Chip & Dale Scavenger Hunt at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
A delightful new scavenger hunt has been making waves at chosen Disney Resorts! Adorable character cutouts are hidden throughout the resorts, their locations changing daily. Guests are encouraged to explore and discover these charming characters to earn a special prize. The cutouts are easily spotted (around a foot tall) and make an ideal introductory hunt for younger children who may find more complex Hidden Mickey hunts a bit challenging.
At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge guests can hunt for Chip & Dale. The mischievous chipmunks are pictured together, each holding an acorn.
Photo Credit: Mary M
Once you discover one of the adorable hidden character cutouts, there are a few simple steps to claim your reward:
Capture the Moment: Take a photo of the cutout or a selfie with it, ensuring the background is visible so a Cast Member can verify the location. Please leave the cutout undisturbed to continue the fun for others.
Redeem Your Prize: Visit the nearest Front Desk, Community Hall, or Activity Center and present your photo. A Cast Member will confirm the cutout’s location and award you a button as a reward.
Collect Daily Stickers: Each button has four designated sticker spots. Find the hidden character on four different days to earn all four stickers and complete your button!
Not to be Missed Magical Dining Spots Near Walt Disney World
This fall, indulge in a culinary adventure without the need for theme park tickets or months-long reservations. Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining offers a unique opportunity to savor the flavors of Central Florida’s finest restaurants at discounted prices! From Michelin-starred establishments to hidden gems, there’s something to tantalize every palate. Here are some of the fine dining options:
Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Michelin-recommended for three years running, Celebrity Chef Richard Blais’s Four Flamingos serves fresh-caught surf and fire-grilled turf, with a unique Florida twist! Magical Dining highlights include Spiny Lobster Bisque, Black Grouper and Dragon Fruit Tiramisu. Four Flamingos was named the top hotel restaurant in Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel.
Twin View Restaurant at Evermore Resort The newly opened Evermore Orlando Resort’s signature restaurant Twin View is a Magical Dining newcomer and serves a modern menu of fresh Florida flavors overlooking the stunning new resort’s 8-acre crystal clear Evermore Bay and golf courses. Magical Dining highlights include Stracciatella, Ora King Salmon and Strawberry Fields.
Sophia’s Trattoria at Conrad Orlando Magical Dining newcomer, Sophia’s Trattoria, which opened earlier this year at the new luxury Conrad Orlando, serves coastal-inspired Southern Italian cuisine from wood-fired pizzas to handmade pasta. Magical Dining highlights include Prime Beef Carpaccio, Braised Octopus Pasta and Chocolate Mousse.
Il Mulino New York Trattoria at the Walt Disney World Swan The acclaimed Il Mulino New York Trattoria at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort delights guests with the vibrant flavors of Italian cuisine and dedication to exemplary service. Magical Dining highlights include Minestrone, Pollo Scarpariello and Frutti di Bosco con Zabaglione.
Todd English’s bluezoo at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Celebrity Chef Todd English’s bluezoo is a AAA Four-Diamond restaurant at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort combining fresh seafood with coastal cuisines from around the world in a vibrant setting. Magical Dining highlights include bluezoo’s New England Style Clam Chowder, Lobster Bucatini and Lemon Blueberry Tart.
Amare at the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Amare (meaning “to love” in Italian) is a restaurant at the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve that serves a wide variety of Mediterranean-inspired dishes and features an extensive Mediterranean-based wine list. Magical Dining highlights include Chargrilled Pepper Crostino, Tonnarelli Alle Vongole and Amaro Flavored Sokolatina.
Many of these restaurants offer easy or no reservations, making it convenient to plan your dining experience. However, it’s always a good idea to check ahead, especially during peak times.
By participating in Magical Dining, you’re not only treating yourself to a delicious meal but also supporting The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, a local charity.
So, why wait? Plan your magical dining adventure today and discover the culinary wonders of Central Florida!
