News and Events

All posts in the News and Events category

Photo and Video Tour – Switching our Annual Passes to RFID Cards – MagicBands and More

Published March 26, 2013 by Disneyways.com

March 20, 2013 Walt Disney World began MyMagic+ upgrade for annual passholders with hard plastic cards, RFID, and a MagicBand preview.

Now through May 19, Walt Disney World annual passholders can take existing paper passes to the Odyssey Center at Epcot, located between Test Track and the Mexico pavilion, and update them to hard plastic cards embedded with technology that allows access to the newest features.

My husband and I headed to change our passes over on the evening of March 21st.

rfidchriskrista

I was amazed at how easy it was. It really just took place almost instantly after presenting our existing pass and photo ID. We got to  choose from four character designs: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, or Donald.

DSC04648

Once converted, passholders have access to the new turnstile-free entry areas at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Mickey-head adorned posts replace turnstiles presenting guests a chance to simply touch their passes against the glowing circle and place a finger on the security reader to gain access, as demonstrated in the video below.

Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests can also currently use the touch-to-enter system as the “Key to the World” cards also have the necessary MyMagic+ RFID technology already built in.

In addition to touch-to-enter, these new hard plastic cards work with the existing FastPass system and will ultimately work with the FastPass+ system, once it officially begins. These cards will also soon be able to used for PhotoPass+, allowing passholders to simply touch their cards against PhotoPass readers instead of having them scanned.

But according to the cast members in the upgrade center, passholders looking to use the touch-to-pay feature that’s now available at most registers across Walt Disney World will have to use MagicBands.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

These lightweight, flexible wristbands will effortlessly connect you to all the vacation plans you make using the My Disney Experience app or from your PC. MagicBands can be used to enter Walt Disney World parks, access FastPass+ attractions and more. Wearing a MagicBand helps make everything super easy, so you can relax and enjoy the fun.

MagicBands will be provided to Passholders whose passes provide admission to Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’ll let you know more about MagicBands in the coming months. Linking a credit card to an annual pass for touch-to-pay access will not be possible. Each passholder will receive one in the mail some time within the next few months, though Disney isn’t saying when just yet.

The MagicBand is on display at the Odyssey, packaged in multiple colors, arriving to guests in the mail with names assigned:

DSC04658

In addition to the MagicBands, we also got to take a look at a  few bonus pieces of theme park history in the Odyssey, including  Figment and Kitchen Kabaret figures, Tom Morrow 2.0, an “it’s a small world” doll, a remote control jungle cruise boat (that you will no longer find in the Magic Kingdom), and more:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Odyssey Center is currently the only location where existing annual passholders can receive the new cards, open during regular park hours. Those who need new passes or renewals will be able to get the new pass at any ticket window. After May 19, other ways will be made available to exchange passes as well.

Click here to read our frequently asked questions on the subject of these RFID cards and MagicBands.

Limited Time Magic for March 25th – March 31st (and more embarrassing ear hat photos.)

Published March 23, 2013 by Disneyways.com

The first embarrassing ear hat photo can be found on my facebook page…but just like Limited Time Magic…that photo won’t last long.

I accept all facebook friend requests.

Now on with the serious stuff. Like dancing hippos. More on that later.

Limited Time Magic happenings and events have been announced for March 25th – 31st.

Disney is calling it Spring Fling!

Magic Kingdom Park will host Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny. Guests can hop on over to Town Square on Main Street to get a picture taken with the power couple.

The Mr. and Mrs. will share the spotlight with butterflies, other bunnies, flowers and dancing hippos in a special springtime procession that will happen before the daily performances of the Celebrate a Dream Come True parade.

Because….what’s a day at the Magic Kingdom without dancing hippos?!

It’s a good thing bunnies have energy because Mr. and Mrs. Bunny will also be at Epcot to host activities in the United Kingdom pavilion. Kids can meet them, pose for photos, hunt Easter eggs and participate in relay races.

This week will also bring Easter egg hunts in Future World. Yahoo! Stay tuned to Disneyways for what I am guessing will be some pretty awesome video footage of that.

Oswald The Lucky Rabbit ear hats will be available at Mouse Gear in Epcot while supplies last. Everyone knows Oswald ears are the hottest thing in fashion right now.

My buddy Mike from MikeandtheMouse.com looks pretty fly in his –

don’t you think?

mike

My husband Chris took this picture of us at the first ever Disneyways meetup. If you couldn’t make it that night, these are the sort of shenanigans you missed.

*Spring Fling experiences and offerings are subject to change without notice. Valid Theme Park admission is requiered for events taking place at Magic Kingdom park and Epcot. No Oswalds were harmed during the capturing of this photo.

Related articles

Your Questions Answered! Super Cool RFID Card Secret that You Will Only Find HERE!

Published March 22, 2013 by Disneyways.com

March 21st 2013, I posted on facebook that I was headed to get my new touch and go plastic version of the Disney annual pass, and turn in my old paper one. I asked you to send me your questions about this whole process – and we got some great ones! Some came by email, some by PM, and some were posted in various groups. I have much more I will post on the process and FUN I had getting this new touch-and-go pass, but I wanted to get to your awesome questions first.

Before we get started – I need to make a couple of shout-outs! I asked my Twitter and Facebook friends to guess which character I picked for my new pass. The correct answer was Minnie!

photo (26)

Robert Bearden of the fabulous MickeyUpdates.com was the first to answer correctly on Facebook! Honorable mention goes to Anne @_annaporter and Michelle @cmch22 for being my only 2 guessers on Twitter. Thank you so much to everyone who played along!

To my friends over at the Disney Dreamers group – you have a special place in my heart. I love you guys! Samantha, I know you are so proud. Thank you – and all the Dreamers – for your constant support.

Finally, another big thank you to each and every person who sent in questions, especially my wonderful Disneyways subscribers! You guys are the heart and soul of this whole thing. Thank you for taking this journey with me!

Enough mushy stuff…on with the questions!

Chantal G. – “Silly question are they plastic cards??? I am not all that fond of the paper ones.” Chantal…no Disney question is ever silly to me! Things change at lightning speed sometimes and a there is a seemingly never ending amount of new Disney information. Yes, these cards are plastic, and similar in size, width and flexibility as a driver’s license. I love it – I hope you do too.

Here is what I thought was the super cool secret part that (as far as I know) NOBODY else has posted any where on the internet. Get this…the cast members told me we don’t even have to take the thing out of our wallet for it to work. Of course I tried it…

DSC04691

They were right! I think I embarrassed my husband a little bit with how completely excited I was about this!!! I can’t promise it will work for everybody – but Disneyways readers will be informed enough to know they can try! I hope everyone will give it a shot- and let me know how it works for you!!

Linda R. – “I was wondering .. Do Season Passholders get the new card too or just annual passholders?” Linda this is for all passholders. Annual, seasonal, weekday and even Epcot after 4 passes will have the option to upgrade to plastic.

Mindy C. – “What determines whether your passes include parking or not? Is it a special kind of annual pass, or premium vs. regular?” Mindy, if you have a regular or premium annual pass, it includes parking – and this will not change when you switch to the new plastic card. There will be no doubt when you get it because the bottom of the card will have an orange stripe (see Minnie above) AND the back will have a red stripe like this:

back2

Getting through the parking plaza will be a breeze. The cast members won’t have to squint like they do at the little black print on the old paper passes.

If you have a Florida resident seasonal or weekday pass – it does not include parking – and that won’t change. Your new card will have a black stripe on the bottom. If you buy a ticket as a day guest – your stripe will be green. See examples below:

481953_276895985777324_1056027847_n

Paul D. – “Are we allowed to request a character?” Paul this was a hot topic today! I am happy to report the answer is YES.

Alexis M. – “No more Pluto cards?” Alexis, Pluto is not an option at this time. Keep in mind however, you do not have to switch to the new plastic card. Also – please check out our post from January by clicking here. This post shows official pictures from Disney depicting the wonderful customization options we will get to choose once the MagicBands are released. The cast member last night was so cute, he said “They are going to be as customizable as CROCS!” Referencing the shoes people wear that you can decorate.

The next few questions were about Magicbands:

Samantha J. – “What if someone has sensitive skin and couldn’t wear the MagicBands, would be another option ?” Samantha, the cast members told me last night that Disney invested thousands of dollars doing research to create a MagicBand that will not irritate even the most sensitive skin. It is also breathable so our arms won’t sweat. We can adjust the MagicBand to fit even a child – so they are one size fits (almost) all. Again, MagicBands are optional. You don’t have to switch over to one if you don’t want to.

Shannon K.W. – “Okay…so just so I have this straight (because my family thinks I have all the answers and I would like to continue to keep them fooled…hahaha!) Do we also have the option of bracelets…or is it just annual pass cards?” Shannon I love your question! Right now, our only option is upgrading to the plastic card if we choose. Disney will be rolling out the MagicBands as soon as that technology is ready. No word yet on an exact date. Make sure you are subscribed to Disneyways so you will know the minute we find out!

Mark G. – “Still confused on if we will get replacements in the mail or will we have to go to guest relations when we go in June.” Mark, the cast members I spoke to last night were pretty confident that we will be able to get our new tickets or possibly Magicbands – if that technology is ready- as early as May 20th via the web, and then of course, if you order them on-line, they would arrive by mail. If you don’t have yours in time then you will head to guest relations when you get here. There are two more things they wanted me to be sure to tell you. One, if you haven’t already, you will want to be sure to register for an account here. Two, make sure you remember what email address you use to register this account. This is very important because all your MagicBand communication will go to that email address. Check your spam folder periodically if stuff tends to get sent there by accident sometimes.

The last questions I got were about Disneyland. Irene L. and Nichole M. thanks so much for asking! The information I heard (thanks Alexis M.) – was that Disneyland is not expected to have these new technologies until 2014 or later. You just never know with Disney, so keep an eye out for any changes there. I will do my best to watch – but Disneyways – for now, is mostly a Disney World resource (unofficially of course!)

Whew! I think that about does it. Again, if I missed your question, please let me know right away – the quickest being by facebook. I accept all friend requests.

You can also email me any time Disneyways@Disneyways.com There will be many more blog posts on this subject to come!

Now, in case there was ANY doubt in your mind about how much of a dork I really am….I have provided this lovely video. I did not know my husband was filming so what you are getting here is the real me. Check out this new little card and your MagicBand – in action – and listen to the little noise it makes! “Wow….that is really cool.”

Related articles

 

Annual Passholders – Day One Photos of MyMagic+ Upgrade Process

Published March 21, 2013 by Disneyways.com

March 20th 2013, Disney Annual Passholders Began Pickups for the New Touch to Enter Cards.

Since so many Passholders love to visit during Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, going on now through May 19, Walt Disney World is offering a convenient way to exchange your current paper annual Pass for a new card.

Why should you switch?

The new entrances will eliminate the need for turnstiles. Running that paper card through the machine will be a thing of the past. Just touch your new plastic card to the Mickey head, scan your finger, wait for the green light – and you’re in!

Got a stroller or a wheelchair? You will no longer have to wait for someone to open the gate! The folks that choose to have these cards will have a much faster wait time to enter the parks.

During your next visit, you can bring your paper Pass and valid ID to the Odyssey Center, located between Test Track and the Mexico pavilion, to get your new card. Obviously, cards must be used by the same person who originally used the paper pass. You will see a sign outside the Odyssey Center that looks like this:

At this time, the Odyssey Center is the only location where Passholders can receive the new cards. The Odyssey Center is open during regular park hours, and the best time to visit is Monday through Friday after 12:00 noon. Main Entrance ticket windows are unable to exchange Passes for the new cards.

In the coming months, we’ll provide more information here on other ways you’ll be able to exchange your Pass for a new card, (no worries if you can’t get here before May 12th!) as well as more information on MyMagic+ and when MagicBands will be available to Passholders. Disney has not released info on the timing of these yet.

Our Disneyways Man-on-the-Scene reporter Ramon Rodriguez, was the very first one in line- on the very first day – to get his new RFID card!!

Perhaps the first EVER guest at Walt Disney World to pick up his new (tap to enter) annual pass. Ramon Rodriguez of ThemeParkConcierges.com

Ramon was able to get these terrific photos from Day One – to give us an idea of how the process works. We will have answers to your questions and more photos for you tomorrow! Send your questions to Disneyways@Disneyways.com or leave them in the comments below and we will answer them in the next blog on this subject.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Limited Time Magic Vinylmation “Easter Egg” Hunt in Epcot – Part 1 of 2

Published March 18, 2013 by Disneyways.com

I was SUPER excited to be a part of Day One of Limited Time Magic for the week of March 18th-23rd!

