by Hannah Hamilton, guest blogger
Special Events:
Simply walk through the gates of any Disney World theme park or resort and you’ll find plenty to look at and experience. While an “ordinary” Disney trip is the perfect getaway for the whole family, you may enjoy expanding your trip to include a special event or adventure. Each year, Disney offers special events designed to appeal to gardeners, gourmands and movie geeks. Visit during one of these special event days and you’ll get an extra dose of Disney magic, designed just for you. 2011 special events at Disney World include:
- Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
- Epcot Food & Wine Festival
- Star Wars Weekends
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Special events at Disney World generally take place over a period of time. They can be held every day during the event run, like the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, or only on select days, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival is one of the most popular special events offered each year at Disney World. For 2011, the 18th annual Flower and Garden Festival opened March 2, 2011 and runs through May 15th.
While the Flower and Garden Festival is a garden-lover’s paradise, it isn’t just for the green thumb in the family. Kids will adore the flower and butterfly gardens, hosted by Bambi and friends. Expect to see some outside play areas in both World Showcase and Future World; Disney assembles playgrounds with innovative slides, swings and climbing areas for kids to enjoy. These fun spots are only available during the weeks of the festival.
Look for butterfly pavilions, specialty retailers and product demonstrations when you visit the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. For 2011, sponsor HGTV is presenting different programs for homeowners each week, starring some of your favorite designers. See some of your favorite designers in person; the 2011 lineup includes Vern Yip, Genevieve Gorder, Frank Fontana and other master decorators share plenty of tips for your own home and garden.
While some events at Disney World require an extra ticket or admission fee, the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival is free with your Epcot admission. You can spend time browsing the exhibits, shopping with retailers or picking up valuable gardening tips without spending an extra dime.
Disney World Adventures:
You can add new experiences to your Disney vacation by attending one of the adventure or experience programs offered at the Disney resorts and theme parks. While most experiences require an additional fee or ticket, they are very in-depth and designed to immerse you in whatever area you have decided to explore.
Most adventure programs at Disney World are open to adults and kids over the age of 12. You will need to make a reservation for any of the programs listed here, and should ask about age requirements at that time.
Wild Africa Trek
Disney World’s newest offering is also its most exotic and daring to date. This trek takes you behind the scenes of the Kilimanjaro Safari — and instead of traveling by jeep, your party will be on foot. You’ll be able to experience the wonders of an African safari and walk right up to some of nature’s most exotic creatures. Disney describes this experience as “pushing the envelope”; getting guests as close to possible to the wildlife without compromising safety.
Wild Africa Trek tours depart daily from the Animal Kingdom, and advanced reservations are a must. This experience takes several hours, and participants need to be fit enough to walk through the preserve. There is some moderate climbing and a net bridge to cross during your trek. After all that activity, you’ll be rewarded with breakfast or lunch on a private verandah overlooking the savannah. This is an ideal experience to do in the spring while the weather is warm, but before Florida’s bugs and reptiles venture out of hiding for the summer.
Epcot DiveQuest/Dolphins in Depth
If you’ve ever enjoyed looking at the undersea life at the Nemo and Friends pavilion in Epcot, you’ll love exploring it in person. This facility is the largest man-made coral reef in the world, and is home to many different animals, including dolphins and sharks. The Dolphins in Depth program is offered to guests wishing to explore the underwater oasis in person.
Dolphins in Depth is a 2 ½ hour program that features both educational and experience components. This is suited to older kids and adults who want to learn more about dolphins, and want to actually don some fins and take a swim with these delightful creatures.
Epcot DiveQuest is open to SCUBA certified guests only, and includes a fully immersed exploration of the reef and marine life it hosts. This tour is open to visitors ages 10 and up, and SCUBA certification is required.
While both of these programs require reservations and an additional fee, guests wishing to swim with wildlife can also do so in Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon. Shark Reef is home to many different marine species, including sharks, and you will be able to swim along with them. Admission to Shark Reef is included with your Typhoon Lagoon ticket, but you must be a strong swimmer to participate.
Segway Tour: Around the World at Epcot
Climb aboard a Segway personal transportation unit and take a tour of World Showcase. This program includes a primer on using the intuitive Segway transport in a small classroom setting/ Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll explore World Showcase on wheels and discover some of the hidden gems in each country.
If you have never tried a Segway, or are unsure of how you feel about the experience, you can stop by Innoventions in Future World at Epcot to receive a complimentary mini-lesson and ride. You must be over 16 to drive a Segway, and additional passengers are not permitted. Allow several hours for your Segway tour, and buy your tickets in advance to reserve your spot.
No matter which experience you choose, you’ll take your vacation to the next level when you attend a special event at Disney World.
About Hannah:
Publisher of JetSetGarmentBags.com, Hannah Hamilton enjoys traveling the world for both business and pleasure. Hannah’s first trip was as a toddler and she has been traveling ever since. While traveling, she has learned just about everything there is to know about luggage and packing. Her current favorite bag is the Samsonsite Spinner, which holds everything she needs in style. Visit us, to get your perfect garment bag, carry-on or wheeled roller for your next trip.
