Disney News: DCL to Greece, New Star Wars Info, Epcot Transformation & More

Here is our latest run-down of the news headlines coming from the various Disney Destinations we proudly offer to our clients.

Disney Cruise Line’s Return to Greece Highlights Lineup of Itineraries for Families to See the World in Summer 2020

In summer 2020, Disney Cruise Line will embark on a variety of itineraries around the world, including a long-awaited return to Greece and the addition of five first-time ports of call in Europe. Along with an expanded European season aboard the Disney Magic, adventures will continue across the fleet with sailings to Alaska, the Caribbean and Bahamas. 

European Explorations

After a five-year hiatus, the Disney Magic will return to Greece in summer 2020 as part of three special Mediterranean voyages departing from Rome. During one 12-night and two nine-night cruises, you can marvel at the beautiful landscapes and archeological wonders of destinations like Piraeus, the gateway to Athens; Katakolon, near ancient Olympia; and the islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Crete.

Each of these unique Mediterranean itineraries combines a selection of stops in Greece with visits to other notable cities in the region. Two of the sailings include a new port of call in Messina, Italy, where Guests can visit landmarks in Sicily such as Mount Etna, the highest and most active volcano in Europe, or the Piazza del Duomo, the city’s historic center. The third features a return to the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik, Croatia, for the first time in five years.

Additional new ports of call in Europe include Gdynia, Poland; Nordfjordeid, Norway; Plymouth, England; and Zeebrugge, Belgium. This new collection of destinations is part of the Disney Magic’s grand tour of Europe in the summer of 2020, which begins with sailings through the Mediterranean and Greek Isles before heading to northern Europe in late summer for cruises to the Baltic, British Isles and Norwegian fjords.

Alaskan Adventures             

In 2020, the Disney Wonder will return to Alaska for the summer season, opening up a world of breathtaking natural vistas, magnificent glaciers and awe-inspiring wildlife. These seven-night itineraries depart from Vancouver, Canada, with visits to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Dawes Glacier. Each sailing features fun and adventure both in port and on the ship, from stunning scenery and one-of-a-kind Port Adventures in each destination to special touches that bring the splendor and spirit of Alaska to life onboard.

Tropical Travel to the Caribbean and Bahamas 

In addition to seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, near Orlando, Florida, the Disney Fantasy will embark on a variety of itineraries to the Caribbean and Bahamas throughout the summer of 2020. These include five- and nine-night Caribbean sailings, along with three-, four- and five-night Bahamian cruises, three of which feature two stops at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.  

The Disney Dream will provide even more opportunities for guests to visit Castaway Cay in the summer of 2020 with three-, four- and five-night Bahamian cruises, including a series of sailings with two calls on the private island paradise.

Each sailing aboard the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream allows you to experience the magic of Disney entertainment, which includes themed dining spaces, Broadway-style shows and more, while also immersing you in the charming island cultures of tropical destinations throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Guided Experiences with Adventures by Disney

In summer 2020, Disney Cruise Line guests can enrich their cruise vacation with a variety of add-on packages from Adventures by Disney®, a leader in family guided group vacations. Highlights include brand-new ways to experience the Caribbean, a return to Alaska and popular packages in northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Premium Cruise Packages 

With Adventures by Disney, you can book the ultimate Disney cruise experience on select sailings in Alaska, Europe and—new for 2020—the Caribbean. Throughout the voyage, knowledgeable Adventure Guides provide dedicated service both onboard and in port, as they lead guests on specially curated excursions, interactive activities and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Onboard the ship, guests enjoy unique experiences and premium amenities exclusive to Adventures by Disney, such as an intimate talkback session with Walt Disney Theatre cast members followed by a behind-the-scenes costume and prop activity.

Pre-Cruise Escapes with Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney also offers popular pre-cruise vacations in Rome; London; Barcelona, Spain; and Copenhagen, Denmark. These two- to three-night Escapes feature unforgettable experiences in iconic cities, such as a private, after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome. Plus, activities like flamenco dancing, mosaic making and preparing local cuisine immerse families in the culture of each region.

• Bookings open to Platinum Castaway Club Members on March 4, 2019 at 8 a.m. ET.
• Bookings open to Gold Castaway Club Members on March 5, 2019 at 8 a.m. ET.
• Booking open to Silver Castaway Club Members and Adventure Insiders on March 6, 2019 a.m. ET.
• Bookings open to the general public online on March 7, 2019.

Building Batuu: New Details Released about Star Wars:Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be the largest single-themed land expansion at both Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios when they open this summer and fall, respectively. While the land is epic in size, every detail in the land has been designed to have an authentic Star Wars feel. There will be two anchor attractions – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, where you will find yourself in the middle of an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which allows you and your flight crew to take the controls of the fastest ship in the galaxy on a special mission. Oga’s Cantina will be a great place for you to grab a beverage, catch up on the latest gossip while R-3X, formerly the Starspeeder pilot on the original Star Tours, DJ’s a collection of new music.

Here’s a look behind the scenes of “Building Batuu.” Batuu is the home of Black Spire Outpost, the location you will visit when you arrive at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which has become a haven for the galaxy’s most colorful — and notorious — characters. Here are some more details about this entire new land, the offerings and attractions and how you can live your own Star Wars adventure in a galaxy far, far away.

You can dive deeper into Star Wars storytelling by engaging with the land through the Play Disney Parks app, if you desire a deeper level of immersion. But there is also plenty to see and do (and taste!) throughout Black Spire Outpost.

While we’re on the subject of taste, there will be several locations in the land to satisfy the appetites of most rogue adventurers:

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs has traveled throughout the galaxy following his longtime gig as the chef at Maz Kanata’s castle on Takodana and brings exotic flavors and unusual dishes to his traveling diner “Tuggs’ Grub.” More details about this location later in this article.

Ronto Roasters – A recycled podracing engine fires up a spit of exotic meats, meticulously turned by a former smelter droid, 8D-J8. Guests can even sample some of the tasty Ronto fare. 

Milk Stand – The place to go to get your farm-fresh blue milk or green milk, direct from Bubo Wamba Family Farms.

Kat Saka’s Kettle – One of the many street market stalls, this grain vendor sells the ever-popular Outpost Mix (blend of sweet, savory and spicy popcorn).

For those looking to purchase in-story Star Wars merchandise and rare finds from across the galaxy, look no further than the many different Outpost stores and market stalls.

Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities – For those in the know, Dok-Ondar is the Ithorian you seek for selling and buying rare and uniquely-valued items from across the galaxy and spanning all eras.

Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers – Guests come to the workshop to meet with the Gatherers – a secretive group of people who have dedicated their lives to restoring balance in the galaxy by passing on their knowledge of Jedi lore and the Force. The workshop Master guides guests to customize and build their own unique lightsabers, and instructs them on the ways of the Jedi.

Droid Depot – Visitors to Mubo’s workshop can choose parts and construct their own individual astromech droids to accompany them on their journey, and then take them home with them.First Order Cargo – A spaceport hangar bay serves as the temporary base and landing spot for the First Order. First Order officers have brought in crates of gear, uniforms and other supplies to win the hearts and minds of locals and visitors to Black Spire Outpost. Resistance Supply – Resistance members and local sympathizers oversee a makeshift stall that supplies Resistance uniforms, pins, badges, hats, helmets, jackets, maps, tools, training supplies, food rations and other items. 

There are also several market stalls which sell a variety of merchandise such as: 

• Toydarian Toymaker (toys) 
• Creature Stall (interesting critters that you can take home with you)
• Black Spire Outfitters (clothing)
• The Jewels of Bith (accessories and other trinkets to treasure)

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo.

A multi-purpose transport shuttle docked on top of the large hangar will beckon Guests into this fast-casual restaurant, a designated location for traveling food shuttles. Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs is in much demand for his culinary skills, so he moves from site to site in a modified Sienar-Chall Utilipede-Transport that becomes a mobile kitchen and restaurant – like an intergalactic “food truck.” His travels across the galaxy allow him to fill his pantry with exotic ingredients he uses to make new and unusual dishes inspired by the fare he created during his time working for Maz Kanata in her castle on Takodana. Now, “Cookie” is proud to share his cuisine with visitors at Tuggs’ Grub, a “traveling diner for diners traveling.”

Cookie’s food shuttle, now docked on the roof of the hangar bay, has lowered a series of pods into the hangar, carrying precious cargo – Chef Tuggs’ finest ingredients gathered from across the galaxy. Situated inside Docking Bay 7, other pods from Black Spire Outpost provide other produce, provisions, and equipment for all incoming freighters to the hangar. Guests may choose to dine indoors in the hangar bay or outside in a shaded courtyard.

From the early days of the design of this new land, Disney partnered with the amazing team from Disney Parks Food and Beverage Concept Development to provide innovative and creative food and beverage offerings that enhance the immersive storytelling of the various dining establishments located in Black Spire Outpost. Throughout the outpost, Guests will encounter familiar flavors but sometimes with unexpected and surprising colors and textures. The unique presentation takes Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo to the next galaxy.

Along with the Food and Beverage Concept Development team, we’ve selected just a few of our favorites to share with you, including the Ithorian Garden Loaf, a plant-based “meatloaf” that comes served with roasted vegetable mash, seasonal vegetables, and mushroom sauce. Another hearty option is the Smoked Kaadu Ribs. These country sticky pork ribs come with a unique blueberry corn muffin and cabbage slaw.

Building Batuu: Cast Members Suit Up for Work in Black Spire Outpost

It takes a village to create something as groundbreaking as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge ⎯ including the costumes that will be worn in the village in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. We’ve shared a lot about how the details are what bring Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to life, and that principle carries through all the items worn by Cast Members, who will be residents of the planet Batuu and carrying out their daily lives in Black Spire Outpost.

In the early stages of designing the land, Disney knew that the Cast Members working there would be part of the story in a way unlike we’ve ever seen before. This guiding principle led a team of costumers, buyers and artists to create dozens of styles for Cast working on Batuu. Outside of the, well, orderly First Order, the costumes for members of the Resistance and, particularly the villagers, will be as varied as the Cast Members themselves. Different styles and colors for pants and shirts, and optional accessories like scarves, hats and even necklaces, will allow Cast to mix and match to create individualize their part of our Star Wars story.

