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Epoct International Flower and Garden Festival is Back!

Posted on March 5, 2014 by waltdisneyworldblog

With the cold weather monotonously raging on here in the northeast, it’s almost impossible to imagine spring being right around the corner. (15 days and counting!) And while my iPhone weather app is telling me it’s a balmy 30º outside my window, temperatures appear to be averaging mid-70s this week in WDW. It’s a quirky habit I have – every morning before leaving bed I check our weather, and then I torture myself with checking the weather at Walt Disney World. *Sigh.

So with my landscape still appearing gray and white, I will vicariously enjoy spring with today’s opening of the 21st Annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Flower & Garden Fez means Epcot is brimming with colorful additions until the festival wraps up on May 18th. And the best part? When you go to Epcot you get to participate in all the festival fun at no additional cost. (There are a couple of exceptions – special garden tours are available at an additional ticket price.)

Here’s the rundown of the Flower and Garden Festival offerings this year:

Topiary and Garden Displays: This is by far one of my favorite parts of the festival. Epcot’s landscapes and gardens are always lush and beautiful, but they really take them to another level for the festival. Gardens are suddenly charged with extra color and intricate patterns of plants. The topiary sculptures are simply amazing. Some of them take almost a full year to come to life. Some topiary displays, such as the Panda topiary display in China, bring some of the International traditions of the World Showcase to life. But most of them display favorite Disney Characters. Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Whinnie the Pooh & Friends, Peter Pan and Captain Hook, Bambi, Mike & Sully, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast are among a few of them. Kermit and Miss Piggy are joining the fun this year as well. There are over 100 topiary displays in all, and many of them are illuminated gardens that take on a new life after dark.

HGTV and DIY Network Stars Presentations: Impressive personalities such as Vern Yip, John Gidding, Genevieve Gorder, and David Bromstad are making appearances to give presentations on how you can improve your home and gardens.

Flower Power Concert Series: On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00 PM you can head to the American Gardens Theater for a little musical entertainment. Rotating musical guests such as The Guess Who and STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas, will be appearing for 30 minute concerts.

Kid Sized Fun: Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House with delight kids with the many butterflies flitting around. Kids will also find special play areas and gardens just for them.

Festival Center: The Festival Center is host to food, special merchandise for the festival, and learning experiences. Here is where you’ll find the HGTV star presentations as well as other seminars and exhibits.

Special Happenings: While the Flower and Garden Festival is open daily from March 5 – May18, there are a few special events that are scheduled within that bracket:

Art in the Garden Weekend – March 28-30
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Specialists – April 4-5
Florida Fresh Weekend – April 25-27
Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc – May 9-11

Outdoor Kitchens: Ah, my other festival favorite. This is the second year Flower and Garden Festival will be offering Outdoor Kitchen’s with small plate offerings that focus of fresh food and spring flavors. Taking a nod from the Food & Wine Festival in the fall, you can taste your way through the festival sampling spring through the eyes of cultures of the world. All of the menu items are available for purchase à la carte.

Florida Fresh – Focusing on tasty offerings from the Sunshine State. You’ll find a watermelon salad, shrimp and grits, and a Florida Kumquat pie to tempt your taste buds. A plentiful offering Florida beer, wine, and juices can also be found.
Hanami – Located in Japan this outdoor kitchen honors spring with sushi, fruishi (fruit sushi), puffed rice cakes, Kirin draft beer, and two fruit slushis – Pineapple Paradise with Yuzu and Orange Mango.
Jardin De Fiestas – Located at the Mexican Pavilion in the World Showcase this outdoor kitchen has tapas to try. To eat you can try pork tacos with grilled pineapple, onions, and cilantro, a mushroom and cheese quesadilla, or Mexican chocolate custard. Beer, white sangria, raspberry margaritas, and tequila flights are available to sip.
Fleur de Lys – Decadent french cuisine includes Parisian-style dumplings with vegetables and mushrooms, pulled duck confit with garlic and parsley potatoes, and an orange blossom macaroon with white chocolate ganache. Beverages include La Vie en Rose slush – Vodka, Grey Goose Orange, St. Germain Liquor, and cranberry juice, Kir Imperial – Sparkling wine, Chamboard and black raspberry liquor, Rosé pamplemousse cocktail – Rosé wine mixed with natural grapefruit syrup, and Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 – a white beer.
Lotus House – This China Pavilion kitchen features Beijing-style candied strawberries, spring pancakes with grilled chicken and green apple, and vegetable spring rolls. Quench your thirst here with popping bubble tea, Kung Fu Punch – Vodka and triple sec with mango and orange juice, South Sea Storm – Guava juice with light and dark rum, Plum wine, Beer and Lychee aerated water.
Pineapple Promenade – Pineapple Dole Whip fans will be delighted to see the return of this outdoor kitchen which offers pineapple soft serve. Try the soft serve on its own, or try it infused with Myer’s dark rum or Parrot Bay coconut rum. You can also have it served on a sweet potato cinnamon waffle. Is your mouth watering as much as mine right now?!? Frozen desert violet lemonade, Tropical Mango Ale, St. John Brewers, and Once Upon a Vine’s The Lost Slipper Sauvignon Blanc are also available.
Primavera Kitchen – Italy’s offerings of spring include Caprese, three cheese manicotti, and a torta di ricotta – lemon cheesecakes with limoncello-marinated strawberries. Wines, white beach bellini, strawberry rossini, beer and a frozen Italian primavera – assorted fruit slushy with limoncello and vodka will also tempt you.
Taste of Marrakesh – Mint iced tea, white sangria and Moroccon beers and wines all make great pairings with this outdoor kitchens small plates that include lamb brewat, harissa chicken kebab, and baghrir – Moroccan pancake with honey, almonds, and argan oil.
Urban Farm Eats – New this year this menu is all-natural. Eats include a pickled beet salad with goat cheese cream, mizuna, and pistachios, Land-grown eggplant “scallop” with romesco sauce and spaghetti squash, and a ghost pepper-dusted tilapia with crisp winter melon slaw and mint oil. Beverages include Cucumber lemon spa water, The Vegan Vine Chardonnay, The Vegan Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, and Redbridge Gluten-Free Sorghum Beer.
The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews – This is the place I would lose my husband and brother. Probably my dad too, come to think of it. BBQ includes a pulled pig slider, smoked beef brisket, smoked turkey “rib,” and “Piggylicious” a bacon cupcake with maple frosting and pretzel crunch. Beers include Magic Hat #9, Magic Hat Brewing, Maduro, Cigar City Brewing, Fat Tire, New Belgium Brewing Company, Billy’s Chilies, and Twisted Pine Brewing Company. If you can’t decide – don’t worry, you can try them all with a flight. And if you prefer grapes to hops, try The Original Shack Red Wine.
The Buttercup Cottage – Grab a taste of England with this menu that features a baked potato and cheddar biscuit with smoke salmon tartare, a pork and apple sausage roll, or a freshly baked lemon scones with berry preserves and crème fraÎche. If you want something lighter try field greens with Plant City strawberries, toasted almonds, and Farmstead stilton. Beverage offerings include chilled rose blush lemonade, Twinings cold brewed English Classic with lemon grass syrup, or the Berry tea cocktail – Twinings Cold Brewed Mixed Berry Tea with Florida Cane vodka and Plant City strawberry flavored with raspberry and açaí syrup. Wine drinkers may enjoy the Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvee or the Deloach Pinot Noir.
Intermissions Cafe – Located in the Festival Center, this spot offers beers, wines and flavorful bites. Fruit and cheese plates, wraps, and Caprese Push-Pops are among the menu items.

Clearly the Flower and Garden Festival offers so much to see, do, learn, experience, and taste. You can do as much or as little as you like. If you’re really into it, make sure to pick up a festival guide so you don’t miss anything and give yourself some extra time at Epcot – you’ll need it!

Christmas time is here!

Posted on December 11, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Christmas day is only TWO WEEKS AWAY! Our tree is up and decorated, the stockings are hung, our front door boasts a wreath, and lights trim the house, inside and out, giving a delightful, warming glow to the night. Now, if only the last of our gifts were purchased and wrapped… There’s still time though!

Last week we talked about how elaborately Disney decorates for Christmas, from 65 foot tall trees to constructing carousels of gingerbread and chocolate. Yum. While you can spend many hours just enjoying the decorations in the resort hotels as well as the parks, Disney offers special events that give that extra touch of holiday magic. We delved into a couple of those already last week, including The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Jingle Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom. But perhaps the two largest special Christmas events are Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party happens at the Magic Kingdom on select nights, beginning at 7:00 PM, running until midnight. This is a special ticketed event, so there is an additional cost to attend this event. The tickets averages about $65 a piece, which is certainly not by any means cheap. But a lot happens during the party, and I think it’s a great special occasion treat. For those of you who followed along with Mickey’s Not So Scarey Halloween Party back in the fall, you’ll find the set-up of Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party familiar. So what goes on during the pricey, festive 5 hours? Lots of special entertainment and tasty treats. Here’s a Mickey’s Very Merry rundown:

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade: The parade features all of your favorite Disney characters, joined by elves, gingerbread men, and the like with plenty of festive music and lights. Santa even joins in! The parade runs twice during the party, usually at 8:15 and 10:30. Tip** The second showing of the parade is often less crowded.
Holiday Wishes: Wishes is Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks spectacular over Cinderella Castle. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party the fireworks take on a holiday flare with holiday music and colors with amazing fireworks.
Celebrate the Magic: Cinderella Castle is lit, bringing well loved Disney stories to life with a holiday touch.
Totally Tomorrowland Christmas: This fun show takes place in Tomorrowland featuring Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wizowski, and Stitch with plenty of music and dancing.
Celebrate the Season Show: Mickey and his pals gather to give gifts, and present their own special version of The Nutcracker.
Character Dance Party
Holiday Treats: There is plenty of complimentary hot chocolate and cookies to be had around Magic Kingdom Your taste buds will dance with these sweet delights. Also, Sleepy Hollow offers seasonally flavored waffles, Main Street Bakery has Mocha cocoa cupcakes, and Westward Ho tempts you with a peppermint brownies.

In addition to the list above, there is a magical snowfall on Main Street U.S.A. and opportunities for character meet and greets all throughout Magic Kingdom. You can also visit your favorite attractions. Be sure not to miss the seasonal Jingle Cruise that has taken over the Jungle Cruise for the first time this holiday season.

Epcot celebrates the season with the Candlelight Processional. This music filled event happens nightly at the American Gardens Theater in the World Showcase. Each night the story of Christmas is read by a celebrity narrator, interspersed with music from a full orchestra and choir. In addition to the candle-bearing sizable choir, is a 50 piece orchestra, trumpeters, and a small caroling group. The celebrity narrators are exceptional. The list this year includes Neil Patrick Harris, Ashley Judd, Whoppi Goldberg, and Amy Grant to name a few. The full show runs just under an hour. The Candlelight Processional is not a special ticketed event, so there is no additional cost to attend beyond your park admission. Seating is limited though, and is available at a first come, first served basis. However, Disney does offer a Candlelight Dinner Package. In the package you get a 3-course meal or full buffet (depending on location) at a participating Epcot restaurant, guaranteed seating at the Candlelight Processional, as well as access to a special viewing location for IllumiNations, Epcot’s nightly fireworks and laser show spectacular. In my opinion, this is the way to go – you get a full tummy and a stress free experience for attending the Candlelight Processional. The list of participating restaurants is extensive, with plenty of flavor choices. And with your seating guaranteed, you are free to enjoy the park instead of get in line early for a seat. The event is extremely popular (deservedly so), and the American Gardens Theater is not huge. The Illuminations viewing area is an added bonus too!

Well telling you all about these festive happenings this morning has certainly put me in the holiday spirit! I hope it has brought you a bit as well. See ya real soon!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Posted on December 5, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. It’s been so busy here lately and I’ve been so separated from the blog! But life always seems to kick into overdrive once the holidays draw near. I have no doubt that the time before Christmas Eve will pass by in a Buzz Lightyear-like hyper-speed.

Disney does the holidays like no one else – in true Disney style. All of Walt Disney World is transformed with a bounty of decorations. The statistics are mind-boggling. 1,300 Christmas trees, just as many wreaths, and well over 8,500,000 lights. Yes, over eight MILLION lights. And then there are all of the ornaments, stockings, candles, ribbon, chocolate, gingerbread, candy cane, and garland (to name a few). Considering I haven’t even started my Christmas decorating yet, Disney clearly puts me to shame. And pretty much any one else, for that matter. Christmas trees can reach up to 65 feet tall, and each is uniquely decorated to look perfectly in place, wherever it may call home. Ornaments are all custom made and some are delightfully large to look just right one the Christmas trees of epic proportions.

Not to be outdone, the horticulture team at Walt Disney World plays an expert and essential part in the decorating. Landscapes transform with poinsettias, ivy, and topiaries. Especially the poinsettias. Magic Kingdom alone can have 25,000 poinsettias for holiday decor.

