Dateline Disney: March/April 2012

[HostDave]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Among millions of beautiful blooms, gorgeous garden walks and dozens of whimsical topiaries, you may just hear the sounds of some of the greatest pop, rock and R&B hits from the grooviest decades. During the 19th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival which runs from March 7 to May 20, guests will have the chance to hear music from artists such as Davy Jones and Jose Feliciano at the Flower Power concert series.

With a different artist every weekend during the festival, this unforgettable live music show will take you back in time with tunes from the 1960s and 70s. Don’t miss two new acts—Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night and The Orchestra featuring former members of ELO and ELO Part II—perform some of their greatest songs.

Performances are at America Gardens Theatre and are included with Epcot admission. Show times are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5:15p.m., 6:30p.m. and 7:45p.m.

Here’s the complete Flower Power concert series lineup:

March 9-11 Jose Feliciano “Light My Fire”

March 16-18 Starship starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”

March 23-25 The Guess Who “American Woman”

March 30-April 1 The Spinners “Cupid”

April 6-8 Chubby Checker & The Wildcats “The Twist”

April 13-15 Paul Revere & The Raiders “Good Thing”

April 22-24 The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie “Happy Together”

April 27-29 NEW! Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night “Joy to the World”

May 4-6 NEW! The Orchestra featuring former members of ELO and ELO Part II “Don’t Bring Me Down”

May 11-13 Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”

May 18-20 Davy Jones “I’m a Believer”

Entertainment subject to change.

For more information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, please visit www.disneyworld.com/flower.


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Early Fantasyland Openings Greet Spring Guests

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Set for completion in 2014, the New Fantasyland will come to life starting spring 2012, offering guests the chance to fly high with The Great Goofini or with Dumbo the Flying Elephant, later “immerse” themselves in Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid and “be our guest” at the Beast’s Castle, plus other great attractions.

With the expansion, Fantasyland will nearly double in size and immerse guests in Disney stories as never before. As the largest expansion project in Magic Kingdom history, Fantasyland will open in phases with most new experiences open by 2013.


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St. Patrick’s Day Festivities Invite ‘Wearin’ of the Green’ at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island March 15-17

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Authentic Irish food, music and dance performances set the scene for a three-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration and the “wearin’ of the green” March 15-17 in and around the Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island.

At Raglan Road, a true Irish pub with Dublin roots, entertainment revs up the evenings of March 15 and 16 with house band Creel on the restaurant’s main stage while Murphy’s Law and The Irish Rogues perform on the Raglan Road patio. When St. Patrick’s Day arrives March 17, non-stop entertainment kicks off at noon with Creel, The Raglan Road Dancers, more outdoor entertainment and a special appearance by U2 tribute band Elevation.

The weekend of festivities spans Pleasure Island with live Pleasure Island stage performances by The Wyndbreakers — Florida’s own “neo-traditional, pub-rockin’, guitar pickin’ Celtic” musicians; Celtic Wave, with its own traditional Irish flair; and Celtic Nova, putting its own twist on popular lrish tunes. Family-fun activities will include face painting and stilt walkers, and St. Patrick’s Day souvenirs will be in abundance.

More St. Patrick’s Day fun is in store:
•Authentic Irish cuisine is featured March 15 at 1 p.m. as Raglan Road celebrity Irish chef Kevin Dundon creates a four-course kickoff luncheon and culinary demonstration in the restaurant’s Grand Dining Room. (Call 407-938-0300) or visit www.raglanroad.com for reservations).
•March 15 and 16, beginning at 6 p.m. Irish bands Murphy’s Law, known for modern Irish music, and The Irish Rogues, popular for ballads and other Irish folk tunes, perform on the Raglan Road patio. At 7 p.m., house band Creel rocks the audience on the restaurant’s main stage – expect surprise guest appearances. Guests can order favorites like fish ‘n chips and Shepherd’s pie from the restaurant’s lunch or dinner menus.
•March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, doors open at 11 a.m. House band Creel performs on the main stage at noon and at various times throughout the day. Entertainment on the patio kicks off at 1 p.m. with Irish dancing from The Raglan Road Dancers and performers from the Watters School of Irish Dancing, established in Central Florida more than a decade ago to train young dancers for championship performances. U2 tribute band Elevation is expected to bring down the house with renditions of U2′s greatest hits. Guests can order from Raglan Road’s dinner menu throughout the day, which includes the authentic Irish dish of St. Patrick’s Day — loin of bacon and cabbage. A $10 cover charge applies on March 17 for guests 18 and older.

Entertainment subject to change.