The facade of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT has been mostly enclosed with wood paneling, which means synthetic sheeting is the next layer to be placed. The blue synthetic underlayment already covers the roof of the building where (we think) solar panels will eventually be installed. The stairs leading up to the roof have been removed, which indicates work is done there until further notice. Scaffolding is visible in the corner of the building. Pink insulation peeks […]
There’s something new to see almost every day with EPCOT’s major construction projects. In what will soon be the World Celebration neighborhood, work continues on refurbishing MouseGear. The new facade of Mouse Gear is slowly taking shape. New windows are marked with blue Xs on them while construction continues. As we reported yesterday, the entrance to The Centorium has been sealed off with DensGlass sheathing A new wall is being filled with metal framing. This used to be an entrance […]
StarWars.com has put up an interview with Jon Warren, VP of Product Design at Herschel Supply Company, about the new Star Wars X Herschel collection that is available now. What’s Happening: A new Star Wars X Herschel collection has been released covering the villains from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. The line has bags inspired by Darth […]
The freshest flavors of spring, on the plate and in the glass, are showcased at Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival Mar. 3 through Jul. 5, 2021. What’s Happening: Disney has released a full list of all the sweet and savory bites as well as refreshing sips at the over 20 festival-exclusive Outdoor Kitchens at […]
If you want to maximize your time at Magic Kingdom, get there early. And if you’re driving or staying off property (or at select on-property hotels), that means navigating the Transportation and Ticket Center in the morning. Here’s what to expect on an average Magic Kingdom morning at the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Line for Express Monorail to Magic Kingdom – around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021
The parking toll booths typically open one hour before the park’s published opening time
Currently under COVID-19 precautions, parking trams are not running
Since guests have to walk, usually only the front half of the parking lot is used
The Express Monorail to Magic Kingdom usually has a longer line than the Ferry Boat
The Express Monorail can often have a wrap around queue first thing in the morning
Temperature check and security check can have a substantial line first thing in the morning
Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea is open for grab-and-go coffee and pastries
Magic Kingdom Parking Toll Plaza – around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021
If you want to truly rope drop Magic Kingdom, or any park for that matter, you’ll want to be at the parking toll plaza one hour before park opening. Generally the parking toll plazas open right around that one hour mark so guests can park and begin the arrival experience at the park.
Parking trams are currently not running at any of the parks. Going to a theme park involves lots of walking, so consider the walk from your car to the TTC and park entrance a warm up. By the way, if you want to reduce the amount of walking you do, you can make that a consideration when using our Lines app and touring plans.
Walk from Car to TTC – around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021Walk from Car to TTC – around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021Parking Diagram for Magic Kingdom
Once you’ve arrived at the Transportation and Ticket Center you will go through temperature check and then bag check. New bag check procedures have sped this process up considerably. It’s still good to mentally prepare for there to be lines in the morning.
Line for Security Check at TTC – around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021Line for Express Monorail to Magic Kingdom – around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021
Magic Kingdom is 1.5 miles from the Transportation and Ticket Center. The Express Monorail runs directly to the Magic Kingdom and is the more popular choice. But the Ferry Boat is just as efficient and offers a relaxing way to arrive to park. First thing in the morning the Express Monorail tends to have a wrap around queue. It does feel like the monorail moves faster than the Ferry Boat when you’re waiting for the boat, but generally the time it takes to use either one averages out to about the same.
Line for Express Monorail to Magic Kingdom – around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021Line for Ferry Boat to Magic Kingdom – around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021
If you need some morning fuel, Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea is in between the Monorail Station and the Ferry Boat landing. There is usually only a few people in line, which is dramatically less than what you’ll find at the Main Street Bakery inside the park.
Joffrey’s Coffee at TTC – 9:00 a.m. Monday
A note for guests staying off property and select on property hotels that use the Transportation and Ticket Center for bus transportation: the station is on the far right of the TTC when facing the TTC from the parking lot. There are restrooms right next to the bus terminal. On very busy days, first thing in the morning, there can be a queue from the bus terminal to the temperature check and bag check.
