Showing posts with label EPCOT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EPCOT. Show all posts

Friday, February 17, 2012

Spring Has Sprung at EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival

It’s time to pack up those snow blowers and bring out the gardening tools. EPCOT’s annual International Flower and Garden Festival is ready to bloom, starting March 7th. It’s a fan favorite and not just because the weather is warm. The entire park is awash in colorful springtime flowers, themed gardens, and spectacular Disney character topiaries.

The highlight of the festival is those perfectly manicured Disney character topiaries. For those who aren’t green thumbs, topiaries are plants that are shaped to look like (in this case) Disney characters. Lady and the Tramp, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Tinker Bell, Mickey and Minnie, Pluto, and Donald Duck are just a few of the 75 topiaries scattered throughout the park. This year, Disney horticulturists have added Woody from the Toy Story films to the lineup – complete with a Sheriff Badge and Cowboy Hat.

On Saturdays & Sundays, the Flower Power Concert Series takes place. Break out your bell bottoms, hippie beads, and peace signs. Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Spinners, Hermans Hermits, and Davy Jones are just a few of the hit bands from the 60’s and 70’s that are scheduled to perform.

Plus, there’s HGTV Designer Presentations to see. A Butterfly House to walk through. An Elegant tea garden to tour. And a fairy garden filled with every little girl’s favorite Disney princesses. And the best part – it’s all included in your regularly priced theme park admission ticket.

To learn more about the festival lineup, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/

Great American Vacation Ideas has created the ultimate guide to EPCOT. Get in-depth reviews on attractions, shows, and entertainment. Learn the best way to “eat around the World Showcase” with direct links to menus and reservation systems. Get Insider Tips to beat the lines and save precious time. Buy direct from our site at: greatamericanvacationideas.com/WALT_DISNEY_WORLD.html or from Amazon’s Kindle Store at: amzn.to/AeuuBr

Friday, October 7, 2011

Eat and Drink Your Way around the World at EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival

Fall has finally arrived in Florida. Temperatures are hovering in the mid 80’s, the humidity is slightly less, and one of EPCOT’s most popular events is taking place – the International Food and Wine Festival. EPCOT’s World Showcase has always been a favorite with visitors. Where else can you tour 11 countries and sample regional cuisine like Bangers & Mash, Brats & Sauerkraut, Hearty Beef Steaks, Sushi, Napoleons, and the All American Hot Dog?

The International Food and Wine Festival supersizes EPCOT’s World Showcase. Eleven countries are just not enough to get the true International flavor. So, EPCOT adds more than a dozen countries to its World Showcase lineup. Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, Ireland, and the Caribbean are just a few of the countries ready to tempt your taste buds. You can sample pierogies in Poland, Seared Sea Scallops in New Zealand, Short Ribs in South Korea, and Scallop Pie in Ireland. And there are plenty of regional libations to help wash it all down!

The Festival isn’t just about food and wine. The popular Eat to the Beat concert series is back with nightly performances at the American Garden Theater. Night Ranger, Air Supply, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Starship are just a few of the acts scheduled to perform. And the best part – the concert is included with your admission!

Plus, there are plenty of Premium Events (meaning you have to pay extra) to choose from. Dessert lovers may consider the 3D Disney’s Dessert Discoveries to taste an array of scrumptious desserts and cordials. Mexico hosts a tequila inspired lunch and a special tequila tasting seminar. France hosts French Regional Lunches prepared by some of that country’s top chefs. And Italy hosts food and wine pairing seminars and even a White Truffle Lunch.

This delicious Festival runs from September 30th through November 13th. In fact, it's the best time to visit EPCOT. Most of the festivities are included in your regular priced admission ticket. Of course, the food is extra. For more details, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/.

Interested in learning how to plan the perfect day at EPCOT? Pick up a copy of our EPCOT Pocket Travel Guide to learn about attractions, entertainment, dining, and special experiences throughout the park. Visit http://greatamericanvacationideas.com/WALT_DISNEY_WORLD.html to purchase yours today!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Celebrate the Holidays – Disney Style

With Thanksgiving less than a week away, it’s time to start making your holiday travel plans. You might decide to go skiing or visit the relatives. But, you should consider heading down to Florida to take in one of the most spectacular Christmas celebrations in the country. Nobody does the holidays quite like Disney World. Each park celebrates the season in its own special way. Downtown Disney and the Disney Village are decorated in style complete with Santa’s village. Plus, the weather is perfect. Comfortable during the day and cool at night.




EPCOT:
EPCOT’s signature holiday event is the nightly Candlelight Processional. Each night the Christmas story is retold by a celebrity narrator as a 50 piece orchestra plays and a choir sings traditional Christmas carols. Located at the America Gardens Theater, this event is sure to remind you about the true meaning of Christmas and get you into the holiday spirit.
Holidays around the World is celebrated at the different countries throughout the park. This is your chance to see Santa Claus (aka St. Nick) in Japan, France, Britain, and Germany. You can learn about each country’s Christmas traditions and sample holiday fare. Stop by the American pavilion to see one of the world’s largest gingerbread houses.
Of course, Christmas decorations are scattered throughout the park. The nightly lighting of the Christmas tree is a popular event. Make sure to stay for Illuminations – a nightly fireworks and laser light show spectacular.


Magic Kingdom:
On select nights, the Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The party is filled with parades, a snow fall on Main Street (yes, snow in Florida!!), character greetings, complimentary cookies and cocoa, a fireworks show, and character greetings with your favorite Disney characters. Select rides are open, including a special Christmas themed Country Bear Jamboree. This event requires a separate ticket and lasts 5 hours. Tickets range from $43 - $60.

Here is an insider tip for you. The park is decorated throughout the holiday season. You will see the same decorations regardless of when you choose to visit the park. . Instead of 5 hours of fun, go on a day when the park is open for at least 8 -12 hours. You will see a similar fireworks show, snow falls on Main Street, all the rides are open, and you still get to meet and greet with Christmas clad Disney characters throughout the day. You will pay more for your ticket, but you will get more value for your money!! The cookies and cocoa won’t be free, but if you want them bad enough, go ahead and buy them.


Disney’s Hollywood Studios

You probably have someone in your neighborhood who just loves to string hundreds of Christmas lights on their house. But you have never seen a Christmas light display like the one Hollywood Studios puts on each year. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights transforms Hollywood Studios back lot into a brilliantly lit Christmas wonderland. Millions of twinkling lights are choreographed to dance to your favorite Christmas carols. Look for over 30 “Hidden Mickeys” in the display. Make sure to catch the toy soldier march in time under the Christmas tree.

Disney resorts also get into the holiday spirit. The Grand Floridian is our pick year after year for best decorated Disney resort. The elegant Victorian lobby is transformed into a classic Christmas setting, complete with Christmas garland decking the balconies.


For more information on Disney’s Christmas celebrations, visit www.disneyworld.disney.go.com