Disney World Set to Host Its Popular Festival of the Masters

This November 7th through 9th Disney World will once again be holding its popular Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney. Now entering its 31st year, Festival of the Masters showcases a number of masterful artists working in mediums including paint, photography, glass works, sculpture, print, drawing, jewelry and digital art. Along with the masterful display of artistry, the time features a variety of live entertainment and activities to ensure there’s something for everyone on-hand. From browsing the many esteemed pieces of work to create your own masterpiece, Disney’s Festival of the Masters offers an entertaining way to experience the arts during your next vacation!

And while the actual Festival of Masters costs nothing to attend, you certainly won’t want to visit the grounds of Disney World without actually experiencing the parks themselves! Featuring four complete theme parks and two water parks, there’s quite a bit to do - and you can experience as much or little as you like. Whether looking for a one-day admission into Magic Kingdom or looking for an entire vacation experience with a 5-day park hopper pass that will grant admission to all of the parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney-Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom), there’s an experience perfect for you and your family waiting at Disney World.

Frightful Fun for the Entire Family at Disney World!

Halloween may still be over a month off, but Disney World is already gearing up for the holiday with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween. Held at the Magic Kingdom on select dates from September 5 through October 31, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween will feature a number of special events and exhibits in addition to the Magic Kingdom’s always stellar line-up of rides, shows and dining options. In particular, the park will feature a special Halloween parade, trick-or-treating options throughout the park and a special fireworks display. And with a toned-down emphasis on the frightful aspects of Halloween, all ages are sure to enjoy the magic and excitement of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween.

For those looking to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween there are a number of options to consider when visiting Disney World. Featuring four complete theme parks, a downtown area and two water parks, there’s quite a bit to do - and you can experience as much or little as you like. Whether looking for a one-day admission into Magic Kingdom to experience Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween or looking for an entire vacation experience with a 5-day park hopper pass that will grant admission to all of the parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, MGM - Disney Studios, Animal Kingdom), there’s an experience perfect for you and your family waiting at Disney World.

Keeping with the Disney World theme, Downtown Disney is home to one of the most creative and awe-inspiring shows throughout Orlando, if not the entire United States - Cirque du Soleil La Nouba. This impressive Cirque offering presents all of the quality acrobatics and artistry that fans of the series have come to expect. Over 60 performers take to the over 40 foot tall stage for a show that combines the limits of the human imagination with the limits of the human body.

Current Disney World Refurbishments & April Extra Magic Hours

With Spring officially here, it is time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather! And as the days begin to grow longer, Disney World’s Extra Magic Hours will be appreciated all the more. For those not in the know, Extra Magic Hours are special times before or after normal park hours when the theme parks of Disney World are open to offer guests a full day of magic and excitement during their visit. Each of the park’s Extra Magic Hours fall on different days, and to help you completely plan your Disney World vacation we’ve highlighted exactly when each park’s Extra Magic Hours will be.

 Walt Disney World’s Morning Extra Magic Hours in April, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 2, 10, 17, 24
Epcot: 1, 4, 11, 16, 23
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 5, 12, 19, 26
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 7, 14, 21, 28

Walt Disney World’s Evening Extra Magic Hours in April, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 7, 13, 20, 27
Epcot: 4, 11, 18, 25
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 6, 14, 21, 28
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Of course, with Disney World being the encompassing theme park experience that it is, it is to be expected that there will occasionally be attractions and rides shut down for maintainence. Fortunately, this April is expected to see only two attractions shut down for refurbishment, ensuring that you’ll find a busy time regardless of the parks you decide to visit. The following refurbishments for April are:

Magic Kingdom
Minnie’s Country House - closed April 1 through 23

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The American Film Institute Showcase - closed April 1 through 30

Current Disney World Refurbishments & March Magic Hours

 As Spring rolls around Disney World undoubtedly becomes a hot spot for travelers looking for their first taste of warm weather. And to help ensure that you find a truly magical experience during your next Walt Disney World vacation, we’ve highlighted all of the attractions throughout the various theme parks that will be shut down throughout March. This way, you can be sure that you’ll find the exact thrills you’re expecting, all in working order!

