer bottle to use these, but if you don’t already have one, where do you get one? I haven’t seen the holders with the bottle sold anywhere in a bit. We will keep you posted on whether Disney will sell the bottle separately moving forward. These holders cost $7.99 each.

I popped into Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe to see how Sonny Eclipse was doing. He works so hard.

Mirabel had no one in line but kept a steady flow of guests coming in and out of her casita’s open gates. See what I mean? Party days are the best days to avoid long lines for characters who typically have a healthy queue.

On my way out I stopped at Town Square Theater, where I found some cool new figurines. There was a Sorcerer Mickey, Stitch and ducklings, and Pinocchio and Geppetto — all sold for $29.99. This would be a very nice present to bring back to a friend or family member.

I then took a boat out of Magic Kingdom over to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. If you have the time to spare, I would recommend boat travel over every other form of transportation at Walt Disney World.

I find the ride to be so calming and relaxing, which is exactly what most of us need when getting to and from Disney destinations. The bus and monorail can be quite crowded; the Skyliner is nice but you can get to Hollywood Studios from EPCOT faster by boat most of the time.

I found this cute Polynesian Village Resort ornament in BouTiki, the main store in Grand Ceremonial House (where you check in). This ornament costs $29.99 and the tiki torches light up in different colors periodically.

I also found a Coco sling backpack. This would be perfect for any kiddo going to the parks. It is just the right size to fit the essentials, like an autograph book, water, and your phone. The bag costs $34.99.

You gotta love the weather in Central Florida. On my walk back to my princess parking spot (parking that’s super close to the entrance), it began to rain. Luckily I made it before the sky broke, but check out the split sky as the dark clouds started to roll in in my photo!

That’s it from me today! Hope y’all enjoyed our peaceful day at Magic Kingdom. Is there any merchandise I found today that you’re particularly excited about and want to buy? Let me know in the comments.

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The post PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 8/30/2024 (Harvey Bags, The Muppets Pandora Charms, & More) appeared first on WDW News Today.

Seafood lovers, listen up!

We’re checking out a Marketplace Food Booth made just for you at the 2024 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. We’re at Coastal Eats, and while you’ll find a few more seafood bites around the Festival (like the Grilled Bushberry Spiced Shrimp Skewer at the Australia Booth and the Tostada de Camarones with tempura battered shrimp at the Mexico Booth), Coastal Eats is the only booth entirely dedicated to seafood, and we’re here to bring you our complete review.

Menu

Even though Coastal Eats is a back from previous years, neither dish from last year — including the Oysters Rockefeller — has made a return. But we think folks might forgive that fact when they realize that LOBSTER is on the menu, with the Roasted Warm Water Lobster Tail! Also on the food menu is a Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail.

Drinks are a different story, as the Boyd & Blair Pomegranate Codder is back again, and the cocktail is joined on the menu by Wildly Brut Cuvée. This is also one of the select Booths where you can pick up the souvenir CORKCICLE Stemless Flute.

Alrighty! Let’s all grab a lobster bib and dig in!

Eats

The Roasted Warm Water Lobster Tail with garlic butter has made its way to Coastal Eats! Now, a Lobster Tail was available at the aptly named Lobster Landing Booth a few years ago. But you may recall that lobster disappeared completely from Festival menus in 2022 and remained unavailable in 2023. Now, however, it has made a comeback to the tune of $13.

This was a DELICIOUS lobster tail. There was a solid amount of meat, especially for the $13 price point, and we loved the butter it came with. If you’re a seafood fan, we’d definitely recommend checking it out!

While the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with cocktail sauce is new to Coastal Eats, it was available last year at the Bubbles & Brine Booth with a slightly different presentation.

The Shrimp Cocktail is up for grabs for $13. These were probably the best shrimp we had at the festival.  They were perfectly chilled and nicely meaty. The cocktail sauce wasn’t overly spicy, which should be ideal for most people. All that said though, we probably wouldn’t recommend going out of your way for this dish, especially given the lobster dish available for the same price point.

Drinks

Previously known as the Cape Codder, the Boyd & Blair Pomegranate Codder returns again this year for $12.

This was similar to a Vodka Cranberry, though with pomegranate flavor. Relatively basic, though that’s probably the kind of refreshing treat many would want in the Florida sun.

You may also opt for the Wildly Brut Cuvée for $7.

Coastal Eats is also one of the locations where you can pick up a Food and Wine Festival souvenir: the CORKCICLE Stemless Flute!

You can pick one up for $24.

OVERALL

Overall, Coastal Eats was neither a major miss nor a major a hit. Seafood lovers may want to make a trip for the lobster, but in general, this isn’t a booth we’d recommend prioritizing if you had to the festival.

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: Budget for This EPCOT Festival Booth and That’s ALL first appeared on the disney food blog.

Aaah, Magic Kingdom… Home to whimsical spinning teacups and soaring elephants, 999 Happy Haunts, and a Fairytale Hall full of Disney Princesses. It’s where you can end your day inspired to find your very own “Happily Ever After,” and look forward to “A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.” From Fantasyland to Adventureland to Tomorrowland and beyond, it’s a place where dreams come true! But WAIT…

Do you feel it? A sense of foreboding? Perhaps the presence of something evil lurking this way… If so, that might just be because Disney Villains are coming to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in a BIG WAY! Disney has officially announced that Magic Kingdom is expanding the theme park with a brand new Villains Land. And if you are one of the MANY fans who is already gearing up to channel your inner baddie in this new area, you are likely wondering WHEN this new addition is opening in Walt Disney World’s original park.

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event took place in early August 2024, and of all the HUGE announcements that were dropped during the weekend, perhaps the biggest of all was the reveal by Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman that Villains Land is indeed coming to Magic Kingdom.

VILLAINS LAND IS CONFIRMED FOR MAGIC KINGDOM AT #D23!!! pic.twitter.com/KvJegH7utx

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024

Throughout this post, we’ll share a few more quotes from D’Amaro and additional statements from The Walt Disney Company regarding this highly anticipated new experience. But before we discuss the When of Villains Land, let’s tackle the Who, the What, and the Where.

Villains Land — Who

The “dark and thorny” new land — or perhaps we should say, new LAIR — will be home to those famously evil Disney Villains and might make happily ever “feel like just a distant dream,” according to D’Amaro.

Though Disney has not yet revealed exactly which dastardly Disney ne’er-do-wells might be coming to Villains Land, we have been having fun making some guesses based on both the land’s concept art, as well as possible hints dropped during the announcement. For instance, when D’Amaro made the initial announcement, he also teased: “Be prepared, you poor unfortunate souls, it’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.”

“Be Prepared….” What does that make you think of? It sure brings Scar from The Lion King to mind for me. And, of course, “Poor Unfortunate Souls” just so happens to be Ursula’s show-stopping number in The Little Mermaid.

And, maybe it’s just us, but far off in the distance of the Land’s concept art, there appears to be a castle high on some pointed rocks.

By the looks of it, perhaps this is Maleficent’s castle towering high above the land? 

While we await official word, it’s fun to dream about who we might encounter. All of this begs the question… who would YOU most like to see in Villains Land? 

Take a DEEP DIVE into the Villains Land concept art HERE. 

Villains Land — What

So, what’s coming to Villains Land? Disney has shared that TWO major attractions, along with new dining and shopping experiences will be presented “on an incredibly twisted grand scale.”

We await official details on the new attractions, eateries, and beyond. BUT… in looking very closely at the concept art, our little eyes have spied what we believe to be tracks for a possible roller coaster.

Is Villains Land in Disney World Getting A CAVERN COASTER? Let’s talk about it… 

Villains Land — Where

Even before the official announcement confirming Villains Land, in September of 2022, Disney first publicly floated a “blue sky” project — “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” — that would potentially bring a NEW land (or possibly lands) to Magic Kingdom. Just as the name of the then-mystery project implies, there is some land past Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (which is located in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland) that has been deemed suitable for new construction.

Just days following the official confirmation of Villains Land (on August 12th, 2024, to be exact), Disney confirmed that Villains Land will indeed be set “BEYOND Big Thunder Mountain!”

Villains Land — When

Okay! NOW we’re at the WHEN… When will Villains Land open in Magic Kingdom? Disney has not revealed a timeline for the completion of this massive park expansion (which also includes the addition of a Cars-themed area to Frontierland). However, based on recent major expansions to the Disney World theme parks, we can wager a few educated guesses. For example, a possible reference is the timeline for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which is located in Disneyland park and Disney World’s Hollywood Studios.

Construction on the Star Wars land began in April 2016 in both Disneyland and Disney World. In Disneyland, it opened three years later in May 2019, and in Disney World, it opened four years later in August 2019. That said, Galaxy’s Edge was initially announced in August 2015. So within the next five years could be a potential timeline for the opening of Villains Land. 

Now, you may be thinking, “Hey, I tuned in to all the MAJOR Disney news from the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, so I know that a whole new land is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and that’s supposed to open in 2027. So what’s the hold up in Magic Kingdom?”

