from Instagram. If you watch Disney’s Frozen closely you can see a Stave church right in the middle of Arendelle. It’s no coincidence that it looks very similar to the one in EPCOT’s Norway pavilion. Disney has changed out the exhibits in the EPCOT version… Read More »Instapic: It’s No Ice Castle, but Anna and Elsa are Near
The Flower Power concert series that is part of the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is a crowd favorite bringing many guests to the park to relive some great times enjoying the music of their favorite bands and stars. The Flower Power concert series… Read More »Flower Power Concert Lineup for 2014 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
from Instagram: http://ift.tt/1hEek8X Given the chance to live in Walt Disney’s Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow as he originally conceived of it, would you?
If you’re unlucky enough to still be suffering from the “polar vortex,” maybe the thought of spring at the 2014 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will help warm you up! The festival will be returning from March 5th through May 18th, and it will… Read More »Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Returning March 5th
Normally at this time of year, I write a retrospective piece looking back at the year in Disney, but for personal reasons, I’ve decided now is the time to look forward, not back. Instead of recollections, I’m writing prescriptions.These are the things I believe will help Walt Disney World continue to compete for the hearts and wallets of their fans while fending off challenges from other entertainment options both near (Universal Orlando) and far (changing TV viewing habits at home, for instance)
I’ll try and limit myself to one or two recommendations each and something that can at least get started in 2014. I don’t intend each prescription to solve every woe, but it will at least make a significant difference in one or two major problem areas.
Magic Kingdom
The oldest theme park in Central Florida is showing its age more and more and suffers from serious stagnation in both attractions and entertainment (translation: a serious capacity issue). There is something they can do quickly to make a dent. As part of an overall project to update Tomorrowland, I prescribe for the park an indoor air-conditioned high-capacity theater capable of hosting shows similar to the Hyperion Theater at California Adventure. With multiple shows a day, this adds a lot of capacity, gives guests a place to cool off in the heat and humidity, and allows for a showcase for Disney’s latest animated musicals (Rapunzel Stage show anyone?). This is also something that could be accomplished quickly and with minimal in park disruption by setting the theater outside the berm. Additional revenue can be raised by hosting events in the space, something the Magic Kingdom is currently lacking.
EPCOT
This park has the highest capacity of all four parks. It has two wonderful festivals and an enjoyable Christmas overlay. These are wonderful for what they do to attract guests. However, the mission and vision of EPCOT has been ignored for too long, and many areas of the park are in serious need of rejuvenation. Let’s tackle the two sections of the park separately.Read More »Dr. John’s 2014 Prescriptions for Walt Disney World
Spice Road Table Construction
Morocco Pavilion at EPCOT will soon open its third dining option. Spice Road Table will offer a variety of regional Moroccan flavored small plates and specialty drinks along with an scenic view of the World Showcase lagoon in front of the Morocco pavilion. The newly opened building will also hold some of the old favorites including Art of Henna and a bazaar with great merchandise
Designed for “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” viewing or relaxing with a selection of Moroccan flavors and cocktails along World Showcase Lagoon, Spice Road Table is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds, say the restaurant’s designers. There’s an array of small plates: zesty harissa chicken drumettes; a Mediterranean omelet with sausage, potatoes and caramelized onion; mussels with preserved lemons and tomato sauce baked in an earthenware tagine pot; Moroccan merguez sausage with a fresh tomato salad; garlicky jumbo shrimp in a spicy chile pepper sauce.Read More »Morocco adding Spice Road Restaurant
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Disney is currently trying out a “tiered” Fastpass+ system at Epcot. The idea behind it is simple, in that you’re limited as to how many major attractions you can choose a Fastpass for. It works like this:
Choose one Fastpass from the following:
And then two Fastpasses from the rest:
This is clearly a response to guests choosing all “e-ticket” rides for their three Fastpass selections and none being available for off-site guests. It’s rumored (key word) that it will be implemented resort-wide during Christmas week, at the very least. The good news is that if you already have Fastpasses chosen, you won’t be effected by this new change, at least during this initial period of testing.
Yes, it’s early, Food and Wine isn’t even over yet, but Disney has given the first taste of what next year’s 21st EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will include. The the 75 days between March 5 – May 18, 2014 guests will enjoy all… Read More »21st Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Sets Course For Flowers and Flavors March 5 to May 18