Though it may not initially seem like it, Disney parks have truly come into their own in recent years as a real food lover’s paradise. If you count yourself as one of the many who love eating their way around the Disney parks and resorts, there are some big changes taking effect right now you should know about.
For November’s dining update, a new kids-only discount is announced, a special limited-time souvenir is being given for free to lucky guests at one of EPCOT’s most popular restaurants, plus dining package bookings open for next year’s Festival of the Arts!
1. 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts Disney on Broadway Dining Packages now available to book
Image: DisneyThe EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival may have just finished up this past weekend, but the park is already looking past the holiday season towards the first festival of 2024: The return of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. This year’s event will once again include the Disney on Broadway series with a dozen stars performing Disney’s classic Broadway hits on stage during the event. While standby is available, the best way to ensure your seat for these performances is with the Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Packages, which are now available to book.
Each dining package comes with an appetizer, entree and dessert, and includes guaranteed seating for the show. Prices range between $36 – $99 for adults, and participating restaurants include Rose & Crown Dining Room, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Coral Reef Restaurant, and more. You can find the full list of restaurants at the official Disney website and see the full list of performers (and dates) below:
Caissie Levy and Patti Murin (“Frozen”): Jan. 12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23
Heidi Blickenstaff (“Freaky Friday” and “The Little Mermaid”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins” and “Beauty and the Beast”): Jan. 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24
Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins” and “Beauty and the Beast”) and L. Steven Taylor (“The Lion King”): Jan. 26, 28 and 29; Feb. 1, 3, 5 and 6
Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”): Jan. 27, 30, 31; Feb. 2, 4, 7 and 8
Mandy Gonzalez (“Aida”) and Michael James Scott (“Aladdin” and “Tarzan”): Feb. 9, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19
Bradley Gibson (“Hercules” and “The Lion King”) and Shoba Narayan (“Aladdin”): Feb. 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19
2. Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby during Disney Jollywood Nights gets a new walk up policy
Image: DisneyGuests who want to experience the Jazzy Holidays at the Hollywood Brown Derby during the Disney Jollywood Nights upcharge event will need to show up at the restaurant as soon as they enter the park, as tables are now being made available on a first-come, first-served basis until the restaurant reaches capacity for the first seating of the night, at which point the restaurant will open up additional capacity with a mobile walk-up list that will be made available throughout the evening.
This change in policy was made after mass confusion following the first Jollywood Nights event and will hopefully be easier for guests to navigate who want to grab a bite to eat at this festive location.
3. Kids Play and Dine 50% off deal now available for 2024
Image: DisneyGuests with young children can now take advantage of a new deal that can save them 50% on theme park tickets and dining plans for kids 3-9 with the purchase of a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney World package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel, theme park tickets, and a dining plan. This deal is good for the following travel dates:
March 3 – 24, 2024
April 7 – June 30, 2024
More details are available at the official Disney website.
4. Select guests can now get ultra-rare collectible cards at Space 220
Image: DisneyGuests who dine at Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT may just get a surprise the next time they visit. Select guests (chosen seemingly at random) are now being given a set of culinary-inspired cards, which are personally delivered by Space 220 Restaurant’s Executive Chef Marc Kusche during his daily table visits. There’s no specific way to ensure that you get one of these card sets, and they aren’t available to be purchased, but if you happen to be dining at the right time and get lucky, you just may walk away with this amazing souvenir!
5. eet at Disney Springs set to open this month
Image: DisneyNew Disney Springs eatery eet will be opening later this month, serving up authentic Indian cuisine created by celebrity Chef Maneet Chauhan. Menu items include shareable dishes like the eet Bread Service with Pimento Whipped Paneer or the Tandoori Chicken Poutine. Diners can also order salads or customizable bowls filled with rice and a kebab. You can check out the full menu at the official restaurant website here. Bookings are not available yet but should be soon when the official opening date is announced.