Designers took inspiration from all of the Star Wars films as well as the animated series, identifying iconic looks and silhouettes to translate into real world costume pieces. The team took risks in the choices they made, including working with innovative fabrics to make the costumes as unique and comfortable as possible. Mesh panels make vests lighter, nylon makes a stretchy pant more unique, cotton creates a more breathable shirt. Comfort and durability are priorities when creating Cast costumes, so the team conducted a variety of tests to ensure the fabrics would wear well over time.

Let’s take a closer look at the different groups of costumes available to Cast.

Join the Resistance
Resistance costumes are rugged, military-inspired uniforms, with a soft, well-used feel. Vests and jackets feature patch details inspired by communicators worn in the films, and there is an optional hat to protect from the elements.

The First Order
This costume is a powerful, charcoal grey military-style uniform with structured shoulders taken directly from the looks we’ve seen on screen. In stark contrast to the other costumes seen on the planet of Batuu, First Order costumes are pristine, polished and orderly. General Hux would have it no other way.

Black Spire Outpost Villagers
The village costume collection is comprised of multiple shirts, bottoms and vests for tons of mix and match options to suit preference and personality. There is also a suite of accessories including scarves, necklaces, hats and a versatile pouch to further customize their look.

2019 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Begins Today

The Disney California Adventure® Food & Wine Festival returns to the Disneyland® Resort starting today! Celebrating the beauty and bounty of California, this festival features unforgettable cuisine and beverages from regions across the Golden State. In addition to 14 Festival Marketplaces with incredible menus, you can enjoy family-friendly seminars, celebrity chef sightings, a dinner with Disney chefs, and so much more!

The Marketplace menus this year are jam-packed with a delicious array of new items, as well as some returning favorites. Located throughout Disney California Adventure park, you’ll want to make a stop at every kiosk! Paradise Garden Grill and the Festival Beer Garden are also featuring their own offerings, including a wonderful selection of beer flights and unique dishes.

In addition, the Sip and Savor Pass, which is now available to all Guests, is a great way for you to taste your way through the festival. This pass includes a souvenir lanyard and credential, entitling Guests to eight select food or non-alcoholic beverage items from any participating Marketplaces, Paradise Garden Grill and select Festival Food & Beverage Carts. Guests can use all eight coupons in a single day, or spread them out over multiple visits – the choice is up to them! You can purchase the Sip and Savor Pass at various locations throughout the park, including Trolley Treats, Elias & Co., Seaside Souvenirs, the Sip and Savor Cart, the Festival Marketplaces, Festival Gift and Artist Corner and Studio Store in Hollywood Land.

Here’s a look at menu details and Marketplace locations for the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. We’re already hungry!

NUTS ABOUT CHEESE (near Carthay Circle Restaurant at the Festival Entrance)
Food:

• Fiscalini White Cheddar Lager Soup served in a Mini Boudin Sourdough Bread Bowl (V)
• Ham and Vella Jack Cheese Pinwheel with Smoked Pistachios
• Creamy Oikos Yogurt Cheesecake (V)

Beverages:

• Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Columbia Street, Amber Lager, San Diego

UNCORK CALIFORNIA (near Carthay Circle Restaurant at the Festival Entrance)

Food:

• California Artisan Cheese Selection – Select from either Point Reyes Blue of Fiscalini White Cheddar Hand-crafted California Cheese (V)

Beverages:

• White Wine Flight
  • Twomey Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa-Sonoma County
  • Simi, Chardonnay, “Reserve,” Russian River Valley, California
  • Patz & Hall, Chardonnay, “Dutton Ranch,” Russian River Valley, California
• Red Wine Flight
  • Erath, Pinot Noir, Oregon
  • Klinker Brick Winery, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi
  • Rowen, Blend, Sonoma County, California
• Mimosa Flight
  • Hibiscus Mimosa
  • Tropical Mimosa
  • Mixed Berry Mimosa
• Chandon Brut, Sparkling Wine, California
• Assorted Wine Varietals

CITRUS GROVE (near Carthay Circle Restaurant at the Festival Entrance)
Food:

• Orange Chicken and Rice
• Citrus-brined Pork Roast with Tangy Barbecue Sauce and Lemon Pepper Slaw
• Meyer Lemon Blue Diamond Almond Macaron (GF, V)

Beverages:

• Meyer Lemon Ginger Mule
• Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic)

CALIFORNIA CRAFT BREWS (near the Cars Land Entrance)
Food:

• Pepperoni Pizza Egg Rolls with Marinara and Pesto Sauce

Beverages:

• Bright and Balanced Beer Flight
  • Pizza Port California Honey Golden Ale
  • Hangar 24 Orange Wheat
  • Left Coast Pink Bikini Raspberry Wheat
  • Karl Strauss Columbia Street Amber Lager
• Hobby and Bold Beer Flight
  • Smog City Sabre-Toothed Squirrel Amber Ale
  • Lost Winds Tropiclemente Tropical Ale IPA
  • Towne Park Blacksmith Black IPA
  • Asylum Rorschach Brown Ale
• By the Glass – Bright and Balanced
  • Pizza Port Brewing Company, California Honey, Golden Ale, Solana Beach
  • Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Orange Wheat, American Wheat Ale, Redlands
  • Left Coast Brewing Co., Pink Bikini, Raspberry Wheat, San Clemente
  • Three Weavers Brewing Company, Day Job, Pale Ale, Inglewood
  • Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Columbia Street, Amber Lager, San Diego
• By the Glass – Hoppy and Bold
  • Smog City Brewing Co., Sabre-Toothed Squirrel, Hoppy Amber Ale, Torrance
  • Stereo Brewing Company, Perfect Day, American IPA, Placentia
  • Lost Winds Brewing Company, Tropiclemente, Tropical IPA, San Clemente
  • Towne Park Brew Co., Blacksmith, Black IPA, Anaheim
  • Asylum Brewing, Rorschach, Brown Ale with Kenyan Coffee, Anaheim

