Tag Archives: Events

Jan 13 2021

Enjoy The Wonderful Walk Of Colorful Cuisine At EPCOT

The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is going on now at Walt Disney World! If you’re like me, one of your favorites parts of any EPCOT festival are the food booths throughout the park. This year, there are more than 15 Food Studios throughout EPCOT offering delicious, art-inspired food and drink created by Disney chefs. If you are wondering how you are going to possibly eat it all, check out the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine to enjoy a sampling and score a reward. Here’s the scoop on this scrumptious stroll, courtesy of Disney:

Take a walk on the delicious side when you embark on the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine at Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts now through February 22, 2021.

Purchase 5 vibrant food items to receive a technicolor treat during this delectable experience.

Use your Festival Passport as your guide to look for specially notated menu items and track your progress by collecting a stamp after each purchase. Once you’ve savored 5 artistic dishes to collect 5 stamps, visit Decadent Delights to claim your reward.

Featured foods on the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine:

  • Red: Remy’s Ratatouille with Eggplant, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Tomatoes, and Red Pepper Piperade — located at Festival Favorites
  • Blue: Blue Corn Pupusa stuffed with Cheese and topped with Shredded Pork, Guajillo and Árbol Chile Sauce, Cabbage Slaw, and Aji Amarillo Crema – located at Vibrante & Vívido Food Studio.
  • Green: Pistachio Cake with Cherry Mousse and Morello Cherries — located at The Painter’s Palate
  • Pink: Vanilla, Rose Water, and Pistachio Panna Cotta — located at Masterpiece Kitchen
  • Orange: Mouskoutchou: Orange Cake with Cinnamon-Orange Chocolate Mousse — located at Mosaic Canteen
  • Reward: The Artist Palette Cookie

This activity is fun for all ages and can be completed at your own leisure. You can bring your stamped Passport to Epcot at any time during the Festival of the Arts to complete your stroll.

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 Festival of the Arts?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Jan 11 2021

First Details Of Taste Of EPCOT International Festival Of The Arts 2021

The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is now underway at EPCOT! If you are an artist or just wish you were, this is the ultimate celebration for you. The uplifting music, exquisite works, and deliciously crafted culinary delights, will truly inspire you. Here are the first details about this fun-filled event courtesy of Disney:

The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts has begun at Walt Disney World Resort, celebrating visual, culinary and performing arts from around the world. Through February 22, 2021, guests can experience this celebration as part of regular park admission, with something to satisfy every palate – and every palette!

Food Studios Bring Global Culinary Arts to EPCOT

The festival invites guests to eat great works of art! More than 15 Food Studios throughout the park offer imaginative, art-inspired food and drink featuring clever culinary creations cooked up by Disney chefs.

  • NEW! Vibrante & Vívido Food Studio – located between Morocco and France in World Showcase – features a Chilled Seafood Cocktail, Blue Corn Pupusa and Passion Fruit Mousse, along with a Coconut and Passion Fruit Smoothie and more.
  • The Artist’s Table at The American Adventure offers a menu including Beef Wellington, a Sipping Chocolate Flight and guest-favorite Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie.
  • The Painter’s Palate in World Showplace features Prime Steak Tartare, Pistachio Cake and a selection of cocktails.
  • Festival Favorites – also in World Showplace – offers Remy’s Ratatouille, a Lemon Blood-Orange Tart, the Neapolitan Beer Flight and more.

100+ Visiting Artists Share Their Work During the Festival

The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts boasts more than 100 talented artists over the course of the 46-day event, featuring pieces in a wide variety of styles and disciplines. Guests can explore Festival Markets throughout the park to purchase new discoveries and, in some cases, meet the artists in person (while adhering to physical-distancing requirements).

  • Disney-inspired art is available throughout Festival Markets, ranging in styles from classic to whimsical to edgy. Non-Disney art is available, as well.
  • Visiting artists create new pieces live during the festival, providing insight into their processes and personalizing work for guests.
  • Artists and Festival Markets will rotate throughout the festival, so guests will likely find something new each time they visit.
  • Event-specific merchandise is available throughout the park, including shirts, caps, face coverings, trading pins, MagicBands, homeware and more.

A Kaleidoscope of Visual Arts and Live Performances Await

This year’s festival offers a multi-disciplinary showcase of performances, including music and visual arts.

