Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival Celebrates Flavors of the World in 2009

WDWNT on February 24, 2009

Tickets for Premier Events Go On Sale Beginning Feb. 24;
 Hundreds of Culinary and Tasting Experiences Are Complimentary 

ANAHEIM, Calif., February 19, 2009 — Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival will celebrate the international cultures, people, food and traditions that have made California one of the most diverse culinary destinations in the world. With a theme of “World Celebration,” the Festival expands to six weeks in 2009 – April 24 through June 7 – featuring daily complimentary demonstrations and premier ticketed events at Disney’s California Adventure park and throughout the Resort.

Tickets for the premier events – which include unique opportunities to go “Behind the Scenes With …” celebrity chefs and winemakers – go on sale beginning Tuesday, Feb. 24, at www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.

More than 600 complimentary experiences will be available at the fourth annual Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival, including culinary demonstrations, children’s programs and wine and spirits seminars. In addition, food and wine aficionados will get tips from Disneyland Resort chefs, mingle with noted winemakers and celebrate at the spectacular ticketed events, including the gala Festival finale “Taste Food-Wine-Life.”

“The 2009 Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival will take guests on a delicious journey around the globe,” said Gary Maggetti, director of food and beverage for Disneyland Resort theme parks. “We invite guests to celebrate their favorite foods and wines with our great variety of events, and to explore new tastes and flavors with our outstanding chefs and wine experts.”

Food & Wine Festival events held in Disney’s California Adventure require park admission, which is not included in the event price. Some events may require an additional fee and pre-registration.

Featured celebrity chefs, including Guy Fieri of the Food Network, along with nearly 100 Disneyland Resort chefs will conduct cooking demonstrations that showcase their talents and an international mix of delectable dishes. Guests will collect cooking tips while they watch the pros in action, discovering new twists on timeless classics and sampling the festival cuisine. Guests will also taste delicious festival-inspired dishes at the Wine Country Trattoria, Pacific Wharf Café, Farmer’s Market and other eateries inside Disney’s California Adventure park. 

New Events for 2009

Guests will enjoy several new signature events this year.

  • Behind the Scenes With… – Unique opportunities to share food, wine and conversation with cooking personalities from popular television programs and celebrity winemakers. The stars include Guy Fieri (“Guy’s Big Bite”), Keegan Geerhard (“Food Network Challenge), Tommy Lasorda (Lasorda Wines), and John and Nancy Lasseter (Lasseter Family Winery). The evenings begin with tasty appetizers and exquisite wines, followed by question-and-answer sessions hosted by Chef Jamie Gwen.
  • Sweet Sundays – The sweetest of all events features a light buffet breakfast and sparkling wine at the Golden Vine Winery at Disney’s California Adventure. Guests will see demonstrations and taste three signature desserts created by acclaimed pastry chefs, including chefs from Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. in San Diego and Cake Monkey Bakery in Los Angeles.
  • Festival Wine Walks – Guests will explore wines of the world, or a single region, when they purchase a tasting passport and select up to four tastes of spectacular wines. A tasting tour that features craft brews will also be available. Delicious wine country tapas that complement the beer and wine will be available at The Lounge at the Golden Vine Winery.
  • World Celebration Dinners – Disneyland Resort chefs will create an elegant menu that blends the food, wine and celebrations of regions around the world. France, Japan, Korea, Italy and Spain will be featured.
  • Master Sommelier Michael Jordan, of the award-winning Napa Rose restaurant, will add a new class to his “Introduction to Wine Tasting.” The “Advanced Wine Class” includes three two-hour sessions that take guests to the next level in their knowledge of wine regions, varietals, growing and harvesting style. Both entertaining classes will offer training as well as a blind tasting to test the participants’ skills. 

Popular Returning Events
Events returning for 2009 feature Disneyland Resort chefs and premier winemakers.

  • Winemaker Dinners – Disneyland Resort chefs will partner with premier California winemakers to prepare outstanding culinary delights at six exclusive “Winemaker Dinners,” on selected Friday nights. Each Festival meal will be paired with award-winning vintages and served at Steakhouse 55, inside the Disneyland Hotel.
  • Napa Rose Cooking School – Disney Executive Chef Andrew Sutton will once again lead this hands-on course that sells out quickly. Each class will create and enjoy a themed meal paired with wines and each class member will go home with an official chef’s coat to commemorate the experience. This amazing opportunity takes place in the show kitchen of the renowned Napa Rose restaurant at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Guests must be at least 18 years of age and advance reservations are required.
  • Festival Wine Receptions – Guests will have an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful sunset and weekend evening under the stars, on the patio of the Golden Vine Winery inside Disney’s California Adventure park. While sampling from a variety of selected wines and enjoying hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, guests will meet fellow wine enthusiasts, make new friends and discover new favorite wines. 

For more details and pricing information, visit www.disneyland.com/foodandwine

“Are You 23?”

WDWNT on February 24, 2009

Over the last few months, the Walt Disney Company has been running a huge viral marketing campaign asking “Are You 23?”. The ads have been very visible on various company websites and Disney even launched a website (www.disney.com/23) where you can sign-up to be the first to know what this campaign is all-about. I was informed a few weeks ago that this campaign would most likely lead to some sort of Disney merchandise fan club, but I was reluctant to release any details until we had more substantial information. If these pin pictures are any proof, the rumors are true:

3004581

3004591

Some other rumors we have heard about “D23” claim that the club will have an undisclosed annual fee, offer discounts on Disney merchandise, hold an annual convention at one of the domestic Disney Resorts, and offer exclusive “member-only” merchandise through Disney Shopping. We can not confirm any of these rumors at this time, but Disney is scheduled to release all of the details on March 10. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on “D23” and the “Are You 23?” campaign.

(Note: If you are from another media outlet and wish to use these photos, we only ask that you link back to wdwnewstoday.com as it is the same common courtesy we extend to our sources. thank you.)

“Are You 23?”

WDWNT on February 23, 2009

Our sister site WDW News Today has been tracking the development of the secret promotion Disney is currently promoting, which asks the question “Are You 23?”. Everyone has been wondering since these ads started popping up, just what would this “Are You 23?” thing be? As Tom stated on WDW News Today, it will most likely turn out to be some sort of a Disney merchandise fan club, and this product release and signing on March 14th adds extra strength to that rumor:

Dave Pacheco Product Release & Signing – “Are you 23?”
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 artist 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. Additional information about this exciting event will follow the March 10, 2009 announcement revealing the answer to “Are you 23?” To find out more about “Are you 23?” visit Disney.com/23.

Merchandise available while supplies last. A limited number of pieces will be available on the day of the event. We ask that only two (2) items be signed per Guest. We ask that you bring no personal items to be signed. Event merchandise must be purchased on the day of release at the event location. ValidDisneyland® Resort receipt may be required. Artist signing is subject to space and time availability and is not guaranteed. Artist will only sign their respective merchandise purchased on the day of the event only. Event information subject to change without notice. Separate admission is required to enter Disneyland® Resort theme parks.

Disney is scheduled to release all of the details for “Are You 23?” on March 10, so be sure to stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest on this new campaign.

Shawn Hutchinson’s 2/20/09 Disneyland Park Photo Report

WDWNT on February 22, 2009

We’d proudly like to welcome Shawn Hutchinson to the Disneyland News Today staff as not just a staff photographer, but also a member of our podcast team. Here’s his first photo report for us from this past Friday:

Lines were not very busy at the Mickey and Friends Tram Station.

Or at the Disneyland main entrance for that matter.

I see a storm approaching over California.

But Disneyland looks good… For now.

I spoke too soon… There’s the rain, lots of it!

Read More about Shawn Hutchinson’s 2/20/09 Disneyland Park Photo Report

Two Disneyland Resort Jungle Cruise Skippers ‘Spiel’ Their Way to Tokyo Disney Resort

WDWNT on February 22, 2009

ANAHEIM, CALIF., February 16, 2009 – Earlier this year, Jungle Cruise skippers all around the world were preparing their funniest material for a chance at representing their respective Disney Parks in Tokyo this month. Since the attraction debuted at Disneyland in 1955, the skipper role has always been one of interaction and fun, telling the story of the Jungle Cruise through silly jokes.

