During the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, guests can celebrate the art of photography with themed photo ops from January 13 through February 20, 2023!
There are quite a few places around EPCOT to capture works of art during the festival with Disney PhotoPass Service, but here are five of our favorites!
Figment Magic Shots
Magic Shots are all about using our imagination, which of course leads us to Figment! This year, we’re introducing three new Magic Shots inspired by everyone’s favorite playful dragon. Guests can find these Magic Shots at the following locations:
Figment Wings: Most Disney PhotoPass locations in EPCOT
Figment Chalk Art: At the main entrance to the park and near the entrance to World Showcase under the Monorail beam
Figment Flying: Most Disney PhotoPass locations in EPCOT
Tiny World Magic Shot: Festival of the Arts Edition
This 360-degree shot near the main entrance of the park (now available both during the day and after dark!) has quickly become a fan favorite, so we’re giving it a bright splash of color during the festival. Even if guests have taken this photo before, be sure they stop by for this limited-time edition.
Artful Step-in Frames
All around EPCOT, guests can literally step into works of art. The more they have fun with it, the better their photos will be! Disney PhotoPass photographers will be at select locations to help guests strike a perfect pose.
Paintbrush Prop + Magic Shot
No, these Magic Shots aren’t a figment of our imagination! After 6 p.m. at the main entrance of the park, a photographer can offer guests a special prop that creates a beautiful light painting Magic Shot when the photo appears in their gallery. Art made easy!
Pixel Stick
When the sun goes down, the famous pixel stick comes out! Guests can bask in the glow of the light while a photographer creates a painting around them. Every photo taken through this method is a completely unique work of art. It’s available near Creations Shop on the pathway to World Showcase. When guests see a giant light-up stick being masterfully twirled around, they’ll know they’re in the right place.
Guests can easel-y download and share these and all of the other Disney PhotoPass photos and videos from their entire visit by purchasing Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day entitlement.
Happy (almost) Lunar New Year! The Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese calendar and Year of the Cat on the Vietnamese calendar are just around the corner and to celebrate the exciting occasion, the Disneyland Resort is serving up delightful dishes in honor of the new year. Guests will be transported with each bite and sip as they taste the delicious flavors and traditions of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian cultures.
From sweet indulgences to savory snacks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Disneyland Resort. With the help of this Disney Eats Foodie Guide, everyone will get a sneak peek at all the Lunar Near Year items that will help them and their stomach start off the new year on a happy (and full) note.
Guests can taste their way through the Lunar New Year Celebration from Jan. 20 through Feb. 15, 2023. This returning favorite at Disney California Adventure park features six marketplaces, including two new ones – Bamboo Blessings and Wrapped with Love – with can’t-miss delights guests will love! The festival fun also extends into the Downtown Disney District and the hotels of the Disneyland Resort with limited-time menu items inspired by Lunar New Year.
Now the moment everyone has been waiting for… Foodie Guide to the Lunar New Year celebrations!
Disneyland Resort
Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure Park
For some added flavor to your celebrations, you can purchase the Sip and Savor Pass, which provides six coupons, redeemable for select food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating Lunar New Year Marketplaces and dining locations.
