Disney Unveils Special ‘Halfway to Halloween’ Treats

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

We’re approaching six months to Halloween, and so Disney Parks are celebrating Halfway to Hallween! This week guests can find limited-time treats to celebrate the Halfway to Halloween season. 

From a Disney Cast Member;

Welcome, foolish mortals to the latest Disney Eats Foodie Guide. The time has come once again to gather for some sinister sweets and delightful treats because Halfway to Halloween is here – and this year we’re celebrating the Haunted Mansion! We’re kicking off the frightfully fun festivities with all the tasty ways you can celebrate this year.

Walt Disney World Resort has been dusting off the cobwebs to bring to you some items you won’t want to miss – like the return of the Madame Leota Chocolate Cake at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the exciting offerings coming to Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs. Over at Disneyland Resort, you’ll be able to fill your candy basket with sweet treats like the Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat.

But there’s so much more than just food going on for Halfway to Halloween this year. Starting today, there is plenty of excitement happening, with much of it honoring the beloved attraction and soon-to-be-released Walt Disney Studios film – “Haunted Mansion.” Stay tuned all week on the Disney Parks Blog and our social channels for the latest and greatest halfway news.

Well, I think I’ve tempted you long enough. These bites are about to put a spell on you and your tastebuds. Welcome to the Foodie Guide to Halfway to Halloween 2023!

Walt Disney World Resort 

Disney Resort Hotels 

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort 

Landscape of Flavors and Everything POP Shopping and Dining (Available April 20 through 23))

  • The Whoopie Monster: Spiced apple whoopie pie with marshmallow buttercream and caramel

Disney’s Contemporary Resort 

Contempo Café (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Madame Leota Chocolate Cake: Mini Devil’s Food Cake filled with dark chocolate ganache topped with chocolate glaze and marshmallow webs

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 

Gasparilla Island Grill (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Jack O’ Lantern Mickey Cake Pop: Jumbo pumpkin-spiced yellow cake pop enrobed in orange-colored white chocolate
  • Bewitching Minnie Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate cream sandwich cookies for ears, an edible witch hat, and Halloween sprinkles

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 

Pineapple Lanai (Available April 20 through 23) 

  • Kakamora DOLE Whip Waffle Bowl: DOLE Whip served in a waffle bowl with Moana-inspired white chocolate and milk chocolate-covered pretzel sticks

Available at Various Disney Resort Hotels (Available April 20 through 23)

Donald Duck Candy Corn Sipper; available at the following (Available while supplies last.):

  • Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
  • Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
  • Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Everything POP Shopping and Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney Springs 

Gideon’s Bakehouse 

  • Pumpkin Cheesecake Snack Cakes: This hauntingly delicious gourmet treat features a layer of the softest spice cake topped with pumpkin cheesecake and dipped in high-quality dark chocolate (Limit two per person; available while supplies last) (New) 
  • Gideon’s Trading Card Series: Be on the lookout for free trading cards hidden at the bottom of every medium and large cookie box! You will also get a free Halfway to Halloween Promo Card with purchase for your collection during the event.
  • Barnabas Mephistophelittle Merchandise: Don’t forget to check out new merchandise featuring Gideon’s Halfway to Halloween Ambassador, Barnabas Mephistophelittle, including a collector’s pin and temporary tattoo! (New) 

Marketplace Snacks (Available April 20 through 23) 

  • Jack Skellington Bubble Waffle Sundae: Chocolate soft-serve, marshmallow fluff, hot fudge, orange sprinkles, chocolate shavings, chocolate pocky sticks, and a chocolate Jack Skellington garnish

B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. 

  • Donald Duck Candy Corn Sipper (Available while supplies last.)

Magic Kingdom Park 

Columbia Harbour House (Mobile order available) 

  • Happy Haunts Milk Shake: Blackberry milkshake topped with a purple chocolate-glazed doughnut covered with black sprinkles

Disneyland Resort 

Disneyland Park 

Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen and Pooh Corner (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Minnie Witch Apple: Granny Smith Apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in milk chocolate and dipped in white chocolate and orange M&M’S chocolate candies placed all over and rolled in purple sugar
  • Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat: Oogie Boogie-shaped crisped rice treat dipped in green, white chocolate with a dark chocolate face
  • Jack Skellington Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate face

