Tag: Epcot

  • Rose Gold Minnie Mouse Cupcake at Disney World

    Rose Gold Minnie Mouse Cupcake at Disney World

    Now, the Mouse House has taken the rose gold trend one step further — and this time, you can eat it. Even the snacks at Disney have rose gold fever! Visitors are now able to purchase rose gold cupcakes complete with Minnie Mouse ears on top.

    This absolutely adorable vanilla cupcake is now available at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot.

    The tasty treat is topped with chocolate-hazelnut swirls, rose gold buttercream, fondant ears, edible glitter and chocolate pearls and, of course, Minnie’s signature bow.

    It also makes for a perfect “Insta”-opportunity. But you’ll have to visit Orlando in order to Instagram these photogenic desserts. Just make sure you’re also sporting your Minnie ears and matching jersey for all the double-taps in the world.

  • Purple Day For Epilepsy Awareness Around The World

    Purple Day For Epilepsy Awareness Around The World

    Purple Day is the largest epilepsy awareness initiative celebrated around the globe and with the World Showcase being in Epcot, it makes for the perfect place to host the event.

    Even coordinators have been collaborating with The Epilepsy Association of Central Florida to create a magical day for families to gather, share stories and form lasting bonds as Walt Disney World Resort invites you to travel around the globe at Epcot World Showcase. Purple Day will kickoff with breakfast at the Disney’s Contemporary Resort and end the evening by lighting the Spaceship Earth at Epcot PURPLE!

    Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness.

    This event will be held on March 25, 2018. You can register here if you would like to join in on the fun!

    Partial day tickets are available as well as a discount for multi-day tickets. They also offer scholarship opportunities for persons with epilepsy and their families.

    MEET MICKEY AND CASSIDY IN STYLE!
    Everyone wear purple! Dress up in your favorite ‘purple’ Disney gear!

    EVENT SCHEDULE:
    9:30 am :Meet everyone at the Contemporary Resort’s Fantasia J – Q Ballroom for…

    • Continental Breakfast; An Epcot Globe Cake Replica- 9:30 am – 11:30 am
    • Guest Check-In and t-shirt/gift package pickup – 9:30 – 11:30 am
    • Photo Opportunity with our very own “Purple Day Princess Cassidy Megan (Purple Day Founder) – 9:30 am -noon
    • Photo Opportunity with Mickey and Minnie: 10:30 am – 11:30 am
    • Special Entertainment Program – 9:30 am – 10:30 am

    12:00 Noon until Dusk (Sunset is estimated to be 7:40 pm on 3/25/18)

    After breakfast, enjoy your day at the parks and gather at dusk around Spaceship Earth at Epcot as they turn it PURPLE for a group photo to share around the world!

  • Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts Kicks Off With Can’t-Miss Experiences

    Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts Kicks Off With Can’t-Miss Experiences

    The second annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts. is underway! The festival celebrates all things art – performing, visual and culinary with festivities running every day.

    Back by popular demand, the Festival started Friday and runs all the way to Feb. 19. This year’s fest is seven days a week with the Disney on Broadway series running Fridays through Mondays.

    Here are some of the highlights you don’t want to miss!

    5. Workshops/Seminars – A plethora of different offerings spotlight this year’s Odyssey Festival Center. Guests can learn to draw Disney animated characters; get tips on taking the perfect photos; and study a host of artistic genres including acrylics, watercolors, musical composition, storytelling and even floral arranging. The seminars are included with Epcot admission and are generally 30 minutes; and the workshops have a nominal fee but last 75 minutes and include hands-on training and a cool take-away. Seminars can be reserved day-of at the Odyssey Festival Center. Workshops can be booked in advance by calling (407) WDW-TOUR.

    4. Kids’ Activities – Younger guests will discover lots of activities including “Figment’s Brush with the Masters,” a scavenger hunt through the countries of World Showcase. They can also grab a paintbrush and join in on the fun as they help create a wall mural at Expression Section in World Showcase Plaza; and there is even an interactive kids “chalk art” area this year.

     Epcot International Festival of the Arts

    3. Artful Photo Ops – Put yourself into classic masterworks of art and take the perfect selfie. This year’s newest photo ops allow guests to step into Boticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and “picture” themselves in an homage to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

     Epcot International Festival of the Arts food

    2. Food Studios – With more culinary options this year, guests can find edible works of art including a basil- scented salmon roulade with purple rice and Romesco sauce; wild mushroom risotto with aged parmesan, truffle shavings and Zinfandel reduction; and a deconstructed Reuben sandwich, with shredded corned beef, Thousand Island dressing, pickled red cabbage and a rye curl. And the sweets are just as tempting with my favorite being the Pop’t Art cookie with strawberry filling.

     Epcot International Festival of the Arts

    1. Disney on Broadway Series – So sue me – I’m a HUGE musical theater fan. The fact that we have seven superstar performers is so exciting for me. One of the best ways to experience Disney on Broadway is through a dining package. Guests can book a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner, and later enjoy priority seating at the show.

    The festival runs through February 19 and if you you want to plan your magical vacation so that you are there in time to see it let me know. Contact Travel Time with Vikki today help. My services for are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

  • BREAKING: Circle of Life Attraction To Close Permanently at Epcot

    BREAKING: Circle of Life Attraction To Close Permanently at Epcot

    The Circle of Life, at the Land Pavilion in Epcot’s Future World, is closing it doors permanently. This circle is complete for this long running attraction which has been educating guests about the environment for more than two decades.

    On Thursday, it was announced that the attraction, which opened on January 21, 1995 will make its last run on February 3, 2018.

    circle-of-life

    Shortly after the closure, the space will be used to host the student workshops and other events which are currently housed in the trailer between Germany and Italy. The trailer’s closure could possibly make way for the new rumored Brazil Pavillion in World Showcase.

    The Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable is a 20-minute widescreen film about conservation, with color commentary from the stars of Walt Disney’s The Lion King. Guests laugh and learn as Simba teaches Timon and Pumbaa an important lesson about the environment.

    The Circle of Life features a magical mix of animation and live action. Presented in stunning 70mm footage shot in over 30 countries, this panoramic film provides a wonderful opportunity to introduce youngsters to the concept of eco kindness.

    If you haven’t had a chance to see it in person check out the video below.

  • Epcot’s Garden Rocks Concert Series 2018 Lineup

    Epcot’s Garden Rocks Concert Series 2018 Lineup

    The 2018 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival really rocks! And this year it is rocking with 17 favorite artists whose hits span more than five decades.

    This is the 25th event year for the event. The Garden Rocks series features singers and groups from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s with hit-makers in a variety of genres including rock, pop, country, R&B and dance.

    They have brand new acts such as country favorites Lonestar, British rock legends Foghat; and Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles – along with returning treasures disco pioneers Village People and ‘80s supergroups like Night Ranger.

    They also have a couple of artists that have played other Epcot festivals like Survivor, Smash Mouth and Rick Springfield, who are joining the Garden Rocks this year.

    Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):

    • March 2-5: Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
    • March 9-12: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
    • March 16-19: Simple Plan “Welcome to My Life”
    • March 23-26: Little River Band “Reminiscing”
    • March 30-April 2: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
    • April 6-7: Foghat (NEW!) “Slow Ride”
    • April 8-9: Survivor (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “Eye of the Tiger”
    • April 13-14: Smash Mouth (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “All Star”
    • April 15-16: Rick Springfield (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “Jessie’s Girl”
    • April 20-21: Jo Dee Messina (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “Stand by Me”
    • April 22-23: Lonestar (NEW!) “Amazed”
    • April 27-30: Blood, Sweat and Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”
    • May 4-7: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry VIII I Am”
    • May 11-12: Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
    • May 13-14: Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles (NEW!) “Hotel California”
    • May 18-21: The Guess Who “American Woman”
    • May 25-28: The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”

    Garden Rocks performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and are included with Epcot admission.

