Walt Disney World Has a Problem with Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser (and no solution)
Plus EPCOT Garden Rocks Concert Line-up 2023 and a Lengthy Disney Hotel Pool Closure
Walt Disney World has a serious problem in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge and there's no easy solution. Our take on this, plus a lengthy Disney pool closure and top picks for Valentine's goodies at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
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Does Walt Disney World Have a Star Wars Problem?
There's trouble brewing in Galaxy's Edge and it's not coming from the Dark Side. After months of persistent rumors and speculation about the value and experience of Disney's Galactic Starcruiser, Disney has announced that it was forced to cancel several Galactic Starcruiser dates in the summer and fall months due to low occupancy, which could be a troubling sign for the hotel's future. People who had booked were offered half-off to book again on a future date.
Speculation has been everything from the cost, to the characters involved to the repeatability of the experience. For me, it's also an issue of the guest experience, or rather the pricey and intended immersive experience being ruined by obnoxious and other annoying guests who typically ruin things for others on virtually any Disney attraction. This type of behavior has gotten worse since Covid as the entitled few have been frequently ruining it for all--so much so that Disney has changed its acceptable guest behavior policies and publicized the fact.
No matter what the reason, is there any way to fix the problem? For us, it's not the price alone: it's the experience. If you're paying that kind of money for an immersive experience, the risk of having it jeopardized by someone filming all the time and not taking part, is a no-go. In my opinion, Disney should ban all guests from bringing phones or any kind of devices, except in your room. Anyone acting out of accepted standards should be jettisoned through the airlock. Make this clear up front.
Garden Rocks Concert Lineup for the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
The Garden Rocks Concert Series Line-up is coming into view for the upcoming EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival in March. Garden Rocks features well-known artists performing Friday-Monday and showcases local Orlando talent on Tuesday - Thursday at the America Gardens Theater!
Who's Playing at Garden Rocks Concert Series EPCOT 2023?
March 3-4 - Journey former lead vocalist STEVE AUGERI
March 5-6 - Daughtry
March 10-11 - Tommy DeCarlo
March 12-13 - Smash Mouth
March 17-18 - Mike DelGuidice
March 19-20 - Blue Oyster Cult - NEW
March 24-25 - Berlin
March 26-27 - The Pointer Sisters
March 31 - Luis Figueroa - NEW
April 1-2 - Piso 21 - NEW
April 3 – TBD
April 7-8 - STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
April 9-10 - Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
April 16-17 - Switchfoot – NEW
April 21-22 - A Flock of Seagulls
April 23-24 - Jo Dee Messina
April 28-29 - Ambrosia with Peter Beckett, The Voice Of Player
April 30, May 1 - Kool and the Gang
May 5-8 - Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
May 12-15 - The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
May 19-20 - A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce - NEW
May 21-22 - Casting Crowns - NEW
May 26-27 - Jason Scheff, longtime lead singer of Chicago - NEW
May 28-29 - Rick Springfield
June 2-5 - Plain White T’s
June 9-10 - The Spinners
June 11-12 - The Commodores
June 16-17 - Vertical Horizon
June 18-19 - Tony Orlando
June 23-26 - Simple Plan
June 30, July 1 – Living Colour
July 2-3 - Wang Chung
As of February 9, you can reserve a spot in the theater with a Garden Rocks Dining Package. Find out more by visiting FreshEPCOT.com.
Pool Closure alert for Disney's Vero Beach Resort
The feature pool at Disney's Vero Beach Resort and the Pirate’s Plunge Pool Slide will be closed for refurbishment from January 8, 2024 through late March 2024. The Tiger Lily Wet Play Area, Port Holes Miniature Golf and the whirlpool spa will also be closed while the pool is being refurbished.
Refurbishment work will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Disney Eats Foodie Guide to Lovely Valentine’s Day Delights 2023
Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort are celebrating the Valentine's season with sweet and savory food and drink across virtually all parks, resorts and entertainment areas. The complete Disney Valenatine Foodie Guide, plus our top picks.
