food IS a theme park
Disney World’s location means it’s subject to some intense weather, especially storms. Whether it’s thunder and lightning or full-on hurricanes, there’s a lot of things that can happen weather-wise.
Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom
With summertime comes the start of hurricane season, and we have an update on the latest storm to approach Orlando.
It’s almost time for EPCOT’s 2021 International Food and Wine Festival!
EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival | 2020
This year, World Showcase will be filled with eats from all over the globe from July 15th to November 20th, and we (needless to say) can’t wait to explore it all! So far, we’ve shared a FULL list of the food booths, updated you on all the live entertainment you’ll get to enjoy, and even gave you a peek at the activities coming back for the festival this year. And, with 32 locations to stop and eat, we’re breaking things down and talking about everything you need to know about the RETURNING Food & Wine Booths!
SO much is changing at Disney World, especially recently, and we’re doing our best to help you stay caught up.
Golden Oak Outpost
We’ve been enjoying the return of entertainment, fireworks, and several restaurant reopenings, including Dino Diner, which reopened today! But another Disney World snack spot has also reopened today — and this one was a surprise!
Oga’s Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is one of our favorite places to grab a drink in both Disney World and Disneyland!
Oga’s Cantina
They have fun-themed drinks like the Dagobah Slug Slinger and Yub Nub, and even a drink that will make your mouth go numb! Oga’s also has a few snacks on the menu that are…let’s just say, unusual for our planet! The Rodian Ration is an alcoholic sort of jello with boba balls inside (which makes them look like fish eggs, in our opinion). And then there’s the notorious Happabore Sampler. Think of it as a charcuterie and cheese board, but WEIRD!
We would like to wish all our DFB Readers a very Happy 4th of July!
Traveler’s Cafe
We’re spending our Independence Day at Disney World to check out all the fun new 4th of July treats, including a Mickey-topped 4th of July Cupcake, a 4th of July Funnel Cake, and a Patriotic Boozy Drink! And we think we just stumbled onto one snack that was MADE for frosting fans!
Disney+ and Star Wars are the perfect combo! From The Mandalorian to The Bad Batch, Disney+ has been home to some amazing and imaginative Star Wars series!
©Disney
Recently, Lucasfilm gave us a first look at yet another Star Wars series that’s coming to Disney+ this fall!
Even though Disney is known for family-friendly experiences, thrill seekers will find some exhilarating options at the theme parks in Walt Disney World.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
If you’re an adrenaline fanatic, you’ll find plenty of steep drops and fast speeds to keep your heart pounding (or stomach dropping)! Of course, there are also surprises that just might take your breath away.
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Yes, Disney World has a variety of thrill rides with varying levels of intensity.
Expedition Everest
Before your next Disney vacation, check out this list to see which attractions you won’t want to miss.
“This here’s the WILDEST ride in the WIIIIIILDERNESS!” (Sorry, it had to be done.)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a haunted gold mine train coaster located in Frontierland. Now, when we say “haunted,” we’re not talking Haunted Mansion levels of haunted. These tracks wind their way through a ghost town (and a couple of caves, too)!
No hands!
There aren’t any super-steep drops or unexpected loopty-loops on this coaster, so as long as you’re 40 inches or taller, this coaster is a fun high-speed ride with small drops and sharp turns galore.
Don’t forget about this thrill ride that is being built — Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain.
Tiana’s will still have the steep drop!
Disney announced that the new ride will open THIS SUMMER (instead of “late 2024”), plus we got a first look at the new Tiana animatronic that will be featured in the ride.
Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work YOU go on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! Join Grumpy, Dopey, Doc, Happy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Sleepy as they dig-dig-dig their way through a diamond mine in Fantasyland.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train usually racks up long wait times because it’s so family-friendly (available for riders 38 inches or taller). It’s got some fun audio-animatronics. PLUS, the mine cart you’re riding in rocks back-and-forth as you weave your way around the track.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
(Say hi to the Evil Queen for us, k?)
Are you one of those riders who experiences all the roller coasters with your eyes closed? Well, on Space Mountain there’s no need to close your eyes!
Space Mountain with the lights on
Space Mountain, located in Tomorrowland, is a steel indoor coaster through space. And by space we mean almost complete darkness — except for a few light tunnels here-and-there. Riders who are 44 inches or taller will feel like they’re zooming down the tracks, but — in reality — you’re only going a whopping 27 mph.
Blast off!
Darkness, man. It really plays mind tricks on ya.
So who’s ready to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World?
TRON Lightcycle / Run
This ride is one of Magic Kingdom’s most thrilling, with a super fast launch, a race through the Grid, and fun TRON details that make you feel immersed in the world of the Tron movies! Wondering how fast it goes? The top speed is 59-miles per hour.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
The ride starts with an epic launch system and that’s probably the most thrilling part of the ride. It’s smooth like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, but it feels more like an updated version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The effects are also SO cool.
