DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Food & Wine Menus Released; Genie+ Change for the Better; New Dining at BoardWalk; Flavors of Florida Open & More
In this week’s Disney news roundup, we have a bunch of food news. Food & Wine Festival menus have been released, a new dining option is coming to the BoardWalk, and Flavors of Florida is open at Disney Springs. We have an update to Genie+ that may actually save guests a little money, and runDisney has revealed the medals for the Food & Wine Half Marathon. as well as some news from Disney Cruise Line. All this and more in this week’s news roundup.
1 – Menus for the 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Released!
The 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival kicks off on Thursday, July 27 and Disney has released the full lineup of menus from the Global Marketplaces. Visit the link below for all the details!
Click here for the menus for the 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival.
2 – New Update to Disney Genie+ Service Now in Effect at Walt Disney World
At the end of June, Disney made a change to the Disney Genie+ plan and how guests purchase it. Rather than only one option that includes all parks, guests can now select either a single-park option or a multiple-parks option, subject to availability. With this option, prices will likely be lower at some theme parks compared to others. Magic Kingdom, so far, has been consistently priced higher than other parks and the same price as the multi-park option. We’re happy to see this change because it reduces the cost of Genie+ at the other parks, saving guests money. Guests continue to be able to purchase Disney Genie+ service through the My Disney Experience app on the day of their visit. See the screenshots below for example pricing for the service. Pricing continues to be variable based on demand.
3 – New Dining Option Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk at Disney World
Disney’s BoardWalk will have a new dining option this fall, and Disneyland fans will love the offering. Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, popular at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney, will open a location on the BoardWalk later this year. Visit the link below for more.
Click here to learn more about Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs coming to Disney’s BoardWalk.
4 – runDisney Unveils Encanto and Figment Medals for 2023 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
runDisney has unveiled the medal designs of the upcoming 2023 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend featuring new Encanto and Figment medals! Take a look at the link below.
Click here for photos of the medals for the 2023 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in November 2023.
5 – Walt Disney World Passholders Can Pick up Past Magnets
Disney is offering annual passholders a chance to pick up past magnets at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If you missed the 50th Anniversary Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse, Orange Bird, and Dumbo magnets, stop by Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom from July 17 to July 30, 2023, any time between park opening and park close to retrieve the magnets.
Here is the fine print from Disney:
To enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, you will need valid admission and a Park reservation on the same date (or you may visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park after 2 p.m. without a Park reservation, subject to block-out dates). Park reservations are limited and are subject to availability and applicable pass block-out dates.
Limit one set of 3 magnets per Passholder, available while supplies last. Not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged magnets. Each Passholder must be present and show their valid Annual Pass card, linked MagicBand or Disney MagicMobile pass, and a government-issued photo ID to receive a magnet.
6 – First Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Sold Out
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has sold out its first date. As expected, Halloween night is the first to sell out. Usually, the next to sell out is the first date. This year that is Friday, August 11. All parties sold out last year, so if you are planning on attending, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets sooner rather than later!
7 – Flavors of Florida at Disney Springs
Disney Springs Flavors of Florida presented by CORKCICLE, is back this summer with more delectable dishes and a hefty dash of Florida flair, including a new culinary series featuring renowned chefs known for their genius. This year’s annual Disney Springs Flavors of Florida runs now through August 13 and once again brings to life the tastes, techniques, ingredients, and culture of the Sunshine State through deliciously curated menu items at many of the most popular restaurants at Disney Springs, including more than thirty locations. Learn more at the link below.
Click here to learn more about Flavors of Florida at Disney Springs this summer.
8 – Merida Moves to New Location in Magic Kingdom
Merida has left her long-held greeting location in Magic Kingdom. She has currently been moved to the Enchanted Glade Gazebo in Liberty Square. The space where she was greeting guests is being transformed into a new greeting area for Mirabel from Encanto. That meet and greet is expected to open in late summer or early fall. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for up-to-date greeting locations and times.
9 – Disney Cruise Line Launches Ship’s Log of the Disney Treasure
Disney Cruise Line has launched a Ships Log of the newest ship called the Disney Treasure. You can follow along on the ships progress as it is being built. Disney Cast Member Jacqueline Logan has all the details below.
If you’re as excited as we are about the newest Disney Cruise Line ship – the Disney Treasure – then you’ll want to check out and bookmark our first-of-its-kind ship’s log launching today!
The ship’s log is an official go-to source for Disney Cruise Line updates featuring important Disney Treasure milestones, exclusive looks, and more as the ship prepares to hit the high seas in 2024.
Visit the ship’s log [below] and you’ll find interesting updates from Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on the cutting of the first piece of steel for the Disney Treasure along with notes highlighting the Keel Laying Ceremony, bow filigree and much more.
