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MouseLife Madness 2018

MouseLife Madness 2018 is upon us once again. Last year in our inaugural year, we pitted 64 Walt Disney World restaurants against each other and the Hoop Dee Doo Review came out on top. This year we are switching it up and placing each of the Walt Disney World resorts against each other.

Sixteen resorts have been entered into the bracket (the All-Star Resorts have been combined) and only one will win. During tonight’s episode of the MouseLife the crew will once again choose the winner through voting and elimination rounds.

You too can fill out your own bracket and follow along tonight for Episode 71  of the MouseLife at 9 p.m. ET on Twitter @MouseLifePod. Print your brackets out at:

https://3d25ca.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/MouseLife-Madness-brackets-2018.jpg

2018 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

Hey Mouselifers! Today marks the first day of the 2018 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. The festival runs from March 2nd-April 12th and features delicious California cuisine.

Before listing this year’s Festival Marketplace offerings, I thought I’d share a quick rundown of some of our favorite items from last year’s festival.

If I had to pick a favorite Festival Marketplace, it would probably be Nuts About Cheese. My boys loved the Chèvre Fromage Blanc Tartine infused with Rosemary & Honey with Toasted Hazelnuts. This item is on this year’s menu as well so go ahead and give it a try. My favorite item, which is not on the menu this year, was the Baked Ham & Swiss Croque Monsieur Roll with Smoked Pistachios.

Another item that I really enjoyed from last year was from Seafood…Sustained. This isn’t one of this year’s Festival Marketplace but I want to mention it because it was probably the most surprising one. I decided to try the Cage-Free Cream Cheese Deviled Eggs with Farm-Raised Smoked Trout and Chives. I was not sure about this at all but it was surprisingly really good and ended up being one of my favorites. Don’t be afraid to try something you’re unsure about.

Besides the Festival Marketplaces, you can also make reservations for culinary demonstrations, winemaker and beermaster dinners, Celebrity Chef LIVE! at the Hyperion, and beer, wine, and spirits tasting seminars.

For kids, there is Jr. Chef. My boys participated in this last year. This is a free and fun experience for kids ages 3-11. There are a limited number of spots so you will need to line your kids up about 30 minutes before your desired time. With help from Chef Goofy, the kids take turns adding ingredients or mixing. At the end, all of the kids leave with a pre-packaged treat. Last year they made oatmeal cookies.

Now let’s move on to this year’s Festival Marketplaces and menus. There are 14 Festival Marketplaces; some of them are returning favorites and others are new. After you’ve taken a look, tweet us @MouseLifePod and let us know if you plan on attending this year’s Disney California Food & Wine Festival and what you’re most looking forward to trying.

Nuts About Cheese
Discover wine’s best friends.

Food:
Brie Toast with Fig, Mint and Almond Crumble
Goat Cheese Fromage Blanc Tartine with Rosemary and Hazelnuts
Selection of 3 California Cheeses – Point Reyes Blue, Vella Jack and Fiscalini Cheddar

Beverages:
Pineapple Mimosa
Raspberry Mimosa
Strawberry Mimosa
Mimosa Flight
Duckhorn Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Baileyana, Grand Firepeak Cuvee, Chardonnay, Edna Valley
Chandon, Brut, California

Rotational Wines:
Patz & Hall, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
Hartford Court, Land’s Edge Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Schweiger Vineyards, Chardonnay, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley
Firestone Vineyards, Gewürztraminer, Santa Ynez Valley
Tres Sabores, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
MACROSTIE Winery & Vineyards, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
MACROSTIE Winery & Vineyards, Wildcat Mountain, Chardonnay, Carneros
Sort this out Cellars, Mourvedre Rose Mermaid, Santa Barbara
CHOCK ROCK Vineyard, Syrah, Arroyo Seco
Hartford Family Winery, Hartford Court, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Kita Wines, Camp 4 Vineyard, T’aya, Rhone White Blend, Santa Ynez Valley

Uncork California
Sip wine by the glass or try a flight.

