Today’s moment of cuteness comes from Busch Gardens Tampa where they welcomed a new member of the their animal family.
A newborn aardvark at Busch Gardens Tampa is stealing the hearts of its caretakers, who are helping bottle feed the baby, which they characterize as unusual looking but adorable.
httpv://youtu.be/XUzCjQ7RlPs
The baby aardvark was born Sept. 18, 2015. It is healthy and is currently being cared for by its mother Izzy. While mother Izzy forages at night, the Busch Gardens animal care team bottle feeds the baby and monitors its health through routine check-ups.
This is Busch Gardens’ fifth successful aardvark birth and is part of the park’s participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
Newborn aardvarks are sometimes referred to as “ugly cute” with elongated noses, large floppy ears and hairless, wrinkly skin. After two weeks, the folds of skin disappear and, around three weeks, the ears will begin to stand upright.
The baby’s sex will be determined within the next few weeks, along with the team’s decision on a name.
The mother and baby are currently behind-the-scenes at Busch Gardens. The baby will be part of Busch Gardens’ animal ambassador program, helping to educate guests about this species and their counterparts in the wild.
Celebration Kicks off Ninth Annual Oktoberfest with Falling Leaves on October 23 & 24, 2015
Celebration Town Center brings the colors, sights, and sounds of fall to central Florida once again for its 9th annual Oktoberfest celebration on October 23 & 24, 2015!
During Oktoberfest in Celebration, you can watch the fall leaves drop onto Market Street and enjoy a lakeside view while listening to live music all while enjoying this one-of-a-kind themed event.
Starting Friday, October 23rd, Oktoberfest will get kick started with a traditional German experience, featuring the sounds of Dan Witucki & Heimatland Musikanten. Come watch and join in with this interactive, life show, featuring German customs such as yodeling, sing-a-long fun, and much more!
Dan Witucki Band
On Saturday October 24th, the celebration continues as Celebration Town Center puts on, “Rocktoberfest.” Music will be performed live by Jordyn Kane, and the amazing The Jonnie Morgan Band. Come and ring in the fall season this year in Celebration with one of the most family-friendly and fun Oktoberfest celebrations in the southeast!
Jordyn KaneThe Jonnie Morgan Band
There is something for everyone in the family. Hop on a hayride, dance to terrific live music, paint a pumpkin, or just stroll and enjoy the crisp fall air and enjoy the great savings at the lakeside promenade.
DJ Tami
Leaves fall daily at 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 PM.
Of course, as always, Parking and Admission are FREE!!!
There is something for everyone at this one of a kind Fall Festival presented by Lexin and sponsored in part by Sam Adams, Axis Magazine, The Celebration Town Tavern, and Experience Kissimmee.
A Scaredy Cat Visits Legends: A Haunting at Old Town
Hi! My name is Shelley and I am a Scaredy Cat. I don’t like horror movies, and the thought of visiting a Haunted Attraction made me break out in hives until earlier this year.
When I was invited to experience Legends: A Haunting at Old Town, I decided that it was finally time to face my fears for the first time!
Legends: A Haunting at Old Town is a year-round Haunted Attraction located at in Kissimmee that combines live actors, detailed sets, and intense special effects to create an atmosphere of fear and fun.
Ashdown and Son’s Undertakers have been offering their funeral services to the people of Old Town since 1889, and unfortunately the living aren’t good for business and sometimes they have to help find new business in unconventional ways.
Guests to the Ashdown and Son’s Undertakers visit in small groups for an incredibly personal tour and intimate exploration of the various levels (and inhabitants) of the building.
“It seems the dead won’t stay dead and those brave enough to venture into the haunted funeral parlor of the Ashdown’s might find themselves trapped between the wickedness of the living and the wrath of the dead.”
I had an absolute blast facing my fears at Legends: A Haunting at Old Town, and now I am ready to start testing my limits further!
Over the years several friends have given me some great advice about making the most of my Haunted Attraction Experience, and here are the ones that worked the best for me!
Tips for Scaredy Cats experiencing a Haunted Attractions from a Scaredy Cat:
1. Don’t go alone – Make sure that you visit a haunted attraction with a group of people that you can trust as you will be in a situation where you won’t be incredibly comfortable at first.
2. Be Prepared – Before you visit your Haunted Attraction, make sure that you visit their site so you have an idea of what you will come face-to-face with and also you’ll find tips to make your experience more enjoyable.
3. Breathe – When you go into a room that really gives you the ‘heebee jeebees’, take an extra moment to take a breath and remind yourself that you are okay and in control.
4. Try to stay calm – Now this seems terribly counterintuitive, but the scream actors are going to go after those that will garner the biggest payoff…so don’t be that guy!
5. So I can’t scream? – NO! Scream, jump, and panic! Just try to make sure you find some way to calm yourself when you feel like you are outside of your comfort zone. When I had moments where I felt out of control, I took a moment and rubbed my hands together to take myself out of the intensity of the moment.
6. Have fun! – Remember you are taking part of this haunted attraction to have fun and bond with your friends.
If you are curious as to if you can handle Haunted Attractions, Legends: A Haunting at Old Town is a great environment to test your limits!
Legends: A Haunting at Old Town is year round Thursday – Sunday, and since the group sizes are so small reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (407) 883-0859. You can find great information, special offers, and more by visiting their website.
Madame Tussauds Orlando Gets Happy with Arrival of Pharrell William’s Figure
Madame Tussauds Orlando has rolled out the red carpet for its newest celebrity wax figure with the arrival of Pharrell Williams, 11-time Grammy Award winner, singer, producer, fashion designer, and coach for NBC’s The Voice.
Pharrell is styled in the same outfit he wore when he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is wearing a jacket from his own brand, Billionaire Boys Club, accessorized with jewelry from Chanel, and his hat is a custom creation from French hat maker Nick Fouquet, which features a match, the fashion designer’s signature trademark. The figure is featured inside the music room of the new wax attraction.
Pharrell’s first figure was unveiled earlier this year at Madame Tussauds New York, styled in his infamous Vivienne Westwood mountain hat from his performance at the 2014 Grammy Awards. Madame Tussauds artists and sculptors spent months on research to create the most accurate representation of the Happy and Get Lucky singer.
Pharrell has worked with some of the top talents in the music world, including Britney Spears, Daft Punk, Kanye West and Snoop Dog. The music industry has honored Pharrell with 11 Grammy Awards (including 2004’s and 2014’s Producer of the Year) and the ASCAP’s prestigious Golden Note Award in 2012. Billboard named him Producer of the Decade in 2010. He also received a 2014 Academy Award Nomination for his original song Happy, featured in the animated film Despicable Me 2.
Madame Tussauds is world-renowned for the creation of detailed and lifelike wax figures that pay homage to A-list celebrities from film and television, sports icons, musicians from all genres, and notable figures from history and pop culture. Each Madame Tussauds figure is truly a work of art, involving teams of professional artists and sculptors who spend months on extensive research and take more than 300 measurements to recreate world-famous icons, to achieve the kind of astonishing realism that has been at the heart of the 250-year Madame Tussauds legacy.
Guests at Madame Tussauds Orlando will experience the essence of America with this brand new, immersive and interactive wax experience, bursting with family fun and world-class entertainment, as they move through themed areas meeting all of their favorite stars from award-winning film actors, to historical and modern world leaders, sports stars, music legends as well as figures important to Florida. All visitors can shake hands with the president, get on stage with rock stars and pop princesses, or get up close and personal with a Hollywood heartthrob and take the ultimate selfie! For more information, visit www.madametussauds.com/orlando.
Shelley and I went to the grand opening of the Indiana Jones movie themed Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar a few weeks ago. You can check out her post on it here. Today I’d like to focus on a few of my favorite details that tie in to the Indiana Jones movies. I will focus primarily on the original trilogy of movies. If you aren’t familiar, Jock was Indy’s pilot in the first movie in the series, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Jock helped rescue Indy in the opening sequence from the South American tribe that was chasing him when he finds the idol. When the adventurous Dr. Jones jumps into Jock’s plane, we first learn of Indy’s fear of snakes, when he is introduced to Jock’s pet snake, Reggie.
Reggie is one of the more prominent characters, or evidence of the snake is rather. You can see this is the slightly pryed open cage that Reggie once resided in, as well as the potent looking libation glowing in a container on the bar labeled “Reggie’s Revenge.”
Reggie’s empty cageReggie’s Revenge drinkReggie’s Revenge in the menu
Much of the menu itself is inside jokes taken straight from the Indiana Jones movies. In addition to some of the more overt things like the menu items themselves, there are a bunch of hidden gems in Jock’s notes on the edges of the menu pages, and a few others I’ll point out.
Loosely translated to: Mr. jock , Your friend is in a very dangerous and full of deceit way. The idol Chachapoyan awaits those who come through their ancient temple , but beware, the natives are welcoming and the French is worse
This post card might raise some red flags for anyone who can read Spanish and who has seen the opening of the Raiders of the Lost Ark. In the movie, Indy is betrayed when he is looking for the idol and the Hovito tribe is loyal to the Frenchman Belloq, who is a longtime rival of Dr. Jones. I wonder if Jock got this in time and that’s why he was there to rescue Indy with his plane?
The allergy menu has the list of food items, many of which have direct ties to the movies
Good Dates refer to the bad ones eaten by the Nazi monkey in Cairo in Raiders. Air Pirates refers to the shirt in Jock’s plane in Raiders when he rescues Indy. Rolling Boulder Sliders refer to the opening of Raiders when Indy escapes the rolling boulder while trying to procure the idol. Snack of Ra refers to the Staff of Ra used the help find the Lost Ark. Tanis is the lost city where the Holy Grail is located in Last Crusade. Dr. Elsa Schneider is the Nazi who seduces Dr. Jones Jr. and Sr. in Last Crusade. Brody’s Brats refer to Marcus Brody who appears in both Raiders and Last Crusade. Lao Che’s Revenge is in reference to the owner of the Obi-Wan Night Club in Temple of Doom. Squid! Why’d it have to be Squid?! is a play on Indy’s same line replacing snakes with squid (probably at Reggie’s request).
This refers to when Indy and Short Round are stuck in the tunnels in the Pankot Palace in Temple of DoomAnything Goes signature drink and glass refer to Willie the night club singer at Club Obi Wan in Temple of DoomHovito Mojito is named after the tribe of natives chasing Indy at the beginning of RaidersPretty sure the Bitter Barkeep is referencing Marion Ravenwood, but also good advice at the top of the pageGerman Mechanic bites the dust in Raiders by way of the plane propellerThe Scottish Professor is in honor of Dr. Henry Jones Sr. in Last CrusadeCool-Headed Monkey must taste better than the monkey brains they tried to serve in Temple of Doom
Above the bar you can see Jock’s beloved New York Yankees hat hanging from a shelf. On another shelf you’ll see the voodoo dolls of Indy, Willie and Short Round from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Just below that is the lighter that Indy used in the Last Crusade movie where he was tied up with his dad in the castle with the Nazis.
Jock’s Yankees hat he wears in RaidersVoodoo dollsIndy’s lighter
The map behind the bar shows stamps and trails and Jock’s expeditions around the globe with and without Indy. For instance, you can see a depiction of the Shankara stones from the Temple of Doom movie seen near Nepal on the map.
Map of Jock’s adventuresSee the Shankara Stones from Temple of Doom?
Beside the bar in the locked up lost and found cage are a few more nods to the movies. The headpiece from the Staff of Ra from Raiders of the Lost Ark is sitting near the bottom left. There are a slew of keys labeled for characters like Marcus Brody, Willie, etc. on the half empty key rack. I’d also like to think that one of the umbrellas in the stand is one that Henry Jones Sr. used to scare away the birds into the propellers of the Nazis trying to attack him and Indy in Last Crusade.
Lost and FoundHeadpiece from the Staff of Ra in Raiders
There are three posters in the bar representing the original trilogy of movies and some of their locations with one for Cairo in the loft above the main entry doors. There’s another one for Pankot Province around the corner to the left after you enter. The third is at the end of a bookcase marking the end of the fuselage of the plane on the left that has a poster of Iskenderun.
Cairo poster representing travel there in RaidersPankot Province poster with the tagline “You’ll Leave Your Heart In Beautiful Pankot” subtly referring the fact the Mola Ram will remove your heartIskenderun poster with the headline “Choose Wisely Fly There” referring to the knight’s advice to Indy to choose wisely when picking the Holy Grail in Last Crusade
In addition to the Indiana Jones movies, there are a couple of other movies that get nods in Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. One is the Iron Man on the loft above the bar. The other is a mention of R2-D2 from Star Wars and Captain Rex from Star Tours 1.0. Supposedly there’s another Star Wars reference that I missed, but I’ll have to go back again and search for that.
The Iron ManStar Wars references
I’m sure there are many more movie tie ins, but I don’t want to spoil them all for you. It is fun to discover some on your own, plus the cast members are usually all too willing to share if they know some hidden secrets that the Imagineers have snuck in the decor. There are even things that reference the Jungle Cruise, Hall of Presidents, and the Adventurer’s Club, but I will let you find those yourself. Definitely make a trip for yourself to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs to check out this fantastically themed new addition.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana Finds Her Voice
14-Year-Old Native Hawaiian Newcomer Auli’i Cravalho Cast as the Voice of Film’s Title Character
Ever since the D23 Expo’s Animation Presentation, I have been patiently waiting for more information about Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana and I am stoked that the wait is over!
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” has found her voice following a worldwide search to cast the film’s title character. Native Hawaiian newcomer Auli’i Cravalho, 14, joins Dwayne Johnson in the big-screen adventure about a spirited and fearless teenager named Moana (voice of Cravalho) who, with help from demi-god Maui (voice of Johnson), sets out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder.
httpv://youtu.be/pylCYlsjEK0
While hundreds of talented people from across the Pacific Islands were eager to try out for the role, Cravalho set her sights firmly on her sophomore year of high school. “I didn’t think I would have a chance,” she said. “When I was little, I used to dance around the house singing at the top of my lungs. In my mind, that was performing and I loved the feeling of it. But I never imagined being in a Disney movie, being Moana—representing my culture in that way.”
“Auli’i demonstrated a certain fearlessness in her auditions and call-backs,” said director John Musker. “She has a playful, mischievous wit. She can project vulnerability, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all by the challenges ahead, and her Polynesian background has helped shape her connection to family, hard work and music. These are all qualities she shares with Moana.”
“Moana is a vibrant, tenacious 16-year-old growing up on an island where voyaging is forbidden,” added director Ron Clements. “But Moana has been drawn to the ocean since she can remember and is desperate to find out what’s beyond the confines of her island.”
I seriously have goosebumps as I sit here thinking about how much I am looking forward to Moana!!!
