Tag Archives: Epcot

Aug 20 2015

Soarin’ Around The World Coming To Epcot

Soarin 1

Last month during the July 10, 2015 Behind The Magic Podcast, I shared the latest rumors about Soarin’ and over the weekend those rumors were finally confirmed!

Beginning next year, guests at Epcot will undertake a whole new journey when Soarin’ Around the World opens. This new experience is part of the planned updates to the popular attraction, including all-new digital screens and projection systems, an additional theatre, and a redesigned and themed queue .

Soarin’ Around the World will take guests on a journey to far-flung lands, over some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and man-made wonders.

Check out this video for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Soarin’ Around The World!

An official opening date for the new film has not been announced yet. Stay tuned and I’ll share more information about this new experience as soon as it is released!

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Do you love Soarin’? Are you excited about Soarin’ Around The World?
Please leave a comment!

Aug 11 2015

2015 Epcot International Food And Wine Festival Exclusive Merchandise

With the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival beginning next month on September 25, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the new merchandise that will be offered during the event. According to Disney, these items will be for sale exclusively at Food & Wine and will not be available online. There will be merchandise locations set up in World Showcase carrying a few items, but for the best selection head to the Festival Center located in the former Wonders of Life Pavilion between Universe of Energy and Mission: SPACE.

This year, there are three different themes for the merchandise. The first is the World Showcase Logo theme that includes icons from each of the 11 country pavilions. Next up, there is a Disney Character theme that will feature Figment and Mickey Mouse dressed as chefs. The final theme is the returning favorite – Brews Around The World.

So let’s take a peek at some of merchandise…

Food and Wine Merchandise

The drinkware and limited edition pins should be big hits as usual!

Food and Wine MerchandiseOf course, it wouldn’t be a Disney event without some new Dooney & Bourke handbags, and this year there are three of them! Prices are always subject to change, but are currently $268 for the Shopper Tote, $248 for the Zip Zip Satchel, and $198 for the Letter Carrier.

Food and Wine MerchandiseLove what you’re tasting at Food & Wine? Be sure to purchase the recipe cards with collector pins so you can make the dishes at home to continue your magic!

Food and Wine MerchandiseLots of great shirts will be on sale to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The Taste and Brews shirts will be offered in sizes small to 2-XL and the Character Chef shirts will be offered in sizes small to 4-XL.

Food and Wine MerchandiseYep, that’s a bottle opener on the Brews Around the World baseball cap!

Food and Wine Merchandise

How cute is this? A Figment plush dressed as a chef is definitely on my shopping list this year! What’s on your list?

Need more information?

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival ©DisneyIf you will be attending the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this year, be sure to check out these articles for more information:

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:

Will you be attending the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival?
What’s on your shopping list? Please leave a comment!

Aug 6 2015

Sneak Peek At Holiday Season 2015 In Disney World

Christmas

One of the most magical times of year at Walt Disney World is during the holiday season. The entire resort is brimming with dazzling decorations and special celebrations. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store for us this year, courtesy of Disney:

Magic Kingdom

Add some very to your merry at the veriest, merriest Christmas party of the season. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom hosts 20 nights of yuletide cheer from November 8 – December 18, 2015. From 7pm to 12am during select nights at Magic Kingdom park, this annual ticket event will bring Christmas joy to guests of all ages with festive decorations, towering Christmas trees, and wintry wonderful entertainment.

Beginning at 7pm (after regular park hours), guests with special event tickets can enjoy the spectacular holiday splendor, along with complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. Special holiday entertainment during the event includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas! Dance Party, “Celebrate the Season” musical stage show starring favorite Disney characters, and “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season” fireworks spectacular.

Disney characters dressed in their Christmas best will be available for meet and greets throughout the park. In addition, don’t miss Queen Elsa from “Frozen” as she uses her incredible powers to transform Cinderella Castle nightly into a glistening ice palace for the holidays during “A Frozen Holiday Wish” castle lighting show. (Please click here for additional party information or to purchase tickets.)

Also for the holiday season, the iconic Jungle Cruise will temporarily transform into “Jingle Cruise” for Magic Kingdom guests. Festive decor in the attraction queue and boathouse gives guests a bit of Christmas cheer. The Jingle Cruise boats each are given a unique holiday name, and the Skippers share a slew of seasonal holiday jokes throughout the tour.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A spectacular light display boasting millions of glittering lights, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is perfectly synchronized to a high-energy holiday symphony. This magical display of Christmas lights can be seen on the Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios from November 6, 2015 through January 3, 2016.

Epcot

One of the most beloved holiday traditions at Epcot, the Candlelight Processional inspires guests and instills the Christmas spirit through the retelling of the Christmas story by celebrity narrators, accompanied by a masterful orchestra and choir. The Candlelight Processional is performed three times each evening, 5:00pm, 6:45pm and 8pm, from November 27 to December 30.

