On August 31, 2007 L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante (current restaurant in the Italy Pavilion in the World Showcase) will be closing. On September 1, 2007, the restaurant will re-open as Tutto Italia. I personally welcome the change; I was never impressed by Alfredo’s…their red sauce always reminded me of Chef Boyardee!!

Rumors are flying that the Imagination Pavilion will be getting yet another rehab, possibly to include Dreamfinder again! Most die-hard Epcot fans (including myself and my husband) are chomping at the bit in hopes of experiencing something similar to the “original” Journey Into Imagination again.

Long-time Epcot fans will be happy to hear that current rumors state that a new film will be unveiled in late August 2007, replacing the current “O Canada” film in the Epcot World Showcase. I personally am thrilled to hear that Canada will finally be getting a new film, the old one is extremely dated. “O Canada” is currently scheduled for rehab from August 20 - August 24, so we can assume the new film will debut on August 25, 2007. However, I will definitely miss the theme song, if that goes too!

Waaay back in November, 2006 I reported about rumors of the giant “Mickey Hand Wand” on top of Spaceship Earth might be coming down. Well, it looks like I was right! Latest rumors confirm this rumor (now that’s a lotsa rumors!). It sounds like the 2008 budget was recently approved and included in this budget is the removal of the giant wand! Yay! I can’t wait to see Spaceship Earth in all its naked glory again

Guess what??? There are rumors that Disney engineers have been assigned to the Spaceship Earth wand in order to assess the best way of removing it in 2007. Ooooh, I hope this rumor is true! I much prefer the naked golfball to the wanded golfball

Did you know that you can now ride a Segway for FREE at Innoventions West? Yup, you read it right–free I had the pleasure of riding one during my last trip to the World and the only negative was the short wait in line. Just show up between 1 pm and 7 pm daily to get your free Segway ride. Pretty cool!

Pirates and Princesses Reign April 5-June 3, 2007,
During 14th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Disney Flower Fest Expands to 60 Days

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A flower-festooned pirate ship will drop anchor and Disney princess topiaries will color the landscape at the 14th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival April 5-June 3 at Walt Disney World Resort. Previously running for seven weeks, the popular festival expands to 60 days this year and offers more floral fantasy and gardening fun than ever before. The first-ever pirate ship topiary will feature Peter Pan and his nemesis, Captain Hook, plus Tinker Bell — all as intricately designed topiaries. Pirate Mickey Mouse and Princess Minnie Mouse, plus Cinderella and Prince Charming, Belle and her Beast from “Beauty and the Beast,” and other popular characters make topiary appearances throughout the park. A towering Pirate Goofy, with Donald Duck and Pluto, offer Disney gardeners a chance to reach new topiary heights. In all, there will be more than 70 topiaries — plus 30 million blooms, artfully designed floral beds, expertly crafted bonsai trees and lush rose gardens gracing the 300 acres of Future World and World Showcase. For the first time in the festival’s history, Disney’s horticultural team will plant two crop rotations during the fest — which will produce “the biggest opening show ever” and allow for a more brilliant floral display for the festival’s duration, says horticultural manager, Eric Darden. Beyond the dazzling displays of bursting blooms, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is known by gardening aficionados for its celebrity guest speakers, hands-on seminars and innovative planting demonstrations and exhibits.

Each evening, Flower Power concerts rock the park with live entertainment from top acts of the 1960s and ’70s. Past lineups have included The Turtles, Davy Jones, The Association and other crowd pleasers.

Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden is back with hundreds of butterflies in a screened, walk-through enclosure that will include a live exhibit showing how caterpillars form a chrysalis and emerge as butterflies. The family-oriented Growing Future Gardeners area, complete with colorful (and tasty) planting ideas for kids and parents, doubles in size this year following an overwhelming family response during its 2006 debut.

New themed weekend events will salute spring romance and Easter whimsy. Back by popular demand are the child-friendly I Dig Bugs weekend, Art in the Garden weekend, and the time-honored Mother’s Day celebration, among others.

Other festival features include:

* The Festival Center, where guests can find program guides and festival merchandise and attend speaker presentations and demonstrations.
* The popular Great American Gardeners series, opening with Paul James of HGTV’s “Gardening by the Yard,” April 5-8.
* A “Lift and Sniff” Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion showcasing flowers and plants used to create several Guerlain perfumes.
* Disney Gardening at Home presentations during which Disney horticulturists share tips and secrets for at-home gardening.
* Kids’ activities, including an upgraded, fun-filled Tinker Bell’s Fairy Garden, Disney character meet and greets and daily ladybug releases.

More information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is available by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or by visiting disneyworld.com/flower. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

And while millions of blooms adorn Epcot, one million very special dreams will be granted to guests visiting Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts during a first-of-its kind celebration, “The Year of a Million Dreams.” Guests will find Disney cast members delivering an unprecedented level of guest service. The celebration will also be highlighted by the debut of innovative Disney attractions and entertainment spectaculars at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts.

I just found out from a WDW Cast Member that the Wonders of Life pavilion at Epcot will be open from November 26, 2007 - January 1, 2007!  So, if you’ve been dying to see Cranium Command or ride Body Wars again, this is your chance!

There is really neat place at Epcot called Club Cool. It’s located right next to Innoventions West (by the fountain). Club Cool is sponsored by Coke and while you’re there, you can drink as much free coke from around the world as you care to! Anytime you are walking by and happen to be craving some caffeine and carbonation, stop on by! Here is what the free coke machine looks like (as of September 2006, at least–in October they added 2 new flavors from Mexico and Costa Rica!):

I personally think that the coke drinks from Japan (Vegita Beta) and Germany (MezzoMix) are extremely yummy! Next time you’re walking by, definitely stop in and try some! Yes, there really are some cool freebies at Walt Disney World

Every fall, the International Food and Wine Festival takes place at Epcot. It’s a wonderful event in which you can eat your way around the World Showcase lagoon as you snack on (or drink) various treats from around the world. I’ve been there many times so I can tell you first hand that this is a really, really fun and yummy event!! Definitely try to plan your vacation to WDW around it at some point, if you can. This year, the event will take place from September 29, 2006 - November 12, 2006.

For more information on the Food and Wine Festival, check out these informative links:
http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ep/foodwine.htm
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/index.htm