Sams Disney Diary

Epcot's World Nature is dedicated to understanding and preserving the natural world's beauty, awe, and balance. The Land pavilion focuses on the human interaction with the Earth, focusing on travel with attractions like Soarin and agriculture through Living with the Land. Guests See firsthand how Walt Disney World uses innovative growing techniques and cross-breeding high-yield crops to help feed...

"Disney Kitetails" debuted as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration. The new daytime entertainment takes place multiple times at Animal Kingdom's Discovery River Theater; check your Disney experience app for times. Performers fly windcatchers and kites of all shapes and sizes. On the water, elaborate three-dimensional kites – some stretching to 30 feet long – depict Disney ani...

Let's face it, Theme Parks, including Walt Disney World, can be tiring. During the 50th Anniversary Celebration, I spent some time with Mark Dukes, Director of ESPN Wide World of Sports and Disney Water Parks, to look beyond the parks. Not exactly a relaxing vacation for some, but rest assured, Walt Disney World is a vacation destination, with something for everyone in the family. For more informa...

Journey through ancient and modern China during a spectacular 14-minute Circle-Vision 360° film. Reflections of China located in the China Pavillion of Epcot's World Showcase. The show premiered in May 2003, replacing the opening day Wonders of China 360 movie. The show is narrated by an actor playing Li Bai, an ancient Chinese poet, who takes the viewer on a tour of the Chinese countryside and hi...

The Matsuriza Taiko Drummers made their return to Epcot's World Showcase on October 1st, 2021. The welcome addition to World Showcase brings more live entertainment options to guests' experiences, check your My Disney Experience app for showtimes. According to Disney: Japanese Taiko drums have been enthralling audiences for years in religious ceremonies, festivals, and even on battlefields as sold...

Former Walt Disney World Ambassador, Ken Facey walks us through everything happening as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration! https://youtu.be/odP7_zqDd2c

Sergio, the Italian Mime, is back at Epcot's World Showcase, Sergio along with most other live Epcot Entertainment offerings, fell victim to the Walt Disney World COVID-19 shut down in March of 2020. While Sergio wasn't part of the July 2020 reopening, we are happy to report that Sergio is Back and performing multiple shows at Epcot's Italy Pavilion; check the My Disney Experience App for showtime...

Where am I? I got here by car, but exploring by boat, lots of towering pine trees, totem poles, crackling fires, and even a spotting geyser, thing you know? The answer might surprise you. It's all this time on Great Hotels when Samantha Brown gives us an up-close look t Disney Wilderness Lodge. https://youtu.be/Yg4yp9neHxY

The year is 1920, and you have escaped to Florida to bask in the ocean breezes of your Victorian seaside paradise. Guests here find the grace and elegance of a grand hotel awaiting them. Is it all but a lingering dream? Nope! It's the Walt Disney World Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and it's this episode of Great Hotels with Samantha Brown. Quality Enhanced. https://youtu.be/D_WCg62Nxro

Being the Disney Nerd that I am, when I see a sign that says "Walt Disney Archives" with a directional arrow, I will follow it. The Walt Disney Archives was established in 1970 to collect, preserve and make available for research the historical materials relating to Walt and the company he founded. In the Celebration of Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Becky Cline, the Director of the Disney A...

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure recently opened at Walt Disney World's Epcot, part of the France Pavilion Remy's Ratatouille Adventure invites guests into the flavorful world of Disney and Pixar's Academy Award®-winning film "Ratatouille." The family-friendly attraction, allows guests to feel as if they shrink to the size of Chef Remy and scurry through Gusteau's famous restaurant. They discover Remy...

offerings all around. From 50th Anniversary Merchandise to Savory Celebratory Sweets, you can immerse yourself in enchanting entertainment, discover fashion-forward pieces that add a little sparkle to your wardrobe, and delight in delectable dining and refreshing beverages. https://youtu.be/Z4Uh6U_f_V8

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a family-friendly adventure featuring a totally new type of roller coaster experience; it's a storycoaster that rotates 360 degrees, so you're always focused on all the action as you help the Guardians save the galaxy. Not only that but Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will also feature the first reverse launch on a coaster in Disney history and is o...

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser introduces the concept of Story Living, a two-day immersive experience that takes you on your own Star Wars adventure. The Starcruiser isn't a hotel; according to Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Company CEO the Starcruiser is a "100% immersive" experience that "will culminate in a unique journey for every person who visits." During the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Cel...

Tom Fitzgerald has been part of Walt Disney Imagineering since 1979, supervising the story, development, and production of many of Disney's most popular attractions and shows. Tom became executive vice president and senior creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering in 2001. During the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary kickoff, I caught up with Tom in Space 220. https://youtu.be/5FhB64BEcCY

The Walt Disney World 50th anniversary celebration includes over 150 specialty food items across Walt Disney World resort. And of course, Epcot is joining the party, offering ten 50th anniversary-themed specialty Dessert items. I like to call it the Festival within Epcot's Festivals, the Epcot Dessert Festival. These items will be available for the 18-month Celebration so you can get them through...

A runDisney race is anything but ordinary. Move with magic through Disney Parks all over the world. Become part of adventures that could take you under the sea, through classic enchantment, and into a springtime of surprises. During the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Kickoff, we got our first look at the 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon Medals. The race is set for January 5 to 9th, and check ou...

Debuting October 1, 2021 a new nighttime spectacular, "Disney Enchantment," at Magic Kingdom Park. Launching with "The World's Most Magical Celebration," this evening extravaganza takes guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, "Disney Enchantment" features stunning fireworks, powerful music, enhanced lighting and, for the first time...

After more than a year of waiting, Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life, the new family-friendly show, is set to premiere at Disney Springs, November 18, 2021. The collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Imagineering is a live acrobatic journey telling the story of Julie, a determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her Disney animator father:...

The Voices of Liberty have been performing at Walt Disney World's Epcot since opening day, October 1, 1982. The Cappella group typically performs inside The American Adventure Rotunda; social distancing has moved them to the outdoor American Garden Theater. This full performance was recorded at the American Garden Theater on October 1, 2021, the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort and the...

Disney Photo Pass services allow you to capture all of your Disney Memories. Using the My Disney Experience Mobile app will enable you to preview all your Disney PhotoPass photos from Walt Disney World Resort, then purchase photo downloads and print to share. Choose just your favorites or buy them all with Memory Maker! Disney Magic Shots add character and other fun surprises to your pictures, and...

The Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration isn't the only Celebration happening right now at Walt Disney World. Over at Epcot, it's the middle of the 2021 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. With Global Marketplaces serves up a host of international flavors, including fan-favorite dishes from Hawai'i, Australia, Germany, Canada, and Greece, as well as new spicy, savory, and sweet p...

"Harmonious," one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park. While the technology, including pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting, massive LED panels, and media are impressive, it's the music that pulls the story together. The show features new interpretations of classic Disney songs in more than a dozen languages, performed by a diverse group of 240 ar...

Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary kick-off was full of announcements, and just a few weeks before all of the anniversary announcements, Epcot opened it's new flagship store, "The Creations Shop". Replacing Mouse Gear, the Creations Shop features a new sleek design with bright and welcoming colors, including a magnificent Mickey Mouse Mural. In addition to offering some 50th Anniversary Celebrat...

Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary kick-off was full of announcements, and just a few weeks before all of the anniversary announcements, Epcot opened it's new flagship store, "The Creations Shop". Located in the new World Celebration area of Walt Disney World's Epcot, The Creations shop is all about celebration, creativity, and innovation. The large-format art features and murals all represent M...