Guests become immersed in holiday festivities while experiencing holiday traditions from various countries throughout World Showcase during Holidays Around the World November 27 – December 30. Share in the sights and sounds of the nations of World Showcase as each country’s holiday heritage comes to life amid joyful music, interactive storytelling and time-honored traditions.

Epcot features special holiday merchandise perfect for every shopper’s Christmas list. Santa’s Village in American Adventure and Christkindlmarkt in Germany feature extra special shopping experiences with unique Christmas ornaments and holiday items.

While shopping, guests can stop by the Future World Fountain Stage for a joy-filled performance by “Joyful!” This spirited ensemble uniquely blends the soulful expressiveness of gospel and inspirational music with the sounds of jazz, R&B and urban music. This holiday performance features classic Christmas tunes with a soulful spin.

The merriment continues with meet and greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus the nightly “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth – Holiday Edition,” a laser, light, fireworks display capped with a seasonal finale.

This spectacular light display boasting millions of glittering lights is perfectly synchronized to a high-energy holiday symphony and is capped off with a flurry of snow.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Meet Mickey and Minnie at Adventurers Outpost in Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the holiday season for a special photo opportunity. Mickey and Minnie dress in their holiday best, which makes for the perfect Christmas card photo.

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney will be decked with holiday décor to bring Christmas cheer to holiday shoppers and guests. Santa will be available for a special meet and greet, along with jolly holiday entertainment throughout the season.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

All of Walt Disney World shines brightly with merry décor during the holiday season, including Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is a favorite holiday stop with its 16-foot-high Victorian gingerbread house located in the lobby. Disney’s Beach Club Resort hosts an incredible gingerbread carousel display, accompanied by the sweet smell of Christmas treats wafting through the entryway. Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Boardwalk Resort have their own festive gingerbread holiday displays for guests’ delight. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge showcase breathtaking Christmas trees towering inside the resorts. With so many splendid sights to see, Christmas joy radiates to every corner of Walt Disney World Resort.

Heading to Disney World soon?

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Are you visiting Disney World during the holidays?
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Aug 5 2015

Celebrating Thanksgiving In Disney World

Disney World Thanksgiving

Are you planning on spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Disney World? If so, you have lots of delicious options for your Thanksgiving Day feast. Here’s the scoop courtesy of Disney:

Walt Disney World Resort guests can join together for a joyous and delicious Thanksgiving Day dinner. With a variety of dining options at the theme parks and resorts, there is a cornucopia of exciting lunch and dinner offerings inspired by this American tradition.

Guests can enjoy menu options for Thanksgiving Day meals at Walt Disney World Resort featuring a classic turkey dinner, such as the hearty all-American eats and traditional family- style Thanksgiving feast at Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom Park. For guests looking for a special spin on the traditional turkey dinner, try some of the more unique options, such as traditional Norwegian meatballs and pan-seared salmon at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall or roasted heirloom beets with candied walnuts and mulled apple cider at Artist Point.

At Epcot, guests can dine on Thanksgiving menus during lunch and dinner seatings at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Tutto Itlalia Ristorante, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown Dining Room, and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria, as well as quick service at Sunshine Seasons.

Holiday menus also are offered at Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom; Hollywood & Vine, 50’s Prime Time Café and The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Planet Hollywood, Portobello Country Italian Tattoria, Wolfgang Puck Grand Café, Fulton’s Crab House and Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant in Downtown Disney; and in resort hotels throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

Be sure to make your dining reservations as soon as possible, because availability is limited. For more information or to make reservations, please click here or call 407-WDW-DINE.

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Have you celebrated Thanksgiving in Disney World before?
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Jul 30 2015

Taste Track At Epcot

Taste Track 4

A Tasty New Spot

Have you tried Taste Track in Epcot’s Future World yet? If you are a grilled cheese sandwich fan, definitely stop by the next time you’re in Disney World. Here’s everything you need to know about Taste Track courtesy of Disney:

Taste Track, a new food and beverage location at Epcot, is serving up a few new twists on the favorite sandwich. These specialty grilled cheese sandwiches are as creative as the cars you can design at nearby Test Track.

For a deliciously grown-up version of the grilled cheese sandwich, try the Gruyere and Applewood smoked bacon. Elevate your sandwich with the Fontina and tomato basil version. For a sweet take on the classic sandwich, try the Canadian cheddar and apples grilled cheese sandwich on cinnamon raisin bread. The crisp apple slices perfectly complement the melty cheese.

Each sandwich comes with your choice of tomato bisque soup or a side salad. Other menu items include roasted chicken salad and a kid’s grilled cheese sandwich.

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:

Have you visited Taste Track yet?
Did you love it? Please leave a comment!