Disney promised this would be “the most Egg-cellent Limited Time Magic surprise yet.” Today’s post will be the first of two posts we will do about this event,  in order to avoid any spoilers for those of you who may be traveling here this week and would like to be surprised about some things.

To begin, you are invited to visit Port of Entry in Epcot. This is the shop located across from Duffy’s meet and greet area.

This is where you can purchase your special Eggs-perience park map and stickers, available for $4.95, plus tax. If you look closely at the map you will notice all countries in World Showcase have an egg for you to find EXCEPT Mexico. Don’t waste time looking in the Mexico pavilion!

Your $4.95 price also includes this sticker sheet. You do not have to find the eggs to collect your vinylmation prize. You may collect it now if you wish! I opted to pick up my gifts before the hunt since we were in a bit of a hurry and I didn’t know if we would have time to return and collect.

Now you are on your way! You can explore the park for hidden eggs, using your map as a guide. As you locate eggs, you can then mark your map with the stickers.
I have photos of every egg in it’s location but we will save that for part two. Just for a visual, however, this is what you will be searching for:

There is one egg in each pavilion and they are probably about 2 feet tall and 2 feet around, each with a different character.

Once you are done with your hunt you bring your map back to the Port of Entry. If you choose to add your stickers it will look something like this.

Next you will head back to Port of Entry to view your choices in vinylmations!

Under each of these “eggs” is an example of all 4 vinylmations you may choose from, and you can then tell them which of the 4 you would like:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

That’s about it for now. I will post more pictures and another blog about the Egg Hunt – and provide you with more photos and detals!

Limited Time Magic for March 18th-23rd!!

Published March 14, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Vinylmation Easter Egg Hunt

Starting Monday you are invited on an Easter egg hunt through select Disney Parks. Search for hidden eggs, mark them with stickers provided on the special Eggs-perience Park map and return to one of the redemption locations for a special prize. You can purchase the special map and stickers for a nominal fee at Port of Entry near the Meet and Greet for Duffy by Showcase Plaza, or at International Gateway.

mickey

Running for a Reason

Published March 13, 2013 by Disneyways.com

A note from Krista: I want to introduce you to Rachel, my fantastic new Disney friend. Between having a precious son to care for…training…AND her Disney marathons, I can’t even imagine the miles Rachel has covered! I am super excited that she took time to share this wonderful post with you and I – via Disneyways today. Make sure you read it to the very end, and if you have a tender heart like I do, you may want to get the tissues ready. This is the stuff that bittersweet Disney tears are made of.

Thank you so much Rachel for your wonderful contribution!!

the fam

Running for a Reason ~ Written by Rachel

Running, for me, can be a very emotional thing. I am not sure why. Maybe it is
because I love it so much. Your average PT run or run around the neighborhood,
maybe not. But racing…I love racing. And I get emotional when I race. And I get
VERY emotional when I race at Disney. There is something about how emotionally
charged and amped up the entire race process is…from the family reunion area
and the anticipation of hearing them call your corral, to the walk through the back
lot of Epcot to the start, to the fireworks that kick off the race and passing under
that banner that says START with Mickey and Minnie, or more recently the Fairy
Godmother, waving as you pass. It can all be very overwhelming. I am used to that.
I am used to crying like a baby when they play the pre-race montage, this year’s
used the song Go The Distance from Hercules—very fitting. And I am used to crying
at the finish line. Coming around that last corner out of Epcot and seeing the FINISH
about 100 meters away… it hits you that you really have just run over 26 miles, and
you are about to cross that finish line. I think the most stoic of people would get a
little choked up.

This year at the marathon, however, something was a little different. This year,
everywhere I looked, it seemed like I was getting choked up. Some background is
required: The week before I went down to WDW for the race, my boss had asked
me a question that I couldn’t really answer. He asked me why I do this. Why I put
my body, one already wracked with pretty bad degenerative arthritis, through such
torture. I told him that I really didn’t know why…I just loved it. And I didn’t know
why I loved it, I just did.

