February 17, 2010
As part of the 2010 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World, the Flower Power Concerts are popular with visitors. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m artists play at the America Gardens Theatre. These shows are free with admission to the park.
This is the current lineup (Entertainment is subject to change without notice):
March 5-7 – Jose Feliciano
March 12-14 – Paul Revere & The Raiders
March 19-21 – David Cassidy
March 26-28 – Starship featuring Mickey Thomas
April 2-4 – Tony Orlando
April 9-11 – Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
April 16-18 – Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring the Nelsons
April 23-25 – Atlanta Rhythm Section
April 30-May 2 –Fran Cosmo (Former lead singer of Boston)
May 7-9 –Davy Jones
May 14 – 16 – Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
Something for everyone!
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
February 14, 2010
In honor of Valentines Day, the chefs at Disney’s Turf Club at the Saratoga Springs Resort shared the recipe for their Chocolate Espresso Torte on the Disney blog.
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Disney’s Turf Club Chocolate Espresso Torte
Makes one 9-inch torte
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened, plus additional softened butter for greasing pan
3/4 cup sugar, plus additional sugar for dusting pan
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
5 eggs at room temperature, beaten
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup prepared espresso
Chocolate Ganache:
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 stick softened butter
Vanilla ice cream, optional
For Torte:
Preheat oven to 300º with oven rack in middle position. Wrap a 9-inch springform pan in plastic wrap, then wrap tightly with a layer of heavy-duty foil. Generously butter pan. Dust pan with sugar, tapping out excess. Place prepared pan in a roasting pan; set aside.
Combine 3/4 cup sugar and prepared espresso in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
Place chocolate in a large bowl set over a large saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until just melted. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined. Stir in espresso syrup and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly, 4 to 5 minutes. Gently stir in eggs until combined.
Pour batter into prepared springform pan. Pour boiling-hot water into roasting pan until it reaches three-quarters of the way up the of springform pan. Bake until center of torte is almost set, but still wobbles just slightly, about 45 to 50 minutes.
Transfer torte to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours or overnight.
For Ganache:
Place chocolate in a medium bowl set over a medium saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until melted. Set aside to cool slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined and glossy. Use immediately.
To Serve:
Run a thin knife along edge of chilled torte, and remove springform pan ring. Set torte on a wire rack set over a sheet pan. Pour ganache over torte, a bit at a time, spreading with a rubber or offset spatula to cover top. Allow excess to drip down sides, if desired. Place torte on a platter or sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
For Miniature Heart-Shaped Tortes:
Cut individual tortes from large torte using a heart-shaped cutter. Carefully dip each heart into ganache using two forks, letting excess drip off. Set hearts on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
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Looks yummy!
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
(Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland)
Early June 2010 sees the return of Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade to the Magic Kingdom. Since 2001, this amazing parade has been seasonally wowing guests at Disneyland in Anaheim. Part of the 2010 ‘Summer Nightastic’, Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade is sure to be a big hit. Tinkerbell will lead the parade in a magical balloon float. Pinocchio and Snow White also join the parade this year in new floats.
If you have not seen this parade before, make the time to do so. It is well worth it, certainly a magical parade to watch.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
February 7, 2010
Tutto Italia in EPCOT will be having a Carnival of Venice celebration beginning February 8th 2010 through to February 16th 2010. This special celebration includes an appetizer, entree and desert. Prices are $19 for lunch and $29 for dinner. Servers will be wearing amazing handmade Venetian masks and costumes. Dinner will also feature the strolling musical trio “Viva Venezia”
The chef inspired menu also features Fileto Di Pesce Al Melograno (Halibut with Pomegranate Sauce) at dinner.
http://bit.ly/CarnivalofVenice
Call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463) for reservations.
FILETO DI PESCE AL MELOGRANO (HALIBUT WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE)
Serves 4
Halibut
1 3/4 pounds halibut fillet (1 1/2 inches thick), cut into 4 even portions
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
Pomegranate Sauce
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons chopped shallots
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup pure pomegranate juice
1 tablespoon butter
For the halibut:
1. Season the halibut with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat until just starting to smoke.
3. Carefully place the halibut in the oil and cook for 4minutes each side, turning once, until golden brown on each side.
For the pomegranate sauce:
1. Boil wine and shallots over medium-high heat in heavy small saucepan for approximately 2 minutes or until most of wine has evaporated.
