Walt Disney’s World Epcot offers all this and more – and needless to say, it can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors. Today, we’re sharing 7 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid at Epcot so you can make the most of this magnificent park.

7 Rookie Mistake to Avoid at Disney World’s Epcot

…

Below, I’ve listed some of the rookie mistakes that I see happen nearly every trip I’ve made. Epcot is the one park where a rookie mistake could ruin the rest of your trip. Here are some rookie mistakes to avoid at Disney World’s Epcot!

7. Underestimating the Size of Epcot

Epcot is 300 acres! That’s 227 football fields.

The time suggestions to travel between attractions are often inaccurate. Whether they are supplied by the the My Disney Experience App or many of the “top” Disney travel websites that are written by adults who don’t take small children to the parks.

According to My Disney Experience, it should take you 10 minutes to walk from Spaceship Earth to the Frozen Ever After ride in the Norway Pavillion. I can tell you honestly as a mom who is travelling with little humans with little legs, that trip is going to take you at least 20 minutes unless all the kids are buckled into strollers and you’re keeping a good pace – unhindered by busy crowds.

This is such an important thing to keep in mind when making your Epcot plans, whether you’re trying to make it to a character meeting or a dining reservation. It will take twice as long as the app suggests.

6. Not Wearing Sunblock or Good Shoes

A rookie mistake to avoid at Disney World’s Epcot is forgetting your sunscreen or sunshades.

Epcot is one of the more “wide open” parks. There isn’t a lot of shade in between the countries, and it’s usually already occupied. Can you imagine getting sunburnt the first day?

The rest of your trip would be pretty rough. Even if you’re fine in the sun, don’t forget about those kiddos in strollers. Their little legs hanging out in the sun all day could get burnt.

And when it comes to good shoes… remember how I said that Epcot is REALLY big?

Not only is it a huge park, you will spend most of your time walking rather than riding – the walk around the countries is 1.2 miles, by ITSELF! Add onto that the walk from the hotel and transportation and you will be on your feet a lot.

Your footwear is going to matter a lot at this park, and that includes your socks. I understand wanting to dress nice at some of the restaurants, but high heels or loafers are just a bad idea if you plan on visiting the rest of the park.

5. Not Digging Further

It wasn’t until my third trip to Epcot that I discovered that what I thought was just a decorative pyramid in the Mexico Pavillion actually houses an amazing shopping area styled after an open-air Mexican vendor market, the Gran Fiesta Tour ride AND La Cantina de San Angel restaurant.

The same can be said for several other areas, like the Morocco Pavillion that features a seemingly dead-end alleyway that holds several shops and even a character meet and greet.

Take your time exploring the nooks and crannies of this park to discover all of it’s hidden treasures.

4. Not Riding Soarin’

While Spaceship Earth is just a classic and everyone jostles to get into Frozen Ever After, my hands-down favorite ride at Epcot is Soarin’.

This unique 4D roller coaster often has a short wait time but it’s such a fun experience. I don’t want to give away too much but if you decide to make the time for this ride, all I have to say is “nice work, pal!”

3. Test Track Trap

I’ve been going to Disney World long enough to remember Test Track opening.

My kids absolutely love Test Track, but it breaks down a lot. This means that your predicted hour wait could easily become two. It is completely worth it, especially if you’ve never ridden it, however I recommend planning accordingly if you really want to ride this one. Don’t have an important ride or reservation booked immediately afterwards.

2. Skipping Rope Drop

A lot of people only plan half a day for Epcot, which is such a mistake!

Although the World Showcase doesn’t open until later in the morning, you really do need a full day (at least) to explore this park.

Get there for rope drop and experience everything you can in the Future Showcase BEFORE the World Pavillion opens up.

This is SUPER important if you want to ride Frozen Ever After. If you don’t get to this ride early, then expect a pretty lengthy wait.

1. Not Taking Your Sweet Time in the Countries

A major rookie mistake to avoid is not taking the time to “taste” the countries.

Disney has so many festivals throughout the year that it’s always festival season at Epcot! We’ve been lucky enough to experience several of these but my personal favorites are the Festival of the Arts and the Food and Wine Festival.

During these Festivals, there are additional attractions, vendor booths, experiences and even more dining options available to guests. Many of these are only available once – so if you miss them on one trip, you won’t ever get a chance to experience them again.

Slow down, appreciate your surroundings – and taste everything you can!

I hope this blog post was helpful in helping you learn to navigate how to get around these rookie mistakes to avoid while at Epcot!

I highly recommend looking into the food and wine festival here! Also, come join us over at Disney Express Lane on Facebook here!

The post 7 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid at Disney World’s Epcot appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Try Epcot’s Food And Wine

Our first Disney World vacation was during Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival and our second trip was near the end of the same festival. We had only had the pleasure of seeing Epcot with beautiful topiaries all over the place. I loved it and took advantage by taking as many pictures of my kids with the beautiful characters as often as possible! I had really wanted to see the parks during the Fall season though. So, I made sure our next trip was during the Fall! Of course, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party was the main focus. While picking my dates and the night for the party, I came across the fact that, Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival was also going to be taking place. I had heard it could be a little crowded and we aren’t huge fans of crowds. I figured maybe we would try Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival but I didn’t have high hopes. Boy was I ever wrong!!