  • New Epcot Resort Planned Inside Park Could Land In Front of Spaceship Earth

    New Epcot Resort Planned Inside Park Could Land In Front of Spaceship Earth

    Walt Disney World is getting a new resort that could be located inside Epcot and would give guests a direct entrance into the park according to multiple online reports.  Depending on where it ends up being located it might even be connected to Epcot’s monorail loop.

    Wouldn’t it be amazing to roll out of bed and just stroll into the park, or call it a night early and watch Illumination from your balcony. If rumours prove to be true it just might happen.

    Disney has recently announced a massive overhaul of Future World including the upcoming addition of the new Guardians of the Galaxy Roller Coaster which will replace the Universe of Energy and this might be the perfect time for such an addition to the park. If Disney was looking for sure way to increase attendance to Epcot then adding a Resort inside the park isn’t a bad idea.

    There are two possible locations Disney is considering.  The first location would be right at the main gate and would be the easiest to connect to existing monorail lines. Having a resort right in front of Spaceship Earth would be amazing, but how it might affect the park aesthetically immediately comes to mind.  Disney is the best when it comes to design so there is no doubt they will find a way to incorporate it without detracting from the park’s famous icon.

    The second proposed location would be on the west side of future world in the area between The Seas and The land. This also would make for a convenient entrance and still not be an eyesore in any way.  It might not be as easy to connect to the monorail there, but there would probably be much better views of World Showcase Lagoon and Illuminations.

    While a hotel in an actual park would be new to Walt Disney World, the company already has two such hotels at Disney’s California Adventure and Disneyland Paris.

    The plans are still in the early stages of development so things could easily change. But the possibility of a hotel in a Walt Disney World theme has fans really excited.

     

  • Disney on Broadway Line-Up Announced for 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts

    Disney on Broadway Line-Up Announced for 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts

    The Epcot International Festival of the Arts will returns for the second year in a row.  Celebrating all things art – performing, visual and culinary – from January 12 – February 19 – with festivities running seven days a week and Disney On Broadway performances happening each weekend (Fridays through Mondays) in 2018.

    Last year, the Disney On Broadway series was a highlight of the festival for many guests. We’re happy to share a first look at the lineup of Broadway artists set to take the America Gardens Theatre stage this year.

    • January 12-15 and 19-22: Kara Lindsay (NEW!) and Kevin Massey, who will perform songs from “Tarzan,” “Aladdin,” “Newsies” and “Frozen.”
    • January 26-29 and February 2-5: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White, who will perform songs from “Tarzan,” “The Lion King,” “Aida,” “Aladdin,” and “The Little Mermaid.”
    • February 9-12 and 16-19: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland, who will perform songs from “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Tarzan,” “Mary Poppins,” “Newsies” and “Frozen.”

    All Disney on Broadway shows are included in theme park admission and will take place Fridays through Mondays at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m.

    One of the best ways to experience Disney on Broadway is through a dining package. Guests can book a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner, and later enjoy priority seating at the show.

    After a successful year one in 2017, the festival is coming back better than ever.

    In addition to the broadway line up the festival will have so much more.  This year guests will experience world-class cuisine, remarkable visual art and an extraordinary lineup of live entertainment. Introduce your inner aficionado to an exciting extravaganza brimming with phenomenal artists, gourmet fare, musical performances, stage productions and other amazing acts. We’ve rolled everything you love about the arts into one spectacular festival.

    The festival features:

    • Seminars and workshops from top Disney, local and nationally-renowned artists including classes on drawing animation, photography and the art of making topiaries – just to name a few
    • More than a half a dozen specially-created food studios offering a wealth of “artistic” culinary delights
    • A host of performing artists that build on Epcot’s already stellar lineup of authentic performers
    • And, my favorite, the Disney on Broadway series featuring performers from some of the best Disney Theatrical productions

    Dinner and a Show
    Another returning favorite is our Disney on Broadway Dining Packages, where you can maximize your experience at the Festival with a meal at one of the participating Epcot restaurants and priority seating for our Disney on Broadway concert series.

    Guests can book a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner, and later be followed by a phenomenal Disney on Broadway inspired concert – select dates from January 12 – February 19, 2018. The concert series will feature pairings of Disney on Broadway stars, singing favorite songs from award-winning Broadway shows. When you reserve a Disney on Broadway Dining Package, you’ll be able to relax at your meal with friends and family and rest assured that your priority seats are waiting for you for the 5:30, 6:45 or 8 p.m. concert.

    If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Travel Time with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

  • Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Celebrates 25th Years

    Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Celebrates 25th Years

    It’s time for a Party!  A flower party… Celebrating 25 years, Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kicks off this spring at Walt Disney World Resort!  Who doesn’t love those beautify Disney topiaries and here is where you a ton of them gathered all in one place.

    The event starts February 28 and continues through May 28, 2018, with seasonal fun for all. What began in 1994 as a 38-day celebration of Disney-style gardens and topiaries has grown over the years to a 90-day spring extravaganza with something for every generation.

    The 2018 festival, which takes place during the 35th anniversary of Epcot, will showcase millions of brilliant blossoms, flavor-rich cuisine from 15 Outdoor Kitchens, Disney topiary stars, interactive play gardens and live chart-topping musical acts during the Garden Rocks Concert Series.

    The 90-day festival will open with an irresistible array of sights, sounds, tastes, aromas and tactile discoveries:

    • New and creative dishes will debut at 15 Outdoor Kitchens encircling the World Showcase Promenade. Guests can sip and savor their way around Epcot, enjoying chef-inspired noshes and refreshing libations.
    • A bonanza of Disney character topiaries, including classic-character favorites Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and many others, will play a starring festival role. Returning this year, Belle will be featured in France along with Beast, Snow White in Germany with the Seven Dwarfs, and Anna and Elsa in Norway.
    • A brand-new Future World interactive play garden and a revved-up Road to Florida 500 garden featuring new games and play challenges will set the pace for family festival fun. The new interactive area in Future World will feature a play maze, a sensory garden, an activity zone and a covered seating area. The redesigned “Cars”-themed garden based on the Disney•Pixar sequel, “Cars 3,” will add more fun activities like highway bingo for families.
    • A brand-new Epcot front-entrance topiary garden will set the milestone anniversary scene with a kaleidoscope of blooming color where topiary icons Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy will greet festival guests.
    • The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series will feature hit makers of the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Three evening concerts each Friday through Monday present musicians that span multiple genres.
    • Garden Rocks Dining Packages will be available on select days at a number of Epcot restaurants.

    Each Outdoor Kitchen will feature its own raised-bed or in-ground garden of herbs and produce that can inspire the growing numbers of guests who want to learn to grow what they eat.

    “The culture of growing your own food continues to trend, and our guests each year have quite a few questions related to edible gardens,” says Eric Darden, festival horticulture manager. “They get a big kick comparing items in our gardens with the herbs and produce our chefs incorporate into the festival’s Outdoor Kitchen recipes.”

    And there’s more:

    • The back-by-demand Figment topiary garden between Future World and World Showcase will offer the perfect selfie backdrop and family photo opportunity.
    • The Royal Tea Garden Tour will return for a second year each festival morning at the United Kingdom pavilion. For a small fee, guests can follow a knowledgeable guide through the tranquil tea garden setting to learn the history and artistry behind growing and blending tea. A post-tour treat of tea and scones is included. The shorter, complimentary English Tea Garden Tour also will be offered on select days.
    • Among the nearly 100 festival topiaries will be returning favorites like the pandas and Bromeliad dragon at the China pavilion, The Three Caballeros at the Mexico pavilion, Disney-Pixar’s Woody at the American Adventure pavilion and Buzz Lightyear in Future World.

    Dozens of Disney-crafted “flower towers” and beds of multi-colored blooms will transform the park’s landscape. At least 70,000 bedding plants will surround the Future World east and west lakes alone; on the water, 220 mini-gardens will be set afloat.

