Africa Marketplace Opening Spring 2015 In Animal Kingdom

Africa Marketplace

If you’ve been to Animal Kingdom lately, you have probably noticed the abundance of construction walls up throughout the park. Lots of exciting changes are happening! One of which is the addition of Africa Marketplace opening this spring. Here are some of the latest details from Disney:

Imagine the colors, scents and boundless activity of a village marketplace in Africa. That sensory scene is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom with a spring 2015 opening planned for Africa Marketplace – a new shopping and dining option for park-goers in Harambe, the village anchoring the Africa section of the park. One highlight of the new space will be Harambe Marketplace, a new quick-service food and beverage location offering street-inspired dishes from walk-up windows. Guests will find plenty of shady places to relax and eat. For their convenience, the new space also will open up a new pathway from Africa to Bradley Falls and the Asia section of the park. Together with the new Harambe Theatre housing “The Festival of the Lion King,” the addition of Africa Marketplace will double the size of the original Harambe Village.

Updated 5/7/2015: Please check out this post for more details!
Updated 5/22/2015: The Harambe Marketplace is scheduled to open on May 23, 2015.

Need help planning your day at Animal Kingdom?

Be sure to check out these posts to make the most of your time at Animal Kingdom:

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Anyone else excited to check out the new Africa Marketplace?
Please leave a comment below!

Where To Find Flame Tree Barbecue Foods During Refurbishment

Flame Tree Barbecue

One of everyone’s favorite Disney World dining locations is Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom! If you’ve checked out the latest list of refurbishments you’ll notice that this tasty counter service stop is actually closed through May 22, 2015. So what’s a hungry traveler to do when they are in need of their barbecue fix? Have no fear, you can still find some of your Flame Tree favorites at different locations around Animal Kingdom. Here’s the scoop:

  • Half Chicken: Beastly Kiosk, Gardens Kiosk
  • Jumbo Turkey Leg: Trilo-Bites
  • Half Slab St. Louis Ribs: Beastly Kiosk, Gardens Kiosk
  • Rib & Chicken Combo: Beastly Kiosk, Gardens Kiosk
  • Pork Sandwich: Trilo-Bites

Flame Tree Favorites

So now you’re all set! While Flame Tree Barbecue is getting some additional seating areas, you can still get your fill of delicious barbecue!

Need help planning your day at Animal Kingdom?

Be sure to check out these posts to make the most of your time at Animal Kingdom:

Heading to Disney World?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out the following resources to help you save money:

Do you love Flame Tree Barbecue? What is your favorite dish?
Please leave a comment!

2015 Epcot International Food And Wine Festival Dates Announced

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Did you hear the exciting news? Disney has announced the dates for this year’s Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. The event will run from September 25 through November 16 – that is 53 days of fun!

No other details have been released yet, but last year’s festival featured 270 chefs and included more than 25 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations and music concerts. The 2014 marketplaces included: Africa, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brewer’s Collection, Canada, China, Craft Beers, Desserts & Champagnes, Farm Fresh, France, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Hops & Barley, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Patagonia, Poland, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Terra and many more. Be sure to check back often. I will share more details as soon as they are released.

Updated May 28, 2015: Please check out this article for the first details of the festival!

Need more help with your visit to Epcot?

Be sure to check out these articles to make the most of your time in Epcot:

Best Disney World Cocktails
Best Disney World Frozen Drinks
Best Disney World Rides For Babies And Toddlers
Best Disney World Shopping Spot – Mouse Gear
Best Disney World Snacks
Best Epcot Future World Attractions
Best Epcot World Showcase Attractions
Best Family Photo Spot In Epcot
Best Ways To Tour Epcot’s World Showcase With Kids
Disney World Scheduled Refurbishments 2015

Heading to Disney World?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out the following resources to help you save money:

What about you? Do you love the Epcot Food & Wine Festival? Please leave a comment!

