- Published on
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and find a little time to relax. If you are traveling somewhere to see friends, family or perhaps to Disney, have a safe trip and enjoy!
There are a few new things opening at Walt Disney World this weekend, as well as some exciting news that I want to tell you about.
3. Kilimanjaro Safaris After Dark - This popular safari ride attraction will be available at night for the first time. Artificially created sunset creates lighting for viewing animal behavior, including African wild dogs and hyenas. Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids will also be open during evening hours with FastPasses available for both day and evening ride times.
4. Discovery Island Carnivale, a vivacious group of musicians and performers host a festive celebration of nature, spreading from one end of the island to the other with lively music and dance, vibrant costumes, delectable food and drins, and more. This exuberant gathering begins as a procession leading to the Discovery Island stage and continues well after dark with a joyous party featuring the Viba Gala band and a spirited group of islanders.
5. Harambi Wildlife Parti, a time for wild animals to roam the open savanna and for party animals to take to the streets! This safari after-party fills Harame with the sights and sounds of outstanding local street musicand entertainers, inviting guests to join them in dance and song, partake in exotic foods and libations and explore the diverse wares of village artisans and merchants. The Harambe Wildlife Parti will begin in late afteroon, the popular Burudika Band takes the stage in Harambe's Old Square as hotsts of the Wildlife Parti, performing original songs and Afro pop hits from across Africa. You will now be able to enjoy en evening of music, dance and the excitement of an African village filled with non-stop, wildly fun surprises and delights!
If you have booked your Disney travel through me, you will receive ALL these details plus more in your final trip packet that you will receive prior to your trip. You will have all the newest "tips and tricks" to accomplish all your "must dos" while at Disney!
Have a wonderful and safe weekend!
Cindy
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and find a little time to relax. If you are traveling somewhere to see friends, family or perhaps to Disney, have a safe trip and enjoy!
There are a few new things opening at Walt Disney World this weekend, as well as some exciting news that I want to tell you about.
- Soarin' (Epcot) - Opens Mays 27th and will be showing the old movie until June 17th when the new "Soarin' Around the World" film debuts. So if you are a fan of the original movie experience taking you from the west coast to the east coast you have a little to catch it before it's gone. FastPasses are now available for this attraction. Note: A third theater has been added to this attraction with the goal of being able to load more guests at one time and hopefully shortening those long standby wait times. I'll let you know how it seems to be working out once it's open.
- "FROZEN Winter Games Open May 27th at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park. Guests will have the opportunity to sign up to participate in the day's family friendly activities when entering Blizzard Beach water park. Participants will be split into two teams (Team Olaf & Team Kristoff) as they compete in snowball toss (water balloons), pail relay race, slide races and ski pole limbo..."How low can you go?" Olaf and Kristoff will be on hand watching all the fun and keeping track of how well their team's doing . At the end of the day there will be a closing ceremony where a winning team will be announced. Sorry, I have no idea if there will be prizes given out to the winning team. I will have to report back on that as soon as things get going, and I know a few more fine details.
- Nighttime Attractons and Show in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park Opening May 27th...see the following list of new happenings to be found in this park.
3. Kilimanjaro Safaris After Dark - This popular safari ride attraction will be available at night for the first time. Artificially created sunset creates lighting for viewing animal behavior, including African wild dogs and hyenas. Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids will also be open during evening hours with FastPasses available for both day and evening ride times.
4. Discovery Island Carnivale, a vivacious group of musicians and performers host a festive celebration of nature, spreading from one end of the island to the other with lively music and dance, vibrant costumes, delectable food and drins, and more. This exuberant gathering begins as a procession leading to the Discovery Island stage and continues well after dark with a joyous party featuring the Viba Gala band and a spirited group of islanders.
5. Harambi Wildlife Parti, a time for wild animals to roam the open savanna and for party animals to take to the streets! This safari after-party fills Harame with the sights and sounds of outstanding local street musicand entertainers, inviting guests to join them in dance and song, partake in exotic foods and libations and explore the diverse wares of village artisans and merchants. The Harambe Wildlife Parti will begin in late afteroon, the popular Burudika Band takes the stage in Harambe's Old Square as hotsts of the Wildlife Parti, performing original songs and Afro pop hits from across Africa. You will now be able to enjoy en evening of music, dance and the excitement of an African village filled with non-stop, wildly fun surprises and delights!
