News and Events

All posts in the News and Events category

The Disney Parks Podcast Interviews Stephen Wancha Director of Food and Beverage for Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

Published September 8, 2014 by Disneyways.com

Stephen
Recently, Tony and I were very honored to interview Stephen Wancha, Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Stephen has been one of my all-time favorite guests on the Disney Parks Podcast.  He has a passion for his work at the Four Seasons that truly shines. Click the photo above to be taken directly to the podcast, or check it out on the YouTube Video below. As you listen, get ready to learn more about all the wonderful dining experiences you can enjoy in the brand new (stunning!) resort. If you just can’t get enough of food at the Four Seasons (I know I can’t!) click HERE to check out video and more from our first visit to Ravello! In Stephen’s own words, “Our food and beverage program is a true dining destination for Orlando locals and guests alike, where great food and innovative concepts meet passionate, attentive service.” I couldn’t agree more!

From the Four Seasons Website:

“In a relatively short period of time, Stephen Wancha has lived in 10 different major cities (returning to live in three of the cities twice), so it’s easy to see why he developed a propensity for travel, and in turn, for dining out. The affable Wancha, Director of Food and Beverage for Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, brings 10 years of Four Seasons experience with him to lead the Food and Beverage operations at the Resort, which includes five on-site restaurants and a large-scale banquet operations team.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be at this amazing property,” says Wancha. “Orlando is not well-known for its culinary scene – it’s definitely emerging. With the team we’ve together and the concepts we’re bringing to the market, we are giving our guests and Orlando locals a special dining experience.”

Prior to joining Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Wancha’s first Director of Food and Beverage position was at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. At the time, Wancha was 28 years of age, making him the youngest Director of Food and Beverage among all Four Seasons properties worldwide. This coup alone is a testament to the wealth of food and beverage knowledge Wancha brings.

The Resort’s star restaurant is Capa, the 17th floor rooftop Spanish-influenced steakhouse that offers a romantic setting above the treetops and a stunning view of the nightly Magic Kingdom Park® fireworks. Ravello is the Resort’s Italian concept; PB&G is the Southern rotisserie; and Plancha is a Cuban American grill. One of Wancha’s favuorites is Lickety Split, a grab-and-go on the lobby level, offering a variety of cappuccinos and lattes, smoothies, Italian donuts and pastries, gelato and more. Wancha, a coffee connoisseur, has set up the ultimate coffee bar.

When not fueling up on java, Wancha’s other beverage of choice is wine. An avid wine collector, Wancha is proud of his large private collection of mostly New World/Napa wines and Old World/Italian wines. He’s excited about the wine program at the Resort, with 400 labels and many available by the glass. Wancha’s own famous Sangria is on the menu at Capa.

Wancha loves to travel the globe for inspiration, often jet-setting to New York or San Francisco for weekend culinary expeditions. He dined at 27 different restaurants over two days in New York, and enjoyed 16 eateries over two days in Chicago. A true “foodie” who is fun to dine with, and fun to “talk shop,” Wancha is always in line with, and often a step ahead of, the culinary scene.”

For more on the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, check out our interview with Thomas Steinhauer; Regional Vice President and General Manager.

Are you sitting down? Good. Because this Frozen news is almost TOO MUCH TO HANDLE

Published September 3, 2014 by Disneyways.com

If you’re a Frozen fan like I am – you’re going to love this!

During ABC’s televised special of The Story of Frozen: Making an Animated Classic, the network announced that the Kingdom of Isolation will be extending its frozen grip with a brand-new spinoff.  The spinoff is not quite a full length feature, it’s more of a “short.”

Frozen Logo

This short is due to come out in the Spring of 2015, and will tell the story of Anna’s birthday party. It seems as though the party (and more!) could be threatened by Elsa’s powers! Frozen Fever is the title of this story. It will reunite key players and all of our favorite characters from the original Frozen. Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee will return, in addition to producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who won the Academy Award for “Let It Go.” It’s unknown if Kristen Bell (Anna), Josh Gad (Olaf), Jonathan Groff (Kristoff) and Idina Menzel (Elsa) will return in their voice roles, but it seems highly likely that they will due to the amazing popularity of this film.

To date, Frozen has earned $1.27 billion worldwide and is the most successful animated film of all time.

Walt Disney Animation Studios didn’t specify which feature film Frozen Fever will accompany, but a likely candidate is the live-action Cinderella film on March 13 starring Cate Blanchett and Lily James. On a side note, Tomorrowland, starring George Clooney, and Inside Out, featuring Amy Poehler, are also out in 2015 !

While we are on that subject of Frozen- check out this performace of  “Let It Go” from a girl group auditioning for a South Korean talent show. It starts off a little slow but keep watching all the way through – if you are a fan of this song – you won’t regret it. The music from the original Frozen will forever be ingrained in my heart, how about yours?