Epcot Garden Rocks Concert Series Bands Announced

Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival

If you plan to visit Disney World this spring during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, here is some exciting news! Disney has just released the information about which bands will be appearing in the Garden Rocks Concert Series that runs during the festival from March 4 – May 17, 2015. Here’s the current lineup (subject to change without notice):

  • March 6-8: Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”
  • March 13-15: Pablo Cruise “Love Will Find a Way”
  • March 20-22: En Vogue “Free Your Mind”
  • March 27-29: Starship “We Built This City”
  • April 3-5: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
  • April 10-12: Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
  • April 17-19: Jon Secada “Just Another Day”
  • April 24-26: The Guess Who “These Eyes”
  • May 1-3: Taylor Dayne “Tell It to My Heart”
  • May 8-10: Little River Band “Lady”
  • May 15-17: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”

Performances will be at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8:00pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the festival, and are included with Epcot admission.

Looking for more information about the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival? Please check out this article that includes lots of details about what is planned!

Need more help with your visit to Epcot?

Be sure to check out these articles to make the most of your time in Epcot:

Best Disney World Cocktails
Best Disney World Frozen Drinks
Best Disney World Rides For Babies And Toddlers
Best Disney World Shopping Spot – Mouse Gear
Best Disney World Snacks
Best Epcot Future World Attractions
Best Epcot World Showcase Attractions
Best Family Photo Spot In Epcot
Best Ways To Tour Epcot’s World Showcase With Kids
Disney World Scheduled Refurbishments 2015

Dreaming about a vacation to Disney World?

If you are beginning to plan a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out the following resources to help you save money:

Have you attended a Garden Rocks Concert before? Are you going this year?
Who are you most excited to see? Please leave a comment!

A Tale Of Two Resorts Traveler’s Reference January Giveaway

Exciting News

To celebrate the new year, I am giving away a copy of my new book “A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World – A Traveler’s Reference”!

A Little About My Book

Are you trying to decide between a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World? Or maybe you have visited one resort and are curious about the other? My new book, “A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World – A Traveler’s Reference”, is now available!

This reference book is loaded with facts and information about all of the hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences, entertainment choices and resort extras that are available at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Each chapter begins with a handy side-by-side chart that compares each destination and concludes with a “For What It’s Worth” section that gives my personal thoughts and opinions. Topics include Lay of the Land, Atmosphere, Weather, Crowds, Events, Budgeting, Planning Timeline, Accommodations, Admission Tickets, Transportation, Theme Parks, Resort Extras, Dining and of course, there’s helpful advice about planning your trip and organizing your day.

As a mom with two boys of my own, I understand the many challenges of traveling with young kids. Throughout “A Tale of Two Resorts”, I’ve included several features for parents that will help you plan your Disney trip plus they’ll make your vacation easier once you arrive at the resort. Here are just a few of these invaluable features:

  • In Chapter 8 Accommodations – I’ve included detailed information about every resort including room types available and resort amenities. If you need to know if a particular hotel has a kiddie pool, offers on site childcare or even how many people the room will accommodate, you’ll find those important answers.
  • In Chapter 11 Theme Parks – I’ve included a Word of Warning for each and every attraction that needs one, giving you a heads up on what to expect and what you need to be aware of before taking your child on that particular ride.
  • In Chapter 13 Dining – I’ve included specifics for every dining location from table service to snack stand such as atmosphere, cuisine type, dress code and even menu selections including the kid’s meals that are offered. So if you are like me and have kids that are picky eaters, you’ll know exactly where to find those all important chicken nuggets or macaroni & cheese.

Whether you are going to Disneyland or Disney World and especially if the decision between the two destinations is still being made, “A Tale of Two Resorts” will give you all of the information you need to make the better choice and plenty of advice for planning that magical vacation!

The Giveaway

From now through Friday, January 30, 2015, please enter daily to win a copy of my new book “A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World – A Traveler’s Reference”. Just click the image below and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please feel free to share with your friends and family!  

A Tale of Two Resorts

Can’t wait and need to get the book right away?
Please click this link, to purchase your copy today!

Like politics and religion, the topic of which destination is better – Disneyland or Walt Disney World – is sure to fire up the faithful. In “A Tale of Two Resorts”, Kristi Fredericks takes no side, but she does deliver the most comprehensive reference guide for both resorts available anywhere.