Arriving At Epcot

When we arrived in Epcot on our designated day, the kiosks weren’t open yet. We could smell the amazing food already! We made sure to get a Food and Wine Passport so we could see what everyone had to offer and started to make a plan of attack. When I say a “plan” that means we just got into the shortest lines! The kiosks opened around 11 am and the lines got long pretty quickly. We would spread out and get into different lines to maximize our time.

You can use snack credits for most of the food if you are on a Disney Dining Plan. However, any alcohol you purchase is something you will pay out of pocket for. We spent the entire day in Epcot using our Fastpasses and stopping by different food locations. We tried so many new things in countries we have never tried before. My kids enjoyed the sweet stuff. My son really enjoyed a waffle with a fruit compote and whipped cream on top! It was delicious! There were four of us so we had a lot of snack credits between us. 15 snack credits per person and we used a fairly good amount of them up during this Festival. We tried lots of different ciders, beers and wines on top of all of the amazing foods!

Try Epcot’s Food And Wine With The Dining Plan

When we go, we usually get the Disney Dining Plan and we end up using up a ton of snack credits on the last day in the resort gift shop. We buy bags of candy (most of which we never eat)! So I was adamant that if we went to the Food and Wine Festival we were going to use our snack credits!

A Few Tips When You Try Epcot’s Food And Wine

Here are a few tips for visiting the Festival that we learned very quickly. One is to get one of the food items and share. You don’t want to fill up too quickly! We did not make any sit down reservations for our Epcot day because I figured we would be eating a lot. Boy, was I was right. We ate so much that we didn’t use any dining plan credits other than snack credits.

Another tip is to try to avoid the Festival on Friday and Saturday nights. We had reservations at Via Napoli on a Saturday night and we had to walk through Epcot in a huge crowd. On top of the crowds, people were getting a bit rowdy at that point. We prefer not to visit during the evening hours. 

Once Was NOT Enough!

When we finished our trip, we discussed the best parts of the trip. My husband and I both agreed that our time at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival was a HIGH point for us both. We were able to use all of our dining credits between our time in the other parks and the Festival. To us, this was a great use of the Disney Dining Plan. We tried new foods that we would not ordinarily choose. We both agreed that we would absolutely attend Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival again!

Head over to our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, for more Disney World fun and information!

The post Why You Should Try Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival At Least Once appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Hacks For Epcot’s Food and Wine

If you have been around our blog for long, you know we LOVE Epcot’s festivals. The Food and Wine Festival has been around for quite some time now and it only gets bigger and better ever year! This year’s festival will run from August 29th until November 23, giving you plenty of days to sample everything they have to offer! And believe us, you will want to try it ALL and go back for seconds and thirds!

We have some pretty amazing hacks for Epcot’s Food and Wine festival that will help you make the MOST out of your experience!

Go EARLY in the week. Monday through Thursday is usually considerably less crowded than the weekends, when locals tend to visit more.

AVOID the weekend, if possible. I know, sometimes this may not be an option. If you have to visit on a weekend, keep reading to learn how to still make the most of your experience! You will STILL have a blast!

World Showcase OPENS AT 11 am and you need to be there! Take advantage of extra magic hours if you are staying at a Disney World resort.

Plan TWO DAYS to take in everything the festival has to offer! When Epcot is hosting a festival, we like to spend one day exploring the World Showcase and another day in Future World. On our second Epcot day, we go back to our favorites from the festival!

Get a DISCOUNT on seminars and more. Yep, if you are an annual pass-holder or DVC member, you can score a little discount for Food and Wine seminars and more!

NO extra park ticket is required. That’s right! Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is INCLUDED in your admission to Epcot. NICE, I know!

BEGIN at the Festival Port of Entry. Everyone asks where to begin this delicious journey and we think the best spot is at the official Port of Entry. I mean, you don’t want to miss anything, right?

ALLERGY FRIENDLY options are available at many of the refreshment ports. Check the signs and ask if you are not sure!

Grab BREAKFAST in Future World! Booths in the Future World open when the park opens, usually at 9 am. Grab breakfast there and be ready to hit the World Showcase at 11 am, when it opens. Make that fast pass for Soarin’ or Test Track at 10 am!

Bring PONCHOS! You KNOW this one! Don’t even chance it!

DISNEY GIFT CARDS can be a HUGE money saver during the festival! Purchase them in advance at a discount and use for your food purchases during the festival.

Stay on-site at an EPCOT RESORT! There are several resorts on Disney World property that offer direct access to Epcot’s World Showcase! This provides easy access to all of the yumminess and is very convenient! Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort all offer direct access to the World Showcase through the International Gateway. The Disney Skyliner will also allow transportation to Epcot from the following resorts: Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort and Art of Animation.

WATER, WATER and even more WATER. If you plan on drinking around the World Showcase, you will definitely want to drink a lot of water! This will keep you hydrated in the Orlando heat! Remember that most quick service restaurants will give you a free cup of ice water.

Do NOT make advanced dining reservations. I mean, if you really want to, go ahead, but don’t say we didn’t warn you! With all of the dining options during the Food and Wine Festival, you could literally have a 20 course meal! Even picky eaters will find a favorite!

MAXIMIZE that Disney Dining Plan! Here is where is gets good. Listen to what I am saying. GET THE DINING PLAN when you visit Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. There will be a menu at each marketplace and you will see the little emblem below. That means it’s a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan! One quick service meal will also convert to three snacks! You could sample something from each country and even have a dessert.

• The Disney Dining Plan is only available to guests staying at a Disney World Resort.
• A table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan will also convert to three snack credits, but I do not recommend this, as it is not a money saver.
• Look for this little purple and white emblem and you will know right away that it’s a snack credit!

BONUS TIP-If you are staying on site at a Disney World resort, you have the option to have any purchases sent to your resort! So, you don’t have to lug around all of the goodies that you purchase at the Food and Wine Festival! Believe me, there will be a ton of merchandise that you will not be able to resist. Well, you might can resist, I sure could NOT!!

Hacks For Epcot’s Food and Wine

If you are planning on visiting this amazing festival, be sure to check out 2019 FOOD AND WINE GUIDE for every little detail you will need to know about for this year’s festival!

Head on over to Facebook and join our group: DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

A big THANK YOU to our friend Vince for sharing some of his Food and Wine treats with us!

The post 15 Genius Hacks For Epcot’s Food And Wine Festival At Disney World appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

EPCOT’s 2019 Food and Wine

Lots of details have just become available for EPCOT’s 2019 Food and Wine Festival. We can’t wait to share them with you so you can make your plans to attend! Let’s get started!

Updated 6/28/2019

New for 2019! Tailgating at ESPN Wide World of Sports. What? Yes, you read that right!

Tailgate Tasting hosted by ESPN’s Monday Night Football, available select Sundays starting September 8 – November 17. The 45-minute program will pair gridiron grub with a beverage tasting inspired by the cities of pro teams playing each Monday night. Even better, you’ll learn how to prepare the dishes for your next tailgate party!

Of course the main event of this festival will be the FOOD AND WINE! Menu’s have not been released just yet, but as soon as they are, we will have them right here for you. I am sure they will be SCRUMPTIOUS!

Take a peek at some of the other fun you will find at EPCOT’s 2019 Food and Wine!

Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Enjoy daily concerts from artists such as Sugar Ray, Everclear, 38 Special and more! For a complete lineup of this year’s concert series, just click this link: 2019 CONCERT SERIES.

• Where: America Gardens Theatre at World Showcase, Epcot
• When: Daily from August 29 through November 19, 2019
• Showtimes – Sundays to Thursdays: 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM
• Showtimes – Fridays and Saturdays: 6:30 PM, 7:45 PM and 9:00 PM

Want to make sure you have a nice viewing spot for the concert? Grab an Eat to the Beat dining package at select EPCOT restaurants and receive preferred viewing! All Eat to the Beat dining packages are now two credits on the Disney Dining Plan.

Party for the Senses

Feast on this tribute to the sensory arts! Join acclaimed chefs, personalities and entertainers for elegant festivities during this delectable evening of food, fun and friends.

• World ShowPlace Events Pavilion in Epcot
• Select Saturdays during the Festival
• Wine View Lounge: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
• Reserved Seating: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
• From $229 to $359 per Guest per Guest—plus tax, gratuity included

2019 Dates

• September 21
• October 5, 12 and 19
• November 9

Please note: each event has 2 seating options. Required Epcot admission is not included with the event ticket. Alcohol will only be served to Guests 21 and older. All events are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Booking available beginning on May 15, 2019.

Foodie Seminars

Beginning on May 15, 2019, seminars will be available to book for this year’s festival. There will be an extra cost for these events.

• Cheese Seminar
• Beverage Seminar
• Food and Beverage Pairings
• Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!
• Culinary Demonstrations

Extra Fun for the Kiddos

A lot of people think that the Food and Wine Festival is for adults only, NO WAY!! The kiddos will have a blast with all of this extra fun around EPCOT!

• Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt-Embark on a Ratatoullie-inspired scavenger hunt to find statuettes of Remy hidden throughout World Showcase. Your journey begins when you purchase your map and stickers from select Festival merchandise locations—including Pin Central, Port of Entry or World Traveler at International Gateway.
• Family Play Zone-A super fun and interactive play area dedicated to the kids!
• Candy Sushi-Learn how to roll your own sweet sushi treats with a Disney Chef in this hands-on Festival offering at 3:30 and 5:30 daily at The Land pavilion. Booking information coming soon!
• Disney du Jour Dance Party-Interactive atmosphere open 7 days a week for dancing fun!

Don’t Forget

There will also be special merchandise that will only be available for the 2019 Food and Wine Festival! Grab it while you can, it won’t last!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets are on sale NOW and this spooky party begins August 16th!

Are you a huge Food and Wine fan or will this year be your first time experiencing it? We would love to hear all about your past experiences or even help you plan your visit! Join our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

The post Guide To EPCOT’s 2019 International Food And Wine Festival appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

2019 Food and Wine Festival

The Food and Wine festival has come to be one of the biggest and best festivals in EPCOT, drawing in thousands of fans each year. Beginning August 29, 2019 and going through November 23, 2019, this will be the longest running Food and Wine Festival EVER! That means a record breaking 87 days of deliciousness at your fingertips! What could be better than that? Here are a few highlights of what you can expect to find this year.

This year’s festival will continue its tradition of offering tasty dishes, fine dining events, and appearances by favorite Disney culinarians and top celebrity chefs.

Keep your eye on TasteEpcot.com and the Disney Parks Blog for updates on this year’s celebrity chef appearances, Eat to the Beat artists, dining packages, special events and more.

If you have never visited EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival, what are you waiting for? There are literally treats and surprises at every turn in EPCOT! 2019 will be a year to remember.

Eat To The Beat Concert Series

The Eat To The Beat Concert Series will be a little different this year, ending a few days before the actual festival ends. The concert series will end on November 19, 2019, to prepare for the Candlelight Processional. Be sure to keep that in mind when making plans. Watch for announcements regarding the Eat To The Beat Concert Dining Packages that may be released soon. These dining packages allow you to dine at selected EPCOT restaurants and give you a preferred viewing location for the concert later in the evening. A definite WIN-WIN!

The concert series will feature a lineup of pop, rock, R&B, country, Christian, swing and Latin artists.

Dates Also Released For EPCOT’s Festival Of The Holidays

EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays is another amazing festival that you simply do not want to miss. Each country represented will tell their story of the holidays, complete with samples of holiday cuisines! The Festival of the Holidays will return November 29, 2019 and run through December 30, 2019.

Don’t forget about a pretty special event that also takes place during the holidays at EPCOT! The Candlelight Processional:  this magical event features nightly retellings of the traditional Christmas story read by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a choir and live orchestra. Watch for dining packages to be released soon!

Anytime is a great time to visit Disney World, but there is just something special about visiting Disney World during the fall and holiday time! Make plans now to enjoy all that EPCOT and the Disney Parks have to offer.

Stay tuned to Walt Express for all of your Food and Wine information!

We would love to have you join our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, where we love everything “Disney” AND we love to talk about it!

The post Dates Released For 2019 EPCOT’s Food And Wine Festival appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

2019 Disneyland Food and Wine Festival

This festival at Disneyland’s California Adventure runs from March 1 through April 23, 2019, giving you plenty of time to experience all it has to offer. You will find 14 marketplaces, all with fresh and delicious, California grown goodness! Whether you are a foodie at heart or enjoy a little fine wine or craft beer, we bet you will find it here at the 2019 Disneyland Food and Wine Festival.

Disneyland Food and Wine Festival Treats

First on Michelle’s tour, she enjoys some of the delicious treats that this festival has to offer. We have them numbered for you, in no particular order, of course! We do suggest trying them all! With 14 marketplaces, you will definitely find something you LOVE!

1. Mimosa Flight from Uncorked California: $17.00
2. Pepperoni Pizza Egg Rolls with Marinara and Pesto from California Craft Brews: $7.00 ***kid friendly dish
3. Creamy Mac and Cheese With Garlic Bread Crumble from Garlic Kissed: $7.75 ***kid friendly and vegetarian
4. Esquites Sweet Corn Nuggets with Bacon Lardons from Off the Cob: $6.25 ***kid friendly
5. Watermelon Lemonade with Watermelon Garnish ($5.75) and Harris Ranch Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Chimichurri Sauce ($8.50) from Cluck a Doodle Moo
6. Salt and Vinegar Parmesan Chicken Wings from Cluck a Doodle Moo: $5.75

   

    

   Yes, we believe that THIS treat deserved a spot by itself. Let’s just take a moment to really look at that CAKE! YUMMY!

A Sweeter Treat

Taste your way through this festival by purchasing a Sip and Savor pass. The pass will let you choose eight select food or non-alcoholic beverage items throughout the marketplaces! You can use all eight coupons or save some for later on your next visit!

Sip and Savor pass: $54 with eight tabs

More Treats

Michelle also found these sweet treats! Sorry, these are not edible!! But they are exclusive only to the festival. Once the festival ends, these treats are GONE! You will be able to find these treats throughout the festival.

For Passholders

Only available for Passholders and what an awesome treat it is! We just love these Passholder treats.

I think we can all agree that a trip to Disneyland may be in order! I would personally love to thank Michelle for sharing her amazing experience with us! We can’t wait until she shares her experiences again with us.

You can find Michelle on Instagram HERE: https://www.istangram.com/disneyharvickfan. We love following her adventures and I am sure you will too!

Do you love Disneyland? We would love to have you join our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, for more Disney information and fun!

The post First Look At The 2019 Disneyland Food And Wine Festival appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Adrienne from @DisneyTripsandSips took us on a tour of the B-Resort & Spa and I am so glad she did! Take a peek at B Resort and Spa Close To Disney Springs In Disney World!

Location

Location is everything! The B-Resort & Resort is not technically on Walt Disney World property, but it is apart of the Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels. Guests at the resort can enjoy complimentary shuttle transportation to Disney Theme Parks, Disney Springs and Disney Water Parks. Disney Springs is also within easy walking distance of the hotel.

Extra Magic Hours

At B Resort & Spa you can also enjoy Extra Magic Hours like you would at Disney World Resort Hotels. So that is a big perk, if you cannot live without Extra Magic Hours! 

Guest Room Options

With a wide-array of guest room options, I am sure you’ll find the perfect option to make the most of your Disney vacation. Whether you’re looking for a spacious suite, pool view with private outdoor lanai, or breathtaking views of nearby attractions and nightly firework displays, B Resort & Spa is the perfect location to make your Disney vacation dreams a reality.

Special Offers

B Resort & Spa offers several options for discounts and special offers. One they offer that I think is pretty cool is the B-Day $1 Stay Special Offer. You can ask your Travel Agent about this one and more special offer options when you book. Travel Agents can tell you all of the special offers that you can take advantage of before you even start planning. (That is just one of the many perks of using a Travel Agent.)

Eating & Drinking

The American Kitchen Bar and Grill is located inside of the B Resort and is very convenient to all of the amenities the B Resort has to offer! You can also enjoy The Pickup, a one-stop shop for a quick breakfast or to stock up on snacks before heading out for the day, along with a poolside Bar and Grill. 

Extra Amenities

• zero-entry pool
• creative culinary concepts
• FreeB WiFi
• Be Indulged by AVEDA full-service spa
• receive preferred tee times at Disney championship golf courses
• explore the nearby, expansive retail outlets 

Using A Travel Agent

As I mentioned before, using a travel agent has many perks! If you are planning a trip to the B Resort & Spa pr any hotels or resorts to visit Disney World contact a Travel Agent and let them create the magic for you!

Why should you use a Travel Agent? Check out Pros and Cons of Using a Disney Travel Planner.

Want to use a Disney Travel Planner for your next Disney vacation? Well, we have just the team for you! Get a FREE quote right here! 

Pros

• affordable for a larger family
• suites available
• spa and lots of amenities
• close to all of the Disney park action
• walking distance to Disney Springs

Cons

• not on Disney World property
• cannot use the Disney World bus system
• cannot take advantage of the Disney Dining plans

Image credit: Booking.com

The post B Resort and Spa Close To Disney Springs In Disney World appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Friday night (April 27, 2018) was a festive night at the Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom is loosing a sweet icon that is cherished by many. But, fear not, he isn’t going far. Keep reading for more details!

8 Disney World Instagram Accounts You Cannot Live Without

Guy Behind The Castle

The Guy Behind The Castle is not only a security guard, but a man that many call, friend. Brett spent years protecting the castle. He spent years becoming friends with many visitors and has made himself a bit of a name on Instagram.

The Guy Behind The Castle got a sweet farewell on Friday night from many of his friends and he was a bit of a celebrity as he took pictures with some of his many followers. As the PhotoPass photographer snapped pics, the line to take a picture with Brett looked as if he had Mickey or Minnie in his pocket. Character PhotoPass lines had nothing on Brett, he was the celebrity that night! I am pretty sure Walt himself would have even given him a handshake and a warm smile if he would have been there. He wouldn’t have been able to contain his happiness for him, as many others could not either.

Although Brett may be leaving the Magic Kingdom, fear not, he isn’t leaving Disney World! He is moving to Hollywood Studios to protect Andy as his right-hand security-guard-man. Be sure to check his Instagram account out as he says “good-bye” to the Magic Kingdom and “hello” to Hollywood Studios!

Please note, the day this article came out Brett changed his IG handle to Guy Behind The Magic, @guybehindthemagic! Very fitting Brett! 

Well my time here has finally come to an end. I can’t thank the cast members and guests and loved ones that have made the last 5 years as a Security Host oh so memorable. ❤️✨ • Now I look forward to my next big adventure at Hollywood Studios as the security host in Toy Story Land. So when the walls come down look for me in Andy’s backyard.✨????????✨???? • • #magickingdom #wdw #wherethemagiclives #disneyfriends #disneyfriendsarethebest #fantasyland #guybehindthecastle #disneysecurity #protectingthemagic #sharethemagic #letthememoriesbegin #disneypic #ilovemyjob #unforgettablecast #mostmagicalplaceonearth #waltdisneyworld #mydisneyadventure #bestdayever #happiestplaceonearth #disneyig #instadisney #disneyfamily #disneyday #lifeofacastmember #thanksforthememories

A post shared by Brett (@guybehindthecastle) on Apr 28, 2018 at 3:47am PDT

He documents a lot of his amazing Disney life with his daughter, son, soon-to-be-wife, Jenn (Instagram handle: @jenbehindthecastle, of course, what else would it be? 😉 ) and many Disney Buddies.