Non Disney Hotels Bus Terminal at TTCNon Disney Hotels Bus Terminal at TTC
Have you ever been through the TTC first thing in the morning? What tips would you add to our list? Let us know in the comments!
Disney and Pixar have released the first teaser trailer for Luca, which is scheduled to release in June 2021. The film is directed by Enrico Casarosa, who previously wrote and directed Pixar’s short film La Luna, and has worked on most Pixar films since 2006. Luca is set in a seaside town on the Italian Riviera and follows two friends during an “unforgettable summer.” But the friends have a secret they must keep from the rest of the town: they […]
Last year, we learned about Luca, a new Pixar film set to release this year. And just a few days ago, we saw a new poster for the film! But it wasn’t until today until we got a good idea of what the movie’s story is about — and it’s got some surprises!
Disney just released a new trailer for Luca today, and although it’s a story about friendship, it’s also got something else — because one of the boys in the movie isn’t exactly what he seems. He’s a…well, just watch the trailer for yourself!
That’s right! One of those boys is a sea monster disguised as a human, and the movie is about the friendship between him and a human boy. And we can already tell, as this IS a Pixar movie, there are going to be some heartfelt moments in this one — we’ll be reaching for the tissues for sure when this releases in June!
We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all things Luca, so check back soon!
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The festival runs from March 3rd through July 5th, 2021 — that’s less than a week away! While we’ve already shown you the just-released menu, taken a look at the topiaries, and highlighted some fun activities, there’s more news to share!
The Garden Graze is returning to the Flower and Garden Festival this year! This food stroll highlights five of the festival’s offerings. Try each to get a stamp on your Festival Passport, then bring your Passport to Pineapple Promenade for a prize!
Garden Graze 2020
The Garden Graze is located in your FREE Festival Passport — but keep in mind that you will have to purchase each of the offerings listed to receive your prize. Last year, that prize was a Lime Dole Whip in a commemorative Flower and Garden Festival Glass. YUM!
Our prize!!
One of the BEST parts about this food stroll is that you don’t have to complete it all in one day! That means you can chill and have fun at the fest without worrying about getting ALL that food at once. When you do eventually finish your stroll, just remember to show a Cast Member at Pineapple Promenade your fully-stamped Festival Passport!
Here were all the stops LAST year!
Here are all the Garden Graze stops this year:
Flavor Full Kitchen Hosted by AdventHealth (Future World West): Grilled Baby Vegetables with Hummus Cream and Red Pepper Coulis (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based)
Trowel & Trellis Hosted by Impossible Foods (Showcase Plaza): Boneless Impossible Korean Short Rib with Cilantro-Lime Rice, Danmuji Slaw, and Kimchee Mayonnaise (plant-based).
Refreshment Outpost: Pineapple Skewer with Tajin Seasoning (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based)
Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market (Germany): Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based)
Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco): Lemon Magdalena Cake with Fig Compote and Sangria Gel (plant-based)
Pineapple Skewer
We’ll be sure to try out the Garden Graze and let you know what we think! As always, stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news.
Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World!
Preorder your 2021 edition today! Don’t miss a moment of the fun!
Concerts have been on pause in EPCOT since the closures. Instead, groups like Voices of Liberty and Mariachi Cobre have been performing at the America Gardens Theatre.
But that’s about to change. For the 2021 Flower and Garden Festival, local bands from Orlando will be performing concerts in the America Gardens Theatre. Orlando is known as the “City Beautiful” and these “City Beautiful” bands will be taking the stage in the evenings to perform classic songs from the past and present.
American Gardens Theatre
According to Disney, “Each weekend, you can enjoy a series of concerts featuring local bands from Orlando, also known as the “City Beautiful.” Friday through Monday evenings, these “City Beautiful” bands will take the stage at America Gardens Theatre to perform popular songs of yesterday and today.”
We’ll make sure to keep you updated as we get more details on festival entertainment, offerings, and food, so stay tuned to DFB. As always, we’ll be there to cover the opening day of the festival and bring you up-to-date coverage on all the happenings!
Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World!
Preorder your 2021 edition today! Don’t miss a moment of the fun!
