Author: disneyparks.disney.go.com

Here’s some news we can all use: new research shows that even the simple act of planning a vacation can boost your happiness and even increase your energy levels.

The recent survey, from researcher Michelle Gielan, showed that 97 percent of respondents reported having a trip planned makes them happier. Seventy-one percent of respondents felt greater levels of energy when they had a trip planned in the next six months. 

These findings were released as part of a new travel industry-wide initiative called “Let’s Go There.” The effort, coordinated by the U.S. Travel Association, brings together major airlines, hoteliers, local destinations and other businesses part of the travel ecosystem. Disney is proud to support this initiative, which aims to spark conversation about future getaways and encourage travel planning.

“The memories and experiences that travel enables cannot be replaced,” said Jill Estorino, President and Managing Director at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and a co-chair of the Let’s Go There Coalition. “This campaign is a first step in inspiring Americans to think about planning a vacation, and encouraging them to look forward to experiencing the wonder and joy—and even magic—that only travel can offer.” 

Given the benefits to planning travel, it might be the right time to start thinking about your next Disney vacation. And we have just the group to help! The planDisney panelists are a passionate group of guests with years of personal experiences planning their own Disney vacations, and they are excited and looking forward to sharing advice and tips with you!

“Quite simply, the world needs more joy. When little ones light up seeing Tiana for the first time or parents witness their children find the courage to ride an attraction, or families finally get everyone together in the reunion t-shirt, that joy inspires me as a panelist.” 

Whenever you’re ready, we’re ready to welcome you back!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Uncategorized

Freeform’s ‘3 Day Disney Weekends’ are a Disney fan’s dream come true! Freeform will air beloved classics from Disney’s “Moana” and Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph” to “The Princess Diaries” and everything in between. Fans can spend time with their favorite Disney characters during movie marathons every Friday, Saturday and Sunday all month long.

As an extra bit of magic, from 9/7 to 9/11, Freeform is conducting an Instagram sweepstakes where fans can enter for a chance to win a caricature of themselves and Mickey/Minnie Ears, available at Disney Parks and shopDisney.com.

Check out this weekend’s Magical Disney Marathon below.

Friday, Sept. 11

• 7p/6c – 101 Dalmatians (1996)
• 9p/8c – Freaky Friday (2003)

Saturday, Sept. 12

• 8:30a/7:30c – Freaky Friday (2003)
• 10:30a/9:30c – 101 Dalmatians (1996)
• 12:35p/11:35c – Disney’s Hercules
• 2:40p/1:40c – Disney and Pixar’s WALL-E
• 4:50p/3:50c – Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo
• 7:20p/6:20c – Disney and Pixar’s Finding Dory
• 9:25p/8:25c – Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 3
• 11:55p/10:55c – Disney’s Bolt

Sunday, Sept. 13

• 8:30a/7:30c – Disney’s Chicken Little
• 10:30a/9:30c – Disney’s Hercules
• 12:35p/11:35c – Disney and Pixar’s WALL-E
• 2:45p/1:45c – Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo
• 5:15p/4:15c – Disney and Pixar’s Finding Dory
• 7:20p/6:20c – Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 3
• 9:50p/8:50c – Disney’s Bolt
• 12a/11c – Disney’s Chicken Little

To learn more about Freeform’s “3 Day Disney Weekends” programming, click here.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be legal resident of the US/DC, 13+. Ends 11:59 p.m. PT on 9/11/20. Rules: www.Freeform.com/30DayDisneyWeekendsSweepstakes. Void where prohibited. Get friend’s permission to tag. ©Freeform

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Uncategorized

That’s right – today marks the first day of WAFFLE WEEK! And to help you kick off this special week, I’m sharing a yummy waffle recipe from one of our past cookbooks: Delicious Disney Sweet Treats. This chocolate waffle recipe features espresso frozen mousse and is inspired by a previous offering from Tamu Tamu Refreshments at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This unique treat makes for the sweet treat to start your morning or even a delicious after-dinner dessert. You’ll definitely want to keep this recipe to use over and over again! 

Chocolate Waffles with Espresso Frozen Mousse
From Tamu Tamu Refreshments at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Serves 8-10

Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe! 

Ingredients

Espresso Mousse

• 3 cups white chocolate chips
• 4 cups heavy cream, divided
• 3 tablespoons espresso or strongly brewed coffee 
• 6 egg yolks

Chocolate Sauce

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons corn syrup
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

Waffles

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar 
• 1 tablespoon baking powder 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1 3/4 cups milk 
• 1 egg 
• 1/4 cup butter 
• 1/8 cup semisweet chocolate chips 

Directions

For Espresso Mousse

1. Place white chocolate chips into a medium heatproof bowl; set aside.
2. Combine 1 cup heavy cream and espresso in a small saucepan over high heat; heat until very hot but not boiling. Pour hot cream over white chocolate chips, whisking until melted and smooth. 
3. Add egg yolks, whisking until smooth.
4. In a separate bowl, whip remaining 3 cups cream to stiff peaks. 
5. Gently fold whipped cream into white chocolate mixture until smooth. 
6. Dollop mousse into a lightly greased muffin tin. Freeze until hard.

For Chocolate Sauce

1. Whisk together heavy cream, sugar, water, corn syrup, and cocoa in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Cook, whisking often, until sugar is dissolved. 
3. Lower heat to low; whisk in chocolate chips until completely melted. Keep warm until ready to use.

For Waffles

1. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl.
2. Whisk together milk and egg in a separate bowl.
3. Combine butter and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 20 seconds; remove from microwave and stir for 10 seconds, then microwave 10 seconds more. Remove from microwave and stir; if chocolate isn’t melted, microwave 10 seconds more. 
4. Add melted chocolate and butter mixture to milk and egg mixture.
5. Add wet mixture to dry ingredients, and stir until just combined.
6. Cook waffles in a waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions. 

To Serve

1. Remove espresso mousse from freezer and dip bottom of pan in warm water to remove mousse. 
2. Top warm waffles with frozen espresso mousse. Drizzle with chocolate sauce and serve immediately. 

Of course, in honor of this tasty celebration, I’m excited to be highlighting some of my favorite waffle offerings from our parks and resorts across the globe. These waffle-y delights represent a mixture of past and present offerings as well as a few dishes that will eventually be making their long-awaited return as we safely re-open our many locations around the world.  

How are you celebrating Waffle Week? Share some of your favorite Disney waffle memories by using the hashtag #DisneyMagicMoments, and stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more yummy Disney stories and recipes. Happy snacking! 

Classic Mickey Waffles from Various Locations at our Parks and Resorts around the World  

Bubble Waffles from AristoCrépes, Double Chocolate Waffle Sundae from Vivoli il Gelato, and Magical Sundae from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop Disney Springs

Specialty Waffles from Sleepy Hollow at Magic Kingdom Park and Belgian Waffles from EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Chicken and Waffles from Scat Cat’s Club from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Chicken and Waffles from Ale & Compass Restaurant at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort  

Warm Waffle Sundae from Ballast Point Brewing Company at the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort

Mickey Waffle Platter with Mixed Berries from Main Street Corner Café Hosted by Coca-Cola®, Mickey Waffle with House-made Gelato from Disney Explorers Lodge, and Mickey Bubble Waffle Egg Puff and Mickey Waffle with Mixed Berries, Whipped Cream, and Maple Syrup and Ice Cream Waffle Baskets from various Outdoor Vending Locations at Hong Kong Disneyland

Mickey Waffles from Disney Cruise Line and Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa, and Disneyland Paris

Specialty Waffles from Il Paperino, Remy’s Patisserie, and Troubadour Treats at Shanghai Disneyland Resort

Mickey Waffles from the Great American Waffle Company at Toyko Disney Resort

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Aulani, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Dining, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District, Epcot, Hong Kong Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Shanghai Disney Resort, Tokyo Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort, DAK, Recipe, WDW

Whether you were blasting off to space or hanging out with 999 happy haunts, over the summer participants went a little mad with running their miles during the 2020 runDisney Virtual Series! Celebrating fan-favorite attractions found in the Disney Parks, runners laced up their sneakers for their at-home miles complete with themed race amenities and even while donning their athletic Disney style.

Take a look at a few of this year’s participants who added a little extra Pixie Dust to their runDisney Virtual 5K:

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Who is she?! Is she a runner?!? Three months and three virtual 5k runs later, here I am! I loved participating in @rundisney ‘s virtual 5k series this summer! Am I a great runner? Absolutely not. Did I want to give up during all of them? You betcha. But I did it! Each “race” I completed ended up being better than the one before, and for that, I am so grateful! I am so excited to proudly display my first ever medals (which are INCREDIBLE, btw – swipe for a closer photo!) and I’m really proud I got out there and it. Mad props to you runners out there. Your motivation inspires me!! Anyone else complete one or all of the virtual 5ks this summer? Which medal is your favorite?!#runDisney #rundisneyvirtual #rundisneyvirtualseries #Disney #Running #DisneyMagicMoments

