Disney World is starting to get closer and closer to pre-pandemic “normal.”

EPCOT

We’re seeing some of the plexiglass barriers start to disappear around the parks and hotels, face mask mandates are changing, and the last Disney World hotel to reopen is finally returning later this month. Now, Disney just announced another returning program that will bring some serious changes to EPCOT!

Disney Programs just announced on their Instagram page that the Disney Cultural Representative Program is returning soon!

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This program hires people from around the world to work in the EPCOT World Showcase pavilions, with Cast Members working in the pavilion that represents their home country.

Morocco pavilion in EPCOT

The Cultural Representative Program was temporarily suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic. Other Disney World Cast Members have filled the roles in World Showcase in the meantime, but now the program is finally coming back. Disney said that the program will be returning in phases.

French Pavilion in World Showcase

Currently, “participants from select countries whose 2020 program was shortened or canceled [are] now being offered the opportunity to apply.” These participants should have received an email today with more details about the next step in their application process.

Germany pavilion in World Showcase

Disney said they will release more updates about Disney International Programs in the future, so we’ll be watching for more information about new applicants to this program.

Mexico pavilion in World Showcase

We’re excited for more international Cast Members to return to EPCOT! Keep following DFB for more of the latest Disney news.

Click here to learn about another COVID-19 change that’s going back to normal in Disney World.

It’s time to watch Epcot transform into the prettiest theme park on property, at least until July 4th, 2022. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is a festival that turns Epcot into a colorful garden wonderland. The one thing I love about this festival is that it has many different vegetarian and plant-based options. I recently became a vegetarian, so I am excited to see all the different options I have to choose from at this year’s festival. 

Vegetarian Options 

There are so many vegetarian options at this festival compared to the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. This festival goes on for a couple of months, so hopefully I can try all of these fantastic dishes, but some stick out to me more than others. Last year, I had some great food items throughout this festival, and I saw some new items added to menus, which makes me excited. It’s always nice to see Disney add new food items to the festivals.

Let’s take a peek at the list of vegetarian dishes that have come to this year’s Flower & Garden festival:

• Potato Pancakes with house-made applesauce – $4.75 (Bauernmarkt: Farmers Market)
• Avocado Toast with marinated toybox tomatoes on toasted ciabatta – $6.00 (Epcot Sunshine Griddle)
• Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread – $5.75 (Flavor Full Kitchen)
• Frushi – $7.00 (Hanami) 
• Tostada de Chorizo made with plant-based chorizo, black beans on a crispy tortilla with avocado mousse and queso fresco – $7.75 (Jardin de Fiestas)
• Arepas topped with melted queso fresco – $5.00 (La Isla Fresca)
• House-made Italian Sausage and Peppers Poutine – $7.75 (Refreshment Port)
• Mediterranean Flatbread – $5.75 (Tangierine Cafe)
• Grilled Baby Vegetables with Hummus cream and red pepper coulis – $4.75 (Trowel &Trellis)
• Impossible Sausage and Kale Soup – $5.25  (Trowel &Trellis)
• Boneless Impossible Korena Short Ribs – $6.75  (Trowel &Trellis)
• Chilled Potato and Leek Soup – $5.00 (Farmers Feast) (Early Bloom Menu 03/02 to 04/09)
• Grilled Vegetable Bruschetta with marinated peppers, zucchini, squash, artichokes, goat cheese, balsamic glaze on ciabatta – No pricing yet (Farmers Feast) (Springtime Menu 04/10 to 05/21)
• Tomato and Cornbread Panzanella with burrata cheese and basil – No pricing yet (Farmers Feast) (Summer Solstice Menu 05/22 to 07/04)
• Croissant au Fromage with goat cheese, herbs, and roasted garlic – $6.75 (Fleur de Lys)

The festival started on March 2nd, and since the opening day all I have seen on social media is that the Mediterranean Flatbread is one of the best items at the festival. The Tangierine Cafe has yet to disappoint me as a festival booth, so I believe the hype. I told myself that this would be the year I finally try the Frushi, so I will definitely be getting it. I have never gotten anything from the Trowel & Trellis, so I at least want to get one thing from there, most likely the Impossible Korean Short Ribs. As for the routine menus from Farmers Feast, I am most excited about the Tomato and Cornbread dish. I can’t wait to go to this festival, try all these dishes, and take in all the beautiful sights throughout the park. This festival goes until July 4th, 2022, so there is plenty of time to explore the festival and try all the different items.

What’s your favorite part of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival? Let us know in the comments. 

The art installations at Orlando International Airport celebrating 50 years of Walt Disney World will be removed tonight.

This means today is the last day to grab some photos. The installation includes a Mad Tea Party photo op and decorations at the train stations.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Decorations Being Removed from Orlando International Airport Starting Tonight appeared first on WDW News Today.

Travel can be stressful. Like, really stressful. Whether it’s crowded airports, flight delays, or even planning rest stops on your road trip, a lot of people breathe a sigh of relief when they finally make it to their destination after a long travel day.

Disney World Entrance

But unfortunately, if you’re flying on your next vacation, the increasing price of airline tickets might be another thing to add to your stress.

Airfares have been on the rise in recent months, and it seems like, at least for a little while, that won’t be changing.

Orlando Airport

Thanks to the rising cost of jet fuel, many airlines are increasing their ticket prices to compensate. Orlando Business Journal shared info from Hopper Inc. It stated that the average fare for a domestic roundtrip flight has increased by 22% in the last month alone. Airfare has increased by an average of $40 just since March 1st. 

Southwest Airlines

We are heading into the spring and summer months, when airlines tend to be the most profitable, and we’re already seeing that with the spring break crowds at Disney World, but experts aren’t expecting the cost of airfare to decrease in the near future.

Airplane

$40 adds up when you are traveling with a large group and you are already doing the best you can to afford everything you are looking to do when visiting Disney World. Flights aren’t the only places that we are seeing price increases as Disney World has seen hundreds this year alone. With the ever changing environment of Disney World and travel, we are here to help! Subscribe to our newsletter for information on discounts, budgeting, money saving hacks, and more. And if you have any specific questions, please let us know!

We’ll be keeping an eye on this situation as it develops, so make sure to follow DFB to stay updated!

See the ULTIMATE Guide to Saving on Disney World Tickets in 2022 HERE!

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Will these airfare increases affect your Disney vacation? Let us know in the comments!

The post Noticing a PRICE Increase on Your Disney World Flight? You’re Not Alone. first appeared on the disney food blog.