Universal Studios Hollywood Kicks Off Halloween with Horror Nights
Universal Studios Hollywood has officially launched Halloween Horror Nights, featuring eight terrifying new haunted houses, a chilling Terror Tram experience, spine-tingling scare zones, and electrifying live shows. This year’s event runs on select nights through November 3rd.
Halloween Horror Nights continues on September 6-8, 12-15, 19-22, 29-29; October 3-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-31; November 1-3, 2024.
At a glance, here’s this year’s Halloween Horror Nights killer lineup of haunted houses and attractions inspired by the biggest names in horror:
“The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy,” an immersive experience curated by the multi-award-winning artist.
“A Quiet Place,” a terrifying new experience based on Paramount Pictures’ critically acclaimed franchise that will incorporate American Sign Language (ASL) into a haunted house for the very first time.
“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” inspired by Sony Picture’s latest installment of the Ghostbusters franchise.
“Insidious: The Further” based on the latest films in the hit supernatural horror film series produced by Blumhouse Productions in association with Sony Pictures.
“Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines” an all-female monsters led haunted house inspired by Universal Pictures’ classic monsters, featuring music by GRAMMY award winning musician Slash.
“Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Legacy of Leatherface,” which pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the iconic maniacal monster.
“Monstruos 2: The Nightmares of Latin America,” a sequel to the 2023 hit haunted house.
“Dead Exposure: Death Valley,” an original concept house with petrifying radioactive zombies.
“Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse,” a terrifying experience taking fans on a close encounter with characters from Blumhouse Production’s popular franchises, including M3GAN, The Black Phone, Freaky, The Purge and Happy Death Day.
“The Purge: Dangerous Waters,” a live stunt show that takes visitors on a fiery, rock-fueled adventure while they fight to survive the night, inspired by Blumhouse Production’s popular film franchise.
“Luchadores Monstruosos,” an all-new scare zone.
“Skull Lordz,” a scare zone featuring a gothic inspired royal court of the dead.
“Chainsaw Punkz,” a troop of chainsaw killers will confront guests as they enter the event.
“Murder of Crowz,” a flock of menacing crow stilt-walkers will terrify guests.
Adding to the scares, guests also can experience select theme park attractions open during the event, including “Jurassic World—The Ride,” “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” featuring “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™,” “Transformers™: The Ride-3D,” “Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride” and “The Simpsons Ride™.” The interactive land SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will be accessible to guests purchasing select tickets.
Planning a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood can be overwhelming. Let me do the heavy lifting and create a personalized itinerary that fits your budget and interests. Contact me today to start planning!
The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a Chinese harvest celebration held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It marks the end of the harvest season and is a time for families to gather and enjoy traditional foods like mooncakes.
Disney Eats just announced that the Snowy Mooncake will be available at the China Global Marketplace in EPCOT from September 8-21. This delightful treat celebrates the Moon Festival and features a butterfly pea flower-infused snow skin filled with creamy custard. The sides have charming little columns, and the top is adorned with raised floral imagery.
The new outfits feature light teal button-up shirts with pinstripes and white collars. Cast Members pair these with gray pants, either full-length or knee-length, and complete the look with knee-high white socks. The coral pink aprons, with a reddish-pink lining, add a pop of color. To top it off, their new ball caps match the aprons.
The old Casey’s Corner uniforms had a classic baseball look. The white tops and pants featured blue and red pinstripes, and the pants ended at the knee, revealing dark blue socks. Brown aprons with blue piping and “Casey’s” in red completed the ensemble. Blue ball caps rounded out the traditional attire.
The new costumes are part of a broader effort to introduce more comfortable and environmentally friendly options for Cast Members working in Florida’s hot climate. The lighter, more breathable fabrics and use of recyclable materials make these new uniforms a welcome change.
As Disney continues to update Cast Member costumes throughout Main Street, U.S.A., the Cast Members at The Plaza Restaurant have recently received their new uniforms. These fresh looks are designed with function and comfort in mind, featuring lightweight, breathable fabrics that ensure comfort during long shifts. In keeping with Disney’s environmental initiatives, the costumes are also made from recyclable materials, adding a sustainable touch to their stylish appearance.
