Spring 2014 EPCOT Flower Power Concert List: FREE WITH EPCOT ADMISSION!

The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival starts soon! The dates are March 5- May 18, 2014. The Flower Power Concert Series is just one of the many great festival activities included with Epcot park admission during this time. Below is a list of the scheduled performers for this year's festival. Book a trip for the dates of your favorites!!

2014 Flower Power Concert Performers INCLUDED WITH EPCOT ADMISSION:

The Guess Who March 7-9

"American Woman"

Gary Lewis and the Playboys March 14-16

"The Diamond Ring"

The Orchestra starring former members of ELO March 21-23

"Don't Bring Me Down"

The Lovin’ Spoonful March 28-30

"Summer in the City"

Paul Revere & The Raiders April 4-6

"Indian Reservation"

The Village People April 11-13

"YMCA"

The Grass Roots April 18-20

"Midnight Confessions"

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone April 26-28

"Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter"

Starship starring Mickey Thomas May 2-4

"We Built This City"

Chubby Checker and the Wildcats May 9-11

"The Twist"

Alan Parsons Live Project May 16-18

"Eye in the Sky"

Concerts are located at the American Gardens Theater.

Shows are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Showtimes each evening are 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00 PM.

Fun Facts:

*Gary Lewis is the son of comedian/actor Jerry Lewis.

*Gary Lewis and The Playboys were regular performers at Disneyland when they first started.

*During their early career, ELO was billed as "The English guys with the big fiddles".

*The Village People have sold nearly 100 million records worldwide.

*The Grass Roots' original name was spelled as one word Grassroots.

*Chubby Checker was born Ernest Evans.

*Source:Wikipedia

by Jeanie Gallo-Ciscon

You can follow Jeanie on Twitter @JeanieBlue114 or Facebook Page The Princess Papers.

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Characters in the Parks: Disney Princesses

When visiting a Disney destination, it is always exciting to meet those Disney characters that you have seen on-screen or in books. The easiest way to meet characters is through character meals, and you can read more about those in my previous blog posts:

Meals with the Fab 5, Meals Fit for a Princess, and Other Character Meals. However, you can also find the characters in the parks, along with others that are not available at meals.

Over the years, the royal ranks of Disney princesses have grown, and now they can be found at every Walt Disney World theme park. Sometimes it is only a matter of knowing where to look!

Read on to find out more.

Magic Kingdom

The newest Disney princesses can be found at the Magic Kingdom, along with some classic favorite ones. They can be found in several locations, some of them well hidden.

There is a semi-permanent character greeting location for the princesses at Town Square Theater on Main Street. Here you can find several Disney princesses; the specific characters may change, so be careful about telling your little one exactly which princesses will be there. Princesses may include: Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Snow White, and/or Rapunzel. This is a Fast Pass attraction. This greeting area will eventually be moved to Princess Fairytale Hall in the new Fantasyland.

The Fairytale Garden is an outdoor theater located on the path to the right around Cinderella Castle, as you are facing the front. This location has been the meet-and-greet area for the newest of the princesses, so it now features Mereda from Brave. While adults hold their little ones' places in line, younger guests are welcome to participate in a variety of activities such as archery lessons and coloring. Then, of course, there is an opportunity to meet Mereda!

Tiana at her Garden Glen in Liberty Square

Various other princesses can often be found in locations that correspond with their characters. Jasmine is often near the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, while Tiana can be found on Liberty Square Bridge. You can also find Ariel in her grotto in the new Fantasyland.

Epcot

Princesses can often be found in the World Showcase in Epcot, in a location pertaining to their character or story. In France, you can often find Aurora and Belle, while Snow White is often in Germany. Jasmine can be found in Morocco and Mulan in China.

Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom

Although several princesses can be seen in shows at the Hollywood Studios, you will have more luck at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot if you want to meet the princesses. However, Megara (from

Hercules

) can sometimes be found at the Sorcerer's Hat in Hollywood Studios, while Pocahontas is often found in various locations at Animal Kingdom.

General

The most important thing to remember about character greetings is that characters and locations change on a regular basis. Be very careful about guaranteeing a sighting of any specific character. Even in locations such as Town Square Theater, where some character interaction is guaranteed, there may be a change of characters between when you get your Fast Pass or enter the line, and when you actually meet the characters. Don't let this deter you, though; as long as you make no promises, it is always a magical experience!

Be sure to check character greeting times and locations on the Park Times Guide. Even princesses sometimes need a break! This Guide will give you the most accurate information for the day you are visiting. And always keep your eyes open; you never know who may stop by!

If you have a question or have seen a princess in a location not listed, please list it in the comments section!

Enter the Giveaway!

Enter my Disney gift card giveaway! The more entries we have, the more chances there are for you to win! I will give away one $25 Disney gift card for every 20 people who enter. If you comment on this post (or any other post on the blog), you can earn 2 entries!

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Epcot IS for Kids!

When I talk to families about planning their magical Disney vacations, some questions that I hear are:

How long should we spend at Epcot? Is there a lot for kids to do there?

The answer is a resounding YES! There are so many activities for kids at Epcot!

Read on to find out more.

Misconceptions

I understand the misconception about Epcot being "for grown-ups." I visited Epcot as a kid shortly after it first opened, and though I could participate in many of the attractions, I found it to be very "science-y" (as a kid, I wasn't interested) and the approach to be over my head.

But times have changed!

Interactive Exhibits

One of the things that makes Epcot kid-friendly is that there are so many places where kids are allowed to play...and to touch stuff! As anyone with kids can tell you, a kid can have fun with a cardboard box, if they are allowed to do more than just look at it. Interactive exhibits at Epcot include:

Advanced Training Lab at Mission: Space - Located at the exit to the main ride, younger kids can play on a space-themed playground while older kids (even the grown-up ones) like to play with the various interactive video game simulations.
Innoventions East and West - These pavilions include a variety of interactive experiences using the latest technology and teaching kids about the environment, money, safety, and more!
SeaBase - Explore the undersea world by viewing the Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium and participating in hands-on exhibits.
ImageWorks - Located in the Imagination! pavilion, this area includes interactive play areas centered around music and art.
KidCot Fun Stops - There is a Fun Stop located in each of the countries in World Showcase. Kids can decorate a picture of Duffy the Disney Bear and get a stamp at each country. Guests can also purchase World Showcase passports for the stamps.
Agent P's World Showcase Adventure - Use a special Disney F.O.N.E. (Field Operative Notification Equipment) and work to thwart Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Based on characters from the Disney cartoon "Phineas and Ferb," each adventure lasts 30-45 minutes.

Kid-Friendly Attractions

There are several attractions that have kids in mind, and are fun for grown-ups, too!

The Seas with Nemo and Friends - Ride in a clamshell vehicle to see Nemo and his friends explore the underwater world!
Turtle Talk with Crush - This interactive show allows kids to talk to Crush from the movie Finding Nemo and ask questions. Kids love the answers!
Living with the Land - Kids enjoy this 10-minute boat ride through the greenhouses and fish farm.
Soarin' - One of the few attractions with a height requirement, kids and grown-ups alike love the feeling of soaring through the skies over California, where you can literally smell the orange groves.
The Circle of Life - Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King teach about the environment in this fun and funny 20-minute film.
Journey into Imagination with Figment - Ride through and explore the five senses with Figment.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros - This boat ride through the Mexico pavilion includes history and music from fun Disney cartoon characters.

Entertainment

Entertainment abounds at Epcot, and kids love watching the variety of performances and meeting characters.

Characters - There are a variety of character experiences, from the classic characters to Duffy the Disney Bear (only at Epcot). Country-specific characters can also be found in their respective countries (for example: Belle and Aurora in France; Alice, Mary Poppins, and Winnie the Pooh in the United Kingdom; Aladdin and Jasmine in Morocco; Mulan in China; Snow White in Germany).
JAMMitors - These drumming "janitors" can be found in Future World East.
World Showcase Players - fun tale of King Arthur and his knights in the United Kingdom
British Revolution - This group plays British rock music in United Kingdom.
Off Kilter - This band plays traditional and modern tunes with bagpipes, wearing kilts. (near UK)
Serveur Amusant - acrobats in France
MO'ROCKIN - Found in Morocco, this music group plays music inspired by the Middle East, Africa, and more.
Matsuriza - drummers in Japan
Miyuki - rice dough sculptor in Japan
Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps in the American Adventure
Voices of Liberty - This a capella group sings in the dome in the American Adventure.
Sergio - juggler in Italy
Ziti Sisters - This comedy trio shares the culture of Italy.
Oktoberfest Musikanten - This group sings, dances, and yodels traditional German tunes.
Jeweled Dragon Acrobats in China
Mariachi Cobre - a mariachi music group in Mexico

Height Requirements

There are only 3 attractions at Epcot with height requirements: Mission: Space (44 inches), Test Track (40 inches), and Soarin' (40 inches). This makes Epcot an extremely accessible park for kids, because they can ride virtually everything! After all, 44 inches isn't even 4 feet!

Just Browsing

If you have the time to stroll through Epcot, you may notice some fun things on your way to your destination. Many of these things have to do with water, such as the Dancing Fountain located behind Spaceship Earth, where you can see water "dance" to the music.

The fountain outside the Imagination pavilion is backwards! The water flows up.

Near the Captain EO attraction, there is a leaping fountain that sends water from pad to pad.

At night, many spots on the walkway light up with colored fiber-optics.

Conclusion

There are many fun things for kids to do at Epcot, as long as the parents are willing to slow down long enough for the kids to explore! It would be nearly impossible to do everything, but taking a break once in a while and allowing kids to simply play and interact with their environment is so important! You may even find that these are some of your most treasured memories.

Duffy hug - one of my favorite memories!

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Baby Time at Disney World: It Can Be Done!

Taking a baby to Disney World sounds like an insurmountable task, but you may be surprised at how many things Disney has in place to make it easier. After all, Walt Disney's dream was to build a place for families, and families have babies!

If you have a child who is old enough to enjoy Disney World, but are skeptical about going because of your younger baby or toddler, read more for tips on making it work!

Cost

Did you know that children under age 3 are free at Disney World? If your child has not yet turned 3 on your arrival date, he/she will be free for the entire stay! This includes theme park admission and all-inclusive dining experiences (though if you want to order your child a meal at a quick service or other table service restaurant, you will have to pay). In addition, your child under 3 does not contribute to the maximum room allowance at resorts, so if you have a family of 5 (and one is under 3), you can stay in a room for 4.

Baby Care Centers

Disney has Baby Care Centers at each of the four major theme parks. These centers include:

nursing areas
changing tables
high chairs
microwaves
purchase of limited selection of baby care items (formula, diapers, food, etc)
child activity areas for older children

These centers are air-conditioned, and much more comfortable than sitting in the hot sun or waiting in a restroom to take care of your baby! These Baby Care Centers saved my sanity when I took my 10-month-old!

Rider Switch

Do you want to ride Rock 'n' Roller Coaster or Space Mountain, but someone has to stay with the baby? That's what the Rider Switch is for!

Rider Switch allows one adult to stay behind with the child(ren) who do not meet the height requirement for the ride. Everyone goes to the entrance of the line together, and tells the Cast Member there that there is the need for a Rider Switch Pass. The adult staying behind gets the pass, while everyone else goes through the line and rides the ride.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios

When the first riders return, another adult stays behind and the first adult can use the Rider Switch pass to bypass the line (usually through the Fast Pass line, if there is one). The Rider Switch Pass allows up to 3 people to use the pass. My girls love this because the older 2 can ride twice: once with dad and once with me! (Please note: this is for those who do not meet the height requirement, not those who don't *want* to ride.)

Conclusion

Having a baby or toddler doesn't have to mean that you can't enjoy Disney World! It's so much fun to watch the little ones enjoy the magic. Age doesn't seem to matter at Disney World; that's one of the reasons I love it so much!

What do you think?

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