After years of providing content for the Unofficial Guide series and numerous fan-based websites, researcher-turned-author R.A. Pedersen delved into his fascination with the Epcot theme park at the Walt Disney World for writing inspiration. The result is The Epcot Explorer’s Encyclopedia. It’s a guide to the flora, fauna and fun of Disney’s most ambicious theme [...]

In the middle of Central Florida swamplands and ranch property, Walt Disney aspired to build the greatest American city ever conceived – Epcot. While Disney would die before realizing this epic achievement, he still left behind the blueprint for one of the boldest and most unique projects ever proposed on American soil. Walt and the [...]

Disney and General Motors have renewed a multi-year agreement and will be reimagining the Test Track attraction at Epcot. After a refurbishment, this fall guests will design custom Chevrolet vehicles and test out their design on the test track. As part of the redesign, the focus of the attraction will be on Chevy and on [...]

New Year’s Eve at Epcot is always a blast! This year there were four DJ parties, two fireworks shows and one enormous park-wide party! Let’s start with a highlights video: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OCFszo57SE It’s a very busy day, and the space near the monorail station becomes the “Journey Grass” parking lot. Additional grassy areas are also used [...]

Here’s a quick photo update to show what New Year’s Eve preparations were in progress on Dec. 30, 2011. The Magic Kingdom celebrates New Year’s two nights in a row. Above is the stage in China at Epcot, prepared for the party. The party stage is where the acrobats normally perform, so they move …

The Epcot front entrance garden is always changing to match the season or featured event at the park. This photo shows the garden at its peak during the Flower and Garden Festival. But do you remember when when there was still danger of frost and this garden planting had some cold weather flowers? Note also [...]

The Katsura Grill opened this week at the Japan pavilion, after a refurbishment that began in August. This used to be called Yakitori House. The new theme is the strolling gardens at the Katsura Imperial Villa outside Kyoto, Japan. In these photos the bright white rock looks like a dusting of snow. These exterior benches are [...]

Three stars recently took some time off to visit Walt Disney World for the holidays: Actress and activist Maria Bello, above, who stars as Detective Jane Timoney on the NBC crime drama Prime Suspect, posed with Duffy the Disney Bear on Nov. 25, 2011 in front of the holiday tree at Epcot. Bello also is [...]

 The Osborne Lights are normally seen during the holiday season at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  What if Epcot was decorated like the Osborne Lights? This parody video takes an imaginative look at a dream. You might be surprised to see who’s dreaming this dream … httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUxrz-YZtzA If you enjoyed that video, you might like to take [...]

The Raytheon Company is introducing a new component to their Epcot ride, Sum of all Thrills, which allows you to design a ride online at home. The virtual reality experience teaches kids (and adults) how to build a roller coaster by using math. Math and science are intergraded into an online game that allows students [...]

Walt Disney World will soon be adorned in holiday décor. Each theme park and resort will have a holiday glow. Here is a list of what to expect from Disney’s holiday events. Magic Kingdom Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party The “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” will star Santa Claus, gingerbread men, marching soldiers, and [...]

By Kevin Yee In this week’s video version of Photo Finds, we glance around Epcot’s crowded Food and Wine Festival, look at some changes to the Animation building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, watch the 1,000th show of American Idol Experience (featuring special confetti cannons), witness construction of the mini golf at Universal, explore the T-shirts [...]

The 16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is happening every day until Nov. 13, 2011 and many good tastes, classes and music artists have returned. But there’s also a lot of new things to see, do and sample. Here’s a look at what I noticed during my two visits so far. My family and [...]

The Food & Wine Festival at Epcot this year will feature culinary demonstrations at the Festival Welcome Center. Signature dishes from Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resorts, and other restaurants will be prepared during 45 minute demonstrations. These demonstrations give viewers a chance to learn how some of their favorite dishes are created. Chefs from [...]

Universal Orlando’s has released a free mobile app for Apple and Android phones, joining SeaWorld, which also released a free app earlier this year and Disney World, which offers a paid app for Verizon customers. Busch Gardens officials say their mobile app is in the works. Both the SeaWorld and Universal apps offer some of [...]

Central Florida’s theme parks will be crowded on the Fourth of July. In fact, Orlando was named the number one destination for the July 4 Weekend by Travelocity. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun watching the special events and fireworks shows. Here’s what each theme park is planning for Independence Day. Magic Kingdom: [...]

The 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will be held from Sept. 30 to Nov. 13 this year. Pam Brandon, Disney Parks food writer, recently released some of the details on their official blog. Here’s what to look for this year: • Hawaii, the Caribbean islands and Portugal all debut Marketplaces – look for [...]

Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival recently ended so it’s time to start thinking about their other very popular festival, Food and Wine. Starting in late September and through mid-November, one part of the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the music. The Disney Parks Blog just released the full list of performers for [...]

Dreamfinder, the bearded man who carried a little purple dragon called Figment around the Imangination Pavilion at Epcot for 15 years, made a return tonight. But fans of the red-headed man with a big imagination shouldn’t get too excited. His return was for one night only. D23, the official Disney fan club, held a two-day [...]

Column by Kevin Yee There are lots and lots of bathrooms at Walt Disney World. So many in fact, that it’s not hard to locate the nearest one. You can always ask a nearby Cast Member for help; usually the closest lavatory is mere steps away. But it can be difficult to find one that [...]