Archive for Walt Disney World

Planet Hollywood Joins Forces With Celebrity Chef, Guy Fieri at Disney Springs

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.

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Countdown to 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: New Dining, Tasting and Chef Experiences Add Culinary Cachet

Top celebrity chefs, brand new Disney resort cooking and dining experiences and irresistible Eat to the Beat dining packages will add fresh twists to the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase at Walt Disney World Resort.

The annual Disney celebration of global flavors, running 62 days from Sept. 14-Nov. 14, has become one of America’s top food festivals and features inspired sips and bites at more than 30 marketplaces. And for the second consecutive year, ABC’s Emmy Award-winning lifestyle series, “The Chew,” will produce a full week of programs from the festival. “Chew” hosts Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Michael Symon, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz will share their Disney culinary adventures and tasty recipes before Epcot audiences Oct. 5-7 in shows scheduled to air Oct. 10-14.

More news fresh from festival planners:

  • Iron Chefs Geoffrey Zakarian and Masaharu Morimoto, “Chopped” judge Maneet Chauhan and other celebrated chefs including Elliott Farmer and Graham Elliot will fire up the burners to host their very first festival special events. Other chef icons like Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Norman Van Aken, Elizabeth Falkner, Buddy Valastro and Jamie Deen will return to entertain guests and inspire their palates at premium events that include Party for the Senses grand tastings featuring new entertainment.
  • Nearly 50 percent of the global marketplace food items are new or reimagined dishes. Just some of the new flavors include: hard soda floats at Desserts & Champagne, savory vegan “nachos” at the Greece marketplace, sweet quesitos with guava sauce at the new Islands of the Caribbean kiosk and peanut butter and white chocolate mousse at The Chew Collective. Festival guests can pair food with wines, beers, cocktails and ciders as they stroll the promenade guided by a complimentary festival passport.
  • First-time festival resort experiences include Brunch with a Twist at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef for a hands-on chef’s table experience in a professional working kitchen; The Secret of Flavor three-course lunch that gives guests a “sensory-food connection” at Yachtsman Steakhouse; and a tropical “Zombie” encounter during Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
  • For a second year, global marketplaces will extend into Future World to offer a wider range of taste sensations. New this year in Future World are: The Chew Collective, the Wine & Dine Studio, Chocolate Studio and Greenhouse Guru; plus Islands of the Caribbean marketplace debuts in World Showcase.
  • Eat to the Beat Dining Packages give music fans a chance to guarantee seats at an Eat to the Beat concert and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of many popular Epcot restaurants, including Chefs de France, Le Cellier and Spice Road Table.
  • Speaking of Eat to the Beat, multiple new Eat to the Beat concert acts debut; fan favorites return to play 186 festival concerts in all –Wang Chung (Everybody Have Fun Tonight!) will open the Eat to the Beat concert series Sept. 14-15. Eight new acts in the concert series lineup — including Wang Chung, Plain White T’s, Delta Rae and Toad The Wet Sprocket – will rock their chart-topping tunes. Other popular acts, including Wilson Phillips, Boyz II Men and Jeffrey Osbourne, will return to the America Gardens Theatre stage this fall.
  • Celebrity chefs, wine experts and mixologists join the fun – Celebrities ranging from Rock Harper to master sommelier Andrea Robinson will share their food and beverage know-how during culinary demos, beverage seminars and a variety of other events spanning the festival’s 62 days.
  • The popular Festival Private Label California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are back and available by the bottle or by the glass.
  • Ratatouille returns — Chef Remy of “Ratatouille” returns with his fun-for-the-family culinary scavenger hunt that features six brand-new collectible pins this year.
  • Festival Center buzzes with activity–Festival Center highlights will include new festival merchandise, the complimentary Back to Basics weekend series featuring epicurean tips and tricks from the pros, book and bottle signings and The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar, hosted by Ghirardelli and offering guest samples.
  • Premium events like Rockin’ Burger Block Party and Party for the Senses grand tastings will showcase creative bites and palate-pleasing sips from eminent chefs and beverage experts plus new live entertainment.
  • Intimate dining and tasting events to book will include the “Umami” Tokyo Pairing and other Epcot restaurant experiences as well as multi-course lunches and dinners at Disney Springs and resort restaurants.
  • Members can rest and recharge at the Chase Lounge – Chase debit and credit card members –including Disney Visa card members — will find complimentary non-alcoholic refreshments, a charging station and comfortable seating for a relaxing break at the Chase Lounge at The American Adventure pavilion.

Included with Epcot Admission:

Back to Basics series, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Festival Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:

The Party for the Senses and Rockin’ Burger Block Party grand tasting events, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for reservations and get details at epcotfoodfestival.com.

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Guy Fieri taking signature dishes to Disney Springs’ Planet Hollywood

Is Florida ready for Flavortown?

Guy Fieri is teaming up with Planet Hollywood to revamp its menu at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs—formerly Downtown Disney– location. According a press release, the spiky-haired star, and Carnival Cruise Line restaurateur, will “introduce a flavor-packed burger and sandwich menu as part of their larger menu offerings for the transformed Orlando flagship location.”

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Rumor: VR ‘Wreck It Ralph’ Ride To Replace ‘Stitch’s Great Escape’ At Disney World

The latest rumor in the Disney theme park rumor mill claims that the Lilo & Stitch-themed Stitch’s Great Escape! attraction in Walt Disney World resort’s the Magic Kingdom could be replaced with a virtual reality simulation ride based on Walt Disney Animation’sWreck-It Ralph.

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CELEBRATE DISNEY PHOTOPASS DAY ON AUGUST 19

On Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, teams at both the Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort will celebrate the art and fun of photography at Disney Parks through the first-ever #DisneyPhotoPassDay, a one-day celebration that will feature exciting offerings and experiences for you, including:

Special Character Experiences at Magic Kingdom Park & Epcot

Special character experiences will be available at Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot®, where Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture youencounter with Pinocchio, Gideon and Foulfellow in Storybook Circus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At Epcot, a friend or foe will join some favorite Disney Characters around World Showcase, including Mushu and Mulan in the China Pavilion; Snow White and Dopey in the Germany Pavilion; and the Queen of Hearts, who will join Alice in the United Kingdom Pavilion. Check the My Disney Experience app or the Epcot Times Guide on Aug. 19 for these Disney Characters’ schedule.

Complimentary Photo Locations at All Disney Parks & Disney Springs

There will be one location at each of the four theme parks (and Disney Springs) at the Walt Disney World Resort and at both parks at Disneyland Resort where a Disney PhotoPass photographer will capture you special moment. That photo will be available in the My Disney Experience app at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland app at Disneyland Resort to download and share at no charge as part of the #DisneyPhotoPassDay celebration. (Normal My Disney Experience registration is required to access the image).

Participate in a Disney PhotoPass Challenge

You can complete a Disney PhotoPass Challenge at any of the Parks at the Walt Disney World Resort andDisneyland Resort to get a Disney PhotoPass photo on us. All you need to do is get your photo taken by a Disney PhotoPass Photographer at each of the designated challenge locations on Aug. 19. Once you’ve stopped by all of the locations, you can visit a Disney PhotoPass Sales Center to claim their Disney PhotoPass photo. At the Walt Disney World Resort, participants will receive a voucher for one Disney PhotoPass download. Participants at Disneyland Resort will receive one 5×7 print of a Disney PhotoPass photo.

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TOP REASONS TO VISIT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT IN FALL 2016

Fall is just around the corner and with it comes some great reasons to visit the Walt Disney World® Resort! From exciting new attractions and never-before-seen entertainment to the return of Guest-favorite annual celebrations and fabulous flavors, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a quick look at what is waiting for you beginning this September.

New Attractions & Entertainment

Earlier this summer, Magic Kingdom® Park welcomed “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” stage show; while Epcot® debuted Frozen Ever After and Soarin’ Around the World, as well as the new character greeting location, Royal Sommerhus. And, over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, the brand-new “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” lights up the night.

Disney Springs Openings

Brand-new eateries Frontera Cocina and Homecoming just opened their doors, as well as new retailers like Uniqlo, Vince Camuto, LACOSTE, Free People and Sugarboo & Co. Levi’s Store and others are set to open later this summer and Paddlefish will open late fall.

Princess Elena of Avalor at Magic Kingdom Park

Starting this month, you will be able to spot Princess Elena of Avalor at Magic Kingdom Park. She’s the first princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures and the new star of the Disney Channel series “Elena of Avalor.”

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

This Guest-favorite offering returns to Magic Kingdom® Park on select nights, beginning Sept. 2, 2016. The hard-ticket event celebrates Halloween with trick-or-treating, Disney Characters in costume, the “Boo To You” parade, “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks and more.

Celebrate Halloween (or Disney Villains) at Club Villain

On Friday and Saturday nights from Sept. 2-Oct. 29, 2016 (and also on Oct. 31, 2016), Sunset Showcase will host “Club Villain,” a special ticketed event filled with fabulous performances, delicious food, bewitching cocktails and enchanting encounters with some legendary Disney villains. Two “Club Villain” experiences will be held each Friday and Saturday night, with starting times at 5:15 and 8:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE or online at Disneyworld.com/dine.

Disney’s Night of Joy 2016

Disney’s popular Night of Joy Christian music event will be held for the first time ever at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Sept. 9-10, 2016. The lineup this year will feature MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin and more.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

This annual food and beverage celebration runs Sept. 14-Nov.14, 2016 and features culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, musical acts and more.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

The popular hard-ticket offering returns to Magic Kingdom Park on Nov. 7, 2016 and will be held on select nights throughout the holiday season. You can celebrate the season with amazing decor, a holiday parade and fireworks – and a brand new stage show this year!

Holidays Around the World & The Candlelight Processional

This seasonal celebration at Epcot returns to the park Nov. 25-Dec. 30, 2016. During this time, World Showcase comes alive with holiday cheer as each pavilion celebrates their culture and holiday customs. “The Candlelight Processional” show returns to the America Gardens Theatre to offer up holiday music and choirs, as well as a reading of traditional scripture by a celebrity narrator.

PizzeRizzo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World Resort’s first-ever Muppet-themed restaurant will open its doors this fall to serve up pizza in the Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.

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DISNEY SPRINGS GRAND OPENING SUMMER CELEBRATION CONTINUES!

If you are headed to Walt Disney World® Resort this August, be sure to check out the Disney Springs™ Grand Opening Celebration, where you can shop at over 50 spectacular new stores (including some of the biggest, hottest brands around), indulge at more than 10 fresh new eateries and enjoy exhilarating daily entertainment!

The Disney Springs Grand Opening Summer Celebration continues this month with new amped-up offerings, including “Art in August.” Every weekend (Thursday through Sunday) in August, new artisans will be featured with tents set up throughout the promenade. Painters will sit alongside niche craftsman who sell items that include giftable plants, handmade soaps and beauty products, and decorative house and garden flags.Guests can also expect to find jewelry made from recycled beads and decorative Italian masks. Pop Gallery, the eclectic art haven on the West Side, will have a booth featuring unique pieces, as will Name Works. And on select dates, these diverse artists will be joined by photographer Carlos Cuba, Precious Moments figurine sculptor Hiko Maeda, and game designer Quynh Kimball. Whether you prefer your art “fine” or simply “fun,” there’s something for everyone!

Plus, don’t forget that on any given night, there are more than 20 different entertainment acts performing throughout the four Disney Springs neighborhoods. And every afternoon, the Marketplace Fountain gives Guests young and old the chance to splash the day away during the Beat the Heat DJ Party.

With even more live entertainment for summer, special décor, sales at many retailers, and fun warm weather-inspired enhancements, now is the perfect time for you to discover Disney Springs.

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Walt Disney World Fun Facts – Horticulture

HORTICULTURE

Bloomin’ Beauty . . . Nearly 12 percent of Walt Disney World property — an area equivalent to nearly 3,000 football fields — is devoted to gardens and maintained landscapes. That’s 4,000 acres worth of beauty.

Well Grounded . . . Each year a horticulture staff plants 3 million bedding plants and annuals, and maintains millions of other plants including more than 4 million shrubs, 13,000 roses and more than 200 topiary.

A “Family” Tree . . . The “Liberty Oak,” which is the focal point of the Liberty Square area in Magic Kingdom, is the proud parent of more than 500 young trees. They all started out as acorns harvested from the majestic oak.

Mow Miles Per Year . . . 450,000 mowing miles, to be exact — that’s what it takes to maintain 2,000 acres of turf. For the record, those mower miles are the equivalent of 18 trips around Earth at the equator.