BERRY PATCH (near the Cars Land Entrance)
Food:

• Strawberry and Coconut Rice “Frushi” with Sweet Oikos Yogurt Wasabi Sauce (GF, V)
• Fresh California Berry Pie (V)

Beverages:

• Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk
• Strawberry Float with Vanilla Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, and Crunchy Cereal Garnish (non-alcoholic)

PEPPERS CALI-ENTE (near Wine Country Trattoria)
Food:

• Verlasso Sustainable Salmon Peruvian Poke with Cucumber-Lime Salad and Aji Verde Salsa (GF)
• Ghost Pepper Mac and Cheese with Chili Cheese Corn Chip Dust (V)

Beverages:

• Jalapeño-Lime Margarita

VEGGIE, VEGGIE, FRUIT, FRUIT (near Wine Country Trattoria)
Food:

• Grilled Asparagus Chicken Caesar Salad
• Cauliflower Ceviche with Chile Corn Crumble and Tortilla Strips (VG)
• Duo of Frozen Fruit Fruit Bars – Lime and Strawberry

Beverages:

• Cool Lime Michelada with Frozen Lime Ice
• Davis Bynum, Sauvignon Blanc, “Virginia’s Block,” Russian River Valley, California
• Chihuahua Cerveza, Limón, Premium Lager, Newport Beach

AVOCADO TIME (near Wine Country Trattoria)
Food:

• Petit Impossible Burger with Guac and Pepper Jack Cheese (V)
• Spiced Roasted Chicken on Pita with Avocado Hummus and Garlic Sauce

Beverages:

• Kombucha Mojito Cocktail with Fresh Mint
• Suja Organic Pineapple Passionfruit Kombucha (non-alcoholic)

I <3 ARTICHOKES (near Pacific Wharf Bridge)
Food:

• Fried Artichokes with Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Lemon Aioli (V)
• Artichoke Toast with California Olive Tapenade (V)
• Blue Diamond Almond Cake with Butter Streusel, Apricot Compote, and Brown Sugar Crème Fraîche (V)

Beverages:

• Chihuahua Cerveza, Rico, Premium Lager, Newport Beach

CLUCK-A-DOODLE MOO (near Paradise Gardens Park)
Food:

• Harris Ranch Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider with Chimichurri Sauce
• Salt and Vinegar Parmesan Chicken Wings

Beverages:

• Watermelon Lemonade with Watermelon Garnish (non-alcoholic)
• Festival Beer Flight and By the Glass
  • Thorn Brewing, Barrio, Baja-style Lager, San Diego
  • Strand Brewing Co., 24th Street, Pale Ale, Torrance
  • Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Festiv-Ale, Belgian-style Brown, San Diego (Festival Exclusive)
  • Brouwerij West, Dog Ate My Homework, Blackberry Saison, San Pedro

GARLIC KISSED (near Golden Zephyr)
Food:

• Black Garlic Soy-braised Pork Belly Banh Mi
• Creamy Mac and Cheese with Garlic Bread Crumble (V)
• Chocolate Crunch Cake

Beverages:

• Bloody Mary with Garlic-stuffed Olive

OFF THE COB (near Golden Zephyr)
Food:

• Shrimp Boil Tacos with Andouille Sausage and Fresh Corn (GF)
• Esquites Sweet Corn Nuggets with Bacon Lardons

Beverages:

• Citrus Radler, Lager with Grapefruit and Blood Orange Juices, T.W. Pitchers’ Brewing, San Francisco
• Peach Tea with Peach Garnish (non-alcoholic)

GOLDEN DREAMS (near Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Entrance)
Food:

• Deconstructed Teriyaki Chicken Musibi with Pineapple Relish
• Anaheim Chile Relleno Bites with Salsa Verde (V)
• Chocolate-Peanut-Caramel Parfait (GF)

Beverages:

• Yippee! Mickey’s Cotton Candy Soda (non-alcoholic): Sprite, Cotton Candy Premium Syrup, Half-rimmed Butter Cream with Pineapple Cotton Candy Garnish

LA STYLE (located near Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!)
Food:

• Asian-style Beef Barbacoa Taco with Pickled Ginger
• BLT Chicharrón Duro with Ranch Crema

Beverages:

• Tiki Cocktail: Aged Rum, Falernum, Bitters, Lime, and Grapefruit Juices

FESTIVAL BEER GARDEN (near Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta)
Beverages:

• Beer Garden Flight
  • 2 Towns Outcider Hard Apple Cider
  • Ommegang Hennepin Saison
  • Modern Times Booming Rollers IPA
  • Karl Strauss Baltic Porter
• Bright and Refreshing Beer Flight
  • The Dudes’ Brewing Company, Los Dudes Cerveza, Mexican-style Lager, Los Angeles
  • Lost Coast Brewery, Watermelon Wheat, Eureka
  • 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Outcider, Unfiltered Hard Apple Cider, Oregon
  • Brewery Ommegang, Hennepin, Farmhouse Saison, New York
• Hoppy and Bold Beer Flight
  • Modern Times Beer, Booming Rollers, IPA, San Diego
  • Divine Science Brewing, Third Contact, Gluten-friendly IPA, Anaheim (GF)
  • Bear Republic Brewing Co., Apex, Double IPA, Cloverdale
  • Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Baltic Porter, San Diego
• Festival Indulgences
  • Twisted Horn Mead, Blue Cloak, Mead, Vista
  • Founders Brewing Co., Backwoods, Bourbon Barrel-aged Scotch Ale, Michigan

PARADISE GARDEN GRILL (near Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta)
Food:

• Beer-battered Cod with Steak Fries and Spiced Remoulade
• Impossible No “Meat” Ball Submarine with Marinara Sauce topped with Soy Cheese and served with Kettle Chips (VG)
• Beer-braised Pork Tacos with Pickled Apple Slaw, Black Beans, and Queso
• Buffalo-style Roasted Turkey Leg with Celery Slaw and Crumbled Blue Cheese
• Large Soft Pretzel with Beer Cheese Dipping Sauce (V)
• Black Forest Parfait – Layers of Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Chantilly, Chocolate Mousse, and Cherries

Beverages:

• Matanzas Creek, Sauvignon Blanc-Fume Blanc, Sonoma County, Nielson Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County
• ‘Ōlelo Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
• Deschutes Brewery, Pacific Wonderland, Lager, Oregon
• Sudwerk Brewing Co., Märzen, Amber Lager, David

SIGNATURE EVENTS
The festival’s signature events are also experiences worth checking out! Returning this year is Sweet Sundays. This popular event makes for a sweet start to the day, allowing you to join a celebrity pastry chef for an entertaining dessert-centric demonstration, an interview with the chef, and a light brunch buffet featuring one of the chef’s dishes! It’s a great opportunity for Guests to hone their pastry and baking techniques and indulge in yummy desserts. This event occurs on select Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Palisades Stage in Paradise Gardens Park for the duration of the festival, and space is limited.

• March 10 – Jean-Marc Viallet, Disneyland Resort Executive Pastry Chef
• March 24 – Matt Lewis, Baked NY and Tokyo, Baked: New Frontiers in Baking
• April 7 – Emily Ellyn, Food Network Star and Cutthroat Kitchen
• April 21 – Keegan Gerard, Food Network Challenge

Another exciting event is the Dinner with the Disney Chefs. This sumptuous dinner is on Thursday, March 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Vineyard Room at Wine Country Trattoria. Here, you will get to meet the Disneyland Resort chefs and sommeliers featured in the new Disney Festivals Cookbook, all while enjoying a four-course dinner with dishes inspired by the festival recipes and paired with hand-selected wines and cocktails. This event is a great way to enhance your Food & Wine Festival experience.

V Vegetarian
VG Vegan
GF Gluten Friendly

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is Expanding at Walt Disney WorldResort

A new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location is set to open at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa this summer in order to provide more royal transformations than ever before. The new boutique – the third of its kind at Walt Disney World® Resort – will be located inside what’s currently the Ivy Trellis Salon, which will relocate into Senses – A Disney Spa.

Also based on the popularity of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom® Park, work will begin this spring to expand the location, adding more chairs, a very special magic mirror, and a transformation experience that will help Guests choose the perfect outfits and accessories. The Magic Kingdom Park location will remain open during these enhancements and existing reservations will not be affected.

In case you aren’t familiar, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations currently exist at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney Springs®, and pair up young guests age 3-12 with Fairy Godmothers-in-Training, who give them magical makeovers beyond their wildest Disney dreams, turning them into princesses or gallant knights. A variety of royal transformations are available and may include hairstyling, nail polish, accessories, gowns and more, depending on the package guests choose.

More Food: Foodie Guide to the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Spring is upon us and that means the 2019 Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival is about to begin! Starting March 6, 2019, you can enjoy fun, flowers, and food! This year’s festival features 17 Outdoor Kitchens and several other locations through the park that will be offering delectable festival bites and libations.

Special dining packages are also available for the Garden Rocks Concert Series. This concert series runs for 90 nights and features over 270 performances by tons of popular artists. This dining package allows you to have either breakfast, lunch, or dinner at nearly any table-service restaurant in the park and grants you guaranteed seating at one of three concert performances that day. Be sure to reserve these so you can savor every single minute! 

This year’s menus are incredible and you won’t want to miss out on any of these delicious bites! In addition to the returning Outdoor Kitchens like The Honey Bee-stro, the festival has four new Outdoor Kitchens this year: Arbor, The Citrus Blossom, Trowel & Trellis, and Flavor Full Kitchen! Fried green tomatoes, tuna tataki, blood orange aqua fresca, and grilled street corn on the cob are just a few of the new mouthwatering items featured on the menus. Check out these and all of the offerings for the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival detailed below. The festival runs March 6–June 3, 2019.