If you don’t know much about Moana, let me catch you up…
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”),
Moana sails into U.S. theaters on November 23, 2016, but make sure that you like Moana on Facebook to keep up with the latest news!
Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival once again plays host to the Party for the Senses in World Showplace each Saturday night in October. This Grand Tasting Event is one of the most popular events of the entire festival and has been for years now. This past weekend was my first chance to experience this party first hand. The event is from 7:00 until 9:30pm and does require admission to Epcot in addition to the party ticket. It is a sensory experience, with the party focusing on smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound. From dozens of different food and beverage offerings to music and performances by Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba cast, your senses will certainly be stimulated by the Party for the Senses.
Some things to know before you go to the party that might be helpful: There are three types of tickets to this event. First is general admission, which runs $169. including alcohol for guests age 21 and up and taxes. This gives you access to the party starting at 7pm, but no seating guaranteed. There are high top tables, but not necessarily seats to go with them, so if you are going with this option, get here early so you can be first in line to get in. Guests were checking in around 5:30pm when we arrived, so be prepared to stand and wait for a couple hours before the party starts if you want to be first in line to get a table. The next option, which is what I’d recommend, is to get a reserved table for $199. per person. In addition to guaranteed seating, you also get early access at 6:45pm, and a cocktail to kick off the party. The third option is the Wine View Lounge, which is a separate section in the middle of the floor, right in front of the stage. These tickets are $319. each and include early access at 6:45pm and the special cocktail to start. Also included is a private reserved table, premium bar access, and an artisanal cheese station.
Waiting area before the PartyStations set up in World ShowPlaceReserved area for Wine View LoungeMenu and place setting
My guest and I were seated in a reserved section just adjacent to the main stage where we found it to be convenient to the stations spread out around the World ShowPlace building. We decided early on that we would attack this like we do Food and Wine kiosks where we pace ourselves and split all of the tastes between us. This allows us to enjoy more and not fill up since we are doing half of everything. We then went back for some favorites to get seconds since some were that amazing.
The party features prominent chefs from all over the country as well as Disney chefs from all over property to showcase individual tastes. Some were quite simple with just a taste of one or two items together, and others were magnificently constructed compilations of almost a dozen ingredients combined. If you get a chance to go, remember to pace yourself. This is a two and a half hour event and I didn’t see any of the dozens of stations run out of food or drink.
Pistachio macaronChocolate displayChefs at their station ready to serveView of the floor
One thing that we found extremely helpful was the menu that we got that was color coded to the location on the floor, which made finding specific items you hadn’t tried yet easier to track down. We tried every main food item, missed one of the cheese stations, the dessert with pistachios was skipped since I’m allergic, and I think I skipped the chocolate station. Other than that, we tried everything in the way of food at least once. Since I was driving I limited my alcohol intake to the cocktail at the beginning, which was a nice dry white sparkling wine, and a fantastic strawberry-lime cider from Sweden. My guest on the other hand, took it upon herself to sample quite a few of the wines.
For those who have any food allergies, it is very important that you ask at each individual station if you have any concerns. I mentioned I avoided one of the desserts since it was labeled on the menu with pistachios, but I did find one other location that didn’t list them as an ingredient, but I saw green nuts and figured I’d ask. I was glad I did because they were able to make me the dish without the pistachios and it ended up being one of my favorites of the night.
We grazed through the night sampling dozens of great food items and eventually musicians from Cirque du Soleil took to the stage to sing and perform selections from La Nouba. Later into the evening some of the clowns and other performers mingled on the floor interacting with guests. Towards the end of the night, about six or so of the La Nouba gymnasts and acrobats joined the clowns on stage to replace the musicians. They put on parts of the show, if you’ve ever seen La Nouba or commercials for it, the section with the trampoline and gymnasts going into the house facade with windows, bouncing in and around them and up to the roof. It is quite amazing to see them perform this inside the smaller height of the World ShowPlace building compared to their auditorium at Disney Springs.
Cirque du Soleil musiciansCirque du Soleil gymnastsClowns bouncing aroundI liked how they also had screens all around the room so you could see the stage no matter where you were seated
Once we had completed the list of all the bites we wanted to try, we went back for a few of our favorites before heading out. The party allows you to take home your wine glass, which is the 20th Anniversary edition for the Food and Wine festival. We felt completely full, but not overstuffed with the many appetizers we had tried. Some of our favorites were the Lobster Lo Maine, the roasted cauliflower, the bison, and the lamb with roasted potatoes.
Lobster Lo MaineRoasted cauliflowerBisonRoasted lamb and potatoes
Overall it was a fantastic evening of friends, food, fun, entertainment, and trying new things. I am not particularly a fan of lamb or cauliflower, but these ended up being two of my favorite dishes of the entire night. I got to try a sip of the Chewtini that is being offered at the Food and Wine kiosks to celebrate the show the Chew. The music was great, and I didn’t get too scared of the clowns since I knew what to expect having seen La Nouba before.
