Get Your Sushi Fix at Teppan Edo

When you think of Disney theme parks food you might not immediately get images of fine dining in your mind. Turkey legs, popcorn and Mickey Bars are the quick fix when hunger strikes during your adventures at the Walt Disney World Resort. But there are certain locations where you can get an incredible meal, especially at the Epcot theme park. Thanks to the World Showcase Pavilion you can sample authentic cuisine from around the world. Whether you want to have traditional tacos in Mexico or croissants in France the food the World Showcase Pavilion offers is always fresh and delicious.

If you’re a fan of Japanese food or Japan in general, you will love the Japan Pavilion at Epcot. Not only does it have an amazing gift shop and replicas of a pagoda and torii gates, they have an amazing restaurant called Teppan Edo. If you’ve ever been to a Benihana, you’ll recognize the cooking style at Teppan Edo. Food is cooked right before your eyes on a hot grill at your table. This style, called Teppan-yaki, lets your chef serve you your food fresh. You can choose from traditional appetizers like a sushi sampler or edamame and enjoy shrimp, chicken and steak stir-fry with vegetables and udon noodles.

You will enjoy dining at this beautiful restaurant. It features the simple-yet-elegant décor Japan is famous for. Neutral colors are accented with strong marks of black and red as delicate floral arrangements decorate the wall’s alcoves. If you’re old enough to enjoy alcohol you won’t be disappointed by Teppan Edo’s selection. They have hot and cold sake along with sake cocktails and Japanese beer like Kirin. If you’re traveling with children, Teppan Edo also has a great children’s menu and serves the healthy meals on adorable plates shaped like the Shinkansen, Japan’s famous bullet train.

This popular restaurant fills up quickly, so if you want to make sure you get a seat for your party at Teppan Edo take advantage of the Disney Dining Reservation system. You can either call their phone number to reserve your table or check out the brand new online reservation feature. Enjoy your Disney dining experience and get your sushi fix.

Happy Anniversary to the Walt Disney World Resort and Epcot!

This is a big week for the Walt Disney World Resort! The Magic Kingdom is celebrating its 38th year and Epcot is celebrating its 27th year in operation. Both of the parks opened October 1st in 1971 and 1982, respectively. The Walt Disney World resort, which included the Magic Kingdom, only featured two hotels when it opened back in 1971. The Polynesian and the Contemporary were the first two resorts built back when the WDWR only consisted of the Magic Kingdom and the two hotels. Incredible how much it has grown since then! While Walt Disney was heavily involved in the planning of the resort, he died of lung cancer in 1966, a year before construction began.

While Walt didn’t get to see his dream realized, those he left in charge of the Disney company did it for him. Not only did they build the Magic Kingdom by using Disneyland as a guide, they made it bigger (and some would say better) than the original Anaheim destination. In 2008 17 billion people visited the Magic Kingdom, making it the most visited theme park in the world.

Epcot originally had a different purpose. We all know Walt Disney was an innovator in every sense of the word, but did you know he wanted to build an entire futuristic city? When it first opened, Epcot was written EPCOT, as it was an acronym for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.” While we now know the park for attractions like Test Track, Soarin’ and the World Showcase, Walt Disney originally had other plans.

He was quoted as saying, "It will be a planned, controlled community, a showcase for American industry and research, schools, cultural and educational opportunities. In EPCOT, there will be no slum areas because we won't let them develop. There will be no landowners and therefore no voting control. People will rent houses instead of buying them, and at modest rentals. There will be no retirees; everyone must be employed."

But now Epcot is considered a vacation destination instead of a living environment. It’s always interesting to learn about the inner-workings and initial ideas of what Imagineers go through in building and conceptualizing these great Orlando theme parks. We can’t wait to see what Walt Disney World comes up with next!

Ride Spotlight: Test Track at Walt Disney World’s Epcot

Did you know that Epcot is an acronym for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow?” Aside from the World Showcase Pavilion, Epcot focuses on science and technology, as Walt Disney originally intended the park to be an actual prototype community for futuristic cities back in the earliest days of Epcot’s design. While some Disney fans aren’t keen on Epcot’s educationally focused attractions, they might not even notice how much they’re learning while waiting in line for the popular Test Track attraction.

Sponsored by GM, Test Track is the fourth fastest ride in the Walt Disney family, reaching speeds of up to 64.8 mph. As you wind your way through the queue you learn about vehicle safety and watch robotic demonstrations of crash dummies experiencing various accident situations from being crushed in a vehicle to slamming into a wall. You can also see the inner components of various vehicle parts, which is a must for any car fan. Once you get into the waiting area, you and your fellow guests will get to view a video that shows what your vehicle will experience on the Test Track ride. You, the guest, are the driver of GM’s latest vehicle and will ride it as it goes through tests of heat, cold and corrosive material, swerving and bump tracks before finally launching outdoors for a drive around the track.

This is where you get to experience that 64.8 mph we mentioned earlier as you speed around bank curves of 50 degrees and zoom over hills and turns. Despite not having any inversions or loops, Test Track is surprisingly fast and will give you a great view of the surrounding area once you finish the “initial testing” and your vehicle launches toward the outside track. This ride has the FastPass option available and we recommend you use it. Being near the front of the park and also one of the most popular rides in Epcot, the lines for Test Track can be extremely long. If you’re one of those that loves the Single Riders option on these popular rides, Test Track also has that choice available to you. This is a great ride for both young (as long as they meet the height requirement) and older crowds that want a bit of thrill without feeling terrified. Test Track at Walt Disney World is fun for all.

Fun for “Non-Riders” The Disney Edition

Orlando theme parks don’t have to be a drag if you’re the “non-rider” in your group. If you don’t like roller coasters, you might feel jipped when people in your group ask you to hold their bags or get them a drink while they wait in line for rides like the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Orlando or the Aerosmith Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Well, non-rider, there are plenty of attractions you can partake in at Walt Disney World that have nothing to do loops, crazy turns or being shot off into the darkness at 60 mph.

Over at the Magic Kingdom, get a dose of American history at the Hall of Presidents. Recently remodeled to feature President Barack Obama, this attraction got a facelift many people have been praising. Let animatronic forefathers of the US narrate the story of the country’s progress with classical music and a beautiful video presentation. Or head over to Fantasyland for a leisurely boat ride through the classic “It’s a Small World” ride. Enjoy the adorable animatronic characters from around the world as the memorable song is sung in a variety of languages. If you’re in the mood to be spooked, check out the Haunted Mansion and its incredibly detailed décor as you ride in your “coffin.” The most it will do is tilt backwards and it’s actually quite relaxing!

