WDW Daily News

Looking for sights, sounds and flavors from holiday festivities around the world this year? Then be sure to check out the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth, taking place Nov. 27-Dec. 30, 2020 at Walt Disney WorldResort. This magical event will feature delicious food, fun activities for the whole family and the chance to see some Disney characters in their holiday finest.

At this year’s festival, enjoy a global celebration of seasonal cuisine at the Holiday Kitchens, located throughout World Showcase, including three kitchens inside World ShowPlace Events Pavilion. Indulge in festival favorites like the slow-roasted turkey from the American Holiday Table, pork schnitzel at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen or the beef bourguignon from the Yukon Holiday Kitchen. 



As guests sip, savor and sample their way through the Holiday Kitchens, they may spot some of their favorite characters – dressed in their holiday best – traveling through World Showcase to spread holiday cheer. Keep an eye out for Queen Anna and Elsa in the “Frozen Holiday Promenade,” and Mickey Mouse and his pals making merry on the “Mickey and Friends Holiday World Tour.” And we can’t forget about Santa Claus! When Santa visits EPCOT during this festive time of year, he’ll take a grand horse-drawn tour around World Showcase, calling out happy holiday wishes to all.

Be sure to visit America Gardens Theatre to enjoy the sounds of the season from Voices of Liberty, who will share favorite carols through their incredible harmonies. Mariachi Cobre will bring to life Las Posadas, a celebration of Mexican holiday customs through music and dance. Over at the Canada pavilion, JAMMitors will grace the Mill Stage with their playful percussion. And, enjoy the shopping, sights AND sounds inside World ShowPlace as fan-favorite JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season will bring you on an uplifting journey through R&B, gospel, contemporary and traditional Christmas and holiday music. 



The Holiday Cookie Stroll returns this year, with a complimentary cookie as reward for completing the confectionary collection. The delicious array of sweet treats to choose from will include cookies from five different locations throughout the park. You can also pick up an adorable cookie jar to collect all of your cookies, available for purchase at the Holiday Markets throughout World Showcase, while supplies last.

To share holiday traditions from around the world, everyone’s favorite snowman from Frozen invites kids of all ages on the new “Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition,” a festive adventure around World Showcase to round up holiday traditions Olaf misplaces. Guests can purchase the expedition map at Mouse Gear, Disney Traders or World Traveler at International Gateway, then look for hidden Olafs throughout the World Showcase pavilions. Once they find them all, they’ll receive a gift worth melting for (while supplies last).

The holiday season across the rest of Walt Disney World Resort begins Nov. 6, 2020, with seasonal celebrations at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs and Disney Resort hotels.

A global celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts is on its way to Walt Disney World Resort early next year, as the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is set for Jan. 8 – Feb. 22, 2021. 

The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts offers fun for the whole family. Here is just a sketch of what to expect when the event debuts in January:

• Indulge in over 15 Food Studios serving culinary art all around World Showcase
• Explore and purchase the brilliant and diverse work of Disney and other invited artists on display in marketplaces encircling World Showcase Lagoon
• Step into the scene at special photo locations scattered around the park
• Participate in a paint-by-number mural that serves as a collaborative art project for all
• Watch as visiting artists create magic right before your eyes
• Catch performances by favorite EPCOT musical artists Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMitors.
• Join an artful scavenger hunt and search for Figment around World Showcase
• Shop for festival-exclusive merchandise

We’ll have more details on the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts in the weeks and months to come.

On weekdays starting October 14, Passholders can discover a shop just for them. Located in Der Teddybar in the Germany pavilion of World Showcase in EPCOT, the shop will be open Mondays to Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to park close October 14 through November 17, 2020. Please note that the shop’s dates and hours are subject to change. 

This shop is exclusively for Annual Passholders and you will need to show your annual pass card and government-issued photo ID to enter. Once inside, Passholders will discover exclusive merchandise, new World Showcase products and more. Passholders should check this page often for the most up-to-date information on new and available products. 

