“A Portrait of Walt Disney World” and Other Books Will Celebrate 50th Anniversary

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

A new set of Disney books will be coming later this year to celebrate the anniversary. Take a look below at what will be releasing.

A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth

This expansive, must-have coffee table book paints a robust portrait of the Walt Disney World Resort across 50 magical years, through diverse and vibrant voices. Disney fans will love the mostly unseen Disney theme park concept art and photographs in this beautiful and nostalgic collection. Written by Kevin Kern, Tim O’Day and Steven Vagnini, fans can bring home this treasure trove of Walt Disney World Resort history beginning September 28th, available for pre-order here.

Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World

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Attention, foodies! Bring home the magic (and food) of Walt Disney World with the newest title in the Delicious Disney lineup! With beautiful photos and behind-the-scenes anecdotes told by authors Marcy Carriker Smothers and Pam Brandon, this cookbook-meets-coffee-table-book enchants with more than sixty recipes ranging from appetizers to desserts, main courses and libations. Disney foodie fans will love this collection of stories and recipes that goes all the way back to opening day in 1971, to current favorites from around the resort. This book will be exclusively available at Walt Disney World Resort and shopDisney beginning September 28th.

Art of Coloring: Walt Disney World: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity from The Most Magical Place on Earth

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You’re never too old to experience the joy of coloring, right? Well, for the creative spirit, this brand new adult coloring book is ideal for taking pencil to paper and adding your own brand of color and style. Get your colored pencils ready! This book will be exclusively available at Walt Disney World Resort and shopDisney beginning September 28th.

Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World: The Official Vacation Guide

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Walt Disney World will always be growing and evolving, just as Walt intended it. To keep up to date, you can trust Birnbaum as your 2021-2022 guide for insider tips on how to see and do it all! Get the scoop on what’s new for the 50th Anniversary, including insider updates on new attractions, resorts, and more. Available wherever books are sold beginning September 21st.

Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World for Kids: The Official Guide

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Kids think they are the experts on all things Disney… and they might just be right! In this book, real kids give honest advice for the most awesome Walt Disney World Resort vacation possible, including insider tips for young readers, must-do attraction and dining recommendations, and a hunt for dozens of Hidden Mickeys throughout the theme parks! Available wherever books are sold beginning September 21st.

July 2021 Walt Disney World Refurbishments

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Magic Kingdom

Whether you’re visiting to see the fireworks return, enjoying the Fourth of July holiday, or ready to eat and sip your way through EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, Disney is ready to invite you home. There are however a few refurbishments you’ll want to take note of as you prepare your days in the parks.

1. Walt Disney World Railroad (Magic Kingdom):

Sorry Disney fans, this one has been closed for a LONG time now, and we are missing it dearly. The railroad closed temporarily way back on December 3, 2018 and has remained closed since. The extended closure is due to the construction of the new attraction, Tron Lightcycle Power Run. Our best guess is that we won’t have a chance to take a ride on the railroad until Tron opens… which has yet to be announced… but is expected in 2022.

2. The Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom):

No surprise here as Disney is hard at work preparing Hall of Presidents for the 46th President, Joe Biden. For Trump’s Presidency, the attraction closed in January 2017 for refurbishment and reopened in December 2017. If history repeats itself, we are hoping to see Hall of Presidents reopen in December 2021.

3. Main Street Confectionery (Magic Kingdom):

Yes, this tasty shop filled with delightful treats closed on March 29, 2021 for a lengthy refurbishment. Currently, the refurbishment calendar has the Confectionery listed as under refurbishment through August 28, 2021. Note – August 28 is as far as Disney’s park hours are currently listed at the time of writing this article which is as far as the refurbishment calendar goes. This refurbishment could go longer once the calendar is updated. Get excited though because when it reopens Disney has said we will have a chance to customize our confections! In the meantime, there is a temporary shop set up in Main Street Cinema with Confectionery treats.

4. The Wave… of American Flavors (Disney’s Contemporary Resort):

The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be unavailable for the summer as Disney refurbishes the space in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. Reservations will be available through July 15. If you’re looking to enjoy this restaurant as is one last time, be sure to snag a reservation before July 15. The Disney rumor mill and speculations are hard at work with this refurbishment. Much of the speculations suggest Disney could make this a character dining restaurant with characters from The Incredibles. While we would absolutely love that, there is no confirmation from Disney.

5. Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom) – BUT it’s still open!

The Jungle Cruise attraction, at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, are receiving new “experiences” which includes new adventures for us to cruise along to. While details of the enhancements have been revealed slowly, Disney has announced the work will be complete “this summer” at Walt Disney World. Thankfully, the attraction at Disney World has remained open throughout the refurbishment. The attraction is currently closed at Disneyland with a reopening date of July 16. Our hope is that Disney will be putting the final touches on Disney World’s Jungle Cruise around the same time.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are currently listed as being free from refurbishment closures (yay!). Keep in mind, refurbishments are listed to help us plan but it is not set in stone. Disney has been known to extend refurbishments, shorten them, and even close attractions and/or shops suddenly for refurb.

Pricing Revealed for ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

Disney fans can now book their ‘Ohana reservations for the 60-day dining reservation window. While we’ve heard the upset comments over no noodles on the menu, we’re thankful to see the return of many favorites… but yes, we are going to miss those yummy noodles! While guests are calling and making reservations, the new ‘Ohana pricing has been revealed for breakfast and dinner.

As shared by Disney: “‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Opening July 9): With the backdrop of tropical greenery, ‘Ohana will again offer their fabulous all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast and dinner offerings when they reopen. Although Disney characters will not be hosting breakfast, a strolling musician will entertain guests for dinner. For breakfast, start with pineapple-coconut breakfast bread, move on to Stitch and Mickey Mouse waffles, then dig into “eggs”cellent breakfast skillets with ham, sausage, and breakfast potatoes.  The ‘Ohana dinner features all-you-care-to-enjoy platters of grilled beef steak, roasted chicken, sausage, and island shrimp casserole served with fried rice and roasted broccolini. And yes, ‘Ohana pot stickers, crispy soy chicken wings, and the signature ‘Ohana bread pudding served warm with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream are back! Yippee!”

Disney Announces the Re-Opening of Another Disney World Hotel

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts, Uncategorized

Disney World continues to work its way back to normal follow an extended closure due and nearly a year of phased reopening. The pace of change has really picked up and normal is within sight. Earlier today we learned about a HUGE step forward with the return of fireworks and nighttime spectaculars to Disney parks. Disney has also announced the re-opening date for another of its signature resort hotels.

From Disney World:

As we continue to take a measured and deliberate approach to reopening our Disney Resort hotels, we are happy to share that starting tomorrow, June 16, we will begin accepting bookings for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for arrivals beginning Aug. 26.

As a reminder, we are now also accepting bookings for:

  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn for arrivals beginning July 2
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for arrivals beginning in late July

As we previously shared, future reopening dates of Disney Resort hotels are subject to change and reservations could still be modified to other Disney Resort hotels.

Disney Announces Restaurant Re-Openings

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

Walt Disney World is gearing up for a summer with more capacity and fewer restrictions. One step that will help is opening more restaurants! Getting dining reservations has been challenging, and that’s one of the reasons we’re so excited to learn of more restaurants reopening at Disney Parks.

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Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Opening June 24 with nightly walk-in availability through July 4; bookings available June 10 for reservations starting July 5)

Disney Skyliner conveniently stops at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, making it an easy (and fun!) trip to dine at Sebastian’s Bistro, which will reopen with delicious tastes of the Caribbean and a new family-style meal at dinner.

Sebastian’s signature buttery house-baked pull-apart rolls will get you started (YUM), and the entire table will enjoy the Taste of the Caribbean platter featuring oven-roasted citrus chicken, slow-cooked mojo pork with mango sambal, and grilled flank steak with mojito relish. This hearty platter comes with sides of cilantro rice and beans, vegetable curry, and grilled broccolini. Coconut shrimp can also be ordered as an add-on to your meal. The best part? You finish with the ultimate sweet treat – the popular coconut-pineapple bread pudding!

BoardWalk Ice Cream Shop, Disney’s BoardWalk

Craving a frozen sweet treat? Take a stroll around Crescent Lake on Disney’s BoardWalk and visit BoardWalk Ice Cream Shop. Featuring scoops and sundaes to go, satisfy your craving with a good old-fashioned sundae plus brownie and strawberry splash shortcake a la modes, and of course, the kid-favorite, Mickey Mouse Sundaes!

Disneyland Resort 

I know travelers at Disneyland Park have missed sipping on Fuzzy Tauntauns and listening to DJ R-3X rock it (in his quirky way!). Well, all you bounty hunters, smugglers, and galactic travelers will be happy to know that Oga’s Cantina will open on June 17 with bookings available June 14. Under the shadow of the spire!

Planning to visit Disney California Adventure Park? You can soon get your fix of plant-based Potato Flautas (my fav!) or Indulgent French Toast at Lamplight Lounge Brunch, opening July 9 with bookings available June 14. (Friday, Saturday, Sunday Brunch only.)

Want to dine alfresco with a plate of delicious Spaghetti Aglio Olio accompanied by the perfect glass of wine at Wine Country Trattoria? Then plan to visit when it opens July 17, with bookings available June 14.

Here are a few more Disneyland Park openings and offerings we are excited to share:

    • Tiki Juice Bar (mobile order available) – Opening June 17
    • Docking Bay Food & Cargo (mobile order available) – Opening June 17
    • Alien Pizza Planet (mobile order available) – Opening June 17
    • Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante – Opening June 17
    • Candy Palace – Currently making Nuttles (chopped pecan pieces layered with freshly made caramel with a dollop of milk chocolate on top) on Monday and Friday
    • Candy Palace – Currently making Rocky Road (mix of milk chocolate, chopped almonds, and house-made marshmallows in a small pie tin) on Saturdays

Downtown Disney District

There are two new yummy treats available at Downtown Disney District!  One in the glass and one to grab on the go. BTW, this Beignet-flavored Cocktail is calling my name!

    • Beignet-flavored Cocktail at Ralph Brennen’s Jazz Kitchen – Wedding cake-flavored vodka, vanilla syrup, butterscotch schnapps, and half and half topped with a mini glazed beignet
    • French Toast Churro at California Churro – Dusted in powdered sugar and served with a side of maple syrup