 

Top Five Activities for Tweens and Teens at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party ~ By Guest Author Karyn Locke

Published August 23, 2014 by Disneyways.com

Top Five Activities for Tweens and Teens at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

MNSSHP teens 1

Halloween parties are a snap when you’ve got wee ones. Dress them up in a costume and hand them a bag for their treats and they’re all set. So, what if you’ve got a tween or teenager that has maybe outgrown the Halloween costume or trick-or-treating fun? Can they still have a blast at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World? You betcha! Here’s a list of the top five activities for tweens and teens at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party:

5. Embrace the Lines and People Watch

MNSSHP teens 2

Let’s face it: There will always be some sort of line when you visit Walt Disney World (unless you visit on a really rainy day and magically manage to get a photo of Aloha Isle with no line. But that’s another story.) So what can your tween or teen do while their younger siblings are queued up in a goodie line or a character meet and greet? People Watch! My tween daughter loves checking out other visitor’s costumes and has even made a few new Disney friends while waiting in line at the party. Visitors from all over the world love going to Disney at Halloween and The Kid adores pointing out their elaborate costumes. She’s even come up with ideas for next year’s costume while people watching. Or you and your tween or teen can have a seat on Main Street and watch the party crowd stroll toward Cinderella Castle. After a full day in the park plus and a long night ahead of us, it’s a blast to just sit and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the most magical place on earth!

4. Let Them Eat Cake! Or Cupcakes! Or Popcorn! Or a Mickey Premium!

MNSSHP teens 3

I’m sure you all know that tweens and teens are insatiable when it comes to food; I know I hear, “Mom, what’s in the fridge to eat?” at least a dozen times a day. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has so many tasty options from table service to counter service to snack carts no fewer than a 60-second walk away from each other that it’s easy to give them what they want- fun food! The Kid loves the fun Halloween-themed goodies in Magic Kingdom and I find it easy to splurge when it comes to caloric intake at Disney. I mean, Disney sprinkles pixie dust on all of their food and makes them calorie-free, right? Wishful thinking.

3. Hallowishes Fireworks Display

MNSSHP teens 4

Tweens and teens may try to act more mature, but one glance at yours when they’re watching Hallowishes (or if you’re a stickler for details its official title is Happy HalloWishes: A Grim Grinning Ghosts Spooktacular in the Sky) and you may just see that tiny tot from years ago in their eyes. There’s plenty of viewing spots, our favorite being right in front of Cinderella Castle. Although, we have watched them from Astro Orbiter and they were pretty amazing, too.

2. Mickey’s Boo to You (and You, and You, and You) Parade

MNSSHP teens 5

One of The Kid’s top requests when we visit the Magic Kingdom at Halloween is to watch Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade. Yes, we all end up singing the VERY catchy tune for hours and even days afterwards and The Kid loves to somehow manage to start singing it at the very moment I’ve forgotten about it, but the parade is a blast! She loves seeing Disney characters in their Halloween costumes dancing and singing, especially the villains. It’s always a joy for me to watch her stick her hand out at the very end of the parade for a lollipop from the cast members with Goofy’s Candy Company. While you’re waiting for the parade to begin, take advantage of Disney cast members that love to take photos and encourage your tween or teen to act silly while having their photo taken. It always works for us.

1. Magic Kingdom Rides and Meet and Greets with No Line

MNSSHP teens 6
This has always been on the top of The Kid’s list. Most families are taking their kids around to meet and greets or queueing up to add to their candy haul, but we find the best time to ride the popular rides at Magic Kingdom is during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! We head for the Mountains and generally walk right on and then hit Haunted Mansion at least a half-dozen times. The HM cast members go all out for the party as well, and she adores how they look “antiqued”. If you’ve got older teens that like to head off on their own and you are comfortable with it, they’ll have the time of their lives riding the popular MK rides without much of a wait. As for Disney character meet and greets, the bulk of the partygoers will be getting autographs from The Seven Dwarfs and Jack Skellington and Sally, so feel free to head for daily meet and greets that you didn’t want to wait in line for during the day. We were able to walk right up to Merida from Brave, get a few pics, and were headed back to the party in under 10 minutes.

How do you keep a smile on your tween or teens face at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? I’d love to hear your suggestions!

Karyn Locke, Marketing and Social Media Guroo and Mid-America Guroo for trekaroo.com is a travel writer from Ohio that has a passion for all things Disney and a hankering for Dole Whip Floats at least three times a week. Also creator and blogger for www.sandandorsnow.com, she’s happy to give Disney tips to anyone that asks and is pleased as punch that her family shares her love of the most magical place on earth.

