Magic Kingdom Park Special Event Dates Announced – Tickets on Sale in April!
Your favorite fall events at the Walt Disney World® Resort have been announced! Dates have been announced for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. And, tickets for both events will go on sale in April.
During these specially-ticketed events the Magic Kingdom® Park comes alive with holiday decorations, special entertainment and tons of fun!
This year, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be held 25 nights throughout the months of September, October and November. And, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held 20 nights in November and December.
Dates for 2015 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are:
The annual Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival is designed with something for everyone in the family: hands-on activities for all ages; how-to seminars from expert gardeners and Disney’s own team of master horticulturists and an exciting lineup of pop hit makers from the 1960s and ’70s appear every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Event Dates: March 4 – May 17, 2015 Event Tickets: Admission to Epcot® required.
It’s more than just Flowers though, as posted yesterday, a concert series takes place and of course there is FOOD!!!
Sample Kitchens from the 2014 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Take your pick from garden–grown treats, savory meats and spring-inspired flavors—including tempting TRYit! selections, featuring fun foods made with fresh ingredients—this year at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival!
Florida Fresh – Experience a taste of several fresh Florida ingredients, each grown and produced locally. It’s a perfect opportunity to treat your senses to some of the most delightful fruit and drink the Sunshine State has to offer! Florida Fresh can be found next to the Germany Pavilion.
Hanami – Journey near the Japan Pavilion where the annual ritual of admiring springtime flowers is in full bloom. From delectable bites to refreshing beverages, uncover how Hanami’s flavors reflect the season.
Jardin de Fiestas – Make your way near the Mexico Pavilion where the tapas are spring light and cooked just right. Don’t miss your chance to take part in this festival of flavors, complete with savory tacos and mouthwatering cocktails.
Fleur de Lys – Indulge your senses in extravagance at this tasty milieu influenced by the “flower of the lily.” Once a royal emblem used by the French monarchy, the symbol now serves as inspiration for this decadent stop where you can refine your palate with some of the France Pavilion’s most magnificent culinary masterpieces!
Lotus House – Hit the pavement near the China Pavilion for a garden-fresh take on spring–influenced flavors. Appease your cravings with a wide variety of Chinese cuisine, including popular street foods and bubble tea!
Pineapple Promenade – Enjoy the Great White North with a tropical twist at the Canada side of World Showcase promenade. Then, get ready to hear your sweet tooth say, “thank you!” as you bite into all kinds of treats featuring this popular golden fruit.
Primavera Kitchen – Say, “Ciao!” to spring as you set sail for a land of garden–fresh foods near the Italy Pavilion. On your stop, be sure to explore the countryside’s many flavors—caprese, manicotti, torte di ricotta and fine Italian wines.
Taste of Marrakesh – Embark on a trek near the Morocco Pavilion and educate your tastes on North African spices. Each unique flavor has been paired with fresh ingredients and can be sampled with Moroccan beer and wine at this garden oasis.
New! Urban Farm Eats – Honor the earth and all it grows with a refreshing selection from this location’s all–natural menu. Choose from a hearty array of foods and beverages, many of which have been cultivated entirely from the soil!
The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews – Celebrate the truly American tradition of slow–cooked flavors near The American Adventure Pavilion. Sink your teeth into savory barbecue meats and then pair each one off with craft brews from across the country.
The Buttercup Cottage – Delight in elegant afternoon–tea offerings and fresh garden flavors near the United Kingdom Pavilion. Drop by this charming locale to sample scrumptious treats, British teas and beverages inspired by lovely English fruits and fragrances.
Intermissions Café – Dig into your day or turn over the evening at this charming stop found right within the Festival. Pop inside to find all kinds of fine food and beverages—wine, cheese, wraps, salads and more!
It’s a wonderful time for a stroll through World Showcase!
Garden Rocks Concert Series To Debut at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
A new concert series is among one of the many things you will encounter as the 22ndEpcot® International Flower & Garden Festival: A Spring Tradition returns to Walt Disney World® Resort March 4-May 17, 2015.
The new Garden Rocks™ Concert Series features 11 pop acts, including En Vogue, Little River Band, Jon Secada, Pablo Cruise and Taylor Dayne. Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. ever Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the festival. Check out this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):
March 6-8: Gin Blossoms
March 13-15: Pablo Cruise
March 20-22: En Vogue
March 27-29: Starship
April 3-5: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
April 10-12: Village People
April 17-19: Jon Secada
April 24-26: The Guess Who
May 1-3: Taylor Dayne
May 8-10: Little River Band
May 15-17: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
This concert series coincides with several promotions running right now for this time period including a fabulous “A Time to Treasure Travel Agency Exclusive” special. Let’s get planning!
Head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at the Walt Disney World® Resort for an exclusive preview of the new live-action Disney feature “Cinderella,” in theaters on March 13, 2015. This special speak peek will be presented at the park’s ABC Sound Studio through March, 21, 2015.
In addition, get an up-close look at the original golden coach from the film. This stunning set piece will be on display in front of the movie theater façade on Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Feb. 1-April 11, 2015.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at the Walt Disney World® Resort is currently undergoing an exciting transformation!
The resort will include the largest Deluxe Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort. The 360 Deluxe Studios will sleep up to five Guests each and have the ability to connect to another Deluxe Studio. These rooms will feature a kitchenette, enhanced storage space, two separate bathroom areas – one a full bathroom with a tub/shower and one with a shower and sink. Plus, a pull-down armoire bed showcases painted artwork from the popular Disney film, “Lilo and Stitch.”
The new Disney Vacation Club bungalows are the first of their kind on any Disney property. The 20 bungalows will sleep up to eight Guests each in a home-like setting reminiscent of the South Pacific.
Booking for non DVC members as regular room rentals begins February 11th, 2015, there will be very limited availability for the bungalows.
If you haven’t been to Walt Disney World in the last year, things…they are a changing! A new system has finally been completely rolled out although it’s still being tweaked and kinks are still being worked out.
MyMagic+ is a complete system of keeping all data together and simplifying the experience for guests. The My Disney Experience tool, MagicBands, FastPass+, all work together.
What is FastPass+
One of the big changes is to Disney’s FastPass system. The old familiar FastPass Ticket system is gone. All the ticket machines have been removed. FastPass+ is in full effect. Guests can book their Fastpass+ selections 60 days in advance for Resort guests and 30 days for non-resort guests. This gives an advantage to buying your tickets in advance and not waiting to get them at the park.
Guests can choose 3 FastPass+ selections limited to one park. Then, once they have used up those 3 experiences, they can book additional Fastpass+ attractions, one at a time at kiosks in the parks. They are not limited to one park for the additional ones. So a guest could schedule their 3 for a morning in one park, then hop to another park and book at the kiosks there based on what is available.
Booking FastPass+
So how do you book these FassPass+ attractions? Using the My Disney Experience website or app on a smartphone or tablet. You sign up for an account and set everything up linking your reservation and ticket numbers. Have the lead person set it up, add your family and friends and then you can book the FastPass+ for everyone in your traveling party. You can use the app in the parks to check wait times and maps, and of course change your FastPass+ selections on the fly if you need/want to.
How does it work:
The system works by using an RFID (radio frequency identification) chip embedded on the tickets or in the Magic Band. Ticket media are now like credit cards with the chip embedded with your My Disney Experience profile and information. Magic Bands are a band/bracelet you wear embedded with the chip. Non resort guests can buy Magic Bands if they wish.
Magic Bands
Magic Bands are free to resort guests and can be customized by choosing colors and names printed on the inside of the band. They ship out before your trip (or can be picked up at your resort at check in) and can be used right from your arrival at Orlando Airport for Disney’s Magical Express if you are using that option. You Magic Band is your Key to the World card. It will open your hotel room door, it is your park ticket and FastPass+ ticket, and it can be used with a pin number to make purchases and charge to your room. Your ADR’s (Advanced Dining Reservations) can also be stored booked through your My Disney Experience account and they will be listed there for you. The bands are comfortable to wear and waterproof.
If it all seems complicated and overwhelming, no worries. It’s not too bad once you get the hang of it and experience it and of course, a good Disney Travel Planner, like myself, will do a lot of the set up and booking for you or with you, free of charge!
This year, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be held 25 nights throughout the months of September, October and November. And, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held 20 nights in November and December.
Magical Travels with Barb 