We begin our tour of the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT!

Good Morning Walt Disney Maniacs!! Your Trivia Tidbit for Friday March 30, 2012 is: EPCOT-World Showcase-MEXICO~

Yes, can you believe it? We have made it counter-clockwise all the way around World Showcase.....(and you didn't even have to take a step!) We have really covered a great deal of ground, and information. Here we are at the end of our journey at EPCOT. We will begin Disney's Hollywood Studios next week....but for now, let's see what Disney has to say about Mexico!!

The Mexico Pavilion is an indoor and outdoor cultural area within Epcot theme park where Guests of all ages can savor the spice of Mexico.

Enter a towering pyramid modeled after an actual Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl at Teotihuacan, Mexico and discover a gallery of artifacts from different periods in Mexican history. Continue into a colonial plaza for festive music and savory dining in a bustling marketplace. It's always twilight at the indoor Mexico Pavilion. Buenos Tardes!

Attractions: Be sure to take the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, a delightful boat ride in a shady lagoon at the foot of a smoking volcano.
Dining: Experience the romance of old Mexico while enjoying authentic cuisine. For zesty traditional dishes, stop at La Hacienda De San Angel for Queso Fundido (warmed cheese with poblano peppers and chorizo) or a succulent Pescado a la Talla (grilled red snapper). San Angel Inn offers grilled Mahi Mahi and Tacos de Ribeye for a relaxing sit-down dinner. At La Cava del Tequila, enjoy tapas-style dishes while the resident tequila ambassador educates Guests 21 and older about the history of this unique Mexican libation. For a quick service menu, try La Cantina De San Angel for nachos, tacos and margaritas!
Entertainment: Don't miss the fascinating collection of colorful Oaxacan woodcarvings, "Animales Fantasticos," in the Mexican Folk Art Gallery or the brilliant live performances by the illustrious Mariachi Cobre.
Shopping: Discover a variety of authentic Mexican goods such as baskets, pottery, blankets, crafts, toys, clothing, leather wallets and handbags, silver jewelry, candy, tequila and more!

EPCOT Food and Wine Festival dates announced for 2012!!

Dates Announced for the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Thursday, March 29, 2012  

Disney has released the dates for the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. This year’s festival will be held from September 28, 2012 to November 11, 2012. So start making your plans now to attend this food and wine lovers paradise!

Kalua Pork Slider, Hawaii Booth

The festival allows you to enjoy everything Epcot has to offer plus additional kiosks in the World Showcase that feature food and drinks from around the world. Last year’s festival included offerings from Belgium, New Zealand, and more. Each country in the World Showcase also has special offerings just for the festival. Last year my husband loved the Kalua Pork Slider from the Hawaii booth and the dessert trio from the Desserts & Champagne booth was amazing.

Dessert Trio, Dessert & Champagne Booth

The Food & Wine Festival also has special cooking demonstrations and dining events, mixology classes and wine tastings, and live music from the yet to be named artists that will be a part of the Eat to the Beat concert series.
This is one Disney event I would definitely make plans to attend. Just make sure to come hungry.

FLOWER POWER CONCERT SERIES at EPCOT's Flower and Garden Festival!

FLOWER POWER CONCERT SERIES

Wish I was able to attend.....Would love to see The Turtles with Flo and Eddie!!  Loved them!!

Musical entertainment pairs perfectly with botanical beauty during the nightly Flower Power concert series. Enjoy a varied lineup of performers throughout the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, March 7 through May 20, 2012.
Location: America Gardens Theatre at World Showcase
Show Times: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Jose Feliciano

March 9 to 11
Known for Light My Fire

Starship Starring Mickey Thomas

March 16 to 18
Known for We Built This City

The Guess Who

March 23 to 25
Known for American Woman

The Spinners

March 30 to April 1
Known for Cupid

Chubby Checker & The Wildcats

April 6 to 8
Known for The Twist

Paul Revere & The Raiders

April 13 to 15
Known for Good Thing

The Turtles Featuring Flo & Eddie

April 20 to 22
Known for Happy Together

NEW! CHUCK NEGRON Formerly of Three Dog Night

April 27 to 29
Known for Joy to the World

NEW! THE ORCHESTRA Featuring Former Members of ELO and ELO Part II

May 4 to 6
Known for Don't Bring Me Down

Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone

May 11 to 13
Known for I'm Henry VIII, I Am

THE MONKEES Lead Singer MICKY DOLENZ

May 18 to 20
Known for Last Train to Clarksville

Please note that Epcot theme park admission is required. Entertainment is subject to change without notice. All songs listed are for artist recognition only and may not be included in the playlist.

Disney Store 25th Anniversary - Be a part of 25 years of magic and memories!