Update: And of course, Jenn made sure to change her IG handle as well. From what I hear she came up with the clever name change. (Or at least that is what was written on an IG post announcing the name change! As if, I am in the loop! 😉 ) Jenn is now Jenn Behind The Magic! @jennbehindthemagic

I didn’t take many pictures last night but words can’t describe how wonderful it was having so many friends and family there for Brett’s last night. I’m going to try and tag the pictures but I apologize in advance for anyone I might forget (or that IG won’t let me tag because there’s apparently a limit). It was truly a magical experience for Brett and I, but especially Brett as he finished up one last night at Magic Kingdom!

A post shared by Jenn (@jennbehindthecastle) on Apr 28, 2018 at 7:41am PDT

More Instagram Friends

Speaking of Disney Buddies, even though Brett won’t be in the Magic Kingdom protecting the castle, he will still frequent and visit with his many friends. One of them was so kind to document Friday night on our Instagram account. For all of us that couldn’t be there, she filmed all of the good-byes and the sweet farewells for us, so we wouldn’t miss out on the fun!

Be sure to check Emily out on Instagram. She is always in the parks and when I say always, I truly mean, always. She is a dear friend of mine and she is one of the many friends I have made on Instagram.

She is usually in the parks with her sweet bestie (that made a debut on the video too), Summer @myheartbeatsdisney, so be sure to follow her too! 

Brett, I know tonight is going to be tough as this chapter of your life closes. But I so look forward to seeing what the future has in store for you and your family. You have guarded the castle so well, Andy will be lucky to have you! Never ever forget how special you are to so many people! Love you, Ohana!!

A post shared by Emily Rios ???? (@emilysohana) on Apr 27, 2018 at 10:52am PDT

If you aren’t involved in the Disney Instagram community, I am really not sure what you are waiting for, for realz! The Disney Instagram community is filled with great people that have the potential of becoming true friends that are like family.

The Disney Instagram Community I Have Grown To Love

There are many more Instagram accounts that I have grown to love, but the following IG accounts, you truly cannot live without. My friends are full of humor, occasional snark, disney fashion, lots of drinking around the world and plenty of G-rated shenanigans. Okay, you called me bluff, they aren’t all G-rated. Yeah, so sue us! We know how to have fun!

So, if you are looking for beyond the normal Disney Instagram accounts that will catch your attention with eye-catching posts, fun captions that may make you blush, posts and stories full of information and tips, or IG stories that take you to the parks first-hand, well then you need to follow these fun-filled, fun-loving peeps, I call friends!

Adrienne LeBlanc @disneytripsandsips

Dressing well is a form of good manners. — Tom Ford ???? • • • • Thankfully I dress well enough to make up for my dirty pirate hooker mouth. * wink * It sure would be nice to be at Magic Kingdom today, dressed to the nines in an outfit tighter than a camel’s anus during a sandstorm, hotter than a whore’s snatch on nickel night in the panhandle of Texas, busier than mustard trying to ketchup, Main Street magical meltdowns. But instead I’ve got my toes in the water, ass in the sand and bubbly in hand. * sigh * I guess there’s always Dapper Day in the fall. Happy Dapper Day Weekend, y’all, especially to my adorable, vintage-inspired, always pretty and polished friend @beautifulbeulahmagic – you are the definition of “dapper”! ???? • • • • #dapperday #disneyparks #wdw #waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #takemetodisney #featuremydisney #happiestplaceonearth #igers_wdw #igers_disney #disneygram #instadisney #disneyaholic #turndownforwalt #disneytripsandsips

A post shared by Adrienne LeBlanc (@disneytripsandsips) on Apr 28, 2018 at 11:00am PDT

Maria P. @minniemariamouse

If you could meet any #avenger who would it be? #starlord and #groot???? are mine and also one of my favorite under the radar meet and greets @disneyparks . He showed me sweet dance moves but the best was the Macarena and Groot actually able to do it lol!!! #avengersassemble. FYI: IM THE WORST DANCER EVER lol… #starlordandgroot had moves though! The same evening in my outfit I met my favorite Toy Story character who showed me the electric slide and I fell on my face lol. By the way did any of you catch who I’m dressed as?;) @disneybound…. #disneygram #disneyvideo #disney #wdw #hollywoodstudios #marvel #marvelcomics #marveluniverse #avengersinfinitywar #avengers #instadisney #wdwbde #awesomemix #thewave #therobot #macarena #disneymeets #wdwcharactermeet #thanosdemandsyoursilence #disneyphotopasss #disneyphotos #disneyparks #disneygram #disneygrammer #disneycharacter #guardiansofthegalaxy

A post shared by Maria P:Keeping Up With Disney (@minniemariamouse) on Apr 26, 2018 at 4:47pm PDT

Meghan @disneyitgirl

Dreaming of Daring Sword Fights, Magic Spells, a Prince in Disguise. • • • #disneyaccount #disney #disneyblog #disneystyle #disneyside #disneyitgirl #wdw_igers #disneyparks #disneyworld #tokyodisneysea #tokyodisney #igers_wdw #wdwbestdayever #disneyfollow #disneydaily #magickingdom #disneyootd #disneyphoto #featuremydisney #stylemepretty #disneyparksstyle #disneylifestyle

A post shared by ????MEGHAN AND ALEXIS???? (@disneyitgirl) on Apr 23, 2018 at 10:10am PDT

Do you have any favorite Disney Instagram accounts? Please share with us on our Instagram account, @walt_express. DM us and give us a chat. We love getting to know other Disney fans.

