Foodie Guide to May the 4th Galactic Goodies

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Hollywood Studios

Exciting eats are coming from a galaxy far, far away! As May the 4th draws near, the best treats in the galaxy are landing at Disney Parks with Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort joining in on adventures guests will have to taste to believe.

With can’t-miss novelties like the Acid Spitter Orb Sipper at Disneyland Resort, Star Wars staples like the Lightsaber Churro at Walt Disney World Resort, guests will be ready to conquer all of their out-of-this-world missions!

Beyond May the 4th, Disneyland Resort also celebrates Black Spire Day in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! The space celebrations are truly endless.

It’s time we jump to lightspeed and explore the May the 4th Foodie Guide. Let’s go!

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo 

  • (New) Temple Rootleaf and Moss Salad with Seasoned Gwayo Egg: Sweet-savory salad greens, brined vegetables, roasted mushrooms, fried potato noodles, and soy-marinated soft-boiled egg (Available beginning May 2; mobile order available)
  • (New) Temple Rootleaf and Moss Salad: Sweet-savory salad greens, brined vegetables, roasted mushrooms, and fried potato noodles (Plant-based) (Available beginning May 2; mobile order available)
  • (New) Light Up! Acid Spitter Orb Sipper with Lanyard includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase (Limit five per person, per transaction; no discounts apply) (Available while supplies last beginning May 3)

Galactic Grill (Mobile order available)  

  • Darth by Chocolate Parfait (Available May 2 through 6)
  • (New) Grogu Sipper includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply) (Available while supplies last beginning May 2) 

Kat Saka’s Kettle

  • (New) Surabat Valley Mix: Sweet kettle corn (Also available with furikake) (Available starting May 2)
  • (New) Niamos Mix: Savory sour cream and chive popcorn (Also available with furikake) (Available starting May 2)
  • (New) Jellyfruit Muffin: Passion fruit buttermilk muffin with pineapple and blackberry jam (Available starting May 2)

Milk Stand (Available starting May 2; mobile order available)

  • Tenoo Swirl Crunchies Cereal: Blue milk topped with strawberry and grape candy pebbles 

Oga’s Cantina (Available May 2 through August 31)

  • Five Blossom Bread with Mustard Cream: Warm pretzel knot with a new creamy honey mustard dip
  • (New) Ginger Lime Tea Lemonade with Soju: Soju, Minute Maid Lemonade, Gold Peak Unsweetened Iced Tea, habanero lime and ginger flavors topped with matcha foam

Ronto Roasters 

  • (New) Light Up! Acid Spitter Orb Sipper with Lanyard includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase (Limit five per person, per transaction; no discounts apply) (Available while supplies last beginning May 2) 

Beverage Carts in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge 

  • Galma Garlic Puffs: Puffed cheese chips (Available starting May 2)

Fruit Cart, Churro Cart, and Lemonade Cart in Tomorrowland

  • (New) Grogu Sipper includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply) (Available while supplies last beginning May 3)

Downtown Disney District  

Marceline’s Confectionery (Mobile order available) 

  • Grogu Candy Apple: Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in colored white chocolate with gold sanding sugar for the belt

Hotels of Disneyland Resort

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Hearthstone Lounge (Available May 2 through 31)  

  • (New) Ginger Daiquiri: El Dorado Rum, Sherry, Velvet Falernum, ginger syrup and lime juice, garnished with mint

Grand Californian Hotel Lobby Cart (Available April 28 through May 30)

  • Star Wars Sugar Cookie
  • Wookiee Cookie
  • Pretzel Lightsabers
  • Falcon Lollipop
  • Stormtrooper Crisped Rice Treat
  • Tropical Whoopie Pie
  • Galaxy Macaron Box

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite (SOLD OUT) 

If you’ve already purchased tickets to one of the sold-out Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite events, your tastebuds are about to go on a galactic adventure. At Harbour Galley, the Mos Eisley Spaceport Cookies are a sweet treat you simply must try. Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor is serving up a delight fit for royalty – the Galactic Princess Sundae. If you’re a mint fan, the Mossy Mint Churro available at the Frontierland churro cart is for you. For those wanting a more savory addition to your evening, the Harissa Tip-Yip Bowl at Red Rose Taverne or the Corned Shaak Loaded Fries at Hungry Bear Restaurant are the perfect galactic goodies. For those attending, you’ll have an opportunity to purchase both the Light Up! Acid Spitter Orb Sipper with Lanyard and the Grogu Sipper beginning May 2, while supplies last!

Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, PizzeRizzo, and Rosie’s All-American Café (Available May 4 through 31; mobile order available)

  • Jettison Juice: Minute Maid Lemonade and watermelon served with a glow cube (Non-alcoholic) 

Backlot Express (Available May 4 through 31; mobile order available)

  • Darth Vader Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with chocolate-peanut butter buttercream, dipped in dark chocolate ganache, edged in chocolate flakes, and topped with a chocolate Darth Vader
  • Wookiee Cookie: Two oatmeal cookies with vanilla cream filling garnished with a milk chocolate sash on top

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (Mobile order available)

  • Oi-Oi Puff: Raspberry cream puff with passion fruit mousse (Available May 4 and 5)
  • (New) Light Up! Acid Spitter Orb Sipper with Lanyard includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase (Limit five per person, per transaction; no discounts apply) (Available while supplies last beginning May 4)

PizzeRizzo and The Trolley Car Café (Available May 4 and 5; mobile order available at PizzeRizzo)

  • Dark Side Chocolate Creation: Malted milk chocolate mousse dome with raspberry mousse filling, slivered almonds, and chocolate shortbread cookie

Churro Carts at The Market (Available May 4 and 5) and Grand Avenue and Anaheim Produce (Available May 4 through 31)  

  • Lightsaber Churro served with chocolate sauce

Ronto Roasters

  • (New) Light Up! Acid Spitter Orb Sipper with Lanyard includes choice of fountain beverage at time of purchase (Limit five per person, per transaction; no discounts apply) (Available while supplies last beginning May 4)

Disney Resort Hotels

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Pineapple Lanai (Available May 4 only)  

  • Millennium Falcon Star Wars Soft-serve Sundae: Galactic gray vanilla soft-serve with mint flavor, chocolate cream cookie crumbles, chocolate drizzle, white chocolate pearl stars, brownie asteroid pieces with stardust sparkles, and a Millennium Falcon white chocolate piece

Disney Springs

The Ganachery 

  • Queen Amidala Chocolate Piñata: Dark chocolate piñata filled with ruby chocolate and raspberry bark (Available May 1 through 31)
  • Ahsoka Pop: Plant-based coconut and blueberry swirl pop enrobed in dark chocolate (Available May 1 through 31)
  • Millennium Falcon Pop: Milk chocolate pop with crisp pearls (Currently available)

Swirls on the Water (Available May 1 through 31)  

  • (New) Loyal Astromech Swirl: DOLE Whip Mango swirled with habanero soft-serve in a red velvet cone with toasted graham cracker crumbs, chocolate rocks, and a BB-8 edible garnish

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)

Disney Sues DeSantis Over Free Speech Violations

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has been at war with Disney since mid-2022. In that time, he has learned a valuable life lesson: If you’re going to come for the Mouse, you’d better come correct because Disney doesn’t play around. They are relentless too. You won’t find Disney backing down from a fight. DeSantis has been met with significant criticism for his role in the ongoing feud.

In a shocking turn of events today, Disney has said, “I’ll see your empty threat and raise you a real one.” We are just discovering that Disney has, in fact, filed a lawsuit against Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis. The suit comes as the final straw in the ongoing battle over the Reedy Creek Improvement District and governmental overreach in regard to constitutionally protected free speech.

This battle began when DeSantis signed his Parental Rights in Education Act, which seeks to ban educators from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with students younger than 3rd grade. After initially being silent on the matter, Disney spoke out against it. That should have been the end of it, but DeSantis chose to threaten and punish Disney over their stance. He took away their Reedy Creek Improvement District, targeted Disney over trivial matters, and canceled future projects. He also threatened to build a prison next door in a very public meltdown. It’s clear today that Disney was simply placating the Governor up to this point but has finally had enough.