Bamboo Blessings
Mickey Mouse-shaped Hot Dog Bun: Brioche-style Mickey Mouse-shaped buns stuffed with hot dog and finished with sesame seeds and scallions
Mickey Mouse-shaped Purple Sweet Potato Macaron: Red macaron filled with purple sweet potato buttercream and a crème fraîche center
Young Master Brewery Neon City Pale Ale with mandarin and bergamot zest
4Sons Brewing Co. Lunar New Year IPA
Master Gao Brewery Baby Jasmine Tea Lager
Three Weavers Moon Rabbit: Golden stout with vanilla and Vietnamese cinnamon (New)
Stereo Co. Gingerine: Ginger wheat ale with tangerine, honey, and lemon juice (New)
Brewery X Green Tea Rice Lager (New)
Anderson Valley Brewing Co. Black Rice Ale (New)
Tsingtao Premium Lager (New)
Tsingtao topped with a frozen mango beer foam (New)
Lucky Flight: Tsingtao, Young Master Brewery, Stereo Brewery, and Three Weavers Brewing Co. (New)
Prosperity Flight: Kloud Brewery, Master Gao Brewery, Brewery X, and Anderson Valley Brewing Co. (New)
Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction)
Lucky 8 Lantern
Quesabirria Egg Roll with Guajillo pepper consommé filled with Oaxaca cheese, beef birria, and a side of guajillo pepper consommé (New)
Mandarin Mousse Cake: Layers of mandarin mousse with vanilla cake and clementine compote finished with white chocolate crunch balls and a tangerine glaze (New)
Coconut-Lavender Matcha Foam Iced Coffee: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. French Bistro Blend, coconut milk, coconut cream, and white chocolate sauce garnished with lavender matcha, coconut foam, sea salt, and purple sanding sugar (Non-alcoholic) (New)
Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction)
Red Dragon Spice Traders
Gochujang Elote: Steamed corn on the cob rolled in gochujang aїoli and cotija cheese drizzled with spicy gochujang sauce (New)
Red Spice Fried Chicken Bites: Fried chicken chicharrons in spicy red chile sauce (New)
Guava Ginger Whiskey Cocktail: Whiskey, ginger liqueur, guava nectar, coconut cream, and lime juice garnished with a lime wheel (New)
Dancing Firecracker: Pineapple and lime juices, guava nectar, spicy honey, and house-made hibiscus syrup garnished with a lime wheel (New)
Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction)
Wrapped in Love
Pork and Shrimp Wontons with a black garlic sauce (New)
Bok Choy & Mushroom Dumplings with a black garlic sauce (New) (Plant-based item)
Pineapple Baijiu Cocktail: Dark Rum, baijiu, Allspice Dram, pineapple and orange juices, and falernum syrup garnished with a dried red pineapple chip (New)
Grapefruit-Melon Wine Cocktail: Sauvignon blanc, grapefruit liqueur, watermelon purée, rock melon syrup, and lime juice garnished with skewered grapes (New)
Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction)
Prosperity Bao & Bun
Pepperoni Pizza Bao Bun served with marinara (New)
Char Siu BBQ Pork Bao with pickled red onion and jalapeño
Peach Yuja-Ade: Yuja-lemongrass purée, dragon fruit and peach syrups, lemon juice, and butterfly pea flower tea garnished with a lemon wheel (Non-alcoholic)
Soju Peach Yuja-Ade: Soju, yuja-lemongrass purée, dragon fruit and peach syrups, lemon juice, and butterfly pea flower tea garnished with a lemon wheel (Non-alcoholic)
Lychee Celebration: Gin, prosecco, lychee syrup, yuja-lemongrass purée, and grapefruit juice garnished with an edible purple orchid
Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction)
Longevity Noodle Co.
Garlic Noodles: Long noodles tossed in zesty garlic butter with parmesan
Spicy Pork DanDan Noodles: Pan-fried noodles with ground pork and spicy tri-chile sauce
Raspberry Oat Milk Tea: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Ceylon Tea, raspberry and demerara syrups, and oat milk garnished with skewered raspberries (New)
Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction)
Lunar New Year Offerings Throughout Disney California Adventure Park
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
Milk Tea Taro Cheesecake with a taro mousse (New)
Lamplight Lounge
Surf & Turf Fried Rice: Five Spice-rubbed New York steak, sautéed shrimp, fried rice, ginger pea purée, and chili oil topped with a carrot salad (New)
Sesame Seed Donuts: Donuts topped with sesame seed brittle and served with a kaya jam dipping sauce (New)
Three Weavers Brewing Co. Seafarer Kolsch-style (New)
Lamplight Lounge Lunar New Year Cocktail: Han Soju, Aperitivo Aperol, carrot and orange juices, and cream of coconut (New)
Lamplight Lounge – Boardwalk Dining
Pork Dumplings with Chinese broccoli, roasted mushrooms, and fried shallots (New)
