FastPass Date Set for new Soarin' Around the World
You can experience a whole new Soarin' journey when Soarin' Around the World makes its groundbreaking debut across the globe this summer. The next generation of the popular Soarin’ attraction makes its premiere at the grand opening of Shanghai Disneyland this summer as Soarin’ Over the Horizon.
FastPass+ Opens April 21, 2016 for Soarin' Around the World at Epcot.
The next day on June 17, Guests at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort will be able to board the exhilarating aerial adventure that immerses them in a multi-sensory experience, complete with stunning sights, spectacular sounds and even subtle scents. Fastpass+ will be an option for Soarin’ at Walt Disney World Resort beginning Thursday, April 21. In addition to the new film, the Epcot attraction also added a third theater and reimagined its interactive queue.
Darren Wittko - Specializes in Disney Destinations with Magical Vacations Travel. He is rated a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent by readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
Epcot's Frozen Attraction Takes Guests up to the North Mountain
The Frozen Ever After attraction that’s currently being constructed in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot is set to open in June.
Frozen Ever After Opening Announced | Epcot
Frozen Ever After will take guests on an adventurous boat tour through the kingdom of Arendelle. Once inside, guests will be transported to the “Winter in Summer” Celebration where Queen Elsa embraces her magical powers and creates a winter-in-summer day for the entire kingdom. Guests will pass Troll Valley on their way up the icy North Mountain to Queen Elsa’s Ice Palace, and later on return to the Bay of Arendelle.
After disembarking, guests can top off their “Frozen” experience by meeting the royal sisters in their new Royal Sommerhus greeting location. Inspired by a Norwegian countryside cabin, Anna and Elsa have opened their summer home for visitors.
To bring this attraction to life, the original voice talent of the original “Frozen” film returned to record new dialogue and songs penned by composers Bobby and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Walt Disney Imagineers traveled to Norway for architecture and design research, specifically visiting the Detli House in Sverresborg and the Open Air Museum of Cultural History in Trondheim.
Darren Wittko - Specializes in Disney Destinations with Magical Vacations Travel. He is rated a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent by readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
Fun Fresh Weekends at Epcot
Fun Fresh Weekends at Epcot during the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
During Festival weekends, you can celebrate the great outdoors at nature-themed events, including:
Art in the Garden Weekend April 1-3, 2016
View nature through the eyes of “Plein Air” artists and discover one-of-a-kind Disney works of art on display around World Showcase.
Outdoor Family Fun Weekend: April 8-10, 2016
Families can enjoy the benefits of sharing quality time together at select Festival gardens. As a bonus, animal specialists from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will be on hand at the Festival Center to share how bugs play an important role in helping a garden thrive.
Earth Day Weekend: April 22- 24, 2016
Take part in interactive activities, discoveries and more. Learn about the efforts to protect coral reefs and other marine life at The Seas with Nemo & Friends―a special tribute to the amazing creatures that dwell in our vast oceans.
Florida Fresh Weekend: April 29- May 1, 2016
Explore the bounty of the Sunshine State from Apalachicola to Zellwood at this Festival Center-based event.
Florida Federation of Garden Clubs: May 6- 8, 2016
Marvel at amazing flora designs that defy description inside the Festival Center from 10 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Plus, each weekend you can visit the Festival Center for inside tips, DIY inspiration and top gardening trends. The Festival Center is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. throughout the event.
And, don’t forget … pop bands with hits spanning the decades take the stage every Festival weekend for the Garden Rocks Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre. Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice, Bad Company, former lead singer BRIAN HOWE, Georgia Satellites and Darlene Love make their Festival debut this year.
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs now through May 30, 2016. Admission to Epcot is required. While most Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival events are included with your theme park ticket, many experiences require a separate purchase or a separate admission fee. Availability is limited for some experiences. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled at any time.
>> View Walt Disney World Resort hotel offers happening during Flower & Garden.
Darren Wittko - Specializing in Disney Destinations with Magical Vacations Travel.
Play Agent P's World Showcase Adventure with your Smartphone
You can now play the Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure game at Epcot. using your smartphone.
Agent P's World Showcase Adventure now on your smartphone.
You can get started by visiting one of the recruitment centers at Odyssey Bridge or near the International Gateway to activate your personal phone. Worried your child will drop your phone? No worries, you may opt to use a F.O.N.E. (Field Operative Notification Equipment). Missions will direct you to one of the following international pavilions:
Mexico Pavilion
China Pavilion
Germany Pavilion
Japan Pavilion
France Pavilion
United Kingdom Pavilion
This attraction is included with Theme Park admission.
Darren Wittko - Specializing in Disney Destinations with Magical Vacations Travel.
New Character Coming to Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot
Characters from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory!” to Join Turtle Talk with Crush This Summer
When Crush the sea turtle swims up to the “Human Tank” at Epcot this summer, he’ll be joined by Dory and some of her new friends from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory!” Your little ones willl be able to meet Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the beluga whale and Hank the “septopus” (that’s a seven-legged octopus, of course!). Crush’s very own mini-man Squirt will also be swimming by for the first time, and Guests might even catch a glimpse of Nemo and his dad Marlin.
“Finding Dory” swims into theaters June 17, 2016, and you can find all these new additions at “Turtle Talk with Crush” beginning in early-May.
Darren is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and Specializes in Disney Destinations with Magical Vacations Travel. His favorite attractions are The American Adventure, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and Spaceship Earth. Favorite Disney Resort hotel: Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Dates + Offers
2016 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Returns + Special Resort Offers!
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival returns to Walt Disney World Resort Sept. 14-Nov. 14, 2016. That means almost two additional weeks – from 53 days to 62 – of deliciousness, foodie fun, culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, music concerts and more.
FALL 2016 WALT DISNEY WORLD OFFERS
▸ Late September Offer
Travel Window: September 17 through September 24, 2016
▸ Early October Offer
Travel Window: October 1 through October 16, 2016
▸ Late October Offer - Halloween at Walt Disney World
Travel Window: October 22 through October 29, 2016
▸ Epcot Wine & Dine Half Marathon Offer
Travel Window: October 30 through November 6, 2016
▸ Jersey Week Offer
Travel Window: November 6 through November 12, 2016
Darren is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and Specializes in Disney Destinations withMagical Vacations Travel. For discounts, offers, ways to save money, visit SaveAtWDW.com
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2016 - News, Offers, Schedules
The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will return to Walt Disney World Resort March 2-May 30, 2016 – expanding from 75 to 90 days. Here’s a look at what’s new as the festival celebrates its 23rd year!
What's New at the Epcot Flower and Garden 2016
New culinary creations at the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens will introduce fresh variety and flavor to the offerings at a record 13 festival kiosks surrounding the World Showcase Promenade. This year, La Isla Fresca takes youto the Caribbean for authentic bites, including Jamaican Braised Beef with Pigeon-Pea Rice and Jerk-Spiced Grouper or Chicken with Mango Salsa. And, at the new Cider House, a Field Greens salad with greens harvested at The Land pavilion, heirloom apples, Stilton cheese and dried blueberries will pair well with blueberry hard cider from Plant City, Florida.
At the park entrance, the first-ever Huey, Dewey and Louie topiaries will feature floral interpretations of Donald’s mischievous nephews inspired by the 1943 Donald Duck comic book called “The Victory Garden.”
A new hands-on Harmony Gardens musical playground will debut featuring Disney’s Fab Five topiaries of “band leader” Mickey Mouse, as well as Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck. With the playground’s interactive drums, chimes and xylophones, kids can create their own musical sounds.
And, as in previous years, each weekend at the Festival Center, you can dig in for a complimentary hands-on Gardening Seminar experience as they get tips from experts on a broad range of topics.