A post shared by Miranda Lee (@themagicalmiranda) on Aug 30, 2020 at 7:20am PDT

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It’s a Spooky #medalmonday as I’m celebrating the last day of August and this past weeks completion of my third virtual race for 2020 The @rundisney virtual Haunted Mansion 5K . • One of my top 5 favorite attractions, I knew for my first virtual RunDisney race, this was the one. Not to mention, it fell within my birthday month!!. • This medal is amazing!! I mean did we ever think we would have a Madame Leota race medal!?! It’s perfect!!. • Who else finished the virtual series or did you do a single race and which one? I would love if @rundisney did a winter virtual series!!. . My ears are from @twoparkprincesses and I recently wore them in Disney Barré and they were amazing!!. . . . #runnerspace #runnerscommunity #runchat #runforlife #runhealthy #runstrong #runnerslife #inspiringwomenrunners #optoutside #runner#runnergirl #runnersofinstagram #womensrunningcommunity #bibchat #runnersofig #runblogger #youtuber #apstreetteam #noexcuses #thesweatlife #fitfluential #cignaruntogether #rundisney #nycrunner #apstreetteam #disneyrunner #runcoach #rundisney #halfmarathontraining #runhappy #runhappyteam

A post shared by Actor, Runner & Disney Lover (@laurafrye_nyc) on Aug 31, 2020 at 6:32am PDT

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Sometime you need to bee a little mad just to keep going. Mad tea party virtual 5k DONE @rundisney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #madteaparty #aliceinwonderland #cheshirecat #downtherabbithole #queenofhearts #disneypins #disney #disneycosplay #disneycostume #rundisney #rundisneyvirtual #rundisneytraining #marathontraining #teamrundisney #instarunners #instarun #virtualraces #summerchallenge #disneycollection #therunprincessfamily #prettyinpink #running #runnersofinstagram #whiterabbit #nike #bekind #happiness

A post shared by lionqueen (@lionqueen) on Jun 27, 2020 at 4:00pm PDT

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Finn wanted to join the Britton’s for the July 5k so we got him signed up. He wanted a medal just like Deff. We split the race up into 6 days and he ran 1/2 a mile each time. Took him about an hour and 10 minutes total to complete. Everyday for the last 3 months he’s asked me to check my email to see if his medal was coming. It showed up last week so we completed the race this morning. Even had a cheering section at the finish line on the trail. We’ve kept the race a secret since April so he could surprise his family at the end. Boy were they surprised. Never been so proud. #nannylife #nannyadventures #proudnanny #rundisney #rundisneyvirtual #5k #kidrunner #kid5k

A post shared by S T E P H B R I T T O N (@stephaniebritton) on Jul 28, 2020 at 5:51pm PDT

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Today we earned the 2nd of 4 medals as we work through this year’s runDisney virtual run series. This one is Haunted Mansion themed. These are really fun and allows us to stay active AND enjoy Disney! ~ Mr. and Mrs. Ghost Host. . #runDisneyVirtual #runnersofinstagram #walkersofinstagram #runwalkersofinstagram #runwalkrun #dvcmember #annualpassholder #rundisney #hauntedmansion #ghosthost #999 #roomforonemore #doombuggy #disneymedals #5k #virtual5k #disneyparks #disneyig #instadisney #disneyinsta #disneygram

A post shared by Scotty Scoggins (@scottyscoggins) on Jun 13, 2020 at 8:59am PDT

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Two 5Ks down and 1 to go in the @RunDisney summer virtual run series. #runhappy #virtualrunning #muchneededexercise

A post shared by @ 3babykoi on Aug 5, 2020 at 1:00pm PDT

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This AM we completed our virtual Mad Tea Party 5K. We even dressed up! #rundisney #rundisneyvirtual #teamKorAnn

A post shared by Andrea (@indyandi4) on Jun 7, 2020 at 5:17am PDT

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Norah received her @rundisney Virtual Series Haunted Mansion 5K medal today. As soon as we saw the themes for this series we knew this Haunted Mansion obsessed little lady needed that Madame Leota medal. So proud of her for finishing her first ever 5K (with minimal complaining) to earn it!