Free Gift and Coupon Code! Disney Food Blog 2014 Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book

Published August 15, 2014 by Disneyways.com

Have you checked out the best-selling DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book? If not, what are you waiting for? The Disney Food Blog Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book is now available, and here at Disneyways, we’re offering a FREE BONUS gift! That’s right, when you order your Disney Food Blog Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book by clicking any of our affiliate links on this page – you can help us cover costs here at Disneyways – with NO extra cost to you! Once your order is completed – be sure type your mailing address in the comments below. I will then verify that you used our links to purchase – and with that – I can send you a FREE BONUS gift from Walt Disney World. How’s that for an awesome deal?

Click here to view more details

dfb2014

 

Originally posted on DisneyFoodBlog.com

This 250-page guide to the 2014 Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! The cost is just $14.95 if you had to pay full price but as a Disneyways reader you can…

Use code Chefs at check-out for a $3 discount! Total price just $11.95!

53 days of special events, over 30 food and beverage tasting booths, and celebrity chefs to meet? How do you fit it all in without breaking the budget? Make sure you make the most of your time at Disney World’s Food & Wine Festival!

The Disney Food Blog Guide to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book has the very best tips, information, and advice to be sure you enjoy every minute of your time at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! With 220 pages of information, you can plan ahead and be ready to dive right in as soon as you arrive. So much is going on at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival this year; make sure you don’t have any regrets after you leave!

The DFB Guide to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is 220 pages of in-depth information, including significant updates unique to this year’s festival! If you were one of the many who bought the guide last year, you know how important these details are. They’ve noted all of the new marketplace booth menu items, new events, and more! Plus, they’ve added an expanded FAQ section, a printable checklist of all World Showcase Booth menu items, Epcot Food and Wine Festival recipes, and even more bonus items (including new booth crawls and touring strategies)!

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is quickly approaching! The biggest Food and Wine Festival of its kind in the world can be overwhelming, but by pre-planning you’ll be able to choose the parts that are most important to you and create a strategy to make sure you experience them all.

dfb2014

Plan Your Days Ahead of Time With Our Exclusive Full Schedule of Events for Every Day of the Festival!

This extremely valuable, exclusive resource allows you to easily flip to the days you’ll be there, see what’s offered, and be ready to book tickets — just like that! Use it on your mobile device when you’re at the festival to see what events are happening in real time.

Don’t Waste Money On Food and Beverages You Don’t Want!

You’ll have instant access to menus and food photos from the World Showcase booths. By choosing your must-eats before you get to the festival, you’ll save time, money, and all-important stomach space! You’ll also get location, time, and price details for every single event, concert, and seminar at the Festival. Exclusive and customized bonus sections will help make your trip to the Festival your best visit ever.

Take a look before your trip to decide what menu items and events your family will enjoy, then book early to make sure you’re one of the lucky attendees! Time is money on a Disney Vacation; get the most out of both!

Learn Tips to Avoid Endless Lines and to Get Into Popular Events!

Now in its 18th year, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is well-known for high quality presentations, celebrity chefs, and fantastic food. But each year the event gets bigger and bigger, and it becomes more difficult to simply pop in for the day and see everything.

Don’t get shut out of popular events, and don’t wait in winding lines! Remember, if you only have a few days (or less) to spend at the Festival, you want to be sure you’re making the right choices! The Disney Food Blog Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book is now available! Order yours today!

dfb

 

Video! Exclusive Disneyways Interview with Djimon Hounsou from Guardians of the Galaxy!

Published July 31, 2014 by Disneyways.com

You may have caught a glimpse of Djimon Hounsou in his role as  Korath the Accuser in the trailers for Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Between 1989 and 1991, he appeared in the music videos for “Straight Up” by Paula Abdul and “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” by Janet Jackson, as well as Madonna’s Express Yourself. In 2007, Hounsou began dating model Kimora Lee Simmons. On May 30, 2009, Simmons gave birth to their son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou. Hounsou has been nominated for 2 Academy Awards and 1 Golden Globe, and has had quite an accomplished career as an actor and model. But today, we’ve got a new look at Hounsou, right here on Disneyways, just for you!

Yesterday a red carpet event was held at an AMC theater in Orlando for the new Marvel blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy. Our friend Jason, who runs Orlando Fun and Food and has been a guest on the Disney Parks Podcast, went out to the event on behalf of our site. Djimon Hounsou, who plays a villain in the movie, was on hand at the red carpet. Jason had the chance to interview him about his role in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” on behalf of Disneyways. Check below for a video of interview.