Magic Kingdom

• Liberty Square Riverboat - Closed March 1
• Peter Pan’s Flight - Closed March 1 through 11

Blizzard Beach

• All of Blizzard Beach will be closed March 1 through 8

As of this posting, all rides and attractions at EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon are scheduled to be in working order. And while a few attractions in Magic Kingdom, and Blizzard Beach as a whole, will be shut down during the beginning of March, that’s not to say that you’ll be missing out whlie visiting. Every month Disney World features what is called Extra Magic Hours to offer guests the chance to make the most out of their visit to its magical theme parks. Essentially, each park featured in Disney World has specific dates throughout the month when it will have extended hours of operation. Any visitor with a Magic Your Way Ticket will be able to take advantage of the extra hours, which will begin before normal park hours or extend past the typical closing times anywhere from one to three hours. Below, you’ll find a complete list of Extra Magic Hours for February to help in planning your next visit to Disney World!

Walt Disney World’s Morning Extra Magic Hours in March, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 6, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
Epcot: 1, 4, 11, 16, 23
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8, 15, 17, 21, 24, 28
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 3, 10, 19, 22, 26, 29, 31
Blizzard Beach: 20, 27

Walt Disney World’s Evening Extra Magic Hours in March, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 2, 9, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
Epcot: 7, 14, 18, 20, 25, 27
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 3, 10, 19, 26, 31
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 5, 12, 17, 24
Typhoon Lagoon: 22, 29

Current Disney World Refurbishments & February Magic Hours

To help ensure that you find a truly magical experience during your next Walt Disney World vacation, we’ve highlighted all of the attractions throughout the various theme parks that will be shut down throughout January and February. This way, you can be sure that you’ll find the exact thrills your expecting, all in working order!

• Minnie’s Country House: toontown fair - Magic Kingdom                        
  • January 1 - February 2, 2008
• Splash Mountain - Magic Kingdom                                                                      
  • January 1 - February 16, 2008
• Blizzard Beach                                                                                                                   
  • January 6 - March 8, 2008
• Snow White’s Scary Adventure - Magic Kingdom                                      
  • January 28 - February 16, 2008

All of the above parks and rides will be shut down for general maintenance, however that’s not to say that February visitors will be lacking in fun. Every month Disney World features what is called Extra Magic Hours to offer guests the chance to make the most out of their visit to its magical theme parks. Essentially, each park featured in Disney World has specific dates throughout the month when it will have extended hours of operation. Any visitor with a Magic Your Way Ticket will be able to take advantage of the extra hours, which will begin before normal park hours or extend past the typical closing times anywhere from one to three hours. Below, you’ll find a complete list of Extra Magic Hours for February to help in planning your next visit to Disney World!

Walt Disney World’s Morning Extra Magic Hours in February, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 7, 14, 21, 28
Epcot: 5, 12, 19
Disney-MGM Studios: 2, 9, 16, 23, 26
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 4, 11, 18, 25

Walt Disney World’s Evening Extra Magic Hours in February, 2008

Magic Kingdom: 3, 10, 17, 24
Epcot: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Disney-MGM Studios: 7, 14, 18, 25
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 6, 13, 20, 27

Disney World Extra Magic Hours For January

Every month Disney World features what is called Extra Magic Hours to offer guests the chance to make the most out of their visit to the magical theme park. Essentially, each park featured in Disney World has specific dates throughout the month when it will have extended hours of operation. Any visitor with a Magic Your Way Ticket will be able to take advantage of the extra hours, which will begin before normal park hours or extend past the typical closing times anywhere from one to three hours. Below, you’ll find a complete list of Extra Magic Hours for January to help in planning your New Year’s visit to Disney World!

