EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Unveils Sizzling Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup

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July 1, 2024

2024 EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concert Series Lineup

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE is not only a culinary adventure but also a musical feast for the senses. This year, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue is back with a diverse lineup that promises to delight audiences of all ages.

Newcomers to the festival stage include the pop-punk band Yellowcard, the British-Irish boy band The Wanted, and American Idol star David Archuleta. Returning favorites like Hanson, Tiffany, and Boyz II Men are also sure to draw enthusiastic crowds.

The America Gardens Theatre will host a mix of internationally renowned artists and local talent, ensuring a wide range of musical styles and genres to complement the festival’s global cuisine.

For those who enjoy their food with a side of live music, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series is a must-experience highlight of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. So, grab a bite from one of the many Global Marketplaces and head to the America Gardens Theatre for a night of delicious food and unforgettable music.

2024 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule

Here’s a look at this year’s enticing menu of musical talent:

Aug. 30-31 – The Fray

Sept. 1-2 – Sugar Ray

Sept. 6-7 – Hoobastank

Sept. 8-9 – Yellowcard (NEW)

Sept. 13-14 – Tiffany

Sept. 15-16 – MercyMe

Sept. 20-21 – Sheila E.

Sept. 22-23 – The Wanted (NEW)

Sept. 27 – Luis Figueroa

Sept. 28-29 – Mau Y Ricky (NEW)

Sept. 30 – Jesse & Joy (NEW)

Oct. 4-5 – Aloe Blacc (NEW)

Oct. 6-7 – Joey Fatone & Friends

Oct. 11-12 – We The Kings

Oct. 13-14 – Switchfoot

Oct. 18-19 – David Archuleta (NEW)

Oct. 20-21 – Billy Ocean

Oct. 25-28 – Hanson

Nov. 1-2 – Haley Reinhart featuring Emily Estefan, Casey Abrams and Janel Parrish (NEW)

Nov. 3-4 – Boyz II Men

Nov. 8-9 – Magic! (NEW)

Nov. 10-11 – Parmalee (NEW)

Nov. 15-16 – Smash Mouth

Nov. 17-18 – 98 Degrees

Beginning July 9, you can secure your spot at the show by reserving an Eat to the Beat Dining Package available Friday-Monday. Find out more by visiting TasteEPCOT.com.

Which Eat to the Beat artist are you looking forward to seeing?

Twenty Riders Rescued from Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Amid Heatwave

By

Chip

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July 1, 2024

Twenty Riders Rescued from Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Amid Heatwave

Twenty riders were safely evacuated from the Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure on Sunday afternoon after the ride malfunctioned and became stuck on the track. The incident occurred during a scorching heatwave, with temperatures reaching the high-80s.

Disneyland employees, equipped with safety harnesses, sprang into action, handing out umbrellas to shield stranded riders from the sun while rescue crews worked to free them from the 120-foot-tall roller coaster. The evacuation process took over an hour.

The Incredicoaster remained closed for the rest of the day following the malfunction. The cause of the breakdown is currently unknown. This incident follows another stall on the ride reported just a day earlier.

Disneyland released the following statement:

The safety of our guests is a top priority, and we are grateful for the quick response of our cast members and rescue crews. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and are working to ensure the Incredicoaster is back up and running as soon as possible.

New Menu Items from Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom

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Chris B

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July 1, 2024

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New Menu Items from Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom

Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom has recently updated its menu, and we were excited to pop in and try some of the new offerings. This beloved spot is known for its tasty treats, and the new items do not disappoint. We sampled the Mickey Waffle with Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread and Bananas for $8.49 and the Mickey Waffle with Sweet-and-Spicy Maple Chicken for $11.59.

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The Mickey Waffle with Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread and Bananas comes served with a generous spread of chocolate-hazelnut, fresh banana slices, and a dollop of whipped cream. The waffle itself was freshly made, perfectly crispy on the outside, and soft and warm on the inside. This combination was not only delicious but also quite filling, making it a delightful option for breakfast or a sweet snack.

We also tried the Mickey Waffle with Sweet-and-Spicy Maple Chicken, which featured a honey-sriracha glaze and parsley flakes. The chicken was more sweet than spicy, making it a unique and enjoyable dish. However, we recommend adding a bit of extra sauce or syrup to the waffle for added flavor.

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While we enjoyed our meal overall, it’s worth noting that these new items are more of a sit-down, knife-and-fork experience, unlike the previous grab-and-go sandwiches. Despite this change, the quality and taste of the new menu items make Sleepy Hollow worth a visit on your next trip to the Magic Kingdom.

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Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!

Construction Walls Up Around Former Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade in the Magic Kingdom

By

Chris B

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July 1, 2024

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Construction Walls Up Around Former Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade in the Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is undergoing another transformation as construction walls have gone up around the former Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade. This classic attraction has been a part of the park since its opening day, providing guests with a taste of the Wild West as they aimed for targets in a themed shooting gallery. However, in recent years, the Shootin’ Arcade saw sparse use, eventually resulting in Disney deciding to repurpose the space.

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Now, the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade is set to be transformed into a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Lounge. This new addition will provide a comfortable and exclusive space for DVC members to relax and recharge during their park visits. The DVC Lounge in EPCOT is VERY popular, and the extension of this lounge concept into additional parks makes sense.

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While it’s always a bit nostalgic to see a long-standing attraction make way for new developments, it is not surprising to see this area be re-purposed considering the extremely light use of this attraction by guests. As the construction progresses, we look forward to seeing how this historic space will be reimagined and revitalized.

Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!

Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Reopened Sooner than Expected

By

Catherine

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July 1, 2024

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Reopens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios After Early Refurbishment

Great news for thrill-seekers visiting Walt Disney World! The fan-favorite Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has reopened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios after a six-month refurbishment.

The coaster’s return comes sooner than anticipated. While a late July reopening was expected, diligent work by Disney Imagineering allowed them to complete the refurbishment ahead of schedule. This means guests can now experience the high-octane ride throughout the busy summer season!

Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Reopened Sooner than Expected

The refurbishment focused on the ride’s internal systems, ensuring a smooth and safe operation. The iconic Hollywood theme and electrifying music featuring Aerosmith remain unchanged. Opened in 1999, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith offers a unique blend of music and thrills.

Guests join the legendary rock band on a wild ride through the streets of Los Angeles, propelled by a heart-pounding launch from 0 to 57 mph in just 2.8 seconds. The coaster takes riders on a high-speed journey filled with inversions, tight turns, and all set to the music of Aerosmith.

The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is now open for business! Park hours today are from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests using early entry, and from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM for everyone else. So jump in your stretch limo, buckle up and get ready to rock ‘n’ roll on this exhilarating ride!

New Tiana’s Bayou Crunch now Available at the Main Street Confectionery

By

Chris B

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July 1, 2024

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New Tiana’s Bayou Crunch now Available at the Main Street Confectionery

There’s an exciting new treat at Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Confectionery, and it’s called Tiana’s Bayou Crunch. This delicious snack can be found in Kernel Kitchen, located inside the Main Street Confectionery, and it’s quickly becoming a fan favorite.

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Tiana’s Bayou Crunch features a unique mix of Cajun Cheddar Popcorn, M&M’S, Peanut Butter Chocolate Candies, Cheddar Crackers, Pretzel Pieces, and a White Chocolate Drizzle. The Cajun popcorn adds a nice contrast to the sweet treats mixed in, making each bite a delightful surprise.

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One of the highlights of trying Tiana’s Bayou Crunch was watching the cast member make it right in front of us. They walked us through each step and even asked how much white chocolate drizzle we wanted. This personalized touch made the experience even more special. The serving size is very generous, perfect for sharing between two people, with enough left over to take home. Just be sure to grab plenty of napkins because it can get quite messy!

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Tiana’s Bayou Crunch is priced at $15.99, but we managed to pay a bit less thanks to a 20% Annual Passholder discount. While it is a bit of a splurge, we found it worth the price for the experience and the taste. The Cajun popcorn does have a mild spice in the aftertaste, so if you’re not a fan of spicy foods, you might want to keep that in mind. However, even a member of our group who doesn’t usually like spicy food enjoyed this treat. Overall, we highly recommend giving Tiana’s Bayou Crunch a try on your next visit to Magic Kingdom!

Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!

Gideon’s Bakehouse Celebrates Summer with Limited-Edition Treats and Returning Favorites

By

Chip

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July 1, 2024

Gideon’s Bakehouse Celebrates Summer with Limited-Edition Treats and Returning Favorites

Gideon’s Bakehouse, the beloved bakery with locations at East End Market and Disney Springs, is delighting fans this July with a lineup of limited-edition treats and returning favorites.

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Stuart and Bonnie, the bakery’s iconic couple, may be off on their world travels, but their signature cookies are back for the month. Indulge in the Orange Pecan Chocolate Chip, a vanilla bean cookie infused with orange essence and packed with chocolate, pecans, and candied orange peel. Or, savor the Lemon Poppy Crumb Cookie, a muffin lover’s dream filled with poppyseeds, white chocolate, and topped with lemon butter crumbs.

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For those seeking a refreshing caffeine fix, the Mocha Orange Nitro Cold Brew returns exclusively to Gideon’s Disney Springs location. This smooth and bright concoction combines oat milk, maple syrup, mocha, and fresh orange, making it a delicious vegan and gluten-free option.

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Adding to the summer excitement, Gideon’s introduces a new Flavors of Florida special treat: the Key Lime Pie Cake Bar. Created in collaboration with the bakery’s Flavors of Florida ambassador, Bartholomew the Skunk Ape, this handmade dessert features soft key lime cake, key lime cream cheese buttercream, and a key lime curd channel, all dipped in dark chocolate and topped with graham cracker crumble and sea salt.

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All these delectable treats are available throughout July, with the Key Lime Pie Cake Bar extending its availability until August 11th. Due to limited quantities, a maximum of two of each item per person applies.

Don’t miss out on these exclusive offerings at Gideon’s Bakehouse this summer! Whether you’re a local or visiting Disney Springs, treat yourself to a taste of Gideon’s signature flavors and celebrate the season with these delectable creations.

New Magic Kingdom Map Featuring Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Country Bear Musical Jamboree

By

Chris B

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July 1, 2024

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New Magic Kingdom Map Featuring Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Country Bear Musical Jamboree

Walt Disney World has just released a new Magic Kingdom map, and it’s perfect for visitors who want to explore the park’s newest attractions. The cover features a beautiful shot of the newly opened Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in the center.

You can see a log ready to plunge down the ride’s thrilling drop on the cover, along with the logo for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is also displayed at the bottom, making it easy to spot. Inside the map, the “Fantasy Reigns” section highlights Tiana’s Bayou Adventure under the New Magic section, as well as the Country Bear Musical Jamboree as a ‘Reimagined!’ New Attraction. The map also features other attractions like the TRON Lightcycle / Run and the nighttime show “Happily Ever After” as well as the full interior map of the entire park.

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Do you enjoy grabbing a map as a collectible during your trips to Walt Disney World? Leave us a comment to let us know!

Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!

Pack Your Park Style: Aloha Collection Opens at Disney Springs

By

Sara

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July 1, 2024

Pack Your Park Style: Aloha Collection Opens at Disney Springs

Aloha fans rejoice! There’s a brand new spot to snag some tropical flair at Disney Springs. Aloha Collection, a haven for vacation-ready bags launched in 2014, has set up shop in The Landing. This mini-store sits right in front of Paddlefish, offering not just their signature bags but also a selection of stylish accessories and some apparel to complete your Disney Springs look.

Perfect for Florida’s sunny weather, these bags are built to handle the beach. They’re both water-resistant and sand-proof, making them a breeze to clean after a fun day out. Tote bags come with secure zip closures to keep your belongings safe, while fanny packs and wallets offer hands-free convenience for day trips when you want to travel light.

Aloha Collection infuses the spirit of Hawaii into their products, and that commitment extends beyond style. Each year, they dedicate 5% of their profits to conservation efforts in the Hawaiian Islands, ensuring the beauty they celebrate is protected for future generations.

This is their first Aloha Collection store to open in Florida. The store is hoping to sell some Disney Springs exclusives and a possible character exclusive merchandise soon as well.

The shop is owned and operated by two native Hawaiian women. They have a sale currently going on.

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Disney’s Live Action Snow White Has Officially Wrapped Filming

By

Sara

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July 1, 2024

Disney’s Live Action Snow White Has Officially Wrapped Filming

Disney’s live-action Snow White remake has finished shooting, according to lead actress Rachel Zegler.

Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White has finished filming! This new take on the beloved fairy tale, originally brought to life in Disney’s groundbreaking 1937 animation, stars Golden Globe winner Rachel Zegler as Snow White.

While the film’s production faced delays due to industry strikes, fans can now look forward to seeing this fresh interpretation, aimed to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers.

Sharing her excitement on Instagram earlier this week, Rachel Zegler announced that filming for the live-action Snow White has concluded. In her since-expired story, she expressed her joy and pride, stating “That’s a wrap on ‘Snow White’ and I’m so freaking proud and emotional. I love these people so much.” A fan account on Twitter captured a screenshot of her post.

🚨 'Snow White' has finally wrapped filming! pic.twitter.com/F8585869HT
— Rachel Zegler Daily (@ZeglerDaily) June 27, 2024

The classic tale of Snow White, a story of love, jealousy, and good conquering evil, gets a visually stunning makeover in this live-action remake. With cutting-edge technology and effects, audiences can expect a breathtaking reimagining of Snow White’s triumph over the wicked Queen, played by the formidable Gal Gadot.

The live-action “Snow White”, is set to hit theaters on March 21, 2025.

Are you looking forward to seeing the live-action Snow White in theaters?

Disney World Lightning Lane Passes Will Be Available for Purchase by Guests in Canada

By

Chris B

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June 30, 2024

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Disney World is making some exciting changes for guests from Canada, as Lightning Lane passes will soon be available for advanced purchase. This revamp of the Genie+ system aims to provide a more convenient and seamless experience, bringing it closer to the beloved FastPass+ system that many Disney fans fondly remember. Initially, the news about the update to the Genie+ System indicated advanced purchase of Lightning Lane passes would only be available for U.S. based guests, however this policy has since been updated to also included guests booking from Canada.

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The new system allows guests to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Passes or Single Passes in advance, ensuring access to some of the most popular attractions without the long waits. This change is set to enhance the overall park experience, and results from guest feedback about the usability of the Genie+ system. Somewhat ironically, the rollout of Genie+ as a same-day purchase resulted from guest feedback from the FastPass+ system which pointed towards a desire by guests to not plan all aspects of a Disney vacation in advance and a preference for the previous Disneyland Max Pass system.

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It’s important to note that this advanced purchase option is currently exclusive to guests based in the U.S. and Canada. Other international visitors will still need to wait until they arrive in the U.S. to buy their Lightning Lane passes. We do not have official news as to why the advanced purchase of Lightning Lane passes is limited to the U.S. and Canada, however international sales and banking can be quite complicated so this may be a temporary restriction while Disney navigates the complexities of adding sales options for international guests.

Kensington Tallman the Voice of Riley from Inside Out 2 Visits Pixar Plaza in Hollywood Studios

By

Chris B

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June 30, 2024

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Hollywood Studios recently experienced a wave of excitement and joy when Kensington Tallman, the talented voice behind Riley in the upcoming Pixar film Inside Out 2, paid a visit to Pixar Plaza. Kensington, known for her roles in various family-friendly shows and movies, brought a delightful energy that had everyone feeling all the right emotions. This special visit became a memorable highlight for the cast, adding an extra sprinkle of magic to their day.

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The news of Kensington’s visit was shared on the Disney Cast and Community Facebook page. Cast members at Hollywood Studios couldn’t contain their Joy as they spent time with Tallman, sharing laughs and stories and snapping pictures that captured these core Disney Cast Life memories.

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Inside Out 2, which takes us back into Riley’s emotions, this time during her teenage years, promises to be a heartfelt journey filled with moments of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. Kensington Tallman’s visit was a perfect reminder of the thrill and excitement that comes with being part of the Disney family. It was a day full of unforgettable moments, leaving the cast with memories to cherish and plenty of reasons to smile.