As many of you know, we’ve already shared several exciting Disney Treasure updates, including how the ship’s design will be inspired by Walt Disney’s love of exploration with a brand-new motif unlike anything Disney Cruise Line has done before: the theme of adventure.
And we’ve also posted details about the ship’s Grand Hall inspired by the grandeur and mystery of a gilded palace. This beautiful spot will draw on real-world influences from Asia and Africa and pay homage to the far-off land of Agrabah from Disney’s classic tale, “Aladdin.”
There are many more Disney Treasure updates on the way as we take you along a fantastic journey leading up to the day the ship sets sail in 2024.
See the ship’s log below:
Welcome to the official ship’s log for the Disney Treasure! As a blog reader, you’re invited to follow along on this page for an exclusive look into the complex shipbuilding process. This archive will document all the important milestones of the Disney Treasure’s journey.
The Disney Treasure’s story began with the start of construction in January of 2023 and has continued to evolve ever since. You can return here for the latest developments in the Disney Treasure’s progress as the world patiently waits for Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship to officially set sail in 2024. The adventure is just beginning!
With today’s installment of the bridge block, the Disney Treasure now has everything it needs to sail through waterways around the world. The bridge block contains important navigational equipment for the ship, including the wheel! The future captain and their crew will be able to control the ship’s direction and speed from an onboard command center that looks out towards the horizon with floor to ceiling windows. This exciting update means we are one step closer to the day when the Disney Treasure will transport guests to beautiful destinations and explore the globe.
The Disney Treasure will continue the Disney Cruise Line tradition of bringing Broadway-style stage shows across the globe in a grand entertainment venue fit for original Disney musicals. However, before the curtain rises and performers dazzle future Disney Cruise Line guests, Disney Imagineers and crew at Meyer Werft shipyard must weld what will someday become The Walt Disney Theatre to the Disney Treasure. It’s exciting to think that this space will soon be filled with Disney tunes and the heartwarming stories of favorite Disney adventurers!
Marvelous progress took place today at Meyer Werft shipyard as the bow of the Disney Treasure was mounted to the forward section of the ship. This photo illustrates how the shipyard team carefully installs the bow block using a crane. The bow block was held in position with the help of a high-precision laser scanner until it was fully welded to the foreship. As the Disney Treasure takes form, this moment marks the first time that the iconic silhouette of the ship can be recognized. As with all ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure takes its inspiration from classic ocean liners of the early 20th century with a modern flair.
The bow of the Disney Treasure has made its way to Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, arriving today aboard a barge with the aid of a helpful towboat. This photo showcases a first step in the installation process for the ship’s bow filigree, which is being protected by a large tarp. The outline of the design has already been sketched out in red ink on the ship’s surface and will be completed at a later point in the construction process.
Each Disney Cruise Line fleet ship has its own distinct, elegant piece of artwork embossed on its bow. Revealing the unique designs created for the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and the Disney Wish marked a memorable moment for each vessel during its construction and the Disney Treasure is no different. Today, Disney Cruise Line debuted the Disney Treasure’s captivating bow filigree for the first time. The design features a portrait of Minnie Mouse wearing her brand-new, adventure-ready ensemble as well as some hidden silhouettes of other beloved characters. Voyager Minnie’s look was designed especially for the Disney Treasure to complement its motif of adventure. Later on in the construction process, this artwork will be installed onto the bow of the ship for all to enjoy.
The weather in Germany may have been rainy, but spirits were high thanks to the completion of another maritime milestone for the Disney Treasure – the Keel Laying Ceremony. As a part of the ceremony, a newly minted coin is placed under the keel of the ship to foster good fortune for the ship and its crew in the years to come. Just like the steel-cutting ceremony, keel laying traditions date back to the times of wooden ships. The coin itself is quite unique and depicts a carved portrait of Captain Minnie Mouse, sporting a fashionable new adventure outfit designed for the new ship.
Today, the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany received a very exciting delivery from Rostock, Germany– the Disney Treasure’s Floating Engine Room Unit! The Floating Engine Room Unit, sometimes called a FERU for short, is a critical piece when it comes to building the Disney Treasure. Upon the ship’s completion, the FERU will serve as the main source of power, housing the main motors and liquified natural gas tanks. The FERU is also where all the auxiliary machinery needed for cooling water, fuel, air supply and other essential support systems will be kept. The above picture shows the FERU during its journey from Denmark!
Another day at Meyer Werft shipyard means they’re another step closer to completing the Disney Treasure. One way to recognize a Disney Cruise Line vessel is to look for the iconic red funnels standing proudly on the top deck. The Disney Treasure will follow the sleek, classic aesthetic of all Disney Cruise Line ships that have come before it, meaning it will continue upholding the tradition of featuring the eye-catching funnels. Today the second funnel arrived at the shipyard from Poland. Pretty soon, it will receive a coat of bright red paint and be installed on the ship. It’s a thrilling time for the Disney Treasure as more and more pieces of the ship arrive.
