Tag Archives: Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival

Feb 23 2016

Full Menus For The 2016 Epcot Flower And Garden Festival Outdoor Kitchens

Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival

This year the 2016 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be held for 90 days from March 2 through May 30. The theme is “Fresh Epcot” and once again this springtime event will feature beautiful blooms, exciting entertainment, and loads of delicious drinks and dishes. A few of the highlights are:

  • Epcot Flower & Garden FestivalDisney themed topiaries
  • Magical gardens and exhibits
  • Garden Rocks Concert Series
  • Fun festival themed merchandise
  • Entertainment for the kids
  • Festival Event Center offering hands-on demonstrations
  • Outdoor Kitchens with delicious drinks and dishes

Outdoor Kitchens

The Flower & Garden Festival will feature thirteen outdoor kitchens very much like what you see at the Food & Wine Festival in the fall. This year’s kitchens include Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market, Cider House, Fleur de Lys, Florida Fresh, Hanami, La Isla Fresca, Jardin de Fiestas, Lotus House, Pineapple Promenade, Primavera Kitchen, Taste of Marrakesh, THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews, and Urban Farm Eats. Be sure to pick up a Garden Passport and get stamped at your stops along the way. Passports will be available at the Festival Event Center, all Outdoor Kitchens, plus select merchandise locations. With just a few days until the kick off of the festival, Disney has released the full menus. Better grab a snack, you’re about to get very hungry!

Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market near Germany Pavilion

  • Chicken Fricassee with Green Asparagus and Peas served with Uncle Ben’s® Rice Pilaf
  • Roasted Bratwurst with Curry Ketchup and Paprika-spiced Chips
  • “Armer Ritter” Egg Battered Toast with Cherry Compote and Powdered Sugar
  • Hugo-Charles de Fere “Organic” Brut with Elderflower and Mint
  • Paulaner Original Munich Lager
  • Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen
  • Warsteiner Dunkel
  • Köstritzer Schwarzbier Black Lager

Cider House near United Kingdom Pavilion

  • Land-harvested Field Greens with Apples, Dried Blueberries, Stilton Cheese and Apple Cider Vinaigrette
  • Pear Cider-brined Shredded Corned Beef with Braised Cabbage and Pears and Branston Dressing
  • House-made Potato and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare
  • Freshly Baked Lemon Scone with Crème Fraîche and Mixed Berries
  • Sonoma “The Pitchfork” Organic Pear Hard Cider, Healdsburg, CA
  • McKenzie’s Black Cherry Hard Cider, West Seneca, NY
  • Keel & Curley Mad Man Blueberry Hard Cider, Plant City, FL
  • Cigar City Brewing Tampa-style Lager, Tampa, FL
  • Snakebite – Cigar City Tampa-style Lager mixed with McKenzie’s Black Cherry Hard Cider
  • Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider, California (non-alcoholic)

Fleur de Lys near France Pavilion

  • Tarte à l’Onion Alsacienne – Alsatian Onion Tart with Sautéed Onions, Fresh Thyme and Rosemary on a Flaky Puff Pastry Crust
  • Cassoulet au Confit de Canard – Pulled Duck Confit with Braised Flageolet Beans
  • Macaron Chocolat Framboise – Large Raspberry Macaron with Chocolate Fudge and Raspberry Jam
  • Ice Pop Grand Marnier Peach Cocktail – Grand Marnier Peach Raspberry, Vodka, Iced Tea
  • La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush – Grey Goose Vodka Orange, St. Germain Liquor, White and Red Cranberry Juice
  • Merlot Bordeaux, Château La Gravière, 2013
  • Kir Imperial – Sparkling Wine with Chambord Black Raspberry Liquor
  • Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 – Fruity White Beer with Citrus Notes