Truth is, holiday planning and decorations are worked on year-round. No corner is left unturned. Cinderella Castle gets draped in over 200,000 LED lights, making it glisten like a beautiful ice sculpture at night. At Animal Kingdom, Mickey’s Jamin’ Jungle Parade becomes the Jingle Jungle Parade. Epcot’s World Showcase gets a multicultural holiday make-over where the 11 world showcases display holiday traditions from around the world. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The Streets of America are completely draped in lights, and then brought to life with music. Amazing.

Of course, decorating isn’t just reserved for the theme parks. All of the resort hotels get an astounding dash of decorating as well. Christmas trees and completely edible, over-sized gingerbread houses can be found in resort hotels as well. The Contemporary has a Mary Blair gingerbread piece, while The Grand Floridian has a life sized Victorian gingerbread house. Head inside the gingerbread house to purchase your own gingerbread nibbles and sweet snacks. The Beach Club Resort has a life sized carousel with chocolate horses, The Boardwalk has a gingerbread gazebo, and the Yacht Club has it’s own miniature gingerbread village, complete with a train set. You could have a wonderful, holiday outing just visiting different resorts to see their holiday decor.

Wilderness Lodge Bridge Decoration

Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree

Animal Kingdom Lodge Christmas Tree

Grand Floridian Gingerbread House

Grand Floridian Christmas

Grand Floridian Christmas Tree

*Whew* That is just a touch of the holiday festivities at WDW, and I’m exhausted just thinking about it all. How special it would be to see it all! Next post I will tell you more about the holiday going-ons at Walt Disney World, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Epcot’s Candlelight Processional.

Jingle Cruise at Magic Kingdom

Posted on November 14, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Yes, that’s correct… Jingle Cruise. It is not a typo. This holiday season Disney Imagineers are transforming the classic attraction Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom into the Jingle Cruise to bring some extra holiday magic to guests. Bits of holiday decor have been added to the attraction, including the boats, a little holiday music can be heard, and the cheesy jokes will take on holiday punch lines.

Now as you know I’m all for one holiday at a time. Being November, I’d like to give the turkey a chance to gobble before I go plunging into the holidays. And while I won’t be posting any big holiday posts until after Thanksgiving, I saw this video the Disney Parks Blog released about the Jingle Cruise and I couldn’t help but share!

Disney Parks Blog Jingle Cruise Video

This is the first time Imagineers have ever tweaked an attraction at WDW for the Holiday Season. At Disneyland, The Haunted Mansion takes on a Nightmare Before Christmas Theme for late September through early January, becoming Haunted Mansion Holiday. I think it’s such a great way to bring a new face to a classic. Special experiences are what make the holidays exciting, and this is a great way for Disney to up their game and provide a special experience to guests. I certainly wish I was traveling to the parks this holiday season to experience the Jingle Cruise!

M.M. – Epoct International Food & Wine Festival Picks

Posted on October 14, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

After taking two days to bring you two (very) long posts about the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, I just couldn’t seem to let it go. Food, food, food, was all hubby and I could talk about. So I made the decision last Friday that we would take the weekend to consider the Food Marketplace menus I divulged in Part 1, and pick our must-tastes. We worked separately on our lists, so we could compare. There was no set number of items – just a food & drink choosing free-for-all.

Hubby sat down and chose his list within about 10 minutes. “How?!?” you ask. I don’t know. It took me forever. (Forever looking more like 30 minutes.) At any rate, here are the lists: His, Hers, and Ours (common items among our lists).

HIS EATS:

Grilled beef skewer with chimichurri sauce & boniato purée – Argentina
Seared mahi mahi with jasmine rice and “singa” sauce – Singapore
Almond crusted blue cheese soufflé with fig jam- Cheese
Artisan cheese selection – Cheese
New England Clam Chowder – Hops & Barley
California roll – Japan
Dole pineapple fritters – Refreshment Port
Fried shrimp with Dole pineapple sweet & sour sauce – Refreshment Port

HIS DRINKS:

Tequila flight – Mexico
Rogue Chocolate Stout – Hops & Barley
Orlando Brewing Company Sun Shade Organic Pale Ale – Florida Local
Glenfiddich Scotch Flight – Scotland
Beer Flights 1 & 2 (essentially, all of them) – Craft Beers

HER EATS:

Black Pepper shrimp with suchuan noodles – China
Schniken nudel (pasta gratin with ham and cheese) – Germany
Roast bratwurst in a pretzel roll – Germany
Ravioli de formaggio all’emiliana (baked cheese ravioli with creamy beef bolognese sauce) – Italy
Florida shrimp cerviche with fire-roasted vegetables and micro cilantro – Florida Local
Steamed Green Lip Mussels with garlic butter and toasted bread – New Zealand
Boeuf bourguignon (braised short ribs in cabernet with mashed potatoes) – France
Canadian cheddar cheese soup – Canada
Seared Scottish salmon with cauliflower purée, watercress and malt vinaigarette – Scotland
Berbere-style beef with onions, jelapeños, tomato, okra, and pap – Africa

HER DRINKS:

Aulani Sunrise – Hawai’i
Möet & Chandon Impérial –France
Orange Dole Whip with Crème de Cacao White – Refreshment Port (I’m not sure what the actual consistency of this would be – but Disney calls it a drink, so that’s where I put it. All the more reason to try – curiosity.)
La Face Neige Sparkling –Canada
Sparkling Pomegranate Kir – France
Kim Crawford Pinot Noir – New Zealand
Once Upon a Vine’s The Lost Slipper Sauvignon Blanc – Cheese
Sangria – Mexico
Pascual Toso Sparkling Brut – Argentina

OUR EATS:

Beef empanada – Argentina
Grilled lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies – Australia
Spicy hand roll (tuna and salmon with chili pepper, soy sauce, and sesame oil topped with Kazan Volcano sauce) – Japan
Teriyaki Chicken roll – Japan
Potato and leek waffle with braised beef – Belgium

OUR DRINKS:

Terrrazas Reserva Malbec – Argentina
Singapore Sling – Singapore
Beer Flights 1 & 2 – Brewer’s Collection

Clearly I had more items than hubby. I just had a harder time deciding! I don’t really think there are any items I wouldn’t be happy to at least try. My list was a mix of favorite flavors with a one or two out of my everyday comfort zone. The point is to have new adventures right?

Hubby is a big beer guy, so I wasn’t surprised to see so much of the brew on his list. I”m much more of a wines gal – with a fervent love for sparkling wines. There were plenty of those to tempt me. BUT here is my COMPLAINT for the Food & Wine Festival Food Marketplaces: There were several food marketplaces offering beer flights, and a couple (Mexico & Scotland) offering a liquor flight – but NO ONE offering a wine flight. How silly and disappointing is that? *Sigh. Guess I’ll just have to head to the Wine Cellar in Italy to quench my wine flight thirst. For the record – hubby and I liked that spot so much we visited it twice on our last trip. I do think this is the last of my Epcot International Food and Wine Festival posts for this year. Feel free to weigh in and offer up your picks from the Food Marketplaces in the comments section. 🙂

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival – PART 2

Posted on October 11, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Over the last couple of days, as I have been writing about this year’s International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot, my mouth has just been constantly watering. I’ve just felt hungry, every time I think about the festival. So many delights!

