Latest news with #EPCOT
Boston Globe
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Disney without the crowds? Teens thinking their parents are (kinda) cool? Yes, there is such a place.
Now imagine that Disney experience wrapped up in three hours, a brief window to take in as many rides as most people do all day. This land exists — it's called Advertisement On select nights in Florida, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Disney holds a special event at one park when only people with a special wristband can board rides at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or Hollywood Studios. You can officially enter at 7 p.m., but the perks begin later. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up I did this recently with my two teenage kids in Florida. between $155 and $185, a tad more than a normal day ticket (prices vary by park and date). But the nighttime alternative is good bang for your buck. Consider our experience with Disney's hot, newish Advertisement Around 8:30 p.m., when the park was still open for regular ticket holders, my kids and I saw the mass of humanity lined up and said no, thank you. When we came back at 11 p.m., we zipped through in minutes. The ride is way cooler at night, by the way. The parks and attractions, including EPCOT's Spaceship Earth, look cool in the dark. Jason Margolis Another night, we hit EPCOT and the indoor roller coaster Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which opened in 2022. On a normal day, you can either wait up to a whopping two hours or pay about $20 for a Lighting Lane Single Pass, which reserves you a spot. (More on that process in a bit.) During After Hours, we practically walked on, then hopped back in the queue for a second go. Side note for roller coaster enthusiasts: My kids and I agreed that Guardians is hands down the coolest ride we've ever done. The train zips through the dark as a different disco or '80s pop song propels you along, a nice touch to make each time a bit different. I won't spoil the big surprise, but the ride has an unexpected twist, which blew our minds. The special bracelets that got us on the Disney After Hours rides. Jason Margolis Overall, the longest we waited at night was about 20 minutes for the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios, still much quicker than during the day. Here's another small bonus of Disney After Hours: carts hand out unlimited popcorn, sodas and water, and ice cream bars, all for no charge. For a teenager, or anyone for that matter, is there anything better than free food? Advertisement Now, Disney After Hours is not for everyone. Most people there were young adults without kids, with some families sprinkled in the mix. Parents with young children, this event is not for you. Or people who like to soak in the entire Disney vibe, I'd stick to the daytime. After dark, there are no shows, no parades, and very few places to eat or shop. Character sightings are sparse — we only spotted Pluto. Disney After Hours events give guests three hours – after hours – to explore one of the Walt Disney World Theme Parks. Throughout Magic Kingdom, guests can enjoy more than 20 attractions and experiences including the new TRON Lightcycle / Run. Steven Diaz/Steven Diaz, Photographer Also, it's a rather late night. In one of my less-than-stellar parenting moves, when my 13-year-old daughter was just plain tuckered out and it wasn't even close to midnight, I gave her a 20-ounce Coke and some popcorn so my 16-year-old son and I could keep the good times rolling. (But hey, it was free!) And she POWERED through the rest of the night. I also think my kids may have thought I was bordering on cool for just a brief moment as I obliterated all the rules. (My wife was stuck back in Boston preserving her vacation time, so all good there.) Further, my kids loved the perfect teenage schedule: sleep in as late as possible, hit the pool for a few hours, then slowly make our way to the parks by 7 p.m. There was plenty to fill our days as well — Disney has lots to do outside the parks, from riding canoes or horses, taking a boat tour of the themed hotels, strolling 'Disney's Boardwalk' and playing games of chance, or just shooting some free billiards at a hotel. My daughter and I also took a cake-decorating class at the Disney Springs shopping area one day while killing a few hours. Advertisement Now, going back to that Lightning Lane, an After Hours ticket isn't entirely necessary to cut down on wait times if you're well prepared. Disney has its ride reservation system down to a science, and you can put in for up to five attractions in advance: three on a multi-pass and two additional single passes for bigger attractions. When we went to the parks during the daytime, I had my morning laid out a week in advance, including passes for TRON and Guardians. And when Disney says Lightning Lane, they mean it — we never waited more than 5-10 minutes for a ride. But reserving those rides tacks on another $60 or so per person; pretty