  • NEW! Voices of Liberty take the America Gardens Theatre stage with a brand-new showcase – the Disney Songbook. Featuring classic Disney tunes, this lively performance celebrates the artistry of Disney composers.
  • Performance artists rotate throughout the festival in World Showplace, including thrilling feats of strength from Art Defying Gravity, a pianist playing favorite Disney songs, and a high-energy onstage performance by a guest artist who paints Disney characters in only a matter of minutes.
  • Guests can take in the festive atmosphere created by the popular JAMMitors, performing live on the Mill Stage in the Canada pavilion.

Interactive Activities Offer Artful Fun for Everyone

The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts creates plenty of ways for guests to express their own artistic talents and style.

  • The Animation Academy at America Gardens Theatre features a Disney artist giving guests a step-by-step lesson in drawing Disney characters.
  • Expression Section: A Paint-by-Number Mural invites guests to work together in completing a larger-than-life piece of art created for the festival by Disney Imagineers.
  • Around World Showcase, guests can step into famous artwork in special photo-opportunity installations.
  • On the bridge between Future World and World Showcase, guests can discover the work of imaginative chalk artists. Guests can also find chalk drawings of Disney characters tucked away in corners throughout World Showcase.
  • With Spin Art, guests can create their own art by choosing their favorite colors and then “spinning” them to life via a custom-made stationary bicycle.
  • Through Enemy Ink, guests can express their own fashion sense by choosing a color, design and style and then watch as a new t-shirt is printed right before their eyes.

Search World Showcase on Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt

In Figment’s Brush with the Masters, guests of all ages help Figment learn more about art in a family-friendly scavenger hunt around World Showcase. After purchasing a map and stickers, guests look for Figment hiding inside famous works of art at each pavilion. Upon completing the journey, guests return the map to the park’s Disney Traders for an artful surprise.

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 Festival of the Arts?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Jan 8 2021

Epcot International Festival Of The Arts Returns In January 2021

Great news for fellow fans of Walt Disney World and the arts…The 2021 Epcot International Festival of the Arts is returning to Epcot in 2021! If you are an artist or just wish you were, this is the ultimate celebration for you. The uplifting music, exquisite works, and deliciously crafted culinary delights, will truly inspire you. Here are the latest details about this captivating event!

Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World Resort will unveil its annual global celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts January 8 and continue through February 22, 2021. The event features an array of foodie delights and opportunities for guests to embrace their own inner artists.

Food Studios Serve Up the Culinary Arts

Fifteen festival Food Studios plus additional food and beverage locations will take culinary arts to the next level with scrumptious, imaginative dishes – artistically sculpted and ready for camera closeups.

More to See and Do During the Festival

  • Expression Section: A Paint-By-Number Mural – Join fellow artists as you work together to complete a larger-than-life work of art.
  • Chalk Full of Character – Make a game out of searching for colorful and whimsical creations starring beloved Disney Characters.
  • Figment’s Brush with the Masters – Help Figment learn about art on this delightful scavenger hunt around World Showcase.
  • Fun Family Films – Travel the world and enter cherished stories with the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Awesome Planet and Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360.
  • Animation Academy – Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how to draw some of your favorite Disney characters from a real animation artist.

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 Festival of the Arts?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Christmas Mickey and Minnie
Sep 11 2020

2020 Holiday Fun At Walt Disney World

If you are looking for some place to get away and spend the holidays this year, look no further than Walt Disney World. Here’s everything you need to know to experience a fun-filled festive time with your friends and family at Walt Disney World this holiday season courtesy of Disney:

Christmas at Magic KingdomA reimagined holiday celebration will begin November 6, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort, with the four theme parks, Disney Springs and Disney resort hotels decked for the season. Through December 30, guests will discover seasonal food and drinks at The Most Magical Place on Earth, as well as special merchandise and enchanting new entertainment experiences.

When night falls at Magic Kingdom Park, projection effects will transform Cinderella Castle with a kaleidoscope of designs, including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. The iconic castle will provide the perfect colorful background for guests seeking a magical holiday portrait.

Highlights from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will begin November 27. Holiday kitchens will return around the World Showcase promenade, offering favorite dishes such as Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing at the American Holiday Table.

Other highlights for the upcoming holiday season at Walt Disney World include:

  • Christmas GoofyAt Magic Kingdom, characters synonymous with the season – including gingerbread men and elves – will join Disney characters in cavalcades through the park. On Main Street, U.S.A., toy soldiers will march with the Main Street Philharmonic as they bring musical cheer for all to hear.
  • Favorite Disney characters dressed in their holiday finest will appear in festive flotillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, holiday promenades at EPCOT and merry motorcades at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Minnie Mouse will host a yuletide dining experience at Hollywood & Vine, inviting some of her best pals – including Santa Goofy – to join the fun.
  • Inside World ShowPlace at EPCOT, JOYFUL! will take guests on a musical journey of holiday music, while Voices of Liberty will use their eight-part harmonies to share songs of the season at the America Gardens Theatre.
  • Elaborately decorated Christmas trees will spring up throughout Disney Springs, and a magical snowfall will occur within Town Center, West Side and The Landing. In addition, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar with delightful décor and a limited-time menu of festive favorites.
  • Disney resort hotels will deck their halls for the holidays, including iconic Christmas trees in lobbies and other festive flourishes.
  • Santa Claus will wave to guests as he makes pop-up appearances at each park, as well as Disney Springs. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, for example, he will sail down Discovery River on a special flotilla.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World this holiday season?

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 Walt Disney World this holiday season?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Disney World Thanksgiving
Apr 30 2020

Helpful Information For Your November 2020 Disney World Vacation

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in November 2020?
November is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!

Weather

The weather in Disney World during November is mild and mostly dry. The average high is about 78 degrees, the average low is about 58 degrees and the average rainfall is about 2.14 inches. The evenings can get a little chilly, so be sure to pack a few clothes for cooler weather, too.

Crowds

The crowds in November are fairly moderate with the exception of Thanksgiving week.

Magic Kingdom Welcome ShowNovember 1 – November 7
Average Crowd Level 6.4 out of 10
November 8 – November 14
Average Crowd Level 6.6 out of 10
November 15 – November 21
Average Crowd Level 5.6 out of 10
November 22 – November 28
Average Crowd Level 9.7 out of 10
November 29 – November 30
Average Crowd Level 4.0 out of 10

Magic Kingdom ClockPark Hours

Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

For specific hours on each day during November, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.

Events

Epcot International Food & Wine FestivalOne of the best things about visiting Disney World in November is the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Last year’s festival featured featured 197 chefs and included more than 35 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations and music concerts.

Very Merry Christmas Party Gingerbread MenOn select nights in November and December 2020, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held at Magic Kingdom. This party is a festive and heart warming experience for the entire family. There is a special holiday parade, entertaining shows, spectacular fireworks, hot chocolate and cookies, character dance parties, and even snow on Main Street!

Turkey LegFor Thanksgiving, several Disney World restaurants serve a traditional holiday feast. If you have your heart set on eating at a particular restaurant for Thanksgiving, be sure to make your dining reservation right away, because holidays do fill up quickly. Disney World dining reservations can be made by clicking here.

Holidays Around the World — Mexico PavilionEvery year at Epcot, the holiday season is celebrated with the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. This year’s event will be held from late November through December 30. It is filled with yummy food, joyful music and wonderful traditions from countries around the globe.

Refurbishments

Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the currently scheduled closures during November (subject to change without notice):

Magic Kingdom
Tron Themed Attraction: Opening in 2021
Walt Disney World Railroad: December 2018 – TBD

Epcot
Fountain View Dining: TBD
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: Opening in 2021
Journey of Water: Opening in 2021
La Creperie de Paris: Opening in 2020
Mary Poppins Attraction: TBD
PLAY! Pavilion: Opening in 2021
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: Opening in 2020
Space 220: Opening in 2020
Spaceship Earth: May 26, 2020 – TBD
Wondrous China: Opening in 2021

Hollywood Studios
Roundup Rodeo BBQ: Opening in 2020

Animal Kingdom
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Water Parks
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Disney Springs
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in November 2020, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:

  • Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
  • If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!
  • Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
  • Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
  • 501 WaysOnce your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (7am EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
  • Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
  • It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
  • Need more help planning? Please check out my book UPDATED FOR 2020 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your November 2020 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:

Have a magical vacation!