Epcot 30th Anniversary Events Announced

Disney have just announced what events will be on offer for Epcot's 30th Anniversary, on October 1, 2012.

New character meet and greet coming to Epcot

It appears that a new 'Character Meet and Greet' location may be coming to Epcot. Disney recently filed a construction permit, described as 'Epcot - Front of Park meet and greet'.

Bistro de Paris set to reopen in December with a new menu

Epcot's Bistro de Paris located in the France Pavilion is currently close, and is set to re-open on December 1 2012. Disney provided some details , noting that upon reopening, the restaurant will feature a completely new menu along with all new interior decor. 

The official Disney Parks Blog conducted an interview with Jermoe Bocuse, owner of the three restaurants in the France Pavilion.

What’s the biggest change guests will see in the new upstairs restaurant? 

Jerome Bocuse: It’s all new – new name, new dining room, new costumes for the servers, new menu. We’re still aiming for haute cuisine, but with a less formal atmosphere. Guests are in the park with their families, so we want to create an elegant, nice ambience, but not stuffy. Our guests want to experience true French cuisine. 

Tell us a little about the new décor. 

JB: Servers will be in less formal attire – no more tuxedoes – and the room colors will be fresh and bright. The theme is our family history, as we’ve been in the culinary business for two centuries. We have a long tradition of French chefs in the Bocuse family. 

And cuisine? 

JB: We want to offer a taste of the true cuisine of France – classical, but with an approachable, affordable twist. We brought a chef over about a year ago from a Michelin 3-Star restaurant in France, so he’s ready to go. 

Bistro de Paris has lots of fans, why change the restaurant now? 

JB: We’ve never changed the restaurant since it opened more than 25 years ago, and it’s time for a new look and new theming based on our family’s history. 

How about the Chefs de France downstairs, any changes? 

JB: It is a classic brasserie, and will stay the same.

Details on Epcot's Boulangerie Patisserie expansion

Disney shared some new details on the planned expansion of Epcot's Boulangerie Patisserie, located in the France Pavilion.

The new bakery is set to offer sandwiches, salads as well as the current selection of baked goods. A new seating area is also being added, with 90 seats. The new building is located towards the back of the pavilion. The old building is to become home to a new Glacier ice cream parlour.

It's expected that the expansion will completed by late fall 2012.

PHOTOS: Epcot Refurbishment Update

With Test Track still undergoing heavy refurbishment for its re-launch later this year, we've got three new photos exclusive to WDWFans. As you can see the majority of construction work is still taking place inside the main building, however some work has now been done to the exterior area of the ride.

As usual, click the thumbnails to view a larger version of the photograph.

(Photos courtesy Tim Mills & not for redistribution without WDWFans concent)

2012 Candlelight Processional Dinner Package prices released

The prices for the 2012 Candlelight Prosessional Dinner Packages have just been released. Bookings opened last week and include one meal, guaranteed seating at the Candlelight Processional and access to a reserved viewing area for Illuminations.

Each meal includes:

• 1 appetizer
• 1 entree
• 1 non-alcoholic beverage
• 1 desert

Alternatively, a full buffet is offered in select restaurants.

Guests on the Disney Dining Plan can use their credits towards the Candlelight Prcessional Dinner Package:

• Plus Dining (aka Basic Dining): 2 table service credits
• Deluxe Dining: 2 table service credits
• Premium Dining: 1 table service credit
• Platinum Dining: 1 table service credit

Emergency Closure of Soarin' at Epcot and California Adventure

Disney have closed Soarin' at both Epcot and Disney's California Adventure for emergency maintenance. Yesterday, a rider was able to leave the ride car after the harness had locked in place, and the vehicle was about to take off. No injuries were sustained at all, but now investigators must look into both attractions to work out how the guest managed to leave the attraction. This is bad timing for Epcot, which already has Test Track closed for an extended period, Soarin' is the parks primary attraction so you can guarantee that Disney will be working to re-open the ride as soon as possible.

Test Track to re-open on Epcot's 30th Birthday!

We've had a number of conflicting reports about the Test-Track closure, due to start in just a few short hours. It officially closes today, April 16. However over the weekend we've been hearing from cast members that the planned closure may be delayed, along with reports that it would go ahead as planned, but have several 'soft opening' days during the refurbishment.

Epcot extends hours to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays during Food & Wine Festival

Epcot's operating hours have been extended from their usual 9:00 pm closing time to 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays through to the end of the International Food and Wine Festival, which runs from September 28th to November 11th 2012. 

In previous years the park would extend its hours on the Fridays, but this is the first time they have chosen to extend them on Saturdays.