​The 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE is right around the corner, and we have more details – including a brand-new experience that brings a whole new meaning to molecular gastronomy!

From July 27 to November 18, guests can take a culinary tour across six continents at this celebration of cuisine from around the world. From delectable Global Marketplaces and fresh new merch to nightly live entertainment, there’s so much for guests of all ages to enjoy.

Flavorful Fun is Brew-Wing at Odyssey
Don your lab coats and prepare to experiment with delicious flavors as Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey invites guests on a flavorful adventure, featuring the culinary creations – and madcap mishaps – of Muppet Labs!

Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his faithful assistant, Beaker, of Muppet Labs will welcome Guests to their taste-testing headquarters, where the inventive duo are busy creating scientific snacks and mind-blowing beverages. Guests will have a chance to sample some of their kooky concoctions like the Unnecessarily Spicy, Yet Extremely Tasty Scotch Bonnet Pepper-Curry Wings, or the Pickle Milkshake. Consider it a flavor experiment in the name of science!

Global Marketplaces to Satisfy Every Palate
Get ready to sip and savor at more than 25 Global Marketplaces including returning favorites such as The Fry Basket, Flavors from Fire, Canada, India and Spain marketplaces. Also coming later this fall, the culinary team will add four new Global Marketplaces to commemorate the Disney100 celebration: Char & Chop, Wine & Wedge, Bubbles & Brine and Swirled Showcase. Stay tuned to the Disney Travel News, where more details will be shared in a Foodie Guide soon.

Sizzling Sounds at America Gardens Theatre
Wrap up a fun-filled day by enjoying live musical entertainment at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare, featuring a blend of chart-topping musical acts and a taste of Orlando’s local talent. Guests can secure a spot for these performances with an Eat to the Beat Dining Package.


​Book your Disney vacation with Simply Perfect Vacations, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and you'll receive our concierge vacation planning services complimentary when you book a package with at least 3 days of theme park tickets. This means we will help you dining reservations and activity reservations; recommendations on what theme parks to visit and when; recommendations on where to eat, what rides to ride; tips and tricks to make the most of your day and so much more! Request a quote today or you can contact a Simply Perfect Vacations agent for more details about a Walt Disney World vacation!

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There are new experiences coming to Walt Disney World over the next few months! Here is what is coming:

New Character Greetings Debuting Soon
We recently saw the return of fan-favorite character experiences including Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto and Pete’s Silly Sideshow at Magic Kingdom Park. New friends will make their debut soon. 

And this fall, Mirabel from the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film “Encanto” will greet Guests in the Fairytale Garden at Magic Kingdom, which will be transformed with whimsical décor inspired by La Familia Madrigal.
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EPCOT Transformation Comes to a Crescendo Later This Year
If you’ve been to EPCOT recently, you’ve likely seen the amazing progress happening around World Celebration and World Nature as part of the park’s multi-year transformation. Well, get ready because it will all be completed later this year!
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will debut this fall in World Nature. This self-guided exploration trail will take you through the natural water cycle – from the skies to oceans and all the way back again. Just like Moana, Guests are encouraged to become a protector and friend to our natural resources.

CommuniCore Hall will also be the home of a dynamic exhibition space that will transform with each festival throughout the year, as Guests can see here in one possibility imagined for EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. Playing with light, shapes and reflections, the architecture of this building was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering to celebrate the legacy of EPCOT and the original CommuniCore buildings.

Commemorating Disney100 at Walt Disney World 
EPCOT will host the Disney100 celebration at Walt Disney World Resort to commemorate this monumental milestone later this year. To honor the legacy of Disney storytelling and unforgettable characters that have entertained and inspired people of all ages for a century, now is the time to relive those beloved Disney memories and delight in making new memories with friends and family in our theme parks. Enjoy all-new experiences as the Disney Parks celebrate this momentous anniversary and the culmination of the EPCOT transformation – from meeting Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their platinum attire to snapping a selfie with a platinum sculpture of the one who started it all and watching Spaceship Earth illuminate the evenings with a special lighting design.

Plus, a new nighttime spectacular will debut at EPCOT later this year, inviting everyone to gather around World Showcase Lagoon for a show that will unite us through commonalities of the heart in a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music and light. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.

Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation & Conservation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park 
We can’t wait to celebrate 25 years of magic at Disney’s Animal Kingdom next month on Earth Day! Since it opened on April 22, 1998, this one-of-a-kind theme park has offered awe-inspiring animal encounters, thrilling attractions and larger-than-life musical stage shows. Since 1995, with support from The Walt Disney Company and guests, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed $120 million to support nonprofit organizations working with communities to save wildlife, inspire action and protect the planet. Additionally, the Disney Conservation team leads best-in-class scientific programs to conserve wildlife in Disney’s backyard and beyond, connects people to build a network for nature, and cares for the planet through everyday actions.

In April, there will be new ways to join in the celebration for Earth Day and this milestone, including new sweet and savory treats, specialty merchandise and limited-time character sightings in the park. There will be more surprises on April 22, when the park officially turns 25. Stay tuned to Disney Parks Blog for more details coming soon.

Summer House on the Lake Opens Later This Year at Disney Springs
A stunning new restaurant will open at Disney Springs in late 2023. Summer House on the Lake embodies a breezy, beach house vibe that will pair perfectly with the sweeping views of Lake Buena Vista.
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Guests will be able to enjoy a California-inspired menu featuring simple, sustainable ingredients – from pizza and pasta to fresh salads and sandwiches. Plus, Guests can savor the restaurant’s exclusive Summer House Rosé along with a selection of wine, beer, handcrafted cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. Just imagine sipping a favorite drink on one of three expansive outdoor patios with a lake view. Those of us with a sweet tooth will be delighted to hear about The Cookie Jar, a dessert-focused market within this space serving up freshly baked cookies and house-made pastries.

Corkcicle Opening First-Ever Retail Location at Disney Springs
Corkcicle is coming to Disney Springs! A local Orlando business, Corkcicle creates innovative, obsession-worthy, high-performing insulated drinkware, coolers and accessories in a variety of gorgeous colors that elevate every sip and bring delight to everyday moments. This kiosk will be Corkcicle’s first-ever retail location and will open later this spring.

Book your Disney vacation with Simply Perfect Vacations, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and you'll receive our concierge vacation planning services complimentary when you book a package with at least 3 days of theme park tickets. This means we will help you dining reservations and activity reservations; recommendations on what theme parks to visit and when; recommendations on where to eat, what rides to ride; tips and tricks to make the most of your day and so much more!

​Simply Perfect Vacations is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner that will make sure you and your vacation are taken care of with our concierge style planning services that start from the moment you contact us.  Simply Perfect Vacations has assisted over one thousand clients! Helping them plan their simply perfect Disney vacation and we'd love to help you plan yours, request a quote today!  Or you can contact a Simply Perfect Vacations agent for more details about a Walt Disney World vacation!

To get Disney vacation news this and other travel news and highlights delivered straight to your email inbox, sign up for our newsletter.  As a thank you for signing up, you'll get our mini-guide to the Walt Disney World theme parks AND Universal Orlando parks for FREE!

There is nothing lovelier than springtime at Walt Disney World! The days get longer, the weather warms up, and colorful flowers bloom across the landscape. And one of the best places to experience spring is at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Beginning March 1 and continuing through July 5, this stunning festival features alluring gardens, whimsical topiaries, lively entertainment, beautiful merchandise and delightfully fresh cuisine.

And for the first time ever, topiaries of Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa from Disney “Encanto” will make a grand appearance at the festival! Located near the EPCOT main entrance, these new topiaries are sure to be a must-do photo moment. 
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And that's not all. A new Princess Tiana topiary will grace The American Adventure. Plus, we also have returning favorites such as Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs; Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc; Figment; Anna and Elsa; and more.
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The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series is back, featuring favorite tunes at the America Gardens Theatre. More details about the musical lineup will be released soon. Stay tuned here!
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Guests better get their taste buds ready; because they're in for a treat! More than 15 Outdoor Kitchens will offer specialty menus of scrumptious cuisine and beverages. One of the favorites is The Citrus Blossom which will move to a new location at Odyssey. With fresh new menu items, guests will want to sample all the mouth-watering delights.
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Of course, guests can commemorate their visit with official ‘70’s inspired Orange Bird merchandise, including apparel, headwear, drinkware and much more.
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Spike's Pollen-Nation Exploration will have people abuzz again. This springtime scavenger hunt is fun for all ages. Guests can follow Spike the Bee on his pollination trail, where he will "bee" busy collecting nectar and pollinating gardens at EPCOT. Once guests find him in each garden on their map, they'll add the corresponding sticker of the plant he is visiting.

