5 Things We're Excited About in 2023 - ConciEARS Disney Vacation Planners

5 Things We’re Excited About in 2023

2022 was a year of magic and memories for everyone who took a Disney Vacation. Here at ConciEARS, we had a great year too! As we say goodbye to this year, we’re so excited for Disney vacations and special events in 2023. This is our curated list of the top 5 experiences and trips we’re excited about, and recommend for your family in 2023.

#5 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

For 129 delicious days, guests can sip, savor and repeat across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. From July 14 through Nov. 19, 2022, more than 25 festival food and wine marketplaces located throughout EPCOT celebrate the best in global food and drink. The entire family can also enjoy live musical performances by internationally recognized artists, participate in fun activities and scavenger hunts, and shop at Festival Markets showcasing official event collectibles, keepsakes, apparel, kitchenware items and more. (Harrison Cooney, Photographer) — For 129 delicious days, guests can sip, savor and repeat across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (Harrison Cooney, Photographer)

EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Booth — For 129 delicious days, guests can sip, savor and repeat across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (Harrison Cooney, Photographer)

All the EPCOT festivals are special, but if you’re going to pick one to attend, pick the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. It’s typically held from late summer through fall, so it’s perfect to combine with a Halloween vacation! Taste the world with small plates and wine from across the globe. These go beyond the countries in the World Showcase, and you can experience food from places not always represented at EPCOT. Try food from India, Hawaii, and Australia plus regional American eats. The food comes in small servings so you can taste many things in one day. But pace yourself; you’re going to want just about everything! The live music and culinary presentations are as entertaining as we expect from Disney. Reservations for the fall at Walt Disney World fill up, and it’s not too early to plan a fall 2023 vacation with one of our travel planning experts.

(Nov. 6, 2022) Megan Curham – the first runner to win the half marathon four straight times during the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Courtney Kiefer, photographer

RunDisney hosts a marathon weekend during the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. It’s usually in early November. Typically they host 5K, 10K, and a half marathon, plus a health and fitness expo. One of the fun things about running in a Disney event is all the characters. Slow down during the race and get some encouragement from your favorite Disney character. You can also enjoy dressing up in a running-friendly Disney costume, or just marvel at the creativity of the other runners. Runs give you a chance to enjoy the parks in new ways. This event in early November often happens as the fall decorations are coming down and the holiday decorations are making an appearance, so you’ll be one of the first to enjoy them. We have several team members who regularly enjoy RunDisney events. Talk to us about training and planning to include this in your vacation!

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is more than eating, and then exercising off your overconsumption. There is also great music! The Eat to the Beat concert series invites favorite music artists from the ’80s, ’90s, and ’00s to perform at the America Gardens Theatre. Artists like Kenny G, Hanson, Newsboys, Sheila E., and Mark Wills. These concerts can be very popular, so we recommend checking out the Eat to the Beat Dining Packages. You get a meal at select EPCOT restaurants, and same-day reserved seating at the Eat to the Beat Concert. If you don’t want to camp out for hours, and there’s a performance you can’t miss, it’s an excellent option.

It’s not too early to plan for your fall 2023 visit to Walt Disney World. Send us a message or give us a call, and one of our experts will help you get started!

#4 Adventures by Disney – Iceland & Norway

In 2023 we’re excited about two European trips from Adventures by Disney: Norway and Iceland. These are countries that can seem a little more intimidating to visit for the average tourist, so they make a perfect vacation to experience with Disney’s luxury guided tours. Every Adventures by Disney vacation is led by two Adventure Guides who manage all the details for you. They’re your local experts with stories, history, and culture to share. Adventures by Disney alumni say that the Adventure Guides are some of the best parts of the trips!

Horesback Riding in the Golden Circle on Adventures by Disney’s Iceland vacation.

Adventures by Disney’s 8-day/7-night Iceland vacations start at $8,199 USD for adults and include accommodations, 17 meals, and all your tours and admissions. You’ll experience the Instagram-famous Blue Lagoon, ride on the breed of horses Vikings rode (hint, they’re smaller than you might think!), and hike on an active glacier. Tours operate May-September and they do sell out. This is a great vacation for those who love to get outdoors and enjoy our amazing planet.

If Norway isn’t on your bucket list, add it right now! It is stunning. Pictures can not do it justice. Trips to Norway with Adventures by Disney start at $5,999 USD for adults and last 8 days. That price includes accommodations and 17 meals. On this vacation, you’ll visit a historic stave church, river raft, and marvel at fjords. (We can’t get over the fjords. Slartibartfast did a great job on the fjords.) Your Adventure Guides are with you from fjord to folk dancing. This is an excellent vacation with kids. None of you will forget your adventures in this extraordinary country. Tours run June-September and these also sell out. So talk to one of our travel planners right away about visiting Norway, Iceland, or any other Adventures by Disney vacation.

