April 2016 - On the Go in MCO

Spring Into Fun At The Four Seasons Resort Orlando

This Spring the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort restaurants are expanding their menus, hosting special events, and celebrating the special women in our lives.

Here’s a peek at some of the Spring highlights at the Resort!

New Menu at PB&G

PB&G, the popular lakeside restaurant featuring rotisserie meats and Southern favourites, has expanded its dining hours and now offers a dinner menu. Dinner is served Wednesday through Sunday nights from 6:00 to 9:30 pm, featuring dishes such as ahi tuna nachos, a chopped seafood cobb salad, coffee-crusted rotisserie ribeye, smokehouse burger and much more. PB&G is cool and comfortable when the sun goes down, and a fun ambiance is created by the twinkling lights and lanterns throughout its three floating pavilions and the lively central bar. Dessert is a must, with items made for sharing, including an incredible oversize classic banana split and a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie baked and served in a cast iron skillet, topped with caramel, pecans and vanilla ice cream. The PB&G team looks forward to welcoming regular guests and seeing new faces to try the restaurant for dinner.

Note: PB&G occasionally closes due to group event buyouts, and it is recommended to call 407 313 6161 for reservations.

Jockeys & Juleps – It’s Derby Time at PB&G

It’s off to the races for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Four Seasons Resort Orlando invites guests to break out their Derby hats and suit up in seersucker and bold prints for a viewing party at PB&G from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm.

Enjoy watching the races from the restaurant televisions and sip on one of the beverage specials offered to revellers throughout the day. PB&G will feature its special bourbon in partnership with Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, with the traditional Jessie’s Mint Julep for USD 8. Take a “Tour of Kentucky” with bourbon flights and sample the PB&G bourbon from Four Roses, Buffalo Trace, Bulleit and Woodford Reserve.

Southern food specials including shrimp po’boy sliders, Kentucky fried chicken, a hot brown sandwich, bourbon sticky ribs, and candied bacon with a side of bourbon on the rocks are sure to be a hit. Plus, the Finish Line Split, PB&G’s new banana split, is big enough to feed an entire table.

Patrons sporting a Derby appropriate hat will receive a 10 percent savings on their bill. A Pick the Winner competition will offer prizes to the attendees who successfully select the winning horse. For a photo finish to the day, the patron wearing the best Derby hat chosen by the restaurant staff will win a cooking class with PB&G Chef Mikey Termini.

Mother’s Day

It’s time to celebrate moms on Sunday, May 8, 2016, and the Resort offers several options for enjoying a special family meal.

Ravello will offer a decadent buffet menu from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, with many different offerings including pasta stations, a seafood bar and raw bar, a carving station with prime rib and herb-crusted lamb leg, and much more. There will also be a full dessert buffet station and separate children’s buffet. Brunch is USD 110 per adult and USD 45 per child age 5-12.

For dinner service, Capa will feature its regular menu, but will also have a special supplementary menu with specials including a duck confit appetizer and a petite filet, plus a chocolate lava cake dessert with banana ice cream. Plus, all moms will receive a complimentary glass of cava and a box of macarons for celebrating at Capa.

For those seeking a Sunday brunch, Plancha at Tranquilo Golf Clubhouse now offers a three-course Sunday brunch for USD 68 per person, including bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys.

“Texsom” Wine Dinner at Capa

This special dinner is intended for those truly passionate about wine. Capa is welcoming five Master Sommeliers onFriday, May 20, 2016 at 6:30 pm for an interactive wine dinner.

Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi, Executive Pastry Chef Rabii Saber, Capa Chef Tim Dacey, Plancha Chef Pedro Sanchez, and PB&G Chef Mikey Termini will be participating alongside the Master Sommeliers including James Tidwell, beverage manager of Four SeasonsResort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas; Andy McNamara, director of fine wines for Premier Beverage Company; Brian Koziol, food & beverage concept and development director for Walt Disney World Resort; and two additional sommeliers, to be named in the coming weeks. Tidwell is creator of the Texsom Conference, coming toFour Seasons Resort Dallas this August. The five Master Sommeliers will pour 30 award winning wines for an educational and culinary experience. The exclusive dinner is USD 130 per person and reservations are required.

