Epcot | Vacations with Character® Blog

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is Here!

Take a First Look: EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE

Epcot Food and Wine Sign — By Disney Destinations – July 14, 2022

For the next 128 delicious days, guests can sip, savor, shop and repeat across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE! The festival kicked off yesterday and continues through Nov. 19, offering new experiences for foodies and fun-loving
families.

Friends enjoying various drinks at Epcot Food and Wine Festival — By Disney Destinations

A passport for the palate, this iconic festival is a magical taste tour – one that whisks guests off on a fun and flavorful journey. It’s a delicious celebration of the best in global food and drink along with live entertainment, family activities and more. This year, the creative Disney culinarily teams have dreamed up unique dishes as nearly one third of the menu offerings are NEW!

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Passport — Festival Passport by Disney Destinations

Guests can grab a Festival Passport to use as their handy guide to discover all the new sips and fresh bites available at the more than 25 Global Marketplaces throughout the park. These special food and beverage locations celebrate the best in global cuisine.

The Fry Basket by Disney Destinations

Debuting this year is The Fry Basket showcasing French fries presented with unique savory and sweet toppings – like the Fry Flight, featuring three different flavors!

Family enjoying morning treats at Epcot Food and Wine Festival — By Disney Destinations

For those who like to get an early start enjoying the festival and all that EPCOT has to offer, the Belgium marketplace will open at 8:30 a.m. daily to serve up delicious Belgian Waffles topped with either Warm Chocolate Ganache or Berry Compote and Whipped Cream, as well as Chilled Mocha Coffee.

Various Booths at Epcot Food and Wine — By Disney Destinations

All other marketplaces – including The Swanky Saucy Swine, Coastal Eats, Hops & Barley, The Alps, Germany, Spain, Canada, Australia, Greece, Brazil and Flavors from Fire to name just a few – will open at 11:00am daily to entice guests with exciting new options and returning fan-favorites. Be sure to check out the full Festival Foodie Guide for photos of many delectable offerings.

Don’t miss the Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare as well! Be sure to check out this incredible list of performances and make plans for which guests want to see. And don’t forget about Eat to the Beat Dining Packages (for Friday through Monday concerts), which include a leisurely meal at a select EPCOT restaurant and guaranteed seating at a performance later that same day. To see the full lineup of artists, performance dates and pricing, and to make a dining package reservation, visit TasteEpcot.com.

New Merchandise for Epcot Food and Wine Festival — By Disney Destinations

It’s time to sip, savor…and shop! Five new merchandise collections offer up fun and whimsical kitchenware, tabletop items, apparel, novelties and unique collectibles featuring favorite Disney characters such as Chef Minnie Mouse, Chef Mickey Mouse, Princess Tiana, Chef Figment and Chef Remy. Merchandise can be found at festival retail locations across EPCOT, with additional pieces debuting throughout the festival. Select items are also available on shopDisney.com.

Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Savenger Hunt and Sweet Treat — By Disney Destinations

But that’s not all! There are other ways to have even more fun exploring the festival. Cheese lovers will love Emile’s Fromage Montage and take a walk on the tasty side to sample dishes featuring cheese served in inventive ways.

Guests of all ages can enjoy Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure where they’ll join Chef Remy on a daring culinary journey and zip, dash and scurry through Gusteau’s bustling Paris restaurant. And kids will want to embark on a Ratatouille-inspired scavenger hunt that’s très magnifique in Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak as well.

At the end of the day, Guests will want add to the magical memories made by watching “Harmonious” – one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney Park.

To experience the 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, contact your favorite Vacations with Character® Vacationista for all the details!

Vacations with Character® has earned the distinction of being an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner

Live Entertainment Returning to Disney World!

Several major live entertainment experiences will be returning to Walt Disney World Resort during The World’s Most Magical Celebration, some with new additions and enhancements!

Just announced as part of the Destination D23 event, several major live entertainment experiences will be returning to Walt Disney World Resort during The World’s Most Magical Celebration, and some of them are coming back with new additions and enhancements!

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, we’re thrilled to share some additional details about this newly updated show, which is being called “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” The new show is set in the timeline of the movie “Finding Dory.” We’re told the team is hard at work getting “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” ready to open in 2022, and we look forward to sharing more soon.

As Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, announced earlier today, “Fantasmic!” will also be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2022. When this incredible spectacular reopens next year, it will incorporate an all-new sequence featuring live performers, stunts, special effects and more!

At Magic Kingdom Park, live entertainment is returning to the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage early next year, with a show newly enhanced for the 50^th Anniversary celebration. “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” will incorporate favorite scenes from the previous version of the show – with sequences inspired by “Frozen,” “Tangled,” and “The Princess and the Frog” – plus a new opening and a new finale with Mickey Mouse and all his friends in their sparkling, EARidescent fashions. The show will also include an all-new, original song entitled “Where the Magic Feels Like Home.” “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” will be a wonderful addition to the live entertainment lineup for the 50^th Anniversary celebration.

