The Grand Floridian's Gasparilla Island Grill reopened following a two month refurbishment. 

Changes to the restaurant are minimal, since a major refurbishment was done just a few years ago. An updated menu, along with Coca-Cola Freestyle machines are among the main guest facing changes.

Gasparilla Island Grill is open 24/7 daily, with hot breakfast until 11:00 AM, and made-to-order items until 11:30 PM. Outside of that timeframe, grab 'n' go items are available.

Disney Theatrical Productions will bring a showcase of favorite music and Broadway talent to the America Gardens Theatre stage as part of Epcot International Festival of the Arts.

Beginning January 13, 2017, the event will take place on each weekend for 6 weeks, through to February 20, 2017. Here is the line-up of Broadway talent scheduled to appear:

January 13-16 and 20-23, 2017: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland performing songs from: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid.

January 27-30 and February 3-6, 2017: Kerry Butler and Kevin Massey performing songs from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Newsies and Aladdin.

February 10-13 and 17-20, 2017: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White performing songs from Disney’s The Lion King, Aida, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.

Performances will be 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM Friday through Monday of each festival weekend.

Elsewhere in Epcot, Future World Plaza will also be filled with a variety of other visual and live performances including Epcot Living Statues, performances by Central Florida high schools and acclaimed university and college talent appearing through a partnership with Disney Performing Arts. Epcot’s American Music Machine will perform on the Future World Fountain Stage.

Disney will be offering premium experiences, and bookings are now open, including a 15% discount for Annual Passholders and DVC Members with select experiences. You can book now by calling 407-WDW-PLAY.


Disney Broadway Concerts

The concert series will pair Broadway talent with favorite songs from award-winning Disney shows such as “The Lion King,” “Newsies” and “Aladdin”. The Dining package includes a three-course meal or full buffet and priority seating at the 8:00pm concert at participating Epcot restaurants. Prices range from $39-$69+ tax for adults, $23-$41+tax for children.

Interactive Workshops

Workshops include gesture drawing class, watercolor painting, mixed media art, calligraphy and floral arrangements. The Interactive Workshops are $39+tax each Friday-Monday of the Festival.

All workshops wil be held in the Odyssey Festival Showplace.

JANUARY 13 – 16, 2017

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017
11:00 AM "Magical" Mixed Media Art, Rachelle Eason, BoiLedBooks
Create a magnificent mixed media piece using BoiLeD BooK paper and paint. We'll finish it off with a mat and some sparkle for a magical masterpiece to display!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2017
11:00 AM Gesture Drawing Class, Todd Bright, Disney Animator
“Story Telling Drawings:” Come learn the art of quick sketching from life with a Disney animator. Gesture drawing of people is foundational practice for animators, story board artists, and directors. A single drawing can tell a story.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017
11:00 AM Floral Arranging with a Disney Floral & Gifts Designer
Imagine the Pixie-dusted possibilities as the Disney Floral Designers show you how to make a little floral design magic! In this session we will teach you the basic floral design principles and show you how to create a petite Tinker Bell inspired floral arrangement – all it takes is faith, trust, and a little pixie dust!

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017
11:00 AM Modern Macramé, Sara Stoff, Fiber
Macramé is the art of knotting rope to make patterns. In this class you will learn basic macramé knots and how to make a modern wall hanging. Fun for the whole family!

JANUARY 20 – 23, 2017

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017
11:00 AM Floral Arranging with a Disney Floral & Gifts Designer
Mickey Mouse is in the house! Let the Disney Floral Designers show you some of our favorite ways to add a little touch of Mickey-magic to any floral arrangement. During this session, we will share basic floral design principles along with some Disney inspirations to help you bring the magic of Disney home at any time of the year!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2017
11:00 AM Watercolor Love, Rachelle Eason, BoiLedBooks
Paint a wonderful work of art blending watercolors to create a beautiful sentiment. A choice of shapes will be available for your selection. We'll finish it off with a mat and your watercolor art will be quite a delight!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2017
11:00 AM Become an Artisan Spice Blend Mix-Master, Pam Smith, P.S. Flavor
Learn how to blend spices the P.S. Flavor! way and become a top chef in your own kitchen! You will be mixing a P.S. Flavor! spice blend to your own tastes and using it to create a vibrant vinaigrette and sensational salad... flavor from start to finish!

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2017
11:00 AM The Artistry of Amorette's Patisserie, Jade Bowser, Amorette's Patisserie, Disney Springs
Come learn the artistry behind the decorating techniques of Amorette’s signature “petite cake.” We will cover how to buttercream and decorate a cake while discovering the unique artistic touches of Amorette’s Patisserie. In the end, you will have a one of a kind cake designed to honor Epcot!

JANUARY 27 – 30, 2017

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2017
11:00 AM Truffle Making, Amy Holmes & Kathleen Dunn, The Ganachery, Disney Springs
Learn to roll and decorate your own truffles using the Signature Ganachery Chocolate and pick up a few tips and tricks from the talented team of Chocolatiers!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2017
11:00 AM Ink & Paint Animation, Lynn Rippberger, Disney Animation Ink And Paint Artist
Learn about the history of 2D Cel Animation and paint your very own Ink & Paint Cel!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2017
11:00 AM The Art of Mixology, Eric Foster, Stacole Fine Wines & Spirits
Learn from a top mixologist as you experience a hands-on cocktail making workshop! Elevate classic cocktails by adding your own artistic touch and transform the simple cocktail to elegant using craft ingredients.

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017
11:00 AM Animation 101, Todd Bright, Disney Animator
Create your own animated Flip Book while learning the fundamental Principles of Animation with a Disney animator. Watch your drawings come to life!

FEBRUARY 3 - 6, 2017

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017
11:00 AM Ink & Paint Animation, Lynn Rippberger, Disney Animation Ink And PaintArtist
Learn about the history of 2D Cel Animation and paint your very own Ink & Paint Cel!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017
11:00 AM Valentine Card Making, Tona Bell, The Paper Seahorse
Make a beautiful handmade love note for Valentine’s or anytime. You will learn to make your own origami heart card and envelope. Then you will learn how to hand letter the greeting. Make with your hands and give from your heart.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017
11:00 AM Intro to Modern Calligraphy, Singling Lee, CalligraLee
Learn the basics of pointed pen calligraphy and work on a special project in class together. We will cover topics such as mastering faux calligraphy, how to hold your oblique pen, letter formation, common issues you may run into, and which paths you can take with your new skill!

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2017
11:00 AM Artfully Blending Tea, Karon Cannon, Tea Craze
Just like an artist creates a painting, you will create your own aromatic tea blend. In this fun and interactive workshop, we’ll discuss what tea is, the basics of blending, then set you free to blend your own tea using herbs and botanicals. When you finish your creation, you will take it home with you!

FEBRUARY 10 - 13, 2017

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2017
11:00 AM Handwritten Typography, Simone Miranda, Creative Services Manager, Walt Disney World
Nothing is more personal than typography created by hand. It conveys time and thought lovingly invested into the art form of a word. Learn how to draw your own hand drawn typography to create personalized gifts and cards.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
11:00 AM Become an Artisan Spice Blend Mix-Master, Pam Smith, P.S. Flavor
Learn how to blend spices the P.S. Flavor!TM way and become a top chef in your own kitchen! You will be mixing a P.S. Flavor!TM spice blend to your own tastes and then using it to create delicious dips and smoky spreads... flavor from start to finish!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2017
11:00 AM Olive Oil 101, Marcy Elias, The Olive Pantry
Join us for a demonstration and tasting of recipes using The Olive Pantry's gourmet olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Learn how to incorporate Ultra Premium certified extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars to make your own home cooked meals healthy and delicious.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017
11:00 AM Jewelry Making: Crystal Light Cuff Bracelet, Lymarie Suarez-Rivera, Arie Jewelry, Artegon Marketplace
Discover the craft of jewelry making and create your own beaded cuff bracelet using wire and crystal beads. Leave the workshop with your unique piece of jewelry and a new talent!

FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017
11:00 AM Ink & Paint Animation, Lynn Rippberger, Disney Animation Ink And PaintArtist
Learn about the history of 2D Cel Animation and paint your very own Ink & Paint Cel!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2017
11:00 AM Floral Arranging with a Disney Floral & Gifts Designer
During this session, the Disney Floral Designers will show you how to create a Valentine inspired arrangement. We will teach you basic floral design principles, tips and techniques so you can recreate the magic at home at any time of the year. Share the love with someone special or keep this one for yourself!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017
11:00 AM Abstract Painting: A journey in bringing Your Art to Life, Crystal Dombrowsky, Crystal Dombrowksy Art Work
Enjoy a fun creative journey through self-expression to reveal your unique Artistic voice. Bring your abstract art to life as you paint a one of a kind Masterpiece!

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2017
11:00 AM Animation 101, Todd Bright, Disney Animator
Create your own animated Flip Book while learning the fundamental Principles of Animation with a Disney animator. Watch your drawings come to life!

Disney has confirmed that the Magic Kingdom Welcome Show will move from the front of the park to the Cinderella Castle stage.

Beginning January 9, 2017, guests will be allowed to enter the Main Street, U.S.A. area of the park earlier than the park's scheduled opening time for shopping and breakfast at the Main Street Bakery.

At opening, a new welcome show will officially open the park for the day on the Castle Forecourt Stage. A Royal Herald will appear to deliver a proclamation and welcome a few familiar characters to the stage, officially opening the park so “the magic can begin!”

The park's current Welcome Show takes place on the Main Street Railroad Station. More security screening has made the entrance area of the park increasingly crowded, and the existing Welcome Show causes significant crowds to gather at the entrance. Besides the additional shopping and dining time, the move should help to alleviate some of that congestion, making arriving at the park a more pleasant experience.


Ready to start planning your next trip to Walt Disney World? Contact the team at Kingdom Konsultant Travel today!