Anna, Elsa, and Santa are Coming to Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Beginning Nov. 13

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Santa are coming to Disney World’s Blizzard Beach!

Only in Florida could Guests bask in the sun at a water park during the holiday season, and thanks to the magic of Disney, that’s exactly what awaits Guests who visit this holiday season and experience a new take on Disney World’s Blizzard Beach when the water park reopens on November 13!

Per a news release from Walt Disney World on Tuesday morning, Blizzard Beach will reopen in mid-November with some exciting new touches from Walt Disney Animation’s frosty blockbuster, Frozen.

The release reads in part:

It’s a ski-riffic time at Walt Disney World Resort as Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park prepares to reopen on November 13, when Guests will once again set off on arctic adventures in the warm Florida sun and discover new touches from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Frozen.”

The new “Frozen” features will be part of the kid-sized thrills of Tike’s Peak that’s popular among young guests who will delight in the statuettes of Olaf and his Snowgie pals in the warm wading pool, as well as Anna and Elsa’s igloo castle.  

The water park, which features heated water throughout the park, will also have an enhanced holiday atmosphere. This year there will be limited-time holiday offerings through December 31 that include holiday-themed treats, snowfall, and festive inner tubes. Guests can even meet a tropical-dressed Santa for the ultimate Florida holiday experience. 

It sounds like an amazing, festive, “Frozen” time for all! Who ever dreamed of enjoying holiday-themed treats and riding in festive inner tubes, enjoying snowfall, and meeting Santa is his swim trunks could take place at a water park–in the colder months of the year?

Thanks to Disney, Guests will get to have these experiences and more, but the holiday offerings are only available through December 31!

Family Turns Home into “Haunted Mansion”-inspired House

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

A California family that loves Halloween and Disney Parks used their talents to create a one-of-a-kind attraction at their home during this spooky season, and their efforts caught the eye of a legendary Disney icon.

Mike Stanley, his wife Dawn, and his son Wyatt live in Aliso Viejo, California, and they love Halloween; in fact, they’ve been known for their passion for the spooky holiday for more than 10 years now. The family has a “go big or go home (or at least back inside the house)” approach to decorating their Oak Ridge Circle home for Halloween, and this year, fans of the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will find the home extremely familiar, as it’s incredibly reminiscent of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion.

We even think we saw the Ghost Host, and we know we saw the famed Madame Leota.

“This year’s theme is near and dear to our hearts because it’s our favorite ride at Disneyland,” said Mike Stanley. “So, we’ve always wanted to give it the respect it deserves and really go big.”

The Stanley family’s attraction pays homage to the legendary Haunted Mansion ride–specifically, the ride at Disneyland Resort in California.

“The neighbors are involved now, so we worked together to get a different scene from the ride in every front lawn,” said Mike Stanley.

The enormous attraction is open to members of the community. Visitors can stop by and enjoy the spooks, haunts, ghosts, and ghouls–and it’s all for a good cause. While they’re there, they can also purchase cookies, churros, hot chocolate, and apple cider. The proceeds from each purchase are donated to the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support group.

The Stanley family says the charity is very near and dear to their hearts.

“We wanted to kind of do something in honor of my dad to give back that’s why we chose that charity,” said Dawn Stanley.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the Stanleys’ exciting take on Halloween decorating earned them a very special visit from legendary Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr.

Bob Gurr, Disney Imagineer Puts Theme Park Magic Into Motion | Investor's Business Daily

The Stanleys were excited to host Gurr, and they even served him cake in celebration of his 91st birthday. Before he left, they also gave him a tour of the attraction they created, and according to the California family and Haunted Mansion fans, the legendary Imagineer Bob Gurr approved.

“Bob Gurr gave his stamp of approval last night,” said Dawn Stanley, “so, if we can get his stamp approval for how good it is, it’s good, so the kids should come out.”

Family Truck Stolen During Disney World Trip

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Disney World is “the Most Magical Place on Earth” but that doesn’t mean it’s immune from tragedy as one Georgia family recently found out. Ryan and Cassidy McClendon took their 3 children to Disney World for a few days as a surprise. While there, they went to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom but back at their hotel that night their situation went from “not so scary” to very scary: their truck was stolen from the hotel parking lot!

The trip was a surprise for their two youngest children’s birthdays. Their first day was perfect, they dressed up in their Halloween finest and it was all smiles at Magic Kingdom. Their second day however, they woke to find their white 2007, Ford F-250 pickup truck missing.

He was like, ‘Where’s my truck?’ I can see it in his face. Pale. I thought he was going to cry.” Cassidy told a local news outlet.

