Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap Jun. 16, 2013

Mark your calendars – On August 13, we begin booking reservations for premium events for the 18th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. And this week, Pam shared a list of experiences planned for this year’s 46-day fest, including some new ones:

• New Scotland, Land of Food And Drink (Sept. 28), $95 or $115
• New Spirits Confidential (Nov. 1), $80 or $95
• New Parisian Breakfast (Saturdays), $37
• New Hibachi Experience (Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5), $120

There are many more experiences, including The Discovery of Chocolate, to be found in Pam’s original Epcot International Food & Wine Festival story. Also, here’s the all-important number to keep handy: 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378).

And did you catch the water performance by The Aqualillies during their visit to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort? The synchronized swimming team showed off their skills with style in the resort’s Big Blue Pool – the largest pool we have at the entire the Walt Disney World Resort.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

Disney Parks After Dark: Mysterious Island at Tokyo DisneySea – The “Disney Parks After Dark” series continues with a beautiful view of Mysterious Island at Tokyo DisneySea.

A Look Back: Sailing Ship Columbia Debuts at Disneyland Park 55 Years Ago This Week – In honor its 55th anniversary, take a look at some new and vintage photos of the Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland park.

New Savory Treat at Disneyland Park: Slow-Roasted Pork Shank – The slow-roasted pork shank, which debuted at Gaston’s Tavern at Walt Disney World Resort, is now on the menu at Edelweiss Snacks in Fantasyland at the Disneyland Resort!

Finish That Disney Parks Sign: A ‘Tangled’ Poster at Magic Kingdom Park – Jenn asked us to identify what prestigious collection will be on display in the Lavender Tea Room at Magic Kingdom Park.

Retelling a ‘Tale as Old as Time’ with New Vinylmation Series Debuting at Disney Parks on June 21 – Take a look at the new “Beauty and the Beast” Vinylmation series that is set to debut at Disney Parks on June 21.

Cruise Over to Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney This Father’s Day – Car Masters Weekend returns to Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort June 15-16.

Like Father, Like Son: Kevin Rafferty and Kevin Rafferty, Jr. – In honor of Father’s Day, enjoy an interview with a father-son duo that help create two generations of magic for Disney Parks.