His question stuck with me though, and as the miles started to pass I slowly started
to realize that we all had a reason to run. The back of one Team in Training jersey
told me that she was running in memory of her father. The back of another told me
that he was running in honor of his daughter, who was fighting breast cancer. More
shirts showed pictures of my fallen comrades – one even a Soldier I served with
at Fort Leavenworth. His sister was running the WDW Marathon in his memory.
Several shirts said “26 miles for 26 beautiful lives lost”. They were running for
children and teachers from Newtown, CT. It was about 30 minutes after the sun
came up and I had tears streaming down my face from reading all of these reasons
that everyone was running. I turned to Jim and said, “This. This is why I run.
Because we ALL have a reason. We may not even know what it is, but we all have a
reason.”

In September, I have decided to join the many who have a reason way beyond
themselves and a shiny medal to run. In September, I will run for every child who
has ever been diagnosed with cancer. In September, I will run for every family that
has had to hear those words, knowing what it could mean for their precious child.
In September, I will run for hope, for faith, for a cure, and for St. Jude’s. And I will
keep running for a reason for as long as I possibly can – no matter what the reason.

Because there will come a day that I can no longer do this. But that day is not today.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

To find out more information, and to help support Rachel and her noble cause,

Running for a Reason,

please click here.

 

Solving the Mystery Surrounding the Rapunzel Tower in New Fantasyland: March 2013 Grand Opening Video Edition

Published March 9, 2013 by Disneyways.com

The day we have all been anticipating – finally arrived!

March 8th 2013 – the Rapunzel area walls finally came down! Here is what we saw…

Related articles

Disney Function and Fabulosity – this bag has it all.

Published March 9, 2013 by Disneyways.com

My wonderful sister-in-law Karen recently gave me a Vera Bradley bag for my birthday. It is the cross-body style and it is by far the best bag I have ever used to carry what I need around the Disney parks. Hands free, machine washable,  and just the right size. What’s not to like?

Here is a photo of the one I have:

Check out the Little Hipster! It is 9.75 x 6.5 x 1.75 and it retails for $45. It has a zip around pocket in the front with card pockets, ID window and a bill pocket and then a zip main compartment and a slip pocket with a magnet on the back. Photo credit OhMyVera.com

Have you heard about the new Disney-inspired handbags and accessories by Vera Bradley?

They are coming in the fall of 2013. Cathy Dawson, merchandiser for accessories at Disney Parks says, “We are thrilled to introduce Vera Bradley to our accessories assortment. In recent years, we’ve seen several guests in our parks and resorts sporting fun, colorful bags by Vera Bradley. Even our Disney Cruise Line team recently added some items by Vera Bradley to the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. We thought it would be wonderful to add a splash of Disney to these popular and colorful accessory items.”

Vera Bradley names all of her patterns and these are no exception. The black pattern is called “Midnight with Mickey,” while the pink pattern is named “Just Mousing Around.” These patterns will be seen on duffel bags, totes, cosmetic bags and more.

When released this fall, we will be able to buy these items at select locations in Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. They will also be sold via the Disney Parks online store at a future date.

Recently I visited the  Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival  Festival Center, located between Mission: SPACE and Universe of Energy in Future World, to get these photos for you of the bags on display. Needless to say, I am in love with these new bags, and I hope you are too!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

 

Related articles

Detailed Food and Beverage Listing for the 2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Marketplaces – so you can plan your snack (and beverage) attack!

Published March 4, 2013 by Disneyways.com

festival center

For the first time in history, Epcot’s 2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival will include some food and beverage marketplaces throughout World Showcase. March 06 – May 19, 2013, Disney welcomes you  to savor a taste of spring with sophisticated small plates and harvest-derived beverages that deliver a world of flavor. Each pavilion in world showcase features its own nation-themed Garden Marketplace.

I am pretty excited about the addition of the food and drink samples available for purchase Are you ready to pick your favorite foods and plan your snack attack?

This list should help embark on a whirlwind culinary adventure! You can even click here to see a World Showcace map in advance.

No worries however, if you don’t feel like planning ahead, all this information will be available at the park once you arrive.

gnome

 

FRUITS BY THE GLASS will be located in the World Showcase Plaza: 

“Toast to Spring with mango and blueberry wines, nonalcoholic wild berry slush and gluten-free raspberry ale, among others.”