Disney California Adventure Park 

Trolley Treats and Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Minnie Witch Apple: Granny Smith Apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in milk chocolate and dipped in white chocolate and orange M&M’S chocolate candies placed all over and rolled in purple sugar
  • Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat: Oogie Boogie-shaped crisped rice treat dipped in green, white chocolate with a dark chocolate face
  • Jack Skellington Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate face

Downtown Disney District 

California Churro (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Halloween Churro: A churro rolled in cinnamon sugar, drizzled with peanut butter and chocolate sauce, and topped with peanut butter candy pieces

Kayla’s Cake (Available April 20 through 23) 

  • Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Macaron: Orange Jack-O-Lantern macaron with fruit-flavored crisped rice cereal buttercream filling (New) 

Marceline’s Confectionery (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Minnie Witch Apple: Granny Smith Apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in milk chocolate and dipped in white chocolate and orange M&M’S chocolate candies placed all over and rolled in purple sugar
  • Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat: Oogie Boogie-shaped crisped rice treat dipped in green, white chocolate with a dark chocolate face
  • Jack Skellington Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate face

As you can see, the Halloween happenings aren’t just limited to the fall! I hope you enjoy getting in the spirit early as much as I do. The festive fun and memories to be made are truly boundless at Disney Parks!

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

Country Bears Closing to Make Room for Tiana

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland at Walt Disney World is getting ready to undergo some massive transformations as the Park makes room for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. While the Splash Mountain re-theme was undoubtedly one of the biggest controversies seen in the Parks in recent years, Disney might be getting ready for a double whammy.

As developments toward the Princess and the Frog re-theme continue spreading throughout Frontierland, a recent post suggests another timeless attraction for the chopping block. Splash Mountain wasn’t the only vintage attraction with a cult following at risk, as the Country Bear Jamboree could be getting a massive overhaul very soon.

The current incarnation of the Country Bear Jamboree is one of the few remaining attractions from Disney World’s golden age, taking it apart and revamping it is essentially messing with a Disney historical landmark. Naturally, it didn’t take long for supporters and Guests to notice.

Magic Kingdom Mayhem

country bear jamboree

The tweet was shared on r/WaltDisneyWorld, and fans wasted no time in sharing their hopes and fears for the supposed upcoming changes. Some are mildly curious about a “completely reimagined” Country bears, but others are downright trembling, stating how they hate the idea of losing them.

Taking a practical approach, u/Spacetime_Inspector writes,

“A new Bears show could be good or bad depending on the material they give them. I will say that of the old-timey animatronic shows, it’s the one that seems to engage modern audiences the most. People still genuinely laugh at the jokes in a way that they don’t in the Tiki Room or the Carousel.”

And u/cornfedpig has a point when they add,

“I think technology has progressed to a point where the Country Bear Jamboree isn’t at all impressive to audiences anymore, especially younger audiences. It looks old and dated, and the humour just doesn’t land with kids…”

But comments from users like u/ITrCool come with an ominous warning.

“If this was true, that means Thunder Mountain’s days are numbered too, because it’d essentially be isolated and essentially a weird rando “wild west miner” style coaster sitting between “New-Orleans” theming and Adventureland’s “1700s” theming.”

Granted, nothing is set in stone at this point, and this is all mostly speculation. However, as Disney continues to grow and adapt (as it was designed to do), how long will it be before it comes for our favorite classic attractions?

Mama Odie to Appear in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

The magic of the bayou is calling, so listen closely because we’re “digging a little deeper” into the experience guests can expect from the future attraction coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! The enchantment of the bayou will illuminate with a celebration during Mardi Gras season hosted by Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen. And today, we’re thrilled to announce that Mama Odie will reprise her role as the catalyst to that magic.

As depicted in this newly released rendering, Mama Odie jokes with guests along their journey after a special display of her magic. The two-hundred-year-old Bayou Fairy Godmother, with her eccentric belongings and “seeing eye snake,” Juju, is comically eccentric, yet wise and all-knowing, throughout the adventure. We’re so delighted that legendary actress Jenifer Lewis, who starred as the voice of Mama Odie in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and the Frog,” is once again returning to her role for the attraction.

If Mama Odie is a catalyst to the magic, then Sharika Mahdi is a catalyst to the Imagineers’ creations. This New Orleans artist and YAYA Arts Center alumna has inspired our work on the attraction with a local’s perspective. As we bring our attention to Mama Odie and the important role she plays in Tiana’s story, I’d like to share the latest in a four-part series commissioned to Sharika: a tribute to our wise and whimsical keeper of the bayou.

Notice how the long, flowing brush strokes offer visual cues for the floating journey that lies ahead in Tiana’s premier attraction. Along with “The Princess and the Frog” film, our team continues to use Sharika’s latest piece as inspiration for how Mama Odie will appear throughout the attraction. You may see evidence of this in the resemblance of the images above depicting Mama Odie.

Mama Odie joins a cast of friends – familiar and new – in Princess Tiana’s debut attraction. In December, we shared how a band of newly introduced critters will provide some of the soundtrack to your journey. In February, we shared the backstory behind the water tower that will punctuate the exterior. But what else is in store? Here’s a sample of what to expect from this musical adventure:

  • Brand-new cast of original Disney characters with distinct names and personalities
  • Dozens of entirely new Audio-Animatronics figures
  • Adorable critters with incredible talent, bringing the diverse flavors of musical gumbo found in New Orleans!
  • New, original music alongside favorite tunes from the film
  • Do you love beignets as much as Louis? Well, you’re in luck because the alluring scent of beignets being prepared for the party will be part of the attraction queue!
  • Additional talent voices from the film reprising their roles, including Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis, and the one and only Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana
  • Familiar faces from the film such as Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, Louis, Eudora, Charlotte, “Big Daddy,” the King and Queen of Maldonia and Prince Ralphie

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure builds on the story of Princess Tiana, a character whose pride and perseverance reminds us of a universal truth: within us lies the potential to make our dreams come true. This all-new adventure will bring Disney Parks guests into Princess Tiana’s world like never before when the attraction opens in Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in 2024.

To make room for this new magic, Splash Mountain at Disneyland park will be closed starting May 31, 2023, so we can begin the next phase of development for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Walt Disney World Annual Passes Are Returning This Month!

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

It’s finally here, the news we’ve all been waiting for! New Annual Pass sales Walt Disney World will resume later this month!

The official Disney Parks Twitter account just dropped the big news: new sales of the Walt Disney World Annual Pass and fans are already thrilled at the prospect of being able to purchase an Annual Pass once again.

Not only do we know when Annual Passes sales will resume (April 20), but we also know the updated prices:

At the highest tier, the Disney Incredi-Pass will cost $1,399.

The Disney Sorcerer Pass (Florida Resident and Disney Vacation Club Member only) will cost $969, the Pirate Pass (Florida Resident only) will cost $749, and the Pixie Pass (Florida Resident only) will cost $399.

M,ost Disney fans will know that these new Annual Pass sales are returning for the first time in forever, making this more exciting than usual!

guests with mickey mouse

Not only that, but Annual Passholders are now able to access certain Disney PhotoPass benefits, and beginning on April 18, Annual Passholders will be able to visit the Parks after 2 p.m. without a Park reservation (except for the weekends at Magic Kingdom). That being said, blockout dates will still apply.

Disney Announces Changes to Their Virtual Queue System

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

If you are a Disney fan who hasn’t been living under a rock, you know that tomorrow marks the grand opening of the new TRON attraction in Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World Resort. Early this morning at 7:00 a.m. ET, Guests visiting this Disney Park will wake themselves up to try and grab one of the coveted spots in the new roller coaster’s virtual queue. For the lucky few who get a place, be sure to know the changes to Disney’s virtual queue system before you head into Magic Kingdom.

For those who do not know, the virtual queue system is Disney’s way of managing the lines of popular rides and attractions. Instead of having it be a free-for-all with lines stretching a mile long, Disney has implemented a new system to help manage crowds. For very popular rides like TRON Lightcycle/Run, fans hoping to ride it on opening day will wake up early to try and secure a space in one of the ride’s “boarding groups.”

If you do manage to get into a boarding group for TRON, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, each Guest will only be allowed to enter the virtual queue once per day for this attraction. Disney explains that even if you are given a boarding group, you are not guaranteed to ride the attraction. Boarding groups will be called based on availability.

Disney also mentioned an important new change to their virtual queue policy. In the past, Walt Disney World has been lenient with Guests punctuality when they come to check in for their boarding groups. In the past, Guests have been given an hour of wiggle-room after their boarding group is called to make it to the ride. This is no longer the case.

Disney has announced that Guests must be at the attraction when their boarding group is called. If they are not there, no late arrivals will be accommodated. 

If you get a spot on the virtual queue for TRON, be ready to drop whatever you’re doing to be at the attraction in time. Walt Disney World is not messing around!