Aug 1 2016

Booking Of 2016 Epcot International Food And Wine Festival Premium Events Now Available

Every day it seems Disney is releasing exciting new details about what we can expect during this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival running 62 days from September 14 through November 14, 2016. With more celebrity chefs, dining options and resort cooking experiences, this year’s festival is destined to be one of the best. Guests are now able to book reservations for the popular premium events by calling 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Here’s a sneak peek at some of the returning favorites as well as some fantastic new opportunities courtesy of Disney:

A new lineup of popular celebrity chefs and a series of first-time Disney resort cooking and dining experiences will add fresh culinary appeal to the 21^st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase at Walt Disney World Resort.

The annual Disney tour of tastes from six continents has become one of America’s top food festivals and features inspired flavors at more than 30 global marketplaces.

Culinary notables Geoffrey Zakarian, Maneet Chauhan, Duff Goldman, Elliott Farmer, Masaharu Morimoto and Graham Elliot will step up to the stove to host their first festival special events such as seminars and culinary demonstrations. Other chef icons like Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Norman Van Aken, Elizabeth Falkner, Buddy Valastro and Jamie Deen will return in 2016 to entertain foodies and inspire their palates at premium events.

First-time festival resort experiences include Brunch with a Twist at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef for a hands-on chef’s table experience in a professional working kitchen; The Secret of Flavor three-course lunch that gives guests a “sensory-food connection” at Yachtsman Steakhouse; and a tropical “Zombie” encounter during Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

“Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” hands-on workshops at the Festival Center will offer guests a chance to learn a variety of culinary skills from chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros.

Celebrities ranging from Rock Harper to master sommelier Andrea Robinson will share their food and beverage know-how during culinary demos, beverage seminars and a variety of other events spanning the festival’s 62 days.

Rockin’ Burger Block Party and Party for the Senses grand tasting events will showcase creative bites and palate-pleasing sips from eminent chefs and beverage experts plus new live entertainment.

Intimate dining and tasting events will include the “Umami” Tokyo Pairing and other Epcot restaurant experiences as well as multi-course lunches and dinners at Disney Springs and resort restaurants.

The always-popular Cheese Seminars return. Learn “the wheys of the world” paired with wine, beer and other beverages with Max McCalman along with other experts.

You’ll want to masquerade in chic yellow and black for the Yelloween Masquerade Party for the Senses October 28 and 29, an elegant, dance-the-night-away, gourmet tasting party with Champagne, wine, craft beers and specialty cocktails paired with food.

What’s Cookin’ With … some of the country’s top celebrity chefs will begin the morning with a delightful plated brunch and sparkling wine toast. The fun starts with a demo, and the chefs answer questions from the audience and share secrets of their successes. The brunch is on select Fridays and Sundays at 10 a.m.

Guests include:

Friday, September 16 – Elizabeth Falkner
Sunday, September 18 – Bryan Voltaggio
Friday, September 23 – Andrea Robinson
Sunday, September 25 – Robert Irvine
Friday, September 30 – Graham Elliot
Sunday, October 2 – Buddy Valastro
Friday, October 7 – Jamie Deen
Sunday, October 9 – Cat Cora
Friday, October 14 – Emily Ellyn
Friday, October 21 – Andrew Zimmern
Sunday, October 23 – Rock Harper
Sunday, October 30 – Geoffrey Zakarian
Friday, November 4 – Alex Guarnaschelli
Sunday, November 6 – David Guas
Friday, November 11 – Sarah Fioroni
Sunday, November 13 – Jehangir Mehta

For even more details and information about this year’s premium events, please click here!

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 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!

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

Jul 31 2016

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up July 31, 2016

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for July 31, 2016!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Disney World Enthusiast Giveaway

From now through Friday, August 12, 2016 at midnight, please enter daily to win a set of Polynesian Luau 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!

Behind The Magic Podcast

Be sure to catch up on this season’s episodes when Zeek, Rachel, Jerry, and I discuss Disney news, rumors, and so much more while we take a short vacation from recording! We’ll see ya real soon!

For more details about our podcast and to listen, please click here!

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 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 dining and planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Jul 29 2016

Polynesian Luau 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, August 12, 2016 at midnight, please enter daily to win a set of four Polynesian Luau 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!

Jul 28 2016

Epcot 2016 Eat To The Beat Concert Series Bands Announced

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival ©Disney

Eat To The Beat Concert Series Returns To Epcot!

If you plan to visit Walt Disney World this fall for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, here is some exciting news! Disney has just released the information about which bands will be appearing in the Epcot Eat To The Beat Concert Series that runs from September 14 – November 14, 2016. Here are all of the details courtesy of Disney:

Eight new Eat to the Beat musical acts join 18 fan-favorite bands for a diverse lineup of pop hit makers who will rock America Gardens Theatre during the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival September 14 – November 14 at Walt Disney World Resort.

New-to-the-festival acts in 2016 are Wang Chung, BoDeans, Plain White T’s, Jeffrey Osborne, Toad The West Sprocket, Living Colour, Soul Asylum and Delta Rae. Guests can tune into their favorite returning acts that will include Los Lobos, STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas, Wilson Phillips, Tiffany, Hanson and Boyz II Men. Concerts take place at 5:30, 6:45 and 8pm daily. The lineup (subject to change and included in Epcot admission) includes:

September 14 – 15: Wang Chung New!
September 16 – 18: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
September 19 – 20: Air Supply
September 21 – 23: BoDeans New!
September 24 – 25: Fuel
September 26 – 28: Sugar Ray
September 29 – 30: Los Lobos
October 1 – 2: David Cook
October 3 – 4: Wilson Phillips
October 5 – 6: Blues Traveler
October 7 – 9: Plain White T’s New!
October 10 – 11: 38 Special
October 12 – 13: Jeffrey Osborne New!
October 14 – 16: Tiffany
October 17 – 19: Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx
October 20 – 21: Christopher Cross
October 22 – 23: Toad The Wet Sprocket New!
October 24 – 25: Chaka Khan
October 26 – 27: Billy Ocean
October 28 – 29: Living Colour New!
October 30 – November 1: Hanson
November 2 – 3: Soul Asylum New!
November 4 – 6: Delta Rae New!
November 7 – 9: Boyz II Men
November 10 – 11: Sister Hazel
November 12 – 14: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy