MagicBand+ Launch Date Announced at Walt Disney World

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

The long-awaited launch of MagicBand+ has been announced! The next-generation MagicBand+ will add new functionality to unlock experiential moments of magic.

It’s time to band together because MagicBand+ is launching July 27 at Walt Disney World Resort!

At Walt Disney World, MagicBand+ can do everything a MagicBand can do and more – from entering theme parks with a tap* and connecting your Disney PhotoPass memories, to unlocking your Disney Resort hotel room and more.

But our newest wearable also has great new features, including color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition – plus it pairs to your smartphone using the My Disney Experience app. Once you get your hands on one, you’ll want to do it all – and there’s a lot you can do when MagicBand+ launches!

Before you head out on these exciting new experiences, you’ll want to pick out the perfect MagicBand+ from an incredible lineup of more than 25 designs.

Disney Fab 50 Quest

As part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, you can interact with the Disney Fab 50 Character Collection throughout all four theme parks with the “Disney Fab 50 Quest.” Help Tinker Bell bring the sculptures to life across all four Walt Disney World theme parks using virtual pixie dust from Tink.

Jodi Benson, who you may know as the voice of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” recently embarked on the quest and caught up with a few familiar friends – Sebastian and Flounder!

Sebastian and Flounder are just a few characters you may meet!

You can wave your hand to sprinkle virtual pixie dust at each Disney Fab 50 Character sculpture for different reactions! To unlock even more during your quest, use the Play Disney Parks app to collect the sculptures and enter the worlds of your favorite characters through an augmented reality feature.**

Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters

On Batuu, the bounty hunting business is booming. MagicBand+ is your guide to seeking numerous virtual bounties hidden across Black Spire Outpost with the Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters experience. Vibrations and lights on MagicBand+ guide you down the right path. When you find your Bounty, you can use the Play Disney Parks app’s augmented reality thermal viewer to reveal who’s hiding in the shadows.** Local guild master Raga Bua will reward you with galactic credits. Do you have what it takes to join the guild?

Nighttime Spectaculars

MagicBand+ brings the magic of Disney nighttime spectaculars closer than ever before during “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park and “Harmonious” at EPCOT! MagicBand+ complements the magic in the skies, lighting up and vibrating in sync with fireworks, visual effects, and music. Your MagicBand+ will also engage as all four theme park icons transform into Beacons of Magic!

Some of our cast members were among the first to enjoy these experiences in advance of the official launch. Before you embark on these experiences, make sure your MagicBand+ is charged, up to date and paired to your device. We’ve got you covered with easy how-to videos on DisneyWorld.com so you can get right to it.

If you’re planning to get one or even collect some, don’t forget that Disney Resort hotel guests may purchase MagicBand+ online at special prices before their arrival. Annual Passholder discounts will also be available on MagicBand+ (visit disneyworld.com/pass for more information). All guests can buy MagicBand+ at select stores across Walt Disney World and online at shopDisney, starting at $34.99.

At Walt Disney World, you can purchase a MagicBand+ at the following locations:

    • Magic Kingdom Park: Emporium
    • EPCOT: Pin Traders – Camera Center
    • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Celebrity 5 & 10 and Tatooine Traders
    • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: Discovery Trading Company
    • Disney Springs: Disney’s Pin Traders
    • Select merchandise locations at Disney Resort hotels

Although features and experiences across Disney Parks will vary, Disneyland Resort guests will be able to get in on the MagicBand+ fun later this year. Stay tuned for more updates on the exciting future for MagicBand+ at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts!

*With valid admission and park reservation

**To use the Play Disney Parks mobile app to enhance the MagicBand+ experience, guests must be logged into the Play Disney Parks app with the Disney account linked with their MagicBand+.

First Look: EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE

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

For the next 129 delicious days, guests can sip, savor, shop and repeat across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE! The festival kicks off today and continues through Nov. 19, offering new experiences for foodies and fun-loving families.

A passport for the palate, this iconic festival is a magical taste tour – one that whisks guests off on a fun and flavorful journey. It’s a delicious celebration of the best in global food and drink along with live entertainment, family activities and more. This year, our creative Disney culinarily teams have dreamed up unique dishes as nearly one third of the menu offerings are new.

Let’s take a first look… or rather a first bite… at this year’s festival:

At the EPCOT main entrance guests will find a new display featuring Chef Remy welcoming all connoisseurs of fine cuisine.