The couple filed a police report with Orlando Police who are co ducting an investigation and searching for the family’s stolen property. In addition to their truck, their Apple Watches, kids cars seats, and Ryan’s tool box full of valuable tools were also stolen.

“We were stuck in the hotel room all day. Kids were very upset. We’ve been trying to take the kids to Disney every year and this definitely hit hard.” Cassidy said.

The family was able to go to the Parks on the third day but the trip has definitely taken a disheartening turn.

Truck stolen on Disney trip

The couple hopes the police find their property but just in case have asked anyone in the local area to be on the lookout. Cassidy took to Facebook to plead with those in the area to help, writing, “I know this is a long shot, but please be on the lookout for our truck!”

The McClendon’s were not staying in a Disney World owned hotel when the theft occurred. The crime happened at Comfort Inn and Suites off of Major Boulevard.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is Reopening

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

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is finally returning after two very long years! This royal character buffet is one of the last restaurants to return from the Covid closures!

Beginning on November 4, 2022 you can join your favorite Disney Princesses in EPCOT’s World Showcase for an unforgettable meal. Located in the Norway pavilion you’ll find traditional Norwegian dishes like Tradisjonell Kjøttkake (Norwegian Meatballs served with Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Lingonberry Sauce) and grilled salmon. Kids will feast on familiar favorites like Mac and cheese and pizza.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Pricing for this location is on par with increased pricing for other character meals at Walt Disney World. Breakfast will be $53.00 for adults and $34.00 for kids. Lunch and dinner will be $63.00 for adults and $41.00 for kids. Just as it was before the closure, all three meals will remain all-you-can-eat.

This incredible meal offers a chance to dine with princesses like Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella, and Belle “inside a medieval castle with soaring archways and cathedral ceilings.” This classic location is a hit with young and old alike due to its interesting food, fun characters and beautiful surroundings. In fact, we recommend it over Cinderella’s Royal Table. The food is better, the restaurant is more beautiful, and as a bonus reservations here are typically easier to get! Currently Cinderella’s Royal Table isn’t offering their full character experience either. That gives Akershus Royal Banquet Hall a definite edge over its more popular dining cousin.

Disney says Advanced Dining Reservations are recommended for this location but we would take that a step further and say they are essentially required. We have never once gotten or even heard of anyone who has gotten a walk up table here. Reservations will open for Akershus on October 24, 2022. They will likely go fast at first due to pent up demand so you’ll want to make sure you are ready at 6:00 am when reservations open up!

We are keeping a close eye on the few restaurants that remain shuttered after the closure. Stay tuned and we will update you as soon as more announcements are made!

Popular Food Truck Leaves Disney Springs

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Uncategorized

If you’re looking for the perfect dining, shopping, and entertainment destination at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Springs is the place to be. While there are many dining options, one popular eatery has officially left the property.

The growing West Side of Disney Springs is full of exciting experiences, such as Cirque du Soleil’s newer stage performance of “Drawn to Life.” There are several popular eateries spread throughout the West Side to cover the mass amounts of crowds seeking to dine, such as Splitsville Luxury Lanes and House of Blues.

But, if you’re looking for a fantastic meal without a dining reservation, head on over to the Disney Springs Food Truck lot, known as Exposition Park, on the West Side. Boasting stunning waterside views, there are usually several food truck selections to choose from for lunch and dinner.

One delicious food truck called Cilantro Urban has officially rolled away from Disney Springs as Disney wraps up its Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

@DisneySprings took to social media on October 15, 2022 to share, “Last call! Today is the last day to enjoy @CilantroUrban Eatery Food Truck here at Disney Springs. Try their Pork Pibil Tostadas piled high with Yucatán-México achiote roasted pork, black bean refritos and more! #TogetherWeAreMagia.”

Last call! Today is the last day to enjoy @CilantroUrban Eatery Food Truck here at Disney Springs. Try their Pork Pibil Tostadas piled high with Yucatán-México achiote roasted pork, black bean refritos and more! #TogetherWeAreMagia pic.twitter.com/W9IjAEpAvg— Disney Springs (@DisneySprings) October 15, 2022

The food truck made for a perfect dining option at Disney Springs during its stay from September 15 – October 15, 2022. While we hoped it would become a permanent truck, it is now gone from Disney Springs.

@cilantro_urban_eatery took to social media to share a video of its last night at Disney Springs:

You may still see Cilantro Urban cruising around at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Disney property as they tend to be featured at sporting events at the complex.

Alas, there are still four other Disney Springs Food Truck eateries available, including the new Local Green Orlando, 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck, Hot Diggity Dogs, and Mac & Cheese.