Happy Halloween!!!!
I thought I would share a few of my favorite pictures from around the parks and Celebration today!
I hope that you have more treats than tricks!!!
As we were walking through the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge last night, we couldn’t help but notice these great pumpkins created by the amazing Cast Members working there!!!
I especially love the one that is carved to look like the wall sconces!
It really shows how much these Cast Members love where they work and causes they care about!
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So while I was browsing around my absolute favorite store at the Downtown Disney Marketplace TrenD (Gimme a break! I have less than 2 months to make my holiday list!!!), I found tons of new and new-ish items that I am in love with and wanted to share!
Also, the comic book Dooney’s haven’t arrived. I’m still not a fan, but I want to see if my opinions change when I see them in person.
I hope that you enjoy the virtual shopping trip!!!!
If you like this, let me know and I will keep these posts coming!!!!
We moved to Celebration a little less than a year ago, so this is our first Halloween here and I am really excited about being here!!!
The first thing we got to experience was Oktoberfest. The original dates of Oktoberfest were rained out, so they gave it another shot and it was wonderful!
Living so close to downtown is a blessing and a curse during these events, because while it is hard for visiting friends to find parking near the house it is also a huge convenience to be able to walk down to the fun!
There are tons of concerts and activities during this two day event, however the highlight for Zoe was the leaves falling! Leaves fall at 7, 8, & 9 pm and you get cute little bags from the downtown merchants to catch them. It was a hoot to watch the kids (both big and small) scramble to catch these leaves!!!
Another highlight of Fall in Celebration is the Annual Pumpkin Patch at the Community Presbyterian Church in Celebration (511 Celebration Avenue), where you can purchase a pumpkin and take some great pictures to help a great cause. 100% of your pumpkin purchases benefit Help Now of Osceola, Inc, a non-profit organization that helps provide shelter and empowers survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
And right around the corner from the pumpkin patch is the pirate house! This family really knows how to do it up for Halloween!!! Every year they transform their house into a pirate ship…Enter if ye dare…
So of course, we had to get in the act!!! And with the help of some amazing friends (Thank you Tom, Emily, Todd, Cheryl, Dan, and Shalon!!!!) this weekend we carved pumpkins and started to decorate around the house for the upcoming swarm of Trick-Or-Treaters!!! I am hoping for more treats than tricks…
After Halloween things calm down to celebrate Founders Day in Celebration on November 11th, which I am really looking forward to attending!!!
And then before you know it is Thanksgiving and the snow begins to fall…but more about that later! 🙂 I want to enjoy my first fall here as long as I can!!!
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During select nights during September and October the Magic Kingdom closes early to allow guests to enjoy Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
And before we go any further, I have to say that Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is hands down my absolute FAVORITE event all year at Walt Disney World…so I might get a little excited about the party!
The Magic Kingdom has special lighting, effects, and decorations that transforms the Magic Kingdom into a Halloween Wonderland. Guests are also encouraged to dress up to add to the awesomeness of the party!
On top of the great atmosphere, there is soooo much to do!!!
Trick-or-Treating throughout the Magic Kingdom alongside my favorite attractions and specially themed trails happens throughout the party!
The Boo To You Parade starts with a super special ride from the Headless Horseman and ends with an absolutely amazing parade starring tons of characters from around the parks and movies. The parade steps off in Frontierland, and there are two parades at 8:15 pm and 10:30 pm. I strongly suggest going to the second parade, because it is less crowded!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwZEr6T3T_Y
You also have the opportunity to find rare characters, your favorite characters in special Halloween Costumes, and themed entertainment mingling among the guests.
And the night is topped off with the most amazing fireworks during Happy Hallowishes!!!
Also, don’t forget that there is party exclusive merchandise that is available during the Party! For more information about what this year’s items look like, take a peek at this post.
To look at what this year’s map looks like, click here.
There is absolutely something for everyone at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!!!! If you love Halloween, this is absolutely the place you are going to want to be!!!
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The Eat to the Beat concert series is a super cool bonus to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!
