Category Epcot

Apr 8 2021

2021 Epcot International Food And Wine Festival Dates Announced

Did you hear the exciting news? Disney has announced the dates for this years Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This delicious event will run from July 15 through November 20 – that is over 4 months of fun and food!

Epcot International Food and Wine Festivals in the past have featured nearly 200 chefs and have included dozens of food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, chef demonstrations, as well as music concerts. This year’s event will kick off with the return of many favorite Global Marketplaces including Canada, Greece, Germany, Hops and Barley, and Appleseed Orchard. More marketplaces will open throughout the summer and fall. Here are a few more things to look forward to during this years Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, according to Disney:

  • Sample all sorts of delicious cheeses served in fun ways as part of Emile’s Fromage Montage – if you collect a stamp from five different Global Marketplaces, you’ll earn a prize!
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak will send you on a savory scavenger hunt in search of Remy statuettes hidden all over the park.
  • Take a tasty souvenir home from the new merchandise collections, including a festival collection featuring a spirit jersey, baseball cap and so much more.
  • Listen to musical favorites performed by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre and the Jammin’ Chefs.

Remember to check back often as I will share more details as soon as they are announced!

Will you be visiting during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Apr 7 2021

Family Fun At The 2021 Taste Of EPCOT International Flower And Garden Festival

With spring in full swing, the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival recently kicked off in Walt Disney World. From now through July 5, 2021, guests can enjoy bright blooms, delicious flavors, and tons of family fun throughout EPCOT. Here’s a glimpse of what you and your family can enjoy this spring during the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, courtesy of Disney:

  • Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden FestivalTopiaries Full of Disney Character: Throughout the park you’ll see gorgeous topiaries of Disney characters blooming to life in floral sculptures. Highlights will include Remy in the France pavilion, Tinker Bell and the Fairy Houses in the United Kingdom, Lady and the Tramp in Italy and Sorcerer Mickey at the park’s reimagined main entrance.
  • Gardens to Explore: Soak in the sights of spring in 20 different garden areas all across EPCOT, including floating gardens on the waters of Future World, a bamboo garden in China, a tropical rainforest garden in Mexico and the English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings of London in the United Kingdom (where you can also take a Self-Guided Tea Tour!). Another picturesque spot is The Goodness Garden Butterfly House Presented by GoGo squeeZ, where you can view a kaleidoscope of butterflies up close, in all their extraordinary color. And at Outdoor Escapes Presented by OFF! Repellents in Future World East, you can unwind in refreshing spaces that show you just how easy it is to create an outdoor escape for family and friends.
  • Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden FestivalOutdoor Kitchens Galore: Embark on a mouth-watering journey around the park and discover a smorgasbord of options, with more than 20 delectable stops to choose from. Each Outdoor Kitchen offers a specialty menu of creative cuisine and libations to savor and sip. We’ll have more details to share in an upcoming post about all the foodie fun you can expect this year.
  • Entertainment All Around: The festival features plenty of live music every day. Voices of Liberty perform an all-American a cappella showcase, celebrating the landscape, heart and human spirit of America, and Mariachi Cobre takes the stage for a performance of world-famous Mexican folk music. You can also tap your toes to the sound of the Jammin’ Gardeners, performing rhythmic beats with inspired backyard percussion, and head into World Showplace, where the EPCOT Pianist will be playing a selection of songs of the season.
  • Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden FestivalHealth Full Trail Presented by AdventHealth: Looking for inspiration, creativity and some youthful energy? At the Flavor Full Outdoor Kitchen and garden along the Imagination Walkway, the whole family can learn ways to stay healthy.
  • Family Fun with Scavenger Hunt: Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration is a springtime quest to find the buzzzz-iest honey bee at Walt Disney World Resort all around World Showcase.
  • Festival Memories: Commemorate your visit with official event merchandise, including apparel, headwear, drinkware and much more, featuring Orange Bird, Figment, Minnie Mouse and Spike the Bee.