This is a fantastic way to spend an evening with friends or family enjoying sips and bites from different restaurants all over the country and even world. We even timed our exit just right to come out a few minutes before Illuminations started, and if you come early, you also get the chance to see the Eat to the Beat Concert. I highly suggest that you try to book this soon if it isn’t already sold out, and if it is, add it to your calendar of must dos for next year. The Party for the Senses is a great way to experience Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival in a unique way where you can sit in air conditioning, and enjoy many different offerings for food and beverages while being entertained by the Cirque du Soleil cast.
Monsters Are On The Loose This Halloween At Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Celebrate the Halloween season with the new, frightfully delicious Monster doughnuts – perfect for sharing with the ghouls and goblins in your life now through October 31 at the following Central Florida Krispy Kreme Doughnuts locations:
“There’s no better way to celebrate the Halloween season than with KrispyKreme,” said Dwayne Chambers, KrispyKreme Doughnuts’ chief marketing officer. “Our guests will love the new monster doughnuts we added to this year’s Halloween sweet treat collection. Along with the pumpkin doughnut and spider web doughnut, we’ve created a unique and delicious way to celebrate Halloween.”
the new Monster doughnut, which is a Kreme filled shell dipped in either electric purple or ghoulish green icing and hand-decorated with white icing and sugar eyes in a variety of six monster faces
the Pumpkin doughnut, a pumpkin-shaped, Kreme filled doughnut topped with orange colored icing with a hand-decorated jack-o-lantern face
the Spider Web doughnut, a Kreme filled doughnut topped with chocolate icing and a spider web design.
Save the Date: Get a FREE doughnut when you wear your costume in store on October 31.
For those not daring enough to try the Monster doughnuts, KrispyKreme Doughnuts’ line of fall flavors are also available now through Nov. 26 including the New Salted Caramel Latte and New Salted Caramel Latte Doughnut, as well as the very popular Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut.
*The Salted Caramel Latte and Pumpkin Spice Latte are available hot, iced or frozen exclusively at the KrispyKreme Millenia shop.*
About KrispyKreme
KrispyKreme Doughnuts is a global retailer of premium-quality sweet treats, including its signature Original Glazed® doughnut. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Company has offered the highest-quality doughnuts and great-tasting coffee since it was founded in 1937. KrispyKremeDoughnuts is proud of its Fundraising program, which for decades has helped non-profit organizations raise millions of dollars in needed funds. The Company has more than 1,000 retail shops in 24 countries. Connect with all things KrispyKreme® at www.KrispyKreme.com, or on one its many social media channels, including www.Facebook.com/KrispyKreme, and www.Twitter.com/KrispyKreme.
New this year to Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival is the French Family Meal Traditions Special Event. This lunch is hosted by Eric Weistroffer, manager of the French Pavilion at Epcot, and takes place in the restaurant Monsieur Paul. This premium event is a nice leisurely lunch that lasts from about noon until 3:30pm. The five course meal is accompanied by Eric describing how the meal correlates to the French Family Meal Traditions. I had the opportunity to experience this incredible French meal on the day it started and I highly recommend that you book this special event if you can.
The meal started with an aperitif cocktail and cheese sticks. We were also presented with fresh baked bread and butter which helped to cleanse the palate between courses. The cheese sticks were twists of cheese baked over bread and were crispy on the outside, but nice and soft on the inside. The cocktail we began with was called Cocktail La Presse and was made from Grand Marnier Titanium, lemon juice, simple syrup, raspberries and sparkling wine. It was a light and refreshing drink to start the meal with and just had hints of the orange, lemon and raspberry together.
Cocktail La PresseAllumette au fromage
For the traditional French Hors d’Oeurve we sampled a Traditional Quiche Lorraine and a side salad. The quiche was so light and flaky on the outside and inside the eggs, cheese and ham were so perfectly cooked. I am not usually a fan of quiche, but this was simply delightful. The salad was a nice complement to the quiche with a nice vinaigrette dressing. This course was paired with a French Vouvray wine, which was clean and crisp and matched the food amazingly.
Quiche LorraineSide SaladInside the quicheVouvray
The main course, or Plat de resistance, was a phenomenal white veal ragout served with rice, carrots, mushrooms and baby onions. I do not care for veal, but I tried it for the sake of being adventurous. This course was my favorite and I was pleasantly surprised. The white wine in the ragout was a nice balance to the vegetables. I especially enjoyed dipping my bread in the sauce along with the mushrooms and rice. What would appear to be a very heavy course was beautifully balanced. With this course, they served a red Chinon wine, which I found a little Earthy for my taste, but paired well with the entree.
White veal ragoutRagout with rice
One of the things I enjoyed most about this meal, aside from the food of course, was that it was a nice slow pace. We had time to talk with the other guests at our table and it felt much like you were sitting around a family table sharing a meal. At one point, Eric even slowed down the servers because he felt that we needed a bit more time in between courses to enjoy the conversation and to digest. This was perfect because I never felt over satiated during the meal, just sated. It was a fantastic to embrace the French way of enjoying a meal and to slow down and appreciate the surroundings.
