EPCOT Garden Rocks 2024 Line Up, plus DVC Fort Wilderness and Disney Valentine's

Who's playing the Garden Rocks Concert Series at EPCOT in 2024, plus important dates for the new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) cabins at Fort Wilderness and top picks from the Valentine's foodie guides at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Sneak Peek 2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival Dates and Music Line-Up

Spring is almost here and on the Walt Disney World festival calendar that means it's nearly time for the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

The 2024 festival runs from February 28 through May 27 including topiaries, gardens, food and music.

EPCOT Garden Rocks Concert Series 2024 Line Up

All shows at the America Gardens Theatre (American Adventure Pavilion)

Showtimes: 5:30 p.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 8:00 p.m.

February 28, 29: The Vybe (local cover band)
March 1, 2: Jason Scheff (former frontman with Chicago)
March 3, 4: Richard Marx (Top Hit: Right Here Waiting)
March 5, 6, 7: Evolution Motown (cover band, motown hits)
March 8, 9: Berlin (Top Hit: You Take My Breath Away, from Top Gun)
March 10, 11: Rick Springfield (Top Hit: Jessie's Girl)
March 12, 13, 14: Dian Diaz (pop rock, R&B, Latin, jazz)
March 15, 16: Modern English (New) (Top Hit: I Melt With You)
March 17, 18: Commodores (Top Hits: Easy; Three Times a Lady)
March 19, 20, 21: Foreigners Journey (hits from Foreigner and Journey)
March 22, 23, 24, 25: The Orchestra (former members of ELO)
March 26, 27, 28: The Female Collective (all female cover band)
March 29, 30: Mike DelGuidice (former guitarist/vocalist with Billy Joel)
March 31, April 1: The Pointer Sisters (Top Hits: I'm So Excited; He's So Shy)
April 2, 3, 4: Funkafied (classic funk covers, with horns section)
April 5, 6: Blue October (Top Hit: Hate Me)
April 7, 8: Crowder (New) (David Crowder, Contemporary Christian music)
April 9, 10, 11: The Hooligans (Psychobilly music)
April 12, 13: Jo Dee Messina (Top Hits: Head Carolina, Tails California; My Give a Damn's Busted)
April 14, 15: A Flock of Seagulls (Top Hits: I Ran; Space Age Love Song)
April 16, 17, 18: M-80s (80s rock cover band)
April 19, 20, 21, 22: The Plain White Ts (Top Hit: Hey There Delilah)
April 23, 24, 25: The Champagne Orchestra (local jazz band)
April 26, 27: Starship featuring Mickey Thomas (of Jefferson Starship. Top Hit: We Built this City
April 28, 29: Herman's Hermits featuring Peter Noone (Top Hit: I'm Henry the VIII I Am)
April 30, May 1, 2: Southbound (local country music party band)
May 3: Monsieur Periné (Afro Colombian latin music)
May 4: Raul Acosta and Oro Solido with Magic Juan (Dominican band)
May 5: Raul Acosta and Oro Solido with Luisito Ayala and the Puerto Rican Power Band
May 6: TBA
May 7, 8, 9: Gilly and the Girl (local acoustic duo) 
May 10, 11, 12, 13: Simple Plan (Top Hit: Perfect) 
May 14, 15, 16: Element (vocals and band combined with ASL)
May 17, 18: The Spinners (Top Hits: It's a Shame; Then Came You
May 19, 20: TBA
May 21, 22, 23: Epic Live! (party band)
May 24, 25: Lit (New) (Top Hit: My Own Worst Enemy)
May 26, 27: TBA

Garden Rocks Dining Packages Open February 6

To guarantee priority seating for a show, you can book a dining package at one of seven EPCOT restaurants:
  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
  • Biergarten Restaurant
  • Coral Reef Restaurant
  • Garden Grill Restaurant
  • Rose & Crown Dining Room
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse
  • Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Brews & Barbecue (same-day, in-person walk-up packages only)
For more information, including pricing and availability, visit DisneyWorld.com. Packages go on sale beginning Feb. 6.