The new costumes at The Plaza come in two options: a dress paired with a long apron, and a pants-and-vest combination, both of which perfectly complement the restaurant’s turn-of-the-century charm.
The updated uniforms blend seamlessly with the elegant, classic atmosphere of The Plaza, where guests can enjoy casual dining at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., while being served by Cast Members in these timeless new outfits.
Halloween Treats Haunt the Plaza Restaurant at Magic Kingdom
This Halloween season, the Plaza Restaurant at Disney’s Magic Kingdom is serving up several spooky delights. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner, these eerie new offerings bring a perfect mix of savory and sweet for guests looking to celebrate spooky season in style.
The menu kicks off with two tempting entrees: the Ghoulishly Gourmet Burger, featuring two all-beef patties topped with pepper jack and Swiss cheese, candied bacon, balsamic-glazed mushrooms, an onion ring, and truffle-buffalo aioli, all served on a striking black bun for $25.00.
Photo By Mary MoralesPhoto By Mary Morales
For those craving a lighter bite, the Halloween Turkey Club offers a delicious combination of turkey and bacon on black sandwich bread for $19.00. Both the Turkey Club and Burger are available in allergy-friendly versions, allowing more guests to join in on the Halloween feast.
Photo By Mary MoralesPhoto By Mary Morales
For a fun and spooky drink, try the Graveyard Milk Shake, a decadent chocolate milkshake adorned with a dipped graveyard jelly doughnut, white chocolate tombstone, gummy candy, and a Haunted Mansion-themed straw, all for $8.50.
Photo By Mary MoralesPhoto By Mary Morales
No Halloween meal is complete without a festive dessert, and the Plaza is offering the perfect treat: the Layered Pumpkin Cake with cream cheese mousse, available for $10.00. There’s also an allergy-friendly option for this seasonal favorite, ensuring everyone can indulge in the holiday flavors.
Related: More October Dates Sell Out for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Photo By Mary Morales
These Halloween-themed dishes and desserts join the Plaza Restaurant’s expansive menu, making it a must-visit dining spot during your Magic Kingdom trip this spooky season.
New Scenes Added to Living with the Land for the 2024 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Guests enjoying the 2024 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival can now find a fresh touch added to the Living with the Land attraction. Throughout the gentle boat ride, props and signs have been installed, highlighting ingredients used in dishes featured at the festival. This creative overlay ties together the festival’s culinary delights with the greenhouse-grown produce on display during the ride.
Displays added to the popular attraction include tables and scenes honoring the Mexico booth, Shanghai Scallion Noodles from China, Temaki Sushi from Japan, and Frozen Sweet Potato Mousse at Swirled Showcase. Props from nearly every country featured at the festival have been added, including scenes from France, Canada, Hawaii, Morocco, and China.
Riding Living with the Land during the festival offers a new perspective on how crops grown within the greenhouses connect to the global flavors celebrated at EPCOT, making it a must-see experience during this year’s Food & Wine Festival.
A Whole New Sound: Disney’s Pop-Punk Tribute Album and Yellowcard’s “A Whole New World” Video
Get ready to rock out to your favorite Disney tunes in a whole new way! Disney has just released the highly anticipated album, A Whole New Sound, featuring a star-studded lineup of pop-punk bands reimagining classic Disney songs.
To kick off the album, Yellowcard has unveiled their powerful rendition of “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. The band’s signature sound, combined with the soulful vocals of Chrissy Costanza, breathes new life into this timeless tale of adventure and love. Her voice is incredible!
“There is nothing in my life that keeps me in tune with my inner kid more than my love of Disney,” said Yellowcard vocalist Ryan Key. “So, it is my pleasure to tell that kid that he and his best buds are in a band that has a song on an official Disney release!”
A Whole New Sound is a love letter to pop-punk fans, blending the energetic spirit of the genre with the timeless nostalgia of Disney classics. The album features tracks from New Found Glory, Plain White T’s, Simple Plan, Bowling For Soup, Mayday Parade, Tokio Hotel, Boys Like Girls, We The Kings, LØLØ, Magnolia Park, and Meet Me @ The Altar.
Here’s a sneak peek at the tracklist:
“Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid by New Found Glory
“Remember Me” from Coco by Mayday Parade
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King by Simple Plan
“I2I” from A Goofy Movie by Magnolia Park
“A Whole New World” from Aladdin by Yellowcard
“Go the Distance” from Hercules by We The Kings
“Surface Pressure” from Encanto by Plain White T’s
“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story by Meet Me @ The Altar
“You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan by Boys Like Girls
“Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas by Tokio Hotel
“Let It Go” from Frozen by LØLØ
“Friend Like Me” from Aladdin by Bowling For Soup
Yellowcard will also be performing their new song, along with other classics, at Epcot on September 8 and 9 as part of this year’s Eat to the Beat concert series. Check out the all new video below, and get ready to sing along to your favorite Disney tunes with a pop-punk twist! A Whole New Sound is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Construction Walls Are Up At The Magic Kingdom’s Plaza Restaurant
During a recent visit to Magic Kingdom, we noticed construction walls surrounding the main entrance of The Plaza Restaurant. The walls indicate that updates are underway, likely focused on the restaurant’s exterior façade, though the restaurant remains open for guests. Despite the visible construction, Disney’s website currently does not mention any ongoing work, and reservations continue to be available.
The Plaza Restaurant is beloved for its turn-of-the-century elegance and casual dining atmosphere, offering a menu filled with classic American favorites. Guests can relax and enjoy its delicious offerings, from the Chicken Waldorf Sandwich to the decadent brownie sundae, while construction takes place. Regular operating hours remain unchanged, and the restaurant is available for both lunch and dinner service.
If you’re planning to dine at The Plaza Restaurant during your next visit, rest assured that the construction won’t impact your ability to enjoy a meal, but do keep an eye out for any future updates regarding the refurbishment.
Only a few available dates remain for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!
If you are hoping to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this spooky season, but have not yet purchased your tickets, you may want to hop online and purchase them ASAP as the event is rapidly selling out!
We reported just 3 days ago that all of September was sold out for the party, and only 11 days in October had tickets available. Since that time three additional dates have sold out, leaving only 8 days in which tickets are still available for purchase!
Related:
Currently, only October 1, 4, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, and 27 have available tickets. Given the current trend, we anticipate all party dates to sell out in the coming weeks. In 2023, all Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates were sold out by September 30.
Disney Aspire Program Introduces Annual Funding Cap and End of Master’s Program Offerings
Big changes are coming to the Disney Aspire program, an educational initiative that has helped many of Disney’s hourly Cast Members access higher education opportunities with 100% tuition coverage. Starting November 27, 2024, Disney Aspire will introduce an annual funding cap of $5,250 for in-network schools, significantly altering the program’s structure.
First established in 2018, Disney Aspire allows eligible Cast Members to pursue a variety of educational programs without worrying about tuition, fees, or book costs. The new funding cap is a change in the program that will apply to all students enrolled after November 27, limiting the amount of financial coverage Disney will offer within a given year. The cap is currently set at $5,250 for in-network schools:
Bellevue University
Johnson & Wales University
Southern New Hampshire University
University of Massachusetts Global
University of Central Florida
The following schools are not currently rolled into the November 27 cap initiation date (although all schools will eventually be included in this cap):
California State University Fullerton
Fullerton College
North Carolina A&T State University
Penn Foster
Sophia Learning (College Start)
Valencia College
Related: Disney Halts Developing of The Graveyard Book Due to Sexual Assault Allegations
Additionally, the following schools are no longer considered In Network and thus cannot take any new enrollments:
Purdue Global
University of Arizona
University of Denver
Wilmington University
University of Florida
Along with these changes that go into effect in November, Masters Degree Programs and the Penn Foster Trade program have been ended immediately, although Aspire participants who have completed and submitted an application for these programs on or before September 5th will still be eligible for the Aspire program.