Eric explaining how nice it is to slow down
The cheese course was next, with a nice Brie, walnuts, grapes, and more freshly baked bread. The Bordeaux that was paired with this course was very nice and a bit more fruity and full bodied than what I traditionally expect from most Bordeaux.
Cheese plate
Dessert was a presentation to be seen and tasted just a fabulous as it looked. The light almond macaron, with bitter chocolate mousse, vanilla and chocolate sauces, and hazelnut ice cream was awesome! The sparkling white wine served with it was a JCB 21, and was a slightly dry wine, which I really liked. The dessert macaron was flaky and soft, not the more dense and hard macaron that I am used to, but it was very good. It was a bit rich, but the flavors melded together so well.
Almond macaronInside the macaronSparkling wine
All in all this was a fantastic French meal between the fantastic setting with the view of World Showcase Lagoon below, to the impeccable service, wonderful food with wine pairings, and the great conversations with new friends. The lunch is still available for booking over the next few weeks of the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. The French Family Meal Traditions special event takes place on Friday and Sunday afternoons from now until November 15th, 2015. The cost is $95 plus tax per person including alcohol for those 21 and up. I will say when I first saw the price I was a bit skeptical, but having been now, I would have easily paid almost double that at many restaurants. The alcohol cost alone makes up more than half to two thirds of the cost if you were purchasing the drinks separately. For a five course meal with drinks included, this is really a good value for all that you are getting.
Monsieur Paul lobbyPlace settingMonsieur Paul dining roomView of World Showcase Lagoon
If you have a few hours available to enjoy this or one of several of the other premium special events during Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, I recommend that you book sooner rather than later as many of these events are filling up as word gets out as to how great they are. As of the time of writing this, there are still spots available for the French Family Meal Traditions as well as special events in Mexico, Italy, and Morocco. Please call 407-939-3378 for more information or availability and pricing.
2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival: Rockin’ Burger Block Party Definitely Rocks
TheRockin’ Burger Block Partyis a brand new special event during the 2015 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival that is the place to be if you a designer burger lover!
On select nights the Rockin’ Burger Block Party, held in Epcot’s World Showplace from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, is an evening of all you care to enjoy event where you can find burgers paired with craft beers, wines, cocktails, and more hosted by Celebrity Chefs.
During the party you mix and mingle among adozen stations offering sliders, delicious sides, and beverages. Here’s a look at a few of the burgers you will find!
Chef Melissa’s Thail Shellfish Burger: Shrimp and Scallop Burger topped with Spicy Thai Slaw and Cilantro-Lime Mayo served on a Sesame Bun. Served with a side of smoked sea-salted fried edamame.
Chef Carlos’ Smooth Burger: Ground Turkey and Grape Jelly Burger with Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, and Smooth Peanut Butter on Toasted Bun. Served with plantain chips.Chef Dale’s Asian Cheese Burger: CVAP Chicken Duck Burger topped with Butterkase Cheese, Bulqogi Braised Pork Belly and Sweet Thai Chili Sauce on a Sesame Bun. Served with a side of Kim Chi Slaw.
It’s important to try as many sliders as you can, because at the end of the night it is up to you to decide who had the most Rockin’ Burger at the Block Party!
What would a party be without music? Never fear, because DJ Elliot is there mixing an awesome mash-up of great songs guaranteed to have you singing and dancing along.
And once you’ve danced off your sliders, make sure you head to the dessert station! The cinnamon roll fireball bread pudding with cream cheese glaze, snickerdoodle-crusted apple custard crisp, and Valrhona chocolate ganache brownies are all solid and extremely tasty desserts.
There are two more Rockin’ Burger Block Parties during the 2015 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. On October 8, with hosts of ABC’s ‘The Chew’ and November 6 with Buddy Valastro.
There are three admission options for the Rockin’ Burger Block party, so there is a way for everyone to rock!
Rockin’ Burger Block Party General Admission: $99 per person, plus tax
Limited seating is available to sip and dine your way through the night!
Reserved Seating Reserved Seating: $119 per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Epcot admission required.
Reserved table on the main Floor
Early admission to the Rockin’ Burger Block Party (6:45 pm)
Specialty Cocktail before the doors open
Nosh Pit Seating: $199 per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Epcot admission required.
Private reserved table
Early admission to the Rockin’ Burger Block Party (6:45 pm)
Specialty Cocktail before the doors open
Premium Bar
Exclusive Dessert
For more information about the Rockin’ Burger Block Party, call (407) 939-3378.
Guests 21 and under or for those looking for non-alcoholic beverages, there were many options.
Also keep in mind that you will need separate admission into Epcot and, as with any other kind of entertainment, events are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
We had an awesome time at the Rockin’ Burger Block Party, and if you are considering attending one premium event I would absolutely recommend this experience!
14th Annual Winter Park Concours D’elegance Redefines Automotive Luxurty November 13-15, 2015
Central Florida’s Premier Weekend of Motoring Events Showcases Enhanced Experiences:
Live Entertainment, Premium Food & Beverage, Celebrity Appearances, and More
Celebrate the art of automotive design during Central Florida’s premier weekend of motoring events: the 14th Annual Winter Park Concours d’Elegance, November 13-15, 2015.
This year’s event will be highlighted by three days of exclusive experiences and new enhancements including live entertainment, hospitality village with premium food and beverages and celebrity appearances.
“This year’s Concours has been elevated to new heights with more than double the show size, live entertainment, premium food and beverage, a classic car expo, exotic car showcase and so much more,” said Tim Webber, event producer. “Staying true to the passion and art of automotive design is very important to us while bringing new, distinctive experiences for the next generation of car enthusiasts.”
One of the most highly-regarded, judged classic/exotic car shows in the United States, the show annually attracts more than 10,000 attendees and features 150 of the world’s rarest and most collectible cars.
duPont REGISTRY LIVE
Friday, November 13: 7 – 10 p.m.
Orlando Sanford International Airport
Experience a unique evening set among handsomely transformed hangars for a progressive celebration with premium food and beverage, live entertainment, luxury lifestyle exhibitions, fireworks and runway thrill rides in high-performace cars. The duPont REGISTRY LIVE reception and celebration benefits KIDS HOUSE Wayne Densch Children’s Advocacy Center to fight against child abuse. Over the past five years (2010-2014), more than $110,000 has been raised for KIDS HOUSE from this elite event.
Tickets: $150 per person (combo tickets available)
Tour d’Elegance
Saturday, November 14: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hannibal Square – Park Avenue, Winter Park
The Tour d’Elegance is considered by many to be the heart and soul of the weekend. Invited Concours participants ‘exercise’ their automobiles for a ceremonial and qualifying cruise. The mile-long cavalcade of more than 70 classic and exotic cars begins in Winter Park’s Hannibal Square and travels down Park Avenue, proudly escorted by the Winter Park Police Department. Route details to be announced for public viewing. The Tour will conclude at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. Guests will enjoy a garden party lunch with premium food and drink overlooking Lake Osceola. A presentation of Packards will be on display on the front lawn to showcase the 2015 Honor Marque. Scenic boat tours will be available for guests to explore Winter Park through the chain of lakes and canals.
Tickets: A limited number of tickets are available for $100 each by calling 407.649.9190.
14th Annual Winter Park Concours d’Elegance
Sunday, November 15: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Winter Park Country Club Golf Course
More than 150 of the world’s rarest, most exotic and sought-after automobiles and unique transportation vehicles will be on display. Attendees enjoy intimate access to individual and group autos for viewing and exclusive photo opportunities. Tickets: $25 per person in advance, $30 person at the gate (combo tickets available)
NEW for 2015, the Concours d’Elegance will also feature:
live entertainment featuring Los Angeles-based saxophonist and vocalist, Jessy J, as she continues to tour the world supporting the new album, “My One and Only One”; pianist and vocalist Blake Guyre performing a variety of genres from musical influences Billy Joel, Elton John and Michael Buble; and cover band SWITCH playing the best party and dance rock of the 80’s, 90’s and today.
a hospitality village with premium food and beverage for purchase presented by Cask & Larder, Marlow’s Tavern Winter Park, Morton’s The Steakhouse and Primo by Melissa Kelly;
duPont REGISTRY Supercar Showcase and the Classic Car Expo with expanded displays of rare, judged classic and exotic cars, vintage motorcycles and wooden boats; and
guest appearances by celebrity classic car enthusiast and host of Velocity’s Chasing Classic Cars Wayne Cariniwho will also serve as the Concours’ honorary chief judge.
Additionally, two distinct cars will be honored:
The 2015 Honor Marque (an automotive term for make) is Packard. A dominant force among hundreds of automotive companies, the Packard automobile quickly earned a reputation for its solid construction, superb reliability and ease of operation.
The 2015 Anniversary Marque is the Ford Thunderbird. Introduced in 1955, the Thunderbird was Ford’s answer to the Chevrolet Corvette and a British invasion led by the Jaguar XK 120. The car has style, refinement, V8 power and was initially available only as a convertible.
“The Concours d’Elegance is an essential event for the City of Winter Park to showcase the classic charm of the area and the contemporary vibrancy of its residents and visitors,” noted City of Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary. “We congratulate and commend the Concours d’Elegance for bringing national recognition and forward-thinking events to our community.”
Founded by Bob Tallgren and produced by Tim Webber Events in 2002, the Winter Park Concours d’Elegance has gained recognition as one of the nation’s premier car shows in terms of elegance of venue, variety of cars displayed and quality of judging. The Concours is an invitational, judged event that meets the same high judging criteria of prestigious car shows such as Pebble Beach and Cavallino Classic. More than 150 cars will be evaluated by a staff of 50 nationally-certified judges who volunteer their time and expertise.
To learn more about the 14th Annual Winter Park Concours d’Elegance or to purchase event tickets, visit winterparkconcours.com. Follow Winter Park Concours d’Elegance on Facebook, @WP_Concours on Twitter and WinterParkConcours on Instagram with #WPConcours.
