Disney Releases New Details on EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

Via DisneyLists.com

We’re just a few weeks away from the year 2021! At Walt Disney World the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, is kicking the year off with a bang.

From a Disney Cast Member;

Ready for a fresh start in 2021? Then grab a paintbrush and indulge your artistic side (and your palate … and maybe your palette) with an inspiring visit to the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, running January 8 – February 22, 2021, at Walt Disney World Resort.

This global celebration mixes visual, culinary and performing arts from around the world into an entertaining blend that’s fun for the entire family. More than 100 Disney and visiting artists will display their work, and you can show off your own talents by participating in interactive experiences such as a larger-than-life paint-by-number mural or learning to draw some of your favorite Disney characters. You can also step into famous works of art, thanks to artful photo ops.

You’ll also discover dishes to feast on with delicious Disney twists and art-inspired menus. And, of course, no visit is complete without finding the perfect piece of artwork or Festival merchandise to bring home.

New in 2021

Voices of Liberty will take centerstage at America Gardens Theatre with a brand-new showcase – The Disney Songbook. From “When You Wish Upon a Star” to “Let It Go,” the ensemble will perform Disney songs and celebrate the artistry of Disney composers and lyricists.

Over at World Showplace, you can catch live performances by “Art Defying Gravity,” a spectacle of thrilling strength acts, and “Visual Art in Performance,” a high-energy, onstage visual artist who paints favorite Disney characters before your eyes in just a matter of minutes.

Food Studios located around World Showcase are where you can view – and eat – great works of art. Vibrante & Vívido Food Studio, a new location between France and Morocco, will feature a mouthwatering (and photo-ready) chilled seafood cocktail with octopus, scallops, shrimp, black garlic aïoli, tomato coconut sauce and serrano lime oil. Or, indulge on Blue Corn Pupusa stuffed with cheese and topped with shredded pork, guajillo and árbol chile sauce, cabbage slaw and aji amarillo crema.

Other ways to enjoy the Festival: Take part in the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, where you’ll use the Festival Passport as a guide to purchase five vibrant food items and receive a complimentary, tasty technicolor treat. The popular Figment’s Brush with the Masters returns this year, as well, inviting you to help Figment learn about art on a scavenger hunt around World Showcase; you will be able to purchase a map and stickers for the family-friendly hunt at a variety of merchandise locations.  Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will run for 46 days and be available with valid admission and a park reservation for the same date.

runDisney Announces End of Star Wars Themed Races

runDisney has released a statement announcing the final year of the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend and its transition to a virtual race next spring.

Here is the statement from the runDisney website:

During this unusual time, race organizers around the world continue to pause on hosting in-person race events that draw large crowds. As we look to the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend, we will convert this race to a virtual event, similar to the previous runDisney race weekends this season. In addition, we will reimagine the theming of this race weekend for 2022 and will share more information on that at a later date.

While we share our Guests’ disappointment that we will not be taking our final run in the Star Wars Rival Run Weekend together in person, we have based this decision on the unique circumstances of hosting a road race experience on this scale under the current environment.

Participants who registered through runDisney.com will have the option of receiving a full refund for the race. Those who are registered with a U.S. mailing address may convert their existing registration to the new virtual event that can be completed from home, a local running track or favorite running trail.

In addition to the satisfaction of completing the race they’ve trained for, eligible participants in the virtual race will receive a medal for each distance they complete and the option of a race shirt. Registered participants will receive an email with instructions on how to make their registration selection before December 18, 2020.

For those who would still like to register for the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend virtual event, we will open additional registration opportunities on a limited basis Tuesday, December 15, at 10 a.m. ET. This race event may be completed from home, a local running track or favorite running trail.

Participants who’ve booked through a charity or tour operator should reach out directly to that organization. Athletes who’ve booked through the Walt Disney Travel Company may call them at 407-939-4786 (407-939-IRUN) for available options.

2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend Refund Option

Runners registered for the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort who select the refund option will receive a refund back to their original form of payment for the following. If a Guest no longer has their original form of payment used when registering, they may contact runDisney by December 18, 2020, to receive a refund via check or a Digital Disney Gift Card for the following:

  • Race registrations (Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Challenges and Kids Races)
  • Commemorative merchandise (automatic refund – no virtual option)
  • Processing fee

Additionally, any registered participant with a shipping address outside of the U.S. will automatically receive a refund back to their original form of payment. At this time, only participants with a valid U.S. shipping address are eligible for the virtual option.