About Guardians of the Galaxy: From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team—the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits—Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand—with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY hits theaters everywhere on August 1, 2014

For the latest news and updates on the Guardians of the Galaxy, follow @Guardians on Twitter and like the Guardians of the Galaxy on Facebook! For Guardians of the Galaxy movie tickets and more, click HERE.

Video! Rock Your Disney Side All Night Party Opening Ceremony

Published May 23, 2014 by Disneyways.com
Appearances by all of your favorite characters and more! Check out this video to see how they kicked off the party before the sun came up on May 23rd, 2014!
ears
Thanks to our Man-On-The-Scene Reporter Ramon Rodriguez from ThemeParkConcierges.com for sharing!
CLICK ON THE WORD “Post” (below) to be taken to the video!

//

Post by Disney Travel Advisor & Theme Park Concierge – Ramon Rodriguez.

Magic Kingdom Hidden Gems and Disney Parks Podcast News

Published April 16, 2014 by Disneyways.com

show113

 

This episode of the Disney Parks Podcast brings you the Disney news mixed in with some really interesting Magic Kingdom hidden gems!

  • What question should you ask the “maids” at the Haunted Mansion?
  • Where can you find a picture of Walt in the Carousel of Progress?
  • Why can’t you buy gum at the Magic Kingdom?
  • Why is the walkway at the Magic Kingdom red?

Get your answers to these questions and more on this episode! Look for the small grey circle with the sideways white triangle inside. Click on that circle and make sure your speakers are on. The show will begin immediately.

Leave us a message at 407-476-8898 with some of your favorite Magic Kingdom hidden gems. Your voice mail might be played on the show! 

Last night I got some exciting news. During the month of April our number of downloads per show has more than tripled. That means that there are 3 times as many potential listeners than there were just last month. We want to thank everyone who is tuning in. We are working hard to keep bringing you 2 exciting shows every week. We have some amazing interviews that will be published in May. Thank you for telling your friends about us and for leaving all those great reviews in iTunes!

If you haven’t given us a try just yet, you can catch the latest episode by visiting DisneyParksPodcast.com directly from your computer and clicking “Listen Now!” on the Disney Parks Podcast site. From there, just choose your episode.

You can also download the Stitcher Radio App here.

Find us on YouTube here.

Head over to iTunes and subscribe! This will give you access to each episode as soon as it is released. To learn more about how to subscribe to a podcast in iTunes click here.

Have a magical day!

Win a Trip for 4 to the Swan and Dolphin at Walt Disney World

Published April 13, 2014 by Disneyways.com

peeps

I love the Swan and Dolphin Resort at Walt Disney World. The atmosphere and “feel” of this resort is wonderful. Inside you can enjoy Karoke at Kimonos, delicious ice cream treats at The Fountian, and so much more. Probably the only thing I could imagine that would be better than visiting the Swan and Dolphin, is actually getting to enjoy a stay there. How great would it be to actually win a 4 night visit for FREE? This might be your chance to find out. The Express your Peepsonality Sweepstakes is here! You can pin and win your way to a 4 night stay, plus airfare, Disney park tickets and more! Check out the Peep “deets” at the link below!

In other Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin news, it’s about that time of the year to enjoy a sweet Easter week at the resort that’s filled with fun for the whole family. There is so much to do and see! During 2014 you can celebrate your “Peepsonality” with special Peeps welcome samples at check-in and get Peeps from the Easter Bunny as he greets you around the resort. There are special rates on rooms for a limited time when you ask for promo code PEEP189. There will be glow in the dark Easter egg hunts, Peep s’mores by the campfire, Easter crafts, and games. Chefs at the Swan and Dolphin are creating specialty items featuring Peeps – and there will even be a holiday dinner buffet with visits from Disney characters.

Get full details on the Express Your Peepsonality Sweepstakes HERE.  Also, be sure to get full details on all the Peeptastic fun at the Swan and Dolphin HERE.

easter2

 Want to know where to find the power couple while visit the Disney Parks this Easter? Check out this facebook Post!
Have you celebrated Easter at the Swan and Dolphin? Leave me a note in the comments below!

The Muppets Most Wanted – Great Constantine Caper

Published April 9, 2014 by Disneyways.com

Have you heard? For a limited time, there’s a new interactive adventure at Epcot! Projected to last only during the The Flower and Garden Festival 2014 – you can help capture Constantine in the new Muppets Most Wanted – Great Constantine Caper! To find the kiosk where you will begin, just enter World Showcase, start walking towards the Mexico Pavilion. You will see it on your left. Cast members will ask you to choose from 2 different adventures, hand you a passport, and send you on your way. Big thanks to our Man-On-The-Scene reporter Ramon Rodriguez of ThemeParkConcierges.com for the photos taken inside Epcot today. He described the Constantine Caper as simple but fun! I can’t wait to check it out for myself – how about you?

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.