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2013

2013 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Details

Looking for something different that’s fun for kids and extra-special for grownups? Guests visiting Disney World from March 6th through May 19th can check out Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival. First-time visitors with young children often overlook Epcot, assuming that it’s mainly for older kids, but there’s so much hands-on learning and fun at the Festival that a visit is well worth your time. In addition to flower towers, playgrounds, over 100 topiary, 240 floating mini-gardens, and countless beds with hundreds of blooms, this years festival offers a few surprises:

  • For the first time, Future World and the World Showcase will have illuminated gardens full of sparkly lights each night. I think this is my favorite new addition.
  • There will be a new circus-like play area based on the film Oz: The Great and Powerful, which is being released on March 8, 2013. The play area will feature various play systems that will cultivate your kids’ imagination while they exercise, red and white circus tents, and plants that will recall the movie.
  • The Garden Marketplace will feature drinks like Hot Sun Tomato Wine from a local Florida winery and everyone’s favorite Dole Whip, this time with spiced rum. There will also be non-alcoholic beverages like Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade.
  • Kids will love the all the topiary featuring their favorite characters, including Phineas and Ferb, Mike and Sully, and Tinkerbell and Friends.
  • A Radiator Springs interactive raceway located on the Test Track walkway will have Lightening McQueen and Mater in attendance.

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2013 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Dates

The website for EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival has been updated to include dates for 2013. Pencil in September 27 – November 10 (with the understanding that everything is subject to change, of course) for your glorious dining enjoyment.

Expect the usual festival features to return. I’ll be happy if they bring back the Ghiradelli Chocolate exhibit for a second year. I was really impressed with the chocolate sculptures prepared by each hotel’s dessert chef and team. Check them out below the jump to whet your appetite for September 27th.

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Ice Castle in Times Square Announces Limited Time Magic

Ice Castle Appears in Times Square for Limited Time Courtesy Disney Parks

Disney Parks built a 25 foot tall castle out of ice and let it melt away in the middle of Times Square to drive home the point of it’s new promotion Limited Time Magic. We’ve compiled this video of the castle under construction along with… Read More »Ice Castle Appears in Times Square for Limited Time Courtesy Disney Parks

Fireworks Finale

Walt Disney World Details New Year’s Eve Offerings

A trip to Walt Disney World has become one of the nation’s most popular options for ringing in the new year. Disney has responded by making New Year’s Eve one of the biggest fireworks shows of the year. The resort has just released a partial… Read More »Walt Disney World Details New Year’s Eve Offerings

2013 Walt Disney World Ambassador Announced in Ceremony

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Around the time that Walt Disney was first presenting the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City, Mary Poppins was about to be released, and he was also trying secretly buying up land in a mosquito-ridden swamp land we now know and love, he realized he needed a little help in representing the Company at all the events where he was asked to appear. Thus the Disney Ambassador program was born and has been in place ever since, 47 years later.

Today at Epcot, a ceremony was held to choose and announce the two new Ambassadors from five finalists for the 2013-2014 season. On hand were Vice President of Epcot Erin Youngs, President of Walt Disney Parks and Operations, United States and France, Meg Crofton, current Ambassadors Norman Vossschulte and Jennifer Mason, and 65 former Walt Disney World Ambassadors to welcome the new team members.

Ambassadors

Ambassador Finalists 2013-2014.The five Walt Disney World Ambassador finalists with Meg Crofton

In a twist a little like a Miss America pageant, all five finalists were called to the stage and were able to say a few words about themselves and their journey, while their fellow Cast Member friends and family cheered on. World Showcase Cast Members stood behind them with giant posters featuring their faces and names as we waited with anticipation for the announcement. Mickey and Minnie joined in, carrying the Ambassador pins and scroll featuring the Ambassador pledge. The scroll was read aloud before the names were chosen, while the Voices of Liberty sang softly in the background. Meg Crofton had the honor of announcing that Tye Arnold and Richard Tamayo were to be the newest Walt Disney World Ambassadors as confetti and applause filled the American Gardens Theater.

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Walt Disney World Moms Panel Accepting Applications for 6th Time

Since launching the Walt Disney World Moms Panel in 2008, thousands of families have had a better vacation as a result of advice given directly from parents who know the best. The panel has been such a success that it has lately been expanded to… Read More »Walt Disney World Moms Panel Accepting Applications for 6th Time

Could Walt Disney Animation Studios ‘Frozen’ Save Norway Pavilion at EPCOT

Back in 2010 we heard about Disney putting the brakes on production of the modern update of a Norwegian legend, The Snow Queen. But a few months ago work slowly began again on the project, this time with a new name – Frozen. Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel are set to voice the lead roles. Robert Lopez and Kristin Anderson Lopez will pen the music. You might recall their names from Broadway’s Avenue Q and Book of Morman, but Disney fans will know their work on the Finding Nemo Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Disney recently confirmed that the story would be inspired by the beauty of Norway, even if not being specific about the location or time. But it makes me wonder, why don’t they commit to Norway as the setting. EPCOT would then have an excuse to upgrade the Norway pavilion which has long been without a sponsorship commitment.

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Adventures By Disney Expanding To Southeast Asia in 2013

New Itinerary Brings Stories of Southeast Asia to Life in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

I admit I’ve never been on an Adventures By Disney excursion, but the idea sounds intriguing. Guides, specially trained by Disney, provide a unique experience to various spots around the globe. But so far, no excursions into Southeast Asia. That will all change in 2013 as travelers will get the opportunity to experience some of Asia’s most exotic and culturally-rich cities. Adventures by Disney just announced an all-new destination for 2013 – Southeast Asia. Featuring Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, with an 12-day, 11-night itinerary.

“We are thrilled to invite families to experience new corners of the world with Adventures by Disney, as we expand our portfolio of more than 20 destinations to include Southeast Asia,” said Josh D’Amaro, Vice President, Adventures by Disney. “This exotic new itinerary holds true to Disney’s dedication to storytelling, exceptional customer service and incredible value. With our award-winning itineraries, families are treated to a worry-free experience, perfect for vacationers taking their first international excursion or even the seasoned traveler.”

The leader in privately-guided group excursions, Adventures by Disney specially designs its itineraries to engage guests of all ages, providing authentic, hands-on experiences that leave each participant with memories to share and deeper knowledge of the world around them. In Cambodia, adults will have time to take in the unique architecture of the Temples of Angkor Wat while Junior Adventurers live the history of the ancient structure on a tuk tuk vehicle treasure hunt. Families will work together in Laos at an organic rice farm where they will have a hand in each of the 13 stages of rice production. Meal preparation is a team effort in Vietnam where guests will hand-pick ingredients from a Hoi An market, and then learn to make their own Vietnamese delicacies with the guidance of a local chef.

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