We’re back with What’s New at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week, and it includes several menu changes, tons of cool merchandise, and a peek at current Toy Story Land and Skyliner construction (read more about the Disney World Skyliner here!)! Then, we’re skipping over to Art of Animation and Pop Century for a quick look at What’s New at the resorts! So put on your fancy pants, and let’s get our glamour on!
The NEW MENU Scat Cat’s Club at Port Orleans Resort Looks AWESOME!
Walt Disney World’sPort Orleans Resort, French Quarter
is home to the Sassagoula Float Works and Food Factory (which we love!) and to Mardi Grogs Pool Bar.
What’s New at Walt Disney World’s Epcot: Scrunchies, Guardians of the Galaxy, Menu Updates, and MORE!
We hope you’re enjoying all that’s new at Walt Disney World this week! We’ve already visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs this week, and now we’re journeying to Epcot! So come along as we explore what’s new in food, merchandise, construction, and… vikings?
What’s New in Disney’s Hollywood Studios: May 2, 2018
Welcome back to another installment of What’s New! This time we’re at Disney’s Hollywood Studios where there’s a whole lotta new we won’t get to see until June 30 when Toy Story Land opens! But in the meantime, we’ve got the skinny on menu changes, pop-up bars, and merchandise that just might tide us over until Woody welcomes the gang to his new land (and opens his lunchbox)!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Menus & Eats
Sweet Spells closed a couple of weeks ago
, and let’s just say that almost no one was happy about it. Where would we get our sweets? What would happen to the spells? (Okay, maybe we’re just worried about the carbohydrates…) And while we haven’t seen any of the Sweet Spells-specific food items shift over to Trolley Car Cafe, we’re glad that Sweet Spells favorites like the Carrot Cake Cookie, Napoleon, Danish, and Candy Brownie have all remained at Trolley Car.
So while we hear you, lovers of treats who don’t want to wait in that Starbucks line, we’re still relieved that the Carrot Cake Cookie and these beautiful treats are still nearby! But note that the carrot cake cookie has had a bit of a makeover — the cake part is now pretty thick and serious, so it’s more like a round cake versus a whoopie pie.
Guests can also pick up a Tale As Old As Time Cupcake at Trolley Car right now, and it sounds lovely. Vanilla cake, raspberry filling, white buttercream (which is actually yellow…maybe they meant to put “vanilla buttercream”?). Classic and sweet.
The Tale As Old As Time Cupcake features some details from Beauty and the Beast, including red roses, yellow frosting, and Belle and her prince in white chocolate form.
If the heat of late spring and impending summer have got you down at Hollywood Studios, there are a couple of great pop-up bars to fuel your adventures. Sunshine Day Cafe Pop-Up Bar is conveniently located on Sunset Boulevard, and is serving up wine, beer, and a couple of specialty drinks.
We have previously seen Baby Blues and Green Screen elsewhere in Hollywood Studios, but those bright colors suck us in every time.
If you’re in Echo Lake, you’ll find the Echo Lake Pop-Up Bar with specialty cocktails and wine.
At Fairfax Fare and Rosie’s All-American Cafe, Red Stag Black Cherry Bourbon Lemonade has replaced Jim Beam Black Cherry Lemonade.
In the world of desserts, Backlot Express now offers BB-9E and Kylo Ren Cupcakes instead of BB-8 and Darth Vader Cupcakes.
And the missing menu boards at ABC Commissary have been replaced with digital menu boards, just as predicted.
KRNR Station is now serving up nachos!
And a super yummy-looking S’mores Brownie has appeared at Dockside Diner. We definitely want to get into that!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Merchandise
Merchandise at Hollywood Studios is exciting this week! For starters, guests can purchase ties with character at various locations in the park, including the Orange Bird, Haunted Mansion, and Monorail designs! These have been around for a while and aren’t “new,” but they’re still super fun!
And if you get the Tiki Room Tie, we beg of you: please request it as the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Tie.
Also available are a couple of elaborate Minnie Ear designs. Belle is loaded with detail!
As is the Cheshire Cat, whose tail curls around one ear!
We have a thing for the VHS Notebooks that have been available for a couple of years, and now we can get our VHS-loving fingers on The Little Mermaid, Lady and the Tramp, Peter Pan, and Dumbo!
The biggest news in merchandise is happening at the former Sweet Spells location, which is now a Pixar merchandise location — Tinseltown Trinkets and Reel Vogue!
Inside the store portion of the old location there’s lots of merch to peruse, as well as some packaged sweets like cotton candy and massive lollipops.
The promised Pixar merchandise is actually very sweet, including these Up!-inspired couples’ tees!
Mike and Sully get some love with Monsters, Inc./University-inspired gear.
This tote ain’t subtle, but it’s fun!
And, well, if you’ve been in the market for a plush Sully tail, we say why? But also: you can find yours here!
But, oooooooh! You knew there had to be Toy Story merchandise! This tank celebrates the little green guys!
And this hoodie is colorful and playful.
Meanwhile, we’re totally into this Squad Goals tote. What other squad could a Disney fan need?!
If MagicBands are your thing, you’ll definitely want to check this out: a Toy Story MagicBand!
That’s it for now from Disney’s Hollywood Studios! You know we’ll be back with more What’s New — so stick with the DFB crew!
Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
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Which of the new DHS tidbits are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments!
What Alcoholic Drinks are Included on the Disney Dining Plan?
Last month, we told you about the non-alcoholic specialty drinks that are available with the 2018 Disney Dining Plan — a post that will keep evolving as we learn more about what does and does not count as a beverage on the DDP. Specialty drinks include such tasty gems as Artisanal Milkshakes and Fresh Smoothies!
News! The Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival 2018 at Raglan Road Kicks Off March 16!
You already know that Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant is the place to go for innovative and classic takes on Irish cuisine. And that you can listen to rocking tunes while chowing down on fish and chips. And that there’s an extensive drinks menu here, making it a terrific night out for the grown ups.
Why the Butterfly Beer Needs To Be On Your List at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
We all know that Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival is one of the prettiest times to visit Walt Disney World’s second-oldest park. But with the addition of food booths (called Outdoor Kitchens at this festival!), the Festival got delicious, too!
Check out the full menus — and tons of food photos — for the 2018 Flower and Garden Food Booths here!
News: Tambu Lounge Now Offers MORNING DRINKS! at Disney World’s Polynesian Resort
Polynesian Village Resort
is a relaxing tropical getaway — with some great dining and drinking to boot! And since it’s on the Resort Monorail Loop, it’s easy to stop in any time of the day or night on your way to or from Magic Kingdom.
Review: Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grille in Disney World
You know how sometimes we tell you about a slightly out-of-the-way place and say it’s totally worth the effort to get there? This will not be one of those times. Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grille is located adjacent to (the stupendously awesome) Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a small menu of snacks for hungry swimmers (and any hungry passersby).
The style of this outdoor bar is slightly nautical, with clean lines and neat hanging lanterns. There’s seating at the bar, which is covered and provides some shade.
Cheers to the New Year! Disney Drinks to Try in 2018
We’re still newly into 2018! And tradition dictates that we ring in the New Year with some bubbly. While that’s never a bad choice when the clock strike midnight, I’ve got some ideas for ways you can celebrate with a drink in Walt Disney World no matter what time of year your visit falls in 2018!
These are some of the sips we most enjoyed over the past year… and can’t wait to enjoy again in 2018!
Wine Slushies at Amorette’s Patisserie
Did you think Amorette’s Patisserie showcased nothing more than artful cakes and pastries? Then think again. Because this Disney Springs sweet spot is home to the vino that went VIRAL in 2017: Wine Slushies!
Choose from two fruity flavors: Strawberry Shiraz and Mango Moscato (an Apple Cider Riesling even appeared on the menu for the 2017 holiday season).