The Music of Pixar Live!’ Will Debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios This Summer

March 23, 2017 By Tony Caselnova

This summer, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will present “The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters.” This limited-time concert event will showcase memorable music from Pixar Animation Studios films, complete with a live orchestra and appearances by beloved Disney•Pixar characters.

Starting May 26, “The Music of Pixar LIVE!” will be presented three times nightly at Theater of the Stars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (following the regular daily performances of “Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage”). The show will also feature highlights from some of Pixar’s greatest scores, from films like “Toy Story” to “Cars 3.” Guests can also expect appearances by Woody, Jessie, Mike and Sulley, the Incredibles and more.

Stay Tuned for More info!

All New Planet Hollywood Observatory is NOW OPEN

March 6, 2017 By Tony Caselnova

Okay I am a huge movie fan, I love movies! I like going to the movies, or watching them at home in my little home theater. I have been a fan of Planet Hollywood since they first opened, so much so that I was at the opening of the one in New York City just to get a glimpse of Arnold, Sly, Bruce and Demi, who back in the day were part of all the openings. I used to have a collection of polo shirts from many Planet Hollywood restaurants I collected while traveling.

Now Planet Hollywood has been completely reimagined. There are some great additions to the NEW Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs. They added a huge patio off the second floor, with its own bar and beautiful view of Disney Springs. They built another bar area on the ground level called Stargazers. They have 4 floors, a huge indoor video ceiling, that plays popular videos. The movie artifacts have all been updated. The Stargazers lounge, a 5,000-square-foot outdoor expansion overlooking Disney Springs, allows guests to relax under the stars while enjoying cocktails and live entertainment al fresco.

Its really All About the Food…..

The menu has been updated and has a some new flair from a very popular chef Guy Feieri. Fans will embrace the return of classics such as World Famous Chicken Crunch with Creole mustard sauce playfully plated in a chicken-shaped dish; Nachos Grande piled high with chipotle chicken, cheese and black bean sauce, cruda salsa verde, pico de gallo, queso fresco and sour cream; L.A. Lasagna a fried take on this comfort food favorite with Bolognese sauce, roasted garlic cream and tomato basil sauces; and the epic High Roller Platter, a celebration of “best-ofs” with the Chicken Crunch, Texas Tostados, Buffalo Wings, Cheesy Spinach Dip, Peri-Peri Shrimp served in a uniquely designed Ferris-wheel dish.

For those drawn to delicious indulgences, head straight for Fieri’s new “Big Bite Burgers” and “Signature Sandwiches.” The six burger choices, which are not to be missed, include Fieri’s award-winning Bacon Mac-N-Cheese with applewood smoked bacon, six-cheese mac-n-cheese, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, crispy onion straws, Fieri’s signature Donkey Sauce, garlic-buttered brioche bun; The Mayor of Flavortown seasoned pastrami, swiss cheese, caraway slaw, pickles, Dijon mustard and Donkey Sauce on a garlic-buttered pretzel bun; and the Prime Time American Kobe with American-style kobe beef, smoked gouda, cheddar, caramelized onion jam, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, crispy onion straws, Donkey Sauce, garlic-buttered brioche bun .

A Lobster Feast Fra Diavolo, a spaghetti favorite served in a whole lobster shell and a Sesame Ginger Salmon with cilantro rice are two of eight gussied-up specialty offerings. Steak and rib selections – including the 20 ounce, bone-in NY Strip Steak for two served with roasted garlic and herb butter, steak fries and green bean blend – can now be upgraded to “surf & turf” status with the accompaniment of a whole steamed lobster.

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Vegetarians will rejoice with Fieri’s take on the scratch-made Morgan’s Veggie, a burger of black and white beans, chickpeas, oats, artichokes, roasted red pepper with cilantro aioli, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, toasted wheat bun and a Pimento Grilled Cheese six-cheese mac-n-cheese, pimento cheese, garlic-buttered sourdough. Healthy options for guests include a selection of five fresh salads like the Citrus Kale, a combination of kale, julienned broccoli, slivered Brussels sprouts and cabbage, feta, grapefruit, oranges, cranberries, sunflowers seeds, agave dressing; and Spinach & Berries with candied walnuts, bleu cheese crumbles and balsamic vinaigrette.