2. Add heavy cream and pomegranate juice and bring to a boil for approximately 5 minutes or until reduced to 3/4 cup.
3. Whisk in butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Spoon sauce over halibut before service.
Sounds delicious!
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
February 6, 2010
A new Downtown Disney eatery will be opening in late 2010. Pollo Campero is a Guatemalan fried chicken restaurant chain - think a latin version of KFC - featuring fried and grilled chicken, salads and specialty drinks.
Pollo Campero will open in the space currently occupied by McDonald’s which is closing shortly.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
As part of a 2004 decision to end a 10 year exclusive sponsorship agreement with Disney, the McDonald’s restaurant in downtown Disney will close at the end of April. McDonald’s will still continue to operate the restaurant near to the entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
In its place will be a Pollo Campero, a Latin chicken fast-food restaurant.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
February 4, 2010
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Two exciting additions are coming to Epcot World Showcase, with culinary expansions under way at the Italy pavilion and Mexico pavilion.
In Italy, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria is under construction with opening planned for fall 2010 in time for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Operated by Patina Restaurant Group, the same restaurateurs who run the pavilion’s Tutto Italia Ristorante, the 300-seat pizzeria is inspired by Naples 45, another Patina Restaurant Group pizzeria on East 45th Street in New York City.
The casual pizzeria will feature wood-burning ovens – and will import water from a source that most resembles the water in Naples, Italy, home of some of the world’s best pizza dough. The menu also will feature pastas, salads, sandwiches and Italian wines.
The 14,000-square-foot space will include indoor and outdoor dining.
At Mexico, the popular Cantina de San Angel restaurant is expanding, and will feature 400 seats with al fresco seating for lunch and a perfect place for viewing “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” the nightly Epcot fireworks spectacular.
The restaurant will feature south-of-the border creations from the culinary team at San Angel Inn LLC, who have run both the outside eatery and the pavilion’s San Angel Inn for more than 25 years. Opening also is set for fall 2010.
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Looks like great new additions to EPCOT.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
February 3, 2010
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2010)– La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil announced today that an incredible new act featuring world-renowned juggler Anthony Gatto will be added permanently to the 90-minute spectacle at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort beginning Feb. 5, 2010.
Anthony Gatto comes to La Nouba from the tour of KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil and holds 11 world records in juggling. In the nine-minute act, Gatto juggles balls, hoops and clubs in unprecedented numbers at amazing speed with seemingly impossible accuracy.
Gatto joins the ranks of professional athletes, dancers, vocalists, musicians and comedic performers in the cast of 67 artists in the incredibly creative and dynamic gem La Nouba.
“Anthony is a true showman and we are pleased to have him join the dedicated and talented cast of La Nouba. The juggling act is fast-paced and will add to the energy on stage,” said Neil Boyd, company manager. “This act is an amazing new addition for our fans that come to see the show year after year.”
Time magazine calls Gatto, “simply the best juggler ever.”
The new act is entitled “cinq-a-sept” which means “five-to-seven,” generally known as “happy hour.” This fits well with the meaning of La Nouba - “to party” or “live it up.”
This new act replaces the chair balancing act in the show.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesdays through Saturdays at 6 and 9 p.m. The theater is dark Sundays, Mondays and select times throughout the year.
La Nouba is performed exclusively at Downtown Disney West Side at Walt Disney World Resort.
ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major international organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. Since its founding, Cirque du Soleil has thrilled close to 90 million spectators in more than 200 cities on five continents.
In addition to presenting La Nouba at Downtown Disney West Side, Cirque du Soleil presents seven equally unique and innovative productions in Las Vegas: Mystère™at Treasure Island, “O”™ at Bellagio, Zumanity™, The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil™ at New York-New York Hotel & Casino, KÀ™ at MGM Grand, The Beatles™, LOVE™, at The Mirage, CRISS ANGEL Believe™ at Luxor and Viva ELVIS™ at ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter
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Hope you enjoyed reading this news from La Nouba. We saw Anthony Gatto when he was in KOOZA, an amazing juggler, and a great addition to La Nouba.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Save 30% on tickets Feb 2nd, 2010 through March 27th 2010
http://bit.ly/LaNoubaValentine2010offer
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
February 1, 2010
Special launch viewing is available from the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Guests may also view the launch from the main Visitor Complex. For viewing from the Apollo/Saturn V Center, guests must board a bus by 9:30 a.m.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the powerful Atlas V rocket lift off from NASA’s launch headquarters. SDO launch viewing included with KSCVC admission.
Click here to purchase general admission or an annual pass.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com