Instapic: Walt Disney’s Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow
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?
epcot
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Returning March 5th
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
Dr. John’s 2014 Prescriptions for Walt Disney World
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
Morocco adding Spice Road Restaurant
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
Fastpass+ and the Tiered Fastpass System.
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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:
- Character Spot
- IllumiNations
- Maelstrom
- Soarin
- Test Track
And then two Fastpasses from the rest:
- Captain EO
- Journey into Imagination
- Living with the Land
- Mission: SPACE
- Seas with Nemo and Friends
- Spaceship Earth
- Turtle Talk with Crush
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.
21st Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Sets Course For Flowers and Flavors March 5 to May 18
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
Five Dishes to Make Your EPCOT Food & Wine Experience A Success
Had some friends in town and my wife and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary this week, so we planned a return trip to EPCOT yesterday with the goal to graze around the world sampling some of our old favorites and a few of the new dishes that debuted at this year’s festival. I think it’s safe to say the evening was a success.
All in all I think Disney has done a great job with the festival this year. Many of the old favorites have returned and there are a healthy dose of new dishes to sample this year. They’ve improved the seating around the popular Belgium and Germany booths. The Eat to the Beat concert lineup is also very strong this year.
I’m still not a fan of having so much of the festival take place away from the world showcase in the old Wonder’s of Life pavilion (but I do appreciate the air conditioning there). I also think they’re under utilizing the World Showplace (the big blue tent originally built for the Millennial Celebrations) as it could hold a day long party for all attendees just as well as the few big evening events. I’d love to see food from 60+ countries one day instead of the 25ish we have now. Finally, generally speaking (but not 100% in all cases) the food is much saltier this year than before. After two days of sampling and coming home feeling red in the face with fingers swollen, I’m not happy about all the salt.
Planning your own trip to EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival in 2013? While I haven’t sampled all the various dishes (I’m not made of gold), I think I have found a few of the newer selections that really are worth a trip. They are, in no particular order:Read More »Five Dishes to Make Your EPCOT Food & Wine Experience A Success
Chase Invites Disney Card Holders to Experience Unique EPCOT Lounge
Okay Disney fans. You’ve seen all those Disney Visa kiosks springing up like mushrooms around the parks? Yeah, it’s definitely a blight on the parks. But if I told you Chase was going to give its cardmembers access to a previously exclusive area of the parks, would you make that trade?
That’s the choice you get during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. As the presenting sponsor for the marquis culinary event, Chase will offer debit and credit cardholders, including Disney Visa® Cardmembers, exclusive access to the Chase Lounge at the Festival.* The lounge, which will be located on the third floor of the American Adventure Pavilion within the Epcot World Showcase, offers an inviting space to relax, enjoy complimentary beverages, electronic charging stations, and other amenities exclusively for Chase customers. The lounge will be open daily during the Festival from 11 a.m. to park close.
“We greatly value our 10-year relationship with Disney, which is why we’re thrilled to be the presenting sponsor of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival again this year,” said Robert Belan, general manager, Chase. “The festival is one of the most renowned events at Walt Disney World and attracts Chase customers from across the country and visitors from around the globe. The lounge for cardholders is ideally located within the heart of the festival and gives us the ability to create a truly unique and special experience for all Chase cardholders attending the event.”Read More »Chase Invites Disney Card Holders to Experience Unique EPCOT Lounge