Then, guests can grab a Festival Passport to use as their handy guide to discover all the new sips and fresh bites available at the more than 25 Global Marketplaces throughout the park. These special food and beverage locations celebrate the best in global cuisine.

Debuting this year is The Fry Basket showcasing French fries presented with unique savory and sweet toppings – like the Fry Flight, featuring three different flavors! Or, check out India, a guest-favorite marketplace returning with three brand-new menu items.

For those who like to get an early start enjoying the festival and all that EPCOT has to offer, the Belgium marketplace will open at 8:30 a.m. daily to serve up delicious Belgian Waffles topped with either Warm Chocolate Ganache or Berry Compote and Whipped Cream, as well as Chilled Mocha Coffee.

All other marketplaces – including The Swanky Saucy Swine, Coastal Eats, Hops & Barley, The Alps, Germany, Spain, Canada, Australia, Greece, Brazil and Flavors from Fire to name just a few – will open at 11:00am daily to entice guests with exciting new options and returning fan-favorites. Be sure to check out the full Festival Foodie Guide for photos of many delectable offerings.

Recently, we shared the full lineup for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare. Be sure to check out this incredible list of performances and make plans for which guests want to see. And don’t forget about Eat to the Beat Dining Packages (for Friday through Monday concerts), which include a leisurely meal at a select EPCOT restaurant and guaranteed seating at a performance later that same day. To see the full lineup of artists, performance dates and pricing, and to make a dining package reservation, visit TasteEpcot.com.

It’s time to sip, savor…and shop! Five new merchandise collections offer up fun and whimsical kitchenware, tabletop items, apparel, novelties and unique collectibles featuring favorite Disney characters such as Chef Minnie Mouse, Chef Mickey Mouse, Princess Tiana, Chef Figment and Chef Remy. Merchandise can be found at festival retail locations across EPCOT, with additional pieces debuting throughout the festival. Select items are also available on shopDisney.com.

But that’s not all! There are other ways to have even more fun exploring the festival. If guests are a cheese lover, have them try Emile’s Fromage Montage and take a walk on the tasty side to sample dishes featuring cheese served in inventive ways. Or, kids of all ages can embark on a Ratatouille-inspired scavenger hunt that’s très magnifique in Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak.

Experiences introduced as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration offer even more ways to cultivate fresh memories. Guests can enjoy Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and join Chef Remy on a daring culinary journey as they zip, dash and scurry through Gusteau’s bustling Paris restaurant. Then, they can end their delectable day by watching “Harmonious” – one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney Park.

To experience the 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, guests will need both a valid park admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date. Visit TasteEpcot.com for more details.

Foodie Guide to DOLE Whip Day 2022 at Disney

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

Is everyone ready for DOLE Whip Day? We sure hope so because July 21 is just around the corner. This year to celebrate this momentous foodie occasion, we’ve put together each and every place guests can get their hands on this classic fan favorite, including some exclusive offerings just for DOLE Whip Day being offered from July 21 through 24. Going forward we will be enjoying this day on the third Thursday in July – so everyone mark their calendars for next year!

From Aloha Isle at Magic Kingdom Park, to The Tropical Hideaway at the Disneyland park, even on the high seas aboard a Disney Cruise Line Ship, there are plenty of goodies to enjoy. With multiple flavors and concoctions of DOLE Whip to try, there’s truly something for everyone.

Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom Park  

Aloha Isle (Located in Adventureland)

  • Pineapple Float: DOLE pineapple juice served with a choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl (available with Tiki Sipper for additional cost)
  • Raspberry Swirl Float: DOLE Whip and raspberry swirl served with DOLE pineapple juice
  • Pineapple Upside-Down Cake served with choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl
  • DOLE Whip Cup: Choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl
  • Coconut Cup: Choice of coconut or coconut and DOLE Whip swirl
  • Raspberry Swirl Cup: DOLE Whip and raspberry swirl

Storybook Treats (Located in Fantasyland)

  • Soft-serve Cup: DOLE Whip lime, chocolate, or vanilla soft-serve, or swirl in a cup
  • Snow White Cone: DOLE Whip lemon in a blue cone garnished with a chocolate bird and sugar bow

Sunshine Tree Terrace (Located in Adventureland; Mobile Order available)

  • DOLE Whip Orange Cup
  • Orange Cream Soft-serve Cup: DOLE Whip orange and vanilla soft-serve swirl
  • DOLE Whip Strawberry Cup
  • DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip or vanilla soft-serve with your choice of Coca-Cola, Barq’s Root Beer, Diet Coke, Fanta Orange, Fanta Strawberry, POWERADE Mountain Berry Blast, or Sprite
  • I Lava You Float: Fanta Strawberry Soda and passion fruit flavor served with DOLE Whip orange and topped with popping candy