The concerts take place at the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot’s World Showcase, and the cost is included with your admission to the park. There are concerts at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
I went to my first Eat to the Beat Concert, and it was AWESOME! I can’t believe that we have skipped this during our multiple trips to Epcot during the International Food & Wine Festival. I was stoked to see Sugar Ray with Shalon, Emily, and Tom!
It was a great concert! He played all of the hits you’d expect, some you didn’t (They loved the “Play Mean Machine” signs that Shalon made…WOOT WOOT!), and then threw in a few fun extras!
I absolutely suggest going early to get a great place in line. We got there 45 minutes early, and were given a ticket to turn in that allowed us to go in early to grab some great seats. We were able to hold some seats around us, but you can’t hold up too much space. And finally, be prepared to dance and have fun!
The remaining concert line-up* for Eat to the Beat is…
The Orchestra starring former members of ELO (“Don’t Bring Me Down”): 10/20-21/11
Howard Jones (“No One is to Blame”): 10/22-23/11
Boyz II Men (“End of the Road”): 10/24-26/11
Gin Blossoms (“Hey Jealousy”): 10/27-28/11
Sister Hazel (“All for You”): 10/29-30/11
Hanson (“Give a Little”): 10/31-11/1/11
The Pointer Sisters (“He’s so Shy”): 11/2-3/11
Night Ranger (“Sister Christian”) : 11/4-6/11
Air Supply (“Lost in Love”): 11/7-8/11
Richard Marx (“Right Here Waiting”): 11/9-10/11
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Go Daddy-O”): 11/11-13/11
*= The songs I listed are for recognition and not necessarily what they will play.
I know that Sugar Ray won’t be my last Eat to the Beat concert, and I hope to see you there!!!
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Hidden among the attractions, shows, resorts, and just about any other place you can think of are Hidden Mickeys.
Hidden Mickeys are created by Imagineers and are hidden among their creations like a signature. They can take many different shapes and forms, from the traditional 3 circle mickey or even a profile of the famous mouse, but one thing remains the same…that they are there to be found and enjoyed.
Steve and Vickie Barrett have lovingly created fascinating books and an amazing site about the pursuit of finding these hidden gems.
While they might not know it, they have created a family obsessed with Hunting for Mickeys wherever we go.
I thought that I would start sharing a few of my favorites from all around Walt Disney World.
My favorite Park is Epcot, so let’s go!!!
What are some of your favorite Hidden Mickeys in Epcot?
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Being a fan of the Pirates of The Caribbean franchise, I was very excited to see the latest installment Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides come in the mail. The fourth installment of Pirates brought back many of the characters we have grown to love, Captain Jack, Barbossa and Gibbs, in this franchise with some new faces to keep a fresh edge to the story. With the departure of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) brings a bevy of new characters to play off Captain Jack. I enjoyed the addition of Angelica (Penelope Cruiz) and Blackbeard (Ian McShane) as it simplified the story to a single, more direct storyline instead of the multiple often convoluted storylines around Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan in the previous two sequels.
Even if you are not a fan of the story, like the previous films, the special effects and action sequences can easily carry the movie. From the opening scene where Jack rampages through the palace of the King with his usual eloquence, it’s a non-stop journey filled with action, adventure, and pithy one liners that we have come to expect from this amazing franchise.
Being the father of a 5 year old girl who LOVES pirates, one of the best and most troubling parts of this movie were the mermaid sequences. The visual effects and action sequences in the water were exceptionally done, but the film takes a departure from classic “Disney” depictions of mermaids. They are shown as alluring and deadly creatures that both hunt and are hunted by the pirates they encounter. The scenes around them can be somewhat scary for younger viewers who are used to mermaids like Ariel.
After seeing it for the first time in the theatre in digital 3D, I was worried that the visually stunning effects would be lost when viewed in a smaller, non 3D (as I don’t currently have a 3D TV at home…yet…HINT HINT Shelley) format. However the much more direct story line, non-stop action and over the top visual effects of On Stranger Tides entertained as it did in the theatre and made for an enjoyable night in front of the TV. In my opinion it was the best film since the original, and made for an entertaining and fun experience for the whole family.