If you’re at Disney’s Hollywood Studios you can view the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! This show is a must for fans of the Indiana Jones films. Watch talented Disney cast members re-enact some of your favorite scenes. If you’re a movie fan in general, you have to go on The Great Movie Ride. This slow-moving tram will take you through the scenes of Hollywood classics like Singing in the Rain, Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, and, even, Alien. If you’re in the mood for comedy head over to Muppet Vision 3-D for a hilarious 3D adventure classic Muppets characters from the world of Jim Henson.

Over at Epcot, take a journey through space on Spaceship Earth. This ride got an update as well with a new narration by Dame Judi Dench and an interactive computer screen at every seat that lets you put yourself into a future world of your own. This 16 minute ride takes you through over 40,000 years of human history from the past, present and future. You can also check out The Living Seas for an educational experience full of beautiful sea life or travel the globe over at the World Showcase Pavilion.

So the next time your friends try to con you into holding their souvenir bags, backpacks or purses you can show them the way to the lockers! There are plenty of things for you to do in the Walt Disney World parks even if roller coasters aren’t your thing.

Disney Buys Marvel for $4 Billion

Could we be seeing Iron Man in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom or Spiderman on top of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT? Considering Disney just bought Marvel for $4 billion dollars, fans of both companies are already reeling with ideas and theories as to what will happen next. With this important purchase, Disney will acquire the rights to over 5,000 Marvel characters with the main focus being on: Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, The Fantastic Four, Captain America and the X-Men.

Disney has stated they believe this merger will work successfully much like the Disney/Pixar merger has been working for the last few years noting the box-office hits the 3D animation company has been producing. While Marvel has a number of films currently in production, including the sequel to Iron Man, Disney has stated it has no intentions of interfering with the current projects but will eventually move towards becoming the sole distributor of Marvel films in the future.

As for the parks themselves, expect to see plenty of new merchandising on its way. Disney hopes this new partnership will help cater to the younger male audiences which may have felt left behind with the princess boom Disney has experienced over the last few years. Despite having characters like Buzz Lightyear and Jack Sparrow as favorites with boys, Spider-Man and Iron Man are just as, if not more popular with the audience Disney is trying to target.

While many fans of the respective companies are concerned as to what this merger could mean, both Marvel and Disney leaders are trying to reassure the public this will be a mutual partnership and not some sort of takeover. Many details have yet to be revealed as the merger will be finalized later today if not sometime this week, but Marvel is excited to welcome Disney aboard.

"Disney is the perfect home for Marvel`s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses," said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel`s Chief Executive Officer. "This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney`s tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world."

New Character Meet and Greets at EPCOT

A fun memory for any visitor to the Disney theme parks is getting to meet your favorite characters. While some may be harder to find than others (the White Rabbit is notoriously difficult to find at the parks), permanent greeting locations make getting your autograph book filled up a lot easier. The Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom is really great on character greetings. Alice and the Mad Hatter are usually by the Tea Cups with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, and you can always find Cinderella and Snow White by the Cinderella Castle. But in a park where attractions are a bit more spread out, like at EPCOT, finding your favorite characters could be a bit harder. So let DWTickets.com give you the best info on where to find your favorite Disney characters throughout the EPCOT theme park.

If you’re a fan of the British-influenced Disney movies, then look no further than the UK Pavillion at EPCOT’s World Showcase for meetings with Alice, Marry Poppins and Winnie the Pooh and friends. If you want to see Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie, head over to Morocco where they often hang out by the fountain. For a princess extravaganza, head over to the Norway Pavilion. Their Akershus restaurant features the Princess Storybook Meals where every princess from Sleeping Beauty to Belle shows up to dine with guests and take autographs and pictures.

Three beloved characters will soon be getting their own meet and greet areas in EPCOT, two of them classic and one of them a bit of an “underground” favorite. First off we have Disney’s first princess, Snow White. Disney construction recently finished on an adorable replica of Snow White’s cottage in the Germany Pavilion of the World Showcase. It will be much easier for you to find the fair princess and have your picture taken. If you’re a fan of Donald Duck, you are in luck! Over at the Mexico Pavilion, Disney is building the cranky duck his very own meet and greet area. The boat ride inside the pavilion already features Donald as part of The Three Caballeros, so this is a great spot to hang out with Disney’s classic character.

Finally, a beloved kitten is getting her time to shine over at the France Pavillion. Marie from The Aristocats, who already has plenty of merchandise featuring her adorable face all over the parks, will now be greeting her fans daily starting this October. Don’t forget, EPCOT also has a character greeting section in the Future World area. This is a great spot to meet everyone at once so get there early to avoid a long line and enjoy meeting your favorite Disney characters.

Walt Disney World Cares and Conserves

Florida is environmentally unique thanks to the beautiful Everglades and our Atlantic and Gulf beaches. But because of our position in the United States, we are also affected by tropical storms and hurricanes that can cause damage to homes, locations and our environment. Back in 2004, Hurricane Charley ripped through Central Florida causing $15 billion dollar’s worth of damage to the state and the Orlando theme parks. The Holiday Inn near Downtown Disney had to close completely and many parks closed for safety purposes. But while residents prepared and parks closed, Disney was lending a helping hand to the local wildlife facilities. Manatees, dolphins and turtles were all evacuated from Mote Marine in Sarasota to the Living Seas at EPCOT and to certain areas of SeaWorld. This move was just one of many Disney takes every year to make sure it participates in saving animals and the environment.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the prime example of Disney’s motivation to save the environment. Not only is Animal Kingdom a theme park, but it also serves as a research and conservation center. The park even has a few breeding programs that have been highly successful in breeding animals that are endangered. This July, Nande, a 10-year-old white rhino that used to live at Animal Kingdom, gave birth to her own little baby rhino in Uganda. Disney has been working closely with Ugandan animal groups to help save the endangered species. Over in Australia, Disney provided emergency funding to wildlife conservation groups struggling to save animals hurt this year in the wildfires in Australia back in March and donated $8,000 in emergency funding to two organizations, the Pan African Sanctuaries Alliance (PASA) and Save the Elephants (STE).

Back on the home front, Disney also does conservation efforts over at EPCOT. Just recently they released “Bock," a manatee Disney rescued back in 2001 as part of a manatee rehabilitation program managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. When Disney rescued Bock, he was only 500 pounds. Now at 8 years old, Bock weighs 1,000 pounds and has been successfully released back into the wild.

There are big and little things the Disney family does to help the environment. From recycling at the parks to bigger conservation efforts like the ones in Africa, Disney lets the world know it cares about the Earth. So make sure you do your part next time you’re at the parks and dispose of your garbage properly. Don’t forget the three R’s too: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: Eat to the Beat 2009

It may seem too soon to be talking about the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which is held September 25 – November 8 of this year. But, how can you not talk about it when there is SO much fun to look forward to at this year’s celebration, especially this year’s music line up for the Eat to the Beat concert series!

Showcasing the flavors of the world is just the beginning of this wonderful annual festival. Held at Epcot every fall, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival features marketplaces of food, wine, beer, and other beverages in every country of Epcot’s World Showcase. At the festival you can also take part in classes and demonstrations by world renowned chefs and wine makers.

Though the food and beverages may take the cake (no pun intended) at this event, the music of the Eat to the Beat concert series is the icing on top of that cake! The list of performers was recently released earlier this month. The concert series will be featuring 17 different acts from all over the music scene, so there is sure to be something for everyone in your party. This year, there are several Grammy-winning bands and five newcomers to the festival, as well. Performing nightly at 5:15 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:45 pm daily:

September 25-27: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
September 28-29: Richard Marx
September 30-October 3: Starship featuring Mickey Thomas
October 4-6: En Vogue
October 7-8: Better Than Ezra
October 9-11: Sister Hazel
October 12-13: Kool & The Gang
October 14-16: Spyro Gyra
October 17-18: Jon Secada
October 19-20: Sister Sledge
October 21-22: Vanessa Carlton
October 23-25: Taylor Dayne
October 26-28: Boyz II Men
October 29-31: John Waite
November 1-2: Night Ranger
November 3-5: Billy Ocean
November 6-8: Los Lobos

You will not want to miss any of these all-star performances at this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! The International Food and Wine Festival is included with your admission to Epcot. So, to secure your spot for one of these great concerts, make sure you purchase your Disney tickets ahead of time with DWTickets.com.

Music Fills Summer Nights at Epcot

If you need something to jolt you into a summertime state of mind, follow the sound of your favorite hits to Walt Disney World, where a rockin’ and rollin’ concert series will be sure to set you straight. You’ll be swept back to youthful memories of beach trips, backyard cookouts, and long carefree days when the Sounds Like Summer concert series features summertime songs by legendary musical icons at Epcot.

From June 15 through August 9, the Sounds Like Summer concert series will host multiple performances nightly under the stars. An annual event, the series is returning to the America Gardens Theatre this year with a great lineup of popular tribute bands. Seven bands in total will recreate the sounds of legendary artists like the Bee Gees, Eagles, U2, and more, providing a great end to a day at Epcot.

The lineup is subject to change, but so far, the performers for the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series include Stayin’ Alive, a tribute to the Bee Gees performing from June 15 through 21; Hotel California, a tribute to the Eagles performing from June 22 through 28; Slippery When Wet, a tribute to Bon Jovi performing from June 29 through July 8; 52nd Street, a tribute to Billy Joel performing from July 9 through 17; Sounds of The Supremes, a tribute to The Supremes performing from July 18 through 26; and 2U, a tribute to U2 performing from July 27 through August 2. Finally, Petty Theft, a tribute to Tom Petty, closes out the concert series from August 3 through August 9.

Throughout Sounds Like Summer, multiple nightly performances will take place at 5:45 pm, 7 pm, and 8:15 pm except on July 4. On Independence Day, park guests can rock out at 5:15 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:45 pm, and 9 pm before enjoying a great fireworks extravaganza in the sky.

Though other summer concert series and nighttime entertainment are being offered at Busch Gardens and Universal Studios, the Sounds Like Summer concert series at Epcot is the only one offering performances every night. Best yet, the series is also free with regular admission to the park, so all you need to rock out is a Walt Disney World ticket.

And of course, there’s only one place where you can get Walt Disney World tickets and save – DWTickets.com. Check out Magic Your Way passes today and begin planning your trip down a memory lane of summertime fun at Epcot.

Save the Piggy Banks at Epcot

At Epcot, the Innoventions Plaza is where guests of Walt Disney World can step into the future with incredicle exhibits displaying the latest in scientific and technological innovations. But that's not to say that visitors to Innoventions won't discover a few things there that they can use today. At a new exhibit, for example, guests will learn a lesson we can all benefit from these days - the importance of saving and managing money responsibly.

This new interactive exhibit, sponsored by the global investment management organization T. Rowe Price, is called The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, and it will put families to the test when it comes to basic savings and investing with a series of fun and educational games.

"At INNOVENTIONS, our focus is on encouraging guests to imagine, incent, inquire, and inspire while exploring amazing innovations that make our lives better. The Great Piggy Bank Adventure will give our visitors a better insight into what it means to save and invest in an innovative and enagaging manner," said Dan Cockerell, Vice President of Epcot.

"Empowering parents to initiate discussion of the topics of saving and investing with their children is more important than ever before," added Edward C. Bernard, vice chairman of T. Rowe Price Group. "Financial awareness and decision-making is heavily influenced by one's early experiences, making vibrant family discussion a powerful and lifelong educational influence that can help children develop sound financial values and habits. In watching families during play-testing of the exhibit, it has been rewarding to see how The Great Piggy Bank Adventure engages families in a unique way and really does get the conversation started."

In The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, guests will play interactive games where they'll guide large plastic piggy banks through a series of video challenges designed to teach financial lessons. They'll be assisted by a talking piggy bank as they address four key financial themes, which include setting goals, saving and spending smartly, staying ahead of inflation, and diversifying your investments.

When guests head home, they'll even be able to continue the lesson with an online game from T. Rowe that's designed to be paired with the Innoventions exhibit. Planning on the exhibit actually began over three years ago between Epcot Business Development and Walt Disney Imagineers.

We bet you never thought that talking about saving and investing could be fun, but at the Great Piggy Bank Adventure, families will join together to save the piggy bank in a captivating and entertaining way. If you haven't stopped by Innoventions in a while, brush up on the latest developments and be sure to pay a visit to the Great Piggy Bank Adventure. Before you've even begun your financial education at the exhibit, you can already start spending smart by checking out the discount Walt Disney World tickets on DWTickets.com.

