New Details Revealed for 2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

It may be winter according to the calendar, but spring is nearly blooming at Walt Disney World Resort. And nothing says springtime fun like the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival!

This year’s festival will begin on Feb. 28 and continue through May 27 for ninety days full of beautiful topiaries, inspirational gardens, delicious dishes and rockin’ music celebrating spring. From the tiniest tykes to the young at heart, there’s something for everyone!

Today we’re sharing more details, from new topiaries to acts coming to the Garden Rocks concert series. Let’s dig in!

New Topiaries to Enjoy

Each spring, we look forward to the astounding topiaries our Disney horticulture cast create for the festival.

This year, more than 70 topiaries, featuring a delightful array of Disney characters as well as other figures and whimsical items, will fill the park. As part of the topiary magic, guests can also look forward to seeing everyone’s favorite dragon, Figment, in the newly opened World Celebration Gardens.

Something else we’re excited to share: For the first time, Groot takes root at EPCOT! The flora colossus from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy will appear near Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in World Discovery.

Also new this year, guests can look forward to viewing new topiaries from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Wish,” including Asha, Valentino and the Wishing Star, at the park’s main entrance. And in Mexico, we’re thrilled to share that Miguel and Dante from Disney Pixar’s “Coco” will take center stage!

Fresh Garden Rocks Concert Series

It’s time to dance and sing along to guest favorites as the popular Garden Rocks concert series takes to the American Gardens Theatre stage daily during the festival. Featuring local and globally recognized acts, there’s something for everyone.

This year, we’ll welcome new groups, including Modern English, Crowder, Lit, Monsieur Perine, and Fonseca. And for the first time, Raul Acosta & Oro Solido will share the stage with Magic Juan, then return the next day with Luisito Ayala and The Puerto Rican Power Band in a series of unforgettable performances.*

Garden Rocks Dining Packages Open Feb. 6

To guarantee priority seating for your preferred performances, be sure to check out Dining Packages, available at seven fabulous EPCOT restaurants:

  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
  • Biergarten Restaurant
  • Coral Reef Restaurant
  • Garden Grill Restaurant
  • Rose & Crown Dining Room
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse
  • Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Brews & Barbecue (same-day, in-person walk-up packages only)

For more information, including pricing and availability, visit DisneyWorld.com. Packages go on sale beginning Feb. 6.

Flavor Abounds at Outdoor Kitchens

It wouldn’t be an EPCOT festival without innovative and delicious dishes and drinks to savor! Stay tuned to Disney Travel News for the official Foodie Guide to EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival as we dish on all the new flavors coming to this year’s event, but in the meantime, we’re thrilled to share that many guest favorites will also return to Outdoor Kitchens located throughout the park.

We can’t wait to dig into Chicken & Waffles at The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by the National Honey Board! Also returning: the Muffuletta Panini at Magnolia Terrace and the Chocolate Whisky Cake at Northern Bloom.

Inspiration and Play: There’s Something for Everyone

Looking for interactive fun? At this year’s festival, the whole family can enjoy two seasonal scavenger hunts. Throughout the festival, follow Spike the Bee on his pollination trail where he’s “buzzing” to collect nectar from all the beautiful gardens with Spike’s Pollination Exploration. And for a limited time, guests can also hop around World Showcase for the Egg-stravaganza Hunt! Twelve beautiful, bunny-inspired eggs will be placed throughout the park; can guests find them all?

Both scavenger hunt maps will be available for purchase while supplies last. Once the journey is complete – whether or not guests find all the items – they can redeem their map at Disney Traders, Creations Shop or World Traveler at International Gateway for a special surprise.**

Also back this year, Butterfly Landing Presented by AdventHealth offers guests the chance to get up close and personal with some of nature’s most beautiful pollinators – butterflies! This walkthrough butterfly house highlights the lifecycle of butterflies and contains valuable pollinator gardens.

At Blossoms of Fragrance Presented by Scentsy, guests create lasting memories with the help of unforgettable fragrances. And new this year, guests will be able to bring home some of their favorite fragrances experienced at Blossoms of Fragrance!

Looking for a place to get a little energy out? At Camp Get Out N’ Play Garden Presented by OFF!, families can explore a camp-themed garden where kiddos can jump, play, climb and explore this area created just for them.

So, summon the flower power, because everything will be coming up roses at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival before we know it!

*Entertainment subject to change without notice.

**Redemption valid through May 27 or while supplies last.

Disney World Clarifies Its Free Dining Plan Offer

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

Disney World is clarifying the offer of free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers that the company first shared last Tuesday, and guests might not be happy with some of the newly-released details.

On Tuesday, the Walt Disney World Resort announced a brand-new promotional offer that includes free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers, following the announcement in May 2023 that the Disney Dining plan was scheduled to return to Disney World on January 9, 2024. Bookings including the new dining plans were available as of May 31, 2023.

This week, Disney World shared news about a new offer for Disney+ subscribers who purchase select vacation packages at Disney World. Per the announcement, the offer applies to non-discounted 4-night, 4-day vacation packages that include a room at select Disney Resort Hotels, as well as theme park tickets with the Park Hopper option added on. The promotional offer extends to packages purchased for travel between July 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024.

dinoland usa entrance

But on Wednesday, Disney World made another announcement, this time clarifying the specifics about eligible stays that will net guests the free Disney Dining plans–and which Disney Dining plan is available to guests, depending on where they’re staying on property.

The following points are the highlights of Disney World’s clarification:

  • Guests who select a Disney Value or Moderate Resort Hotel or The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining plan, but they can pay to upgrade to the Disney Dining plan.
Art of Animation
  • Guests who book their stays at a Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotels will receive the Disney Dining Plan.
  • Guests who book at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will not be eligible for the free Disney Dining plan promotion.
  • Guests who book three-bedroom grand villas at Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels are also excluded from this offer.
  • The free Disney Dining plan promotion is only available to Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribers in other countries are not eligible for the promotion.
disney plus star wars content streaming
  • It’s worth restating that in order to receive the free Disney Dining plan promotion, guests must include the park hopper option with their theme park tickets.

The following locations are available to guests as part of the Disney Dining plan. They are categorized by Disney World theme park. A notation of two asterisks (**) is included next to the name of each restaurant that requires two table-service credits.

Magic Kingdom Locations

  • Be Our Guest Restaurant**
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table**
  • The Crystal Palace
  • The Diamond Horseshoe
  • Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
  • Liberty Tree Tavern
  • The Plaza Restaurant
  • Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

EPCOT Locations

  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall**
  • Biergarten Restaurant
Biergarten Restaurant
  • Coral Reef Restaurant
  • Garden Grill Restaurant
  • La Hacienda de San Angel
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse**
  • Nine Dragons Restaurant
  • Rose & Crown Dining Room
  • San Angel Inn Restaurante
San Angel Inn Restaurante

  • Spice Road Table
  • Teppan Edo
  • Tokyo Dining
  • Tutto Italia Ristorante
  • Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • 50’s Prime Time Cafe
  • Hollywood & Vine
  • The Hollywood Brown Derby**
  • Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
  • Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Guests and cast member at Roundup rodeo BBQ
  • Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • Rainforest Cafe
  • Tiffins Restaurant**
  • Tusker House Restaurant
  • Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Disney Springs

  • The BOATHOUSE**
  • Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
  • City Works Eatery & Pour House
  • The Edison
The edison bar
  • Enzo’s Hideaway
  • House of Blues Restaurant & Bar
  • Jaleo by Jose Andres**
  • Mario & Enzo’s Ristorante
  • Morimoto Asia**
  • Paddlefish**
  • Paradiso 37
  • Planet Hollywood
  • Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
  • Rainforest Cafe
  • Splitsville Dining Room
  • Teralina Crafted Italian
  • T-REX
T-REX Restaurant

**Requires two Table-Service meal credits

Additional restaurants located at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels are also available to guests with the Disney Dining plan.

New Details Revealed for EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2024

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Art lovers, rejoice! A new year is right around the corner, and a visit to the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is the perfect way to celebrate bright beginnings.

From Jan. 12 through Feb. 19, revel in this inspiring event that highlights the visual, culinary and performing arts as only Disney can. Today, we’re sharing details to help guests plan their artistic odyssey. Here are five fantastic ways to celebrate the arts at this colorful festival.

Performing Arts Take Center Stage

Some of Broadway’s brightest stars are coming to Walt Disney World as the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series returns to EPCOT with three daily shows throughout the festival. For the first time in forever, two original leading ladies from a certain icy kingdom will perform together on the America Gardens Theatre stage.

Performing songs from many of our favorite Disney shows, these stars never fail to inspire. Here’s the full lineup:

  • Caissie Levy and Patti Murin (“Frozen”): Jan. 12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23
  • Heidi Blickenstaff (“Freaky Friday” and “The Little Mermaid”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins” and “Beauty and the Beast”): Jan. 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24
  • Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins” and “Beauty and the Beast”) and L. Steven Taylor (“The Lion King”): Jan. 26, 28 and 29; Feb. 1, 3, 5 and 6
  • Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”): Jan. 27, 30, 31; Feb. 2, 4, 7 and 8
  • Mandy Gonzalez (“Aida”) and Michael James Scott (“Aladdin” and “Tarzan”): Feb. 9, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19
  • Bradley Gibson (“Hercules” and “The Lion King”) and Shoba Narayan (“Aladdin”): Feb. 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 *

Showcase Plaza is also home to a kaleidoscope of performances daily, where Guests will find musicians, live painting and the thrilling acrobatic feats of Art Defying Gravity.

DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Packages Open Dec. 19

To guarantee priority seating for preferred performances, be sure to check out Dining Packages available at eight spectacular EPCOT restaurants:

  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
  • Biergarten Restaurant
  • Coral Reef Restaurant
  • Garden Grill Restaurant
  • Rose & Crown Dining Room
  • Le Cellier
  • Spice Road Table
  • Regal Eagle Smokehouse (same-day, in-person walk-up packages only)

For more information, including pricing and availability, visit DisneyWorld.com. Packages go on sale beginning Dec. 19.

Culinary Arts Spark Sweet and Savory Adventures

More than 15 Food Studios throughout EPCOT blend touches of delectable flavors with an artistic twist – including tempting new dishes and drinks to savor. The Rainbow Cake with freeze-dried SKITTLES® bite-sized candies is always a sweet sensation at Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food and Little Sparks of Magic. And don’t miss the Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with parsnip puree, broccolini, baby tomatoes and balsamic glaze at Pastoral Palate.

Stay tuned to Disney Travel News for all the details in an upcoming Foodie Guide!

Don’t miss the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. This fun food stroll highlights yummy sweet and savory offerings in all the colors of the rainbow. The handy Festival Passport will show where to make picturesque purchases and receive stamps. Once guests have collected five stamps, bring the passport to Deco Delights Food Studio to receive a complimentary surprise.

The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine can be completed at guests’ leisure – so they can enjoy a new treat every time they visit throughout the festival.

Interactive Experiences Place You in the Middle of the Magic

At Animation Academy, held daily at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. in America Gardens Theatre, learn drawing skills from some of the best in the business as they teach you how to draw a Disney character. At Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural, join fellow artists to leave a creative mark on a larger-than-life wall mural.

Kid’s Chalk Art takes place on the bridge to World Showcase Plaza daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. allowing little ones to create their very own chalk masterpieces. And what would a visit to the festival be without artful photo ops? From Botticelli to Renoir, these life-size tableaus beckon guests to become part of the painting.

Guests can also create your own works of art with Disney PhotoPass Service, including limited-time Magic Shots created for this colorful celebration.**

Visual Arts and Merch Inspire Awe

One of the coolest parts of the festival is visiting galleries and meeting the artists who bring imaginative works to life. New and returning favorites will be part of this year’s lineup, so be sure to visit ArtfulEPCOT.com to stay up to date on the latest news.

There’s no way that we can celebrate all things imagination without a visit from everyone’s favorite purple dragon – Figment! This lovable ambassador of whimsy takes center stage on a wide array of festival merch, ranging from household items and décor to apparel and trading items.

Looking for a convenient way to pay? We love the beauty and convenience of the mini festival-themed Disney Gift Card. Load it with as little as $15 and wear it on a wrist for quick and easy scanning when purchasing all festival delights.

Kids of all ages will want to engage in Figment’s Brush with the Master’s Scavenger Hunt. On this journey throughout World Showcase, guests will help Figment learn all about art. To get started, purchase a map and stickers at Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or World Traveler. Then, search for Figment hiding inside art inspired by famous works at each World Showcase pavilion—just look for the Figment-themed picture frame.

Every time guests find Figment, they add the corresponding sticker to the pavilion on the map. Once the journey is complete, return the map to Disney Traders or World Traveler for an artful little keepsake!***

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will be here before we know it!

*Entertainment subject to change without notice.

**Disney PhotoPass service is subject to Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/photopass-terms-conditions. Online registration required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

***Redemption valid through Feb. 19 or while supplies last.

Disney Reveals First Look at ‘Luminous The Symphony of Us’ Coming Soon to EPCOT

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

A new nighttime spectacular, “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” is debuting at EPCOT on December 5! Disney has shared more details about what to expect with the new show!

We’re just over a month away from the launch of the latest nighttime spectacular from Disney Live Entertainment, “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” debuting Dec. 5 at EPCOT. Featuring dazzling fireworks, fountains, lights and music to connect us all through commonalities of the heart, this all-new show shines a light on how each of our unique melodies comes together to form a great symphony – the symphony of us.