Photo: Courtesy of Vacations with Character®

Since parks reopened last year, Disney has been presenting favorite characters in new ways, such as the cavalcades that travel the parade route at Magic Kingdom Park. These cavalcades have been very popular and will continue to be part of the park entertainment experience into the future. Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade debuted Oct. 1 as part of the 50^th anniversary, and later this winter, a new one will be introduced, the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, with an exciting lineup of characters all embarking on a great journey through the park. The Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade will feature the most characters of any cavalcade to date, including Nick and Judy from “Zootopia,” Baloo and King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” José Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros,” Miguel from “Coco,” plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, and so many more!

And best of all, in early 2022, these cavalcades will be joined by the return of the Disney “Festival of Fantasy” Parade. This vibrant and joyous celebration of Fantasyland brings to the streets of Magic Kingdom Park dozens of beloved Disney characters and stories, from the Disney Princess Garden to a carnival of color presided over by none other than Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

All of this (and more!) is on the way, adding to new experiences that debuted with the launch of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, including “Disney KiteTails,” “Harmonious,” and “Disney Enchantment,” as well as other returning favorites like “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.”

Stay tuned for more news coming soon. We can’t wait to help you create a magical vacation to all that fun! Contact your favorite Vacations with Character® Vacationista if you are interested in booking a vacation package and tickets at www.vacationswithcharacter.net.

Vacations with Character® has earned the distinction of being an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner

Run Disney Returns This Fall

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! In-Person runDisney Racing Returns to Walt Disney World Resort This Fall!

RunDisney Returns, kicking off the 2021-2022 season with four events!

We’re so excited to share that runDisney races will return to Walt Disney World Resort this fall, kicking off the runDisney 2021-2022 race season! The season will include four events:

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by AfterShokz: November 4-7, 2021
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: January 5-9, 2022
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend: February 24-27, 2022
runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend presented by Otterbox: March 31-April 3, 2022
The 2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend will kick off all the fun. The theme, “Wickedly Delicious”, celebrates favorite Disney villains, and the weekend will include a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and Disney Two Course Challenge (both the 10K and the half marathon). The Post-Race Party will cap off the weekend so runners can celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends at EPCOT with exclusive, after-hours access to the park and the International Food & Wine Festival.

Guests looking forward to running an upcoming runDisney race will be glad to know that many of the things that make Disney races so magical will return – from running through Walt Disney World theme parks and special entertainment to fun race weekend themes and Disney-themed finisher medals.

With the return of runDisney races to Walt Disney World, we’re also excited to hear about some new opportunities:

runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend: Each race season, the fourth weekend will be the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend that will include different race themes and distances each year.
Disney Princess Sunrise Yoga: On the first morning of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, runDisney will host Disney Princess Sunrise Yoga in front of Cinderella Castle, before the theme park opens. The professionally led yoga session will be the most magical way to prepare your mind and body for a race!
Virtual Races: All runDisney races will have a virtual race option, allowing runDisney fans across the country to participate in your favorite races, even if you can’t make it to Walt Disney World to run in person. Runners will be encouraged to run on the same morning of the on-site events, and will receive the same finisher medals!
Just for Kids: The runDisney Kids Races during each event weekend will become runDisney Kids Adventures, focused on health, fitness, and fun for kids!

Looking ahead, the 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will celebrate the Most Magical Celebration on Earth for the 50^th anniversary of Walt Disney World, and the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend theme will celebrate courage and kindness inspired by some favorite Disney Princesses.

Stay tuned for more details about runDisney race weekends and on-sale information as information will be forthcoming! As COVID-19 guidelines may change before the return to on-site running, race weekends may not include every element from previous years. runDisney will continue to provide the latest updates to participants leading up to our race weekends, so keep an eye on www.rundisney.com for all race details!

Vacations with Character® has earned the distinction of being an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner

Disney Fireworks Return

Things are ever changing at Disney theme parks as more of our beloved park experiences return. Today, we are tickled with a pink “Minnie” bow, to announce Fireworks are back!

Look to the Skies as more magic returns beginning July 2021 at Disneyland and Walt Disney World

A Disney tradition since 1957, fireworks shows are what Walt Disney called the perfect “kiss goodnight” at the close of a magical day, and this summer the skies above Disney theme parks will sparkle with color once more. Beginning in July, just in time for the nation’s Independence Day celebrations, the incredibly popular nighttime fireworks spectaculars are returning to Disney parks!

Look to the Skies Sneak Peek

At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, July 1 marks the start of nightly fireworks performances at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT. “Happily Ever After” will transform Cinderella Castle with lights, projections and pyrotechnics, as moments from favorite Disney stories encourage Guests to grab hold of their dreams and make them come true. And as part of the ongoing transformation of EPCOT, “EPCOT Forever” will produce a spectacle of fireworks, music and lighting effects over World Showcase Lagoon, highlighting the themes of innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration at the core of the park’s past, present and future.

As Disneyland Park in California welcomes back all guests, the fun starts July 4 with “Mickey’s Mix Magic” presented nightly throughout the summer. State-of-the-art projections, show lighting and lasers will transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and the façade of “it’s a small world” into a dazzling, family fun dance party that goes sky high with fireworks to celebrate the leader of the club, Mickey Mouse.

