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Superstars of HGTV and DIY Network shows will appear at the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival presented by HGTV between March 5 and May 18, 2014. Three HGTV stars will “crash” the festival for the first time: Matt Blashaw from “Yard Crashers,” Matt Muenster from “Bath Crashers” and Alison Victoria from “Kitchen Crashers.” The popular HGTV celebrities will meet festival guests and showcase expert tips and clever tricks at noon and 3 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday on The Designers’ Stage presented by HGTV at the Festival Center. The Crashers and their crews are known for plucking regular folks out of home improvement stores to help them – in just three days – make over the family’s yard, bathroom or kitchen.  Also new to this year’s festival are “Renovation Raiders” star Amy Matthews and Chip Wade, who started with John Gidding on “Curb Appeal” and now has his own hit show, “Elbow Room.” HGTV/DIY favorites returning to this year’s festival incl...

At Epcot this spring, guests can boogie to their favorite “far out” pop tunes and rock ‘n’ roll classics of the 1960s and ’70s at the Flower Power concert series during the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 5-May 18. The lineup will feature two new-to-the-festival-acts: Gary Lewis and The Playboys (“This Diamond Ring”) and Alan Parsons Live Project (“Eye in the Sky”). An eclectic mix of festival-fan favorites includes Village People (“Y.M.C.A.”), who debuted for the Flower Power series in 2013, Paul Revere & The Raiders (“Good Thing”) and more. The Guess Who kick off the concert series March 7-9. Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and are included with Epcot admission.  Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice): March 7-9 The Guess Who “American Woman” March 14-16 NEW! Gary Lewis and...

In a “Move that bus” moment on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” dozens of Cast Members from Walt Disney World Resort joined Central Florida community leaders to unveil an ”Extreme Village Makeover” at Give Kids the World. The non-profit organization provides memorable, magical and free accommodations to thousands of children with life-threatening illnesses who wish for a special trip to Central Florida’s theme parks. As part of this one-of-a-kind project, Disney Cast Members dedicated countless hours to redesign and renovate a building to honor the thousands of volunteers who serve the children and their families at the Give Kids the World Village. Located in Kissimmee, Florida, the beautifully re-imagined space features a registration area and lounge, as well as a floor-to-ceiling, inspirational mural created with hundreds of photos from the personal moments shared between volunteers and families. “Our Cast Members were thrilled to help with this ‘Extreme Village Mak...

Disney & Orlando Digest – Week of January 19, 2014 Disney Discounts  Walt Disney World® Resort Save up to 30% on rooms at select Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels:  Savings apply for stays most nights March 14, 2014 - April 12, 2014 and April 20, 2014 – June 15, 2014.  Add more Character to your vacation, with this advance Card member booking offer.  Upgrade to a room and ticket package with a minimum 4-day Magic Your Way® Ticket and get one more ticket day FREE! (Minimum 4-day Magic Your Way® Ticket required.)  Offer excludes campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Florida Resident Rates:  Florida Residents can take advantage of great rates on rooms at select Disney Resorts hotels for stays through April 8, 2014.  For example, save up to 37% on rooms at select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts from Ja...

Due to the temperatures being back down into the upper 50's for today and tomorrow, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is closed January 15-16, 2014. Disney's Blizzard Beach is already closed for its annual refurbishment. Normal operating hours should resume on Friday, January 17, 2014. Check back for any changes.

The friendly rivalry between Brazilian runners Fredison Costa and Adriano Bastos took another dramatic twist Sunday when Costa upstaged the defending champion Bastos to win the Walt Disney World Marathon presented by Cigna. After relinquishing the Disney Marathon title to Bastos last year, Costa reclaimed the crown, his third in the past four years and the 10th straight for Brazilian runners who said they worked together Sunday to help Costa win. “It was really hard and the other runners were really good, but at about (Mile 22) I knew that I could win the race,” Costa said through an interpreter. “This was the most important race in my life.” Bastos, who had won eight previous Disney Marathons, said he injured his left leg during an October race which slowed his training, leaving him unable to seriously challenge Costa this time. Costa, 36, sprinted the 26.2 miles through the four Disney theme parks, the Disney Speedway and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in 2:21...

The official Disney Parks Blog has posted a great video giving us a glimpse behind-the-scenes at Walt Disney Imagineering as work progresses on creating the ride vehicles for the upcoming Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coaster for the Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland. Check it out below: Photo and video courtesy of the Walt Disney World Company

A blast of cold arctic air is heading to Central Florida and as a result Typhoon Lagoon is closed today and tomorrow (January 6 and 7, 2014). Temperatures will be dropping below freezing, with highs reaching only the mid 40's tomorrow. Blizzard Beach is already closed for its annual refurbishment. Both the 5:15pm and 8pm Spirit of Aloha dinner shows at Disney's Polynesian Resort have been cancelled for this evening, Monday, January 6, 2014. 

With all of the cold and snow throughout the country, you may be dreaming of a warm, tropical getaway or just starting to plan your summer vacation. Disney World has just released a new discount for spring and early summer to make a Disney World vacation more affordable than ever.  You can now save up to 30% on rooms at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels for most nights when you visit between March 14 and June 15, 2014. You can also upgrade to a room and ticket package and receive one more ticket day FREE! (Minimum 4-day Magic Your Way ticket required.) For stays most nights March 14 – April 12 and April 20 – June 15, 2014: •Save up to 30% at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney's BoardWalk Inn & Villas, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard/pool view rooms), Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney's Old Key West Resort and Disney's Wilderness Lodge (standard/woods view) •Save up t...

A huge THANK YOU to the Cantalini Family and Friends from Canada for spending an INCREDIBLY busy New Year's Eve with me at Walt Disney World Resort! They took advantage of my personal tour guide services and enjoyed a special family reunion at the "most magical place on earth!" Contact me at mike@mikeandthemouse.com for more information. 

Disney & Orlando Digest – Week of December 30, 2013 Happy New Year’s Edition Disney Discounts  Walt Disney World® Resort Florida Resident Rates:  Florida Residents can take advantage of great rates on rooms at select Disney Resorts hotels for stays through April 8, 2014.  For example, save up to 37% on rooms at select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts from January 4- January 18 and March 14- March 29, 2014.  Book December 2, 2013 - April 8, 2014.  Plan a winter getaway to Disney or a Spring Break trip to the Disney Water Parks.  Book today with this incredible deal, just for Florida Residents. Military Discount:  Active duty and retired members of the US military can get specially discounted rooms at Disney Resort most nights through September 27th, 2014.  Thank you for serving our country. Request a quote directly from Siera by calling 734-771-1290 or go to  Destinations in Florida Disney...