A review of the complaint shows several grievances, but perhaps the most poignant comes at the very end: “Disney also knows that it is fortunate to be able to take a stand against the state’s retaliation – a stand smaller businesses and individuals might not be able to take when the State comes after them for expressing their own view.”

The complaint also seeks to prove that DeSantis violated due process, was in breach of contract, and has filed two first amendment violation grievances. The complaint stated that Disney never wanted a fight with DeSantis and tried to open dialog in order to de-escalate the fight several times and was met with derision. They also expressed regret for how things have turned out, saying, “Disney regrets that it has come to this. But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its Cast Members, Guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials.”

The suit has been filed in Federal courts. No hearing date has been set yet, but when that happens, you can be sure Disney Dining will bring you up to date information. Grab your popcorn, folks. This is about to get good.

GOP-Proposed Florida Timeshare Valuation Bill Would Give Large Tax Breaks to Disney

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

As reported by the Orlando Business Journal, a Florida bill sponsored by Representative Randy Fine (Republican — Palm Bay) would redefine the way timeshare properties are valued in the state, consequently allowing the potential for massive tax breaks to entities in the state such as Walt Disney World, Hilton Grand Vacations, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, Westgate Resorts, and Travel + Leisure Co.’s Wyndham Destinations.

Legislative Background

Florida House Bill 451 primarily aims to reduce the amount of property taxes paid by timeshare owners to city and county governments, by allowing owners the right to determine “fair market” rates via resales, even if there are only a small handful.

Sometimes, there aren’t enough observable resales to adequately and accurately determine a fair market value. Under current practice, when this happens, the property tax is determined by “usual and reasonable fees and costs of the sale” from the original purchase price, instead of the limited selection of resales. This can end up reflecting 50% of that original price, which proponents of the bill argue is too high.

On the affirmative side, sponsor Fine insists allowing the rates to be determined by even the smallest amount of comparable resales is necessary for fairness:

Your [property] taxes should be based on what it’s worth. Timeshares are like a car. We need to do a better job of valuing them. Oftentimes the resale value of timeshares is not substantial and I think that’s the issue. [This is a] matter of fundamental fairness and paying the value of what they are worth.

On the opposing side, critics are worried the bill would simply offer extra and humongous tax breaks to major corporations, with no major benefit for anybody else. The utilization of resales as a measurement is also considered unreliable. Loren Levy, general counsel for the Property Appraisers’ Association of Florida, had this to say:

When you’ve got 600 good arms-length transactions versus four that come out of a junky market where most of it is transacted for nominal doc stamps — it’s just not a reliable place to gather data. It shows you what a big deal this could be.

By his estimation, individual timeshare owners could save $40 per year in taxes, but “obviously the true benefactor would be the large resort developers that have all these units in the inventory.”

Representative Anna Eskamani (Democrat — Orlando), who opposed the bill in Committee, did not view it as “the most accurate approach” and echoed concerned sentiments that it would ultimately benefit large companies over individuals.

A state analysis of the bill (conducted by the House Ways & Means Committee) estimates this will reduce county and local property tax revenue by $208.2 million, including $77.5 million for public schools, beginning with fiscal year 2023-2024. If the bill is passed, it is slated to take effect July 1 this year.

After gaining a majority of approval from the aforementioned Ways & Means Committee, it is now on its way to the Commerce Committee.

Disney’s Timeshare Operations in Florida

The Walt Disney Company is a major timeshare operator in Central Florida through the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), which is a vacation timeshare program headquartered in Celebration. Of the 16 DVC-specific properties currently in operation, 11 (containing 3,600 units) are at Walt Disney World, with an additional Florida destination in Vero Beach.

According to Disney’s report for the 2022 fiscal year, the Parks, Experiences, and Products division recorded almost $29 billion in revenue, of which $6.4 billion was categorized for resorts and vacations.

Given recent heated legal fights between The Walt Disney Company and Governor Ron DeSantis driven by his continued onslaught of supposed retribution, it’s certainly interesting to see a bill from his own political allies that, while not specifically directed at Disney, aims to deliver the company massive savings.

