This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to Town Center on a beautiful day overlooking Disney Springs. I don’t think this view will ever get old!
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Via Napoli opened their doors at Epcot in the Italy Pavilion in 2010, and they just celebrated serving their millionth pizza with a luncheon with familiar favorites and highlights from their new menu featuring new salads, pizzas, pastas, and more.
Chef Charlie Restivo heads up the culinary team at Via Napoli, and he let us in on the secret to the success of Via Napoli. And he attributes the popularity of the pizzas to the recipe and specifically the components they use to create the pizzas. According to Chef Charlie, it all starts with the dough, which is his signature recipe that he’s brought into each of the restaurant’s he’s opened for Patina. The water Chef Charlie uses as part of his dough at Via Napoli mirrors the same properties as the water found in Naples – a hard water – that when mixed with Caputo “00” flour provides the perfect texture, elasticity and chew. Topped with only the finest ingredients (including san marzano tomatoes, Fior Di Latte mozzarella and prosciutto di Parma) Via Napoli’s pizzas are regarded as some of the best in the country.
But Chef Charlie doesn’t only excel at making pizza, and his other signature dishes are another part of what makes Via Napoli one of the best Italian restaurants in Central Florida.
I really enjoyed everything we sampled at Via Napoli, and with so many new and old favorites I thought I would share some of my favorites.
1.Insalata di Ceci
Chickpea fritters, arugula, scamorza, cherry tomato, onion, avocado, bacon, mushroom $13
2. Limited Time Pasta Special
Truffled fettuccine carbonara with guanciale “Itlalian Bacon” egg noddles and pecorino cheese $26
3. Affumicata
White pizza: mozzarella, smoked salmon, arugula, pomodorini, stracchino $23 | $36 | $48
4. Broccolini
Fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, porchetta, robiola, broccoli rabe $22 | $35 | $48
5.Tortino di Melanzane
Traditional preparation of eggplant with tomato sauce, parmesan & mozzarella, served with roasted potatoes $22
6. Meatballs
hand-crafted veal meatballs & tomato sauce with mozzarella and fresh basil
7. Prosciutto e Melone Pizza
White pizza: fontina, mozzarella, prosciutto, cantaloupe, arugula $23 | $36 | $48
8. Tiramisu
Mascarpone cream, espresso coffee, lady fingers, chocolate $9
9. Classic Margherita Pizza
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil $18 | $29 | $39
Reservations for Via Napoli are recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit on the My Disney Experience App, online, or by calling (407) WDW-DINE (407-939-
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School’s out … Play’s in! … and Aloma Bowling Centers can help parents keep their kids cool, active and entertained this summer.
Three of Central Florida’s premier bowling venues – Aloma Bowl, Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center and Airport Lanes – are offering free bowling for kids all summer to help families save big.
As part of the offer, kids ages 15 and younger will receive two free games of bowling each day with the purchase of shoe rental. The offer is available from open to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. It begins June 6 and runs through August 12.
Additional games of bowling are only $2 a game.
Children must be accompanied by an adult or guardian to receive the free games, and adults can accompany up to three children. To register a child, simply visitwww.alomabowlingcenters.com and click on your venue, then click the Free Bowling for Kids tab.
But adults won’t be left out. They can bowl, too, with games for $2 as well as shoe rental for $3, making summer at Aloma Bowling Centers fun for the whole family.
Aloma Bowling Centers include Aloma Bowl in Winter Park, Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center in Orlando and Airport Lanes in Sanford. The three entertainment venues have a combined 144 lanes, and each offers billiards, a restaurant and games.
Visit alomabowlingcenters.com for more information.
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About Aloma Bowling Centers
The Aloma Bowling Centers are the premier family entertainment venues in Central Florida, with locations in Orlando (Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center), Winter Park (Aloma Bowl) and Sanford (Airport Lanes). In addition to the 144 combined lanes, each center offers billiards, a restaurant, and arcades featuring new interactive games. All venues offer great corporate and group event/party facilities. Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center houses 80 lanes, making it the largest bowling facility in the Southeast. For more information, visit alomabowlingcenters.com or call 407-384-0003 |
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is beginning an expansion will begin an expansion project that will create new jobs and add additional parking, gaming, and amenities to the resort.
According to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa President John Fontana, the property will construct an additional parking garage located off of Orient Road, which will provide 750 new parking spaces. Also, a 30,000-square-foot premium gaming area featuring upscale games will be added, along with a new 50 table state of the art poker room, increased amenities including an upscale restaurant and a new, expanded porte-cochere.
“This expansion project will create over 100 new permanent jobs at the casino and keep hundreds of Tampa Bay Area construction workers busy for the next year,” said Fontana. “These new additions to the property will clearly enhance the guest experience and attract more tourists from around the country.”
This will be the third major expansion for the property and is the next step in the overall master plan. The most recent came in 2012, a $75 million project which made Seminole Hard Rock Tampa the world’s sixth largest casino.
About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is the premier entertainment destination of Central Florida. Owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the property is one of the most successful and largest casinos in the world. Located off I-4 at North Orient Road and Hillsborough Avenue, about 10 minutes east of downtown Tampa, the casino features high stakes table games, thousands of the hottest slot machines as well as a new smoke free slots area offering 250 popular games. The hotel is AAA Four Diamond rated and offers seven award-winning Zagat-rated restaurants, including the fine dining venues Council Oak Steaks & Seafood and Grey Salt. A newly renovated Rock Spa® is also available along with a plethora of VIP services. For more information, please call 866-502-PLAY or visit us online and via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
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This is not a drill…Today is National Doughnut Day, and while we celebrate the glorious doughnut we are also celebrating The Salvation Army and the great work that they do!