Plus, the Garden Rocks concert series returns with music spanning four decades. Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice, BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company, Georgia Satellites and Darlene Love make their Festival debut this year. Here’s the lineup (subject to change without notice)
Exclusive Resort & Ticket Offers
▸ Easter Offer
March 19 through April 3, 2016
Save on select Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts
▸ Disney Visa Offer - Save on Deluxe Villa Resorts
April 3 through June 30, 2016
▸ April Offer
Travel Window: April 9 through April 20, 2016
Save on select Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts
▸ Late April Offer
Travel Window: April 21 through April 30, 2016
Save on select Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts
▸ Early May Offer
Travel Window: May 1 through May 10, 2016
Save on select Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts
▸ Late May Offer
Travel Window: May 26 through June 4, 2016
Save on select Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts
Epcot Flower and Garden Festival: Garden Rocks Concert Series Schedule
- March 4-6 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
- March 11-13 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
- March 18-20 – Little River Band “Reminiscing”
- March 25-27 – Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
- April 1-3 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”
- April 8-10 – The Guess Who “American Woman”
- April 15-17 – NEW! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”
- April 22-24 – NEW! BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company “Can’t Get Enough”
- April 29-May 1 – NEW! Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
- May 6-8 – Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”
- May 13-15 – NEW! Darlene Love “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home”
- May 20-22 – Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
- May 27-30 (Monday) – The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”
Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Festival.
Darren Wittko is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and a Disney Destinations Specialist at Magical Vacations Travel. Voted "best of the best Disney travel agent" by readers of the 2015 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. He is also the creator of The Best of Walt Disney World blog.
Voices of Liberty - Holiday Performance at Epcot
Be sure to visit the Voices of Liberty at the American Adventure pavilion inside Epcot this holiday season. These performances are especially moving and a great way to get in the holiday spirit!
Related:
Video: Osborn Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Darren Wittko is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and a Disney Destinations Specialist at Magical Vacations Travel. Voted "best of the best Disney travel agent" by readers of the 2015 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. He is also the creator of The Best of Walt Disney World blog.
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2016
Celebrating its 23rd year, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival returns to Walt Disney World Resort March 2-May 30, 2016, expanding from 75 days to 90 days.
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2016
Returning to for the 2016 festival are the Outdoor Kitchens, new Disney character topiaries, interactive play gardens and live music. Don't miss these money saving offers on Walt Disney World Resort hotels and theme park passes.
Available Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Offers During Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
- Play, Stay and Dine Offer - Jan 2 - Apr 16, 2016
- Easter Offer - March 19, 2016 - April 3, 2016
- April Offer - April 9 through April 20, 2016
- Late April Offer - April 21 through April 30, 2016
- Early May Offer - May 1 through May 10, 2016
- Late May Offer - May 26 through June 4, 2016
Epcot Flower & Garden, What's New!
Huey, Dewey and Louie, will make their topiary debut with Donald and Daisy at the park’s front entrance garden this year. Plus, this year's feature topiary is Ranger Mickey Mouse to celebrate the National Parks Service Centennial celebration. You may recall the Anna and Elsa topiaries where the featured last year. 2016 marks the first time Ranger Mickey will appear at the festival.
If it's sweet treats you're after, the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens will be returning for a fourth year. This has proven to be very popular with guests as a min-food festival as well. Favorites and new food and beverage offerings can be found throughout Epcot.
Other festival favorites include the hands-on Disney-led gardening seminars or grab a seat for pop musical performances during the Garden Rocks concert series at the outdoor America Gardens Theatre, all returning for 2016.
Darren Wittko is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and a Disney Destinations Specialist at Magical Vacations Travel. Voted "best of the best Disney travel agent" by readers of the 2015 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. He is also the creator of The Best of Walt Disney World blog
New Attraction Announced for Epcot
Disney and Pixar animated shorts in a new 4D experience located in Magic Eye Theater in the Imagination Pavilion. “Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival” will include a look into the visionary minds behind some of the world’s most iconic animated films today.
Then inside the theater, guests can put on their 3D glasses and enter the imaginative worlds of three animated shorts, which will burst to life on the big screen (and in the theater) like never before.
Darren Wittko is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and a Disney Destinations Specialist at Magical Vacations Travel. Voted "best of the best Disney travel agent" by readers of the 2015 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. He is also the creator of The Best of Walt Disney World blog