Yesterday we reveled in all of the flavorful offerings of the Food Marketplaces. Today in Part 2, I’m going to fill you in on the Special Events portion of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. There is a ton to see and do this year aside from the Food Marketplaces, with the opportunity to learn quite a bit. Many of these events are located in the Festival Center, which you shouldn’t miss. The festival center is located in Future World in-between Ellen’s Universe of Energy and Mission to Mars. Other Special Events take place in the World Showcase – just make sure to check your Guidemap and Festival Guide to know where to go.

Special Experiences at the Food & Wine Festival fall into two categories: “Free” (included in your Epcot park admission) and Ticketed, meaning of course that there is an additional cost to participate.

I like free, so let’s start with that list:

Authentic Taste Seminars – Based on a single, whole food ingredient, these are 30 minute seminars that discuss the ingredients history and uses.
Book & Bottle Signings – Daily there is an opportunity to meet with a well known wine maker or chef, and get their autograph. The schedule changes daily, but here a few of the names for the signings this year: Buddy Valastro, Jamie Deen, Warren Brown, and Jill Ramsier & David Forrester from Quantum Leap Winery.
The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar – Calling all chocolate lovers! Hosted by the beloved Ghirardelli, you can sample chocolate and admire sculptures made only of chocolate designed by Walt Disney World Pastry chefs. You can also shop for chocolate gifts or try a cup of “drinking chocolate.”
“Seasons of the Vine” – Running continually though the day, this a great seven minute video about the making of wine.
Intermissions Café – Another spot to try a bite. Wines, cheeses, sandwiches and salads are on the list of available eats.
The Stock Pot Shop – This is the place to purchase a little Food & Wine Fez to take home with you. There is special festival merchandise, cookbooks, and cooking products. Calling this one “free” may be a stretch, but it’s free to look, right?
The Art of Food & Wine – A play on words, this is a gallery with prints and original artwork that you can purchase or simply admire.
Discover the Cranberry – Ocean Spray Cranberry has an awesome information set up this years festival. On your way from Future World into the World showcase you’ll find Ocean Spray has set up a cranberry bog (cool!!). Learn all about this amazing crop and sample some dried cranberries. Yum.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series – Daily, there are several concerts featuring a rotating group of musicians. Epcot does a great job of bringing in a variety of musicians, who all have had pretty well known careers. The concerts are shady, and a great opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy a bite to eat. Or just digest. Here are this years artists: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas, The Go-Go’s, Air Supply, Sister Hazel, Sugar Ray,Edwin McCain, The Manhattan Transfer, Wilson Phillips, The Pointer Sisters, Night Ranger, Boyz II Men, Survivor, 38 Special, Smash Mouth, Spin Doctors, Christopher Cross, Hanson, Dennis DeYoung, and Big Bad VooDoo Daddy,

This is one of the best perks, in my opinion, of the Food & Wine Fez. Who doesn’t want to catch a bit of a concert?

Now the not free, but very awesome (I-want-to-TRY-THEM-ALL) available Special Events:

Wine/Beverage Seminars – Join together with a winery principal or beverage expert who will guide you through a selection of wines or beverages. Delight your palette and learn at one of these informative sessions for $14 a person. Count me in!
Culinary Demonstrations – A variety of chefs and beverage specialists will be sharing tips, while they prepare an item you will get to sample. With a cost of $14 per person, this is a great way to learn and taste without breaking the bank.
Kitchen Memories – Big names in the restaurant world, such as Art Smith and Robert Irvine, will demonstrate the preparation of an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Wines will be paired with each course. This is a great way to have a personal experience, taste a lot, and learn a little along the way.
Mixology Seminars – This is another great value, and an experience I would recommend if you want to try something extra at the Food and Wine Fez. For $15 a person, you will watch a drink specialist prepare a selection of 3 cocktails. And of course you will get to sample all of them as well. Cheers!
Cheese Seminars – Paired with wines and beers, this is a great opportunity to sample, taste, and learn about a variety of cheeses.
The Discovery of Chocolate – Now crazily enough, I am not really a chocolate person. But I know more people than not, who would love to give this experience a go. On select Sundays, Chocolatiers will teach guests about chocolate. And of course there is plenty of tasting, with accompanying wines.
Sweet Sundays – Here the day kicks off with a breakfast buffet, sparkling wines, and of course – dessert! The desserts preparations are all demonstrated by a prestigious pastry chef or baker. Breakfast, sparkling wines, and dessert!?! How did they know three of my favorite things?
Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining – Located at a variety of restaurants across the WDW property, these are specially designed feasts prepared by Disney’s signature chefs. Dine on a specialty multi-course menu with selected beverage pairings.
Food & Wine Pairings – Pull up a chair at either Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco or Tokyo Dining in Japan to indulge in three specially prepared dishes with a specifically chosen wine pairing.
Pavilion Dining Events – In this series, the Mexico, Italy, France, and Japan Pavilions of the World Showcase are hosting specialty events. Try the Mexican Tequila Lunch in Mexico. Italy is offering both a Food & Beer pairing as well as a Food & Wine pairing at the Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. France has three options: Parisian Breafast, Regional Lunches – to get a tour of France’s wine regions, and a Mixology Series: Taste, Shake, and Indulge Like the French. Presented by Grand Marnier, guests will taste and prepare a range of French cocktails. Or perhaps you’ll want to head to Japan for The Hibachi Experience, which is new this year. This is Hibachi on the finest level, including specially selected sake for each course.

Once again, as you can see, there is a myriad of events and choices involved in the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Your experience is completely customizable. Spend just a little or go all out – it’s completely up to you. If I were going I would certainly take advantage of as many of the free events as possible. I also think that I would try a couple of the low cost seminars: Mixology Seminars, Culinary Demonstrations, and Wine/Beverage Seminars.

Now that I’ve gone through the entire festival I will also say this is a much more adult centered event, than family/kid centered. Some of the Food Marketplaces we discussed yesterday have things kids would love, and would make a great addition to your family’s exploration of the World Showcase. If Mom and Dad really want to get into the festival on the family vacation, I suggest utilizing one of the many fantastic Disney run childcare services. That way the kids are having a great time and Mom and Dad can really enjoy the festival offerings.