--
 
DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness Open July 1, 2024

Get ready for a little luxury accommodation magic amid the rustic charm of Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort.

Starting on July 1, 2024, you will have an all-new way to stay in the great outdoors with many of the comforts of “home” in the newest Disney Vacation Club property, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

The new cabins will make a relaxing retreat nestled in the scenic woodlands of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The first loop will open on July 1 with a second loop opening later in the month, and more throughout the year.

Here are some dates to keep in mind before The Cabins begin opening in July:
  • February 1: DVC Members can begin purchasing points for the Fort Wilderness cabins.
  • February 15: DVC Members who have added on points at the cabins can begin booking stays.
  • February 27: Point sales for the cabins open to the general public.
  • March 12: New DVC members who have the cabins as their home resort can begin making reservations.
  • April 23: All DVC members can begin making reservations at the Fort Wilderness cabins.
Whether or not you stay at Fort Wilderness, there are several unique things to do onsite:

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
This is the longest-running live show (with good reason) that we have been visiting since the 1970s. Probably the most under-rated or lesser known of the Walt Disney World must-do

Tri-Circle D Ranch  
Whether you are visiting the horses here or taking a relaxing trail ride through the southern pines (recommended), this is another great Fort Wilderness exclusive. 

Outdoor Recreational Activities
Fishing, biking, renting a canoe or kayak, or enjoying the playground facilities...if you need a little time and space to escape the high energy of the parks, Fort Wilderness is a great place to be.

Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-Along
Another long-running Fort Wilderness tradition, the Chip'n'Dale Campfire Sing-Along is the most laid back way to interact with these two that you'll find anywhere. Plus, you can buy a s'mores kit from the Chuckwagon Snack Bar or bring your own marshmallows and sticks.

--

Walt Disney World and Disneyland Valentine's Foodie Guides

Time to feel the love tonight and give the taste buds some tasty attention. Here's this year’s Foodie Guide to Valentine’s Day!
Walt Disney World

Disney Springs 

Amorette's Patisserie (Available Feb. 1 through 17; mobile order available) 
  • Chocolate-covered Strawberries
  • Strawberry Cheesecake
The Ganachery 
  • Puppy Love Chocolate Piñata filled with hazelnut truffle treats and crisp pearls (New) (Available Feb. 1 through 15)
  • Mickey Chocolate Bites: Milk chocolate with caramel crisp pearls, solid 65% dark chocolate custom blend, and solid milk chocolate (New) (Available through Feb. 29) > Top Pick
  • Champagne-Strawberry Ganache Square: Strawberry ganache blended with champagne enrobed in dark 65% chocolate (Available Feb. 1 through 18)
Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar (February 1 - 17) 
  • Berry Lovely: Bacardí Dragonberry Rum with orange juice, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, watermelon syrup, and splash of soda garnished with a strawberry (New) > Top Pick
Vivoli il Gelato (Currently available through Feb. 29)
  • Love Potion: Vanilla gelato, Fanta Strawberry, and whipped cream
  • Cupid's Bombashake: Strawberry cheesecake shake topped with a cheesecake-filled Bomboloni 
Outdoor Vending at West Side – Landing (Available Feb. 1 through 17) 
  • Beautiful Rose: Herradura Silver Tequila, Cointreau liqueur, rose syrup, lime juice, lemon juice, and red cranberry juice garnished with a lime wedge (New) 
Disney Resort Hotels 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge  
The Mara (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available) 
  • Zebra Mousse Cake: Amarula mousse and chocolate sponge inspired by the iconic Zebra Domes
Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 
Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale & Compass (February 1 - 14; mobile order available) 
  • Cupid's Mousse: Devil’s food cake, vanilla bean mousse, and cherry compote (New) 
Disney’s BoardWalk 
BoardWalk Deli (February 1 - 14; mobile order available)
  • Strawberry Cheesecake Brownie: Rich brownie topped with strawberry cheesecake garnished with chocolate whipped cream, pink crisp pearls, and pink chocolate hearts
Disney’s Contemporary Resort  
Contempo Café (February 4 - 29; mobile order available) 
  • Sweet Heart Cookie: Sugar cookie with heart sprinkles topped with cream cheese buttercream, red velvet cake pieces and heart, and a drizzle of dark chocolate (New)
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 
Gasparilla Island Grill (Available Feb. 1 through 29; mobile order available)
  • Raspberry Macaron Heart: with raspberry cream and a passion fruit curd (New) > Top Pick
Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa  
Good’s Food to Go and The Artist’s Palette (February 1 - 14; mobile order available)
  • Love Letter Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with strawberry pastry cream, white chocolate mousse, and buttercream flowers
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 
Kona Island (Available February 1 - 14)
  • Stitch and Angel Date Night Cupcakes: Vanilla cupcakes with fillings inspired by classic pairings: chocolate and peanut butter mousse filling and peanut butter mousse and jelly filling
Pineapple Lanai (Available Feb. 1 through 14) 
  • Valentine Float: DOLE Whip Raspberry with Rosa Regale Sparkling Red topped with raspberries and strawberries
Disney’s Riviera Resort 
Le Petit Café (Available Feb. 1 through 14) 
  • Trois Macarons: Raspberry ganache, strawberry jam, and milk chocolate ganache
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge 
Roaring Fork (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available) 
  • Love Bug Marshmallow: Strawberry marshmallow with a ganache center on a graham cracker cookie
Available at Various Disney Resort Hotel Quick-Service Restaurants (Available Feb. 1 through 29; mobile order available) 
  • My (Plant-based) Sweetheart Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with a love-ly swirl of vanilla buttercream and heart sprinkles (Plant-based); Available at the following locations: 
    • World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
    • Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
    • End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
    • Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
    • Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
    • Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
    • Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Magic Kingdom Park  

Sunshine Tree Terrace (Currently available; mobile order available) 
  • I Lava You Float: Fanta Strawberry and passion fruit flavor served with DOLE Whip Orange and topped with popping candy (Plant-based) 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios 

The Hollywood Brown Derby (Available Feb. 1 through 14)
  • Red Velvet-White Chocolate Mousse atop a chocolate cookie
The Trolley Car Café (Available Feb. 1 through 14) 
  • Strawberry-Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red velvet cake filled with cream cheese buttercream topped with strawberry buttercream 

EPCOT 
Connections Café (Available Feb. 14 only)
  • Valentine's Day Baumkuchen with chocolate and strawberry layers (New)
Connections Eatery (Available Feb. 9 through 14; mobile order available)  
  • Valentine's Day Milk Shake: Vanilla milk shake with strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and chocolate garnish (New) 
Le Cellier Steakhouse (Available Feb. 14 only) 
  • Profiterole: Raspberry cheesecake profiterole (New) > Top Pick

Disneyland

Disney California Adventure Park 
Clarabelle's Hand-Scooped Ice Cream (February 9 - 14; mobile order available) 
  • Ice Cream Mickey Ear Hat Bowl with Valentine's Day Sundae: Chocolate and strawberry ice cream topped with strawberry sauce, whipped cream, chocolate-dipped strawberry, and seasonal sprinkles in a waffle cup (New) 
  • Valentine's Day Sundae: Chocolate and strawberry ice cream topped with strawberry sauce, whipped cream, chocolate-dipped strawberry, and seasonal sprinkles in a waffle cup
Lamplight Lounge and Lamplight Lounge - Boardwalk Dining (Available Feb. 14 only) 
  • The Flame: Bacardi Raspberry Rum, peach schnapps, mango purée, raspberry purée, lime juice, Sprite, and Firewater Bitters with a chile-lime rim
  • Sour Blackberry Vodka lemonade: Absolut Citron Vodka, Angostura Bitters, blackberries, lemonade, agave nectar, and lemon juice
  • The Love That Lasts a Lifetime: Bacardi Raspberry Rum, , orgeat syrup, raspberry purée, pineapple juice, and Sprite
  • A Toast to Love Flight: Three miniature cocktails featuring a spicy cocktail, a bitter cocktail, and a sweet cocktail

