Toni Marie Perilli

Character dining is one of the most distinct experiences at a Disney Park, a core memory for families looking to squeeze Disney magic into every second of their trip. Most families go more for the characters than the dining, especially at current price points. But what if I told you Disneyland Resort has a character dinner that delivers equally on both? Trust me, I was just as surprised as you were when I visited Storytellers Cafe, nestled in the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

If you’ve seen any social media posts from Epic Universe, you’ve probably seen a little, dark-furred bear with a grand captain’s hat and sash. In addition to delivering us five new lands of entertainment and countless new menu offerings, Universal Orlando Resort also debuted a new original character — Captain Cacao. Who is this adventurous bear? According to the celestial legends, the captain is a small chocolate bear who roams the galaxy with his friend, Maya, in search of the best sweets.

It's fog season, ghouls. But this year, the final night won't feel so final. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to check out Universal Horror Unleashed, a brand-new, year-round horror e...