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Available at Various Resorts (Available through Feb. 28; mobile order available)
My (Plant-based) Sweetheart Chocolate cupcake with a love-ly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based Item) (Wheat/ Gluten Friendly); Available at the following:
World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
World Premiere Food Court, Intermission Food Court, and End Zone Food Court (Available through Feb. 14; mobile order available)
Be My Valentine Sweet Treat Bag: Sugar cookies with house-made vanilla and raspberry marshmallows (New)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma – Flavors of Africa (Available Feb. 10 through 14)
Zebra Domes: The classic Amarula mousse and white chocolate dessert with the addition of a pink stripe
Jiko – The Cooking Place (Available Feb. 13 and 14 only)
Wild About Mousse: Madagascan milk chocolate mousse, pistachio sponge, marinated citrus, and candied almonds (New)
The Mara (Available Feb. 10 through 14; mobile order available)
Zebra Mousse Cake: Amarula mousse cake inspired by the flavors of the iconic Zebra Domes (New)
Sanaa (Available Feb. 13 and 14 only)
Bananas For Mousse: Banana cake, peanut butter mousse, banana jam, banana cream, candied almonds, and caramel (New)
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Landscape of Flavors and Everything POP Shopping & Dining (Available through Feb. 14; mobile order available)
Chocolate Lover’s Delight: Chocolate cupcake with hazelnut filling, chocolate hazelnut buttercream, white chocolate heart décor, and sprinkles (New)
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Beach Club Marketplace (Available through Feb. 14; mobile order available)
Sweets For My Sweet: Layers of cream cheese mousse, strawberry filling, vanilla cake, and a crispy strawberry vanilla base with glaçage and white chocolate décor (New)
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (Available through Feb. 28)
Strawberry Minnie Milkshake: Strawberry milkshake with strawberry purée, red sprinkles, and a Minnie Mouse vanilla cupcake (New) TOP PICK
Disney’s BoardWalk
BoardWalk Deli (Available through Feb. 14)
Strawberry Cheesecake Brownie: Strawberry cheesecake with chocolate cream and pink crisp pearls on a fudgy brownie (New)
Flying Fish (Available Feb. 14 only)
Cocoa Breach: Vanilla custard, chocolate bavarois, and feuilletine crunch with a heart-shaped overlay
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Centertown Market (Available through Feb. 14; mobile order available)
Dessert Bites: Mini brownies, white chocolate-dipped strawberry, and raspberry ganache-filled tart with buttercream (New)
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
California Grill (Available Feb. 14 only)
Valrhona Ganache Torte: Whipped vanilla panna cotta, chocolate soil, strawberry gel, raspberry ganache macaron, and a chocolate-covered strawberry (New)
Contempo Café (Available Feb. 10 through 14; mobile order available)
Chocolate-covered Strawberry Cake: Chocolate cake filled with strawberry jam topped with strawberry buttercream and ganache
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Barcelona Lounge (Available through Feb. 14)
Passion Éclair: Choux pastry filled with a tart passion fruit ganache and topped with swirls of strawberry ganache, crisp white chocolate pearls, and chocolate hearts (New)
Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago (Available Feb. 10 through 14)
Guava Cheesecake: Guava and lime cheesecake on a coconut lime crust with strawberry variations and sugared puff pastry hearts (New)
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Gasparilla Island Grill (Available through Feb. 14; mobile order available)
Almond Cheesecake Heart: Heart-shaped almond cheesecake with chocolate sponge cake enrobed in dark chocolate (New)
Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Good’s Food to Go and The Artist’s Palette (Available through Feb. 14; mobile order available)
Love Letter Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake, strawberry pastry cream, chocolate mousse, and buttercream
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Le Petit Café (Available Feb. 10 through 14)
Valentine’s Day Chocolate Box with a raspberry macaron, hazelnut praline truffles, and Riviera brownie
Topolino’s Terrace (Available Feb. 10 through 14)
Cupid’s Plated Dessert: Amaretto mousse, fruits rouge reduction, dark chocolate crumble, and raspberry sorbet (New)
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Kona Island (Available Feb. 9 through 14)
Stitch and Angel Date Night: The ‘perfect pair’ of vanilla cupcakes – one with chocolate and peanut butter mousse filling and the other with peanut butter mousse and jelly filling (New)
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Riverside
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory and Riverside Mill Food Court (Available through Feb. 14; mobile order available)
Dessert Bites: Mini brownies, white chocolate-dipped strawberry, and raspberry ganache-filled tart with buttercream (New)
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Roaring Fork (Available Feb. 10 through 14; mobile order available)
Love Bug Marshmallow: Strawberry marshmallow with a ganache center on a graham cracker cookie (New)
Honey Bee Mousse: White chocolate Earl Grey mousse with honey-lemon gelée center on almond cake (New) (Wheat/Gluten Friendly)
