WDW Daily News

Disney Springs™ is the place to be throughout the holidays. During this festive celebration from Nov. 11-Jan. 8, 2017, guests can say hello to an entire winter “wanderland” of over 80 stores—including unique boutiques and name-brand shops. They can indulge in more than 10 delicious new eateries with mouthwatering cuisine from celebrity chefs. And, they can get in the holiday spirit with a spectacular variety of live entertainment with surprises around every corner—including a sleigh full of festivities, a brand-new Christmas tree trail and so much more.

New this year, the Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Trail captures the spirit of the holidays with 15 custom decorated holiday trees at the Disney Springs Marketplace, each dedicated to a popular Disney theme – including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Disney Villains, “Moana,“ “Beauty and the Beast,“ “Cinderella,“ “Frozen,“ “The Jungle Book,“ “Tangled“ and more!

Also at the Disney Springs Marketplace, guests can experience The Festival of Toys at the Once Upon a Toy Fountain. Toys have magically come alive for an interactive holiday dance party nightly on the plaza. Plus, there’s pin trading, a nightly tree lighting ceremony and more.

And, this holiday season, the idea of “wishing upon a star” will take on an even more magical meaning in the skies of Disney Springs.

As a thank you to those who keep Florida safe, La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil is offering first responders (Florida police, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel) tickets at 39 percent savings on Category 2 tickets for themselves and up to five (5) guests per show. With the discount, tickets for first responders are $49.

Florida first responders can visit the La Nouba box office to take advantage of the savings. Offer is valid for Category 2 tickets. Florida emergency responder personnel ID required. The first responder offer is available for sale now for shows running through Dec. 16.

For more information about La Nouba, visit www.lanouba.com.

The theme of the re-imagined Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World® Resort will still feature stars from the big screen but much of the new focus will be on stars in the sky, as the restaurant completes its transformation into a turn-of-the-20th-century observatory.

Food and drink menus are soon to be revealed, but Guests can expect more famous movie memorabilia, video screens, cutting edge music and a store featuring themed merchandise.

Opening later this year in Town Center at Disney Springs, the restaurant will feature Stargazer Lounge where your Clients will find signature craft cocktails with names that reflect the planets and space travel – including The Observatory and the Sparkling Sputnik.

Fans of California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort may remember Master Sommelier George Miliotes from the opening team of the award-winning restaurant when it debuted in 1995. Miliotes returns to Walt Disney World® Resort with his new venture, Wine Bar George, opening in fall 2017 at Disney Springs™.

The design for the 210-seat wine bar is reminiscent of a winemaker’s home estate featuring oak wood, warm lighting and a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere.

Wine Bar George will include a food menu featuring small plates designed to complement the wine list. Plus, they will offer more than 100 selections both by the bottle and the glass in a range of varietals, vintages and prices. Your Clients will be able to experience sips from acclaimed wineries as well as up-and-coming growing regions and wineries. Wine education will be served up in an approachable and fun manner, says Miliotes, and he is planning special events and visits from renowned winemakers.

Miliotes is one of just 230 master sommeliers in the world.

While the main draw at “Tren-D” may be its stylish women’s fashions, this Disney Springs store’s uniquely funky take on Disney decoration is worth a look for any fan of the Mouse.

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La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil® at Walt Disney World® Resort artfully blends vibrant music and whimsical characters with daring acrobatics and dazzling choreography.

And now, there are two additional performances are available on Nov. 20, 2016 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

This is a great chance to catch the newest acts including aerial bamboo artists and break dancers. Plus, for a limited time, you can enjoy half-price savings off a kids’ ticket when they purchase an adult ticket for shows through Dec. 16, 2016. Kids-priced tickets start as low as $24 for Category 4 seats.

To make it even easier for you to shop, dine and play at Disney Springs™, buses are now available to transport Guests to Disney Springs from Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios® starting at 4 p.m. daily. With a drop-off location in the heart of the property, the new service puts you in the middle of Town Center, the newest neighborhood filled with world-class brands, one-of-a-kind eateries and high-quality entertainment.

You can ride attractions through the afternoon, then indulge in one of Disney Springs’ 30+ food and beverage options by night. Or, catch an early fireworks show, then savor some sips at one of the vibrant lounges. Whether you want to end their evening with La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil®, a movie at AMC Dine-In Theatres, bowling at Splitstville Luxury Lanes or shopping at the wide-array of retailers (there are over 50 new stores!), they’ll find there’s plenty to enjoy once they’ve had their fill of theme park fun.

While the service from the Parks is intended to be one-way, Disney transportation will continue to be available from Disney Springs back to Disney Resort hotels. And for Guests with their own vehicles, the arrival experience is more convenient than ever with complimentary self-parking, which includes two new parking garages that utilize “smart technology,” making finding a spot a breeze.

For a limited time, you can enjoy half-price savings off a child’s ticket for La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil® at Disney Springs™ when you purchase an adult ticket for shows through Dec. 16, 2016. Child-priced tickets start as low as $24 for Category 4 seats.

Whether you have seen La Nouba before or are first-timers, this is a great opportunity to escape to the wondrous world of make-believe. And, it’s a great time for you to experience the newest La Nouba acts – daring aerial bamboo artists and high-energy break dancers.

As we’ve shared over the last several months, Disney Springs has doubled in size, growing from about 75 locations to over 150. There are now five James Beard-Award Wining Chefs represented on property (Chefs Art Smith, Rick Bayless, Masaharu Morimoto, Wolfgang Puck and Tony Mantuano) making Disney Springs an unparalleled destination for dining. And, the addition of over 50 total retailers has made the area a shopper’s delight. The waterfront property is a vibrant mix of stores, restaurants and entertainment spread through four distinct neighborhoods. Check out this quick look at what’s in store for you:

Town Center – The newest addition to Disney Springs is a shopping mecca that has recently welcomed over 30 new brands, including anchor stores UNIQLO, Anthropologie, UNDER ARMOUR BRAND HOUSE and ZARA. Pepper in new eateries like Sprinkles Cupcakes, Blaze Pizza, Amorette’s Patisserie and Frontera Cocina and you could easily spend a few hours in this neighborhood alone.

The Landing – Here you will find a diverse array of restaurants including Paradiso 37, The BOATHOUSE, Raglan Road, Morimoto Asia, STK Orlando and Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming, along with niche retailers such as The Art of Shaving, Havaianas and Chapel Hats, to name just a few.

Marketplace – This family-friendly spot for Disney lovers is home to World of Disney, the world’s largest Disney Merchandise store, plus other familiar favorites like The LEGO Store, Rainforest Café and Disney’s Days of Christmas. It’s a must-see destination for Clients visiting with little ones, thanks to the Marketplace Carousel and Train and the new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

West Side – This lively entertainment hub has something for everyone. Options range from bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes to movies at AMC Dine-In Theatres, from “La Nouba” by Cirque du Soleil to five floors of gaming awesomeness at DisneyQuest. That’s in addition to some of the staples you’ll continue to find here: Fit2Run, Curl by Sammy Duvall, House of Blues, Wolfgang Puck and Bongos Cuban Café, for example.

And, whether you have a set itinerary for your visit or prefer to meander along and discover its charms as you stroll, Disney Springs is not-to-be-missed!

Remember, transportation is available from all Disney Resort hotels, and self-parking is complimentary on the surface lots and both parking garages, making the arrival experience easier and more convenient than ever.

Planet Hollywood, America’s preeminent restaurant destination dedicated to celebrating the entertainment industry, announced today that dynamic chef, restaurateur and television personality Guy Fieriwill introduce a flavor-packed burger and sandwich menu as part of their larger menu offerings for the transformed Orlandoflagship location, set to reopen this fall as the Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs. Repeatedly at the forefront of industry trends, Robert Earl, the entrepreneur, restaurateur and star of the Cooking Channel’s “Robert Earl’s Be My Guest^®,” reached out to Fieri because of their shared passion for food.  In addition to the section designed by Fieri, the Planet Hollywood Observatory will soon reveal the entire new menu featuring a wide variety of offerings and bold flavors.

“Guy Fieri has created an impressive culinary empire and has built an incredible TV following with several food-themed shows, so it was a no-brainer to invite him to create a special menu for Planet Hollywood Observatory. This partnership only furthers our commitment to refresh our guest experience while continuing to offer freshly-prepared, pleasing dishes,” said Planet Hollywood International Founder and Chairman Robert Earl.

Fieri, a chef, entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author, has brought his signature blend of authentic-meets-surprising flavors to new dishes such as the Prime Time American Kobe-Inspired Burger and the Turkey Pic-a-nic Sandwich, a perfect accompaniment to Planet Hollywood’s creamy hand-dipped milkshakes. The menu will also feature new over-the-top creations that will have guests craving more after the first bite.

“It’s awesome to be working with Robert Earl and the Planet Hollywood Team,” states Fieri. “For the Planet Hollywood Observatory, I’m bringing a big time burger and sandwich menu with real deal flavors for everyone.”

Opening this fall, the Planet Hollywood Observatory is centrally located and will overlook the heart of Disney Springs with a newly expanded outdoor terrace and bar. Within the sophisticated entertainment emporium, patrons of all ages will be invited to “Dine Amongst the Stars” through distinctive indoor and outdoor bar and lounge options, an imaginative new merchandise line, and a host of all-star celebrity collaborations.

New dining options will highlight Planet Hollywood’s timeless classics and introduce Fieri’s updated creations. A curated beverage program will feature a variety of milkshakes, smoothies, wines, bottled and draft beers, as well as cocktails served in specialty glassware to cater to the needs of all guests, from groups with small children to young adults and seniors. Spacious dining rooms ensure comfort for family meals while various bar spaces set the mood for a perfect date.

The exterior will be reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century observatory with a modern design aesthetic, while the interior’s refurbished upholstery, spherical planet-shaped lighting fixtures and stylish finishing will create a welcoming atmosphere for fans to celebrate a new generation of superstar entertainers.