Kick Off St. Patrick’s Day March 15 at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on February 17th, 2012 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
The best excuse to eat and drink in March is St. Patrick’s Day – the “feast day of St. Patrick,” by the way, has been observed in Ireland on March 17 for centuries but we’re starting a couple of days earlier at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant. (March 17 falls during the fasting season of Lent, but on St. Patrick’s Day the prohibitions against eating meat were lifted, and the Irish would celebrate their patron saint with dancing, drinking, and feasting.)
The fun this year begins at the Downtown Disney restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort with Chef Kevin Dundon onstage for a four-course kickoff lunch and culinary demo at 1 p.m. on Mar. 15. Chef Kevin will show how to make each course, then you get to taste with wine pairings.
We had the pleasure of attending last year’s lunch and, needless to say, many of the dishes involve rich Irish cream and butter. This year it’s darne (thick-cut) of hickory-smoked Irish salmon served warm on buttered leeks with mead cream reduction; espresso of roasted tomato and gin soup; loin of traditional Irish bacon with Irish Mist glaze on colcannon potato with parsley cream sauce; and a jam jar of silky rhubarb jelly panna cotta.
Cost is $45 plus tax and gratuity. Call 407-938-0300 or 407-WDW-DINE, or visit www.raglanroad.com.
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Participate in a Guinness World Record at The LEGO Store at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on February 16th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
On Friday, February 17, the LEGO Store at Downtown Disney here at Walt Disney World Resort will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people participating in LEGO Ninjago spinner battles in one day.
Ninjago is a battle-themed LEGO game in which players build a character mounted on a spinner. An opponent also builds a character and the figures are “spun” at one another. The first spinning character knocked to the ground surrenders his weapon to the other player. Cards drawn throughout the game may add different advantages for players.
Guests can stop by the shop any time Friday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. to participate. You don’t need to play a full game, but merely spin a spinner to have it count toward the record.
Behind the Scenes: Flying With Cirque du Soleil Aerialists at ‘La Nouba’ at Downtown Disney
posted on January 26th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
I always love writing about Walt Disney World Resort, but this assignment was truly “uplifting.”
I recently headed backstage to learn more about the performers in “La Nouba” by Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney. There, I met Ana Cuellar, Captain of the Silks, who was kind enough to show me a thing or two about aerial ballet, one of the many amazing acts performed in the show.
While my “flight” took me 12 feet in the air, Ana and her team regularly perform as high as 45 feet during the show.
I wonder how many flights it took them to stop shrieking with excitement…
You can purchase tickets for “La Nouba” at DisneyWorld.com/LaNouba.
Celebrate Literacy Week with Author Appearances at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on January 24th, 2012 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
I watched an amazing thing happen the other night. My son came home from school and read a book to me. For years, I’ve been reading to him, so it was one of those special moments as a father that I will always cherish (and I captured the whole thing on video). As you may recall from a previous Disney Parks Blog article, books play an important role in my life. I’m happy to share with you that, in honor of literacy week, we have two authors making special appearances at Walt Disney World Resort this week.
Ridley Pearson returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Thursday, January 26. He will be signing all four books from the “Kingdom Keepers” series from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Writer’s Stop. His newest book, “Kingdom Keepers V: Shell Game,” will be published this coming spring. Devon Burch, Merchandise Special Events Manager, told me that Ridley will be returning in March for an early release event for this book. Stay tuned to ArtofDisneyParks.com for additional details.
On Saturday, January 28, Emma Walton Hamilton will be appearing at Once Upon a Toy in Downtown Disney Marketplace. She was the co-author, along with her mother Julie Andrews, of the “The Very Fairy Princess.” We will also have the newest book in the series “The Very Fairy Princess Takes The Stage.” She will be signing books and meeting with fans from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Happy reading!
New Tastes at Crossroads at House of Blues in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on January 24th, 2012 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
We’re fans of House of Blues just for the incredible collection of folk art – we visit just to enjoy the fantastic paintings. When we headed back last week, we found some new menu items – and tweaks to old favorites.
If you loved the HOB shrimp and grits, the new version is just as delicious, but now the grits are fried in a crispy cake, smothered in a chipotle garlic cream sauce with six pan-seared shrimp. If you’re trying to behave, the new grilled flatbreads are a winner: they grill the dough then finish it in the pizza oven. The simple basil pesto and tomato was our favorite.
Cornbread is back minus the rosemary, jambalaya returns without shrimp, but with a hefty serving of chicken and spicy Andouille sausage. The diverse menu runs the gamut from lobster mac & cheese to street tacos and generous salads, but we have to say that the new Juicy Lucy burger topped our list of favorites. The Angus beef was stuffed with cheese and Applewood bacon, then topped with crispy pickled jalapeños and chipotle mayo. We split it three ways.
The wine list is all new, and you’ll find 15 beers plus local micro brews and a full bar. When you’re really hungry, end with an order of bourbon bread pudding, now served with a splash of bourbon, or the new molten chocolate cake – then stroll Downtown Disney end to end to burn those calories.
An American Soldier Reunites With His Fiancée at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on January 9th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
When Stan Evavold, a Drone Pilot (UAV Operator), found out that he would finish his latest tour of duty in Afghanistan early, he wanted his return to be a surprise for his fiancée Lindley Key.
According to Stan, Walt Disney World Resort has always been “the Happiest Place on Earth” for Lindley, who was set to visit Downtown Disney with Stan’s parents, Standord and Kathy, in early January. Stan worked with cast members at the Team Mickey Athletic Club shop to set up a surprise reunion that had him concealed within the store while Lindley shopped around. Check out this video clip to see how the magic unfolded.
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Vintage Walt Disney World: Ringing in the New Year at Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney
posted on December 29th, 2011 by Nate Rasmussen, Archivist, Marketing Resource Center
In honor of ringing in 2012 in just a few days, here’s a shot from the glory days of Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney when New Year’s Eve was celebrated every night from 1990 until 2005 with music, dancing and just a little bit of confetti. Ok, a lot of confetti. Happy New Year!
See Santa Goofy at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on December 25th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Although Santa Claus has returned to the North Pole for the year, Santa Goofy has taken his place at Downtown Disney and will be meeting and greeting guests from 3-10 p.m., daily, through Jan. 1, 2012.
Look for him at Santa’s Chalet in the Downtown Disney Marketplace area – and don’t forget to bring your cameras!
Holiday Carols by Didgeridoo at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on December 23rd, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Just one of the many musical offerings happening at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort this weekend are holiday carols played on the didgeridoo, one of the world’s oldest instruments.
Here’s a preview.
Learn From Yo-Yo Pros at Walt Disney World Resort’s Downtown Disney Dec. 4-17
posted on December 2nd, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Can you “split the atom,” “rock the baby” or “walk the dog”?
You can learn yo-yo tricks like these (or just watch the pros do them) at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort nightly throughout the holiday season. Duncan Yo-Yo pros Takeshi Kamisato and Drew Tetz will show off their skills at the Waterside Stage at Downtown Disney Dec. 4-17, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
If you’d like to meet the pros and get yo-yo tips, catch them at Once Upon A Toy from 3:30-10:30 p.m. (excluding show times).