Valet parking is fully validated for guests who dine at Capa, Ravello or PB&G for dinner. For dining reservations: 407 313 6161.

Enhancements Coming To The Florida Mall

Dramatic Enhancements Announced At The Florida Mall

Premier Orlando Shopping Destination Enhancing Customer Experience

Simon (NYSE: SPG), a global leader in retail real estate, announced today that The Florida Mall will undergo a significant interior and exterior makeover. These improvements will enrich the guest experience, seamlessly blending with the design concepts found within the recently completed Dining Pavilion and exterior Plaza. The announcement comes as The Florida Mall celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year.

Scheduled to begin in May, the improvements will create a brighter, more inviting atmosphere inside the center. Overall, The Florida Mall will be modernized with a timeless color palette and clean architectural lines. Additional plans include:

More than a dozen new or enhanced seating lounges throughout the property featuring mobile device charging stations and upgraded furniture, giving shoppers the opportunity to relax and recharge in a comfortable space during shopping breaks.
Improved lighting throughout the center with illuminated ceiling fixtures featuring state-of-the-art LED lighting, expanded sky lights, and raised ceilings to maximize the property’s existing natural light.
New neutral tile flooring in light tones throughout the center, along with upgraded and remodeled mall entrances.
Colorful, resort-style landscaping improvements incorporating native Florida plants and additional palm trees at all four property entrances.
Updated way-finding signage to further assist shoppers in locating a store, restaurant or entertainment venue.

The dramatic enhancements will also include a new, experiential play area located in the wing by Crayola Experience and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The immersive playscape will be designed to promote creative play among children ranging in age from toddler to early elementary. A social environment for kids and parents, the play area will include interactive and multi-sensory elements like soft-touch floor matting, sculptural climbing features, adult and kid-friendly seating, and more. Further details about this exciting new addition will be announced in the near future.

“The Florida Mall has proudly served the Orlando community, visitors and international tourists for 30 years. This renovation is a culmination of the substantial investments we have made in the center over the years, most recently with our premier Dining Pavilion,” said Brian Hanson, General Manager at The Florida Mall. “These enhancements are designed with families, retailers and our shoppers in mind, and we look forward to sharing this new and refined shopping experience with the community.”

Construction activity is expected to be complete by spring 2017. The property and its retailers will remain open and operating throughout the project. The architects on this project are GH+A Design and Cuhaci & Peterson, and the General Contractor is VCC.

Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights Announces First Maze

Leatherface and his lethal chain saw to invade Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 26

Flashes of a familiar facemask blur the line between reality and film. The roar of a chain saw inside a darkened, deteriorating farmhouse is deafening. You are being hunted. Moving past the rotting remains of other victims, you find your escape blocked by an immovable force. A force that has only one purpose – complete and total destruction.

httpv://youtu.be/WNpJZ_fWrBM

This year, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” – one of the greatest horror films ever made – will come to life as an all-new maze at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 26.

You will walk through the iconic Texas farmhouse and experience Leatherface’s kills from the 1974 slasher film. You will desperately try to escape as the violent roar of his chain saw surrounds you. You will hear the cries – and see what remains – of Leatherface’s other victims. And you will come face-to-face with Leatherface himself.

The film follows a group of friends on a roadtrip to visit a family homestead. When they seek assistance at a house nearby, they become the prey of a cannibalistic family.

“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is the first in a horrifying list of mazes to be revealed at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 26. Additional details about the event will be revealed soon.

Halloween Horror Nights 26 will run select nights from September 16 to October 31. Guests can book a special vacation package that combines the spine-tingling chills of Halloween Horror Nights, with the daytime thrills of Universal Orlando’s two theme parks, and a stay at Universal Orlando Resort’s newest on-site hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. For more information and additional ticket offers, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/Orlando.