ME Dance Debuts Captivating ‘Serenity’ Dance Show October 16, 2015
Orlando dance company partners with Miami-based 6 O’Clock Dance Theatre for dazzling performance featuring innovative technical elements and gravity-defying athletic feats
Astounding lights and sounds blend together with rhythmic, athletic feats in the upcoming performance of SERENITY by the ME Dance company. Debuting Oct. 16, and running for three days only at the ME Theatre, SERENITY promises to leave audience members exhilarated and entertained with a surprise factor not normally seen by local dance productions. An innovative touch to the dance performance will feature a combination of special lighting, projections and videos as a backdrop to the dancers to complement and interact with them as they effortlessly weave through the space with grace and power.
With a heavy touch of European influence, SERENITY will blend an array of different styles of dance ranging from neoclassical and modern to contemporary and classical ballet. Despite the name, the show is anything but serene. The impressive choreography and strong technique of the dancers will deliver an explosive performance for audiences of all ages and thrust them into the search for serenity in the midst of life’s chaotic moments. The performance is composed of five chapters, each distinctly reflecting elements that are necessary for a serene life: Determination, Breath, Consistency, Focus and Bliss.
httpv://youtu.be/tudpzhGJpsE
For this performance, ME Dance is partnering with the Miami-based dance company 6 O’Clock Dance Theatre and with Central Florida-native Daniel Hunalp, whose experience includes time with Sarasota Ballet, Broadway Theatre project, Tap Dogs, Norwegian Cruise Line and Walt Disney World.
Artistic director and founder Marshall Ellis is the primary choreographer for SERENITY. The 75-minute performance will also feature dancers from ME2, the pre-professional dance company founded by Marshall Ellis to mold young dancers into professionals. Marshall Ellis brings more than two decades of dance experience to the stage with credits including Ballet Austin, London Studio Centre, Orlando Ballet, Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba, and various equity roles at Walt Disney World, amongst countless other national and international projects and performances.
SERENITY will run Oct. 16-18 at 8:30 p.m. at ME Theatre (1300 La Quinta Drive, Orlando, FL 32809). Doors open 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance. Tickets are $20 per person. Each show has a 15-minute intermission. Beer, wine, water, soda and light snacks are available for purchase. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit MEDance.org or call 407-816-7080.
About ME Dance, Inc.
Founded in 2012, ME Dance Inc. is an Orlando-based, non-profit arts organization founded by Marshall Ellis. The mission of ME Dance is to introduce innovative ideas through dance to create growth in the arts community and to enrich the arts community by providing an outlet to feature talent in art through entertainment.
Founder Marshall Ellis brings more than two and a half decades of dance and choreography experience to the table with credits including Ballet Austin, London Studio Centre, Orlando Ballet, Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba and Walt Disney World. In addition to the professional dance company, Marshall Ellis’ portfolio also encompasses a dance school and Orlando’s newest performance venue.
The ME Dance School provides students with an environment in which to cultivate their talent and artistry to its fullest potential. As a result of a collaboration between the dance school and the professional company, Marshall Ellis also formed a pre-professional dance company. ME2 members are selected through an audition process and overseen by the artistic director to help mold young dancers, ages 14-21, into professionals who are well-versed in various types of dance styles. ME2 dancers have the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the professional company during select performances and participate in community events.
The ME Theatre is a state-of-the-art performance venue with flexible seating and a capacity of accommodating up to 130 guests. It is available for dance productions, concerts, musicals, plays, weddings, corporate events, meetings, private gatherings, photo shoots, video productions and other theatrical uses.
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando to Host Halloween Velvet Sessions Featuring Soul Asylum on October 29th
Orlando’s rock ‘n’ roll cocktail event becomes adults-only Halloween costume party
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando’s 2015 Velvet Sessions lobby concert series continues in October with a special Halloween Sessions featuring Soul Asylum, performing hits “Somebody To Shove,” “Misery,” “Black Gold” and more! Guests can participate in the popular Halloween costume contest before the show starts for a chance to win a two-night stay in the Graceland Suite.
Velvet Sessions is Hard Rock Hotel’s special rock ‘n’ roll cocktail party and lobby concert held the last Thursday of the month (January through October). Log onto velvetsessions.com to buy your tickets and to receive monthly updates on who’s playing.
All Velvet Sessions tickets include: FREE specialty drinks, finger foods and warm-up tunes from 6:30 pm until show time, cash bars and live band from show time onward, and complimentary valet parking*.
Velvet Sessions is a 21 and older event.
What:
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando’s 2015 Velvet Sessions lobby concert series continues in October with a special Halloween Sessions featuring Soul Asylum.
Who:
Velvet Sessions is a 21 and older event.
When:
Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Where:
Velvet Bar and Lobby Lounge
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando
5800 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32819
Parking:
Complimentary valet parking
Tickets:
Tickets are $50 on-line or $55 at the door. Limited VIP tickets are $75 on-line only and include all the benefits of a regular Velvet Sessions ticket, plus access to a special viewing area with private bar. Purchase tickets in advance on-line and receive early entry to the show at 6:00 pm.
