Walt Disney World Resort

All posts tagged Walt Disney World Resort

Food and Wine Festival 2013 Dates Announced

Published January 15, 2013 by Disneyways.com

2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

The 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival will take place from September 27 – November 10, 2013, in Epcot, Walt Disney World. 

Just like in previous years, we can look forward to fantastic special events, culinary and beverage demonstrations, celebrity chefs, and, of course, World Showcase Marketplace tasting booths.

Photo ©DisneyFoodBlog.com

Remember Disney always reserves the right to change dates at any time.

Click here to read our blog from last year about how to save time and money at the festival.

Click here to read a review of the 3D Dessert Discovery Party and a few more fun facts about Food and Wine.

 

foodandwinedownloadnow13

Important New Dapper Day Information Released (Part 3 in our Dapper Day series!)

Published January 10, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Dapper Day Promo

Photo Credit: DapperDay.com

This is part 3 in our series about Dapper Day in Walt Disney World.

Please click here to read more about Dapper Day, it’s history and purpose.

Please click here to read more about what to wear and to see video from last year’s event at Disneyland.

The official Dapper Day site has been updated with some more details, so I wanted to share those with you today. This information is in reference to the Dapper Day event taking place at Walt Disney World. Just as a reminder “Dapper Day” events are independently organized social gatherings neither operated by nor associated with The Walt Disney Company. I am not involved in any of the planning and I do not know the organizer personally. I am just hoping to serve my friends, (that’s you!) the Disneyways.com readers, by sharing the new information.

Join the fashionable crowd SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24, for DAPPER DAY Spring 2013, and the 3rd annual spring outing at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

3pm THE LIBERTY BELLE BON VOYAGE – Meet at the boat landing in Liberty Square and we’ll all board the first departure at 3pm or after for an elegant trip (or two) around The Rivers of America on this original attraction from 1971.

4-5pm ISLAND ESCAPADES – Explore jewel filled caverns, frontier forts, and other prime photo-op locations on Tom Sawyer Island. (Board the rafts near the Big Thunder Mountain. Island closes at dusk.)

7pm THE DAPPER DERBY – Meet at Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel for a most elegant group ride!

8pm-Midnight AFTER DAPPER DRINKS at the tiki-themed Tambu Lounge in the Polynesian Resort, main building, Monorail level.

Dapper Day organizers stress that event hours and schedules are merely suggestions and they highly encourage you and your party to enjoy the park at your leisure.

The Magic Kingdom will close at 8pm, (10p Extra Magic Hours for resort guests). Fireworks at 8pm (Disney park hours and schedules may change.)

Another note about dress – Dapper Day events celebrate the tradition of stepping out in style. Any elegant fashions, from vintage-inspired looks to the latest haute couture, are encouraged. Active and retired service members, please consider wearing your dress blues or service uniform to Dapper Day!

Please click HERE to visit the official website for Dapper Day.

Dapper Day 2013 – What to wear, and What is it really like? (Part 2 in our Dapper Day Series!)

Published January 8, 2013 by Disneyways.com

dapper

Recently we shared preliminary details about Dapper Day coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

As promised, today we want to share  some videos from last year, and some ideas on what to wear. DapperDay.com has a beautiful inspiration wall full of  attire, hair style, and makeup ideas. Check out this Pinterest board from my friend Sarah Norris for even more great ideas.

Sarah Katz-Scher has a public album of photos from last year that you can check out here.

ThisFloridaLife.com posted an awesome blog about her feelings before the event, and some great photos of her adventures from the day of. I loved seeing photos and reading her take on the Walt Disney World version of the event.

Check out this video we made from a previous Dapper Day at Walt Disney World!

You will notice there are people of all ages attending. It’s not just for the young – but also the young-at-heart!

Epcot’s UK and Canada Paviion Phone Booths are Ringing in the Magic!

Published January 5, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Do you remember seeing these on your last visit to Epcot’s World Showcase? Perhaps you or your family members have climbed inside and posed for photos?

Even if you’ve never been to Epcot at all, you may have heard about the phone booths. So where exactly are they? You will find them in the United Kingdom pavilion located close to the restrooms. These restrooms are on the right as you come into the pavilion from the Canadian side. There is also a lesser-known Canadian phone booth.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Here’s how to find that one:

On the way up the stairs at the Canada pavilion, you can see the coat of arms of the “Canadian National Hotels.” Just a few more steps and you’ll see that elusive Canadian phone booth. It looks very similar to the ones in the UK.

Did you know they are working phone booths? They really are! Some sources say you can make outbound calls from them and some say you can not. One thing is for sure…you can make an inbound call to the phone booths when ever you’d like.

Are you missing Disney and need to add a little magic to your day? Give the phone booths a call! Sometimes you will hear a busy signal or a fax machine. Other times a Disney guest will pick up and be so shocked to hear your voice on the other end that they just hang up. However, there are lots of great stories about Epcot visitors who will talk to you about everything from the Florida weather, the restaurants, crazy drivers, and maybe even local places to find great frozen yogurt. If you reach ME – I promise to talk your ear off.

Locals and other guests taking a day trip to Epcot sometimes enjoy using their cell phones to play jokes on their friends. Tales abound about calling other members of their own party to surprise them with their best Goofy or Donald impression! Give it a try! You know you want to.

I just met you, and this is crazy, but here‘s the numbers – call them maybe?

(Sorry — I couldn’t resist! Here’s the video if you don’t get the joke.)

Have you called before? How did it go? Do you plan on calling?

Please share your story!

My Disney Experience App for Android

Published January 4, 2013 by Disneyways.com

My Disney Experience

The new official Walt Disney World app My Disney Experience is now available on Android smartphones for download from Google PlayAmazon Android Marketplace downloads are also available.

The app has been available for iPhone and iPad since early August 2012.

My Disney Experience – Walt Disney World can help you plan your visit, find your way around the park and maximize the magic while enjoying all that Walt Disney World has to offer!

What can you do with it?

You can check out brand new Walt Disney World maps, official attraction wait times provided for you by Disney, look up FASTPASS® return times, book dining reservations, get details about nearby characters, attractions, entertainment, park hours and schedules, and more!

• New Here & Now feature, which instantly shows attractions and events closest to your current location
• Explore Walt Disney World attractions, including descriptions, images, and height requirements

• Locate nearest restrooms, baby care centers, concierge, and other Guest Services
• Browse dining options including Table Service and Quick Service restaurant locations

• Check availability and sign in to make dining reservations and
• Sign in to manage your personal profile

How to Pack for Your Trip to Walt Disney World

Published January 3, 2013 by Disneyways.com

This is a guest post by Samantha Jolicoeur that contains her suggested packing list for your next trip to Disney World. Please see below for Samantha’s bio and a link to join her facebook group. Please contact Krista at Disneyways if you are interested in guest blogging.

How to Pack for Your Trip to Walt Disney World by Samantha:

If you are new to Walt Disney World, you may be wondering;

Mickey list

“What do I need to pack for Walt Disney World?”

I’m not generally an over-packer but I do like to cover all my bases when it comes to visiting the World!

Floridian weather can be unpredictable and we can get sick at the drop of a hat, but why spend your dole whip money on WDW’s overpriced cold meds or ponchos? This checklist is something I have been using and checking twice, each and every time I visit the happiest place on Earth!

– Clothes – socks, underwear, pajamas, shorts, capris, tanks, t-shirts, one hoodie/light jacket (depending on season), one pair of jeans (again…depending on season)

NOTE: You will want to pack for your length of stay. Remember, resorts on WDW property have laundry services. Doing laundry while on vacay not for you? Throw it in while you sit by the pool!

– Bathing suits
– Shoes – flip flops and runners
– Shampoo and conditioner (those little ones aren’t enough from Disney, but I still hoard them)
– Toothbrush and toothpaste
– Hairbrush, straightener and hair products. (Hairdryers are in each WDW resort room)
– Makeup (keep it basic: liner, mascara, shadow)
– Meds: Allergy pills, cold and cough pills, aspirin (just in case), any prescriptions.
– Hair clips, elastics
– Razors
– Deodorant
– Confirmations – ADRs, Park hours and EMH lists.

(I am crazy about this, I have a WDW travel book that I write up)

– Lanyards (I like to wear it to hold my Key to the World/Park ticket)
– Laptop and charger
– Camera and battery charger
– Passports, money and traveller’s cheques, ID (I seperate my “tip” money from souvenir cash)
– Watch
– Dollar store ponchos (yet to use them *knocks on wood* – bringing your own saves you money!)
– Hats
– Sunscreen!
– Sunglasses
– Aloe vera, polysporin, etc.
– Ziploc bags (keep thing dry on wet rides, etc)
– Collapsible Cooler
– Stroller (if needed)
– Backpack/fanny pack/beach bag.