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Tamu Tamu

  • Scar’s Lair: DOLE Whip and sour apple
  • Lion’s Lair: DOLE Whip topped with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and sour apple
  • Simba Sunset: DOLE Whip with strawberry
  • King’s Cooler: DOLE Whip with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and strawberry
  • DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip with DOLE pineapple juice (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)
  • DOLE Whip Cup (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)

Trilo-Bites

  • Trilo-Bites Twist: DOLE Whip orange with vanilla soft-serve

EPCOT

Refreshment Outpost (Available through November 19)  

  • DOLE Whip: Watermelon, pineapple, or swirl (New)

Disney Springs

Swirls on the Water

  • Peach Bellini Float: Peach Bellini topped with DOLE Whip orange (New)
  • Orange Bird Cone: DOLE Whip orange atop an orange cone with sprinkles
  • DOLE Whip Flight: DOLE Whip orange swirled with DOLE Whip watermelon, DOLE Whip lemon swirled with blue butter cookie soft-serve, and DOLE Whip and Vanilla soft-serve swirl

Resorts  

Disney’s Contemporary Resort  

Contempo Café (Available July 21 through August 20; Mobile Order available)

  • DOLE Whip Cupcake: Yellow cupcake filled with DOLE Whip mousse and garnished with a cherry (New)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Good’s Foods to Go (Mobile Order available)

  • Key Lime Swirl: DOLE Whip lime and vanilla soft-serve swirl topped with graham cracker crumbs
  • DOLE Whip Key Lime Martini: DOLE Whip lime served with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and garnished with a lime (New) (available July 21 through 24)

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Pineapple Lanai

  • “Tamatoa-inspired” Dipped Cone: DOLE Whip raspberry swirled with DOLE Whip orange in a white chocolate-dipped waffle cone and coated with “shiny” gold sugar (available July 21 through 24)
  • 50th Celebration DOLE Whip: Your choice of DOLE Whip with a 50th white chocolate medallion, umbrella, and EARidescent glitter
  • Pineapple Float: DOLE pineapple juice served with a choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl
  • DOLE Whip with Rum Floater: DOLE Whip with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum

Barefoot Pool Bar and Oasis Pool Bar

  • Frozen Margarita with DOLE Whip Lime: Corazón Blanco Tequila blended with DOLE Whip lime and chili-lime seasoning
  • Frosty Pineapple: DOLE Whip with Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum

Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace

  • Spikey Pineapple: Barbancourt Pango Rhum blended with DOLE Whip

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

The Tropical Hideaway (Located in Adventureland; Mobile Order available)

  • DOLE Whip
  • DOLE Whip Float: DOLE pineapple juice topped with DOLE Whip
  • DOLE Whip Swirl Float: DOLE pineapple juice topped with choice of two different DOLE Whip flavors: mango, watermelon, or pineapple
  • DOLE Whip Swirl: Swirl any flavors: mango, watermelon, or pineapple

Disneyland Hotel  

Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill (Mobile order available)  

  • DOLE Whip
  • DOLE Whip Float: DOLE pineapple juice topped with DOLE Whip (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

  • DOLE Whip Cup: Choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)
  • DOLE Whip Lime topped with Graham Cracker Crumbs (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

Little ‘Opihi’s

  • DOLE Whip pineapple, mango, watermelon, and vanilla soft-serve
  • DOLE Whip Fresh Fruit Sundae with sprinkles in a waffle bowl topped with fresh pineapple (Moana-themed) or watermelon fruit (Stitch-themed)
  • Mickey and Minnie Waffle Bowl featuring DOLE Whip with sprinkles

Ulu Cafe 

  • Churro Pineapple DOLE Whip with Li hing fresh pineapple (New) (available July 19 through 21)
  • DOLE Whip (available with vanilla soft-serve swirl)

Disney Cruise Line

Indulge in DOLE Whip at the following locations across the Disney Cruise Line fleet:

  • Frozone on the Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy
  • Sulleys Sips on the Disney Wonder
  • Wheezies Freezies on the Disney Wish

We hope you enjoy all these tasty treats for DOLE Whip Day, from July 21 through 24, and every single day of the year too. Be sure to try all the flavors and combinations at Disney Parks, resorts, and Disney Cruise Line. Happy snacking!