Important Information
Shop capacity is limited, and entry is not guaranteed. Operating hours and dates of operation are subject to change without notice. Valid park admission and park reservation for the same park on the same day are required for theme park entry. Passholder must present a valid annual pass card and government-issued photo ID to enter the shop and at time of purchase to receive any available discounts. Discounts are for personal use only and may not be used to purchase merchandise with the intent to resell the merchandise. The Annual Passholder Pop-Up Shop is located in Der Teddybar in the EPCOT World Showcase Germany pavilion. Passholders should follow signs to enter queue. Location, product availability and operating hours subject to change without notice and while supplies last. Limit of 10 units of a single item per transaction.

With spooktacular fall fun in full swing and the magic of the holiday season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time of year to capture memories with Disney PhotoPass Service. Beginning today, we’re introducing a special offer on our popular Memory Maker product that makes it even easier for guests to cherish all of the special moments they capture during their visits for the rest of the year!

Memory Maker allows guests to download unlimited Disney PhotoPass photos and videos from their vacation, and when they activate their Memory Maker purchase any time now through November 30, 2020, they can download all of their Disney PhotoPass photos and videos captured through the end of 2020 (rather than the standard 30-day window)!* Please note that this offer does not apply to Memory Maker One Day, and the 45-day expiration policy on photos and videos remains in effect, so guests will need to download content as they go before it expires.

With the rest of the year to snap, save and share photos, the possibilities are endless. Now through October 31, guests can enjoy seasonal treats, catch a Halloween character cavalcade and showcase their own Halloween costume best with photos at Magic Kingdom Park. Then, beginning November 6 through December 30, enjoy festive food and beverage and merchandise offerings, special projections on Cinderella Castle and appearances by Santa Claus himself and share joyful photo memories featuring holiday décor at all four theme parks.



Beyond seasonal photo opportunities, memories can be made any day with a number of new offerings from Disney PhotoPass Service throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Pose for a Magic Shot in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge featuring “The Child” from Star Wars: The Mandalorian or in the center of a 360° Tiny World Magic Shot. Super Zoom Magic Shots provide amazing angles from above in a unique video, perfect for sharing on social media.



Plus, after visiting most Disney PhotoPass photo locations, guests will see a number of extras added to their account that relate to that photo spot, such as digital wallpapers and beautiful photos of the parks and Disney characters.



As a reminder, Memory Maker products are commissionable and can be added to your client’s booking on the Disney Travel Agents website.

Disney PhotoPass Service and Memory Maker are subject to the applicable terms and policies. If Memory Maker is purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days of the date Memory Maker is purchased are not included and must be purchased separately. A MagicBand is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations. 

*With the Memory Maker Extended Capture Offer, if Memory Maker is purchased at the advance purchase price or at the regular price and activated from October 15, 2020, through November 30, 2020, your Memory Maker Window (as used in the terms and policies) begins at 12:00 AM Eastern Time on the date you first download or unlock any Disney PhotoPass photos or other digital content on the Walt Disney World Resort site or the My Disney Experience app, and ends at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on December 31, 2020.  Memory Maker entitlements included with Disney’s 7-Day and 14-Day Ultimate Tickets sold in the UK and Ireland are excluded from the Memory Maker Extended Capture Offer. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Guests have just over a month to sip and savor Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. The festival will close on Nov. 22 to make way for Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth, which begins Nov. 27.



We asked our Festival chefs to share one of my favorite plant-based recipes – the Impossible™ Burger Slider with Wasabi Cream and Spicy Asian Slaw. This slider, with its perfect spicy kick, is a popular festival offering as well as an easy (and delicious!) recipe to make at home. Check out the how-to video that accompanies this recipe.

Impossible™ Burger Slider with Wasabi Cream and Spicy Asian Slaw 
Makes 6 Sliders

SLAW DRESSING

• 1/4 cup sambal
• 1 1/2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoons sesame oil 
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

SWEET AND SPICY SLAW

• 1 cup shredded green cabbage
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 poblano pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded green papaya
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• Reserved slaw dressing
• Salt and pepper, to taste

WASABI AÏOLI 

• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon wasabi powder
• 1/2 cup plant-based mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

IMPOSSIBLE™ PATTIES

• 18 ounces Impossible™ Burger
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons sambal 
• 1 tablespoon canola oil

SLIDERS

• 6 slider rolls with sesame seeds
• 1 cup baby arugula

FOR SLAW DRESSING:

1. Place sambal, soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil in small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until boiling and stir until sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. 
2. Stir in lime juice and refrigerate until ready to serve.  

FOR SWEET AND SPICY SLAW:

1. Combine cabbage, carrot, sliced pepper, green papaya, and cilantro in large bowl. 
2. Add cooled slaw dressing. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. 

FOR WASABI AÏOLI:

1. Mix water and wasabi powder in medium to form a paste. 
2. Whisk in plant-based mayonnaise and salt until combined. 
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

FOR IMPOSSIBLE™ PATTIES:

1. Combine Impossible™ Burger, salt, pepper, and sambal in large mixing bowl. Divide into six 3-ounce patties and shape to size of slider buns. 
2. Heat canola oil in large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes. Place patties in pan and cook for 3 minutes on each side, until 155°F. 
3. Keep warm.

TO SERVE:

Drizzle Wasabi Aïoli on the bottom half of each sesame bun and top with a few leaves of baby arugula. Top with Impossible™ patty and Sweet and Spicy Slaw before adding the top of each bun.  

Cook’s Notes: Impossible™ is available online or at your local grocery store. Impossible™ cooks and tastes like beef made from cows – but is made sustainably, from plants. 

Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. 

Here is the official information from the Disney Park Reservation page:

The 4 Walt Disney World theme parks are now open!

To manage attendance during this reopening period, while also helping Guests plan ahead before their arrival, we are introducing the new Disney Park Pass system. During this time, all Guests with valid admission are required to make a reservation in advance for each park entry, using this new online tool.

To enter a park, both a park reservation AND valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for each person in your party ages 3 and up (limit one park per day). Acceptable face coverings must be worn over your nose and mouth at all times except in designated areas. If you’re unable to do this, please reschedule your Walt Disney World visit to a later time.

Please review any advisories or restrictions in place for travel to Florida, and do not travel to or enter Walt Disney World Resort unless you are free of any COVID-19 symptoms and otherwise comply with the requirements of such advisories and restrictions. Learn more.

Booking Your Park Reservations

The Disney Park Pass system is now open to Guests with valid admission. The number of theme park reservation days you can hold at one time varies based on your plans:

• Disney Resort and other select hotel Guests can make park reservations for dates during their stay for the number of days that they have valid theme park admission.
• Annual Passholders can make theme park reservations for up to 3 days at a time, and for their length of stay if staying at a Disney Resort or other select hotel.
• Existing ticket holders can make reservations for the number of days of valid theme park admission.

Park reservations are available for arrivals through the end of 2021, based on your vacation package and ticket eligibility or ticket eligibility window.

If you booked a vacation package, your ticket eligibility is tied to your package travel dates. To make a park reservation for a different date, be sure to modify your vacation package dates.

If you have a room-only reservation at a Disney Resort or other select hotel, please call the Disney Reservation Center or call your travel professional to upgrade to a vacation package with tickets—and then make your theme park reservations.

Disney has made progress on its highly-anticipated Star Wars resort in Orlando.

Photos captured and shared by Twitter user Bioreconstruct show that the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel has seemingly advanced throughout the pandemic.

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When Disney fans visit the popular theme park destinations the studio has continued to build upon since Walt Disney cut the ribbon on California’s Disneyland in 1955, the many attractions reflect their favorite films and characters.

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Disney Hollywood Studios has delicious new offerings at ABC Commissary and Hollywood & Vine! Read on to find out what our chefs have been cooking up!



Starting now, ABC Commissary is offering a terrific new menu. From sandwiches and rice bowls to tasty tacos and returning favorites, this menu has it all! 



