Tag: typhoon lagoon

Ten ?Bizarre? Things You Never Knew You Could Do at Disney World

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 28, 2020

When people come up with their absolute “must do” activities at Disney World, most travelers think of things like riding Space Mountain, watching the fireworks, and enjoying a delicious Dole Whip.

Dole Whip from Marketplace Snacks in Disney Springs

But in addition to these fan-favorite attractions and activities, there’s an entire world of unique and perhaps a bit bizarre things you can do at Disney World! Follow along for 10 of the best!

Mail a coconut!

Why mail any old postcard to your friends and family back home when you can mail them a COCONUT!?

Coconut Postcard

You can purchase a painted coconut (postage comes included!) from Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar by Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom, BouTiki at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Calypso Trading Post at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. They’ll ship anywhere in the US!

Face coffee and beer

Personalized merchandise is one of the more popular souvenirs you can scoop up at Disney World. Getting your name embroidered on a pair of Mickey ears is one thing, but you can get personalized latte art designs at several Joffrey’s Coffee locations throughout Disney World!

Latte Art Sign

Most Latte Art locations offer classic designs like Mickey, but a select few locations offer WAY more variety!

Joffrey’s Reopened

Ripples is an app that lets you pick your favorite logos and designs for your foamy beverage! This also includes the ability to add an image of your very own FACE! Yes, you can get a Latte Selfie on your coffee!

Our Adorable Cast Member and Her Latte Selfie!

Aside from your morning cup of joe, we also recently discovered you can get a special design (as well as your very own FACE!) on beer, too!

Face Beer!

Next time you’re at Disney Springs, stop by Raglan Road Irish Pub to print your face on your next round of beer!

Get a silhouette of your pet on Main Street

Folks might know that you can get silhouette portraits of yourself and your family at the silhouette portrait cart in Magic Kingdom. But did you know you can also get one done of your PET!?

Mary Poppins Character Silhouettes

Just bring a photo of your furry friend and the artist can add them to your family’s collection of portraits! There are multiple carts around Disney World (that can sometimes be less busy than the Main Street location). Head to Liberty Square, the France Pavilion in Epcot, or to Disney Springs to find additional silhouette carts!

Purchase Shaq’s shoe!

There are tons of unique, one-of-a-kind merchandise items you can find throughout Disney World. For sports fanatics, you may want to stop into the NBA Experience in Disney Springs next time you visit for the opportunity to ‘score’ some special sports memorabilia!

NBA Experience Store

You can purchase Shaquille O’Neal’s size 22 “Shaq Attaq” sneaker, SIGNED, for $900! Or, you can get a basketball signed by Michael Jordan for the low entry price of $3,000!

Go fishing along the waterways of Disney World!

Disney World is home to tons of recreational activities for you and your family to enjoy outside of the theme parks! Non-park days are a great way to recharge and explore everything else that Disney World has to offer!

Port Orleans

One activity you can take part in is fishing! Guided catch-and-release fishing excursions are offered on several waterways around the resort, including Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, Village Lake, Crescent Lake, and even World Showcase Lagoon!

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort

If you don’t have time to head out on a boat, you can rent a casting rod and fish dockside at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside.

Go scuba diving

If fishing doesn’t fit your style and you’re looking for a little bit more adventure, why not swim WITH the fish? You can go scuba diving at The Seas in EPCOT!

Hidden Mickey in Epcot

This three-hour class includes 40 minutes in the water, as well as a backstage tour of the aquarium where you’ll learn all about how the team at EPCOT cares for their animals!

The Seas with Nemo and Friends

You must be scuba certified before enrolling in this experience.

Get a haircut

Next time you need to get a trim, wait until you’re on vacation and you can get your hair cut at Disney World! Harmony Barber Shop is located on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom and offers appointments for kids AND adults!

Harmony Barbershop ©Disney

Lots of folks may know about kiddos getting their “first haircut” at Disney World, but adults can get their hair cut there, too! Kid haircuts start at $18, and adult haircuts start at $19. Be sure to get some added pixie dust!

Indulge in a manicure & pedicure

If you’re seeking the ultimate relaxation in Disney World, why not get a manicure and pedicure? Several Disney World Resort hotels have full-service spas that are open to anyone, not just guests at that particular resort.

