Wordless Wednesday – Flower And Garden From The Other Side
Category: EPCOT News & Reviews
Upcoming Figment Fine Art Events at Epcot
The Art of Disney, Epcot® is going to be playing host to some really cool upcoming Figment Fine Art Events for collectors of many price points on April 21st!!!
To celebrate the release of the Walt Disney Classics Collection Figment: Heights of Imagination, Sculptor Bruce Lau will be signing this figure from11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Join Figment on an expedition into breathtaking wonder and towering imagination! Creativity is a never-ending adventure, and this intrepid, little dragon is the personification of that all-too-human quest to push the boundaries of the possible and discover uncharted territories of magic and dreams. Recreating the memorable moment in “Heights of Imagination” in which Figment scales the summit of a snow-capped peak, this new numbered, limited edition of 500 Walt Disney Classics Collectionsculpture captures the daring mountaineer at the apex of his creative powers.
Based on original attraction reference, Figment is hand-crafted of fine porcelain, hand-painted, kiln-fired and provisioned with real rope, metal flag pole and flag, and metallic paint on the pick axe. Sculpted by Bruce Lau with creative direction from Disney Master Artist David Pacheco, Figment stands approximately 8″ high and retails for $150.00, plus tax.
A limited number of Figment: Heights of Imagination sculptures will be available for pre-order. To pre-order Figment: Heights of Imaginationplease contact
Walt Disney Event Services at 407-827-7600 .
Walt Disney Event Services is open Monday – Friday from 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. EST.All pre-orders for Figment: Heights of Imagination must be placed with Walt Disney Event Services no later than 12:00p.m. EST Thursday, April 19, 2012.
Also at the Art of Disney, Epcot®, Disney Design Group Artist, Darren Wilson, will be signing his newest Figment inspired masterpiece, Figment on Mountain Top, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
There will be three different ways that you will be able to bring this painting home!
The original Figment on Mountain Top painting, Acrylic on Canvas, will be available for sale for $3,000.00.
There is also a Limited Edition Canvas Giclee, for $375.00. The Giclee is limited to 95 pieces.
Figment on Mountain Top is also available as a matted deluxe print for $39.95.
Follow us for more updates: Wordless Wednesday – Stitch Has Escaped
Wordless Wednesday – Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
Meeting Samantha Brown
As are many people, I am a HUGE fan of Samantha Brown (@samanthabrown) from the Travel Channel. I remember the first time I ever saw her on tv. I was at my friend Suzanne’s house and she just happened to have the tv on the Travel Channel as background noise while I was visiting with her and her triplets. An episode of Great Hotels came on, the one about the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago (yes, I even remember which episode it was from a over a decade ago), and I was instantly captivated. There was just something about Sam (as she often refers to herself, making her immediately more accessible) that sucked you in. It is a certain je ne sais quoi, but I will try to articulate. She reminds me slightly of my best friend in that she is very approachable and friendly. Sam has an affable quality and isn’t afraid to laugh at herself or others when the situation warrants. She doesn’t mind making a fool of herself and likes to have a good time. On tv, she appears to be about one of the most down to earth people that you just want to be friends with, and she is in person too. I know because I had the pleasure of meeting her in the fall of 2010. And it all happened through the magic of twitter.
So Sam was one of the first celebrities I followed on twitter. I love following her globetrotting adventures as I have watching her numerous series from Great Hotels to Girl Meets Hawaii, Great Vacation Homes, Passport to Europe, Latin America and China, as well as all of her specials on the Travel Channel. I still think the Great Hotels series is my favorite since she visited WDW on more than one occasion to cover episodes on the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. On top of this Sam has had more than a handful of Disney specials and continues to work with Disney on a regular basis cover the launches of the new cruise ships, Aulani and co-hosting the Disney Parks Christmas Parade in 2011. She is very endearing and can talk to just about anyone.
Anyways, I would tweet her every once in a while and never got a response until I realized that my account was set to private and she couldn’t see my tweets since she doesn’t follow me. Then, one day, after my friend Mary Jo Collins (@mojodisney) got a response from her, I decided to tweet Sam. Amazingly I got a reply! I couldn’t believe it. I was actually interacting with my favorite tv personality. I was in seventh heaven. Of course, I didn’t just let it go at a simple one time chance tweet, so I continued to tweet with Sam every so often and then, it happened. She confirmed she was coming to Disney World to film for a special. Here is how the conversation went:
So that is how it all came about. Through the wonders of social media I was able to meet one of the coolest and nicest people. For her to take time to say hi to me from her busy shooting schedule for the filming of the special Best Places I’ve Ever Been: Disney Memories, was completely amazing. Sam was very gracious and did keep me posted, just like she said she would. As she was escorted in by Cast Members and producers, a line quickly formed in the UK to meet her. I had been hanging out with one of my twitter friends, Susan (@marypoppins68), whom I had just met merely minutes before, when I got the message and we headed to the UK. If it weren’t for Susan, I wouldn’t have the awesome picture of me and Sam because I couldn’t get my silly blackberry to stop tweeting to be able to take a picture. I was next in line and then the CMs tried to whisk Sam away, but I protested (politely) telling Sam that I was @floridamingo with whom she had been tweeting. Immediately, Sam said to the CMs that she had a few minutes and insisted on getting a picture with me and we spoke for a few minutes. I couldn’t believe she did that just for me! After we met, she did have to get back to work and I snapped a few pictures of the filming. When she and her friend were on a break I approached Sam again and mentioned a few drinks she might like since it was during the International Food & Wine Festival and we all know she occasionally enjoys an adult beverage. She seemed to appreciate the tip and I went on my merry way with my mission accomplished.