Wordless Wednesday – A Very Special Carrousel Horse

Wordless Wednesday: April 20, 2016

This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World for a spin on the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel with a very special horse.

Check Out The Doctor Strange Teaser Trailer #DoctorStrange

Witness the power of the Sorcerer Supreme in the first teaser for Marvel’s Doctor Strange, in theaters November 4!

httpv://youtu.be/Lt-U_t2pUHI

Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Dr. Stephen Strange in the first full trailer for “Doctor Strange,” in theaters on November 4, 2016, and unlike some Marvel movies this one has a focus on mysticism.

The trailer gives us a glimpse into the backstory, world, and journey of Dr. Strange.

Even Dr. Strange doesn’t buy into the world of possibilities that the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) tells him about saying “I don’t believe in fairy tales about chakras or energy or the power of belief.” His story soon takes a dramatic turn as he see firsthand what the world could be.

To keep up with the latest on Marvel’s Doctor Strange, you can:

Like Doctor Strange on Facebook,
FollowDoctor Strange on Twitter,
Follow Marvel on Instagram, and
Visit the officialDoctor Strange website here.

Marvel’s Doctor Strange opens in theatres everywhere on November 4th!

Five Ways To Celebrate Mom At The Four Seasons Resort Orlando

With Mother’s Day right around the corner on Sunday, May 8th, what better way to show your Mom how special she is than by visiting the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort for some well deserved pampering!

Five Ways To Celebrate Mom at the

Four Seasons Resort Orlando

1. Reserve the “Queen and Princess” Magical Moment package, which is perfect for a mother and young daughter. The “queen” will enjoy a glamorous blowout and style and a crystal hair accessory. The little “princess” will enjoy a dress, blowout and style, designer crystal tiara and wand, princess makeup artistry, fairy dust, hair tinsel, a bracelet and a commemorative princess certificate. The Queen and Princess package is USD 475, and for moms who reserve over Mother’s Day weekend will also receive a complimentary makeup application.

2. Send Mom to The Spa for an 80 minute treatment, such as a La Floridian body treatment or oxygen facial, and after her pampering she can spend the day enjoying the blissful serenity of the Oasis Pool. Non-Resort guests who take advantage of an 80 minute treatment are extended exclusive access to the Resort’s lakeside infinity-edge adult pool, plus the lazy river and Explorer Pool. For 80-minute spa appointments over Mother’s Day weekend, The Spa will also host Mom’s cocktail of choice to enjoy poolside. The La Floridian treatment is USD 245.

3. For the mom-to-be who is past the first trimester, The Spa also offers a Maternity Caress Massage. The massage can be enjoyed by the new mom-to-be or in a couples suite as a couples treatment. When enjoying a Maternity Caress Massage over Mother’s Day weekend, The Spa will provide a complimentary scalp treatment enhancement, to ensure profound relaxation. A 50-minute Maternity Caress Massage is USD 170.

4. Celebrate with the family over a delicious meal at Four Seasons. Ravello will offer a decadent buffet menu from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, with many different offerings including pasta stations, a seafood bar and raw bar, a carving station with prime rib and herb-crusted lamb leg, and much more. There will also be a full dessert buffet station and separate children’s buffet. Brunch is USD 110 per adult and USD 45 per child age 5-12. For dinner service, Capa will feature its regular menu, but will also have a special supplementary menu with specials including a duck confit appetiser and a petite filet, plus a chocolate lava cake dessert with banana ice cream. Plus, all moms will receive a complimentary glass of cava and a box of macarons for celebrating at Capa. For those seeking a Sunday brunch,Plancha at Tranquilo Golf Clubhouse now offers a three-course Sunday brunch for USD 68 per person, including bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys.