We’re just taking a teensy-weensy expedition through the Himalayans. What’s the worst that could happen…?
Expedition Everest
Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is located in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom and is available for riders 44 inches or taller who want to duke it out with a yeti.
That’s right — a yeti.
©D23
Just as soon as you reach the top portion of the mountain, your track has been *mysteriously* ripped off the tracks by an *unknown* creature. Guess you’re going to have to shoot backward down the tracks to meet the very beast you’ve angered.
Expedition Everest
Expedition Everest is the TALLEST ride at Disney World. Yep, at 199.5 feet, it’s slightly taller than the Tower of Terror And it has a top speed of 50 miles per hour!
When that Floridian sun is beating down on you, cool off on Kali River Rapids!
Kali River Rapids
Kali River Rapids is Disney World’s only river raft ride on property. It’s another attraction located in Asia — which seems appropriate since the raft rushes you down the rapids of an Asian jungle.
Kali River Rapids
If you’re 38 inches or taller, this will be is a great thrill ride for you if you’re absolutely BURNING UP in Animal Kingdom.
Pandora – The World of Avatar is an entirely immersive land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom featuring Avatar Flight of Passage. This ride has remained one of the most in-demand attractions in all of Disney World.
Flight of Passage ride vehicles
Avatar — Flight of Passage is a 3D aerial adventure through Pandora: World of Avatar. Riders who are 44 inches or taller get to ride a banshee.
Let’s say that again: You. Get. To. Ride. A. Banshee.
Avatar in Flight of Passage Queue
The whole experience is extremely picturesque and has moved many to tears (but we’re not admitting anything). And the queue is heavily themed — we’re talking a full-sized Avatar in an incubation tank, located in the laboratory portion of the line. Wowza!
“Let’s go get that dino!” Dr. Seeker needs an Iguanadon — and he needs YOUR help to bring that Iguanadon from the past into the present. Guess you’re going to have to board a time rover to get the job done.
Dinosaur
DINOSAUR is located in (can you guess?) Dinoland U.S.A.. It’s an intense rover adventure (with so many dinos!) for guests 40 inches or taller. Along your journey, you’ll come face-to-face with many animatronic dinosaurs, including (but not limited to) a Pterodactyl, Velociraptor, and Carnotaurus (who may or may not want to eat your face).
Dinosaur Loading Area
Oh, word of advice — watch out for that meteor shower. It looks mighty sketchy… .
It’s every Star Wars fan’s dream come true — your very own space adventure in a hunk-of-junk.
(AKA: The Millenium Falcon)
Millennium Falcon
Upon boarding Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll be assigned one of three roles: Pilot, Gunner, or Engineer. Depending on which role you’ve been assigned is how you’re going to experience this interactive flight simulator.
Millennium Falcon
Engineers need to be prepared to fix any systems that break down and keep the Falcon up and running. Gunners will have to shoot bad guys (a lot of bad guys). And Pilots will…probably be getting yelled at by the other riders on their team. (Only sort of kidding — being a pilot’s a great honor and a lot of pressure! Especially when you’re in charge of NOT CRASHING.)
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Guests who are 38 inches or taller will be able to help Hondo Ohnaka deliver contraband cargo to aid the Resistance. Just remember — your role is important and impacts the results of the ride.
Immersive. Trackless. Dark. Thrilling. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has it all.
Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is home to not just one, but TWO thrill rides. Guests 40 inches and taller will be able to join the Resistance on a state-of-the-art ride that starts immersing you in the storytelling as soon as you step into the queue.
Rise of the Resistance
In the pre-show of this ride, you get to meet BB-8, Rey, Lieutenant Bek, and… *GASP* Have you been captured by The First Order??? (Even the Cast Members play a role in this attraction. When we said this experience has it all, we *meant* it.)
Kylo Ren in Rise of the Resistance
Don’t worry. As long as you don’t run into an EPIC animatronic of Kylo Ren, I think you’ll be okay… 😉
“How ’bout some backstage passes?” You don’t have to ask us twice!
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a high-speed indoor roller coaster located on Sunset Boulevard that launches riders (who are 48 inches or older) 0-to-60 miles per hour in 3 seconds flat. (Hey, you gotta get to that Aerosmith concert on time SOMEHOW — right?)
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Your super-stretch limo will go upside down and take on sudden drops in a setting that’s almost as pitch-black as Space Mountain’s (but not quite).
We made it!
The Hollywood traffic signs help light your way just a bit, but — we’re not gonna lie — that camera flash at the beginning? SUPER blinding. So brace yourself.
The setting: A decrepit hotel, Halloween Night, 1939. The situation: You’re about to be dropped into…The Twilight Zone.
Tower of Terror
Here’s another thrill ride on Sunset Boulevard for ya! Victims (er…guests) who are 40 inches or taller will be invited (if they dare) to step into The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror‘s rickety (and super haunted) service elevator. (Why you agree to do this? No clue. But, hey, we won’t judge.)
Uh oh!
After being taken up 13 stories, this drop tower experience will do as all good drop towers do and, uh, drop.
Ah yes. Such a trusty-looking service elevator…
The best part? The drop sequences are completely random! Your fate is completely decided by the Tower of Terror! ……Wee?
Once you step foot into Toy Story Land, you become one of Andy’s toys. I know that sounds kinda scary, but it’s actually a ton of fun. Just ask Slinky Dog!
Slinky Dog Dash
Slinky Dog Dash might be a junior coaster, but it’s a thrilling one! Guests 38 inches or taller will be able to jump on the back of Slinky Dog and ride around Andy’s backyard.
Slinky Dog Dash
There’s a mini-launch in the middle of the ride that gives this junior coaster a fun little “oomph” of energy. (Don’t worry — there are no 0-to-60 launches over here!)
“You’ve got a friend in me!”
Sad that the ride’s over? Don’t be! Wheezy the squeaky toy is there to greet you at the end! And he’s got a song to sing!
That’s one small step for man…One giant SPINNING THRILL RIDE for mankind. (Only if you want it to be, though.)
Mission: SPACE
Mission: SPACE — located in Future World — is a NASA flight training simulator to Mars. Guests can choose one of two missions — The Green Mission (40 inches or taller) or the Orange Mission (44 inches or taller).
Mission Space
The Green Mission provides more mild thrills with light movement in your training cabin, while the Orange Mission has SUPER INTENSE G-FORCE SPINS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE BLASTING OFF INTO SPACE. (Sorry, we screamed that. We just really wanted to emphasize how intense the Orange Side can get for people prone to motion sickness.)
Mission Space is known for making people nauseous!
Similar to Smugglers Run, you are assigned a role: commander, pilot, navigator, or engineer. Unlike Smugglers Run, your actions really don’t impact the course of this ride. So you don’t have to worry about messing something up. (But you may have to worry about up-chucking your churro. Good thing there are barf bags available!)
You ready for the race of your life?! (Sorry — that’s the adrenaline talking.)
Test Track
Test Track gives guests 40 inches or taller the ability to create their own vehicle while waiting in the queue, then testing it out on the Tron-themed track.
What Design Would You Make?
There are four different tests your car will have to be put through to see if it’s gonna come out on top: capability, efficiency, responsiveness, and power.
Feel the burn from trying to sit up straight!
Our favorite test? POWER! That’s when your vehicle can reach up to 65 miles per hour! And we’ve got the need for speed, baby!!!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened May 27, 2022.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Guests will get to learn more about Xandarian culture in the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion, EPCOT’s newest pavilion. From there, things go a little awry (but let’s face it, it wouldn’t be the Guardians of the Galaxy if things didn’t go a little awry), and visitors must help the Guardians on their mission!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Guests must be 42″ or taller to ride. The ride features an on-ride photo as well as tons of hidden Easter eggs! Oh, and we almost forgot the best part, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the first Disney roller coaster to feature a reverse launch and is one of the largest (and longest!) indoor roller coasters in the world!
Cosmic Rewind
The ride utilizes a virtual queue and it is available for purchase as an Individual Lightning Lane selection.
We felt this li’l guy deserved to be on here somewhere!
The Barnstormer
The Barnstormer is a junior coaster located in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland, available for riders 35 inches or taller.
Riding Barnstormer
It’s a super-duper short ride, themed around Goofy and his homemade airplane antics.
Oh Goofy…
It’s a great starter coaster for those little riders preparing for the big thrills (once they’re tall enough)!
(One final note: Remember to read up about these rides before you go! Some of these rides might be too intense for certain health conditions or more nervous riders.)
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Which thrill rides do you still need to mark off your to-do list? Let us know in the comments below!
The Dino Diner in Dinoland, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a trailer-turned-restaurant that serves up carnival-inspired bites! This quick-service features delicious Churros, Corn Chip Pies, and Dino-Rama Chili Cheese Dogs! We’ve enjoyed this spot, especially during Animal Kingdom’s Tasting Sampler and Christmastime!
The Dino Diner is back!
It’s been a while since we’ve been able to eat at this spot, but with its return on July 4th, we’re able to finally get a look at the reopened quick-service spot! Let’s check it out!
For decades, Disney parks have recognized the country’s active-duty military and veterans with daily flag retreat ceremonies.
Flag Retreat Ceremony
The flag retreat ceremony is held at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park. As part of the tradition, an active-duty military member or veteran is selected from among that park’s daily visitors to lower the flag and carry it in a processional down Main Street, U.S.A.
It’s no secret that a trip to Disney World can get expensive.
Grand Floridian lobby
And we do our best to keep you updated on ways you can save on a Disney World trip when it comes to food, hotels, tickets, and more. But sometimes, you just want a little splurge when you’re on vacation, right? How do you know which splurges are worth the cash and which to pass on?
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
