WDW Daily News

At the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Guests can now step inside a wonderful garden inspired by the magical Madrigal family from “Encanto,” the new Academy Award®-nominated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios.

A new “Encanto”-inspired garden will let Guests explore a lush tropical jardín inspired by the movie (streaming on Disney+) and its strong female characters like Julieta, Isabela, Luisa and of course, Mirabel. Guests can also stroll around a path inspired by the youngest member of the Madrigal family, Antonio.

The garden, which debuted last week, will be available through May 22, 2022, and is located near La Isla Fresca Outdoor Kitchen between the Morocco and France pavilions in World Showcase. This year, La Isla Fresca features three arepas dishes: arepas topped with melted queso fresco; arepa topped with shrimp, crushed avocado ají and tomato sauce; and an arepa topped with chorizo. Delicioso!

This is just one of the recent additions based on “Encanto” that can be enjoyed at Walt Disney World Resort. As part of Celebrate HER Story in honor of Women’s History Month, Guests can also enjoy delicious specialties and treats inspired by the women of the film at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. 

While visiting EPCOT, Guests can discover two more incredible garden destinations at Mexico pavilion in World Showcase. Extraordinary Orchids offers a breathtakingly beautiful area filled with orquídeas, while the Tropical Rainforest Garden lets Guests discover the rich biodiversity of the Mexican rainforest and its adaptive species.

For more information on the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival that runs through July 4, click here.

DIsney is gearing up to make a seaside splash at Disney’s BoardWalk! Over the next few years, they’ll be bringing new enhancements and offerings to life along this beloved, turn-of-the-century promenade – from a charming new lobby design and nearby coffee bar to delectable dining options, refreshed guest rooms and other special touches.

Waterside strolls will be extra special with storybook sweet treats and dreamy desserts at The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, a new table service restaurant and bakery that’s sure to delight. Expected to open in 2023, this restaurant will offer both savory and dessert menus, along with afternoon tea service, in a whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk that Guests know and love. 

And with this new sweet spot on the horizon, the BoardWalk Bakery will become a new sandwich shop for Guests to enjoy a bite along the water’s edge, joining other current food and beverage locations like BoardWalk Ice Cream.

Through the doors of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, light and airy touches will reinvigorate the lobby, lounge and guest rooms, carrying the seaside breeze right inside. Just off the lobby, a new coffee bar with artisanal beverages and quick bites will be available to-go or in newly refreshed seating spaces inside or outdoors.

The Disney Resort hotel experience is a special part of what makes each Walt Disney World vacation truly memorable. As one of 31 themed resorts in the Disney Resorts Collection, Disney’s BoardWalk offers something for everyone – from shopping and dining to entertainment and recreation. We look forward to sharing new details about these enhancements at the resort as they become available.

The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is now open! The 2022 festival showcases a bounty of fun experiences, lush gardens, fragrant blossoms, seasonally inspired flavors and the exciting return of the Garden Rocks Concert Series. Many new offerings have sprouted up alongside returning festival favorites to offer a bloomin’ great time for the entire family to grow fresh memories together.

Nearly 100 topiaries, breathtaking garden spaces, exciting exhibits and more are waiting to be explored through the park. Among the Disney Character topiaries is a new main entrance display featuring Goofy with a special birthday cake celebrating the Disney World 50^th Anniversary. Don’t forget to snap a selfie using hashtags #FreshEpcot and #DisneyWorld50 to commemorate your visit during The World’s Most Magical Celebration.

Near the Germany pavilion, Snow White and new topiaries featuring the Seven Dwarfs will have Guests whistling “heigh-ho, heigh-ho” all the way around World Showcase. Returning favorites include Lumiere and Cogsworth topiaries in the France pavilion; Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc between United Kingdom and Canada pavilions; the Troll in the Norway pavilion; and Pumbaa and Timon near Imagination!

Also new this year is thee Blossoms of Fragrance Presented by Scentsy. Surrounded by vibrant butterfly topiaries, six scent stations – floral, fruity, citrus, spice, woods and fresh – will help Guests form lasting memories with the help of unforgettable aromas. In the newly expanded France pavilion in World Showcase, Guests will explore the France Bouquet Garden to admire blooms perfect for a bouquet of cut flowers, beside a topiary of Chef Remy! And another can’t-miss experience, Bambi’s Butterfly House, lets Guests view a kaleidoscope of butterflies up close to learn about their life cycles and observe their extraordinary colors and beauty.

