Japan

News

2015 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Booth Menus Announced

If you're making plans to attend this 2015 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival you can now check out all the menus for the marketplace booths! New booths this year include Sustainable Chew, the Chew Lab, the Wine Studio, and the Cheese Studio. The Dominican Republic booth is returning after a multi-year hiatus.

Paul Candland Named President of The Walt Disney Company Asia

The Walt Disney Company recently announced that Paul Candland was named to the newly created position of president, The Walt Disney Company Asia.

In this position, Candland will have oversight of Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and Greater China and will be responsible for driving the company's strategy and business efforts in Asia. Candland, a 16-year Disney veteran, was president of Walt Disney Japan.

Epcot’s Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure Now Using New Smartphones

Agent P's World Showcase Adventure in Epcot is now using new Nokia smartphones from AT&T.

The interactive game had been using Verizon Samsung flip-phones for the last two years. AT&T became the official wireless provider for the Walt Disney World Resort in August 2013.

The new smartphones have a much larger screen than the old flip phones and reportedly the quality of the audio is improved. And since it's a smartphone, it also features a touch screen.

Frozen Draft Beer Invades the U.S. - At Epcot's Japan Pavilion

It's a hit across the ocean in Tokyo, Japan , and now it's hit the mainland U.S. We're talking, of course, about frozen draft beer; guests heading out to the Japan Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase can now sample one of these frosty beverages.

As you can see in the picture, the beer looks like it's topped with a whipped topping of some sort, or even ice cream. Rest assured, it's truly a cold beer, Kirin brand, topped by frozen beer. The frozen topping helps the beer retain its refreshing coldness quite a bit longer than its regular counterparts.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Preview

While this year's International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot has just ended, already plans are in the works for the upcoming 2012 Flower and Garden Festival. Here is a preview of what guests can expect when that festival gears up in March.

This year's centerpiece will be based on the classic Disney film "Fantasia" and will feature a larger-than-life Mickey Mouse topiary on top of a twelve-foot floral mountain. Below Mickey will be flower versions of buckets and broomsticks, elephants, alligators and hippos.

Tokyo Disneyland Reopens Today

It has been closed since the devestating tsunami and earthquake hit Japan, but now Tokyo Disneyland is reopening its doors.

Starting today, Tokyo Disneyland will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The shorter-than-normal hours are part of an effort by Disney to conserve energy and power consumption.

Tokyo Disneyland will also be donating a certain amount per guest entering the parks to the Japanese Red Cross. Also, starting April 22, charity wrist bands will be available for sale with proceeds also going to the Red Cross to aid its relief efforts.

Tokyo Disneyland Update

The Tokyo Disneyland Resort is still closed in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan earlier this month and will remain closed until further notice.

Thorough inspections were conducted in Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySEA and found that structures and guest areas inside both parks were safe and sound. The same cannot be said, however, for the outside of the parks. More specifically, the parking lots of the parks have sustained damage from soil liquefaction which occurred when the earthquake's tremors caused the soil under the parking lots to act like liquid.

Disney Donates $2.5 Million to Red Cross

As all eyes continue to watch Japan in the aftermath of last week's devestating earthquake and tsunami, the Walt Disney Company is making a $2.5 million contribution to the Red Cross to aid efforts in that country. Disney also has set up a charitable giving program for all its employees and will match each dollar donated with a dollar up to an additional $1 million.

Forum Posts

Articles

The Cultural Art Galleries of Epcot's World Showcase

Epcot was born of a desire to bring together people and cultures from across the globe. Conceived as an experimental community where differences would be celebrated, as people lived and worked together and learned that we are really all the same. While many people today simply make their way around World Showcase for the food and wine, those who delve deeper into the pavilions will discover a series of small galleries continue to celebrate the diverse cultural arts and crafts unique to each region.

Keeping Cool on Your Walt Disney World Vacation

I've visited Disney World during every month of the year, and with a few exceptions it's usually quite warm. There are a few really nice months when you might need a jacket in the morning or evening (January, February, November, December) but since we are talking about Florida, you need to be prepared for warm weather.

Our Favorite Things in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion

When visiting Epcot's World Showcase there are several must-visit destinations, many of which include food or drink (I'm looking at you France. And Norway.) But one of my favorite spots to visit has more to do with the look and feel of the pavilion than anything else.

Promenade of Holiday Sweets at Epcot's Holidays Around The World

No matter what time of year you go, Epcot's World Showcase offers guests the opportunity to a stroll through 11 beautiful and unique pavilions representing different countries around the world. One of the highlights for my family is always to snack around the world getting a taste of the flavors that each has to offer. This year for the holiday season sweets treats are taking center stage at Epcot as the pastry chefs of World Showcase countries show off their sugary best starting November 30.

Find a Quick Bite to Eat amid Beautiful Japanese Gardens at Epcot’s Katsura Grill

Epcot's Japan pavilion is one of the prettiest pavilions in World Showcase. It's also sometimes of one those frequently overlooked pavilions.

Lately though it has become one of my favorite pavilions due in large part to the beautiful and serene gardens. I've found it's always a good place to stop and take a break from the fast-paced touring that can happen when one is visiting Epcot.

And when I do stop in Japan I like to grab a quick bite to eat at Katsura Grill, which is the pavilion's counter service location.

Top 10 Things You Can Get for Free at the Walt Disney World Resort

There's nothing inexpensive about a Walt Disney World vacation. From the hotel to the theme park tickets to airfare to food to must-have souvenirs, it's likely that your wallet is going to be a bit lighter at the end of the vacation.

Epcot's Beautiful Japanese Gardens

Finding a quiet spot in the theme park during Walt Disney World's busy season can be tricky. However Epcot's Japan Pavilion offers a lovely retreat away from the busy path of tourists rushing by. Many guests are familiar with the magical Koi Pond in Japan, but fewer have ventured deeper within the garden to seek its source.

Take a Shopping Trip Around the World in Epcot’s World Showcase Pavilions

When you're in search of a unique souvenir during your vacation at Walt Disney World, one of the best places to look is in Epcot's World Showcase. You will find an abundance of authentic trinkets in each of the pavilions.

Let's start with a couple fun souvenirs for the younger travelers in your group.

Holidays Around the World: The Storytellers Of Epcot's World Showcase

For all of the deserved hype that the Osborne Lights, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and Candlelight Processional get during the holidays, there is one neglected bit of yuletide delight hiding in Walt Disney World. The storytellers at Holidays Around the World in EPCOT are phenomenal! It can be difficult to catch every presentation and it is not possible to see the storytellers sequentially, but making the effort is worth it.