A Look Back at the 2011 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

I love visiting Epcot each year during their annual Flower & Garden Festival. I look forward to seeing the new topiaries displayed throughout the park (and the classic ones too that return year after year) as well as all the flowers. 

It brings a little extra something to the park. I especially enjoy the different kiosks selling various plant species and items for the garden. It makes me forget that I don't have a green thumb and that everything I plant usually ends up dying. It actually inspires me to want to have a beautiful garden one day (I'm trying and I'm still working on getting the Plumeria I bought last year to bloom)!

This year's festival I think by far had the most beautiful topiaries, but I tend to say that every year! 

A Look at the Newly Renovated Lego Store in Downtown Disney

The newly renovated Lego Imagination Center at Downtown Disney opened up a couple of weeks ago. On a recent trip I took I stopped by (as I always do), to see the new store and Lego sculptures for myself. 

All I can say is that it's even better than before! I especially love the new Disney Lego Sculptures that were placed all around the front of the store. 

Below is a look at some of the sculptures. My favorite is Snow White with Dopey. What's your favorite? 

Gowalla Adds a Disney Summer Challenge

Since Gowalla teamed up with Disney as the official location-based social network for the Parks, new challenges and fun pins and badges are popping up all the time!

The latest Disney Challenge  on Gowalla is for summer and comes with a special Summer 2011 pin upon completion. In order to earn the Summer 2011 pin Gowalla users must check in at each of the following spots on the mobile app: 

• Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom
• Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Conservation Station at Disney's Animal Kingdom
• America Gardens Theatre at Epcot during the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series

This isn't the only Disney challenge on Gowalla - there are so many different challenges to complete and badges to earn! 

A couple of months ago I earned my World Traveler badge by checking in to each pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase!

Do you use Gowalla or another location-based social network app when at the Parks? If you don't what ar

Changes to the AMC Theatre in Downtown Disney

 

The AMC Theatre in Downtown Disney recently announced that it was getting quite the makeover and the changes are coming just in time for summer!

Some changes include the addition of new digital technology with the ETX Theatre. They are also adding The Marketplace to the theatre which will be a modern take on your typical concession stand. New to the AMC Theatre will also be Coke Freestyle machines that will have more than 100 flavors of coke for anyone that is interested in experimenting and trying something new. 

My  favorite change and one that I am a very big fan of is the announcement of the addition of the AMC Dine-in Theatres to Downtown Disney. 

The AMC Dine-in Theatre will feature a movie theatre-restaurant experience for guests over the age of 18 (those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). It will have over-sized,  Love-seat style seating and with personal tray tables so guests may enjoy food off an extensive menu that will feature appetizers, entrées, desserts and even a full bar. Staff will take guests' orders prior to the start of the movie and serve it before the film begins, giving guests the opportunity to fully experience the concept of "dinner and a movie."

Where I'm from we have Cobb's version of the dine-in theatre with their Cobb Cinebistro and I must say that once you've watched a movie at one of these theatres, you will never want to step foot in a regular movie theatre again. 

I for one have never been to the movie theatre in Downtown Disney. My reasoning behind it is that there is so much to do, why waste time in the movie theatre? But with this upgrade that the AMC Theatre has recently received, I'm just going to have to add it to my bucket list of things to do at Disney World!

Tickets for Mickey's Parties On Sale Now

Tickets are on sale for two of my favorite special ticketed events that take place at the Magic Kingdom each year: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will run on select nights September 13-November 1, 2011. I went for the first time in 2010 and absolutely loved it. Where else can a 20-something year old go trick or treating without getting strange looks?

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party will run on select nights November 8-December 18, 2011. This event is one of my absolute favorites.  To me there is nothing that can get me in the Christmas spirit more than a trip to Disney during the holiday season. The lights and the Disney magic truly bring out the magic of the holidays! I look forward to this event every December. My boyfriend and I have made it a tradition to go every year together!

Both events are really amazing and if you have the opportunity to make it to both this year, I highly recommend it! However, if you can I only make it to one, then I would say go with Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, but I'm being extremely biased since Disney and Christmas are two of my favorite things!

Tickets for both special events are on sale now. Make sure to check out Disney World’s Special Events page for pricing information. If you’re an annual passholder, there are select nights where discounted tickets are offered.