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New Wine Cellar Coming to Epcot®

Tutto GustoA new wine cellar will soon be add to the long list of available food and beverage options in Epcot’s® World Showcase.

Tutto Gusto, set to open in early May, will be located adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante in the Italy Pavilion. The décor of Gusto will be  inspired by an Italian wine cellar with stone walls and floors, vaulted ceilings, and a fireplace in the dining room.

A small-plate menu that takes guests on a fabulous culinary tour of Italy will be available. Options include: Affettati (cured, sliced meats); Formaggi (Italian cheeses); Panini(sandwiches); Piccoli Piatti (small plates); Cavatappi (a type of pasta), and Dolci (sweets). More than 200 Italian wines, including sparkling, reds and whites, grappas (a distilled drink made from what remains of grapes after they have been pressed for winemaking) and beers such as La Rossa, Moretti and Menabrea will be offered at Gusto.

Tutto Gusto will be a small, intimate location seating only 96-guests. Normal operating hour will be 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. This location will accept the Disney Dining Plan.

Cooling Off at Epcot

Club CoolGuests looking to cool off from the Florida heat will find an unique hideaway tucked inside Epcot’s® Future World.

Club Cool, hosted by Coca-Cola, features an International Tasting Station. Eight different international Coca-Cola soft drink products are available for guests to try a complimentary sample of. Flavors include:

  • Krest Ginger Ale from Mozambique
  • Fanta Kolita from Costa Rica
  • Beverly from Italy
  • Vegeta Beta from Japan
  • Kinley Lemon from Israel
  • Lift Apple from Mexico
  • Smart Watermelon from China
  • Mezzo Mix from Germany

Beverly, the Italian soft drink, is the one that gets the most attention because it has a distinct taste. If you have ever tasted Beverly, it is likely something you haven’t forgotten! Check out this video of guest’s first experiences:

In addition to the international taste testing, Club Cool sells many different Coca-Cola souvenirs and collectibles you won’t find elsewhere on property.

La Hacienda Restaurant now Open

La HaciendaLa Hacienda, the new table service restaurant in the Mexico Pavilion of Epcot‘s World Showcase is now open.  Guests are welcome to walk up for seating currently with reservations available starting October 15.

The smallest details combine to create a striking exterior blends beautifully with the pavilion both inside and out.  The pavilion is designed to look like a warm, inviting home with a casual-but sophisticated, south-of-the-border ambience.   Fabulous views of the World Showcase Lagoon offer front row seating for “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” fireworks spectacular.  Music will be piped into the dining room nightly for the show.

La Hacienda shares air-conditioned space with La Cantina, the new quick-service location, up until about 2:30 in the afternoon, when they stop indoor seating to get ready for dinner guests.

Can’t wait to try this new restaurant?  Contact your Magic Maker® about making a dinner reservation.

Chefs Whip Up Global Goodies

Like a fine wine that improves with age, the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival celebrates 15 years this Epcot International Food and Wine FestivalOct. 1-Nov. 14, 2010 with an unrivaled global tasting experience.

Where on the planet can foodies sample the cuisine, culture and entertainment of more than two dozen countries during a 1.3-mile stroll around a picturesque 40-acre lagoon?  Only at Walt Disney World® Resort, where more than 25 international marketplaces around the World Showcase promenade at Epcot® invite guests to taste tapas-sized portions and sip wines, beers and spirits from six continents.

This year, Disney and celebrity chefs are teaming with winemakers and brew masters from around the world to commemorate 15 years of Delicious Discoveries.  During the six-week festival, guests will discover:

  • Two new tasting marketplaces – Belgium and South Korea –plus new menu offerings at popular returning marketplaces including Singapore, Argentina, Chile, Poland, South Africa, Australia, U.S.A., Spain and others.
  • Celebrity chef appearances starring top culinarians like Warren Brown, Cat Cora, Todd English, Gale Gand, Robert Irvine, Art Smith, Andrew Zimmern and more.
  • A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
  • Daily wine seminars, bottle signings, author events and culinary demonstrations at the Festival Welcome Center.
  • Eat to the Beat! concerts three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre.
  • Two Epcot restaurants grand opening just in time for the festival: Via Napoli at the Italy pavilion and La Hacienda de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion.

New Sips, Fresh Bites

Whether sampling steamed mussels with roasted garlic cream at the new Belgium marketplace or sipping the trendiest wines from South Africa and Chile, festival guests can make a day of grazing their way around the World Showcase promenade.  Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $3-to-$8 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each marketplace.  To make grazing simpler and more fun, guests can purchase a festival-themed mini-Disney Gift Card that can be loaded and reloaded at several park locations.  The card comes attached to a band that can be worn conveniently on the wrist and used for purchases at park marketplaces, restaurants and shops.

Live regional entertainment includes music, acrobatics and improv performances along the promenade.  Evening Eat to the Beat! concerts at America Gardens Theatre feature acts from many musical genres.  Appearing for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are: Sugar Ray, Air Supply, Howard Jones, 38 Special, Roger Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp,) Hanson and Rick Springfield.  Kicking off the festival Oct. 1-3 is fan-favorite Taylor Dayne, and wrapping the event Nov. 12-14 is crowd-pleaser Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Each fall, the festival attracts a diverse audience of more than 1 million guests ranging from wine connoisseurs and epicures to novices wishing to boost their culinary IQs.  Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Festival highlights include:

  • The Festival Welcome Center, with a Wine Bar, Authentic Taste Seminars, Authors Without Borders weekend conversations and more.
  • Some 250 chefs including Disney chefs and guest chefs from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting dinners and tasting events.  Guest chefs on tap include Debbie Gold, Rock Harper, Jeff Henderson, Robin Miller, Jamie Deen and many other culinary stars.
  • New events that include 3-D Disney’s Dessert Discovery and a festival preview night, First Bites Opening Reception, on Sept. 30.
  • Popular returning events that include Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen, Epcot Wine Schools, Mexico Tequila Tastings and Food and Wine Pairings.

Festival guests can enjoy fresh Epcot experiences including the latest Future World high-tech fun at Innoventions.  They also can go “under the sea” at The Seas with Nemo & Friends, “up in the air” at Soarin’ in The Land pavilion or “out of this world” at Mission: SPACE.  In World Showcase, new and updated restaurants welcome guests at the Italy, Japan, Mexico and China pavilions.

Included with Epcot Admission

Authentic Taste seminars and Authors Without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission.  Contact your Magic Maker® for more information.

Hungry yet?  Click below to request a quote!

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Captain EO Returning to the Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Captain EOThe classic 3-D film experience “Captain EO” is coming back to Walt Disney World Resort this summer just months after it reopened to rave reviews at Disneyland park. The 17-minute musical space-fantasy adventure film is now scheduled to begin at Epcot on July 2.  The film features Michael Jackson as “Captain EO” and a crew of Disney-created space characters. During their journey, the group uses the power of dance, light and music to turn a colorless planet into a world of color and happiness.

Sum of All Thrills

In a recent trip to Walt Disney World® Resort, our owner, Chet, was able to give the newest Disney Innovention, Sum of All Thrills™, a test run.  An exhibit located at Innoventions East Building in Epcot® gives guests a chance to design their perfect thrill ride.

Sum of All Thrills™ will test your imagination.  An interactive touch screen lets guests determine height and speed while adding features such as dips and corkscrew turns to the virtual roller coaster, bobsled track or plane ride.  Designs are created using a digital ruler and pre-selected track options to construct the rides. If a guest tries to build something physically impossible  then they’re asked to retool their ideas.

Once the ride is completed on screen it is time to climb aboard the 4-D robotic simulator that uses sight, sound and movement to give you a realistic experience.  The robotic carriage uses virtual-reality technology to help guests experience the ride they just created.  With their legs and arms outside the ride, guests watch a video version of their ride while the robotic arm moves from side to side, up and down, and will even flip guests upside down to simulate the feeling of a real roller coaster. Fans blow air at the riders at various speeds to give guests the sensation that they are moving forward.

Sum of All Thrills™ is perfect for any thrill junkie of any age*!  And don’t worry, if you get a little carried away with your design, you can always hit the “Oh, no!” button during the ride to stop the simulation.

