It’s official: March 21 is National French Bread Day, a perfect excuse for us to head to Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie at the France Pavilion at Epcot.

We’ll start with the iconic baguette, baked fresh daily – it’s fun to watch bakers at work in the onstage kitchen. The long, thin loaves have that perfect, golden crust that cracks when you tear off a bite, with a soft, chewy inside. Because baguettes are just wheat flour, water, yeast and salt and take more than 48 hours to make from start to finish, they’re baked fresh every single day, all day long. You can also find that fresh baked bread at the adjacent Chefs de France and Monsieur Paul.

Of course, the French are famous for their sweets too, so after a baguette you might want to sip an espresso or a glass of bubbly and enjoy a divine éclair, tarte or Duo au chocolat. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, check out these delicious photos by Disney photographer Matt Stroshane.

If you’re an early riser, the bakery opens at 9 a.m., ahead of the regular World Showcase opening, and it’s delightful to head there and sit in relative quietness to savor a continental start to the day.

Everything on the menu under $5 counts as a snack on the Disney Dining Plan , and you also can create a quick-service lunch on the Disney Dining Plan with one savory item, one sweet and a soft drink.

Bon appetit!

Tagged: Dining, Epcot, Photography, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

Earlier this year, we shared on the Disney Parks Blog the story of eight sea turtles, rescued from New England beaches during a cold spell and suffering from hypothermia. Well, I’m thrilled to report that last week, after receiving care at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot, four of the turtles were returned to their home in the sea, with the other four expected to follow soon.

 
Disney and other rehabilitation centers came to the aid of the New England Aquarium, whose sea turtle hospital had reached capacity. Our animal care team took in eight Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, one of the most endangered species of sea turtles in the world. The team focused on increasing the turtles’ body weight so they could regain their strength to swim in the open ocean.

Under direction from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the turtles were released back to the ocean at the Canaveral National Seashore here in Florida. We hope you’ll enjoy the video of the turtles heading back to the sea!

 
In addition to rehabilitating sea turtles, Disney is helping through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, which has directed more than $1.1 million to sea turtle conservation efforts.


Check out below for more posts from our “Wildlife Wednesdays” series:

• Wildlife Wednesdays: Sea Turtles Ill from the Cold Recovering at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot
• Wildlife Wednesdays: Saddle-Billed Stork Has First Chick; White-Cheeked Gibbon Expands Family with New Addition at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Wildlife Wednesdays: Spring Forward to Help Frogs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Tagged: Conservation, DAK, Epcot, WDW

Filed: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

Today’s “Caption This” photo comes to us from inside Spaceship Earth at Epcot.

This shot, taken in 1985, depicts a part of the attraction that showcases the moment when the telephone exploded in popularity. Looks like these switchboard operators are sure earning their paycheck today.

What’s all the buzz about? You tell us in the “Comments” section below.

See below for more chances to “Caption This”:

• Caption This: Dale Visits the Sand Trap at Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course at Walt Disney World Resort
• Caption This: Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Day at the Beach
• Caption This: Finding Pluto at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort

Tagged: Epcot, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

If you have an eagle eye, next week’s “Limited Time Magic” surprise at Disney Parks is especially for you. We’re launching a special “egg” hunt at both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.

For one week only, from March 18-24, you’ll be able to search for special hidden “eggs” themed to Disney characters at Epcot and at Disney California Adventure park and then record your discoveries on specially themed Eggs-perience park maps.

At Epcot, maps can be purchased at the Heritage Manor in the American Adventure Pavilion, International Gateway, Pin Central and Port of Entry.

And at Disney California Adventure park, you can purchase the map at Elias & Co., Oswald’s, Radiator Springs Curios, Tower Hotel Gifts and Treasures in Paradise.

Each map and set of stickers will cost $4.95, plus tax at select locations. And whether you choose to hunt for eggs or not, return your map to a Port of Entry at Epcot or Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park for a surprise.

Maps will be available while supplies last and no discounts apply. You should also know that separate admission is required to enter Disney Theme Parks and the experience is subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Epcot, Limited Time Magic, WDW

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

Did you know that this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival features more than 100 Disney-themed topiaries spread throughout the park?

Among this year’s selection are a “Fab Five” Disney character topiary that features a 14-foot-tall Goofy; a “Monsters University” Mike and Sulley; a Phineas and Ferb topiary; and Lightning McQueen and Mater, among others.

Our video crew stopped by over the weekend for a look.

 
Are topiaries the highlight of the festival for you? If so, tell us in the “Comments” section below which is your favorite.


Look below for more updates from the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival:

• HGTV’s Chris Lambton Goes ‘Yard’ – Family-Style – at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
• Believe in the Magic of Oz…See it in Bloom at Epcot
• Get Your Mini Disney Gift Card and Get a Taste of Spring at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Tagged: Epcot, International Flower and Garden Festival, Video, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

Well, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, presented by HGTV, is in full swing and, although it’s a tad chillier than normal here in Florida, we are already having some great times.

Chris Lambton, star of HGTV’s “Going Yard,” is here this weekend, giving tips to Epcot guests on how to turn their yards into spectacular, outdoor venues.

