If your version of a Disney vacation means chaos, long waits, and too many giant turkey legs, you’re doing it all wrong. Discover how the other half does Disney, from the absolute best lodging and dining to guided tours and even how to host your own private party inside the parks.
Archive for
VIDEO: WELCOME TO DISNEY SPRINGS
With nearly 150 retail, dining, and entertainment locations now open, Disney Springs™ at Walt Disney World® Resort allows guests to explore unique boutiques and enjoy waterfront dining and live entertainment. The four neighborhoods of Disney Springs – The Landing, Town Center, Marketplace, and West Side – include a high-quality mix of retailers and sophisticated restaurants as diverse as the neighborhoods themselves.
From big-name brands to rare finds, guests will find this playful promenade to be the perfect place to shop with nearly 100 stores including the hottest brand names in shopping like Zara, Anthropologie, kate spade new York, Vera Bradley, MAC and Vince Camuto. Plus, the biggest and best selection of Disney merchandise at World of Disney, Marketplace Co-op, TrenD and more!
Get a closer look at Disney Springs in this stop motion video!
University of Texas Runner Wins Emotional Disney Princess Half Marathon
After her cousin Gabrielle Arcangeli of Harmony, Fla., was tragically killed in a car crash last summer, Kaitlyn Johnson was determined to honor her cousin’s memory by running Sunday in the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Suffice to say, she did that and a lot more, outpacing the field of more than 24,000 runners to win her first-ever half marathon.
Johnson, a biomechanical engineering PhD candidate at the University of Texas at Austin, ran along with more than 35 of Arcangeli’s family and friends who also participated in the race weekend in honor of Arcanegli, who ran the race last year.
“Our whole family is here, so it’s great fun because we are all here in honor of my cousin,’’ Johnson said. “And I think that’s helpful in the healing process.’’
Johnson, originally from Westfield, New Jersey, had little trouble getting to the finish line ahead of everyone else, flying around the 13.1-mile course at Walt Disney World Resort in 1:22:16 – nearly three minutes ahead of second-place finisher Heather Schulz of Orlando (1:24:53). Jennifer Berry of Denver was third (1:25:49).
“I felt good from the beginning,’’ Johnson said. “It was so fun running by the Grand Floridian (Resort), where I used to stay (when we visited Walt Disney World Resort) when I was growing up, and Splash Mountain, which is my favorite ride. It was a fun time.’’
The half marathon was the finishing touch on the multi-race weekend which included Kids Races, the Disney Princess 5K and the Disney Princess Enchanted 10K, plus a Health & Fitness Expo. In all, more than 52,000 runners participated in the race weekend, making it the largest women-focused race weekend in the nation.
The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is the third race in runDisney’s nine-race series that encompasses Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris. Next up is the Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side (April 20-23) at Walt Disney World Resort and the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend presented by PANDORA Jewelry (May 11-14) at Disneyland Resort. For more information about runDisney, visit www.runDisney.com.
Disney gets the Hamilton treatment for the Oscars as the cast cover Moana track ‘How Far I’ll Go’
Lin-Manuel Miranda may have left Hamilton, but the cast still have him in their thoughts.
He was up for Best Original Song at the Oscars last night for ‘How Far I’ll Go’ from Disney’s Moanaand the current cast of the hit Broadway musical have wished him good luck with an adorable cover of the track.
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Celebrates the Freshness of Spring With Tantalizing Food, Beverages and Culinary Events
With celebrity chefs, winemaker dinners, beer tasting seminars and irresistible cuisine, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival jump-starts spring with hundreds of culinary experiences and delicious flavors from across the Golden State. Guests will be tempted to visit multiple days as the tantalizing Festival runs March 10-April 16, 2017, at Disney California Adventure Park.
“This year’s Food & Wine Festival is going to be better than ever, with experiences for guests of all ages,” said Gary Maggetti, general manager, Disney California Adventure Park West. “We’ll have more than a dozen marketplaces open every day, and you can enjoy an entire menu of daily culinary demonstrations and tastings, plus beer, wine and spirits seminars. There will be music everywhere, delicious food, and fun crafts created especially for our younger guests. We have something for the entire family.”
More than a dozen Festival Marketplaces will offer delectable fare, an ideal complement to the Festival-inspired menus at the theme park’s restaurants and eateries.
Dozens of food and beverage professionals will share their expertise during the Festival. Each day, guests will be invited to learn cooking techniques from master chefs, participate in wine, beer and spirit seminars, and discover some of the best California cuisine in dishes served throughout Disney California Adventure.
Celebrity chefs scheduled to appear during the Festival include Guy Fieri, Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Duff Goldman, Emily Ellyn and Keegan Gerhard.
In addition to culinary demonstrations and seminars, guests will enjoy an exciting musical program with eclectic bands that add an authentic “California vibe” to the Festival. Children ages 3 to 11 may join in the fun with the popular complimentary Junior Chef experience (led by Chef Goofy, and available on a first-come, first-seated basis), and the Jammin’ Chefs, who serve up tasty rhythms with pots and pans that really get cooking with the help of sous chefs Chip ‘n Dale.
Signature Events, which require a separate ticket, include “In the Kitchen with …” on Saturdays from 6 to 7 p.m., Sweet Sundays on select Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and Winemaker or Brewmaster Dinners Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Many of the Festival events are included with admission to Disney California Adventure. Guests who want to add the Signature Events may purchase separate tickets at an additional fee for:
- “In the Kitchen with …” – Each Celebrity Chef will lead a 60-minute culinary demonstration and Q&A followed by an autograph session. The experience includes a tasting of some of the prepared dishes.
- Sweet Sundays – A 90-minute culinary demonstration focuses on the sweet side of the culinary arts. Following a light breakfast and a sparkling toast, the Guest Chef for that day will demonstrate up to three recipes. Guests will enjoy samples from the chefs.
- Winemaker Dinners and Brewmaster Dinners – A four-course dinner features wines and winemakers or beers and brewmasters. Wine or beer selections will be paired with courses created by the Disney Executive Chef Team and each winemaker or brewmaster will speak on the libation and the pairing.
Additional ticketed programs include:
- Culinary Demonstrations (presented daily throughout the Festival) – Guests will enjoy 30-minute culinary demonstrations presented by local, visiting and Disney chefs. Each demo will focus on a single recipe, ingredient or cooking style. Guests will receive a tasting sample of the dish prepared.
- Wine, Beer or Spirits Education and Tasting Seminars (presented daily throughout the Festival) – Beverage seminars presented by industry experts will enlighten guests who want to learn more about their favorite spirits. Each 30- to 45-minute seminar will focus on a specific beverage type, region or label, and guests will enjoy tasting samples of some of the beverages discussed.
From March 10 to April 1, guests may make reservations for Signature and other ticketed events at Disneyland.com/foodandwine. Reservations for events later in the month of April can be made beginning 60 days prior to the date of the individual event.
Food is always part of the fun at Disney California Adventure. The park offers guests a range of dining options, from fast-casual fare to haute cuisine, with innovative dishes from award-winning chefs. Guests will find Italian specialties at Wine Country Trattoria, handmade treats at Candy Palace, fine dining and craft cocktails at Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge, plus vegetarian and gluten-free options at many locations.
Separate admission to Disney California Adventure Park is required and is not included with the cost of signature events. Space is limited for all ticketed events; advance reservations are recommended. Full payment may be due at time of booking, and cancellation fees may apply. No refunds, credit or date or time changes. Guests must be 21 years of age or over to consume alcohol; valid photo ID required. Events and demonstrations are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Gruden’s QB Camp at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Returns for Eighth Season
Jon Gruden’s QB Camp series, a signature element of ESPN’s annual pre-NFL Draft coverage, returns for its eighth year this spring. In all, 50 quarterbacks – including 15 current NFL starters – have participated in the series. Notable players include Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson, former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck, 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton, two-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr and 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott, who was mentored by Gruden at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex just a year ago.
In the coming weeks, Gruden will welcome seven quarterbacks to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort where he’ll spend time with each prospect in the film room and on the field. Excerpts of the visits will be featured the same day on SportsCenter, NFL Live and other shows.
Two-time Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun Watson, who led Clemson to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, headlines this year’s QB Camp class. Watson is the most decorated college player the past two seasons, winning both the Dave O’Brien Award and Manning Award twice (2015 and 2016), as well as the 2016 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Watson and fellow QB Camp participant Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina are both projected as first-round picks by ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay in their latest NFL Mock 2.0 projections.
In all, the 2017 Gruden’s QB Camp class includes:
- Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee)
- Brad Kaaya (Miami, Fla.)
- DeShone Kizer (Notre Dame)
- Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech)
- Nathan Peterman (Pittsburgh)
- Mitch Trubisky (North Carolina)
- Deshaun Watson (Clemson)
Video – Behind the Scenes: “Bringing Beauty To Life” – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Go behind the scenes with the Emma Watson, director Bill Condon, and the rest of the cast of Beauty and the Beast and see how they brought the tale as old as time to life in a whole new way.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Talks Writing Disney’s Most Unusual Ballad
In musical theater, it’s called the “I Want” song. Typically a ballad found within a musical’s first few scenes, the tune is an opportunity for composers to put into words the leading character’s desires and motivations so that the audience can have a clear sense of where the story is going.
Disneyland Refurbishment Update
| Disneyland® Park | |
| Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes Disneyland Railroad Disneyland Railroad – Mickey’s Toontown Disneyland Railroad – New Orleans Square Disneyland Railroad – Tomorrowland Fantasmic! Mark Twain Riverboat Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island Sailing Ship Columbia Pirates of the Caribbean Matterhorn Bobsleds Autopia |
Jan. 11, 2016 – Summer 2017 Jan. 11, 2016 – Summer 2017 Jan. 11, 2016 – Summer 2017 Jan. 11, 2016 – Summer 2017 Jan. 11, 2016 – Summer 2017 Jan. 11, 2016 – Summer 2017 Jan. 11, 2016 – Summer 2017 Jan. 11, 2016 – Summer 2017 Jan. 11, 2016 – Summer 2017 Feb. 3 – Mar. 15, 2017 Feb. 6, 2017 – TBD Mar. 20 – 22, 2017 |
| Disney California Adventure® Park | |
| Grizzly River Run Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Mickey’s Fun Wheel World of Color |
Jan. 9 – Mar. 22, 2017 Jan. 17 – Feb. 23, 2017 Feb. 6 – Mar. 5, 2017 Feb. 21 – Mar. 5, 2017 |
| Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa | |
| General Resort Refurbishments Guests may see and hear construction as we make improvements to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. To minimize any disruptions, activities that may create noise will not start earlier than 9:00 AM.
|
January 2017 – Fall 2017 |
Information and dates subject to change without notice.
Seize the Day! Disney’s NEWSIES Breaks Records, Will Encore in Cinemas Next Month
“Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical!” three-day cinema event broke ticketing records to become the highest-grossing Broadway event to date from Fathom Events.