I still CANNOT believe we finally got to meet this guy at Animal Kingdom on Earth Day! I know the crowds can be a little crazy for a holiday at the World, but some of the perks are simply worth it. And rare character meet & greets are one of them! What’s one of your favorite things about visiting Disney for a holiday!? Tell us all your secrets!

A post shared by w a l t ???? e x p r e s s (@walt_express) on Apr 28, 2018 at 9:04pm PDT

And of course, follow me on my personal account where I share Disney Fashion, Disney, Disney and more Disney. Just come on over and follow to see for yourself, @faithnpixie1. Make sure you say “Hi”!

I wore this in my IG stories today (go check them out, you know you need to hear all of my wisdom ???? I can’t type that with a straight face ????) and in true wonderful people fashion you asked me to give you all of the details. So here I am giving all of the wonderful people the details! • • That’s all anyone needs right?! A little bit of Disney and a whole lot of Jesus!!! I can’t go to the Parks right now, so I’m bringing the parks to me with some cute Disney attire, of course, from my head all the way down to my tootsies. I may be sitting around on my butt after heart surgery, but a girl has got to look cute and comfy right?! • • Make sure you shop this IG pic and others in my bio! • • Shirt is @mikiwilliams4 and cozy is @blhstitchesco. DM them for details! ????

A post shared by {ThePurposeFULLWoman} Amanda (@faithnpixie1) on Apr 27, 2018 at 6:11pm PDT

Other Articles You May Like

6 Athletic Shoes That Are Perfect For Your Next Disney Parks Visit

Stylish Bags That Are Perfect For Your Next Disney Parks Visit

The post 8 Disney World Instagram Accounts You Cannot Live Without appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Just Released: Concert Lineup for Epcot’s Eat To The Beat Concert Series

Everyone has been anticipating news from Epcot’s 2018 International Food and Wine Festival! Disney Parks Blog just announced the lineup for this year’s Eat To The Beat Concert Series that takes place nightly in the World Showcase. You WON’T be disappointed! Read on to find out who will be there!

From Disney Parks Blog

As if you think the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival couldn’t get any better – you were wrong!

With a record number of days (75) and a record number of Global Marketplaces (35), we are also amping up the Eat to the Beat concert series with 11 new artists including Jazz Legend Kenny G, and pop superstars like 10,000 Maniacs and Squeeze.

Here is the complete lineup!

• 8/31 – 9/1 – Delta Rae (“Bottom of the River”)
• 9/2 – 9/3 – The Hooters (“And We Danced”) NEW
• 9/4 – 9/5 – Baha Men (“Who Let the Dogs Out”) NEW
• 9/6 – 9/7 – Fuel (“Shimmer”)
• 9/8 -9/20 – STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”)
• 9/11 – 9/12 – Lauren Alaina (“Road Less Traveled”) NEW
• 9/13 – 9/15 – Plain White T’s (“Hey There Delilah”)
• 9/16 – 9/17 – Sister Hazel (“All For You”)
• 9/18 – 9/20- Air Supply (“All Out Of Love”)
• 9/21 – 9/22 – David Cook (“Light On”)
• 9/23 – 9/24 – Everclear (“Santa Monica”)
• 9/25 – 9/27 – Sugar Ray (“Every Morning)
• 9/28 – 9/29 – .38 Special (“Hold On Loosely”)
• 9/30 – 10/1 – Mark Wills (“19 Somethin’”)
• 10/2 – 10/3 – American Authors (“Best Day of My Life”)
• 10/4 – 10/5 – Christopher Cross (“Sailing”)
• 10/6 – 10/8 – Devon Allman (“Rugged ad Dirty”) NEW
• 10/9 – 10/11 – Dennis DeYoung: The music of STYX (“Come Sail Away”)
• 10/12 – 10/13 – Taylor Dayne (“Tell It To My Heart”)
• 10/14 – 10/15 – Jeffrey Osborne (“On The Wings of Love”)
• 10/16 – 10/17 – Postmodern Jukebox (Various Hits) NEW
• 10/18 – 10/20 – 10,000 Maniacs (“Because the Night”) NEW
• 10/21 – 10/22 – Toad The Wet Sprocket (“Walk on the Ocean”)
• 10/23 – 10/24 – Kenny G (“Songbird”) NEW
• 10/25 – 10/26 – Billy Ocean (“Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car”)
• 10/27 – 10/29 – Tiffany (“I Think We’re Alone Now”)
• 10/30 – 11/1 – Hanson (“MMMBop”)
• 11/2 – 11/3 – Blue October (“Into The Ocean”) NEW
• 11/4 – 11/5 – Living Colour (“Cult of Personality”)
• 11/6 – 11/8 – Boyz II Men (“End of the Road”)
• 11/9 – 11/11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (“Go Daddy-O”)
• 11/12 – 11/13 – Squeeze (“Tempted”) NEW

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opens Aug. 31 and runs through Nov. 13. This year is the longest running ever, a full 75 days of Food and Wine fun!