Florida Fresh between Morocco and France Pavilions

  • Kale Salad with Dried Cherries, Almonds, Goat Cheese and White Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • Shrimp and Stone-ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes and Cilantro
  • Florida Larder Board – Orlando-made Ricotta Cheese, Cahaba Farms Micro Onions, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic, Country Pâté and House-made Pickles
  • Key Lime Sparkling Wine, Florida Orange Groves Winery, St. Petersburg, FL
  • Sea Dog Acai Berry Hefeweizen, Clearwater, FL
  • Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale, Florida Beer Company, Cape Canaveral, FL
  • Watermelon Cucumber Slush with Hendrick’s Gin
  • Watermelon Cucumber Slush (non-alcoholic)
  • Fresh-squeezed Watermelon Juice (non-alcoholic)

Hanami near Japan Pavilion

  • Frushi – Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry and Melon Rolled with Raspberry Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream on the side
  • Chicken Edamame Bun – Steamed Bun filled with Chicken and Edamame and topped with Curry Sauce
  • Beef Teriyaki Udon – Thin-sliced Beef, Onions and Noodles tossed on the grill with Soy and Ginger
  • Sapporo Draft Beer
  • Yuzu Plum Wine Slushy – Sweet refreshing taste infused with the tangy flavor of Citrus
  • Suigei Sake – Bold flavor with a crisp, clean finish

La Isla Fresca near World Showcase Promenade

  • Jerk-spice Grouper or Chicken with Mango Salsa, Chayote and Green Papaya Slaw with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette
  • Jamaican-braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice and Micro Cilantro
  • Tres Leches with Guava Purée
  • Red Stripe Jamaican Style Lager
  • Frozen Simply Tropical™ Juice Drink with Cruzan Mango Rum
  • Frozen Simply Tropical™ Juice Drink (non-alcoholic)

Jardin de Fiestas near Mexico Pavilion

  • Tacos de Camarón – Tempura Shrimp served with Hibiscus Flower, Caramelized Onions and Habanero Sauce
  • Corn Tortilla Quesadilla served with Roasted Mushrooms and Zucchini Blossom topped with Green Tomatillo Sauce
  • Flan de Rosas served with Hibiscus Reduction
  • Tecate Light Beer
  • Rose Margarita
  • Elderflower Watermelon Sangria

Lotus House near China Pavilion

  • Gaoli Beef Bun
  • Beijing-style Candied Strawberries
  • Vegetable Spring Roll with Orange Sauce
  • Oolong Peach Bubble Tea
  • Kung Fu Punch – Vodka, Triple Sec, Mango and Orange Juice
  • Plum Wine
  • Honey Mango Wine Cooler
  • Dragon Pearl – Beer, Honey, Cream and Tapioca Pearls
  • Tsingtao Beer

Pineapple Promenade near World Showcase Promenade

  • Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Taro Chips
  • Pineapple Soft-serve
  • Sparkling Pineapple Wine, Florida Orange Groves Winery St. Petersburg, FL
  • Ocean Tropical Pineapple Hard Cider, Florida Beer Company Cape Canaveral, FL
  • Pineapple Soft-serve with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum
  • Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade (non-alcoholic)

Primavera Kitchen near Italy Pavilion

  • Pollo alla Parmigiana – Breaded Breast of Chicken, Tomato, Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
  • Mezze Lune Primavera – Egg Pasta stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach in a Creamy Sauce with Spring Vegetables and Pecorino Cheese
  • Cremoso al Pistacchio – Pistacchio Cream, Strawberries and Mascarpone Cream
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Chianti
  • Prosecco
  • Corbinello
  • Moscato
  • Bellini – Sparkling wine and Peach purée
  • Rossini – Sparkling wine and marinated Strawberries
  • Frozen Italian Primavera – Assorted fruit slushy, Limoncello and Vodka
  • Moretti Lager
  • Moretti La Rossa
  • Italian Seasonal Selection

Taste of Marrakesh near Morocco Pavilion

  • Harissa Chicken Kebab with Sweet Couscous Salad
  • Falafel Pocket with Cucumber-Tomato Salad and Tahini Sauce
  • Baklava
  • Desert Rose – Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur
  • White Sangria
  • Guerrouane Red Wine
  • Casa Beer

THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews near The American Adventure Pavilion

  • Pulled Pig Slider with Crispy Onions and Coleslaw
  • Smoked Pork Ribs with Roasted Corn Salad
  • Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños
  • Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-Salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans
  • The Great American Wine Company Red Blend, Sonoma, CA
  • Funky Buddha Floridian Hefeweizen, Oakland Park, FL
  • Orlando Brewing Company Uncle Matt’s Organic Grapefruit Pale Ale, Orlando, FL
  • 3 Daughters Rod Bender Red Ale, St. Petersburg, FL
  • Shipyard Maple Bacon Stout, Clearwater, FL
  • Frozen Lemonade with Firefly Blackberry Moonshine
  • Frozen Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
  • Sweet Tea (non-alcoholic)

Urban Farm Eats near Pineapple Promenade

  • Watermelon Salad with Pickled Onions, B&W Gourmet Farms Baby Arugula, Feta and Balsamic Reduction
  • Vegetable and White Bean “Naanwich” with Arugula Pesto and Oven-dried Tomatoes featuring Seeds of Change® Quinoa, Brown & Red Rice
  • Seared Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Ragoût, Spring Vegetables and Marble Potatoes
  • Avivé Natural Peach Sparkling Wine, France
  • King Estate Acrobat Pinot Noir, Oregon
  • Sierra Nevada Otra Vez, Chico, CA
  • Urban Mary

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:

Which Outdoor Kitchen are you most excited to try?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 22 2016

Fun Facts About The 2016 Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival

Flower & Garden 1

After months of winter here in Colorado, I’m definitely having spring fever. In just a few days it will be time for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival to begin. This year I will have the pleasure of spending several days in Walt Disney World enjoying the festivities. I am beyond thrilled and of course, I am already counting down the days. Disney has lots of exciting things planned including past favorites as well as some new offerings. Here are some “fun facts” about the event courtesy of Disney to get you in the spirit:

Disney guests can enjoy 90 days of fresh festival fun during the 23rd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2 – May 30, 2016. Thirty million multi-hued blooms, 100-plus whimsical topiaries, nearly 1,000 native butterflies and dozens of new Outdoor Kitchen food and beverage tastes add multi-sensory festival fun to the “Fresh Epcot”-themed Walt Disney World Resort event.

Among this year’s fun festival facts:

  • Epcot Flower & Garden Festival30 million blooms blanket the park throughout the festival, which runs 90 colorful days and requires two complete crop rotations to keep floral displays fresh and seasonal.
  • 13 Outdoor Kitchens include the new La Isla Fresca and Cider House kitchens and gardens. Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market returns at Germany pavilion. Dozens of new sweet and savory food and beverage menu items add tasting fun and variety to the festival. Each marketplace will feature a garden planted with select produce and herbs to represent more than 50 overall beverage choices and more than 30 food items featured.
  • The festival’s front-entrance Fresh Food, Fun & Flowers topiary scene, inspired by a 1943 Donald Duck comic book called The Victory Garden features three new Disney Character topiaries — the first-ever Huey, Dewey and Louie topiaries in a comical gardening scene. More than 30 varieties of flowers, plants, and other garden materials are used to create the scene.
  • Epcot Flower & Garden FestivalThe new Floral Sun topiary scene behind Spaceship Earth paints the landscape with golden  colors, and 15 yellow “sunbursts” of red and yellow Joseph’s coat pop up in a Future World topiary bed.
  • Music Garden Melodies with Fab Five topiaries, a themed playground for children complete with innovative play systems featuring interactive musical gadgets, is one of the largest festival gardens created at nearly one-third acre. The garden includes a collection of plants with features that resemble musical instruments as part of the ambiance.
  • Anna and Elsa in full floral splendor appear (new last year) move to a fresh topiary vignette straight from the hit Disney film, “Frozen.” In the Norway pavilion scene that’s wired to twinkle by night, Elsa works her magic to conjure a colorful spring garden. About 25 varieties of flowers are planted to evoke the scene. Florals including hot pink, red, and orange Gerberas, blue and yellow Violas, violet Petunias and purple Dianthus blanket the spring transformation. Anna and Elsa topiaries are each about 6-1/2 feet tall and are created with plants that include variegated Ficus, green Ficus and the succulent Sedum Coral Reef. But Elsa will look taller because she’s standing closer to guests than Anna by about 8 feet.
  • At least 25 different plants, grasses and mosses of various colors, including pink and red begonias, dusty miller, palm fiber, palm seeds, ficus and lichen, are used to create and define facial and other features of festival character topiaries. The topiary team uses about 200 one-pound boxes of hairpins to attach plants and flowers to the topiaries.
  • Epcot Flower & Garden FestivalNearly 1,000 native butterflies represent up to 10 species at the expansive Butterflies on the Go butterfly house presented by GoGo squeeZ. Among the garden’s two dozen nectar plants are passion flower, coral honeysuckle, lantana, butterfly bush, blue porterweed, scarlet milkweed and canna lily.
  • 240 extra playground hours add extra festival magic for children and their families with the illuminated garden playgrounds staying open through park closing.
  • More than 500,000 plants, trees and shrubs are planted for the festival; 250,000 of those are annual blossoms installed for the festival.
  • Festival plants include 60 different species of trees, 47 types of palms, and 48 varieties of bedding plants.
  • 78 hands-on gardening demonstrations and seminars will be presented.
  • Forty 8-to-9-foot tall “flower towers” in an orange-and-green sunburst theme make colorful statements across the festival landscape.
  • MEpcot International Flower And Garden Festivalore than 200 floating mini-gardens, each three feet in diameter, of multi-hued New Guinea impatiens provide splashes of color on two ponds that border the walkway between Future World and World Showcase.
  • 700 container gardens of flowers, herbs, plants and vegetables in clay pots, barrels and urns enhance the landscape throughout Epcot.
  • 400 Walt Disney World horticulturists are needed to install the festival landscape, topiaries and many exhibits; 100 Epcot horticulturists maintain topiaries and other festival displays.
  • It takes more than one full year and about 24,000 cast member hours to prepare for the annual festival.
  • The festival’s weekend Garden Rocks Concert Series includes 13 bands known for their Top 40 hits across four decades. This year’s musical hit-makers from the 1960s through 1990s include four new-to-the-festival acts Blood, Sweat & Tears, Georgia Satellites, Darlene Love, and BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company.

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:

What part of the Flower & Garden Festival are you most excited about?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 4 2016

2016 Garden Rocks Concert Series Bands Announced

Garden Rocks 1

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. Here’s everything you need to know courtesy of Disney:

Thirteen pop bands with hits spanning several decades will play the Garden Rocks Concert Series at the 23rd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2-May 30, 2016. This year’s festival expands from 75 to 90 days, adding two additional concert series weekends to the lineup and extending the final weekend of performances to Memorial Day.

Garden Rocks 2Blood, Sweat & Tears, BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company, Darlene Love and Georgia Satellites will rock Epcot audiences for the first time. Night Ranger, a fan favorite band that’s played the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, will make a Flower & Garden Festival debut. The Orchestra starring former members of ELO, who topped charts in the 1970s and ‘80s, will kick off the concert series March 4-6.

Guests can dance in their seats each festival weekend to classic tunes at the park’s America Gardens Theatre. An eclectic mix of Flower & Garden Festival fan favorites includes the Village People, who debuted at the festival in 2013. With a nod to the 1960s, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will rock the house April 1-3. On Memorial Day, The Spinners will close the 90-day festival on a high note, extending their weekend performance to Monday.

Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and are included with Epcot admission. Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):

  • March 4-6: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
  • March 11-13: Starship starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
  • March 18-20: Little River Band “Lady”
  • March 25-27: Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
  • April 1-3: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”
  • April 8-10: The Guess Who “These Eyes”
  • April 15-17: New! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”
  • April 22-24: New! Brian Howe, former lead singer of Bad Company “Can’t Get Enough”
  • April 29-May 1: New! Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
  • May 6-8: Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”
  • May 13-15: New! Darlene Love “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home”
  • May 20-22: Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
  • May 27-30: The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”

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 currently planned!

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:

What band are you most excited to hear?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 1 2016

More Details About The 2016 Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival

2016 EFGF 1

With over a foot of snow predicted today where I live, I am so excited to be counting the days until spring will arrive and along with it the 2016 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Recently Disney revealed a few more details about what we can expect this year. Here’s the scoop:

Two new spring-inspired Outdoor Kitchens, three mischievous Disney topiary characters and an innovative musical play garden will debut during the 23rd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2 – May 30, 2016. The popular spring festival at Walt Disney World Resort, known for its tasty edibles, sweeping floral displays and dazzling topiary creations, expands from 75 days to 90 days in 2016.

Epcot Flower & Garden FestivalThe new La Isla Fresca and Cider House Outdoor Kitchens will introduce fresh variety and flavor to the culinary offerings at a record 13 festival kiosks surrounding the World Showcase Promenade. Donald Duck’s mischievous nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, make their topiary debut with Donald and Daisy in the park’s signature front-entrance garden. Xylophones, drums and chimes will take child’s play to tuneful levels at the new Harmony Gardens play area featuring “leader-of-the-band” Mickey Mouse topiary.

Live Garden Rocks concerts will set the beat with familiar pop tunes each festival weekend. And special “Fun Fresh Weekends” add new adventures to the seasonal event.

Guests of the 2016 festival can celebrate spring with gardens-full of Epcot options:

  • New culinary creations at the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens will take guests on a Caribbean tour at La Isla Fresca with flavors like Jamaican Braised Beef with Pigeon-Pea Rice and Jerk-Spiced Grouper or Chicken with Mango Salsa. At the new Cider House, a Field Greens salad with greens harvested from The Land pavilion, heirloom apples, Stilton cheese and dried blueberries will pair well with a blueberry hard cider from Plant City, Fla. Dozens of new food and beverage flavors will debut, as well, at the festival’s 11 other Outdoor Kitchens: Urban Farm Eats, Pineapple Promenade, Fleur de Lys, Florida Fresh, Taste of Marrakesh, Hanami, THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews, Primavera Kitchen, Lotus House, Bauernmarkt and Jardin de Fiestas.
  • The first-ever Huey, Dewey and Louie topiaries will feature floral interpretations of Donald’s nephews inspired by a 1943 Donald Duck comic book called “The Victory Garden” at the Epcot front-entrance garden display with Donald and Daisy.
  • Epcot Flower & Garden FestivalA new hands-on Harmony Gardens musical playground will debut featuring Disney’s Fab Five topiaries of “band leader” Mickey Mouse plus Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck topiaries. With the playground’s interactive drums, chimes and xylophones, children can create their own musical sounds when they’re not scampering across innovative outdoor climbing systems with safe, but challenging, net-based structures. Watch for music-themed plants that add harmony to this inspired play area. The popular Cactus Road Rally play garden returns with Disney-Pixar topiary pals Mater and Lightning McQueen from the hit film, “Cars.”
  • Fun Fresh Weekends add novel dimension to daily festival fun: April 1-3 — Art in the Garden Weekend spotlights nature through the works of plein air artists; April 8-10 – The new Family Fun Weekend presents outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy and a Festival Center focus on bugs with Disney’s Animal Kingdom specialists; April 22-24 – Earth Day Weekend celebrates our planet with special appearances and activities; and April 29-May 1 – Florida Fresh Weekend features the state’s edible bounty from Apalachicola to Zellwood.
  • On the south side of Spaceship Earth, Disney gardeners will paint the landscape with a Floral Sun garden and yellow “sunbursts” will sprout in a new Future World topiary garden featuring Minnie Mouse and Pluto.
  • The Ranger Mickey topiary garden in Future World will offer a guest selfie and family photo opportunity featuring a Spaceship Earth backdrop to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service launched in 1916 to conserve the country’s natural scenic treasures.
  • Anna and Elsa topiaries will travel to the Norway pavilion festival landscape following their 2015 debut along World Showcase Plaza in a scene from the blockbuster Oscar-winning animated film, “Frozen.” Nearly 100 topiary characters, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lady and the Tramp, Simba and Peter Pan, will animate the Epcot landscape surrounded by themed gardens featuring herbs, peppers, orchids and more.
  • By night, twinkling lights will shine across festival gardens and topiaries.
  • Epcot International Flower And Garden FestivalThe Garden Rocks concert series will present pop bands with music spanning four decades. This year’s lineup kicks off March 4-6 with The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and will also include new-to-the-festival acts like Bad Company.
  • A new edible flower garden by The Land pavilion will showcase petals with flavor.
  • The Butterflies on the Go garden will return with the story of the Monarch’s epic journey across the continent and featuring butterflies emerging from their chrysalises.
  • Each weekend at the Festival Center, guests can dig in for a complimentary hands-on Gardening Seminar experience and create a take-home souvenir or grab a seat to hear tips from experts on a broad range of topics. The center also offers signature festival merchandise, food and beverages.

Forty 8-to-9-foot-tall Disney-crafted “flower towers” and sweeping beds of multi-colored blooms will add to the floral splendor of the park’s landscape.  At least 70,000 bedding plants will surround the Future World east and west lakes alone; on the water, more than 200 mini-gardens will be set afloat.

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!

Dec 30 2015

16 Reasons To Visit Disney World In 2016

New Years 3

With the holiday season wrapping up and the new year quickly approaching, if you’re like me, you’re beginning to plan for 2016. And of course, one of my favorite things to plan is a Walt Disney World vacation. I’m already excited for my next visit with so many fun new attractions and experiences coming soon. Here’s the scoop on what we can expect in 2016 courtesy of Disney:

2016 is shaping up to be truly unforgettable for guests at Walt Disney World Resort with the debut of new attractions and stunning shows, delectable new dining options, signature shopping locations and returning guest-favorite annual events.

Here are the top reasons to start packing your bags for a Walt Disney World vacation:

Star Wars Launch Bay1. The Galaxy Is Sweeter Than Ever Before: New Star Wars Experiences Debut

Starting January 5, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will launch its latest Star Wars-inspired experience with the addition of the “Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party.” As the enthralling fireworks show lights up the sky, guests can enjoy out-of-this-world desserts and specialty drinks in this separate ticket offering until March 19. This experience complements all of the other new ways to experience Star Wars in the park, including Star Wars Launch Bay, which takes guests into the Star Wars saga, including the newest movie adventure, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, special merchandise and opportunities to encounter Chewbacca and Darth Vader.

Rivers of Light2. Light Up The Night With “Rivers of Light” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will come alive at night with new nighttime entertainment and experiences, the most spectacular being the “Rivers of Light” show debuting this spring. With a waterway as its stage, the innovative new show will feature entertainers, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery in a performance that truly brings the animal kingdom to life at night.

Safari at Night3. Explore Kilimanjaro Safaris at Night

Starting in spring, guests will get to experience the African savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in a whole new light: amid the orange glow of the setting sun. During the nighttime adventure, guests can extend their travels on the safaris into the evening.

Frozen Ever After4. Experience Frozen Ever After at Epcot

The new “Frozen”-inspired attraction will open its doors in the Norway pavilion at Epcot in spring. In it, guests will be transported to the Winter in Summer Celebration where Queen Elsa creates a special day for the kingdom. Guests also will travel to Elsa’s Ice Palace, the ice-blue world of the North Mountain, and the Bay of Arendelle.

Royal Sommerhus5. Stop By The New Frozen Character Greeting Location at Epcot

Guests can meet the royal sisters Anna and Elsa at Epcot at a new character greeting location in the Royal Sommerhus at the Norway pavilion starting in spring.

Skipper Canteen6. Experience New Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom Park

This new, themed restaurant opens in December 2015 and gives guests the chance to experience “World Famous Jungle Cuisine” in one of several unique dining rooms, including a crew mess hall and a once-hidden secret meeting room of the famed Society of Explorers and Adventurers. The restaurant is staffed by friendly Jungle Cruise Skippers, known for their clever jokes.

Edison 27. Try New Dining Offerings at Disney Springs

Disney Springs will continue to grow in 2016, with plans to add new eateries including STK Steakhouse, The Edison, Sprinkles, Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza, as well as two new restaurant concepts by chefs Art Smith and Rick Bayless.

Pandora8. A Shopper’s Paradise at Disney Springs

As Disney Springs nears completion with the opening of Town Center, 2016 will bring some new, must-do retail shops to Disney Springs, including Edward Beiner, Lilly Pulitzer, L’Occitane en Provence, PANDORA, Tommy Bahama, UGG, UNIQLO and Zara.

Star Wars Marathon9. Staying Fit While Having Fun With runDisney Events

The 2016 runDisney racing season kicks off January 6 – 10 with the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. This will be the first of four racing weekends held at Walt Disney World Resort in 2016, which include:

  • Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend February 18 – 21
  • Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side April 14 – 17
  • Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend November 4 – 5.

Book Your Disney Vacation10. Save On A Magical Stay at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Guests visiting early in 2016 can take advantage of a special Disney resort hotels offer for stays most nights January 2 – April 13 and save up to 25 percent on rooms at select Disney resort hotels. Click here to view all of the latest deals and for information on booking.

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival11. Enjoy Walt Disney World’s Springtime Events

Epcot will be in full bloom this spring when the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, with its colorful topiaries and dozens of Outdoor Kitchens, returns for 90 days starting March 2 through May 15, the longest the festival has ever run. And, more fun grows at Disney Springs with Raglan Road’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival March 17.

Soarin 212. Soarin’ Around The World at Epcot

Guests onboard the popular Soarin’ attraction will journey to far-flung lands and fly above some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and man-made wonders when the new Soarin’ Around the World makes its debut at Epcot in 2016.

Tiffins 113. Dine at Tiffin’s at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The parks’ newest eatery will open its doors this spring to offer a menu inspired by the places the Imagineers traveled to when developing Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Open for both lunch and dinner, Tiffin’s will celebrate the art of traveling and include waterfront views from both indoor and outdoor seating areas. “Tiffin” is an Indian English word meaning midday meal or type of container used to carry food while traveling.

Wide World of Sports 114. Celebrate The Invictus Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports

The Invictus Games will come to the United States for the first time ever in 2016. The games celebrate our wounded servicemen and women from around the world competing in a variety of sports events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex May 8 – 12.

Club Villain 115. Experience Club Villain at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Grown-up guests can party with the Disney Villains in a soiree led by Dr. Facilier from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” at the new Club Villain at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The fun starts January 16 and is a separate ticket event. Tickets to Club Villain can be purchased for $99 per person, tax and gratuity included. Reservations can be made online by clicking here or by calling 407-939-3463.

Hallowishes 216. Share An Unforgettable Fall & Holiday Season

A new year means the return of festive fall events, including The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and more.

Be sure to follow Disney World Enthusiast throughout 2016 for all of the latest Disney World news, tips, deals, and more!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World in 2016?

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 visiting in 2016? What are you most looking forward to?
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