St Patricks Day celebrates St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It’s a day to wear green and celebrate your love of all things Irish!
It’s a big day in the USA since many Americans have a claim to some Irish ancestry.
But how should you celebrate St Patrick’s Day? If you’re visiting Orlando today, on 17th March, why not try some of these ideas? Head over and join the revelries!
Raglan Road at Disney Springs
The party is already in full swing over at Disney Springs. Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant kicked off its annual St Patrick’s Day festival on Friday 14 March, with events and celebrations through until today.
The Irish themed pub serves up traditional and contemporary Irish dishes made with the finest local ingredients. Feast on hearty favourites like bangers & mash, fish & chips, shepherd’s pie, boxty potato pancakes and braised beef short ribs. And, of course, you can enjoy a pint of Guinness or an Irish whisky.
On St Patrick’s Day, you can enjoy the St Patrick’s Day celebration atmosphere with live Irish dancing performances during the day and then with live music later into the evening.
View the performance list here.
Mulligans in Celebration
Mulligans Irish Pub on Blake Boulevard in Celebration, too, has been partying all week in preparation for today. The Irish pub in the charming lakeside town of Celebration has been winding up to St Patricks Day with a series of events from Monday 10th March.
Sadly, it’s located away from the downtown Celebration area, but it’s close to the Publix supermarket at Water Tower Shoppes. You can read more about its St Patrick’s Day events here.
Today, you can head over there to enjoy a pint of Guinness in a convivial atmosphere before the party kicks off at 5pm with a live DJ.
The Harp and Celt Restaurant in downtown Orlando
If you’re willing to venture as far as downtown Orlando, you can check out The Harp and Celt Restaurant and Pub, which has been serving up Irish hospitality in Orlando for some 15 years.
Since 2007, The Harp and Celt has been pouring the perfect pints of Guinness and cooking up classic Irish dishes, like Irish stew, fish and chips and traditional Irish breakfasts, from its Magnolia Avenue location.
The Magnolia Avenue part of downtown Orlando is known for its lively atmosphere, with bars, restaurants, and cultural spots like theatres and galleries. The area is popular for its nightlife and events, so it can be bustling and energetic depending on the area and time of day.
St Patrick’s Day is a great opportunity to explore the area while enjoying some authentic Irish hospitality.
St Patrick’s Day at SeaWorld
If you have little ones with you or you would simply prefer the slower pace of a more family-oriented event, SeaWorld has an option for you. There, you can enjoy a little of the St Patrick’s Day spirit as part of your park admission.
The SeaWorld Orlando St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is a lively and family-friendly event that takes place as part of the park’s Seven Seas Food Festival. The event is designed to be inclusive and enjoyable for all ages, making it a great outing for families.
SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival runs from January 31 to May 4, 2025, on select dates. It features over 190 internationally inspired dishes, along with a variety of wines, craft beers and cocktails. There’s also live music and concerts from popular artists every weekend, included within the park admission. The festival incorporates themed events like Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo and, of course, St. Patrick’s Day.
This year, the St Patrick’s Day festivities run from March 13–17 and March 20–23, 2025.
The heart of the celebration is the Irish Market Plaza where you’ll discover live Irish music, stilt walkers and vibrant entertainment throughout the day. You can enjoy live performances from talented musicians and performers who bring the spirit of Ireland to life with traditional melodies and dances. Dig into some traditional Irish cuisine, with classic dishes like shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and themed drinks such as the Shamrock Sour.
Happy St Patrick’s Day!
We hope we’ve inspired you with some St Patrick’s Day ideas… However you are celebrating, we wish you a very happy St Patrick’s Day!
If we’ve whetted your appetite for a March 2026 stay – so you can enjoy Orlando’s St Patrick’s Day festivities next year – browse our homes and book here!
Vacation Homes – White Rose Villas
It’s no secret that our founder’s favourite park is Epcot at Walt Disney World.
Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida has always been a favourite destination for those seeking a blend of future-forward innovation, cultural experiences, and thrilling attractions.
The park is constantly evolving. 2024 and 2025 are no exceptions, bringing a host of new updates and events that will delight visitors of all ages.
Here’s a rundown of what’s new at Epcot and a schedule of exciting events you won’t want to miss.
New Epcot attractions and experiences
1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Prepare for an intergalactic adventure with Epcot’s newest roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This thrilling ride features a reverse launch and 360-degree rotation, taking you on a high-speed journey through space with your favourite Guardians characters. The storytelling, combined with cutting-edge technology, makes this a must-visit attraction.
2. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Shrink down to the size of Chef Remy and scurry through Gusteau’s famous Parisian restaurant in this 4D experience. Located in the expanded France Pavilion, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure offers a family-friendly ride that combines stunning visuals and fun surprises.
3. Luminous: the Symphony of Us
Feast your eyes on an all-new nighttime spectacular as it lights up the sky over World Showcase Lagoon. This new night-time spectacular is one of the largest ever created for a Disney park. It features massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, and lasers. The show celebrates how Disney music inspires people worldwide, with reimagined classic songs in various languages performed by a diverse group of artists.
4. Space 220
Dine among the stars at Space 220, Epcot’s newest out-of-this-world restaurant. Located adjacent to Mission: SPACE, this dining experience simulates a journey 220 miles above Earth, offering breathtaking views of space and a delicious menu inspired by futuristic cuisine.