Novelties Available Across the Disneyland Resort
  • Polka Dot Valentine Mickey-shaped Balloon Bucket: (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply); Available at the following locations: 
    • At Disney California Adventure Park: Popcorn near Carthay Circle Restaurant, Popcorn at Grizzly Peak Airfield, Popcorn at Pixar Pier
    • At Disneyland Park: Popcorn near Central Plaza, Popcorn at small world Promenade, Popcorn near Fantasyland Theatre, Popcorn near Star Trader, Popcorn near Mark Twain Riverboat, Popcorn near Haunted Mansion

Hotels of the Disneyland Resort 

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa 
Grand Californian Great Hall Cart (Available Jan. 26 through Feb. 18)
  • Valentine's Day Linzer Cookie
  • Mickey-shaped Valentine’s Day Cookie
  • Valentine’s Day Strawberries
  • Valentine’s Day Assorted Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Shot with Milk
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Shot with Liqueur
  • Red Velvet Cookie Shot with Milk
  • Red Velvet Cookie Shot with Liqueur
GCH Craftsman Grill (Available Jan. 26 through Feb. 18)
  • Valentine's Cupcake: Vanilla cupcake with buttercream icing and chocolate ganache
  • Valentine's Donut: White chocolate or chocolate coated donut with candy pearls
Hearthstone Lounge (Available Feb. 1 through 29) 
  • Pink Lady: Sipsmith Gin, Applejack, lemon juice, Liquid Alchemist Grenadine, Fee Foam, Luxardo Cherrys 

Downtown Disney District 

Ballast Point Brewing Co. (Available Feb. 14 only) 
  • Raspberry Panna Cotta: Vanilla bean panna cotta topped with raspberry compote and mint garnish
Beignets Expressed (Currently available through Feb. 19) 
  • Strawberry Shortcake Glazed Beignets: Strawberry icing dusted with strawberry sugar served with vanilla bean creme anglaise
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes (Available Feb. 1 through 29) 
  • Mocha Tamarind Chile Shake: Chocolate-frosted rim with crushed, puffed-chocolate cereal topped with fried churros, chocolate fudge pop, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle
Kayla's Cake (Available Feb. 1 through 14) 
  • Valentine's Day Gift Box featuring rose champagne, raspberry cream, Belgian dark chocolate, red velvet, salted caramel, and pistachio raspberry macarons
Naples Ristorante e Bar (Available Jan. 26 through Feb. 29) 
  • Tiramisu for Two: Mascarpone cream, espresso coffee, and cocoa garnished with a cocoa heart
  • Scarlett Heart Martini: Rum, peach schnapps, vodka, and cranberry juice with a sugar rim and garnished with a strawberry
Salt & Straw (Available Feb. 1 through 29)
  • The Chocolatiers Series featuring Fran's Chocolate Almond Gold Bar, Cloudforest's Cocoa Hazelnut Magic Sauce, Dandelion's Chocolate Nibs & Frangipane, Compartés' Cake Batter Chocolate Fudge, and Exquisito Chocolate's Passionfruit Truffles
Splitsville Luxury Lanes (Available Feb. 13 through 15)
  • Valentine’s Day Package for Two: Enjoy one hour of bowling with shoe rentals for two, one bottle of house wine, two entrees with the choice of Surf & Turf or Chicken Parmesan, and one dessert (Reservations Required) 
  • Surf & Turf: 8 oz sirloin steak and six blackened shrimp served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli
  • Chicken Parmesan: Linguini pasta with two fried chicken parmesan cutlets topped with marinara sauce and a blanket of shredded mozzarella accompanied with two slices of garlic bread
Tortilla Jo's (Available Jan. 26 through Feb. 29)
  • Tacos Enamorados: Three tacos filled with New York steak, white Mexican shrimp, queso chihuahua, avocado, pico de gallo, and salsa enamoradita
  • Cupid's Corazon Margarita for Two: Tequila, pomegranate liqueur, organic margarita mix, and cranberry juice garnished with sugar rim, marshmallows, candy hearts, and a cherry 
Wetzel's Pretzels (Available Jan. 29 through March 3)
  • Strawberry Funnel Cake Bitz: Original Bitz topped with powdered sugar and drizzled with strawberry sauce
Available at Various Candy Locations Around Disneyland Resort Including Marceline’s Confectionery, Trolley Treats, Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff, Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen, and Pooh Corner (Available Jan. 19 through Feb. 14) 
  • Minnie Strawberry Cheesecake Apple: Granny smith apple dipped in caramel with two Minnie Marshmallow ears, enrobed in strawberry-flavored, pink-colored white chocolate, and red-colored white chocolate drizzle with a graham cracker and strawberry crisp mix, white polka-dotted, pink-colored white chocolate bow, and topped with Valentine's sprinkles (New)
  • Mickey Valentine’s Apple: Granny smith apple dipped in caramel with two Mickey marshmallow ears, enrobed in white chocolate, and red sanding sugar embellished with two white M&Ms (New)
  • Conversation Heart Cereal Treat: Heart shaped cereal treat dipped in colored white chocolate with colored sanding sugar and white chocolate words (New)
  • White Chocolate Dipped Strawberry: Long-stemmed strawberry dipped in white chocolate and drizzled in pink-colored white chocolate (New)
  • Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberry: Long-stemmed strawberry dipped in dark chocolate and drizzled with pink-colored white chocolate and white chocolate (New) 
  • Dark Chocolate Marshmallow Wand: Three marshmallows on a stick dipped in caramel and dark chocolate and drizzled in pink-colored and red-colored white chocolate
  • Strawberry Mickey Cake Pop: Flat chocolate cake pop with Mickey marshmallow ears and dipped in strawberry-flavored, pink-colored white chocolate and drizzled with red-colored white chocolate
  • Pink Bow Minnie Cake Pop: Round chocolate cake pop enrobed in milk chocolate and adorned with a white polka-dotted pink-white chocolate bow
  • Pink Minnie Apple: Granny smith apple dipped in caramel with two Minnie marshmallow ears, enrobed in milk chocolate, pink sanding sugar dress, and white M&Ms and a white polka-dotted, pink-white chocolate bow.
  • Pink Minnie Cereal Treat: Cereal treat dipped in milk chocolate with pink sanding sugar, white M&Ms chocolate candies, and a white polka-dotted, pink-white chocolate bow
--

Disneyland Enhances Early Entry Benefit for Onsite Hotel Guests

Jan. 20, 2024, the Early Entry benefit will be updated to allow guests staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels to take advantage of 30-minute early entry into a designated theme park for every day of their hotel stay. Each day, either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park will be open early. Please check the theme park calendar for the schedule.

The Early Entry benefit allows guests to enjoy select attractions, dining and shopping locations. Valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same park on the same date is also required for guests ages 3+. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability and not guaranteed.

Before heading to the part of Early Entry, guests should link theme park tickets or passes, theme park reservations and hotel reservations to the Disneyland app to show verification of these requirements. Tickets and passes can be viewed by selecting “Tickets and Passes” and hotel dates of stay can be viewed by selecting “My Hotel Reservation” in the Disneyland app.

--

Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Podcast

Thank you very much for listening to this episode, Amelia and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.

Sharing the podcast with your friends and on social media is also extremely helpful and very much appreciated.

Contact 1923 Main Street

Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas for future episodes.

Shop unique and original Disney-inspired t-shirts, sweatshirt, hoodies, yoga leggings, dresses, swimwear and more at the Emporium at 1923 Main Street

Please be sure to follow along on X, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

--
Media provided by Jamendo

Creators and Guests

Amelia Belobradic
Host
Amelia Belobradic
Amelia Belobradic is co-host of 1923 Main Street: The Disney Travel News Podcast.
Mike Belobradic
Host
Mike Belobradic
Mike Belobradic is the creator and co-host of the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com and a longtime expert on Disney travel.
EPCOT Garden Rocks 2024 Line Up, plus DVC Fort Wilderness and Disney Valentine's
Broadcast by