For a sweet finish “Hand-Dipped and Whimsical Milkshakes” include Chocolate Comet and Strawberry Borealis. The dessert menu is filled with goodies such as the Cosmic Cream Challenge, a blind tasting of 12 flavors of house-made ice creams and sorbets; Planet Melt Down, a chocolate hardshell dome, melted tableside by hot chocolate sauce to reveal double chocolate fudge cake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream; and Brownie Sundae Martini, 12 decadent chunks of freshly baked brownies layered with six scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream with toppings.

Check this out on your next visit to Disney Springs and let us know what you think in the comments below.

*****Full disclosure John and I were invited guests of Planet Hollywood for this trip**** Planet Hollywood Thank You for hosting us for this event!

Presidential Suite at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

February 22, 2017 By Tony Caselnova

Offering a luxurious bedroom , the Presidential Suite is spacious and reminiscent of a well-appointed private residence.

GENEROUS LIVING AREAS

Relax and feel perfectly at home in the Presidential Suite’s well-equipped office, living area, dining area with seating for eight, and family room.

TECHNOLOGY

The suite features state-of-the-art sound and electronic systems, including motorized drapery, controlled from a central touch pad system. A media screen and projector are concealed in the ceiling and drop down electronically for viewing.

TERRACE VIEWS

Savour a magnificent view of Epcot®’s iconic Spaceship Earth from your private 16th-floor terrace, offering 800 square feet (74 square metres) of stylish outdoor living, including a dining area for eight, a couch, a table and two chairs.

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Take the Video tour of the Beautiful suite

JAPANESE WAGYU BEEF RETURNS FOR A LIMITED TIME TO CAPA RESTAURANT AT FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO

February 9, 2017 By Tony Caselnova

The Japanese beef known as “wagyu” is famed for its soft, buttery texture, high marbling ratio and superior taste. For steak lovers, it’s often attested that there is no better steak experience than wagyu. In February 2016, Matsusaka beef, the ultimate within the Japanese beef industry, was directly imported from the Matsusaka Region of Mie Prefecture, Japan and introduced at Capa restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Now, the rare delicacy is back on the Capa menu for a limited time.

“I’m very happy to partner again with the Matsusaka Region, as the strength of its flavour and delectable fattiness makes it like the ‘dessert’ of beef,” says Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi. “Japanese wagyu meets extremely specific characteristics and must come from one specific breed. I love to share this exceptional meat with our guests.”

For ten evenings, February 10 through 20, 2017, the Matsusaka beef is available at Capa, in a special tasting called “From Matsusaka with Love” – perfect for Valentine’s Day. The tasting menu is offered for USD 225 per couple, including a trio of wood-grilled special grade Matsusaka beef: 3-ounce strip loin, 3-ounce tenderloin and 3-ounce ribeye. An optional wine pairing is available, as well as the full Capa menu for choice of a la carte side dishes.

Matsusaka beef from Mie Prefecture has been recognised and honoured with the highest rankings for decades in the Japanese beef market.

By definition, Matsusaka beef cattle can only be virgin female cows of the Japanese black wagyu variety that have spent the majority of their lifespan, up till the time of slaughter, in Matsusaka City and its surrounding area and are registered under the Matsusaka Beef Identification and Management System. Some cattle farmers provide beer to cows to stimulate their appetites and give them thorough massages to improve blood circulation and encourage even fat distribution. Many farms raise their cows in individual rooms so they can be finely managed and assure a comfortable, stress-free life for their cows. Matsusaka beef producers spare no effort to produce the highest quality, richest, most finely dispersed marbling possible while managing their cows on a day to day basis. The rich marbling results in an exquisite taste.

Reservations to experience the Matsusaka beef tasting for two at Capa can be made by calling 407 313 6161.

‘Emeril’s Florida’ With Chef Emeril Lagasse Showcases Restaurants at Disney Springs

January 23, 2017 By Tony Caselnova

Chef Emeril Lagasse takes a close-up look at three Disney Springs restaurants in his “Emeril’s Florida” on the Cooking Channel, the first airing at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21. The show also airs at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 26 and 10 a.m. Jan. 27.

NFL Pro Bowl Week Arrives at Walt Disney World Resort

January 23, 2017 By Tony Caselnova

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NFL Pro Bowl Week is finally here, which means some of the biggest stars in the NFL will be buzzing all around Walt Disney World Resort. And there are several opportunities for you to get involved in the fun with Pro Bowl events happening across the resort.

The fun begins Wednesday at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where NFL fans are invited to get a close glimpse of their favorite NFL players during AFC and NFC team practices. The practices, which will be held Wednesday through Saturday, are free and open to the public, but fans can register for priority access here.