5. Let Mom shop ‘til she drops at Wardrobe and Fable, the Resort’s lobby level boutiques. Mom can discover many one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, as well as accessories and clothing from designers such as Tory Burch, Missoni, Lilly Pulitzer, Herve Leger, Joie, Clover Canyon and much more. The talented sales associates are skilled at selecting the perfect gifts, outfitting Mom from head to toe in a stylish ensemble to ensure she looks and feels fabulous. Also, for the gift that keeps on giving, Mom will love a Four Seasons Resort Orlando gift card, available for purchase at the Resort. Gift cards can be used toward an overnight stay, shopping, dining, Spa, golf and more. The shops are open daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

The Rusty Spoon: Throwback Thursday Dinner

The Rusty Spoon has been celebrating their 5^th Anniversary with a series of special events, and to continue the celebration they’re hosting a Throwback Thursday dinner.

The dinner will showcase culinary confidants, Chef Melissa Kelly of Primo and Chef Kathleen Blake of The Rusty Spoon cooking a celebratory dinner together to honor their 20 year friendship.

During this very special event, The Rusty Spoon has invited Cleveland’s Lady Butchers, Penny Brarend and Mellissa Khoury, to cook alongside of Chef Kelly and Chef Blake as they bring their Saucisson skills to Orlando.

Saucisson is a collaborative effort to bring artisans meats to brick and mortar location in Cleveland, and a percentage of the night’s sales will be donated to the its kickstarter campaign. For more information on their efforts, visit kickstarter.com with keyword – Lady Butchers of Saucisson.

The Throwback Thursday dinner being held on Earth Day, April 21st, and the meal will stay true to Chef Blake’s dedication to the ‘farm to table’ movement.

The cost to attend the dinner is $95, and reservations can be made by calling (407) 401-8811.

The Rusty Spoon
55 W. Church St.
407-401-8811
www.therustyspoon.com

Experiencing The Tutto Italia Summer Menu

Experiencing the Tutto Italia Ristorante Summer Menu

This Summer Tutto Italia Ristorante, the gourmet Italian restaurant located in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot, is offering a three-course lunch menu that you won’t want to miss!

Chef Renzo Barcatta and his team have created this special three-course menu sourced from across Italy offering the best of each region available for a limited time from May 3 to August 31 that is a great way to experience Tutto Italia at a great price point.

I was invited to a sneak peek of the new lunch, and to say I was impressed is an understatement.

Tutto Gusto can be a pricier option for lunch at Epcot, but for $27, plus tax, the Tutto Italia Three-Course Lunch includes a soft drink or ice tea, appetizer, generously sized main course, and dessert making for an exceptional value. You won’t walk away hungry from this lunch!

To start off our experience, we were able to try the Antipasto appetizer of sopressata (an Italian dried salami), finocchiona (a fennel infused salami from Southern Tuscany), pickled roasted peppers, and creamy ovolini mozzarella.

I could eat this Antipasto every day! The creamy mozzarella paired with the acidity of the pickled roasted pepper was fantastic, and you can never go wrong with sopressata! This was my first time having finocchiona, but it won’t be my last!

As an appetizer I chose the Minestrone soup, which was full of spring vegetables, pancetta, pastina.

And while soup on a hot day might seem like a crazy choice, the light soup is flavorful while being mild and refreshing. It was a great way to ease into my main course choice.

For a main course, I had the Scaloppine di Pollo which was delicious! The buttery and delicate chicken scaloppini was covered in a savory marsala sauce with a generous portion of cremini mushrooms.

While the scaloppine was filling, it wasn’t very heavy making it a great choice for refueling before heading back into the park for the rest of the day.

I’ve never met a dessert I didn’t like, but my favorite dessert was the cannolo. With a light and crispy shell and creamy filling, this cannolo is perfection!

Finding a wine to pair with your meal at Tutto Gusto can be an experience in an of itself.

The wine selection at Tutto Gusto is extensive featuring both exclusive and hard-to-find Italian wines that can expertly paired with your selections thanks to the restaurant’s knowledgeable staff and Sommeliers.