Beverages:
White Wine Flight
Twomey, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa County, Sonoma County
Cambria Estate Vineyards & Winery, Benchmark, Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley
Sofia, Rosé, Monterey County
Red Wine Flight
La Crema, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Ferrari-Carano, Merlot, Sonoma County
Rodney Strong, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
Sparkling Wine Tropical Float
Sofia Blanc de Blancs, Monterey County

I Heart Artichokes
Partake in the thistle—prepared 3 ways!

Food:
Grilled & Chilled Artichoke Hearts with Romesco
Fried Artichoke Carbonara
Bourbon Chocolate Whoopie Pie

Beverages:
Tio Pepe, Fino Sherry, Gonzalez Byass, Spain
Mumm Napa, Sparkling Wine, Brut Prestige, Napa Valley

Garlic Kissed
Savor food and drinks featuring the stinking rose.

Food:
Creamy Mac & Cheese with Garlic Bread Crumble
Black Garlic Soy-Braised Pork Belly Banh Mi

Beverages:
Bloody Mary with Garlic-Stuffed Olive

California Craft Brews
Cheers to a round from California’s best local breweries.

Food:
White Cheddar Lager Soup in a Mini Boudin’s Sourdough Boule

Beverages:
Beer Flight – Bright & Refreshing
Three Weavers Brewing Company, Seafarer
Mission Brewery, Hefeweizen
Bottle Logic Brewing, Kingdom Common, California Common
Black Market Brewing Co., Cherry Gose
Beer Flight – Bold & Hoppy
Stone Brewing, Scorpion Bowl, Tropical IPA
Hangar 24 Craft Brewing, Betty, American IPA
Aftershock Brewing Co., Red Alert, Red Ale
Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Barney Flats
Three Weavers Brewing Company, Seafarer, Kolsch
21st Amendment Brewery, El Sully, Mexican Style Lager
Mission Brewery, Hefeweizen
Black Market Brewing Co., Cherry Gose
Bottle Logic Brewing, Kingdom Common, California Common
Aftershock Brewing Co., Red Alert, Red Ale
Stone Brewing, Scorpion Bowl, Tropical IPA
Hangar 24 Craft Brewing, Betty, American IPA
Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Boat Shoes, Hazy IPA
Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Barney Flats, Oatmeal Stout

Cluck-a-Doodle-Moo
Rally for these sliders, wings ‘n’ beer—a sports fan’s dream!

Food:
Grilled Harris Ranch Beef Tenderloin Slider with Chimichurri Sauce
Salt & Beer Vinegar Parmesan Chicken Wings
Oikos® Greek Nonfat Yogurt Panna Cotta with Red Raspberry Compote

Beverages:
Festival Beer Flight
Estrella Damm, Lager
Towne Park Brew Co., Pale Ale
Bootlegger’s Brewery, Thai Tea Far Out, West Coast IPA
Lost Coast Brewery, Downtown Brown, Brown Ale
Justin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
Orange-Vanilla Cream Float with Whipped Cream (non-alcoholic)

Eat Your Greens
Tickle your taste buds with healthy fare.

Food:
Grilled Asparagus Caesar Salad
Compressed Asian Cucumbers with Green Sauce, Toasted Almonds and Sea Beans

Beverages:
Lolea, No. 2 Sparkling Frizzante White Sangria, Spain
Beet Kombucha Sangria
Health-Ade Beet Kombucha with Wild Berry FOMZ (non-alcoholic)

Citrus Grove
Zing it up with zesty refreshment!

Food:
Citrus-Brined Pork Roast with Tangy Barbecue Sauce and Lemon Pepper Slaw
Crispy Orange Chicken & Rice with Garlic Cracker
Meyer Lemon Macaron

Beverages:
Meyer Lemon Ginger Mule
White Blend, Conundrum, California
Fever Tree Ginger Beer

Strawberry Patch
Hail the big red berry for top billing!

Food:
Strawberry & Coconut Rice “Frushi” with Sweet Oikos® Greek Nonfat Yogurt Wasabi Sauce
Watsonville Strawberry Pie

Beverages:
Strawberry Frosé
Strawberry Pineapple Float with Strawberry Popping Pearls (non-alcoholic)

Avocado Time
Indulge in flavorful medleys that make your mouth sing.