Great question!  The difference here is that the new Animal Kingdom land based on The Tropical Americas — which will be called Pueblo Esperanza — is ultimately a transformation of an existing land: what is now DinoLand, U.S.A. is being rethemed into Pueblo Esperanza, and one of the new attractions coming to the land will be a transformation of an already existing attraction, as well. (DINOSAUR is being rethemed into a brand new Indiana Jones attraction.) So breaking new ground complete with all-new construction will likely lend to a longer timeline.

What we can say with certainty is that work for Villains Land is already in progress!

In April 2024, for instance, Disney confirmed that permits were going to be filed for storm drainage and other foundational work for what what then simply referred to as “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain.” Additionally, at the D23 event, D’Amaro stressed that “plans are drawn” and “dirt is moving” for the major initiatives presented on that weekend chock full of breaking news.

You see, Villains Land wasn’t the only major expansion announced for Disney World… not by a long shot. Check out our YouTube video below to see it ALL! (P.S. There’s a LOT. So, as AJ says, “Buckle up!”)

Are YOU pumped about Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom? Please let us know with a comment!

The post When Is Villains Land Opening in Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog.

We came. We saw. We conquered. Yes, we survived the first day of the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, but our tummies are TIRED.

In case you missed it, we spent an entire day in EPCOT enjoying all the festival has to eat and drink. We also checked out some festival entertainment and spent a lot of time writing reviews of every single food booth at the festival (and that was A LOT). However, did you know that some of the festival foods are eligible for the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, you can use snack credits from the Disney Dining Plan on many festival eats. However, we’re going to tell you which foods will give you the most bang for your Disney Dining Plan buck.

For those not familiar with the Disney Dining Plan, it’s basically a way to pre-pay for your food at Disney World before your trip. Two plans are available, but both come with a certain number of snack credits determined by how long you’re staying in Disney World. You can read all about the Disney Dining Plan here. One thing you might not know, though, is that those snack credits can be used on select eats at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. You’ll see the DDP logo beside the items you can use snack credits for.

However, some of these items are a waste of your snack credits because you’re not getting as much value for them. So if you really want to use those snack credits for festival food, we’re going to tell you about the highest-priced eats you should use those for at the festival. Our thinking is that anything above $8 is a good use of a snack credit. So here’s what you should use snack credits for at the festival:

• Bramblewood Bites: Grilled Bison with butternut squash purée, roasted mushrooms, and huckleberry gastrique (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $8.75
• Canada: Filet Mignon with mushrooms, Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs mashed potatoes, and Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs butter (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $9.75
• China: Crispy Duck Bao Bun with hoisin sauce – $8.25

• Coastal Eats: Roasted Warm Water Lobster Tail with garlic butter – $13.00
• Coastal Eats: Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with cocktail sauce (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $13.00
• Earth Eats: Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with goat cheese polenta, puttanesca sauce, shaved pecorino, and petit herbs (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New) – $8.50
• The Fry Basket: Fry Flight (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $8.00 (Truffle-Parmesan Fries, Barbeque Bacon Fries with smoked aïoli, and Sweet Potato Casserole Fries with candied pecans, toasted marshmallow cream, and bourbon maple syrup)

• Italy: Polpettine Toscane: Beef meatballs, rosemary focaccia, and pomodoro sauce (New) – $8.50
• Japan: Wagyu Temaki Sushi: Hand-held sushi with sweet and savory American Wagyu beef topped with Takana Japanese pickles and spicy mayo sauce (New) – $9.50
• Japan: Eel Temaki Sushi: Hand-held sushi with grilled eel, egg crumbles, cucumber, and pickled daikon radish served with eel sauce (New) – $9.50

So if you want those snack credits to do more for you when you’re at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, consider using them on these eats.

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

EVERYTHING You Need to Eat and Drink at the 2024 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival

Will you be using the Disney Dining Plan at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival? Let us know in the comments!

The post Best Festival Snacks for the Disney Dining Plan first appeared on the disney food blog.

TikTok is all the rage right now, except we are not talking about the app…

Instead, we are talking about Tick Tock, the crocodile from Peter Pan! Peter Pan’s Flight just re-opened in Disney World, and if you are a fan of Peter Pan like we are, then you should check out DFB’s brand new merchandise line inspired by Croc himself, Tick Tock!

This merchandise line features more than just t-shirts. We also have mugs, tote bags, and phone cases! Let’s take a look!

Get this Tick Tock Inspired Tote Bag

If you need a new park bag or want to add a touch of Disney to your everyday life, this Tick Tock Croc tote is perfect!

Get it Here!

Need a New Phone Case? Check Out This One!