About the Movie
The Walt Disney Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Films are proud to present the #1 worldwide box office success of 2011 – making over $1 billion globally –Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, in stunning high definition Blu-Ray, eye popping Blu-Ray 3D and Movie Download on October 18, 2011.
Setting sail on an ocean full of hi-def adventures, Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will debut in a Limited Edition 5-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-Ray 3D + 2-Disc Blu-Ray + 1-Disc DVD + 1-Disc Digital Copy), a 2-Dics Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-Ray = 1-Disc DVD), and for the ultimate fan a 15-Disc Four Movie Collection. Additionally the movie will be available in 3D and High-Definition Movie Download.
The Limited Edition 5-Disc Combo Pack includes hours of bonus materials offering fans a deeper dive inside Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides including immersive Disney Second Screen technology, exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, Fountain of Youth mythology, an extensive look at mermaids, bloopers, deleted and extended scenes, and much more.
In addition, the Pirates of the Caribbean 15-Disc Four Movie Collection offers fans more adventures than ever before. The collection is packaged in an authentic replica Pirate’s Chest, and includes a collectible map and an iconic skull disc case that holds the Bl-Ray discs and digital copies of ALL four Pirates of the Caribbean movies, along with the Blu-Ray 3D disc and DVD of Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by Rob Marshall (Nine, Chicago), and written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, National Treasure 2, Mask of Zoro), Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tidesis the latest addition to the incredibly successful Pirates of the Caribbean franchise that has for years entertained audiences of all ages with its thrilling adventures, hi-tech special effects and unique storylines.
Back as Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp returns leading a sensational cast of talents that include Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane and more.
This visually stunning film shot in high-definition 3D invites viewers to embark on an adventure-filled ride with Captain Jack Sparrow as he searches for the breathtaking Fountain of Youth. Along the turbulent trip, fans are forced to re-think their knowledge of the fairytale creatures when they are introduced to a group of alluring yet precarious mermaids, traverse isolated islands and fight international enemies.
And now for the good stuff!!!! How to enter to win a copy of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides on Blu-Ray!!!
Here is how you can enter to win…You don’t have to do them all, but the more you do the more chances you have to win!!! 🙂
1. Leave a comment on this post letting me know what your pirate name would be if you were in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
2. Leave a comment that you have gone to Facebook and “Liked” On the Go in MCO.
3. Leave a comment that you follow @onthegoinmco on Twitter.
4. Leave a comment that you have tweeted the Secret Pirate Code: ‘I want to win a copy of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides on Blu Ray from @onthegoinmco – www.onthegoinmco.com’
You can enter to win a copy of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides on Blu-Ray until MIDNIGHT on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2011.
The winner will be chosen by using the number of comments on www.random.org, and I will be announcing and contacting the winner on MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011. So please make sure to enter your email address on your entries!!!
*** UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS BETSY!!!!! YOU’VE WON!!!! ***
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8LiAJBRWpQ
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2-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray™ + 1-Disc DVD)
SRP = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
• Disney Second Screen
• Bloopers of the Caribbean
• Audio Commentary by director Rob Marshall
• LEGO Animated Shorts: Captain Jack’s Brick TalesLimited Edition 5-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray 3D™ + 2-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD + 1-Disc Digital Copy)
SRP = $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada
All of the above features plus…
• Legends of On Stranger Tides
• In Search of the Fountain
• Last Sail/First Voyage
• Under the Scene: Bringing Mermaids to Life
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Intros by director Rob Marshall
Limited Edition 15-Disc Four Movie Collection
SRP = $169.99 U.S./$189.99 Canada
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2-Disc Blu-ray+1-Disc Digital Copy )
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2-Disc Blu-ray+1-Disc Digital Copy )
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2-Disc Blu-ray+1-Disc Digital Copy)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (1-Disc Blu-ray 3D +2-Disc Blu-ray+Digital Copy+1-Disc DVD)
• 1-Disc Blu-ray bonus disc that includes all-new never-before-seen short film “Wedlocked”
• Authentic replica Pirate’s Chest, a collectible map and an iconic skull disc case.