For all live music lovers, the Garden Rocks Concert Series has returned this year! Guests won’t want to miss this favorite – featuring internationally recognized artists performing on the America Gardens Theatre stage Friday through Monday and local bands rocking the house Tuesday through Thursday. Acts newly added to the already stellar lineup include “American Pie” singer Don McLean, contemporary Christian band MercyMe, genre-crossing WAR, Latin hitmakers Melina Leon and Claudia Leitte, and rock powerhouse Daughtry. Visit FreshEPCOT.com to make a Garden Rocks Dining Package reservation for Friday through Monday concerts.

Whether it’s on the plate or in the glass, nearly 20 Outdoor Kitchens showcase the finest of spring’s bounty, offering a variety of tasty dishes, desserts and specialty sips. This year Guests will have the chance to savor more than 50 brand-new offerings. For example, EPCOT Farmers Feast presents an abundance of flavor with a rotating seasonal menu that will change three times throughout the festival.

Also bursting with intriguing new flavors and herbal-inspired delights will be The Citrus Blossom, La Isla Fresca, Magnolia Terrace, Cider House and Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina.

For Guests that like to shop, they’ll be buzzing with delight to discover five new merchandise collections found at Festival Markets throughout EPCOT: Orange Bird Collection, Mickey Mouse Home Garden Collection, Spike The Bee Collection, Figment’s Garden Collection and the whimsical Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Collection. 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 

Other ways to explore include the Garden Graze, a food stroll highlighting five sweet and savory offerings in the Festival Passport; complete the graze to receive a special prize. And Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration is a scavenger hunt for kids of all ages; Guests can purchase a map and stickers at select merchandise locations (available while supplies last) and complete it to receive a special prize.

New experiences introduced as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration offer even more ways to cultivate fresh memories. Guests can enjoy Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and join Chef Remy on a daring and epic culinary journey as they zip, dash and scurry through Gusteau’s bustling Paris restaurant. And watch “Harmonious,” one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park.

To experience the 2022 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Guests will need both a valid park admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date.

At Walt Disney World Resort, women have been a driving force behind many of our most treasured theme park experiences. That’s why Women’s History Month is so important to us – it’s a time to honor women throughout history, share their stories and celebrate their achievements.

All month long, “Celebrate HER Story” will put the spotlight on cherished Disney character heroines and our talented female Cast Members who are making positive impacts. From engineers, magic makers, and chefs to talented female-led entertainment and unique offerings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

“Celebrate HER Story” is one of the ways Walt Disney World is reimagining tomorrow.

Art and Music

Throughout Walt Disney World Resort: Unique photo-silhouette backdrops are one of the ways we’re celebrating women. Showcasing strong female Disney characters, these fun photo locations can be found across property – from Disney Springs to more than 20 Disney Resort hotels. Find them, snap a selfie with your favorite heroine, and share on social media using the tag #CelebrateHERStory.

At Disney Springs: On Friday and Saturday evenings a female DJ will lead a Disney sing-along for families on the AdventHealth Waterside Stage. The playlist will feature songs by some of Disney’s most beloved and inspirational female characters. In addition, a variety of female performers will be featured most nights throughout the month of March.

At EPCOT: As part of this year’s Garden Rock Concerts Series at EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, several female artists will take the stage of the America Gardens Theatre. March performers include:

• Skillzmatic – March 2, 3, 29, 30, 31
• Melina León – March 11,12
• CeCe Winans – March 13, 14
• Hello Sister – March 15, 16, 17
• Glass Ceiling – March 22, 23, 24

Food and Beverage

At Magic Kingdom Park: All month long, special sweet offerings will pay tribute to female Disney Imagineers whose work has greatly influenced and impacted Walt Disney World Resort:

• At Liberty Square Market, discover the Madame Leota Cupcake inspired by Leota Toombs: Chocolate-cherry cake filled with black cherry-lime cream finished with blackberry buttercream
• At Friar’s Nook, enjoy the “it’s a small world” Cupcake inspired by Mary Blair: Lemon funfetti cake, blue raspberry buttercream, and vanilla-lemon buttercream
• And, at select outdoor food and beverage carts on Main Street, U.S.A., you will find the Cinderella Castle Mosaic Cupcake inspired by Dorothea Redmond: Champagne-flavored cake filled with fresh raspberry champagne compote, finished with gold champagne buttercream, mosaic tile sprinkles and chocolate garnish

At Select Disney Resort Hotels:Kicking off International Women’s Day on March 8 and continuing through the month, two Disney Resort hotels will offer specialties inspired by the women of the Disney animated feature, “Encanto.”

At Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, discover:

• Chorizo Arepas: Cheese arepas topped with chorizo, red pepper and onion-egg scramble, arugula, and sliced avocado
• Mirabel Cupcake: Cinnamon cupcake filled with custard and topped with coconut buttercream, toasted coconut, and Mirabel-inspired fondant garnishes

Also at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, you can enjoy:

• Luisa Push-Up Cake Pop: Layers of vanilla cake and tres leches pastry cream topped with a doughnut hole ‘boulder’
• Encanto Cholado: Crushed ice topped with sliced fresh fruit, sweetened condensed milk and shredded coconut

At Disney Springs: Select locations will showcase signature food and drinks.

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will showcase inspired dishes created by female chefs:

• Nona’s Home-Style Meatballs presented by Sous Chef Lori Tiritilli: Italian meatballs with Sunday gravy, basil pesto, and scratch-made lemon ricotta, grilled focaccia crostini, grated pecorino cheese
• Carne Frita con Tostones presented by Sous Chef Natalie Floyd: Crispy pork shoulder tostones, pickled onions, citrus aioli

Tempt your sweet tooth by heading over to Amorette’s Patisserie to enjoy:

• “The Passion of My Life” Dessert presented by Pastry Chef Yoly Lazo Colon: Pineapple, mango and toasted coconut mousse, coconut chiffon cake, white chocolate crisp pearls and infused passion fruit glacage

Or, visit The Ganachery to discover a treat inspired by a fierce female Padawan:

• Lady Tano Pop, a concept by Chocolatier Katie Dodge presented by Chef Chocolatier Amanda Lauder: Plant-based coconut and blueberry swirled ganache topped with dark 65% chocolate

Stories and Heroines

All month long, the Play Disney Parks App will feature a special “Women of Imagineering” trivia game highlighting current and former female Disney Imagineers and the incredible contributions they have made to The Walt Disney Company. The celebration even extends to Disney MobileMagic Service, where passes featuring exclusive new designs showcase favorite female characters like Edna Mode, Mrs. Incredible, Minnie Mouse and more. These special passes will be available throughout March.

At EPCOT: Explore two exhibits spotlighting female trailblazers:

• “Rally of the Gazelles (Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc)” is an immersive vignette found in the Morocco pavilion. It highlights the country’s all-female off-road race, where navigation skills, determination and teamwork mean the difference between getting ahead and going off-course.
• “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” is an exhibit found in the American Adventure pavilion. It showcases authentic, historical Native artifacts alongside contemporary works of American Indian art, demonstrating examples of cultural traditions which have been handed down through generations. Among the featured artists with works on display are fashion designer Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), noted doll-maker Glenda McKay (Ingalik-Athabascan) and Juanita Growing Thunder (Assiniboine Sioux) from the Growing Thunder family of Montana.

Merchandise

Discover curated items and specialty merchandise available at various locations all month long! Here is a first look at new nuiMOs outfits celebrating female empowerment. They’re coming soon to Disney theme parks and shopDisney.com.

There’s More to Come

Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog to learn what else will soon debut in honor of Women’s History Month – from special fitness events to spotlights on female entrepreneurs and culinary talent, and limited-time offerings.

We hope Guests will join us at Walt Disney World this month to “Celebrate HER Story!”

This spring, the Disney’s Hollywood Studios chefs have whipped up some truly decadent items crafted especially for those with a sweet tooth. Starting March 2, Guests can find these delicious dishes all across Disney’s Hollywood Studios to celebrate the fresh flavors of spring!

On Sunset Boulevard, multiple locations are serving up sweets. At Hollywood Scoops, the Orange Blossom Shake has everything Guests need to stay cool and, most importantly, satisfied. This orange and cream milkshake is absolutely beautiful (and tasty), topped with whipped cream and an orange-scented donut.

For those inspired by a tale as old as time, try the Beauty and the Beast Rose at Catalina Eddie’s. This dessert is as beautiful as it is tasty! This dark chocolate mousse with a taste of black currant and Morello cherry sits atop a chocolate shortbread cookie, whipped cookies, and cream fluff, and is gorgeously topped with gilded chocolate covered cocoa nibs.

