Disney News

by Magic Maker® Leilani Wagner

“Hey kids, today we are going to Epcot®!”  “YAY!”

That is the typical reaction from our kids-no matter of their age. Contrary to popular belief, Epcot® is not a dreaded journey though mindless, boring exhibits reminiscent of a middle school field trip. Sure, there are educational rides through hanging, soil-less gardens, fish being raised in tubes and tubs, and of course the march around the world of foreign cultures. But kids love these attractions, and let me tell you why.

The many, varied countries in Epcot® provide opportunities for your kids to do something we all like to do…eat. They can sample food from all over the world in a safe environment. Each country makes it easy and relatively inexpensive to sample various food and drink native to their country. The different smells, colors and variety will keep their interest all day. The different entertainment such as dancing, shows, drummers and speeches all combine to keep the excitement at a high level. You can take your time and see everything and not feel rushed.  You will need time, however, as Epcot® is very large. Stroller recommended!

Just to add a little more excitement to your next trip with children to Epcot®…here are some ideas we’ve done with our kids while touring the World Showcase.  We give our kids a mission to find a specific type of item in each country (usually while I’m shopping) that represents that country and simply take their picture with that item.   IE: hat or clothing, a Disney plush toy, etc.  One time we gave them a budget and told them the number of countries at Epcot®– their goal was to work together to purchase candy/chocolate from each country to take back home with us. This prolonged the “magic” as we relived it when we’d open a new candy in the following weeks.

There are hands on exhibits in many places in Epcot® such as Innoventions® Entertainment Facility. Our girls truly loved these activities and we often had to pry them out of there to see the other exhibits and rides. Turtle Talk with Crush is the most fun you can have with an animated character! We had so much fun watching the kids interact with Crush! And don’t forget to check out Club Cool where you can taste soft drinks from all over the world, at no additional charge!

The rides and attractions at Epcot® are a popular draw for kids as well. Soarin’™ Attraction, Mission: SPACE® Attraction, Test Track® Attraction and the rides within the different countries are favorites of my kids. If your little one is a bit shy of the bigger rides in the other parks, rest assured there are slower, calmer rides that everyone will enjoy throughout Epcot®.  The pace is a bit slower as well, which you may appreciate after days of running through Magic Kingdom® Park and the other parks.

Take the kids to Epcot® and see the world.

After 40 years of operation, Thursday, May 31st, will mark the final day of the Snow White’s Scary Adventures® Attraction at Magic Kingdom® Park. One of the fourteen remaining opening day attractions at Magic Kingdom® Park’s opening on October 1, 1971, the attraction will be removed to make way for the new Princess Fairytale Hall. 

Princess Fairytale Hall is part of the New Fantasyland® Area expansion that is taking place right now at the Magic Kingdom® Park. This royal area will become the new home for guests to meet-and-greet their favorite Disney Princesses. Design of the building calls for a castle-like entrance of stone and stained glass windows,  a large gallery with high ceilings and portraits of Disney Princesses, and elegantly finished rooms for guests to meet the Princesses in.

Princess Fairytale Hall is set to debut in late 2013. In the meantime, guests will find the Princesses in various meet-and-greet locations spread throughout the Magic Kingdom® Park. Consult your Times Guide for exact locations and times during your visit.

Fans of Disney•Pixar’s Cars will be running “full throttle” this weekend as the Walt Disney World® Resort presents Car Masters Weekend. The event, which is now in its second year, is a celebration of everything Cars.

This years activities include:

• Meet-and-Greets with Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Finn McMissile
• Movie marathon of showings of Cars and Cars 2 at AMC® Downtown Disney 24
• Test-drive RIDEMAKERZ®  model cars
• Car Show presented by Hess – with over 100 classic, muscle and exotic cars as well as some of GM’s newest models on display
• NEW  Appearance by automotive designer Chip Foose – contributing designer of Ramone from Cars
• NEW  LEGO® interactive zone
• NEW  Cars-themed topiaries
• NEW  Dance party with live DJs

Also just announced for this year is high-performance karting from the Richard Perry Driving Experience! This karting experience will challenge your driving skills in a high-action race environment while trying to score the best lap time in your racing group. Cost is $20 (plus tax) per person and is open to any licensed drivers age 16 and older. Each additional ride is $10. All participants must sign a waiver, and closed-toed shoes are required.

Hours for the Car Masters Weekend in the Downtown Disney® Area is 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. on June 2nd & 3rd, 2012.

On this Memorial Day, may we remember all of the brave men and women who have passed while serving and protecting our country.

“Actually, if you could see close in my eyes, the American flag is waving in both of them and up my spine is growing this red, white and blue stripe.”  – Walter Elias Disney

Since the Magic Kingdom® Park opened back in 1971 through present, the Flag Retreat Ceremony has taken place in Town Square. As a tradition that was started in Disneyland® Park, this ceremony performed by the Disney Security Color Guard, The Main Street Philharmonic, the Dapper Dans, and a special Honorary Veteran of the Day selected from that day’s guests. Held daily at 5pm, the ceremony is a wonderful way for young and old to honor our military and our country.

Please enjoy our video of the Magic Kingdom® Park Flag Retreat Ceremony:

Tuesday morning, Walt Disney World® Resort photographer Matt Stroshane had an opportunity to catch a rare photograph at the early hours of the morning.

This shot shows Epcot’s® popular Future World Mission: SPACE® Attraction in the foreground as the flame from the SpaceX Rocket streaks across the background. At 3:44 a.m. Eastern, the SpaceX Falcon 9 launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (appox. 60 miles from Walt Disney World® Resort). This mission marks the first commercial company in history to attempt to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station.

For all those photo buffs, this photo is a 64-second exposure of f11 at ISO 100 utilizing a neutral density filter.