As part of this collection, we even have a Tick Tock Croc phone case. It comes in a variety of case styles for iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung phones.

View Here!

Need a Mug for Your Morning Coffee? We Have a Tick Tock One Here!

Whether you need a cup of coffee to kick start your day or you need a mid-day pick me up, this Tick Tock Croc mug will add a hint of pixie dust to your day to keep you fueled to finish your day strong!

Shop Here!

Check Out this Cold Drink Tick Tock Cup!

If you prefer a cold beverage like cold brew or a soda as a pick me up, then we also have this Tick Tock glass cup option as well as the mug! This cup style is super popular right now.

Shop Here!

Take a Look at this Adorable Pocket T-Shirt!

This Tick Tock Croc pocket tee is great to wear for a day spent in Fantasyland and of course riding Peter Pan’s Flight! This shirt even comes in a variety of colors!

Purchase Here!

We know that Tick Tock does not always get the love he deserves so we wanted to make sure to show him off in this brand new merchandise line!

Shop Our Amazon Storefront!

The post Peter Pan Fans, This New Merchandise Collection Was Designed Just for You! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Alright. We’re gonna say it. Jack Skellington? He’s a little spooky! Although he makes a great Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party host, there’s something about his tall, looming presence that sends a shiver down our spine. Anyone else?!

Well, Jack is BACK at the 2024 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year, and this year, he brought a SCARY addition to the Magic Kingdom! Wait until you see the new souvenir EVERYONE is talking about online right now.

Disney just announced that a NEW souvenir is coming to Magic Kingdom! Look out for the Scary Teddy Premium Popcorn Bucket, which will debut on September 2nd exclusively at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

If you don’t recognize this little guy, he’s from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas movie. The popcorn bucket comes with a black carrying strap, too. If you know anything about Tim Burton movies, you know that this popcorn bucket fits right in with the dark, dramatic style of Burton’s characters. Yeah, this might be the SCARIEST popcorn bucket Disney has ever made.

Disney hasn’t shared a price yet, but we expect this to be available at various popcorn carts around Magic Kingdom. Don’t forget — it’s a party exclusive, so you need a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party ticket to be able to purchase this bucket. Oh, and it will be coming to Disneyland Resort “later,” too! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

We’re Trying A CREEPY Clam Flatbread in Disney World — And We’re Not Sure How We Feel About It

What do you think about this new bucket? Let us know in the comments!

The post We Hope You’re Sitting Down Because This Is the SCARIEST Disney Popcorn Bucket We’ve Ever Seen first appeared on the disney food blog.

Guests with Halloween Horror Nights tickets who visit Universal Studios Florida during the day can “Stay and Scream” thanks to special areas of the park.

Stay and Scream

During Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Studios Florida officially closes to regular guests at 5 p.m. and HHN festivities don’t begin until 6:30 p.m. HHN ticket-holders who arrive after 5 p.m. will wait in a line outside the park. But those who arrive before 5 p.m. can wait in cordoned-off Stay and Scream sections instead of exiting and re-entering the park.

Guests with HHN tickets can visit Universal Studios Florida before 5 p.m. if they have a regular day ticket, Annual Pass, or Scream Early add-on. The latter allows HHN guests to enter as early as 3 p.m.

There are three Stay and Scream areas, each offering quick access to a set of houses or other HHN experiences. The New York Stay and Scream will let guests out near the houses “A Quiet Place,” “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” “Insidious: The Further,” and Major Sweets Candy Factory. Guests enter this space at Minion Cafe.

Food booths, Louie’s Italian Restaurant, and Finnegan’s Bar & Grill also stay open in New York.

Our TikTok video below shows just how expansive the New York Stay and Scream space is. Guests stay outside but do have access to restrooms, food, and drink. Team Members will check your HHN ticket before you enter the Stay and Scream area.

@universalparksnewstoday

Who’s ready for opening night?? #hhn33 #halloweenhorrornights #universalorlando

♬ Get Ready – Steve Aoki Vocal Radio Edit – 2 Unlimited

Another Stay and Scream is at Today Cafe. This one is near Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America and ostensibly offers a view of the Opening Scaremonies. However, Team Members confirmed that the view isn’t very good.

Guests enter the third Stay and Scream at Lombard’s Seafood Grille. This provides early access to the houses in World Expo: Triplets of Terror, The Museum: Deadly Exhibits, Slaughter Sinema 2, Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines, and Goblin’s Feast.

Halloween Horror Nights is on select nights from August 30 through November 30.

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 Guide to Halloween Horror Nights 33 Stay and Scream Areas appeared first on WDW News Today.