Sandwiches/Salads

California Burger (Plant-based) – Seared farm-fresh plant-based burger with Sriracha mustard, balsamic-glazed grilled peppers and onions, a “mayonnaise”-ketchup blend, lettuce, and tomato and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices

NEW Chicken Club Sandwich – Marinated chicken breast on a toasted brioche bun with bacon, provolone cheese, guacamole, ranch dressing, lettuce, and tomato served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices

NEW Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled sourdough toasted with buffalo chicken, Monterey, provolone, cheddar, cream cheese, side of buffalo sauce, and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices

Mediterranean Salad with Chicken – Chicken breast served over mixed greens with tomatoes, cucumber, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, and feta tossed in Mediterranean vinaigrette served with hummus and flatbread

Tacos

NEW Pork Carnitas Tacos – Pork carnitas on flour tortillas with salsa verde, pickled onion, and radish served with Mexican rice and black beans

NEW Shrimp Tacos – Sautéed shrimp on flour tortillas with cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo, and mango salsa served with Mexican rice and black beans

Rice Bowls

NEW Curry Rice Bowl with Shrimp – Sautéed shrimp and vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice

NEW Plant-based Curry Rice Bowl with Tofu – Pineapple-marinated tofu and sautéed vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice

Kid’s Options

NEW Kid’s Pork Taco – Pork carnitas on a flour tortilla served with Mexican rice and black beans

NEW Kid’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled American cheese on sourdough served with choice of two sides.

NEW Kid’s Turkey Sandwich – Turkey sandwich served with choice of two sides.

Kid’s Uncrustable – Uncrustable served with choice of two sides.

There is Halloween fun for everyone at Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood & Vine. While it may look a little different than the last time your clients visited, what hasn’t changed is our chefs’ scary good food! Minnie’s Halloween Dine offers a three-course meal served at your table where guests will be able to wave and snap photos of their favorite characters such as Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, and their friends. Check out this monster of a feast!

Appetizers

Served with Warm Pull-apart Rolls and Butter

Farmhouse Tossed Salad Bowl – Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Cornbread Croutons, and Homemade Smokehouse Ranch Dressing.

Plant-based Chopped Salad – Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Focaccia Croutons, and Plant-based Ranch Dressing.

Entrées

Garlic and Cracked Black Pepper Prime Rib of Beef – Sour Cream-Chive Whipped Potatoes, Fried Brussels Sprouts, and Pearl Onions with Red Wine Jus.

Carved Herb-roasted Turkey Breast – Garlic-Red Skin Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing, Sautéed Green Beans, Turkey Gravy, and Cranberry-Orange Relish.

Macaroni & Cheese with Shrimp – Cavatappi Pasta, Four-Cheese Sauce, Shrimp, Crispy Bacon, and Buttered Panko Crust with Fennel and Arugula.

Seared Fresh Salmon – with Grain Mustard Beurre Blanc Olive Oil-crushed Fingerling Potatoes and Garlic-Lemon Broccolini.

Plant-based Pan-seared King Trumpet Mushrooms – Braised Lentils, Blistered Grape Tomatoes, Mushroom Ragù, Roasted Root Vegetables, and Marsala Mushroom Sauce.

Pork Osso Bucco – with Boursin Cheese Hominy Grits, Caramelized Apples, Lemon Gremolata, and Pork Reduction Gravy.

Desserts (Choose One)

Apple-Blueberry Pie – Baked Apples, Blueberries, Caramel, and Streuse.

Banana Cream Pie – Bananas, Cream, and Caramel Sauce.

Plant-based Cherry-Lemon Pie – Cherries with Lemon Drizzle.

Vanilla Crème Brûlée – Rich Custard with Caramelized Sugar.

Chocolate S’mores Pie – Dark Chocolate Mousse with Toasted Marshmallow Fluff and Graham Cracker Streusel.

Kid’s Menu Create-Your-Own Meal For Guests Ages 9 and Under

Appetizers (Choose One) 

Farmhouse Tossed Salad Bowl

Plant-based Chopped Salad

Entrées (Choose One)

Seared Salmon

Roasted Turkey

Roast Beef

Macaroni & Cheese

Dessert (Choose One)

Fresh Fruit

Lemon Sorbet

Sundae

Apple Pie

Walt Disney World Resort hotel suites are now available to book, however Club Level service currently remains unavailable. Any room category designated as “Club Level” or having “Club Level Access,” “Clb Level Access” or “Access,” including suites, will not include Club Level service until further notice.

Guests and travel agents with existing club access suite reservations are currently being contacted by the Disney Reservation Center to inform them of their options. The Disney Reservation Center will be making these calls on a rolling basis, and those impacted will be contacted approximately 30-60 days prior to their scheduled arrival.