Around the World's Gardens at Epcot

Before you know it, the end of May will be here, and with it, the end of the International Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. If you haven’t seen this colorful compilation of flower fun at Walt Disney World, you definitely should – there’s plenty to see and hear, from the whimsical character topiaries and beautiful gardens to the sounds of the Flower Power concerts. We’ve been covering highlights of the festival throughout its duration, and as its last few weeks approach, we bring you one more – the gardens of the World Showcase.

At the Flower & Garden Festival, one of the most fun activities is spotting your favorite characters and Disney films represented through displays like the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden and the “Cinderellabration” topiary. But Disney has also taken special care to pay tribute to different landscapes around the world, and guests can see this when they visit the 11 pavilions of the World Showcase. There, gardens tell each country’s story in blooms and provide continuity and transition from one nation to the next.

At the Mexico pavilion, for example, landscaping represents the country’s two regions, the jungle and desert. Facing the Mayan temple, guests will see tropical plants and flowers commonly found in the jungle, such as the floss silk tree, often endowed with springtime blossoms and oddly-shaped fruit. Epcot gardeners have been careful to make this garden look “unmaintained” to make it appear more like a genuine jungle.

“We wanted to steer clear of creating a ‘perfect’ landscape and use irregular spots of colorful flowers to give it a more exotic look,” says Eric Darden, Walt Disney World horticulturist.

A similarly natural look has been created in the China pavilion, where the grass isn’t mowed and plants are more haphazardly placed than in Western landscapes, in accordance with Chinese gardening. Water is an essential element in every Chinese garden, and at Epcot, ponds lie still with water lilies blooming atop. Older looking trees, like a weeping mulberry, have also been added to give the garden a mature look, which the Chinese appreciate.

By contrast, the garden at The American Adventure pavilion is much more organized and formal, designed in the style of old colonial architecture and landscapes. A predominant color scheme of red, white, and blue flowers abounds, accompanied by sycamore trees whose branches interlace overhead.

“This pavilion is by far the most formal, with its soldier-like rows of magnolias, boxed hedges and precisely planted annuals,” Darden said.

Meanwhile, at the France pavilion, guests will enjoy light and airy gardens reminiscent of Parisian park. An allee (avenue or pathway) of trees has been created with Natchez crape myrtle, similar to the linden trees they’re originally composed of in France. And in Le Notre Garden, 985 shrubs have been crafted into the shape of a French symbol, the fleur-de-lis.

The international gardens of the World Showcase are maintained by a horticulture staff of more than 50 gardeners and experts. And if you want to see all of them while learning about the process behind their assembly, check out the “Gardens of the World” tour. A three-hour walking tour through the World Showcase for guests 16 and older, it provides an in-depth look at the styles of landscaping in each pavilion.

Be sure to check out the International Flower & Garden Festival soon before it ends on May 31. The festival is open to all guests with regular Epcot admission, so get your Walt Disney World tickets here on DWTickets.com to begin exploring the world’s gardens at Epcot.

Get Eco-Friendly with Disney's EARTH

Usually, making an effort to help the environment requires getting out in a park and picking up trash, chaining yourself to a tree, or some other kind of active endeavor. But now, Disney is offering those who want to be environmentally friendlier a fun and easy way to make a difference. For every person who sees the new EARTH film during its opening week, Disney will plant a tree in their honor. EARTH premieres nationally on April 22 and is the first film by Disneynature, the first new film label to be introduced by Disney in 60 years.

“EARTH is a spectacular film from the world’s most acclaimed nature filmmakers, and we couldn’t think of a better way to launch the new Disneynature banner, and to celebrate the spirit of the film and Earth Day at the same time,” said Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “The film gives moviegoers an entertaining and unprecedented view of our planet, with some of the most astonishing imagery and exciting natural drama ever presented on the big screen.”

Many may not realize that one of Walt Disney’s dreams was to create nature documentaries. From 1948 to 1960, his True Life Adventure series won eight Academy Awards by chronicling the antics of real animals.

EARTH now seeks to revitalize Disney’s dream by telling the remarkable story of three animal families (polar bears, elephants in the tropics, and humpback whales) and their amazing journeys across the planet. Narrated by James Earl Jones, the film features rare action, unimaginable scale, and impossible locations to combine Disney storytelling with nature documentary.

People can learn more about EARTH at Epcot, where the International Flower & Garden Festival features a display about the movie inside Garden Town. Outside, there’s also an impressive sand sculpture dedicated to the film.

Once the movie has completed its opening week, Disney will tally up the number of moviegoers and plant one tree for every one of them in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which is considered the most endangered rain forest in the world. A hot spot of biodiversity, the Atlantic Forest is struggling for survival with only seven percent of it remaining.

So if you’d like to make an easy contribution to the environment and see a great film at the same time, be sure to check out EARTH when it opens on Earth Day, April 22. The film will be playing at Downtown Disney, of course, at the AMC 24 Theatres Complex on Pleasure Island. We especially recommend enjoying the film there in the luxury of loveseat-style stadium seating with the awesome quality of THX Surround Sound and Sony Dynamic Digital Sound.

And if you haven’t already, be sure to visit Epcot, where you can learn new ways to be ‘green’ in your garden at home and see cool photographs of Disneynature’s EARTH before the movie comes out. As always, save on your Disney adventures with Walt Disney World tickets from DWTickets.com.

Epcot Festival Has Flowery Fun for Kids

It’s well known that at Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom is the ideal park for little ones, while parks like Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom appeal to all ages and the educational Epcot generally suits the older crowd best. But you might want to cast this philosophy aside this spring, at least momentarily, as the 16th annual International Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot has plenty of fun for the little gardener in your home. With so many beautiful and colorful blooms, mysterious gardens to discover, and hands-on activities for kids, the festival will fire up the imagination of any child.

From now through May 31, Epcot has been transformed from a land of futuristic wonder and discovery to an earthy land of gardens and playgrounds, adorned with 30 million blooms in sweeping floral beds and exhibits.

One of the highlights of the festival is seeing all the wonderful topiaries that have been expertly handcrafted into loveable Disney characters. Kids will love spotting flowery figures from their favorite movies, such as The Lion King, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Cinderella, Aladdin, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, and more. And families can even make a game out of it with the Character Topiary Scavenger Hunt behind Spaceship Earth, a challenge to locate certain Disney character topiaries throughout the park.

