Tag Archives: Epcot

Frozen Ever After Dessert Party Begins July 17, 2017 at Epcot

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

Starting July 17, there will be a delicious new way to experience “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at Epcot. Reservations are now open for the brand-new Frozen Ever After Dessert Party, the coolest dessert party with reserved seating to an amazing fireworks spectacular, delicious desserts and a special opportunity to enjoy the Frozen Ever After attraction!

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

The party, which takes place in World Showcase Plaza East, overlooking World Showcase Lagoon, will feature décor, drinks, desserts and snacks inspired by the beloved film, “Frozen.” Don’t worry about staking out the perfect spot to view the fireworks, because Frozen Ever After Dessert Party guests will have reserved seating. Sip on specialty cotton candy lemonade or “melted snow” and other non-alcoholic beverages, which will delight guests of all ages. Adults 21 years and older can enjoy alcoholic beverages such as a piña colada, margarita or “Summertime Punch,” a refreshing blend of prickly pear syrup, vodka, lemonade and ginger ale.

Desserts and snacks will be served on three buffet stations, check out the menus below!

Hot & Cold

Olaf’s Warm Double Chocolate S’mores Pudding Cake
Elsa’s Warm Cottage Pudding with Salted Caramel Glaze
Hand-dipped Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Small Bites

Wandering Oaken’s Eclairons
Hans’ Key Lime Tarts with Red Glitter Glaze
Living Rock Crispy Bonbons
Anna’s Blue Velvet Cupcakes
Kristoff’s No Sugar Added Lemon Curd with Blueberry

Not So Sweet

Sven’s Fresh Fruits & Berries
Grand Pabbie’s Winter-spiced Snack Mix
Duke of Weselton’s Cheese Fondue served with Country Bread Cubes, Broccoli, and Grilled Flatbread

After “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” guests of the Frozen Ever After Dessert Party will be escorted to the Norway Pavilion for a special ride on the popular Frozen Ever After attraction.

The Frozen Ever After Dessert Party is another exciting offering from the Enchanting Extras Collection, which allows guests to enhance their vacation with one-of-a-kind Disney experiences. Cost is $79 for guests ages 10 and above, $47 for ages 3 to 9—tax and gratuity included. Reservations are now open for dates beginning July 17 and can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Contact Siera today at siera@destinationsinflorida.com or at 734-771-1290 for more information or your free, no obligation quote.

Candlelight Processional 2017 Dining Packages Now Available

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(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

Candlelight Processional is always a popular holiday event at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort. As a part of Holidays Around the World at Epcot, the Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir. Even with three shows held every night beginning Thanksgiving weekend, it is always hard to find a seat for these incredible performances which is why the Candlelight Processional 2017 dining packages can be invaluable!

Candlelight Processional dining packages include a meal at a participating delicious restaurant in or around Epcot and then reserved seating for one of the three shows that evening. Candlelight Processional 2017 dining packages are available with the Disney dining plan for two table service credits.

Newcomers to the celebrity narrator spotlight this year include Daytime Television Legend Pat Sajak and TV star CCH Pounder, who was recently at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the Grand Opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar. Returning favorites include television, film and stage superstar Neil Patrick Harris, country megastar Trace Adkins and Contemporary Christian music artist Jaci Velasquez.

Here are the Candlelight Processional 2017 narrators confirmed so far:*

Nov. 24- Dec. 3 – To Be Announced
Dec. 4-5 – Pat Sajak
Dec. 6-14 – To Be Announced
Dec. 15-17 – Trace Adkins
Dec. 18-21 – Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 22-24 – CCH Pounder
Dec. 25-27 – Jaci Velasquez
Dec. 28-30 – To Be Announced

The Candlelight processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre. These Candleight Processional 2017 dining packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

As with last year, in addition to lunch and dinner packages, breakfast options are available at some favorite restaurants in and near Epcot again this year like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and The Garden Grill. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort,** with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Candlelight Dining Packages for breakfast start at $35 plus tax per person for adults and $21 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9. Candlelight Dining Packages for lunch and dinner start at $44 plus tax per person for adults and $15.50 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

Holidays Around the World is an extravaganza of holiday entertainment, merchandise, food, beverages and festivities where guests can celebrate at Epcot throughout the holiday season. Time-honored traditions come alive through the sights and sounds of the countries of World Showcase, and live performances enliven the park throughout the day.

Click here to book Candlelight Processional 2017 dining packages or to find out more information, call
407/ WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

Holidays Around the World, including the Candlelight Processional, runs November 24 – December 30, 2017 at Epcot.

*Narrators and entertainment are subject to change without notice. Epcot admission is required and not included in the dining package price.

** (NOTE: Captain’s Grille is currently under refurbishment. Candlelight Packages will be available once it reopens.)

Delicious New Additions to Menu at Coral Reef Restaurant at Epcot

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(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

Tucked in The Seas with Nemo & Friends in Epcot’s Future World, Coral Reef Restaurant is a cool respite from the Florida sunshine, dimly lit with a spectacular backdrop of the largest inland saltwater environment ever built (fun fact- it holds enough water to fill 54 Olympic-sized swimming pools).

Every seat in the restaurant is a good one for watching more than 4,000 sea creatures that call The Seas home – sharks, sea turtles, rays and 85 species of tropical fish. And you might even see a scuba-diving Mickey Mouse.

Chef Keith Schockling recently added new dishes to the menu, both savory and sweet. Coral Reef Restaurant fans, never fear, the lobster bisque, there since the restaurant opened, remains on the menu.

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

For starters, there’s a charbroiled octopus with nori sushi rice, sesame slaw and a soy reduction; a lump crab cake with watercress-citrus salad and a classic remoulade; seafood salad with Gulf Shrimp and mahi mahi in a citrus marinade with a little kick from serrano peppers, a little sweetness from mango sorbet and crisp plantain chip, and a seasonal house salad – for summer it’s mixed greens, raspberry vinaigrette, fresh berries, feta cheese and sunflower brittle.

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

New entrées include one from land and one from sea: the tuna bowl with spice-crusted tuna, rice noodles, charred bok choy, crisp shiitakes, pickled vegetables and broth (or you can substitute tofu for tuna, if you prefer); and a bone-in roasted pork chop with potatoes, creamy pimento cheese, braised greens and a honey-barbecue vinaigrette.

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

There’s even a new sweet, a rich citrus bread pudding with whiskey sauce, candied pecans and salted caramel gelato.

For reservations at Coral Reef, visit DisneyWorld.com/dining or call 407-WDW-DINE.

Discover the Magic and Mysteries Underwater at The Seas with Nemo and Friends

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Are you looking for an educational experience with your family at Disney World? There are plenty of opportunities throughout all four theme parks! Today, we are going to learn more about The Seas with Nemo & Friends, a Pavilion in Future World in Epcot theme park that features a massive aquarium that holds one of the largest man-made ocean environments in the world. Plunge below the surface and join characters from the Disney·Pixar film Finding Nemo as they share the secrets of their hidden undersea home.

The pavilion features:

The Sea Base and Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium
The Seas with Nemo & Friends ride
The Turtle Talk with Crush show
Coral Reef Restaurant
Special Programs
An ocean-themed gift shop
The Sea Base and Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium

Travel deep below the ocean waves to discover the magic and mysteries of underwater life. The pavilion’s signature 5.7 million gallon salt-water tank, named Caribbean Coral Reef, is home to 6,000 inhabitants representing over 60 species—including sea turtles, angelfish, dolphins, rays, sharks and a very special manatee rehabilitation area.

The underwater environment is a wonder to behold—walk out onto a unique circular observation platform in the middle of the aquarium, and you’ll find yourself almost completely surrounded by water. You could easily spend hours here and never get a chance to see all of the beautiful tropical creatures.

In addition to the central tank, there are a variety of informative smaller exhibits where Nemo and his friends share knowledge about their wondrous underwater world. Younger Guests should be sure to check out Bruce’s SharkWorld—a fun activity area where you can learn about the fearsome silent predators of the deep.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends Ride

Hop on a “clamobile” and join Nemo on an undersea adventure on The Seas with Nemo & Friends ride.

Turtle Talk with Crush Show

Catch up with the famous sea turtle, Crush, in Turtle Talk with Crush—a show where lucky Guests get a chance to talk directly to the big kahuna.

Coral Reef Restaurant

Hungry? You don’t even have to leave the ocean floor. Dine on delicious ocean-inspired cuisine—with a spectacular floor-to-ceiling view of the pavilion’s massive central aquarium—at the Coral Reef Restaurant.