©Disney

In addition to nail salons, you can get massages, facials, and a wide variety of hair services, too! Indulge in ultimate bliss and escape the hustle and bustle of the theme parks by booking a spa package! Call (407)WDW-SPAS to book any services.

(But note, if you’re looking for true luxury, we’d highly recommend using the spa services at the Four Seasons Resort on property in Walt Disney World. Disney World’s spas are OK, but pretty standard fare.)

Take surfing lessons

Ever wanted to learn how to surf? You can do so at Disney World! Surf lessons are available at Typhoon Lagoon on select mornings. Learn how to hang ten from a professional surfer!

Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool ©Disney

Surf lessons cost $199 per person and include a light breakfast and a photo!

Decorate a Christmas tree all year round!

Our next bizarre thing you can do at Disney World can be found at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square. Every morning, the first child in the shop gets to decorate one of the Christmas trees in the store with the ornaments available in the store.

Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

The decorator’s name is then added to the tree so everyone who goes into the shop that day can see who decorated the tree! If you’re craving the holiday spirit all year round, you can get your fill in Magic Kingdom!

We hope this list gave you some ideas on how to make your next trip to Disney World truly unique! Everyone knows about the four theme parks, but there are TONS of off-the-beaten-path activities that could add that extra bit of magic to your vacation that you should totally take advantage of! If you want to look for even more ideas, check out our video here:

How many of these activities have you taken part in at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Special Stuff, Walt Disney World, Boutiki, Calypso Trading Post, caribbean beach, disney springs, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Epcot, face beer, harmony barber shop, Joffrey’s, Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea, latte selfie, Liberty Square, magic kingdom, main street u.s.a., NBA Experience, Pirates of the Caribbean, Polynesian, Raglan Road, scuba diving, senses spa, silhouette portrait, surf lessons, the seas, typhoon lagoon, Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

Disney Parks Disney Rumors & Gossip

Could Disney World’s Water Parks Be Reopening SOON?!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 18, 2020

There’s a LOT we know about Walt Disney World’s plans to reopen in the coming weeks, but there’s a lot we DON’T know yet.

Entering Walt Disney World Resort

We know that certain Disney World hotels are opening on June 22nd, the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are reopening on July 11th, and Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are reopening on July 15th.

One thing we DON’T know, however, is when Disney World’s two water parks — Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon — will open back up. But a post on one of the Disney World Cast Member union Facebook pages indicates it could be soon!

Typhoon Lagoon

Plenty of Disney World Cast Members for restaurants, festivals, and hotels have been called back to work and so have Cast Members for attractions. And in a Facebook post for Unite Here! Local 362 — a union representing Disney Cast Members — full-time attraction Cast Members at both water parks are being called to go back to work on June 28th.

Enjoy a day at Blizzard Beach!

This is the same time that other Cast Members are being called back for early summer reopening dates, and this COULD mean that the water parks are reopening sooner than we thought!

©Disney

So far, we don’t know when Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon will reopen as Disney has made no official announcement. However, we DO know that the H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon have been canceled for 2020.

H2O Glow Nights

Whenever Disney does announce when the water parks are reopening, you KNOW we’ll tell you ASAP! So stay tuned for more reopening info!

Will you visit Disney World’s water parks when they reopen? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Featured, Walt Disney World, Blizzard Back reopening, Blizzard Beach, cast members, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney’s typhoon lagoon, H2O Glow Nights canceled, typhoon lagoon, Typhoon Lagoon reopening, Unite Here Local 362, water parks, Water Parks reopening

Tags Blizzard Back reopening, Blizzard Beach, cast members, Disney News, disney parks, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney's typhoon lagoon, Featured, H2O Glow Nights canceled, typhoon lagoon, Typhoon Lagoon reopening, Unite Here Local 362, Walt Disney World, Water Parks, Water Parks reopening

Disney News Disney Parks

NEWS! Even MORE Disney World Cast Members Were Called Back Today!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 18, 2020

Today, we learned that Cast Members at numerous dining locations, resorts, and festivals across Walt Disney World have been called back to work.

Magic Kingdom

As select Walt Disney World hotels gear up to reopen on June 22nd and the theme parks in mid-July, we learned that even MORE Disney World Cast Members will be going back to work soon.