Food:
Avocado & Pepper Jack Petite Guacamole Burger
Spice Oumph!® on Pita with Avocado Hummus and Garlic Sauce
Avocado Ice Cream Bar

Beverages:
Kickback Michelada with Flavors of Pineapple and Lime
Black Market Brewing Co., Deception Coconut Lime, Blonde Ale

Off the Cob
Celebrate the essence of summer’s sweetness.

Food:
Sweet Corn Nuggets with Beef Chili
Shrimp Boil Tacos with Andouille Sausage and Fresh Corn
Caramel Popcorn Crispy Treat

Beverages:
Popcorn Lemonade Cocktail
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co, Paradise Rd, Pilsner
Popcorn Lemonade with Whipped Cream and Candy Corn Garnish (non-alcoholic)

Peppers Cali-Ente
Snack on hot ‘n’ spicy fare with a Cali twist!

Food:
Jalapeño Popper Mac & Cheese with Bacon
Verlasso™ Sustainable Salmon Peruvian Poke with a Cucumber-Lime Salad and Aju Verde Salsa

Beverages:
Lime Margarita with Jalapeño Garnish
Watermelon Lemonade (non-alcoholic), with optional Habanero Sugar & Chili-Lime Half-Rim

LAstyle
Feast on favorite southland food truck flavors.

Food:
Korean BBQ Beef Short Rib Tacos
Chicken Teriyaki Slider with Spicy DOLE® Pineapple Jam
Mexican Chocolate Custard

Beverages:
LVP, Vanderpump, Red Sangria, Spain
Golden Road Brewing, Mango Cart, Wheat Ale
Mango Agua Fresca (non-alcoholic)

The Brewhouse
Wet your whistle with craft beers and beer cocktails.

Beverages:
Backlot Michelada
Tropical IPA Shandy
Modelo Especial Lager
Refuge Brewery, Blood Orange Wit, Belgian Wheat Ale
ACE Craft Ciders, Apple Honey, Hard Cider
Smog City Brewing, Sabre-Toothed Squirrel, Hoppy Amber Ale
Ballast Point Brewing Company, Unfiltered Sculpin, IPA
Festival Punch

Outdoor Kitchen Menus Released for 2018 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

This week the menus for the Outdoor kitchens for this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival were released. This year’s festival believe it or not is just three weeks away from beginning when it kicks off on February 28.

This year’s festival will feature 15 outdoor kitchens including the new kitchen in The Honey Bee-Stro Hosted by National Honey Board. Each will offer a specialty menu of creative cuisine and libations. Savor, sip and stroll while satisfying appetites large and small! Check out the kitchens and their menus below:

GF= Gluten Free and V= Vegan

Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market

Venture to Germany for Bavarian bites sure to sate foodies of all ages—every dish is köstlich!

Food

  • Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce (V)
  • Potato Pancake with Caramelized Ham, Onions and Herb Sour Cream
  • Toasted Pretzel Bread topped with Black Forest Ham and Melted Gruyère Cheese
  • Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries

Beverages

  • Hugo-Charles De Fere “Organic” Brut with Elderflower and Mint
  • Paulaner Original Munich Lager
  • Ayinger Bräu Weisse Hefeweizen, Munich, Germany
  • Köstritzer Schwarzbier Black Lager
  • Beer Flight

Cider House

Behold buzz-worthy ciders and artisanal provisions perfect for a farm-fresh picnic near the United Kingdom Pavilion!

Food

  • Pear Cider-brined Shredded Corned Beef with Braised Cabbage and Branston Dressing with Pears
  • House-made Potato and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare
  • Freshly Baked Lemon Scone with Crème Fraîche and Mixed Berries (V) (GF)

Beverages

  • McKenzie’s Black Cherry Hard Cider, West Seneca, NY
  • Florida Beer Company Caribé Pineapple Tropical Hard Cider, Cape Canaveral, FL
  • Ciderboys Grand Mimosa Apple Orange Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI
  • Cider Flight
  • Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider, California (Non-alcoholic)

Fleur de Lys

Indulge in haute cuisine and boissons that’ll make you fall in ooo-la-la-love with this palate-pleasing Parisian pop-up!