If is your first visit or if you are returning to Tutto Italia Ristorante, the Summer Three-Course Lunch is a great reason to visit this gem known for their gorgeous décor, attentive service, and delicious cuisine.

Reservations are recommended for Tutto Italia Ristorante, and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit to Walt Disney World.

Buon appetito!

Universal Orlando Rock the Universe 2016

Rock the Universe 2016 line-up brings the best of Christian Music to the Universal Orlando Resort

Skillet, Lecrae, TobyMac and more to deliver a night of faith and fun at Universal Studios Florida

Universal Orlando will host Rock the Universe, Florida’s biggest Christian music festival, returns September 9 and 10 with live performances by some of today’s most compelling artists in Christian music.

Rock the Universe offers fans a unique opportunity to see their favorite faith-based artists in the heart of Universal Studios Florida. This year’s line-up features Billboard Music Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated rock band Skillet; two-time GRAMMY-award winner and Billboard Top 200 regular Lecrae; and Christian hip-hop legend TobyMac, who has sold more than ten million albums and has won seven GRAMMY awards since the start of his music career.

ROCK THE UNIVERSE 2016 LINE-UP
Friday, September 9	Saturday, September 10
Skillet	Lecrae
Jeremy Camp	TobyMac
Rend Collective	Family Force 5
KB	Andy Mineo
Matt Maher	Colton Dixon
Lauren Daigle	NF
Finding Favour	I Am They
DJ Promote	DJ Promote

** Names in bold indicate headlining acts.

Guests will be greeted with rock, hip-hop, and gospel sounds in an unforgettable atmosphere that only Rock the Universe can provide. The festival also features the Fan Zone with more live music, electronic dance music with DJ Promote, autograph sessions with performing acts and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to experience a Saturday night candle lighting ceremony and access to Universal Studios Florida’s thrilling attractions – like Revenge of the Mummy, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – and more.

For more details about Rock the Universe 2016, visit www.RocktheUniverse.com.

About Universal Orlando Resort
For 25 years, Universal Orlando Resort has been creating epic vacations for the entire family – incredible experiences that place guests in the heart of powerful stories and adventures. Guests can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, grab a Krusty burger in Springfield, join the ranks of the Minions and so much more.

Universal Orlando’s two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, are home to some of the world’s most exciting and innovative attractions. Its on-site resort hotels, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort are destinations unto themselves. Its entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, offers dining and entertainment for every member of the family. And just minutes away is Wet ‘n Wild, a family water park.

Universal Orlando Resort has unveiled 18 new guest experiences in the past five years – powerful attractions, incredible dining opportunities and a dramatically themed hotel. And more is on the way. Coming in 2016 is Universal Orlando’s fifth on-site hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort; and Skull Island: Reign of Kong, a groundbreaking attraction in Islands of Adventure. And in 2017 will come Universal’s Volcano Bay, an entirely new water theme park experience.

Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company. Follow us on our blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

SeaWorld Orlando News: Viva la Música 2016 Details

Viva la Música Brings Latin Beats & Flavors to Life at SeaWorld Orlando

First two Saturdays will feature Latin sensations Jerry Rivera and Víctor Manuelle

Viva la Música is sizzling back into action at SeaWorld Orlando with new flavors and some of the hottest Hispanic artists in the industry. This fiery, festive celebration runs Saturdays April 16 and 23, and May 7 and 14 and is included with park admission.

On Saturday, April 16, salsa and Latin music sensation, Jerry Rivera will take the stage. Rivera has sold more than 11 million records and has topped the Billboard chart with gold and platinum songs.

Then on Saturday, April 23, Latin Grammy winner, Víctor Manuelle will dazzle guests as he performs hit songs like “No Quería Engañarte” from his multiplatinum albums.

Viva la Música activities begin at 12 p.m. each Saturday at the Bayside pathway, with concerts starting at 3 p.m. at Bayside Stadium.

Foodies and music lovers can enjoy this family-friendly annual festival with new authentic cuisine prepared by SeaWorld’s Executive Chef Hector Colon; live concerts by these internationally acclaimed Hispanic artists and bands; and unique merchandise from local artisans that reflect the true spirit of Latin culture.

FLAVORS TO TASTE

Chef’s signature creations – New this year at Mango Joe’s is the Hamburguesa Cubana, a hamburger made with a chorizo, ground beef and pork patty. Plus, guests who visit Seafire Grill, Cypress Bakery and Mango Joe’s will find an array of Latin infused limited-time dishes.
New, savory and authentic dishes this year include:

o Piononos – Sweet plantain stuffed with traditional seasoned ground beef

o Morcilla – Traditional Latin American blood sausage

o Sorullitos – Caribbean-style fried polenta sticks

o Frituras de camarones – Skewered shrimp fritters with fried plantains

o Lechón asado – Traditional roaster pork rubbed with Caribbean spices

Some of the guests’ returning favorites include piraguas (shaved ice with tropical flavors), bacalaítos (fried salted codfish pancakes), pinchos (skewered grilled meat with fried plantains) and tripletas, a hearty sandwich made with roast pork, chicken, steak and cheese topped with potato sticks and a special sauce.
Food Sampler Package – For $25, guests looking to try an assortment of new flavors can choose from five samples of select dishes and also receive 15 percent off all food and drink purchases on the event pathway.

Pastries, desserts, beers, margaritas, mojitos, cuba libres, wine and a special house-made sparkling red sangria are also available throughout the event pathway.

SOUNDS TO HEAR

Every Saturday during Viva la Música, upbeat concerts from internationally renowned stars of reggaeton, salsa, merengue and more will take the stage at SeaWorld Orlando’s Bayside Stadium for exciting live concerts.

Scheduled performances include:

Saturday, April 16: Jerry Rivera
Saturday, April 23: Víctor Manuelle
Saturday, May 7: To be announced
Saturday, May 14: To be announced

Floor Seating Package – Starting at just $15, guests can reserve concert floor seats right in front of the stage act.

*BONUS! – Guests looking to pair their savory cuisine with the perfect Latin beats can purchase the Food Sampler + Front Row Seating Package – Starting at $45, guests can reserve a front row seat (just inches away from the artists), plus enjoy all the benefits of the food sampler package.

SIGHTS TO SEE

Jardín – Returning this year is the Viva la Música garden, providing a more relaxing environment for the entire family, but still just steps away from the main fiesta. Seating and Domino tables are available for guests to relax and enjoy in this area as well.
Mercados – Sprinkled across the event pathway will be small shops stationed with original merchandise inspired by the Latin culture and created by local artisans and artists including handmade oil paintings, organic jewelry and much more.
Festive Latin Atmosphere – The Bayside pathway will come alive with bright colors, Caribbean décor, dance floors and DJs spinning live music hits.

Viva la Música SeaWorld Orlando 2016

The best way to experience Viva la Música and all of SeaWorld’s special events throughout the year is with a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass. From now until April 24, guests who purchase a SeaWorld annual pass will also receive access to Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark for free. With an annual pass, guests will also be able to return this summer for the opening of MAKO – Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest rollercoaster.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. Follow SeaWorld on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay on the beat with Viva la Música. Join the conversation with #SeaWorld and #VivaLaMusica.

Walt Disney World Planning Tips: Before You Call

Have you ever been sitting in front of your computer wondering how to start your Walt Disney World planning?

Today we will share some hints to help make the process easier and more efficient when you call the Disney Reservation Center (407) 934-7639.

Whether if it is your first trip to Walt Disney World, first time booking a vacation for yourself, or even if you’re a seasoned pro you’ll find some useful tips!

Walt Disney World Planning Tips:

7 Things to Know Before You Call

1. Travel Dates

Try to have an idea of when you are looking to travel. Pick specific dates, know they can be changed. It is also a good idea to have a backup set of dates or know if you are even flexible by a day or two.

2. Travel Party

Have a plan of who is traveling in your party. Know how many adults, how many children (including their ages), and make sure that you include infants in your count. These can all have an impact on where you can stay and your overall cost.

3. Travel Plans

How are you planning on getting to Walt Disney World? Are you flying, driving, or coming by train? Did you know you can book airfare or rental cars or limos through Disney for one stop shopping?

4. Plan Ahead

If you can, plan your vacation as early as you possibly can. This gives you a chance to save money for your trip and possibly on your trip. Did you know you can currently book stays up to 499 days in advance of your travel dates by calling Disney directly? This can be extremely helpful if you know where you want to stay, when you want to come, especially if you’re coming at a popular time of year.

5. My Disney Experience

Do you have a My Disney Experience account?

Setting up an account online is easy and will make the reservation process efficient.

You will need a minimal amount information to setup an account at mydisneyexperience.com, and the process should take less than five minutes.

6. Contact Information

Make sure you have the contact information for those for whom you’re trying to book as you are not able to book them all under your info.

The information you will need to provide is:

legal first and last names (middle names or initials as they appear on government issued ids like license, birth certificate, or passport if flying with dates of birth for TSA),
ages of any children under 18 at the time of check in,
complete mailing addresses (street address, city, state, zip, etc.),
the best contact phone number, and
an email address.

Keep in mind Disney cannot honor surprise reservations, so they will be sending out reservation information by either email or postal mail including pricing.

7. Saving Money

Calling the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 934-7639 directly could also lead to finding ways to save that you didn’t expect.

You may find an offer that you are eligible for that you have not received yet, occasional and random room upgrade offers, packages that can only be booked over the phone such as discounts for active duty or retired military, and packages with room and dining without tickets.

Cast Members can also provide helpful suggestions and easily compare package savings over the phone between multiple offers to see which one is the best savings for your party.

I hope that these tips help you in your Walt Disney World planning!

Discovery Cove Announces New Conservation Partnership

Discovery Cove Guests Swim with the Fishes…Help Save the Reefs

Guests who swim among tropical fish at Discovery Cove in Orlando now have a new connection to the world’s oceans: When they swim in the park’s Grand Reef, or participate in the SeaVenture® underwater dive experience, they are surrounded by — and supporting – a conservation research program that aims to protect the world’s most fragile ocean reefs.

Rising Tide Conservation is an innovative initiative – started by SeaWorld and now including universities, professional aquarists, aquaculture facilities and retail pet supply companies as partners — that promotes efforts to breed and raise marine tropical fish in aquaculture facilities rather than collecting them in the wild. Collection of marine tropical fish can cause damage to both the reef and the ecosystem it sustains.

Discovery Cove directly participates in the program by collecting and donating fish eggs that otherwise would not hatch and purchasing fish that have been raised through the program. The eggs that are collected are sent to partner laboratories in the program to be utilized in breeding research.

The Grand Reef at Discovery Cove, which all guests can swim and snorkel in, is now home to hundreds of fish that have been aquacultured through this initiative, and hundreds more that are involved in the research program by providing eggs.

Additionally, new this year, guests who participate in the SeaVenture program also will directly help support Rising Tide Conservation, as the park is donating five percent of every program purchased.

“Rising Tide Conservation is a forward-thinking, innovative program that will have long-term, positive impacts on whole reef-based ecosystems and we are proud of our company’s long-held support of it,” said Discovery Cove Vice President Stewart Clark. “Now guests, too, can see firsthand – and be a part of – the efforts of multiple groups working together to help save reefs.”

Music of the Jungle Book

In honor of the new live action Jungle Book movie coming out next week, I thought I’d take a look back at the 1967 classic animated feature film and its music. This movie holds a place near and dear to many Disney fans’ hearts as one of the last films ever that Walt Disney personally had a hand in directly influencing it. The music from the Jungle Book stands out as some of the best from the Disney movies of the 1960s. The soundtrack was nominated for both an Oscar for Best Original Song for “The Bare Necessities,” and for a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children.

Colonel Hathi's March — Colonel Hathi’s March

The Mellomen, who Disney fans may know as the voices of the singing busts in the Haunted Mansion among other things, including Thurl Ravenscroft and Bill Lee, helped provide the singing voices of the Dawn Patrol elephants in “Colonel Hathi’s March” and its reprise in the Jungle Book.

The Bare Necessities was written by Terry Gilkyson, but was deemed a bit too dark in its original incarnation. Van Dyke Parks, who is a famous arranger, composer and songwriter known for working with the Beach Boys, did a new and more upbeat arrangement for the song performed by Phil Harris as Baloo and Bruce Reitherman, who was the voice of Mowgli and the son of director Wolfgang Reitherman.

Phil Harris and Louis Prima who voiced Baloo and King Louie respectively. The men improvised all the scatting that they did in the Jungle Book during their song “I Wanna Be Like You.” Both were popular jazz singers and musicians in their day.

Richard and Robert Sherman were brought in to take over as songwriters and composers after Walt Disney found the original songs from Terry Gilkyson to be too dark, although more true to the tone of the Kipling version of the Jungle Book. The Sherman Brothers repurposed a song called “Land of Sand” they had written for Mary Poppins which was not used, and turned it into “Trust In Me.” Kaa was voiced by longtime Disney veteran Sterling Holloway.

Did you know that the singing Vultures in the Jungle Book were originally intended to be voiced by the Beatles? Supposedly John Lennon nixed the idea or there was a scheduling conflict, but the appearance and voices of the vultures still are clearly inspired by the Beatles. To make the vultures have a more timeless sound, the music was changed to a barbershop quartet to sing the song “That’s What Friends Are For.” One of the Mellomen, Bill Lee, provided the singing voice of Shere Khan for the song.

The instrumental version of the song “My Own Home” is woven throughout the score of the Jungle Book. Famous Disney composer George Bruns wrote the score, while the Sherman Brothers wrote all the songs with the exception of “The Bare Necessities,” which was the only surviving song from Terry Gilkyson.

Wordless Wednesday: Hanging Out With Mickey

Wordless Wednesday – April 6, 2016

This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to Disney’s Contemporary Resort where you can hang out with Mickey and take a fun family photo.

SeaWorld Orlando News: Mako Opening & Sneak Peek #NothingFaster

SeaWorld Orlando News:

Mako Opening & Sneak Peek

Two new announcements feed the frenzy for the coming of the hypercoaster

Two announcements about the highly anticipated Mako has thrill ride enthusiasts in a frenzy!

The new coaster, which will be Orlando’s tallest, fastest, and longest hypercoaster, will take riders on an adventure like no other as the attraction now has a grand opening date of June 10, 2016.

The countdown in on!!!!!

Feeding the frenzy is a new live presentation in the park for guests who want a sneak peek starting now. The new presentation gives guests a preview of the ride design, construction and experience, and also shares interesting educational facts about sharks in the wild that need our help.

The preview presentation, called Mako Rising, is now being shown at Nautilus Theater daily at 11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Audience members enjoy complimentary snacks as they relax in the cool indoor theater and participate in the informative, interactive experience. All audience guests also will receive special in-park offers and the opportunity to win a prize during the presentation.

You can find out more about the attraction, take a look back to the unveiling of the lead car.

Quick Facts:

Opening June 10, 2016, Mako will be the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in Orlando.
Mako will be a hypercoaster, designed for speed and relentless “air time”
Orlando’s only hypercoaster lures guests to brave tight turns, stomach steep drops and endure shark-attack speeds.
Riders will soar up to 200 feet high and reach speeds up to 73 mph.
Mako will be the centerpiece of the new two-acre shark-themed realm which also includes Shark Encounter^®, Sharks Underwater Grill^®, gift shops, and shark- and shipwreck-themed educational experiences.