As part of Tokyo Disney Resort’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, a total of eight Jungle Cruise skippers from Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort have been chosen to represent their resorts during a nine-day excursion to Tokyo Disney where they will participate in a unique dream opportunity.

In conjunction with the milestone anniversary, the Oriental Land Company, the Japanese company that owns and operates the resort, made 25 dreams come true for Cast Members. The Jungle Cruise skipper dream is one of the most unique being fulfilled. The request came from Kenichi Ito, a supervisor for Jungle Cruise, who dreamt to have Jungle Cruise skippers worldwide gather at Tokyo Disneyland and create an occasion where they could exchange best practices and, of course, best jokes!

In Anaheim, Jungle Cruise skippers Kevin Lively and Mickey Wright were chosen as representatives of the original attraction.

At the Disneyland Resort, the competition began in January with 60 skippers. On Feb. 6, six finalists took to the jungle delivering their finest skipper antics to a panel of surprise celebrity judges including – Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios John Lasseter and his wife, Nancy, Executive Vice President and Walt Disney Imagineering Ambassador Marty Sklar, Senior Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering Tony Baxter, and Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Director and Concept Writer Kevin Rafferty.

Each finalist had one shot to deliver his or her spiel to the judges. Rain poured down throughout the skippers’ spiels making for a well-themed trip through the rainforest. Although conditions were soggy, the skippers were cool, calm and collected while delivering punch line after punch line.

“All the skippers were terrific, every single one,” said Sklar. “They were all able to use their own unique style during their performances to make the jokes funny every time. We had a tough time deciding the winners.”

The excursion takes place Feb. 27 through Mar. 6, and will include a two-day tour of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, Jungle Cruise skipper training on the Tokyo attraction, and the opportunity to present their personal spiel’s to the group.

Myrna Litt’s 2/19/09 Photo Report

WDWNT on February 21, 2009

After about a month away from the parks, Myrna Litt finally returns with a new photo report:

After taking a break off for Presidents Day weekend, the Main Street repaving project returned this week in full force!

New, similar signs, replacing the old birthday ones at the Plaza Inn.

The windows have been temporarily covered over with a fake view outside due to tarps around the building.

If you couldn’t tell they’re fake, then these old signs will prove it to you.

Now for a few pictures from the newly re-opened It’s a Small World.

Read More about Myrna Litt’s 2/19/09 Photo Report

Celebrating 100th Birthday at Disneyland

WDWNT on February 16, 2009

Frances Taylor

On her 100th birthday, Friday, February 13, Frances Taylor of Lake Forest, California, took advantage of the Disney Parks “Free On Your Birthday” offer to celebrate with her extended family – four children, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren – at Disneyland in Anaheim. She was greeted at the Main Entrance to Disneyland by Mickey Mouse and friends, who presented her with a 100th Birthday cake. In 1912, as she and her mother prepared to emigrate to the United States from their native Scotland, they were bumped from the passenger list of the Titanic. For her birthday, she boarded “the happiest cruise that ever sailed” to experience the newly refreshed and reopened “it’s a small world” attraction. Approximately 2 million people have registered for the Disney Parks “Free On Your Birthday” offer since it was announced last fall. Taylor’s daughter, Maggie Winn (far left), registered her for “Free on Your Birthday.”

Chris Lastrapes’ 2/14/09 Photo Report

WDWNT on February 14, 2009

WDWNT’s very own Chris Lastrapes was at the Disneyland Resort celebrating his birthday this past Thursday, and shares with us a few photos of the latest happenings around the Resort:

Workers were working outside the gates of The Haunted Mansion up to it’s soft re-opening Thursday afternoon.

The attraction was closed early in the day.

The painting of Mickey’s Fun Wheel is pretty much done. Just a little bit left to do on the stars.

Lots of work going on in the Paradise Pier lagoon.

We’ll end this short photo report with the new covering for Mr. Potato Head.