If you simply can’t wait until their next visit to see some Disney fireworks, they can enjoy a virtual viewing of “Happily Ever After” right now with #DisneyMagicMoments at home.

As a reminder, valid park admission and a park reservation are still required for park entry. For more information or to book, reach out to one of our Vacationistas today; there’s never been a better time to visit:
Request a Quote

Vacations with Character® has earned the distinction of being an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner

Park Hopping Coming to Walt Disney World in 2021

The moment we’ve all been patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for is finally coming as the Park Hopper Option Returns to Walt Disney World Resort on Jan. 1, 2021!! BUT HOLD ONTO YOUR EARS…there’s a lot you’ll need to know before you race out of your resort and into a park! Read on for details.

Guests who purchased a ticket, package or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day, with some new modifications as part of Disney’s ongoing focus on health and safety. These modifications are designed to help manage attendance responsibly to continue to foster physical distancing. Additionally, other enhanced health and safety measures remain in effect, including face coverings required for all guests ages two and up.

With the updated Park Hopper® experience, Guests must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit (reservation requirements are subject to change) AND enter that first park prior to visiting another. Additionally, we will set specific Park Hopper® hours during which this option will be available. Park Hopper® hours will start at 2 p.m. each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time.

Guests with a ticket, package or pass that includes Park Hopper® benefits will get the chance to see and do more during their visit, which could mean a morning on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and an evening stroll by Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park or starting the day living your Star Wars adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios before an afternoon traveling around the world at EPCOT. Please note that the ability to visit another park will be subject to the park’s capacity limitations.

VERY IMPORTANT TIP: To help manage attendance, upon the return of the Park Hopper option in January, only guests with a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Guests visiting from another theme park will not be able to request to join the virtual queue.

In light of these updates, if you have a ticket or package that includes the ability to visit more than one park per day and you wish to modify or cancel this ticket, please contact your Vacations with Character® Travel Agent for options, including the ability to downgrade your ticket. Didn’t book with an agent? No problem! Reach out to us anyway and we’ll see if we can help!

TIP: Park-to-park transportation is also planned to resume in 2021, with operations beginning each day shortly prior to the start of Park Hopper® hours.

We look forward to starting the new year with the return of this guest favorite! Contact your favorite Vacations with Character® Vacationista for more details or to book: vacationswithcharacter.com

Vacations with Character® has earned the distinction of being an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner

Walt Disney World Holiday Magic Starts November 6

We are super excited to share an update on some of the festive experiences coming to Walt Disney World Resort for the holidays!

We know how much Guests love the holidays, and from Nov. 6-Dec. 30, you’ll will be able to enjoy festive décor, themed merchandise, seasonal food & beverage offerings and entertainment all across Walt Disney World Resort. Holiday magic will be in full force at the four theme parks and Disney Springs, and Santa Claus will even make time for special pop-up appearances at each location, waving and exclaiming holiday wishes to all.

Enjoy the sight of festive flotillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, holiday promenades at EPCOT and merry motorcades at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Plus, character cavalcades at Magic Kingdom Park will take on a special holiday twist, with Christmas friends on festive floats in their holiday finest. Gingerbread Men? Check! Elves and Reindeer? Check, check! And the Toy Soldiers will join the Main Street Philharmonic as they march through Magic Kingdom Park, bringing musical holiday cheer for all to hear.

When night falls, special projection effects will give a festive look to Cinderella Castle this year, providing a colorful backdrop for photo ops. The appearance of the iconic castle will be transformed with a rotating series of designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation.

Of course, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a meal among friends and family. Minnie Mouse will be hosting a yuletide gathering for all her friends at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting Nov. 6. Santa Goofy will be there, along with Minnie and more in their holiday best.

Shifting gears to Disney Springs, You will discover Christmas around every corner as they come across a collection of elaborately-decorated Disney Christmas trees spread throughout this retail, dining and entertainment destination. In the evening, encounter a magical snowfall in areas within Town Center, West Side and The Landing, adding an extra touch of wonder to your holiday shopping. And to top it off, Jock Lindsey will once again be turning his hangar bar into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar complete with delightful holiday décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.

Disney Resort hotels will also be decked out for the holidays too, with their lobbies featuring iconic trees and other festive flourishes.

Starting a bit later in the season, on Nov. 27, holiday kitchens will return around World Showcase promenade with favorites like American Holiday Table featuring Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing and Bavaria Holiday Kitchen with dishes like Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl.

Step inside World ShowPlace to enjoy the returning group, JOYFUL! as they present a journey through R&B, Gospel, contemporary and traditional Christmas and holiday music. Also, the Voices of Liberty will bring their incredible 8-part harmonies to the America Gardens Theatre stage for a special concert of favorite carols and songs of the season.

We’re looking forward to helping you create new traditions this year with unique ways to enjoy the season together. There’s a lot of holiday fun to see and do at Walt Disney World Resort! To learn more about about booking a getaway with seasonal experiences, ask your favorite Vacations with Character® Vacationista for a free, no-obligation quote at: https://vacationswithcharacter.net/ We may even have a few special offers to share with you too!

Vacations with Character® has earned the distinction of being an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner