Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
children, including tax; two-day tickets are $115.02. Same-day tickets cost $74.69 per
person for adults and children, including tax.
Those who say Christmas is the most wonderful time of year have never been
to the
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
. Held in World Showcase from
mid-September through mid-November, the celebration represents 25 nations and
cuisines, including demonstrations, wine seminars, tastings, and opportunities to see
some of the world's top chefs. Although many activities are included in Epcot admis-
sion, some workshops and tastings are by reservation only and cost over $100. Call
407-
WDW
-
DINE
starting around the beginning of August for more information. We
think the culinary demos and the wine-and-beverage seminars (about $12-$16 each)
are the best values at the festival. Because most of the food kiosks are set up around
World Showcase, it can be difficult to walk through the crowds at some of the popular
spots. Wait times at Epcot's attractions, however, are affected only slightly.
Held two dozen or so nights each year mid-September-October 31 (and oc-
casionally into November),
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
runs 7
p.m.-midnight at the Magic Kingdom. The event includes trick-or-treating in cos-
tume, parades, live music, storytelling, and a fireworks show. See
tinyurl.com/mick-
eysnotsoscary
for more information. Several times that evening, Disney villains will
put on a great show followed by a
Villains' Mix and Mingle
in front of Cinderella
Castle. Aimed primarily atyoungerchildren, thepartyishappyandupbeatratherthan
spooky and frightening.
The park will be crowded, so arrive early (we recommend arriving an hour before
the beginning of the party, as Disney starts letting guests with party tickets inside the
park around 6:30 p.m., sometimes much earlier). Proceed directly to the table where
the wristbands identifying you as a party guest are obtained. Also, get the special map
for the event with details and hours of all the happenings. Go straight to the rides that
are on your must-do list, and after that just enjoy the party. If trick-or-treating is a pri-
ority, do that first thing after you arrive or toward the end of the night, when crowds
thin out and there are no long lines in front of the trick-or-treating stations.
An absolute must-ride is
The Haunted Mansion
, which is spooky but only in the
sweetest way. Look for the ghost in the garden of the mansion when you're queuing
up; his hilarious tales and interaction with the guests will make you forget you are
standing in line. Characters are out in force all over the park, and the
Boo to You