According to a Facebook post from Local 362, the union of attractions, custodial, and vacation planning Cast Members at Disney World, full-time attractions Cast Members will be recalled on June 28th.

Haunted Mansion Cast Members

This recall of full-time Cast Members includes those who work at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Cirque du Soleil, auto plaza, and Disney World’s mini-golf courses.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

While Cast Members for Cirque du Soleil, the water parks, and more are being called back to work, keep in mind we still have no OFFICIAL word from Walt Disney World about when these experiences will reopen.

Part-time attractions cast members at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom will also be recalled for a June 28th start date, roughly two weeks before the theme parks begin to reopen.

Spaceship Earth

With Cast Members coming back to work, it’s really starting to feel like Walt Disney World is reopening soon! And when we know more about Cast Members going back to work and what, exactly, Disney World will look like upon reopening, you know we’ll fill you in!

Are you excited for Disney World to reopen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, auto plaza, Blizzard Beach, cast members, cirque du soleil, Disney World, Disney World reopening, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Local 362, mini golf, typhoon lagoon, Unite Here Local 737 union

Tags animal kingdom, auto plaza, Blizzard Beach, cast members, cirque du soleil, disney parks, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney's hollywood studios, epcot, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Featured, Local 362, magic kingdom, mini golf, typhoon lagoon, Unite Here Local 737 union, Walt Disney World

Disney Parks Other

Going to Disney World in March? Here’s What You Need To Know.

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 28, 2020

Planning a trip to Disney World in March? We’ve got the details you need to maximize the magic on your vacation!

Walt Disney World’s Epcot

You can make memories on a Disney World vacation that will last a lifetime! But how can you make sure that you’re looking back on happy memories instead of meltdowns? Well, by preparing for your trip! And Disney World planning can vary A LOT depending on what time of year you plan to travel. Here are the deets you need to make your March vacation magical!

Crowds at Disney World in March

The month of March means Spring Break for many schools across the United States. And that also means more crowds! Since Spring Break schedules vary by school and year, the attendance can fluctuate day by day. But in general, you should prepare for moderate to heavy crowds throughout the month.

Main Street, U.S.A

There is somewhat of a silver lining here — since Spring Breaks are spread out, the crowds aren’t usually quite as crazy as the holiday season. But, if you’re used to traveling to Disney World in months like January, February, or September, prepare yourself for busier parks!

Traveling at a super-busy time? Check out our ultimate survival guide for the most crowded days in Disney World!

Park Hours at Disney World in March

We typically see pretty steady park hours throughout the month of March. Most of the parks will open at 8:00 or 9:00AM and close at 8:00 or 9:00PM.

Animal Kingdom Entrance

But, to help absorb the heavier Spring Break crowds, Magic Kingdom usually stays open a little later than the other parks. Magic Kingdom tends to close at 10:00 or 11:00PM in March.

Looking for late-night fun in Disney World? Check out our guide to the Villains After Hours Events in Magic Kingdom!

Weather at Disney World in March

Most people will find the weather pretty pleasant during this time of year! In March, the average high temperature is 79 degrees and the average low temperature is 57 degrees.

Toy Story Land

There are an average of 5 rainy days throughout the month, which means March is usually much drier than the summer months in Disney World! So, if you’re looking for warm temperatures without scorching heat while avoiding the infamous Florida storms, March could be your lucky month!

Planning your Disney World trip? Here are seven things you’re probably forgetting!

How to Pack for Disney World in March

The afternoons in March can get pretty warm, but you still might have some chilly mornings and evenings at the parks! So, make sure you pack layers that you can wear out in the morning and store in your park bag when it starts to heat up. Trust us, having a sweatshirt, hat, (and if you get really chilly) a scarf, and gloves will go a long way!

Belle of The Ball Bronze

On the other hand, since the weather does start to warm up mid-day, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit if you plan to take advantage of your hotel pool!

Are you choosing the right Disney World hotel?? Here are our tips to point you in the right direction!

Annual Ride Refurbishments

This is an important thing to keep an eye out for, especially if you’re a huge fan of water attractions! Both Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom and Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom usually go down for annual maintenance in early January. They typically reopen by early or mid-March, but be sure to check the refurbishment schedule on the Disney World park calendar for the exact reopening dates, especially if you’re planning a trip for early in the month!

