WDW Daily News

The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is almost here, with flavors in full bloom and dishes waiting to be cultivated from March 2 through July 4.

With nearly 20 Outdoor Kitchens, there is a perfectly harvested combination of new delights like the BLT Scone at Cider House and fan favorites like the Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake at The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board back in season. There’s so much to enjoy this year – Guests will want to keep coming back for more.

As Guests taste their way through the Festival, recommend they pick up a Festival Passport to participate in the Garden Graze, a returning food stroll featuring five delicious dishes from various Outdoor Kitchens. Collect a passport stamp after purchasing the items and once Guests have compiled all five, head over to Pineapple Promenade to receive a Festival-exclusive treat.

Fresh flavors aren’t the only fun to be had. This celebration is filled with adorable topiaries featuring favorite characters, renowned performers for the Garden Rocks Concert Series, and, of course, exclusive merchandise to bring the fun home. The little ones can get in on the fun too with Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration, a scavenger hunt for the whole family!

Now, it’s time to see all the treats our EPCOT chefs have put together for you this year.

Between Feb. 25, 2022 – Aug. 7, 2022, the following attractions will be added to Disney Genie+ service*: 

• Magic Kingdom Park: Space Mountain 
• EPCOT: Frozen Ever After 
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway 

During this time period, these attractions will not be available for purchase a la carte. This will help to give Guests more options as we prepare for a busy spring and summer season.

*Attractions with Lightning Lane entrances that are Disney Genie+ and individual purchases are limited in availability, subject to change or closure, may vary by date, are not guaranteed and may not be available at all on the date of visit or at the time you make a selection. 

Private ground transportation to and from Walt Disney World Resort is now available as a package add-on through the Walt Disney Travel Company.

As part of this offering, there are several options available, including exclusive vans, sedans, SUVs, executive limousines and stretch limousines. Private, direct ground transportation is commissionable and can be booked up to five days prior to arrival.

Round-trip transportation from Orlando International Airport to a Walt Disney World Resort hotel can be added online to a Walt Disney Travel Company package via the Disney Travel website or by calling the Disney Reservation Center.

For ground transportation at Tampa International Airport, Sanford International Airport, Orlando Amtrak Station, Kissimmee Amtrak Station, Cape Canaveral, Vero Beach, Daytona and the Guest’s hotel, one-way travel at Orlando International Airport and other modifications, please call the Disney Reservation Center. Both one-way and round-trip fares are available. Additionally, to make changes to an existing reservation or provide flight information for your Clients, please call the Disney Reservation Center.

Up to one complimentary car seat will be available for children five years old and under, with additional car seats subject to availability.

By: Javier Moreno, Senior Vice President, Sales, Services and Events

Today, we’re excited to share the below announcement about Storyliving by Disney. I’m honored to share that this exciting new business is guided by my predecessor in this role, and a dear friend of the Travel Advisor community, Claire Bilby, Senior Vice President of Emerging Business for Disney Signature Experiences. Get a closer look at Storyliving by Disney in the below post!

As more fans look for new ways to make Disney a bigger part of their lives, today we are announcing plans to introduce Storyliving by Disney™, vibrant new neighborhoods that are infused with our special brand of magic. Each community will feature distinctively designed spaces, unique amenities and Disney’s brand of world-renowned service.

These master-planned, new home communities are intended to inspire residents to foster new friendships, pursue their interests and write the next exciting chapter in their lives —all while enjoying the attention to detail and special touches that are Disney hallmarks.

At each location, including some neighborhoods for residents ages 55+, Disney Cast Members trained in the company’s legendary guest service will operate the community association. Through a club membership, Disney will also provide access to curated experiences, such as wellness programming; entertainment ranging from live performances to cooking classes; philanthropic endeavors; seminars and much more.

And where will the first one be? None other than a place that has known the footsteps of Walt Disney himself! Cotino™, a Storyliving by Disney community, will be built in the heart of the Coachella Valley in Rancho Mirage, Calif. If you’re a Disney history fan, you might know that the brilliant mountain-ringed valley in the Greater Palm Spring area was once a rejuvenating retreat for Walt and Lillian Disney!

Check out this video to learn more about the proposed plans for Cotino, a Storyliving by Disney community. We will be working with highly respected real estate developers and experienced home builders at each site, who will contribute their talents and expertise to each community.

Like any good story, this is just the beginning! Other locales in the U.S. are under exploration.

Stay tuned for the latest Storyliving by Disney news. For additional information and updates, visit www.storylivingbydisney.com.

This material contains general information about future proposed community plans which are subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice.  Club membership, programming, and access and use of future proposed amenities and offerings, will require the payment of dues and/or fees and be subject to additional terms and conditions, which will be set by the owner of the club. Availability of club membership and operation of club facilities are not guaranteed. Disney is not the developer of Cotino, a Storyliving by Disney community or the builder or seller of homes within Storyliving by Disney communities. The parties developing, and building homes in, Storyliving by Disney communities are independently owned and operated.This does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy, real estate to residents of any state or jurisdiction where prohibited by law, or where prior registration is required, but has not yet been fulfilled.  Equal Housing Opportunity. Broker participation welcome.  See storylivingbydisney.com for full details.  [Page Pierce, DRE License No. 02161670]

Statement from Disney:

COVID‑19 has been a constantly evolving situation, and for nearly two years, we’ve been very intentional and gradual in our approach to COVID‑19 health and safety protocols. Given recent community trends and the availability of vaccines, we are positioned to responsibly adjust our health and safety protocols for fully vaccinated Guests. Beginning Thursday, February 17, the following health and safety updates will be in place at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations. Guests who are not fully vaccinated are expected to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters. Face coverings are still required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner.

Walt Disney famously said that Disneyland would never be finished; it would always grow and change with time. That’s certainly been true with the attractions, for the most part, but it’s also true when it comes to the way the Disney Parks operate.

Full Story

Genie+ and Lightning Lanes are officially a hit at Disneyland and Disney World.

Full Story

Romance is in the air with endless goodies from Disney Parks across the globe and we’re excited to share the tasty items Guests can enjoy this Valentine’s Day.

As Feb. 14 approaches, there is no shortage of delightful eats and sips to enjoy for an extra touch of l’amour at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

Prepare to be captivated by your tastebuds as you eat your way through this heart-filled day because these bites and drinks aren’t just adorable, they’re delicious too. And the fun doesn’t stop at just the treats. Guests can take the heartfelt vibes home with you with this Disney Love Songs playlist [insert link here] filled with all your favorite ballads!

All Guest need is love, an appetite, and this guide to check out the many Valentine’s Day delights awaiting them! 

Walt Disney World Resort

EPCOT

Coral Reef Restaurant (available Feb.14)

• Flourless Chocolate Cake: Flourless chocolate cake and dark chocolate crémeux with fresh berries, raspberry whipped cream, and raspberry méringue (New)

Le Cellier Steakhouse (available Feb.14)

• Flourless Chocolate Cake for Two: Flourless chocolate cake and dark chocolate crémeux with fresh berries, raspberry whipped cream, and raspberry méringue (New)

Private ground transportation to and from Walt Disney World Resort is now available as a package add-on through the Walt Disney Travel Company.

As part of this offering, there are several options available, including exclusive vans, sedans, SUVs, executive limousines and stretch limousines. Private, direct ground transportation is commissionable and can be booked up to five days prior to arrival.

Round-trip transportation from Orlando International Airport to a Walt Disney World Resort hotel can be added online to a Walt Disney Travel Company package via the Disney Travel website or by calling the Disney Reservation Center.

For ground transportation at Tampa International Airport, Sanford International Airport, Orlando Amtrak Station, Kissimmee Amtrak Station, Cape Canaveral, Vero Beach, Daytona and the Guest’s hotel, one-way travel at Orlando International Airport and other modifications, please call the Disney Reservation Center. Both one-way and round-trip fares are available. 

Up to one complimentary car seat will be available for children five years old and under, with additional car seats subject to availability.

Who’s ready for spring? For horticulture and festival teams at Walt Disney World Resort, the season of renewal is already here as crews work behind the scenes to prepare for the 2022 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.  

This year’s festival runs March 2 to July 4 – a total of 125 days! – and features a plethora of colorful blooms, good tunes, fragrant scents and fresh flavors.

Disney Character topiaries offer a perfect backdrop for springtime photos with family and friends. A new main entrance display will feature Goofy with a birthday cake celebrating the Walt Disney World Resort 50^th anniversary.

Horticulture teams are also designing, planting and shaping new topiaries of the Seven Dwarfs to accompany Snow White near the Germany pavilion in World Showcase. And returning this year are Lumiere and Cogsworth topiaries in the France pavilion as well as Pumbaa and Timon topiaries near Imagination!

On the bridge to World Showcase, Guests can enjoy the sights and scents of spring at a new fragrant garden presented by Scentsy. Surrounded by vibrant butterfly topiaries, Guests will be invited to follow their noses to six scent stations—floral, fruity, citrus, spice, woods and fresh—to form lasting memories with the help of unforgettable aromas.

The Health Full Trail presented by AdventHealth offers a fun way for families to play and learn how to stay healthy, and Outdoor Escapes Presented by OFF!® Repellents lets Guests enjoy a moment of relaxation, while learning how easy it is to create an outdoor escape of their own. Bambi’s Butterfly House enchants Guests with a kaleidoscope of butterflies showing off their extraordinary beauty and colors.

The Garden Rocks Concert Series returns to the festival this year, featuring internationally recognized artists on the America Gardens Theatre stage Friday through Monday; local bands will rock the house Tuesday through Thursday.

Artists recently added to the lineup include Gospel singer CeCe Winans and Tommy DeCarlo, singer of the band Boston. They’ll join returning favorites such as The Guess Who, Rick Springfield and Kool & The Gang, as well as popular Latin hitmakers Melina León and Claudia Leitte. For Friday through Monday concerts, Guests can make a reservation for a Garden Rocks Dining Package by visiting FreshEPCOT.com. 

Outdoor activities can work up an appetite, and the festival’s 18 Outdoor Kitchens serve up fresh menus, seasonal produce and refreshing beverages to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Guests can stop at EPCOT Farmers Feast, since its menu options rotate throughout the festival. Other new mouthwatering menu items can be found at The Citrus Blossom, Magnolia Terrace and Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina, among others. Keep an eye out for a festival foodie guide coming in late February!  

Guests can also explore EPCOT with the Garden Graze, a fun food stroll highlighting five delicious sweet and savory offerings listed in the Festival Passport. Complete the graze to receive a special treat!

Finally, Guests can bring festival memories home with garden-inspired merchandise collections featuring vibrant apparel, drinkware, garden tools and much more. This season, collections will feature Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Orange Bird, Figment and Spike the Bee. 

To experience the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date. Keep checking back with us here for more information, and Guests can always head over to TasteEPCOT.com for all the festival details.