But the festival is far from being a museum for vegetation – kids can have a blast climbing and exploring in the Let’s Get Moving area, a special garden-themed playground featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy. Little ones can also romp with other miniature pirates in a themed adventure area featuring Peter Pan and Captain Hook or play with Tinkerbell in a Pixie Hollow-themed area. There’s even a Fairy & Princess Processional every day at the Pixie Hollow garden at 2 pm where kids can come dressed up and show off their costumes or get their face painted with their favorite flower, fairy, or insect.

Kids will also be fascinated by Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden, filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies, and the Green Garden exhibit, where guests can learn how to create their own environmentally safe garden. And be sure to bring young ones by the Earth Station, adjacent to the butterfly garden, where kids can discover fun activities and how they can positively impact Earth.

There’s no extra cost to experience the International Flower & Garden Festival, just regular admission to the park is needed. So if your kids are feeling restless this spring, take them down to Epcot, where there are plenty of sights to see and lots of fun to be had. Get your Walt Disney World tickets at DWTickets.com now to begin your family’s flowery adventure.

Star Gardeners at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

In addition to a beautiful assembly of fantastic foliage and whimsical topiaries, fun activities for big green thumbs and little ones, the International Flower and Garden Festival at Walt Disney World will feature appearances from an array of gardening professionals. From March 20 to May 31, guests visiting Epcot can take in the sights and scents of spring and learn how they can foster them in their own backyard from the experts themselves as part of the Great American Gardeners series.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the 16th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, some of the most respected gardeners and nature experts will reveal tips and share entertaining stories at noon and 3 pm. The presentations are open to all and will kick off from March 20 to March 22 with author Jon Carloftis, who’ll share insightful tips on how to integrate plants and nature in every aspect of life, from interior spaces to urban scapes.

Shirley Bovshow will then take over from March 27 to March 29; the garden designer and TV host will present gorgeous edible gardens that provide food as well as style and function in the garden. Susan Belsinger will then appear from April 3 through April 5, informing about the magic of herbs from garden to kitchen, and renowned horticulturist, NPR host, and author Felder Rushing will share practical tips for maintaining a garden’s beauty all year long using tough shrubs, flowers, herbs, and even “designer” veggies.

Then from April 17 through April 19, author, gardening expert, and famed TV host of PBS’s GardenSMART Joe Lamp’l (otherwise known as Joe Gardener) will talk about some of the best gardening tools and accessories available today. Following Lamp’l will be America’s longest running garden columnist Jeff Lowenfels from April 24 through April 26, who’ll explain organic gardening and some of its practical applications, and TV host Joe Washington from May 1 through May 3, who’ll talk about landscaping and water-smart designs. From May 8 through May 10, guests will be able to hear Florida garden writer Tom MacCubbin discuss growing edible foods and perfume expert Raymond Western speak on the history of fragrance and its relationship with plants.

The Gardener series will wrap up in May with TV host and gardening expert Melinda Myers, who’ll share simple money and energy saving ideas for a beautiful landscape from May 15 through May 17; author and Harry P. Leu Gardens director Robert Bowden, who’ll discuss unusual plants for landscaping from May 22 through May 24; and speaker and plant collector Rita Randolph, who’ll demonstrate eye-opening plant combinations from May 29 through May 31.

The eleven experts will be making their presentations at Garden Town in Future World East next to Universe of Energy. There’s no extra cost to hear these all-stars of gardening speak; regular admission to Epcot is all you need. So nab your Walt Disney World tickets at DWTickets.com today and ensure that your garden will be the most beautiful one on the block this season.

Sneak Peek at Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

At the beginning of February, the Groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter. Since then, the country has endured its fair share of snowfalls, icy roads, and chilly temperatures, with which even Orlando has had to contend. But March 20, the first day of spring, is finally right around the corner, and Walt Disney World plans to ring in the season with a floral celebration that will make even Mother Nature jealous. Taking place from March 18 to May 31, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will light up the city with colorful tableaus and topiaries, fun exhibits and activities, and groovy concerts all intended to celebrate spring.

Presented by Disneynature, the festival is now in its 16th year, and it looks like this one will be better than ever, starting with the topiary. Every year, one of the staples of the festival is the intricate topiary created by Disney’s imaginative gardeners, and we’ve heard they’ve outdone themselves this time around with an extraordinary display set against the backdrop of Spaceship Earth. The topiary will feature beloved Disney characters like Cinderella and Prince Charming, Show White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, and Belle and the Beast, all made out of a variety of plants, flowers, grasses, and mosses. The display will welcome guests as they head into Epcot, though 70 other topiaries will also be spread throughout the park.

Aside from fresh sights and flowery scenes, there’ll also be lots of spring-themed fun during the festival, from colorful butterfly gardens to gardening presentations. There are so many activities and events that we can’t cover them all, but a few highlights include the Green Garden, which teaches anyone how to make an environmentally friendly garden, the Flower Power concert series featuring popular bands from the 60s, and the Great American Gardeners series, which will include appearances by gardening celebrities and authors from around the country.

Kids will find plenty to keep them entertained with the Pirates Adventure Zone, “Kids Paint Out” celebrations, and the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden, featuring colorful topiaries of Tinker Bell and her friends along with hands on activities for kids.

And be sure to check out all the festival fun around the World Showcase. At the France pavilion, a Fragrance Garden tells the “love story” of plants and perfume; at the United Kingdom’s English Tea Garden, complimentary guided tours explore the art and history of blending tea plants; and at the Japan pavilion, guests can learn about the art of bonsai.

During the festival, those who need to shake off the gloomy winter can lift their spirits with beautiful flora and fauna displays. And with plenty of educational exhibits and presentations, wannabe green thumbs will learn tips from the experts that they can take home and try out on their own gardens. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is all about spreading springtime fun, so gear up for the season by attending this fun and natural celebration. Admission to the festival is included with regular admission to Epcot, so all you need are Walt Disney World tickets from DWTickets.com.

Celebrate Chinese New Year at Epcot's China

Even though the New Year is well underway here in America, for our Chinese friends, it hasn’t even yet begun. Soon, however, China’s most important traditional holiday will take place on January 26: the Chinese New Year. A festive holiday filled with lots of color, food, entertainment, and fun, the 2009 Chinese New Year celebrates the Year of the Ox, which according to the Chinese zodiac, symbolizes prosperity, self-assurance, inspiration, and leadership. And we can’t think of a better way to commemorate this major Chinese holiday than by paying a visit to Walt Disney World’s Epcot, where the China pavilion offers a little bit of the Asian country right here in Orlando, Florida.