- NEW Castle Stage Show - "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire" Opens June 17th.
This new show will feature Mickey and the gang and some of their new friends they have been on their travels to new lands. For the first time ever you will see Rapunzel and Flynn Rider and Tiana & Prince Naveen being featured in the stage show. You can also expect to see your two favorite characters from the North as well...Princess Anna and Queen Elsa. - NEW Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular Opens June 17th. This Star Wars themed fireworks show will feature lasers projections on the Chinese Theater and special effects (including a tower of fire and spotlight beams that create light sabers in the sky). This show will also include new music from Star Wars: The Force Awakens along with voice narration from the film. This will be an incredible fireworks show and not to be missed!
- NEW Frozen, First Time Ever attraction (Epcot's Norway pavilion) Opens June 21st - This area will feature both the new boat ride where guests will see many of the favorite characters from the blockbuster movie, "FROZEN," and a new space to meet Anna & Else in their new Summerhaus location.
If you have booked your Disney travel through me, you will receive ALL these details plus more in your final trip packet that you will receive prior to your trip. You will have all the newest "tips and tricks" to accomplish all your "must dos" while at Disney!
Have a wonderful and safe weekend!
Cindy
- Published on
The transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs is finally almost complete with the opening of the fourth and final neighborhood..."Town Center."
When Disney first announced they were going to transform Downtown Disney into "Disney Springs" with its own new back story and to be a place for adults to find entertainment, upscale dining, but yet still family friendly,as well as comfortable spots to relax and converse while enjoying the new waterfront areas they did not disappoint.
It seems as though it's been forever that we've been dealing with road construction, parking lots closing to make way for the two new four-story parking garages, construction walls, the construction of a new bridge spanning the lake to make walking from one end of Marketplace to The Landing area more convenient, LOTS of new dining venues being announced, sweet shops and specialty retail shops moving into this area. That is now all beginning to come to an end as the fourth and final neighborhood, Town Center, as officially been opened, and it has all been worth the wait.
This is a beautifully done area and serves as an excellent extension of the hustle and bustle of the theme parks and water parks. In fact, you could honestly plan a trip to Walt Disney World® Resort with a stay at one of their fabulous deluxe resort properties, enjoy a spa treatment or a round of golf on one of Disney's championship courses and take advantage of some of the new amazing dining venues located in Disney Springs.
Personally, two of my favorite spots are Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar to enjoy a nice cocktail on the deck watching the boats go by and dinner (almost next door to Jock Lindsey's) at The BOATHOUSE. The Boathouse offers an elegant, but still family friendly, nautical themed atmosphere with a menu diverse enough to please most everyone paired with excellent service.
When Disney first announced they were going to transform Downtown Disney into "Disney Springs" with its own new back story and to be a place for adults to find entertainment, upscale dining, but yet still family friendly,as well as comfortable spots to relax and converse while enjoying the new waterfront areas they did not disappoint.
It seems as though it's been forever that we've been dealing with road construction, parking lots closing to make way for the two new four-story parking garages, construction walls, the construction of a new bridge spanning the lake to make walking from one end of Marketplace to The Landing area more convenient, LOTS of new dining venues being announced, sweet shops and specialty retail shops moving into this area. That is now all beginning to come to an end as the fourth and final neighborhood, Town Center, as officially been opened, and it has all been worth the wait.
This is a beautifully done area and serves as an excellent extension of the hustle and bustle of the theme parks and water parks. In fact, you could honestly plan a trip to Walt Disney World® Resort with a stay at one of their fabulous deluxe resort properties, enjoy a spa treatment or a round of golf on one of Disney's championship courses and take advantage of some of the new amazing dining venues located in Disney Springs.