Watermelon Passion Fruit Cocktail
Wild Berry Slush – Non Alcoholic
Sea Dog Blue Paw Wild Blueberry
New Planet™ 3R Raspberry Ale (this one is gluten free!)
Florida Orange Groves, Mango Mama, Mango Wine
Florida Orange Groves, Blueberry Blue, Blueberry Wine
DeLoach Vineyards Heritage Reserve Chardonnay
DeLoach Vineyards Heritage Reserve Pinot Noir

FLORIDA FRESH loated in World Showcase Promenade, on the Mexico side:

“Taste the Sunshine State with watermelon and feta salad, shrimp and grits, and tomato and carrot wines!”

Watermelon Salad with pickled Red Onions, Baby Arugula, Feta Cheese and Balsamic Reduction
Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, Zellwood Corn, Tomatoes and Cilantro
Angel Food Cake with macerated Florida Berries
Florida Orange Groves, Hot Sun, Tomato Wine
Florida Orange Groves, 40 Karat, Carrot Wine
Orange Blossom Pilsner
Strawberry Slush (Non Alcoholic)

JARDIN DE FIESTAS – Mexico

Tacos de Carnitas (Pork Tacos topped with Tamarindo salsa, served on a flour tortilla with Chicharrón)
Tostada (Crab tostada served with Chipotle Mayo and Valentina Salsa)
Flan de Guayaba (Guava Custard)
Conga Fruit Punch – Non Alcoholic
Corona Light Draft Beer
Rosita Margarita
Organic Tequila Flight

LOTUS HOUSE – China

Beijing-Style Candied Strawberries
Spring Pancake with Grilled Chicken and Green Apple
Pan-Fried Vegetable Bun
Peach-Oolong Bubble Tea
Kung Fu Punch (Vodka and Triple Sec with Mango and Orange Juice)
South Sea Storm (Guava with Light and Dark Rum)
Plum Wine
Tsing – Tao Beer
Lychee Aerated Water
Peach Aerated Water

BAUERNMARKT: Farmer’s Market – Adjacent to Germany

Savory Bread Pudding with Spring Peas and Wild Mushroom Ragout
German Meatloaf Sandwich with Sweet Mustard and Fried Shallots
Potato Pancakes with house made Apple Sauce**
Florida Avenue American Wheat Ale
Krombacher Hefeweizen
Goose Island Brewing Company’s Honker Ale
Blue Point’s Toasted Lager
Beer Flight
Hugo – Charles De Fere “Organic” Brut with Elderflower and Mint
Krombacher Hefeweizen

PRIMAVERA KITCHEN – Italy

“Italy will be serving lobster with asparagus, spring vegetable lasagna, panna cotta, fruity cocktails and Italian wines.”

Asparagi con Aragosta all’Ortolana (Green asparagus, lobster, garden cocktail sauce)
Lasagna Primavera (Spinach Lasagna, green peas, zucchini, mushrooms, broccolini, béchamel and fresh tomatoes, with garlic and basil leaves) 
Panna Cotta al Limoncello (Limoncello flavored Panna Cotta, wild berries)
Fontana Candida, Pinot Grigio
Castello di Querceto, Chianti
Bosco del Merlo, Prosecco
White Peach Bellini
Strawberry Rossini
Italian Primavera
Birrificio Del Ducato – Nuova Mattina (Spring Saison Ale)
Birrificio Le Baladin – Nora (Specialty Ale)
Birra Del Borgo – Rubus Lamponi (Specialty Wild Fruit Ale)
Beer Flight

THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews – The American Adventure Courtyard

“Get into some finger-lickin’ barbecue—pulled pork and smoked brisket—and ice-cold craft beers at The American Adventure.”

Pulled Pig Slider with Cole Slaw
Smoked Beef Brisket with Collard Greens and Jalapeño Corn Bread
Rocky Road Brownie Mousse
Mama’s Little Yella Pils (Czech style Pilsner)
Liberty Ale from Anchor Brewing Company,  San Francisco, Ca. (India Pale Ale)
Red Ale from Orlando Brewing, Orlando, Fla. (Red Ale- Organic)
Blackwater Porter from Orlando Brewing Company, Orlando, Fla. (Stout- Organic)
The Original Rib Shack Red Wine
Beer Flight

HANAMI – Japan

Frushi (Fresh strawberries, pineapple and cantaloupe rolled with coconut rice, atop a raspberry sauce sprinkled with toasted coconut and whipped cream)**
Chirashi Hanazushi (Grilled Salmon, cooked shrimp and crab stick served over a bed of fragrant ginger rice with Volcano and Dynamite sauce)
YakiSoba Pan (Fresh grilled carrots, onions and cabbage with Japanese noodles and teriyaki sauce served on a bun with mayonnaise and Beni Shoga)
Green Tea Flan (Silky custard with macha green tea and caramel glaze)
Yuzu Rita
Fruit Sake
Hana Awaka
Frozen Kirin Ichiban

TASTE OF MARRAKESH – Morocco

“Enjoy Morocco’s lamb kebabs and couscous, harissa chicken drumettes with chermoula, desert rose cocktail and more.”

Spiced Lamb Kebab with Vegetable Couscous Salad
Harissa and Lamb Confit Chicken Drumettes with Chermoula and Cucumber Salad
Baghrir (Moroccan pancake with honey, almonds and Argan Oil)**
Desert Rose
White Sangria
Guerrouane Red
Casa Beer
Mint Iced Tea

L’ORANGERIE – France

“France presents a rustic ratatouille tart, country pâté with cherry compote and, of course, a selection of French wines.”

Tarte à la ratatouille et fromage de chèvre (Zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, onions and tomato tart with goat cheese)
Terrine Campagnarde, baguette et compote de cerises (Country style pâté served with baguette and cherry compote)
Verrine charlotte au pèches (Caramelized peaches and rosemary and light vanilla cream)
La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush (Grey Goose Vodka Orange,
St. Germain liquor with White and Red Cranberry Juice)
Muscat Pétillant, Sparkling Muscat Charles de Fère
Chardonnay, White Burgundy, Macon Village Georges Duboeuf
Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux Beau-Rivage
Kronenbourg Blanc 1664, (Fruity White Beer with Citrus Notes)

THE COTTAGE: Savories, Trifles and Tea – United Kingdom 

“Stop by the United Kingdom for tea and delectable dainties, including a salmon tartare-topped cheddar biscuit, an ultra-gourmet Caprese and a trio of trifles.”

Potato, Chive and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare and Sour Cream
Baked Goat’s Brie with Kumquat Chutney
Waterkist Farms Heirloom Tomatoes   with house-made Mozzarella, Minus 8 Vinegar and Basil
Chocolate Trifle
Berry Trifle
Ginger and Tea Trifle
Trio of Trifles
Hot Teas (Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Lemon Green Tea, Jasmine Green Tea, Spiced Apple Chai, Pumpkin Chai, Mixed Berry Black Tea, Pomegranate and Raspberry, Camomile Honey & Vanilla, Honeybush, Mandarin and Orange, Pure Peppermint, Lemon & Ginger)
Peach Cold Brewed Iced Tea
Mixed Berries Cold Brewed Iced Tea
Poema Cava Brut Rosé
Chilled Rose Blush Lemonade – Non alcoholic

PINEAPPLE PROMENADE – World Showcase Promenade, Canada side.

“Take a delicious break in your day, indulging in spiced rum Dole Whip, pineapple upside down cake, fruit cups and more.”

Dole® Whip
Dole® Whip with Siesta Key Spiced Rum
Pineapple Upside Down Cake featuring Dole® Pineapple
Dole® Pineapple Fruit Cup
Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade – Non Alcoholic
Samuel Adams® Cream Stout

INTERMISSIONS CAFE — Festival Center
Beet Lollipop
Grapes
Fruit & Cheese Plate
Vegan Trio
Southwest Chicken Wrap
Tuna Salad with Pita
Italian Salad
Asian Tuna Salad with Noodles
New Planet™ 3R Raspberry Ale (Gluten Free) (12 oz.)
Blue Point’s Spring Fling (12 oz.)
Florida Orange Groves, Mango Mama, Mango Wine
Florida Orange Groves, Blueberry Blue, Blueberry Wine
DeLoach Vineyards Heritage Reserve Chardonnay
DeLoach Vineyards Heritage Reserve Pinot Noir
Poema Cava Brut Rosé

Are you headed to the festival this year? Are you as excited as I am about these food and beverage tastings? Please let me know your thoughts!
 

Related articles