Jul 27

Villains Unleashed

0814ZX_0459GD-640x598On August 23, 2014, your favorite Disney villains will wreak havoc on the Hollywood Studios park during the Villains Unleashed one night only event. This special summer event ticketed event will kick off at 8:00 pm and run through 1:00 am.  Join more than 50 Disney villains as they come out the shadows and take over with dance parties, a special fireworks show and villainous drinks, food and special merchandise.

IMG_5849Encounter some of your favorite villains from classics such as Captain Hook, Cruella De Vil, Snow White’s Evil Queen and Maleficent. Dance the night away as Hades heats up the stage with his house band, Bernie Briquette with Brimstone or experience your dark side with galactic menaces like Darth Vader and Boba Fett.

imagesGuests are welcome to come dressed as their favorite villain, however, all costumes must adhere to any guidelines as determined by Disney. Choose costumes that are not obstructive, offensive Unknownor violent and keep in mind that guests’ eyes must be visible at all times.

A separate ticket is required for this event and guests can enter the park as early as 7:00 pm.  Advance reservations are highly recommended.  Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The celebration of wonderful wickedness will include:

  • Villainous Encounters: Interact with Disney villains roaming the park, performing on stage, dancing with guests and making mischief around every corner.
  • Fantasmic! Pre-Show: Behold the wickedness as villains takeover Fantasmic! for a deviously fun pre-show.
  • ‘Villainy in the Sky Fireworks:  Villains unleash their powers into the night sky for a specially-themed fireworks display.
  • Oogie Boogie’s Variety Show: Boogie down to Theater of The Stars to see Mr. Oogie Boogie host a special variety show crawling with entertainment.
  • villains-unleashed-00-fullHades Hangout and Dance Party:  Hang out with the ruler of the underworld and dance the night away with his party crew the house band Bernie Briquette with Brimstone, DJ Igg Nite and the Underworld Dancers.
  • “Star Wars” Villain Zone: Witness the power of the dark side as some of the most feared villains in the Galactic Empire patrol Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • ‘Ex-Scream’ Makeovers: ‘Show your Villain Side’ and get your face painted to look just like your favorite Disney villain.
  • Attractions:  Revel in the fun of up to 10 favorite attractions such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Star Tours – The Adventure Continues.  Beware of villains lurking around.
  • Villainous Food, Drink and Merchandise: Enjoy special mischievous treats and remember the night for years to come with villain-themed merchandise.

Jul 17

Summer at Downtown Disney

imagesDowntown Disney is currently under transformation to becoming Disney Springs – an energetic destination with new dining and entertainment options as well as twice the retail experiences.

The concept art depicts a great destination about to unfold in the Downtown Disney area but don’t let the construction and the transformation deter you.  As the imagestransformation continues, guests can still enjoy the existing themed shopping, dining and entertainment locales day and night, as well as  some of the newest additions.  So far this summer, Downtown Disney has been alive and thriving and if you haven’t been yet, here what is new this Summer at Downtown Disney.

IMG_6265Starbucks – 2 new locations – a storefront at Downtown Disney West Side and a kiosk near World of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace. The new storefront includes a covered patio overlooking the waterfront and a fireplace, as well as the new Clover Bar.  

Marketplace Co-Op – Testing space for Disney retail concepts, shops and products with six boutiques under one roof:

  • Beautifully Disney – A beauty destination featuring make-up, fragrance and accessories
  • fwb_dp-marketplace-co-op_20140627Cherry Tree Lane – Accessories for the sophisticated woman
  • D-Tech on Demand – A place to personalize and customize your own electronic accessories
  • The Trophy Room – Vintage-inspired, lifestyle sports apparel and collectibles
  • Disney Centerpiece – Home decor offering a splash of Disney in furnishings and textiles
  • Zoey and Pickles – A girls’ destination with the latest trends

IMG_6267United World of Soccer – Opened in Late May at Downtown Disney West Side just in time for the World Cup. The shop offers favorite team jerseys, sports gear, cleats, World Cup apparel and imagesaccessories.