Personally, two of my favorite spots are Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar to enjoy a nice cocktail on the deck watching the boats go by and dinner (almost next door to Jock Lindsey's) at The BOATHOUSE. The Boathouse offers an elegant, but still family friendly, nautical themed atmosphere with a menu diverse enough to please most everyone paired with excellent service.
The Lime parking garage is now open for business, and it has the same parking notification technology as the orange garage does. Each parking deck has a digital sign showing the number of spaces available for parking on that deck. You can say good bye to the days of circling around and around trying to search for an empty spot to park in. If the number is "0" keep on moving to the next deck. This parking garage is located near Town Center and Marketplace.
There are 23 new retail and dining tenants open in Town Center and include...Alex and Ani, kate spade new year, Lucky Brand, Sephora, Vera Bradley, Pandora, Tommy Bahama, Under Armour Brand House, francesa's, Kipling, MAC Cosmetics, UGG and more.
The dining venues that can now be found in Town Center are Amoretti's Patisserrie. Classic cakes and pastries are on show in this high-end pastry show where guests can watch pastry chefs decorate signature cakes in the on-stage finishing kitchen. Even the beautiful boutique style packaging, inspired by old fashioned hat boxes, leans to the sophisticated feel of the location. There's something for everyone here with eclairs, New York-style cheesecake, opera cake and sacher torte. Guests will find a few specialty beverages at Amoretti's too. Sip a champagne or sparking wine with your pastry, or go straight for the indulgent Amoretti's Hot Chocolate Ganache, a cupful of sippable chocolate wiht Chantilly and shaved dark chocolate on top. You also can opt for a glass of cold milk, coffee or tea.
D-Luxe Burger will soon be known for their gourmet burgers and twisted milkshake. This is a quick service restaurant where guests can grab a bite to eat between shopping. There are seating options located both inside or outside on the covered area overlooking the springs.
Sprinkles is the newest of the sweet shops added to Disney Springs. Here you will find handcrafted cupcakes, slow-churned ice cream and homemade cookies. Guests can also find gluten-free and sugar-free specialty treats here as well.
The Daily Poutine features the Canadian classic dish, "poutine." Guests will have a choice of four varieties of toppings on hot, thick-cut french fries. The classic, with beef poutine gravy and cheddar cheese curds; Latin with fried yucca, black beans, pulled pork and queso fresco; Italian with Bocconcino mozzarella and Bolognese sauce; and French with mushroom cream sauce and Gruyere cheese. Pair them wiht a draft beer, sangria, lemonade or a fountain soda.
Morimoto Street Food - After opening for a short time over the 2015 holiday season, this walk up food location closed due to more construction. However, now it's back with a new walk up window on the patio offering sushi, donburi rice bowls and bao tacos, plus snacks: such as takoyaki (octopus, nori, okmiyaki sauce), Morimoto sticky ribs, curry rice croquettes, pork egg rolls and taiyaki (snapper-shaped pancakes filled wiht sweet adzuki red beans paste). Also on the menu...popping boba tea and an assortment of Asian-infuenced beers and beverages.
B.B. Wolf's Sausage Co. features artisan sausages. The Three Little Pigs features a trip of sausages each with different toppings: Reuben, bacon-wrapped with black bean salsa and chili cheese; Portuguese sausage with pickled vegetable slaw and chili mustard; sweet hot sausage with peppers, onions and marina; Bavarian sausage sandwich with a mini-meterwurst, braised red cabbage and spicy brown mustard on a pretzel roll; and Italian veggie sausage with peppers, onions and marinara. Cool off with a draft beer or fountain soda.
YeSake - This unique kiosk offers guests the opportunity to try Sake Cosmo Freeze or Sake Bourbon Slush among other offerings. Global eats range from the Great Wall with Chinese-style pulled pork to a Sombrero with ground beef, pico de gallo, guacomole, cheese and corn chips and cold beer.