A post shared by Kacie Salomonsky (@krsalomonsky) on Aug 29, 2020 at 1:38pm PDT

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This summer, my mom, mom-in-love, and aunt signed up for the @rundisney Virtual Challenge since all our away races were cancelled I’ve been running at least 1 charitable 5k or 10k per month since March 2018 and Covid wasn’t gonna stop this train Even got Niece-baby her first medal after she walked/ran a 1/2 mile with me She’s so proud and we may have a future runner on our hands #MsCStayRunning #RunDisney #VirtualChallenge

A post shared by Ms. C, LLMSW, SSW (@the.counseling.unicorn) on Aug 28, 2020 at 9:17am PDT

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your ghost host ••• spooks came out tonight as I finished my last run of the @rundisney virtual summer series!! And my lil Wishables made a special appearance! Finished off the run with this graveyard-style worms and dirt I made. When I told my friend Tina this week about how I wanted to make this and use the ghost sugar cookies, she shared the idea of using Milanos as a tombstone – how SPOOPY!! Swipe to see how it all came together. ••• It’s been a really fun time trying to make these virtual runs different and unique, bringing in my own creativity by making my own shirts, creating playlists that I shared with you, making a themed treat for each race, and having Kyle start me off with fireworks and character stops along the way! ••• I really don’t know when I’ll be able to cross another finish line, but I seriously cannot wait. There’s really something ~magical~ about it.

A post shared by Alex Ms. Tom Morrow (@ms.tom_morrow) on Aug 30, 2020 at 5:39pm PDT

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Let’s try this again-all registered for my first half marathon during Princess Half Marathon weekend in February 2021! • As you know, I had registered for what was supposed to be my first half during Star Wars Half Marathon weekend back in March however, it was cancelled due to to COVID-19 • Today, Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2021 registration became available to annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members Registration opened at 10am and it’s always pretty stressful. Bibs are limited and the system doesn’t seem to have a rhyme or reason as to how it allows people/devices in. The allotted 10k and Challenge bibs for today sold out within about 20 minutes • I actually did a thing and purchased the Disney Fairy Tale Challenge, which is the 10k AND half (), for a total two races and three medals Thankfully, I only waited 7 minutes to until I was able to register. Super excited for a weekend of good friends and magic • : @wishesandwizards use code Taylor15 • : @thesunshinestudiofl / @sunshinestyleblog

A post shared by Sharing Disney Magic & Tips (@disney_diaries411) on Jun 11, 2020 at 8:57am PDT

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Medal MondayDisney Style #rundisney #summervirtualseries #disney #disneyparks #disneygram #5k #challenge #summer #runner #disneyrides #madteaparty #madteaparty5k #spacemountain #spacemountain5k #hauntedmansion #hauntedmansion5k #virtualraces #magickingdom #cinderellacastle #run #willrunfordisney #medalmonday #disneyrunner #magickingdommonday

A post shared by Karoline Cloak Rubino (@karruns13point1) on Aug 24, 2020 at 6:31am PDT

How did you finish your virtual miles? Show off your #DisneyMagicMoments with your finisher bling with us in social using #runDisneyVirtual!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Uncategorized, runDisney

On Thursday, we’re hosting a special #DisneyMagicMoments: In the Kitchen video experience featuring a must-see cooking demonstration of popular Epcot dishes by Disney Chef Kevin Downing!

During the previously recorded livestream, Chef Kevin will be making magic in the kitchen with Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup and Filet of Beef with Roasted Mushrooms and Beurre Blanc.  Both dishes are favorites at Le Cellier restaurant at Epcot and at this year’s Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.  

The cooking demo begins here on the Disney Parks Blog at 5 p.m. ET on September 10, 2020.  And today, we have an early peek at what’s to come: 

If you’d like to follow along with Chef Kevin, we’re offering recipes for both favorite dishes.  Download the soup recipe here , Filet of Beef recipe here – and grab your ingredients for a magical Disney cooking experience!  

#DisneyMagicMoments: In The Kitchen is the first in a series of events inviting guests to enjoy the best of Disney both at our locations around the world and at home. Responses from groups who previewed Chef Kevin’s demo have been fantastic with comments like:

“For those of us that live far away and haven’t been able to get to Disney for months, this was a wonderful way to feel connected and look forward to our next trip – only 2 weeks away!” 

“It was wonderful!  I loved the way the class was set up and the detail from Chef Kevin was perfect!  He explained every step of the process clearly and gave us many tips to prepare the food before cooking, storing it and if we chose to freeze the meal, how to handle it prior to reheating. It was a pleasure to listen and watch the presentation. I can’t wait to try the recipes this weekend!” 

Check back here on the Disney Parks Blog on Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. ET and join us for some magic moments in the kitchen with Chef Kevin. See you on Thursday! 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disney Dining, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Recipe, Video, WDW