Food and Wine Details Announced

WDWNT on February 18, 2010

Details have been announced for the 2010 Food and Wine Festival at Disney’s California Adventure.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2010) — Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival will create a kaleidoscope of culinary experiences for guests of every palate April 16-May 31 at Disney’s California Adventure park and select locations across the Disneyland Resort.
Chefs, winemakers and brewmasters will celebrate The Art of Flavor at this year’s tantalizing festival, which features entertaining culinary demonstrations, outstanding wine and spirits seminars, and delicious food, wine and beer.  General sales for Festival events began Feb. 16.
Look for chefs Guy Fieri and Cat Cora of Food Network, along with Disney culinary masters and special guests as they present their gastronomic talents in a full menu of complimentary demonstrations and signature paid events.  The signature events include winemaker dinners, Sweet Sundays, Napa Rose Cooking School and Taste Food-Wine-Life, a night that celebrates the essence of the festival with a mosaic of food, wine and live entertainment.
Opening weekend features celebrity chef Guy Fieri, the popular television personality and “food dude” who appears on shows such as “Guy’s Big Bite” on the Food Network. Fieri will conduct complimentary food demonstrations on the Festival’s main stage.
“Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival is a great time,” Fieri said.  “Of course the kids love Disneyland, but now this is something extra for the adults.  It’s incredible chefs, great wines from around the world and Disney. You’re gonna dig it.  See you there!”
Some events, including culinary demonstrations, are included with admission to Disney’s California Adventure park.  Signature events are separately ticketed and require reservations. For details, visit www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.
Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival includes experiences for anyone who appreciates the art of food, wine and beer.
  • The Hollywood Pictures Backlot comes to life as the new hub of energy and excitement, complete with artists, musicians and an international beer menu at the Brewers Collection. At the new Festival Showplace located in Stage 12, guests will sample from the delicious tapas menu at the Taste of California Marketplace and relax at the new Hollywood & Wine Lounge.
  • Among the most popular events at the festival are live culinary demonstrations and autograph sessions with popular celebrity chefs. Along with Guy Fieri and Cat Cora, those scheduled to present include Robert Irvine, Jeffrey Saad and Kerry Simon.
  • Hundreds of complimentary experiences and cooking demonstrations will entertain guests during the 46-day festival, many featuring the talents of Disneyland Resort chefs. Guest will also enjoy seminars that feature outstanding wine, spirits and beer.
  • At the spectacular ticketed events, food and wine aficionados will collect cooking tips from chefs, mingle with noted winemakers and celebrate the palette of flavors presented by culinary masters.
  • Also new this year is a Brewmaster Dinner on May 7.  The ingredients for this memorable evening include savory seasonal fare artfully paired with handcrafted Karl Strauss beers.
Events returning for 2010 include the gala Taste Food-Wine-Life” and other popular experiences:
  • Taste Food-Wine-Life: This fun, high-energy evening combines the best elements of the Food & Wine Festival into one grand celebration, May 29.  The immersive party has live entertainment, an outstanding selection of wines and colorful décor.  Guests will stroll from station to station sampling delectable food dishes created by the chefs of Disneyland Resort.
  • Sweet Sundays: The sweetest of all events features a light buffet breakfast and sparkling toast at the new Festival Showplace in Disney’s California Adventure.  Guests will see demonstrations and taste signature desserts created by acclaimed pastry chefs, including Richard Ruskell of Montage Beverly Hills.
  • Winemaker Dinners: Disneyland Resort chefs partner with premier California winemakers to prepare outstanding culinary delights at exclusive Winemaker Dinners on selected Friday nights.  Each festival meal is 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 four-course meal, expertly paired with wines, and each class member will go home with a white chef’s coat embroidered with the festival logo. This rare 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 old.
  • Introduction to Wine Tasting: In this entertaining class, Advanced Sommelier Joy Cushing introduces guests to the joys of wine tasting. Guests will learn about wine regions, varietals, growing and harvesting techniques and then test their skills with a blind tasting.
Festival events held in Disney’s California Adventure may require park admission, which is not included in the event price.  For details and pricing information, visit www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.

It’s a Carousel of Color!!!

WDWNT on February 12, 2010

World of Color continues to amaze me. Here are two videos shot, from the Paradise Pier Hotel, showing incredible shots of the whole platform while show testing is in progress. The color in these videos are overwhelming.

World of Color Showing its Magic

WDWNT on February 10, 2010

World of Color is getting closer and closer, and we can only expect a huge test and adjust period for a show of this scale. Here are two very beautiful videos of World of Color testing showing the magnificent water screens, fountains, and lighting features that will be sure to dazzle audiences.