Food

  • Tarte à la Tomate Provençale: Provencal Tomato Tart with Sautéed Onions, Fresh Thyme and Rosemary on a Flaky Pastry Crust (V)
  • Canard Confit Aux Gnocchi à la Parisienne: Braised Duck Confit with Parisian Gnocchi
  • Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette: Large Chocolate Macaron Lollipop (GF)

Beverages

  • La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy: Grey Goose Orange, St. Germain Liqueur, White and Red Cranberry Juice
  • Kir Pomegranate: Sparkling Wine, Pama Pomegranate Liqueur
  • Cabernet Sauvignon, Village de France
  • Kronenbourg Blanc 1664

Florida Fresh

Enjoy sweet ‘n’ tangy treats from our own Sunshine State-station, nestled between the France and Morocco Pavilions.

Food

  • Carne Guisada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream
  • Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Stone-ground Cheddar Cheese Grits with Brown Gravy and Local Sweet Corn Relish
  • Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue

Beverages

  • Florida Orange Groves Winery Key Lime Sparkling Wine, St Petersburg, FL
  • Tampa Bay Brewing Company Quat Seasonal Fruit Ale
  • Big Top Brewing Company Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat, Sarasota, FL
  • First Magnitude Brewing Co. Monarch Milk Stout, Gainesville, FL
  • Watermelon Cucumber Slushy with Tamiami Florida Gin
  • Watermelon Cucumber Slushy (Non-alcoholic)
  • Beer Flight

Hanami

Journey to Japan for innovative plates crafted with culinary Zen—each delish dish is a Festival favorite!

Food

  • Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry and Melon rolled with Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream with Raspberry Sauce on the side (V)
  • Ginger Beef Yaki Udon: Thin-sliced Beef, Onions and Noodles tossed on the grill with Soy and Ginger
  • Teriyaki Salmon with Furikake Seasoned Brown Rice (GF)

Beverages

  • Pineapple Momo Sake Cocktail
  • Kara Super Dry Sake
  • Sapporo Premium Black Lager

Jardin de Fiestas

Take a food-tastic tour of the Mexico Pavilion… these tantalizing tastes will add some spice to your day!

Food

  • Pork Taco: Slow-braised Pork Taco served with Apple Relish, Goat Cheese and Chile de Árbol Sauce
  • Chilaquiles: Chilaquiles served with Chorizo, Mexican Cream and Cotija Cheese
  • Capirotada: Bread Pudding served with Rompope

Beverages

  • Tiger Lily Sangria
  • Rose Margarita
  • Violet Cassis Punch
  • Daisy Spicy Beer

La Isla Fresca

Nibble on Caribbean-seasoned dishes that’ll send appetites swaying to the island beat!

Food

  • Jamaican-braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice and Micro Cilantro
  • Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer with Steamed Rice and Coconut Lime Sauce
  • Caribbean Conch Salad with Mango, Papaya and Pickled Red Onions
  • Tropical Mousse Cake: Layers of Passion Fruit Cake, Coconut Mousse and a Tropical Fruit Glaze with Fresh Pineapple

Beverages

  • Golden Road Brewing Tart Mango Cart Wheat Ale, Los Angeles, CA
  • Tropical Freeze with Cruzan Mango Rum
  • Tropical Freeze (Non-alcoholic)

Lotus House

Sink your teeth into authentic Chinese eats filled with morsels of good fortune!

Food

  • Spicy Meatballs with Crispy Tofu
  • Fried Chicken Dumplings with Peanut Sauce
  • Vegetable Spring Rolls (V)

Beverages

  • Oolong Peach Bubble Tea (Non-alcoholic)
  • Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, Triple Sec, Mango and Orange Juice
  • BaiJoe Punch: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit, Lychee, Coconut and Pineapple Juice
  • Plum Wine Cooler
  • Tsingtao Lager

Northern Bloom

Please discriminating palates with fantastic fare from our Great White North neighbor… O Canada!

Food

  • Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Apple-wood Smoked Bacon (GF)
  • Beef Tenderloin Tips, Mushroom Bordelaise Sauce, Whipped Potatoes with Garden Vegetables
  • Griddled Maple Pound Cake with Warm Peach Compote and Sweet Corn Gelato

Beverages

  • Maple Popcorn Shake with Crown Royal Maple Whisky
  • Maple Popcorn Shake (non-alcoholic)
  • Unibroue Maudite Amber Ale, Chambly, Québec
  • Unibroue À Tout Le Monde Saison, Chambly, Québec
  • Unibroue Éphémère White Ale, Chambly, Québec
  • Beer Flight

Pineapple Promenade

Get your tropical fruit fix from tart ‘n’ tangy to the sweetest frozen treats!

Food

  • Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Plantain Chips
  • Pineapple Soft-Serve (V)

Beverages

  • Coastal Empire Beer Co. Coco Piña Gose, Savannah, GA
  • Maui Brewing Co. Pineapple Mana Wheat, Kihei, HI
  • SweetWater Brewing Company Goin’ Coastal IPA with Pineapple, Atlanta, GA
  • Pineapple Beer Flight
  • Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
  • Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale, Titusville, FL
  • Pineapple Soft-serve with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum
  • Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade (Non-alcoholic)
  • Pineapple Soft-serve with Fanta (Non-alcoholic)

Primavera Kitchen

Mangiare hearty helpings of Old-Country dishes served with a glass of vino… now that’s amore!

Food

  • Frittata di Asparagi: Asparagus Frittata, Mixed Greens and Citrus Dressing (GF) (V)
  • Firtto Misto: Crispy Shrimps, Zucchini and Spicy Sauces
  • Ravioli: Maine Lobster Ravioli with Vodka Sauce
  • Panna Cotta al Melone: Cantaloupe Panna Cotta (GF) (V)

Beverages

  • Pinot Grigio
  • Chianti
  • Prosecco
  • Corbinello
  • Moscato
  • Bellini: Sparking Wine and Peach Purée
  • Frozen Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila
  • Moretti Lager L’Autentica
  • Moretti La Rossa

Taste of Marrakesh

Intoxicate taste buds with the exotic flavors of this North African mecca—mysterious Morocco!

Food

  • Harissa Chicken Kebab with Dried Fruit Couscous Salad
  • Fried Cauliflower with Capers, Garlic Parsley and Chili Ranch Sauce
  • Walnut Honey Baklava

Beverages

  • Desert Rose: Sparkling Wine topped with Pomegranate Liqueur
  • White Sangria
  • Casa Beer

The Berry Basket

Sweeten your feast with an assortment of berry-licious dishes sure to hit the spot!

Food

  • Lamb chop with Quinoa Salad and Blackberry Gastrique
  • Field Greens with fresh Strawberries, Crisp Quinoa, Strawberry Vinaigrette and Spiced Pecans (V)
  • Warm Wild Berry Buckle with Pepper Berry Gelato (V)

Beverage

  • JDub’s Brewing Company Blueberry IPA, Sarasota, FL
  • Island Grove Blueberry Moscato, Hawthorne, FL
  • Twinings® Green Tea Berry Mint Julep
  • Twinings Green Tea Berry Mint Julep (Non-alcoholic)

THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews

Saddle up for slow-cooked specialties and a mighty fine selection of craft beer—at the American Adventure Pavilion!

Food

  • Pulled Pig Slider with Coleslaw
  • Beef Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Pork Belly Slider with Garlic Sausage, Chorizo, Cheddar Fondue and House-made Pickle
  • Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños
  • Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-Salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans (V)

Beverage

  • Zen of Zin Old Vine, California
  • Central 28 Brewing Company Sunshine Greetings Orange Hibiscus Wheat Ale, DeBary, FL
  • 3 Daughters Brewing Phantasmas Spicy Double IPA, St. Petersburg, FL
  • Shipyard Maple Bacon Stout, Clearwater, FL
  • Beer Flight
  • Frozen Lemonade with Firefly Blackberry Moonshine
  • Frozen Lemonade (Non-alcoholic)

The Honey Bee-stro Hosted by National Honey Board™– NEW!

Quell cravings with an incredible menu of all-natural food and drink infused with the nectar of the gods!

Food

  • Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Puree, Wild Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey Blistered Grapes and Sunflower Brittle (GF) (V)
  • Honey Tandoori Chicken Flatbread with White Cheddar Cheese, charred vegetables, Clover Honey Sour Cream and Micro Watercress
  • Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with Orange Blossom Honey Ice Cream garnished with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses

Beverages

  • Florida Orange Groves Winery Orange Blossom Honey Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
  • Orange Blossom Brewing Co. Orange Blossom Pilsner, Orlando, FL
  • Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze with Blueberry Vodka
  • Honey-Peach Cobbler Freeze (Non-alcoholic)

Specialty Coffee Carts Hosted by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company®

Wet your whistle with Festival-inspired beverages and adult libations at coffee carts across the park!

Future World Coffee Cart Hosted by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

  • The Final Lap: Iced Tea topped with Frozen Passion Fruit with Vodka

Port of Entry Coffee Cart Hosted by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

  • Garden of Guava: Frozen Pink Guava topped with Rum or Vodka

American Adventure Coffee Cart Hosted by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

  • Strawberry Piña Colada: Frozen Piña Colada and Strawberry with Rum

Showcase Coffee Cart Hosted by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

  • Orange Blossom Twist: Frozen Orange Pineapple topped with Vodka

Please note: Alcohol will only be served to Guests 21 years of age and older. Food and beverage offerings are subject to change without notice and are available while supplies last.

This year’s Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival will run February 28 through May 28.

Epcot Eat to the Beat 2017 Lineup Announced

What’s better than enjoying the fabulous food and beverages available at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival?

Taking in a concert while you nosh, of course!

Night Ranger performs at the 2008 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Grab your snacks and enjoy the show!

Disney recently announced the lineup for the Eat to the Beat concert series, taking place in the America Gardens Theater each night of the festival. This year’s list includes a few big names making their Food & Wine debut, including The Hooters, 10,000 Maniacs, Squeeze, and Kenny G. Plus, fan favorites Fuel, Air Supply, Sugar Ray, Dennis DeYoung, Tiffany, Taylor Dayne and many more return to the Eat to the Beat stage.

Complete lineup is below. Grab a lobster roll and a beer and enjoy the show!

  • Delta Rae — August 31-September 1
  • The Hooters – September 2-3 (NEW this year)
  • Baha Men — September 4-5 (NEW this year)
  • Fuel — September 6-7
  • Starship featuring Mickey Thomas – September 8-10
  • Lauren Alaina – September 11-12 (NEW this year)
  • Plain White T’s — September 13-15
  • Sister Hazel – September 16-17
  • Air Supply — September 18-20
  • David Cook — September 21-22
  • Everclear — September 23-24
  • Sugar Ray — September 25-27
  • 38 Special – September 28-29
  • Mark Wills  — September 30-October 1  (NEW this year)
  • American Authors – October 2-3 (NEW this year)
  • Christopher Cross – October 4-5
  • Devon Allman – October 6-8 (NEW this year)
  • Dennis DeYoung: The Music of STYX — October 9-11
  • Taylor Dayne — October 12-13
  • Jeffrey Osbourne – October 14-15
  • Postmodern Jukebox — October 16-17 (NEW this year)
  • 10,000 Maniacs — October 18-20 (NEW this year)
  • Toad the Wet Sprocket — October 21-22
  • Kenny G — October 23-24 (NEW this year)
  • Billy Ocean – October 25-26
  • Tiffany – October 27-October 29
  • Hanson — October 30-November 1
  • Blue October — November 2-3 (NEW this year)
  • Living Colour — November 4-5
  • Boyz II Men — November 6-8
  • Big Bad Voodoo Daddy — November 9-11
  • Squeeze — November 12-13 (NEW this year)

Win a Pandora Prize Package!

There’s a new kid on the block at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.

The majestic floating mountains of Pandora beckon visitors to this new land.

Or maybe you’ve heard?

A little something called Pandora: The World of Avatar has been the talk of the Disney-verse since its opening in May. From flying on the back of a banshee, to floating along through the bioluminescent forest, to some truly interesting food choices, the new land of Pandora captures the imagination.