The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is included with park admission. With all that there is to see, do, and eat, you definitely won’t want to miss the fan favorite event!

Will you be attending the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival?
What are you most excited about? Please leave a comment!

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT
Mar 15 2021

Grand Opening Of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Announced

Exciting news…the grand opening date of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has finally been announced! If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the resort, you will likely get to experience this new highly anticipated attraction during your visit to EPCOT. Here are the recently released details from Disney:

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOTDuring the recent virtual annual meeting of shareholders of The Walt Disney Company, Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced the grand opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT will be October 1, 2021. This new family-friendly attraction will officially debut as part of the kickoff for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure invites guests into the flavorful world of Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award®-winning “Ratatouille,” where they will feel as if they shrink to the size of Chef Remy and scurry through Gusteau’s famous restaurant. Guests will find Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in a newly expanded area of the park’s France pavilion, where the real is made fantastic in a reimagining of Paris inspired by the film.

La Crêperie de Paris at EPCOTAlso debuting October 1 in this section of the pavilion will be a delicious new restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris, offering both table- and quick-service options. The menu will feature sweet crepes, savory buckwheat galettes (naturally gluten friendly) and authentic French hard cider. The attraction, restaurant and pavilion expansion are all part of the historic transformation of EPCOT currently underway, bringing a breadth of new experiences to the park in a celebration of curiosity, discovery and the magic of possibility.

“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” begins October 1 on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. This 18-month event will feature new experiences at the resort’s four theme parks and beyond, where shimmering EARidescent décor will appear as if by magic. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and La Crêperie de Paris will now join in the festivities for this landmark occasion.

Important Tip

If you have a vacation to Walt Disney World scheduled in late August or September, be sure to swing by Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. Often a few weeks before the “official” grand opening of a new attraction, guests may be able to get a sneak peak on the ride as testing and cast member training is going on in preparation for the big event.

Heading to Disney World?

501 WaysIf you are planning a vacation to Disney World during the holiday season, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Mar 12 2021

First Details Of The 2021 Taste Of EPCOT International Flower And Garden Festival

With spring only a few days away, the Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival just kicked off in Walt Disney World. From now through July 5, 2021, guests can enjoy bright blooms and delicious flavors throughout the park. Recently Disney gave us a sneak peek into what we can expect this time around, here are the details:

The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival blossoms to life at Walt Disney World Resort, continuing for 125 days until July 5, 2021. The park-wide event features fun for the whole family inspired by the season, from spectacular Disney character topiaries to lush gardens to fresh flavors from Outdoor Kitchens and more.

Discover Topiaries Full of Disney Character

Nearly 100 individual topiaries bloom across the park, including floral sculptures of Disney characters as well as fanciful gardens. Highlights include:

  • Sorcerer Mickey Mouse at the park’s main entrance
  • Lady and the Tramp in the Italy pavilion
  • Anna and Elsa in the Norway pavilion
  • Remy in the France pavilion
  • Tinker Bell and the Fairy Houses in the United Kingdom pavilion

Gardens Are Flowering and Ready to Explore

Guests can soak in the sights of spring in 20 different garden areas all across EPCOT, including:

  • English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings of London in the United Kingdom pavilion, which also offers a Self-Guided Tea Tour.
  • The Goodness Garden Butterfly House Presented by GoGo squeeZ, offering a kaleidoscopic view of butterflies up close, in all their extraordinary color.
  • Growing the Future Presented by Murata Electronics, a fun and fascinating experience exploring how cutting-edge technology paired with agricultural science can transform the future (beginning April 3).
  • Health Full Trail Presented by AdventHealth, where those looking for inspiration, creativity and some youthful energy learn ways to stay healthy.
  • Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board, where guests learn about honey bees’ critical role in the environment while enjoying sweet and savory treats made possible by their hard work.
  • Outdoor Escapes Presented by OFF! Repellents, a rustic terrace for guests to unwind and find inspiration to create refreshing outdoor spaces for family and friends.

Outdoor Kitchens Feature Fresh Food and Drink

Guests can embark on a mouth-watering journey around the park to experience a smorgasbord of options, with more than 20 delectable stops to choose from. Each Outdoor Kitchen offers a specialty menu of creative cuisine and libations to savor and sip. New options this year include:

  • EPCOT Sunshine Griddle, offering Avocado Toast, Shrimp and Grits, Corned Beef Brisket Hash and more
  • EPCOT Farmers Feast, featuring Spring Onion Soup, Duck Confit and more
  • The Lavender Honey Mustard-marinated Chicken Flatbread at The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board
  • Impossible Sausage and Kale Soup at Trowel & Trellis Hosted by Impossible Foods
  • Lemon-Orange Smoothie in a new Orange Bird sipper cup at The Citrus Blossom
  • Bayou Cocktail at Magnolia Terrace
  • Maple Popcorn Shake at Northern Bloom

Live Music Abounds Throughout the Festival

Fans of live entertainment will have plenty to enjoy this year as music springs to life around World Showcase.

  • ­New this year, featured musical groups from the Orlando area perform songs of yesterday and today at America Gardens Theatre every Friday through Monday of the festival.
  • Voices of Liberty perform an all-American a cappella showcase at America Gardens Theatre, celebrating the landscape, heart and human spirit of America.
  • Mariachi Cobre takes the America Gardens Theatre stage for performances of world-famous Mexican folk music.
  • The Jammin’ Gardeners play rhythmic beats with inspired backyard percussion on the Mill Stage at the Canada pavilion.
  • In World Showplace, the EPCOT Pianist plays a selection of popular songs ideal for springtime.

Scavenger Hunts Offer Family Fun

Special themed scavenger hunts encourage guests to explore the festival and provide a fun way for families and friends to spend their day at the park.

  • Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration – Gardeners of all ages follow Spike on his pollination trail, where he will be busy as a bee collecting nectar and pollinating gardens throughout EPCOT. (Map purchase required, available while supplies last at select retail locations.)
  • Egg-stravaganza Scavenger Hunt (Beginning March 19) – Guests set out on a delightful hunt across the park for decorative eggs inspired by Disney characters. (Map purchase required, available while supplies last at select retail locations for a limited time.)
  • Garden Graze – Guests who purchase five festival menu items from select locations receive a complimentary commemorative keepsake; guests can pick up a Festival Passport to get started.

Festival Merchandise Showcases Favorite Characters

Guests can commemorate their visit with official event merchandise, including apparel, headwear, drinkware and more.

  • Orange Bird welcomes the sunshine with all things yellow, orange and white in a bright collection of apparel, drinkware and a headband.
  • Spike the Bee offers sweet reminders of festival fun, featured on apparel, drinkware and an adorable garden stake.
  • Minnie Mouse lives life in full bloom with a collection of apparel, headwear, garden accessories and MagicBand.
  • Figment brings sustainable materials such as organic cotton, bamboo and repurposed paper to a collection featuring apparel, accessories and more.

The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is included with park admission (Disney Park Pass reservation required for entry). 

501 WaysHeading to Disney World this Spring?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be attending the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival?
What are you most excited about? Please leave a comment!

Mar 8 2021

The Transformation of EPCOT Continues

We’ve all heard the famous quote, “the only constant in life is change,” which is just as true when it comes to Walt Disney World. From the time it opened on October 1, 1982, EPCOT has been evolving. We’ve said good-bye to many classics like Horizons, World of Motion, Body Wars, Maelstrom and more to make way for new fan favorites such as Test Track and Frozen Ever After. While change is never easy, I am hopeful and eager to see all of the new additions and enhancements coming to EPCOT in the near future. Here are the latest details of EPCOT’s historic transformation courtesy of Disney:

EPCOT NeighborhoodsWalt Disney once said EPCOT “would always be in a state of becoming” – it is a place that changes with the times. Over the next several years, the Walt Disney World Resort theme park will live up to that promise in a whole new way as it continues the biggest transformation of any Disney park in history, bringing the next generation of immersive storytelling to life through a plethora of new attractions and experiences.

EPCOT will be unified with four neighborhoods that each speak to important aspects of the world and its people: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. These neighborhoods will be filled with new experiences rooted in authenticity and innovation that take guests to new destinations, where the real is made fantastic in a celebration of curiosity, discovery and the magic of possibility.

HarmoniousWorld Showcase

  • World Showcase will continue to be a celebration of culture, cuisine, architecture and traditions – infused with new magic.
  • The France pavilion will feature the much-anticipated attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where guests will shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure. Joining this family-friendly experience in the France pavilion will be a delicious new restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris, offering both table- and quick-service options and a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.
  • Also in the France pavilion, the classic “Impressions de France” film is now joined by the new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along,” directed by Don Hahn, producer of both the animated and live-action versions of this tale as old as time.
  • “Harmonious” will be one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park. It will celebrate the way Disney music inspires people the world over, carrying them away harmoniously on a stream of familiar songs reinterpreted by a culturally diverse group of artists from around the globe. “Harmonious” will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers and more.
  • “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” is now playing in the Canada pavilion with new scenes, a new musical score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington and new narration by award-winning actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy.
  • Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, the new fast-casual restaurant at The American Adventure pavilion, serves classic American backyard barbecue and home-style craft brews. The restaurant takes its name from Sam Eagle; the beloved Muppet hosts a centennial cook-off – a salute to all cook-offs … but mostly barbecue.

World Celebration

  • World Celebration will offer new experiences that connect guests to one another and the world around them.
  • The EPCOT entrance plaza is transforming, welcoming guests with new pathways and sweeping green spaces that beautify the entryway. Bridging the past, present and future of EPCOT will be a new fountain at the base of Spaceship Earth featuring three majestic new pylons.
  • As guests pass Spaceship Earth, they will discover a breathtaking new view of World Showcase from Dreamers Point. World Celebration will also feature a new statue honoring the legacy of the original dreamer, Walt Disney, plus beautiful natural environments and global design elements filled with Disney magic and surprises, including a story fountain celebrating the power and music of iconic Disney storytelling.
  • Surrounding this enchanted garden will be new retail and dining locations, along with a newly reimagined festival area that will be home to ever-changing events in a unique new environment.

World Nature

  • World Nature will be dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world. It will include The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilions.
  • Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will be the first Disney Parks experience inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film. This lush exploration trail will invite guests to meet and play with magical, living water. Just like Moana’s friend the ocean, water will have a personality of its own, helping guests learn how to protect the natural water cycle in a fun and engaging way.
  • The Land pavilion’s new film, “Awesome Planet,” showcases the beauty, diversity and dynamic story of Earth. The 10-minute show features in-theater effects and an original musical score from Academy Award-winning® composer Steven Price.

World Discovery

  • In World Discovery, stories about science, technology and intergalactic adventure come to life.
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT. The adventure starts in the Galaxarium, a planetarium-like exhibition that explores the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. Guests will be invited to learn more about the treasures Xandar has to share – until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and adventures across the cosmos ensue. The attraction will feature a new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering – a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.
  • In an expansion of the Mission: SPACE pavilion, the new restaurant Space 220 will be a culinary experience offering the celestial panorama of a space station, including daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles up. Guests will board a space elevator for a journey to the Centauri Space Station, home to an incredible dining experience. Along the way, viewports will give guests real-time perspective as they travel high above the planet. Once they arrive, guests will enjoy fantastic meals and drinks while taking in views that are truly out of this world. Space 220 will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group.

Guests can visualize these exciting plans for EPCOT at Walt Disney Imagineering presents the EPCOT Experience in the Odyssey Events Pavilion. Here they discover engaging and interactive exhibits that showcase the relentless innovation, energy and excitement driving the park’s future throughout this unprecedented period of transformation. 

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited for the transformation of EPCOT?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!