Special Programs

Epcot Seas Aqua Tour and Dolphins in Depth offer Guests an immersive educational experience—including the chance to actually snorkel in one of the world’s largest aquariums. If you are a certified scuba diver, you can spend even more time below the surface on DiveQuest. Call us for more information on these programs.

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Call her at 734-771-1290 or email her at siera@destinationsinflorida.com for your free, no obligation quote.

Learn About Agriculture at Living with the Land in Epcot

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Are you looking for an educational experience with your family at Disney World? There are plenty of opportunities throughout all four theme parks! Today, we are going to learn more about Living with the Land, a 14-minute boat ride in Future World at Epcot theme park that explores agricultural advances in the rain forest, Africa and beyond.

See the Future of Food Production in Living with The Land
Gain a newfound appreciation for where your food comes from on this cruise through the living laboratories of Epcot.

Many of your favorite foodstuffs—chocolate, coffee, vanilla, tomatoes and rice, to name a few—grow on trees, vines and now even in soil-less environments. See firsthand how Disney’s horticulturalists are using innovative growing techniques and cross-breeding high-yield crops with the goal of sustaining our growing global population.

Educational and Profoundly Fascinating in Living with The Land
Multimedia displays of diverse eco systems, from rain forest to farmstead, bring our agricultural history to life. As you cruise by, hear about mankind’s past successes, failures, lessons learned and hopeful future when it comes to living off the land.

See specimens of produce from around the world, some modified to jaw-dropping effect, in the pavilion’s 4 greenhouses. Live eels, tilapia, catfish, freshwater shrimp and American alligators are also on display as you travel though the fish farm.

Sail through the greenhouses of The Land Pavilion and behold 9-pound lemons, Mickey-shaped pumpkins and more!

Living with The Land

You can even taste the fruits of this labor for yourself by dining at Sunshine Seasons or the Garden Grill Restaurant in The Land Pavilion, both of which serve produce and seafood fresh from the farm.

Like what you see or want to learn more? We can sign you up for the Behind the Seeds tour, which is an in depth walking tour of the facilities!

About the attraction: Epcot® Future World

Guests Can Be: Any Height

Age Interest: Preschoolers, Kids, Adults, All Ages

Disney FASTPASS+ Service

Thrill Level: Slow Rides

Don’t Miss the 2016 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

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2016 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

The 2016 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival has expanded to cover 90 days from March 2 through May 30, 2016. From topiaries scattered throughout the park to outdoor kitchens and concerts, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this annual festival.

The 2016 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is welcoming two new Outdoor Kitchens, La Isla Fresca and Cider House.

La Isla Fresca will take guests to the Caribbean for authentic bites such as Jamaican braised beef with pigeon peas and rice; spicy jerk chicken or grouper with mango salsa and a Tres Leches cake with guava puree (the traditional meringue is replaced with whipped cream in this version). You can pair either of the savories with a Red Stripe Jamaican-style lager, or frozen Simply Tropical juice drink (with or without rum).

The Cider House offers a spin on tastes from the United Kingdom, including a field greens salad with greens harvested from The Land Pavilion, heirloom apples, Stilton cheese and dried blueberries; and a pear cider-brined shredded corned beef, braised cabbage and pears with Branston (a British food brand) dressing. The Cider House will offer four hard ciders, including a blueberry ciders made in Plant City, Fla., plus Cigar City Tampa-Style Lager.

The 11 other Outdoor Kitchens include Urban Farm Eats (new seared pork tenderloin), Pineapple Promenade , Fleur de Lys, Florida Fresh, Taste of Marrakesh, Hanami, THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews (the pulled pig slider gets crispy onions on top), Primavera Kitchen, Lotus House, Bauernmarkt (German currywurst sausage is new this year) and Jardin de Fiestas.

You’ll be wowed (as always) by the colorful extravaganza put on by the Disney horticulture team – whimsical topiaries, 220 “floating gardens” in the lagoon and a new edible flower garden next to The Land Pavilion. It’s all beautiful at night, with twinkling lights shining across the gardens.

April 29-May 1 will be Florida Fresh Weekend, featuring the state’s edible bounty from Apalachicola to Zellwood.