Other Ideas:
– Walkie talkies for the parks
– Mist fans
– Decorations for your hotel room window
– In-room snacks
– Cell phone and charger

To me, this is a very basic list of what you need to bring with you. Some people bring their own autograph books, pens, towels … but that is up to you! I look at it this way, if you are flying to WDW, you’ll want more room (and spending money) for your souvenirs. When I make my list, I write it out and leave a little check box beside each item, and it doesn’t get checked off until it is actually packed. I wouldn’t want to leave anything important behind!

Your trip to Disney will be magical though, whether or not you forget your favorite t-shirt, but hopefully, with this list you won’t!

SAMANTHA

About Samantha:

My name is Samantha and I am a Disney-aholic! It’s true. I’ve always loved all things Disney, but didn’t make my first trip until I was 21 years old. It only took that one day at Magic Kingdom to get me hooked. I don’t get to go as often as I’d like, but I have made it my own personal hobby to research Walt Disney World as much as possible and I enjoy lending some of my advice to others. I have a husband and a beautiful son, both who love Disney (maybe not QUITE as much as myself). I’d rather be a pirate than a princess, although being a princess wouldn’t be too bad either! Please, feel free to come join my happy, laughin’ place on Facebook “Disney Dreamers“- we discuss all things Disney, do trivia and giveaways, and most importantly, make new friends who share the same passion for Disney!
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me!

~Samantha Jolicoeur

DSC05047

Dapper Day 2013 – An Introduction

Published January 2, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Last year Dapper Day saw 3,000 – 4,000 participants in Disneyland alone. Judging by the popularity, we believe it is destined to get bigger every year. So what is Dapper Day and what does it all mean for you and your visit to Disney Parks?

Let me start by saying that Dapper Day is NOT a Disney sponsored event. It is completely optional and perfectly OK to stay casual or not even participate at all.

In fact, the concept is very new. Started spring of 2011, Dapper Day organizes fashionable gatherings at The Disney Resorts in LA, Orlando, and Paris. The coming celebration will be an  all-day event, including an “evening affair.”

Again, it is certainly NOT official, and purely optional and fun. 

How did the event come about? Organizer Justin Jorgensen is said to have been inspired by the original Imagineer Illustrations of Disney Park designs and even more recent concept art for Epcot.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

These images often portray guests dressed as though they are going out for a very upscale event such as an opera or a maybe a high-end restaurant. Why shouldn’t going to Disney still be on par with such grand affairs?  Well, that is what Dapper Day is all about. It is a chance to realize those designer’s dreams. On Dapper Day, you bring those illustrations to life when you become those well dressed guests the designers imagined (or hoped) would be filling the park.

Stay tuned to Disneyways for more on Dapper Day, including ideas for what to wear, videos from last year, event hours and suggested schedules. Each event usually has a simple schedule of one or two in-park gatherings like the evening “Dapper Derby” at the Fantasyland carrousel in Disneyland.  However you and your party are encouraged to enjoy the park at your leisure.

So what are your thoughts? What do you think of the idea of Dapper Day and will you be participating?

 

It’s a Tall World After All – Date for Starbucks in Magic Kingdom

Published December 26, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Back in August 2012 Disneyways readers found out about the Starbucks coming to Walt Disney World.

Rumor has it we can look for Starbucks in Magic Kingdom as early as May 18, 2012.

Here is the train of thought. Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom is the proposed location for the new Starbucks. Because the bakery is scheduled for closure between January 6, 2013 and May 17, 2013 – sources are saying the Starbucks-branded location can be expected to be open May 18, 2013.

Disney’s California Adventure has had it’s new Starbucks for a while now. You can click here to see photos and read more about this one. Here at Disneyways we imagine that the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom counterpart will be very similar. Cast members will wear costumes that will invoke the feelings of Main Street and it’s theme, and prices for cups of joe and snacks will be quite high.

This will be the second of six announced in-park locations, one at each theme park between the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. A location at Epcot’s Fountain View has also been announced, though it will close for its changeover at some point in March, re-opening in late summer.

Christmas at the Yacht Club

Published December 25, 2012 by Disneyways.com

The Yacht Club has one of my favorite Christmas displays of all, a meticulously crafted Christmas village featuring a working train. It reminds me of the train set in Germany at Epcot. Every time I look through these pictures I see something different. I have a real soft spot for this display! The tree and wreaths at Yacht Club are also very neat, as they are themed with boats and other nautical items. I hope you enjoy seeing these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Christmas at the Beach Club Resort

Published December 25, 2012 by Disneyways.com

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It’s not all gingerbread houses – how about an enchanting holiday carousel, crafted of gingerbread, chocolate, and fondant? The carousel is a holiday tradition at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. There are also some sculptures to enjoy, and even a little shop where you can buy some Christmas goodies to take with you.