At Rosie’s All-American Café, the S’mores Cupcake will light up Guests’ appetites, with chocolate and marshmallows on a cupcake. This fudge-filled chocolate cupcake, is topped with graham cracker buttercream, toasted marshmallows, and even a mini chocolate bar.

For those looking for a twist on a classic Mickey apple, The Trolley Car Café features a Chocolate-covered Apple, a dark chocolate and peanut butter crunch dipped Granny Smith apple with marshmallow ears. Not only is it absolutely adorable and a Disney treat staple, but it’s delicious too! Sounds like a win-win to me.

ABC Commissary has not one but two delicious desserts – one minty and one tropical-tasting! First up,  the Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, topped with dark chocolate ganache and whipped mint chocolate chip cream.

Also at ABC Commissary is the Tropical Tart. This lovely dessert is a mango passionfruit curd-filled graham cracker tart topped with whipped raspberry vanilla bean panna cotta, toasted coconut, and dehydrated strawberry and passionfruit. With all these fresh, fruity flavors, this treat is a spring staple!

PizzeRizzo is joining in on the spring fun with the Strawberry Cheesecake Cannoli. This white chocolate and rainbow sprinkled dipped cannoli shell filled with whipped strawberry cheesecake is a must-try.

And last but certainly not least, Woody’s Lunch Box has the newest addition to their sweet selections – the Banana Fudge Lunch Box Tart. This peanut butter and chocolate fudge stuffed pastry is coated with banana fondant, banana chips, and rainbow sprinkles.

Let the spring taste-testing begin!

(Note: All offerings are subject to change.)

Ahead of the March 1 debut of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World Resort, more details have been revealed about how this new immersive experience intertwines with other Star Wars experiences Guests know and love, like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Walt Disney Imagineering developed Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at the same time, intending for them to complement not only each other, but the broader place in Star Wars history in which they’re set. Collaborating with Lucasfilm, they created the Halcyon starcruiser, the setting for this new two-night immersive adventure that takes us deeper into the tales of that galaxy far, far away.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-eY-VRFq10kC

What does it mean that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a first-of-its-kind immersive experience?

Here to answer that question are three people who helped create this bold new adventure in a galaxy far, far away: Portfolio Creative Executive Scott Trowbridge and Creative Director Cory Rouse from Walt Disney Imagineering, and Mikhael Tara Garver, director of immersive experiences for this audacious project. Check out the new video below to hear them discuss the development of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser and what makes this vacation experience such a big leap forward in immersive storytelling.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser debuts March 1 at Walt Disney World Resort. 

As announced in November during Destination D23, the Disneyland Resort is thrilled to bring back its nighttime spectaculars this spring. So many fan-favorite entertainment offerings have continued to return – from Jambalaya Jazz in New Orleans Square at Disneyland park to “Disney Junior Dance Party!” in Disney California Adventure park. Plus, we’ve recently introduced experiences like encountering Raya in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail to the Celebrate Soulfully entertainment throughout the month of February. Each of these offerings highlights the incredible momentum at the Disneyland Resort as part of our phased reopening.

Today, we’re excited to share even more on the entertainment front, with additional details around the return of our nighttime spectaculars!

On April 22, 2022, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular will return to Disneyland Park, and “World of Color” will return to Disney California Adventure Park. “Fantasmic!” is preparing for its return to Disneyland park on May 28, 2022.

But that’s not all the exciting news we have to share today!

Upon its return to Disneyland Park, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” will be celebrating its 50^th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, the Disney Live Entertainment team will introduce exciting new elements to the “Main Street Electrical Parade” that will continue to evolve this beloved spectacular.

Over the past five decades, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” has brought families together to delight in its many whimsical stories and featured characters. And soon, that will continue for a whole new generation of dreamers. In honor of the parade’s 50^th anniversary, this nighttime spectacular will return with an all-new, enchanted grand finale that celebrates the theme of togetherness.

This universal theme is reflected in the creative concept of the grand finale sequence. Inspired by both the original design of classic “Main Street Electrical Parade” floats and Disney Legend Mary Blair’s iconic art style on “it’s a small world,” the new grand finale brings to life more than a dozen Disney Animation and Pixar stories. These stories will be interpreted in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sound, with unique representations of beloved characters as animated dolls.

