Happy 40th Birthday WDW.

You may be interested in this timeline created by The Disney Parks Blog.

Timeline: Celebrating 40 Years at Walt Disney World « Disney Parks Blog

Halloween in Orlando Florida 2011.

To celebrate Halloween in Orlando Florida there is fun for all ages, here is information on a few venues……..

Disney’s Magic Kingdom will be holding it’s ‘Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party’ this after hours party will take place on 23 selected nights from September13th to November 1st. 2011. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party.

All the Disney parks will have a Halloween theme with special events and decorations throughout.

At Disney’s Fort Wilderness you can ride in a horse driven haunted carriage whilst listening to the ‘Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ [Booking is advised, price is $60 per carriage.]http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort/recreation/

SeaWorld is attracting families to come and join in their Halloween events with sea themed games and art activities, ‘spooky shows’, and sea creature characters. SeaWorlds Spooktacular runs each weekend in October from 12.00-8.00pm. http://www.seaworldspooktacular.com/

Green Meadows Petting Farm in Kissimmee has a special ‘Fall’ theme, where children can pick their own pumpkin. http://www.greenmeadowsfarm.com/

And not for young children or for the faint hearted…..Universal Studios is holding its annual ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ the event runs on selected nights through October. [Booking is advised].

http://www.universalorlando.com/Events/Halloween-Horror-Nights.aspx

Kim Possible Adventure at Epcot.

During a recent visit to Epcot in Walt Disney World Florida, my daughter’s and I decided to try the ‘Kim Possible Adventure’ although we are all adults it was one of the highlights of our trip, I would recommend it to any age, particularly families with children, it’s a great way to visit the different Pavilions, adding more interest to your World Showcase experience. It is easy to follow once you have picked up your ‘Kimmunicator’ which will show you areas and objects you probably wouldn’t have been aware of before, whilst solving your secret mission!

For more information please go to……

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/kim-possible/

Disney’s Annual Food and Wine Festival 2011.

At Epcot Walt Disney World Florida the annual ‘International Food and Wine Festival’ will be commencing on September 30th 2011 until November 13th.

It is a great opportunity to experience culinary produce from all around the globe. The event takes place at the ‘World Showcase at Epcot,’

There will be seminars, food tasting, demonstrations, wine tasting, food purchasing, merchandise, dining in the parks restaurants [although pre-booking is advised]. Many tempting ideas and culinary experiences for all the family.

Also…

‘The Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon’ event will be held on September 30th 2011. This night time race will run through the Disney theme parks and afterwards there will be an ‘extra hours’ event exclusive party for competitors and spectators.

New Tinker Bell Meet and Greet at Magic Kingdom WDW Florida.

In Adventureland at The Magic Kingdom Park Walt Disney World there is a new meet and greet area called ‘Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook.’ Walk inside this magical place which is filled with glittering fairy like decorations and pictures of Tinker bell and her friends, go further to immerse yourself and imagine you are in Fairyland where you can meet and have photos with your favourite fairy friends.

To find information and fairy visiting times look in the park times guide so as not to miss out.

Lilly the baby Gorilla at Animal Kingdom Florida.

If you are visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Florida, one of the many attractions is a baby gorilla who was born February 2010. You can see the Western Lowland Gorilla named Lilly and her family at the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. She began her life with speculation as she seemed slow in developing in the expected way but she has caught up and is thriving well.

Experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida.

The Harry Potter series of books, and films, can be argued by many as the most important, and popular series of the last 10 years. With children growing up with the characters, and the films bringing these imaginations to the screen, there was only one thing left. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios allows the fans of this immensely life-changing franchise to step into its magical world, and to experience all things Harry Potter. With a ‘Forbidden Journey’, and the famous shops from the books on Hogsmeade’s high street, imaginations are bought to reality.

The giant Hogwarts castle that towers over the park houses the ‘Forbidden Journey’ ride, within which guests can soar above the grounds and take part in a journey with Harry himself, and encounter some of the fantastical creatures featured in the book. The queue area of the ride is an attraction in itself, winding through the many rooms of Hogwarts, including Dumbledore’s office, and some of the classrooms, where every detail has been perfected to feel like it has come right from the book.

Dragon Challenge lets the fearless race dragons, either a wild Hungarian Horntail, or the ferocious Chinese Fireball, on a fast, exciting ride. The two ‘dragons’ race against each other, on intertwining courses, and a near miss is sure to make it feel as if you really are flying in the sky on a speeding dragon.

Try out one of Hagrid’s infamous Care of Magical Creatures classes, and ride the ‘Flight of the Hippogriff’. Learn how to approach it, just as Harry Potter did, and then be rewarded with a fantastical flight, that circles Hagrid’s hut, and swoops down and around his pumpkin patch.

Dining in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is purely magical. The Three Broomsticks is the local restaurant of Hogsmeade, and is the perfect place to stop and have a taste of the famous Butterbeer, or to have a hearty English lunch. Meals include Fish and Chips, Turkey Legs, and Shepherd’s Pie, with many other dishes to please all, while sitting in the traditional wooden tavern style surroundings. Included in the back of The Three Broomsticks is the Hog’s Head pub, within which guests can try Butterbeer, pumpkin juice, and a range of alcoholic beverages for the adults.

There is a wide range of shops for young wizards to supply themselves with their Wizarding goods. Including Dervish and Banges, Zonkos, Honeydukes, for magical treats and sweets, and Ollivanders, where guests can have their wand choose them, there is something for everyone.