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Walt Disney World News

2015 Epcot® Food & Wine Festival Premium Events

Summer is flying by! Before you know it, the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival will be upon us! And this year, there’s more ways than ever to experience it! Every year, the festival hosts some events that are included with standard Epcot® theme park admission and some additional “over-the-top” premium events that require a separate fee.

Here’s a look at some of this year’s premium events!

  • Culinary Demonstrations – Join some of the most celebrated chefs in the World as they share some of their cooking tips and offer a sample of their dishes and paired beverages. $15 per person. Daily at 1p, 3p, and 5p
  • Mixology Seminars – Skilled mixologists will provide a mouthwatering lesson on some common and also original libations. $15 per person. Daily at 6p
  • Beverage Seminars – Sample an assortment of wines and beverages as you pick up a few fresh skills from the experts. $15 per person. Daily at 12p and 4p with added 2p seminar on Fridays and Saturdays.
  • Beverage Boot Camp – Step it up behind the bar with this 2-hour seminar providing an intense basic beverage training that will sharpen you skills in the worlds of cuisine and libation. $119 per person. Select Sundays at 1p
  • What’s Cooking with… – Dine with some of the most famous faces of the culinary world as they share their favorite dishes, offer amazing insight, and sit down for a Q&A segment. $129 per person. Select days at 10a. Scheduled guests include:
  • 10/2 – Amanda Freitag
  • 10/4 – Bryan Voltaggio
  • 10/9 –Andrew Zimmern
  • 10/10 – Jamie Deen
  • 10/11 – Carla Hall
  • 10/16 – Gale Gand
  • 10/18 – Cat Cora
  • 10/23 – Allan Susser
  • 10/25 – John Ash
  • 10/30 – Robert Irvine
  • 11/1 – Erika Davis
  • 11/6 – Buddy Valastro
  • 11/8 – David Guas
  • 11/13 – TBD
  • 11/15 – Sarah Fioroni
  • Cheese Seminars – Taste a robust selection of international cheeses that have been paired with wines, beers, and other beverages by world-class Fromagers. $79 per person. Most Saturdays at 10a. Theme varies by week.
  • Food & Beverage Pairings – Enjoy a one-of-a-kind tasting experience at select World Showcase dining locations. Various offerings are available within the following cuisines: Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, and Moroccan. Pricing and dates vary by experience. Contact your Magic Maker® for more details.
  • Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining – Resident Chefs from some of your favorite Walt Disney World® Resort Signature Restaurants invite you savor their specialty creations during an unique dining experience inside their restaurant. Locations include Flying Fish Cafe, EPSN Club, Fulton’s Crab House, The BOATHOUSE, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Jiko, Trattoria al Forno, California Grill, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Le Cellier, The Wave, Portobello Country Italian Trattoria, Artist Point, Narcoosee’s, and The Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck Grand Café. Dates, times, pricing, and experience varies by location. Contact your Magic Maker® to see what experiences will be happening during your travel dates.
  • Mexican Tequila Lunch – Experience tequila selections that have been paired with flavorful regional dishes from Mexico. $85 per guest. Thursdays – Saturdays at 12p.
  • The Hibachi Experience – This 6-course dinner, prepared before you eyes by a Teppan chef, is guaranteed to be as memorable as it is delicious! $150 per guest. Varies dates at 4:30p
  • Party for the Senses – After enjoying reserved seating at the evenings Eat to the Beat Concert, you’ll head to the World ShowPlace Pavilion where you will experience a party with awe-inspiring acts and over 50 food and beverage stops! $169 – $319 per guest. Parties run every Sunday in October starting at 7p with some dates featuring a special theme.
  • Rockin’ Burger Block Party – Party to some of the best music of the century while exploring a mouthwatering menu of incredible specialty sliders. $99 – $199 per guest. 7p on Sep. 15, Oct. 8, and Nov. 6

All guests will enjoy the new Back to Basics series, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, and the Marketplace Discovery Passport which are included with their standard Epcot® admission.

Bookings for the Premium events open on Jul. 30, 2015. Contact your Magic Maker® today for additional information!

Entertainment and Events are subject to change without notice. Event may require a separate Epcot® theme park admission not included.

Late 2015 Walt Disney World® Room Discounts

We’re sorry, this offer has expired.

Vacation Wishes Come True at the Walt Disney World® Resort

Why not make new family memories at “The Most Magical Place on Earth?” From thrilling twists and turns on the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom® Park to the great seasonal events like the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, your upcoming trip is a dream come true in the making!

For a limited time, you can save up to 25% at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels for stays most nights Oct. 4 – Nov. 24, 2015 and Nov. 28 – Dec. 23, 2015. Not only will you enjoy staying closer to the magic, your stay will also include an array of special Disney touches and magical extras that only on-property guests receive!

Travel Dates:

Save up to 25% most nights Oct. 4 – Nov. 24 and Nov. 28 – Dec. 23, 2015 (when booked before Sep. 18, 2015)

Contact your Magic Maker® today for pricing and availability!

Request a Quote

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Length-of-stay requirements may apply. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Everyone in the same room must be on the same package. Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than two adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes campsites, 3-bedroom villas, and other Resort/Room type combinations. 30% savings for select Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts; lower savings may be available for other Resorts.

Nighttime Skies on the 4th of July

The Walt Disney World® Resort will pixie dust the night skies in celebration of America’s Birthday! Whether watching the patriotic display at Magic Kingdom® Park, the rock ‘n’ roll spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, or one of the shows, you can celebrate the holiday with a real BANG – Disney-style!

  • Magic Kingdom® Park in Florida will present “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.” This patriotic fireworks spectacular pays homage to the hopes and dreams of America’s forefathers. The spectacular happens twice – July 3rd & 4th at 9p.
  • At Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, the “Coolest Summer Ever” Dance Party leads up to a “Rockin’ Fourth of July Celebration” fireworks show, a pyrotechnic, rock ‘n roll trip across America, where the DJ kicks things off at 5:45p and keeps the party going until fireworks time at 10:15p on July 4th.
  • In Epcot®, the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth show will be enhanced with a special finale – an overture of traditional Americana themes displayed in a pyrotechnic and laser light event. Please note the special showtime for July 4th is at 10 pm.

Other patriotic activities will be taking place around the Parks and Resorts. Consult your Times Guide for complete details of these various activities including the “Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert,” performances by “Don’t Look Back – A Boston Tribute Band,” and your special opportunity to meet patriotic characters at Epcot’s® American Adventure pavilion.

All activities are weather permitting and subject to change without notice.

‘Frozen Summer Fun’ Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

The coolest event of the Summer is back at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®!

Frozen Summer Fun – Live at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® takes place through Sep. 7, 2015. Running daily, the event hosts activities themed after Disney’s popular movie, Frozen. Activities include:

  • Frozen Royal Welcome – Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf appear in a special procession down Hollywood Blvd twice daily – 10:30a, 1:30p
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration FP+Anna, Elsa, and historians from Arendelle tell of their kingdom’s history through tales and some help from the audience in the form of sing-alongs. This show takes place several times daily and is presented in a new home at the Hyperion Theater – 9:30a, 11:30a, 12:30p, 2:30p, 3:30p, 4:30p, 5:30p, 6:30p, 7:30p, 8:30p
  • “Frozen Fever” – Catch a special screening of the new animated short “Frozen Fever” inside the ABC Sound Studiocontinuously 10:00am – 30 minutes before Park closing
  • Olaf’s Summer Cool Down – Several times each day Olaf and his friends are welcomed to the Event Stage to have some fun with everyone “In Summer” – 11:30a, 12:30p, 2:30p, 3:30p, 4:30p, 5:30p
  • “Coolest Summer Ever” Dance Party – The party really gets started each evening as DJ Chill takes the Event Stage – 5:45p-9:30p
  • Frozen Fireworks Spectacular* – What better way to end your day than with fireworks? Each evening, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf take the party into the sky! And you guessed it – the spectacular will be set to the music of Frozen!9:30p (through Aug. 20) 9:00p (Aug. 21-Sep. 7)
    *Frozen Fireworks Spectacular will not be shown on 7/4 and 7/15.
    All events and times subject to change – please refer to Daily Times Guide for more info

Frozen Summer Fun – Live” is included with standard park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Throughout this special event, Anna and Elsa will also continue to meet and greet guests at Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom® Park.

Here’s a look at all the fun the royal sisters have planned for you:

Brunch is Coming to Chef Mickey’s

One of Walt Disney World® Resort’s most popular table service and character dining locations is expanding their current offerings!

Starting May 31, 2015, Chef Mickey’s inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort will offer a daily brunch from 11:30a – 2:30p. While the complete menu has yet to be released, you can expect many of the location’s current breakfast favorites along with a selection of soups, salads, some hot dishes and desserts. And of course, Mickey and his pals will make their rounds during Brunch greeting guests.

Breakfast and Dinner service and hours remain unchanged. All three meals will participate in the Disney Dining Plan utilizing one table-service entitlement per person.

For additional information, please contact your Magic Maker®.

 

‘Sounds Like Summer’ Concerts Heat Up Epcot® Nights

Starting in June, things in Epcot® World Showcase will heat up as the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series kicks off for 2015.

This Rock ‘n’ Roll extravaganza puts some of the world’s greatest tribute bands on the stage of America Gardens Theatre to perform some of your favorite Classic hit songs of all time.

This year’s lineup includes:

  • Jun. 7-13: DSB ~ A Tribute to Journey
  • Jun. 14-20: 2U ~ A Tribute to U2
  • Jun. 21-26: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot ~ A Tribute Billy Joel Show
  • Jun. 27 – Jul. 4: Don’t Look Back ~ A Tribute to Boston
  • Jul. 5-11: Fire & Ice ~ A Tribute to Pat Benatar
  • Jul. 12-18: Stayin’ Alive ~ A Tribute to the Bee Gees
  • Jul. 19-25: Hotel California ~ A Salute to the Eagles

The Sounds Like Summer concerts are included in standard Epcot® admission. Show times are are 5:30p, 6:45p and 8:00p. Entertainment is subject to change without notice.

 

Disney Park Restaurants Introduce New Allergy-Friendly Menus

This month, the restaurants at the Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts have started introducing new allergy-friendly menus, providing increased convenience and options to guests with special dietary requests.

Throughout the next several months, these menus will be rolled out to over 120 quick-service and table-service locations throughout both properties – inside and outside of the Parks. The launch began with Signature Restaurants and will continue with table-service and quick-service. The menus focus on the most common dietary allergens (gluten/wheat, milk, peanut, tree nut, and fish) providing allergen content for menu items from appetizers to desserts!

These new menus are just another step in Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resort’s dedication to serving guests with a specific dietary need. In 2013, special dietary-safe meals for over 650,000 guests were prepared! While these menus are meant to enhance the dining experience, guests may still consult directly with the restaurant chef and are encouraged to continue to alert the waitstaff of special dietary needs.

“Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package” Now Available for Booking

Last month, Walt Disney World® Resort announced the return of Frozen Summer Fun – Live at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.” Starting today, bookings for the premium package are available giving you VIP access to three of its most anticipated activities!

The Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package will provide guests with:

  • Refreshments and reserved viewing of Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome procession
  • Reserved seating at one of the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration showings
  • Dessert Party and viewing of Frozen Fireworks Spectacular from within a reserved area

Pricing for the Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package is $69 for adults / $39 for children which includes tax and gratuity. Packages are available daily Jun. 17 – Sep. 7 (except Jul. 4 & 15). To reserve your package, contact your Magic Maker® today! Click here for additional information on all the events of Frozen Summer Fun – Live at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.”
Discounts do not apply. Park admission is required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. The Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package provides a reserved viewing area but no seating is available for Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome procession or the Frozen Fireworks Dessert Party .

Disney’s Polynesian Resort Returns to its Roots

One of the Walt Disney World® Resort’s most popular Deluxe hotels, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, is currently undergoing a complete refurbishment. As part of the reimagining, the resort has regain its original 1971 opening day name: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

In addition to renovation of guests rooms, the feature pool, and the Great Ceremonial House, the resort added Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto – a themed tiki lounge similar to Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland® Hotel in California – and new bungalow and deluxe studio accommodations.

Now in soft opening, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, founded by the “head” salesman of Adventureland®, serves a nice selection of small plates and specialty drinks available in collectible Tiki mugs. While some of the drinks have been brought over from Trader Sam’s original location at the Disneyland® Hotel, there are a couple new drinks for you to explore! Speciality drink offerings include:

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Exclusives:

  • Polynesian Pearl – RumChata Cream Liqueur, Grand Marnier, and Cinnamon with Tropical Juices served in a souvenir pearl.
  • Nautilus – Barbancourt Pango Rhum, Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Combier Crème de Pêche de Ligne Liqueur, Tropical Juices and Falernum served in a souvenir Nautilus mug.
  • Castaway Crush – Leblon Cachaça, Cream of Coconut, Pineapple, Cinnamon, and fresh Lime Juice.
  • Tahitian Torch – ByeJoe Dragon Fire Spirit, Tropical Juices, Passion Fruit, and Fresh Lime.
  • Dark & Tropical Stormy – Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, and Falernum.