As the new grand finale passes by, Guests along each side of the parade route will see a different set of stylized scenes from classic and contemporary favorite stories such as “Encanto,” “The Jungle Book,” “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Aladdin,” “Coco,” “Mulan,” “Brave,” “The Princess and the Frog” and more. Check out one of the early pieces of concept art, featuring Mirabel and Antonio from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award-nominated film, “Encanto.”

From the Blue Fairy to a colorful, unique representation of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the grand finale of the “Main Street Electrical Parade” comprises seven segments stretching 118 feet in length, making it one of the longest and grandest units in the parade’s 50-year history.

“Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Disneyland Forever” will be available for a limited time at Disneyland Park. When “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular comes back on April 22, it will run weekends only (Friday through Sunday). “Mickey’s Mix Magic” will present its high-energy, projections-only show during the week (Monday through Thursday) until late spring. At that time, “Disneyland Forever” fireworks will then run nightly in the summer. “World of Color” and “Fantasmic!” will return to their regular schedule upon reopening.

We cannot wait to “ignite the night” once again! With the return of fan-favorite offerings, and new experiences on the way, the Disneyland Resort is buzzing with energy and excitement. It’s a great time to plan a visit, and we’re so excited to continue welcoming back our Guests!

We look forward to sharing more details about our entertainment offerings as the return of the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” “World of Color,” “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular and “Fantasmic!” draw nearer in the coming weeks.

Check the latest entertainment details and schedules at Disneyland.com or the Disneyland mobile app. Entertainment, experiences, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability or unavailable, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Theme Park reservations and valid admission for the same Park on the same day are required for Park entry. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability and not guaranteed. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlr for important information to know before your visit, including the latest information on required face coverings.

Last Friday, the world got a first look at the newest Disney Cruise Line ship when our beautiful Disney Wish completed a major milestone known as “float out.”

During this momentous event, the Disney Wish touched water for the very first time, then made a grand exit from the enclosed building dock where it has been constructed. And to say this was a wish come true for our teams at Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Cruise Line would be an understatement. We celebrated the occasion in true Disney style with fireworks, music and even a special appearance by Captain Minnie Mouse herself … and today, we are so excited to share this special moment with you, too! Check out the video below to witness the incredible “float out” of the Disney Wish:

Amazing, right? It actually took about five hours to flood the building dock, followed by a breathtaking 90-minute exit as the Disney Wish sailed out with only 3 feet of clearance on either side. Not only was this the debut of the completed exterior, but it was also the grand reveal of its signature stern character statue — at last, Rapunzel saw the light! — and the first Disney attraction at sea, AquaMouse, towering over the upper decks.

The ship will remain alongside the pier for several weeks before its next important milestone, when it is be conveyed stern-first down the River Ems to the port of Eemshaven, Netherlands. In the meantime, we will continue construction and interior outfitting to bring all the amazing new experiences aboard this enchanted ship to life.

Keep an eye out for more updates on the Disney Wish!

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is just around the corner. The festival is back and filled with delicious eats and mesmerizing sips highlighting the lovely flavors of California. From March 4 through April 26, 2022, Guests can feast their eyes and stomachs upon some returning dishes coming to the festival marketplaces, like the Petite Avocado Impossible Burger from Avocado Time, or try some new options like the Peanut Butter & Jelly Mac from Nuts About Cheese.

The fun and feasting doesn’t stop at just the festival marketplaces. Guests can enjoy this celebration all around Disney California Adventure Park. There is truly no shortage of food and drinks to enjoy this year! And don’t forget about the Sip and Savor Pass, which allows Guests to try up to eight different food and non-alcoholic beverage items at participating locations. Guests can use all eight tabs themselves – or split with a friend! Passes can be purchased at several locations through Disney California Adventure Park.  

Guests will be fully immersed into the flavors and culture of California by attending weekend cooking demonstrations with professional chefs, jamming out to live music, or enhance their visit with exclusive festival and bookable experiences within the Park and at Disneyland Resort hotels, including the Carthay Circle Winemaker Receptions or head over to Cocktails @ Sonoma Terrace hosted by CORKCICLE, which features an expanded menu of craft brews, signature cocktails, savory snacks, and more. And what trip is complete without a little shopping to commemorate this foodie extravaganza! Guests can pick up a Tasting Passport to ensure they don’t miss out on any of the fun or flavors.

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