Disney Store 25th Anniversary - Be a part of 25 years of magic and memories!

Here I am with my Mickey Ears from the Disney Store 25th Anniversary celebration!!

Disney Quick Tips: Rules and Etiquette for Pin Trading

Disney Quick Tips: Rules and Etiquette for Pin Trading

Our tour of Norway at World Showcase begins!

Today on Walt Disney Maniacs, we started our entries for the Norway pavilion at EPCOT World Showcase....here is what we covered today!


"The Norway Pavilion is a cultural area within Epcot theme park where Guests of all ages can experience the character and atmosphere of Norway.

Welcome to the Age of the Vikings! Enjoy the simple picturesque landscape of this mini Scandinavian village square with its stone and wood elements and authentic Norwegian architectural style. Discover ancient Norse art. Dine on authentic Norwegian dishes and visit shops filled with wonderful Norwegian wares. But watch out for the trolls!

Attractions: Ride the Maelstrom adventure cruise, where the spirit of adventure reigns!
Dining: Dine inside a castle at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, including Princess Storybook Dining, and delight in fresh baked goods and coffee at the Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe.
Entertainment: Explore the exhibit "Vikings: Conquerors of the Seas," a collection of authentic Norse weapons and artifacts, at the gallery inside the Stave Church.
Shopping: Discover Norwegian books, fragrances, candy, hand-knit woolens, trolls, glass, porcelain, pewter, toys and more!"

The buildings throughout the Norway pavilion mimic the architectural design styles traditionally found in Oslo, Alesund, Bergen, and the Setesdal Valley from rough and rustic to a neat, tidy style that would not seem out of place along the New England coastline. Even better, this is one of the only two World Showcase pavilions that has a boat ride...the other located in Mexico that we will be covering toward the end of this week.

WDW Refurb/closure Schedule via Chip & Co.

Disney World Refurbishment Schedule for April 2012

Saturday, March 24, 2012   Chip   4 Comments

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Here is the Refurb and Closure Schedule for Walt Disney World for March 2012 and beyond. Refurbishment/closure information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available at the Disney World Website.
Current

• Bay Cove Pool Slide (Bay Lake Tower at Contemporary Resort) closed through 3/16/12 for refurbishment. The pool will remain open.

• Typhoon Lagoon closed through 3/17/12 for annual refurbishment.
• Piano Pool (All-Star Music Resort) closed through 3/23/12 for refurbishment. The Calypso Pool will remain open.
• Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (Magic Kingdom) closed through 3/27/12 for refurbishment.
• Feature Pool Slide (Contemporary Resort) closed through 3/30/12 for refurbishment. The pool will remain open.
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Magic Kingdom) closed through 3/31/12 for refurbishment.
• Nanea Volcano Pool Slide (Polynesian Resort) closed through 4/1/12 for refurbishment. The pool will remain open.
• Tutto Italia Restaurant (Epcot) closed through 4/27/12 for refurbishment.
• Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) closed through 5/20/12 for refurbishment.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) closed through 5/27/12 for refurbishment.
• Innoventions: House of Innoventions exhibit closed through late April 2012 for refurbishment.
• Grand Floridian Spa (Grand Floridian Resort) closed through mid-2013 due to construction at the resort. The Grand Floridian Fitness Center will remain open and guests may use The Spa at Saratoga Springs Resort.

Upcoming

• Boardwalk Inn leisure pool closed 3/19/12-3/22/12 for refurbishment. The feature pool and villas leisure pools will remain open.
• Test Track (Epcot) closed April 2012-September 2012 for transformation to the Chevrolet Design Center.
• Stormalong Bay Pool (Yacht & Beach Club Resorts) and slide closed 4/9/12-4/23/12 for refurbishment. Only a portion of the pool will be closed. Guests may use the open parts of the pool and the pool and slide at BoardWalk Inn Resort.
• Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) closed 4/16/12-5/20/12 for refurbishment.
• Lights! Motors! Action! Extreme Stunt Show (Hollywood Studios) closed 4/29/12-5/2/12 for refurbishment.
• Lake Buena Vista Golf Course closed 5/7/12-5/17/12 for refurbishment.
• Magnolia Golf Course closed 5/14/12-5/23/12 for refurbishment.
• Palm Golf Course closed 5/29/12-6/8/12 for refurbishment.
• Oak Trail Golf Course closed 5/29/12-9/28/12 for refurbishment.
• Cape May Cafe (Yacht & Beach Club Resorts) closed 7/9/12-8/3/12 for refurbishment.
• Hoop Dee Doo Review closed 8/5/12-12/31/12 for refurbishment.
• Yachtsman Steakhouse (Yacht & Beach Club Resorts) closed 8/27/12-9/14/12 for refurbishment.