Hey Howdy Hey friends!
Walt Disney World is gearing up for the official opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Sat, June 30. As a huge Toy Story fan myself, Im so excited to share with you my 5 Must Do’s At Toy Story Land!
All the Disney Parks in One Podcast
Hey Howdy Hey friends!
Walt Disney World is gearing up for the official opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Sat, June 30. As a huge Toy Story fan myself, Im so excited to share with you my 5 Must Do’s At Toy Story Land!
More acts have been added to the line-up for the 2018 Eat to the Beat concert series at this year’s Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.
Two new digital games inspired by the Toy Story Land expansion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are available now on ToyStoryPlaytime.com.
Both games are inspired by attractions in the land – the guest-favorite Toy Story Mania!, as well as the new Alien Swirling Saucers.
Another game, Slinky Dog Dash, debuted earlier this spring. In it, you’ve got :10 seconds to stretch Slinky Dog around the course to collect points … but don’t let his tail catch up before time runs out!
All three games are complimentary and can be accessed on desktop or mobile devices.
As a reminder, Toy Story Land will officially open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 30, 2018.
For more on what to expect when this thrilling new land opens, check out the list of related blog posts below!
There’s something exciting – and tasty! – coming to Disney Springs on May 1. Kick off your summer by exploring this brand-new Bourbon Trail, where guests ages 21 and older can discover bourbon-inspired beverages and food pairings. Meander through the many shops and restaurants throughout the area and find your favorites!
Each of these drinks has been carefully paired with a delicious dish, and there’s even a map that shows where to find all of them! Whether you’re a bourbon aficionado, or just enjoy sipping and savoring new drinks, this trail is perfect for an afternoon stroll or a night out with friends.
I’ve put together this guide to everything being offered on the trail, so be sure to read up and prepare your taste buds, because these offerings will only be available through June 17 and you won’t want to miss out! You might even find me strolling about and sipping on a tasty beverage myself …
House of Blues Restaurant & Bar
Splitsville Dining Room
Bongos Cuban Café
YeSake
Planet Hollywood Observatory
STK Orlando
Enzo’s Hideaway
The Edison
Paradiso 37, Taste of the Americas
The Ganachery
Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
The Boathouse
Paddlefish
The Polite Pig
Frontera Cocina
D-Luxe Burger
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Everything on this tasty Bourbon Trail will be available at Disney Springs from May 1 to June 17, so come on out, grab a drink and a snack, and take a walk with us! You can even pick up a Bourbon Trail Passport that contains all of this info and more at the Disney Springs Welcome Center and at any participating location.
Why Dinosaur is better than Indiana Jones Adventure
An unpopular opinion
Every disagreement starts simply enough. You state an opinion, someone else counters that opinion and you both offer up points until someone relents or both agree to disagree. But what happens when you’re in a group and EVERYONE disagrees with you…even when you’re right? Like when an argument arises that we use 10% of our brain and your group agrees? It’s easy enough to breakout your phone, go to Google and show them that 90% of our brain is NOT inactive.
Wine Bar George is one of the most highly anticipated additions to the vibrant food and beverage scene at Disney Springs. This 200-seat wine bar, scheduled to open soon, is centrally located at The Landing. The space is reminiscent of a winemaker’s home, complete with terrace seating that has sweeping views of Disney Springs and the waterfront stage.
Wine Bar George will offer more than 130 selections by the ounce, glass, and bottle in a range of varietals, vintages, and prices. Acclaimed wineries as well as up-and-coming growing regions and wineries will be featured along with small plates, artisan cheese and charcuterie boards, and sharable entrées designed to complement the wine list.
The biggest reason for all the excitement is George Miliotes himself – renown wine expert, native Floridian, and Disney alum. A celebrity in the wine world, George is a Master Sommelier – one of only 249 in the world. In fact, Wine Bar George is the only wine bar in Florida owned by a Master Sommelier.
We gladly accepted the invitation from George to stop by his home to taste (and sip!) some of the highlights from Wine Bar George. Executive Chef Ron Rupert, who will be at the helm of all things culinary at Wine Bar George, also joined us. My partner, Alex Dunlap, captured some shots of what will be offered and, no surprise, everything was delicious – on the plate and in the glass!
George poured two very special wines to taste – both are listed on the menu under “Outstanding by the Ounce.” These exceptional wines are selected by George in partnership with the respective winery. These wines can be ordered by 1 oz, 3 oz, or 6 oz pours or by the bottle.
For the first wine, George met with owner/winemaker Johannes Selbach to secure a delicious Selbach-Oster, Bömer Riesling – dry, crisp, lush, and very food-friendly. The second wine – Antinori Guado al Tasso – is an incredible Super Tuscan made from the classic Bordeaux grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon as the star. George snagged the wine direct from the winery in vintages from 2004 through 2013.
Ron’s philosophy in the kitchen at Wine Bar George is simple. “I want to create delicious food that pairs well with wine. I pull flavors from around the world that are relevant – that create memories.” Here is a sneak peek at some of his dishes.
The Big Board – An impressive selection of six artisan cheeses and five crafted meats that serves two or more.
Grilled Octopus with Lemon Vinaigrette – This light and refreshing salad has tender pieces of Spanish octopus (a result of grilling then chilling the octopus) with a touch of acidity from the lemon vinaigrette.
Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites – These crispy cheesy bites are surprisingly light. Served with tomato nage and Pecorino, they are Ron’s imaginative take on a grilled cheese with tomato soup.
Porchetta Spiced Pork Cheeks – Served with a creamy three-cheese polenta, these small bites of meaty goodness are cooked long and slow to perfection. The orange gremolata takes it over the top.
Grilled Whole Greek Sea Bass – One of the “family-style plates” that serves two or more, this light and tender whole fish is served with cannelloni bean ragoût and seasonal vegetables.
Olive Oil Cake – This moist cake with a rich olive oil flavor is served with candied olives and lemon mascarpone.
When the doors open to Wine Bar George, expect something special. “It is my responsibility to bring joy to the wine list and the experience,” said George. “I want Wine Bar George to encourage conversations of what is brilliant and special in the wine world.”
In the toy-filled backyard that is Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests “shrink” to the size of a toy and explore the world of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and friends. In the middle of all the fun, Andy has taken his vintage Woody-themed lunch box and propped it open with a thermos, turning it into a walk-up window where his toys can grab a bite to eat. From a nearby tower, green army men stand at the ready, keeping watch for Andy’s return.
Opening June 30, Woody’s Lunch Box will dish up all sorts of sandwiches and sides that blend classic flavor combinations with a modern twist, plus nostalgic soda floats and specialty beverages. We caught up with the team at Flavor Lab – the concept development kitchen – to ask how much fun (and challenging) it was to take sentimental food favorites and give them a modern make-over…in flavor and presentation.
“Everyone has a special food memory, so it can be tricky putting a modern spin on the favorites,” explained Lenny DeGeorge, Concept Development Culinary Director for Walt Disney World, about the year-long menu development process. “We honored these classic dishes by using the best ingredients to elevate the flavors. How we constructed the sandwiches was important, such as layering the ingredients in a specific order, to maximize textures and flavors. Why have a cold sandwich when you can have a toasted hot, gooey cheese-filled one?”
Here is a peek into Woody’s Lunch Box. Gee, I wish my mom would have packed me a lunch like this!
S’more French Toast Breakfast Sandwich – Oozy goodness in a chocolate ganache- and marshmallow-stuffed French toast topped with graham cracker crumbles. Inspired by the classic American campfire treat.
Smoked Turkey, Eggs, Swiss, Peppers, and Onions on Sourdough – The perfect hand-held stack of breakfast goodness.
Breakfast Bowl – The green army men line up for this hearty bowl of potato barrels, brisket-country gravy, and scrambled eggs.
BBQ Brisket Melt – With a nod to cowboy Woody, this Texas-style smoked brisket features cheddar, Monterey Jack, pickles, and BBQ sauce on garlic butter-grilled sourdough.
Monte Cristo with Raspberry Jam – Woody’s version of this classic sandwich has layers of ham, turkey, Swiss, and raspberry jam…and is grilled to a golden brown.
Totchos – Potato barrels, corn chips, chili, and cheese – what’s not to love??
Sides include tomato basil soup, vegetable macaroni salad, and potato barrels. Mini Babybel snack cheese, the official snack cheese of Walt Disney World Resort, is also an option to eat with your meal or as an on-the-go snack.
Raspberry Lunch Box Tart garnished with Icing and Dried Fruit and Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart garnished with Icing and Caramelized Bacon – Even toys need a sweet treat! Inspired by breakfast toaster pastries, this modern interpretation, with its uniquely delicate crust, is the perfect hand-held pastry.
The littlest toys can enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich or turkey sandwich, both served with potato barrels and mandarin oranges. For toys looking for more lighter options, they can grab one of these tasty bites at Woody’s Lunch Box or check out the many other healthful offerings available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios including fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, and grilled meats and fish.
Banana Split Yogurt Parfait – Layers of banana-vanilla Greek yogurt (with a hint of honey), fresh bananas, strawberries, and pineapple topped with granola and chocolate chips. A delicious and healthful way to start the day!
Smoked Turkey, Tomato, and Lettuce on Multigrain Bread – This quintessential lunch box sandwich is a light and fresh option. And to give it a kick of flavor, we add a creamy Dijonnaise.
Soda Floats – All toys would agree that a refreshing soda float is the perfect nostalgic beverage!
The adorable Alien Sipper may be purchased and filled with any fountain drink or the signature Mystic Portal Punch – Powerade Mountain Berry Blast with flavors of lemon-lime and tangerine.
The big kids can enjoy the backyard with Grown-Up’s Lemonade cocktail (cherry vodka, Odwalla Lemonade, and black cherry purée), beer, or hard cider.
A permit was filed today with the South Florida Water Management District for “Project H” to clear the land of vegetation and stockpile fill. While we don’t yet know what “Project H” is, the site specified in the permit is directly adjacent to the new Star Wars land under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
This site (shown in green) is a 9.5 acre plot of land directly across the entrance road from the show buildings being erected in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and is a likely spot for the location of the new Star Wars hotel.
The site is directly south of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and would be just below the show buildings shown in this construction photo.