Dec 21 2016

Sneak Peek At Epcot International Festival of Arts 2017 Culinary Treats

If you’re heading to Walt Disney World this winter, you’re one of the lucky travelers that will have the opportunity to experience a fantastic new event debuting soon – the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. This one-of-a-kind celebration of the arts will combine performing, visual, and culinary arts from around the world. Held Fridays through Mondays January 13 through February 20, 2017, each weekend will feature unique artwork and performances.

And of course, any great festival wouldn’t be complete without some tasty treats! No worries, there will be Food Studios scattered throughout World Showcase featuring culinary treats that are works of art in their own right. Disney Chefs will be on hand at many of the Studios plating these masterpieces for guests to watch the magic come to life.

Here’s a sneak peek of some of the culinary creations being offered!

The festival is included with Epcot admission, but be sure to bring your appetite and money to try some of these delicious delights!

Heading 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:

Check out my book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation for secret insider tips and tricks that you won’t find anywhere else!
View the latest Disney World discounts currently available!
Guarantee the best vacation price by clicking here for more information!

Will you be attending the Epcot International Festival Of The Arts?
What are you most excited about? Please leave a comment!

Dec 19 2016

Disney Parks “Magical Christmas Celebration” Airs Christmas Day

If you can’t be in a Disney Park this year for the holidays, be sure to tune in for the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration on Christmas Day. It promises to be the most memorable special yet! Here’s the scoop courtesy of Disney:

Following a festive kick-off to the holidays that began Thanksgiving Day with two new broadcast specials, Disney Parks will close out 2016 with its most cherished seasonal tradition of all – the annual Christmas Day spectacular. “The Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Celebration” airs Sunday, December 25, 2016, on the ABC Television Network (10am–12pm ET; airtimes vary; check local listings) and on the ABC and the Disney Channel apps.

Ushering in its 33rd year are the dynamic brother-sister duo from “Dancing with the Stars,” Julianne Hough and Derek Hough, who will present the two-hour ABC special from the Walt Disney World Resort. The season’s most eagerly awaited celebration culminates with the fan-favorite Christmas parade delivered by Disneyland correspondent, Good Morning America’s Jesse Palmer from the action-packed parade lines alongside other exciting celebrity guests.

Beyond offering an all-star performance lineup featuring the biggest names in music and entertainment, the joyous program will provide viewers with a necessary holiday reminder: the importance of family togetherness. Following the inspirational stories of the families introduced in the Thanksgiving Day special, the telecast will feature heartwarming moments between loved ones, reinforcing the notion that Christmas is all about friends and family coming together.

Taking viewers on a magical ride down Main Street U.S.A. and beyond, the Christmas Day festivities will be bigger and brighter than ever before. A complete list of musical performances is included below.

Alessia Cara performs a “A Holly Jolly Christmas” from Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort
Mariah Carey performs one of the biggest selling holiday songs of all time, “All I Want for Christmas is You” from the Disneyland Resort
Sofia Carson delivers a new arrangement of “Silent Night” from her Disney Channel performance and also hosts from backstage at Walt Disney World Resort
Kelly Clarkson performs “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in front of Cinderella Castle at the Walt Disney World Resort
Gavin DeGraw sings “Merry Christmas Baby” in front of Cinderella Castle at the Walt Disney World Resort
Jordan Fisher performs “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” from Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort
OneRepublic performs “Kids” from Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort
Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks deliver in front of Cinderella Castle at the Walt Disney World Resort solo and duet performances from their new album, “Christmas Together,” out now

In keeping with the spirit of the season, Disney Parks around the world are festively cast with spectacular experiences and special castle lighting moments, making them the perfect destinations for families celebrating the holidays and for the beloved ABC special.

All four parks of the Walt Disney World Resort get in the holiday spirit with new shows, thrilling spectaculars and beloved characters to create lasting memories. At Magic Kingdom Park, in addition to exciting new entertainment for the special-ticket “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party,” Cinderella Castle transforms into a shimmering ice palace as Queen Elsa leads “A Frozen Holiday Wish” nightly. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, an all-new “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” sends beloved Disney characters on a mission to get Santa back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve. At Epcot, in addition to global entertainment, guests can explore what the holidays taste like around the world. For its first-ever full holiday celebration, Disney Springs is wrapped in festive décor and entertainment, while dozens of new stores have laid the welcome mat out for holiday shoppers. An all-new nightly spectacle, “Starbright Holidays,” fills the skies above Disney Springs with 300 show drones performing an amazing aerial ballet set to holiday music.
At Disney California Adventure Park in the Disneyland Resort, a new “Festival of Holidays” treats guests to music, dance, food and heartwarming holiday traditions. The popular World of Color nighttime water spectacular is also transformed into “World of Color – Season of Light” with holiday music and treasured Disney animation. Among a sleigh-full of holiday events and activities at Disneyland Park is “A Christmas Fantasy,” a daily parade of floats, music, tin soldiers and holiday cheer. In addition, Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle creates magical snowfall moments along Main Street, U.S.A.

The 33rd annual Christmas celebration airs nationwide on December 25 at 10am EST and 9am CST, MST and PST on the ABC Television Network. The show will also be available on the ABC and the Disney Channel apps.

Heading to Disney World for the holidays?

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

Check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation for secret insider tips and tricks that you won’t find anywhere else!
View the latest Disney World discounts currently available!
Guarantee the best vacation price by clicking here for more information!

Do you watch the Disney Parks Christmas Special every year?
Have you seen it taped in Disney World? Please leave a comment!

Dec 18 2016

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up December 18, 2016

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for December 18, 2016!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Disney World Enthusiast Giveaway

From now through Friday, December 30, 2016 at midnight, please enter daily to win a pair of Amethyst Purple Glitter MagicBand Skins. Just click here and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please tell your friends and family to enter as well!

Featured Advertiser

Have you heard of this incredible gadget – Bitbelt? If you aren’t familiar, this handy creation secures your MagicBand so that it doesn’t accidentally become lost. Anyone that carries a child, a backpack, or wears a jacket at Disney World knows how easily a MagicBand can become unclasped. That’s where this little beauty comes in! Simply place a Bitbelt on your MagicBand and save yourself the trouble of having to search for a lost band or take the time to get a replacement. Bitbelts come in a dozen different colors and in two sizes – adult and junior. They are only $4.99 each plus they offer discounted pricing when you purchase multiple Bitbelts in one order. And if you think Bitbelts are great for MagicBands, they are also available for your fitness trackers. Never lose a pricey Fitbit again! For more information about Bitbelt, please click here!

Featured Book

The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

Considering A Disney World Vacation

Jennifer Hardy, a Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations in Florida, is the official travel partner of Disney World Enthusiast. She can help you book your next Disney vacation whether it is to Disney World, Disneyland, or aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Currently Jennifer has some incredible deals for discounted travel to Walt Disney World. For more information about Jennifer’s amazing and absolutely free services or to get a free no-obligation quote, please click here!

You’re Invited

Jennifer Hardy, from Destinations in Florida, and I have teamed up to create a brand new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, voice your opinions, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Whether it’s Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, or the Disney Cruise Line, Jennifer and I are ready to help. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun and conversation! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Coming Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have some planning and dining information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Dec 16 2016

Amethyst Purple Glitter MagicBand Skins Giveaway

A must-have Disney World vacation accessory!

Recently I arranged with Tracy at Magic YOUR Band to review their MagicBand Skins. If you aren’t familiar with this product, these adorable decals attach directly to your Disney World MagicBand creating your own personalized look.

The Review

Tracy asked me to pick out a MagicBand Skin that I liked as well as try out their online design tool for this review. My youngest son was excited to test the product with me so he choose the two piece “Slice of Pizza” design to go on his orange MagicBand. I decided to try putting my DisneyWorldEnthusiast.com logo on a skin for my red MagicBand. I was amazed at how easy Magic YOUR Band’s editing system worked. In a matter of minutes, I had a background selected and my logo in place and looking great! Then my son and I eagerly waited for our MagicBand Skins to arrive. Just as promised, they arrived in about a week.