A cultural area within Epcot where guests can experience the art, architecture, and traditions of China, the China Pavilion is the next best thing to hopping on a plane and flying to the country itself. This dedication one of the world’s oldest civilizations features the Temple of Heaven, serene gardens with tranquil reflecting ponds, and authentic tomb sculptures from Ancient China that date back 2,000 years. There’s even a miniature recreation of the tomb of China’s first emperor. A great way to take in a cultural summary of this Asian country, be sure to kick off your Chinese New Year’s celebrations by simply touring all of the pavilion’s wonders.

No Chinese New Year celebration is complete, however, without catching some traditional Chinese entertainment. Check out the Dragon Legend Acrobats, a 14-minute live show occurring several times throughout the day that features young Chinese acrobats performing gravity-defying feats. From the Pu Yang Academy of Acrobats in China, these young athletes fly through the air, leap through hoops, spin carpets on their feet, and contort their bodies into different shapes and sizes to the sounds of traditional Chinese music.

Next, be transported back to ancient Chinese times when you witness the Si Xian show, filled with harp-like music played on the Chinese zheng, a 2,000-year-old instrument. You’ll hear a gifted zheng musician weave an auditory journey as they evoke soothing natural sounds on this 25-stringed instrument. Si Xian is performed several times throughout the day; the schedule can be found on the Epcot Times Guide.

Also, don’t miss the artistic stylings of Miyuki, the first and only woman to receive training as a candy artist in Japan. Miyuki sculpts candy into elaborate animal shapes, a Japanese art form that goes back hundreds of years. For twenty minutes at various times throughout the day, you can catch her bring pieces of rice dough to life – you can even request an ox candy to keep as a lucky souvenir for the New Year.

Finally, round off your Chinese New Year celebrations by sampling authentic Chinese cuisine at the Nine Dragons Restaurant. Offering inventive Chinese dishes from five provinces, Nine Dragons offers specialties like Moo Goo Gai Pan, Sweet and Sour Pork, and of course, several varieties of Dim Sum. Or, for faster Chinese dining, grab a bite at the Lotus Blossom Café, which serves classic Chinese take-out favorites like egg rolls, fried rice, orange chicken, and beef noodle soup.

Since all the pavilions usually celebrate the major holidays of their country, you might also find a few surprises at the Chinese pavilion on January 26, including special activities for the kids. Ultimately, you’re sure to ring in the Chinese New Year in a forgettable way at Disney’s Epcot. Be sure to visit DWTickets.com for Walt Disney World tickets to start planning your celebration.

Unleash Your Inner Secret Agent at Epcot

In the Emmy-Award winning animated series Kim Possible, Kim is your average teenage girl…unless you count the fact that when she’s not going to school and dealing with typical adolescent problems, Kim is a vigilante/crime fighter battling the evil villains of the world. Along with her sidekick Ron Stoppable and her genius equipment provider Wade, Kim fights evildoers with an array of gadgets and high style butt kicking. And soon, Disney guests will be able to join Kim on adventures at Walt Disney World with the opening of the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure at Disney's Epcot later this January.

Inspired by the Kim Possible series, this new interactive attraction will put Disney guests in the driver’s seat of their own wild crime-fighting adventure throughout seven of the World Showcase pavilions. Guests will become secret agents and team up with members of Team Possible as they save the world from various comical villains and their crazy inventions.

Using the latest Verizon technology, the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure employs official “Kimmunicators,” which are provided to guests at kiosks throughout Epcot. This interactive, handheld device is designed to help secret agents through their mission, allowing them to connect with a variety of Kim Possible characters. Using the devices, guests will be able to uncover clues and control top-secret equipment hidden inside the World Showcase pavilions.

Each pavilion (which includes Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France, and United Kingdom) will feature a different mission featuring a unique event for secret agents to take part in. Epcot crime fighters will also encounter a different super villain from the series at each pavilion, such as the evil Doctor Drakkan, the comical kung fu megalomaniac Monkey Fist, and the Scottish kilt-wearing golf player, Duff Killigan.

“Disney’s Kim Possible Showcase is an exciting new experience that offers fun and excitement for the entire family,” said Jim MacPhee, Vice President of Epcot. “We are constantly exploring new ways to provide immersive experiences to Epcot guests, and this new offering will add to our dynamic portfolio.”

The Kim Possible Showcase Adventure is unique among Disney attractions in that it’s spread out over Epcot and not located in one place, allowing secret agents to take their time and enjoy saving the “world” as a group; this distinctive design is sure to bring a new level of fun and excitement to a day at Epcot. Make sure you don’t miss out on all the crime fighting action when the Kim Possible Showcase Adventure opens on January 28th. And like any savvy secret agent, get your discount Disney tickets here at DWTickets.com. Just think of us as the Wade to your Kim Possible!

Disney and Verizon Team Up to Create Cool Cell Phone Park Services

Gone are the days of walking around Walt Disney World with a park map stretched out; gone are the days of anxiously waiting in line to ask a guest services person where the nearest bathroom is. And no more Googling online to find out what the newest attractions or on-goings are at Disney. Instead, guests will soon be able to consult something that’s already attached to their heads or hands for a good portion of the day – their cell phone.

Verizon and Disney have teamed up to make enjoying the parks easier and even more fun. As part of a multi-year deal, the partnership allows guests to access a personal tour guide right in their wireless phone. Beginning early 2009, guests will be able to use Verizon wireless technology to find a wide variety of real-time information about the park. They’ll be able to locate shows, restaurants, and Disney characters anywhere inside the parks; get availability information for attractions; access mobile games; receive messages from characters and more.

Verizon wireless phones will also be integrated into new services and attractions at the park, such as the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction coming to Epcot in early 2009. In this new attraction based on the Disney animated hit, guests will team up with members of Team Possible to save the world from evil villains and their crazy inventions; using an official Verizon Wireless “Kimmunicator” (provided at kiosks throughout the park), they’ll maneuver through the various World Showcase pavilions, go on unique missions, and save the day. And because of the Disney-Verizon partnership, Verizon users can also expect to enjoy a better, stronger network from within the Walt Disney World theme parks.

“With more than 90 percent of families bringing a mobile phone into our Parks, our objective was to enhance the magical Disney experience through innovative wireless technology. Imagine receiving up to the minute tips on special Park activities with just the touch of a button or receiving a call from Buzz Lightyear welcoming you to the Magic Kingdom,” said Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

This latest Disney deal is part of a company initiative to enhance park guest’s experiences using the latest technologies. For example, Disney partnered with Google in June to create a 3-D tour of Walt Disney World resort complete with direct links to Disney’s online travel-planning tours. And last year, Disney launched an all-new interactive cable network, Disney Travel on Demand, in which viewers can press a button on their remote control and receive a phone call from a travel agent.