Disney Vacation Club’s ‘Stay, Play, Sail Sweepstakes’ Offers a Chance to Win a 7-Night Resort and Cruise Combo Vacation

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Disney Vacation Club’s “Stay, Play, Sail Sweepstakes” offers a chance to win a four-night stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort combined with a three-night cruise on the Disney Wish. 

Current Disney Vacation Club members, as well as non-members, can enter to win a free vacation which includes a five-day, four-night stay at Walt Disney World in in a One Bedroom Villa at Disney’s Riviera Resort, as well as a three-night Disney Cruise Line voyage aboard the newest ship, the Disney Wish.

The grand prize includes the winner and three guests, as well as air transportation and four five-day park hopper tickets. It has an approximate retail value of $19,577. 

Once a guest has submitted basic contact information, they are registered once for the sweepstakes. Interested users may register additional times by watching informative videos about the sweepstakes and the Disney Vacation Club. By watching these videos, participants will receive up to 15 additional entries, for a total of 16 entries.

After finishing the videos, a link is presented to take guests to the Discovery Portal, where they can learn more about Disney Vacation Club. Viewers can then opt to attend a webinar, a live chat session, or schedule a virtual appointment to further learn about the Disney timeshare program.

Contest entry is available through May 26, 2023, with one grand prize winner chosen on-or-around June 9, 2023. The winner must book the grand prize trip no later than September 26, 2023, with travel occurring between July 26, 2023, and May 1, 2024.

The contest is open to both current and prospective members. Limitations and exclusions apply. Complete details and entry rules can be found at https://www.stayplaysailsweeps.com/rules.

If you’d like to register for this sweepstakes, you can do so here.

Disney Vacation Club sign at Saratoga Springs Resort

If you are a frequent visitor to Disney properties, you may be interested in the Disney Vacation Club. We have an article here that goes over the details of how it can save you money on your vacations over time.

The Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare program offered by Disney that allows members to purchase points that can be used to book accommodations at Disney resorts or other vacation destinations around the world. Members can use their points to book stays at Disney Vacation Club resorts or exchange them for stays at non-Disney properties through an exchange program.

The Disney Vacation Club is designed to provide its members with a flexible and customizable way to plan their vacations and enjoy the magic of Disney.

Disney Vacation Club members also receive special merchandise and vacation discounts, events, and perks throughout the year.

Disney Gets Rid Annual Pass Virtual Queue

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Disney World Annual Passes have been on sale for almost a week. That sentence alone is shocking to us. At Disneyland, Magic Keys sell out within hours. We fully expected a similar situation on the East Coast.

Disney has limited how many Annual Passes it will sell. In the past, sales were basically unlimited. You could buy a Disney World Annual Pass anytime you wanted. After the pandemic, however, Disney said they had temporarily paused new Annual Pass sales. Since then, they have brought them back for very brief windows of time.

On April 20, 2023 Walt Disney World Annual Passes finally went back on sale! This means that once again Disney’s most loyal guests can access Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom when they liked. With the water parks upgrade, they can access Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon anytime they like as well.

Disney fans flooded the website the day Annual Passes went back on sale. In fact, so many flocked to the site to but that the website crashed more than once. Many waited in a virtual queue for hours to buy their Pass, with some saying they’d waited more than 5 hours.

Disney didn’t announce whether the passes would be limited or not until the day they went on sale. Midway through the day they updated the website to say that due to overwhelming demand, they expected some or all pass types to become unavailable. However, nearly a week in all Pass levels remain available.

At the time of this writing, not only can you still buy your Disney World Annual Pass but you can do so without a long wait. After the initial rush died down, Disney removed the virtual queue requirement to buy. When we checked the website, we were able to add an Annual Pass to our cart with no wait. This is great news for anyone unable to buy their Pass last Thursday.

Even though the initial surge to buy passes has died down, you won’t want to delay if a you plan to become a Disney World Annual Passholder. No one knows just how many passes have been bought or how many are left available. If you wait, there is no guarantee you’ll be able to make your purchase.You cab purchase online on your My Disney Experience account, at any Disney Park or Disney Springs.