On the bridge to World Showcase, guests can enjoy the sights and scents of spring with Blossoms of Fragrance presented by Scentsy. Surrounded by vibrant butterfly topiaries, guests will be invited to follow their noses to six scent stations—to form lasting memories with the help of unforgettable aromas.
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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 an eye here for more details!

Book your Walt Disney World vacation package (staying at a Disney Resort with at least 3 days of theme park tickets) with a check-in date now to September 31st before February 28, 2023 with Simply Perfect Vacations and receive a FREE Disney Gift Card at check-in from SPV!

Simply Perfect Vacations is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, that will provide you with concierge style vacation planning services that start from the moment you contact us until the day you get home.  Simply Perfect Vacations has assisted over one thousand clients! Helping them plan their simply perfect Disney vacation and we'd love to help you plan yours, request a quote today!  Or you can contact a Simply Perfect Vacations agent for more details about a Walt Disney World vacation!


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To get Disney vacation news this and other travel news and highlights delivered straight to your email inbox, sign up for our newsletter.  As a thank you for signing up, you'll get our mini-guide to the Walt Disney World theme parks AND Universal Orlando parks for FREE!

'Happily Ever After' is coming back to the Magic Kingdom on April 3! The new version of the show will feature all-new projections down Main Street!

Now the sad news, the final ‘Harmonious’ performance will take place on April 2. ‘EPCOT Forever’ will return as an interim show starting April 3 as the phased removal of fireworks platforms occurs. While I did not like the firework platforms on the showcase lagoon, I really love this nighttime show. It is just so much fun!

Contact Simply Perfect Vacations, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, to plan your trip this April so you can see Harmonious before it goes away and see Happily Ever After return!

​Book your Walt Disney World vacation package with Simply Perfect Vacations, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and you and your vacation will be taken care of with our concierge style planning services that start from the moment you contact us.  Simply Perfect Vacations has assisted over one thousand clients! Helping them plan their simply perfect Disney vacation and we'd love to help you plan yours, request a quote today!  Or you can contact a Simply Perfect Vacations agent for more details about a Walt Disney World vacation!

To get Disney vacation news this and other travel news and highlights delivered straight to your email inbox, sign up for our newsletter.  As a thank you for signing up, you'll get our mini-guide to the Walt Disney World theme parks AND Universal Orlando parks for FREE!​

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall will reopen its doors on November 4. This dining experience is found at the Norway pavilion in the World Showcase at EPCOT and gives guests a taste of Norwegian cuisine with a touch of Disney Royalty.

This family-style dining experience includes Traditional KjØttkaker featuring Norwegian meatballs or the Kylling og Melboller, a Norwegian take on chicken and dumplings. If guests are looking for some more classic American-cuisine, they’ve got that too with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Grilled Salmon, and Macaroni & Cheese. 

Aside from the delicious eats and treats, what makes Akershus Royal Banquet Hall so special is it being home to a unique Storybook Dining featuring the Disney Princesses. As guests indulge in the Norwegian-inspired fare, they can interact, take photos, and create lasting memories with some of their favorite princesses.

Book your Walt Disney World vacation package (a Disney Resort stay with at least three days of theme park tickets) with Simply Perfect Vacations and you and your vacation will be taken care of with our concierge style planning services that start from the moment you contact us. Simply Perfect Vacations has assisted over one thousand clients plan their simply perfect Disney vacation and we'd love to help you plan yours, request a quote today!  Or you can contact a Simply Perfect Vacations agent for more details about a Walt Disney World vacation!

To get Disney vacation news this and other travel news and highlights delivered straight to your email inbox, sign up for our newsletter.  As a thank you for signing up, you'll get our mini-guide to the Walt Disney World theme parks AND Universal Orlando parks for FREE!