quickly that late-night ticket starts looking like a sweet deal. Also, the Lightning Lane can only be used for a specific ride once, unless you're willing to purchase an unlimited 'premier pass,' which can run north of $400 per person at Magic Kingdom, a bridge too far for me. With the regular Lightning Lane, once you check in for a ride, you can immediately select a new one on Disney's app. It's a fun system to navigate, but the ride choices become slim pickings as the day goes on. You also quickly become even more tethered to your phone than usual. During the After Hours event, you just go where you want, when you want. After arriving at a park around 7 p.m., we'd hop on a few of the smaller rides with short lines, grab a nice sit-down meal in the park, then wait impatiently for the clock to strike 10 p.m. From that moment on, we were all focus. Advertisement The author's son and daughter headed toward the last ride of their late-night adventure. Jason Margolis Our last night, as the hour approached 1 a.m, we decided to make our last ride When we got off the ride, we realized it was only 12:57 a.m., and we still had three minutes of fun to go. (Also, my daughter needed to burn off the caffeine somehow.) So we ran through the exit, did a U-turn into the entrance, and were back on our rat-shaped vehicle for one more spin with a solid minute to spare. Jason Margolis can be reached at
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The evolution of Florida's iconic theme parks: a journey through time
As we approach the opening of Epic Universe, WFTV has put together a list of Central Florida's theme parks. Don't miss out on the chance to watch archive Channel 9 coverage of these beloved parks, showcasing their history and highlights. Also stay tuned for all the latest updates as we get closer to this thrilling new addition to the world of theme park. Founded by Owen Godwin near Orlando, Gatorland is a wildlife preserve known for hundreds of alligators and crocodiles. Visitors enjoy live shows, gator wrestling, and zip lines throughout the park. This classic Florida attraction is focused on native wildlife conservation. Cypress Gardens, opened by Dick Pope Sr. in Winter Haven, was Florida's first commercial theme park, famous for botanical gardens and water ski shows. Legoland Florida replaced it in 2011, offering Lego-themed rides and family attractions for kids 2-12. Located in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, created by Walt Disney's company, Magic Kingdom is the first park at Walt Disney World Resort. The park was inspired by Disneyland's design, with themed lands like Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, and Fantasyland. Magic Kingdom is known for Cinderella Castle, iconic rides like Space Mountain, and a spectacular fireworks show. George Millay and partners founded SeaWorld as a rehabilitation program to help injured or orphaned animals. The park features marine life exhibits, animal shows, and thrill rides. It also aims to educate guests about ocean conservation through interactive experiences. Circus World in Haines City opened in February 1974. The park was sold several times and finally closed in May of 1986. It was remodeled and reopened as Boardwalk and Baseball in 1987, but closed due to low attendance in 1990. EPCOT opened in October 1982, celebrating technology and culture. The park features Future World's innovations and World Showcase's 11 country pavilions, which offer authentic food and entertainment. EPCOT is dedicated to celebrating human achievement, technological innovation, and international culture. One of Disney's water parks, Typhoon Lagoon, opened in 1989 and features a giant wave pool and themed slides. The theme park story involves a storm wrecking a tropical paradise. Originally Disney-MGM Studios, it spotlighted movie-making magic. It was the third of four parks built at Walt Disney World. The park hosts lands like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land. Themed as a ski resort melting in Florida heat, Blizzard Beach opened in April 1995 as the third water park. Its theme is the 'Disney legend' of a freak snowstorm in the area, and it becomes Florida's first ski resort. Universal Studios opened on June 7, 1990. It was the first of three theme parks to open at Universal Orlando Resort. The park was created to bring Hollywood movies to life. Universal Studios Florida offers rides based on films like Jaws, Transformers, and The Mummy, plus live shows and immersive experiences. The park operates annual events such as Halloween Horror Nights, where the park transitions to a Halloween theme featuring haunted houses and scare zones on select nights. Disney's Animal Kingdom opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, and was the fourth theme park built at the Walt Disney Resort. The park is dedicated and themed around the environment and animal conservation. The theme park features Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and Pandora – The World of Avatar with groundbreaking attractions. Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, along with CityWalk, opened on May 28, 1999, as part of a significant expansion that turned Universal Studios Florida into Universal Orlando Resort. Islands of Adventure is designed around the concept of exploration, with each section of the park representing a different themed island, such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. SeaWorld Aquatica opened on March 1, 2008, and is themed to the southern Pacific and features Australian and New Zealand-based animal mascots. Some rides feature passing through animal attractions. Universal Volcano Bay Water Theme Park is a tropical-themed water park. It replaced Wet' n Wild as Universal Orlando's only water park and the third theme park overall. The water park introduced TapuTapu wristbands for virtual queueing and cashless payments. Centered around a volcano, it offers thrilling slides and immersive tropical theming. Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe, is the first major new park in Central Florida in over 25 years. Featuring lands like Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon, it promises groundbreaking rides and immersive storytelling. WFTV will cover the grand opening week with exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes access. It's one of the most anticipated theme park expansions in Central Florida, which will open this week, and WFTV Channel 9 is your home for everything Epic Universe. This week, our team is bringing you in-depth coverage of Universal Orlando Resort's new theme park: Epic Universe. Channel 9 will show you sneak peeks inside its five immersive worlds. Journey to a Celestial Park between worlds at Universal's Epic Universe LIVE BLOG: Get your first look at Epic Universe Universal opens preview center for Epic Universe this summer Epic Universe district to get hundreds more acres Universal Orlando shares new details about 'Super Nintendo World' at Epic Universe Universal Orlando shares first look at Epic Universe, new theme park opening in 2025 Epic Universe hotel demand expected to mirror '4 or 5′ Harry Potter Wizarding Worlds Universal releases official first look inside Epic Universe Universal Orlando Resort will showcase 'portals' to Epic Universe in these major US cities Universal Orlando Resort announces Epic Universe add-ons for guests Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Going to Disney World unplanned? One dad goes viral after spending $1,400 on family trip
It's no secret that Disney World is expensive, but just how much of a hit will your wallet take? Well, one Dad from Florida went viral after breaking down the price of his $1,400, unplanned visit to Disney World. Craig Stowell, a professional YouTuber based in West Palm Beach, Florida, took his family to Walt Disney World in April, during Easter weekend and had some sticker shock after he spent a grand total of $1,391.91 on parking, tickets, food and drinks, he told USA TODAY. "Know that everything is more expensive than it used to be," said Stowell. "It's not just a quick trip up to Disney anymore. It's the cost of my son's first car." Stowell's family was visiting him from New Hampshire on Easter weekend, when they decided to do an impromptu Disney trip, Stowell said. So, they packed their things and drove to Orlando, Florida, from West Palm Beach, Florida, which is around 170 miles southeast of Orlando. In a video he posted about his day, he talks about just how much money he and his family spent on a day trip to Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs. One of the first big purchases was the tickets, he said. For Stowell, his wife and three kids, including his son who was younger than 10, entrance to Hollywood Studios cost $974. The tickets were purchased on the day they visited the park. Tickets are broken up into two categories, according to Disney's website. Tickets for children who are 3 to 10 years old are a bit cheaper than tickets for adults, who need to be purchased for anyone who is 11 and older to enter the parks. Children younger than 3 enter the park for free. The remaining $345.91 was spent on parking, which is $30 per car, food and drinks. Spending Memorial Day weekend at Disney? See crowd calendar, weather Since the family visited the theme park on a holiday weekend, their tickets were more expensive due to a holiday surcharge, Stowell said. One-day tickets for Florida residents on Disney's website start at $119, and can be even cheaper for Florida residents planning to visit the park for multiple days. Yes, tickets for Florida residents will be more expensive during Memorial Day weekend. During the holiday weekend, tickets start at $159, according to Disney's website. The price of admission for each park varies. Listed below are the prices of tickets to enter the Disney parks on Saturday, May 24: Magic Kingdom- $184 EPCOT- $179 Disney's Hollywood Studios- $179 Disney's Animal Kingdom- $159 A family of five, with one child younger than 10 years old, would pay $947.87, including taxes, to enter Hollywood studios during the holiday weekend, according to Walt Disney World's website. That price tag doesn't include the additional costs of parking, Lightning Lane passes, photo packages, hotel stays or food. Stowell recommends that people trying to save some money plan ahead and skip the parks during holiday weekends and go during the off-season instead. Florida residents can also save money on their Disney trip by purchasing tickets for multiple days, according to Walt Disney World's website. While a one-day Florida resident ticket starts at $119, three and four-day tickets start at $87 and $72. The Florida Resident Summer Magic Ticket, which is valid from May 18 to September 27, offers an even more inexpensive experience. The summer magic tickets will cost the following, according to the resort's website: 4-Day Ticket – $60 per day, plus tax 3-Day Ticket – $75 per day, plus tax 2-Day Ticket – $105 per day Finally, Stowell offered one more piece of advice for Disney guests above the age of 21: "Don't buy the alcohol," said Stowell. It "would have saved a lot of money for me." Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dad goes viral for spending $1,400 on spontaneous family Disney trip
Thrill Geek
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Thrill Geek
2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Dates Announced — Here's a First Taste
Get your forks ready—Disney has officially announced the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will run August 28 through November 22, offering 90 days of global eats, music, and family fun. Returning favorites like Emile's Fromage Montage, Remy's Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt, and the fan-favorite Eat to the Beat Concert Series are all on the menu again this year, alongside more than 35 Global Marketplaces serving up international and plant-based dishes from around the world. One sneak peek that already has our mouths watering: the Milled & Mulled Fall Fruit Cheesecake, featuring Boursin Fig & Balsamic Cheesecake with pomegranates and candied pecans. Beyond the bites, guests can: Hunt for Remy in World Showcase during the Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt Sample cheesy delights to earn a prize via Emile's Fromage Montage Catch live performances at America Gardens Theatre with Eat to the Beat dining packages for reserved seating Plus, Living with the Land will once again feature seasonal festival displays, blending agriculture and foodie culture with EPCOT's focus on sustainability. Stay tuned to @ThrillGeek on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for the full 2025 Foodie Guide as soon as it drops. See you at EPCOT! Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she's been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she's not at a theme park, she's probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Spaceship Earth lounge at EPCOT: Walt Disney World announces opening date and menu items
The GEO-82, adults-only lounge at EPCOT theme park, Bay Lake, Florida will begin operations for the public on June 4, Walt Disney World announced Monday. Along with the opening date, some menu items have also been revealed. The GEO-82 lounge will operate from inside Epcot's Spaceship Earth. One of the major attractions is slated to be the World Celebration Gardens, followed by a landing spot for "Luminous: The Symphony of Us", says Walt Disney World. Some of the assorted food items on the menu is reportedly funghi flatbread, cannellini hummus, truffled ahi tuna, jumbo lump crab gateau, and a chef's special selection of cheeses and meats. Some featured cocktails on the menu items revealed by Walt Disney World include brown butter old fashioned, caramelized leek martini, strawberry-black pepper sour, high brow batanga, banana brulee highball, and more. READ MORE | Spain, Portugal power outages cause frustration among people; Videos and memes flood Internet If one is interested in beer or wine, they are also readily available. Zero-proof cocktails will also feature on the menu items, according to the resort. However, one cannot access the GEO-82 lounge without a reservation. The reservation acceptance is slated for May 6. If the menu items were not enough to wow Walt Disney World enthusiasts, the resort is also offering a special, add-on "fireworks experience". This is going to be a part of the Enchanting Extras Collection, starting June 4, as per reports. The fireworks experience will be paid and will cost $179 per person, with theme park admission being a requirement. On this unique fireworks experience, The official Walt Disney World's GEO-82 section says, "Your party will be seated at a private table beside the window in GEO-82. You'll be perfectly positioned to enjoy dazzling views of Luminous The Symphony of Us, the nighttime spectacular." Along with the sorted menu items, a selection of sweets during "Luminous The Symphony of Us", is also going to be available, says the site.