We opened our delivery to find our MagicBand Skins nicely packaged and looking gorgeous! The first thing that struck me was how bright and vibrant the colors appeared. Upon further inspection, the MagicBand Skins looked perfectly cut and well made. Next up was getting them on our MagicBands.

The process was much easier than I thought it would be. I spent a few minutes watching the installation video on their site and then gave it a try. I found the skins to be very forgiving and I was able to lift them and adjust them until they were just right. Once I had the MagicBand Skins where I wanted, I went back over them pressing down firmly to make sure they were in place. It only took a couple of minutes until our MagicBands were looking quite magical!

My son and I wore our MagicBands with the Magic YOUR Band Skins throughout a recent Disney World trip. They held up beautifully to ten days filled with pool time, attractions, and rain. We can’t wait to wear our new favorite Disney accessory on our next Walt Disney World vacation!

Here’s all of the important information that you’ll need to get yourself a MagicBand Skin:

MagicBand Skins are available for purchase on MagicYOURBand.com.
They range in price from $6 to $8 each.
They offer special pricing when you purchase multiple MagicBand Skins in one order. Buy two to five and save 15%. Buy six to nine and save 25%. Buy ten or more and save 33%.
They come in one piece (that covers the center MagicBand Mickey) or two piece (that shows the center MagicBand Mickey) styles.
They have over 100 ready-made designs available including adorable holiday varieties!
You also have the options of personalizing one of their designs or creating your own with their easy-to-use online editing tool.
MagicBand Skins are fully waterproof. They hold up in the shower, pool, and a Florida rain storm!
The MagicBand Skins are easy to apply and remove if you want to change-up your look. They even have a handy video to show you how!
The Skins have no effect on how the MagicBand works. Your band will still be fully functional.
Magic YOUR Band is located in the United Kingdom and offers free international shipping on all orders.
The average delivery time is 7 days from the date of postage. You can upgrade to 2 business day FedEx International Priority Shipping for an additional fee.

The Giveaway

Interested in getting a MagicBand Skin of your own? Well, you’re in luck! From now through Friday, December 30, 2016 at midnight, please enter daily to win a pair of Amethyst Purple Glitter MagicBand Skins. 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 tell your friends and family to enter too!

Click image to enter!

Can’t wait and need a MagicBand Skin right away?
Please click this link to purchase one today!

Dec 14 2016

PizzeRizzo In Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Hey pizza lovers and Muppets fans alike, listen up, do I have some good news for you! PizzeRizzo, operated by your favorite Muppets rat and mine, Rizzo, is now open in Disney’s Hollywood Studios just in time for the busy holiday season. Here’s everything you need to know courtesy of Disney:

There’s a new neighborhood pizza joint at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, PizzeRizzo, run by and themed after the lovable Rizzo the Rat from the Muppets.

Located in the Muppets Courtyard area of the park, PizzeRizzo is a quick service dining restaurant with a classic, family pizzeria ambiance. Inside the two story eatery guests will find decor inspired by Rizzo, as well as his extended family and friends who have visited PizzeRizzo over the years. On the second floor, also known as Rizzo’s Deluxe Supreme Banquet Hall, the theme is a lively wedding reception complete with a disco ball and a fun party playlist.

Entrees are served with a side Caesar salad, and include personal-sized pizza pies, or a meatball sub. There’s also an antipasto salad option, as well as specialty drink options that include a non-alcoholic Peach Bellini and wildberry-basil lemonade limoncello, in addition to beer and wine for adults.

For dessert, guests can indulge in traditional Italian sweets such as cannoli and tiramisu.

Some Disney Dining Plans are accepted at PizzeRizzo. Entrees start at about $10, kids meals at about $6, and desserts at about $5. For the complete menu, please click here.