The Mother’s Day Brunch at Epcot is an event not to be missed for mothers and their families.  First, the timing of Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival always coincides with the Mother’s Day Brunch at Epcot when the incredible floral displays are at full bloom and simply spectacular.  As guests enter through the turnstiles in front of Epcot, Disney cast members greet mothers with carnations setting the mood for the celebration immediately.

Families make their way through Future World and turn right at the entrance of World Showcase for the quickest path to the location where the Mother’s Day Brunch is served (between the Canada and United Kingdom pavilions).  In fact, I highly recommend walking through the rose garden path that takes you near Journey Into Imagination for your walk into World Showcase.  The roses are unbelievable at this time of year (see the picture above that I took on Mother’s Day).

As you approach the location for the Mother’s Day Brunch, you’ll see the menu posted outside, but the printed menu doesn’t do the buffet justice.  More about the food later though.

Families enter into the banquet hall into a beautifully decorated waiting area with dim lights, black backdrops, and royal decorations, including an area where families can pose with Disney characters.  This year, Disney Princesses and their princes were available for pictures.

When it’s your turn to be seated, you’re taken through the drawbridge entry into an incredible dining area.  Again, the black background and royal decorations are used throughout the dining hall (see my review in pictures, part 1 and part 2, for all the photos), but what makes everything so fantastic is the lighting.  The lights are very low with floral decorative lighting used on all the walls and colored lights shining in different areas.  The lighting sets the magical tone for the event.

To top off the setting, a Disney cast member dressed in Renaissance attire strolls between the dining tables while playing a lute.  His music can be heard through speakers no matter where you’re seated.

Onto the food, which I don’t think I can possibly describe fully.  In true Disney fashion, the buffet was spectacular.  There were breakfast and lunch foods galore as well as a kids’ section, dessert section and more.  I can’t possibly list all the options but suffice it to say, you could never eat it all.  I sampled a lot of them though!

The cost of the Mother’s Day Brunch at Epcot was $46.99 plus tax for adults and $19.99 plus tax for children ages 3-9.  Children under 3 can attend for free.  It’s important to make a reservation in advance by calling 407-WDW-DINE because this event fills up quickly.  Another nice thing about this event is that you prepay via credit card when you make your reservation, and the tip is included.  Not only is it nice not to have to pay anything at the end of your meal, but it also means you can leave as soon as your done eating and get back out to enjoy the rest of Epcot! 

For an event that comes just once a year and is done in a very special Disney way, it’s worth the price.  I know I’ll be there again next year.

Have you been to the Mother’s Day Brunch in Epcot?  What did you think?

Photo: Susan Gunelius

Post from: The Disney Traveler

Today’s pictures will show you some of the great areas throughout the dining room where people could pose for pictures.  To stay with the royal theme of the Mother’s Day brunch, the decorations featured scenes and items from Disney Princess movies.

First up, Cinderella’s dress.

But Cinderella’s dress wasn’t all that display was made of.  It also included a beautiful staircase with Cinderella’s glass slipper and her mice friends.

A gorgeous Little Mermaid display with a sand castle (including real sand on the beach!), Ariel and Sebastian was a crowd pleaser.

For those who like the evil Disney characters, you could sit in the Wicked Queen’s throne from Snow White.  I thought it was interesting that the kids’ buffet was set up right in front of this display.  My daughter was afraid of it.  I wonder if Disney did that on purpose so kids wouldn’t linger too long at the buffet.

And for the happier side of Snow White, this beautiful window scene was next to the Wicked Queen’s display.

At the far end of the dining room (where my family sat), there was another huge display featuring Sleeping Beauty.

I’m constantly amazed by the way Disney does things.  A simple Mother’s Day brunch became an incredible experience thanks to the decorations, the ambiance, the service and of course, the delicious food.  I know I’ll be back at the Mother’s Day brunch at Epcot again next year!

Stay tuned to The Disney Traveler to read my written review of the Mother’s Day Brunch at Epcot.  In fact, you can subscribe to The Disney Traveler so you don’t miss it or any of the news, tips and reviews!

Post from: The Disney Traveler

I’m breaking this photo review into two parts because I have a lot of great pictures!  I’ll post the second half of the Epcot Mother’s Day brunch photo review as well as a written review within the next few days, so stay tuned to The Disney Traveler for all the updates.  In fact, you might want to subscribe to The Disney Traveler, so you don’t miss anything.  And don’t forget to take a look at all the Walt Disney World reviews on The Disney Traveler.

Without further ado, check out Part 1 of my Epcot Mother’s Day Brunch 2008 Review in Pictures:

The menu included everything you could imagine!

A royal theme took center stage.  Even the entrance to the dining area had a royal flair to simulate entering into a castle.

A beautiful (and gigantic) castle with Beauty and the Beast featured in front takes center stage with the majority of the food selections set up around this enormous centerpiece and guests would walk around to all four sides of the castle to select their food.  Additional food stations were set up around the banquet hall.  Notice the gorgeous lighting effects.

The back of the centerpiece castle is just as beautiful as the front with Tinkerbell peeking through a window.

The tables were beautifully set (here’s where we sat!).

In true Disney fashion, a special area was set up just for kids (of all ages) where they could decorate their own cupcakes (my kids loved this!).

Don’t miss Part 2 of The Disney Traveler Mother’s Day Brunch at Epcot Review in Pictures where I’ll show you all the beautiful photo-opp displays that were set up throughout the building for families to take great pictures!  They were awesome!

You can also follow the link to read my review of the 2007 Mother’s Day Brunch at Epcot.

Photos: Susan Gunelius

Post from: The Disney Traveler

Guests will be given a treasure map (and treat bag) that will lead them to hidden surprises like beads and chocolate coins.  During their search around the Magic Kingdom park, guests will encounter pirate coves, Disney princess royal courts, dance parties, games, shows and Disney characters galore for special autograph sessions.

The evening will culminate with a new, themed parade called Disney’s Enchanted Adventures Parade featuring a pirate ship filled with pirates performing spectacular sword fights and more.  Of course, no evening at the Magic Kingdom would be complete without a fireworks show, and the new fireworks display called Magic, Music and Mayhem created especially for the Princess and Pirate Party will top the evening off with a bang.

Princess and Pirate Party tickets are just $36.95 for guests ages ten and over and $29.95 for guests between the ages of three and nine.  This price gives event ticket holders special access to the Magic Kingdom and the entire party from 7:30pm until 12:30am.  Regular park admission is also required.  Only a limited number of tickets are sold for each Princess and Pirate Party, so if you’ll be in the Walt Disney World area during the month of February, make sure you check out this special event.

Post from: The Disney Traveler