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.
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort: Where You'll Find the Resort View Rooms
Where you’ll find the Resort View rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Resort View rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are the most economical and can be found throughout the resort. Some offer more privacy while others offer a convenient location. Let’s take a look at where you’ll find the best Resort View rooms based on what’s more important to you.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
If you’re looking to make a room request at this resort, it’s important to make your request within the category you booked. For example, if you booked a Resort View room but request a view of Cinderella Castle, chances are Disney isn’t going to honor that. Rooms that overlook the Castle cost more.
But a request for a room close to the Great Ceremonial House would have a much higher chance of being honored because there are a number of Resort View rooms in that area.
I help my clients make great room requests all the time. If you would like help planning your Disney World vacation, contact me now!
Where you'll find the Resort View Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The following Polynesian Resort longhouses offer Resort View rooms. Ground floor rooms have patios and third floor rooms have balconies. Second-floor rooms in these longhouses do not have balconies.
Map of DIsney's Polynesian Village Resort
Tuvalo
Great choice for privacy but limited on view. These Resort View rooms overlook the Fiji longhouse.
Fiji
Close to the Great Ceremonial House (lobby) and close to boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom. But it's far from the Epcot monorail line at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Resort View rooms in this Fiji have some of the best views at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Aotearoa
Ideal if you love to see the monorail pass by your room, not ideal if you want privacy on your balcony. Some Resort View rooms in Aotearoa offer a partial view of the Seven Seas Lagoon: request rooms 3223, 3225 .or similar. If you plan to walk to the Epcot monorail station at the Ticket and Transportation Center, you'll have a 10-15 minute walk.
Raratonga
This is one of the most requested longhouses because it's right in the heart of the resort. It's just steps away from the Great Ceremonial House and Disney transportation. Both pools and the laundry room are nearby too. Walking to the Epcot monorail line is reasonable - about 10 minutes. If your room is on the south side of the longhouse you might be able to see the monorail pass by through the trees.
Niue
Compared to the other longhouses Niue is tiny and has only two floors. Second floor rooms do not have balconies. Niue is right in between both pools and close to the Great Ceremonial house. This is a very popular longhouse and it’s difficult to get a room here, even with a request. When making a room request for this longhouse, have your travel agent make a backup request just in case.
Samoa
Like Niue, it's right in the middle of both pools. Ground floor rooms on the west side of the longhouse have convenient access to the pool - many guests will come and go right from their slider and patio. But it's a busy location so privacy limited here.
I help my clients with room requests all the time so feel free to contact me for your next Disney World vacation. Together we can come up with the perfect room request.
Find more helpful information
For over 12 years Darren Wittko has been helping people save money at Walt Disney World as both, a travel writer and a travel advisor with Magical Vacations Travel. He’s featured in the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren resides in Celebration, FL.
Dine with Minnie Mouse at Walt Disney World
Join Minnie Mouse and pals in their garden party best, ready to host a springtime meal during Minnie’s Springtime Dine at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Join Minnie Mouse and pals at a new Character Meal experience at Walt Disney World.
On the menu, you'll find classic picnic food like coconut-lavender lemonade and springtime salads like watercress or basil-lime fruit salad. Hearty entrees include barbecue meatballs, buffalo baked chicken, lobster and shrimp mac ‘n cheese, herb-roasted pork and more. For dessert, you can indulge in passion fruit cheesecake, key lime tarts and banana cream puffs.
Minnie’s Springtime Dine costs $46.99 per adult and $27.99 per child, plus tax and gratuity. Some dining plans accepted.
Reservations are now open, and are available online at DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.
Darren is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and Specializes in Disney Destinations withMagical 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.
Star Wars Day at Sea
Returning in early 2017, Disney Cruise Line Guests can celebrate the legendary adventures and iconic characters from the Star Wars saga during Star Wars Day at Sea.