Tips

• Performances are 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m. daily.
• Concerts are included in Epcot admission. (Epcot admission is required).
• Lineup is subject to change; songs listed are for artist recognition only and may not be included in the concert play list.
• For more information on Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, click here: MORE FOOD AND WINE NEWS!

Join us for more news and Disney fun in our Facebook group: DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

photo credit: Jeff Krause Photography Epcot – Food & Wine Festival via photopin (license)

The post Just Released: Concert Lineup for Epcot’s Eat To The Beat Concert Series appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

The 2016 Food & Wine Festival has begun at Walt Disney World and I can smell the snacks all the way in Alabama. Ok, maybe not all the way in Alabama. However, my senses are in overdrive just thinking about the delicious snacks that are are being served up right now. My family has been a few times to enjoy this incredible event and I have some tips to pass along to help you make your Food & Wine Experience the best yet.

Proper Planning is Key

What’s that you say? You don’t need a plan? Are you kidding me?! You need a plan, people! Have you even looked at these menus? If not, check out full menus and all of the choices for the 2016 Food & Wine Festival here. Trust me when I tell you that you really want to look over these and plan out a strategy. You can’t just go in to Food & Wine and taste a few here or there. Why? Well, hello! There are about eight gazillion booths with several options at each.

I’m serious when I say that there are so many delicious choices that will assault your senses that you can give up on self control. You will need to be rolled out of the place if you aren’t careful. So yes, a plan is warranted and needed to get the most out of this experience. Pick up a Food & Wine Festival Passport when you get there and stick to your plan!

Pick a Top Five

Here is the way I plan, folks. First, read the menus and decide on a top five and do your best to stick to it. Our strategy is for my husband and I to both pick different snacks and drinks and to try each others. Also, because we are not locals, the plan is always to get the Park Hopper passes and go at least twice during our vacation to make the most out of the trip. If the grandparents are with us, even better!

We also print out the map ahead of time each year and look over it to see where we want to start and end. You can find the 2016 map HERE. To see my top 5 picks from the 2016 Food & Wine Festival, stay tuned for that blog coming soon.

Go When It Isn’t Too Crowded

Another great way to get the most out of the Food and Wine Festival is to go at the right times to avoid heavy crowds.The best advice that I can give you is to avoid the weekends and late evenings. The weekends are busy with lots of locals who come out for long weekends to experience the event. Sundays are especially popular. The late evenings are also very busy because there is an annual pass option for Florida residents that allows pass holders to enter Epcot after 4pm every day. This combined with everyone on vacation from all over the world can create heavy crowds.

The best advice is to stick to the middle of the week and get to the World Showcase area as close to 11 a.m. as you can. Also, try to avoid the very first week of the festival when everyone is foaming at the mouth to be the first ones to try everything. The last few days can also be a bit on the busy side too, so plan accordingly.

Keep the Lines Moving

The thing that bothers my family the most is the sheer amount of people who get in line to get their food, wine, or drinks and don’t have a payment method in hand. This is the main reason the lines move slowly at Food & Wine, so do your part and be prepared (are you singing that like Scar in The Lion King?). My family prefers to purchase the $100 Disney gift card before we leave, because it’s super easy and we don’t have to carry cash into the park. However, my parents prefer to stop and purchase the special gift cards at the festival that have the logo as a keepsake. If you are carrying cash, it’s important to note that most servings are the size of a small appetizer and cost between $4 and $8.

About Those Special Gift Cards

Like I said before, my parents prefer to get the Food & Wine gift cards that are only available for purchase in the park. These gift cards are mini-sized and come with a wristlet to help you keep up with it. You can load it with as little as $15 and it works at all the Food & Wine booths.

If you feel like you will be spending the big bucks at the festival, you can also get the limited Festival Gift Card. This one must be loaded with at least $200, but it comes with a lanyard, a card sleeve,  and a full size gift card with the festival logo. These are all easily swiped or scanned at every booth and will keep the line moving. So for crying out loud, get one and make your life easier and keep the frustration down for everyone. You can find the locations and more information on these gift cards at the following locations:

• Festival Center
• Bridge Kiosk East & West
• Festival Emporium (Canada pavilion)
• Festival Boutique (Japan and Morocco pavilions

Hot Tip

If you are a Disney Chase Visa cardholder, there is a special lounge you can enter at Epcot during this event. It’s located on the 3rd floor in the America Pavilion. This special lounge has charging stations and air conditioning, plus they serve complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Just show you Disney Chase Visa and take advantage or this great place to rest and recharge.

So, there you have it. My tried and true ways to get the most out of your Food & Wine Festival experience. Create a plan, pick a top five, go when it isn’t crowded, and keep the lines moving. Of course, don’t forget those keepsake gift cards that will help you pay quicker and have for years to come.

Do you have tips that I left off? Tell us in the comments section or join us at Disney Express Lane Facebook Group and discuss this and many other Disney topics!

The post How to Get the Most Out of the Food and Wine Festival appeared first on WaltExpress.com.