Splash Mountain refurbishment

And the same thing goes for the Disney World water parks! Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach undergo maintenance each winter, typically during different months, but work is typically finished around mid-March. If your family is big on the water parks, be sure to check on the refurbishment schedule when you first start planning!

What should you do when your Disney trip is a total FAILURE? Here are our tips for turning your vacay around!

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

One of the highlights of springtime in Disney World is the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival! This festival typically kicks off in early March and runs through late-May or early-June. And we definitely suggest you check it out if it’s running during your visit!

Epcot Flower and Garden

There’s plenty to see and do at the festival. Of course, as its name suggests, there are plenty of beautiful blooms to take in! There are over twenty topiary displays throughout the park that feature some of our favorite Disney characters!

Topiaries

Plus, there are other gardens and displays throughout the park, including a bamboo garden, butterfly garden, floating gardens, and more!

Butterfly House

And it wouldn’t be an Epcot festival without FOOD! There are Outdoor Kitchens set up around the Promenade and World Showcase that feature delicious food and beverage options. A few of our favorites from previous years include the Violet Lemonade, Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake, and Salmon Flower Ikura!

Salmon Flower Ikura

Guests who want to dig a little deeper can also check out one of the extra-ticketed special events or tours! We’ve seen a Royal Tea Garden Tour, Gardens of the World Tour, Egg-Stravaganza Scavenger Hunt, and more!

Egg-stravaganza 2019

Plus, there’s a FREE entertainment option as well! The Garden Rocks Concert Series features three nightly performances that are included in the price of park admission. These events are popular though, so you’ll need to get there early to ensure you get a spot! Or, to secure your seat without the wait, you can opt for the Garden Rocks Dining Package, which includes dinner and guaranteed seating at the concert!

Rock out at the Garden Rocks concerts!

The Flower and Garden Festival is an all-around good time, with delicious food, exciting entertainment, and gorgeous topiaries and displays! It’s definitely a must-do for us when visiting Disney World in March!

Wondering what eats to get at Flower and Garden? Check out our Best of the Fest list from the 2020 festival!

March can be a great time to visit Disney World. We love wandering the Flower and Garden Festival and soaking in the warm afternoons by the pool! But, in order to really get the most out of the trip, you have to be prepared! Be aware of those Spring Break crowds and ride refurbishments and plan accordingly. Doing your homework now will help make your Disney World vacation all the more magical!

Want to learn more about the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival? Click here for all the details!

Are you planning a trip to Disney World in March? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, 2020 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, Blizzard Beach Refurbishment, disney world crowd, disney world crowd levels, Disney World Packing List, disney world park hours, disney world planning, disney world planning tips, Disney World weather, epcot international flower and garden festival, garden rocks concert, Garden Rocks Concert Series, Garden Rocks Dining Packages, kali river rapids, packing, Packing List, ride refurbish, splash mountain refurbishment, temperature, typhoon lagoon, weather

Disney Food Disney Parks Other

Can You Conquer These 5 Disney World CHALLENGES?

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 25, 2020

We all have a little bit of a competitive streak (Disney board games are the bomb.)!

Cinderella Castle and Main Street, U.S.A. in Disney World

That’s why conquering Disney World challenges is so satisfying. These are some of the BIGGEST challenges out there that we dare you to complete during your next Disney vacation!

If you can complete them all, you can officially be deemed a seasoned Disney World pro!

Mickey Bar

Let’s take a look at what you’re in for!

All 4 Parks in One Day

Visiting all four theme parks in a day? Seems like a piece of cake, right?? Well… we’re making this a CHALLENGE for a reason!

Once you go to a park, you have to do four things: ride an attraction, watch a show or film, take a photo with a character, and get something to eat or drink before moving on to the next park.

Does Everyone Want To Ride Splash Mountain??

You could even make it MORE of a challenge by having to use a different form of transportation every time you go to a new park (and you can’t reuse the ones from before)! HINT: Start in Magic Kingdom and take the monorail to Epcot, before moving on from there.

Every “Mountain” in Disney World

Ain’t no mountain high enough, friends! So, that means it’s time to conquer ALL the attractions with mountains in Disney World. This challenge is especially fun since you’ll even get to visit both waterparks for a day of splashing around and soaking in some good ol’ Vitamin D!

While you’re in Magic Kingdom, you’re going to want to hop onto Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Big Thunder Mountain

After you’ve made your way to Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll want to hop on over to the waterparks.

First on the agenda, you’ll want to take a wicked ride on Mount Gushmore at Blizzard Beach and then visit Mount Mayday at Typhoon Lagoon.

Typhoon Lagoon

Seven mountain rides in one day is daunting but totally doable (if you’re up for the challenge!).

The BIGGEST Snacks on Property

You guys know that some of the portions are HUGE in Disney World (best bang for your buck, though!).
And, while we’re big fans of snack crawls, we think the biggest food challenge is trying to finish all of these MASSIVE sized snacks at the parks and resorts!

Samantha Sterling Punch Bowl

We’re talkin’ about The Edison Punch Bowl, Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream, Buttermilk Pancake Tower at STK Orlando, Gibson S’mores Baked Alaska at The Boathouse, and ALL the specialty Dole Whips on property (ok, these aren’t massive sized but there are massive amounts OF them!). Yeah, we’re totally drooling just thinking about them… .

Visit EVERY Country in the World Showcase

The World Showcase in Epcot is one of our FAVORITE places to stroll around when we’re in the parks. Each country has something special to offer, even if it’s just admiring the buildings (that architecture is so detailed!!).

The next time you’re in Epcot, spend some time at each of the 11 World Showcase Pavilions to say you’ve conquered them all.

Mexico Pavilion

But, like all good challenges, there’s a rule! You have to either visit an attraction or show, take a photo with a character, or grab a snack or a drink once you visit a pavilion. You never know — you might find some hidden spot or details along the way (have you been lucky enough to spot the Viking sword in Norway??).

Eating ALL the Mickey Treats

There are SO many different Mickey treats on property (it IS Disney World after all. )! And, if you’re up to one of the ULTIMATE challenges, you can bring your friends and family members along with you to try them. Oh, did we mention there’s 19 of them?! PHEW. Keep in mind Disney is ALWAYS coming up with new Mickey-fied treats, so the list could keep growing!

Mickey Candy Apple

On top of the classics — Mickey Premium Bars, Mickey Candy Apples, Mickey Rice Krispies, and Mickey Waffles — you can also get unique treats like the Mickey House-made Pecan Praline and Mickey Chili Pepper Chocolates.

Pecan Praline

Since there are so many, you could spread the Mickey snacks over the course of your trip (instead of having to get them all at once). Plus, there are enough goodies to go around so you can share them and save some for later.

Think you can tackle any of those challenges? Believe it or not, we’ve done them ALL, so we believe in you! The best part about these challenges is that you can not only challenge yourself, but make a little competition with your friends! Drinks at La Cava del Tequila on whoever loses?? For even MORE ideas, check out our DFB Video on ride challenges below!

And, if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel!

Have you done any of these Disney World challenges? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney dining tips, Disney Entertainment, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, big thunder mountain railroad, Blizzard Beach, Disney, disney attractions, disney challenges, disney dessert, disney dining, disney food, disney mountains, disney news, disney rides, disney snacks, disney treats, Disney World, disney world challenges, Hollywood Studios, House-made Pecan Praline, Mickey Bars, mickey candy apples, mickey chili pepper chocolate, mickey rice krispies, mickey snacks, Mickey Treats, Mickey waffles, mount gushmore, mount mayday, seven dwarfs, seven dwarfs mine train, space mountain, splash mountain, typhoon lagoon, World Showcase, world showcase pavilions

Tags animal kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Blizzard Beach, disney, disney attractions, disney challenges, disney dessert, disney dining, disney dining tips, Disney Entertainment, Disney Food, disney mountains, Disney News, disney parks, disney rides, disney snacks, disney treats, Disney World, disney world challenges, disney's hollywood studios, epcot, Featured, hollywood studios, House-made Pecan Praline, lists, magic kingdom, Mickey Bars, mickey candy apples, mickey chili pepper chocolate, mickey rice krispies, mickey snacks, Mickey Treats, Mickey Waffles, mount gushmore, mount mayday, seven dwarfs, seven dwarfs mine train, space mountain, splash mountain, typhoon lagoon, Walt Disney World, World Showcase, world showcase pavilions