(GF) Gluten/Wheat Friendly Menu Selections
(V) Vegetarian Menu Selections

ARBOR (Located at The Gardeners Terrace in The Odyssey Center)
Food:

• Fried Green Tomatoes with Blue Crab-Fennel Salad, Remoulade, and Smoked Paprika Oil
• Smoked Salmon Stack with Avocados, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Caviar, and Focaccia Crostino
• Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake with Apple Cider Sorbet (GF, V)

Beverages:

• Original Sin Brewery Black Widow Hard Cider, New York, NY
• Florida Beer Company Caribé Strawberry Rose Hard Cider, Cape Canaveral, FL
• 3 Daughters Brewing Key Lime Apple Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
• Karbach Brewing Lemon and Ginger Radler Houston, TX
• Seadog Brewing Company Sunfish Ale, Clearwater, FL
• Shipyard Brewing Company Grind the Rind Watermelon IPA, Portland, ME
• Cider Flight
• Beer Flight

LA ISLA FRESCA (Located in Showcase Plaza East)
Food:

• Jamaican-braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice and Micro Cilantro
• Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with Steamed Rice and Coconut-Lime Sauc
• Tropical Mousse Cake: Layers of Passion Fruit Cake, Coconut Mousse, and a Tropical Fruit Glaze with Fresh Pineapple

Beverages:

• Tropical Freeze (non-alcoholic)
• Golden Road Brewing Tart Mango Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA
• Tropical Freeze with Mango Rum

THE CITRUS BLOSSOM (Located near Refreshment Port)
Food:

• Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon (GF)
• Tuna Tataki with Spicy Yuzu Glaze, Mango, Avocado, and Pappadam Crisp
• Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens (GF)
• Citrus Shortcake: Orange Chiffon Cake, Lemon Curd, Mandarins, Whipped Cream, and Citrus Crumble (V)

Beverages:

• Orange Cream Slushy in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper (sipper only available while supplies last) (non-alcoholic)
• Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale, Fort Pierce, FL
• First Magnitude Brewing Lemon Hefeweizen, Gainesville, FL
• Heavy Seas Brewery TropiCannon Citrus IPA, Halethorpe, MD
• Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy
• Beer Flight

PINEAPPLE PROMENADE (Located near Refreshment Port)
Food:

• Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Plantain Chips
• Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream (V)

Beverages:

• Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
• Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream with Fanta (non-alcoholic)
• Coastal Empire Beer Co. Coco Piña Gose, Savannah, GA
• Maui Brewing Co. Pineapple Mana Wheat, Kihei, HI
• SweetWater Brewing Company Goin’ Coastal IPA with Pineapple, Atlanta, GA
• Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale, Titusville, FL
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
• Pineapple Soft-serve Ice Cream with Coconut Rum
• Pineapple Beer Flight

THE HONEY BEE-STRO Hosted by National Honey Board (Located near Refreshment Port)
Food:

• Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Purée, Wild Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey-blistered Grapes, Sunflower Brittle, and Coriander Flowers (GF, V)
• Honey Tandoori Chicken Flatbread with White Cheddar Cheese, Charred Vegetables, Clover Honey Sour Cream, and Micro Citrus Greens
• Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with Orange Blossom Honey Ice Cream garnished with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses and Petite Lavender Shoots (V)

Beverages:

• Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze (non-alcoholic)
• Goodwood Brewing Company Brandy Barrel Honey Ale, Louisville, KY
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Orange Blossom Honey Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
• Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze with Blueberry Vodka

FLAVOR FULL KITCHEN Hosted by AdventHealth (Located near the Honey Bee-stro Garden)
Food:

• Citrus-poached Salmon with Ancient Grain Salad, Roasted Vegetables, and Citrus Greens (GF)
• From the Garden: Roasted Beets, Cashew Cheese, and Micro Herbs with Lemon-Oil Dressing (GF, V)
• Mickey Tart Peanut Butter Mousse with Strawberry Jam and Boba Pearls (V)

Beverages:

• Blood Orange Aqua Fresca (non-alcoholic)
• Cookie Butter Worms and Dirt (non-alcoholic)

REFRESHMENT PORT (Located near the Canada Pavilion)

• Coffee-rubbed Pork Poutine with Barbecue Demi-Glace, Fire-roasted Corn Relish, and Cheese Curds
• Stow Away Mary: Classic Bloody Mary with Vodka garnished with Pimento-stuffed Olives, Cherry Tomato, Celery, Jumbo Shrimp, and Smokehouse Jerky

NORTHERN BLOOM (Located in the Canada Pavilion)
Food:

• Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette, and Apple-wood Smoked Bacon (GF)
• Beef Tenderloin Tips, Mushroom Bordelaise Sauce, and Whipped Potatoes with Garden Vegetables
• Griddled Maple Pound Cake with Warm Peach Compote and Sweet Corn Gelato featuring Burton’s Maple Syrup

Beverages:

• Maple Popcorn Shake (non-alcoholic)
• Unibroue Éphémère Apple Wheat Ale, Chambly, Québec
• Unibroue Blanche de Chambly Belgian White Ale, Chambly, Québec
• Unibroue Lune de Miel Amber Ale, Chambly, Québec
• Maple Popcorn Shake with Crown Royal Maple Whisky
• Beer Flight

FLEUR DE LYS (Located in the France Pavilion)
Food:

• Vichyssoise aux Concombres: Chilled Cucumber Vichyssoise Soup (GF, V)
• Tarte au Chévre: Goat Cheese Tart with Caramelized Onions on a Flaky Pastry Crust (V)
• Canard Confit à la Provençal: Braised Duck Confit with Tomatoes and Olives on Polenta
• Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette: Large Chocolate Macaron Lollipop (GF)

Beverages:

• La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush: Vodka, Orange Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, and White and Red Cranberry Juice
• Kir Framboise: Sparkling Wine and Monin Raspberry Syrup
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Maison de France
• Kronenbourg Blanc 1664

FLORIDA FRESH (Located between the France and Morocco Pavilions)
Food:

• Carne Guisada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro-Lime Sour Cream
• Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Local Sweet Corn Relish
• Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue

Beverages:

• Watermelon Cucumber Slushy (non-alcoholic)
• Tampa Bay Brewing Company Twisted Strawberry Fest Fruit Ale, Tampa, FL
• Big Top Brewing Company Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat, Sarasota, FL
• First Magnitude Brewing Monarch Milk Stout, Gainesville, FL
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Key Lime Wine, St Petersburg, FL
• Watermelon Cucumber Slushy with Gin
• Beer Flight

TASTE OF MARRAKESH (Located in the Morocco Pavilion)
Food:

• Harissa Chicken Kebab with Dried Fruit Couscous Salad
• Fried Cauliflower with Capers, Garlic Parsley, and Chili-Ranch Sauce
• Walnut Honey Baklava

Beverages:

• Casa Beer
• Larroque Chardonnay, Meknes
• White Sangria
• Desert Rose: Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur

HANAMI (Located in the Japan Pavilion)
Food:

• Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry, and Melon rolled with Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut, Whipped Cream with Raspberry Sauce on the side (V)
• Chilled Soba Noodle Salad with Pan-seared Tuna and Wasabi Dressing
• Chicken Karaage with Nanban Sauce: Japanese-style Fried Chicken served on a bed of Shredded Cabbage and topped with a Soy and Vinegar-based Dressing

Beverages:

• Kirin Draft Beer
• Sayuri “Little Lilly” Nigori Sake
• “Ichigo Sun” Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail with Sake, Strawberry Purée, and Lemonade

FUNNEL CAKES (Located in The American Adventure)

• Key Lime Funnel Cake topped with Crumbled Graham Cracker and Whipped Cream

• Lexington Brewing Company Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, Lexington, KY
• Short’s Brewing Company Local’s Light Lager, Bellaire, MI
• Dogfish Head Brewery American Beauty Pale Ale, Milton, DE
• Brooklyn Brewery Defender IPA, Brooklyn, NY
• Golden Road Brewing Pineapple Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA
• 3 Daughters Brewing Hard Rosé Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
• Beer Flight

THE SMOKEHOUSE: BARBECUE AND BREWS (Located in The American Adventure)
Food:

• Pulled Pig Slider with Coleslaw
• Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue, and House-made Pickle
• Shredded Beef Brisket with Smoked Potato, Chorizo Fondue, and Green Tomato Relish
• Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans (V)

Beverages:

• Frozen Simply Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
• Central 28 Brewing Company Sunshine Greetings Orange Hibiscus Wheat Ale, DeBary, FL
• 3 Daughters Brewing Phantasmas Spicy Double IPA, St. Petersburg, FL
• Shipyard Maple Bacon Stout, Clearwater, FL
• Boneshaker Zinfandel, Lodi, CA
• Frozen Simply Lemonade with Blackberry Moonshine
• Beer Flight

FIFE & DRUM (Located in The American Adventure)

• Short’s Brewing Company Soft Parade Shandy, Bellaire, MI

PRIMAVERA KITCHEN (Located in the Italy Pavilion)
Food:

• Pizza Toscana: Rustic Italian Flatbread with Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onion, Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan Cheeses
• Pomodori Verdi e Mozzarella: Fried Green Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, and Balsamic Reduction
• Tri-colored Cheese Tortellini, Sage Butter, and Chicken Veloute
• Zeppole: Ricotta Cheese Fritters, Powdered Sugar, Raspberry Sauce, and Chocolate-Hazelnut Drizzle

Beverages:

• Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner
• Placido Pinot Grigio
• Placido Chianti
• Villa Sandi Prosecco
• Montegrande Corbinello
• Fior d’Arancio Montegrande Moscato
• Bellini: Sparkling Wine and Peach Purée
• Frozen Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila

BAUERNMARKT: FARMER’S MARKET (Located in the Germany Pavilion)
Food:

• Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce (V)
• Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions, and Herb Sour Cream
• Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest Ham and Melted Gruyère Cheese
• Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries

Beverages:

• Stiegl Brewery Radler Zitrone, Salzburg, Austria
• Paulaner Original Munich Lager, Munich, Germany
• Köstritzer Schwarzbier Black Lager, Bad Köstritz, Germany
• Hugo Cocktail with Sparkling Wine, Elderflower, and Mint
• Beer Flight

LOTUS HOUSE (Located in the China Pavilion)
Food:

• Szechuan Spicy Red-braised Beef Shank over Rice
• House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons
• Vegetable Spring Rolls (V)

Beverages:

• “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Bobas (non-alcoholic)
• Jasmine Draft Beer
• Pirates of the China Sea: Dark Rum, Peach Syrup and Piña Colada Mix
• Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, Triple Sec, Mango Syrup, and Orange Juice
• Plum Wine Cooler

JARDIN DE FIESTAS (Located in the Mexico Pavilion)
Food:

• Tlacoyo: Blue Corn Masa topped with Black Bean Spread, Ground Chorizo, Queso Fresco, and Mexican Cream
• Beef Torta: Braised Beef served on a Crispy Sourdough Roll with Queso Oaxaca, Avocado, Pickled Onions, and Jalapeños in a Spicy Habanero Sauce
• Tres Leches: Milk-soaked Sponge Cake topped with Cajeta Whipped Cream and Almond Powder

Beverages:

• Cerveza: Allende Golden Ale Craft Beer served with a Liqueur Floater
• Damiana Flower Margarita: Damiana Flower Liqueur, Blanco Tequila, Agave Nectar, and Citrus Juices served on the rocks with a Black Ant Salt Rim
• Oaxacan Gin & Tonic: Smokey Gin, Black Currant Liqueur, Vermouth, Lime Juice, and Tonic Water
• Rosé Sangria: Withers Rosé Wine, Tequila Blanco, Elderflower and Ginger Liqueur, Pineapple, Cactus Pear, and Ginger Juices

TROWEL & TRELLIS Hosted by IMPOSSIBLE Foods (Located near the Mexico Pavilion)
Food:

• Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with Savory Garlic Spread (GF, V)
• Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach, Marinated Vegetables, and Creamy Herb Dressing (V)
• Chocolate Pudding Terrarium with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumb, Pomegranate, and Baby Herbs (GF, V)

Beverages:

• suja Organic Cold Pressed Juice: Noon Greens (non-alcoholic)
• suja Organic Cold Pressed Juice: Vibrant Probiotic (non-alcoholic)
• Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea featuring Twinings of London (non-alcoholic)
• Playalinda Brewing Company Tropical Wonderland Wheat Ale, Titusville, FL
• Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea featuring Twinings of London with Vodka served in a Mason Jar

TASTE TRACK (Located in Future World East)

• Violet Blueberry Vanilla Croissant Doughnut
• Berry Tea Mint Julep (non-alcoholic)
• Berry Tea Mint Julep with Bourbon

Sunshine Seasons (Located in The Land Pavilion)

• Earl Grey Tea Cake with Orange-Honey Filling topped with Honeybell Tangelo Buttercream, Honeycomb, and Bee Pollen

JOFFREY’S COFFEE & TEA (Located throughout the park)

• Future World East – Pedal to the Meadow: Frozen Cappuccino topped with Vodka and Kahlúa Liqueur
• Near Canada – Cold Clover: Cold Brew Coffee with Irish Cream Syrup and topped with Irish Cream Liqueur
• Near Disney Traders – Goose on the Loose: Frozen Passion Fruit and Vodka topped with Iced Tea
• The American Adventure – Bee’s Buzz: Frozen Lemon and Coconut Syrup topped with Pineapple Rum

First-of-its-Kind Play Pavilion, New Park Entrance Part of Epcot’s Historic Transformation

As you may know, Disney has BIG plans for their multi-year transformation of Epcot®, with new experiences that will “wow” you, while keeping true to the original vision of the park. Today, we’re excited to share even more of what’s to come.

The ongoing evolution of Epcot includes plans for a play pavilion that’ll be unlike anything ever seen at the park. This new space will be devoted to playful fun and feature an innovative city that’ll come to life under the dome of the un-named pavilion previously known as Wonders of Life. The pavilion’s city will be bursting with interactive experiences, favorite Disney characters, hands-on activities and engaging entertainment when it opens just in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World® Resort!

There will also be exciting changes to the way you come and go at Epcot. As you can see, changes are coming to the Epcot main entrance, where the plaza will welcome Guests with new pathways, sweeping green spaces and a newly reimagined fountain. This new design will pay homage to the original park entrance with fresh takes on classic elements.

As part of the new entry experience, Leave a Legacy photos will be moving into a beautiful setting just outside the park’s gateway. Additional significant redevelopment will begin between Spaceship Earth attraction and the World Showcase Promenade. More details about the transformation of this area will be announced at a later date.

You will soon be able to look into the future with Disney at a new Experience Center coming to Epcot  later this year. The Experience Center will be located in the former Odyssey Pavilion and feature interactive exhibits to help visualize park projects throughout this unprecedented period of transformation.

Here are some of the other exciting Epcot experiences we’ve shared:

• Guardians of the Galaxy-themed roller coaster in Future World
• Epcot Forever, a 2019 limited-time nighttime experience over World Showcase Lagoon set to classic Epcot tunes, followed by an all-new nighttime spectacular debuting in 2020
• Space-themed table-service restaurant adjacent to Mission: SPACE
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction in the France pavilion, patterned after the number-one family attraction at Disneyland Paris
• Circle-Vision 360 film for the China pavilion and updated O Canada! 360-degree show
• Signature Dining experience inspired by the natural beauty of Japan
• “Beauty and the Beast” sing-along in the France pavilion, showing in addition to the pavilion’s current film, Impressions de France.

Stay tuned for more updates on the continuing transformation of Epcot.