The dining venues that can now be found in Town Center are Amoretti's Patisserrie. Classic cakes and pastries are on show in this high-end pastry show where guests can watch pastry chefs decorate signature cakes in the on-stage finishing kitchen. Even the beautiful boutique style packaging, inspired by old fashioned hat boxes, leans to the sophisticated feel of the location. There's something for everyone here with eclairs, New York-style cheesecake, opera cake and sacher torte. Guests will find a few specialty beverages at Amoretti's too. Sip a champagne or sparking wine with your pastry, or go straight for the indulgent Amoretti's Hot Chocolate Ganache, a cupful of sippable chocolate wiht Chantilly and shaved dark chocolate on top. You also can opt for a glass of cold milk, coffee or tea.
D-Luxe Burger will soon be known for their gourmet burgers and twisted milkshake. This is a quick service restaurant where guests can grab a bite to eat between shopping. There are seating options located both inside or outside on the covered area overlooking the springs.
Sprinkles is the newest of the sweet shops added to Disney Springs. Here you will find handcrafted cupcakes, slow-churned ice cream and homemade cookies. Guests can also find gluten-free and sugar-free specialty treats here as well.
The Daily Poutine features the Canadian classic dish, "poutine." Guests will have a choice of four varieties of toppings on hot, thick-cut french fries. The classic, with beef poutine gravy and cheddar cheese curds; Latin with fried yucca, black beans, pulled pork and queso fresco; Italian with Bocconcino mozzarella and Bolognese sauce; and French with mushroom cream sauce and Gruyere cheese. Pair them wiht a draft beer, sangria, lemonade or a fountain soda.
Morimoto Street Food - After opening for a short time over the 2015 holiday season, this walk up food location closed due to more construction. However, now it's back with a new walk up window on the patio offering sushi, donburi rice bowls and bao tacos, plus snacks: such as takoyaki (octopus, nori, okmiyaki sauce), Morimoto sticky ribs, curry rice croquettes, pork egg rolls and taiyaki (snapper-shaped pancakes filled wiht sweet adzuki red beans paste). Also on the menu...popping boba tea and an assortment of Asian-infuenced beers and beverages.
B.B. Wolf's Sausage Co. features artisan sausages. The Three Little Pigs features a trip of sausages each with different toppings: Reuben, bacon-wrapped with black bean salsa and chili cheese; Portuguese sausage with pickled vegetable slaw and chili mustard; sweet hot sausage with peppers, onions and marina; Bavarian sausage sandwich with a mini-meterwurst, braised red cabbage and spicy brown mustard on a pretzel roll; and Italian veggie sausage with peppers, onions and marinara. Cool off with a draft beer or fountain soda.
YeSake - This unique kiosk offers guests the opportunity to try Sake Cosmo Freeze or Sake Bourbon Slush among other offerings. Global eats range from the Great Wall with Chinese-style pulled pork to a Sombrero with ground beef, pico de gallo, guacomole, cheese and corn chips and cold beer.
Fulton's Crab House, the steamboat currently under refurbishment at Disney Springs, will reopen this fall as Paddlefish after a bow-to-stern transformation. This location will be open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Paddlefish will serve fresh seafood, steaks and chops, a catch of the day and composed seafood entrees such as lobster risotto with poached Maine lobster, saffron and Meyer lemon oil and redfish wiht coconut milk, crab broth, tomato, peppers, and ginger. Fan favorites, including Florida stone crab, Alaskan King and Queen crab, and lobster corn dogs will return.
Plus, a fun new addition is lobster guacomole made tableside with Maine Lobster, chilies, cilantro,lime and tortilla chips. And, there's a "build-your-own-boil" allwoing guests to pick their own ingredients and seasonings.
The sleek modern design of Paddlefish includes a new rooftop lounge, open until 2am, with spectacular views of Disney Springs and the water. The lounge will have a separate menu of eclectic dishes perfect for sharing.
Stay tuned for more details about this incedible new dining venue as they become available.
Plus, a fun new addition is lobster guacomole made tableside with Maine Lobster, chilies, cilantro,lime and tortilla chips. And, there's a "build-your-own-boil" allwoing guests to pick their own ingredients and seasonings.
The sleek modern design of Paddlefish includes a new rooftop lounge, open until 2am, with spectacular views of Disney Springs and the water. The lounge will have a separate menu of eclectic dishes perfect for sharing.
Stay tuned for more details about this incedible new dining venue as they become available.