• And much more…High Definition Movie Download
SRP = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
• Bloopers of the Caribbean
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Intros by director Rob Marshall
• LEGO Animated Shorts: Captain Jack’s Brick Tales3D Movie Download
SRP = $49.99 U.S./$56.99 CanadaDisc Specifications:
STREET DATE: October 18, 2011
Rating: U.S. = PG-13 (Not Recommended for Young Children & Frightening Scenes)
Canada = PG (Not Recommended for Young Children & Frightening Scenes)
**Bonus Material Not RatedPresentation: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray = 1080p High Definition 2.40:1
DVD = Widescreen 2.40:1 – Enhanced for 16×9 TelevisionsAudio/Language: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HD MA (48kHz/24-bit), English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 DVS Dolby Digital, French, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital (3D Blu-ray), French, Spanish 7.1 DTS0HD HR (Blu-ray)
DVD = English, French, Spanish 5.1 Dolby DigitalSubtitles: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray = English SDH, French, Spanish
DVD = English SDH, French Spanish
**applies to film content only
Generally when new movies come in for review, it means a light hearted night on the couch with my daughter and a bowl of popcorn. When Disneynature’s African Cats came, the situation was a little different. Unlike most movies we watch, African Cats depicts real creatures in their life and death struggles as they survive and care for their young in a harsh environment.
African Cats takes viewers deep into the breathtaking African savanna to witness the heart-stopping rivalry between two lion prides and the epic journey of one brave cheetah family. Shot over the course of two and a half years using state-of-the-art camera equipment, African Cats captures the awe-inspiring beauty of one of the wildest places on Earth as it tells the dramatic and often intimate stories of Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion clan.
Although the documentary depicts these very real conflicts between rival animals, Disney does a very good job making them friendly and very accessible to children. They provide a wealth of opportunities to acquaint younger viewers with these animals in a realistic manner, while leaving room for discussion and growth.
An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determinations of these majestic kings of the savanna in an exciting, heartwarming and visually stunning tale that is sure to engage children and adults alike. The film is narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson and directed by Alastair Fothergill (Disneynature EARTH) and Keith Scholey.
In addition to the film, the discs include an incredible array of bonus features that take viewers deeper into the savanna through extensive interactive behind-the-scenes footage including filmmaker and conservationist interviews, an incredibly touching music video featuring Jordin Sparks singing “The World I Knew,” plus a look at the global efforts to which The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund contributes.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTVk5cmhQxk
Bonus Features
DVD:
BLU-RAY
Everything on the DVD, plus…
MOVIE DOWNLOAD
Everything on the DVD, plus…
LEGOLAND Florida….Oh, LEGOLAND Florida…I have struggled about how I feel about you, and I have to be honest and say that after some careful consideration I am still confused about how I feel about us. So let’s take this one step at a time…
Rides & Attractions
There are ten themed zones at LEGOLAND Florida that are chocked full of Rides and Attractions that offer “Pink Knuckle” thrills.
“The entire LEGOLAND experience is designed for families with kids ages 2 to 12, so there’s no longer any reason to delay the decision to take that first family theme park vacation,” said Adrian Jones, LEGOLAND Florida general manager. “Our highly immersive rides and experiences are designed to encourage children and their parents to play together, and are perfect for creating cherished memories for every member of the family.”
One thing to consider when looking at the number of Rides and Attractions at LEGOLAND Florida is the age group that they are designed to entertain. This means that a lot of their rides go at a slower pace, and are not very thrilling. Another careful consideration is the size and scale to which they are built. The Rides & Attractions were definitely sized for children to enjoy, the seats are smaller and the details are at lower levels which at times made it uncomfortable to experience for adults.
Our interactions with the Model Citizens of LEGOLAND Florida manning the Rides and Attractions were amazing! Since a lot of the Rides and Attractions require guests to ‘work’, they are great at cheering you on to pedal faster or push harder.
My biggest problem with the Rides and Attractions at LEGOLAND Florida was that their load/unload process was extremely slow. I am hoping that this is just because this is relatively new process to the model citizens of LEGOLAND. However the Rollercoasters had only one car running, except for the LEGO TECHNIC® Test Track Coaster, and the automated times between cars on other Rides and Attractions were slow, like on The Lost Kingdom Adventure.