Held annually on the first Friday of June, Doughnut Day was established by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor The Salvation Army’s “Doughnut Lassies,” who served the treats to soldiers during World War I. The “Doughnut Lassies” are often credited with popularizing the doughnut in the United States when the troops returned home from war.
The Salvation Army celebrated the first National Doughnut Day in Chicago in 1938 to help raise funds during the Great Depression and commemorate the work of the “Doughnut Lassies.” The doughnut now serves as a symbol of all the social services The Salvation Army provides to those in need. The Salvation Army still serves doughnuts, in addition to warm meals and hydration, to those in need during times of disaster.
To celebrate the day, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Dunkin’ Donuts for some pretty sweet deals!
“National Doughnut Day has become a true American tradition, but many don’t realize the historical significance of the day. The partnership with The Salvation Army and Krispy Kreme brings greater visibility to the importance of the day and the idea of helping those who may have fallen on hard times,” said Col. Ron Busroe, Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “With Krispy Kreme’s generous offer of a free doughnut, we hope everyone will extend that generosity by giving back to support their local community.”
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts customers will receive a free doughnut of their choice at the following shop locations throughout Central Florida:
Visit any Dunkin’ Donuts for a FREE classic donut with any beverage purchase on June 3rd.
All Dunkin’ Donuts locations are participating in National Doughnut Day, so make sure you visit the location nearest to you!
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Today the Disney Cruise Line announced several exciting new entertainment and experiences are in store for Disney Wonder guests after the Disney Cruise Line vessel is transformed this fall.
Headlining the enhancements are imaginative spaces for children, a jazzy restaurant and an English pub.
Marvel Super Hero Academy
The Marvel universe comes to life in Marvel Super Hero Academy. Here, young guests can train to develop the brave and adventurous heroes inside themselves. It’s an exciting addition to Disney’s Oceaneer Club, the engaging and interactive space just for children.
Exclusively on the Disney Wonder, Marvel Super Hero Academy will offer extraordinary adventures in which each young guest plays an integral role. With the mentorship of some of Marvel’s greatest Super Heroes, young trainees will learn the value of teamwork, bravery and problem solving through hands-on play and programs.
In one mission, Spider-Man will appear in person to help children hone their spider senses by perfecting their skills of reflex, speed and sharp minds. Children will work on their web-slinging and then get to see themselves in the headlines of the Daily Bugle.
The high-tech command post is also where other Marvel Super Heroes will interact with children via a large digital display, helping them unleash their inner heroes. In one program, kids can control the movement of a character on screen to practice super skills like repulsor blasting.
Throughout the academy, displays will feature equipment that helps make Marvel Super Heroes the mightiest in the universe. Captain America’s World War II shield, Iron Man’s helmet, Spider-Man’s web shooters and Black Widow’s gauntlets will inspire young Super Hero recruits.
More Fun for Young Guests
Elsewhere in Disney’s Oceaneer Club, open to children ages three to 12 years old, kid-sized fun continues with new play spaces and more character interactions than ever before.
These and other spaces provide the perfect settings for children to meet their favorite characters, dance, play and just have fun with them.
A new It’s a Small World Nursery will delight the youngest cruisers with a whimsical world inspired by the style of the legendary theme park attraction.
Tiana’s Place Restaurant
Exclusive to the Disney Wonder, Tiana’s Place restaurant will transport guests to an era of southern charm, spirited jazz and street party celebrations. With a menu influenced by southern-style cuisine, Tiana’s Place will provide food for the body and soul, showing that dreams and dishes come true.
Guests of Tiana’s Place, the restaurant inspired by Princess Tiana in the Disney animated feature, “The Princess and the Frog,” will be treated to a celebration of New Orleans dining and entertainment. Live music will be performed on the main stage, with rhythmic, toe-tapping notes of jazz, swing and blues setting the tone for the French Quarter supper club atmosphere.
Chefs will cook up Tiana’s recipes, drawing inspiration from the flavors and ingredients of the Louisiana bayou. Tiana’s personal touch will be evident in the menu, the entertainment and throughout every detail in the restaurant. From Tiana’s family photos to water lily-shaped candleholders to her framed culinary awards – all will help tell the timeless tale of Tiana’s journey from waitress to frog to princess to proud restaurant owner.
Cheers, to an English Pub
The adult district includes a brand-new pub that invites guests to take a jaunt to an authentic English tavern. Dark woods, plush leather furniture and brass accents are reminiscent of a friendly neighborhood pub. Of course, a selection of British and specialty beers create the perfect pub atmosphere, where adult guests can sip a pint or cocktail, or sample a brew made especially for the pub.
Observant guests may discover this is no ordinary pub. Subtle nods to classic Disney films set in London can be found in artwork, props and other bits ‘n bobs throughout the space. Brilliant stories of all sorts will be celebrated at the pub, whether those tales be true, tall or flat-out mad.
Enhancements from Stem to Stern
Throughout the Disney Wonder, other new and enhanced areas include:
The ship’s upper decks also will be redesigned for waterful enjoyment:
After the Disney Wonder undergoes dry dock Sept. 9 to Oct. 23, 2016, in Cadiz, Spain, the wave of new enhancements debut on sailings starting Nov. 10, from Galveston, Texas.
The Disney Wonder will continue to sail from Galveston to the Bahamas and Caribbean, until the ship sails to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Jan. 20, 2017. On Jan. 26, 2017, a three-night cruise aboard the Disney Wonder takes guests from San Juan to Port Canaveral, Fla., where the ship will homeport for the spring.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-DCL-2500 or contact your travel agent.
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