Table of Contents
The area surrounding Walt Disney World blends seasonal entertainment, upscale lodging and detailed park timetables. This article pulls together the main points visitors often ask about: the status of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, key features and policies at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, and how published Magic Kingdom attraction schedules look for late February and March 2026. Read on for a compact, practical overview that highlights the essentials you’ll want to keep in mind when planning a trip.
All three subjects—festival programming, hotel services and ride times—are maintained by separate teams and can change. Where precise details were available in source material, they are preserved here; where programming is pending, you’ll find guidance on where to check for updates.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays: current status and what to expect
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is a seasonal offering that showcases performances, food and family activities around the holidays. According to the latest published note, the 2026 edition has concluded and guests are invited to “check back this summer” for information about the 2026 event. That phrasing indicates the event schedule and lineup for the following year are not finalized in public materials yet. If you are planning around holiday entertainment, bookmark official EPCOT pages and sign up for park communications so you receive the confirmed narrator performances, choir appearances and other program highlights as they are announced.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes: a high-end base near the parks
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes positions itself as Central Florida’s only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star property, offering a wide range of amenities from spa services and championship golf to family activities and farm-to-table dining. The resort sits on more than 500 acres of natural landscape and emphasizes relaxation and recreational options, including upgraded pool cabanas and on-site activities suitable for couples, families and groups.
Practical stay details and policies
Key property details include a standard check-in time of 4:00 pm and check-out at 11:00 am; the minimum age to check in is 18. The hotel operates a valet-only parking model with a published daily valet fee of $58.00. For guests traveling with pets, the resort allows one dog or cat per room with a maximum weight of 25 lbs and charges a non-refundable pet fee of $250 per stay. Those who need contactless options will find the property accepts cash, credit cards and contactless mobile payments.
Accessibility, eco credentials and guest services
The hotel lists an array of accessible features: elevators, accessible entrances to pool, fitness center, spa and restaurants, and mobility- and hearing-accessible guest room elements such as roll-in showers, grab rails and closed-caption TV. Service animals are welcome without a fee or documentation. The property also highlights environmental certifications—Green Key and Florida Green Lodging—and provides footprint metrics for transparency: a reported carbon footprint of 47.53 kg per room night and a water footprint of 2494.73 liters per room night. Recycling is offered in guest rooms as part of the resort’s environmental practices.
Magic Kingdom attraction schedules: how published times appear
Park timetables for attractions such as Dumbo, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain and many others are published in detailed lists and can include multiple daily show or boarding times. The source includes specific timestamps spanning late February through mid-March 2026 (for example, schedules include entries dated between 2026-02-25 and 2026-03-17). These entries show how attraction availability can vary day-to-day and illustrate the importance of consulting live schedules when planning which rides and shows to prioritize.
Rather than reproduce an exhaustive list, note that the schedule format typically lists an attraction name followed by individual departure or showtimes for each date. Guests should check an updated crowd calendar or the official park app on the day of their visit for the latest times and any temporary closures or adjustments.
Tips for making the most of schedules and services
To combine festival experiences, hotel convenience and park time efficiently: confirm festival announcements for the season you are visiting, reserve lodging early (and note pet and accessibility needs), and consult the official Magic Kingdom timetable the morning of your visit to adapt plans to the published show and attraction times. Using the park app together with hotel concierge services can help align dining, transportation and attraction slots to reduce waiting and maximize enjoyment.
In short, keep an eye on official channels for festival updates, review the resort’s published policies and accessibility options before booking, and rely on live attraction schedules for real-time planning when you arrive at Magic Kingdom.