New Star Wars Experience Coming to Disney Cruise Line in 2017
Throughout the day, Star Wars Younglings, Padawans and Jedi Masters alike can enjoy the immersive and intergalactic entertainment, including a deck party and fireworks display, exclusive event merchandise, and specialty Star Wars-themed food and beverage items.
Characters from across the Star Wars galaxy will also be onboard for interactions, photos and also may be seen patrolling the decks. And, in “Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple,” Force-sensitive children learn the ways of the Jedi and use their new-found skill in a final face off with Darth Vader.
Star Wars Day at Sea will be on Disney Fantasy seven-night cruises sailing from Port Canaveral on Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1, 8 and 15, 2017.
Departing Jan. 7, 21; Feb. 4, 18; March 4, 18; April 1 and 15, 2017, the western Caribbean itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico; Falmouth, Jamaica; Grand Cayman and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. Departing Jan. 14, 28; Feb. 11, 25; March 11, 25; and April 8, 2017, the eastern Caribbean itinerary includes Tortola, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay.
New Experience Coming to Epcot!
Inside Out characters coming soon to Epcot
Beginning in April, Epcot Character Spot will provide direct access to Headquarters, where you can meet Joy and Sadness, two of the Emotions who help guide Riley through life in the Disney•Pixar film “Inside Out.” On the way to Headquarters, you'll journey through Riley’s long-term memory, catching a glimpse of her Islands of Personality before joining Joy and Sadness at the console.
Darren is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and Specializes in Disney Destinations withMagical 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.
Disneyland Resort Offer
Disneyland Resort - new offer announced
Booking Window: March 9 – May 24, 2016
Travel Window: April 3 – June 16, 2016
Save up to 20% on Premium rooms at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa or the Disneyland Hotel on select Sunday – Thursday nights April 3-June 16, 2016. Book now thru May 24, 2016.
Upgrade to a 2-night or longer Walt Disney Travel Company vacation package – including Theme Park tickets – and enjoy a variety of magical extras!
Darren is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and Specializes in Disney Destinations withMagical 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.
Purple Magic Bands and Luggage Tags
Did you know purple has been the most requested Magic Band since the program's inception? Well, the wait is over! Purple is now available as one of the eight colors that Guests with an upcoming Walt Disney World Resort reservation can choose when placing their complimentary MagicBand order.
If you have already personalized your MagicBands on My Disney Experience, but have not yet submitted your order, you can log into you account and edit their MagicBand color selection.
In addition, if you are traveling on a Walt Disney Travel Company package, you'll receive a purple luggage tag when you opt for a purple MagicBand!
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.
Grand Floridian Offer April 21 - 30, 2016
Travel anytime between the above dates and receive exclusive rates for vacation packages at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. On 2 or more ticket days you'll receive a complimentary BONUS visit to either Disney Water Park*
Disney Dining Plans also available!
Plus these Walt Disney World Resort Benefits are included:
- 1 complimentary Magic Band per person
- FastPass+ selections beginning 60-days in advance
- Dining reservations beginning 180 days in advance
Zootopia Characters Will Visit Walt Disney World
"ZOOTOPIA" CHARACTERS COMING TO MAGIC KINGDOM
Judy and Nick stop by Walt Disney World Resort, these party animals will be joining the “Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It!” Street Party at Magic Kingdom Park.
In Disney’s hysterical comedy-adventure “Zootopia” rookie rabbit Police Officer Judy Hopps is forced to team up with fast-talking con-artist fox Nick Wilde to crack a mysterious case affecting the citizens of their modern mammal metropolis.
“Zootopia” opens in theaters in 3D this Friday, March 4, 2016.
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.
Finally, Frozen Characters Come to Blizzard Beach!
This summer, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park at the Walt Disney World Resort will play host to the inaugural Frozen Games.
KRISTOFF & OLAF TO HOST FROZEN GAMES AT DISNEY’S BLIZZARD BEACH WATER PARK
The Winter Games Committee has taken advantage of the freak snowstorm over Central Florida and will host an impromptu sporting event known as The Frozen Games. They’ve even invited Kristoff and Olaf to lead teams of Guests in a day full of fun “Frozen” activities, before the warm sun melts the snow away.
When you visit Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park this summer, you can join “Team Kristoff” or “Team Olaf” and participate in a variety of activities, including Ice Pail Relays, a Snowball Toss to Ski Pole Limbo and Slide Races.
Olaf and Kristoff will join the Winter Games Committee members in the games’ Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and will give updates throughout the games to report on their team’s achievements.
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.
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.
Rivers of Light Opening Date Set
UPDATE: Rivers of light will not open on April 22, 2016. Stay tuned for a new opening date.
Update: Photo from live testing of Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Photo of an actual rehearsal of Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
We’re excited to share that “Rivers of Light,” the first-ever night-time show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, will officially debut at the Walt Disney World Resort on April 22, 2016.
The show, set on Discovery River in the Asia section of the park, will depict an ancient lantern festival guided by two storytellers who call forth four animal Spirit Guides: an Asian Tiger, Tropical Turtle, African Elephant and Great Horned Owl. These Spirit Guides return at different points during the show to lead the audience through their journey through the Rivers of Light.
Get a first look at some of the illuminated lanterns, water screens, moving fountains and other amazing elements that will be featured in “Rivers of Light” in this video!
Darren is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and Specializes in Disney Destinations withMagical Vacations Travel.
Disney Springs Water Tower
Disney Springs Water Tower Raised
The water tower will serve as the new marquee for Disney Springs and welcome guests as part of the property’s entrance gateway. I thought maybe the recycled the Earful Tower that is slated to come down at Disney's Hollywood Studios but it appears to be different. In an earlier post I shared an update about new shops coming to Disney Springs.
Shop til You Drop at Disney Springs
Disney Springs continues to expand and double its dining, shopping and entertainment options at Walt Disney World Resort. Today, 30 more high-profile tenants will be setting up shop at Disney Springs just in time for this summer, including Anthropologie, LACOSTE, Under Armour, kate spade new york, Sephora and Lucky Brand, among others.
Just announced, here’s a complete list of the new shops and dining venues that’ll be opening in phases at Disney Springs beginning May 15, 2016:
- Anthropologie
- kate spade new york
- LACOSTE
- Under Armour
- M·A·C Cosmetics
- Vince Camuto
- Vera Bradley
- Lucky Brand
- Oakley
- Coca-Cola Store
- TROPHY ROOM
- ALEX AND ANI®
- Na Hoku – Hawaii’s Finest Jewelers Since 1924
- Shore
- American Threads
- Volcom
- Kipling
- francesca's
- Melissa Shoes
- UNOde50
- Johnston & Murphy
- Everything But Water
- Free People
- JOHNNY WAS
- Columbia
- Sperry
- Luxury of Time by Diamonds
- International
- Sephora
- D-Luxe Burger
- Amorette’s Patisserie
- Tablas Frontera
- Homecoming – Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar
Disney Springs, which was inspired by Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty, is nearing completion on its largest expansion in history. It is exciting to see the area emerge as a new waterfront district with world-class shopping, unique dining and high-quality entertainment. Disney Springs has four distinct neighborhoods to explore: The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center and will eventually have more than 150 retail, dining and entertainment offerings.
Darren is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and Specializes in Disney Destinations withMagical Vacations Travel.
1 More Ticket Day Free Offer - Walt Disney World
You can save up to 25%* on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for stays most nights April 14-June 11, 2016 when you book by March 31, 2016.
Plus, you can receive 1 more ticket day FREE when you upgrade to a room and ticket package with a minimum 4-day Magic Your Way Ticket. More info>>
It’s a perfect time for you to discover all-new Star Wars adventures at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Garden Rocks Concert Series at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, the new nighttime experiences at Disney’s Animal KingdomTheme Park and so much more.
Walt Disney World Spring Offer
Darren is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and Specializes in Disney Destinations with Magical Vacations Travel.
Disney shares the backstory of the new pirate bar coming to Magic Kingdom.