We caught up with Chris during rehearsals and he gave us a sneak peek into his presentation, ”Going Yard for Your Lifestyle.” He encourages families to treat their outdoor spaces with the same care and planning that they would any other room in their homes, tailoring the design to their family’s interests.

Guests of the Festival can see Lambton and other favorite HGTV and DIY stars on “The Designers’ Stage Presented by HGTV” at the Festival Center each Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Festival at noon and 3 p.m.

The complete lineup includes:
• March 15-17 – Chris Grundy, DIY Network’s Cool Tools: “Keepin’ It Green with Grundy”
• March 22-24 – Egypt Sherrod, host of Property Virgins: “Getting the Inside Scoop on HGTV’s Top Home Features for 2013″
• March 29-31 – Brandon Johnson, My Yard Goes Disney: “Bringing More Disney Inspiration and HGTV Design to Your Backyard”
• April 5-7 – Meg Caswell, Meg’s Great Rooms: “Discovering Design Tips to Personalize Your Space & Make a Good Room Great”
• April 12-14 – Jason Cameron, DIY Network’s Desperate Landscapes and Man Caves: “Desperate Landscapes . . . Where Do We Grow from Here?”
• April 19-21 – Sara Peterson, Editor-in-Chief, HGTV Magazine: “Boosting Your Curb Appeal! 25 Easy Ideas from Front Doors to Flower Pots”
• April 26-28 – Carter Oosterhouse, Million Dollar Rooms: “Million Dollar Trends”
• May 3-5 – Casey Noble, Design on a Dime: “Creating Luxury Hotel Floral Arrangements in Your Home”
• May 10-12 – Dan Faires, HGTV.com, DanMade: “Easy Ideas for Creating a Designer Garden”
• May 17-19 – David Bromstad, HGTV Design Star, ColorSplash, Design Star All-Stars: “The Power of Color”

Presentations by HGTV and DIY Network stars are included with admission to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

The 20th annual festival runs from now through May 19, 2013 at Epcot.

For more information on the Festival, click over to EpcotInSpring.com and check back to the Disney Parks Blog for updates and posts throughout the Festival.

Tagged: Epcot, International Flower and Garden Festival, Video, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

The marvelous land of Oz has captured the imaginations of people for over 100 years. Chances are good that this wondrous place has sparked your imagination, whether you’re a school kid, bank teller, rocket scientist—or a horticulturist like Eric Darden.

Eric is the Manager of Horticulture for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. This year, the event is presenting one of the most ambitious dreams that Eric, his team and his fellow Disney Parks cast members have ever made come true.

“The Land of Oz Garden is one of the biggest single areas we’ve ever created for the Festival,” said Eric. “It starts in the ‘Kansas’ section, where kids can play midway games in the tents.”

In Walt Disney Pictures “Oz The Great and Powerful” — which opens today nationwide — you’ll see Kansas in black and white, Oz in dazzling color and all in three-dimensional RealD splendor (at select theaters). But at this new Epcot garden, of course everything’s blooming in full color — from the ring toss game and fun mirrors to the Baum Circus tents (named for L. Frank Baum, author of all 14 original Oz books).

“As you walk along, you’ll seem to travel through Oz, where the kids can enjoy the large playground,” explained Eric. Newly designed, this playground sparkles with details that celebrate the film. As the kids play, grown-ups will appreciate the nearby shaded chairs. Look on the other side of this area and you’ll see that it’s actually themed to the Wizard’s deflated hot air balloon!

A dazzling array of unusual flowers and plants suggest the setting of Walt Disney Pictures’ “Oz The Great and Powerful,” including a bed of yellow pansies arranged to resemble a very familiar brick road—plus some dazzling red glass poppies. These amazing creations were prepared especially for The Land of Oz Garden by artist/sculptor Craig Mitchell Smith using his own elaborate technique of cutting, heating, shaping and reheating each flower—a process that takes four days per poppy!

Now through May 19, 2013, The Land of Oz Garden is just part of the overall new excitement at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. “Now we have great food and beverage options at twelve Garden Marketplaces,” says Eric. “Now it’s all tied together—from the garden to your table—better than ever.

“And we’ve placed plenty of character topiaries all over Epcot. There’s a picnic scene at the front entrance, with Minnie sitting on a blanket, Donald and Daisy playing badminton and Goofy is about to drop the cake! Mickey is grilling hot dogs—though unbeknownst to him, Pluto has already taken his share.”

Over at Showcase Plaza, you’ll see Mike and Sulley as they will appear in the eagerly awaited Disney•Pixar movie Monsters University. “Almost all of our gardens are now beautifully illuminated at nighttime, so you can make it a complete day and night visit,” Eric adds. “We’ve brought back the butterfly garden, HGTV celebrity designers and Flower Power Concert Series. We couldn’t be more excited about what we have to offer this year.”

For more information, visit EpcotInSpring.com.

Entertainment subject to change without notice.

Read on for more updates about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival:

• Get Your Mini Disney Gift Card and Get a Taste of Spring at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
• Celebrating Springtime at Epcot in the Land of Oz
• Behind the Scenes: Horticulture Preps 100 Topiaries for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Tagged: Epcot, Gallery, International Flower and Garden Festival, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort