All the Disney Parks in One Podcast
Don’t miss a LIVE Q&A with director Brad Bird and producer Damon Lindelof from Disney’s exciting new film TOMORROWLAND followed by the exclusive world premiere of the trailer on Monday, March 9 at 10:30am PT only on Facebook: https://facebook.com/WaltDisneyStudios.
TOMORROWLAND will be in theaters on May 22, 2015!
Photo by Disney Travel Advisor & Theme Park Concierge – Ramon Rodriguez
EPCOT’S 2015 FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL March 4 – May 17 2015
Every spring, EPCOT comes to life in brilliant colors and topiaries as it welcomes the Flower and Garden Festival. This year will be no exception, as the festival celebrates “Fresh EPCOT” as the theme. Aside from the amazing topiary displays (over 100 ranging from simple Hidden Mickey’s to life sized characters like Anna & Elsa from Frozen), not many people know what to expect from the Flower & Garden Festival. Let’s take a stroll through EPCOT as we enjoy all of the sights, sounds, and tastes of the 2015 Flower & Garden Festival.
* LIVE MUSIC – every year, EPCOT extends invitations for musicians from all generations to perform in the American Gardens Pavilion. Concerts are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8:00pm. This year’s list includes:
March 6-8: Gin Blossoms (“Hey Jealousy”)
March 13-15: Pablo Cruise (“Love Will Find a Way”)
March 20-22: En Vogue (“Free Your Mind”)
March 27-29: Starship (“We Built This City”)
April 3-5: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO (“Evil Woman”)
April 10-12: Village People (“Y.M.C.A.”)
April 17-19: Jon Secada (“Just Another Day”)
April 24-26: The Guess Who (“These Eyes”)
May 1-3: Taylor Dayne (“Tell It to My Heart”)
May 8-10: Little River Band (“Lady”)
May 15-17: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (“I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”)
Photo by Disney Travel Advisor & Theme Park Concierge – Ramon Rodriguez
AMAZING FOOD – just like EPCOT’s renowned Food & Wine Festival, the Flower & Garden Festival is home to some amazing outdoor kitchens, including:
Botanas Botànico Seafood Ceviche (located between Morocco & France pavilions)
* Cachapa con Queso
* White Corn Arepa
* Coconut Tres Leches
* Polar Beer
* La Tizana
* Monte
* Paschoal Reserve Tannat
* Monte Paschoal Natural Brut White Sparkling Wine
Urban Farm Eat (located in front of World Showcase Promenade on the Canada side)
* Kale Salad
* Quinoa Vegetable “naanwich”
* Ghost Pepper dusted Tilapia
* Cucumber Lemon Spa Water with a sprig of fresh Mint
* Hess Shirtail Creek Vineyard, Chardonnay
* King Estate Acrobat Pinot Noir
* Urban Mary
* Crispin Blackberry Pear Cider
Pineapple Promenade (located in front of World Showcase Promenade on the Canada side)
* Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney
* Pineapple Soft-Serve with Sammy’s Beach Bar Red Head Macadamia Nut Flavored Rum or Parrot Bay Coconut Rum
* Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade
* Berry Tea Cocktail with Twinings Cold-Brewed Mixed Berry Tea
* Sparkling Pineapple Wine
* Ace Pineapple Hard Cider
Jardin de Fiestas (located in Mexico area)
* Achiote marinated pork taco
* Veggie Quesadilla
* Mexican Chocolate Custard
* Blueberry/Pomegranate Margarita
* Tecate with Patrón Citrónge
* Mexican Sangria
* Tequila Flight
Lotus House (located in China area)
* Kung Pao Chicken Bun
* Beijing Style Candied Strawberries
* Vegetable Spring Roll
* Oolong Peach Bubble Tea
* Kung Fu Punch
* South Sea Storm
* Honey Mango Wine Cooler
* Tsingtao Beer
* Plum Wine
Florida Fresh (located in the Germany area)
* Watermelon Salad
* Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits
* Florida Blueberry and Lemon Curd Tart
* Watermelon Passion Fruit Slush
* Key Lime Sparkling Wine
* Blonde Ale
* Channel Marker Red Ale
* Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale (Festival exclusive)
* Jai Alai
* Beer Flight
Primavera Kitchen (located in Italy area)
* Pinwheel of Mozzarella
* Prosciutto, Ciabatta Bread
* Cheese Manicotti
* Lemon Custard with Raspberries
* Pinot Grigio
* Chianti
* Prosecco
* Corbinello
* Moscato
* Bellini
* Rossini
* Frozen Italian Primavera
* Moretti Lager and La Rossa
Espresso, Coffee and Pastries at The American Adventure (in front of American Adventure Pavilion)
* Chocolate Stout latte featuring Monin chocolate, caramel and hazelnut with milk and espresso
* Iced Bailey’s latte featuring Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur with milk and espresso over ice
THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews (located to the side of the American Adventure Pavilion)
* Pulled Pig Slider
* Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash
* Smoked Debreziner Sausage
* “Piggylicious” Bacon Cupcake
* Floridian Hefeweizen
* Category 3 IPA
* Maple Bacon Stout
* Billy’s Chilies
* Beer Flight
* The Original Rib Shack Red Wine
* Frozen Lemonade
* Frozen Lemonade with Palm Ridge Reserve Whiskey
* R.C. Sweet Tea made with Twinings Cold-Brewed English Classic Tea
Hanami (located in the Japan area)
* Frushi
* Teriyaki Curry Bun
* Salmon Sushi
* Kirin Draft
* Yuzu Plum
* Wine Slush
* Strawberry Nigori
* Karatamba Sake
Taste of Marrakesh (located in the Morocco area)
* Harissa Chicken Kebab
* Falafel Pocket with cucumber tomato salad and Tahini Sauce
* Pistachio Baklava
* Desert Rose
* White Sangria
* Guerrouane Red
* Mint Iced Tea
Fleur de Lys (located in the France area)
* Parisian style dumpling with vegetables and mushrooms
* Pulled Duck confit, with garlic and parsley potatoes
* Large Strawberry marshmallow macaroon
* Ice Pop Peach Grand Marnier Cocktail
* La Vie en Rose St-Germain Vodka Slush
* Kir Imperial with Sparkling Wine and Chambord Liquor
* Beer Kronenbourg Blanc 1664
Photo by Disney Travel Advisor & Theme Park Concierge – Ramon Rodriguez
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS – Take time to enjoy some amazing seminars and workshops in the Festival Center (located in the Golden Dome between The Universe of Energy and MISSION: Space). These are hosted by experts in all fields of gardening.
SPECIAL GARDENS AND PLAY AREAS – Some perennial favorites that are worth taking the extra time include the amazing Tinkerbell & Friends Butterfly House, the Hummingbirds at Home area located by TestTrak, and the Monstrous Garden hosted by Mike & Sulley from Monsters, INC and Monster University. New to the 2015 Flower & Garden Festival are the Southwest desert garden, ten new “mini-gardens”, a Healing & Health Garden located by The Land Pavilion, and A Shakespeare Garden located in the United Kingdom Pavilion.
SPECIAL FLOWER AND GARDEN EXCLUSIVE TOURS – each year, special tours are offered to Flower and Garden guests that want a little bit more from the Flower & Garden experience. These tours do fill up fast, so call to reserve yours today. The tours are:
EPCOT Gardens Of The World Tour:
3 hour tour hosted by a local EPCOT horticulturalist. Hosted Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and going from 9:00am until noon. Price is $64.00 plus tax per person and is limited to guests age 16 and older. Call 407-WDW-TOUR for more information and to sign up.
English Tea Garden presented by Twinings of London Tea:
Free tour lasting approximately 20 minutes. Takes place in the United Kingdom Pavilion. Guests can sign up by visiting The Tea Caddy.
THE BEST FOR LAST – I’ve saved the best thing for last. The joy of seeing so much color and natural beauty is amazing, but down deep at the heart of it, this festival is meant to bring the whole family together and encourage them to enjoy nature and the wonders around them. Your children, grandchildren, and family members will be talking about this festival for years to come.
Walt Before Mickey is a movie based on a book of the same name by Timothy S. Susanin. It’s the only movie approved by the Disney family and even has a forward by Walt’s daughter Diane Disney Miller! It tells the story of Walter (Walt) Elias Disney’s Early Years, 1919-1928, from his days in Kansas City, MO, at Laugh-O-Gram Studios to Los Angeles, CA, and Disney Brothers Studios, now known as Walt Disney Studios or the Walt Disney Company. The tentative release date is April 18 or 19, 2015.
Walt Before Mickey is directed by Khoa Le, was produced and written by Armando Gutierrez and Arthur L. Bernstein, and has a pretty stellar cast for being a low-budget independent film. Some of the cast includes Thomas Ian Nicolas (American Pie) as Walt, John Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) as Roy Disney, David Henrie (Wizards of Waverly Place) as Rudy Ising, and Jodie Sweetin (Full House) as Charlotte Disney!
Read Chelsea’s interview with producer/writer Arthur L. Bernstein plus see a trailer and photos of the movie!
Here at Disney Parks Podcast, we had the pleasure of having Mr. Bernstein visit our show recently!
My name is Chelsea and I am a stay at home mom and wife who is Disney obsessed!
I like traveling, flowers, sunny days, baking and scrapbook making, my favorite color is orange & fave food is anything my hubby grills (He’s the king of the grill)! I have two lovely little kiddos, an amazing hubby, a furry dog named Nigel, two kitties- Dimitri & Oliver, and 8 ducks- Jack, Jessie, Blue, Merida, Darth, Violet, Sprinkles, and Irene. So we have our own little Urban homestead!
My Goal for this blog is to share awesome Disney fun and info with you as well as to show you how you can have a Disney life even if you don’t live near the parks! I can’t wait to share the magic with you!!
How Bout Them Ears!
Disclaimer: I received a free pair of Covears to try so I could bring you my honest opinion. This did not effect my review, all thoughts are my own.
Back in West Virginia where I am from our football motto is “how bout them eers” for the Mountaineers. So how funny living in Florida near Disney World I can have the same motto “how bout them ears”. Just spelled a different way… LOL
You can take any pair on Mickey ears and make them your own by covering them in this stretchy fabric. There are 8 designs to pick from. Mine was the red and white polka dots. I paired them with the wedding ears because my anniversary is coming up.
These Covears are super cute and at $9.95 each you can get different looks from your ears. Storing Covears does not take a lot of space, which is also a plus. My only critiques for Covears is the seam doesn’t lay flat against the top of the ears and it is single stitching. Click on the photo above to be taken to the Covears store and check them out for yourself!
PRODUCTION ON “PETE’S DRAGON” BEGINS IN NEW ZEALAND
STARRING BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD, OAKES FEGLEY AS PETE AND ROBERT REDFORD
BURBANK, Calif. (February 10, 2015) – Principal photography on “Pete’s Dragon” commenced today in New Zealand. A reimagining of the 1977 Disney classic, “Pete’s Dragon” will blend live action and CGI to tell the story of the special bond between an orphaned boy, Pete, and his best friend, Elliott, who just happens to be a dragon.
The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard (“The Help”) as Grace, a park ranger who discovers the existence of Elliott; 10-year-old Oakes Fegley (“This is Where I Leave You”) as Pete; Wes Bentley (“The Hunger Games”) as Jack, a local mill owner; New Zealand native Karl Urban (“Star Trek Into Darkness”) as Jack’s brother, Gavin; Oona Laurence as Natalie, the young girl who befriends Pete; and Oscar® winner Robert Redford (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “All the President’s Men”) as Grace’s father.
“Pete’s Dragon” is directed by David Lowery (“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”) and produced by Jim Whitaker, with Barrie Osborne serving as executive producer. The screenplay is by Lowery and Toby Halbrooks. WETA Digital, the visual effects company founded by filmmaker Peter Jackson based in New Zealand, will utilize the latest in digital effects to bring the dragon, Elliott, to life. The film is scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters in August, 2016.
“This is a story about how magic can enter one’s life and change the way they see the world. And I think David Lowery is the perfect director to bring this project to life,” says Whitaker.
The production begins shooting in and around Wellington before moving north to the Rotorua area, and will complete principal photography in the South Island communities of Tapanui and Invercargill.
Film New Zealand, the country’s national film office and sister agency Film Wellington assisted the Walt Disney Studios in assessing and confirming New Zealand for the production.
“New Zealand has long been a wonderful partner for film production. Wellington’s state-of-the-art facilities and filmmaker-friendly community, in particular, make it an ideal location to shoot and be based out of,” says Osborne.
About Walt Disney Studios: For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!
Copyright Disney
Attention Frozen fans! If you just can’t wait to share in more adventures with Anna, Elsa, Olaf and the rest of the gang – you’re in luck!
Today, Disney released a new trailer and images for the upcoming animated short , “Frozen Fever”, which will be shown in theatres before Disney’s Cinderella, which is being released on March 13th.
The seven minute short tells the story of the birthday celebration that Elsa and Kristoff are preparing for Anna. Of course, you know that hijinks and chaos will ensue – even in a mere few minutes! – and Elsa’s icy powers once again run amok. Even with the challenges, can Elsa and Kristoff still make Anna’s birthday celebration the best ever?
In addition to a new story, the writers of the juggernaut hit song “Let It Go” have also written a new song for the short.
So, raise those hands up high – who else is excited for “Frozen Fever”?
Copyright Disney
Sorcerer Radio is celebrating its 14th anniversary this month and along with all the great promotions going on the crew is launching a brand new show. “STARS AND MOTORCARS – presented by the Disney Parks Podcast” with hosts Tony Caselnova and Krista Joy.
STARS AND MOTORCARS will feature some in-depth in-depth interviews with your favorite Disney celebrities and serve up your favorite Disney film tunes and parade loops. Over the next few weeks listeners will be able to hear from the likes of Pat Carroll (voice of Ursula), Disney Legendary Imagineer Bob Gurr, Paige O’Hara (Belle), Richard White (Gaston), Stacey J. Aswad (host of Must Do Disney) and many more!
Sorcerer Radio station manager Aljon Go says, “I’m thrilled to have our good friends Tony and Krista on Sorcerer Radio. In the past we have had Tony on our show, WDW Tiki Room, and over the years we’ve gotten to be really good friends. Our Sorcerer Radio listeners love hearing from the people that have added so much to their lives and this show will help deliver more of what Sorcerer Radio does every day for the last 14 years, bringing people back to their happy place.”
Hear STARS AND MOTORCARS on Sorcerer Radio Saturdays at 6 p.m./eastern on http://SRSounds.com as it joins our #GeekOutSaturdayNight line up followed by RebelForce Radio, the show all about Star Wars that also includes interviews with your favorite saga stars and voice actors at 7 p.m./e and Mighty Marvel Geeks at 8 p.m./e that talks about the latest happenings with Marvel Studio films, comics and t.v. shows. Did I mention that they too also have star-studded interviews?
“STARS AND MOTORCARS – presented by the Disney Parks Podcast” with hosts Tony Caselnova and Krista Joy on Sorcerer Radio Saturdays at 6 p.m./eastern on http://SRSounds.com.
ABOUT SORCERER RADIO
Sorcerer Radio is currently the #1 fan-run Disney station streaming Disney Park music year-round from their website http://SRSounds.com as well as from a number of services (Live365, TuneIn, iTunes) and from their FREE mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. 2015 marks the station’s 14th anniversary of broadcasting the best mix of Disney Park music. It features personalities on hosted shows from all over the United States: WDW Tiki Room (Disney and pop-culture), DW: 60 (theme park news), SorCom Review (social media interaction), Disneyland Magic, Disney Trip Tips, E-Ticket Time (attraction audio), RebelForce Radio (Star Wars news and commentary) and Mighty Marvel Geeks (Marvel Studios and comics). The Sorcerer Radio Network is a natural extension of their streaming radio station offering up on-demand shows and content in podcast, webcast or article form: DisGeek Podcast, WDW Tiki Room, WDW After Dark, Disney Parks Podcast, Dining at Disney, Jedi Mouseketeer, Meet the Magic and Mighty Marvel Geeks. For more information about Sorcerer Radio visit http://SRSouunds.com.
ABOUT DJ TONY CASELNOVA
My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. You can catch me over at DisneyByTheNumbers.com!
ABOUT DJ KRISTA JOY
Krista Joy is an Orlando native, former Disney cast member and current head author at Disneyways.com. Disneyways is a fan publication dedicated to bringing you Disney news, history and information sprinkled with treasures you won’t find any where else. Krista also works several hours a week managing social media, free-lance writing, and running her company, Krista Joy Enterprises, Inc. Krista was born and raised in the heart of Orlando Florida – where she still lives – with her husband Chris and to two wonderful teenage sons, Bradley and Scott. Never knowing what it’s like to be away from Disney for very long – the magic has truly become a part of who she is. Krista’s Disney dream is to bring magic and fun to the every day lives of her fellow Disney fans – while sharing some laughs along the way. She is very grateful to the listeners, as well as the Disney Parks Podcast team for helping her to make this dream a reality.
Got Wine? Join us in March for a Wine Walk!
Many of you may have heard of or even attempted the unofficial “Drink Around the World” in the Epcot World Showcase. But did you know that Epcot, does have an official, although smaller scale, activity called the Wine Walk? The Wine Walk is available year round and allows you to experience some of the wine offerings in France, Italy and Germany. The cost of this activity is $20 and includes six two(ish) ounce pours, two per country. You can purchase your passport at any of the three countries, which includes a listing of the wine offerings
You get a stamp in your passport for each pour and you are able to enjoy these at your leisure as you explore the world showcase area. You get two pours per country and may have them both at once or save them and come back for round two. I enjoy having a pour and pairing it with some of the samplings available in the pavilions.
The locations of the wine walk are as follows: Weinkeller in Germany, Enoteca Castello in Italy and Les Vins de France in France. You can start at any of these locations and go in any order you choose.
One of my favorite food pairings is located at the Weinkeller. They offer a lovely Cheese plate of three tasting portions with amazing pretzel bread crostini and other accompaniments. This is approximately $5 and is not included with the wine walk fee but makes a really nice addition.
What I love most about the wine walk, is that you choose what you want to pair with your pours, if anything, and how you utilize your pours. Whether it’s a pastry or dessert from France, gelato in Italy or a bratwurst in Germany, it’s your call and all at your pace.
Come and join myself, Ramon Rodriguez of Theme Park Concierge and Krista Joy of Disneyways on March 21, 2015 for an epic wine walk event in the World Showcase. Enjoy some wine, the Flower and Garden Festival and some great company. Hope to see you there!!!
Mary Morales is a Travel Specialist with Mad Hatter adventures and can be found at https://www.facebook.com/MaryMoralesDisneyTravel. She is an avid Disney Traveler and spends at least 4 months a year on property. A Disney Foodie, Mary runs the Disney Food Fans group on Facebook. Specializing in special needs and special diets travel, but plans for all, Mary enjoys making magic for everyone!!! You can follow her on Instagram (tinksthinks123) or Twitter (@tinksthinks123) to see her many Disney adventures.