The 2018 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival will rock with 17 favorite artists

The 2018 Epcot® International Flower and Garden Festival will rock with 17 favorite artists whose hits span more than five decades.

This year, our 25th event year, the Garden Rocks series features singers and groups from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s with hit-makers in a variety of genres including rock, pop, country, R&B and dance.

We have brand new acts such as country favorites Lonestar, British rock legends Foghat; and Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles – along with returning treasures disco pioneers Village People and ‘80s supergroups like Night Ranger.

We also have a couple of artists that have played other Epcot festivals like Survivor, Smash Mouth and Rick Springfield, who are joining us for Garden Rocks this year.

Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):

  • March 2-5: Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
  • March 9-12: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
  • March 16-19: Simple Plan “Welcome to My Life”
  • March 23-26: Little River Band “Reminiscing”
  • March 30-April 2: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
  • April 6-7: Foghat (NEW!) “Slow Ride”
  • April 8-9: Survivor (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “Eye of the Tiger”
  • April 13-14: Smash Mouth (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “All Star”
  • April 15-16: Rick Springfield (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “Jessie’s Girl”
  • April 20-21: Jo Dee Messina (NEW to Garden Rocks!) “Stand by Me”
  • April 22-23: Lonestar (NEW!) “Amazed”
  • April 27-30: Blood, Sweat and Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”
  • May 4-7: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry VIII I Am”
  • May 11-12: Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
  • May 13-14: Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles (NEW!) “Hotel California”
  • May 18-21: The Guess Who “American Woman”
  • May 25-28: The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”

Garden Rocks performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and are included with Epcot admission.

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Does Disney own all your favorite characters?

It’s a small world after all. With the Walt Disney Company’s recent announcement that it will acquire most of 21st Century Fox, the House of Mouse seems set to add another powerful asset into its already massive stable, alarming some Congress members about a possible monopoly.

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Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels to Get Extra Magic Hours, Magic Bands & More

Guests staying at any of the Disney Resort hotels will continue to experience special features offered at a Disney Resort hotel, including legendary Guest service and unique theming, along with benefits like the Extra Magic Hours benefit, the ability to make FastPass+ selections up to 60-days prior to arrival, (both of these benefits require valid theme park admission), the convenience of MagicBands, complimentary transportation (motor coach, buses and ferry boats) around the Walt Disney World® Resort and standard parking at Disney theme parks, Disney’s Magical Express service and the ability to purchase Disney dining plan packages. Those Guests staying in select Disney Resort hotels can also receive other services such as personalized vacation planning, merchandise delivery to their rooms, and easy access to Minnie Van service.

For 2018, we are also extending some benefits that are currently available to Disney Resort hotel Guests and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Guests. Each Guest, with a valid theme park admission, staying at one of the Disney Springs Resort Area hotels, which are designated Official WALT DISNEY WORLD hotels will be extended these benefits. The Disney Spring Resort Area hotels include: B Resort & Spa; Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort; DoubleTree Guest Suites by Hilton Orlando; Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Palace; Hilton Orlando Resort Lake Buena Vista; Holiday Inn Orlando; Wyndham Lake Buena Vista; and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista.

Beginning Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2018, Guests at any of these Official WALT DISNEY WORLD hotels, with a valid theme park ticket, can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours benefit as each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks opens early or extends later for Guests to enjoy select attractions

Scheduled to begin Jan. 10, 2018, Walt Disney Travel Company packages are available for the Disney Springs® Resort Area hotels. Also, scheduled to begin Jan. 10, 2018, Guests at these Official WALT DISNEY WORLD hotels, who have booked a package reservation for the hotel through a Walt Disney Travel Company package, will be able to link their hotel reservation on My Disney Experience, and with a linked, valid theme park ticket, these Guests can utilize a 60-day booking window for FastPass+ selections. These are benefits that are already available to Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Guests.

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8 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Disney During The Holidays

Disney’s known for being the Happiest Place On Earth, and during the holidays, the cheer factor is off the charts. Every detail is meticulously considered to surprise and delight people, from late-night parties to fireworks displays that light up the whole Kissimmee skyline.

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New Cirque Du Soleil Show in Development for Disney Springs

As we’ve previously shared, La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil® is taking its final bow at Disney Springs® on New Year’s Eve 2018. As the curtain closes on this fan favorite, it’s fitting that we share some exciting news about the future of the long-lasting relationship between Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Nearly twenty years after teaming up to bring La Nouba to the stage, the two entertainment companies are working together on a new collaboration.

This original show will be created by Cirque du Soleil and will pay homage to Disney’s rich history of animation, with a vivid story told in a way that only Cirque du Soleil can deliver. Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, elaborated, sharing “We are incredibly inspired by Disney’s immense creative universe. We are convinced that bringing Disney’s magic to life on stage will touch audiences and bring them back to their childhood.”

An opening date for the new show has not been announced. We’ll share details here as they are finalized.

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The Hall of Presidents Re-Opens at the Walt Disney World Resort after a Year-Long Transformation

Following a year-long transformation, The Hall of Presidents will officially reopen at Magic Kingdom® Park on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, with enhancements that will bring the story of the American presidency to life as never before. The epic theatrical production was envisioned by Walt Disney himself to honor the country by honoring the presidents of the United States.

This endeavor began with a single animated figure of President Abraham Lincoln that was developed for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. In 1971, advances in technology made it possible for Imagineers to make Walt Disney’s vision a reality by including every chief executive who ever served the United States of America.

The history of innovation at The Hall of Presidents continues to this day. In addition to updating the show’s content, Imagineers have incorporated the latest in theatrical design and Audio-Animatronics technology. Landmark moments in history come alive on a panoramic 180-degree screen that transports guests across more than 200 years of the American story. High-impact projection, sound, lighting and other enhancements take guests into rare and indelible moments in history that helped define a nation.

As has been the tradition with every new president since the attraction debuted, an Audio-Animatronics figure of President Donald J. Trump has been added to the show and features the latest advances in technology that enable smoother and more lifelike movements. President Trump personally recorded remarks exclusively for The Hall of Presidents, just as each sitting president has done for the attraction since the early 1990s.

Rich in innovative storytelling and tradition, The Hall of Presidents carries a legacy and passion for American history that has been part of Disney Parks for more than 50 years.

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Over The Last 20 Years, Broadway’s ‘Lion King’ Has Made More Money For Disney Than ‘Star Wars’

This year, the House of Mouse is celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Lion King on Broadway. The duration of the run is impressive enough – most musicals last a year or less, with just a few lucky ones hitting it big.

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Photos – Update from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

We’re excited to share a few of the details of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge that were revealed at the recent Star Wars: Galactic Nights panel, which included members of the Walt Disney Imagineering team working on this project. Check out this article for a look at their progress.

The group talked about authenticity – how they are building a real place in the Star Wars universe and how they are working hard to get the details right. One example inclues the Millennium Falcon.  Here is a photo of the inside of the ship as the team is getting her ready.

Here’s a look at the team’s progress as they build a fleet of full-size X-wing starfighters.

The team also shared what the toy stall in the village marketplace will look like. Inside, your Clients will be able to discover all kinds of fun and cool toys straight out of the Star Wars galaxy. Exclusive to this outpost, all these offerings look hand-crafted by local artisans.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in 2019 at both Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts.

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Disney DuckTales Woo-oo! DVD Review

DuckTales! Woo-oo!  Every day they’re out there making DuckTales! Woo-oo! Tales of derring-do! Bad and good luck tales!  Are you singing along yet?  One listen to the theme song for Disney DuckTales, and you will be Woo-ooing all around town. The original Disney DuckTales was an animated classic from 1987-1990.  With great anticipation the show got a reboot and  premiered on August 12, 2017. The tales continue with the globe-trotting treasure-hunting money-making adventures of billionaire Scrooge McDuck (David Tennant) and his nephews, Huey (Danny Pudi), Dewey (Ben Schwartz) and Louie (Bobby Moynihan).  I knew that reboot would be huge when I attended the D23 Expo over the summer, and the line for the DuckTales Money Pit wrapped around the show floor.  Fans literally waited for hours for the change to dive into Scrooge McDuck’s Money Bin.  How awesome is that?! Disney DuckTales Woo-oo! is great fun for those of us that watched the original and for those of you who are new the series. Run out and grab a copy of the DVD and get ready to join Scrooge McDuck and his nephews on the greatest adventures of all.  DuckTales Woo-oo! See….I told you would be singing along in no time!

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2018 at the Disneyland Resort: Guests Will Experience New Fun with Pixar Fest, Pixar Pier and So Much More

Guests visiting the Disneyland Resort in 2018 will enjoy new experiences plus exciting new elements added to some of their favorite shows and attractions at the Happiest Place on Earth. Pixar comes to life like never before at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in 2018 to celebrate friendship and beyond, with the first-ever Pixar Festopening April 13 and a new land, Pixar Pier, opening for summer.

Pixar Fest, the biggest theme park celebration of beloved stories and characters from Pixar Animation Studios, will be a must-do experience at the Disneyland Resort. During this limited time event, guests will be among the first to enjoy a new Pixar-themed fireworks spectacular, the return of two favorite parades with new Pixar surprises, new décor, atmosphere entertainment and more.

In summer 2018, Pixar Pier will open as a new land in Disney California Adventure, featuring four whimsical neighborhoods where guests can step into beloved Disney•Pixar stories. The first neighborhood, inspired by “The Incredibles,” will feature the exciting new Incredicoaster, and others will celebrate themes from Pixar favorites such as “Toy Story” and “Inside Out.”

In addition, guests will enjoy plenty of Disney magic throughout the Resort including seasonal and cultural celebrations, new creatively themed food and beverage items, new experiences and restaurants at Downtown Disney, and so much more.

To enhance a visit to the Disneyland Resort, guests may download the official Disneyland App to purchase tickets and find useful information at their fingertips, including attraction wait times, FastPass return times, maps, entertainment guides and other special features such as Disney MaxPass. With Disney MaxPass, guests are able to reserve digital Disney FastPass selections from their mobile devices while in the parks, as well as download, share and save unlimited Disney PhotoPass photos from their day.

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