Archive for Walt Disney World

Disney Springs – West Side – Fact Sheet

The Disney Springs area is an exciting metropolis of restaurants, theaters and merchandise shops incorporating the The LandingMarketplaceWest Side and Town Center (coming in 2016).

LocationThe Disney Springs area borders the south shore of Village Lake at the intersection of Buena Vista Drive and Hotel Plaza Boulevard in the east-central portion of Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Springs parking is free.

Disney Springs West Side

AMC Disney Springs 24 Theatres — 24 separate auditoriums with stadium seating in 18 theaters for unobstructed viewing. Includes six Fork & Screen dine-in theatres featuring menu items from quesadillas to flatbread pizzas. Reserved seating and table-top dining available.

Bongos Cuban Cafe — Upbeat restaurant created by Emilio and Gloria Estefan brings the sizzle of Miami’s South Beach with Cuban cuisine and Latin rhythms.

Characters in Flight operated by Aerophile — An iconic tethered balloon that lifts guests some 400 feet into the sky, offering breathtaking views of Walt Disney World Resort and beyond.

Cirque du Soleil — The theatrical show La Nouba is filled with action, humor, color and light, blending the ancient traditions of circus with dance, acrobatics and street entertainment. The Cirque du Soleil Boutique is located in the Lobby-Plaza level.

Curl by Sammy Duvall — The place for high-end surfing gear, clothing and accessories including eyewear, watches, footwear, electronics and surfboards.

DisneyQuest — The ultimate interactive adventure. A 100,000-square-foot indoor, interactive theme park with five floors fueled by electronic Disney innovation including virtual reality, 3D encounters and classic video games. Includes The Wonderland Café for desserts and drinks, and FoodQuest for quick-service dining.  The DisneyQuest Emporium is a themed shopping experience located on the first floor of DisneyQuest.

Disney’s Candy Cauldron — Sweets shop offering treats like candy apples and fudge whipped up in an open candy kitchen.

Fit2Run — An athletics store features runner’s apparel, performance sunglasses and more. Fit2Run’s complimentary video-taped gait analysis and iStep barometric scanning helps runners find the best fit for footwear.

House of Blues — Live music every night including blues, jazz, country and rock with Mississippi delta cuisine. The world-famous Sunday Gospel Brunch is offered select Sunday mornings. The House of Blues Gear Shop includes exclusive collection of clothing, glassware, hot sauces, collectibles and art.

Orlando Harley-Davidson Store  The largest and most interactive Harley-Davidson store of its kind featuring apparel from T-shirts to leather jackets, plus an array of gifts and collectibles. A production studio lets guests transform into pro bikers perched on a gleaming Harley and appearing to ride in their favorite location. Guests also can design their own biker vests.

Planet Hollywood — Colorful three-floor-up-to-the-ceiling eat-arena with famous movie memorabilia, video screens, music and a menu featuring sandwiches, pizza and steaks, and a store featuring themed merchandise.

PoP Gallery — Original, artist-signed sculptures and paintings, as well as upscale gift items.

Something Silver — Stylish, high-quality silver designer jewelry.

Sosa Family Cigars — Premium cigar store features the art of hand-rolling cigars.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes — Upscale bowling with a full-scale restaurant complete with two floors, two patios and two sushi bars. With 30 high-tech bowling lanes, outdoor seating and live entertainment, Splitsville guests can bowl and dine lane-side, or skip the lanes for full-service dining inside or on the patio. Memory Lanes merchandise store is located on the first floor of Splitsville.

Starbucks at Disney Springs West Side — Starbucks espresso, frozen specialty beverages, savory Artisan sandwiches and an assortment of pastries are offered at this unique Starbucks location.

Star Wars Galactic Outpost — Toys, apparel and collectibles inspired by the epic Star Wars saga.

Sunglass Icon by Sunglass Hut — Exquisite selection of designer sunglasses and eyewear.

United World Soccer — Wall-to-wall collection of club jerseys from international soccer teams.