Click here to start planning your Walt Disney World Vacation to experience this newest Innovention!

*Height restrictions are 48 inches, unless you’ve picked an inversion. Then riders must be at least 54 inches tall.

Kim Possible Adventure at Epcot

Kim Possible at EpcotWhen visiting Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort you now can enjoy a brand-new, ultra-interactive attraction inspired by the Disney Channel animated series, “Kim Possible.”

Using the latest technology, Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure invites Guests of all ages to become secret agents, teaming up with members of “Team Possible” to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions.

As you embark on this international adventure, they will receive an official “Kimmunicator.” This handheld wireless device will help them maneuver through the mission. Using state-of-the-art technology, the interactive device connects you with a variety of characters from “Kim Possible” who provide clues to stop villains from taking over the world. These devices also allow Guests to control top-secret equipment hidden inside World Showcase pavilions, creating an adventure jam-packed with mystery and excitement.

You can play Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure in sevenWorld Showcase pavilions: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France and United Kingdom. Each pavilion features a unique mission including distinctive visual events and a different super-villain from the animated series.

Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure is included in Epcot admission.

By |2017-06-27T10:25:10-05:00February 3rd, 2009|Categories: Disney News, Walt Disney World News|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Don’t Miss the 2009 Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival

Epcot Flower and Garden FestivalAn elaborate “Cinderellabration” topiary and an environmentally friendly Green Garden will bring fresh springtime flair to the 16th annual Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival March 18-May 31, 2009. Amid a colorful tableau of flowers, plants and topiaries, Walt Disney World® guests of all ages can explore myriad exhibits and activities geared toward gardening and outdoor fun. Weekend Flower Power concerts will pump up the volume and spread a groovy vibe at America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase.

Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure in Epcot

When you visit Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort in the fall of 2008, you will be treated to a brand-new, highly interactive attraction inspired by Disney Channel’s Emmy award-winning animated series, Disney’s Kim Possible.

Using the latest technology, Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure invites Guests of all ages to become secret agents, teaming up with members of “Team Possible” to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions.

As you embark on this international adventure, they will receive an official “Kimmunicator,” at kiosks throughout Epcot. This interactive, handheld device is designed to help you maneuver through the mission. Using state-of-the-art technology, the interactive device connects you with a variety of Kim Possible characters who provide clues to stop villains from taking over the world. The highly interactive devices also allow you to control top-secret equipment hidden inside World Showcase pavilions, creating an ultra-interactive adventure jam-packed with mystery and excitement.

You can play Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure in seven World Showcase pavilions: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France and United Kingdom. Each pavilion features a unique mission including distinctive visual events and a different super villain from the animated series.

The cost to participate in Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure is included in your park admission.

Don’t have your trip planned for this fall?  What are you waiting for? Book your Walt Disney World® Vacation today.

Epcot’s Shining Icon Reopens

Spaceship EarthInside the Epcot® icon, remarkable changes have taken place. A re-imagined Spaceship Earth, presented by Siemens, re-launches this month, combining the magic of the iconic attraction’s time-travel adventure into the past with a new finale that provides Guests the opportunity to imagine their futures.

On a trip through time inside the Spaceship Earth attraction, Guests discover how each generation of mankind has invented the future for the next generation, and how the spirit of innovation has moved people from the caves to the cosmos.

Enhancements to the time-travel attraction encompass changes to each of the ride scenes. New show scenes were added to the attraction’s story along with new lighting effects, costumes, set decoration, narration and musical score.

This adventure through time leads ultimately to the very top of Spaceship Earth’s geodesic dome, where Guests arrive at the present. The time travel adventure is enhanced through new, interactive touch screens installed aboard each “time machine” that enable Guests to create their own visions of the future.

As Guests disembark the time travel experience, they are invited to visit “Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow,” where interactive exhibits bring to life the ideas and technologies Siemens is developing to help make the world a better place for the future.

By |2017-06-27T10:25:23-05:00February 19th, 2008|Categories: Walt Disney World News|Tags: , |0 Comments