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

Car Locator – New App Feature Coming to Disney Parks

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

One tip we give over and over again is to take a photo of the row where you parked in a Walt Disney World theme park parking lot. Soon, Disney is giving guests another way to remember where they parked.

From a Disney Cast Member;

How many of us can remember a time we had trouble finding our car in a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort parking lot? Well, say goodbye to that as we are bringing you a new car locator feature presented by State Farm to the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps!

The feature will first launch at Walt Disney World Resort this summer and will be available at Disneyland Resort later this year.

Car locator is a complimentary feature that uses location technology to find and save your parking details. The feature functions best when you enable Location Services, Bluetooth, and Notifications on your mobile device.

The feature will be available at all four Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney Springs, Disney Water Parks, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. All you have to do is open your My Disney Experience app and tap the car locator card on your home screen—or you can use the Feature menu (☰) for access.

After that, follow the prompts to enter your parking information. If you choose to enable location permissions on your device, car locator can help fill in the details for you. When you’re ready to leave, return to car locator for your parking information.

In addition to helping you find your car at the end of the day, you can tap into a variety of other convenient features to make your Disney visit easier! From mobile merchandise checkout and mobile food ordering to the direct-to-room service at Disney Resort hotels, the My Disney Experience app helps free up more time for you to enjoy attractions and experiences. And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out the MagicMobile service, which is a great contactless way to enter the theme parks and enjoy other helpful features like linking your Disney PhotoPass photos.

State Farm is sponsoring the new car locator feature and the brand-new planDisney Podcast that offers insightful tips, helpful suggestions, and inside looks for guests preparing for an upcoming Disney Parks vacation as ways to help Disney introduce more magical experiences to its guests.

Be sure to have the latest update of the My Disney Experience app so you’re ready when car locator launches this summer! Later this year, the feature will launch at Disneyland Resort. Stay tuned for more updates!

2022 Eat to the Beat Concert Series at EPCOT

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Back in May, we gave guests a taste of what we’ve been cooking up for this year’s Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare – and today it’s time for the main course! Let’s take a look at the full lineup of acts that will be serving up tunes at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE starting July 14.

This year, Disney Live Entertainment continues to bring new flavors into the mix, giving even more guests a chance to savor the music they love. Fresh acts will take the America Gardens Theatre stage, including local bands Tuesday-Thursday, alongside many of your favorite artists. With genres spanning Rock, Latin, Rap, Pop, Country and more.

  • July 14-15 – Baha Men
  • July 16-18 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
  • July 22-23 – Tonic (NEW)
  • July 24-25 – Jeremy Camp (NEW)
  • July 29-30 – Taylor Dayne
  • July 31-Aug. 1 – Tiffany
  • Aug. 5-8 – Joey Fatone & Friends
  • Aug. 12-13 – The Devon Allman Project
  • Aug. 14-15 – Christopher Cross
  • Aug. 19-20 – Journey former Lead Vocalist Steve Augeri
  • Aug. 21-22 – Air Supply
  • Aug. 26-27 – Blanco Brown (NEW)
  • Aug. 28-29 – 98°
  • Sept. 2-3 – Southern Avenue
  • Sept. 4-5 – Kris Allen & David Cook
  • Sept. 9-10 – Hoobastank (NEW)
  • Sept. 11-12 – Jimmie Allen
  • Sept. 16-17 – Los Amigos Invisibles (NEW)
  • Sept. 18-19 – American Authors
  • Sept. 23-24 – BBMAK
  • Sept. 25-26 – Postmodern Jukebox
  • Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Stokley (NEW)
  • Oct. 2-3 – Sheila E.
  • Oct. 7-8 – Mark Wills
  • Oct. 9-10 – 38 Special
  • Oct. 14-15 – Robert Randolph Band (NEW)
  • Oct. 16-17 – Newsboys (NEW)
  • Oct. 21-22 – Ray Parker Jr. (NEW)
  • Oct. 23-24 – Billy Ocean
  • Oct. 28-31 – Hanson
  • Nov. 4-7 – Boyz II Men
  • Nov. 11-12 – Kenny G
  • Nov. 13-14 – Sugar Ray

Guests can secure a spot at the show by reserving an Eat to the Beat Dining Package available Friday-Monday. Find out more by visiting TasteEPCOT.com.

Keep following us on Instagram and Facebook to find out more about the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival happening during the 50th Anniversary celebration that will run through March 2023.

To experience EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date.