Lamplight Lounge Lunar New Year Cocktail: Han Soju, Aperitivo Aperol, carrot and orange juices, and cream of coconut (New)
Lucky Fortune Cookery (Mobile order available)
Mango Sticky Rice: Taro and coconut sticky rice with mango gel, toasted coconut, and fresh mango (New)
Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction)
Magic Key Terrace
Pork Spare Ribs with peanut-chile sauce, Asian slaw, toasted peanuts, and crispy noodles (New)
Pacific Wharf Cappuccino Cart (Mobile order available)
Green Tea Horchata (New)
Dalgona Coffee Bundt Cake: Coffee Bundt cake filled with sweet milk and topped with dalgona foam (New)
Pacific Wharf Café (Mobile order available)
White Chocolate Apple Bread Pudding: Granny Smith Apples and white chocolate with crème anglaise and whipped topping (New)
Paradise Garden Grill (Mobile order available)
Kimchi Bokkeumbap: Kimchi, potato, carrot, and onion fried rice with egg and Korean chili paste topped with crispy sweet and sour tofu and black sesame seeds (New) (Plant-based Item)
Shrimp Lo Mein: Lo Mein noodles tossed with shrimp, mushrooms, onions, carrots, and bok choy (New)
Dak Bulgogi: Korean BBQ chicken served with rice and kimchi
Bánh Mì: Grilled pork belly with pickled carrots, cucumbers, daikon, and jalapeños with a spicy mayo
Sweet and Sour Whole Fish served with steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables (served family-style for two) (New)
Tiger Milk Boba Tea with BobaBam brown sugar boba (Non-alcoholic) (New)
Hite Beer
Blackberry Soju Cocktail: Soju, blackberry purée, and lemon juice with a hint of ginger (New)
Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction)
Sonoma Terrace (Mobile order available)
Pad Thai Spring Roll: Shrimp with scrambled eggs, noodles, crushed peanuts, and Thai basil served with tangy slaw and Pad Thai sauce (New)
Goofy’s Churro Cart
Almond Cookie Churro coated in cookie crumble and topped with almond icing (New)
Outdoor Food Carts (Available Jan. 19 through Feb. 12)
Chicken Bao: Steamed bao with chicken, butternut squash, and lime served with a spicy red curry sauce (New)
Teriyaki Turkey Leg (New)
Baked Coconut Almond Nian Gao: Baked sticky rice cake topped with coconut and almonds (New)
Purple Grape Cotton Candy (New)
ACE High! Hard Cider Imperial Apple Cider
Master Gao Brewery Puffed Rice Chinese Pale Ale
Disneyland Resort Hotels
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Hearthstone Lounge
Rabbit Firecracker: Spiced rum, orange brandy, lemon oil, honey, and black tea garnished with star anise and pink peppercorns (New)
Cat’s Delight: Plantation Pineapple Rum, oolong tea, lychee purée, lemon grass syrup, lime and pineapple juices, and mint garnished with a mint sprig, lime wheel, and lemon grass shoot (New)
GCH Holiday Cart
Lunar New Year Cookie (New)
Assorted Pretzel Sticks
Storyteller’s Café
Offering Lunar New Year-inspired offerings such as fried rice and spring rolls
Disneyland Hotel
Goofy’s Kitchen
Offering Lunar New Year-inspired offerings such as fried rice and spring rolls
Downtown Disney District
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes (Available Jan. 20 through Feb. 15)
Year of The Rabbit CrazyShake: Vanilla-frosted rim with red and gold sixlet, Chinese zodiac rabbit vanilla cupcake, red and gold rock candy, whipped cream, red sprinkles, and caramel drizzle
Catal Restaurant (Available Jan. 20 through Feb. 15)
Pork Belly Bao Bun: Pork belly, soy Gochujang glaze, baby mixed greens, spring onions, spicy mayo, and charred lemon (New)
Kung Pao Paella: Valenciano paella rice, kung pao chicken, lemon vinaigrette, spring onions, water chestnuts, roasted peppers, roasted peanuts, and chiles (New)
Lunar Eclipse: Gin, cherry liqueur, triple sec, lime juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, and bitters and topped with soda and gold glitter (New)
Mad Dumplings Food Truck (Available Jan. 13 through Feb. 5, starting at 3 p.m. daily)
Food truck serving unique dumplings and rice dishes (New)
Naples Ristorante e Bar (Available Jan. 20 through Feb. 15)
Firecracker Chicken Pizza: Hoisin sauce, mozzarella cheese, marinated chicken, carrot strings, and a firecracker sauce drizzle topped with a sliced green onion garnish (New) Lunar New Year Margarita: Tequila blanco, pomegranate juice, lime juice, agave, and simple syrup with a pinch of salt (New)
Sprinkles (Available Jan. 16 through 29)
Lunar New Year Gold Bunny Almond Red Velvet: Red velvet cake with slivered almonds lined with an almond cookie crust and topped with almond cream cheese frosting (Available while supplies last.)
