Autumn 2013 Brings Fall “Color” to Walt Disney World Resort

Disney guests Angela Fry of Las Vegas (l) and Diane York of Irvine, Calif., sample the Kalua Pork Slider and beverages from the Hawaii marketplace and other international kiosks at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which runs Sept. 27-Nov. 11, 2013. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Guests can sample wine, cheese and ethnic tastes from regions around the world Sept. 27 – Nov. 11, 2013 during the 18th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) The new home for visiting royalty in the Magic Kingdom, Princess Fairytale Hall will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows, a spacious gallery adorned with portraits of Disney princesses and elegantly finished rooms where guests can meet Aurora, Cinderella and other princesses. Set to open in fall 2013, Princess Fairytale Hall will be located in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney) In the new Aqua Lab water playground on the Disney Magic, families can frolic among pop jets, geysers and bubblers. Interactive games keep the kids moving, while the Twist n’ Spout water slide gets them delightfully drenched. The AquaLab is just one of the exciting new additions to debut on the Disney Magic this fall. AquaDunk on the Disney Magic is a thrilling three-story body slide that begins with a surprise launch, sending guests on a near-vertical drop and through a translucent tube that extends 20 feet over the side of the ship. This new water feature will take guests for a swift and splashy ride on the Disney Magic after the ship undergoes dry dock this fall. Brilliant artwork brightens Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., during Festival of the Masters. The festival features artistic creations from more than 150 artists, live entertainment, children’s activities and culinary treats. The annual event takes place at Downtown Disney and there is no charge for admission. (Diana Zalucky, photographer) Mila Minic-Massey, of Tampa, Fla., checks out blown glass artwork Nov. 9, 2012 during Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney. Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels features brilliant artistic creations from more than 150 artists, live entertainment, children’s activities and culinary treats. The 38th annual event takes place at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. November 8-10, 2013 and there is no charge for admission. (Kent Phillips, photographer) The inaugural Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler begins Sept. 29, 2012 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The frighteningly fun course steered more than 10,000 runners through ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex before returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, located at Walt Disney World Resort.The 2013 Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend is scheduled for Oct. 4-5, 2013. (Preston Mack, photographer)

  Nearly 14,000 runners start their main course at the Wine & Dine Half Marathon at Walt Disney World on Nov. 10, 2012, dashing from ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney through Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios before finishing at Epcot. Runners and their guests celebrated with an Epcot International Food & Wine Festival post-race party. The 2013 Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend is scheduled for Nov. 8 – 9, 2013. (Phelan Ebenhack, Photographer) Now in its 31th year, Night of Joy returns to Magic Kingdom Park with a contemporary Christian music festival Sept. 6-7, 2013. Central Florida’s Francesca Battistelli will perform at this year’s after-hours ticketed event, along with 15 other inspiring singers in a variety of genres. While artists perform at several stages, many popular attractions also are available for guests.  (Disney)