Walt Disney World’s Morning Extra Magic Hours in January

Magic Kingdom: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Epcot: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Disney – MGM Studios: 5, 12, 19, 26
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Walt Disney World’s Evening Extra Magic Hours in January

Magic Kingdom: 6, 13, 20, 27
Epcot: 4, 11, 18, 25
Disney – MGM Studios: 7, 15, 22, 28
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Downtown Disney: Marketplace

In an effort to keep our customers up to date with all of the latest things Disney, we’ve decided to breakdown Downtown Disney into a three-part blog post to help highlight the many different things to see and do while visiting. This week’s post will feature Downtown Disney Marketplace, with Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney Westside being covered in upcoming weeks.

Downtown Disney Marketplace

True to its name, the Downtown Disney Marketplace offers more than two dozen top shopping and dining destinations along a bustling stretch by the shores of Village Lake.

Shopping at Downtown Disney Marketplace

World of Disney

Shop and play at the same time at this enormous Disney souvenir, apparel, and toy shop. Create your own treasure chest in the Adventure Room, find the perfect tiara in the Princess Room, and discover all of the magic of Disney in this sprawling shop.

Once Upon a Toy

Mr. Potato Head and Buzz Lightyear welcome guests into this fun shop, which features Disney board games, toys, and much more.

LEGO Imagination Center

Follow the giant lego creations - including a life-sized family of three and a huge sea dragon in the lake - to the LEGO Imagination Center for LEGO kits, ideas, and more.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Take your little princess in for a full-fledged royal makeover, including hair, make-up, nails, and more. Reservations are strongly recommended in advance. Walk-ins accepted if spaces are available.

Other Shopping at the Downtown Disney Marketplace

Team Mickey Athletic Club - Sports apparel and merchandise, including ESPN and Disney character clothing
Disney’s Pin Traders - Join the Disney pin trading craze at this Downtown Disney location, which is the largest and most extensive pin-trading location in Walt Disney World!
Basin - Bath, soap, and facial product speciality store
Arribas Brothers - Unique gifts, including crystal, engravings, and other collectibles
Summer Sands - Celebrate your vacation with swimwear and summer casual apparel
Mickey’s Pantry - Kitchen products with a Disney twist
The Art of Disney - Fine art prints featuring Disney trademarks
Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories - Photo albums, Disney scrapbooking supplies, and more make this a must-stop shop for cherishing your Disney memories forever
Disney’s Days of Christmas - It’s always looking a lot like Christmas at this year-round holiday store
Goofy’s Candy Company - Sweets and treats with an interactive dipping station
Pooh Corner - Pooh, Tigger, and whole gang from the Hundred Acre Wood feature their memorabilia here
Disney Tails - Don’t forget about your four-legged family members at this Disney-themed pet store
Mickey’s Mart - Nothing costs over $10 here, so you can still shop on any budget

Entertainment at Downtown Disney Marketplace

Marina & Boat Rental

Spend some time exploring the sparkling waters of Village Lake and get a different perspective of Downtown Disney from the water with hourly and daily boat rentals.

Dining at Downtown Disney Marketplace

Rainforest Cafe

Get lost in the casual dining of this tropical jungle. Price range: $15 to $30 per person Reservations are available.

Fulton’s Crab House

Dine out over the waters of Village Lake at Fulton’s Crab House, where fresh seafood is flown in every day. Price range: $15 to $30 per person Reservations are available

Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant

A variety of cuisine, including steaks, pasta, seafood, and more is featured at this waterfront diner. Price range: $15 to $30 per person

Other Dining at Downtown Disney Marketplace

Portobello Yacht Club - Italian cuisine
McDonald’s - American fast food favorites
Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop - Sweet & frozen treats
Earl of Sandwich Restaurant - Gourmet sandwiches, salads, desserts, and more
Wolfgang Puck Express - California delights