As part of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, you can enjoy free concerts in the park every weekend with the Garden Rocks concert series. Here’s the lineup for the 2016 Garden Rocks concert series at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival (subject to change without notice):

March 4-6 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
March 11-13 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
March 18-20 – Little River Band “Reminiscing”
March 25-27 – Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
April 1-3 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”
April 8-10 – The Guess Who “American Woman”
April 15-17 – NEW! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”
April 22-24 – NEW! Bad Company, former lead singer BRIAN HOWE “Can’t Get Enough”
April 29-May 1 – NEW! Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
May 6-8 – Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”
May 13-15 – NEW! Darlene Love “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home”
May 20-22 – Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
May 27-30 (Monday) – The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”

Performances for the 2016 Garden Rocks concert series are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Festival and included with park admission.

Are you going to the 2016 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival? It’s not too late to plan your visit! As a reminder, the 2016 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is included with your park admission.

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Call her at 734-771-1290 or email her at siera@destinationsinflorida.com for your free, no obligation quote.

Garden Rocks Concert Series Line Up Announced for 2015

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One of my favorite annual events at the Disney World Resort is The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. The Flower and Garden Festival is held every spring and will run from March 4 through May 17, 2015. The festival is included with regular theme park admission and features thousands of flowers and topiaries, seminars, food kiosks, concerts, and more! The Garden Rocks Concert Series line-up has recently been announced and there will be eleven different bands performing in 2015.

Performances for the Garden Rocks Concert Series can be seen at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The concerts, along with the festival, are included with Epcot admission. Check out this year’s shcedule:

March 6-8: Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”
March 13-15: Pablo Cruise “Love Will Find a Way”
March 20-22: En Vogue “Free Your Mind”
March 27-29: Starship “We Built This City”
April 3-5: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
April 10-12: Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
April 17-19: Jon Secada “Just Another Day”
April 24-26: The Guess Who “These Eyes”
May 1-3: Taylor Dayne “Tell It to My Heart”
May 8-10: Little River Band “Lady”
May 15-17: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”

Who would you like to see at the Garden Rocks Concert Series at this year’s Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival?

Siera is a Disney travel specialist. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Request your free, no obligation quote on the right side of the page or email siera@destinationsinflorida.com for more information.

Ten New Holiday Treats at Epcot for Holidays Around the World

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Epcot is home to two great annual holiday events, Candlelight Processional and Holidays Around the World. Candlelight Processional is a moving re-telling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator who is accompanied by a mass choir and fifty piece orchestra. Holidays Around the World celebrates the holiday festivities in countries all over the world and the differences in each country. As part of Holiday Around the World, there are ten new holiday treats at Epcot that you can try.

You can try a Turkey Waffle at Promenade Refreshments. This “all in one holiday dinner” is a sweet potato waffle topped with turkey and green bean casserole.

Next up is pecan-maple bark in the Canada pavilion which is a tribute to their maple sugar production.

Then, you will pass through the United Kingdom pavilion where they have hot applejack cider with whiskey and a blend of seasonal spices. It’s a great treat to sip while you listen to stories of Father Christmas.

The France pavilion offers bûche de noël au chocolate (chocolate cake shaped like a log) at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie. Another delicious treat in the France pavilion is glace au apin d’epices (gingerbread ice cream) at L’Artisan des Glaces.

The Japan pavilion is serving teriyaki chicken karaage, a Japanese version of crispy fried chicken bites with teriyaki sauce, at Kabuki Cafe. Plus, you can listen to the story of the Daruma doll and Japanese customs of the New Year.

At American Adventure, there are a number of classic holiday treats such as freshly baked gingerbread men, chocolate chunk cookies and sugar cookies, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and peppermint bark at the Sugar and Spice Holiday Bakery. You can find Santa and Mrs. Claus along with holiday carolers here as well as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations.

The Italy pavilion offers panettone, the sweet bread loaf served at the Gelato kiosk, along with sweet moscato wine and hot chocolate while you meet La Befana, a kind-hearted witch who arrives on the eve of the Epiphany to grant gifts to good children.

In Germany, you can have fruit cake with hot spiced wine as you hear Helga tell the story of the first Christmas tree.

Over in the Norway pavilion, you can learn about the Christmas gnome and try the traditional rice cream at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe.

