Walt Disney World to Host Quinceanera Weekend


By Scott Powers
Orlando Sentinel's Tourism Central Florida
May 5, 2008

Walt Disney World is expanding its quinceanera party offerings this year to include a specific "Quinceanera Weekend" at Epcot during Labor Day weekend, for girls celebrating their 15th birthdays with traditional Hispanic coming-of-age parties.

The weekend, expected to draw numerous quinceanera girls and their families and friends, will be in addition to the quinceanera program that Disney World began last year when it first started offering three quinceanera party packages, ranging in price from $1,800 to $20,000.

With this formal, themed weekend Disney expects to compete with similar quinceanera-themed cruises and other specific-timed events offered by some cruise lines and other vacation resorts.

The Epcot event will feature a quinceanera ball on Aug. 30. Packages will include stays that weekend at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. Prices will vary depending on what families wish to book.

In Latin America, girls celebrate their 15th birthday, quinceanera, as the transition from childhood to youth.

"It's a very emotional ceremony," said Disney World spokeswoman Mari Santana.