– See more at: http://wdwnews.com/fact-sheets/2014/10/31/walt-disney-world-fun-facts/#sthash.Kh49SCBV.dpuf

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New Water Attraction to Bring High Seas Adventure to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park Next Spring

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is growing its roster of great guest experiences and embarking on a high seas adventure with a new family-friendly water attraction called Miss Fortune Falls expected to open in spring 2017.

MissFortuneLogo

Located near Crush ‘n’ Gusher, Miss Fortune Falls brings to life the story of the fictitious Captain Mary Oceaneer, a treasure-hunting heroine who got stranded at Typhoon Lagoon years ago by a rogue storm. 

Once aboard their treasure rafts awaiting them at the ride’s entry point, guests will embark on a journey through Captain Oceaneer’s past before plunging into a white-water adventure where guests can see unique artifacts that she collected on her many treasure hunts around the world.

“We’re thrilled to add to our menu of great guest experiences at Disney’s Water Parks with Miss Fortune Falls,” said Faron Kelley, vice president of ESPN Wide World of Sports, Disney’s Water Parks & Miniature Golf. “We believe this new attraction will quickly become a favorite with our guests, who are always looking for new ways to enjoy our parks.”

With a ride time of two minutes, Miss Fortune Falls will be among the lengthiest at any Disney water park.

Miss Fortune Falls is yet another exciting addition to a series of expansion projects across Walt Disney World Resort as the property continues to grow in innovative and exciting ways. Within the theme parks this summer, guests can enjoy even more immersive experiences in Disney Parks including “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park, “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” Fireworks and Projection Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and “Frozen Ever After” at Epcot. Longer-term expansion projects coming soon to Walt Disney World Resort range from Pandora – the World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to Toy Story and Star Wars-themed lands at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is a 60-acre themed water park – inspired by the legend of a typhoon, earthquake and volcanic eruption combining to create an inland sea with break waves (Typhoon Lagoon) and a towering watershed mountain (Mt. Mayday) atop which is a stranded shrimp boat (the Miss Tilly).

The park offers water activities suitable for all ages, including signature attractions such as Crush ‘n’ Gusher, a water-coaster that takes riders aboard inflatable rafts on a twisting, turning, up-and-down adventure; Ketchakiddee Creek, a water playground for children ages 2 to 5 (under four feet tall) and their parents; and Castaway Creek, where guests hop onto inner tubes for a meandering water tour through a misty rain forest and a hidden grotto.

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Last Chance to see Main Street Electrical Parade at Walt Disney World before it ‘Glows Away’ Oct. 9

An enduring Disney Parks classic, the Main Street Electrical Parade, will take its shimmering farewell trip through Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World in Florida on Oct. 9, 2016.

Main Street Electrical Parade

Since making its Florida premiere in 1977, the parade has become one of the most beloved entertainment spectacles anywhere. Watching the Main Street Electrical Parade has to become a rite of passage with parents and grandparents eager to share the nostalgic experience with their children. Families will have one more chance to see the parade and share this special memory, on select nights, before it departs.

The vibrant parade, a perennial favorite with Disney guests, will next travel cross-country to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., for a limited engagement beginning early next year.

Brought to light in the early 1970s, the original Main Street Electrical Parade helped establish a Disney Parks reputation for innovative, trend-setting live entertainment. As lights go down along the parade route, the parade brings a variety of beloved Disney animated feature films to life through three-dimensional floats covered with approximately half a million colorful LED twinkling lights. The parade’s iconic musical theme, the electrically synthesized “Baroque Hoedown,” is interwoven with favorite Disney themes. It all adds to the unique upbeat excitement of the procession.

Some of the parade’s most impressive scenes are the 23-foot-tall Clock Tower over Cinderella’s Ball, complete with elegant ballroom dancers in light-covered costumes; the smoke-breathing, tail-wagging Pete’s Dragon; and the 108-foot-long red, white and blue flag finale. Other characters who make appearances include Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and, of course, Mickey Mouse.

The Main Street Electrical parade at Walt Disney World Resort will not appear during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party nights. Walt Disney World guests interested in seeing the parade before it departs on Oct. 9 can check for the latest parade dates and times on WaltDisneyWorld.com or in the My Disney Experience app.

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