There’s no doubt that Disney keeps getting better and better, and though guests will have to wait until the New Year to start enjoying fun features on their Verizon phone, there’s no time like the present to book your Disney World Vacation! You can start by getting discount Disney tickets right here at DWTickets.com. Then be sure to pack your Verizon cell phone and get ready for some high-tech fun.

Disney Dates – May 2008

The Walt Disney World Resort has so much going on, it really is difficult to keep up. We want to make your vacation planning easier, so along with giving you the best discount Disney tickets, we keep you updated on what’s happening all around the Walt Disney World Resort. Here’s what’s up in May:

Minnie Marathon Weekend is upon us
Disney’s Minnie Marathon Weekend is an endurance racing event that recognizes the strength of women. This year’s marathon has two different events, and both are this coming weekend. Sponsored by Lady Foot Locker, Disney’s Minnie Marathon Weekend “celebrates all things women’s fitness.”

Disney’s Go Red for Women 5K is on Saturday, May 3, and it will benefit the “Go Red for Women” movement of the American Heart Association. Disney’s Women Run the World 15K will take place on Sunday, May 4. It begins at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, runs through Disney’s Wide World of Sports and Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resort, and finally comes to an end in Epcot. A Disney ticket is not required for participation.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival rocks into its last month
The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival continues through the month of May with special weekends, Flower Power concerts and more gorgeous gardens that you can shake a stem at.

May 11 is Mother’s Day, and the Epcot Flower Fest is getting in on the celebration with a special Mother’s Day Brunch. (Reservations and an Epcot ticket are required.) Davy Jones will be on hand for a Flower Power concert that will have Mom swooning.

The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival will sprout its final blossom with the Festival Farewell Weekend on May 31 and June 1. This will be your last chance to get your Epcot tickets and see what the fuss is all about.

Disney attraction openings and closing for May
Magic Kingdom

• Cinderella’s Golden Carousel is closed for rehab May 4-22
• Jungle Cruise is closed for rehab May 11-24
• Mickey’s Pirate and Princess Party sails in on May 2, 9, 16, 21, 26, 31

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• The American Film Institute Showcase is closed for rehab May 1

The month of May is a great time to visit Walt Disney World. The weather is still pleasant, and the crowds are not nearly as large as they will be come summer. So, go ahead and plan your Orlando vacation this May, and get all of your Disney tickets today!

Spaceship Earth Renovations

The Walt Disney World Resort is constantly striving to maintain and improve all of their attractions to keep guests happy and coming back for regular visits to Central Florida. Whether it is coming up with different annual themes and celebrations (they are currently in the midst of the Year of a Million Dreams celebration) or just looking for ways to improve upon what they have already perfected, Disney is always thinking one step ahead. Case in point: last year, after the multitude of success of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, Disney shut down the immensely popular ride of the same name at the Magic Kingdom Park to incorporate aspects of the movies into the attraction, including appearances from Captain Jack Sparrow himself. Now, the ride is more popular than ever, drawing in fans who have always loved the ride and even more who are drawn in to the trilogy of movies.

Disney is currently hoping that a fourth renovation of the Spaceship Earth attraction at Epcot will reap many of those same benefits as the Pirates attraction did while re-establishing itself as the true centerpiece and foundation for what Epcot (the experimental prototype community of tomorrow) stands for. Before Spaceship Earth closed on July 9, 2007, this 16 million-pound, 180-foot-tall golf ball look alike that opened right along with Epcot back in October of 1982 housed a 14-minute ride that let guests travel back through time to see how humans learned to communicate and how it has evolved over the years. Now, a new sponsorship of the attraction (Siemens) is going hand-in-hand with the current renovations, which also include the removal of the magic wand and the word “Epcot” which has been fixated to the giant sphere since the new millennium celebration began in late 1999.

In addition to the cosmetic changes being made (landscaping is also being done around the attraction to return it to its early luster), the inside and meat of the attraction is being drastically altered as well. Spaceship Earth will now feature three new scenes involving the evolution of computers, as well as new costumes, lighting and props. A brand new musical score by Bruce Broughton has also been composed, while Academy Award-winning actress Judi Dench is the new narrator of the attraction. And finally, the biggest and most impactful change resides at the end of the attraction – guests will now be able to choose their version of the future via an interactive screen in their time machine vehicle.

While Spaceship Earth does not have its official re-opening until February 19, 2008, guests are currently being treated to a soft opening at the park. If you want to be one of the first to see this major renovation, all you need are tickets to access the theme parks. For the best deals on discounted tickets to Disney, along with Universal Orlando and Sea World Orlando, DWTickets.com is your one-stop shop. To get started on your vacation planning and to purchase your discounted theme park tickets, click here now!

Holidays Around the World at Epcot

Epcot has never been your average amusement park. It combines the fun and excitement of all the great Orlando theme parks with world geography, culture and fine dining. And during the Christmas season, the Holidays Around the World celebration takes the term World Showcase to a whole new level. DWTickets.com takes discount theme park tickets to another level too. We are your best source for cheap park tickets during the holiday season and through the rest of the year! So get your Epcot park admission tickets here and then head over to enjoy the holidays from a global perspective.

The holiday season is brought to life all over Epcot with beautiful decorations and spectacular seasonal shows. Kids will love to visit the traditional Santa Claus who makes daily appearances at the American Adventure Pavilion. But in the spirit of Epcot’s global environment, holiday icons from around the world share their own special stories and customs throughout the park. France’s Père Noël tells tales of his French history, and La Befana, as he is know in Italy, describes that country’s holiday folklore to the delight and enlightenment of both children and adults. Each country around the World Showcase has something unique and interesting to contribute to this seasonal celebration, and presentations of Hanukah and Kwanzaa can also be enjoyed around the World.

Each night, guests can watch and participate in “Mickey’s Tree Lighting Treat” in the World Showcase Plaza for even more great storytelling, holiday singing and, of course, the lighting of the fabulously worldly Christmas tree. “The Lights of Winter” enliven the World Showcase breezeway bridge and guests are amazed as they wander under this glittering canopy of dancing lights and music. The ever-popular Candlelight Processional has shows nightly with celebrity narrators, a mass choir and a full orchestra revealing the traditional Christmas nativity story to guests at the America Gardens Theater. To complete each holiday night at Epcot, visitors are treated to a super special holiday finale of “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.”

The holiday happenings are going on at Epcot and all across the Walt Disney World Resort through the end of December, and some even into the new year. Also available this holiday are the best prices on theme park tickets for the holidays and all year at DWTickets.com! We are always your first and best choice for cheap theme park tickets, so get them now and start your holiday celebration today!

New at Epcot!

Epcot's American Adventure has recently undergone some changes. The patriotic display of American accomplishments and culture has added some elements of the 21st century to its displays. Michelle Kwan, Tiger Woods, and the firefighters who raised the flag at ground zero after 9-11 are just a few of the new images displayed in the new show. The last 14 years of American life have been incorporated into the video that has not been updated since 1982.

The theme of the new show is the American spirit starting with the pilgrims and ending with the new millennium. Some of the new scenes depicted include images of former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton working side by side on tsunami relief and scenes from the destroyed world trade center. Despite the many touching and grave images, the message the video sends is one of the strong American spirit and how it prevails in tough times.

The new video is 30 minutes long and can be viewed several times a day at American Adventure in Epcot's World Showcase. Buy your discount Diseny tickets at DWTickets.com now and get front row seats!

EPCOT turns 25 Years Old

On October 1, 2007; EPCOT at the Walt Disney World resort will be celebrating its Silver Anniversary. Twenty-five years ago EPCOT was born. "EPCOT" stands for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow, and was a vision of Walt Disney before he passed away. This "community of the future" opened in 1982 and featured a "future world" with innovative approaches to theme park ride technology. It took Disney World Co. three years to build EPCOT, starting in 1979, and the total cost was $1.4 billion.

EPCOT is now called Epcot park and hosts many events such as the Annual Food and Wine Festival as well as the Flower and Garden Festival. The World Showcase at Epcot features countries from all over the world with rides, attractions, shops, and restaurants. Future World is home of Spaceship Earth, the gigantic silver geosphere that is the trademark icon of the park. Epcot is also home to SOARIN', Mission Space, and Test Track. Come to the Walt Disney World resort and help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Epcot Park, and have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Mission Space at EPCOT

I recently went to EPCOT for something other than eating and drinking - rides! Usually EPCOT has so much going on with the Food and Wine Festival, Flower and Garden Month, and everything else under the sun. So last weekend I actually went there to go on some rides (although the Flower and Garden Festival is still going on through June). Besides the usual SpaceShip Earth, Test Track, and Soarin', I went on a ride that has been much talked about over recent months : Mission Space.

Mission Space launches you into outer space in a simulated shuttle vehicle as you feel the thrust of blasting off into orbit as well as actual weightlessness once into space. The intensity of this ride cannot be descibed in words, other than "WOW!" You will feel like an astronaut and know what it is like to be in a rocket. The video screens feel like you're actually looking out a window into outer space as you see Planet Earth become smaller and the sky changes from blue to black. Mission Space is one of the coolest rides I've been on anywhere, and I just wanted to give kudos to EPCOT for creating such an awesome ride and experience. To buy discount tickets to Disney World, CLICK HERE! See you at Epcot and don't forget to buckle up and blast off at Mission Space!

The World Showcase at EPCOT CENTER

The World Showcase at EPCOT has over 20 pavilions with countries from all over the world. Some of the country pavilions have rides, like Norway or Mexico. Other country pavilions have amazing restaurants like at Italy, Japan, and Mexico. The World Showcase at Epcot is a beautiful circle of attractions with inspirational buildings and colorful scenery. People describe the World Showcase at EPCOT as breathtaking and fascinating.

EPCOT's World Showcase is a melting pot of different countries, cultures, and cuisines - and will teach you a little bit about the origins of these far away lands. There is also great shopping at the different country pavilions where you can buy some really interesting and unique apparel. EPCOT is a theme park that usually takes a day or two to complete, so a Park Hopper ticket is usually a good idea. To buy discount Park Hopper passes, CLICK HERE!

Disney's Year of A Million Dreams - UPDATE !

This is the Official DW Tickets Blog Man - reporting live from Orlando, FL. Spring time is among us, and the Walt Disney World resort is booming with visitors from all over the world. With Spring Break around the corner and the kids taking a break from school, what better time to take your family down to Disney World than now ?? If you were thinking about going somewhere other than Disney World for your Spring Break - think again ! This year - during Disney's Year of A Million Dreams, you can win amazing prizes such as a 1 night stay in a suite inside Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom. During the Year of A Million Dreams - there are thousands of prizes given away everyday, from free popcorn and soda, to gift certificates for Disney merchandise, to weeklong cruises. In 2007 - the Year of A Million Dreams at Walt Disney World is here to make your dreams come true.. so take advantage of this amazing opportunity, and buy your tickets at DWtickets.com.

Water Park Fun .... AND MORE !

It looks like Florida's one month season known as "Winter" is wrapping up, and the temperatures are climbing back to the 70's and 80's. Spring Break is around the corner, the skies are blue and sunny, and there is a buzz in the air all over Central Florida! Sweaters and jackets are being swapped for tank tops and board shorts, and the water parks around town are cranking up into high gear.

For the next 6 months, your visit to Walt Disney World cannot just be about theme parks - it's time to take advantage of this beautiful weather and cool off in the H2O. There is nothing that gets me more excited than knowing I have the option to leave my Walt Disney Resort theme park in the afternoon, cruise over to Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, or my hotel pool - and get in the water ! Obviously the hotel pool is a nice place to kick back and relax, but this is Walt Disney World, and I want some action. The Disney Water Park Fun & More ticket is truly a stoke of genius. Water Park Fun & More passes allow me to start my day at any one of my favorite Disney theme parks such as : Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, or Animal Kingdom.... and then go to Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island (at night) or the Wide World of Sports Complex. I can add more attractions, days, and value to my ticket for just a tiny increase in price. The flexibility makes me feel like I own the place, and I can see pretty much everything I want.
To buy Water Park Fun & More tickets, click here!

Last night, after coming back from dinner at Epcot, I used my Water Park Fun & More ticket to get into Pleasure Island, and the nightclub scene was pretty intense. I felt like I was in South Beach or L.A. and the variety of music inside the clubs was fantastic. I'm going to save some energy though, because next weekend I'll be at Disney's ESPN : The Weekend at MGM Studios, and if you read my last blog -you'll know just how amazing of a time it will be. Until next time, this is the Official DW Tickets Blog man signing off. Have a great weekend!