It’s been a very exciting couple of days bringing all of the Food & Wine Fez happenings to the blog. I decided that on MUNCHY MONDAY next week, I am going to give a sort of Part 3 of the festival, and share the things hubby and I decide we want to try from the Food Marketplaces. Until then, have a great, TASTY weekend!

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: Part 1

Posted on October 10, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Alrighty, here we are again, to talk about the other BIG happening in WDW right now – Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival. I am just as excited to chat about this event today as I was to tell you about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Just so you understand my enthusiasm, let me elaborate – I love food. I love to make it and I love to eat it. I LOVE wine. Probably more than food. Maybe. It’s a tough call… Anyway, I also love to photograph food I make or that is served to me. My husband teases me about this constantly. He calls me a hipster and says I embarrass him. We went to California Grill last year on our honeymoon and he wouldn’t let me take any pictures of the food. I should have. The food was as BEAUTIFUL as it was delicious. Now all I have are my memories… *Sigh.

So now that I’ve shared, you can imagine the kind of excitement this event can bring. I am going to be honest with you though, I’ve only been to this event once, a couple of years ago before I developed the habit of photographing food. So unfortunately I don’t have a lot of pictures. But I DO have a ton of information and tips for you! Hooray! So much so, in fact, that I am breaking Epcot Food and Wine Festival into two posts.

The Basics: Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, this year, began on September 27th and will be running daily through November 11th. This insanely large event breaks down into two main categories: Food Marketplaces and Special Events (seminars, demonstrations, concerts, celebrity appearances, etc.).

Today, in Part 1, we are focusing on the Food Marketplaces.

You will need an admission ticket into Epcot to visit Food & Wine Fez, and from there some events are free and some are of an additional cost. The Food Marketplaces are all a-la-carte. So you can purchase as much or as little as you would like to taste.

This year there are 30 (holy cow!) Food Marketplaces. Some of the Food Marketplaces have several things to eat and drink while others may only have one or two offerings. You can certainly try a little flavor from around the world. Here are this year’s Food Marketplaces and their offerings:

Terra – This tantalizing menu was developed with a focus on things that come from the earth. Munch on: Trick’n chick’n curry with basmati rice featuring Gardein chick’n breast, Chili Colorado with house-made chips and chashew cheese featuring Gardein beefless tips, and Chocolate cake with coconut mousee and passion fruit sauce. Sip on: Fresh watermelon juice, Napa Smith Organic IPA, The Vegan Vine Chardonnay, The Vegan Vine Red Blend.

Brazil – To Eat: Seared scallop with ragout of tomatoes, peppers, hearts of palm, and steamed rice or Crispy pork belly with black beans, onions, avocado, and cilantro. To Drink: Cerveharias Kaiser Brewery Xingu Black Beer, Carnaval Moscato White, and Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaça.

Argentina – Taste the Beef empanada, or the Grilled beef skewer with Chimichurri sauce and boniato purée. To drink:
- Pascual Toso Sparkling Brut
- Terrazas Reserva Malbec
- Terrazas Reserva Torrontes
- Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon

Australia – Head down under with these food and beverage options:
- Garlic shrimp with roasted tomatoes, lemon myrtle and rapini
- Grilled lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies
- Pavlova – crispy meringue shell with fresh Driscoll’s berries and vanilla custard.
- Rosemont Estate Pinot Grigio
- Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay
- Rosemont Estate Merlot
- Penfolds Bin 8 Carbernet Shiraz

Mexico – This booth is bringing classic Mexican flavors that are sure to delight. A comer y beber:
- Shrimp taco with purple cabbage
- Taco de ribeye with salsa de chipotle
- Rice pudding
- Dos Equis Beer
- Sangria
- Tequila Flight
- Mango-Habanero Margarita

Singapore – Travel to far-away places with the flavors in this Food Marketplace:
- Lemongrass chicken curry with coconut and jasmine rice
- Seared mahi mahi with jasmine rice and “Singa” sauce
- Tiger Beer
- Marqués de Caceres Satinela
- Singapore Sling featuring Hendricks Gin and Cherry Herring

China – This Food Marketplace has a large selection of China’s flavors. Food offerings: Mongolian beef in a steamed bun, Black pepper shrimp with suchuan noodles, Chicken potstickers, and Silky spun ice with toppings (3 flavors, coconut, strawberry and chocolate). Beverage offerings include: Tsing Tao Beer, Francis Ford Coppola Su Yuen Riesling, Francis Ford Coppola Su Yuen Syrah, Kung Fu Punch with vodka, Happy Lychee with vodka, and Lychee-aerated water.

South Korea – Have a true taste of Asia with these offerings:
- Kimchi dog with spicy mustard sauce
- Lettuce wrap with roast pork and kimchi slaw
- Bohae Black Raspberry Wine – Bokbunjajoo
- Jinro Chamisul Soju
- Soju Fruit Slushy featuring Jinro Chamisul Soju

Africa – Try the Berbere-style beef with onions, jelapeños, tomato, okra, and pap or the Spinach and paneer cheese pocket. To drink you’ll find Man Vintners Chenin Blanc, The Wolftrap Red, and Porcupine Ridge Syrah.

Cheese – This Food Marketplace is featuring Once Upon a Vine’s The Lost Slipper Sauvignon Blanc, The Fairest Chardonnay, The Big Bad Red Blend, and A Charming Pinot. They would all make an excellent pairing to the Almond-crusted blue cheese soufflé with fig jam, or the Artisan cheese selection including: Beechers Flagship Reserve served with honey, La Bonne Vie Triple Cream Brie served with apricot jam, and Wijngaard Goat Gouda with Craisin bread.

Brewer’s Collection – This impressive collection can be tried singly, or in two different flight options.
- Schöfferhofer Grapefruit
- Radeberger Pilsner
- Altenmünster Oktoberfest
- BraufactuM Parlor
- BraufactuM Roog Smoked Wheat Beer
- Warsteiner Premium Verum
- BraufactuM Darkon
- Warsteiner Premium Dunkel
Germany – Delight your German side at this Food Marketplace offering traditional eats and a host of beverages. To eat: Schniken nudel (pasta gratin with ham and cheese), Roast bratwurst in a pretzel roll, Apple strudel with Werther’s Original Karamel and vanilla sauce. To drink: Altenmünster Oktoberfest, BraufactuM Darkon, J&H Selback Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Reisling Auslese, Weingut Pitthan Dornfelder Dry Barrique Style

Poland – Good eats: Kielbasa and potato pierogie with caramelized onions and sour cream or Zapiekanki (toasted mushroom, caramelized onion, and cheese break with house-made ketchup). Good drinks: Okocim Brewery, Okocim O. K. Beer, Frozen Szarlotka (apple pie) featuring Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka, Temptation Zinfandel

Italy – This menu is made of traditional dishes from this well-loved culture’s cuisine that will have your mouth watering.
- Ravioli de formaggio all’emiliana (baked cheese ravioli with creamy beef bolognese sauce, parmesean and mozerella)
- Salsiccia e “papacelli” Napoletani (sweet Italian sausage with peppers and onions on ciabatta bread)
- Cannoli al cioccolato (chocolate covered cannoli filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate, and candied fruit)
- Moretti Beer
- Prosecco Zardetto
- Pinot Grigio Mezzacorona
- Chianti Castello di Querceto
- Italian Margherita

American Adventure Coffee Cart – Here you can find your coffee fix. Shakin’ Jamaican coffee is made with Kahlua, with a touch or either vanilla or caramel. You can choose to have it hot or cold.

Hops & Barley – New England is brought straight to you with the tastes of this menu. If you can’t decide which beer floats your fancy, you can go for the flight option.
- Lobster roll with lemon herb mayo
- Griddled lobster tail with garlic herb butter
- New England clam chowder with a side of Tobasco
- Craisin bread pudding with Gran Marnier anglaise
- La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
- Rogue Chocolate Stout
- Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvée
- Samuel Adams Boston Lager
- Samuel Adams Octoberfest
- Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat

Florida Local – This spot is all about celebrating the Florida flavors. Dine on the Florida grass-fed beef slider with white cheddar and sweet & hot pickles, or try the Florida shrimp ceviche with fire-roasted vegetables and micro cilantro. Beverage offerings from the sunshine state: Florida Orange Groves Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria, Florida Orange Groves Key Limen Florida Key Lime Wine, Orlando Brewing Sun Shade Organic Pale Ale, and Cigar City Brewing’s Florida Cracker Belgium-Style White Ale.

Japan – Presenting traditional Japanese dishes, this booth will delight the sushi and teriyaki lover. To eat: California roll, Spicy hand roll (tuna and salmon with chili pepper, soy sauce, and sesame oil topped with Kazan Volcano sauce), Teriyaki chicken hand roll (marinated dark meat chicken with sushi rice topped with teriyaki sauce), Youki tofu (topped with miso sauce, edemame, and served with grilled veggies). To drink: Sapporo Draft Beer, Saki: Junmai Ginjo Yuki “Snow,” Green Tea Colada

Morocco – To eat: Kefta pocket, Harissa chicken roll, Baklava. To drink: Casa Beer, Ksar White, Sangria, Mimosa Royale

New Zealand – Well known for their wines, this booth is certainly offering a charming sampling of New Zealand grapes. Not to be outdone by the wines, the food offerings are full of flavor:
- Steamed Green Lip Mussels with Garlic Butter and Toasted Bread Crumbs
- Venison sausage with picked mushrooms, baby arugula, and black currant reduction
- Lamb meatball with spicy tomato chutney
- Kim Crawford Pinot Grigio
- Mohua Sauvignon Blanc
- Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay
- Kim Crawford Pinot Noir

Belgium – Belgium is bringing the waffle! Try the Potato and leek waffle with braised beef, or the Belgium waffle with warm chocolate ganache and whipped cream, or a Belgium waffle with berry compote featuring Driscoll’s berries. On tap you’ll find Hoegaarden, Stella Artois, Leffe Blonde, and Leffe Brune – served singly or try a beer flight. Chilled coffee featuring Godiva Chocolate Liqueur is also available.

France – Rich traditional flavors make up this menu from the country with a long-standing classic culinary history.
- Escargots persillade en brioche (garlic and parsley snails in brioche)
- Boeuf bourguignon (braised short ribs in cabernet with mashed potatoes)
- Crème brûlée au chocolat au lait (chocolate milk crème brûlée tropped with caramelized sugar)
- Beer Kronenbourg Blanc
- Chardonnay, Macon-Villages, La Côte Blanche
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Château Bonnet
- Sparkling Pomegranate Kir
- Eiffel Sour Cosmo Slush (vodka, Grey Goose Cherry Noir, Gran Marnier, and cranberry juice)

Ireland – This Food Marketplace is bringing the best of Ireland’s favorites:
- Lobster and seafood fisherman’s pie
- Kerrygold cheese selection: reserve cheddar, Dubliner with Irish Stout, Skellig
- Warm Chocolate pudding with Bailey’s custard
- Guinness Draught
- Bunratty Meade Honey Wine
- Chilled Irish Coffee featuring Bunratty Potcheen

Canada – To eat: Canadian cheddar cheese soup (yes please!), Seared rainbow trout with bacon, frisee, maple Minus 8 vinaigrette, or “Le Cellier” wild mushroom beef filet mignon with truffle butter sauce. To drink: Moosehead Lager, La Face Neige Apple Ice Wine, La Face Neige Sparkling, and Mission Hill Family Estate Syrah.

Greece – Taste the classic Mediterranean flavors of Greece in this extensive menu. To eat: Taste of Greece – grilled and marinated calamari, hitipiti, eggplant dip, olives and pita bread, Griddled Greek cheese with pistachios and honey, Chicken gyro with tzatziki sauce, Spanakopita, or Dannon Oikos Blueberry Greek Nonfat Yogurt Cup. To drink: Domaine Skouras Moscofilero, Siglas Assyrtiko/Athiri, Apha Estate Axia Syrah-Xinomavro, or Ouzo by Metaxa

Refreshment Port – Dole Pineapple is the star of the show here! Try these tropical delights:
- Dole pineapple fritters
- Fried Shrimp with Dole pineapple sweet & sour sauce
- Fried chicken chunks with Dole pineapple sweet & sour sauce
- Orange Dole Whip
- Orange Dole Whip with Crème de Cacao White
- Frozen Dragon Berry Colada featuring Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum

Desserts & Champagne – It’s as if this Food Marketplace was made just for me, filled with sweet delights and bubbling wine. Dessert offerings: Chocolate orange cupcake, Hazelnut chocolate cheesecake, Morello cherry pistachio mousse, Guylian Belgian chocolate seashell truffles. Can’t decide? Don’t worry, they offer a Dessert trio option. To Drink:
- Pyranud Weiss Cream Beer
- Möet & Chandon Ice Impérial
- Möet & Chandon Impérial
- Möet & Chandon Nectar Impérial
- Nicolas Feuillatte Rosé
- Frozen S’mores

Hawai’i – Through this menu I can almost hear the ocean and the ukulele. Eats: Kalua pork slider with sweet and sour Dole pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise or Tuna Poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips. Beverages: Kona Brewing Company’s Big Wave Golden Ale, Kona Brewing Company’s Pipeline Porter, Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer Réserve, Aulani Sunrise featuring Ocean Vodka

Scotland *NEW THIS YEAR* – A delightful menu full of tradition is a great way to welcome this beautiful country to Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival.
Food: Seared Scottish salmon with cauliflower puree, watercress and malt vinaigrette, Vegetarian haggis with neeps & tatties (grilled vegetable cake with rutabaga and mashed potatoes), Scottish banoffee tart with bananas, Scottish whisky toffee, Walkers Shortbread Cookies and sweet cream. Drinks: Innis & Gunn Original, Loch Lomond featuring Glenfiddich, and Glenfiddich Scotch Flight.

Craft Beers – A selection of craft beers that would please any beer lover can be tried singly, or in two different flight options. (Here is where my hubby would want to stay.)
- Dogfish Head Brewery, Namaste
- Abita Brewing Company, Fall Fest
- Leinenkugel’s Seasonal Shandy
- Florida Beer Company, Devil’s Triangle
- New Belgium Brewing Company, Fat Tire
- Widmer Brothers Brewing, Alchemy Ale
- Red Hook, Audible Ale
- Sierra Nevada, Torpedo Extra IPA

As you can plainly see, you could eat and drink ALL STINKING DAY and still probably not try every Food Marketplace. Hubby thinks that a long weekend should be devoted to the sole purpose of taking in as much of the festival as possible. I have to say that it’s not a bad idea.

Whether you have one day or 4 days to check it out, here are my TIPS to make the most out of your time visiting the Food Marketplaces in the World Showcase:

Plan Ahead and Prioritize – Make sure you make yourself aware of all of the food & beverage offerings. Pick up a Food & Wine Fez guide and mark what you most want to try. If you are still wanting more, you can go back for your second choices.
Share, Share, Share! – While all of the portions at the Marketplaces are sized with the idea of sampling in mind, sharing with a friend or family member is the best way to go. You will save on cost, and room in your tummy, so you can try more flavors.
Budget – Know how much you are willing to spend ahead of time. Taking a specific amount of cash, or buying one of the Food & Wine Fez prepaid giftcards will keep you from overspending.
Pace Yourself – Make sure to give yourself enough time for what you want to experience. The World Showcase is huge, so be sure to factor time for walking, as well as the Food Marketplace lines.
Avoid the Weekends – If possible visit the Food & Wine Fez Monday – Thursday. The weekends draw in the locals (understandably!), so the lines are often longer.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

Posted on October 7, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Boo to you! I am really excited to share a little of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party with you today. I love Halloween and this special event is packed full of entertainment that makes it a spectacular time for all.

Starting in September, Magic Kingdom undergoes a transformation where pumpkins, scarecrows, and festive banners deck the entrance and Main Street, U.S.A. for all guests to enjoy. On select nights, Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party from 7:00 PM to midnight. The party is a special ticketed event, requiring a separate ticket for admission. Even though Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party begins in mid-September, I couldn’t bring myself to talk about it until October when Halloween is closer. (It’s like seeing Christmas decorations before November has even started… Ugh.)

So what happens between 7:00 PM at 12:00 AM that makes Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party so awesome? The sun sets, Magic Kingdom comes a’glow, and guests will find lots of extra, elaborate Halloween themed entertainment. Organized events and random touches come together to bring Halloween magic to guests.

Here are the big events that happen during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party:

Trick or Treating throughout Magic Kingdom – When you’re a kid you look forward to trick-or-treating for all of October. When you’re an adult, you delight in handing out candy to kids, but secretly I think we all just wish we could get out a pumpkin bucket or pillowcase and go around our neighborhoods to get free candy for ourselves. And of course, at Mickey’s Not Scary Halloween Party – you can! Kids and adults alike, costume or not, can go to several different locations throughout Magic Kingdom to trick-or-treat. Cast members are generous in the candy-giving, and you’ll be thrilled to leave Magic Kingdom with plenty of sweet treats in your bag.

Disney Villains Dance Mix and Mingle – As you may expect, you can find villains a plenty during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. During the Villains Mix and Mingle, the villains kick off the festivities in front of the castle, then venture out to greet the guests. It’s a fantastic opportunity to visit with some of your favorite not-so-nice characters that aren’t always available for autographs and photos.

Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade – Personally, this is my favorite part of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The parade kicks off with the Headless Horseman riding down Main Street, U.S.A. on his beautiful, black stallion holding a lit jack-o-lantern. Swiftly following is a parade of Halloween floats and beloved Disney characters, many who are sporting costumes themselves. Goofy, assisted by Pluto brings the candy fun to the parade in a big way. The beloved spooky attraction The Haunted Mansion has its own segment in the parade as well. The Graveyard Caretaker leads the way with his faithful hound, followed by grave diggers dragging shovels that send sparks flying, dancing ghouls, and a float sporting the three Hitchhiking Ghosts.

Happy HalloWishes – Centered over Cinderella Castle, which glows in Halloween colors, you will find this end of the evening firework spectacular. The Disney Villains are the star of the show, sending up a colorful variety fireworks to a medley of the villain’s musical themes.

Main Street, U.S.A. Entertainment – Roaming Main Street, U.S.A. guests can find a barbershop quartet of dead cowboys. They hold no shortage of barbershop tunes, puns, and jokes.

All of that alone makes for a marvelous night. But for me, it’s the small extra touches that fall into 5 categories really make Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party great:

1. Costumes – Adults and kids alike come to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in costume. In fact, I was really surprised at the number of costumes we saw the night we went. People dressed to the nines. Many of the guests who weren’t wearing costumes were still wearing Halloween themed colors or t-shirts. I didn’t come prepared with a costume, but I scored a fun Mickey’s Not So Scary shirt from The Emporium that made me festive. I will note that Disney asks guests to make sure their costumes are tasteful. Most people seemed to comply without any problem.

2. Decor – The extra decor goes a long way into making the night special. It creates a remarkable air of festivity. Everywhere you look there are pumpkins, cast members in special Halloween themed dress, ghosts, and Halloween colors.

3. Extras – Naturally spooky areas or attractions such as The Haunted Mansion are dressed up. Cast members at The Haunted Mansion are spooky enough on any normal day, but during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party you’ll find them looking extra gruesome, covered in spider webs. We also found Madam Leona sitting on the lawn, entertaining guests as they entered. We went back to The Haunted Mansion an extra time just to see her again.

4. Characters – Keep your eyes open, you tend to find extra characters available for meet and greet during Mickey’s Not so Scary Halloween Party. This little boy to the left had a rare photo-op with all seven dwarfs.