I set out to meet Samantha Brown and I did just that. Despite the fact that I had two other trips planned for later that month, I booked a trip just for this opportunity. No, I’m not a stalker, I swear, but I really appreciate producing quality entertainment that is also somewhat educational and lets the rest of us live vicariously through it. It was an awesome experience and I actually spoke with Sam on another occasion as a call in guest during a fundraiser by the Be Our Guest Podcast crew. To be able to speak with her again was very cool and she even seemed to remember me (or at least pretended for my sake). For someone to put forth that effort for there fans is rare and I respect how gracious and friendly Sam was during both our in person and phone conversations. I can’t wait to see the next series or special that she has coming up as well as her continued association with Disney.
Here is a link to the special Sam filmed that day. She is up first so don’t be scared by the length:
Best Places I’ve Ever Been: Disney Memories
Pictures from that day of the filming:
Wordless Wednesday – Lanterns and Waterfalls
EPCOT Christmas Wish…
Epcot’s Future World’s Holiday Spirit
While most of the holiday celebrating at Epcot is featured in each country of the World Showcase, Future World isn’t left out of the fun!
The area is decorated with several topiaries and Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season is performed several times a day on the Fountain of Nations Stage.
So while you are making your way to World Showcase, make sure you slow down to enjoy what Future World has to offer!!!
Wordless Wednesday – Mexican Gem
Marvel Coming Soon to Epcot
When ‘Don’t Waste It’ presented by Waste Management left Innoventions East I was bummed! It was a game that the while family enjoyed!
But since the game’s departure, there has been a large amount of activity in it’s place.
‘Habit Heroes’ presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield & Blue Cross Blue Shield is slated to open in very early 2012.
This highly interactive experience centering around Health & Wellness will also mark Marvel’s formal entrance into the Walt Disney World Parks.
You can really tell from the art work posted on the surrounding walls that their influence into the design of the space will be amazing.
I know that it may just be an area in Innoventions, but I am excited to see what Marvel can add to the Walt Disney World park experiences.
Wordless Wednesday – Celebrating The Harvest
Eat To The Beat Concert Series Rocks Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival
The Eat to the Beat concert series is a super cool bonus to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!
The concerts take place at the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot’s World Showcase, and the cost is included with your admission to the park. There are concerts at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
I went to my first Eat to the Beat Concert, and it was AWESOME! I can’t believe that we have skipped this during our multiple trips to Epcot during the International Food & Wine Festival. I was stoked to see Sugar Ray with Shalon, Emily, and Tom!
It was a great concert! He played all of the hits you’d expect, some you didn’t (They loved the “Play Mean Machine” signs that Shalon made…WOOT WOOT!), and then threw in a few fun extras!
I absolutely suggest going early to get a great place in line. We got there 45 minutes early, and were given a ticket to turn in that allowed us to go in early to grab some great seats. We were able to hold some seats around us, but you can’t hold up too much space. And finally, be prepared to dance and have fun!
The remaining concert line-up* for Eat to the Beat is…
The Orchestra starring former members of ELO (“Don’t Bring Me Down”): 10/20-21/11
Howard Jones (“No One is to Blame”): 10/22-23/11
Boyz II Men (“End of the Road”): 10/24-26/11
Gin Blossoms (“Hey Jealousy”): 10/27-28/11
Sister Hazel (“All for You”): 10/29-30/11
Hanson (“Give a Little”): 10/31-11/1/11
The Pointer Sisters (“He’s so Shy”): 11/2-3/11
Night Ranger (“Sister Christian”) : 11/4-6/11
Air Supply (“Lost in Love”): 11/7-8/11
Richard Marx (“Right Here Waiting”): 11/9-10/11
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Go Daddy-O”): 11/11-13/11
*= The songs I listed are for recognition and not necessarily what they will play.
I know that Sugar Ray won’t be my last Eat to the Beat concert, and I hope to see you there!!!
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2011 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Merchandise
Inside of the 2011 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Center, located in the much beloved Wonders of Life Pavilion, you will find the most comprehensive collection of Festival Merchandise.
Let’s take a look at what this year has to offer…
Now the next few items I found are so amazing! These cosmetic and messenger bags are created from the banners that flew at last year’s International Food and Wine Festival!!!
The 2011 International Food and Wine Festival has also added two signature wines to their list of exclusive offerings.
The thing that strikes me the most about the merchandise for the 2011 International Food and Wine Festival is that the quality has definitely been kicked up a notch since last year!!!
Also, with the addition of the wines and the priorLife merchandise you will find more opportunities, outside of the featured artists, to purchase one-of-a-kind items!
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New Tip Board At Epcot
Today is the debut of the new Tip Board in Epcot!
And while it still gives the basic wait time information, there is an awesome new addition!
If you tweet with the hashtag #EpcotFW11, it will show up on a scrolling Twitter Marquee. The lag time between the time you tweet and it appearing on the screen was about 3 minutes. Just an FYI, if your account is private your tweets won’t appear on the scrolling timeline.
I am STOKED about this new addition!!!
Hope you enjoy the pics!!!
IBM Centennial Celebration in Innoventions
IBM is celebrating their Centennial Anniversary by showcasing their history and contributions in Innoventions.
Paul Lasewicz, IBM archivist, is sharing his knowledge and showing some of the products that have made them famous over the last 100 years.
The 20 minute presentation is full of information and facts. As a bit of a history buff, it was really interesting learning about their roles in early census tabulations and the creation of the Social Security Administration. I also learned that I need to type 216 words a minute to break the world record…guess I can mark that off the bucket list.
I know I probably sounds like a huge dork right now. But what started off as a way to dodge the rain, turned into a really fun hour.
Paul and his presentation are here until tomorrow, and take place every hour from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
