Guest Blogger and OUAV Planner Reviews Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival

Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival

My family & I have just returned from a quick three day trip to Walt Disney World. While we were there, we visited Epcot for International Flower & Garden Festival. What a beautiful event! This festival is a wonderful way to welcome in spring. The festival is presented by HGTV. There are Topiary Displays, concerts, & some talented designers from HGTV with advice & tips for your yard. This even runs March 23 - May 19.

 

During the festival, Epcot is hosting a series of concerts every Friday – Sunday. The series is appropriately named the Flower Power Concert Series. During our visit the featured musician/s was Chubby Checker & The Wildcats known for “The Twist.” The concerts are multiple times throughout the afternoon at the American Gardens Theatre located in The American Adventure of the World Showcase.

You can attend presentations from some of HGTV’s well known experts every Friday – Sunday. There are two presentations daily that take place on the Designer’s Stage. Monday – Thursday you can find other garden experts known locally or nationally.

At the Greenhouse Stage, you will find Disney Cast Members sharing their secretes with you! How amazing to have the opportunities to get advice from the very people that make Disney so beautiful. They also deliver two presentations daily.

Located throughout the Epcot you will find Spring theme merchandise, such as wind chimes, flower pots, & gardening tools. Garden Marketplaces are great places to grab a bite to eat. These kiosk offer Spring inspired dishes, deserts, & beverages. You can try things like a Watermelon Salas with pickled Red Onions, BW Farms Baby Arugula, Feta Cheese & Balsamic Reduction at Florida Fresh located in the World Showcase. Yummy!

 

What about all of the amazing topiary displays! You can visit Pride Rock, where you will find characters from The Lion King. You can find Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Winnie the Pooh & Friends, Lady & the Tramp, & my favorite Beauty & the Beast plus so many more. My boys loved Radiator Springs where they spotted Lighting McQueen & Mater! Radiator Springs has a playground so they could make a pit stop & play for a bit. They also had a blast looking for fairies inside Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House. The butterflies were still in their cocoons during our visit, so I think that is a good excuse to go back to visit later this Spring.

Whether you like the outdoors or not this is a must see event. Have your camera ready to take pictures of these incredible works of art. If you cannot visit this year, plan to see this beautiful event next year. Next year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is scheduled for March 5^th – May 18^th 2014.

Contact me for assistance planning your next Disney vacation at no charge to you!

Visit my Facebook page: Erin Gregory with Once Upon A Vacation

Email me at: Erin@OnceUponAVacation.net

 

What is Photo Pass+?

What is this Photo Pass+ everyone is talking about? In a nutshell it is your ticket to having a photographer capture the highlights and memories of your family vacation. Find out more through the quick video below and then ask me how you can add this option right on to your current vacation package- and save money doing it!

2014 Cruise Itinerary- NEW Ports Announced!

Hot off the presses! I just received this information via D-Mail this afternoon.  Get out your calendars and choose your 2014 cruise. 

In 2014, Disney Cruise Line® will offer new itineraries, including an expanded collection of European cruises highlighting the Greek Isles. Plus, Disney Cruise Line will depart for the first time from homeports in Venice, Italy, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Mediterranean from Venice and Barcelona

• Departures from May 31 – Aug. 30, 2014
• Disney Magic® returns to the Mediterranean with exciting new ports and popular destinations, treating guests to the best of Europe.
• For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will use Venice, Italy, as a homeport for select sailings. During these cruises, the ship will overnight in Venice, guests the opportunity to experience an evening in the spectacular city.
• Other new destinations include Katakolon, Rhodes, Heraklion (Crete), Santorini and Corfu, Greece, and Catania, Sicily.

Caribbean from San Juan

• Departures from Sept. 20 – Oct. 11, 2014
• Disney Cruise Line will homeport in San Juan for the first time in 2014, sailing four cruises to the Southern Caribbean, including Grenada – a new port of call for Disney.
• Known as the “Spice Isle,” Grenada offers a lush and lively destination filled with spice estates, tropical gardens, beautiful beaches, thrilling diving, snorkeling, fishing and exploration through mountain landscapes and waterfalls.

Alaska from Vancouver

• Departures from May 24 – Sept. 1, 2014
• Disney Wonder® will sail 7-night cruises from Vancouver to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska. One special 9-night cruise calls on Sitka, Alaska – a first for Disney Cruise Line.

Disney Cruise Line will continue to offer a variety of sailings from Port Canaveral and Miami, Florida, in 2014. Most itineraries include a visit to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Which one can we book for you?

Making Sense Out of Disney Dining

Are you confused by the Disney dining plan?  You aren't alone.  That is probably the #1 question from clients--they need clarification on the dining plan options and mechanics.  Here is a little tutorial.  We will call it "Disney Dining- Unpacked."

Here are quick overviews of the 3 most popular plans:

Quick Serve Plan for 2013- This plan provides guests with credits for 2 counter service meals and 1 snack per person, per night of their stay. These meals include an entree, side, non alcoholic beverage, and dessert.  Most of the restaurants put this together for you in a "combo style" option.  These meal credits are for the quick serve or counter service restaurants- where you order at a kiosk or a counter ather than having wait staff come to your table. The quick serve plan comes with a refillable drink mug for each person. This mug enables guests to have free refills at their resort for the length of their stay. A few of my favorite quick serve meals include Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney, Sunshine Seasons at Epcot, and Be Our Guest in the new Fantastyland at Magic Kingdom.  Be Our Guest is a counter service option for lunch and then magically transforms to a table service option for dinner.  Fabulous idea!

Plus Dining Plan- This plan is often referred to as the "regular" plan. It entitles guests to 1 table service meal, 1 counter service meal, and 1 snack per person- per night of their stay. Guests are responsible for the gratuities on their table service meals.  This plan also comes with a refillable resort drink mug for each person. This plan offers a great deal of versatility as guests can enjoy the best of both worlds with the table service and counter service options at a reasonable price.  The table service meals can even be character meals like Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fare (the princess experience that's fun for the whole family) as well as all you care to eat meals from favorites like Ohana's and Liberty Tree Tavern or simply a menu offering like Teppan Edo, Sci Fi Dine In Theater, or the yummy Via Napoli.  This is the plan my family chooses.

Deluxe Dining Plan- The deluxe plan gives each person 3 meal credits and 2 snack credits per night of stay.  The meals can be table service or counter service.  This plan also includes an appetizer for the table service meals (per person!) as well as the same beverage and dessert like on the plus plan. Is it a lot of food? Yes. A ton. But this plan becomes very valuable when families are wanting to experience signature dining like at Citricos, LeCellier, or Cinderella's Royal Table as these restaurants require 2 table service credits per person. If a family is also considering some of the dinner shows like Hoop Dee Doo Revue, then the deluxe plan becomes a feasible option. Of course guests also receive that refillable resort mug with this plan too.

Figuring out which plan is best for you requires a little bit of math and a lot of knowing what you plan to do during your vacation.  Generally, the plus plan seems to be the "go to" plan for people as it gives them the best of both worlds as far as great dining experiences and the ease of impromptu counter service meals.  But Disney is all about choice and I love that the to other options are there for the families they appeal to.

One last thing to note, these credits are placed on your key to the world card at check in. You have access to ALL your credits from that very first day. This allows maximum flexibility. If you'd like to eat 2 counter service meals today and 2 table service meals tomorrow on the Plus plan, that's fine. If you'd like to eat all your snacks in one day- that's fine. This flexibility allows you to truly make the most of each plan! The credits are active until they are all used or until midnight on the day you check out- whichever comes first.

The Disney dining plans truly make it easier and much much less stressful to dine during your vacation. This is an option that makes total sense.

Cruising 101

This week we chat about Disney Cruise Line.  This is the first of our cruise series where we just cover the basics- including some very specifics on pricing. If you are thinking  about a cruise, this week is for you! Enjoy this week's 3 Moms and the Mouse Podcast and then let me know when you want to plan your own cruise.

Goodbye California Grill... Until We "Eat" Again- Guest Blogger Dina

Yay! My dear friend and fellow 3 Moms podcaster Dina recently wrote about California Grill. I stole it for you guys....with her permission of course. 

First the bad news...   The California Grill in Disney's Contemporary Resort is closed beginning today. Now the good news...  It will reopen this year in late summer :)

Disney is saying it is going to be an even better experience, better food options and and an even better setting.  The new restaurant will feature a wall of wines at the entrance and spectacular views from every table.  Here are a few sneak Peak pictures...

Yes, the rumors are true that Sushi Chef Yoshie is retiring.  She has decided that it is time to take a break after 18 years of long hours on her feet.  She will miss it but is ready to "Sit back and relax," she says.   

She has left a legacy of mentored sushi chefs that will bring her honor in their creations.  

During the down time for renovation, Chef Brian Piasecki is busy creating new dishes for the new menu too.  Unbelievable that the menu and the options could get any better but you know Disney, even the impossible is possible!

"Two Ways Pork" with wood-fired tenderloin with goat cheese polenta, and braised lacquered pork belly with country applesauce.  Yum!

California Grill will be missed during this renovation but I look forward to the spectacular reopening. Until that time I will be,  California Dreamin'.

Feeling Like Royalty?

  

Disney is in the business of storytelling and their beautifully themed Royal Rooms accomplish that mission very well.  Princess Tiana from Disney's The Princess and the Frog invites guests to come stay in one of her Royal Rooms located in the Magnolia Bend section of the southern themed Port Orleans Riverside resort.  As Tiana and her friends prepared for your arrival, they left mementos around the room for young (and old) guests  to discover.  I don't want to give too much away but my favorite trinket is the Genie's lamp which is "disguised" as a water faucet.  

The royally appointed beds are adorned with gold and crystal accents and covered with custom linens.

The princesses left their personal photos for your enjoyment including portraits of their favorite beaus.  Of course every princess needs access to her own private fireworks display.  This is accomplished with a fiber optic headboard lighting up the night sky with the push of a button. 

Even the lighting and curtains are royal in appearance.  Disney  was also cautious (and wise) enough to make sure the "cool" factor outweighs the "girl factor" making these rooms appeal to both the little girls and the little boys.

In true Disney fashion, the beauty extends beyond the room and spills over into the courtyard and gardens.  

Oh, did I mention that the rates are very comparable?  Yes, Port Orleans Riverside is a moderate level resort and there is a nominal increase for one of the Royal Rooms.  Watching your daughter (and your wife?) light up as they feel like the royalty you know they are makes it worth every last dime.

Epcot 20th Annual Flower & Garden Festival

The 20th annual Flower and Garden Festival will kick off at Epcot on March 6, 2013.  The festival runs through May 19 and includes some extra special surprises this year.  In addition to the more than 100 topiaries, 240 floating mini gardens, an extravagant butterfly house, kids play zones (even a Wizard of Oz themed area!), Flower Power concert series, and the HGTV celebrity seminars, there will also be new food and beverage marketplace options- similar to how Epcot's Food and Wine festival is set up.  Guests can enjoy tastes of Smokehouse BBQ & Brew at the American Adventure Courtyard, Florida Fresh, Primavera Kitchen at Italy, and Hanami at Japan. There will also be multiple drink options including the anticipated Dole Whip with Spiced Rum.  Maybe that's what it will take for me to enjoy a Dole Whip?

Look for more information here as the festival unfolds.  For now here are the celebrities slated for seminars-

•March 8-10 – Chris Lambton, "Going Yard"

•March 15-17 – Chris Grundy, "Cool Tools"

•March 22-24 – Egypt Sherrod, "Property Virgins"

•March 29-31 – Brandon Johnson, "My Yard Goes Disney"

•April 5-7 – Meg Caswell, "Meg's Great Rooms"

•April 12-14 – Jason Cameron, "Desperate Landscapes," "Man Caves"

•April 19-21 – Sara Peterson, editor, HGTV Magazine

•April 26-28 – Carter Oosterhouse, "Million Dollar Rooms"

•May 3-5 – Casey Noble, "Design on a Dime"

•May 10-12 – Dan Faires, HGTV.com's "DanMade"

•May 17-19 – David Bromstad, "ColorSplash," "Design Star All-Stars."