Get ready to add a spooky yet adorable addition to your Halloween collection at Universal Orlando Resort with the new Spooky Light Up Mummy Minion Popcorn Bucket! But that’s not the only creepy-cute offering. The new Minions FrankenBob Popcorn Bucket is so cute, it’s scary!
The FrankenBob Popcorn Bucket, available for $34.99, i not only holds your popcorn but also lights up, talks, and brings a touch of spooky fun to your day. Tap the top of his head, where his beloved teddy bear Tim sits, and you’ll hear Bob say, “Happy Halloween!” . Your first popcorn fill is free after purchase, making this bucket an even sweeter deal.
Originally available at Universal Studios Japan, the FrankenBob bucket features Minion Bob, with his mismatched green and brown eyes, dressed as Frankenstein’s Monster. Tim the teddy bear is hanging with Bob and also has a Frankenstein makeover. The bucket also comes with a detachable strap that is decorated with images of FrankenBob, bats, spiderwebs, and “Universal Studios” written in orange.
Whether you prefer your popcorn regular or banana-flavored, this light-up, sound-making FrankenBob bucket is a must-have for Minion lovers and Halloween enthusiasts alike. We spotted the bucket at both the Pop A Banana Popcorn Cart in Minions Land and the Universal Studios Store.
3 Spooky Shakes Have Re-Appeared At Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs
The spooky season has returned to Disney Springs’ Vivoli il Gelato with three hauntingly delicious treats that are sure to give your taste buds a thrill! This family-run, world-famous gelateria, with roots dating back to 1930 in Florence, Italy, is conjuring up some spine-tingling frozen concoctions just in time for Halloween. Head over to The Landing for a monstrously good time and try one of these limited-time creations:
🎃 Jack-O-Lantern Float: A creamy mix of vanilla gelato, Fanta Orange, and whipped cream that brings all the Halloween vibes for $12.75.
🧟♂️ Monster Shake: Mint chocolate chip gelato paired with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and chocolate chips for a chillingly sweet indulgence, also priced at $12.75.
🧛🏻 Vampire Shake: A blood-red delight with strawberry sorbetto, coconut gelato, strawberry sauce, and whipped cream, available for $12.75.
With over 20 artisanal flavors to choose from, Vivoli il Gelato offers more than just gelato. Whether you’re craving a refreshing sorbetto, a decadent gelato-based sundae, or a seasonal shake, this iconic spot is the perfect destination for a cool treat any time of year.
And if you’re wandering around Town Center, don’t miss their retro bicycle cart serving up 8 popular gelato and sorbetto flavors, so you can indulge while you explore!
Disneyland Monorail Returning to Service this Week
The Disneyland Monorail is a legendary attraction at the Disneyland Resort in California. It made its debut on June 14, 1959, just a short time after Disneyland Park itself opened its doors. The monorail system was a pioneering transportation advancement, providing guests with a thrilling and futuristic mode of travel within the park and allowing them to admire its sights from a unique aerial perspective.
Disneyland Resort enthusiasts can eagerly anticipate the return of the iconic Disneyland Monorail later this month, as it is scheduled to resume operations following a comprehensive refurbishment. The cherished attraction has been temporarily closed for updates and maintenance since August 12, 2024, and its forthcoming reopening is expected to introduce exciting new features to this beloved transportation mode.
Disneyland Resort authorities have confirmed the completion date for the refurbishment, declaring that the Monorail will be fully operational once again commencing September 13. The restoration efforts have encompassed upgrades to the monorail trains, enhancements to the tracks, and improvements to the overall ride experience, guaranteeing a cutting-edge travel adventure for all guests.
New Halloween Trick or Treat Popcorn Mixes at the Magic Kingdom
Fall and Halloween have officially made their debut in Magic Kingdom, and we’re ready to indulge in some delicious treats like popcorn mixes. Kernal Kitchen in Main Street Confectionery offers two tasty spooky and sweet Halloween popcorn mixes.
Stop by Kernel Kitchen on Main Street and savor the flavors of these two new seasonal snacks. Both are $15.99 each.
The Halloween Trick Mix, pictured above, has a fruity flavor and is extra sweet! It is candied popcorn with freeze dried skittles, mini marshmallows, sour gummi worms, and white chocolatey drizzle.
Photo Credit: Mary M
The Halloween Treat Mix offers a delightful combination of sweet chocolate and savory salt. It’s kettle popcorn with M&M’s Milk Chocolate candies, pretzel pieces, crushed chocolate cookies, and orange chocolatey drizzle.
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.