    For more information about the 25th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival or on how to book your magical vacation contact Travel Time with Vikki today. My services are completely free and I’ll all find you the lowest rates.  Let me do all the hard work so you don’t have to.

  • Choza de Margarita Now Open at Mexico Pavilion in Epcot World Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort

    Choza de Margarita Now Open at Mexico Pavilion in Epcot World Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort

    We are so excited to announce the long-awaited new margarita stand has opened at Epcot in Walt Disney World. Choza de Margarita is operating in the Mexico pavilion, naturally, of the World Showcase side of the theme park. And while it’s a nicer, larger building than its predecessor, it’s really just a margarita place with a few food items thrown in for good measure.

    The area includes limited built-in seating, although visitors use the walls near the exit as makeshift tables for stand-up dining.

    “Choza” is the Spanish word for “hut,” and the outdoor bar sits in the shadow of the iconic Mexico pyramid. The menu offers three hand-crafted margaritas, three frozen margaritas, three Mexican beers and a non-alcoholic Mexican fruit punch with orange, pineapple and grapefruit juices and a splash of grenadine.

    On the menu are three “signature” margaritas served on the rocks ($14-$14.50), four frozen margarita options ($10.25-$10.50) and three beers ($8.75-$9.75). There’s also a nonalcoholic conga, describes as a Mexican fruit punch made of orange, pineapple and lemon juice, for $6.

    On the solid side, the menu features tacos al pastor ($9.25) and empanadas de barbacoa ($9.75) plus a guacamole item for $7.95.

    Small bites include Tacos al Pastor with grilled pork on fresh homemade corn tortillas with green tomatillo sauce, onion, pineapple and cilantro; Empanadas de Barbacoa with beef, topped with chipotle sauce, Mexican cream and queso fresco; and fresh guacamole with mango chutney, pumpkin and pomegranate seeds, served with fried flour chicharrones and salsa Valentina, an authentic Mexican hot sauce.

    On a hot Florida day, take your pick from one of the three frozen margaritas: Lime (tequila blanco, lime sweet & sour, orange liquor and agave nectar), Wild Strawberry (tequila blanco, strawberry and prickly pear puree, violet flower liquor and lime juice), or Passion Mango (tequila blanco, orange liqueur, wild passion fruit and mango puree).

    The hand-crafted, on-the-rocks varieties include Acan Grapefruit (Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, grapefruit liqueur, elderflower cordial, lemon juice, cardamom bitters and ginger beer), Lime Cucumber (Avión Blanco Tequila, fresh cucumber, orange liqueur, lime juice and agave nectar), and Guava Pink Peppercorn (Zignum Mexcal Reposado, guava nectar, grapefruit liqueur, lime juice, Peychaud’s Bitters and pink peppercorns).

    If you’re looking for this Disney Dork, you know where to find me!  I love experiencing new drinks and snacks.

    ¡Sígueme!

  • EPCOT CELEBRATES THE DISNEY PIXAR FILM ‘COCO’

    EPCOT CELEBRATES THE DISNEY PIXAR FILM ‘COCO’

    At Epcot This holiday season, you will get a taste of the magic and music of Disney Pixar’s blockbuster film “Coco,” which is now playing in theaters.

    From now until Jan. 6, 2018, El Mariachi Coco de Santa Cecilia, a new musical group inspired by the film, will entertain you at the Mexico Pavilion. Named for the town of Santa Cecilia seen in the film, El Mariachi Coco de Santa Cecilia perform songs from the movie including the beautiful “Remember Me” and the heartwarming “The World Es Mi Familia.”

    The film “Coco” revolves around Miguel, who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician – despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events during the celebration of the Dia de Muertos. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

    Later this season, Mexico Folk Art Gallery, which currently houses a spectacular collection of “Dia De Muertos” artwork, also will feature an interactive exhibit and festive dioramas showcasing scenes from the film.

    In addition to this new musical experience, you can enjoy “Las Posadas,” featuring colorful dancers and performers from Mariachi Cobre celebrating the holiday customs of Mexico during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.