Disneyland Attendance Jumps

WDWNT on February 9, 2010

The OC Register reported on the earnings report that Disney released earlier today…

Attendance at Disneyland Resort parks jumped about 15 percent in winter months compared to the same period the previous year — the second quarter in a row that Anaheim venues experienced the same increase.

The Walt Disney Co. today released its earnings for the first quarter of 2010, which runs from Oct. 4 to Jan. 2.

Top Disney officials credited the attendance hike partly to the big-drawing New Years holiday, which fell in the second quarter of the previous year. The week between Christmas and New Years Day is traditionally among the busiest of the year at the Disneyland Resort.

But late summer and early fall months also had a big jump in attendance with a 15 percent hike in the last quarter of the 2009 fiscal year.

Without the shift of the New Years dates, Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure’s attendance would have jumped about 15 percent and Florida parks would have seen a 1 percent drop in attendance, said Jay Rasulo, chief financial officer for the Walt Disney Co., during a conference call with investors.

Overall, domestic park attendance went up 9 percent in the first quarter.

Fewer visitors, however, stayed at Disneyland Resort’s three hotels: Grand Californian, Paradise Pier and Disneyland hotels. There, occupancy was about 78 percent — 7 percent lower than the prior year, Rasulo said. Disneyland Resort hotel guests also spent less money.

So far since January, hotel bookings are down 10 percent compared to the previous year, Rasulo said.

Last year, Disney parks ramped up discounts, offering free nights, dining and gift cards with hotel packages as a way to bring in more tourists during the economic downturn. Southern California residents also could get multi-day passes at reduced rates. But Disney officials are starting to reduce the discounts and are unsure when they will stop offering such promotions.

“We look at every quarter as we can, gauge the response to the consumer and act accordingly,” Rasulo said.

Worldwide, revenues stayed flat for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, taking in about $2.7 billion. Profits dropped about 2 percent to $375 million, mostly because of decreased attendance and hotel stays at Disneyland Paris.

Last month, Disney released its annual report, which gives more specific figures for the Disneyland Resort. Here are some of the key numbers from fiscal year 2009:

  • Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure’s attendance jumped 7 percent. Overall, domestic parks’ attendance was up about 2 percent, the same as the year before.
  • Disneyland Resort visitors spent 9 percent less than they did the previous year.
  • Occupancy and spending also were down at the three local hotels. About 80 percent of the rooms were filled on average, compared to 88 percent the year before.
  • Hotel visitors per room spent about $315 on average — $24 less than the prior year.

    • You can find the official report from Disney Here

    Update: Disney attendance jumped 20%, not 15% as reported above

    Rain, Rain… Please Go Away

    WDWNT on February 6, 2010

    Disneyland and California Adventure will be closing early again today as the rains have affected normal operation of the park. The parks have been closed early twice in the last month. The forecast does continue into tomorrow so if you plan to go to the resort, be aware that several attractions may be closed and shows canceled.

    Disneyland park will close at 8 PM and California Adventure at 6 PM.

    Update: Tonight, the 6th, it has been reported that Disneyland Park will close at 9:00 PM and DCA at 6:00 PM.

    Passholders to get Food and Wine Tickets Early

    WDWNT on February 4, 2010

    From Disney Parks Blog:

    The most voracious fans of Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival know that the fifth annual Festival will celebrate “The Art of Flavor” from April 16 through May 31 this year. But the date they’re really craving is the first day of ticket sales. We’ve got that news for you today.

    Tickets for selected Signature events go on sale February 4 for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders only, at the Special Offer Page. General sales of all Festival Signature events will begin on February 16 at 10 a.m., at www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.

    Annual Passholders will be able to register from February 4 through February 15 to get special reduced prices for these events: winemaker dinners, a new Brewmaster Dinner, and the Festival finale celebration “Taste Food-Wine-Life.” Annual Passholders must provide proof of membership online.

    While you may be familiar with the winemaker dinners, here’s a little more information about “Taste Food-Wine-Life.” It’s a fun, high-energy evening that combines the best elements of the Food & Wine Festival into one grand finale celebration, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 29. The party has live musical entertainment, an outstanding selection of wines and a variety of food to taste. Not only do you get to see Disney chefs whipping up their specialty food dishes, you can talk to them about their creations as you sample their work.

    If you’ve attended Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival in previous years, please share what you enjoyed most at the Festival.

    Pricing and Times can be found at The Disneyland Annual Passholder Site