One thing to definitely experience is the Factory Tour in FUN TOWN. There you will be able to watch a short fun film about how LEGOS are made, followed by a very cute re-enactment of they are REALLY made. As a bonus, at the end of your tour you will receive a very special and free gift.
Zoe absolutely enjoyed the Rides & Attractions, and at the end of the day that is what matters the most! Her favorites were Coastersaurus, AQUAZONE® Wave Racers, and The Ford Driving School.
Shows
Our day at LEGOLAND Florida was super full and went by entirely too quickly!
With our hectic schedule, we only got to watch The Pirates Cove Live Water Ski Show at Pirates’ Cove.
Pirates’ Cove is nestled along the beautiful shores of Lake Eloise, and is the home to some swashbuckling LEGO ‘mini-fig’ pirates who star in “The Battle for Brickbeard’s Bounty”, a live action, water-stunt show that is full of action, fun, and most importantly water-skiing!!!
The show itself was really entertaining and cute! And the water skiing elements were really well placed and executed. I can’t imagine how hard it is to get those flips right all of the time!!!
My only wish was that the story featured Miranda as more of a strong female lead who didn’t have to be ‘saved’ when things didn’t go as well as she hoped with Brickbeard the Pirate.
Dining
There were definitely a lot of counter service options at LEGOLAND Florida, from burgers to healthier entrees using ingredients that are locally grown.
Another option was an all you can eat pizza and pasta buffet that was really reasonably priced.
The signature snack of LEGOLAND Florida is Granny’s Apple Fries that can be found in FUN TOWN. These are Granny Smith apples that are lightly fried, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and served with icing. I didn’t get the chance to try them…but I will next time!!!
Also, there is a real coffee shop located just inside of the Market Restaurant in THE BEGINNING.
Services and Model Citizens
LEGOLAND Florida offers all of the things that you would come to expect from a theme park.
Stroller rental is located at the front of the park, $9 for a single and $14 for a double, alongside of the locker rental area, package pick-up, and photo (pictures are taken on rides and by photographers located around the park) area.
The Annual Pass Center is also located inside the park at THE BEGINNING with Lost Parents and Ticket Upgrades.
First Aid is located near The Factory Tour in FUN TOWN, and there is a Pet Kennel located outside of the front gates.
Again, every Model Citizen of LEGOLAND Florida that we encountered was extremely helpful and friendly. This was a gigantic plus, and made things more enjoyable!
My Favorite Part…
I have to say that my absolute favorite part of LEGOLAND Florida was the MINILAND area.
I could seriously stay here all day and take pictures!!! The detail and craftsmanship that went into this area is absolutely mind blowing!!!
I will be doing a post in the near future of all of my favorite pictures, but here are a few to tide you over…
My Biggest Concern…
The cost of admission, $75 plus tax for ages 13+ and $65 plus tax for ages 3-12/60+, seems a little steep. While it is less than Disney, I feel like it is a little too high once you factor in travel and daily costs of visiting a park that is 45 minutes away.
Also the Annual Passes are a better value if you plan on visiting often, but without a payment plan I have a feeling a lot of people might balk at the purchase price. In Florida, where many of us have several annual passes, we are used to having this option, and hopefully it is one that LEGOLAND Florida will re-visit and offer in the future.
What I’m Hoping…
I really hope that LEGOLAND Florida succeeds and continues to grow! I really enjoyed a lot of our experiences during our day, but I feel like there is still a lot of tweaking that still needs to be done in terms of park operations.
Also I am looking forward to experiencing the upcoming Special Events at LEGOLAND Florida around the holiday Season.
In Conclusion
While I loved a lot of what LEGOLAND Florida had to offer, I find that I am still wanting more from my time there.
Maybe this will come from spending more time there…or maybe having a better idea of what to expect…
Right now, I know that I need more time to think and I want to see what more you are willing to bring to the table before I make my final decision.
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While I have already posted my review of The Lion King: Diamond Edition on Blu-Ray. I thought I would do a review of the Disney Second Screen feature and while I was at it throw in an opportunity to win a copy of your own!!!