Imported from Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar:

  • Krakatoa Punch – Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, Orgeat (Almond), Sam’s Gorilla Grog, and Hibiscus Grenadine served in a souvenir Tiki mug.
  • Uh-Oa! – Myer’s Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Orange, Passion Fruit, Guava, Pineapple, and Grapefruit Juices, Falernum, Cinnamon, and fresh Lime Juice served in souvenir Tiki Bowl. (serves 2+)
  • HippopotoMai-Tai– Coruba Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bols Orange Curaçao, Orgeat (Almond), Organic Agave Nectar, and fresh Lime juice served in a souvenir Tiki glass.
  • Shrunken Zombie Head – Gosling’s 151 Black Seal Rum, Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Bacardi 8 yr Rum, Tropical Juices, Falernum, and Cinnamon served in souvenir Shrunken head.

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto also has a selection of other specialty drinks, beer, wine, and no-booze brews for purchase. The location is able to accommodate 50 guests inside and up to 82 on their patio. Current operating hours are 4pm – midnight and is 21+ after 8pm. Because of the popularity of the location, a pager system is currently being used to admit guests into the inside lounge area as capacity allows. The Soft Opening is expected to last through the end of April when it will officially open.

 

‘Feel the Force Premium Package’ Returning to Star Wars™ Weekends

Walt Disney World® Resort has announced the return of their premium experience at this year’s Star Wars™ Weekends.

The Feel the Force Premium Package allows you to experience the popular Legends of the Force: Star Wars™ Celebrity Motorcade and the Symphony in the Stars fireworks from a reserved viewing area while enjoying some light refreshments. Also included is reserved seating to one of the Celebrity Talk Shows. This special-ticketed event will definitely rocket your Star Wars™ Weekends experience into hyperspace!

New this year is the Feel the Force Deluxe Premium Package. In addition to the perks in the original package, the deluxe one offers the opportunity follow the motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard, reserved seating at all of the Celebrity Talk Shows at Theater of the Stars for the day, priority access to Darth’s Mall, and a commemorative lanyard.

Here are the details of the premium events:

“Feel the Force Premium Package”

When: Friday – Sunday May 15 – Jun. 14, 2015
Pricing: $69 for adults; $39 for children (tax & gratuity included)
Dining Plan: No Disney Dining Plans or other discounts are accepted
Additional Details:

  • Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade will appear at 11:00a. The VIP viewing experience will be available from 10:30a to 11:30a. Snacks and beverages (soda, water, tea, and coffee) will be served.
  • Symphony in the Stars fireworks starts at 9:45p (Weekend I) and 9:30p (remaining Weekends). The dessert party and VIP viewing area will start at 8:45p. A specialty beverage with an alcoholic options will be available for guests 21+. Seating is not available at either event but wheelchairs and EVCs can be accommodated.
  • Celebrity Talk Show – Reserved seating for one of the Celebrity Talk Shows at Theater of the Stars will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis at check in.
    Entertainment subject to change or cancellation due to weather

“Feel the Force Deluxe Premium Package”

When: Friday – Sunday May 15 – Jun. 14, 2015
Pricing: $99 for adults; $64 for children (tax & gratuity included)
Dining Plan: No Disney Dining Plans or other discounts are accepted
Additional Details:

In addition to the components included in the “Feel the Force Premium Package” (listed above), the Deluxe package includes:

  • Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade will appear at 11:00a. The VIP viewing experience will be available from 10:30a to 11:30a. Snacks and beverages (soda, water, tea, and coffee) will be served. Participants will have the option to follow the motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard.
  • Celebrity Talk Show – Reserved seating for all of the Celebrity Talk Shows at Theater of the Stars will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis at check in.
  • Darth’s Mall priority access throughout the day of the package
  • Commemorative lanyard
    Entertainment subject to change or cancellation due to weather

Availability for these special events are limited, so contact your Magic Maker® today!

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