food IS a theme park
Three cheers for Chef José Andrés!
Chef José Andrés ©Jaleo
We love hearing about people stepping up to help others during these difficult times. And celebrity chef, José Andrés, the owner of Jaleo and Pepe in Disney Springs, has done just that! He has temporarily converted several of his locations into community kitchens to assist those in need of affordable meals. But he’s going a step further to thank doctors and nurses for their hard work!
There have been A LOT of questions about when Disney World will be re-opening.
Walt Disney World
And, along with representatives from other theme parks, Josh D’Amaro has been working on the Re-Open Florida Task Force to determine the best protocols for opening up public spaces again. After the recent task force meeting, there were a lot of discussions surrounding the safest ways to provide access to cruise lines, restaurants, airports, and theme parks across the state.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground has been entertaining diners for almost 45 years, and we’ve certainly enjoyed our share of shows by the Pioneer Hall Players. (Read our last review of Hoop-Dee-Doo here!)
But while Hoop-Dee-Doo is known for its on-stage antics and overall energy, the food has not taken center stage. Not even close. The fare includes traditional crowd-pleasers like fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, and cornbread, but this is basically banquet food churned out in what feels like a conveyor belt production.
So why would I still say Hoop-Dee-Doo is something everyone should try at least once? Because the show is entertaining enough to justify enduring some mediocre food. And you’re really paying for that entertainment, not for the grub. (Although, of course, we see high-priced mediocre foods in plenty of restaurants that don’t have shows, soooo… .)
Pioneer Hall — Home of Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue
I kept my recent ADR for Hoop-Dee-Doo because of the show and because I like to give Walt Disney World restaurants a second (and a third and an infinite) try. Has the food improved? Is the show still compelling? Let’s see how they’re Hoop-Dee-Doin’ it.
Disney has brought a smile to our face in a lot of ways over the last few weeks. Whether it’s reading us bedtime stories or streaming live on Facebook, Disney performers and celebrities have come into our homes digitally in ways that have brought some joy to these uncertain times. But these aren’t the only ways they’re making us smile.
©Disney
There has been so much GOOD NEWS to celebrate coming from this crisis. Therefore, we want to share seven of our favorite stories with you today!
Whether you’re planning your very first trip to Disney or your 100th, you probably want to get every bit of magic out of your time in Disney World!
Cinderella Castle
Here at DFB, we are always looking to load you up with top tips so that you don’t have to spend your precious time and energy stressing before or during a trip. And today we’re telling you about some expert Disney vacation hacks that even the Disney pros swear by. These under-the-radar tips can help you save time and money, so welcome to the in-crowd, friends!
If you're looking for information related to the current closures and their effect on the Disney Parks, click here for all the up-to-date details and click here for answers to dozens of reader FAQs.
Here at DFB, Disney food might just be our favorite thing at the parks! There are so many options it can be hard to choose our favorites — and Disney keeps making it even WORSE by adding new treats and snacks each time we visit! 😉
An Irish Egg at Raglan Road
But even with all of that — we still have a few things we’d love to see come to the parks! We’ve gathered up a few food trends that we think Disney could do really well. We’ve seen some of these pop up in certain restaurants briefly or for special events, but we’re ready for these foods to take the parks by storm!
Who here watched the Happily Ever After stream and got emotional?? (Us.)
Happily Ever After
Although we’re missing those nights in Magic Kingdom right now while the parks are closed, we are still finding so many ways to bring the magic to life into our homes. And, Disney PhotoPass is also adding a little pop! and pizzazz! to your day with these AMAZING new photo backgrounds.
Yes, Disney World is currently under a construction halt in the parks, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not still seeing some interesting building permits pop up! Mysterious, we know.
PLAY! Pavilion Concept Art ©Disney
Even with the pause on much of the physical work, Disney is apparently still getting prepped for some big parks projects! Just recently we spotted a bunch of permits for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge. And we’ve picked out a few more juicy permits to check out today. Let’s dive in!
As you know, we loooove eating our way around Disney World!
Cinderella’s Royal Table
But anytime someone asks us what restaurant they should try, we always have to say “that depends!” There are so many different dining experiences available in Disney, and the best choice is always what’s best for YOU! That said, we have some advice. Here are 5 categories that you might want to avoid on your next trip.
Good news! We finally have some information to share with our readers who are waiting to find out about their DVC points as well as an update on annual dues!
Disney Vacation Club Member Mug
Disney World has just amended a few of its Disney Vacation Club policies that include some point extensions and a plan they’re currently working on regarding yearly fees! They sent out an email to share the news.
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