Wetzel’s Pretzels — Features freshly baked flavored pretzels and sweet or savory dips like sweet caramel or pizza sauce. Wetzel dogs, Wetzel Bitz, cheese dogs and frozen lemonade are also available at this walk-up kiosk.

Wolfgang Puck Cafe — Boldly colored, full-service eatery featuring wood-fired pizzas and an array of classic Puck entrees. Also includes The Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck Café, an elegant upstairs dining experience, as well as the quick-service Wolfgang Puck Express.

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MagicBands: Disney World’s Rival May Be Ready to Play

Universal Orlando may be gearing up a response to Disney’s MyMagic+ technology and the MagicBand bracelets that make them work.

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Disney Springs – The Landing – Fact Sheet

The Disney Springs area is an exciting metropolis of restaurants, theaters and merchandise shops incorporating the The LandingMarketplaceWest Side and Town Center (coming in 2016).

LocationThe Disney Springs area borders the south shore of Village Lake at the intersection of Buena Vista Drive and Hotel Plaza Boulevard in the east-central portion of Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Springs parking is free.

The Landing

APEX by Sunglass Hut — A first-of-its-kind sunglass store that showcases the industry’s best selection of sports performance and lifestyle eyewear including Oakley, Ray-Ban, and Under Armour.

Art of Shaving — A boutique retail location offering high-end shaving supplies and related grooming products. The Art of Shaving also offers luxurious grooming experiences at the Barber Spa.

The BOATHOUSE — An upscale, waterfront dining experience with nautical-themed rooms, private dining rooms and bars. Guests will enjoy a gourmet menu, as well as live-music and guided water rides through the waters surrounding Disney Springs.

Chapel Hats — A fashion-forward shop that specializes in an assortment of hats for guests of all ages.

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC — A unique bakery with savory offerings and an all-vegan and gluten-free menu.

Erwin Pearl — Specializing in fashion jewelry and accessories, this specialty merchandise store features hand-painted French enamels, 22k gold plating, sterling silver and freshwater pearls.

Ganachery — Delightful merchandise location offering an assortment of hand-crafted, custom-made ganache, including dark chocolate, hazelnut, chipotle and a custom blend flavored with the world’s finest spices and flavors.

Fulton’s Crab House — A three-deck, 700-seat dining emporium aboard an iconic Mississippi-inspired paddle wheeler. Featuring fresh seasonal seafood favorites flown in daily from seaports around the world.

Havaianas — A Brazilian-based shoe store that offers fashionable flip flops made with the highest quality rubber and hundreds of styles on display.

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar — An aviation-themed lounge featuring unique cocktails and small plates inspired by the adventures of Jock Lindsey, Indy’s frequent pilot in the “Indiana Jones” films.

Morimoto Asia — A one-of-a-kind dining experience from Chef Masaharu Morimoto, this Japanese master chef’s first pan-Asian restaurant provides flavors from across Asia with unique exhibition kitchens showcasing the continent’s traditions.

Paradiso 37 — A restaurant and bar with casual atmosphere and open-air seating by the waterfront featuring a Tequila bar, wines and draft beer. Menu items are inspired dishes from the 37 countries of North, South and Central America. Live entertainment nightly.

Portobello Country Italian Trattoria — A rustic Italian trattoria ambience with authentic Italian fare.  Menu favorites include wood-burning-oven pizzas, pastas and grilled fish. Seats 350 and includes outdoor dining on the waterfront.

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant — A 600-seat restaurant featuring a true slice of Ireland and the very best authentic Irish food, drink, heritage and live entertainment. Includes outdoor patio dining, plus the Cookes of Dublin quick-service restaurant next door.

Sanuk — A unique footwear retail location with more than 175 designs of innovative, fun and comfortable footwear available at its 1,000-square-foot venue.

Sound Lion — A new retail concept that offers the latest technology in headphones, docking stations, wireless music players and other products.

Vivoli Gelateria — A family-run gelato shop that uses fresh, top-quality ingredients based on the exact same recipes from the original shop in Florence, Italy. Additional menu items include traditional Italian panini, biscotti, espresso and tarts.

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Magic Kingdom B-Roll: The Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen

B-Roll includes: Exterior shots of the restaurant Interior shots of guests dining A Jungle Skipper server joking and interacting with guests Detail shots of decor Shots of menu items

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Disney Springs – The Martketplace – Fact Sheet

The Disney Springs area is an exciting metropolis of restaurants, theaters and merchandise shops incorporating the The LandingMarketplaceWest Side and Town Center (coming in 2016).

LocationThe Disney Springs area borders the south shore of Village Lake at the intersection of Buena Vista Drive and Hotel Plaza Boulevard in the east-central portion of Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Springs parking is free.

Disney Springs Marketplace

Exciting restaurants and extraordinary shopping experiences in a strolling street environment with a wide variety of venues. An assortment of outdoor artisans with merchandise from cloth-covered balloons to creative hair wraps, and silhouette portraits to personalized wood nameplates can be found throughout the Marketplace.

Arribas Brothers — Glassware, crystal and metal artisan products; glassblowing; custom decorating.

The Art of Disney — Disney animation art and collectibles from original paintings and prints to figurines and Vinylmation.

Basin — All-natural bath and skin care products with interactive sugar- and salt-scrub sink for sampling.

Disney’s Days of Christmas — Christmas collectibles, ornaments and Disney character holiday items.

Disney Design-a-Tee presented by Hanes — Customized T-shirts in a variety of colors, styles and themes.

Disney’s Pin Traders — Largest collection of collectible pins and pin accessories at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories — Disney scrapbook supplies, stationery and postcards.

Dockside Margaritas — A waterfront margarita bar offering live entertainment daily in a laid-back environment amid tropical décor. Menu includes a variety of handcrafted margaritas, specialty cocktails and authentic Florida brews.

Earl of Sandwich — A 220-seat casual quick-service restaurant serving breakfast as well as freshly prepared sandwiches, salads and delicious desserts.

Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop — San Francisco’s famous sweet-maker comes East with a soda fountain featuring its world-famous chocolate and hot fudge sundae.

Goofy’s Candy Co. — An assortment of candy, cookies, taffy, chocolates, frozen drinks and more.

The LEGO Store — A dynamic showplace and retail store for famous LEGO bricks and toys with an interactive playground and towering LEGO displays indoors and out.

LittleMissMatched — A colorful and playful retail store filled with fashionable accessories, beach bags, flip flops and mismatched socks for the teen, tween and mom.

Marketplace Co-Op – Unique new shops, products and retail concepts are tested in this shopper’s paradise in Disney Springs.

Marketplace Fun Finds – Disney character merchandise including plush, clothing and housewares at prices to fit every budget.

Mickey’s Pantry — The family chef can explore culinary trends and find kitchen gadgets galore, from unique cooking utensils to mugs and dishes.

Once Upon A Toy — This 16,000-square-foot toy store features fun new toys, games and Disney collectibles.

Rainforest Cafe — A wild place to shop and eat with favorite sandwiches, pastas, pizzas and an amazing array of appetizers in a rainforest setting. Gifts are available at the Rainforest Café Retail Village.

Starbucks at Disney Springs Marketplace — Starbucks espresso, frozen specialty beverages, savory Artisan sandwiches and an assortment of pastries are offered at this unique Starbucks location near World of Disney.

The Spice & Tea Exchange — Experience a world of gourmet spices, teas, herbs, sea salts, sugars and more at this aromatic merchandise store.

T-Rex Café — Casual dining in a prehistoric world of adventure with life-size animatronic dinosaurs and prehistoric artifacts. Children of all ages can enjoy the dig site or the Dino-Store with educational toys and Build-A-Dino by Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Tren-D — Hip apparel and novel accessories for women with a fashion sense.

Wolfgang Puck Express — World-famous chef Wolfgang Puck turns his talents to quick service and signature treats including pizzas, sandwiches, soup and fresh salads.

World of Disney Store — Centerpiece of Disney Springs, this 51,000-square-foot retail palace is the biggest Disney shopping destination on Earth. Specialties include Disney-themed merchandise rooms, each telling stories based on classic Disney films, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a magical salon for little princes and princesses ages 3-12.

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Disney World Will Probably Raise Prices Soon

It will get a bit more expensive to plan your next trip to a couple of the popular theme parks in Central Florida. Universal Orlando parent Comcast boosted its admission prices yesterday.

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Disney World’s Least Popular Park Closes Another Attraction

One of Disney‘s newest character-fueled experiences is currently on a seasonal hiatus. Club Disney — the continuous indoor dance party that launched at the new Sunset Showcase theater just two months ago at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — closed earlier this month.

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You can still make Walt Disney World your home at Disney’s Golden Oak

Have you ever gone to Disney and had such a great time that you wished you could live there? Well, now you basically can.

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Celebrate Black History Month at Walt Disney World Resort

Guests can celebrate Black History Month throughout the month of February with special experiences at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot. From historical displays and intriguing artifacts to book signings by Celebrity Chef G. Garvin and best-selling author Terry McMillan, guests can take a stroll through the pages of America’s history and learn about the influence of African-American culture.

Black History Month Author Series

In honor of Black History Month, guests have the opportunity to meet three renowned African-American authors and cultural icons select Saturdays during the month of February. Book signings are open to all guests and hosted at the American Adventure Pavilion, where books written by each guest author are also available for purchase throughout the month.

  • Terry McMillan, author of “Who Asked You?” 
    Saturday, Feb.6, 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.: Critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Terry McMillan is known for her powerful novels and short stories about African American women. Her novel, “Waiting to Exhale,” was adapted into a film starring Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett in 1995. Many of McMillan’s other novels, including the award-winning “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Disappearing Acts,” and “A Day Late and a Dollar Short,” have also been brought to life for film and television audiences. McMillan recently published her eighth novel, “Who Asked You?,” a story about the challenges and strength of a family.
  • Chef G. Garvin, author of “Turn Up The Heat With G. Garvin: More Than 200 Incredible Recipes from the Chef Who Keeps it Super Simple”
    Saturday, Feb.13, 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.: Acclaimed chef and television host, Chef G. Garvin has mastered the art of cooking as well as writing. His first cookbook, “Turn Up the Heat with G. Garvin: More Than 200 Incredible Recipes from the Chef Who Keeps it Super Simple,” received an American Literacy Award and nomination for an NAACP Image Award. Chef Garvin has enjoyed continued success with his subsequent cookbooks and television show “Road Trip with G. Garvin” on The Cooking Channel.
  • Terrence Roberts, author of “Lessons from Little Rock” 
    Saturday, Feb. 27, 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.: Terrence James Roberts, Ph.D. is one of the “Little Rock Nine,” a group of history-making African American students who, in 1957, were the first black students ever to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Roberts was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton in 1999. His book, “Lessons from Little Rock,” is a memoir of his experience during the integration of Little Rock Central High School and the lessons learned from that historic episode.

New pieces at Epcot’s Kinsey Collection exhibit

“Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection,” a collection of pieces displayed at the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot, draws from an extensive assortment of rare art, documents, books and artifacts attributed to African American history. Philanthropists Bernard, Shirley and their son Khalil Kinsey share some of their vast personal collection of artifacts spanning 400 years of history. Touch screens and guest-activated lanterns with narration by Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Sawyer and other celebrities help bring the history to life. Three new pieces recently have been added to the exhibit which is open daily.

  • “Banneker’s Almanack and Ephemeras” by Benjamin Banneker, is the mathematical and mechanical work of Benjamin Banneker. Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, read and approved of Banneker’s work. The almanac was published in 1771.
  • “My Bondage and My Freedom” by Frederick Douglass, is an autobiography recounting Frederick Douglass’s life as a slave and that as a freeman. Published in 1855, the book is a first edition.
  • “Survivor” by Elizabeth Catlett, is a beautiful Linoleum block print inspired by a photograph taken by Dorthea Lang titled “Ex-slave with a Long Memory.”  The print was created in 1983.

“Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection” is included in Epcot admission. For more information about the collection, visit TheKinseyCollection.com.

Legacy Portraits Tell a New Story

As guests explore the American Pavilion Rotunda, they are greeted by images of influential men and women who contributed to the progress of America. New portraits have been added to the collection for the month of February to further illustrate the contributions of many African American notables.

The new displays feature African American figures such as Thurgood Marshall, the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice; Ronald Erwin McNair, the second African American to fly in space; and Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to stage a public airplane flight in America.

Taste of Southern Comfort

Mrs. Abby Fischer was one of the first African American authors to publish a cookbook dating back to 1881. “What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Southern Cooking,” includes 160 Southern-style recipes. One popular dessert recipe featured in the cookbook, Mrs. Fisher’s Peach Cobbler, is available for guests to purchase and enjoy at Liberty Inn at the American Adventure Pavilion.

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Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen Offers Guests Exotic Flavors, Healthful Options at Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World Resort guests with an appetite for adventure can satisfy their taste buds and enjoy the quick wit and humor of the World Famous Jungle Cruise skippers at the newly opened Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen.

Located in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park, Jungle Skipper Canteen features a menu full of Asian, South American and African cuisine inspired by the flavors of the rivers found on the nearby Jungle Cruise attraction.

This new 222-seat table-service restaurant is staffed by the wise-cracking crew of the Jungle Cruise and is open for lunch and dinner. The theme is based on the story of Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. owner Alberta Falls (granddaughter of the company’s founder Dr. Albert Falls – who fans will recognize from the quips about the waterfall on their Jungle Cruise journey), who opened the doors to their home base of operations to hungry explorers.

Guests dine amidst three curiously quirky themed dining rooms: The Mess Hall, a large multipurpose space used by the skippers for decades; The Jungle Room, a parlor featuring treasures from the Falls family’s personal collection; and The S.E.A. Room, a secret space once hidden by a false bookshelf that served as the meeting place of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.).

Flavorful Tastes from Around the Globe
Diners can explore the bold cuisines of Asia, South America and Africa with healthful dishes that have unique twists on classic savory specialties.

Entrees include a rice noodle bowl of pho broth served with choice of chicken, duck breast or tofu and served with jalapenos and mix of fresh herbs; Trader Sam’s Head-on Shrimp with sustainable, local farm-raised shrimp tossed in a chili-garlic sauce and served with Chinese broccoli and five-grain or white rice; and house-made arepas with slow-cooked beef, black beans, tostones and queso fresco.

There’s also Dr. Falls’ Signature Grilled Steak, with strip loin marinated in sofrito and served with house-made chimichurri, avocado and yuca planks.

A sweet sendoff is in store for those who opt for dessert. There’s a choice of the Coconut Bar with Pineapple-Basil Compote and Vanilla Cream – a vanilla chiffon cake with coconut and lime-white chocolate ganache; or Kungaloosh! – an African-inspired chocolate cake with caramelized bananas served with cashew-caramel ice cream topped with coffee dust.

Yummy Bites for Little Ones
Adventure awaits for kiddos, too. Menu items include delectable dishes such as Junior Skip’s Special Mac and Cheese, which is inspired by an Egyptian dish with ground beef, pasta, Bechamel Sauce and house-made cheese gratin, served with broccoli; and Amazon Annie’s House-made Arepas with beef, black beans and queso fresco served with yuca planks.

For dessert, there’s a special kids volcano with gooey chocolate cake overflowing with caramel lava and exploding chocolate rocks.

Specialty Beverages
Guests can choose from two non-alcoholic specialties, the Punch Line Punch with tropical fruit juice and mango puree (also available with a savory spiced-rim); and the Schweitzer Slush, with frozen apple juice and passion fruit topped with bursting green apple boba balls.

Both of the special ‘mocktails’ also can be ordered in a souvenir mug.

Jungle Skipper Canteen accepts the Disney Dining Plan. For reservations, guests may call 407-WDW-Dine, visit www.DisneyWorld.com/dine or use the MyDisneyExperience mobile app.

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