A LOT is happening at EPCOT right now! The park is undergoing a major transformation — we’re already in love with the new fountain in front of Spaceship Earth (seriously, we can’t stop taking photos of it).

Hello, you beautiful fountain

We’re also eagerly awaiting the arrival of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, although we’re getting impatient for some opening date announcements! C’mon, Disney — throw us a bone here!

But mostly, we are SO ready for nighttime entertainment to return! And so, we’ve been following the construction progress of the new EPCOT nighttime show, Harmonious, FOREVER (okay, maybe not forever, but since it was first announced in 2019).

We can’t wait!!!

Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley recently revealed a behind-the-scenes video about the new “nighttime spectacular.” It’s truly a global effort that has brought together technical designers from all over the U.S. contributing to all the moving parts of the show, including the lighting and fireworks. And they’ve done most of it while working virtually!

This is going to be HUGE ©Disney

In true Disney fashion, the company decided to go big or go home. And although we still don’t have a date for when Harmonious will debut, we’re getting closer and closer to seeing a brand new nighttime show at EPCOT. And we don’t know about you, but we can’t wait! So stay tuned because we’ll continue to post updates!

Barge Watch! More Construction is Afloat for EPCOT’s Harmonious

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Are you excited about Harmonious? Let us know in the comments!

The post VIDEO: Get NEW Inside Details About EPCOT’s Upcoming Fireworks Show! first appeared on the disney food blog.

If you’re looking for something sweet in Disney Springs, it doesn’t get much better than Gideon’s Bakehouse!

Cookie from Gideon’s Bakehouse

Gideon’s is known for its HUGE cookies that tip the scales at nearly a half-pound each! In addition to their regular selection of baked goods, Gideon’s also releases limited-edition offerings, including a cookie of the month.

And if you like your cookies with a bit of a kick, this month’s offering might be for you! The February cookie of the month is the Eternal Flame, a dark chocolate cookie laced with ancho, cayenne, and cinnamon, and topped with chocolate-covered cherries.

Eternal Flame

If that sounds like your jam, then we have some good news and some bad news. The bad news, of course, since this is the last weekend in February, tomorrow is the final day for you to snag this spicy cookie.

Eternal Flame

But here’s the good news — according to an Instagram post from Gideon’s, they’ve raised the limit of two limited-edition cookies per person to six limited-edition cookies per person for the weekend!

©Gideon’s Bakehouse

Now’s your chance to stock up on the Eternal Flame cookies while they’re still around. In other words, get ’em while they’re hot! We’ll head out to Gideon’s when the new month hits to check out their March offerings, so stay tuned for all of the sweet updates!

Check out the incredible theming inside Gideon’s Bakehouse!

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What’s your favorite cookie from Gideon’s? Let us know in the comments!

The post Stock Up on This Unique Cookie in Disney World Before It’s Gone first appeared on the disney food blog.

Did you know Universal partners with companies to provide discounts and offers to their customers? In this article, we will cover little-known discounts and offers for guests who use Avis, Budget, or American Express.

Avis & Budget Rental Car

Customers of Avis and Budget Rental Car have access to three unique offers.

Upgraded Parking – If you rent a car from Avis or Budget at Orlando International Airport, ask for a free voucher to Prime Parking. Only valid once per voucher, upgrades from regular parking only. Not valid with other offers or at resorts.

Discounted Rentals – Receive up to 25% off car rentals using Budget offer code (BDC) D792600 or Avis Anywhere Discount AWD# D397600. Terms and conditions apply.

Discounted Theme Park Combo Tickets – Buy 1-day, 2-park tickets with Unlimited Universal Express Pass starting at $262.99 per adult, plus tax. We do not recommend this discount; the price on the Universal site for both tickets starts at $264.99, just $2 more. Instead, we advise purchasing tickets through Undercover Tourist or a travel agent.

Terms and conditions apply. See the Avis & Budget Offers page for the latest information.

American Express

Universal Orlando’s Official Card is American Express and cardholders receive special perks and discounts for being a customer.

10% Off Universal Dining Plan – Cardholders receive 10% off a purchase of a Quick Service Dining Plan with Coke Freestyle Mug when purchasing with your American Express Card.

Rotating Merchandise Discounts – Universal offers several merchandise discounts throughout the year, at the time of writing guests can purchase discounted on-ride photos and backpacks with valid purchases.

Hotel Perks – Booking through American Express’s travel page can rack up some sweet perks at Universal resorts such as early check-in, late check-out, room upgrades, dining credits, free meals, and more. Visit American Express’s travel site and search for Loews Hotels or Universal Orlando Hotels for featured hotels and offers.

American Express Lounge – The best perk of being a cardholder is the American Express Lounge at Universal Studios Florida. Located across from the Ye Olde Souvenir Shop next to Shrek, the lounge offers concierge services, snacks, drinks, and most importantly: air conditioning. The lounge is available to all guests who purchase tickets through Universal Orlando using their American Express card. Hours are 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily, with a limit of 6 guests per cardholder.

All American Express offers are for Credit and Charge Cardholders, gift cards and single-use cards are not valid. Terms and conditions apply. See the American Express Offers page for the latest information.

What are your favorite little-known discounts at Universal Orlando? Leave your comments below!

The post Universal Orlando Benefits for Customers of Avis, Budget, & American Express appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

There’s been an update to Disney’s mask policy. According to Disney’s website, guests will now be required to wear masks at any dining location, other than when actively eating or drinking.

Before you dine at Walt Disney World Resort, please be aware that you’ll need:

Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up, which must be worn in all public areas and can only be removed while actively eating or drinking. Face coverings must be worn while standing, waiting or sitting in dining locations.”

The post There’s Been an Update to Disney’s Mask Policy appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news!

EPCOT

We’ve got the details on that exclusive event inside Disney California Adventure, EPCOT Festival news, and mask policy updates! You can soon have breakfast with more Disney characters, we find out what’s going on at Cinderella Castle and Animal Kingdom goes all-in on Raya and the Last Dragon.

Check out all of the latest Disney news below!

And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode!

So check out the video and then let us know: Which EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival booth are you the most excited to visit this year?

The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: New Mask Rules, EPCOT Festival Menus, Another Character Meal Returns & MORE first appeared on the disney food blog.

As we reported yesterday, a portion of the central platform for the upcoming Harmonious nighttime spectacular was added to EPCOT‘s World Showcase Lagoon.

Via his Instagram account and a post on Disney Parks Blog, Imagineer Zach Riddley shared that a six-story-tall circular piece was added to the central platform overnight. According to Riddley, “This centerpiece will support a high-density water curtain, moving lights, fountains in a circular form that perfectly symbolizes our story of global connection through the reach of Disney music.”

As previously announced, the Harmonious barges will be used as fountains during the daytime, and will serve as projection screens and show elements at night.

No official date has been released regarding the debut of the new nighttime show, however, in his post, Riddley states that “We are still in the early stages of development with many more finishing details to come…”.

As further details are released, we’ll be sure to let you know.

You can watch the ring structure being moved into place in the video below:

Riddley’s full Instagram post is below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zach Riddley (@thezachriddley)

Source: @thezachriddley | Disney Parks Blog