WDW Restaurant Reopenings, Mobile Magic and More News

Two Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants are reopening, plus more treats to watch for...Story Book Dining at Artist Point, themed after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, will reopen Dec. 16 at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. As part of the new Character Dining experience, guests will see Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and The Queen stroll through the Enchanted Forest while enjoying a bountiful prix fixe dinner with the choice of individually plated entrées and shared starters and desserts. Start with a refreshing cocktail like the Enchanted Apple with a hint of sour apple. The Royal Prime Rib Roast and the vegetarian A Stroll Through Nature are both returning as well as the decadent “Poison” Apple dessert with dark chocolate-apple mousse. Boatwright’s Dining Hall, a hidden gem at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, will be serving its Southern specialties for dinner starting Dec. 14. The flavors of the Louisiana bayou are featured with the all-you-care-to-enjoy Chef’s Platter featuring ribs, Nashville hot chicken, smoked sausage, and barbecued beef brisket with mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, street corn, and green beans. General Fulton’s Prime Rib and the Deep-South Shrimp and Grits, are back as well. Along with the signature Boatwright’s Jambalaya and the plant-based Boatwright’s Harvest Jambalaya. And for a Southern sweet dessert there's the Mississippi Mud Crème Brûlée, a decadent chocolate brûlée with a chocolate shortbread cookie.Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts has the 50th Celebration Shake: a birthday-cake-flavored milkshake drizzled in gold glitter glaze topped with a slice of commemorative 50th celebration birthday cake. Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the place to be if you want to start your breakfast off with a bang of sweet and spice. Try the “Dynamite“ Cinnamon Roll Sticks -- Each order has five fiery red sticks filled with cinnamon schmear sprinkled with crushed red-hot candies and a drizzle of cinnamon oil. And for the dynamite wick – bacon! These sharable sticks of cinnamon goodness are served with a warm candied nut glaze. The White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Mousse with peppermint sauce and chocolate cookie crumbles will be offered at Satu’li Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park from Dec. 20-27. White chocolate, peppermint, and cream cheese mousse? La Crêperie de Paris is the newest addition to the France Pavilion at Epcot. It's now taking reservations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features savory galettes and sweet dessert crêpes, along with some of Brittany’s famous hard ciders.Guests can order from the prix fixe menu with the choice of soup of the day or salade maison; choice of one galette with a glass of hard cider, soda, or juice; choice of one dessert crêpe.Festive Treats at Disney's Magic Kingdom ParkMagic Kingdom Park has two new offerings for The World’s Most Magical Celebration. Main Street Bakery has the Opening Day Celebration Cake that features milk chocolate mousse, raspberry center, and gluten-friendly chocolate cake topped with balloon sprinkles and a chocolate piece.At Storybook Treats Grumpy gets his own Seven Dwarfs Specialty Cone – a cranberry vanilla soft-serve in a cone with a chocolate belt buckle and an adorable “Grumpy” chocolate face! It's a limited-time offer only available through Jan. 9.Also at Magic Kingdom Park for a limited time is the Black Forest Cheesecake at Pinocchio Village Haus. This is a chocolate cheesecake topped with cherry compote, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a white chocolate coin inspired by the “it’s a small world” attraction.Three refreshing holiday offerings are making a splash at Disney’s Water Parks from Dec. 12-Jan. 7. Orange Bird Holiday Citrus Swirl –DOLE Whip Orange and Lime swirl in a holiday waffle cone, and a white chocolate Orange Bird Santa (available at Warming Hut) Merry Merry Melon –Melon- and apple-flavored frozen rum cocktail with a red sugared rim topped with a cherry (available at Frostbite Freddie’s) Peppermint Milkshake –Peppermint-flavored milkshake with white chocolate whipped cream and holiday sprinkles (available at Lottawatta Lodge)The best spots for special holiday snaps at Walt Disney World There are holiday-themed Magic Shots at all four parks and Disney Springs so be sure to ask the PhotoPass photographer which Magic Shots they can offer at their location. At Magic Kingdom Park head to the photographer near the lawn in front of The Plaza Restaurant to enjoy our Super Zoom Magic Shot with a holly-jolly makeover.At Disney Springs, the Disney PhotoPass Studio in the Marketplace is offering holiday themed virtual backdrops.Also at Disney Springs you can get your photo with Santa at Once Upon a Toy. There is a Disney PhotoPass photographer so you don't have to do Santa selfies. There's a virtual queue available and masks are required for this indoor experience.And if you want to add some extra holiday cheer to your photos, photographers at some locations have handheld props that you can use in your photos.    Merchandise Mobile Check-OutSince last year, Disney has been testing a new mobile checkout option (through My Disney Experience or Disneyland app) at select merchandise shops throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. It's now being rolled out to more locations:Walt Disney World World of Disney at Disney SpringsCreations Shop at EPCOTEmporium at Magic Kingdom Park – New!Mickey’s of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Coming soon!Island Mercantile at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – Coming soon! Disneyland ParkDisney Clothiers, Ltd., China Closet and Plaza PointEmporiumPioneer Mercantile and Bonanza Outfitters – New!The Star Trader – New!Disney California Adventure ParkElias & Co.WEB Suppliers – New!Knick's Knacks – New!Downtown Disney DistrictWorld of Disney Guests should check the My Disney Experience or Disneyland app* during your visit for the latest location availability.Here's how it works...When you're ready to shop, open the My Disney Experience or Disneyland app and scan the barcodes on your items as they add them to your bag. Once you're done shopping, you can check-out on mobile and show your purchase QR code -- and the items you bought -- to a Cast Member at the designated exit, and you're done. If you have an Annual Passholder, Magic Key or Disney Vacation Club discount make sure your pass or membership is linked to their Disney account, and the va...