Lunar New Year Red Box: Three Lunar New Year Gold Bunny Almond Red Velvet cupcakes, Three Almond Red Velvet cupcakes, Three Dark Chocolate cupcakes, Three Strawberry cupcakes, and Eight Limited-edition red envelopes (Available while supplies last.)
Tortilla Jo’s (Available Jan. 20 through Feb. 15)
Asian Tuna Nachos: Tuna Saku marinated 24 hours in a Vietnamese-style sauce with diced tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, avocado cream, Asian spiced aïoli, and Vietnamese-style glazed sauce (New)
New Year Sunrise: Rum, grenadine, lime juice, orange juice and pineapple juice (New)
Uva Bar & Cafe (Available Jan. 20 through Feb. 15)
Lunar Eclipse: Gin, cherry liqueur, triple sec, lime juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, and bitters topped with soda and gold glitter (New)
There we have it – the Foodie Guide to Lunar New Year 2023! We hope everyone is just as excited as we are to be transported into different cultures through flavor during the Year of the Rabbit and Year of the Cat.
Happy Lunar New Year!
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
Universal Parks & Resorts has just announced plans for a brand-new location in the Lone Star State.
On Wednesday morning, Universal Parks & Resorts made a huge announcement–one big enough for Texas.
Universal shared plans for a brand-new family resort location that will be located in the North Texas city of Frisco. According to the announcement, the new resort location will serve as a destination for “families with young children” and will be a location that guests typically visit as a one- or two-day destination.
Scott Gustin with NexStar Media tweeted about the new destination, saying “Universal Parks & Resorts is planning to build a 100-acre concept for families with young children in Frisco, Texas. Universal described the project as a 1-2 day destination.”
NEW: Universal Parks & Resorts is planning to build a 100-acre "concept for families with young children" in Frisco, Texas.
Per Universal, the new Texas resort will include a park and a 300-room resort hotel. The new destination in the Lone Star State “is intended to have a completely different look, feel, and scale than Universal’s existing parks and will appeal to a new audience for the brand.” The announcement also says the park will include “family-friendly attractions, interactive shows, [and] character meet and greets.”
Universal did not announce an opening date for the new Texas resort, but according to The Dallas Morning News, property records indicate that Universal Parks & Resorts has four years to build the new destination.
Though details on the new Universal Resort destination are few and far between at this time, the projected size of the resort aligns more closely with the size of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, rather than the size of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The new Universal project will encompass some 100 acres. (Disneyland Resort takes up 500 acres when both theme parks at the Resort are considered, while the Walt Disney World Resort spans approximately 43 square miles or about 27,500 acres!)
Disneyland Park itself is closer to the size of the newest Universal Resort destination, to be located in North Texas.
News of Universal’s Texas destination comes as Universal Studios Orlando’s third theme park, Epic Universe, is under construction in Florida. Universal Parks & Resorts also announced on Wednesday that plans are underway for a new Universal Parks location in Las Vegas as well.
Walt Disney World Resort has been dishing out exciting news as we roll through January 2023. And now, news that has seemingly made the entire Disney fandom happy… Disney has announced it is removing one of its greatest eye sores from EPCOT.
Disney has revealed EPCOT’s current nighttime spectacular, Harmonious, will end on April 2, 2023. EPCOT Forever will return on April 3, 2023.
Sadly, both Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious at EPCOT did not receive the warm welcome Disney intended. Magic Kingdom’s Enchantment lacked any signs of Walt, which Disney tried to correct, but it was too little too late. Additionally, EPCOT’s Harmonious was considered a lackluster show, despite Disney’s efforts with it being “one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for Disney Parks.”
So, what exactly was the issue with EPCOT’s Harmonious? While some love the music and projections, many Disney fans said it simply couldn’t measure up to EPCOT’s long-standing Illuminations nighttime spectacular. Illuminations offered a 360-degree experience in the World Showcase Lagoon with the circular barge that would be moved in and out of the lagoon prior to the show.
When Harmonious debuted, Disney installed massive barges in the middle of the once-stunning World Showcase Lagoon. The barges are so huge and distracting that they were quickly deemed an eyesore for many fans. Plus, the large circle Harmonious barge took the former 360-degree Illuminations view and cut it in half, with the entire show only being able to be seen from the World Showcase entrance and the American Adventure Pavilion.
Disney promised the barges would be used as fountains during the day to help with the unimpressive look of the mechanics, but the fountains sometimes worked, sometimes didn’t… and yes, it was still an eyesore despite efforts.
Thankfully, it seems like Disney not only heard Disney fans, but they have announced the barges will be removed, stating, “Similar to how it appeared in 2021, “EPCOT Forever” is the perfect offering while our Entertainment team preps the Lagoon, including a phased removal of fireworks platforms following the final “Harmonious” performance on April 2.”
Additionally, @ScottGustin confirmed that yes, indeed, this means the Harmonious barges will be removed from the theme park:
Happy New Year from Walt Disney World Resort! 2022 was a big year for us as we continued our 50th Anniversary celebration with cast, guests and the community, debuted our newest groundbreaking attraction with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and reopened beloved experiences from Fantasmic! to the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (center front right) and Jeff Vahle, president, Walt Disney World Resort (center front left), pose with Disney cast members for a photo in front of Cinderella Castle, July 11, 2020, prior to the phased reopening of Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)
2023 brings even more to look forward to – from the triumphant return of the Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular to the opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom Park, and one I personally can’t wait to experience, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at EPCOT!
Today, we’re excited to announce a few other updates we’re making to improve the guest experience and to let our fans know we are listening to their feedback, including Annual Passholders, who are some of our most loyal guests:
Enjoy complimentary self-parking when staying at a Disney Resort hotel
Beginning this evening, Jan. 10, overnight self-parking will once again be offered complimentary to guests staying at Disney Resort hotels at Walt Disney World. This is a Disney difference many of you have asked us to bring back, and we’re happy to reintroduce it to make your vacation a little easier and more affordable – whether you’re road tripping across the country, renting a car or vacationing as a local Florida resident. As a reminder, Disney Resort hotel guests also continue to receive complimentary standard parking at Walt Disney World theme parks, daily early theme park entry (with valid admission and a park reservation) and complimentary on-site transportation options such as buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner.
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders: Park reservation requirements will be relaxed for visits after 2 p.m.*
Beginning in the next few months, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be able to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. Pass blockout dates will continue to apply like they do today. While the theme park reservation system remains important to manage attendance in our parks, especially on busier days, we realize our Passholders enjoy more spontaneous visits – and this change will make that possible. Passholders will also receive access to Disney PhotoPass lenses and one complimentary Cinderella Castle Mural of Memories experience (age restrictions apply). Visit Cinderella Castle Mural of Memories and Disney PhotoPass Lenses for details, restrictions and other information.*
We’ll share a start date with Passholders soon for when these offerings will become available, as well as information about a new offering that is planned where you can create and share short Disney-themed video slideshows with favorite photos from your theme park visits.
Attraction photo downloads will be included with Disney Genie+ service
Beginning in the next few months, guests purchasing Disney Genie+ service will also receive digital downloads of their Disney PhotoPass attraction photos, taken in the park on the day of their purchase, at no additional charge. Attraction photos are taken while in the parks at more than a dozen of our most popular attractions including Space Mountain, Slinky Dog Dash, Test Track, Expedition Everest and more. I always love looking back at family photos at our favorite attractions – it’s a perfect way to remember and celebrate your theme park visit together. An exact launch date will be announced at a later time. Disney PhotoPass terms and conditions and expiration policy apply.
All of these updates are specific to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida – be sure to check out our Disney Travel News post on Disneyland Resort for updates they announced today.
Please know we will keep listening to you and adapting as we focus on making the guest experience even better for more people who visit us here at The Most Magical Place on Earth.
That includes making planning easier for everyone. For example, we recently added the ability to modify Disney Genie+ attraction selections in the My Disney Experience app, began automatically making theme park reservations with the purchase of 1-day, 1-park specific tickets and made our dining reservation policy more flexible if you need to modify or cancel.
As we’ve shared before, we’re also committed to providing a wide range of options to visit, which is why we roll out special offers from time to time for Florida residents and other guests. Visit DisneyWorld.com/Offers for more details, including a few offers we launched to kick off the new year.
Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more updates and be sure to visit planDisney.com for helpful tips and advice on planning your next visit to Walt Disney World.
We hope these updates make your next visit more convenient and enjoyable, so you can focus on making memories with your family, friends and loved ones. We’re grateful for fans like you and look forward to seeing you real soon!
*All offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Walt Disney World Annual Pass Terms and Conditions apply.
