Figment Waffles Are Coming to Disney

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot

It’s time to grab your favorite stretchy pants, best friend, and a couple of forks as we are ready to dig into the latest dishes and sips for the 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. And yes… we said FIGMENT WAFFLES are coming!

When most Disney fans think about an EPCOT Festival, it’s likely the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival will come to mind. With the 2022 Food and Wine Festival and EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays wrapped up, we’re heading into the new year eager for the Festival of the Arts to arrive.

The beloved 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts kicks off on January 13 and runs through February 20, 2023. This year, the festival features 50 new menu items at the enticing Festival food booths spread throughout the theme park.

While many of the favorite food booths are returning around the World Showcase, new food booths are debuting, including Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic.

Journey Into Imagination With Figment

Disney has already shared that sometime in 2023, Figment, the popular purple dragon from the nostalgic EPCOT attraction Journey Into Imagination With Figment, will be available for a meet and greet.

Additionally, Figment is getting the spotlight during the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts with plenty of merchandise, as well as the grand return of last year’s ridiculously popular Figment Popcorn Bucket, which will be available during the festival while supplies last.

Disney World Figment popcorn bucket

As Disney releases foodie guides for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, we can’t help but focus on the mouthwatering Figment delights headed to the Disney Park.

The new booth, Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic will feature deliciously colorful bites and sips, including:

  • Fruit Pizza: Watermelon, compressed cantaloupe, berries, and berry balsamic
  • Grape Smoothie with freeze-dried SKITTLES bite-sized candies (non-alcoholic)
  • 3 Daughters Brewing Black Cherry Hard Cider
  • 3 Daughters Brewing Blood Orange Hard Cider
  • 3 Daughters Brewing Passion Fruit Hard Cider
  • Rainbow Cider Flight
  • 81Bay Brewing Co. Green with Envy Blonde Ale
  • 81Bay Brewing Co. Blue Butterfly Lager
  • Urban Artifact The Gadget Raspberry & Blackberry Midwest Fruit Tart
  • Rainbow Beer Flight
Figment

But, surprisingly, the new Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic booth is NOT where you’ll find what will surely be the coveted Festival of the Arts food must-have… the FIGMENT WAFFLE.

Head on over to Connections Café in the World Celebration portion of the Park for a chance to taste the Figment Liege Waffle as pictured below:

Figment Liege Waffle at EPCOT

Sorry, Mickey Waffles! But we’ll be on a strict Figment Liege Waffle diet between the Festival of the Arts dates of January 13 – February 20, 2023.

Free Dining Promo Offer for Walt Disney World Announced

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Way back in the summer of 2021, Disney stated that the Disney Dining Plan would be coming back. Well, it hasn’t, and we’ve been waiting to hear any kind of update. We finally got an announcement on a dining promotion, but it’s not exactly the news we were hoping for.

Promo Dining Card Offer Details

Disney has just announced a new dining promotion that begins January 5. Guests who purchase select vacation packages will receive a new complimentary Disney Dining Promo Card. The card will be available for arrivals between June 25 and September 14, 2023. A vacation package that includes a minimum 4-nights, anlong with a minumum 4-day theme ticket is required.

The rate of the Dining Promo Card is determined by your arrival date and resort category:

June 25-30 & July 11-31

  • $35 per night for Value resorts
  • 75 per night for Moderate resorts and Cabins
  • $125 per night for Deluxe resorts and Disney Deluxe Villas

July 1-10 & August 1- September 14

  • $50 per night for Value resorts
  • $100 per night for Moderate resorts and Cabins
  • $150 per night for Deluxe resorts and Disney Deluxe Villas

For all dates, the maximum value for the Promo Card will be $750. Note a lower-value Disney Dining Promo Card may also be available when you purchase this package during other select summer arrival dates. Ask your Travel Planner for details.

You cannot combine this offer with any other discounts. The room and ticket package must be non-discounted to receive the Disney Dining Promo Card offer.

Using the Dining Card

Rather than guests having credits for certain meals, they will receive a digital card that will be emailed to guests once they’ve checked in at their resort. You can also present the card barcode in the email itself, or print out an email for a back up copy. Finally, the card can be added to Apple Pay and Google Pay digital wallets but not to a MagicBand, MagicBand+, or MagicMobile. Guests can use the card to purchase food and beverage items at select participating locations at Walt Disney World. The Dining Card will have an experiration date. To learn more about using the Disney Dining Promo Card, click here.

One important thing to remember, unlike the Disney Dining Plan, the card’s value is per night, not per guest. So the reward amount is exactly the same, regardless of the number of guests per reservation. So a family of six would have the same amount as two people.

As we noted above, there has been no update on the Dining Plans status since the summer of 2021. This new promotional card may be a temporary alternative to previous “Free Dining” offers we have seen in the past, or this may be a sign that the Dining Plans will not come back. We’ll have to wait and see what happens!

Dates for the 2023-2024 runDisney Race Season Are Here!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Mark your calendars as today we are excited to share event and registration dates for the 2023-2024 runDisney race season, including information on the much-anticipated return of the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend in January 2024! From exciting races through Disney Parks to virtual events Guests can run anywhere in the world, runDisney is home to the most magical races on Earth. As we look towards the new year, runners can gear up for even more miles and magic to come during next race season – take a look below at the dates.

We’re so excited to bring runDisney races back to the west coast in 2024 and are even more excited for the return of the fan-favorite Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. Taking place January 11-14, 2024, the weekend will include three endurance events, a challenge and more that are sure to be filled with memorable moments and magical miles running through the Happiest Place on Earth. Stay tuned for more details about the race course, medals and more in the coming months!

We’re also thrilled that with the return of the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, runDisney will also be reintroducing the runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge in 2024! More information about the Challenge and how to qualify will be available on runDisney.com in January 2023.

With entertainment, beloved characters, and Disney magic at every mile, runDisney races are memorable experiences for runners of all ages and skill levels. They’re also the only opportunity for runners and Disney fans alike to run unique courses through Disney Parks.

runDisney Virtual events are also a great way to have fun while designing a race course and running from any destination of choice! Whether Guests race looking for some motivation to train for their next runDisney race or get a taste of the magic wherever they run, our Virtual Race events are perfect for everyone!

runDisney 2023-2024 Calendar of Events

2023 runDisney Virtual Series

June-August2023
General Registration: April 25, 2023

2023 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

November 2-5, 2023
Club runDisney Registration: March 14, 2023
General Registration: March 21 2023
Virtual Event Registration: March 24 2023

2024 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

February 22-25, 2024
Club runDisney Registration: June 13, 2023
General Registration: June 20, 2023
Virtual Event Registration: June 23, 2023

2024 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

January 3-7 2024
Club runDisney Registration: April 4, 2023
General Registration: April 11. 2023
Virtual Event Registration: April 14, 2023

2024 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend

April 18-21 2024
Club runDisney Registration: August 15, 2023
General Registration: August 22. 2023
Virtual Event Registration: August 25, 2023

2024 Disneyland, Half Marathon Weekend

January 11-14 2024
Club runDisney Registration: February 7, 2023
General Registration: February 14, 2023
Virtual Event Registration: February 17, 2023

Disney World Announces the Long-Awaited Return of Popular Event

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Walt Disney World Resort has its share of events and activities throughout the year. This year, an epic event will return to Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Theme Park in Orlando, Florida.

According to the Walt Disney World website, the EPCOT Theme Park allows Guests to “celebrate the stories that connect people and cultures around the world.”  

If you’ve never been to EPCOT, it’s similar to other Parks with divided sections, each devoted to a particular theme. Each area of the Park celebrates a different part of the world. Guests explore the World Showcase to experience rides, foods, and cultures based on that part of the world. 

One of the most famous areas of EPCOT includes the Frozen Ever After attraction, located in the Norway pavilion. Fairly recently, Walt Disney World added two more rides in EPCOT. Be sure to check out Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France, which opened in 2021. The newest attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy : Cosmic Rewind in the World Discovery section, opened up this past May 2022.

EPCOT is no exception to Disney World festivals, parades, and events. There are plenty that pop up throughout the year. One EPCOT festival that is making a return in 2023 is the International Festival of the Arts.

Walt Disney World‘s International Festival of the Arts will take place from January 13 through February 20, 2023.

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Performing Arts

This celebration is specifically for fine arts, such as the performing arts, culinary arts, and visual arts.

EPCOT cooks up some colorful, exotic treats to celebrate the culinary arts. The World Showcase will set up art galleries with artwork varying from paintings to sculptures and photography, all featuring talented artists from all over the world. Kids can participate in the fun with activities like painting!

Disney on Broadway Concert Series

Attendees can enjoy an extra magical musical lineup as well. Disney recently announced the performances in store for the Broadway Spectacular . Live entertainment starring performers from Disney Broadway shows such as Frozen, Aladdin, and The Lion King will take place at the America Gardens Theatre in EPCOT

Festive PhotoPass Fun

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

The holiday atmosphere here at Walt Disney World Resort is so warm and cozy (and not just because of the weather!), and Disney PhotoPass photographers love making guests’ photos even merrier with some holly-jolly props, Magic Shots, and more! Below, check out some of our favorite photo ops available this holiday season from Disney PhotoPass Service around Walt Disney World Resort, and note where photographers will be capturing each of them. 

After dark in front of the Christmas trees at EPCOT, Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs

On the bridge leading from Oasis to Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, on Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, at all World Celebration locations at EPCOT, at theDisney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs, and at the following locations at Magic Kingdom Park: entrance, the Disney PhotoPass Studio inside Sir Mickey’s, and on Main Street, U.S.A.

At most locations at all four theme parks, the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs, and select resorts

In front of the Christmas tree at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, on Sunset Boulevard and Echo Lake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, near the main entrance to World Showcase at EPCOT, and at the entrance and in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park

In front of the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, at select Hollywood Boulevard locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, at the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs, and starting November 25 when guests can meet Santa Claus at EPCOT

At all three Disney PhotoPass Studios, which are located at Disney Springs, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Magic Kingdom Park

In the Norway pavilion at EPCOT (starting November 25) and at the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs

At all World Showcase locations at EPCOT starting November 25, and at Echo Lake and select Hollywood Boulevard locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If guests want to deck their halls with all these photos, have them consider purchasing Memory Maker. With Memory Maker, guests can download all the Disney PhotoPass photos and videos from their vacation, including those taken onboard attractions – all for one price.* 

*Disney PhotoPass Service and Memory Maker are subject to the applicable terms and policies. Includes photos taken during the applicable Memory Maker Window as defined in such terms (generally, photos taken (i) within one day for Memory Maker One Day or (ii) within 30 days from the date of first activation for standard Memory Maker). If Memory Maker is purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days of the date Memory Maker is purchased are not included and must be purchased separately. A MagicBand, or an eligible mobile device with Bluetooth technology enabled for the My Disney Experience app, is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations.