Pandora — The World of Avatar Inaugural Expedition, 2017 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, Via Napoli

With the event finally over and a few hours until our flights home departed, my friends and I decided to visit Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival. We were have been incredibly fortunate to visit it last year and wanted to return again this year to compare. Truth be told, after a very hectic 2 days of Pandora fun- this was a nice, relaxing way to end our stay.Full disclosure- getting to Epcot from the Grand Floridian took 45 minutes, which seems extreme considering the ease of monorail transportation- which doesn’t translate to fast. We had a security check before boarding the monorail at the Grand Floridian and then another when we entered Epcot, which took far too long.

Once we made it past security and admission, it was gorgeous!IMG_7863 IMG_7867 IMG_7864 IMG_7868

The kiosks were back again, but we really didn’t focus on them like I did last year.IMG_7870

Mexico had beautiful orchid displays…IMG_7871

Onto Norway-

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And a Fast Pass for Frozen Ever After, just before World Showcase officially opens!

China had new Panda displays in honor of the Disney Nature movie, “Born In China”
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We strolled through the African Outpost…IMG_7873 IMG_7874

Into Germany…IMG_7876 IMG_7877Italy…
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Where we had lunch reservation inside one of my favorites!IMG_0299

We had one of the first lunch reservations of the day, so we got a peek of what a very rare, empty, Via Napoli looks like.IMG_7884 IMG_7885

IMG_0305Once we were seated the food and drinking began flowing!

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After lunch, we were treated to a performance by Sergio, a very sweet and funny Italian clown that is sure to produce more than a giggle or two from the crowd.

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We strolled quickly through the American Pavilion and into Japan…IMG_7895 IMG_7896IMG_7897

Then through Morocco…IMG_7898

Through France and into the United Kingdom…IMG_7899

Through Canada until we were back at Showcase Plaza.IMG_7900 IMG_7901 IMG_7902

As our day was coming to a close, we chose to back track to France for one last treat- a Grand Marnier Orange Slush!IMG_7903

It was the perfect way to end a very hectic trip filled with tons of new information and experiences with people I absolutely admire and respect. It is an absolute humbling experience to be included to attend a media event as a travel agency, as agencies really aren’t the focus of these types of events. The focus is to introduce the press to these new experiences – give them access to market these experiences for Pandora and the events planned in conjunction with it to showcase all of what Walt Disney World has to offer guests this year.  It’s from the media’s marketing that travel agencies can do our jobs and sell and plan dream vacations for guests. Each Walt Disney World Media Event I have attended has gotten better each time and I hope Castle Dreams Travel continues to be included in the relatively small number of agencies that are invited to attend. We are certainly humbled and grateful for each and every opportunity.

Now- are you ready to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation?

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