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
The Market at Ale & Compass (Available through February 14; mobile order available)
Sweets For My Sweet: Layers of cream cheese mousse, strawberry filling, vanilla cake, and a crispy strawberry vanilla base with glaçage and white chocolate décor (New)
Disney Springs
Amorette’s Patisserie (Available February 10 through 14)
Valentine’s Entremet: Champagne strawberry mousse, strawberry pate de fruit, vanilla chiffon, and dark chocolate crunch (New)
Beauty and the Beast Cake: Almond chiffon, cherry jam, cream cheese filling, red wine dark chocolate mousse, white chocolate pretzels, and red wine simple syrup (New) TOP PICK
Raspberry Éclair: Raspberry panna cotta, raspberry jam, lemon curd, and raspberry crispies (New)
Amorette’s Heart: Cherry mousse, chocolate biscuit, hibiscus lemonade mousse, and pistachio crunch (New)
Strawberry Cheesecake: New York cheesecake, strawberry crunch, fresh strawberries, and meringue kisses (New) TOP PICK
Little Love Strawberries: Strawberries dipped in ruby chocolate, white chocolate, and strawberry chocolate (New)
The Ganachery
Sparkling Strawberry Square (Available through Feb. 14)
Valentine Marshmallow Pop (Available through Feb. 14)
Sweetheart Minnie Mouse Pinata (Available through Feb. 28)
Strawberry S’more (New) (Available through Feb. 14)
Sprinkles (Available through Feb. 19)
Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cupcake + Layer Cake: Chocolate chip-studded Belgian dark chocolate cake topped with luscious raspberry frosting
Heartthrob Red Velvet: Red velvet cake topped with cream cheese frosting finished with our exclusive blend from Fancy Sprinkles
I Love You Box: Four red velvet, four vanilla, and four raspberry chocolate chip cupcakes
XOXO Box: Three dark chocolate, three red velvet, three vanilla, and three raspberry chocolate chip cupcakes
Swirls on the Water (Available through Feb. 28)
Rosa Regale DOLE Whip Float: Rosa Regale Sparkling Red Wine, DOLE Whip strawberry, and a chocolate covered strawberry
Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cone: Chocolate soft-served swirled with DOLE Whip strawberry served in a red velvet cone and topped with a chocolate-covered shortbread cookie (New)
Vivoli Il Gelato (Available through Feb. 28)
The Love Potion: Float with vanilla gelato, Fanta Strawberry, and whipped cream
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Tiffins Restaurant (Available Feb. 14 only)
Chocolate Raspberry Martini and Flourless Cake Duo: Chocolate and raspberry martini served with a flourless chocolate cake, white chocolate cremeux, and raspberry pearls (New) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
EPCOT
Connections Café (Available Feb. 14 only)
Chocolate Liege Waffle (New)
Le Cellier (Available Feb. 14 only)
Chateaubriand for Two: 16-oz Chateaubriand with crab mac & cheese, grilled
jumbo asparagus, béarnaise sauce and au poivre sauceValentine’s Day Dessert: Valrhona dark chocolate mousse, strawberry cake, strawberry gelato, and raspberry meringue
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Hollywood Brown Derby (Available Feb. 10 through 14)
Red Velvet White Chocolate Mousse: Red velvet white chocolate mousse atop a chocolate cookie
The Trolley Car Café (Available Feb. 10 through 14)
Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red velvet cake filled with cream cheese buttercream topped with strawberry buttercream
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Park
Red Rose Taverne (Available through Feb. 28; mobile order available)
Love Stuff: Red shortbread cookie, red velvet cake, raspberry, cookies and cream mousse, and heart sprinkles
Stage Door Café (Available through Feb. 28; mobile order available)
Chocolate-Strawberry Funnel Cake: Funnel cake with chocolate drizzle, brownie crumbles, diced strawberries, and whipped topping (New)
Outdoor Carts in Frontierland (Available through Feb. 28)
Strawberry Cheesecake Pretzel: Strawberry & Graham Cracker-dusted Cream Cheese Pretzel
Strawberry Dipping Sauce
Strawberry Cookies & Crème Churro: Strawberry and Butter Cookie-dusted Churro with Vanilla Buttercream Drizzle and Strawberry Cookie Topping
Disney California Adventure Park
Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream (Available Feb. 10 through 14; mobile order available)
Sweetheart Sundae: Chocolate and strawberry ice cream topped with strawberry sauce, whipped cream, a chocolate-dipped strawberry, and valentine sprinkles served in a chocolate waffle cup (New) TOP PICK
Valentine’s Sprinkles (New)
Lamplight Lounge and Lamplight Lounge – Boardwalk Dining (Available Feb. 10 through 14)
A Toast to Love Flight: Three miniature cocktails featuring a spicy cocktail, a bitter cocktail, and a sweet cocktail
The Flame: Bacardi Raspberry Rum, peach schnapps, mango purée, raspberry purée, lime juice, Sprite, and firewater bitters with a chile-lime rim
The Ex: Absolut Citron Vodka, spicy bitters, blackberries, lemonade, agave nectar, and lemon juice
The Love That Lasts a Lifetime: Bacardi Raspberry Rum, St. George, orgeat, raspberry purée, pineapple juice and Sprite
Trolley Treats (Available through Feb. 16)
Oswald Apple: Green Granny Smith apple dipped in chocolate and enrobed in
dark chocolate with two long cereal treat ears dipped in dark chocolate and
embellished with white and red chocolate.
Downtown Disney District
Ballast Point Brewing Co. (Available Feb. 14 only)
Tres Leches Rose Water Cake: Rose-milk-soaked shortcake topped with candied rose petal (New) TOP PICK
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes (Available Feb. 10 through 14)
Red Velvet Cake Shake: A red velvet cake batter shake with vanilla frosted rim with red and white sprinkles topped with a slice of red velvet cake, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and a cherry
California Churro (Available through Feb. 19)
Chocolate-covered Strawberry Churro: Churro rolled in strawberry sugar, drizzled with chocolate
Catal Restaurant
Valentine’s Day Pre-Fix Menu: Lobster Bisque followed by choice of Jumbo Scallops or Pork Belly Cassoulet as your main entrée and finished off with a sweet choice of Chocolate Mousse Cake or Cheesecake for dessert (New) (Available Feb. 14 only)
Scarlett Kiss: Raspberry rum, lemon juice, simple, lemonade, soda water, fresh berries, and a splash of raspberry purée (New) (Available through Feb. 28)
Kayla’s Cake (Available through Feb. 14)
Valentine’s Day Gift Box: Six pre-selected macaron flavors of rose champagne, raspberry chocolate, strawberry cheesecake, red velvet, sea salt caramel, and Belgian dark chocolate
Naples Ristorante e Bar (Available Feb. 11 through 14)
Two Enchanted Centuria Martini: Tequila blanco, chilled espresso, Irish cream, and vanilla syrup topped with an edible flower and served with a special Valentine’s tiramisu dessert to share (New)
Tortilla Jo’s (Available Feb. 11 through 14)
Two Amor-ita Margaritas: Tequila, raspberry liqueur, organic margarita mix, and muddled raspberries served with a raspberry cheesecake to share (New)
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
Reef & Beef: Grilled jumbo shrimp and braised short ribs with creamy grits, green tomato chow-chow, and chili garlic butter sauce (Available Feb. 14 only)
Chocolate Strawberry Martini: Strawberry vodka and chocolate liqueur (Available Feb. 6 through 19)
Sprinkles (Available through Feb. 19)
Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cupcake + Layer Cake: Chocolate chip-studded Belgian dark chocolate cake topped with luscious raspberry frosting
Heartthrob Red Velvet: Red velvet cake topped with cream cheese frosting finished with our exclusive blend from Fancy Sprinkles
I Love You Box: Four red velvet, four vanilla, and four raspberry chocolate chip cupcakes
XOXO Box: Three dark chocolate, three red velvet, three vanilla, and three raspberry chocolate chip cupcakes
Uva Bar & Cafe (Available through Feb. 28)
Scarlett Kiss: Raspberry rum, lemon juice, simple, lemonade, soda water, fresh berries, and a splash of raspberry purée (New)
Wetzel’s Pretzels (Available through Feb. 28)
Choco Churro Bitz and Frozen Horchata Bundle: Cin-A-Bitz drizzled with dulce de leche and Ghirardelli chocolate sauce paired with frozen horchata topped with cinnamon (New)
Hotels of Disneyland Resort
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
GCH Craftsman Bar (Available through Feb. 26)
California Crush Cocktail: Crown Royal Regal Apple Whiskey, strawberry purée, lemon, and agave served with a mint sprig and strawberry heart garnish
Tuxedo Strawberry Cocktail: Bacardi Raspberry Rum, dark crème de cacao, strawberry purée, and half & half served “up” in a chocolate-coated martini glass with strawberry garnish
Love’s Lantern Cocktail: Skyy Citrus Vodka, Chambord, and lime garnished with edible flowers and a glow cube
Craftsman Grill (Available through Feb. 21; mobile order available)
Valentine’s Day Donuts
Valentine’s Day Cupcake
GCH Holiday Cart (Available through Feb. 26)
Heart-shaped Linzer Cookie
Mickey-shaped Valentine Cookie
Valentine Macarons
Assorted Cookie Box
Chocolate-dipped Strawberries
Valentine Crisped Rice Treat: Dark and white chocolate-dipped crisped rice treat
Waffle Shot available with choice of milk, low-fat milk, chocolate milk or strawberry
Hearthstone Lounge (Available Feb. 10 through 20)
Sparkling Fire: Ketel One Vodka, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Champagne, lemon juice, and raspberry gum syrup garnished with a raspberry and a dried rose petal (New)
Disneyland Hotel
Coffee House (Available Feb. 10 through 20; mobile order available)
Sablé Heart Cookie with Raspberry Filling
Red Velvet Cupcake
Iced Raspberry Mocha
Raspberry Mocha
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar (Available Feb. 10 through 20)
Sablé Heart Cookie with Raspberry Filling
Red Velvet Cupcake