5. Attractions at Night – During the party you get to visit some of your favorite attractions in the dark. Some have an entirely different feel when you visit them after the sun goes down. I highly recommend heading to Frontierland to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain in the dark. Pirates of the Caribbean, though not outside is also great attraction to see during your Halloween-time Magic Kingdom visit.

Whew. That’s a lot to share! Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a jam-packed special event and we had a marvelous time when we went. Though it is costly (averaging around $60 per person), I feel you really get a lot for your money. Anyone else who has visited Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party have an opinion on price/value of the ticket?

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party:

Be well rested! As you can see, there is a lot to do and the party runs until midnight. Even adults can be completely wiped out at the end. Take time to rest, maybe even take a nap before attending the party.
Eat dinner early! With so much happening during this special event, you want to make sure you have plenty of time to experience all of it. Not only does eating dinner during the party limit your time to trick or treat or visit attractions, a late-running dinner reservation may mean you miss part (or all!) or the parade or fireworks show.
Be festive! As I mentioned, many people dress up in a costume or Halloween decor. It really makes the event more merry.
Be informed! It may seem like a silly reminder, but it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the night. Keep your eye on the time and make sure you know what events are happening when and where, so you don’t miss anything you want to see.

Specially themed Halloween treats!

Disney Springs is Announced!

Posted on March 18, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Disney is dynamic company that has managed to stay on top of the game for decades. In my opinion, Walt Disney was probably one of the most imaginative humans to ever walk this earth. But it wasn’t his imagination alone that made him successful. It was his ability to adapt, change, and pursue his dreams with tenacious fervor his entire adult life. Walt Disney World maintains his principles, for the most part, and that is why his legacy still exists. You can walk into Walt Disney World, no matter your generation, and be struck by wonder and feel completely free and happy. The parks and resort hotels house a few treasures from its start in the 1970’s, but much of what we know and love today as vacationers has been adapted, recycled, and added to what Walt Disney originally planned and built. These changes allow Disney to bring new and exciting experiences to guests, year after year.

On Thursday Disney announced one of those changes. A multi-year renovation and expansion of the Downtown Disney Area will occur, transforming the area into “Disney Springs.” As of now, I have yet to even write the Downtown Disney information segment of this website & blog, but that certainly doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy of any attention. I’m just a one-woman-show, and there are only so many blogging hours in a week.

Currently Downtown Disney is a three part shopping and dining area arched alongside a lake. There are currently 13 table service restaurants, 7 quick service restaurants, and plenty of places to find a snack. Cirque de Soleil’s La Nouba calls Downtown Disney home, as well as an AMC Theater, a bowling alley, and a plethora of specialty shops that include a mega Disney Store and a Virgin Records. This general concept: leisure, shopping, and dining will be the mainframe of the new Disney Springs. It will just be on a much grander, more homogenous scale.

As with everything that Disney creates in the parks, there is a story line. These stories are sometimes fantastical concepts that transport you nevertheless. One of my favorite examples is the story of Typhoon Lagoon: One day a typhoon wreaked havoc upon a beautiful tropical paradise. The storm tossed ships, surfboards, and fishing gear everywhere on this paradise. “Miss Tilly,” was a shrimp boat that got marooned on a mountain peak. And this chaos that was left from the typhoon, created this water park paradise. The story of Disney Springs is a bit more authentic, but still charming. A turn-of-the-century lakeside settlement has blossomed into a thriving town. There is a Town Center and three communities: The Landing, The Marketplace and West Side. Each of the three communities will have its own flavor and personality. With over 150 establishments in the new Disney Springs, there will be plenty of entertainment, dining and shopping to be found as well as a beautiful setting with a focus on water.

Construction is set to begin in April, just a few weeks from now and projected to be completed in 2016. Big changes like this at Walt Disney World often stir the pot, but I think this is a very positive and exciting announcement. Downtown Disney will be taken to an entirely new level and give years of delight to guests of all ages.

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is Here!

Posted on March 6, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Today is the opening of the 20th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival! Running through May19th, the festival is a treat to the senses with plenty to see, smell, taste, and hear. But what is the real star of the show? Topiaries! More than 100 Disney themed topiaries will be on display at this years festival.

These wonderful plant sculptures of beloved Disney Characters are on display in garden settings throughout Epcot.

It can take about a year or more to get the topiaries into shape for the festival. Disney horticulturists begin with an intricate wire frame, which is then filled with a base. Different green and blooming plants are then planted on top. They grow fill out to become the outer layer of the form guests see. The different plants such as ficus and reindeer moss, that are used on the topiaries give the sculptures varying colors and textures that bring the characters to life with personality.

Some of the topiary displays have appeared in previous Epcot International Flower & Garden Festivals, but many are making their first appearance this year. Party with Mickey & Friends Topiary display is new this year and will greet guests in the front of the park as they enter. A brand new Phineas & Ferb Topiary will mark the entrance to Future World. Another new topiary featuring Disney-Pixar favorites from this summers upcoming Monsters University will stand before the entrance to Epcot’s World Showcase.

Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lay and the Tramp, Buzz Lightyear, and Whinnie the Pooh & Friends are a few of the many favorite topiary displays that will return to the festival this year.

Many of these topiary gardens will twinkle and glow as the sun sets to create a fresh experience for guests at night – a first for the Flower & Garden Festival. Others include areas where kids can play and explore such as “The Land of Oz,” themed after the upcoming Disney film Oz the Great and Powerful, and a butterfly garden featuring Tinkerbell and friends.

Another especially exciting first this year is a special small plates menu developed specifically for the festival. Different dishes featuring fresh produce will be available throughout the World Showcase at spots called “Garden Marketplaces.” Each location will have unique menu items influenced by the flavors of the hosting country. I personally would head to Mexico’s Jardin de Fiestas for Crab Tostadas with Chipotle Mayo and Valentina Salsa and a strawberry-infused Rosita Margarita. Yum. Italy’s Primavera Kitchen is offering a Limoncello flavored Pana Cotta with wild berries would make for a tasty sweet treat in my opinion! Three Garden Marketplaces outside of the World Showcase: Pineapple Promenade, Florida Fresh, and Fruits by the Glass are showcasing culinary delights such as Shrimp and Grits, spiced rum Dole Whip, and Tomato and Carrot wines that are calling my name. Loudly. Actually it’s more like they are screaming my name into a megaphone saying “I am delicious! Try me!!!”

The fun doesn’t end with topiaries, gardens, and culinary delights. There are also concert series with bands such as The Guess Who and The Village People, presentations on gardening topics, and appearances and presentations from HGTV stars such as Chris Lambton and Egypt Sherrod.

Any day at Epcot is full of fun, education, and international flavors. The Flower and Garden Festival provides an opportunity to really embrace Spring and celebrate many of the treasures mother Earth offers us.

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Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party:

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