Some members of the MouseLife crew have been lucky enough to #VisitPandora ourselves, and of course we brought back souvenirs! In fact, we have enough to share with you!

Wear your Pandoran pride on your backpack, bag, jacket or…refrigerator.

We’re giving away a few tiny treasures from Pandora’s Windtraders gift shop to one lucky winner. All you have to do is, as we like to say, show us you’re “living the MouseLife.”

Here’s how to win our fabulous prize package. Each of these items is one entry, and must be completed via Rafflecopter. Do them all and increase your chances of winning!

  • Follow us on Twitter @MouseLifePod
  • Take a listen to an episode and leave us a review on iTunes.
  • While you’re there, subscribe!
  • Check out a blog post here on our website.
  • Vist us on Facebook at MouseLifePod (and we’d love a like, too!)

Just use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. You have until midnight on June 25th. We’ll announce the winner on the MouseLife podcast that week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You know what we always say – thanks for living the MouseLife with us…and good luck!

Save the Dates! Magic Kingdom Halloween and Christmas Party Dates Announced

Mickey on a float in Boo to You Halloween Parade

It's April, so of course you're making Halloween plans, right? After all, there are costumes to make, decorations to put up, candy to buy...so much to do, so little time.

Wait - it's only Easter, you say? Sure, but since the Disney Parks Blog released the dates for the 2017 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, we here at MouseLife have visions of pumpkins and Christmas trees dancing in our heads.

This year the spooky fun kicks off sooner than ever, with a couple of late-August dates on the calendar. One tip from your friendly Florida MouseLifer: if you go to the Halloween party in August, wear a light costume.

Dates for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party:

  • August 25, 29
  • September 1, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29
  • October 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31
  • November 1

If you're planning a Disney Christmas, here are the dates for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party:

  • November 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26, 28
  • December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22

Tickets for both events are set to go on sale in early May. Stay tuned to MouseLife for the latest!

Holiday ice lights on Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World

Brackets Busted? Play Along with MouseLife Madness!

 

So the top seed in that big basketball tournament has been bounced, and now your bracket is looking as sad as Eeyore.

We have the solution to your roundball woes. It’s MouseLife Madness!

On our next podcast, the MouseLifers will pit the most popular Walt Disney World dining spots in a head-to-head gastronomic bracket battle. When the dust settles, we’ll crown the king of Disney dining.

Print your MouseLife Madness bracket below, and play along as the crew debates and dissects the best of Disney food and fare. And be sure to follow the discussion at #MouseLifeMadness and let us know if we got it right or if our pick is a pass!

MouseLife Madness Bracket 2017

More MouseLife in Your Life

Disney balloons on Main Street, U.S.A.Each week on the MouseLife Podcast, you’ll hear us dishing on the latest news and views from Walt Disney World and beyond.

But sometimes we have so much more to say than we can fit into one podcast!

That’s where this MouseLife Podcast Blog comes in. Check this space for more of the crew’s thoughts on some of the things we covered in the podcast, plus photos, videos, trip reports and lots more.

We hope you like what you hear, and that you’ll hang with us as we keep living the MouseLife. We’re ready for a rollicking ride!

MagicBand 2.0 Arrives

Disney's new MagicBand in action
Sporting my brand new MagicBand at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

For the last few years, the Walt Disney World fashion statement of choice has been MagicBands, the plastic bracelets found on the wrist of almost all guests in the parks and resorts. Disney recently announced a new version of the bands featuring a removable “puck” that will let guests customize their bands even more.

The new MagicBands have started showing up in mailboxes in the last couple of weeks. The bands come in the same colors as the original MagicBands, and are still provided free to guests with a Disney resort hotel reservations and to Annual Passholders.

My family used the new bands for our most recent visit in mid-January. The new bands are slightly larger in the center where the puck is, but otherwise they’re almost indistinguishable from the previous version. If anything, the larger puck in the center makes lining up “Mickey-to-Mickey” on the entry touchpoints a bit easier.

Have you gotten MagicBand 2.0 yet? Let us know what you think!

Kathy K.