The Happy Hound – Custom accessories and dog tags, toys and more for four-legged friends

IMG_6323Food Truck Park – Permanent home to the four Disney Food Trucks  situated between Bongos Cuban Café and the new Starbucks at Downtown Disney West Side.

Live Music Nightly – One of the things that is bringing Downtown Disney to life every day is the live outdoor entertainment and more than 30 performances daily.

Even with expansion, guests still can stroll from the West Side to The Marketplace. While shopping, playing and dining this summer, the signs of exciting things to come captured in colorful, mural-sized artistic renderings of the new Disney Springs destination are all around.

Jul 16

Trattoria al Forno

Trattoria-Al-Forno-Logo-640x378

Trattoria al Forno, a new restaurant featuring Italian cuisine with authentic ingredients and recipes from Italy’s various regions, is set to open at Disney’s BoardWalk in December 2014. The new spot will showcase Old World techniques, including handcrafted mozzarella made daily, a variety of Neopolitan-style pizzas baked in wood-burning ovens, and other classic italian favorites such as risotto, baked lasagna, chicken great alla Parmigiana with tagliatelle pasta and more.

Trattoria al Forno will boast an extensive wine menu with more than 60 offerings by the bottle and more than 25 wines by the glass, including Chiantis, Super Tuscans and fine Italian white wines such as Prosecco, Pinot Grigio and Moscato. Desserts such as tiramisù, gelatos, and the signature bomboloni (Italian donut holes) with dark chocolate and vanilla gelato round out the menu. Disney’s BoardWalk is located on Crescent Lake near Epcot.

Jul 03

California Grill

imagesLocated on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the California Grill, an award-winning restaurant with spectacular panoramic views of the Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake and Cinderella’s Castle.

Originally opening in 1995, The California Grill underwent a major makeover in 2013 giving the dining room a sophisticated contemporary
imageslook inspired by mid-century modern California designs.  The new onstage kitchen and two new communal dining tables that seat 10 people, guests get an unbelievable view of the Magic Kingdom.

The new menu showcases Californian cuisine with fresh seasonal ingredients. Even though the menu changes seasonally, the cuisine, the attentive and impeccable service an the outstanding wine display CGwine selections remain consistent. The California Grill boasts an extensive selection of over 300 hand-picked wines, mostly from California vineyards, with over 50 of the selections available by the glass, and 20 sommeliers on hand to offer pairing selections. Guests arriving at the California Grill are greeted by a beautiful display of 1,600 bottles of wine in a climate controlled showcase as soon they step off of the elevator.

imagesThe cuisine is second to none. Savor the finest of California cuisine as the artistic chefs and their culinary creations please your palate with mouthwatering appetizers of flatbreads, amazing cheeses or charcuterie selections and sushi. imagesDelight in delectable entrees from the land and sea such as an oak fired filet of beef, jumbo scallops or potato gnocchi puttanesca.  And, if you still have room, finish off your meal with decadent desserts like Crème Brûlée, banana stuffed cinnamon fritters or a luscious chocolate cake.   For a complete listing of the menu, click here.

imagesThe California Grill also has one of the best fireworks dining experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort.  With spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom from inside or out, you can watch the nighttime spectacular, Wishes, from your table or you can step outside to the observation decks. The lights dim and the soundtrack is played as the skies over the Magic Kingdom light up in a colorful explosion. This is one of the finest viewing areas for Wishes.

Most people think that they have to have reservations during the time of the fireworks to enjoy them from the observation deck but this is not the case at this establishment.  If you have dined at the California Grill earlier than the time of the fireworks, simply bring your receipt to the 2nd floor reception desk where you will be granted re-entry into the restaurant for the fireworks spectacular.  Guests with dining reservations after Wishes are also invited to watch the show from the lounge or the observations deck.

The California Grill is a signature dining experience and unlike a lot of the dining experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort, does have a dress code.  Resort casual is the required dress so tank tops, cut offs, flip flops, ball caps, and other very casual wear is not permitted.

Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made 180 days in advance of your visit.  If reservations are unavailable during your visit, seating at California Grill Lounge can be requested but keep in mind that seating is on a first-come, first served basis as reservations are not accepted in the lounge.

 

Jun 27

Frozen Fun at Hollywood Studios

Just released from Disney Parks!

A "Frozen" Summer at Disney's Hollywood StudiosThis summer, Frozen Fun at Hollywood Studios will be cooling things off with a daily character procession, sing-alongs with Anna and Elsa, fireworks, a polar playground, ice skating rink, ice carving demonstrations and a nightly party featuring a live band, all themed to the worldwide phenomenon.

From July 5-Sept. 1, 2014, “Frozen Summer Fun Live!” will bring to life the world of royal sisters Anna and Elsa and their fairy tale kingdom of Arendelle.  Most activities are included in theme park admission.

Special experiences will immerse guests in lots of Frozen fun. Here are some of the highlighted events:

 

UnknownAnna’s & Elsa’s Royal Welcome:  Each day at 11 a.m., Anna and Elsa, riding in a horse-drawn sleigh, will travel in a royal procession down Hollywood Boulevard.  Rugged mountain man Kristoff is along for the fun joined by a flurry of skaters, skiers and ice cutters, all dressed in their Arendelle best.

For The First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration: Inside the park’s Premiere Theater, Princess Anna and Queen Elsa join the Royal Historians of Arendelle for a fun and comedic retelling of the history of their kingdom amidst projections, lighting and special effects.  Guests will be invited to join in special sing-along moments from the film’s chart-topping soundtrack.  At the end of the performance, guests might find themselves becoming “Honorary Citizens of Arendelle.”  The 20-minute show will be presented multiple times each day.

Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post & Frozen Funland: There’s a “big summer blowout” happening inside the park’s Soundstage One, where Oaken – the film’s trading post owner – and his cousins have created the “Frozen Funland” amidst a winter wonderland.  Living up to its name, there will be plenty of frozen festivities inside the makeshift adventure park Oaken and his cousins built to make the most of the sudden snowstorm.

Part of the Oaken’s Frozen Funland will be an ice skating rink with demonstrations by some of Oaken’s talented cousins on the Arendelle ice.

In addition, icy artisans will put their talents on display, creating carvings of favorite “Frozen” characters from giant frozen blocks.  Kids can enjoy frozen wintertime activities in the “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” area.  For all of his Frozen Funland friends, Oaken has plenty of merchandise at his Trading Post, along with hot cocoa and sweet treats available for purchase.

Coolest Summer Ever Dance Party: From 5:30-9:30 p.m. each evening, a live band will take the stage to celebrate the Frozen summer fun with contemporary songs and a few familiar tunes from the film.

imagesTake-Along Olaf: As a special feature before the fireworks, guests will have a chance to be a part of a pre-show celebration by hashtagging photos of themselves in the park with a “Take-Along Olaf.”  Throughout the day, Take-Along Olafs will be distributed at various locations in the park.  Guests are then invited to take Olaf along with them on their Disney’s Hollywood Studios adventures.  By sharing their photos with the unique hashtag #OlafSummerVacation, their photos may appear on the big screen in this special pre-show feature.

Frozen Fireworks: At 9:45 each evening, the giant Sorcerer Mickey Hat on Hollywood Blvd. gets the full Frozen treatment with special projections of snow and ice images, in an eye-popping spectacular above Hollywood Blvd.  Set to the film’s soundtrack, the fireworks show will feature some special guests – including a very magical appearance from Elsa in which she will show how her powers flurry “through the air and to the ground” to produce magically icy blue and white gleaming fireworks.

More Frozen Fun! The Frozen festivities do not end at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! At Magic Kingdom, fans can get immersed in these “Frozen” fantasies:

  • Meet Anna and Elsa inside Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland
  • Anna and Elsa appear in the new daytime spectacular “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade”
  • The “Celebrate the Magic” nighttime projection show transforms Cinderella Castle with visuals from “Frozen.”