Mouse Extra

During my last trip to Walt Disney World, I was hoping to find a good t-shirt dedicated to Epcot’s 25th Anniversary.  I had heard that some merchandise was available, and was certainly aware of many trading pins that have been released for the event, but I was not sure of exactly what was on the racks.  Truth be told, it was not too much.

It’s not like the 25th is plastered all over the park.  I think that many of us who saw the celebration on the internet thought they made a bigger deal of this than they actually did.  Only a few days later there are only the smallest reminders that anything ever happened for the anniversary at all.  Pretty much all you will find is the old-school flower logo behind Spaceship Earth…

And it is accompanied by a fairly nondescript sign…

As far as merchandise is concerned, beyond the pins there really is nothing.  They have released a few retro looking t-shirts that are somewhat interesting in a silly early 80’s sort of way.  But regardless of that, they don’t mention the anniversary at all…

So, am I missing something?  Why would they release a barrage of pins as the only merchandise offered for this event?  Was their more offered during the actual day that I am not aware of?  

Its almost the holiday season at Walt Disney World. The parks will be decorated for Christmas in short order. Santas from around the World will be gracing the World Showcase pavillons. The Osborn Family Lights will soon be dazzling Studio guests. And starting November 12th the “hard” ticket event Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be packing them in at the Magic Kingdom. Tickets for this event are about $50 for adults and slightly less for kids. The question is, of course, is it worth it?

I must say yes. There are a number of holiday shows going on around the park. These include Celebrate the Season, Twas the Night Before Christmas, and a special version of Wishes. The big highlight is probably the holiday parade which runs twice. Another highlight is the imagineers have created a snowfall to set the mood down Main Street. There are also character dances and, of course, you can meet Santa Claus. An important note about the shows is that many of them play during the day starting in the middle of December just as the crowds really intensify and lines for attractions become virtually unbearable.

You also get holiday treats like hot chochlate, apple slices, and cookies. For real meals, there are unfortunately limited choices. Cosmic Ray’s and the Pecos Bill Cafe are open as are the sit-down Tony’s Townsquare and Liberty Tree Tavern. My suggestion would be to either eat at a Magic Kigdom resort just before the event as crowds can get tough or try Cosmic Ray’s.

For sure the event can get crowded. The number of tickets sold is about 20,000 and most nights sell out well in advance. Tickets go on sale around 6 months before the events begin. The party closes at midnight (give or take) but the crowds begin to thin after the holiday version of Wishes which starts at 9:30. It really drops after the second parade which sets off at 10:45. You want to be around after 11 o’clock as many of attractions are virtually empty. I would do the Mountains during the first parade. Just before and immediately after the second parade do many of the attractions that ordinarily get very busy. We enjoyed Big Thunder 4 times in a row without getting off as it was virtualy empty which is true for much of the park after 11 o’clock. During the early portion of the evening enjoy the shows you want to see. I would watch the second parade as it is much less crowded.

The event is not by any means cheap. Furthermore, the decorations are out for everyone to enjoy all day. Other events like the Osborn Lights are included in your park ticket. Plus, if you’re at the park for the few weeks prior to December 25th, most of the shows play during the day as well, except the fireworks and parade. Still, I think its well worth your time and money, and a fun way to kick off the holiday season.

Today’s article is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.

Yesterday marked the final day of this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival. So let’s finish off our multi part tour of the festival with a stop at the American Adventure pavilion, and some of the new and musical happenings over there.

New to this year’s festival is something called the Pearville Fair.  It is an elaborate, if somewhat offbeat, tribute to…you guessed it…the pear.  You can see culinary demonstrations focused on the pear, as well as buy some pear-related gifts.  And it is all set in a “county fair” type theme.  This one must have been a bit over my head because I just didn’t get it…

Luckily Samuel Adams was back with their Hops and Barley Market only step away.  It has a full selection of Samuel Adams beer, as well as great New England food selections.

Samuel Adams also brought back the “History of Beer” seminar offered just to the right of the American Adventure gift shop.  All in all, the seminar is not bad.  But the name is very deceiving.  Yes, you get free beer, if only a very little bit, and that is always a good thing.  But this is not about the history of beer in America.  It is about the History of the Samuel Adams Company.    Calling anything but that is a bit silly.

Finally the American Gardens Theater is home the Eat to the Beat Concert Series.  If you are lucky, you’ll get a performer you really like.  We got to see the Four Tops, and they were just great fun to watch.  The crowd really responded to them.

My love for the Food and Wine Festival is no secret.  It is something I try not to miss.  Great food, great drink, and great music.  Can it be any better?

Today we walk around the World Showcase Promenade and show you some of the more elaborate displays set up for the countries of the Food and Wine Festival.

An old favorite, especially of the wine lovers, is the Australia area setup over by the Japan Pavilion.  It includes the predictable Shrimp on the Barbie, and a great selection of the country’s wine.  There’s also a gift shop with some aboriginal art and souvenirs from down under.

Located just off the German Pavilion is a fairly large display dedicated to the country of Turkey.  They have, in addition to food and drink, what seems to be a photo opportunity.  There is also a “Grand Bazaar”, which sells exactly what one would expect to see at such a place.

Finally we have an area that is new to this year, dedicated to the state of Oklahoma.  The food includes seared buffalo, and I did find it a bit strange that they put a nice artistic tribute to the buffalo right next to the place to eat it.

Oklahoma uses a potpourri of theme, including Native American and the traditional American Diner, called the Rose Rock.  They also sell some interesting western and Native American pieces.

The festival closes today, so tomorrow will be our last stop on the tour.

Today our tour around this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival continues with a look at some new editions, as well as some returning displays, to the area just as you enter the World Showcase from Future World.  But first, here is a picture of the display at the front entrance…

As you can see, Disney has appropriately chosen “Ratatouille” for the theme and it works well.  On the path out to the World Showcase, you can find this beautiful display as well, also musing the same ideas…

Just to the right of the entrance to the World Showcase Promenade, you’ll find an area dedicated to the Dominican Republic, new to this year’s festival.  It has some interesting jewelry, musical entertainment and food demonstrations.  Rum appropriately replaces the wine over here.  (Insert corny Jack Sparrow quote here!)

Directly across the path is Peru, offering similar activities and a chance to have your picture taken with Machu Picchu in the background.

Just on the other side of the entrance to World Showcase, heading towards the Mexcio Pavilion, you will find Vinoteca De Los Andes.  It is dedicated to the great wines of South America and is also brand new this year.

Our tour continues soon as we head around the promenade towards great food, wonderful music and even better libations.

Today we have our first installment of our tour around this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival.  This festival is what makes the fall my second favorite time of year to go to Walt Disney World.  The vibe and aroma around the promenade is overwhelmingly exciting, and if you are lucky enough to get a good act playing in the Eat to the Beat Concert Series you’ll be about ready to cry when the park closes.

Let us begin at the Festival Welcome Center, a.k.a. the Wonders of Life Pavilion…

They have not really transformed the inside of this pavilion at all.  I was expecting to see a work-in-progress inside, assuming the pavilion was going to be significantly altered, but that is not the case.  In fact much of the old pavilion remains.

As far as the festival is concerned, you can find some wine tasting and seminars in here…

You can sample some food, wine and beer at the Wonders Bar, aptly named for what it serves and where it is serving it…

And you can also purchase wine from the festival at what is truly a expansive shop called Inspired Vines…

While I feel they have done a good job centering all of this in one location big enough to house so much stuff, it is no doubt off the beaten path.  Without the guidebook one would never know it was here.  It is so far away from the rest of the festival, it seems forgotten.  While people are flooding the promenade trying different things and enjoying the festival, the Welcome Center stays mostly empty.

In our next installment, we will head out the World Showcase Promenade to see what is in store for the senses out there.