Much like a beautiful piece of music, “Luminous The Symphony of Us” is made up of a series of movements, each representing life experiences that we have in common, showing us that we’re more alike than we are different. Punctuating these movements are two original songs written just for the spectacular, as well as new arrangements of carefully selected Disney songs we all know and love.

At the start of the show, World Showcase comes to life as we hear voices from each pavilion welcoming us to this great gathering. With the tap of a conductor’s baton, our first movement begins with the original song, “Heartbeat Symphony.” For me, nothing says EPCOT nighttime spectacular like a sweeping ballad, and this one comes for you right out of the gate.

Check out this behind-the-scenes look at some of the music recording sessions for “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” including a sneak preview of “Heartbeat Symphony.”

With the stage set, our symphony takes us to the tender love of parenthood, highlighting childhood moments where each of our journeys began and featuring a stirring, multilingual arrangement of “You’ll Be in My Heart.” The symphony then transitions to “Proud Corazón” as we find our voice in a movement dedicated to the bonds of family. Friendship follows, with classic songs like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and “Friend Like Me” taking us back to the days of recess and friendship bracelets.

Set to a sweeping arrangement of “So Close,” a personal favorite hidden gem from Disney’s “Enchanted,” the romance movement celebrates the moments when we find someone with whom our melody blends.

Inevitably in life, we experience the quiet loneliness of loss, but as “When She Loved Me” and “Remember Me” bring us “Into the Unknown,” the echoes of those around us remind us that we’re never truly alone. As we come out of the darkness, the music crescendos to “I See the Light” from “Tangled,” launching us into our finale – and our second original song, entitled “Beating of our Hearts” – where we all come together as one and find our place in the great symphony of life.

As you can probably tell, music plays a critical role in telling this tale. That’s why the team at Disney Live Entertainment is so excited to work with Pinar Toprak once again on the show’s incredible score. You may know Pinar from her work on film soundtracks or heard her EPCOT anthem at night by Spaceship Earth. Among the choir of voices lending their vocal talents to the score are singer/songwriter Sheléa and the multi-talented Katharine McPhee.

As someone whose Disney career began in World Showcase, it’s hard to express how much the EPCOT nighttime spectaculars mean to me. I hope this first look makes you as excited as I am to share this new symphony together when it debuts Dec. 5– part of the grand finale as we near the completion of the multi-year transformation of EPCOT.

Disney Announces Dates for EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2024

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

As we head into fall, the Disney parks are ready to celebrate, and for EPCOT, that means new festivals. Disney has just announced the dates for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts for 2024!

EPCOT celebrates four featured festivals throughout the year: EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, and EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival.

Each festival features unique dining, entertainment, and merchandise, all offered only during that festival’s time in EPCOT. While the festivals are celebrated throughout the parks, the booths and entertainment are predominately featured throughout the World Showcase. EPCOT’s World Showcase is home to 11 pavilions, each representing a country: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, The American Adventure, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

As we head toward the new year, excitement is building around EPCOT’s festival lineup for 2024. The dates were recently released for EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, beginning on November 24, 2023 ,and continuing through December 30, 2023. This year’s festival will feature the annual Candlelight Processional with celebrity storytellers, Candlelight Processional Dining Packages, and Holiday Kitchens found throughout EPCOT’s World Showcase and World Discovery.

Following the International Festival of the Holidays, Disney just announced that EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts will begin on January 12, 2024. The festival will continue through February 19, 2024. Though Disney has not released all the festival’s details yet, we know that the Food Studios will be returning along with the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. We are excited for more details on specific booths and menus to be shared soon!

In addition to colorful eats and treats, the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series will return to this year’s festival! Guests will be able to enjoy shows featuring their favorite songs from DISNEY ON BROADWAY shows in EPCOT’s World Showcase. The series is presented by AT&T and will be hosted once again in the America Gardens Theatre located in The American Adventure pavilion.

This year, guests can enjoy the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series in a new way with a Dining Package. The DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Packages will include a dinner at your choice from select EPCOT restaurants and reserved seating in the America Gardens Theatre, where you will enjoy the show. Disney will release more details about the select restaurants and reservation dates soon.

This year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will also feature live musical performances, Art Defying Gravity performances, and visual art performances throughout World Showcase. Watch in amazement as visual and performing arts come to life all around you throughout the park.

As Disney releases more details about this year’s festival, we will be sharing them with you here at DisneyDining.com. If you’re planning on visiting Walt Disney World to experience this 2024 EPCOTfestival, don’t forget to make theme park reservations during the festival’s dates, January 12 to February 19, 2024.