#3 Toontown Reopening

An ambitious reimagining of MickeyÕs Toontown in Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, will debut in early 2023, alongside the new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Building on the legacy of MickeyÕs Toontown, Imagineers are working to create some all-new experiences so families and young children can have more opportunities to play together in Disneyland park. Read more on the Disney Parks Blog. (Artist Concept/Disneyland Resort)

Toontown at the Disneyland Resort will reopen on March 8, 2023. The big new ride, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opens in January in time for the Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebration. This ride opened in 2020 and we love it! It uses Disney’s newer trackless system and features many of Mickey Mouse’s pals, catchy music, and fun visuals. It’s a hit with all ages.

Disneyland Resort guests will be able to step into a cartoon world and join Mickey and his friends on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opening at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2023. (Artist Concept/Disneyland Resort)

Toontown has always been the best spot in the park for smaller kids. The reimagined land will have more open areas and green play places for kids. The centerpiece will be the Dreaming Tree in CenTOONial Park. The tree is a nod to Walt Disney’s childhood when he dreamt of his figure under a cottonwood tree. It’s a wonderful way to reimagine a Land while not losing the connection to Disney’s heritage!

The Dreaming Treein DenT00Nial Park. (Artist Concept/Disneyland Resort)

Some old Toontown favorites will return, and others will be reimagined. We know that Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin will be back. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster will return with a new name and theme. Kids will still get to play in Mickey and Minnie’s houses and both will have meet-and-greets. Donald’s boat will be reimagined with a splash pad (so bring a change of clothes for your little ones!). Goofy will have a reimagined house and the new Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard with sensory play. Inside his house will be a candy-making machine for kids to play with. It all looks colorful and fun! We can’t wait to see it. Are you excited too? Talk to one of our Disneyland experts and make plans to take your family!

#2 Disney Cruise Line Silver Anniversary at Sea

To honor Disney Cruise Line’s “Silver Anniversary at Sea,” Captain Minnie Mouse and Captain Mickey Mouse will don dazzling new ensembles in the celebration’s signature color, Shimmering Seas. (Disney)

Disney Magic (image via Disney Cruise Line)

For 25 five years Disney has immersed guests in its special kind of storytelling-driven hospitality at sea. In 2023 they’re celebrating from May through September on all their ships with enchanting new decor, limited-time entertainment, themed merchandise (naturally), and other surprises. This is a great time to book a Disney cruise so talk to one of our ConciEARS right away to join the celebration at sea!

One of our favorite ways to cruise with Disney is to combine a cruise with a visit to a Disney Park. This has long been popular with our clients who sail out of Florida. If you’ve always wanted to visit the Bahamas or the Caribbean, talk to us about extending your vacation and visiting Walt Disney World too! This coming year we’re excited that with Disney Cruises out of San Diego, you can combine a Disneyland Resort vacation with a 2-7 night Mexican cruise! It’s so exciting to have this land and see options on both coasts. Check out all the amazing Disney Cruise Line vacations for 2023 and we’ll get your cruise booked right away.

#1 Disney 100th Anniversary

Beginning Jan. 27, 2023, the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., will celebrate Disney 100 Years of Wonder – including new platinum-infused dcor, (Artist Concept/Disneyland Resort)

The biggest event to hit Disney in 100 years is the Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebration. The party begins on January 27 at the Disneyland Resort. Two new nighttime spectaculars will debut at the Disneyland Resort. “Wondrous Journeys,” is a projection and fireworks show referencing every Walt Disney Animation Studios film. “World of Color – One” “will tell a new story of how a single action, like a drop of water, creates a ripple that can grow into a wave of change.” according to the Disney Parks Blog. The show also features a new song, “Start a Wave.” Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is getting a platinum celebration overlay courtesy of the three fairies. There will also be merch. So much merch! Make your plans now to visit the Disneyland Resort in spring 2023! Bookings are going fast.

The party kicks off at Disneyland Paris on October 16, 2023, and they’re holding a special New Year’s Eve Celebration as part of the festivities Tickets are already available! We anticipate events at Walt Disney World but those have not been announced. The Walt Disney Archives are opening their vaults and bringing out their greatest treasures for Disney100: The Exhibition. If you live near one of the cities the exhibit will visit, do not miss it! Usually, you have to visit the D23 convention to see treasures from Disney’s history. This experience promises to be excellent.

There is so much to be excited about in 2023! Follow us on social media and let us know what you’re excited about!

Did we miss one of the vacations you’re looking forward to in 2023? Get in touch with us to start planning your next Disney trip! We’re excited to share our knowledge, experience, and insider tips with you to help you have the most magical Disney vacation possible. Call or email us anytime! 856-OUR-EARS or service@conciears.com/.