Jose Eber’s 3/14/09 Mini-WDW Update

WDWNT on March 15, 2009

WDWNT Photographer and Videographer Jose Eber has provided us with a video and a number of photos from around the Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s take a look at some of his findings:

Here is a video featuring progress on the Bay Lake Tower addition to Disney’s Contemporary Resort

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Online Check-In Service Key Pick-Up desk running at Fort Wilderness

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The McDonald’s near Disney’s All-Star Resorts is getting remodeled

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Construction walls surround the front of the building while the restaurant remains open

How to be Tren-D

WDWNT on March 14, 2009

The latest issue of the Eyes and Ears Walt Disney World cast member publication features a look at the logo and some concept are for the new Tren-D shop opening in the Downtown Disney Marketplace on March 19th:

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Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on this new store coming soon to Downtown Disney.

Not Sure What to Celebrate?

WDWNT on March 14, 2009

In case you weren’t sure what you can celebrate at Disney Parks in 2009, here are some promotional videos recently released by Disney:

Disneyland Resort Restaurants Win 15 Awards At Southern California Restaurant Writers Banquet

WDWNT on March 13, 2009

ANAHEIM, Calif., March 12, 2009 – Disneyland Resort celebrates 15 new awards for its restaurants and chefs as it prepares to launch the 2009 Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival, a six-week “World Celebration” that features delicious food and wine from Disneyland chefs and celebrity chefs and winemakers.

The 2008-09 awards were presented to Disneyland Resort restaurants and chefs at the recent Southern California Restaurant Writers Awards Banquet at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda, California. A highlight for Resort restaurants was the recognition of Alex Flores and Francisco Origel, sous chefs at the perennially popular Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, as co-winners of the “Sous Chef of the Year” award.

Napa Rose was honored further with a Golden Bacchus Wine Award and a Golden Sceptre (Five Star) award, the highest, in the continental category. Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel also received highest honors, with a Golden Bacchus Wine Award and a Golden Sceptre (Five Star) award in the American category. The awards reflect Disneyland Resort’s commitment to guest service, which has been enhanced under the guidance of Master Sommelier Michael Jordan and his wine education program. The Resort has 300 certified sommeliers who assist guests with the pairing of wine and food.

Andrew Sutton, the executive chef who has helped guide the culinary success of Napa Rose since it opened in 2001, lauded the success of his sous chefs, saying, “This is a tribute to their hard work and dedication to the Napa Rose. Alex and Francisco have been instrumental in the restaurant’s success, contributing to the culinary vision with their expertise, dedication, talent and integrity.”

Francisco Origel worked with Sutton for five years at Auberge du Soleil in the California wine country. He was promoted to sous chef at Auberge du Soleil in 1997 following a rigorous selection process. He joined the Napa Rose culinary team in fall of 2002. “Francisco has amazing plating and cooking skills that he loves to share with his fellow chefs,” Sutton said.

Alex Flores was part of the opening culinary team for Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in 2001, working in Storytellers Café. He moved to Napa Rose in June 2002 and worked his way through the culinary training program at all stations in the restaurant, being promoted to sous chef in 2007. “Alex is a self-starter and dedicated to his craft,” Sutton said. “He is incredibly imaginative and has the culinary disciplines to back it up with sound cooking and flavor combinations.”

Napa Rose showcases California wine country cuisine with menu options that change seasonally to follow the holistic dining philosophy of Executive Chef Sutton.  The restaurant features a 16,000-bottle wine cellar, more than 1,000 vintages and 80 wines available by the glass. At Steakhouse 55, which also earned top honors for the Disneyland Resort, guests experience classic and delectable American fare while enjoying the feel of vintage Hollywood through the restaurant’s retro décor.  The restaurant is also home to the posh Lounge at Steakhouse 55 that features an extensive wine list and light menu of new and old American classics.

With a total of 15 awards going to 12 restaurants – seven in Disneyland Resort hotels, two in Disneyland, two in Downtown Disney and one in Disney’s California Adventure – Disneyland Resort guests have a vast array of outstanding dining options.

Guests will be able to meet some of the Disney chefs and enjoy hundreds of complimentary demonstrations at Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival, which runs April 24 through June 7 inside Disney’s California Adventure. For details and information, go to www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.

The complete list of Disneyland Resort awards:

Special Award Category
•    Sous Chef of the Year:  Alex Flores/Francisco Origel (Napa Rose, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)

Golden Bacchus Wine Award
•    Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)
•    Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)

Golden Sceptre (Five Star):
•    Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)
•    Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)

Gold (Four Star)
•    Ariel’s Grotto (Paradise Pier, Disney’s California Adventure park)
•    Blue Bayou (New Orleans Square, Disneyland)
•    Café Orleans (New Orleans Square, Disneyland)
•    Hook’s Pointe & Wine Cellar (Disneyland Hotel)
•    Storyteller’s Café (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)
•    Yamabuki (Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel)

Sterling (Three Star)
•    Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel)
•    Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Downtown Disney)
•    Tortilla Jo’s (Downtown Disney)

Silver (Two Star)
•    PCH Grill (Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel)

The Southern California Restaurant Writers, Inc. has operated for 35 years as a non-profit seeking to improve the quality of restaurants in the region.  Award winners are chosen from Santa Barbara south to the Mexican border.

Sanaa Restaurant Coming with Kidani Village

WDWNT on March 13, 2009

When the Kidani Village building containing the villas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opens on May 1, 2009, so will a new Walt Disney World table service restaurant:

Sanaa Restaurant serves African cuisine with Indian flavors for lunch as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village in Walt Disney World Resort. Just as its name – in swahili – means “artwork,” Sanaa offers its Guests beautifully prepared food in an artistic atmosphere.

Before dinner, relax in the comfortable lounge beside the spacious dining room. Once you are seated, choose from an array of delectable dishes that are slow-cooked, grilled over a wood fire or roasted in a traditional Indian clay oven.

Reservations are available now by calling (407) WDW-DINE

Celebrating the Launch of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans

WDWNT on March 13, 2009

We recently reported on a D23 related product release and signing happening this Saturday at the Disneyana Shop on Main Street USA, but we didn’t then know what the merchandise would be. But now that D23 has been officially announced by Disney, we know what the merchandise will be, and it looks pretty darn spectacular:

Dave Pacheco Product Release & Signing Celebrating the Launch of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans

Special Guest: Disney Master Artist, Dave Pacheco
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Disneyana Shop, Main Street, U.S.A.

Join us as we welcome Disney Master Artist Dave Pacheco for a very special appearance and signing on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Dave will be on hand to sign a selection of artwork, a t-shirt and a pin featuring some of Disney’s most beloved characters, which he created for D23’s stunning new advertising campaign. D23 – Disney’s first official community for fans – celebrates the wonder and excitement that begin in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his studio in Hollywood.

The following items will be available as part of the product release & signing:

Deluxe Prints with D23 matte

Bandleader Mickey Deluxe Print – $40 (Dimensions: 14″x18″)

Jiminy Cricket Deluxe Print – $40 (Dimensions: 14″x18″)

Tinker Bell Deluxe Print – $40 (Dimensions: 14″ x 18″)

T-shirt

“Made For You and Me” T-shirt – $24.95

Pin

Bandleader Mickey Pin – $12.95 (Limit TWO (2) per Guest)
(Specially created to celebrate the launch of D23. See Wristband Guidelines Below. Available while supplies last.)

D23 Membership Exclusive Charter Member Certificate Custom Matte & Frame – $89.95
See Cast Member for Details

D23 Disney Twenty Three Magazine Premiere Issue – $15.95

You do not need to be a member of D23 to attend this event. For more information regarding D23, please visit Disney.com/23.

“What Will You Celebrate?” How About A Holiday Party?

WDWNT on March 12, 2009

WDWinfo.com is reporting the following as the dates for the two Magic Kingdom Park after hours parties in 2009:

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
September: 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, 2009
October: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 2009

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
November: 10, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 29, 2009
December: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 2009

Tickets go on sale May 1, 2009 for both parties. These dates are not official yet, but are highly likely. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on this breaking story.

TrenD Information

WDWNT on March 12, 2009

Disney has now released a formal press release concerning the new TrenD store coming to the Downtown Disney Marketplace that we have been telling you about for a few weeks now. This should answer any questions we have prior to the March 19th opening of the shop:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – A stylish boutique with designer flair and eclectic offerings becomes a premier shopping spot at Downtown Disney Marketplace with the March opening of TrenD. The urban-inspired Walt Disney World specialty store is a one-of-a-kind, hip destination for fashion-conscious shoppers seeking trendy apparel and novel accessories.

“This unique environment, filled with textured fabrics, new silhouettes, and whimsical art and design allows us the opportunity to push the creative envelope as it relates to fashion and our characters,” said Mark Perrotta, director of Product Development and Design. “Our guests continue to respond to trend merchandise and novel products that they can’t purchase at home. TrenD speaks to what is happening today with a blend of vintage and hip with stylized Disney influences.”

Offerings include organic loungewear, embroidered handbags, jeweled sunglasses and trendy accessories set among stylish art and unique furnishings. The eclectic environment offers a raw and unfinished feel with jeweled chandeliers, distinct fixtures and mod furnishings.

Much of the merchandise will not be available anywhere else at Downtown Disney. Designers such as Kidada Jones, Tarina Tarantino and Roxy will showcase their artistry – blending it with Disney-inspired creations.

“With its exclusive product lines and new environment, we think TrenD will complement the existing merchandise offerings at Downtown Disney,” said Perrotta.

TrenD is in a 2,500-square-foot venue near Pin Traders and Once Upon A Toy. The space previously was used by Summer Sands.

Jose Eber’s 3/10/09 Supersonic Photo Update

WDWNT on March 11, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber was visiting the Magic Kingdom yesterday and took some pictures of the continuing construction for Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration in Tomorrowland:

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The main stage now has the large metal canopy that can be seen in the concept artwork

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The structure across from the stage now also has some futuristic accents being added to it

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You can see some futuristic pylons that will hold speakers being added to the side of the stage in this picture

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A little blurry, but you can make out the box where the speaker is located within the pylon