Refund timing:

Refunds from runDisney can be expected to be processed within six to eight weeks. If you haven’t received your refund by then, please visit the “contact us” section on runDisney.com.

2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend Virtual Race Options

All registered participants with a valid U.S. shipping address for the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort who purchased their registrations on runDisney.com will have the option to participate in a virtual race. Please note PO Boxes and APO Boxes are not considered valid shipping addresses for this purpose. Participants who select this option will receive the following based on their registration(s):

  • Race distance medal(s)
  • Option of event tech shirt(s)
  • Digital Bib and finisher certificate
  • Digital Toolkit including start/finish line and mile markers
  • Digital Goody Bag
  • Virtual playlist
  • A Digital Disney Gift Card for select races

Guests with a U.S. mailing address who already have received a refund for their registration may still register to participate in the virtual race option by registering at runDisney.com beginning December 15, 2020 at 10 a.m. ET.

Digital Disney Gift Cards for select races:

Eligible athletes registered for select events during the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort will receive a Digital Disney Gift Card:

  • Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Challenge

Digital Disney Gift Card timing:

Digital Disney Gift Cards from runDisney can be expected to be processed within six to eight weeks. If you haven’t received your Digital Disney Gift Card by then, please visit the “contact us” section on runDisney.com.

Charitable donations

Donations made to Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida will not be refunded and will be delivered to that organization as originally planned.

Club runDisney Charter Membership

Guests who purchased the inaugural year of the Club runDisney membership have received a second year of membership at no charge.

Future Races:

We’re looking at every aspect of the runDisney experience and making decisions with the safety and well-being of our athletes, volunteers, Cast Members and Guests at the forefront of our planning. At this time, we have no updates regarding future runDisney events. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

Epcot’s Voices of Liberty Live Performance on Dec. 15

Disney keep the holiday surprised coming! Save the date as a speciallive performance by the iconic Voices of Liberty from EPCOT will take place on Tuesday, December 15. Check out the details below as shared by DisneyParksBlog.

Beginning at 6:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Voices of Liberty will share their merry melodies on the Disney Parks Blog for everyone to enjoy.  This favorite a capella group, dressed as Dickens Carolers, will deliver their holiday harmonies LIVE from America Gardens Theatre – and you have a front row seat!

In recent months, we’ve hosted several popular Voices of Liberty #VoicesFromHomeperformances to bring a touch of Disney magic to everyone at home.  #DisneyMagicMoments “toe-tappers” included favorites like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and a gorgeous rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

On Tuesday, you can watch this a capella group LIVE on the Disney Parks Blog.  Note this performance will not be available for replay, so be sure to visit the site’s home page before 6:10 p.m. ET on Dec. 15, to enjoy the event.  

Virtual Viewing of ‘Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks’ at Walt Disney World

Ready to watch some Disney Christmas magic right from home? Disney is sharing a special virtual viewing of the dazzling holiday spectacle – “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Check out the details and video as shared below by DisneyParksBlog.

For this pre-recorded viewing, you’ll virtually join host Minnie Mouse as the sky above Cinderella Castle sparkles with breathtaking fireworks to favorite holiday tunes like “Deck the Halls” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”  This yuletide celebration, presented by Disney’s “Godmothered,” a magical holiday comedy starring Isla Fisher and Jillian Bell, streaming on Disney+, will get you in the spirit for the season!

Walt Disney World Will No Longer Digitally Add Face Masks on Ride Photos

Via DisnDining.com

Walt Disney World has confirmed they will no longer be adding face masks digitally on ride photos to guests not wearing their mask properly over their nose and mouth when the photo is taken. Disney was testing this feature but has now confirmed they will no longer be digitally adding masks.

As shared by USAToday: Disney World will no longer be digitally adding face masks onto guests’ faces in ride photos, the company said. Park visitors who chose to not wear a mask while riding on attractions did not receive PhotoPass photos taken on the rides. 

However, Walt Disney World News picked up on a private Dec. 6 Facebook group post noting that the theme park had begun digitally adding masks to riders’ faces after the fact. The digitally-added masks allowed for those in the photo properly wearing their face masks to get the photos.

Disney World says it will not be digitizing face masks over guests’ faces any longer. “In response to guest requests, we tested modifying some ride photos. We are no longer doing this and continue to expect guests to wear face coverings except when actively eating or drinking while stationary,” Disney said in a statement provided by spokesperson Jacquee Wahler.