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Disney is offering a new 'Food and Wine Festival Premium Package' during this year's 2014 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. The cost is $199 + tax ( does not include park admission ), and is available to Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests, which includes the Swan and Dolphin, and Golden Oak. The package includes: In-room gift bag including a select bottle of wine, a festival wine glass, delicious truffles, and Premium Package Area credential. In addition, guests will receive a themed Food and Wine Festival MagicBand and a $50 gift card. Exclusive Premium Package Areas located around World Showcase promenade where guests can order items from select marketplace and have them delivered right to them without waiting in lines. Admission to one Epcot Food and Wine Late Nights LIVE! event taking place every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:45pm to 1am. This new event features an after-hours street party located between the United Kingdom and World S...

Reservations are now open for the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival Presented by Chase® premium events. To make reservations, call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378), and for full details of the events, you can visit the official website. Here is a quick rundown of some of the most popular events. NEW! Dining Through the Decades, A Tribute to Walt Disney (Oct. 24) $99 pp or $119 pp NEW! Experience Puerto Rico – The All Star Island (Sept. 20) $99 pp NEW! Epcot International Food & Wine Festival — Boot Camp Series interactive epicurean adventure (Sept. 21, Oct. 5, 12, 19, Nov. 2) $119 pp NEW! Food for Thought (Fridays, plus Saturday Oct. 11) $169 pp NEW! Mediterranean Food & Wine Pairing (Wednesdays) $55 pp NEW! Italian White Truffle & Wine Pairing Dinner (Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30) $295 pp Parisian Breakfast (Saturdays) $39 pp “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery (Oct. 3, 10 and 17) $59 or $99 pp Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining?(more than 20 dinners ...

From the Disney Parks Blog - How about an after-hours street party, and an Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package to make the 19th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival even more fun? Epcot Food & Wine Festival – Late Nights LIVE! street party will run from 9:45 p.m. to 1 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday during the festival between the United Kingdom Pavilion and World Showcase Plaza. The event includes six tastes (food and beverages) from select marketplaces, live music, entertainment, and a DJ. Cost is $79, plus tax. Bringing together the love of food with the love of music, it’s the perfect destination for a delicious final bite. Party is subject to capacity and advance reservations are recommended; to book a spot, call 407-939-3378. We know that Greece, Hawaii and Desserts & Champagne will be showcased, along with others that will change throughout the festival. *Note: Admission to Epcot is not required after 9 p.m. for guests who have p...

This is a WARNING ! Your stomachs may be grumbling after you read this! Disney has recently released the menus for the 2014 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Marketplace kiosks. Looks like we're in for some more loosening of the belt around the old MikeandTheMouse household!  The popular festival will be the longest ever, and will run from September 19 thru November 10, 2014. Africa Beef tenderloin tips berbere style with okra, jalapeños, tomato and pap South African bobotie with turkey and mushrooms (gluten free) MAN Vintners Chenin Blanc Fairview Pinotage The Wolftrap Red: Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier Australia Garlic shrimp with roasted tomatoes, lemon myrtle and rapini (gluten free) Grilled lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies (gluten free) Pavlova: Crispy meringue shell with fresh berries and vanilla custard Coopers Brewery, Original Pale Ale Chateau Tanuda Grand Barossa Dry Riesling St. Kilda Chardonnay Nine Stones Shiraz Belgium P...

The fifth anniversary collection of the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend finisher medals were revealed today. The collection includes medals for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon, Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K and the runDisney Kids Races. Each half marathon runner that completes the 13.1 mile race will receive a specially designed commemorative medal that has an actual spinning element. Almost 20,000 runners are registered for the race weekend that includes a sold out nighttime half marathon race that starts at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and winds through three Disney theme parks, ending with an exclusive Finish Line Party at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The race is Nov. 7-8, 2014 at Walt Disney World Resort with the half marathon starting at 10 p.m. ET on Nov. 8, 2014. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.  Team Martel/Crandell will be out there in full force. We hope to see...

The refurbishment of the Nanea feature pool at Disney's Polynesian Resort has now begun, and will last until the Spring of 2015. During the refurbishment period, Disney will be providing access to the Blizzard Beach Water Park for guests that are staying at the Polynesian. This is how it works: Bus transportation to Blizzard Beach is provided directly from the resort. At Blizzard Beach, a dedicated area at the front of the park will allow Polynesian Resort guests to check in with a touch of the MagicBand or RFID card. Along with the complimentary admission to Blizzard Beach, Polynesian guests will also receive complimentary towel rental, and for those guests who purchased a resort refillable mug, access to the Blizzard Beach beverage refill stations. Although initially it was expected that only one day of admission would be provided, the complimentary admission is now available to guests throughout their stay at the Polynesian and allows multiple visits to Blizzard ...

Photo ©MikeandTheMouse The Walt Disney World website has added new animated flyover that feature three of its resort hotels. Eventually all resorts will be featured, but currently the three Magic Kingdom Resorts have been posted. It's a great way for guests to get a birds-eye view of the vastness of property and get a great idea of a resorts proximity to the theme parks. Take a look below at each link to see what they look like: Disney’s Contemporary Resort Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Photo courtesy of the Walt Disney World Resort. Who says the fun has to end when the sun goes down? At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can sip, sample and play with summer-only and new premium events, plus special packages that pair with year-round favorites. Here’s what Walt Disney World fun looks like after dark: Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Frozen Summer Fun Live! – Fans of the beloved Disney film “Frozen” can journey to Arendelle all summer long with Frozen Summer Fun Live! activities taking place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. After welcoming Anna and Elsa every morning, then ice skating at Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post, and dancing with Olaf at the Coolest Summer Ever Dance Party all afternoon, guests can end their day with a grand fireworks show that soars above the Sorcerer Mickey Hat on Hollywood Blvd. Frozen Summer Fun Live! takes place daily now through September 1 beginning at 11 a.m. Frozen-themed fireworks, set to popular tunes from the film, ligh...

We’re just one month out from August 23, the night a record number of Disney villains – more than 50 in all – will invade Disney’s Hollywood Studios as part of the park’s new, separately ticketed event, “Villains Unleashed.” While some of the surprises being planned for this one-night-only party remain hidden under a cloak of mystery, other tantalizing details are beginning to emerge, and it’s shaping up to be one fiendishly fun evening! Hades Hangout - The party kicks off at 8 p.m. at the main event stage, where hosts Hades, Megara, Pain and Panic are killing ‘em with comedy. They’re joined throughout the night by the Underworld Dancers, DJ Igg Nite, live music from Bernie Briquette and Brimstone, and a rogues gallery of roaming rottens, from the Queen of Hearts and Sheriff of Nottingham to the Big Bad Wolf and Captain Hook. Villains Dominion – For this one special night, the Streets of America area of the park will be swarming with baddies. Here, you’ll have the opportunity t...

From the Disney Parks Blog - Outside the snow isn’t falling, but friends are calling, “Yoo hoo… Now is the time to make your reservations!” You may think it’s too early, but now is a great time to book your holiday sleigh ride at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground! Holiday sleigh rides begin on November 28th and run nightly through December 30th. Each sleigh holds up to 4 adults (or two adults and 3 children). The 25-minute sleigh ride is $70 per sleigh and includes 1 collector’s pin per reservation. As we await the holiday season, the Tri-Circle-D Ranch offers plenty of year round activities to keep you busy. Guests over nine years old can enjoy a 45-minute horseback ride through Florida’s natural wilderness, and for the younger riders, pony rides are a great introduction to our 4-legged equine friends! If you just can’t wait until the holiday season to relax, carriage rides are offered throughout the year at Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Campground ...

From the Disney Parks Blog - If you’ve visited Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort lately, you’ve most likely noticed the many changes underway as the area transforms into Disney Springs – it’s the largest expansion in Downtown Disney history and, when completed, will double the area’s number of dining and retail options. Through this expansion, guests can continue to enjoy more than 70 themed and immersive shopping, dining and entertainment venues day and night. One of my personal favorites is the new Marketplace Co-Op, which has unique Disney boutique shops and has been featured several times here on the Disney Parks Blog. The surrounding roadways and parking areas at Downtown Disney are growing too and will eventually offer easier access to the area. Today we have two new renderings to share with you that showcase the work that is already underway, which includes widening Lake Buena Vista Drive from seven to 10 lanes and constructing two multilevel garages (the...

Walt Disney World Resort is known worldwide as a fun-in-the-sun vacation playground for all ages. But this time of year when the skies turn damp, there is still plenty of all-weather fun at Walt Disney World Resort. From movies and shopping to spas and theme parks, guests are “showered” with fun throughout the Vacation Kingdom. Here’s how to make the most of a day that dear old Donald would consider “just ducky”: Grab a poncho or umbrella and venture to Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Disney’s Animal Kingdom where many attractions and shows are indoor theater experiences or have covered pavilions. Guests with a waterproof mentality discover the theme parks may be less crowded on wet-weather days. Enjoy two Broadway-caliber theatrical productions both staged at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Dive into a colorful under-the-sea world with the live stage spectacular, “Finding Nemo-The Musical.”  Or, delight in the pageantry of “Festival of the Lion King,”...

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland on July 17, 1955, it had 18 attractions, no Disney hotels and little but orange groves surrounding it. Today, as the Disneyland Resort celebrates its 59th anniversary, the original theme park has expanded to become a world-class family resort destination with two renowned Disney parks, nearly 100 attractions, three hotels and the shopping, dining and entertainment district known as Downtown Disney. And in the spring of 2015, the resort will launch a dazzling yearlong Diamond Celebration that salutes 60 years of magic. “It’s an incredible time at the Disneyland Resort as we prepare for next year’s Diamond Celebration,” said Michael Colglazier, president, Disneyland Resort.  “We’re excited to honor our rich history, to celebrate the incredible magic that fills our resort today, and to create unforgettable memories with our guests for many years to come.” As part of today’s festivities, Disney invited the generations of families and frien...

Foodies and festival fans can fire up their phones at 7 a.m. on July 31, 2014, to begin booking premium events slated for the 19th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 19-Nov. 10. During this year’s 53-day food, wine, beer and cocktail extravaganza – Epcot’s longest food and wine festival ever — guests can choose from a variety of special culinary and beverage programs like the popular Party for the Senses grand tasting experience and the new “Boot Camp Series” epicurean adventure. These special events have proven to be extremely popular and availability is limited. Guests can book: • NEW! Dining Through the Decades, A Tribute to Walt Disney (Oct. 24) $99 pp or $119 pp • NEW! Experience Puerto Rico – The All Star Island (Sept. 20) $99 pp • NEW! Epcot International Food & Wine Festival — Boot Camp Series interactive epicurean adventure (Sept. 21, Oct. 5, 12, 19, Nov. 2) $119 pp • NEW! Food for Thought (Fridays, plus Saturday Oct. 11) $169 pp...

From the Disney Parks Blog - Nothing says “fall” like tailgate parties, chili cook-offs and, of course, football season. On August 22-23, you can officially kick-off sport’s greatest season of the year with ESPN‘s inaugural Fantasy Football Convention, taking place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The first-of-its-kind event features unprecedented access to ESPN talent including Matthew Berry, Adam Schefter, Chris Mortensen, Sara Walsh, Mark Schlereth, Stephania Bell, Tim Hasselbeck and more! Start things off with an epic Tailgate Party, where you can mix and mingle with ESPN talent and be a judge in the first-ever ESPN Chili Bowl. Decorated Disney Chefs from around the world will serve up their best creations for a chance at this prestigious award. The next morning, you’ll have breakfast with some of your favorite characters decked out for the gridiron. Ever wonder what it’s like behind-the-scenes of an ESPN studio show? You’ll get the chance to find out, as the ...

From the Disney Parks Blog - With opening planned for December, we’re sharing the first details for Trattoria al Forno, the new restaurant for Disney’s BoardWalk. A “trattoria” is an Italian restaurant serving simple food, and “al forno” is Italian for “food baked in an oven,” and this new spot will showcase Old World techniques, including handcrafted mozzarella made daily, cavatelli (small dumpling-shaped pasta) and a variety of Neopolitan-style pizzas baked in wood-burning ovens. Neopolitan pizzas, by the way, are pizzas in the classic style of Naples, Italy, with simple tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. A beautiful Italian flywheel slicer slices paper-thin Italian meats, served with a variety of olives and caponata. Satisfying pastas, velvety seasonal risottos and fresh seafood and vegetables will celebrate the delectable diversity of Italian cuisine with authentic ingredients and recipes from Italy’s various regions. Italy is just half the size of Texas bu...

A touch of eternal winter is coming to the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Walt Disney World Resort next year.  Two of the popular family-focused events during the race weekend, the Disney Princess 5K and runDisney Kids Races, will have a new Frozen theme with new medals depicting a Frozen motif from the hugely successful Disney animated film. Registration for the race weekend opens July 15. In addition to the Disney Princess 5K and the runDisney Kids Races, the Feb. 19-22 race weekend will feature the Disney Princess Enchanted 10K and Disney Glass Slipper Challenge ( SOLD OUT ), which involves running the 10K and the half marathon on consecutive days (19.3 miles). Runners who complete the Challenge will earn the Disney Glass Slipper Challenge Medal to go along with medals from each individual race. The Princess Half Marathon Weekend is one of two women-focused runDisney events. The other is the Tinker Bell Hal...

Registration for the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children's Miracle Network Hospitals will open at Noon EST on Tuesday, July 15, 2014! Here's your chance to join the Disney Princesses in a weekend of majestic runs in the most magical place on earth for a royal celebration! It's all happening during the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. There'll be special magical course surprises, special Princess events, and a fun-filled party after the event to celebrate your run. Plus you'll take home an exclusive Finisher Medal. Best of all, your favorite Disney Princesses will cheer you on your way! CLICK HERE to REGISTER and for additional information. Click the AD below for special runDisney room rates!

1. Enjoy Summer Fun with Olaf  Guests who snag a take-along Olaf at the park entrance and throughout the park can snap photos of themselves with the silly, summer-loving snowman and use the hashtag #OlafSummerFun for a chance to have their photos featured in the evening’s grand finale. Olaf also appears throughout the day on screen at the Sorcerer’s Hat Icon Stage, where he will share updates from his summer adventures. 2. Join in “Frozen” Sing-Along Celebrations Melt away the heat of summer with laughter and singing during "For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration." Guests can make their way to Premiere Theater once the park opens to receive a return-time for one of the fun-filled showings of the sing-along which runs from 12:30 to 7 p.m. daily and features Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and the newly-appointed royal historians of Arendelle. There also is a standby queue line for the sing-along. 3. Don’t Miss the “Big Summer Blowout” C...