Celebrity Narrators at Epcot’s 2014 Candlelight Processional

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There are plenty of great events at Disney World during the holiday season from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom to The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios. One of the great holiday events at Epcot is the Candlelight Processional where a celebrity narrator tells the Christmas story accompanied by a choir and orchestra. Disney always brings in some big names like Neil Patrick Harris and Whoopi Goldberg for the event. The most recent celebrity addition for the 2014 Candlelight Processional is Jonathan Groff from Disney’s hit “Frozen.”

Jonathan Groff is best known as the voice of Kristoff in Disney’s “Frozen,” but is also a Tony-nominated veteran of the Broadway stage (“Spring Awakening”) and TV (“Glee”).

The 2014 Candlelight Processional is just part of the Holidays Around the World celebration at Epcot. This joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a glorious mass choir is a “must see” event if you are visiting during the holiday season.

Jodi Benson – 11/28 – 11/29
Neil Patrick Harris – 11/30 – 12/2
Jonathan Groff – 12/3 – 12/4
Whoopi Goldberg – 12/5 – 12/6
LeVar Burton – 12/7 – 12/9
Edward James Olmos – 12/9 – 12/11
Joe Morton – 12/12 – 12/14
Chita Rivera – 12/15 – 12/17
Ana Gasteyer (New) – 12/18 –12/20
Marlee Matlin – 12/21 – 12/23
Isabella Rossellini – 12/24 – 12/25
Blair Underwood – 12/26 – 12/27
Steven Curtis Chapman – 12/28 – 12/30

The 2014 Candlelight Processional will be presented three times each night (5:00 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8:15 pm) at the American Gardens Theater at Epcot. If you would like reserved seating for the show, you can book the Candlelight Processional dinner package.

2014 Eat to the Beat Concert Series at Epcot for Food and Wine Festival

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This year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will be held at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort from September 19 through November 10, 2014. One of the great features of this annual event is the Eat to the Beat concert series. Disney has recently announced the talented acts that will be performing at the 2014 Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Some of the new acts for this year’s festival include the Jo Dee Messina, Fuel and Los Lonely Boys. There are also several returning favorites such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Boyz II Men.

You can find the full schedule for the 2014 Eat to the Beat Concert Series below:

Sept 19-21 – Jo Dee Messina
Sept. 22-23 – The Pointer Sisters
Sept. 24-25 – Rick Springfield
Sept. 26-27 – Christopher Cross
Sept. 28-29 – Hanson
Sept. 30-Oct. 2 – Air Supply
Oct. 3-5 – STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas
Oct. 6-8 – Sugar Ray
Oct. 9-10 – Fuel
Oct. 11-12 – Sister Hazel
Oct. 13-14 – TBD
Oct. 15-16 – Billy Ocean
Oct. 17-19 – Night Ranger
Oct. 20-22 – Smash Mouth
Oct. 23-24 – Jim Brickman
Oct. 25-26 – Los Lonely Boys
Oct. 27-28 – Wilson Phillips
Oct. 29-31 – Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX
Nov. 1-2 – 38 Special
Nov. 3-5 – Boyz II Men
Nov. 6-7 – David Cook
Nov. 8-10 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Who would you most like to see during the 2014 Eat to the Beat concerts?

Both the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival as well as the Eat to the Beat concerts are included with regular theme park admission.

It’s not too late to plan your Disney World visit this fall to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival and enjoy the 2014 Eat to the Beat concerts. Request your free, no obligation quote on the right side of the page and take advantage of one of our great offers!

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida. She would love to help you plan your next trip at no cost to you. Request your free, no obligation quote on the right side of the page or email siera@destinationsinflorida.com for more information.

Spreading Magic

Travel Agent Specializing in Family & Romance Travel

Tag Archives: Epcot

Frozen Ever After Dessert Party Begins July 17, 2017 at Epcot

Candlelight Processional 2017 Dining Packages Now Available

Delicious New Additions to Menu at Coral Reef Restaurant at Epcot

Discover the Magic and Mysteries Underwater at The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Learn About Agriculture at Living with the Land in Epcot

Don’t Miss the 2016 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Garden Rocks Concert Series Line Up Announced for 2015

Ten New Holiday Treats at Epcot for Holidays Around the World

Celebrity Narrators at Epcot’s 2014 Candlelight Processional

2014 Eat to the Beat Concert Series at Epcot for Food and Wine Festival