Exciting Epcot events in 2024
Here’s our pick of the events coming this year.
1. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Dates: March 6 – July 1, 2024.
Spring comes alive at Epcot during the International Flower & Garden Festival with stunning topiaries, vibrant gardens, and live entertainment. The festival also includes outdoor kitchens offering fresh, seasonal dishes and beverages. Our personal favourite event!
2. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Dates: July 15 – November 20, 2024.
This fan-favourite event brings global cuisine, fine wines, craft beers, and spirits to Epcot. Enjoy culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars, and the Eat to the Beat Concert Series.
3. Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Dates: November 25 – December 30, 2024.
Experience holiday traditions from around the globe. The International Festival of the Holidays features holiday kitchens, the Candlelight Processional, and festive decorations throughout the park.
Exciting Epcot events in 2025
Epcot is already looking forward to next year!
1. Epcot International Festival of the Arts
Dates: January 10 – February 18, 2025. Returning with more art, music, and culinary experiences, this festival continues to showcase the best of the arts with new workshops and performances.
2. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Dates: March 5 – June 30, 2025. Expect more vibrant gardens and creative topiaries, along with new outdoor kitchens and entertainment options that celebrate the beauty of spring.
3. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Dates: July 17 – November 22, 2025. Expanding its culinary offerings, the festival will introduce new global marketplaces, enhanced beverage seminars, and an extended Eat to the Beat Concert Series line up.
4. Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Dates: November 24 – December 29, 2025. The 2025 edition will feature even more international holiday traditions, new festive entertainment, and expanded holiday kitchens for a truly global holiday celebration.
Our visit to the Flower & Garden festival
Our team recently visited the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and were blown away by the stunning flower displays. The intricate designs and vibrant colours made for a truly spectacular experience.
The food offerings were equally impressive, with a variety of fresh and delicious dishes to try. Epcot remains a firm favourite with our team, and we highly recommend visiting during this beautiful festival.
Your visit to Orlando
Epcot’s ongoing transformation promises to enhance the guest experience with new attractions, dining options and entertainment that celebrate innovation, culture, and storytelling.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a foodie, or someone who loves immersive cultural experiences, Epcot has something for everyone in 2024 and 2025. Plan your visit today and be part of the magic as Epcot continues to evolve and inspire.
Stay tuned for more updates and insider tips on making the most of your trip to Epcot. It’s these exciting new experiences and events that will make your visit to Florida truly unforgettable.
Ready to book?
As we all take tentative steps toward the new normal, Governor DeSantis announced that phase two of his plan for the gradual reopening of businesses would commence on 8th June. All but 3 of Florida’s 67 counties, the exceptions being Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward counties, are moving into this next phase.
This phase allows bars, clubs, bowling alleys and cinemas to operate at 50% capacity. Similarly, concert halls, theaters and casinos may also operate at 50% capacity, with social-distancing measures in place. Restaurants can now allow bar-top seating, again with social-distancing restrictions in place.
Retail businesses and gyms can now operate at full capacity and personal service businesses e.g. tattoo parlors, massage and tanning establishments may also reopen.
An update on attractions:
Gatorland opened May 23rd; Gator Gully Splashpad opened June 3rd: https://www.gatorland.com/plan-your-visit/re-opening-safety/
Legoland opened June 1st: https://www.legoland.com/florida/ways-we-are-making-it-safe-to-visit/
Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay opened 4th June with limited and reduced daily attendance: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/safety-faqs
Walt Disney World parks will commence opening July 11th – Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, followed by EPCOT and Hollywood Studios on July 15th. WDW requirements here: https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/experience-updates/
Busch Gardens opens June 11th: https://buschgardens.com/tampa/park-info/park-safety/
Discovery Cove opens June 11th: https://discoverycove.com/orlando/park-info/park-safety/
Disney Springs phased reopening: https://www.disneysprings.com/reopening/
Universal CityWalk: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/safety-faqs/citywalk-parking
With the announcement of Virgin Atlantic’s intention to re-commence flights to Orlando from Heathrow on July 20th, it signals the first glimmer of hope that we may be able to salvage something from this awful, global situation.
We at White Rose Villas will be ready, willing and able to welcome our valued international guests to the Orlando area as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime we’ll give you regular updates and information as soon as we have them. Keep safe!
As parts of our World take the first, tentative steps to emerge from lockdown, there’s more encouraging news from our Florida friends. In addition to short-term rental homes now being allowed to operate, pursuant to their county’s plan being approved, Disney has announced plans for a phased reopening, commencing on July 11th.
Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are first up on 11th, with EPCOT and Hollywood Studios following on July 15th, in this phased reopening. It’s Disney as we’ve never known before; health and safety measures are obviously paramount and will include the implementation of a pre-arrival reservation system to maintain and ensure a reduced capacity.
In addition, the wearing of masks and temperature checks will be required, and parades, fireworks and other crowd creating events will be temporarily suspended. Similarly, ‘high touch’ experiences, including character meet and greet, makeovers and playgrounds will be unavailable in the short-term. However, characters will still roam the parks to entertain guests.
With SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica awaiting approval to reopen on June 11th, Universal approved for June 5th and LEGOLAND opened on June 1st, the magic is very gradually returning!