The Disney Second Screen takes the movie watching experience to a whole new level by letting viewers to explore the story behind the film perfectly synched on a second device, like an iPad™ or laptop.
The Disney Second Screen app is free on iTunes, and allows users to interact with their Blu-ray™ player in an awesome way. Once the app is downloaded and you start the Blu-ray movie, you will then be prompted to sync the Second Screen to the film automatically. The directions were super easy to follow! Then when everything is synced up you will be able to access interactive galleries, play games, and learn interesting facts about the scenes they’re watching.
While the The Lion King Diamond Edition, is the third Disney title to feature the Second Screen technology, the experience has been kicked up a notch with the addition of some new Second Screen features.
There is an “ink” function that has been added to the Ink & Paint feature that lets you become the animator and trace designs of favorite characters, step by step. On the “paint” side you can color the characters in greater detail using pinch and zoom within 13 ink and paint games
Also, the Second Screen goes social with features connected to Facebook and Twitter that allow you to “like”, check-in and share messages from characters and earn 21 achievements and rewards:
Other features include:
Alright, now I am sure that you are wondering how you can win your own copy of The Lion King: Diamond Edition on Blu-Ray!
It is SUPER easy, and there are ways to have multiple entries!!!
1. Leave a comment on this post letting me know who your favorite character is from The Lion King.
2. Leave a comment that you have gone to Facebook & ‘Liked’ On the Go in MCO.
3. Leave a comment that you follow @onthegoinmco.
4. Leave a comment that you have tweeted the following message: ‘I want to win a copy of The Lion King on Blu Ray from @onthegoinmco – www.onthegoinmco.com #itsthateasy’
You can enter to win a copy of The Lion King: Diamond Edition on Blu-Ray until MIDNIGHT on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011.
The winner will be chosen by using the number of comments on www.random.org, and I will be announcing and contacting the winner on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2011. So please make sure to enter your email address on your entries!!!
Have fun entering and I hope you enjoy my first contest!!!!
UPDATE October 13, 2011: Congratulations to Rich Miller who won the contest!!!!!
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This year the Food and Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel returns for the second year on October 7th and 8th expanding their food, wine, festival offerings and Celebrity Chef Experiences.
Once again, the event will include an outdoor festival featuring culinary selections from the Orlando hotel’s award-winning restaurants and lounges, as well as a series of beverage seminars taught by the hotel’s certified experts.
This year there are going to be additional educational experiences that will be offered during the outdoor festival, an expanded variety of food and drink options and an opportunity to meet celebrity chef Todd English.
In the outdoor festival, you will be able to find more than 30 stations that will offer attendees plenty of opportunity to indulge in the best of both food and drink that the Swan and Dolphin Restaurants have to offer. The restaurants included in this year’s appetizing selections are Shula’s Steak House, Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Todd English’s bluezoo.
A closer look at the Food and Wine Classic Food Booth offerings can be found here.
Beverage stations will also provide educational experiences and feature offerings such as wine, sake, beer and cocktails created using liquid nitrogen. Wines from various regions from around the world will be offered including France, Italy, California and Australia.
To finish, guests can delight in a selection of desserts from the only two-time World Pastry Champion, Laurent Branlard, the hotel’s executive pastry chef.
If that isn’t enough, during the festival there will be live musical performances from The Groove Masters, Four Divo, The Current, and The Beu Sisters.
Those looking for a more in-depth experience can choose from a variety of hour-long beverage seminars taught by certified wine sommeliers and beer and cocktail specialists from the hotel’steam. Attendees will learn drink origins, pairing tips and enjoy an informative tasting experience.
Seminars will be offered both evenings and include Wine Blending; Modern Mixology; Riesling Rendezvous; Base to Bubbles; Beer, Please! and All Things Sake. A new seminar offering, Spanish Wines, will teach guests about Spanish wine regions and creative Spanish wine blends.
Throughout the evening, attendees will have additional opportunities to learn about beverage through a Cocktail 101 recurring class that will take place during the outdoor festival.
With 17 restaurants and lounges, a distinguished culinary and beverage team and unmatched customer service, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program. The hotel features more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including organic and rare vintages.
Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually.
For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or by calling 1-800-227-1500.
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