Today, the team at the Meyer Werft shipyard cut the first piece of steel for the Disney Treasure. Sparks were flying as a special machine called a plasma cutter, which is housed within the yard’s laser cutting room, was used to cut the steel in the shape of a Disney cruise ship. The ceremony was a huge milestone for Disney Imagineers and crew building the Disney Treasure, marking the official start of construction.
One thing that makes this steel-cutting ceremony so meaningful is it’s a continuation of a longtime maritime tradition. Ship builders have been honoring the beginning of the construction process for hundreds of years and it’s worth noting that even though the way ships are built has changed and steel has come to replace wooden materials, the spirit of the tradition lives on.
10 – DisneyBand+ Now Available for Purchase for Guests on Select Disney Fantasy Sailings
A while back, Disney Cruise Line announced that their version of MagicBands called DisneyBand+ would be making their way to the Disney Wish on select sailings this summer. Beginning July 29, the bands will also be available to guests sailing onboard the Disney Fantasy. Guests on eligible sailings are able to purchase DisneyBand+ online 45-11 days prior to embarkation.
11 – Flamenco Fridays at Jaleo Extended Throughout July
Flamenco Fridays at Jaleo Disney Springs have been extended to last throughout July! Please see below for full details on the lively entertainment during dinner service.
Jaleo Disney Springs is offering the ultimate Spanish experience with Flamenco Fridays, featuring live performances from talented flamenco dancers during dinner service. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. on every Friday of June and July, guests can enjoy delicious Spanish tapas and shareable pans of paella, while watching a mesmerizing art form — unique to the Southern regions of Spain — that is filled with flare and raw emotion. Tantalizing tapas include Tortilla de Patatas, Spanish omelet with potatoes and onions, while larger plates include Lubina a La Pobre, whole roasted Branzino served with potatoes, olive oil and fresh herbs, and of course — a variety of wood-fire grilled paellas. Superb sangrias, cocktails and wine are also available. Flamenco Fridays are perfect for families and friends to get together on summer nights for a memorable evening. Make reservations here before the month is out.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
Now Open – Tron Lightcycle Run – Magic Kingdom
Click here for our review and what you need to know about TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Click here for everything you need to know about the story behind TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Click here for the first look at TRON Lightcycle / Run merchandise.
Now Open – Roundup Rodeo BBQ – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
Click here for our Instagram Story highlight showing the interior of Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
Click here to see the menu items at Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
Click here to learn about the story behind Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
Now Open – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – EPCOT
Coming Soon to Walt Disney World
August 11 – November 1, Select Nights – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
2023 Holiday Season
Click here to learn more about the new hard-ticket holiday event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Late 2024 – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Click here for storyline details of the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Wish
Click here to learn more (and watch) the Christening Ceremony Celebration of the Disney Wish!
Click here to learn about staterooms and our room review on the Disney Wish.
Click here to learn about upper deck fun and the AquaMouse – the first Disney attraction at sea!
Click here for an overview of family dining on the Disney Wish!
Click here to learn more about stage show entertainment on the Disney Wish!
Pixar Day at Sea on the Disney Fantasy – Spring 2024
Articles with Cruising Tips and Tricks
Learn more about the Disney Cruise line and our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy!
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Getting Ready to Sail!
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 1
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 2
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 3 – Part 1
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 3 – Part 2
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 4
TRAVEL LOG: Day 5 of Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – San Juan, Puerto Rico
TRAVEL LOG: Day 6 of Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Sea Day
TRAVEL LOG: Day 7-Part 1 of Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Castaway Cay
TRAVEL LOG: Day 8 of Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Debarkation Day
Instagram Story with Photos and Video of Our Cruise
Day 1 – Instagram Story Highlight – Arrival Day
Day 2 – Instagram Story Highlight – Sea Day
Day 3 – Instagram Story Highlight – Pixar Day at Sea
Day 4 – Instagram Story Highlight – Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and Pirate Night
Day 5 – Instagram Story Highlight – San Juan, Puerto Rico
Day 6 – Instagram Story Highlight – Sea Day
Day 7 – Instagram Story Highlight – Castaway Cay
Itineraries in 2023 and 2024
Click here for details on Disney Cruise Line Fall 2023 Itineraries.
Click here to learn more about 2023 offerings on Very Merrytime Cruises on Disney Cruise Line.
Click here for details on Disney Cruise Line Early 2024 Itineraries.
Click here for details on Pixar Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea, Coming Spring of 2024
Click here to learn more about 2024 Halloween and Holiday Cruises on Disney Cruise Line.
Coming to Disney Cruise Line
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.